Tag Archives: Halloween

Book Review: The Never List

Sarah and Jennifer are really careful, trusting their never list to keep them safe. A list they created after a horrible accident, one that made them more like sisters than friends. But one night they accidently break the worst possible rule they could on the never list and it costs them their freedom. Ten years later, Sarah is still trying to cope with the fact that Jennifer didn’t make it out of the cellar with her, and that the man who kidnapped them might be getting out for parole. Sarah decides she needs to find more evidence to keep that horrible man locked away.

The Never List by Koethi Zan was released early this year and I grabbed it while I was in a hurry at the library solely based on it’s title and the cover. I had absolutely no clue what it was about when I checked it out. I enjoyed this book. It’s dark and twisted, with plenty of things that you absolutely do not expect to happen. I think what made this book a bit darker for me, is that I have my own Never List of sorts. I grew up being very aware of the terrible horrible things that could happen to me. I still follow some of those rules I made up for myself, while others have proved to be unnecessary. However, reading this book, where these girls did everything they possibly could to keep themselves safe and they still ended up in this situation, absolutely horrified me. They were so careful, and they didn’t even mean to break the rule, it just happened.

Final Verdict: I fully recommend this book, I adored it and it’s going on my books I’ve read but want to buy and read again list.

Today’s outfit is actually a variation of one that I made a wishboard for last year.

I’m wearing a sweater from Gap, and the Victoria’s Secret Most Loved Leggings, my socks are from Target’s $1 section last Valentines Day.

On My Face: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Siberia, Nars Blush in Deep Throat, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla and YSL Babydoll Mascara. Hair tie: Emi-jay. Glasses: Kate Spade

This is definitely an outfit that is cozy and comfortable, which was necessary because I sat down with this book and finished it all in one go. I like to be really cozy and comfortable when I read thrillers or horror novels, because it’s much easier to deal with the horrors of the world if you’re safe and cozy at home. I mean that’s so obvious that even Tool has a song about it.

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And Other Spooky Stories

Yesterday when my Husband called me to make sure I knew it was raining so I could open the windows, he also reminded me that this Friday would be the 13th. Personally I love Friday the 13th, but I know that a lot of people think it’s unlucky, and would much prefer to stay in. So if you have that opportunity, then I’d really recommend reading a book. I mean it would be just your luck that you’d get electrocuted turning on your DVR. Since Halloween is just around the corner, and Friday the 13th is a scary day for a lot of people anyway why not make that book a scary one?

I’ve decided to list out some of my favorite scary books that I completely recommend. There will be full reviews later. Most likely you can get these at your local library, or on nook or kindle if you really don’t want to go outside.

1. The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

Really anything by Ray Bradbury, no one does Horror/Sci Fi like Bradbury. He is the king of creepy. Bonus: there was an episode of Criminal Minds based around the Illustrated Man

2. My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews

If Bradbury is the King of Creepy, Andrews is the Queen of Demented. While not outright Horror, these books are scary, and straight up messed up.

3. Misery By Stephen King

I’m virturally 100% certain Stephen King has been called the Master Of Horror. I agree.

4. The Killing Edge by Heather Graham

Be careful which you pick up, she writes both Horror and Love Stories, I’m not a fan of the love stories, but the Horror are some of the best I’ve read. I adore her.

5. Video Kill by Joanne Fluke

Best known for her Hannah Swensen Series, Joanne Fluke does murder well.

That’s it for the Adult books, but I do have some YA books that fit into the Horror and Supernatural Category.

1. The Night World Series by L.J. Smith

These books are the right amount of Vampires, Witches and just a bit scary. Best known for The Vampire Diaries, L.J. Smith has some amazing Supernatural Fiction.

2. The Den Of Shadows Quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Barely older than me, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes publishes her first book at age 14, and they’re good.

3. The Wicked Series by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié

Loved this series. So much that after finishing Witch in the first volume, I went back and bought the final two volumes in the set. There are 5 books in the series total, 2 in the first volume, 2 in the second and the third is the final book.

4. Fear Street Nights by R.L. Stine

I’ve been reading R.L. Stine since I was little and my grandmother much preferred me to be reading Sweet Valley High or Nancy Drew instead. While I liked those books (okay Loved Nancy Drew) nothing compared to the thrill I got from the Fear Street books.

5. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

This book (now a major motion picture) freaked me out. But more than this one, I recommend Alice Sebold’s Lucky. It’s the true story of her Rape and it’s aftermath. There is nothing scarier than reality, and that book made me afraid to go anywhere by myself at night for months.

Moving on to Childrens books. I don’t have as many of these as I do the others, I graduated from childrens books to YA completely by the time I was in 3rd grade. I actually read My Sweet Audrina in 1st grade (Boy was my mom pissed when she caught me putting it back on the shelves, then she was even madder when she found out at the end of our long conversation that her 1st grader fully understood what was had happened in such a dark and twisted book.) However these books are suitable for kids and will always hold a special place in my heart.

1. A Night In Terror Tower , Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine

I adore Goosebumps, my 2nd grader is obsessed with the series right now, and not only are we absolutely devouring the books, but the series is on Netflix instant play. Know your kid before you hand these over though, even as an adult some of these still creep me out. My kid is all Ook and Spook, but if yours is more into faery-tales then these may not be for them

2. Grimms Faery-Tales by The Brothers Grimm

If you have the kind of kid that’s into Faery-Tales and you want something scary then this is the book for you. Bear in mind that this is not disney’s Cinderella and Snow White. Bad things happen in these books. Noses are pecked off, Bears eat people. These are the Originals.

3. Wait Til Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hann

I’ve mentioned this book before, I read this in 3rd grade and it is still my All Time Favorite book. Mary Downing Hann does Children’s Horror well, I recommend A Doll In The Garden and The Old Willis Place. I remember being warned that I would have nightmares, and my father had to call the school with the Hellraiser story (My mother put on Looney Toons for me when I was in Kindergarten, fell asleep and woke to find me laughing at pinhead. I still find him funny, a pin cushion is not a proper monster.)

Now for some Honorable Mentions:

The Mysterious Mr. Quinn by Agatha Christie
Bedlams Barde Series by Mercedes Lackey (And virtually everything else she wrote)
Dresdin File Series by Jim Butcher
Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan (Bonus this book was Banned from a lot of libraries, personally I don’t think any book ever should be banned. Especially not this one, it’s one of my childhood favorites, and I’d kill to have a copy of it now)
Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves and Other Monsters by Rosemary Guiley
The Vampire Chonicles by Anne Rice
The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith

And Last but not least the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, I don’t consider it horror, but my mother absolutely insisted it be included. When you think about it some absolutely terribly stuff happens to young Potter, and it certainly could be considered scary to some kids. Mostly I think it fits the Supernatural bill, but you might find it under action or adventure as well.

For more Horror Novel Recommendations I suggest you check out this video by Katie from Chapterstacks on Youtube.

What are some of your favorite Horror Novels?

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Stylish Sundays: Sick Day Essentials

Or I’ve got the Flu

So today’s post is going to be different. I have the flu, and was absolutely not up to getting all dressed up to take photos.So rather than skip it, I’ve decided to show you guys what at typical sick day looks like for me. I know I did a post on how to have a good sick day and I thought I’d show you it in practice, because I’m going to be sick for at least a couple weeks.

On my face: photoshop. I was too sick for makeup so my husband kindly edited out my skin issues as he always does. Someday I’ll be brave enough to post a barefaced unedited phot, but not today.
My hair: that twist thing I do with my bangs when I decide I hate them.
What I’m wearing: Gilly Hicks Hoodie. Not pictured: H&M Striped Tank, Victoria’s Secret Star Print Pajama Pants that were a gift from Miss Cannady last Christmas.

Before I get into my essentials I’d like to talk about how weird it is to have the flu in August. I keep forgetting that its not cold outside, and my brain keeps thinking I smell Fall. And that brain trick keeps making me want coffee and sweaters and boots even more. I also really want to watch It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and all my Halloween Movies.

Now on to my Essentials, these are the things that I must have in reach when I’m sick.

I have a book, currently I’m reading Cemetery Girl, I’m only a few pages in because I keep falling asleep which has more to do with my cough medicine and nothing to do with the book, but I like it so far. Full review next week. Cough Drops, I like the sugar free Halls ones, they work for me. Find ones that work for you and stock up, I currently have 3 bags in different flavors. I have the T.V. Remote, my iPhone and iPad. Entertainment that you don’t have to focus on is super important. I get so bored laying on the couch, currently I’m killing it in the My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic, if I’m feeling up to it later, I might decide to replay Costume Quest on Xbox. Water, I have mine in this bright tumbler with fun colored straw that I got from my local Hallmark store, because right now my throat hurts so bad I don’t want to drink anything. It’s a lot easier to force myself to drink if the cup is cute. And finally Puffs Plus Lotion Tissues, because a nose in need, deserves Puffs indeed. Am I the only one that loves those Puffs commercials they air in the fall and winter? I only use the Plus Lotion, because when I’m sick I have to blow my nose a lot and I quickly get that raw soreness around my nose. Not Pictured, but also super helpful is my Liz Earle Superbalm. I adore this stuff when I’m sick and I will be reordering it when I run out. Also not pictured insane amounts of Hand Sanitizer. I love the bath and body works ones and keep a couple in the drawer in my side table.

My final essential:

Howl. A cuddly puppy that keeps bringing me his Speider (watch Megamind) to make me feel better. When I had a fever yesterday he spent most of the day sleeping with me on the couch. Today there’s been lots of cuddles and puppy kisses. Also lots of stolen tissues. He sure loves to tear them up on the carpet.

Since I have the flu and will be sick for a while, what are your must haves when your sick? Also any App recommendations?

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Happy Halloween

Sorry for the lack of posts, when you have a small child Halloween time is always a bit hectic, we’ll be back to regularly scheduled posting tomorrow.

No matter what your plans are have fun and be safe

25 Random things about me

I’ve done something similar to this before but I saw it on a very old post of ForeverAmber‘s blog. She’s my new bloggy obsession (ALL THE SHOES) (also her blog) and I’m going back through her blogs until I get to the beginning. So in celebration of my 30th post on this blog I thought I’d tell you 25 Random things about myself.

1. No, I never was any good at Math, why would you say that?

2. Haunted History has been one of my favorite shows since childhood

3. Another favorite show of mine is Scooby Doo, in all his various incarnations. My mother used to compare me to Velma because I read a lot, but my father called me Danger-prone Daphne, and following a crash or an Ouch! you could often hear him shouting “Danger-prone Daphne does it again”. (I really was that Klutzy and the nickname has stuck)

4. I have a small scars on my chin and forehead, that I received while dancing in our living room with my dad at the age of 6, I managed to trip over the carpet and hit my face on the baseboard, I was told I was lucky I managed not to break my nose.

5. I’ve not ever actually broken any bones, but I have bruised my cheekbone and my toe-bones so badly that I thought they were broken. Bonus: When I was pregnant with my son I had a meat slicer fall on my head and narrowly missed cutting of my thumb (and a chunk out of my head) instead getting a regular cut on the top of my thumb. (See above the Danger-prone Daphne thing)

6. I am a big fan of Halloween, and anything haunted or monster, but not gore, or Haunted Houses

7. I hate Haunted Houses because I’m terrified of Clowns. It’s an irrational fear, and it stems from I can’t imagine how anyone can want to look like that and be sane, and also I saw the movie IT as a child and it scarred me for life

8. I also watched the movie Hellraiser on TV as a child and was not phased, but later that same week I saw Ghostbusters 2 in theaters with my Aunts and was Terrified of Slimer despite the fact I had seen him in Ghostbusters a bazillion times, and loved him in the cartoon.

9. I was a Cheerleader until I managed to hurt myself (before the first game even happened) and joined Drama club instead.

10. I have an insane amount of Nail Polish. I’ve tried to film a youtube video on my collection, but it was too long and I couldn’t edit it down with out cutting out actual polishes.

11. I love what I call ‘Fluff Murder Mysteries” which are generally series about women solving murders or crimes that happen in their towns such as the Hannah Swensen series and the Aunt Dimity Series. They’re my favorite type of book and if I start reading in the morning I can usually finish 2 or 3 of them in one day

12. I read really fast, and once I start reading I really hate to stop.

13. I was on the Academic Team in Elementary School for my literary skills, since I had read most of the classics by the time I was in 4th grade, my excuse was it was either those or novels my mother deemed to Adult for me in the house.

14. My favorite day of the year is my Birthday, I love my birthday, and presents but mostly my birthday, because it takes place in Autumn.

15. My favorite season is Autumn, I love everything about it, the clothing, the weather, the leaves falling, the wood burning smell that’s in the air if you live in a small town.

16. I live in a small town and while I’d like to move closer to Seattle or Boston or Salem or somewhere like that, I’d most likely move to a small town nearby that town.

17. I don’t actually believe in Ghosts as they were once people, but do believe in the possibility of “imprinting” or other more far fetched ideas on any given day (I’m still trying to convince my cousin they might be another type of creature)

18. My favorite food are donuts, especially Dunkin Donuts Bavarian Creme, but I love Boston Creme just as much

19. and Pumpkin Coffee, and Pumpkin butter, and Bread, and Pumpkin everything, and Pumpkins in general (that goes with my love of Autumn.)

20. At last count I had 32 pairs of shoes, but I haven’t counted in awhile and I’m pretty sure I’ve bought more since then (read pretty sure as Damn Sure)

21. I wear leggings under my jeans in the winter, or to bed, but following my Leggings are not pants rule, I generally refuse to wear them on their own even with dresses or tunics in public. If you see me in Leggings it is safe to assume I am sick.

22. If you see me outside of my house in sweatpants it is safe to assume I am very sick, and on my way to or from my doctor

23. I have Asthma and also get severe sinus infections frequently.

24. I’m also terribly Allergic to cats and have a terrible reaction to them. Only one cat has ever not bothered me, and that cat is named Tina and is generally known by everyone who meets her as the most Awesome cat to ever exsist.

25. Dogs on the otherhand do not bother me and I hope to someday get a springer spaniel because I think they’re the most adorable doggy ever.

And there you have it for my 30th post, 25 Random things about me that you may or may not have already known. If you’re my parents or a very close friend I’m sorry for a repeat of information you’ve heard a bazillion times. And if my mother claims, again, to have not known I bruised my cheekbone, you were there for Pete’s sake and you drove me to the blasted hospital. (Also I’m sure there are grammar errors but you can keep them to yourself)