365 Things to Do in Boston - New Tips Daily

So being that there isn't much going on in the land of Boston - I found out it was J.R.R. Tolkien Day today. Yep, I'm a nerd. And because it's Tolkien day today, I thought, hey, why not make a list of some cool used book stores in Boston? They are always fun to rummage around in. Right? Okay probably not, but there really is nothing spectacular going on in Boston today...I promise!

1. Number One: Raven Used Books
   263 Newbury St - Back Bay
2. "The whole place is really clean and well organized."

Number Two: Brattle Book Shop
9 West St - Downtown
"Check the shelves by the stairs. Too many times to count I've found review copies of  newly published titles at cheap used book prices."

Number Three: Brookline Booksmith
279 Harvard St - Coolidge Corner
"Organized alphabetically by section/topic, awesome little staff recommendation notes and a cute crafts/jewelry section in the back."

Number Four: Lorem Ipsum Books
1299 Cambridge St - Inman Square
"Great selection!"

If you're not in that bad of shape today, and want to get out of the house to see the damage, go check out this awesome museum at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

"12,000 specimens in the university’s natural history museum reside at the museum. A diverse display of rare and abnormal artifacts in a cool, old-fashioned space with hanging whales, giant dinosaur skeletons, even meteorites. The highlight is the world-renowned collection of 3,000 glass flowers created by a father-and-son team from Germany in the late 1800s to be used in Harvard botany classes. Also be sure to check out the world’s most complete kronosaurus, and the “Harvard Mastadon.” Thought you already knew this? Okay, here's the secret: Admission is always free to Massachusetts residents Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. during the school year."

Where: Harvard Museum of Natural History | 26 Oxford St. Harvard Square | Cambridge
When: TODAY, but it's also open daily.
Price: Free today baby!

If you're not to "out of it" by midnight you should head to Boston's Harber Walk for some fireworks!

The skies above Boston Harbor transform into a brilliant tapestry of light, color and sound at midnight to celebrate the New Year. Zambelli Fireworks creates this spectacular display for First Night 2012.

Where: Boston Harbor Walk - Courthouse Way
When:Saturday, Dec 31 11:59p to Sunday, Jan 1 (2012) 12:10a
Price: Free - not unless you need to taxi, than you must pay with an art and a leg.

I'm a sucker for WW2 photos. I'm not sure why. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Panopticon Gallery (Panopticon Gallery, (est. 1971) is one of the oldest fine art photography galleries in the United States specializing in contemporary, modern and vintage photography.) presents "Grunts: The GI Experience." This photographic portrayal o military personnel includes soldiers on troopships reading, sleeping, and marching, and images of the historical integration of the armed services. Go...check it out! And afterwards go grab a drink at Eastern Standard.

Where: Panopticon Gallery | 502c Commonwealth Ave.
When: Until January 10, 2012
Price: FREE?

Today is national chocolate day. As if I haven't had enough sweets these past few weeks...they have to go and make it a holiday..but maybe it was because everyone had tons of left overs and said hey...let's make it a national day so people pig out on chocolate. Waste not want not right?

With that said. Did you know that you can take classes at ChocoLee Chocolates? I believe it runs around $80...I think. But for the price, and what everyone says it is SO worth it! Even if you're a messy chocolate maker. (What I mean by this is the whole some for you, more for me mentality).

Get more infomation here. Classes start soon.

Where: 23 Dartmouth St in the South End
When: Wednesday classes start, or just go for chocolate. It's a win-win
Price: $80 for classes and more for whatever you eat.

Do you like to laugh? How about some piano?

"Hilarity and heartbreak unfold on a blustery winter night, when three friends come upon a copy of Schubert's song cycle Winterreise. Each manning a piano, the trio slips into a wild reenactment of a Schubertiad—a musical salon thrown by the composer and his friends. Unfortunate butchery of the German language ensues as they grapple with fundamental questions about the nature of music, love, and drunk dialing. Join in the eccentric merrymaking of this OBIE-winning music-theater event that wowed audiences and critics alike in its sold-out runs in New York."

Where: Loeb Drama Center | 64 Brattle Street
When: Until January 8, 2012
Price: $25 - $55

Bukowski's Kung-Fu Christmas

Free, 5 p.m. - 1 a.m., 1281 Cambridge St., Cambridge.

One of the oldest and most popular fairs in Boston to find unique and affordable gifts. Being held at First Parish in Harvard Square and runs for 13 days.

Get more information here.