On My List: February 10th

Happy Tuesday! I thought I'd post a short On My List with books and TV show I'm interested in reading and watching.

Books I Want to Read:

There are so many books I want to read and these two books are definitely going on my list: Nawlins by Deric Augustine and The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao. Both are fantasy books with the first being set at a magical school and second being set on a magical train. Both focus on the main characters' uncovering secrets and also a bit of self-discovery. Based on the description, Nawlins feels like it's going to be full of drama, action and magic. And I wonder how wistful The Elsewhere Express will be especially since you only can get on the train when you feel like your life has no meaning. Regardless, both of these books seem like they are going to be really good reads.

Book: Nawlins by Deric Augustine

Description:

Welcome to Nawlins School of the Gifted, a prestigious all-Black academy for gifted young wizards, where the vibrant culture of New Orleans intertwines with ancient powers. Hidden from the world, this magical institution is a place where legacies are forged, and young wizards uncover their extraordinary destinies.

For fifteen-year-old Donna Marie Guillory from the Bronx, life has always been a battle—fighting for her mother’s health, for her family’s survival, and against a world that often seems stacked against her. But when a letter arrives inviting her to Nawlins, Donna discovers a hidden part of herself, a power she never knew she possessed.

At Nawlins, Donna finds more than a community; she uncovers a rich history and strength unlike anything she’s ever known. However, as she delves into her family’s mysterious past, she finds herself at the heart of a centuries-old conflict that threatens the very foundation of the school and possibly the fate of the entire world. Armed with her newfound abilities and unyielding determination, Donna must navigate treacherous alliances and confront a darkness that once tore her family apart. But she won’t do it alone. An unexpected ally, someone she believed she lost forever, will stand by her side.

Nawlins is more than a story of magic; it celebrates resilience, heritage, and the power of self-discovery. Step into a world where the past shapes the present and every choice carries the weight of generations.

Video: Buck and Eddie: If You Lie With Me (9-1-1) fan edit

I'm not sure I posted this Buck and Eddie: If You Lie Wit Me fan edit by bex on this blog but I know I posted on my other blog, Truly Outrageous Buck and Eddie. This is one of my favorite edits, I just love how the scenes are perfectly in sync with the song. I will never stop hoping that Buck and Eddie go canon. They have an absolutly amazing connection and chemistry and romantically, they are exactly what each other are looking for.

#BUDDIE; would you lie with me and just forget the world

[#911onABC buck eddie] pic.twitter.com/u5vJoMuH9G

— bex ⋆.˚ (@bexisms) May 7, 2024

Currently Reading: The Jane Austen Diet

Happy Saturday!

After reading two mystery books back to back, I was set on finding something different to read. I was going through one of my bookcases when I found this nonfiction book, The Jane Austen Diet by Bryan Kozlowski and Jane Austen. I'm always interested in what research someone can gather from books. And from the description, it looks like the author took inspiration from Jane Austen's characters and looked into their lifestyle in regards to food, health and fitness. So, it will be interesting to see what informmation is in this book and how it relates to the characters.

Book: The Jane Austen Diet: Austen's Secrets to Food, Health, and Incandescent Happiness by Jane Austen and Bryan Kozlowski

Description:

What can Jane Austen teach us about health? Prepare to have your bonnet blown…

From the food secrets of Pride and Prejudice to the fitness strategies of Sense and Sensibility, there’s a modern health code hidden in the world’s most popular romances.

Join Bryan Kozlowski as he unlocks this “health and happiness” manifesto straight from Jane Austen’s pen, revealing why her prescriptions for achieving total body “bloom” still matter in the 21st century. Whether that’s learning how to eat like Lizzie Bennet, exercise like Emma Woodhouse, or think like Elinor Dashwood, explore how Austen’s timeless body beliefs are more relevant, refreshing, and scientifically sensible now than ever before. After all, it's still a truth universally acknowledged – Jane Austen’s heroines don’t get fat.

Book Review: The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall

Book: The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo volume #2: The Monster Mall by Drew Weing

Cover Art by Drew Weing
Cover Design by Drew Weing and Andrew Arnold

Edition: Paperback

Description:

In this second volume of The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo, graphic novelist Drew Weing delivers a fresh and funny take on the age-old battle between kids and closet-dwelling monsters.

Charles meets a lot of monsters in his line of work. While assisting Margo Maloo on her assignments, he’s had close encounters with trolls, ghosts, imps, and ogres. And lately, they’re all saying the same thing: living in Echo City is getting harder.

As the human population of the city grows, monsters are being forced to abandon their homes. Teenagers are creeping into their territory, smartphones in hand, eager to photograph paranormal activity. Some monsters are tired of hiding and ready to fight. How can Margo and Charles keep Echo City’s monster community a secret, when it’s teetering in the brink of war?

Art of the Day: Bookworm Alligator

Artwork: Alo the Alligator by Heegyum Kim

How cute is this little book gater with a stack of books? Alo probably has a cozy home full of books.

Currently Reading: The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall

I know I just read a mystery book, but when I was looking through my shelves for something else to read, I found The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo volume #2: The Monster Mall by Drew Weing. I forgot I had this. It's been 10 years since I read the first volume, The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo and I really enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to start reading The Monster Mall and it seems like a very interesting story with the monsters of Echo City feeling like they are not only being squeezed out of their neighborhood by humans but also having their mere existence being exposed. And it will be up to Margo to solve the problem.

Book: The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo volume #2: The Monster Mall by Drew Weing

Description:

In this second volume of The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo, graphic novelist Drew Weing delivers a fresh and funny take on the age-old battle between kids and closet-dwelling monsters.

Charles meets a lot of monsters in his line of work. While assisting Margo Maloo on her assignments, he’s had close encounters with trolls, ghosts, imps, and ogres. And lately, they’re all saying the same thing: living in Echo City is getting harder.

As the human population of the city grows, monsters are being forced to abandon their homes. Teenagers are creeping into their territory, smartphones in hand, eager to photograph paranormal activity. Some monsters are tired of hiding and ready to fight. How can Margo and Charles keep Echo City’s monster community a secret, when it’s teetering in the brink of war?

Happy Black History Month!

February is Black History Month!

Black History Month was created to celebrate, educate, honor and appreciate the complex and rich history and culture of the Black and African-American community. It goes without saying that Black history is American history, how are you celebrating this month? Are there any historical facts, books, movies, shows, cultural events, etc. that you're interested in for Black History Month? Granted you can do all of this throughout the year as well. There is just so much out there to learn and know more about.

With that said, Happy Black History Month, everyone!

Book Review: Murder on Cape Cod

Book: Murder on Cape Cod (A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery book #1) by Maddie Day

Edition: Paperback

Description:

A Cape Cod shop owner and her book club must find a crafty killer in this charming new series from the Agatha-nominated author of the Country Store Mystery series.

Summer is busy season for Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida’s bicycle shop, nestled in the quaint, seaside hamlet of Westham, Massachusetts. She’s expecting an influx of tourists at Mac’s Bikes; instead she discovers the body of Jake Lacey. Mac can’t imagine anyone stabbing the down-on-his-luck handyman. However, the authorities seem to think Mac is a strong suspect after she was spotted arguing with Jake just hours before his death. Mac knows she didn’t do it, but she does recognize the weapon—her brother Derrick’s fishing knife.

Mac’s only experience with murder investigations is limited to the cozy mysteries she reads with her local book group, the Cozy Capers. So to clear her name—and maybe her brother’s too—Mac will have to summon help from her Cozy Capers co-investigators and a library’s worth of detectives’ tips and tricks. For a small town, Westham is teeming with possible killers, and this is one mystery where Mac is hoping for anything but a surprise ending…

Fandom Friday: Random Fandom Thoughts #51: 9-1-1

Happy Fandom Friday, I am posting this early because I just have too many thoughts about last night's 9-1-1 episode Handle with Care (season 9 episode 10):

Edit: To add that despite being disappointed with the writing for the ninth season of 9-1-1, I shouldn't have focused on the actress' appearance. And as I stated below it is refreshing to see an actress who is aging naturally. So, I appologize for making a portion of this about someone's looks.

- I'm not one to judge someone's looks or appearance but why is the therapist Alex Doyle that the writers on 9-1-1 are possibly (most likely) setting Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz up with so ugly? She's looks ways older and uglier than any of his love interests have ever been. I can't believe they had Abigail refer to Alex as being "pretty". Abigail I know you have been traumatized by your parents but do you also need glasses? Because is the pretty in the room with us. And in what universe is Alex considered pretty. She's homely at best and fugly at worst. The only way she's considered pretty is if you've never seen any of Eddie's past love interests. As well as there being no more women (or anyone in general) on the show. And not to mention, she is so boring. And I thought Eddie having no chemistry with Marisol was bad but him and Alex are even worse. So, ugly, boring and no chemistry, that's usually not a good combination. But for 9-1-1 that's down right perfect to be Eddie's love interest. Usually, they are just boring and lack chemistry but this is a new low by casting someone who looks like that. You're telling me there were no pretty actresses they could have been cast for this role. While it's refreshing to see an actress who doesn't have a face full of plastic surgery, fillers and Botox, however, she's still very homely for a love interest.

Fashion Meets Fandom News: The "Heated Rivalry" Shane Hollander Canada fleece is officially being released!

There's some good Fashion Meets Fandom Heated Rivalry news. The Canada fleece jacket that Shane Hollander was wearing while he was in Russia for the 2014 Sochi Olympics in the Heated Rivalry episode Olympians (season 1 episode 2) is going to be released. The white fleece jacket with red accents became an instant fan favorite and there were even some fans making their own version of it. But now the Provence of Canada apparel company will officially be making one.

(Heated Rivalry season 1 episode 2: Olympians)

Book of Interest: The People's Library

This sci-fi book, The People's Library by Veronica G. Henry seems very interesting. With the way the world continues to be digitized, it's not hard to imagine human consciousness being as well. And a anti-tech rebellion is also something that's not hard to imagine, especially since there is already a growing anti-AI sentiment. And couple that with the librarian, Echo London uncovering secrets about the library, I so want to read this book. Because what does she find out and is it connected with the anti-tech rebellion?

Book: The People's Library by Veronica G. Henry

Publication: February 1, 2026

Description:

From critically acclaimed author Veronica G. Henry comes a thought—provoking science fiction fantasy set in near—future Cleveland that follows a reluctant curator of digital human consciousness who must uncover twisted secrets and navigate ethical quandaries and dangers when anti—technology rebels attack the futuristic library.

Echo London never wanted to be the curator of the People’s Library, a digital collection of human consciousness. But when she’s assigned as its head librarian, Echo is entrusted with humanity’s greatest minds and historical figures, all of whom have been recreated through controversial consciousness—capturing technology that lets visitors interact with the dead.

But an anti—tech rebellion is stirring. When a rebel attack results in tragedy, a mysterious woman wearing an ancient death mask leaves behind cryptic final words for Echo: It all begins with nothing. Caught between the resistance and a potentially virtual evolution, Echo begins to fear that there’s more to her job than meets the eye and the mind. There are secrets here. And the People’s Library may be less of a promise of things to come than a warning of the danger that lurks beneath the surface. Now the fate of humanity lies in uncovering the truth.

Book of Interest: The Dead Romantics

Is The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston a supernatural romance? I was wondering if the ghost of Florence's late editor is there to help her see that love isn't dead which will lead to not only get her back to writing but to also find love. Also, what is his unfinished business? This seems like an interesting and fun story. I'm really surprised that I don't read a lot of ghost stories. I want to read this, so I'll be adding this to my list.

Book: The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Description:

Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. It’s as good as dead.

When her new editor, a too-handsome mountain of a man, won't give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive, and she must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father.

For ten years, she's run from the town that never understood her, and even though she misses the sound of a warm Southern night and her eccentric, loving family and their funeral parlor, she can’t bring herself to stay. Even with her father gone, it feels like nothing in this town has changed. And she hates it.

Until she finds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door, just as broad and infuriatingly handsome as ever, and he’s just as confused about why he’s there as she is.

Romance is most certainly dead . . . but so is her new editor, and his unfinished business will have her second-guessing everything she’s ever known about love stories.

In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it so sad the way this country continues to go backwards whenever there is any form of progress. Hatred is unfortunately thriving and there's an American Gestapo terrorizing people under the evil so-called leadership of this country. Not to mention this so-called leadership is also trying to terrorize other countries into doing what they want. Thankfully more countries are pushing back against them.

Dr. King's enduring message of fighting against hatred and seeking peace, justice and equality continues to live on. Despite the current times, people continue to push for change in making this country a better place. Diversity is wonderful and should never be seen as something bad. We have to continue to fight for our rights.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. may his message never be forgotten.