This post is going live on November 6, which is Stranger Things Day! So I hope you're celebrating Stranger Things anyway you know how. 

PopSugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: A "cli-fi" (climate fiction) book


TW: Violence, death, fat phobia



I picked up The Plants at a thrift store recently for a quarter. It looked like a fun, short vintage thriller so I decided to pick it up and take it for a spin. The description compared it to Jaws and The Birds, but you know, about plants. Yes, those live, green, leafy things.  


In a small British town, a man lacking a green thumb grows an eleven foot squash overnight. The town is shocked and confused. Meanwhile, the local newscaster, his little girl, and the town "kook" think there's something more to the mysterious vegetable. As a scientist does research into the phenomena, the town's on edge as one of its own is found dead in the street. Weird things are certainly happening in the small town of Brandling, and the townsfolk are ready to find out what it is that's going on. 


First thing's first - this book is definitely a product of its time. There's a lot of fat shaming, and other little things that are reminiscent of the time. (Which is also some of the things that bothered me most about Jaws.) Outside of some problematic ideas, the book actually wasn't so terrible. It was corny, that's for sure. But the theme is actually pretty smart - it's about climate change, which is obviously an important topic today. But this novel was written over 30 years ago. So I enjoyed the relevant theme from an older novel in line with the classics. I'm actually really surprised this novel isn't a well-known one. I could've seen it in line with some of the bigger 80s horror novels and films.






Overall, I enjoyed this book. The plot was really great, though the story wasn't executed perfectly. The writing isn't the best, by any means, but the point gets across. Plus it's super short, so it's a quick and easy read.



Goodreads rating: ★★★☆☆

TW: Abductions, possession, animal death



When Sourcebooks reached out to offer me a review copy of Unexplained: Real-Life Supernatural Stories for Uncertain, I was incredibly excited to read such a creepy book for October. I've never listened to a podcast - not a single one - but apparently this book is based of a podcast of the same name, so it may be even more up your alley if you're already a fan of the podcast. Either way, this was a terrifying, chilling book full of true, unexplained mysteries.


A telling of 10 true, explained stories in modern times. From stories of reincarnations, UFO sightings, Mothman prophecies, curses, and poltergeists - these stories will chill you to the bone. 


This book was different than I expected it to be. I expected 10 chapters that only shared 10 different mysterious tales. While the book did have those things, it also gave additional context to each story. The author also gave a lot of his perspective to each story, and though I'm sure it comes across in a way more interesting way during a spoken podcast, those perspectives typically came across as very dry and hard to read in the book. Don't get me wrong - I loved reading the actually unexplained stories (and I'm still having some nightmares surrounding those), the "extra" bits in each chapter was so boring.

I am looking forward to looking into some of those stories more (and to not touching some of the others with a 10-foot pole because I am not bringing that evil upon myself). There were some stories I'd definitely heard of - those of the Mothman and Slenderman. Though I'd never actually known what the Mothman Prophecies were, I am looking forward to watching the movie based upon those events.





Reading this book felt kind of like watching a season of The X-Files, but without my main man Mulder. I'm actually almost certain some of these stories, or those like it, were mysteries within the show, so that all felt familiar to me. I will say that reading each of those tales was so haunting. More than half of them left me feeling actual terror. I'd definitely recommend reading this if you're already a listener of the podcast. And if you're into unexplained mysteries, you'd also probably really enjoy this. It's a good starting point, but I definitely left each story wanting more information. Again, the book can read as really dry at times - almost like a textbook - but the actual events themselves are really interesting.



Goodreads rating: ★★★☆☆














*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, as always, are 100% my own.

A trip to Vegas is one of those things that might be on your travel bucket list (it was always on mine!), and you may only get to do it once in your lifetime. That is, unless you love it so much once you visit, you want to go back every year (we actually had so much fun when we went and plan to return!). Here are some tips when planning a trip to Vegas.



Have Plenty Of Spending Money

What you need plenty of during a stay in Vegas is money. While it can be fairly budget-friendly (I was surprised by how little money we spent while we were there), you'll need a bit of extra cash if you want to have a few plays on the slot machines or tables. There's also a lot to do and see in Vegas that you'll definitely want to be out exploring for most of the day. That means you need some money for food and drinks throughout the day, plus any activities that you’d like to do - there's a lot to do, and though we didn't do a lot of the things that cost money, things can get pricey. There's also a lot you can do for free.



Find Free Entry Deals For The Evening

If you’re going to Vegas to party, then it’s somewhere that’s not going to be cheap. The best way to enjoy a night out on the Vegas strip is to get as many free entry deals as you can. There’s free entry to Hakkasan, so if you can get free entry into some clubs - you'll have more money to spend on drinks.



Stay During The Week To Save On Costs

The time of year and when you actually travel is going to determine the cost of your trip. Like most vacation destinations, the Las Vegas strip is going to be the most popular on the weekends so be sure to try and plan your stay for the weekdays, so that you can get the most of the attractions and sights that you see. There is a wealth of casinos available, so you’ll want to save your money where you can enjoy what Vegas is well-known for. (Don't forget to gamble responsibly.) We one early one Friday morning (like maybe 10?) to a small casino off the Strip, and the blackjack dealer was kind enough to teach us how to play, and stakes were lower (only $5 as opposed to the $10/$20 plays at evening on during the weekend).



See A Show

No Vegas trip is complete without seeing a show, and there’s plenty that will be on offer while you’re there. A lot of big names end up performing in Las Vegas, so it’s worth planning your trip depending on who may be confirmed to perform a few one-off shows. However, there are some regular shows available, like Penn and Teller at the Rio (which is who we saw when we were in Vegas, and it was so much fun!). Make sure to ask your hotel for advice on where it is best to book as you don’t want to get messed around by any ticket sellers who may be selling fake tickets.




A trip to Las Vegas is sure going to be a memorable one, so make the most of it. We had so much fun while we were there, and we can't wait to go back.














*This is a collaborative post.

Reading is a hobby that transcends almost anything else. That being said, the constant reader has the ability to go deeper into a story or a set of ideas, to truly transport themselves to the vision of the author while also constructing the details in their own imagination. To this end, reading is deeply personal while also a very sociable and democratic activity.

Past any pretentious descriptions though, reading is just great fun, no matter what genres speak out to you the most. (We all know how much I love a good thriller!) With that in mind, getting the most out of your reading can be a true exercise in potential and can help open you up to many more forms of reading experience as the years pass on. Check out these quick tips on how to get the most out of your reading time.




Craft A Perfect Sitting Environment

We all have our favorite places to read. I would love to read outside more often, but don't have the space to do so where I can be comfortable and unafraid of spiders lurking. Instead you can find me cozied up on our sofa if I'm at home, or lounging on my office lounge space at work. Obviously I can read anywhere, but I can really soak into a story if I'm one of my favorite comfy spaces. I often try to read in bed, but find myself taking a nap instead (I sure do love naps). Maybe a nook is more up your alley, and it's definitely an end goal of mind in terms of trying to create the perfect home space. I'm sure you've got a space that you gravitate towards when it's time to read that helps you make the most of your reading time.



Track Your Reading

This isn't a goal of everyone, but I certainly love to track my reading. I enjoy knowing how many pages I've read and how many books I've finished. It's something I thoroughly enjoy - just checking off book after book from my TBR. I tend to use Goodreads to set reading goals each year, and while I don't use it to best of its functionality, I definitely place my books on "Currently Reading" as soon as I pick up a book to read and I "Finish" it and rate it in the app once I'm done. I also like being able to get up-to-the-minute information regarding authors releasing new books and enter the many giveaways. I love that Goodreads is a free service and would love to see the app develop over the next few years to a more user-friendly experience.



Consider The Indulgences

I also think it's incredibly important to consider what is important to you when it comes to reading, even those things some people may consider "guilty pleasures." Do not be afraid to enjoy them, and don't feel guilty about it. So you love Fifty Shades of Grey? Who the heck cares? It's actually that trilogy that got me back into reading so heavily. I'm serious (and I actually talk more about it here). So what if you enjoy reading a steamy romance outside of your usual reading habits, or you love the gore and horror of a Stephen King novels (or you don't!), or maybe you enjoy reading about red wine facts to know that supplement your complimentary reading drink of choice? A little glass of red can go with any book perfectly, especially on those cold winter evenings (and I've heard a glass is pretty good for your heath). We all like what we like, and feeling as if we cannot enjoy them to any degree simply prevents us from focusing on the things that give us joy. And, of course, that’s not what reading is about.
















*This is a collaborative post.