Hiatus Watch: Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2

I can't believe I forgot the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender was premiereing this month. I loved the first season and I can't wait to watch this new one. Yes, I already know what's going to happen, since this is an adaptation of the animated series but I'm interested in seeing what scenes they choose to include as well as see if they added anything new. For instance, the first season added Azula instead of waiting to bring her in for the second season as with the original series.

I will be adding this to my already growing list of shows to watch during hiatus. What shows are you watching during this hiatus?


Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix)

Starring: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Matthew Yang King, Elizabeth Yu, Daniel Dae Kim, Miyako and more

Creator: Albert Kim

Based On: The Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko

General Description:

A young boy known as the Avatar must master the four elemental powers to save the world, and fight against an enemy bent on stopping him.

Book of Interest: Breakout

Reading the description for Breakout by by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon feels like a very interesting read. Because these teens go to a resort for spring break but instead of having a fun and relaxing time, they are dealing with a murderer. There seems to be some secrets that are being revealed and I wonder if the murderer is killing to keep the secrets being told or for not telling them. And I wonder if the new student has anything to do with what's going on.

Also from the description, I see that this same group of authors also wrote two more books together: Blackout and Whiteout, I'm going see what those books are about and see if I want to read them as well. I love a good mystery, so I know I want to read Breakout.

Book: Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon

Description:

Trapped at a luxurious resort off the coast of Florida, a group of elite teens are about to have a spring break they will never forget . . . but not all of them are coming home. The star-studded team of authors behind New York Times bestsellers Blackout and Whiteout returns with a thriller full of intrigue, betrayal, and heart-stopping romance.

For Thurgood Marshall Academy's best and brightest--five friends who've been thick as thieves since kindergarten--this spring break is all about forgetting: they want nothing more than to wash away last year's tragedy, and the human-shaped hole it left in their friend group.

It's a hole the new kid, Anthony Brooks, seems to fit right into. So when he invites the Five to join him on a private island for a week at his dad's luxury resort, they agree with zero hesitation. No one's counting on a freak tropical storm swooping in and killing the vibe. And speaking of killing, they're also ill-prepared for the mounting collection of dead bodies... including (another) one of their own.

As their dream trip unravels, everything they tried to leave behind--secrets, lies, betrayals, dead best friends--seems to be washing up on the shore of their lives for everyone to see. Will any of them make it out alive?

From the bestselling, award-winning team behind Blackout and Whiteout—Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon—comes a thriller that begs the question: is it possible to outrun the worst thing you've ever done?

Book Girl Thoughts: My thoughts on what fandom stuff I'd miss while on an online break and other stuff

Happy Monday!

I took a week long online break, so I know I missed a lot of fandom stuff. So, this morning I was trying to get caught up. Some of things I saw, was that the Supergirl movie wasn't doing well at the box office. And it's also getting mixed reviews with more leaning towards negative. I'm still not sure I want to see it in the theatre, I might just wait for it to be released on DVD. And that's mainly because when I watched the trailer it felt like I was looking at another Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Although I love watching the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, I don't want to see a Supergirl movie masking as one. It just didn't feel like I was seeing anything different from a Guardians movie. Maybe the movie is better than what's shown in the trailer but for now I'll probably just wait for it to be released on DVD to watch it.

Let's see, I also saw where some of the cast from 9-1-1, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. were at the Saving Lives Convention in Paris over the weekend. I love going to conventions, so hopefully the fans and the actors had a lot fun. From a few videos I saw, it looked like fun chaos.

(Photo Credit: Empire Conventions)

And finally, during my break, I watched a few movies and started a few shows that I have been planning to watch but never got around to it. I also watched a few episodes of Downton Abbey which totally rekindled my love for the show. It's been a while, maybe I'll rewatch the entire series and the movies. And throughout my weeklong break, I was also reading my book, Body and Soul Food by Abby Collette. I should be finished soon. To avoid reader's block, I have just been gradually reading a little bit everyday. I've also been trying to declutter and reorganize my reading nook. I really want to use it but I still have a bunch of stuff taking up space. So that's one of my projects. Aside from the watching movies and shows and reading and organizing, I was trying to find a new hobby. And one that I was looking into was crochet, it's something I want to try. I've been trying to find a beginner's kit but so far I haven't gotten one yet.

Well, that's just few a thoughts I had and wanted to share. I hope everyone had a good week. I can't wait to get back to posting.

Happy Father's Day!

I'm a little late posting this, I should have posted it earlier before I went to celebrate the holiday with my family. But's it's never too late to wish everyone a very happy Father's Day!

To all the fathers and caregivers, Just want to let you know how much we appreciate all that you do. I really hoping that you are having an amazing day! To anyone who can't celebrate with their dad, I want to wish you a wonderful day as well.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Juneteenth!

Juneteenth is celebrated to honor the end of slavery in the United States. Can you just imagine how they must have felt to finally be free. Probably a combination of exhilaration and apprehension but no matter what emotions they were feeling. They were now free. This holiday is about celebrating freedom and the continued fight for all aspects of it.

Happy Juneteenth, everyone!

Hiatus Watch: Heartstopper Forever Trailer

I have still not read any of the Heartstopper books by Alice Oseman but I have really enjoyed watching the show. I'm a little sad that it's ending with this upcoming movie Heartstopper Forever. But at some point everything does, the movie will premiere on Friday, July 17th on Netflix. I was disappointed when it was first announced that Heartstopper wasn't getting a third season but instead a movie. But looking at the trailer, it looks like it's going to be good.

I do wonder how this is going to end, I hope there is a happy ending for everyone and especially no bittersweet ending. And I really hope that Nick and Charlie are together at the end. I'm really looking forward to seeing this.


Heartstopper Forever (Netflix)

Starring: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Cormac Hyde-Corrin, Olivia Colman, Rhea Norwood, Sebastian Croft, Corinna Brown and more

Director: Wash Westmoreland

Writer: Alice Oseman

Based On: The Heartstopper books by Alice Oseman

Description:

Nick and Charlie are in love, but new challenges lay ahead with Nick getting ready to leave for university and Charlie taking on new responsibilities at school.

DVD Pick: You, Me & Tuscany

I just love this movie, You, Me & Tuscany, it's so cute, funny and romantic. It's one of my favorite romantic comedies, the story has that classic feel to it. You get a misunderstanding, risk taking coupled with a rash decision but ultimately leading to a wonderful romance. I have been waiting on this be released on DVD so I can get it and rewatch it.


You, Me & Tuscany

Starring: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Lorenzo de Moor, Nia Vardalos, Isabella Ferrari, Marco Calvani and more

Director: Kat Coiro

Writers: Ryan Engle and Kristin Engle

Description:

When a woman crashes at an empty Italian villa, posing as the owner's fiancée, she discovers an unexpected romance that could transform her life.

Book of Interest: The Escape Game

Happy Wednesday!

I was actually looking for a different book when I found The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss. It's a mystery that follow contestants who are on an escape room TV series. And not only are they trying to figure out the puzzles in the room to escape but they are also trying to solve the murder of Alicia, a contestant who was mysteriously killed the previous season. And according to the description, many believe her sister Sierra (who is a current contestant) killed her. However, Sierra is there to find out the truth about what happened to her sister.

I wonder who killed Alicia, was it another contestant? Or someone who worked for the show? Or maybe someone not even connected to the show? This seems like a good read, it's another book I'll be adding to my list.

Book: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

Description:

It’s all fun and games until someone ends up dead.

Six months ago, season four of The Escape Game ended in horror when contestant Alicia Angelos was found murdered on set.

Now season five is underway, and new contestants are ready to put their skills to the test solving the show's trickiest escape rooms. There's Adi, the cryptographer; Carter, the math whiz; Beck, the wannabe game master; and . . . Sierra Angelos, the girl who got away with her sister’s murder. Or so everyone believes.

But Sierra’s not just here to win. She’s here for justice.

When the contestants begin uncovering clues that hint at the identity of Alicia’s true killer, it becomes clear that the stakes aren’t high just in this competition—they’re deadly. If these teens want to win—and survive—the game, they must solve the biggest mystery of all: who killed Alicia Angelos?

From #1 New York Times bestselling authors Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss comes a twisty thrill-ride that will take readers on an exhilarating hunt to uncover secrets, conspiracy, and cold-blooded murder.

Book of Interest: Cleopatra

Happy Monday!

How was everyone's weekend? Did you find any time to read?

I can't remember the last time I've read a historical fiction but Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi seems like such an interesting read. With the story told by her, it will be interesting to see what aspects of Cleopatra's life will be focused on besides the most known (or at least perceived) information by historians. I've been trying to expand from my usual genre of books because there are just so many different stories and I want to read as many of them as I can. So, I will be adding this book to my list. Maybe, I'll even read it this summer.

Book: Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi

Description:

Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic from the bestselling and award-winning author of Faebound and The Final Strife.

YOU KNOW MY NAME, BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME.

Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall.

Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves.

Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children.

How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, and divinely blessed to rule.

Death will silence me no longer.

This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.

Geek on a Budget: Trying to stick with my Essentials Only Challenge

This morning, I talked myself out of ordering two 9-1-1 Buck and Eddie (Buddie) bookmarks and two mugs: Buck and Eddie and Hen. I wish I'd also found mugs for Hen and Karen, Athena and Bobby and Maddie and Chimney but so far I didn't find any. Both of the bookmarks are so cute but I know I don't need anymore because I have plenty of bookmarks. As well as mugs. But I don't have any 9-1-1 merchandise other than that Preppi 9-1-1 First-aid Kit which I bought a couple of years ago when it was on sale. And since neither FOX (when the show aired on the network) or ABC (where the show now airs) ever released any (or any more in ABC's case) official merchandise, so a lot of fans have created their own stuff. And I've seen so many cute stuff, that I'd like to get.

And not to be forgotten, I also talked myself out of getting a Gilmore Girls Lorelai and Luke mug I saw. Other than the DVDs and a few books (Rory's reading list, cook books, etc.), I also don't have a lot of Gilmore Girls merchandise. But I so want all of the 9-1-1 and Gilmore Girls stuff I found this week. However, since I'm still doing my Essentials Only challenge, none of this stuff is clearly necessities. I just really want them. Overall, I've been really good with this challenge it just when I see fandom stuff is when I really have to talk myself out of buying anything. This challenge has really helped me see that I want a lot of non-essential stuff. There's nothing wrong with buying non-essentials I just don't want to go over my budget which is what I would do if I bought all the stuff I keep finding.

When this challenge ends, I'm going to look over my fandom merchandise section of my budget and see if I need to increase it keep it as it is. Because I do love getting fandom stuff but I'm just going to try to stay on budget. It's funny that I don't have a lot of Gilmore Girls and 9-1-1 stuff, despite them being two of my favorite fandoms.

Photo of the Day: Hudson Williams

This picture of actor Hudson Williams feels like an ad for a luxury chess board set or a poster for a movie about a chess player. Which reminds me that I still haven't watched The Queen's Gambit miniseries. I also want to get the book of the same name by Walter Tevis. Not sure if I want to read the book first then watch the show or vice versa. Anyway, I saw this picture of Hudson and thought it looked like the perfect shot. This is just a really good picture.

Photography: Jake Rosenberg for the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards

Hiatus Watch: Every Year After and Dragon Striker

Happy Wednesday!

In between reading my books this summer, I'm going to try to watching some of the new (and new to me) shows and movies during hiatus. And two new shows that I want to watch are: Every Year After and Dragon Striker.

Every Year After is based on the book Every Summer After by Carly Fortune which up until now I had never heard of. Maybe I'll add it to my list to read later especially if I like the show. Looking at the trailer, the show which premiered today (June 10th) does have that summery feel to it. As it follows two (best?) friends questioning their romantic possibilities. Since, I've never read the book, it will be interesting to see if they do end up together or there's a twist and they don't. I guess friends to lovers is a popular trope for a reason. All episodes of the first season are available to watch on Amazon Prime.

As for the second new show (which premiered June 9th), Dragon Striker, it's an animated series that follows a young boy named Keys who not only attends a school and joins a sports team where he learns he may be the legendary "Dragon Striker". But he will also be fighting against a big evil. This seems like an interesting show and it kind of feels like a cross between Naruto and The Legend of Korra plus with sports. All episodes of the first season are also available to watch on Disney Plus.


Every Year After (Amazon Prime)

Starring: Sadie Soverall, Matt Cornett, Michael Bradway, Abigail Cowen, Aurora Perrineau, Joseph Chiu and more

Creators: Leila Gerstein and Amy Harris

Based On: The book Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Description:

Two lifelong friends explore the enduring question - what if your first love was destined to be your soulmate? A sweeping romantic tale about love's timeless possibilities.

Currently Read: Body and Soul Food

Happy Saturday!

I took a little reading break before finding the next book I wanted to read. I'm still continuing with my To Be Read List challenge and so far I've been picking books that have been on my shelves for quite some time. Now this mystery book, Body and Soul Food by Abby Collette isn't that old and it's only been sitting on my shelf for almost five years. So that's not too bad. I think the cover art is so cute. I just love all the little details.

Anyway, when I first read the description, I found it interesting because separated twins Keaton and Koby reunite and open up a business of a bookstore that has a soul-food café. While doing that they are also trying to solve a murder. I do wonder why Koby's foster brother was murdered? I guess I'll find out when I read it.

Book: Body and Soul Food (A Books & Biscuits Mystery book #1) by Abby Collette

Description:

In this page-turning new mystery series, fraternal twins Keaton and Koby will pull double duty when they take down a killer while preparing to open their new bookstore and soul-food café, Books & Biscuits.

When Koby Hill and Keaton Rutledge were orphaned at age two, they were separated, but their unbreakable connection lingered. Years later, they reunite and decide to make up for lost time and capitalize on their shared interests by opening up a well-stocked bookstore and cozy soul-food café in the quaint Pacific Northwest town of Timber Lake. But this new chapter of their lives could end on a cliffhanger after Koby's foster brother is found murdered.

The murder, which occurred in public between light-rail stops, seems impossible for the police to solve. But as Keaton and Koby know, two heads are always better than one, especially when it comes to mysteries. With just a week to go before the grand opening of their new café, the twins will use their revitalized connection with each other to make sure this is the killer's final page.