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Worst-Case Wednesday: How To Beat Death At Chess

We've all heart about making deals with Death, but what about when Death just wants to relax? He has feelings, too, you know. When he's not swapping fame and fortune for unsuspecting souls, everyone knows Death likes to kick back with a friendly game of chess. Of course, he's been around for eternity, which means he has more than a few tricks up those sleeves of his. (And they are big sleeves.) This means you need to resort to some wilier tactics to win, but not to worry! We've got your back, thanks to The Worst-Case Scenario Handbook: Paranormal Edition.

Posted by Basia Padlo

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

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