Thrifty Geek's Library- Cozy Books Corner Summer Reading Challenge

 Hello My Bookish Friends,

It's been a summer where the mental health horrors have persisted, but I also have done a lot of reading for the Cozy Books Corner Summer Reading Challenge. A challenge where you try to read 9 books over the summer. It was a challenge to force myself to read over the summer. As I said the mental health been roaring this summer and when I don't feel good all my brain wants is fanfiction. So it was a struggle but thanks to work and sheer stubbornness I did it. So I'm going to talk about a few of the books I've read over the last few months. I hope you enjoy.

 

 Murder Go Round by Carol Perry

We return to the Witch City Mystery series a series I haven't read in a while. Scryer Lee Barret and her Aunt win a storage unit in an auction. Simple enough right? But then things get hairy when some of the contents puts them in danger. Soon they find themselves tied to a treasure hunting writer's death and a mystery tied to a Russian Czar. 

It was fun to return to Salem, Massachusetts and these characters. It was a great mystery that spanned generations. I loved learning about Czar Nicolas the second and Russian food. It was an intriguing mystery. It gave us some great twists that you didn't see coming. It was another fine read from this series.

Susette's Awesome Adventure by Mallory Tarcher 

This is an old Adventures Inc. book where four girls win a summer of adventures. This book takes them to the Grand Canyon for Hiking, Rock Climbing, and Rafting. Susette or main character is forced to face her life long fear of the water.

I loved this book growing up. It was a great summer read even as an adult. I'm an all ages reader I read any age group book. This fueled my imagination back in the day. I imagined rock climbing and rafting neither of which I could do in real life because I'm severely terrified of heights and can't swim. This book has some beautiful descriptions and great action. It was a nostalgia ride.

Inks, Spells, and Cinnamon Rolls by Ada Rayne

This is a Delicious Paranormal Cozy Mystery. Ella has been left in charge of her mother's bakery while she's on her honeymoon. Ella is also prepping for college graduation, and if that wasn't bad enough her friend Sebastian is murdered. Problem is the police seem to believe it's a suicide. Ella's empathic abilities lead her on a different course of thinking. She joins forces with Sebastian's best friend to uncover who could have want to hurt their friend.

I loved this ocean side town setting. We get legends of shapeshifters, magical tattoos, and delicious food. There are quirky characters, pets that are more than they seem and some fun twists. It's a very cute mystery.

Put Out The Light by Sara Woods 

 

This is an Anthony Maitland Mystery. Anthony has two friends who are going to be involved with a play written based on an outline playwright Sir John Cartwright wrote for a play. As soon as things for the play get underway things go wrong from the start. Mysterious things keep happening to halt the play leaving the superstitious actors to believe it's Cartwright's disgruntled spirit. As things escalate Anthony fears things are going to get much worse if he doesn't solve the mystery.

This book has all the hallmarks of a great British Mystery. It was a another great mystery that I read this summer that gave some good surprises. Anthony's curmudgeon of an uncle Sir Nicholas,*hey another Nicholas* took a bit to warm up to. This book was a slow paced novel, which isn't bad, but when you have three books to read and anxiety induced attention span issues it was a lot to take on.

The Ghost at Dawn's House by Ann M. Martin

 

Dawn believes her farm house  holds a secret passage. In her search Dawn finds out about secrets to her home, that may include a ghost...

 

I may have discussed this book before, if so well dealwe're gonna discuss it again. This is my favorite Baby-Sitter's Club book and a great late summer read which is when I read this. It's so nostalgic and the reason why I eat a s'more during the roasting of the Staypuff Marshmallow Man when I watch Ghostbusters on Ghostbuster's Day. I was always a sucker for a ghost story. This book has mystery, * which seems to be the theme this summer* atmospheric storms, and spooky things. Two of my favorite kids the girls babysit for are in this book: Nicky Pike and Karen Brewer. Karen is just a ball of chaos, and I'm go glad she got her own book series.

The Silence Beneath Black Hollow by C.D. Strickland 

 

In this Novella Joe Hawke and Maya Keery heard of the strange stories of Black Hollow Lake, so they decide to investigate. Instantly their recording equipment starts picking up strange sounds, as time goes on the place starts having an effect on the pair. Just what is beneath these waters?

Oh man this book is so spooky. In addition to being a summer reading challenge this was my July read for the Year in Aledia read which required me to read this only at night, which because it was summer was late at night... Not long before I went to bed. This had me on the edge of my seat. It's so creepy, the build up was the best part. Great read and I'm not just saying that because of who wrote it, my cousin. He currently as three books so head to Amazon and show him some love. *makes hearts with hands* Not sponsered or been asked by family to do this.

Well that's a look at some of my summer reads. I did complete the challenge so yays. I'm still getting my butt kicked by the mental health hydra. So keep me in your thoughts, prayers, or good energies. 

*Thrifty Geek* 

The Guild, Supernatural, Hitchhiker's Guide, and Ghostbusters: AKA My Birth Week

 Hey Friends,

Last week was my birthday and there was fun things to do through out the week. I finally decided to adopt a birth week celebration, because I don't get a lot of opportunities to celebrate me. I shook off the misconceptions I had that only self absorbed people did birth weeks. So let me take you through some of the last week plus a few days.

A Little Guildie Fun 

Did some rewatching of The Guild, due to the fact I had been working on my book and a character had been rewatching it, so it got me wanting to do the same. It's also a good time for a refresher since they announced their going to start fundraising for a movie. 

If your not familiar with The Guild, it's a web series actress Felicia Day came out with in 2007 that ran till 2013. It follows a game guild who meet in real life and shenanigans ensue. This is a required viewing in the late 2000's to early 2010's section of your geek history education.

My 42 Birthday and a Misadventure in Cooking 

So like I said in a previous post this was a low key b-day. The PMDD was kindish to me that day. I started with making my pitcher of mockarita so it'd have time to chill. I used The Speckled Palate's Virgin Margarita recipe as a guide. I deviated in that I couldn't get fresh lime juice.

After this I watched a little more of The Guild and Trent The Traveler videos.  My Grannie stopped by to give me her gifts one of which is a purse that is awesome cause it's a cross body bag that holds all my stuff. 

Later in the day I began to prepared the main dish for my birthday supper from Supernatural: The Official Cookbook, Winchester Surprise:

This was my most ambitious recipe I think I've ever tried that wasn't baking. My Mom gave me some pointers before heading to church with Grannie, leaving me to my own devices with just the cookbook as my guide. 

          

Now I deviated from the recipe a bit it calls for ground pork and ground beef, well I decided to use what we had in the freezer which was ground pork sausage and ground deer meat and instead of chopping up pickles Mom suggested I use dill relish that it was basically chopped pickles. I feel the Winchesters are use what you got kind of people.

 

 

The other ways I deviated from the recipe in shredded cheese and instead of corn chips I put pepperoni on top to make an image of a planet to represent Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for it is the birthday I become the answer to life, the universe, everything.

 

 

I decided on a side of peas. Now my Mom had instructed me that these particular can of peas needed a long boil... I over did it a bit...

 

Winchester Surprise was a hit. Mom and Grannie loved it! The drink was good, but very sweet, so sweet you couldn't drink much in one go. I don't know if the actual margarita drink is that sweet or not. Can someone let me know?

 I also had a late night s'more. It's become the birthday tradition for me.

My Birthday Haul

 

So here is my birthday haul:

Back right the purse my Grannie gave me.

Back left is my Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Magazine, which may have a slight error in it, but I still love it.

Front right is the complete collection of the 42nd Anniversary editions of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. I'd said I'd like the first book, wasn't expecting the whole thing. Y'all the books smell so good. 

Front center is a Lego Botanicals Dandelion. I've already put it together and it's hanging out in a vase.

Front right is a bottle of  Body Fantasies Cotton Candy Body Spray that was suppose to be a Christmas present but got forgotten.

I also got this homemade bag:

 

   

 

It was a collaborative effort between my Mom and Grannie. The strap had to get adjusted it was a little long.

 

 

June 6th

 

So the Saturday after my birthday was a full day and of course I get a lousy night of sleep. First was my family reunion. A time to reunite with family and partake of food. This year I had a cousin grill up burgers and hot dogs. Fangirl came at my invite, cause we were going out after words in honor of my birthday since she hadn't been able to come up on the day. I figured we lunch at the reunion and hit local stores to save money so we can go out on her birthday. 

I got some belated birthday wishes, and one not so good sentiment. Had a cousin's wife asked me my age I told her 42, she's like that's a good age your getting everything together in your head, then your body falls apart. It's like that's a kind of fraked up to tell some one. I've been feeling good about myself in my 30's and 40's when it comes to my aging. I've felt good physically despite my preexisting  physical issues I've had since I was in high school. I've approached all my birthdays with joy and hope once I discovered the scary tales people go on about being in your 30's, 40's, and so on is bull crap. I feared the big 3-0 back in my 20's, but as I got closer I saw it wasn't the scary beast people made it out to be, and I threw the most fun birthday with rainbow cake and ring pops. It's how I also approached my 40th. So I tend to ignore such talk and follow how my aging is going for me not someone else's aging or preconceived notions of aging.

I was a bit tired and irritable due to little sleep and the fact later that day the inevitable end of PMDD would happen. After the reunion Fangirl and I headed out. We hit up three thrift stores, a used book store, and a stop at Geek Mountain. After the shopping I went home and killed over into slumber.

 

June 6th Haul

 

 So first up is my gifts from Fangirl:

 

 

In the back is the final three books I needed in Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series. Then there's the blue dice bag Fangirl handmade for me, it's now holding all the loose dice Fangirl has gifted me over the years.The black box holds these beautiful fluid filled dice that have glittery things within.

They're all sitting in a dice chest Fangirl painted. It's currently housing all the dice sets my friends gifted me.

 

Now we come to the shopping haul. This is all the things we purchased that day:

 

  

 

Top right is a Superman/Wonder Woman comic I got at Geek Mountain.

Top left is a blue bunny Fangirl found cast off in a random section of Goodwill, she gifted him to me for the Blue Bunny Army, I'm naming him Ford after the character in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Middle left is my Goodwill find: Greenwitch by Susan Cooper, the next book I needed in the Dark Is Rising series. 

Bottom is Comic book bags from Geek Mountain, cause I have naked comics in my collection.

 

Ghostbusters Day

 

Lastly is Ghostbusters Day, now the 8th was outside my birth week this year, but it's close enough so I'll count it. Ghostbusters is a special franchise to me, because I was born the week it premiered in theaters. The day started by ducking out for my Mom's doctor appointment and after that was dragged out way longer than we thought we returned home. I got a late start watching the Ghostbusters movie. Like the 40th anniversary viewing I decided to eat a s'more during the Stay Puff Marshmallow destruction scene, it adds a another level to the viewing:

I got the idea for this from The Baby-Sitter's Club #9 The Ghost at Dawn's House. In one scene of the book the girls make s'mores to eat for that end part of the movie. It was a good idea, Mom mom even joined in the fun.

 

Okay that was a long post at least it felt like it writing it, then add in just bad attention span and power going out while trying to write it, it took much longer. So I hope your weekend is good and have some fun out there. See ya!

 

*Thrifty Geek* 

Being Creative With Mental Health Issues

Hello Friends,

I've never made it a secret here that I have mental health issues. I've often mentioned  my Mental Health Hydra. I have been diagnosed with severe Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Bipolar II. It's not fun in my head, it's made a lot of things difficult, especially creating things. I'm a writer. I write stories, poems, blogs, and book reviews. I can tell you my brain being wired in the way it is has effected me creatively. So one of the things I deal with is when people give their opinions on things my brain automatic goes "Their right, your wrong, we have to change or else we're doing wrong" or something to that gist. 

An example is this one time the Captain, my sister, and I were discussing an album we listened to growing up. They ended up mentioning how they hated this one song, the problem was it was one of my favorites. Now for most people this is no big deal, but to my frelled up brain it's a trigger where my brain screams we can't enjoy this anymore cause other people hate it and my brain treats what they say as fact, instead of the opinion it is. 

Now let's add in the internet where everyone has an opinion and tells you how to do everything, and your brain instantly believes everyone is right but you, plus cancel culture, which is a field day for your mental health induced perfectionist issues. This leads to so much stress for the creative cause your worried first about doing everything "by the book" or "right" so people won't toss your work out and leave your written world unwritten. It's a nightmare. This is why my book series has taken so long, I'm so psyched out about upsetting people, even though I have researched the heck out of everything, and have been mindful of so much, but I've obsessed over minor details so much and being swayed by people's opinions that I lost the whole focus of my original point to my stories, just to have a fun geeky time. 

The Latest Example 

Yesterday is a further example of these issues. First I like to note I was going through PMDD, which is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, so my mood and mental health were already all over the place. I simply went to find a link to how to format your poetry collection for submitting for publication. I was already overwhelmed by all the information, when this same page was even commentating on how you capitalize your poetry could cause people to see you a certain way. I'm stressing cause I've just went creatively with what my gut tells me and it has went in the direction that my current style is, but now I fear I won't get published cause I don't write the "right" way. This led to an anxiety induced editing of three poems and the more I edited the more I was unhappy cause it wasn't feeling like my poem anymore. Then I tried to calm myself down saying you don't have to do it everybody else's way and sought out modern examples that were like my capitalization and punctuation style, and I did find my capitalization style with one award winning poet, and there was another who had poems who's punctuation was like mine. Then I remembered I had two single poems published despite my unique style. Then a person on my discord reminded me is poetry is messing with language and that what I choose to do with my work is valid, and that e e cummings and Don Marquis would be supportive. I did make me really look at my poems and I realized I'm actually a blend of old and new styles and I'm fine with that.

Universe Being Inspiring

Despite this reassurance that I'm on the right path I still was anxious, again probably motivated by my PMDD, I conked out again. When I awakened it was dark, it was around 9:30 or 9:40ish. I went out on the back porch to watch the lightning bugs, fireflies to the rest of you. I noticed it was still a little light, so I put my shoes on and was met with beautiful sky sight. As I stood there taking in the sights and sounds I felt inspiration like I hadn't in a while. I also felt peace with my creative decisions. It's like I'll do this creative thing my way. I'll be like Rune from Mercedes Lackey's Bardic Voices, if the conventional doesn't want me then I'll be unconventional. That's my philosophy deep down when you remove all the fear my mental health instills in me, a girl who shrugs off convention. Speaking of Philosophy, it's also a great filk song, written by Mercedes Lackey if I'm not mistaken, that I think fits this section of the post. 

Then as if the universe wasn't already delivering messages I pulled this card:

 I think the universe is making it clear: Do it your way. If the conventional overseers of the creative spaces will not have me, then I'll make my own way, even if it's just here on my blog.

Inspiration On June 4th 2026 

 Awoken from a mentally anguished induced sleep 

The sky still clings to daylight 

As two bright celestial bodies hold it up in the west

Lightning bugs do their flashing dance amongst trees and over fields

Western winds bring  that interstate clear

A sound that beckons to the younger dreamer

The older dreamer makes a decision to write her style

Whether it's loved or not 

 

 I know this is all over the place, but it was what was on my soul and may there's other creative souls that needed to hear this message. Have a great weekend guys and go create something uniquely awesome.

*Thrifty Geek* 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and My Birthday

 Hello Galaxy Hitchhikers, 

So my birthday is next week and this year I become the answer to life, the universe, everything. If you aren't familiar with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams the answer to all the previous mentioned is 42. 

My History  

I've been making reference to "42" since before I knew what I was referencing. It all started in high school when the Captain told me about this game she played called Quest for Glory, a game series that came out in the 90's that was chocked full of pop culture references. The particular point the 42 reference came in the game is when your involved in some Monty Python and the Holy Grail style of questioning trying to see a wizard. One of the questions asked is: "What is the meaning of life?" Captain informed me the answer was 42. I just found the idea of a number being the answer to everything hilarious. So we referenced it without realizing where it came from, at least I didn't.

I wouldn't be introduced to series until later in high school when another group of friends started reading the series and taught me the books' thoughts on flying. Which I told my sister who proceeded to throw herself at the ground and try to miss, she failed. I would not know about 42 being from this series until I think the 2005 movie with Martin Freeman. A movie I total fell in love with. It had a great cast and I just thought it was hilarious.

Well in January of this year the first of my living friends turned 42 and mentioned Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and it reminded me of the specialness of this day, and the post that got made when David Tennent turned 42. So one of the things I decided to do in honor of turning 42 is read the series. I've finished the first and am on hold for The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe which is projected to arrive in two weeks or sooner if the current person who has it is a fast reader. So we'll see. 

Thoughts On Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

I loved the movie and the book was like an expansion on it. I always think it's cool reading the books movies come from even if I don't enjoy the book as much as the movie, yes that has happened. This shows me a world's roots and origins plus it's fun to compare.  Adams created a unique zany universe and we're just hitching a ride on the Heart of Gold. It's so full of great quotes and out of this world characters. How Adams managed to come up with all the different creatures, worlds, and the tech, I don't know. His humor was amazing and I see why this series is well beloved. Interesting note I actually read the chapter about the three worst examples of poetry on World Poetry Day. This was the 42nd Anniversary edition which had a little history of how the series came to be by the author and is was beautifully illustrated.

42nd Birthday Plans

Last year's was low key, but sweet. My sister and the Captain came up briefly the day before to drop off one of my presents for Mom, Captain did offer for me to come spend the night at her house, but I always end my b-days at home with the family, so I declined. She suggested that weekend instead which I couldn't cause of my family reunion. The plan I think was to sleepover later but then she got a dog that hated human's existed, needless to say it never happened. Fangirl couldn't come to due to her then diagnosed cancer kicking her body's butt. So it was just the family, Mom and me chilled on the front porch while I did birthday stuff on Animal Crossing then had the party my family throws with Mom and Granny. I was pleasantly surprised by my gifts.

So this year I got started a little early planning things for my birthday. Have had to adjust ideas a couple times, cause of things that came up. First, June 3rd is on Wednesday, so I know my Mom and Granny are gonna spend a a little bit of the evening at church, I don't want them to miss their spiritual enrichment. My sister can't come cause of work, Captain's got things been going on lately, so I hesitate to bother her. Fangirl can't come cause of house sitting obligations. But I'll be getting together with her a few days later to hang. So it'll be a birth week for me.

I've been trying to figure out things to do for my birthday to make the day special. I'm big on each birthday being celebrated in a special way. I survived another ride around the sun, and gives me a day to celebrate me. So one a playlist, of course, must be made with some spacey stuff on it. I'm making a little towel wreath that was inspired by a video I saw. For my birthday supper I'm making "Winchester Surprise" from the Supernatural Cookbook, with side of peas, not sure what other side I can fix. I'm also having mockaritas, basically virgin margaritas. I can have midnight mockaritas! I'll of course play some Animal Crossing so my villagers can shower me with b-day love. I also learned season 4 of The Legend of Vox Machina and a Castiel Supernatural comic is dropping on the day I become the answer to life, the universe, and everything! Lots of stuff going down on my day!

Okay, that's enough yammering for one post. I hope your weekend is awesome, read some good books and I'll see ya!

*Thrifty Geek* 

 

2026 WNC Comic- Spring Edition or Finding Happiness Despite the Sad

 Hello Nerdy Friends,

This past Saturday was the WNC Comic Con Spring Edition. This is the first con of the year.

The Journey To: 

It was an early start. I was really groggy and still tired, a tiredness that hung over me all day. Fangirl and the Captain came and collected me. The day started with a bit of a mood killer. It was nothing world ending, but it was a bit depressing. So had to bring out my playlist I made for the day to try to cheer myself up. 

The Captain's skeleton Jack was my usual backseat companion while I had a breakfast of water and generic Honey Nut Cheerios. Rushed morning and maybe the thirty to hour wait I have to have before I can eat after taking my thyroid meds led to this.

The Con:

We arrived at the convention just a few minutes before it opened. So luckily not too long of a wait. 

 

The con seemed to be less populated this year and fewer people roaming in costumes. Fangirl insisted it was cause we were there so early, but we normally get there around con opening or within the first hour and there's usually people and costumes in heavy force. Plus I think I heard couple guys discussing the lack of people. It could be from the higher gas prices, I mean Fangirl and I are having to go to a nearer smaller ren faire this year cause of it. It's understandable, but it was a bit sad cause part of my fun is interacting with cosplayers.

 

 

 

But luckily there were a few costumed people there. Like this one from Predator: 

 

 

 I also met Team Rocket who were kind enough to pose for me, who were masked because of the allergies since the great pollening is upon us in WNC. 

 

As for our group:

I was of course Dean Winchester from Supernatural.

Fangirl was a Tabaxi.

The Captain didn't feel like cosplaying this time. 

 

While the people were in shorter supply there was still fun to be had with the vendors. Morgan's Comics was there, sadly Morganless cause she caught a cold from their baby. 

 

 

There was one booth ready to prepare Fresh Steamed Buns.

 

 

 

There was even this cute looks like crocheted weeping angel by Twisted Sisters. Of course there was also the anime cars.

I had some lovely vendor interactions one author described his work as contemporary fantasy like Supernatural, then he got a look at my cosplay. An artist was thrilled that I recognized the characters in his Doctor Who portraits cause apparently no one else had. 

 

 

 

Captain and I got a pic with the 501st Legion Carolina Garrison which they were happy to do as long as we weren't Rebel Sympathizers. *Whistling in my head*

 

 

With a farewell to Logan we headed out and down the street for our almost traditional Sonic meal. We weren't thew only one's with that idea the car next to us held con goers cause I saw the pink band on their wrist. 

 

Going home the little bit of good mood I had achieved gave way to melancholy again. It bites when the blues want to stay. Mental health is so fun.

 

 

The Haul:

 

 

First thing that morning Captain gave me a dragon egg with pretty dice within. Later Fangirl gifted me with this blue peeps bunny for the blue bunny army.

 

I got a White Power Ranger cord minder for my head phone I take out with me. I got a few stickers including my usual Supernatural ones. The one with the hearts with books is from Blossomlicious Boutique, that came with this cute orange bracelet as a free gift.

 

 

This con's pin I shot for Dean again and still came up empty. So I got Elvira. I feel like there's some fandom created universe she's Crowley's Cousin, and to clarify that Supernatural Crowley. If you get the play on actors I did there, your awesome.

 

 

The Conclusion: A Bit About This Week: 

 

I know this seems like such a downer of a post, but it happens sometimes things in life like that. I did manage some fun despite it all. My whole week's been topsy turvy: Sunday still felt off for part of the day, Monday managed over 1,000 words on my book, Tuesday gardened but didn't feel like writing, Wednesday worked to send photos to my computer, and Thursday headed to town to pick up items we forgot for Memorial Day.

 

Today has brought it's struggles like trying to write this when I don't feel like it in between my internet constantly going out, though Bob has mostly behaved ,and I watched The Happy Hobbit videos this morning.  That's life. Ups and downs, and I try not to sugarcoat it when it's down in my posts.

 

With this I leave you till hopefully next week. May the Memorial Day weekend treat you kind.

 

*Thrifty Geek*