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DIY Diction-Fairy and Beyond: Halloween Costumes You Can Make Out of Books

Of course it’s awesome to dress up as your favorite book character for Halloween, but why not take things a step further and use the pages themselves to craft up an outfit? Here are seven sorta-spooky DIYs for wearing your bookish heart on your sleeve this October 31.

Posted by Blair Thornburgh

How to Tuesday: How to Write a Novel on Your Nails, DIY Literary Manicures

They say that everything you need to write your novel is already at your fingertips; in this case, they’re 100% right! With a little newsprint and rubbing alcohol, you can cover your nails with text and make word art and nail art at the same time. Here’s how to do it:

Posted by Margaret Dunham

Kindle Daily Deal Alert: Bedbugs

Did you hear that? Seriously, I swear I heard something. Huh. Well, okay then. It must have just been the sound of Bedbugs being today's Kindle Daily Deal!

Today only, head on over to Amazon and pick up Bedbugs by Ben H. Winters, a tale of urban horror and paranoia, for only $2.99!

While you're at it, check out this awesomely creepy book trailer.

Posted by Basia Padlo

Delicious Ways to Bring Hello Kitty into Your Kitchen

We've got a bit of Hello Kitty fever over at Quirk Books. Can't help it – awesome stuff like The Hello Kitty Baking Book and Hello Kitty Crochet are out, and we can't get enough of the adorable character. Those cake pops featured above? Totally from Hello Kitty Baking.

Hello Kitty lends herself rather well to all kinds of design, but particularly anything that's sweet or candy-like. So I've put together a little round-up of some of my favorite Hello Kitty cooking and baking videos on YouTube.

First up are these perfect Hello Kitty apple pies, as made by Kawaiisweetworld, a.k.a. Rachel. She actually has various Hello Kitty-related food videos, like how to make a Hello Kitty brownie parfait, or a red velvet cake, or even a crepe cake. Her recipe videos are great, and her instructions are pleasant to watch and listen to, and easy to follow.

Rosanna Pansino's Nerdy Nummies is one of my favorite shows on YouTube. Ro has a totally rockin' video on making Hello Kitty-themed caramel-dipped apples, and they're perfect for the Fall. The best part about recipes like this is once you learn how to make the caramel apples, you could apply it to, really, any character you like. Decorating is fun!

Are you a fan of macaroons? They're actually not that difficult to make, and with a little bit of patience, you can get them in the shape of Hello Kitty. This is a nice overview on making them with coconut flavor and azuki red bean filling, but you can, of course, substitute the flavors for what you like.

Cayla over at the channel pankobunny gives the ice cream sandwich a twist by making it with pink brownies and, not satisfied with using simple ice cream for the middle, ice cream with mochi, strawberry, and red bean paste mixed in. The video above is rather short, but simple to follow. Impress your friends with this delightfully unique ice cream sandwich!

My Cupcake Addiction has a great tutorial on making cake pops look like Hello Kitty. You can use your own recipe or use one that's linked in the video, but the important part here is getting the details on shaping and decorating. This culinary artist takes it a step further by attaching Kitty's body to the lolly stick, so she isn't just a head. It's a nice touch, but of course, unnecessary if you don't want to go through the extra trouble.

This last video is a bonus addition, and the only one that isn't a sweet of some kind. A little boy walks us through making Hello Kitty pizza, and although the video is in Spanish, the process is simple enough to follow just watching the process if you don't understand what he's saying. I thought it was cute and simple, and a great project for parties, especially with children. He uses ham for the bows (though I'm sure pepperoni would work just as well), olives for the black details, and corn for the nose.

Feel free to add more links to your own favorite Hello Kitty cooking videos in the comments below.

Bookish Events in Philadelphia: October 18th – 24th

One of the pleasures of writing the Bookish Event report is the tour through this city's amazing literary venues. This week we wend through a radical community center, a private club for writers, and a place called The Shambles! Enjoy the earlier dusks, reddening leaves, and the return of the 215 Festival, among other seasonal joys.

On Saturday, October 18, from 2-10 p.m., you can help spread the bookish love to incarcerated folks in the Mid Atlantic region at the Fundraiser for Books Through Bars at Lavaspace. Get a t-shirt screen-printed, hear performances by local authors and musicians, and give to an important cause. 4134 Lancaster Ave,

Have you ever been to the Pen and Pencil Club, secret Rittenhouse lair of Philly journalists? No? Ok, then go to the Pen and Pencil Poetry Reading on Sunday, October 19, featuring Philly faves Anne-Adele Wight, Ryan Eckes and Sidney Hunt Coffin. The oldest bartender in the world will serve you a mean cheesesteak if you ask nicely. 8 p.m., 1522 Latimer St.

Posted by Lillian Dunn

Fantasy Novels to Treat Your Game of Thrones Withdrawal

With a little less than half a year to go before HBO brings us new episodes of Game of Thrones (but hey, who’s counting?) many fans are experiencing classic symptoms of withdrawal.

If you or someone you love have been feeling lethargic, anxious, paranoid that your (fictional) brothers are out to get you or can’t stop speaking Dothraki, here are some hand-picked books (other than the actual Game of Thrones novels, that is) to help you get through the wait.

Dune

Why you’ll love it: Simpsons jokes aside, if you enjoy the epic house rivalry, underhanded espionage, giant monsters (worms not dragons), death duels with poisoned blades, and creepy/awesome priestesses in GoT, hold onto your stillsuit because this is going to be a fantastic ride. In many ways Dune is, like GoT, a fight for the crown, but in this case it’s the Imperium and the known universe instead of the Iron Throne and Seven Kingdoms.

How it’s different: It’s a far-future story of planetary domination, the subjugation of indigenous people, and the psycho-temporal effects of the ubiquitous drug the Spice. There are also mentally supercharged servants, wine that is basically the best study drug in the world, and a little dash of allegory in reference to the oil trade. It’s also a very extensive series, so you’ll have plenty to read before the season premiere.

Redwall

Why you’ll love it: Medieval castles and abbeys, stalwart fighters when called to arms, stories told from the perspectives of multiple characters over the novel (chapter by chapter, just like GoT), and plenty of ale to go around. The feasts are the best part – and The Rains of Castamere definitely isn’t on the Abbot’s playlist.

How it’s different: All the characters are mice or other woodland creatures. Redwall is only the first book in the 21 volume series, and it’s an appropriate read for kids aged about 8 and up. This is the book you give your niece or nephew when they start reading over your shoulder during a Cersei chapter.

Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles

Why you’ll love it: Given the chance, I’m pretty sure Sansa, Arya, and perhaps especially Daenerys would have been friends with the intelligent and straightforward Princess Cimorene. If you’re a fan of dragons, a little intrigue, and well-rounded Bechdel-test-passing female characters on quests, this is a great YA option for you.

How it’s different: Dragons in the Enchanted Forest not only talk, but they have a civil order all their own and social obligations. Intrigue in these books is rarely the work of humans – it’s almost always wizards or dragons making trouble. It’s a four book series, and an ideal read for YA enthusiasts.

Anything J.R.R. Tolkien

Why you’ll love it: He’s the granddaddy of fantasy as we know it, and you’re in for artful descriptions and sweeping epics. Long journeys, extensive histories and ancient conflicts are brought to bear in his work. Plus, you’ll be able to spot his influence when new episodes finally arrive (and get to feel super smart).

How it’s different: The language and the layout of some of his more popular works like The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings tend to favor the story of one adventure, while GoT has fistfuls of adventure all happening at once. If you’re ready for songs in Elvish and Dwarven lineage explanations, this is the author for you.

Awesome Illustration via Mister Moster

Dragons of Autumn Twilight: Dragonlance Chronicles

Why you’ll love it: This series has the diverse characters and rich world building you’ve come to expect as a GoT fan, along with adventurers that are fallible (they miss shots, fall down, get sick, and have awkward crushes). There are dragons on the side of ultimate good, and dragons on the side of evil in a world where magic is a part of life for our travelers.

How it’s different: This series is based on Dungeons and Dragons modules, so the world is filled with dwarves, elves, wizards and even once-daily spells. The widely-varied characters travel together on a mission to save the world, rather than the widely-varied characters of GoT that set out to rule it. If you like Dragons of Autumn Twilight, there are 2 more books in the Chronicles and many more after that to keep you busy!

Bonus: 5th Edition D&D Player's Handbook

Why you’ll love it: It’s out now, and if you love GoT but haven’t tried D&D, well, now’s the time. One of the best ways to get by when you’re missing your favorite fantasy adventure is to build a fantasy adventure of your own. Folks are already raving about the 5th check it out and find some friends to play!

What are you reading to get you through the GoT dry spell? Leave a comment to let us know!

Posted by Margaret Dunham

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