Happy Saturday, my fellow book nerds!
WELCOME to the VERY FIRST post in my brand new holiday-themed series!!!
If you caught the intro post yesterday, you know this series was designed as a way for me to thank this wonderful community for all the love and laughs throughout the past year.
The inspiration story and full explanation can be found in the link above, but for a quick recap:
From Dec. 1 to Dec. 25, I’ll be highlighting one content creator that has made an impact in my bookish life. Each post will feature a mini bio on the day’s selected star, all of the links to their fabulous content, and a special holiday-themed glimpse into their lives.
So are we ready to see which creator is behind door #1 on my first stop in this Holiday ADVENTure?

It’s…
Kaleena from Reader Voracious!
I was blessed with this sci-fi loving gal’s friendship earlier this year and I couldn’t be more thankful. This CA-based Slytherin pulled me into a backlist buddy read, which led to the creation of one of the world’s most badass (and yet to be named) Squads! *Yes! I know my bias is showing…moving on…*
One of the many reasons Kaleena is so inspiring to me is because she consistently uses her platform to elevate her fellow bloggers, readers, and book lovers. Whether it’s via her Reading Around the Globe series focused on boosting marginalized voices or her killer spreadsheets that keep all our bookish stats organized, she is constantly using her skills for the greater good. Her thoughtful nature coupled with the fact that she’s super responsive and always there for me when/if I need her makes her friendship something I truly cherish this holiday season. If you haven’t spent some time on Kaleena’s sites feel free to click and follow the links below:
* BLOG * TWITTER * GOODREADS * PINTEREST *
1) What is your favorite thing to do around the holidays/favorite holiday tradition?
The one thing that I always do is go to ‘Candy Cane Lane,’ a neighborhood in San Diego where every house decorates their yards and houses with the most ornate decorations with a thermos of hot chocolate. Since moving up to Northern California in 2012, I have found a couple streets that do it really well but it isn’t as fantastic (although the weather is chillier!). Last year I also started a new tradition of seeing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra play live, which was a FANTASTIC WAY for me to kick off the holiday season. If they come to your town, I highly recommend it!
2) What is your favorite holiday scent? Or favorite holiday movie if you don’t have a fave scent?
I love the smell of Christmas trees. I haven’t been in the position to buy a tree for my own place ever, but I like to get wreaths or springs to have the smell in my apartment! I love the outdoors so much and the trees just make me feel like I am out in nature and make my soul happy.
3) What is your favorite holiday drink or dish?
Hot cocoa, I suppose. I am lactose intolerant so I avoid dairy like the plague.
4) What is your favorite holiday jam?
I actually really don’t like holiday music as I am still traumatized from my years working in retail, but I really enjoy Bad Religion’s Christmas Songs Album.

5) What is the number 1 book you hope Santa/family friend brings you?
I am actually in the fortunate position that I am able to buy most of the books that I want, and thanks to tucking money away & Black Friday sales I got most that I wanted that have been published.
My wish would be for SLAYER by Kiersten White, but that isn’t out until January.
6) What is something you’re thankful for in 2018?
I am eternally thankful for the book blogging community and friendships that I have made since starting my blog.
7) What’s one of your goals for 2019?
Getting real personal here and saying that my main goal is practicing more self-care and self-love! I feel like I have finally started addressing some issues that have held me back and am finally in a place in my life where I feel safe, supported, and loved. I want to continue working on my mental well being and cultivating healthy habits that breed positivity for those around me. Book blogging wise? Be better at balancing backlist and frontlist reading!
I’m going to love finding so many new blogs!!
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Aww yay! I’m hoping that’s the case! So many talented people in our community!
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Great post, Candy Cane Lane sounds Amazing 😀💜💜
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Thanks, M!! Doesn’t it? There’s a place in Plano that we like to go to that’s pretty similar where the houses just go ALL OUT! It’s so fun to see though!! Do you have a town that really “does it up” by you?
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That sounds so good, Sadly we don’t have anywhere like that near me. We have the occasional houses that go all out but not a specific area.
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It is so extra, but I love it so much! Rumor has it that if you buy a house on that street it is in your HOA bylaws or whatever to participate and go OVER THE TOP. It’s incredible… I will try to snap pictures this year!
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YES!! Pictures please!! The few I found online were wild!!!
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That sounds so amazing 😀💜💜
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Seriously! I would totally go exploring with y’all throughout that neighborhood! BUT full disclosure I’d be singing carols during any lull in the convo…just being honest…lol
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It really is a sight!
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Taylor thank you so much for asking me to be a part of this series, and for putting me at the top of the tree! Your kind words actually made me tear up a little bit, I am definitely not worthy and am so thankful for your friendship.
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Kaleena this series wouldn’t have been possible without your encouragement so you definitely deserve a spot! I hope you enjoy seeing yourself on the top of the tree for the next 20 days lol!!
I’m glad the sentiments meant something to you. They’re all true! You’re amazing and everyone deserves to hear a little bragging about them every once in a while! ❤
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*awkward whale noises in the corner* Thank you and I love you
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Hahahaah. I literally almost spit Gatorade across my keyboard. Classy, I know! 😉 Love you!
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*cackles into the sunset* Love you too!
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Kaleeeeenaaaaa! Kal is amazing and she has been one of the single greatest additions to my book fam in 2018. ♥ That candy cane lane thing sounds amazing. We used to go every year down to Columbus (GA) to visit extended family for the holidays and there was a town nearby my family that did a similar thing and it was so cool, I used to look forward to it so much but now we live about 4 hours away so the drive is just waaaay too much. 😦
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Kal — Candy Cane lane is getting so much love! Thanks for sharing such a fun tradition with us!!
And Destiny, I couldn’t agree more. She’s a star!
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Destiny how dare you make me tear up!!! You are such a damn blessing and I am so thankful that I had the courage to invade the Mirage buddy read. I will have to take some pictures when I go later this month of Candy Cane Lane!
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I think her goals are the best any of us could/should have. Great post!
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Thank you so much!
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Right? When I read Kal’s answers I knew she had to lead this journey off!
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