Monthly Intent | October 2022

October 2, 2022October 1, 2022 bookishluna2 Comments

Hello and welcome to another Monthly Intent post where I share my reading plans and other goals I have for the month ahead. We are now officially in fall and I have already had my experiences with chilly mornings. Due to this I am in the mood for horror, knitting sweaters, and other fall activities to keep warm and get in the spirit of the season. Without some more ramblings, here are my plans for the month of October!

Reading Plans

One book I for sure want to read in October is Sundial by Catriona Ward. I am reading this with my friend Reg specifically because it is a creepy psychological horror book and it is finally the spookiest month of the year. I have a feeling it will be the perfect book to read to get in the Halloween spirit this month. Other than that I really would like to read 2 more books, but I am going to leave it up to my mood. I recently took a good look at my owned TBR books, turns out I only have about 7 remaining on my shelf, Owned TBR Shelf. Which is really exciting because I really want to get to a point where I finish a book and then pick up my next book from the library or the store.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

Color work body completed of a knitted sweater hanging on a ladder. Has zig zags near collar and bumps throughout.

Finishing Alpenglow I by Andrea Mowry. I know I really wanted to finish this last month, but turned out I did not have the 9 inch curricular in the correct size to work on the sleeves once I got to to them and was held up a few days. I am not halfway through one sleeve and only have a sleeve and a half to go! After this I would really like to finish my halloween socks, which is a yarn called Zombie Frap by Desert Vista Dye Works and I am using the pattern, Heel Toe Do Si Do by Crazy Sock Lady Designs.

Random Goals

As for random goals, I want enjoy some of this fall weather and activities before it gets too cold outside. I would really love to go apple picking this month, it is something I have been doing for years and it really is a ton of fun and afterwords I get to make apple pie! I would also really love it if I got the chance to carve a pumpkin, but this month my schedule might not allow it. One last thing I would really love to do this month is have a bonfire in the backyard with the chill in the air.

Sign Off 2020 — Sign off, thanks for reading!

Tumblr | Twitter | Goodreads

Let’s Talk | The Hallotober Tag

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020 bookishluna14 Comments

Hello and welcome to an October and Halloween themed tag. I was tagged by Liza over at The Inharmonious Heroine. You should really check out her blog, she has great taste in books and puts in a lot of effort in her reviews. Without further ado, on to the tag!

Hallotober Rules

Thank the person who tagged you and link to their post
Put the rules at the beginning or after introduction
Answer the 13 questions
Tag 13 people to do the tag
Delete Question 13, add a new number one question of your own
You are free to use the tag image somewhere in the post

What’s your favorite spooky book?

My favorite spooky books are The Shining by Stephen King , The Hunger by Alma Katsu and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

What’s your favourite thing about October?

The weather, where I live October is the perfect temperature. I don’t need a jacket yet sand I am not overheating as soon as I walk out of my house.

Are you a big celebrator of Halloween?

I decorate and watch scary movies because it tends to fall on a wok night, but I also dress up at work every year.

What’s your favourite horror movie?

I would say It or Secret Window currently, but it always changes.

Would you rather a cosy night in watching horrors or a big night out in a costume?

I am all for a cozy night with some horror movies.

Which has been your most favourite costume to date?

I loved the one year I dressed up as Rosie the Riveter. It was so comfortable and fun!

Bobbing for apples or pin the hat on the witch?

I have never done either of these! But, I think I would like pin the hat on the witch better.

How do you celebrate Halloween?

I tend to watch some movies, reflect on the year ahead and thinking about those who have passed, and of course have some yummy candy.

What’s your least favourite horror?

In general I really don’t enjoy horror that relies on gore for the sake of gore because they cannot write a plot that is scary on its own.

Do you have a favourite trick or treating memory?

When I was younger I broke my foot so I could not go out, but all my parents friends gave me a bag of candy. So I had candy for MONTHS. These were the 1 lb. bags of mixed candy, not tiny goody bags.

What’s your favourite thing about Halloween?

I just like the energy of halloween. I enjoy that it is a turning point in the year.

Scary costume or silly costume?

I am game for either, but I always love a good laugh.

What’s your favourite Halloween candy?

My favorite would be recess cups.

My Questions

What is your favorite horror novel or short story?
What was the last halloween costume you wore?
What is your favorite fall snack?
Do you carve pumpkins?
Do you prefer horror movies or stories?
What is your favorite halloween memory?
Do you prefer to give out candy or get candy?
Do you decorate for halloween or fall?
Do you have a favorite urban legend? If so what is it?
Would you rather spend a night in a grave yard or a haunted house?
What is your favorite spooky movie?
Who is your favorite character from a horror movie or book?
What is your favorite monster?

I Tag

Jenna @ jkimexploring.wordpress.com

Annelies @ anneliesexplores.wordpress.com

Karla @ anotherbookwormsite.wordpress.com

Leah @ https://leahs-books.com/

Chloe @ https://chloemetzger.com/

Jessica, Emily & Amber over @ thebookbratz.blogspot.com

Misty @ https://mistysbookspace.wordpress.com/

Olivia @ youtube.com/oliviascatastr…

Meeghn @ https://meeghanreads.com/

Julie Anna @ http://www.sincerelyjulieanna.com

Jenna @ https://www.westveilpublishing.com/

Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Bullet Journal Jottings, Writing & More

Bullet Journal | October 2020

October 4, 2020September 27, 2020 bookishluna11 Comments

Hello and welcome to my monthly post where I share my bullet journal spreads for the month. This month I changed up things a bit because how I use my bujo is changing a bit with everything going on in the world. But, I am so happy with what I created this time around.

Items Used

Alphabet stamps
Scotch Adhesive Dot Roller
Mechanical Pencil
Micron 01 in Black
Royalty Free Stock Photo: Pixabay
A5 Garden Slither Dot Grid Notebook from Olive and Archer
Amenti Oracle by Jennifer Sodini

On the left I printed a few diagrams of human hearts on tan paper and on the right I added a misspelt October on a piece of the same brown paper. I added a few lines to add a little bit of detail. Yes, I did redo the October after taking these pictures. This is what happens when I work on this late at night.

This month I decided to make the monthly overview as large as I could and added a print out of a bone on the brown paper you will see throughout this month to add a pop of color.

On the left you will see my monthly oracle card, I scanned it and added it on brown paper. This month is Ground Yourself. On the other side printed a skull and some more line art to add some details again and keep it from looking dull and boring.

On the left of these next pages I listed my monthly TBR and goals I have for myself. On the right I have my “shelves” to glue down the book covers of the books I read throughout the month. I also have a print out of a rib cage to keep with the anatomical theme.

This month I decided to put an entire weekly spread on one page instead of using two pages. I made boxes for each day, and a mini cal and space to add all the good memories. On the extra page I had I added a printout of a skeleton and added even more line art.

Lastly, in October I want to spend less money. So I am doing a no spend, this just means not spending on things that you don’t need. I added the a picture of a ribcage again and a circle for each day of the month. The day I don’t spend money on non-needed things I can color in.

Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

To Be Read

To Be Read | October 2020

October 1, 2020September 27, 2020 bookishluna13 Comments

Hello and welcome to my monthly TBR post. This month I am going to be keeping my TBR small and simple, especially since I now only have about 10 books on my owned TBR and my goal this month is to get it down to 5 books, I really hope I am able to do this! Anyway, here are the books I am planning on reading this month.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coats, I have been hearing about this book quite a lot over the last few months and I happened to come across this on discount at my local bookshop and I decided to pick it up. I will be honest, I don’t know too much about it, but I am quite excited to see what everyone has been talking about.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, this is a horror novel that was picked for me by the service TBR. I have read a short story by this author before and enjoyed it so I am looking forward to seeing if I will continue to enjoy his works.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, this book was picked for me to read by Maggie from Storme Reads a Lot for my Someone Picks my Books series I have here on my blog. I am really excited to take a deep dive into such a propionate ex-cold case.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, I have not read this classic horror before, but I have watched so many adaptations and retellings that I feel like I could tell you what it is about. But, I decided for Halloween this year I am going to read this classic horror novel and put to the test how much of the story I actually know.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, I started reading this earlier in September, but my schedule got in the way of me reading this tome all the way through. I am about 50% through at the time of writing this so it should not take me too long to finish this tale.

What are you planning on reading this month?

Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Wrap Up

Wrap Up | Spookathon/October 2019

October 30, 2019October 20, 2019 bookishluna5 Comments

Monthly Wrap Up

Hello and welcome! This month I decided to put my readathon wrap up and my monthly wrap up together for a couple of reasons. The first being I didn’t want to post two wrap ups so close together and the second is that I don’t think I would have had enough in my posts on their own. But, either way I am going to fill you in on all of the reads I have read this month for general reading and readathon reading!

-Spookathon-

Read a thriller– The Institute by Stephen King
Read a book with red on the cover– Mapping the Interior, might I add this is a beautiful cover and an amazing story?
Read a book with a spooky word in the title– Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories
Read a book with a spooky setting – The Institute by Stephen King
Read something you wouldn’t normally read– Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, not halloween like at all so I wouldn’t normally read it this time of the year.

I might have used a few books to cover more than one prompt, but I did it! Not against the rules in my opinion!

Read 2
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell by Robert W. Sands Jr.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite nonfiction series of sorts and this one was no exception. Images used and their accompanying descriptions and stories added to a wonderfully framed narrative of both Independence Hall and the Library Bell.

View all my reviews

Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such an eerie atmospheric read, I can really see why it is compared to The Haunting of Hill House, but it is very much its own unique story as well. Even though this was such a sort story, I was attached to the main character very early on. Since this is so short I don’t want to say much, but if you enjoy horror I think you will really enjoy this.

View all my reviews

The Institute by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another wonderful King novel. It is different from his other works, but it is just as creepy. It did not take me too long to feel for the young main characters. The horrors that they saw and had to live through is just heart wrenching. There were quite a few times my heart sunk when I thought something bad was going to happen or if I thought something wasn’t going to work out.

I don’t want to say to much because I feel like this novel is best read when you don’t know too much. It is well written and the plot is a roller coaster and unique. I also felt true emotion while reading this.

View all my reviews

Moby-Dick: or, The Whale by Herman Melville

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a very dense book, it was not 100% what I expected. I felt like it was going to be more of a tall tale, but it ended up being so much more explanatory of the progress of whaling. At times I just wanted it to get to the action, if that makes sense.

Other than this I can see why this book is a classic, it is an interesting tale, but keep in mind it is a product of its time.

View all my reviews

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories by Robert Louis Stevenson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really love the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde so I was really excited to read some more by this author. I was really happy with my reread, I enjoyed the story as much as I have in the past. The other short stories varied, but overall I enjoyed them as well. If you enjoy Jekyll and Hyde, I think you will enjoy the rest of these stories.

View all my reviews

Middle Mark Books 2

The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill, 5 of 5 stars
The Overstory by Richard Powers, 3 of 5 stars
In the Tall Grass by Stephen King, 4 of 5 stars
The Quite Nice and Fairly Accurate Good Omens Script Book by Neil Gaiman, 5 of 5 stars

Beat the Backlist 2

Current TBR: 33

Backlist TBR: 0

I FINALLY FINISHED ALL OF THE BOOK I BOUGHT BEFORE 2019 STARTED!

Did you have any 5 star read this month?

Were you surprised by anything you read?

Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Hauls & Unboxings

Unboxing | Coffee and a Classic September 2019

October 20, 2019October 19, 2019 bookishluna4 Comments

Unboxing

Hello and welcome to another unboxing of Coffee and a Classic! This month is something extra special since it is Halloween related. I know I am posting this a tad bit late, but better late than never! Anyway, I was so excited about this months pick because I have read the main tale that was sent out, and loved, but I did not read the “Other Stories” so I am excited to find more stories I adore. Anyway, on to the unboxing.

Here is the goodness I saw when I opened the box up. I do love that they really individualize every box to totally surround the box. It really adds to the experience for me.

Here are some of the goodies in this months box. I have to say I was so thankful to get the book light. Mine was starting to act funny and I was ready to go out and get a new one when my next paycheck came in, this could not have been more perfect timing! Also, this months bookmark is so adorable, I started using it right away. Plus, I can always find my books in the dark now with this glow in the dark potion.

I really loved the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, talking about the dual sides to each person and humanity as a whole. It is just as much as a monster story as much as a story about humans, which makes it even more eerie. Even though I really enjoyed reading this story, I for some reason have not picked up another one by this author so I am happy to see the & Other Stories on the cover of this beautiful edition.

Now, I think this is my favorite thing I have gotten from Coffee and Classic since being a subscriber. I took this pillow case and stuffed it full of teddy bear stuffing and put it right now my bed. It is a perfect little Halloween decorate as well as a literary one and that just makes my halloween book loving heart happy. Also, it is a pun and I LOVE puns.

Have you read this book?

Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

To Be Read

TBR | Spookathon

October 13, 2019September 22, 2019 bookishluna9 Comments

ToBeRead12:17

Hello everyone and welcome to my second TBR of the month. A few weeks ago I saw BooksandLala’s post announcing her Spookathon readathon, if you want to take a look you can find that here: #SPOOKATHON 2019 ANNOUNCEMENT. Anyway, I have never taken part in this readathon and I was looking for one to join, so I thought, why not?

I just want to take some tine to go over the challenges, time frame, and most importantly the books I plan on attempting to read.

-Dates-

This readathon will take place from October 14th – 20th, a Monday to a Sunday. I don’t know about you, but I love when a readathon ends on a Sunday because it is my day off and I can do a ton a reading and end on a high note.

-Challenges-

Read a thriller
Read a book with red on the cover
Read a book with a spooky word in the title
Read a book with a spooky setting
Read something you wouldn’t normally read

-My TBR-

The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox

Outside the Gates by Molly Gloss

Skin Deep by Liz Nugent

The Wicked King by Holly Black

Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones

Are you taking part in this readathon or any readathon this month?

What book did you love that took place in a spooky setting?

Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Bullet Journal Jottings, Writing & More

Bullet Journal | October 2019

October 2, 2019September 24, 2019 bookishluna20 Comments

bene

My dashboard and my calendar and from Plant Based Bride over on youtube. I really loved what she did this month and I thought the quote was wonderful so I printed it out and pasted it right inside.

This month I decided to keep this form of habit tracker, I really enjoyed each habit having its own little home. It felt nice and contained and tracking was really easy. On the right I decided to give something new a try. I have seen many “line a day” spreads all over the internet and I thought it was a really nice reflective tool.

On the left is my To Be Read, I also loved what I did last month with this so I decided to keep it the same. As you can see I am planning on reading American Gods and The Institute next month. Just a little reminder that S means started, r means read, and p means placed in a middle mark or wrap up post. On the right I am tracking my pages a day again, but since my challenge is over I decided to extend the tracker to 300 pages instead of just 64.

This month I am planning on taking part in the Spookathon that is hosted by Books and Lala over on youtube. I decided to doodle a book per challenge and then place a spooky skull on top. On the right hand side I cut some scrapbooking paper and pasted it down. I felt like it suited this spread.

On the left I am trying something else new, I am going to be tracking my mood via potion bottles. I was inspired by AmandaRachLee on youtube. Depending on your mood is how much you fill up each bottle. I love this idea so much more than the color coded ones. I never enjoy carrying a lot of Bujo stuff around with me on the go. I normally only carry around 1 pen, 1 marker, and a mini ruler. On the right I cut out some more scrapbooking paper I found at Michaels’s craft store.

I decided to keep my weekly spreads just about the same, I only added in the moon cycles this time around since I had the stickers sitting around and I thought it was very fitting. I also put the mini calendar in the top right and I printed out more of Plant Based Brides illustrations to decorate the corners.

This little illustration is a animal skill of some kind, not quite sure, but I really liked the flowers coming out of it.

Here is another printing of the illustration from the dashboard page. I always loved art that has to do with the sun, star, and moon.

Here is a skeleton playing with fire, I really liked this one because it was creepy and I thought this was a good week to put it in because we are so close to Halloween!

The last week is the week of Halloween so I thought the perfect addition would be a witches hat.

What theme did you use this month?

Do you use a mood tracker? What kind of format is it?

Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

To Be Read

TBR |October 2019

October 1, 2019September 22, 2019 bookishluna14 Comments

ToBeRead12:17

Hello and welcome! Today I am going to be sharing the books I am going to be attempting to read this month. I am honestly not going to plan on reading too much over all because I have a lot of studying to do. If you follow me on twitter you know I am studying for an upcoming exam and I am so nervous about it. But, since I am going to be cramming as much as I can in my brain, I want to take it east on the planned reading and just be a full on mood reader or at least try to. Also, I just want some fantasy and horror to celebrate Halloween. Anyway, here are the books I am currently in the mood to read.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman, I picked this book up in August and put it down over September due to a challenge I was doing for most of the month, keep an eye out on a upcoming post to hear all about it. Anyway, I really want to just back into this because sounds really interesting and I really enjoyed the 50 some odd pages I already read. It seems like it is going to be out there in a really creepy/cool way and I think it would be perfect for October.

The Institute by Stephen King, this book just came out in September and I really wanted to get to it ASAP, but I needed to wait until October because it is the book for October in the Stephen King buddy read group I joined about two months ago. So, I was a good buddy reader and did not read it. I am really interested to see how King’s most recent novel is since he is one of my favorite authors. It is really interesting to see how different his works are over time.

As you can see, I am only planning on reading two books at this point. I am going to try and take part in the #Spookathon, so I might post a seprate TBR for that or just a wrap up, I have not decided just yet.

What are you reading this month?

Are you taking part in any readathons in October?

Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Wrap Up

Wrap Up | September 2019

September 29, 2019September 23, 2019 bookishluna15 Comments

Monthly Wrap Up

Hello and welcome to my monthly wrap up! This month was a bit overwhelming, but I read a lot more than I thought I would be able to read and I even read a few 5 star reads! I still cannot believe we are now officially into fall and within the last three months of 2019. It is time to make sure all of these yearly goals done, but before that I need to share what I have read, on to the books!

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story line was very cute and adorable. I might have audibly said awe a few times while reading this. The illustrations were great, I loved the color choices for the story as well. This was a great start to the autumn seasons.

View all my reviews

The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix by Stephen King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a brutal one, but it added a lot to the story. I am moving on to the next one right away.

View all my reviews

Night Journey by Stephen King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am moving on the the next one right away, I need to know how this story ends!

View all my reviews

Coffey on the Mile by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This finally installment really had me feeling for the characters a lot more than I had when I first started reading this serialized novel. It came full circle in a way I did not see coming and had an element I did not see coming either, but a very good choice in my opinion. This was a great story even though I hated a few characters with a passion.

View all my reviews

The Favorite Daughter by Kaira Rouda

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The main reason I personally did not enjoy this was due to the narrator. I could not take more than a half an hour at a time listening to her. I am not really sure what to say, the idea is really interesting, but for me this is a case of a really annoying narrator.

View all my reviews

Middle Mark Books 2