Hello {october}, Goodbye {september}

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Hello Goodbye is a monthly feature here at Such A Novel Idea.  The idea for this feature came from the lovely Emma Snow who did a lovely recap of June!  Go visit her blog, it’s fantastic.  Hello Goodbye is a monthly feature highlighting a few of my favorite things from the past month. Enjoy!

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Ahh, September.  It was a really good month in Jessica land.  I scored a ton of books, got going in my English lit grad program, and best of all, scored a new job.  This month was full of Shakespeare, creative writing, new fall tv shows, and birthday parties.  Here’s a look of some of my favorites!

Favorite Books

Here’s a few of my favorite reads from September.

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

This was my first Trish Doller book.  And OH MAN, did I love it!

Goodbye, Rebel Blue

Look for my review on the blog tour later this week.  This was a really touching book.

Three Novellas

Three really awesome novellas.  You can read my thoughts (and they were ALL five stars) here!

Favorite Music

I didn’t add a whole lot to my repertoire, but what I did was really great.

Joshua Radin

My first experience with Joshua Radin was the song Winter on an incredibly emotional episode of Scrubs.  Zack Braff and Joshua Radin are friends and that just made it even better.  His lyrics, voice, and sound touch my soul.  All these years later and Radin is still putting out amazing music.  At this point, I don’t even have to listen to the music before I buy it.

Like They Used To by Joshua Radin

I have so much to tell you
But I can’t call you
‘Cause it makes me sad
You have probably found someone new
Someone you think you’ve grown close to
But it’s not me
We’ve been hurt before but that’s all said and done
Now you’re the only one

I want to dream in the same bed as you
And I want my clothes to smell like you do
Like they used to
I had wax wings and I flew too close to you
But now I’m falling remembering why I missed you

Atlas Genius

I heard this on The Edge and I had it bought before the song was over.  It’s one I put on repeat daily.

The thoughts that you had that it was the one
And oh what is left?
For all those times is that what you get?
Oh regardless
The walls get painted anyway
Oh you’re guarding
The gates, but it all got away
Your trojan’s in my head
Take it off
Take it in
Take off all the thoughts of what we’ve been
Take a look
Hesitate
Take a picture you could never recreate
Write a song
make a note
for the lump that sits inside your throat
Change the locks, change the scene
Change it all but can’t change what we’ve been

Lorde

This song has blown up since I first heard it on the Edge.  But, I still think it’s pretty brilliant.

And we’ll never be royals (royals).
It don’t run in our blood,
That kind of luxe just ain’t for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I’ll rule, I’ll rule, I’ll rule, I’ll rule.
Let me live that fantasy.

Birdy

I heard this version of Bon Iver’s Skinny Love done by Birdy on SYTYCD.  It’s pretty amazing.

Come on skinny love just last the year,
Pour a little salt you were never here,
My my my, my my my, my-my my-my…
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer.

Tell my love to wreck it all,
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall,
My my my, my my my, my-my my-my…
Right in the moment this order’s tall.

Favorite Movies

The Wizard of Oz

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I finally got to share one of my most favorite movies with my children.  And now my daughter is obsessed!  She’s already got her Dorothy costume (with ruby red slippers and a Toto) ready for Halloween.  And apparently, it is just in time for the 75th anniversary movie to release this week!

Favorite TV Shows

Breaking Bad

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I FINALLY got on the bandwagon and started bingeing on BB.  Then I got my husband addicted.  We were able to finish the series with the rest of America on the season finale night.

Supernatural

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I rewatched the entire series.  And it was just as glorious as the first time.

Favorite Things I Did

Got a Job

I got an awesome opportunity to work as a Social Media Specialist at the local University.  I start October 1st and I couldn’t be more excited!

Dyed My Hair Red

Yeah, I got a bit adventourous.  And I love it!

Celebrated Birthdays

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My kids turned 7 and 5.  Time goes by too fast!

Got a Dog

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I’m not a dog person, but I kind of fell head over heels for this little girl.

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Things I’m Excited about in October

Book Releases

Allegiant

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No words necessary.

Horde

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The zombies that aren’t zombies.  I HAVE to know how this one ends!

TV Shows

Once Upon A Time in Wonderland

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I’m really excited to see how this spinoff goes!

The Walking Dead

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My favorite tv show, hands down.  Where are they going with this season?  And how much more creative can they get with the zombie killing?

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Well, that’s it!  I hope September treated you well.

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Once Upon a Read-a-Thon — Challenges

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I’m participating in ANOTHER read-a-thon!  This one lasts today (Monday, July 8th) through Wednesday, July 10th.  This read-a-thon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela & Loretta at Reading Angels and Candace at Candace’s Book Blog. For more information, visit the info page here!

Challenge Time!

Since there are several challenges, I am going to combine them into one post here. So, here goes:

Challenge 1 – Zombie Apocalypse

You’re in a bookstore and you’ve just purchased 5 books you’ve been dying to read, when the apocalypse hits. (Zombie, Demons, Vampires, Dean Winchester vs. Sam Winchester (yes, I’m watching Supernatural reruns) I don’t care what apocalypse). You’ve got one chance at survival, what 2 books do you take and what 3 other items do you take? 

(I want to preface this by saying this is the HARDEST decision!!)

Books: I would probably take Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows and some kind of medical/survival book (not fun, but might be life saving!)

Other things: A cross-bow & arrow (Darrel of The Walking Dead style), a backpack full of MRE and water, and a first aid kit.  (I’m just assuming the bookstore is next door to a survivalist store!)

Challenge 2 – Favorites

Tell me your favorite genre, favorite book within that genre, and your favorite character from the same genre.

Ahh this one is hard too! If I absolutely had to choose my favorites would be:

-Genre: Fantasy/YA
-Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (see challenge 1)
-Hermione (See my ode to Hermione from last week’s read-a-thon)

Challenge 3 – Boy Crazy

Make your dream guy using characteristics, personalities, looks, and anything else you can think of from your favorite book boyfriends.

Okay, so for fun, I’d say Noah Shaw’s accent (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer), Four’s strength (Divergent), and…

You know what, I take it all back.  Can I just have

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???

Read-a-thon Results
Promise Me This: COMPLETED
The Madness Underneath: 53%

New Reads Monday – Week of June 17

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Here’s a look at what’s new in the book world this week!

        

Personally, I’m excited about The Ocean at the End of the Lane and of course The Walking Dead.  What about you?