The Fall Film Challenge

The Fall Film Challenge is exactly that- a movie challenge in which you watch 25 movies that have been in theaters, that you haven't seen before, between September 1 and November 30- hosted by Jenn aka Quirky Pickings. The first 10 people to complete the challenge win a Redbox gift card. Each year she gives you 25 categories for the movies, like "set in a castle," or "about one of the seven deadly sins." This year she changed things up a bit, with only one category: a game of 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. (It has been said that nearly every movie star can be connected to Kevin Bacon in 6 connections or less.)  In her post, she said NOT to name the connections on FB, so I'm showing them here instead. I love how many were connected in by just one degree! This list actually contains 26, just in case I don't see one of the upcoming movies I really want to see. The ones in green are the ones I've seen so far. It's not too late to join! You can sign up on the Facebook page. 

Everybody's Fine (2009)- Hulu
Robert DeNiro was in Sleepers with KB.

This Is Where I Leave You (2014)- On Demand
Rose Byrnes was in X-Men: First Class with KB.

Thelma and Louise (1991)- library
Jason Beghe was in X-Men: First Class with KB. 

Tag (2018)- Redbox
Annabelle Wallis was in X-Men: First Class with KB. 

CHiPS (2017)- HBO
Erik Strada was in We Married Margo with KB.

Friday Night Lights (2004)- Netflix/ Bad News Bears (1976)- library

Billy Bob Thornton was in Jayne Mansfield's Car with KB.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)- Prime
Burt Reynolds was in Starting Over with KB. 

Kingsman: Secret Service (2014)- library/ Mama Mia! (2008)- Netflix
Colin Firth was in Where the Truth Lies with KB.

It (2018)- HBO, Redbox

Stuart Hughes was in Where The Truth Lies with KB.

Butter (2011)- Netflix
Alicia Silverstone was in Beauty Shop with KB.

Daddy's Home 2 (2017)- Redbox

Mark Walhberg who was in Patriots Day with KB.

Atomic Blonde (2017)- HBO, Redbox

Charlize Theron was in Trapped with KB.

The Miracle Season (2018)- library
Garry Chalk was in Trapped with KB.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)- library

John Goodman was in Beyond All Boundaries with KB. 

Love, Simon (2018)- On Demand
Miles Heizer was in Rails and Ties with KB. 

Ocean's 8 (2018)- Redbox
Sandra Bullock was in Loverboy with KB. 

Life of the Party (2018)- Redbox
Matt Walsh was in The Darkness with KB. 

A Quiet Place (2018)- Redbox

Leon Russom was in He Said, She Said with KB. 

Everything, Everything (2017)- Redbox
Anika Noni Rose was in Dreamgirls with John Lithgow who was in Footloose with KB.

Paper Planes (2014)- Amazon Prime

Sam Worthington was in Cake with Jennifer Aniston who was in Picture Perfect with KB. 

The Glass Castle (2017)- Amazon Prime/ Room (2015)- Netflix/ The Spectacular Now (2013)- Netflix
Brie Larson was in The Gambler with Mark Walhberg who was in Patriots Day with KB. 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)- Netflix
Matthew Goode was in Watchmen with Garry Chalk who was in Trapped with KB. 

Have you seen any of these movies? 

Fall Bucket List

I feel like I haven't done a bucket list in forever, and that would be because I completely forgot about it! Ah well, I got exactly half of them done anyway- I guess writing them down actually did help me remember some of them! 

Summer Goals

Visit the dang High Line! - Hahaha. No. I just checked and this has been on my list since 2016 so clearly I'm just not that interested. I'm not even rolling this one over.

See an outdoor movie- getting on this one early; seeing Thelma and Louise next week! - Fail! Michael and I made it to the venue, but we were both freezing so we left before it started. 

Go to the dentist - Yes, 5 times actually! I went just to get a check-up and they wanted to do scaling.

See an outdoor concert - Yes, two actually! Evanescence with Lindsey Stirling, and 3 Doors Down/Collective Soul/ Soul Asylum. ( I saw Gin Blossoms and Tonic and Daughtry too, but they were indoors.)

Work on Erin's 9.0 Book Challenge - Done! 

Continue the purge - Yes.

Visit the NJ State Fair - Nope.

Go down the shore - I think this is the first time I have NOT gone to the beach! Not once! 

Visit Citi Field for a Phillies/Mets game... it's tradition! - Yes!

Complete 10 goals from my 101 in 1001 List- I completed one lousy goal! I'll do a recap of the whole list next week, and I'm still debating whether or not I want to try another 101. 

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Fall Bucket List

Go leaf-peeping

Attend an Oktoberfest event

Attend a food festival

Host Annual Halloween Party

Fall getaway

Participate in Jenn's Fall Film Challenge (16/25!)

Check out a new winery or brewery

Make pumpkin pie

Have a PSL

Get cozy and read from my Fall TBR List!

What's on your Fall Bucket List?

Top 10: Books on my Fall TBR List

With my Goodreads and Erin's 9.0 Challenges completed, I've decided to work through two other reading challenges that I've been participating in  that I haven't mentioned yet- Around the Year in 52 Books (40/52) and the PopSugar Reading Challenge (23/40). I probably won't finish them both but it's fun to try, and I like making lists and reading out of my comfort zone. I also like reading books set in the season we're in (as in, I'm not going to be reading Summer Sisters during Christmas time- it just feels weird). With Fall (and Halloween!) upon us, I've put together a list of books I'm hoping to get through this season. You'll notice a lot of thrillers, which is one of my favorite genres, but one I've neglected recently. I'm also trying to read books I currently own, either digitally or hardcopies. Here's what's on the list so far. 


1. The Haunting of Hill House- Shirley Jackson
Category: Mentioned in another book (The Grownup- Gillian Flynn)
Notes: I just got this one from the library, and I just noticed that it's going to be made into a Netflix show (coming 10/12). 

2. A Secondhand Life- Pamela Crane
Category: Body part in the title
Notes: I'm not even sure how I came upon this one; I think I was putting in a request for another book that wasn't available yet at my library, and this popped up as a recommendation? It's listed as a standalone with characters also seen in a short called A Sceondhand Lie, but that wasn't available. The premise sounds interesting though: A girl gets murdered, her organ's donated, and now the killer wants the organ recipient too. 

3. The Thinnest Air- Minka Kent
Category: Book linked to one of the 4 elements: Air
Notes: This one is a Kindle Unlimited pick. I've heard of Minka Kent before and this seems to be her latest work. 

4. The Lies We Told- Camilla Way (expected 10/18)
Category: Netgalley
Notes: This one came recommended on the Show Us Your Books linkup,  and Netgalley gave me an arc, so yay! 

5. Nine Perfect Strangers- Liane Moriarty (expected 11/6)
Category: n/a
Notes: I just really like the premise of this one. I'm on the wait list, at #99 on 6 copies. Gah! 

6. Sadie- Courtney Summers
Category: Own
Notes: This is one of two Courtney Summer books sitting on my bookshelf (the other being Some Girls Are, also waiting to be read). I received an arc of this from the publisher and now seems like the perfect time to read it! 

7. Playing With Matches- Hannah Orenstein
Category: Published in 2018
Notes: I started this one a while ago but put it down when some of my holds came in from the library. I really like it so far though, and it'll serve as a nice break some all the psychological/suspense thrillers I have lined up! 

8. Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak- Adi Alsaid (expected 4/30/19)
Category: Netgalley
Notes: I've mentioned before that it's either feast or famine with Netgalley requests, so this one came in during a feast period. I like the idea that the main character chronicles the planned ending and last few months of a relationship. It gives it a slightly voyeuristic feel. 

9. Girls' Night Out- Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
Category: Netgalley
Notes: Acclaimed authors, intriguing premise, positive reviews!

10. After Nightfall- A.J. Banner
Category: Netgalley
Notes: Acclaimed author, intriguing premise, positive reviews!

Bonus: The Yellow Wallpaper- Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Category: A ghost story

Have you read any of these? 

What's on deck for you this season?

Linking up with The Artful Reader! 

Show Us Your Books: August

Book day is finally upon us! I had a lot of "meh" reads this month, BUT I finished Erin's 9.0 Challenge! Woot woot! More on that (and all the changes I made) at the bottom. Instead of participating in the bonus round though, I'm moving on to two other challenges that I haven't mentioned yet- Around the Year in 52 Books (34/52) and the PopSugar Reading Challenge (20/40). I probably won't finish them both but it's fun to try, and I like making lists and reading out of my comfort zone. I may share more on these later but first, here's what I read in August! 

Looking for Alaska- John Green: 3 Stars
library e-book

This was my first John Green and I was disappointed. I'm not sure exactly what I expected, but it wasn't this. Also, it was slow and boring, and I saw the ending from miles away. I found myself skimming, which is never a good sign. There were a few noteworthy quotes, but overall it was a dud. I feel like I may have liked this more if I read it when I was younger, but not as an adult.

"'You got a lifetime to mull over the Buddhist understanding of interconnectedness... But while you were looking out the window, you missed the chance to explore the equally interesting Buddhist belief in being present for every facet of your daily life, being truly present. Be present in this class. And then, when it's over, be present out there...'"

One Night at the Call Center- Chetan Bhagat: 3 Stars
Kindle Unlimited

I would not have found or picked this up if it hadn't been for Erin's Challenge category: book related to my job. I currently work as an IT User Support Specialist, and finding a book based on a customer service call center was not an easy feat! The prologue was absolutely terrible and I wished the author had left it out until I got to the very end, where I understood why it needed to be included. At first I found the characters to be extremely whiny and grating, and it wasn't until about halfway through that I felt myself actually engaged. Bhagat touched on some serious issues that I wished he had given more attention to, and there was a definite religious undertone/ending which usually isn't my jam but worked here. 

(Unrelated: there is a trick mentioned and it cracked me up, mostly because I didn't think it would work. Open an MS Word document and type in =rand (200,99) and press enter.)

"' I love you,' I said.'What? Why this now?''Because I love it when you stand up for something you feel for... I love it when you want to order the cheapest dishes only because I'm paying for them. I love the kohl in your eyes. I love that your eyes light up when you have gossip for me. I love it that you say you don't want dessert and then ask me to change mine so you can have half... I love it that you believe in me and are patient with my career..." 

"'...to be really successful, you must face failure. You have to experience it, feel it, taste it, suffer it. Only then can you shine... For once you taste failure, you have no fear.You can take risks more easily. Then you don't want to snuggle in your comfort zone anymore- you are ready to fly. And success is about flying, not snuggling...'"

Spoiler: They receive a call from God. 

The Night Sister- Jennifer McMahon: 3.5 Stars
Netgalley

This has been on my Kindle since 2015. I feel like if I'd known this was a paranormal mystery, I would not have requested it because usually that genre is not my jam. I was instantly hooked since the story started with a main event and then restarted at the beginning, and I still had no idea it was a supernatural thriller until I was at 40% through it (and then I nearly through my e-reader across the room because I felt like I'd been duped). Once I got over that though, I really got into it, and it kept me turning the pages way past my bedtime. I thought I'd be confused with the flashbacks and the multiple points of view, but somehow it totally worked and just made the story more intense. I like that it was "horror" but not gory or gruesome, and the writing was strong and creative. 

Dumplin'- Julie Murphy: 3 Stars
library e-book

Another one that everyone loved and talked about and that I had high expectations for that just fell flat for me. Though it had a strong premise, I found Willowdean (or "Will" as only certain people can call her) to be an asshole. I mean, she skinny-shames her best friend. I feel the "important, body-positive message" was completely lost here.  Also, she completely led poor Mitch on. I liked Mitch and she was a grade-A jerk to him. Sorry not sorry, but I have nothing but negative feelings toward this one. All of that being said though, I will watch the movie and read Puddin' and hope that it gets better. 

"'...I've been real lost without her. Like, she was this compass I didn't even know I had.' '...There's nothing good about losing someone,' she says. 'But maybe Lucy wasn't meant to be your compass forever. Maybe she was there for you just long enough so you could be your own compass and find your own way.'" (p 327) 

"I don't know when, but a really long time ago, I decided who I want to be. And I've been acting like her- whoever she is- since. But I think the act is fading, and I don't know if I like the person I am beneath it all. I wish there were some kind of magic words that could bridge the gap between the person I am and the one I wish I could be. Becuase the whole fake it till you make it thing? It's not working for me. (p 368)

Alex, Approximately- Jenn Bennett: 3 Stars
library hardback

This was a cute little YA. Pretty cheesy, a bit juvenile at times, but overall sweet. I only got annoyed that they didn't figure it out sooner because there were multiple times where they could have, but just weren't really paying attention. I saw someone mention that this was like a YA version of You've Got Mail and completely agree. 

"If I were a museum guest and had several hours to waste, I'd be thrilled. Total eyecandy everywhere. But knowing I was supposed to memorize this? Headache city." 

Going Up- Tawna Fenske: 3 Stars
Netgalley

This was a quick, predictable and sweet rom-com. This book is actually supposed to be in motion but my version didn't have that part, not that that took away from it by any means. I especially liked the hilarious dialogue. 

The Grownup- Gillian Flynn: 4 Stars
library e-book

What a crazy little ghost story! I read this in a lunch hour. It was super creepy and just what I'd expect from Gillian Flynn, and now I want another full novel from her!

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And I'm happy to report that I've FINISHED Erin's Reading challenge 9.0! I changed 8/10 books, but luckily there's no penalty for that (other than possibly annoying the admins... sorry guys!)

*(5 points) Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages: Smothered- Autumn Chiklis

*(10 points) Read a book that starts with the letter “N”: Not Perfect- Elizabeth LaBan

(10 points) Read a book that has a (mostly) orange cover: This Is How It Always Is- Laurie Frankel

(15 points) Read a book with an unlikeable character: Dumplin'- Julie Murphy 

*(20 points) Read a book from the list of 100 books that PBS calls “The Great American Read”: Looking for Alaska- John Green

*(20 points) Read a book with something related to water in the title: The Flood Girls- Richard Fifield

*(25 points) Read a book you've owned the longest but haven’t read yet: The Night Sister- Jennifer McMahon 

*(30 points) Read a book with an emotion word in the title: Hopeless- Colleen Hoover

*(30 points) Read a book where each word in the title of the book begins with the same letter: Alex, Approximately- Jenn Bennett

*(35 points) Read a book featuring a character who shares your profession or similar one: 
One Night at the Call Center- Chetan Bhagat


Currently reading: A Room With a View- E. M. Forester

What are you reading lately? 

Linking up with Steph and Jana!

10 Random Facts About Me

I need a side with meals. For instance I can't just have, say, fried chicken. I need to have something on the side, like macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes or macaroni salad. And sometimes I just want the sides. 

I don't drink anything while eating. And I'm probably the slowest eater you will ever meet.

One more food one: I don't like mixing meats. For instance if there's turkey and ham (like at a holiday dinner or potluck), I'm sticking to one, with the exception of Italian sub sandwiches. 

I won't start a book series unless the author has finished writing it because I'm really impatient when it comes to waiting for books. 

I prefer drinking with straws. I suppose I should invest in some of those stainless steel ones now that there seems to be a whole straw debacle, but for now I just keep a pack of disposable/normal ones in my desk at work and one at home.  

I use thick comforters all year long. I can't sleep if it's too hot so in the summer the AC is on high, and I just like the weight of the comforters. 

I can't read in car (I get really nauseous), but I can on trains or planes.

I make my bed every single day and I can't sleep in an unmade bed. If the bed isn't made when it's time to go to sleep, I will make it and then get in bed. 

I'm not into sweets. I like the occasional fun size, but I don't like plain chocolate except for ice cream or hot cocoa, and only regular Oreo's or Thins- no double stuf/vanilla/holiday colored, etc. I like to bake so it's great that I can make all these sweets and never have the urge to dive in!

This is going to sound like I'm a TOTAL creeper, but if I'm driving or walking at night and people have their lights on and blinds open, I love to see what they're doing or what they're watching on TV or how their couches are placed. I don't know why, but its something I've always done. 

Tell me a random fact about you! 

You can find other stuff you didn't know about me here and here! 

What's New With Me/Currently

Starting: No Spend September. So far so good, but we're only 6 days in sooo... TBD!

Reading: Playing With Matches by Hannah Orenstein.

Listening to: Weezer's cover of Africa and Toto's cover of Hash Pipe. Love them both so much!

Watching: Binged the new season of Orange is the New Black, and wow. No spoilers, but WHAT an ending. And Sharper Objects. I read the book and was still enthralled with how it played out. That little girl was creepy AF too.

Buying:

The only things I bought in August were groceries, so here are a few Amazon purchases from late July. The monogrammed growler bag, Deadpool in a Chicken Suit Funko Pop, and sloth bookmark were part of Blue's birthday presents. The peacock feather address book was to accomplish one of my 101 in 1001 goals, and the mosquito repellent bracelets were for a camping trip (in conjunction with spray repellent- I don't play when it comes to those pesky mosquitos). The Cutter mosquito repellent was an add-on item and I DO NOT recommend it. I honestly feel like I get bitten more when I'm wearing it. I'm sticking to  the Off! brand from now on. 

Sharing: What's been new with me in August!

Clockwise: Amy Lee with Lindsey Stirling/ Soul Asylum/
3 Doors Down/Collective Soul

Last month was The Month of Concerts. It started off strong with Evanescence and Lindsey Stirling. Did you know that Evanescence disbanded? So now it's just Amy Lee with a bunch of new guys, but let's be real- her voice was the best part of the band. What was special about this concert was that she played with a full orchestra behind her. It was phenomenal! I didn't know too much about Lindsey Stirling besides the fact that she was on a talent show (and was eliminated) and plays a mean violin on the few radio singles I heard. She is like a little pixie on stage! I couldn't believe all the intricate dance routines she was doing while playing- it was insane! I was seriously so impressed.

The next day a bunch of us headed back to the same amphitheater to see Three Doors Down, Collective Soul and Soul Asylum. We got there early and tailgated with a few beers and games of corn-hole. It was so much fun, and of course all the bands reminded me of the 90's! 

The following weekend Blue and I headed to her coworker's house for a BBQ. It was pretty cool meeting the people she works with daily, and the food was AMAZING. Her coworker made an Indian feast! And she even gave me a bag of the snack mix she had put out because we kept raving about it. 

A few days later was my friend Melissa's birthday. We celebrated with dinner, drinks, and trivia night at one of our favorite restaurants. The best part? We won! I mean there were like 8 of us, but still! (The woman on the far left was the host/emcee.) Also, I know that sandwich in the last pic looks kinda weird, and it was, but it was also damn delicious. It's called The Boardwalk Sandwich- hot Italian sausage topped with diced potatoes, onions, peppers, and marinara sauce. 

We ended the month with a Daughtry concert and a family BBQ. I'll be honest- I've been following Chris Daughtry since he was on American Idol (back when I watched that show). I even voted for him, and I don't think I've ever voted for anyone before or after. I just thought he was so talented- and he was/is! They put on an excellent show! The next day we headed to Blue's cousins' place for a BBQ. She put out so.much.food. Seriously, there were 3 courses! Who does that for a BBQ?! Not that I was complaining- they even sent me home with a doggie bag of extras (which I very happily munched on the next day)! Sorry if the pic is a bit blurry- it was humid as hell so that's probably the haze! (And there were guys present but this was the chic pic :))

So, how was your August?

Linking up with Anne, Tanya, and Kristen!

TBB Asks: How Do You Cozy?

Seems like I took an unintentional hiatus again- sorry about that! The beginning of the school year is always a busy time for me at work, and to be honest, I just didn't have much I felt like sharing lately. But I couldn't miss out on TBB Asks! This month's prompts are all about getting cozy, and while it's still 90+ degrees out (and I'm loving it- summer ISN'T OVER YET, PEOPLE!), I wanted to play along! 

1. Slippers: Yes or no? YES! These Aerosole ones with memory foam and a rubber sole are my favorite.

2. What is your favorite blanket? I have 3- all fleece. I have "Green" who lives on my bedroom couch, "Blue" on my living room couch, and "Fuzzy Purps" who lives on my man-chair at Blue's house (not to be confused with Blue the blanket). And yes, I actually call them those names! LIke, "Man, Green needs a washing."

3. Thin or thick pillow? Thin.

4. Favorite warm beverage? Coffee, forever and always.

5. Robe: yes or no? I have a thick cotton one for when I come out of the shower, but I don't wear one when I'm just chilling around the apartment. 

6. Favorite comfort snack food(s)? I don't have a favorite comfort snack food because I rarely ever snack. I do looooove me some mash potatoes as regular comfort food though.

7. Movies or TV Binge? If a season of a series I like is dropped at once, like Stranger Things or Orange is the New Black, I binge. Right now is Jenn's Movie Challenge though, so I'm all about the movies! (Just started 9/1- join us!) 

8. Actual PJ's or leggings? T-shirt and shorts to sleep in; yoga or sweat pants for chilling.

9. Do you cozy up on the couch or a chair? Couch! It's the reason I bought a sectional! 

10. Hoodie, t-shirt, or sweater? Zip-up hoodies! 

So, how do you cozy? 

Linking up with The Blended Blog!