Countdown to Christmas/Advent Calendar 2016

Besides Halloween, I will admit I still get excited for Christmas time. Things just seem to be more magical in the month of December. Now this year has been extremely hard -- from the numerous deaths of legends that have impacted my life in some way to another heartbreak when I thought time and time again that I found the one only to realize I was blinded. I think this years calendar -- time to go big or go home! Lets bring some fun to the end of the year! For the fifth year in a row, I am doing an activities Advent Calendar to count down to Christmas after reading some great articles online about it. I am big on traditions so here is an outline. Most of the things will be done either by myself, with friends, or with my family. Also, just because there is a date attached does not mean it will happen on that date -- it is more of a checklist.

November 25th: Go see the movie Fantastic Beasts(Done!)/Binge watch Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life on Netflix(Done!)
November 26th Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas (Done!)
November 27th: Gather clothes and bring to The Bowery Mission. (Done!)
November 28th: Make Christmas mix CD for friends (Done!)
November 29th: Get holiday cards. (Done!)
November 30th: Wear mistletoe headband. (Done!)
December 1st: Watch the movie Scrooged. (Done!)
December 2nd: Attend Ring of Honor Wrestling "Final Battle" at the Hammerstein Ballroom (Done and I have not marked out so much ever.)
December 3rd: Wear Christmas ornament earrings, get some hot chocolate at Hu Kitchen & walk around Union Square holiday market. (Done! Crowded this year as there are a lot more food places but it is all good.)
December 4th: Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Done!)
December 5th: Start writing out holiday cards. (Done!)
December 6th: Get a holiday inspired manicure. Make sure one nail is sparkly! (Done!)
December 7th: Watch A Nightmare Before Christmas.
December 8th: Watch Die Hard (Done!)
December 9th: Mail holiday cards (Done!)
December 10th: Watch He-Man & She-Ra A Christmas Special/Attend the Disney holiday themed party with the Geek Girl Brunch NYC (Done and it was a magical time!)
December 11th: Get a holiday inspired candle from Bath and Body Works.
December 12th: Make Star Wars themed Christmas ornaments. (Done!)
December 13th: Go watch some ice skaters in Bryant Park. (Done!)
December 14th: Cozy up in some pajamas and watch the Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special.
December 15th: Take a stroll along 5th Avenue and look at the holiday windows. (Done!)
December 16th: Attend my schools Christmas concert. (Done!)
December 17th: Go see the movie Star Wars: Rogue One (Done!)/Attend Game Changer Wrestling "Deck the Halls with Ultraviolence"(Done!)
December 18th: Make sure all of my gifts are wrapped. (Done!)
December 19th: Wear ugly Christmas sweater to work. (Done!)
December 20th: Get some chocolate coins and give them to people who make me smile.
December 21st: Watch the movies Gremlins and Die Hard
December 22nd: Watch The Original Christmas Classics (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Little Drummer Boy) on DVD
December 23rd: Visit Veronica and the nephews. (Done!)
December 24th: Visit with a wolf in NYC. (Done!)
December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!! Open presents and watch The Muppets Christmas Carol.

Top 15 Books of 2015 According to Moi

Now in years past with this blog feature as well as with some inspiration from Stephen King, I asked myself this question -- Did I have a great year pop culturally speaking? Instead this year I decided to focus on books as I wrote about latest releases, did book reviews, and read a lot more than usual this past year. Did I have a good reading year --  I would have to say yes.. Here is a list of 15 books that made me squee with bookworm fandom. So as the great John Dargo would say...enough of this palaver...let us get this ride started!

1: The Girl on the Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins:

My lovely boyfriend has gotten me hooked onto psychological thrillers with a true crime edge. So when I read the description for this, I had to get it. Plus it is called "Hitchcockian". Who can not love something that is compared to Hitchcock? This book was released on January 13, 2015 and it took me two days to read. I also hear it has been optioned for the big screen. Here is the book description: Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

2: Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falloff

Who does not enjoy a good mystery with some love and entitlement? This girl does! This book was released on January 27, 2015; I am currently reading it, and here is the book description: Part mystery, part love story, and part coming-of-age tale in the vein of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Spectacular Now. There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, Sam's best friend, Hayden, was dead. And all he left Sam was a playlist of songs and a suicide note: For Sam—listen and you'll understand. To figure out what happened, Sam has to rely on the playlist and his own memory. But the more he listens, the more he realizes that his memory isn't as reliable as he thought. And it might only be by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him that he'll finally be able to piece together his best friend's story. And maybe have a chance to change his own. Playlist for the Dead is an honest and gut-wrenching first novel about loss, rage, what it feels like to outgrow a friendship that's always defined you—and the struggle to redefine yourself. But above all, it's about finding hope when hope seems like the hardest thing to find.

3: H is for Hawk by Helen McDonald

One of the many conversations my love and I have had is our love for birds of prey. Him -- its all about the red tailed hawk. Me -- its all about the owl. So when I saw this book in one of my many book blogs that I follow, I took it as a sign of fate. This book was released on March 3, 2015 and is optioned to become a movie! Here is the book description: When Helen Macdonald's father died suddenly on a London street, she was devastated. An experienced falconer—Helen had been captivated by hawks since childhood—she'd never before been tempted to train one of the most vicious predators, the goshawk. But in her grief, she saw that the goshawk's fierce and feral temperament mirrored her own. Resolving to purchase and raise the deadly creature as a means to cope with her loss, she adopted Mabel, and turned to the guidance of The Once and Future King author T.H. White's chronicle The Goshawk to begin her challenging endeavor. Projecting herself "in the hawk's wild mind to tame her" tested the limits of Macdonald's humanity and changed her life. Heart-wrenching and humorous, this book is an unflinching account of bereavement and a unique look at the magnetism of an extraordinary beast, with a parallel examination of a legendary writer's eccentric falconry. Obsession, madness, memory, myth, and history combine to achieve a distinctive blend of nature writing and memoir from an outstanding literary innovator.

4: The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion by Chris McCoy

One of the many advanced reading copies I received at New York Comic Con in October of 2014 and I was very excited that this book saw the light of day. It is time travel that meets Spaceballs. SIGN ME UP. This book was released on April 14, 2015 and it took me one day to read; with breaks of course.Here is the book description: It’s Superbad meets Spaceballs in this hilarious extraterrestrial road trip! Just a few days before prom, Bennett pulls off something he never imagined possible: his dream girl, Sophie, agrees to be his date. Moments afterward, however, he watches Sophie get abducted by aliens in the middle of the New Mexico desert. Faced with a dateless prom (and likely kidnapping charges), Bennett does the only thing he can think of: he catches a ride into outer space with a band of extraterrestrial musicians to bring her back.
Can he navigate alien concert venues, an extraterrestrial reality show, and the band’s outlandish egos to rescue his date in time for the big dance?

5: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A modern day retelling of Beauty and the Beast? Sign me up...well since I am the living and breathing Belle and I am getting my library from my own Beast. This book was released in May. Here is the description: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin-one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever. Perfect for fans of Kristen Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

6: Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Apparently this book is being touted as another version of Gone Girl, but instead the heroine is a teenager and not bat shit crazy like Amy in Gone Girl. I will admit, I was not a fan of Gone Girl at first but it grew on me, so upon reading the description of this I figured, yet again, lets give it a shot. Apparently that is my motto for my reading this year -- hey lets give a shot! This books was released on May 12, 2015 and it is being adapted for a movie. Here is the book description: HER PERFECT LIFE IS A PERFECT LIE. As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve. But Ani has a secret. There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything. With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears. The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?

7: A Field Guide to Awkward Silences by Alexandria Petri

Every girl in their teenage/early 20's have had their bouts with awkwardness and fear. Not this girl. She, in my opinion, is a role model for all of us awkward girls out there. Her memoir was released on June 2, 2015. Here is the book description: Most twentysomethings spend a lot of time avoiding awkwardness.Not Alexandra Petri. Afraid of rejection? Alexandra Petri has auditioned for America’s Next Top Model. Afraid of looking like an idiot? Alexandra Petri lost Jeopardy! by answering “Who is that dude?” on national TV. Afraid of bad jokes? Alexandra Petri won an international pun championship. Petri has been a debutante, reenacted the Civil War, and fended off suitors at a Star Wars convention while wearing a Jabba the Hutt suit. One time, she let some cult members she met on the street baptize her, just to be polite. She’s a connoisseur of the kind of awkwardness that most people spend whole lifetimes trying to avoid. If John Hodgman and Amy Sedaris had a baby…they would never let Petri babysit it. But Petri is here to tell you: Everything you fear is not so bad. Trust her. She’s tried it. And in the course of her misadventures, she’s learned that there are worse things out there than awkwardness—and that interesting things start to happen when you stop caring what people think.

8:The Bourbon Kings by JR Ward

I have never been so excited for a book in a long time and because of my excitement I received an ARC of this at Book Con in May. Just read the description below and hopefully it will pull you in too. This book is was released on July 28, 2015. Here is the book description: The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood delivers the first novel in an enthralling new series set amid the shifting dynamics of a Southern family defined by wealth and privilege—and compromised by secrets, deceit, and scandal.... For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets. As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.

9:Barbara the Slut and Other People by Lauren Holmes

How can you go wrong with a title like that? This book was released on August 4, 2015. Here is the book description: A fresh, honest, and darkly funny debut collection about family, friends, and lovers, and the flaws that make us most human. Fearless, candid, and incredibly funny, Lauren Holmes is a newcomer who writes like a master. She tackles eros and intimacy with a deceptively light touch, a keen awareness of how their nervous systems tangle and sometimes short-circuit, and a genius for revealing our most vulnerable, spirited selves. In “Desert Hearts,” a woman takes a job selling sex toys in San Francisco rather than embark on the law career she pursued only for the sake of her father. In “Pearl and the Swiss Guy Fall in Love,” a woman realizes she much prefers the company of her pit bull—and herself—to the neurotic foreign fling who won’t decamp from her apartment. In “How Am I Supposed to Talk to You?” a daughter hauls a suitcase of lingerie to Mexico for her flighty, estranged mother to resell there, wondering whether her personal mission—to come out—is worth the same effort. And in “Barbara the Slut,” a young woman with an autistic brother, a Princeton acceptance letter, and a love of sex navigates her high school’s toxic, slut-shaming culture with open eyes. With heart, sass, and pitch-perfect characters, Barbara the Slut is a head-turning debut from a writer with a limitless career before her.

10: Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski

I scored an ARC of this back at BookCon in May and was so excited to get it as it reminded me of Wayward Pines. This book was released on September 22nd. Here is the description: A story where edge-of-your-seat horror meets post-apocalyptic thriller, perfect for fans of Lois Lowry and The Mazerunner --Night is coming. On Marin’s island, sunrise doesn’t come every twenty-four hours--it comes every twenty-eight years. Each sunset, the townspeople sail to the south, where they wait out the long Night. None of the adults will tell Marin, Kana, or their friend Line exactly what happens when they leave the island, but when the three are accidentally left behind in the gathering dusk, they learn the truth: at Night, their town belongs to others, and those others want them gone. Fleeing through the now-alien landscape that used to be their home, the three confront shocking transformations and uncomfortable truths about themselves. They are challenged to trust one another or perish. Marin, Kana, and Line must find their way off the island . . . before the Night finds them.

11: The Sculptor by Scott McCloud

I first heard about this book from the YouTube channel The Peruse Project. I was able to find it on Amazon and dove right into it. Can relate a lot to it and it is a great read. This book was released on February 23, 2015. Here is the book description: David Smith is giving his life for his art―literally. Thanks to a deal with Death, the young sculptor gets his childhood wish: to sculpt anything he can imagine with his bare hands. But now that he only has 200 days to live, deciding what to create is harder than he thought, and discovering the love of his life at the 11th hour isn't making it any easier! This is a story of desire taken to the edge of reason and beyond; of the frantic, clumsy dance steps of young love; and a gorgeous, street-level portrait of the world's greatest city. It's about the small, warm, human moments of everyday life…and the great surging forces that lie just under the surface. Scott McCloud wrote the book on how comics work; now he vaults into great fiction with a breathtaking, funny, and unforgettable new work.

12: The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow

It is set at the United Nations. SOLD. In case you have lived under a rock and do not really know me, one of my dream jobs was to work at the United Nations as a translator/lawyer. I wish I picked up this book at Book Con but it is all good as this book was released on September 22, 2015. Here is the book description: In the future, the UN has brought back an ancient way to keep the peace. The children of world leaders are held hostage—if a war begins, they pay with their lives. Greta is the Crown Princess of the Pan Polar Confederacy, a superpower formed of modern-day Canada. She is also a Child of Peace, a hostage held by the de facto ruler of the world, the great Artificial Intelligence, Talis. The hostages are Talis’s strategy to keep the peace: if her country enters a war, Greta dies. The system has worked for centuries. Parents don’t want to see their children murdered. Greta will be free if she can make it to her eighteenth birthday. Until then she is prepared to die with dignity, if necessary. But everything changes when Elian arrives at the Precepture. He’s a hostage from a new American alliance, and he defies the machines that control every part of their lives—and is severely punished for it. Greta is furious that Elian has disrupted their quiet, structured world. But slowly, his rebellion opens her eyes to the brutality of the rules they live under, and to the subtle resistance of her companions. And Greta discovers her own quiet power. Then Elian’s country declares war on Greta’s and invades the prefecture, taking the hostages hostage. Now the great Talis is furious, and coming himself to mete out punishment. Which surely means that Greta and Elian will be killed...unless Greta can think of a way to save them.

13: Illuminae (The Illuminae Files) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This book....this book was the talk of Book Expo America, BookCon, San Diego Comic Con and by me. I am so excited for this series! I haven't been this excited for a book since Neil Gaiman announced a prequel for The Sandman as well as Chuck Palahniuk announcing a graphic novel sequel for Fight Club. I pre-ordered this book back in August. This book was released on October 20, 2015. Here is the book description: For fans of Marie Lu and James Dashner comes the first book in an epic new series. “Brace yourself. You're about to be immersed in a mindscape that you'll never want to leave.” —Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the Legend trilogy. This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded. The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto one of the evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit. But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again. Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

14: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Another book that I was excited about. Eleanor and Park was so good and resonated a lot with me; especially with the kind of relationship I have with my symbiote so...I have to read everything from this author now! This book was released on October 6, 2015. Here is the book description: Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here -- it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up. Carry On - The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow is a ghost story, a love story and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters.as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters.

15: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles Book 4) by Marissa Meyer

The trend of reimagining/rewriting fairy tales for modern day is still alive and well. I, usually, do not like remakes when it comes to movies/television shows but with books I do not mind a new spin as long as it is original. This series just does that. This book was released on November 10, 2015. Here is the book description: Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana. Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long. Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series.

Well there you have it. What books or pop culture did you enjoy in 2015?

What Am I Reading: November Releases + To Be Read

Where in the heck did this year go? Lots of fun times with my love and lots of great reading happening thats what! But this year is not over yet. Almost at my reading goal (Read 52 books in a year) and this months new releases and to be read will just push it over the edge! Well enough of this, as the great Harold D. Saxon, John Dargo, and Don Swanson would say -- ENOUGH OF THIS PALAVER LETS GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD!

New Releases for the month of November
1: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles Book 4) by Marissa Meyer

The trend of reimagining/rewriting fairy tales for modern day is still alive and well. I, usually, do not like remakes when it comes to movies/television shows but with books I do not mind a new spin as long as it is original. This series just does that. This book is set to be released on November 10, 2015. Here is the book description: Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana. Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long. Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series.

2: Until We Meet Again by Renee Collins

Okay time for a Dani confession....sometimes she likes to read cheesy romance novels that have a paranormal edge to them. But this one does not appear to be that cheesy. This book was released on November 3, 2015. Here is the book description: Country clubs and garden parties. The last thing Cassandra wants is to spend the summer before her senior year marooned in a snooty Massachusetts shore town. Cass craves drama and adventure, which is hard when she just feels stuck. But when a dreamy stranger shows up on her family's private beach, claiming that it is his property-and that the year is 1925-Cass is swept into a mystery a hundred years in the making. As she searches for answers in the present, Cass discovers a truth that thrusts Lawrence's life into jeopardy. It won't matter which century he is from if he won't live to see tomorrow.Desperate to save the boy who's come to mean everything to her, Cassandra must find a way to change history...or risk losing Lawrence forever.

3: The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson

As many of my readers, friends, my love are aware -- I identify myself as a geek girl. It is refreshing to see memoirs coming out nowadays about fellow geeks finding their place in the world. From Simon Pegg to Felicia Day and now this, I am excited! This memoir will be released on November 10, 2015. Here is the book description: For nine seasons Rainn Wilson played Dwight Schrute, everyone's favorite work nemesis and beet farmer. Viewers of The Office fell in love with the character and grew to love the actor who played him even more. Rainn founded a website and media company, SoulPancake, that eventually became a bestselling book of the same name. He also started a hilarious Twitter feed (sample tweet: “I'm not on Facebook” is the new “I don't even own a TV”) that now has more than four million followers. Now, he's ready to tell his own story and explain how he came up with his incredibly unique sense of humor and perspective on life. He explains how he grew up “bone-numbingly nerdy before there was even a modicum of cool attached to the word.” The Bassoon King chronicles his journey from nerd to drama geek (“the highest rung on the vast, pimply ladder of high school losers”), his years of mild debauchery and struggles as a young actor in New York, his many adventures and insights about The Office, and finally, Wilson's achievement of success and satisfaction, both in his career and spiritually, reconnecting with the artistic and creative values of the Bahá’í faith he grew up in.

What I am Reading in November
1: Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

I have a lot of friends who work in retail -- namely Walmart. Once you read the book description, you will understand why I had to read this, especially this month. Here is the book description: Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking. To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they’ll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imagination.

2: The Sculptor by Scott McCloud

This graphic novel came as a recommendation from Reagan on BookTube. It is hitting close to home so far. Here is the book description: David Smith is giving his life for his art―literally. Thanks to a deal with Death, the young sculptor gets his childhood wish: to sculpt anything he can imagine with his bare hands. But now that he only has 200 days to live, deciding what to create is harder than he thought, and discovering the love of his life at the 11th hour isn't making it any easier! This is a story of desire taken to the edge of reason and beyond; of the frantic, clumsy dance steps of young love; and a gorgeous, street-level portrait of the world's greatest city. It's about the small, warm, human moments of everyday life…and the great surging forces that lie just under the surface. Scott McCloud wrote the book on how comics work; now he vaults into great fiction with a breathtaking, funny, and unforgettable new work.

What are you reading this month? Let me know in the comments below!

Countdown to Halloween -- 2015 Edition!

My favorite holiday, besides my birthday, is Halloween. I am drawn to all things Halloween/Autumn -- vampires, zombies, werewolves, cheesy 80s horror movies, dressing up, anything pumpkin flavored or scented, sweater weather... Just love it! With that said I thought it would be cool to do a COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN activities list. Most of this stuff will be done by myself or with George. Yes I know there are dates attached but I am using it more as a check off list.

October 1st: Watch the movie Frankenweenie.
October 2nd: Watch the movie Paranorman.
October 3rd? Watch the movie Hotel Transylvania.
October 4th: Watch the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas.
October 5th: Try the pumpkin spice chai tea at Argo. (Done!)
October 6th: Sweetest Day with George.
October 7th: Wear skull hand hair clip to work. (Done!)
October 8th: Watch the movie Hocus Pocus.
October 9th: Watch the movie The Shining with George.
October 10th: Watch the movie Hellraiser.
October 11th: Attend South Jersey Wrestle Fest with George. (Done!)
October 12th: Watch the Universal classic horror movies Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein.
October 13th: Watch the movie Nightmare on Elm Street (original with Robert Englund) (Done!)
October 14th: Get candles with a cinnamon or pumpkin smell from Bath and Body Works for my room. (Done!)
October 15th: Watch the movie Beetlejuice.
October 16th: Watch the movie Psycho (original Alfred Hitchcock version).
October 17th: Watch the cartoon Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (Done!)
October 18th: Go to the NYC Zombie Crawl. (Done!)
October 19th: Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
October 20th: Watch the movie The Evil Dead (original with Bruce Campbell)
October 21st: Watch the movie The Craft (Done!)
October 22nd: Get a beauty treatment that is pumpkin/fall inspired. (Done!)
October 23rd: Get some Halloween inspired stickers for my students.
October 24th: Attend On Point Wrestling with George. (Done!)
October 25th: Watch the movie Friday the 13th Part One
October 26th: Wear cat ears to work. (Done!)
October 27th: Visit a farm and pick a pumpkin!
October 28th: Watch the movie Teen Witch
October 29th: Get a fall inspired color manicure. (Done!)
October 30th: Watch the movie The Lost Boys.
October 31st: HALLOWEEN!!! Blood Manor, Ripley's Believe it Or Not museum, Jekyll and Hyde Club for lunch with George! (Unfortunately plans with George fell through. I still did Blood Manor as he insisted I go and have fun.)

What are you doing for October/Halloween?

What Am I Reading: May Book Releases + To Be Read

It is May 6, 2015.

I usually have this blog feature posted on the 1st of each month.

What the heck happened Danielle? Usually you are very meticulous with your deadlines and your writing! This is so unlike you! What the frell???

Now while the above statement is true, I just have one thing to say -- FUCK IT. Life happens. New hobbies happened. Spending time with the love of my life happened. Avengers 2 released!

But I could not leave my fellow readers without this faithful feature. So lets get this palaver started!

Here are the book releases for the month of May that I am excited about as well as what I will be reading this month.

New Book Releases for the month of May
1: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A modern day retelling of Beauty and the Beast? Sign me up...well since I am the living and breathing Belle and I am getting my library from my own Beast. This book was released yesterday, literally, and here is the description: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin-one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever. Perfect for fans of Kristen Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

2: Day Shift (Midnight, Texas) by Charlaine Harris

Charlaine Harris has embarked herself onto another series, this one title Midnight, Texas. The first book in the series, titled Midnight Crossroad, came out last year in May and the sequel, which released yesterday, is titled Day Shift. If you are a fan of the Sookie Steakhouse series as well as vampires, you will enjoy this series. Here is the description: In Midnight Crossroad, Charlaine Harris “capture[d] the same magic as the world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, and [took] it to another level" (Houston Press). Now the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels returns to the one-traffic-light town you see only when you’re on the way to someplace else… There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves. Even in a town full of secretive people, Olivia Charity is an enigma. She lives with the vampire Lemuel, but no one knows what she does; they only know that she’s beautiful and dangerous. Psychic Manfred Bernardo finds out just how dangerous when he goes on a working weekend to Dallas and sees Olivia there with a couple who are both found dead the next day. To make matters worse, one of Manfred’s regular—and very wealthy—clients dies during a reading. Manfred returns from Dallas embroiled in scandal and hounded by the press. He turns to Olivia for help; somehow he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight…

3: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

This book has come up in my recommendations on Amazon a lot as well as receiving a lot of great reviews and it is inspired by the folk tale A Thousand and One Nights. When I read the description, it sounded interesting so why not give it a shot? This title will be released by May 12, 2015. Here is the description: Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi’s wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend. She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

4: Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Apparently this book is being touted as another version of Gone Girl, but instead the heroine is a teenager and not bat shit crazy like Amy in Gone Girl. I will admit, I was not a fan of Gone Girl at first but it grew on me, so upon reading the description of this I figured, yet again, lets give it a shot. Apparently that is my motto for this month of new releases -- hey lets give a shot! This books will be released on May 12, 2015. Here is the book description: HER PERFECT LIFE IS A PERFECT LIE. As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve. But Ani has a secret. There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything. With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears. The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?

5: ReJane by Patricia Park

Another modern day retelling of a classic; this time it is Jane Eyre. Out of all of the Charlotte Bronte novels out there, this one has to be the one that did not put me to sleep. So upon hearing of a modern retelling of this, figured...say it with me my faithful readers....HEY LETS GIVE IT A SHOT! This book was released yesterday. Here is the book description: Journeying from Queens to Brooklyn to Seoul, and back, this is a fresh, contemporary retelling of Jane Eyre and a poignant Korean American debut -- For Jane Re, half-Korean, half-American orphan, Flushing, Queens, is the place she’s been trying to escape from her whole life. Sardonic yet vulnerable, Jane toils, unappreciated, in her strict uncle’s grocery store and politely observes the traditional principle of nunchi (a combination of good manners, hierarchy, and obligation). Desperate for a new life, she’s thrilled to become the au pair for the Mazer-Farleys, two Brooklyn English professors and their adopted Chinese daughter. Inducted into the world of organic food co-ops, and nineteenth–century novels, Jane is the recipient of Beth Mazer’s feminist lectures and Ed Farley’s very male attention. But when a family death interrupts Jane and Ed’s blossoming affair, she flies off to Seoul, leaving New York far behind. Reconnecting with family, and struggling to learn the ways of modern-day Korea, Jane begins to wonder if Ed Farley is really the man for her. Jane returns to Queens, where she must find a balance between two cultures and accept who she really is. Re Jane is a bright, comic story of falling in love, finding strength, and living not just out of obligation to others, but for one’s self.

What I am Reading in the month of May
1: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

This is the book I am currently reading and is part of the "The Book is Better" campaign since it was made into a movie. I have not seen the movie yet and will not until I finish this book to give my opinion. Here is the description: Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, a biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush, who calls Bianca the Duff--the designated ugly fat friend--of her crew. But things aren't so great at home and Bianca, desperate for a distraction, ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

2: This stack of Farscape trade paperbacks. And maybe give them to my love, if he isn't being evil. Oh you know I am going to pass on the goodness...who am I kidding.

Now it is going to be hard to give a description for each and every trade paperback here so I will give you a general synopsis of what Farscape is all about: Thrown into a distant part of the universe, an Earth astronaut finds himself part of a fugitive alien starship crew. Sounds simple right? It truly is not and is one of those television shows that networks missed the mark on. Watch it on Netflix, get a copy of The Peacekeeper Wars, then get your hands on the comic trade paperbacks. You will be hooked. Sorry for ruining your life. ;)

I am pretty sure I will read other books but this is it...what are you reading in May?

What Am I Reading: April Releases + To Be Read

This month does not seem to be a big month for new releases. Well at least ones that I am excited about. Last month there seemed to be a new book I wanted every week but once this is published, I did not want to go back like 20 times to edit it. But that was last month -- it is now all about April!

Here are the upcoming book releases and what I am planning on reading for the month of April

New Book Releases for the month of April
1: Fight Club 2 by Chuck Palahniuk (graphic novel series published by Dark Horse Comics)

: One of my favorite authors is Chuck Palahniuk and I enjoyed Fight Club and a fan of it even before the movie came out. Granted, the book at the end had me hurl it half way across my room out of anger, but that is the greatness that is Chuck Palahniuk! Sick and twisted writing....what more can a girl want? This 10 issue series releases on April 7th. Here is the comic description: Tyler Durden lives! Some imaginary friends never go away . . .Ten years after starting Project Mayhem, he lives a mundane life. A kid, a wife, pills to keep his destiny at bay. But it won’t last long; the wife has seen to that. The time has come . . .Rize or Die. “The first rule of Fight Club might be not to talk about it, but tongues are already wagging about Chuck Palahniuk’s sequel to his 1996 novel.” —The Telegraph (London)

“Just wait until you see what happens next.” —Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision, 5 Comics to Look Out For in 2015

2: The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion by Chris McCoy:

One of the many advanced reading copies I received at New York Comic Con in October. Very excited that this book will see the light of day. It is time travel that meets Spaceballs. SIGN ME UP. This book will be released on April 14, 2015. Here is the book description: It’s Superbad meets Spaceballs in this hilarious extraterrestrial road trip! Just a few days before prom, Bennett pulls off something he never imagined possible: his dream girl, Sophie, agrees to be his date. Moments afterward, however, he watches Sophie get abducted by aliens in the middle of the New Mexico desert. Faced with a dateless prom (and likely kidnapping charges), Bennett does the only thing he can think of: he catches a ride into outer space with a band of extraterrestrial musicians to bring her back.
Can he navigate alien concert venues, an extraterrestrial reality show, and the band’s outlandish egos to rescue his date in time for the big dance?

3: Dentons Little Death Date by Lance Rubin

I know you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover but...THERE IS A HEARSE ON THE COVER. How can that not draw me in? This book is set to be released also on April 14, 2015 and I have signed up for a advanced reader copy from Random House. Here is the book description: Denton Little's Deathdate takes place in a world exactly like our own except that everyone knows the day on which they will die. For Denton, that’s in just two days—the day of his senior prom. is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war. Despite his early deathdate, Denton has always wanted to live a normal life, but his final days are filled with dramatic firsts. First hangover. First sex. First love triangle—as the first sex seems to have happened not with his adoring girlfriend, but with his best friend’s hostile sister. (Though he’s not totally sure—see, first hangover.) His anxiety builds when he discovers a strange purple rash making its way up his body. Is this what will kill him? And then a strange man shows up at his funeral, claiming to have known Denton’s long-deceased mother, and warning him to beware of suspicious government characters. . . . Suddenly Denton’s life is filled with mysterious questions and precious little time to find the answers.
Debut author Lance Rubin takes us on a fast, furious, and outrageously funny ride through the last hours of a teenager’s life as he searches for love, meaning, answers, and (just maybe) a way to live on.

4: Black Run by Antonio Manzini

While I was perusing The Reading Room and signing up for various advanced reader copies of books to be released, three words flashed in front of my eyes -- Sly, Sizzling, Mystery. Setting -- Italian Alps. Plus it is the first in a new crime series and I will admit thanks to a certain someone, I am addicted to true crime now. This book is set to be released on April 28, 2015 and yes it is on pre-order. Here is the book description: Already an international hit, a sly, sizzling mystery—the first in a sensational crime series—set in the Italian Alps, reminiscent of the works of Andrea Camilleri, D. A. Mishani, Donna Leon, and Henning Mankell. Getting into serious trouble with the wrong people, deputy prefect of police Rocco Schiavone is exiled to Aosta, a small, touristy alpine town far from his beloved Rome. The sophisticated and crotchety Roman despises mountains, snow, and the provincial locals as much as he disdains his superiors and their petty rules. But he loves solving crimes. When a mangled body has been discovered on a ski run above Champoluc, Rocco immediately faces his first challenge—identifying the victim, a complex procedure complicated by his ignorance of the customs, dialect, and history of his new home. Proud and undaunted, Rocco makes his way among the ski runs, mountain huts, and aerial tramways, meeting ski instructors, Alpine guides, the hardworking, enigmatic folk of Aosta, and a few beautiful locals eager to give him a warm welcome. It won't be easy, this mountain life, especially with a corpse or two in the mix. But then there's nothing that makes Rocco feel more at home than an investigation. An insightful observer of human nature, Antonio Manzini writes with sly humor and a dash of irony, and introduces an irresistible hero—a fascinating blend of swagger, machismo, and vulnerability—in a colorful and atmospheric crime mystery series that is European crime fiction at its best.

What I Am Reading in the month of April
1: The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion by Chris McCoy. See above.

2: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: The Dirty Life and Times of Warren Zevon

Another book recommendation from my amazing love. This time instead of a true crime thriller, he loaned me a memoir of one of his favorite musicians. I do love a good memoir/biography so will definitely give this a shot. Here is the book description: When Warren Zevon died in 2003, he left behind a rich catalog of dark, witty rock 'n' roll classics, including "Lawyers, Guns and Money," "Excitable Boy," and the immortal "Werewolves of London." He also left behind a fanatical cult following and veritable rock opera of drugs, women, celebrity, genius, and epic bad behavior. As Warren once said, "I got to be Jim Morrison a lot longer than he did."
Narrated by his former wife and longtime co-conspirator, Crystal Zevon, this intimate and unusual oral history draws on interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stephen King, Bonnie Raitt, and numerous others who fell under Warren's mischievous spell. Told in the words and images of the friends, lovers, and legends who knew him best, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead captures Warren Zevon in all his turbulent glory.

2014 Best Pop Culture Favorites As According to Moi

With some inspiration from Stephen King, I asked myself this question -- Did I have a great year pop culturally speaking? I would have to say yes; and this years list includes only things I enjoyed in 2014 and that is fine. Here is a list of 15 things that made me squee with fandom. Please remember -- I am more interested in entertaining myself than in a OMG this is a great moment/statement. So let us get this ride started.

15: The book Red Rising by Pierce Brown. This was the little book that could if you are a dystopian reader. This book was highly underrated. It is a trilogy and this is the first book. Please look beyond the unfortunately inevitable comparison to The Hunger Games. Here is the book description: On desolate Mars, the protagonist, Darrow, is caught in a class system that thrives on oppression and secrecy. He is a Red, the lowest member of society, born to toil in the bowels of the planet in service to the sovereign Golds. When Darrow suffers a devastating loss and betrayal he becomes a revolutionary, taking on a dangerous role in an attempt to bring about social justice. Questions of fate, duality, and loyalty, evolve in a cruel test of war between the sons and daughters of the ruling elite. By turns brutal and heartfelt, Red Rising is nonstop action with surprising twists and unforgettable characters

14: Scarlett Johansson being a bad ass in the movies Lucy and Captain American: The Winter Solider.

13: Guardians of the Galaxy. Do I need to say anything else?

12: The episode "The Sign of Three" of Sherlock.

11: The music service app Spotify. I started using it more instead of Pandora as it has more of a selection and it has helped me find music that I haven't heard in a long time to creating mix CD's for my love and friends. If you haven't used it, give it a shot.

10: The book The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. David Mitchell weaves a story like no other writer today. Bouncing around through time, making the early 80's come to life just as easily as making the not-so-distant future terrifyingly real. The characters are what keep you reading through the endless pages. Lucky us--the ending promises to revisit many of them in the next go-around. Highly recommended to David Mitchell fans, but newbies should start with his earlier work.

9: Getting really into the Funko Pop figures to the point that I actually pre-ordered the Dancing Groot one.

8: Pausing to "look at the flowers". It happened on The Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy that just speaks of the allusion from the John Steinbeck novel Of Mice and Men and that made my inner bookworm squee.

7: The Southern Reach trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer. This trilogy is considered to be nontraditional science fiction and how could you not enjoy these plots: The first book trails a team of women chosen (sacrificed?) for an exploration of Area X. The second investigates the aftermath of the expedition from the halls of a broken, festering government. And the third? It ties everything together, forming the crux of VanderMeer's deeply unsettling philosophical argument. If you have not read this trilogy yet, get your hands on it in 2015.

6: The complete shock that Jax Teller kills Wayne Unser on Sons of Anarchy in the second to last episode of the series. Now of course I expected Jax (Charlie Hunnam) to kill Gemma (Katey Sagal) due to the fact her lie and deceit about the murder of Tara was perpetuated by her but Jax putting a bullet in Unser (Dayton Callie), who refused to leave the two alone, turned some fans against Jax and made a bunch of us question WTF? It wasn't just the most shocking moment of the final ride, it was the most shocking moment of the entire series, at least for me.

5: I fell into the hype of the book Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and will say that the movie was better than the book. Maybe I should update that blog piece? I certainly get why some fans of the novel, which I am not, walked out of the theater disappointed. Movie adaptations never mesh with the way we envision characters on the page. But I will admit -- I enjoyed the adaptation put forth by David Fincher better. I loved it as a bleak account of modern love after it's curdled, as a wicked satire of cable-news scandal-mongering, and as just a good old-fashioned dark-as-hell thriller. Fincher's film managed to tease us, play with our loyalties, and sucker punch us with surprise twists most of us already knew that they were coming.

4: Something else from Sons of Anarchy -- the song "Come Join the Murder" by The White Buffalo and Forest Rangers. It was perfect as Jax found peace in death; the same way Hamlet did.

3: This isn't something that I would consider to be the best pop culture favorite but it brought to light that even though you make others laugh and smile and appear to be happy does not necessarily mean that you are and that everyone needs help -- the suicide of Robin Williams. This news came to a complete shock to everyone, including myself. I remember stepping out of my room and telling my family and the look of WHAT across their faces was the look the entire world had. If you know anyone who is suffering from mental illness, please make sure to reach out to them to make sure they are okay.

2: This was the year that staying dry was a challenge. Yes I am talking about the damn ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I did not participate as my body would have hated it due to my disorder but it was nice to see a cause go wildfire. I just hope the money raised for ALS actually got there.

And the best pop culture favorite for 2014 goes to...

1: THE BUTT. Sir Mix-a-Lot should really consider a career as a trend forecaster. The rapper was way ahead of his time when he proclaimed his love for a juicy booty in his one hit wonder "Baby Got Back,'' because 2014 will undoubtedly go down as the Year of the Backside. Jason Derulo's ''Wiggle'' encouraged big butts to shake. Meghan Trainor defied those body-image expectations with ''All About That Bass.', even though you should consider yourself beautiful regardless of your size. Nicki Minaj even sampled ''Baby Got Back'' on ''Anaconda.'', much to my smirk and smacking my head. Then there was Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea's duet, ''Booty,'' in which the video was basically the U.N. Summit of Ladies With Well-Endowed Cheeks. Plus, how can we forget Charlie Hunnam revealing his rump on Sons of Anarchy a lot this year and had the Parents Television Council crying and most of the Internet cheering. But why all of this focus on the rear? It's not rocket science — we have been working our way down the body. In the '90s, boobs were huge, both literally and figuratively. We moved on to abs in the 2000s, with Britney Spears displaying her midriff whenever she had the chance. Enjoy your time in the sun, butts. Hollywood can be fickle. Maybe in 2015, legs will get a shot!

"The Book is Better" Holiday Gift Guide

Today I decided to put together a mini-gift guide of books I have read and loved, because as always the book is better, divided by who in your life who might like them. Most, not all, of the books are fairly recent and have published in the past two years or so.

Enjoy and happy reading!

________________________________________________________________
For your advice loving friend: Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed

For your comedy fan friend: Yes Please by Amy Poehler Nine times out of ten, he or she has probably read everything written by George Carlin, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling and Bossypants by Tina Fey.

For your crime/thriller friend: Level 26: Dark Origins by Anthony E Zuiker

For your writing obsessed friend who just finished NaNoWriMo and wants to continue writing: On Writing by Stephen King

For your healthy tips loving friend: Eat, Move, Sleep by Tom Rath

For your paranormal romance/vaginal fantasy fan friend: Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

For your zombie fan friend: The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman

For your romance fan friend: Written in My Own Hearts Blood by Diana Gabaldon

For your graphic novel fan friend: Saga by Brian K. Vaughan

For your comic book fan friend: The Joker: Death of the Family (The New 52) by Scott Snyder

For your dystopia fan friend: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

For your horror fan friend: Prince Lestat by Anne Rice

For your post apocalyptic fan friend: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

For your sci-fi/fantasy fan friend: The Silence of Six by E.C. Myers

For your historical fiction fan friend: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

For your non-fiction fan friend: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

Things I Love -- September 2014 Edition

Okay.

Is it seriously the end of September?

WHERE DID SUMMER GO? Didn't I just pack up my stuff in my classroom? Well..I guess time goes by when you are having fun. With that said, here is what I am in love with for the month of September.

--Not wearing a watch. I know, this is weird but my battery in my fleur de lis watch from New Orleans died and I just haven't gone to replace it. I wanted to see how it would feel to not wear a watch; considering my cell phone has a clock and I wanted to live like Carrie Bradshaw when she told her Russian lover why she doesn't wear a watch -- if she asks someone, they will tell her.

--The official start of football season which means Fall is upon us, even though the official date of Fall is September 23rd.

--Planning birthdays in my fair city. I tend to go overboard about birthdays. Hope it is appreciated.

--A far fetched plan of mine actually followed through. Lets just say I hold my title of #QueenOfSmallTalk very proudly.

--Birthdays in NYC with the man I love. I have never been this much in love before...it is a great feeling.

--Actually finding out who is loyal and loves me through the power of getting injured at work. I slipped in some water in the cafeteria of my school building and had my bell rung/bashed the back of my head. Of course I took pictures of myself in the ambulance and in the hospital and sent them out/posted on Facebook. It goes to show that the cliche' is true -- in times of trouble/struggle, you will learn who loves you. I sure did.

--Having someone in my life who is just as much of a bookworm as I am.

--Receiving texts and messages from people who I haven't heard from in a while.

--Planning out Octoberween!

--That I can read 5 books at a time and not get all of the plots mixed up.

--Gluten Free Rice Krispies cereal. So good!

What are you in love with for the month of September? What are your favorites?

Things I Love -- February 2014 Edition

Well hello there my lovely readers! It is that time of the month again….wait…that does not sound right. No I do not mean it is time for a ladies gimmick, I mean it is time for….


THINGS I LOVE!!!

So here you go ladies and gents, here is what I louvre for the month of February.

--This link: 13 Dogs That Are Having The Best Day Ever!

--A daily love tarot card on February 10th that rang so true I have to post it:

The Four of Chalices card suggests that a gift of love and support may be offered to you by a compassionate, committed or reliable source willing to go out on a limb just when you feel like no one cares. If you are too wrapped up in your perceived problems, you might not recognize the attempt at outreach and miss the opportunity that could lead to romantic renewal. Don't focus too much on what you don't have, or you could become resentful or condescending of the happiness and passion of others.

--Having two book clubs with some lively conversation.

--Grateful to Revolver Magazine foe exposing me to bands I have never heard of.

--Thankful for random surprise gifts from my Funshine Buddy at work that make me smile.

--Having lazy days due to Snomaggedon 2014.

--Being selected as a 2014 Book Giver for World Book Night! Go here to find out more info -- www.worldbooknight.org

--Having marking out/fangirling moments over the Westminster Dog Show.

--Reconnecting with former college friends via Facebook.

--My infected zombie mug from my friend Joe.

--Warm cozy socks when it is below zero with the wind chill.

--The ice skating genius that is Evgeni Plushenko. It is a shame he had to retire due to medical reasons but this man on the ice is flawless. Watch this fan montage :

What are you in love with for February?

My 2013 Pop Culture Favorites

With some inspiration from Stephen King, I asked myself this question -- Did I have a great year pop culturally speaking? I would have to say yes; and this years list includes only things I enjoyed in 2013 and that is fine. Here is a list of 15 things that made me squee with fandom. Please remember -- I am more interested in entertaining myself than in a OMG this is a great moment/statement. So let us get this ride started.

15: The book Super Graphic: A Visual Guide to the Comic Book Universe by Tim Leong. This book was fascinating and filled with so much information that made me go "wow" and I truly learned something. Also, I love graphs/pie charts/venn diagrams and other sorts of graphic organizing to explain information.

14: September was DC Comics Villains Month and I soaked it all up like it was no ones business. I think this was a first for DC Comics where they spent an entire month writing origins/one shots of just the villains. I am really not too sure but in any event I loved it!

13: Enjoying New York Comic Con and Chiller Theatre. Usually with myself I enjoy only one and it is usually Chiller Theatre but this year going to NYCC on a Thursday was a wise idea. I delved more into my bookworm self at NYCC and caught up with some past people at Chiller Theatre. It was a fun time.

12: The game show The Chase on Game Show Network. It is such an interesting concept: The series is based on the British show of the same name in which contestants try to win money by challenging a quiz show genius known as the Chaser. The series is hosted by Brooke Burns and features Mark Labbett ("The Beast") as the Chaser. The show follows the same format as the original UK version, but with three contestants instead of four. I love it and bite my nails when I watch it in anticipation for the contestants.

11: The television show American Horror Story: Coven. I enjoy the fact that you do not have to watch the other seasons to follow along plus the story lines have so many twists and turns it makes your head spin. Plus Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, and Angela Bassett all in one show playing bad ass villains? SIGN ME UP.

10: The YouTube sensation known as Ryan Higa. He is amazing and makes relevant videos poking fun at pop culture. If you have not seen any of his videos, go to his page linked here -- Ryan Higa

9: The television show that isn't really a television show since you can only see it on Netflix and that is Orange is the New Black. When I first saw it I know I compared it to a female version of Oz but the more I watched, the more I enjoyed the dark comedy that was going on. It was also a pleasure to see Laura Prepon and Jason Biggs back on screen.

8: Even though the fandom of zombies is starting to wane, which I appreciate, I noticed myself getting more and more involved with makeup applications and also admiring and gaining inspiration from the SyFy competition show Face/Off. I have a growing list of makeup tutorials videos I want to try. Wish it was Halloween every day!

7: The dating show Baggage on Game Show Network. Now this show is no longer produced and yes it is hosted by Jerry Springer. Here is the concept: Similar to The Dating Game, Baggage gives three contestants the chance to win the eye of a prospective date. The contestants carry three suitcases onstage: a small, medium, and large one. Each suitcase contains an embarrassing, unique, or weird proposition the contestant may have; for example, bad habits (e.g. "I share a bed with my grandmother"), strange relationship preferences ("My partner must dress up as Santa Claus"), issues with one's past ("I'm an outlaw in Mexico"), and strange hobbies ("I play video games 30 hours a week"). These cases represent the "baggage" to which they will confess and defend. The bigger the suitcase, the bigger the secret. Once the three contestants are pared down to one, the potential dater must admit to a fault of his or her own. Some of the suitcase secrets are downright disgusting or so made up that you know this show is scripted. It is great for a good laugh and puts my own dating endeavors into perspective.

6: Believing in The Shield. Do I need to say anything else? This faction is the only reason why I still watch WWE.

5: Now this only happened due to my close friend out in Indiana, PA who participates in the murder mystery weekend at the Allenberry Inn and since this years theme was time travel, it goes without mention, yes I sort of got into Doctor Who. Granted I have not watched every season and can not claim David Tennant as my doctor like my good friend does, but it is an interesting concept and an interesting show. I will watch the new season with the new doctor come September.

4: The return of my favorite musical Les Miserables to Broadway! Seeing Zachary Quinto in The Glass Menagerie on Broadway! Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan in the same play on BROADWAY. Yes Broadway was a big theme in my pop culture favorites this year and this will continue well into 2014.

3: STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS. Yes, a million times yes. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and JJ Abrams have rebooted this series to much success and I could not be happier. We all knew who the villain was going to be and we all knew that it was a remake of The Wrath of Khan but did us Trekkies care, particularly this one? As Dean Ambrose would say, NOPE. Can not wait for Star Trek 3.

2: Not falling into/watching the remakes of The Evil Dead and I Spit on Your Grave. It is such a shame that the Hollywood Industry has no original thought anymore and think that by bringing back old favorites that do not need to be redone/not broke, that they will bring in a new audience. This is another pop culture favorite that I will continue in 2014.

And my number one 2013 pop culture favorite goes to….

1: BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH. Yes. Is there nothing this man can not do? From Sherlock to Khan to Smaug to various impressions and dancing on late night talk shows, he is superb. Yes he might not be considered conventionally sexy, but his acting ability just makes me swoon and I could watch him in anything. Heck have him paint my house and I am sure I would enjoy every second of it.

Honorable Mentions for 2013 Pop Culture Favorites: The dance craze known as THE HARLEM SHAKE as well as the viral video What Does The Fox Say, Jenna Marbles, Alexis Fleming from MadeYewLook, The return of my favorite comic series The Sandman by Neil Gaiman.

So my fellow readers, what are your 2013 pop culture favorites? Why not answer the question in the first paragraph as I did? Remember -- what you enjoyed or were entertained by in 2013 does not have to be from 2013. This years blog for me just happened to be.

Things I Love -- September Edition

This month has had its ups and downs. Returning back to work, dealing with the anniversaries of the death of my dog Sweetums and my first cousin Sweetums, and still trying to get my RA into remission. But there were some happy moments this month and with that lets get this party started!

Here is what I loved for the month of September:

--A random stranger on 14th Street shouting at me "Work that strut girl!" Made me feel powerful and in charge.

--Someone took sidewalk chalk and drew an arrow and underneath it wrote TO HAPPINESS. Nice to see some P.M.A. in the hard knocked life city known as New York.

--The return of football! I am not the biggest fan but it is a fun sport to watch.

--This video has a great message. LIVE IN THE MOMENT people!

--This video is ME to a big ole capital T:

--Seeing a young cute couple holding hands when exiting the turnstiles and going up the stairs at the PATH station. I remember those young love kind of days. Brought a big smile to my face.

--Declaring my school year NO STRESS NO BULLSHIT. My health is much more important than stress and bullshit. I want to be healthy. End of story.

--This cover of Empire State of Mind by Halestorm. Thanks to Rich Concannon for sharing it:

--Going to The Sands hotel and casino in Bethelehem, PA and getting carded as I entered the casino. I must look that young or when in doubt...

--Taking care of the outdoor cats around my house by leaving out food and water in my backyard. Unfornuately due to allergies and my little old man dog Hudson the cats can not come inside but it is nice to take care of them.

--Having a friend of mine call out an African money scammer and posting it on YouTube. Watch it:

--That the chicken wings at Hu Kitchen have returned to the menu!

--The new song "Going to Hell" by The Pretty Reckless. Check it out:

--The cider doughnut scented candle from Bath and Body Works. Smells so good and is putting me in an Autumn state of mind...

--My nerdy bff Veronica and her husband/my fellow Nerd Herder Damian are in the midst of making a full length feature zombie film and I could not be any prouder that they are achieving their dreams. They released a short teaser. Go check it out:

--SWEATER WEATHER RETURNING! Love the brisk Autumn air and cozying it up under a soft cable knit sweater. So glad Summer is over.

--Getting excited for all things October! I have not been this excited in a long long time. I think it is due to my health/RA finally getting under control and I can start to be Dani again with some new twists.

--Changing bad habits when I had a rough week/hard week at work or in life. The old me would sit on her bed and gorge herself full of sweets and bad food. Now when I had a rough week I go swimming, do some laundry, light some candles, read, watch some television with a big mug of green tea. I felt so much better too.

What made you swoon and double over in love this month?

Things I Love -- August Edition

Wow is it the end of August already? Shoot does time fly. Granted August did move slower than usual which I like because of what the next month is but we will not talk about that month. End of the month means it is time for another...


THINGS I LOVE THURSDAY!!! Which is really Things I Love Sunday since this is published on a Sunday...I think I should just change the title to Things I Love.

Here are the things, videos, songs, whathaveyous, that I have loved this month:

--My face decided to go back to its teenage roots and break out like crazy this summer. I quickly learned that drugstore products are so much better than the brand name products at Sephora. I will still use makeup from Sephora but when it comes to facial cleaner and moisturizer, give me some Yes to Tomatoes Daily Pore Scrub, Formula 10.0.06 Best Face Forward daily facial cleanser, some aloe vera gel, Noxzema triple acne treatment pads (that sting like a bitch but work!)and Glysomed daily moisturizer. My face cleared up in a matter of two days. Thank you Duane Reade!

--Getting into a morning and evening facial washing routine to keep my acne from coming back like I mentioned above.

--Drinking 64oz of water a day. It really helped flush out my system of bad things and cleared up my skin.

--Becoming addicted to the blog Fashion of Fandoms and using it as inspiration for future cosplays.

--CM Punk's Grammar Slam on the Nerdist channel during You Tube Geek Week. If you have not seen it, look it up now!

--The television show The Exes on TVLand.

--This video. Damn girl work that twerk:

--I love Food Network and the television competition show Chopped. When Felicia Day made this for You Tube Geek Week, I squeeded like the little fangirl I am:

--Having another wrestling meme photo made for something I suggest my friends play with me during Monday Night Raw:

--This song:

--The spicy pecan seasoning my mom bought recently. I have put it on my eggs in the morning as well as sandwiches and salads and it is nummy!

--Green tea and thunderstorms after two brutal days of humidity.

--This photo. Look at the couple that is circled:

Post by Sheldon Cooper.

--This video was part of the Confidence Vitamins article by Alexandra Frazen, which all of you should read by the way, and it is truly brilliant:

--Walking into Bath and Body Works and smelling all of the fall candles. My favorite right now is the cider doughnut. Love me some fall inspiration items!

What are you so in love with for the month of August?