Spells I Wish I Could Cast

October evokes the feelings of Halloween, and from that things that are paranormal. One of my favorite paranormal sects is witchcraft. From the movies, books, and shows that have made their way into mainstream media, there is a plethora of witchy things you can stumble across. There are many positives and downsides to being a witch like the ones we see in works of fiction. But sometimes, I think it would be cool to be able to cast spells. Whether it’s a spell to make life a little easier or something to cause fun, there are some spells I wish I could cast.

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Accio: Being able to grab something from across the room would be useful, especially if something was hard to find.

Apparate: Teleporting from place to place would be a huge game changer, especially when you would never have to worry about traffic again!

Cantis: This would be a source of amusement for me because it causes people to break out into song. But I would only use it on the willing.

Epiksey: Fixing small injuries is a wonderful way to heal and not pay for doctor bills.

Lumos/Nox: I have no idea how many times I’ve been in bed and either needed to turn a light on or switch it off but didn’t want to get out of the comfort of my own bed.

Multicorfors: this spell changes the color of your clothes, imagine never needing to dig for matching items again!

Pack: I hate packing my luggage and finding a way to neatly fit everything together. This spell would save me time and a lot of frustration.

Reparo: Repairing broken objects would be a very useful spell, especially if it keeps you from buying new ones when you moved the original item.

What spells do you wish you could cast?

Bookish Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Halloween is right around the corner! That likely means you’re planning a trip to the pumpkin patch or you might pick up a pumpkin from a local store. Hopefully you’re more talented than I am and can make a decent carving.

I don’t know about you, but I get tired of the typical pumpkin carving ideas. Every year, I get free templates with the pumpkin carving kit I picked up and I’m disappointed. And, someone else in the neighborhood has the exact same design I picked out.

Here are a few ideas I came across to incorporate some of your favorite books, authors, and literary characters/designs into your pumpkin carving this year.

Let’s start without something most people love or will at least recognize, Harry Potter! I found a few Harry Potter themed carving ideas from this website. There are several different patterns you can choose from, from simple designs to something more complicated. I feel like whatever your skill level, you can find a Harry Potter themed idea to fit your skills.

When looking into book themed pumpkin ideas, I came across a Lord of the Rings One Ring that I loved. Step by step instructions can be found on Instructables.com. While this design does require some skill or at least a lot of patience, the result is beautiful and will definitely be a contender for my pumpkin this year.

I laughed when I stumbled across this next pattern. The Pumpkin Lady offers an Edgar Allan Poe Template that looks difficult but you will surely be the only one with Poe on the block. She has this design broken down into seven steps that are carefully thought out and easy to follow.

The Pumpkin Pile has dozens of free PDF’s you can download to use as your stencil. My personal favorite is the Jurassic Park design. With these intricate designs, remember to start with the smallest sections first and then move onto the bigger ones.

When it comes to iconic designs, one of the first things I think of is the Mockingjay from the Hunger Games franchise. Elizabeth Giorgi from Being Geek Chic has a wonderful stencil of the Mockingjay as well as step by step instructions on how to complete your project.

My last design suggestion is one you may not think about putting on a pumpkin. At first glance, the “Okay? Okay.” design from The Fault in Our Stars looks easy. But this is a high difficulty level project. If you think you’re up for the task, I found a template here. You can give an ode to John Green this Halloween and his wonderful characters with this design.

Tips to Get Out of a Reading Slump

Reading slumps are frustrating. Sometimes a slump can come out of nowhere or sometimes it can come from reading an amazing book and you feel like you’re stuck in a book hangover. Whatever the case may be, getting over a slump isn’t easy. A reading slump can last for hours, days, or even months. I know I’ve had difficulty getting over a slump. It’s hard when you have a read a book you may not want to or have no idea what book to choose next.

Here are my five tips to get out of a reading slump:

1. Mix it Up: Pick a book from a different genre than you’d normally grab or try something completely different from what you just read. I primarily read young adult fiction or science fiction. And because of this, sometimes books and storylines start to feel the same after a while. When this happens, I grab something completely different. Maybe I’ll pick up a biography from one of my favorite authors, celebrities, or people from history. Maybe I’ll try out a fast-paced thriller instead. Picking a book that is different than what you would typically gravitate towards can help you discover new authors, genres, and writing styles.
2. Pick a Few and Narrow it Down: Try reading the first 10-15 pages of a few books and go with whichever book grabs your interest first. I have a massive to be read list that only seems to keep growing. When I have no idea what book to read, I’ll pick three to five books off of my shelf. I’ll read a few pages from each book, usually the first 10-20 and then make an assessment of the novel. I designate three piles. First, are book that do not sound appealing at the moment. Second, are the books that sound interesting but I could live without. Finally, the third pile is for books I want to keep reading. Sometimes there will be a pile without books, so I will pick the most interesting of all the pages I’ve read. But if all of the books fall under the first category, I put them all back and pull three more.
3. Return to an Old Favorite: try going back to a book you know and love to get you in the reading mood. Maybe you have a favorite book or author that brings you joy anytime you read it. For me, I return to The Name of the Windor Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Both of these books bring me happiness for different reasons. The Name of the Windis a book that I share my fondness of with my best friend. We’ve spent hours talking about this book and all of our theories about where the series is going to go. And we fan-girled hard when we had the opportunity to finally meet Pat Rothfuss. The Prisoner of Azkabanis my favorite Harry Potter book and my memories of this book are attached to the midnight release party I made my mom take me to.
4. Plan Ahead. If you’ve been stuck in a slump for a while, plan ahead and devote some time to reading. Whether it’s a whole day or even just fifteen minutes, find time to read. I advise sitting in a comfortable place without technology (put the phone up!). You can even set a timer. During this devoted time, you should solely be focused on reading. Read for as long as you can without other distractions.
5. Reward Yourself: Set up a reward system with yourself or go for some positive reinforcement. This is how I got through the bar exam. You can do this one of two ways. If you’re reading something dense, I suggest putting candy on the book. I tend to use gummy bears. You place your piece of candy on a paragraph, and you can only eat your candy once you’ve finished your paragraph. You can also reward yourself by page or chapter. If it’s a snack related reward, either would work. If it’s not, I suggest rewarding yourself at the end of a chapter to not break your concentration.

Are there any other tips you’d recommend?

Treats to Read With

Earlier this week, I made of list of fall drinks to pair with reading. I thought it would be appropriate to mention treats to eat while you read.

I’ll admit that I usually son’t eat while I’m reading. When I decide to sit down and read, I get in a zone and lose the real world. But, sometimes I take my book and some portable snacks to go read in a park.

Here are my fall-themed snack ideas that would be great to go with your fall books!

First, because Halloween is around the corner, I want to start with my favorite Halloween candy. I love Candy Corn, Kit Kat Bars, and Reese’s Cups. I know they’re unhealthy, but we all have our own guilty pleasures. In the fall, I almost always have one of these three things stashed in my bag. One of my favorite ways to eat Reese’s Cups are frozen. This may seem bizarre to you, but trust me. You have to try it at least once.

Second, what’s fall without something pumpkin flavored? I have two tried and true recipes I keep coming back to: Heathy Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins and Pumpkin Bread.

I know you’re thinking, how can pumpkin cheesecake muffins be healthy? I use this recipe from The Big Man’s World. They’re gluten free and can easily be modified to fit a vegan lifestyle. These are delicious and you can fool people because these taste very unhealthy.

Pumpkin bread is one of my favorite things to eat, not just in the fall. I struggled to find the perfect moist bread recipe. This Once Upon a Chef version is the only pumpkin bread I’ll make. It is easy and delicious.

Finally, my favorite unhealthy indulgence. I love Oreos. But the Halloween Oreos taste the best, in my opinion. Maybe it’s the nostalgia or the cute shapes on the sides of the cookies. But I stock up once they hit shelves. My favorite way to eat Oreos are dipped in peanut butter. I figure you might as well add a little bit of protein to all the sugar I’m consuming.

What are your favorite snacks?

Creepy Reads

Creepy Reads

When I sat down to come up with this list, I struggled with my definition of a “creepy read.” Was it a thriller that had an ending I didn’t see coming? Was it a book full of characters I would never want to meet in a back alley? Is it something paranormal? Is it a murder mystery?

The list of creepy reads I have selected is odd. I don’t read many horror stories. But I will pick up a thriller from time to time, especially when I want something new. The nine books I’m recommending may not fit the tradition notion of a creepy read, but I hope you can understand why I chose them.

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The Possessions by Sara Flannery Murphy

• I loved this book because it is very different than what I gravitate towards. In The Possessions, the Elysian Society allows clients to reconnect with dead loved ones through the bodies of members of the society. The bodies take a pill that allows them to summon the lost spirit and communicate with the living. Edie had been a body for five years and becomes obsessed with a spirit she summons. Edie starts to lose touch with reality and cannot tell whether the man she’s falling in love with is due to her own feelings or the feelings of the spirit she has become possessed by. In Murphy’s first novel, you will be left guessing what is going to happen next.

A Million Junes by Emily Henry

• This book is an emotional rollercoaster! It makes you think about folklore and family stories and how the choices we’ve made can have lasting consequences. A Million Junes follows the O’Donnell and Angert family and the grudges the families have had against each other for years. As the youngest member of the family, June and Saul connect with one another, they discover the magic and ghosts that inhabit their small town of Five Fingers, Michigan.

Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker

• This book is gripping. I could not put it down! It’s a mental race to discover what happened to Emma and Cass Tanner, not only on the island but in their past as well. One night, the Tanner sisters disappear and left little behind. Three years later, Cass reappears without her sister and tells of her time on an island after being kidnapped. This book will keep you guessing.

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

• This book is not “creepy,” but shocking. Louise and David are having an affair. David’s wife, Adele, learns about the affair. But instead of going after David, Louise and Adele start to form a friendship. There is not a major twist, but I didn’t guess the ending. But once you finish the book, you will not be surprised as to why everything unfolds the way it does.

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Stawser

• Not That I Could Tell is set in the small town of Yellow Springs, Ohio. A group of local friends have a night where they might have had too much to drink and they talked about the problems plaguing their lives. But when they wake up the next morning, one of their own is missing. The women and local authorities do not know what to make of the sudden disappearance. Was it planned? Who is at fault? Where could she have gone? Is foul play expected? These questions and more become the center of the investigation.

Final Girls by Riley Sager

• Quincy is intent on leading a normal life. She’s the survivor of an event that killed her closest college friends. She was the only one who survived. But why? Her wounds were not even remotely fatal. Some doubt Quincy’s story. She’s conveniently forgotten the details of the murders. Did she kill her friends? Was it the mysterious boy that Janelle invited into the cabin with them? Someone else entirely?

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

• In The Last Time I Lied, Emma returns to her childhood summer camp in order to uncover the truth about what happened fifteen years ago. Emma finds herself sorting through lies from the past while facing mysterious threats in the present. And the closer she gets to the truth about Camp Nightingale and what really happened to those girls, the more she realizes that closure could come at a deadly price

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

• The Chalk Manis a fun read with some twists and turns. This was more mystery than thriller, but with some exciting moments here and there. What you have here is a story told in two timelines – 1986, when Eddie is twelve years old, and 2016, when Eddie is 42 years old. As with most thrillers, the buildup to the end is rather more exciting than the climax itself. Tudor’s characters are flawed and complex, and the friendship between the young characters is a driving influence, as are the flaws of the adult narrator Eddie.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

• This was not a book that initially came to mind when I thought about a creepy read. But when I asked my mom, this was the first one she offered: because it was weird. I’ll admit that it has been quite some time since I’ve read this book, but it has stayed with me. A group of schoolboys become marooned on an island and must form their own civilization in order to survive. This book is disturbing and unsettling as it’s a play on the evil in man’s heart and how human behavior can bring out the best or worst in us.

Fears

Everyone is afraid of something, even if that fear isn’t all encompassing. Sometimes we fear that we’ve failed a test or are afraid to do something or try something new.

As I’ve grown older, I have found that my fears have changed over time. When I was a kid, I was terrified of heights. That’s still partially true today, but being up high doesn’t scare me. It’s the fear of falling from a great height that does. For that reason, bridges make me nervous. Whether I’m driving across one or walking over one, I am apprehensive when it comes to bridges.

I also have a fear of failure. Last year, I failed the Ohio Bar Exam. More than once. It was devastating for me. But I eventually passed and I think that I’m stronger because of it. Yet, I’m still afraid of failing in other aspects of my life. I’m afraid that I’m not going to be good enough for something or someone. I’m afraid that I might not live up to my full potential or what others expect from me. I am especially afraid of disappointing others.

These are not easy fears to get over. Sometimes, reassurance helps but that’s not always the case. I know I’m hard on myself because of my fear of failing. I strive for constant perfection and that can be daunting and exhausting.

Sometimes I have fears that are tied to my anxiety. Is everyone looking at me? Do I look out of place? Did anyone notice what I just did wrong? Constantly worrying about what others see and perceive of me can be horrifying. It has taken years to learn to cope with these constant thoughts and sometimes they win.

On a lighter note, I’m afraid of wasps as well. When I was a kid, one got caught in my shirt and stung me seven times. I have run away screaming from a wasp flying near me, refused to go out of my front door because a wasp was trapped between the front door and storm door, and jumped into a pool to avoid a wasp. I know they’re small, but they hurt!

What are you afraid of?

Autumn Drinks & Reading

Autumnal Drinks to Pair With Reading:

You’ll Be FALLing for these great drink ideas

I wish I could tell you that I drink fun things when I’m reading, but I would be lying to you. I always have my reusable water bottle on me. It’s this one from Contigo, the stainless steel Autoseal Chill. If you’re in need of a water bottle that stays cold for hours on end, this is the best one I’ve come across (but I’m always open to your suggestions).

Sometimes, I do make a fun drink to relax before or after reading. Here are my autumn go-to’s:

When I’m at home, I make a lot of tea and coffee because both are quick and easy. Recently, I have been enjoying the Sweet harvest Pumpkin Black Tea blend from Celestial Seasonings. There’s a slight taste of pumpkin with an undertone of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. I found this at my local grocery store when I wanted to try something new. But it is also available on the Celestial Seasonings website.

My favorite fall drink is apple cider. I’ll drink it cold or warm. But I do have a favorite way to elevate apple cider into a wonderfully warm fall drink. First, warm your cider in a small pan on the stove but do not bring to a boil. Then, turn the heat to low and then add in cinnamon sticks (or cinnamon candies work too) and stir. I do this until the candies have melted or you can smell the cinnamon, about three minutes. For the over 21 crowd, this is the time where you can spike your drink. I suggest Crown Royal Regal Apple to boost the flavor.

Mulled wines are something I did not enjoy until recently. I have two that I suggest. First is Oliver Apple Pie Wine. The second win is Witches Brew from Leelanau Cellars. Mulled wines are traditionally heated on the stove, but if you’re lazy (like me) you can warm them in a mug in the microwave and get the same effect.

Best Reading Attire

When I am sitting down to read for a while, I want to be comfortable. Sometimes I’ll throw on my comfiest pajamas and favorite sweater. But most of the time, I’m in the same clothes: leggings and an oversized sweater.

My all-time leggings are from Rue 21 and can be found here. I love these for a few reasons. First, I’m tall and finding pants that hit me where I want them to is difficult. These leggings are high-waisted and I feel like they’re flattering on me. They’re also incredibly soft. The material isn’t scratchy and doesn’t pill like a lot of clothes do. Plus, they’re relatively cheap! Rue 21 often has some kind of sale going on, and if they don’t most of their leggings are buy one, get one $5. I am all about saving money.

Oversized sweaters are great because you’re cozy, cute, and comfortable all at the same time. My favorite sweater is Hocus Pocus themed, which is one of the best fall movies I my opinion. I found my sweater on amazon, but I have seen them pop up a few other places. I did decide to order this sweatshirt one size bigger than usual and I love it. It’s warm and long enough that I don’t feel self-conscious in it if I have to go from reading to running out the door.

End of Summer Motivation Tips

End of Summer Motivation Tips

It’s officially fall! That can mean a lot of things to different people. Some love fall and others hate it. If you’re anything like me, you’re ready to embrace warm clothes and seasonal drinks. But sometimes the end of summer is difficult. Maybe you didn’t meet all of your summer goals or couldn’t squeeze in that last minute summer vacation.

For many of us, September was a bittersweet month. There are still some warm days that make us cling on to summer, but there are also some cool nights where you can smell the crisp air moving in. Now that it’s October, I have a few small tips to beat those end of summer blues.

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1) Stay active

Whether you take your workout routine outside, hit the gym, or don’t work out at all, it’s best to stay active as fall continues. Take a hike, walk your dog (or someone else’s dog—with permission of course!), or just walk outside and take a deep breath of fresh air and walk right back in. Find a way to stay active. Make plans with friends and try to stick to them. You can still do most things in fall that you’ve been doing all summer! But now, you may need to bring a jacket.

2) Don’t give up on your favorite things

This one kind of branches off of the first tip: you do not need to give up on the things you love just because the days are getting shorter. You may have to rearrange your priorities to fit them all in your schedule, but it is possible! You can still go to games, but it’ll be football instead of baseball. You can still enjoy the sunshine, but maybe you need to get out during lunch instead of waiting until you get home.

3) Go out and enjoy the outdoors

Cold days sometimes make us want to stay inside, wrapped in a blanket. But it’s not freezing yet! I always believe fall is the best season to get out and do something. Because it’s warm enough that you’re not going get frostbite, but cool enough that you’re not going to sweat through your clothes. I love hiking in the fall, and according to the influx of people on the trails, I’d guess that many others do too. Fall road trips and mini vacations are some of my favorites as well. I love staying in the mountains for the weekend, or driving somewhere within a few hours and walking around a new town.

4) Take some time to yourself or with your loved ones

I know that the holiday season is on the horizon, but that can be a stressful time. Take time now to enjoy time either for yourself before things get crazy or spend time with the people you love. Whether it’s family or friends, taking some time to slow down and enjoy someone’s company without interruptions. I like finding time to read quietly alone or meet friends at a coffee shop and do some work.

October New Releases

October New Releases

This month, there are a lot of new books, television shows, and movies that I’m excited about. I didn’t realize that this month would be perfect for going out to the movies or staying in and watching TV if you can’t find a good book!

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Book Releases

Oct. 1

• Fragments of Ash by Katy Regnery (Fairytale Retelling)
• We Were Monsters by Katie Sise (Thriller

Oct. 2

• Broken Things by Lauren Oliver (Contemporary Romance)
• The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody (YA Romance)
• Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa (YA Fantasy)
• Damsel by Elana K. Arnold (YA Fairy Tale)
• Under My Skin by Lisa Unger (Psychological Thriller)
• The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke (YA Fantasy)

Oct. 9

• The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory (Romantic Comedy)
• The Healer by Donna Freitas (YA Paranormal Romance)
• The Lies We Told by Camilla Way (Psychological Thriller)
• The Witch Elm by Tana French (Suspenseful Thriller)

Oct. 16

• A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi (Contemporary YA Romance)
• The Winters by Lisa Gabriele (Women’s Fiction)

Oct. 23

• Imagine Us Happy by Jennifer Yu (Contemporary YA)
• Find me Gone by Sarah Meuleman (Thriller)
• Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas (YA Fantasy)

Oct. 30

• The Darkest Hour by Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA Fiction)
• Secrets by Aleatha Romig (Dark Romance)
• You Are Everything by Karen Rivers (YA Romance)
• Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost (Paranormal Romance)

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Movies:

Oct. 5

• Venom
• A Star is Born

Oct. 12

• First Man
• Bad Times at the El Royale
• The Oath
• Beautiful Boy

Oct. 19

• Halloween
• Can You Ever Forgive Me?
• Serenity
• The Hate U Give

Oct. 26

• Suprisia

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Television:

Monday, Oct. 1

• The Neighborhood (CBS) @ 8pm EST
• Happy Together (CBS) @ 8:30pm EST

Wednesday, Oct. 3

• Criminal Minds (CBS) @ 10pm EST

Thursday, Oct. 4

• Station 19 (ABC) @ 9pm EST
• Will & Grace (NBC) @ 9pm EST
• I Feel Bad (NBC) @ 9:30pm EST

Friday, Oct. 5

• Fresh Off the Boat (ABC) @ 8pm EST
• Speechless (ABC) @ 8:30pm EST
• Van Helsing (Syfy) @9pm EST
• Z Nation (Syfy) @ 10pm EST

Sunday, Oct. 7

• The Walking Dead (AMC) @ 9pm EST
• Shark Tank (ABC) @ 10pm EST
• Madam Secretary (CBS) 10pm EST

Tuesday, Oct. 9

• The Flash (The CW) @ 8pm EST
• Black Lightning (The CW) @ 9pm EST

Wednesday, Oct. 10

• Riverdale (The CW) @ 8pm EST
• All American (The CW) @ 8pm EST

Thursday, Oct. 11

• Supernatural (The CW) @ 8pm EST

Friday, Oct. 12

• The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)
• Blindspot (NBC) @ 8pm EST
• Dynasty (The CW) @8pm EST
• Crazy Ex Girl-Friend (The CW) @ 9pm EST

Sunday, Oct. 14

• Supergirl (The CW) @ 8pm EST
• Charmed (The CW) @ 9pm EST
• The Alec Baldwin Show (ABC) @ 10pm EST
• Camping (HBO) @ 10pm EST

Tuesday, Oct. 16

• The Conners Spin-off (ABC) @ 8pm EST
• The Kids Are Alright (ABC) @ 8:30pm EST
• black-ish (ABC) @ 9pm EST
• Splitting Up Together @ 9:30pm EST
• The Rookie (ABC) @ 10pm EST

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What are you looking forward to watching, reading, or binging this month?