Hello friends, and welcome or welcome back to the blog!
Quote for today
“Emotions are a gateway trait. They lead to feelings which trigger tears. I don’t do tears.”― Wednesday Adams
October has come and gone, and it went by way too fast. It’s November, and the weather is perfect. We turned the clock back as we began to tuck into the fall/winter season.
This has been a busy month (for me) on the blog, the podcast, and work. I haven’t had time for my ARC review podcast, so I hope to pick it up very soon and finish the season. I have A LOT to unpack today, so let’s get started.
***All the OCTOBER posts!***
Here is a compilation of the 31 Days of Halloween. Click on the image to link to the post.
Other things…
IN MY CITY
I haven’t had the time to (really) take advantage of the festivals and the farmer’s markets (in my area) due to my work schedule and the need to give my body a rest. However, one of the events I helped plan (for work) was a great experience. As some of you know, I work in DC (the District of Columbia or D.C. as it’s known), and there isn’t space for larger farms in most of these urban areas due to the need to provide work and housing space. DC is like most major cities. Crowded and in need of services for communities.
My organization gathered members of the Capitol Area Food Bank, the Department of Agriculture, local officials, farmers,
and dieticians on a tour of some DC area farms to see how these private organizations serve their community. We visited an elementary school where they’re growing their food, preparing it, and serving their fellow students while learning about the importance of food and how it relates to your overall well-being. It was an incredible experience, so I encourage everyone to visit your neighboring farms and shop locally.
GO 🎤 GO 🎤 SHORTAY’ IT’S YA BIRTHDAY!
Well, I didn’t party like it was my birthday, but yes, my day was October 4th, and I was treated well. My daughter gave me the best surprise when she took me to Home Goods and said, “You have 5 minutes to get whatever you want.” Whoo-hoo!!! I didn’t get crazy, but I came away with a few things for Halloween. A knit throw for my bed and a skeleton that lived on my couch for October we named Bruce. (LOL). I also got bookish-themed gifts, handmade leather bookmarks, and Harney & Sons tea.
I also had brunch at a spot in DC called Georgia Brown’s, where we heard some live jazz (my friend knew the pianist). We had a great time after his set, sipping and reminiscing about the things.
GAMES, GAMES, AND TRIVIA OH MY
My games download bundle is still available, but I will be archiving everything by Friday, so check it out now.
Horror Movie Quotes Quiz
Guess The Modern Horror Novel
Guess The Classic Horror Title
All the Halloween (🎬) movies in October
I’m a horror movie nut, so my daughter and I planned all the movies for our Halloween movie binge, which we did over a few days. Now, I’m not listing everything we saw …just a few, but there was a method to the madness and the categories we created.
Horror 101
Halloween (1978)
A Nightmare on Elm Street
“It’s Psychological”
Saint Maud
Misery (1990)
Ghost Stories
The Women in Black
The Others
Deadly Decade
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
Scream 2
Final Destination
Ringu (1998)
Funny Frights
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
House (1977)
Deep Cuts
Nosferatu (1979)
Tenebrae (1982)
The Changeling
NOT IN A CATEGORY
MaXXXine
Hell Fest
Apartment 7a
Halloween H20
Thanksgiving
Ouija: Origin of Evil
*****
October book 📚 haul
I didn’t haul any books this month because I have too many in the queue to read, but here are some lists I’ve created for October’s spooky season.
October reading
I’m working on updating my reading list and challenge and creating a page dedicated to all things books. Hopefully, that’s coming soon, but for now, here’s what I’ve finished and what I’m currently reading.
The Middle of the Night, Riley Sager (Read, review coming soon!)
Horror Movie, Paul Tremblay (Reading)
Holly, Stephen King (Reading)
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Pending ARCs Update!
I have had NO pending titles—amazing, I know, because I was completely caught up. But I forgot about those titles I requested months ago. They all came through within days of one another. However, this doesn’t mean that I’ve read everything. On the contrary, I read all that was on my list and then got approved for five additional titles for 2025.
APPROVED: A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer, Maxie Dara
APPROVED: They Thought They Buried Us, NoNieqa Ramos
APPROVED: Tell Them You Lied, Laura Leffler (Due 2025)
APPROVED: The Summer I Ate The Rich, Maika Moulite (Due 2025)
APPROVED: The Staircase in the Woods, Chuck Wendig (Due 2025)
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READ/REVIEWED: American Rapture, CJ Leede
READ/REVIEWED: Sleep Tight, J.H. Markert
READ/REVIEWED: The Hitchcock Hotel, Stephanie Wrobel
READ/REVIEWED: William, Mason Cole
READ/REVIEWED: American Rapture, CJ Leede (reading)
READ/REVIEWED: The Book of Witching, C. J. Cole (Read)
READ/REVIEWED: Antenora, Dori Lumpkin
READ/REVIEWED: Suk-U-Bus, S.C. Mendes & Nikki Noir
READ/REVIEWED: Houses of the Unholy, Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips
READ/REVIEWED: The Eleven by Kyle Rustkin
READ/REVIEWED: I Need You To Read This, Jessa Maxwell
November Calendars!
You can find all my calendars as well as all of the printables used on the blog.
Season 3 is Live!
I haven’t been able to record for the last two weeks due to the series here and the newest podcast, but new ARC review episodes are coming soon. The latest posts for Season 3 can be found here on Spotify.
All the Halloween Images and art
I love downloading hand-drawn illustrations, and I find so many on Esty. What I’ve been using for this entire series and this year can be found on Esty. I’ve been explicitly using Heat Digital Club exclusively.
My sources
I wouldn’t have gotten through this month of blogging without the help of a few sources to keep me on track.
Notion
Which is an online workspace that helps you organize your thoughts. You can create calendars, to-do lists, and goals that are neatly kept in one place and accessible from all your devices. Notion can also help you track your reading, savings, and personal goals. Definitely check them out.
Canva
Who doesn’t use Canva these days? I’ve had a paid subscription for about four years, and it’s well worth it. I can create all my header and footer art, banners, quizzes, infographics, decor boards, product pages, collages, and so much more.
Others
Garageband, Freepik, Unsplash, and Rawpixel for free images, and YouTube for movie trailers and trivia.
Well, friends, I think I’ve covered everything for October and this series. My posting schedule will return to a pseudo-normal as I navigate the rest of the year and plan some holiday content.
Thank you for stopping by today; many thanks and blessings to my homies for supporting this blog. It means the world to me. Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to my little piece of happiness. — Peace
