It's that time of year where we really need some snacks on the healthier side because all of that homecooked soul food is so dang good, and so dang rich. I always love getting teas from FitSnack and the low-carb snacks are always A+. Check out what came this month and this month, get 50% your first month with the link below!



What was in my November box?


Dietz and Waston | Landjaegers swiss sausage sticks

Zest Tea | pomegranate mojito

Intakt Snacks | original cheese

IQ Bar | blueberry sunflower lemon bar

Love Grown Foods | comet crispies

Anew | toasted muesli blueberry ginger


BONUS: Nothing But! | quick-fix bars in cherry + cranberry + almond and chocolate + coconut + almond
















Interested in joining... or gifting? Get 50% your first box this holiday season by clicking the picture below to subscribe. 

Brief synopsis: When a young man with some obvious mental health-related issues storms into Cormoran Strike's office claiming to have seen a child murdered, Strike becomes determined to find out what really happened. Is the child murder somehow tied in with the paid case Strike and his partner Robin are on - one involving major political figures? Meanwhile, Robin marries her longtime boyfriend Matthew but things aren't all rainbows and butterflies - not to mention Robin's still reeling from the previous injury received on the job.




As the fourth installment in the Cormoran Strike series, Lethal White is a bit of a challenging read. While I felt the first three books got better as they went along, I felt the fourth novel was a bit too long and scattered. There were a few too many storylines happening within the pages of the novel and I felt pretty overwhelmed with the story. Strike had side cases going on, which was kind of confusing. And I didn't feel that the story truly picked up until almost halfway through the book when the first big twist hit.

I've been reading the series for a while - I've spent three books waiting for something to happen and I spent the entirety of this book waiting for the same thing.

I wanted to love this book, but I think it's likely my least favorite in the entire series. I just felt it was much longer than it needed to be with too many characters and side plots. Again, once the big twist hit - things sped up and the book was pretty fantastic from that point on. I almost feel like everything before that was backstory and could've been provided in a different, much shorter way.

I still gave the book 4 stars, because I did very much enjoy it - it just wasn't everything I was expecting it to be. If you've been reading the series, I'd say carry on with it and read Lethal White, but you definitely wouldn't want to read it if you haven't read any of the others in the series yet.

It never fails to excite me when POPSUGAR releases their annual reading challenges. It's like an early Christmas gift and I always start planning so early on what I'll read for the entire next year. Granted, the books I actually end up reading tend to be totally different that what I decided at year's end. I was actually able to get through some of my books that I own but never got around to reading, even though the books I own is always a growing list. I also purged some books this year that I figured I would never read (don't worry - I sold and donated, didn't actually purge the books!).

I can't wait to delve into 2019 and start a whole new reading challenge. You can always keep up with my progress at the top of the page (under the 'books & reading' tab, you'll find all of my previous and current reading challenges). You can also catch me on Goodreads and Instagram!

I've included POPSUGAR's printable graphic below, which I usually save on my phone so I can mark as I go. Feel free to grab it to keep up with your completed prompts, too!






2019 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge



01. A book becoming a movie in 2019 Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

02. A book that makes you nostalgic Pet Sematary by Stephen King

03. A book written by a musician Supermarket by Bobby Hall (Logic)

04. A book you think should be turned into a movie Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

05. A book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads Looking for Alaska by John Green

06. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

07. A reread of a favorite book Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire (illustrated this time around) by J.K. Rowling

08. A book about a hobby Tiny Hot Dogs by Mary Giuliani

09. A book you meant to read in 2018 Our Kind of Cruelty by Araminta Hall

10. A book with "pop," "sugar," or "challenge" in the title

11. A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover The Birds That Stay by Ann Lambert

12. A book inspired by mythology, legend, or folklore The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

13. A book published posthumously

14. A book you see someone reading on TV or in a movie Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King & Owen King

15. A retelling of a classic Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

16. A book with a question in the title

17. A book set on a college or university campus Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

18. A book about someone with a superpower How to Experience Death for Beginners by Jessica Branton

19. A book told from multiple character POVs Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough

20. A book set in space

21. A book by two female authors An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

22. A book with a title that contains "salty," "sweet," "bitter," or "spicy"

23. A book set in Scandinavia

24. A book that takes place in a single day The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

25. A debut novel The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

26. A book that's published in 2019 More Than Bones by Craig Singer

27. A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature The Mist by Stephen King

28. A book recommended by a celebrity you admire Hunger by Roxane Gray (recommended by Mindy Kaling)

29. A book with "love" in the title You Have Me to Love by Jaap Robben

30. A book featuring an amateur detective Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

31. A book about a family The Lost Man by Jane Harper

32. A book written by an author from Asia, Africa, or South America One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake

33. A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in the title The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

34. A book that includes a wedding The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder
 
35. A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter Persons Unknown by Susie Steiner

36. A ghost story Rooms by Lauren Oliver

37. A book with a two-word title 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

38. A novel based on a true story The Woman Who Fed the Dogs by Kristien Hemmerechts

39. A book revolving around a puzzle or game The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak

40. Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge Cujo by Stephen King (2017 prompt: a book from a nonhuman perspective)





Advanced



41. A "cli-fi" book The Plants by Kenneth McKenney

42. A "choose-your-own-adventure" book

43. An "own voices" book On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

44. Read a book during the season it is set in

45. A LitRPG book

46. A book with no chapters / unusual chapter headings / unconventionally numbered chapters The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor

47. Two books that share the same title (1) The Possessions by Sara Flannery Murphy

48. Two books that share the same title (2) The Possession by Michael Rutger

49. A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom

50. A book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent

I've never travelled internationally, but it's definitely something that's high up on my bucket list. While there are a ton of different places I plan to eventually visit, there are some that stick out in my mind more than others. Asia, in all its massive entirety, seems like an amazing and breathtaking continent to visit. And within Asia, there are so many different places to go. Indonesia is one of those places.


Probably the best known and most popular travel destination in Indonesia is Bali. There are beautiful beaches, great coral reefs to dive in, and amazing religious sites to visit. But that’s only one small part of what Indonesia has to offer. I'd definitely love to visit Bali at some point but don’t want to make the mistake of thinking that there's nowhere else within the rest of Indonesia to venture to. Here are some of the amazing things I'd love to see within the whole country of Indonesia (not just Bali).




Volcanoes

Flickr

Volcanoes make for some of the most awe-inspiring natural features in the world and apparently Indonesia is the place to go to see them. The country sits on the ‘Pacific rim of fire’ and is home to over 150 separate volcanoes. The most popular one is Mount Bromo which you can get a stunning view of from the nearby Mount Penanjakan. It’s a tough climb (that I honestly would be to terrified to make) and it's full of other tourists but it’s seems absolutely beautiful and worth it. Apparently sunset is the best time to go!





Orangutans

Pixabay

Asia as a whole, and Indonesia, are great places to see some incredible wildlife. The island of Borneo spans 3 countries but the majority of it is in Indonesia. This is one of the best places in the world to see the majestic Orangutans. The beautiful rainforests on the island are packed full of these incredible creatures. The best way to explore the island is to hire a boat and take a trip down the Sekonyer river to visit the Camp Leakey reserve. There are some great guided tours through the rainforests that take you to the best areas to see the Orangutans. One of my favorite exhibits at the Atlanta Zoo is the orangutans and I can spend hours watching the babies play, so I know I would be in awe in the wild.





Komodo Dragons

Pixabay

The Orangutans in Borneo aren’t the only incredible animals to be found in Indonesia. There's also the chance to get up close and personal with the almost legendary Komodo Dragon. The biggest living lizard in the world and the closest ancestor we have to dinosaurs can only be found in Indonesia so seeing them up close and personal is a must. The Komodo National Park is made up of 4 islands where the Dragons roam free. They have been known to attack humans in the past, which is pretty scary, but going out with a guide is a good way to stay safe and get pretty close to them. This is an experience that you can only have in Indonesia so it's definitely on the Indonesia bucket list.





Food

Pexels

Indonesia and, in particular, the capital city of Jakarta, is an amazing place to sample Asian cuisine. And lord, if eating isn't one of my favorite things about travel. The country is a melting pot of cultures with people from Malaysia, China, India and Europe living there. The country has a long colonial history so the mixture of cultures is massive. That means there are so many incredible places to eat! You can find traditional cuisine from all of those different cultures but the best thing about it is the fusion food. Chefs combine all of these different cooking styles to create some truly incredible fusion dishes.





Accommodation

Pixabay

When people think about visiting Asia, they usually picture the backpacking experience. That puts a lot of people off if they’re used to staying in luxury hotels or apartments. I went camping one time and that was not the best experience. But the backpacking experience is only one way to see Indonesia,  since there are plenty of amazing places to stay in the built up areas like Jakarta. There are plenty of great sewa rumah (residential rental) companies in Jakarta that offer some incredible luxury apartments that you can stay in while you’re traveling. There are also a lot of great high-end hotels in the area as well. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you have to stay in cheap hostels with no amenities when you’re visiting Asia.





Spas

Travel is about discovering new cultures and having adventures, but it’s also about getting away from all of the stresses of modern life and relaxing for a few weeks. If that’s what you’re after, Indonesia is a great place for it. There are so many great spas in the country that offer pretty much any treatment that you can think of. You can have seaweed wrap treatments or fish spas where small fish will nibble away at the dead skin on your feet (which definitely sound interesting and I've heard it's actually better than it sounds). The masseurs are well trained in all sorts of different massage styles from around the world but the aromatherapy massage is apparently the one to go for if you’ve only got time for one. A lot of the big hotels have spas on site but you can also get treatments on the beach for the ultimate relaxation experience.





Buddhist Temples

Pixabay

The rich cultural and historical heritage is one of the most amazing things about Indonesia. The country is filled with so many beautiful Buddhist temples that you can visit. Borobudur is the biggest Buddhist temple in the entire world filled with over 500 impressive statues of Buddha. This impressive monument is one of the most popular attractions in the country so be prepared for crowds if you go during the day. If you want a more serene experience, you should visit at dawn so you can avoid the crowd and watch the sunrise from the top of the temple.

The Candi Plaosan on the island of Java is another great highlight. This massive collection of 248 temples with ornate carvings all over is incredibly impressive. You get a very authentic experience as you explore the temples and pass the guardians of the temple wielding snake staffs to ward off any evil. While you’re in Indonesia, there are so many great modern attractions but the historical heritage is much more important to me! I want to do things I've never experienced before and can't experience anywhere else.





Bali would definitely be very cool to visit but going there and nowhere else in Indonesia would really only scratching the surface of such an incredible country.

















*This is a collaborative post

One of my bucket list items is to visit every US state. There’s an entire group of states you don’t hear about a ton, and one of them is Utah. I’ve wanted to visit since middle school, back when one of my biggest obsessions was The Used (and they’re still one of my favorite bands to this day). They formed in Utah, so it’s a place that’s always striked my interest. Not to mention, the play Book of Mormon focuses on Salt Lake City! A few of my coworkers were actually out in Utah a few weeks ago for a conference and enjoyed the area they were in.

And believe it or not, there’s actually a lot to do in Utah. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to spend a weekend in the open during the winter, or at any time of year, I’ve heard Utah can be a lovely place to visit. There’s stunning scenery, lots of activities and plenty of things to try. Here are some of the ways to make a trip to Utah count.




1. Hill Aerospace Museum

If you find yourself staying at a hotel in Ogden, Utah, one of the places you can enjoy seeing is the Hill Aerospace Museum. This museum is one which displays all manner of US Air Force equipment, crafts and historical memorabilia. It was founded in 1981 and it contains a hall of fame with some of the most amazing aircrafts you have ever seen. It is a great place to take the family for the day and you will learn so much. I’m always a fan of educational museums.



2. 25th Street Historic District

For those of you who love to get integrated with history, the 25th Street Historic District is a string of a few blocks which goes all the way back to 1869. It’s a place where you’ll feel as if you’ve travelled back and you’ll be able to enjoy amazing food, art, shops and history. It can be a fun place to go for a stroll on a sunny day and apparently, it’s really amazing. It’s sounds reminiscent of Savannah, which I absolutely love!



3. Utah State Railroad Museum

The Utah State Railroad Museum is a museum which, as the name suggests, is all about the railroad. It is made up of old timbers from historical railroads and it is a place which can be great for small kids to learn more about transport. You can even ride in a locomotive cab which can be a fun experience and it contains a miniature model of Union Station and 25th Street. How cool!



4. Dinosaur Park and Museum

Everyone loves a good dinosaur, and when it comes to the dinosaur park, there is no shortage of amazing displays available to either excite or terrify your child! There are over 100 life-size dinosaur models in the museum and you can see them move around using robotics to really make it feel as if you are standing next to a living dinosaur. This honestly sounds like the coolest place. I freaking love dinosaurs and was really disappointed when we went to Fernbank here in Atlanta and there weren’t as many dinos as I was expecting.



5. Peery's Egyptian Theater

If you love a bit of Egypt, Peery’s Egyptian Theater seems like something out of a film with this stunning palace to enjoy. Built in the 1920’s fallout area, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time when you step foot through the door. It’s a theater which shows movies, performances and lots more. Plus, it can be an amazing place to visit in the evening after a day exploring the city.




There seem to be lots of amazing places to visit in Utah and it sounds like a pretty ideal place to go for an amazing day out. Honestly, from the pictures I’ve seen, Ogden, Utah kind of looks like Wayward Pines and I am here for it!


















*This is a collaborative post

I can't believe it's that time of the year again. Tomorrow's Thanksgiving and the beginning of the busiest, most chaotic time in retail. Every year I find it more and more difficult to make these lists. What do I want? Who the heck knows?  Unfortunately, the illustrated Goblet of Fire isn't out this year, so that's one less thing I actually know that I want each year, but what can I do? Here are some things at the top of my list - and maybe also a DSLR camera and literally anything that's Hufflepuff-ly.





Or I'm always down for gift cards from Target, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Chickfila, or Book of the Month!

*Post edited 4/5/2020 for character name error.





Brief synopsis: After returning home from a summer scholarship in New York, Esther discovers she wasn't chosen for the competitive writing class she was hoping to enroll in. Instead she plans to write a novel. But her life isn't quite what she thought it would be, and maybe she doesn't truly know who she is or what she wants in life. This novel is a haunting look at mental health in the 1950s through Esther's journey of a mental breakdown.




Reading The Bell Jar was an entirely different experience than I expected it to be. It's not that I dislike classics, but sometimes they're pretty tough to get through for some reason or other. I honestly wasn't sure what the book was about until I got into it, but I was aware the focus of the story was on mental health. The Bell Jar was very modern in a lot of ways, but it's definitely a sign of the times in more ways than one.

Plath's depictions are often racist when referring to Esther looking sickly or dirty. Esther's actions toward a Black waiter in the asylum was insulting. Again, a sign of the times - but just because it was a different time doesn't make racism "okay." I felt the book was also full of fat-shaming and anti-LGBTQisms.

The story was haunting in its portrait of asylums in what I'm sure was a fairly accurate portrayal of 1950s mental health "cures." At times I wasn't sure if the truth of the story was actually what was happening or Esther's brain playing tricks on it. The issues of mental illness were posed in a beautifully written way and were quite scary to read.

I will say the prose was beautifully written and at times poetic, but the story was anti-climatic and the entire book leading up to Esther going back home at summer's end was irrelevant and seemed to be from an entirely different story than the rest of the book. Many of the different issues in the book were never fully explained or wrapped up and I wasn't thrilled with the novel overall. It didn't quite live up to the expectations people have presented about how fantastic the book is, and I felt it was quite a problematic story.

Sue me, but I wasn't a fan.

If you’re getting married sometime soon, maybe you’re trying to figure out honeymoon options.


Honestly though, not everyone wants or can afford the typical beach honeymoon on a remote island somewhere - so if an exotic vacay isn’t in your plans, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful honeymoon - even if it’s just a few days away together. In fact, sometimes a shorter minimoon is actually more enjoyable after the stress of planning a wedding, and after all, you have your whole lives together to take fancy vacations. Travelling internationally wasn’t an option for hubby and I when we got married because we were on a tight budget, but we still had the best time and truthfully, our honeymoon is still one of the best weeks of our lives that I look back on often and smile.


In this post, I’m sharing some tips for where to have a great minimoon no matter what kind of things you’re interested in, and no matter what kind of budget you’re working with.




Las Vegas

Although Vegas may not be the most budget-friendly place in this list, it’s also not impossible to visit on a budget - especially if you’re not going to be throwing all your money away at the Blackjack table. Vegas could be a fun change from your daily life and a memorable way to start your new married life together after the formalities and stress of planning a wedding over the past months. Vegas offers hotels to suit a variety of budgets, and also has some of the best shows and musicals in the world. We’re actually taking our first trip to Vegas together next month, so keep an eye out for a recap of that trip!




Sedona

Sedona is said to be a truly magical and unique place by all who have visited, and even if you’re not overly convinced of the magical aspect of this charming town, it’s undeniable that it’s one of the most beautiful places in the US, if not the world. There’s really nowhere else quite like it, and with so many hiking options and nature trails nearby, you can visit places like the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend through some of the tours offered to those visiting Sedona. Phoenix is just about two hours away, as well, if you’re looking for a bit of a day trip.




Road Trip

Road trips are fun, and taking one for a few days or a week will be a budget-friendly and fun way to explore some of the country and will pretty much cover every interest, so both you and your new spouse will be able to find something you enjoy. Whether you want to take a drive to explore some national parks, or head south and visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail hotel, you’ll find so many options for amazing places to explore on visit on your road trip minimoon. I never even rode in a plane until I was 24, and so far, every plane ride I’ve taken has been for work. Road trips were part of our vacation rituals growing up, so I’m forever a fan of hitting the road with those you love.




Denver

Denver is not only a beautiful and quite unique city as far as cities go, it’s also the perfect place to visit if you enjoy winter sports, such as skiing, or even if you just enjoy being in nature and making the most of the fresh mountain air. Flights to Denver are available often and affordably from many places, and even if you don’t want to venture into the mountains, then Denver itself is one of the most walkable cities in the US, so it’s the perfect place to get out and explore the city and all that it has to offer. A visit to Colorado has always been high on my bucket list, so this is one city I’m yearning to see.























*This is a collaborative post.

Brief synopsis: When Newt Scamander arrived to New York in 1926 with a suitcase full of magical creatures, an accidental suitcase swap causes many of the creatures to escape into the city. Simultaneously, there's a force wreaking havoc about the city. Is it one of Newt's creatures, or is something more sinister happening that's threatening to break MACUSA's statute of secrecy revealing the wizarding community to the non-Maj population?


I was in the drama club in high school so I've certainly read my fair share of plays before, but I'm fairly certain reading Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them was my first time reading a screenplay. I've had the book for a little bit, but I finally picked it up to read it before the sequel, Crimes of Grindelwald, was released in theatres. Surprisingly, it only took me a little over two hours to read the entire screenplay - so just about the same amount of time it would have taken me to re-watch the film, so that was definitely an interesting experience.

I will say I've watched the movie a handful of times, which was probably a major factor in how I was able to read the screenplay. I already had all the actors, outfits, and voice fluctuations in my head from watching the movie. It has been a couple months since I've seen it, so I didn't expect it to feel so exact, but it truly was just like watching the movie. Reading the screenplay was very easy to read and understand, and though I can't be certain, I feel it would also be easy-peasy if you'd never actually watched the movie before, as well.

It was an interesting experience reading something so quickly, but I rather enjoyed it. Honestly, as a Hufflepuff, I feel very inclined towards Newt and his character. He's a fantastic human (pun actually not intended when I wrote that out, lol). Even reading the screenplay made me laugh out loud at all the proper points.

One of the very important pieces of the reading the screenplay alongside watching the film is realizing what some of the creatures are that you may not have otherwise. It lists out many of the creatures that you see in the film but may not know what they are; and vise versa - the movie shows you what the screenplay doesn't quite describe. It's certainly worth speeding through the screenplay, I would say!

I love the holidays! October through December are such a wonderful time of the year (some say the most wonderful). I wanted to celebrate the season by hosting a book and gift box swap. It doesn't matter what holidays you do or don't celebrate, this is gift swap filled with love. I have included a response box where you can place in which holidays you celebrate, so appropriate celebratory items can be included in your box, or you can fill out N/A if you celebrate no holidays. Either way, this swap is open to all!






Here are the rules:

1. Sign up on the form below, or click here to find the form, and complete by Sunday, November 25.

2. You will receive your assigned giftee via the provided email by Friday, November 30.

3. Send at least one new or gently used book to your assigned giftee plus additional gifts or goodies, but you should stay around the $20 range. If you spend more than $20, just don't expect to receive the same amount in return. Make sure to send your package no later than Monday, December 10.

4. When you receive your book, feel free to post on social media with the hashtag #apabookswap and tag me (@kaylakedavra) and your gifter! (optional)



Gift boxes should total $20 prior to shipping and should include at least one book and any other goodies you'd like to send your friend. Be detailed when filling out the form so you can get the perfect gifts from your buddy.


The Halloween swap went really well and I'm excited to host this winter swap, as well. Let me know what you're hoping to get in your gift box swap this winter!

October was another month of exhaustion - work was the busiest I've ever been and I've literally been to exhausted to do much of anything. Plus between ghost tours, musicals, and traveling across the country - reading has been at a low. I'm still reading every single day, just not at my usual pace. I've been enjoying the season, though, so I'll commit to not being angry at myself with not reading as much as I'd like to. Check out what I read in October.






Dracul by J.D. Barker & Dacre Stoker ★★★★☆
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge Prompt: N/A
Brief synopsis: Bram Stoker was an ill child who hardly left his bed during the first seven years of his life. Luckily, his nanny Ellen Crone had an odd way of making Bram feel better from the moment he was born. But when Bram and his sister Matilda find some odd items in Ellen's room one night, they decide to follow her out to the old Artane Tower - and what they see is nothing short of terrifying. Then they don't see Ellen again. Years later, Bram and Matilda, alongside their brother Thornley go in search of Nanny Ellen, only to find mysteries much more disturbing than they could have imagined.
See full review here.







The Shining by Stephen King ★★★★☆
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge Prompt: A book mentioned in another book
Brief synopsis: After losing his job over a scandalous incident, Jack Torrance picks up a caretaker job at the fancy, high-end Overlook Hotel during the harsh winters of Colorado. His wife Wendy and son Danny come along, and for many months will not be able to leave the hotel. Danny's peculiar. He's got a way of knowing things that he shouldn't know, and sometimes sees things that others can't. And hotels, especially big, old hotels, have their secrets.
See full review here.







The Gates by John Connolly ★★★★☆
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge Prompt: A book about or set on Halloween
Brief synopsis: Samuel Johnson thought it would be a good idea to go trick-or-treating a few days early. Just to get a head start, ya know? Unfortunately, when Samuel and his dachshund Boswell stop by a neighbor's house and get the door shut in their faces, they see something terrible instead. The neighbors have opened a portal to Hell - yes, that Hell- and now it's up to Samuel to stop it.
See full review here.

Brief synopsis: Samuel Johnson thought it would be a good idea to go trick-or-treating a few days early. Just to get a head start, ya know? Unfortunately, when Samuel and his dachshund Boswell stop by a neighbor's house and get the door shut in their faces, they see something terrible instead. The neighbors have opened a portal to Hell - yes, that Hell- and now it's up to Samuel to stop it.



I had The Gates sitting on my bookshelf for literally years and finally picked it up to read it. Honestly, it's not at all what I expected - I expected it to be very dark, but honestly it was a fun, friendly, goofy book that just happened to be about Hell.

The story itself was enjoyable and pretty easy-to-follow. The characters weren't overly complex, but honestly could have used much further development. My biggest complaint were the footnotes - while I think they were meant to add humor and context to the story, footnotes really just make me think of textbooks or academic papers and I felt the kind of took away from the story itself.

The novel very much reminded me of a much more child-friendly, toned down Doomed (by Chuck Palahniuk). Though I did enjoy the story and it was a pretty quick read, I probably wouldn't continue with the other books in the Samuel Johnson series. I wasn't pulled in enough to really crave more.

That cover sure is pretty though.

I took a little trip to Phoenix last month for a work conference, and so of course I took that opportunity to sightsee a bit. If I get a chance to travel, I definitely try to make the best of the opportunity.

I stayed right in the middle of Downtown Phoenix. It was my first trip out west and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Ironically, the only time I've been to the desert, it rained basically the entire time - but it was still less humid than Georgia. I would have loved to explore the desert botanical gardens, visited a ghost town, or hiked a local mountain, but didn't have much time outside of conference sessions, plus it got dark around 6 pm, so I didn't have much luck with that.

So, staying mostly in the immediate downtown area, here's a recap of my trip.








Where to Eat


Being from the east, if I ever get an opportunity to eat In-N-Out and going to take that opportunity! I first had In-N-Out four years ago when I took a trip to Dallas and I ate it so many times when I was there, so I definitely was excited to get another taste. In the four days I was in Phoenix, I ate In-N-Out twice. If I didn't have to rideshare there, I probably wouldn't eaten there even more often.

Surprisingly, I wasn't overly impressed with the food I ate in Arizona. I did enjoy In-N-Out obviously, and I also tried Native American food at the Fry Bread House, which was quiet delicious. And since it was on every single list of where to eat in Phoenix, I definitely got breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast, though I grabbed it at the airport on my way out - it was delicious and all fresh/local.

I did also go by Melt Ice Cream inside of Jobot Coffee & Bar, but they wouldn't serve any ice cream since it was raining, so I'm still pretty sad about that.








Architecture and Places to See


There are quite a bit of beautiful buildings downtown, including the lovely Arizona State University campus!








I also came across a few places I would have loved to spent more time enjoying, like the FilmBar, an amazing little vintage shop (Antique Sugar) we spent a little while shopping at, and the Churchill, which seemed incredible but we didn't spend much time there - mostly just took a brief look-around.







Street Art and Structures


The art was probably my favorite thing about Phoenix. There were lots of funky little sculptures, like these bugs outside the Phoenix Convention Center aptly titled "Social Invertebrates." There's also beautiful wall art throughout the city, especially over on Roosevelt Street.















I also got to stop by and meet the lovely folks over at Spark Point Studio, which was a fine treat. They treated me to a great conversation, some Hint water, and a few goodies.