Oh October, you were filled with coffee, homework, and thankfully some fangirlish things for this blogger. This month was definitely crazy for me, between school assignments and life happenings, but having time for blogging was definitely a must. As the semester wraps up, I think November is going to be another crazy month, but I can’t for my holiday breaks to work on more content. Just you wait for all of the holiday and end-of-year themed content. And for all of my Kingdom of Ash-themed screams.

I feel this way with almost every wrap-up, but I can’t believe I managed to read X books this month. In honor of Halloween, I glad I got to pick a few spookier reads, along with my usual contemporary fix.

Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich | 3.5/5 Stars

Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka |4.5/5

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus | 4/5 

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand | 2.5/5

The Seven Torments of Amy & Craig by Don Zolidis | 4.5/5

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden | 5/5

A Star is Born– Yes, the fact that Lady Gaga stars in A Star is Born definitely pulled me in, but man was this movie was so good! Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper were both amazing , and the movie’s soundtrack has definitely been a go-to this month. My favorite songs are “Always Remember Us This Way,” “Heal Me,” and “Look What I Found”. My sister and I cannot wait for it to come out on DVD (here’s to also hoping it will amazingly pop up on Prime or Netflix).

Friday Night Lights (S1 & S2) – TV is one of my favorite forms of stress relief during the semester, and while so many TV shows came back this fall (more on that below), it’s hard to keep up with every new episode in between school life. Enter a show that I can easily turn to on Amazon Prime and have absolutely become obsessed with, Friday Night Lights. This NBC drama about a high school football team in Texas is so freaking good, and you don’t have to be the biggest football fan to love it – even though I feel like it’s taught me a thing or two about the game.

Fall TV Returns- My favorite fall TV shows so far this season are CW’s Dynasty S2 and The Good Place S3. Since I don’t have cable at school, I don’t tune into them every single week, but it’s been fun to binge watch a few episodes at home or online. Dynasty is easily my favorite cheesy show, and I’ve been really impressed with The Good Place so far.

Regarding TV shows I still need to watch, I really want to start Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and I think I’ve given up actively watching Riverdale S3 (I’ll likely just binge watch the season at some point).

In TV and movie news, I AM BEYOND EXCITED FOR THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL S2 to come out on December 5, and the movie adaptation of Dumplin’ hits Netflix on December 7, just in time for my winter break.

 

Reviews 

Dear Evan Hansen & Fandom Love: What If It’s Us Review

EMOTION-FILLED GRAPHIC NOVEL: Hey Kiddo Review

Review: A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

The Seven Torments of Amy & Craig Review & Giveaway

BROADWAY TO BOOK: Dear Evan Hansen Review

GIVE ME ALL THE LAZLO: Muse of Nightmares Review

Review: Dry by Neal & Jarrod Shusterman

Bookish Fun:

IT’S TIME FOR KINGDOM OF ASH: Throne of Glass Cast Book Recommendations

YA LIFE & MUSE OF NIGHTMARES: Morristown Book Festival

CHOCOLATE MILK & VILLAINS: WHY YOU NEED TO READ VENGEFUL

Thrills & Homework: Fall Reading Recommendations

KoA and Reading Plans: October TBR

The Band’s Visit on Broadway- The Band’s Visit ruled the 2018 Tonys, so when my school offered a free trip go see the show, I jumped at the opportunity. The Band’s Visit is a little unique for Broadway, in that it’s an hour and a half show with no intermission. I really enjoyed seeing this show and definitely see how it swept at the Tonys. While its music is a little different from my usual genres, it’s original cast recording has been another go-to this month. My favorite songs are “Welcome to Nowhere,” “Omar Sharif,” and “Answer Me”.

YA Panels at Morristown Book Festival – One of my best bookish friends and I attended the Morristown Book Festival for their awesome YA lineup. We attended two panels, the first featuring Ibi Zoboi, Emily X.R. Pan, and Jennifer E. Smith, and the second featuring Laini Taylor for Muse of Nightmares. After her panel, we got our books signed by Laini. I’m so excited that my copies of Strange the Dreamer and MoN are now both signed. I have a full experience post about the festival (linked above).

What fangirl things did you do this month? What books did you read? Share in the comments!