Two Candle Thieves

So if you are a fan of our blog, not only are you the bee's knees but you also may have been wondering where we've been. Well, Becky and I (pretty much on a whim) decided to start up our own bookish candle business! Yes, there are quite a few out there but we are still building up our name and hoping to distinguish ourselves from the others out there (who are amazing because we now know how much work goes into it!!) During a conversation in which we both realised we hadn't seen a bookish candle dedicated to Inej from the Six of Crows duology, Two Candle Thieves was born. I had made candles in the past myself and Becky is good at the ol' Photoshop so it was us against the world of wax. Despite only having our shop since February this year, it has received so much praise, support and sales that we are overwhelmed every single day. We only use natural products (vegan-friendly) and at the moment, our candles come in 190ml jars! We also use our own photos for our labels. So without further ado, here are some photos of our current products and links to where you can find us.

Our Welcome to Weep candle inspired by Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. This has scents of bergamot, green tea, lemon, raspberry and more. Found here.

**

Our Blood Shrike candle inspired by Helene Aquilla from The Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. This has scents of amber, vanilla and cloves. Found here.

**

Our True Story candle dedicated to Karou from A Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. This has scents of fresh roses, cedar wood and cinnamon. Found here.

**

Our Stars Eternal/Night Triumphant candles are sold as a pair and limited stock. Dedicated to Feyre and Rhysand from A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. Stars has scents of jasmine, pine and amber. Night has scents of sea breeze, citrus and lavender. 

**

Our High Lady & High Lord of the Night Court candle inspired by A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas has hints of lilac, jasmine and sea breeze which will transport you straight to Velaris. Found here.

**

Our Thief at Sea candle inspired by Lila Bard from the Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab. This has scents of freshly cut roses, sea breeze and gunpowder to transport you alongside our favourite cross-dressing pirate. Found here.

**

Our White Wolf candle inspired by Adelina from the Young Elites trilogy by Marie Lu. As well as having scents of dark fruits, jasmine and sea breeze, this candle's label also features a photo of my husky, Jayden! Found here. 

**

The candle that started it all! The Wraith is inspired by Inej Ghafa from the Six of Crows duology. It has scents of warm cinnamon, burning amber and fresh breeze. Found here.

**

Our Liesl & the Goblin Grove candle is inspired by Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones. It has scents of pine, snow and citrusy Goblin fruits. Found here.

**

And that is our shop! We have a lot more candles planned for the future, including one inspired by the Lara Jean trilogy and the women of A Song of Ice and Fire! If you go to our shop, you will also see that our newest venture is vinyl stickers which are only £1! So once again, thank you all so much for the support and we hope you love our candles as much as we do! 

Etsy Store | Instagram | Twitter

Love,

The Diverse Books Tag

Sticking with our theme of looking into diverse books, we thought that it was about time that we had a go at the diverse books tag, by Read Diverse Books. This tag is a great way to discover new diverse books, as it works sort of like a scavenger hunt - you basically have to find a book that fits into each category! 

We tag anyone reading who wants to have a go at this tag!  

FIND A BOOK STARRING A LESBIAN CHARACTER 

Goodreads | Book Depository

Released in May 2017, this is the story of two WoC (I'm unsure of their ethnicity which is why I haven't mentioned it, if you know, please let us know in the comments) who fall in love. Sana and Jamie, two sixteen-year old girls with their fair share of problems - Sana is worried her father may be having an affair and she is surrounded by friends who constantly leave her out. Jamie has an established group of friends but they don't accept Sana into them and a boy named Caleb is definitely making more than friendly advances towards her. Battling with their own problems, they find solace in each other and realise that loving a girl is the easy part.

+

FIND A BOOK WITH A MUSLIM PROTAGONIST

Goodreads | Book Depository 

Yes, you've read that correctly. A Muslim superhero in a comic/graphic novel who goes by the name of Kamala Khan. Kamala, seemingly just a normal girl from Jersey City suddenly develops extraordinary gifts but is she ready for the legacy that she is about to create? However, developing superhuman powers doesn't come without discovering a secret behind them. Volume 1 in an ongoing series, Ms. Marvel is a definite must-read.

+

FIND A BOOK SET IN LATIN AMERICA

Goodreads | Book Depository

A fantasy story full of Latinx culture, by an author originally from Ecuador! Not only is the main character Alex a WoC, she is also a bisexual character, and the majority of characters in this book are PoC as we discover Latinx culture. Alex is what is known as a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation but it is power she doesn't want. At her Deathday celebration, she performs a spell to rid herself of her powers but instead, she vanishes into thin air with nothing but the company of Nova, a brujo boy. This begins their journey to Los Lagos, an in-between land just as strange as Wonderland.

+ 

FIND A BOOK ABOUT A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY

Goodreads | Book Depository

Six of Crows is a is a young-adult fantasy duology following a gang of six misfits about to complete a series of impossible heists in the criminal town of Ketterdam. Their leader, Kaz Brekker, is a criminal prodigy with a no-price-is-too-high attitude - he is smart, clever and ruthless and he just happens to have a disability - Kaz walks with a cane due to an accident damaging his leg a few years back. Occasionally crippled with pain and walking with a limp, it is just another part of him and he doesn't let it hinder him in any way. This series is also diverse with a bunch of PoC characters who also show us their individual cultures and gay and bisexual characters. Must read duology!

+

FIND A SCIENCE-FICTION OR FANTASY BOOK WITH A POC PROTAGONIST

Goodreads | Book Depository

A reimagining of One Thousand and One Nights with a fantasy twist. E.K. Johnston tells the story of Lo-Melkhiin, a ruler who has killed over three-hundred girls before coming across our protagonist. When he takes her to his court instead of her sister, she vows she will not be the next to die. The court is a creepy and atmospheric place and each night, she tells him a story and every morning she wakes up is another day she has survived. Amongst the palace walls, she gradually discovers that Lo-Melkhiin may not have always been a cruel man. All the female characters are unnamed throughout it, including the MC showing us the magnitude of Lo-Melkhiin's reign. 
+

FIND A BOOK SET IN (OR ABOUT) ANY COUNTRY IN AFRICA

Goodreads | Book Depository

A beautiful story that not only gives voice to Nigerian culture and folk tales but also to its LGBTQ community. Written by an own voices author, the wonderful Chinelo Okparanta, this tells the story of Ijeoma, only eleven during the outbreak of civil war in the young republic of Nigera as she is sent to safety and meets a girl who she falls in love with. However, in a country where this is a sin, the two must keep it secret and remain star-crossed lovers. It is the story of two women, their struggles and their triumphs set against a dangerous backdrop. 
+

FIND A BOOK WRITTEN BY AN INDIGENOUS OR NATIVE AUTHOR

Goodreads | Book Depository

A novel following numerous characters who are trying to find the balance between their Native American traditions and the modern world. Written by a Cherokee author, Thomas King erases common stereotypes about Native Americans in his works. This story tells the story of Alberta, a university professor who would happily trade her boyfriends for a baby but no husband, Lionel, a forty year old television-salesman and finally Eli, whose log cabin home stands in the way of a profitable dam project. These three come together at the Blackfoot reservation for the Sun Dance and what follows will leave the small town of Blossom forever changed.
+

FIND A BOOK SET IN SOUTH ASIA (AFGHANISTAN, INDIA, PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA ETC.)

Goodreads | Book Depository

When Naila falls in love with Saif, despite her parents strict rules that they would choose her husband, they travel to Pakistan so that Naila can get in touch with her roots and rediscover her culture. However, upon arriving in the country, Naila discovers that her parents have found her a husband in Pakistan and expect her to marry him during their stay. This is a book that isn't afraid to delve into Pakistani culture, and showcase the forced marriages that so many girls are involved in to this day. 
+

FIND A BOOK WITH A BIRACIAL PROTAGONIST

Goodreads | Book Depository

Jess is a bisexual Chinese-Vietnamese girl living in a world where having superpowers is just the norm, except for her... she is completely normal despite having two famous superheroes as parents. She's still struggling with everyday issues, such as trying to find an internship that isn't for a super villain and doesn't require her to be more than human. When she does find one, she finds out she'll be working alongside her longtime crush, Abby who may just have a secret of her own. Not only does this book have a diverse cast of lesbian and bisexual characters but there's Bells, Jess' friend who is trans. This book needs to be talked about a lot more. Superheroes and diversity is the best combo.

+

FIND A BOOK STARRING A TRANSGENDER CHARACTER OR ABOUT TRANSGENDER ISSUES

Goodreads | Book Depository | Our Review

This book follows the story of Amanda, a transgender woman as she moves across country to live with her father. Starting at a new school requires her to fit in but she soon finds a diverse group of friends and even love with a student called Grant. This book not only deals with transgender issues - we hear from Amanda from a young age when she realised she was born in the wrong body, all the way up to her starting her transition - it is also written by a transgender author. It is a very important YA novel and Amanda has a very strong and memorable voice. 
+

So that is our list. We hope we have chosen books appropriate to its topic and if you would like to see any posts featuring more, let us know!
Love,

Favourite Fictional Female Friendships

Following on from our recent post featuring diverse reads, we thought we'd delve into another favourite of ours - favourite fictional female friendships (that's a lot of Fs.) We've chosen some that, in canon, are platonic and between women who have healthy friendships, especially not based upon their relationship with a man. Let's just say these all pass the Bechdel Test and are the epitome of squad goals. We hate seeing female characters who only exist to belittle each other and see each other as nothing more than competition. Here's to many more women finding comfort in each other, both in fiction and reality.

Goodreads | Book Depository

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

'Verity' and Maddie

This book is a historical fiction novel set during World War II and it follows two best friends as they crash land in a Nazi-occupied France. Maddie was the pilot who must now do what it takes to survive and 'Verity' is taken prisoner, knowing that her fate is sealed and all she can do is tell her story. Their friendship was a bright light in this heartbreaking novel as Verity tells us the story of how they met all the way to the last time they see each other. Until the end, they are two girls with a strong bond whose only aim is to save each other. 

Goodreads | Book Depository | Review

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Manon Blackbeak & Asterin Blackbeak

We first meet Manon and Asterin in the third book of the Throne of Glass series, Heir of Fire, and they definitely became fast favourites of mine. Manon is the heir to the Blackbeak witch clan and leader of the Thirteen, and Asterin is her cousin and second in command. The two have their differences and arguments, but Asterin's loyalty to and belief in Manon cannot be shaken, and when Manon realises the extent that Asterin has protected her over the years, she literally sacrifices everything for her cousin. These two will do anything for the other, no matter what personal sacrifices it takes. 100% family goals.

Goodreads | Book Depository

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Nina Zenik & Inej Ghafa

Not only are these girls amazing in their own way, they also have the cutest and most beautiful friendship. Throughout both books, they look out for each other, tend to each other's wounds and protect each other. Being the only two females in the Dregs, they often stand up for each other against the boys and take zero shit from them which lifts me up where I belong. I can just picture these girls meeting up regularly for waffles and moaning about Kaz but although they're cute, they could kill you in a blink. Literally.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Review

Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin

Yael & 'Comrade Mnogolikiy' 

I won't say much about these two (and am purposefully using an army code name from the book) to avoid spoilers, but let's just say that Comrade Mnogolikiy has been watching over Yael for a long time, and Yael doesn't quite realise just everything that she's gone through to protect her. When these two are reunited, they are an unstoppable force, and have the most perfect sister-like friendship. These girls could destroy the Third Reich of this duology together, their bond is so strong.

Goodreads | Book Depository

The Spinster Club Series by Holly Bourne

The Spinster Girls

This series features three main books (and more recently, a 3.5) focusing on three girls - Evie, Lottie and Amber. These three women are the queens of friendship, feminism and cheesy snacks. Each book is centred around their stories - Evie struggling with mental illness, Amber struggling with family problems and Lottie starting a war against sexism.  They help each other through everything, they support each other and they're bloody hilarious. They still manage to have romantic relationships on the side but it never gets in the way of their friendship which they always put first. We still need a petition for this series to be compulsory reading in secondary schools.

Goodreads | Book Depository

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

The Women of 300 Fox Way

We can definitely say that the main friendship in this series is the Gangsey, however, the relationship between the psychics in 300 Fox Way is just as important. Blue, Maura, Calla, Persephone, Jimi and Orla. Some of my favourite scenes in this series was the moments of domesticity between these women - they all had their little oddities and their little skills and of course there was bickering but there is a huge respect for one another. It made me so happy that Blue grew up in a house full of women and you can definitely see how they have influenced her.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Review

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
Owl & Pepper

A beautiful friendship turned mother-daughter bond between Jayne 23/Pepper, a young girl raised by AIs with no idea of real life and Owl, a computer-programmed AI who becomes a guide, friend and mother to a little girl who stumbles upon her ship. The two form a bond that lasts a lifetime and even when Owl is seemingly lost, Pepper doesn't stop to find and restore her. Owl teaches Pepper everything, from how to eat and how to speak and essentially raises her and in return, Pepper shows Owl love no AI is used to. They save each other.

Goodreads | Amazon | Review

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

Alex & Peekay

This was one of my favourite reads of 2016 and a real stand-out was the friendship between Alex, a girl with murderous tendencies and Peekay, nicknamed for being the Preacher's Kid. They meet volunteering at an animal shelter and despite being very different people, immediately form a close bond. Peekay brings out the softer side to Alex and in return, Alex teaches Peekay confidence, especially in standing up to the opposite sex. Definitely one of my favourite female friendships in contemporary fiction. 

Goodreads | Book Depository

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
Daenerys & Missandei

When making this list, we thought there must be a lot of female friendships in such a big series but unfortunately, there is not apart from these girls. Daenerys struggled to find and keep allies throughout the A Song of Ice and Fire series, but the one person she can always rely on is Missandei. The two first meet in A Storm of Swords, when Missandei is gifted to Daenerys by a slave trader. Daenerys immediately offers Missandei her freedom, which I suppose is a good way to begin a friendship. Although Missandei is no longer a slave, she chooses to stay with Daenerys as a close adviser to her, and soon becomes one of her closest confidantes. "All men must die, but we are not men."

Are there any female friendships in fiction that really stood out to you? 
Let us know in the comments!
Love,