{Month in Review/Monthly Preview} September was for Broadway and book signings; October is for crisp air, MORE signings, and everything spooky!!!
ALL THE SIGNINGS!
Every good bookworm knows that book signings are a LOT of fun. We've been very lucky to have quite a few going on in the area lately!!!
This past month, there was the midnight launch party for EMPIRE OF STORMS by Sarah J. Maas (And Sarah stopped in and surprised everyone with a visit!!!), followed by her signing the next day. Counting parents, there were at least 500 people. SO NUTS!!!
Later in the month, Danielle Paige came for her signing as she launched her brand-new series, which begins with STEALING SNOW. The event was moderated by my beloved Vi from VI3TBABE!
This week, Garth Nix will be touring the area to promote his new book GOLDENHAND, and Claire Legrand and Victoria Scott are doing a panel for the launch party of Claire's new book FOXHEART!
Broadway!!!
Now, for the highlight of the month: Broadway!!! It's been a while since I've seen a musical on Broadway (And this was Mandy's first time!). I finally got to see two shows from this past season that have been getting buzz: Hamilton and Waitress.
Hamilton is, of course, well, Hamilton. It was everything we wanted and more! I loved seeing the staging and all the nuances that you don't get just from listening--such as how funny certain parts are played (Thomas Jefferson, King George).
Also, as is usually the case when I see a show, certain numbers that aren't always my favorite become so much more beloved seeing them in person. Some of the staging is so far beyond what I envisioned!
Waitress is just charming and sweet.
Oh, and so atmospheric!!! The curtain made you crave pie.
The stage has a rotating bake case of pies.
There is an oven in the hallway baking...yes, PIE!!! AND there are waitresses (dressed in the stqage costumes from the show!) selling pie and wine, which we consumed during intermission!
After the show, there was even a special talkback with a few of the performers, Keala Settle, Jenna Ushkowitz, McKenna Keane, Jessie Mueller, and the show's director Diane Paulus.
(And Jenna Ushkowitz was a stand-out to me. I wish I had her rendition of "When He Sees Me" to listen to on iTunes! She isn't part of the OBC...and apparently was previously Tina on Glee!)
We had a great day in NYC!!!
Are you ready to be SCARED?
Okay, so Mandy and I have been keeping this under lock and key, but we're planning a week-long event revolving around spooky novels, so stop back on October 16th for some more information, okay!?
(Annnnd, we should whisper that we're doing yet another week-long event next month! Details to come, but we'll be busy making things fun for you guys because we love you! We hope you loved Got A Clue? Week last month!) ♥ ♥ ♥
#OTSPSecretSister
I decided to participate in OTSPSecret Sister for the first time, which is kind of like Secret Santa + Pen Pal all mixed up into one...for six months! The next round will start in 2017, and the entry process is really extensive, so I know a lot about the Sister I'm sending gifts for, and the Sister who has me knows a lot about me, too! So now I have two Sisters! ♥
Here's what my Sister sent me this month:
You guys, I CAN'T EVEN. It's a Beauty and the Beast theme!!!! The scrub is Moroccan Rose scented. The lip balm and polish have Rose names. So clever!!! And the book? Oh my gosh, I've been wanting to read THE BEAST'S GARDEN by Kate Forsyth for AGES, but it's REALLY hard to import books from Australia when they don't publish in the UK!!! I'm amazed by her.
Here are my Kate Forsyth books, so happy to be together!!!
There was also a BEAUTIFUL Beauty and the Beast inspired necklace--and I've already worn it at work and gotten compliments! It was created by Made with Love Jewelry on Etsy!
I really liked how creative my sister was this week. She absolutely puts me to shame!!!
NAIL POLISH!
I did some fun nail art this month!!!
For our trip to NYC, of course I had to break out the Hamilton nail art! Simple and fast, yet fun!!!!
My other "great" piece of art was attempting to match my nails to the cover of STEALING SNOW for Danielle Paige's signing! The color came out pretty close, don't you think?
(Though I do wish I'd used a darker purple gemstone!)
The rest of the month has been much more simple! Last week, I wore ORLY "Blend," which is a beautiful taupe/purple perfect for fall (See my mop picture below for a cameo pic!), and right now I have on Zoya "Rowan," which is a much paler taupe--and matte, too!!! I'm hoping I can do something fun this week for the Garth Nix signing!
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH
Here are some of the photos I've taken and shared this month!
MUSIC 🎶
I've been listening to Waitress the Musical and Hamilton the Musical a lot. They're largely stuck in my head after seeing them early in September! (Ahh, but when is Hamilton NOT in my head??)
I've also just started listening to Idina Menzel's new CD, which I like so far!!!
MOVIES AND TV
HAH, you're funny. I barely have time to READ, let alone watch TV!
Though I DID finally watch Zootopia, which I liked a lot more than I thought I would (And would like to watch again when I'm not half-paying attention to the movie and half-paying attention to my niece).
Though TV is finally back! I watched the premieres of both Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Once Upon a Time last weekend!
That was my September.
How was yours???
Here's a look at everything that happened this past month!
Every good bookworm knows that book signings are a LOT of fun. We've been very lucky to have quite a few going on in the area lately!!!
This past month, there was the midnight launch party for EMPIRE OF STORMS by Sarah J. Maas (And Sarah stopped in and surprised everyone with a visit!!!), followed by her signing the next day. Counting parents, there were at least 500 people. SO NUTS!!!
Later in the month, Danielle Paige came for her signing as she launched her brand-new series, which begins with STEALING SNOW. The event was moderated by my beloved Vi from VI3TBABE!
This week, Garth Nix will be touring the area to promote his new book GOLDENHAND, and Claire Legrand and Victoria Scott are doing a panel for the launch party of Claire's new book FOXHEART!
Broadway!!!
Now, for the highlight of the month: Broadway!!! It's been a while since I've seen a musical on Broadway (And this was Mandy's first time!). I finally got to see two shows from this past season that have been getting buzz: Hamilton and Waitress.
Hamilton is, of course, well, Hamilton. It was everything we wanted and more! I loved seeing the staging and all the nuances that you don't get just from listening--such as how funny certain parts are played (Thomas Jefferson, King George).
Also, as is usually the case when I see a show, certain numbers that aren't always my favorite become so much more beloved seeing them in person. Some of the staging is so far beyond what I envisioned!
Waitress is just charming and sweet.
Oh, and so atmospheric!!! The curtain made you crave pie.
The stage has a rotating bake case of pies.
There is an oven in the hallway baking...yes, PIE!!! AND there are waitresses (dressed in the stqage costumes from the show!) selling pie and wine, which we consumed during intermission!
After the show, there was even a special talkback with a few of the performers, Keala Settle, Jenna Ushkowitz, McKenna Keane, Jessie Mueller, and the show's director Diane Paulus.
(And Jenna Ushkowitz was a stand-out to me. I wish I had her rendition of "When He Sees Me" to listen to on iTunes! She isn't part of the OBC...and apparently was previously Tina on Glee!)
We had a great day in NYC!!!
Are you ready to be SCARED?
Okay, so Mandy and I have been keeping this under lock and key, but we're planning a week-long event revolving around spooky novels, so stop back on October 16th for some more information, okay!?
(Annnnd, we should whisper that we're doing yet another week-long event next month! Details to come, but we'll be busy making things fun for you guys because we love you! We hope you loved Got A Clue? Week last month!) ♥ ♥ ♥
#OTSPSecretSister
I decided to participate in OTSPSecret Sister for the first time, which is kind of like Secret Santa + Pen Pal all mixed up into one...for six months! The next round will start in 2017, and the entry process is really extensive, so I know a lot about the Sister I'm sending gifts for, and the Sister who has me knows a lot about me, too! So now I have two Sisters! ♥
Here's what my Sister sent me this month:
You guys, I CAN'T EVEN. It's a Beauty and the Beast theme!!!! The scrub is Moroccan Rose scented. The lip balm and polish have Rose names. So clever!!! And the book? Oh my gosh, I've been wanting to read THE BEAST'S GARDEN by Kate Forsyth for AGES, but it's REALLY hard to import books from Australia when they don't publish in the UK!!! I'm amazed by her.
Here are my Kate Forsyth books, so happy to be together!!!
There was also a BEAUTIFUL Beauty and the Beast inspired necklace--and I've already worn it at work and gotten compliments! It was created by Made with Love Jewelry on Etsy!
I really liked how creative my sister was this week. She absolutely puts me to shame!!!
NAIL POLISH!
I did some fun nail art this month!!!
For our trip to NYC, of course I had to break out the Hamilton nail art! Simple and fast, yet fun!!!!
My other "great" piece of art was attempting to match my nails to the cover of STEALING SNOW for Danielle Paige's signing! The color came out pretty close, don't you think?
(Though I do wish I'd used a darker purple gemstone!)
The rest of the month has been much more simple! Last week, I wore ORLY "Blend," which is a beautiful taupe/purple perfect for fall (See my mop picture below for a cameo pic!), and right now I have on Zoya "Rowan," which is a much paler taupe--and matte, too!!! I'm hoping I can do something fun this week for the Garth Nix signing!
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH
Here are some of the photos I've taken and shared this month!
 |
| I found it hilarious that I left from Hamilton Station on the way to see Hamilton the Musical! |
 |
| Mmm, NYC pizza! |
 |
| We ate at Ellen's Stardust Dinner and the last song we heard before leaving was "The Schuyler Sisters" from Hamilton. A good sign!!! |
 |
| My chicken salad from the Stardust Diner, yum! |
 |
| After reading A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING by Jessica Cluess, we needed a new mop. And...I may have started pretending my stave was named Mop.... (And hey! Orly "Blend" is making a cameo on my thumb!!!) |
 |
| Last week's new releases, oh my!!! |
 |
| The hard work that went into my post for Rae Carson's blog tour stop! |
 |
| Pre-order gifts from Penguin!!! |
 |
| Reese's Cups stuffed with Pieces!? I need to find these at the store again!!! |
 |
| Maybe I should have been a caterer for a living, what do you think? This is the fruit tray I brought to my nephew's first birthday party! |
 |
| More pre-order presents, this time from Macmillan for CROOKED KINGDOM!!! |
MUSIC 🎶
I've been listening to Waitress the Musical and Hamilton the Musical a lot. They're largely stuck in my head after seeing them early in September! (Ahh, but when is Hamilton NOT in my head??)
I've also just started listening to Idina Menzel's new CD, which I like so far!!!
MOVIES AND TV
HAH, you're funny. I barely have time to READ, let alone watch TV!
Though I DID finally watch Zootopia, which I liked a lot more than I thought I would (And would like to watch again when I'm not half-paying attention to the movie and half-paying attention to my niece).
Though TV is finally back! I watched the premieres of both Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Once Upon a Time last weekend!
That was my September.
How was yours???
Here's a look at everything that happened this past month!
ONGOING GIVEAWAYS:
*NEMESIS by Anna Banks (10/7)
*THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst (10/9)
*Complete Threats of Sky and Sea Series by Jennifer Ellision (10/9)
*STEALING SNOW by Danielle Paige (10/9)
*THE FORGOTTEN FAIRYTALES and FORGET ME NOT by Angela Parkhurst (10/16)
Check out the October Blog Tour Schedule for more upcoming giveaways!
*NEMESIS by Anna Banks (10/7)
*THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst (10/9)
*Complete Threats of Sky and Sea Series by Jennifer Ellision (10/9)
*STEALING SNOW by Danielle Paige (10/9)
*THE FORGOTTEN FAIRYTALES and FORGET ME NOT by Angela Parkhurst (10/16)
Check out the October Blog Tour Schedule for more upcoming giveaways!
OCTOBER BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
(Most blog tour stops feature giveaways as well!)
*Our Spooky Books Week Begins October 16th at A Backwards Story!
*BOUND BY BLOOD AND SAND by Becky Allen {10/9 Review}
*FISH OUT OF WATER by Alethea Kontis {10/11 Review}
(Most blog tour stops feature giveaways as well!)
*Our Spooky Books Week Begins October 16th at A Backwards Story!
*BOUND BY BLOOD AND SAND by Becky Allen {10/9 Review}
*FISH OUT OF WATER by Alethea Kontis {10/11 Review}
READING NOW:
{All links to Goodreads!}
*Just finished THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst this weekend and haven't picked up anything new just yet!
PLANNING TO READ IN OCTOBER:
*EMPIRE OF STORMS by Sarah J. Maas {YA}
*SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo
*CROOKED KINGDOM by Leigh Bardugo
*THE MIDNIGHT STAR by Marie Lu
*LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS by Rae Carson {YA}
*CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber {YA}
*MARKED by Jenny Martin {YA}
*SERPENTINE by Cindy Pon {YA}
*SACRIFICE by Cindy Pon {YA}
*ABHORSEN by Garth Nix {YA}
*CLARIEL by Garth Nix {YA}
{All links to Goodreads!}
*Just finished THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst this weekend and haven't picked up anything new just yet!
PLANNING TO READ IN OCTOBER:
*EMPIRE OF STORMS by Sarah J. Maas {YA}
*SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo
*CROOKED KINGDOM by Leigh Bardugo
*THE MIDNIGHT STAR by Marie Lu
*LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS by Rae Carson {YA}
*CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber {YA}
*MARKED by Jenny Martin {YA}
*SERPENTINE by Cindy Pon {YA}
*SACRIFICE by Cindy Pon {YA}
*ABHORSEN by Garth Nix {YA}
*CLARIEL by Garth Nix {YA}
[link to my GoodReads account so you can see my blurb feed as I read]
READ IN SEPTEMBER:
{All links to Goodreads!}
TOTAL: 10 Books, 2 Novellas
*THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON by Kelly Barnhill {MG}
*WITH MALICE by Eileen Cook {YA}
*A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING by Jessica Cluess {YA}
*STEALING SNOW by Danielle Paige {YA}
*BEFORE THE SNOW by Danielle Paige {YA Novella}
*QUEEN RISING by Danielle Paige {YA Novella}
*THE FORGOTTEN FAIRYTALES by Angela Parkhurst {YA}
*FALL OF THRONES AND THORNS by Jennifer Ellision {YA}
*WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER by Rae Carson {YA} [Redux]
*THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst {Adult}
{All links to Goodreads!}
TOTAL: 10 Books, 2 Novellas
*THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON by Kelly Barnhill {MG}
*WITH MALICE by Eileen Cook {YA}
*THE OUTLIERS by Kimberly McCreight {YA}
*THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins {Adult}*A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING by Jessica Cluess {YA}
*STEALING SNOW by Danielle Paige {YA}
*BEFORE THE SNOW by Danielle Paige {YA Novella}
*QUEEN RISING by Danielle Paige {YA Novella}
*THE FORGOTTEN FAIRYTALES by Angela Parkhurst {YA}
*FALL OF THRONES AND THORNS by Jennifer Ellision {YA}
*WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER by Rae Carson {YA} [Redux]
*THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst {Adult}
REVIEWED IN SEPTEMBER:
{All link to our reviews!}
*THE LOOKING GLASS WARS by Frank Beddor {YA}
*WITH MALICE by Eileen Cook {YA}
*THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED by April Henry {YA}[Redux]
*LONG MAY SHE REIGN by Rhiannon Thomas {YA}[Spotlight]
*LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE by Jessica Knoll {Adult}
*GABRIEL FINLEY AND THE RAVEN'S RIDDLE by George Hagen {MG}
*THE WOODCUTTER by Kate Danley {Adult}
*The 39 Clues by Various Authors {MG}[Series Spotlight]
*THE OUTLIERS by Kimberly McCreight
*A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING by Jessica Cluess {YA}
*SOME KIND OF HAPPINESS by Claire Legrand {
*THE FORGOTTEN FAIRYTALES by Angela Parkhurst {YA}
*FALL OF THRONES AND THORNS by Jennifer Ellision {YA}
*NEMESIS by Anna Banks {YA}
*THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst {Adult}
{All link to our reviews!}
*THE LOOKING GLASS WARS by Frank Beddor {YA}
*WITH MALICE by Eileen Cook {YA}
*THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED by April Henry {YA}[Redux]
*LONG MAY SHE REIGN by Rhiannon Thomas {YA}[Spotlight]
*LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE by Jessica Knoll {Adult}
*GABRIEL FINLEY AND THE RAVEN'S RIDDLE by George Hagen {MG}
*THE WOODCUTTER by Kate Danley {Adult}
*The 39 Clues by Various Authors {MG}[Series Spotlight]
*THE OUTLIERS by Kimberly McCreight
*A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING by Jessica Cluess {YA}
*SOME KIND OF HAPPINESS by Claire Legrand {
*THE FORGOTTEN FAIRYTALES by Angela Parkhurst {YA}
*FALL OF THRONES AND THORNS by Jennifer Ellision {YA}
*NEMESIS by Anna Banks {YA}
*THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst {Adult}
FEATURES IN SEPTEMBER:
*{Cover Reveal} THE WISH GRANTER by C.J. Redwine
*Celebrate THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS by Marieke Nijkamp Hitting #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List!!!
*{Month in Review/Monthly Preview} September: The month of babies, Hamilton, Sarah J. Maas, FFXV, and SO MUCH MORE!!!
*Revealing the cover for THE HANDS OF TIME by Michelle Madow and a FREE COPY of Book I, THE ELEMENTALS!
*Got A Clue? Week Schedule of Events
*Top Ten Favorite Mysteries!
*Cozy and Sleuth and Noir, Oh My!
*{WoW} DEAD LITTLE MEAN GIRL by Eva Darrows
*Spotlighting the Fantastic 39 Clues Series--Even Reluctant Readers Will LOVE It!!!
*THE LAST QUESTION MARK
*{Excerpt} LABYRINTH LOST by Zoraida Córdova
*{Guest Post} STEALING SNOW author Danielle Paige on her favorite fairy tales!!!
*{Interview} Interviewing Erin Bow, Author of THE SWAN RIDERS!
*Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR!
*Journey Across the USA Through Modern-Day YA Literature, Feat. LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS by Rae Carson!
*What I'm loving about THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst
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