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Halloween always puts Quirk HQ in a more ghoulish mood that usual. Perhaps that's why we've taken it upon ourselves to reimagine some classic novels in a horror-ific fashion. Hit us up with any of your own contributions on Twitter, and you might just see it illustrated! 

Excerpted from our Maple cookbook by Katie Price Webster.

Makes 3 cups | Active time: 10 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder
1/3 cup dark maple syrup
21⁄2 cups low-fat milk
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Marshmallows (optional)

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk cocoa and syrup. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, heat milk, stirring often, for about 8 minutes, or until steaming. Pour hot milk into cocoa mixture, whisking constantly. Transfer cocoa mixture to the saucepan and return to medium-low heat, stirring often, until completely smooth and steaming hot. Stir in vanilla and drop in marshmallows (if desired) before serving. 

Excerpted from our Maple cookbook by Katie Price Webster.

Makes 4 2-cup servings | Active time: 30 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

Every year during Banned Books Week, we honor books that have been banned or challenged throughout history. We do so because stories that attract censorship are often speaking truths some are fearful of hearing. These are books that break down established norms, challenge authority, provoke critical thinking, and yes, make people uncomfortable in doing so. And when they are banned, we as a society are lesser for it.

So this week, let’s turn these so-called “dangers” into something to celebrate. Stick these printable bookmarks in your favorite banned book, and let the world know that the freedom to read is an intellectual right and privilege. 

September 22 is Hobbit Day, being the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. What better way to celebrate than by reading all four of J.R.R. Tolkien's most celebrated works within a span of 24 hours? And if you don't have time for that, here's the next best thing: a timeline that allows you to go there and back again in the hairy footsteps of you favorite hobbits.

Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose (my page in this book). 

With autumn comes crisp winds, seasonal hot beverages, and the fiery frenzy of football season. Now the realms of literature and NFL football don't collide often—one notable exception being the Baltimore Ravens, who are named after Edgar Allen Poe's famous poem. Inspired by this fact, we thought, what if it was the other way around? What if novels took their cues from NFL team names? Here's what happens when you bring novels and the NFL to the line of scrimmage: