Nightstand: A Talent for Trickery by Alissa Johnson. Historical romance about what happens when a reformed thief and a thief-taker are thrown into close quarters.

Coffee table: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. I’ve been hearing so much hype about this book, I decided I had to check it out for myself. So far it’s good but not blowing my mind. I’m only a few pages in, though.

In a blanket nest with some tea: The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber. This is a good book by an author I know I love, but it’s taking me so looong to read. It’s a long book, but there’s also something about the writing that makes me want to take it in gradually. I’m enjoying it, though.

Internets:

The Karowe Diamond: Second-Largest Diamond Found To Date.

Cozy cocktails to make in your slow cooker. Yes, and yes.

Time management hacks to help you find more hours in your day. I’m working on these.

Top 10 Most Powerful Women in History.

Refinery 29 looks at gold and gemstone-infused beauty products – do they work?

Woman has romantic photo shoot with the love of her life: pizza. #respect

The Hollywood Reporter Explains Its All-White Actresses Roundtable. It’s Awkward.

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Nightstand: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. I started listening to this audiobook again when I couldn’t sleep the other night. Jim Dale’s voice is so soothing.

Coffee table: I Spy a Duke by Erica Monroe.

On the balcony: William Shakespeare’s Star Wars Trilogy by Ian Doescher. I’m organizing a live performance of this for Book Riot Live this weekend. It’s going to be amazing.

Internets:

My fabulous friend Jewelry Nerd did a series on haunted jewelry for Halloween – spooky stories directly from the people who experienced them, complete with photos of the jewels in question. Not to be missed. (Part I, Part II.)

The History and Surprisingly Chic Look of Hair Jewelry from Beladora.

I came across an article called “How to Eat Nachos for Dinner Without Guilt.” I’m not linking to it, because I can tell you an better way. Step 1: eat nachos. Step 2: feel good about it. Yay!

America’s Next Top Model has been canceled after 22 seasons. End of an era.

‘Downton’s jewelry designer finds latest gems in R.I.

Every Goosebumps book summarized in one sentence.

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Nightstand: Wartski: The First 150 Years, by Geoffrey C Munn. I read this huge, beautiful book straight through in one day (in about 7 hours). Now I’m leafing through it, revisiting photos and reminding myself of my favorite parts. And plotting on how to get my hands on a Faberge tiara.

Coffee table: Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn. This dystopian YA novel is creative and interesting, but it feels a little too much like other books I’ve read in the past few years. If dystopia is your jam, this one has a unique premise. But I found it reminded me of The Hunger Games and the Divergent books a little too often to feel truly fresh.

On the balcony: Ash by Malinda Lo. Ash starts out as a Cinderella retelling, but becomes something entirely unique. I really enjoyed it.

Internets:

Fabulous Baltimore wedding blog, Charm City Wed, featured my wedding! Props to our wonderful photographer, Angel Kidwell.

Do you know who Ada Lovelace was? Because you should.

A fellow Book Rioter on history’s need to change Jane Austen’s face.

This is Open Puppies. It’s going to be your new favorite thing.

One-and-done Halloween costumes from your “favorite stores.” These are almost all stupid. Try a little harder, or just do nothing.

Brightly patterned jewelry made from colored pencils. SO COOL.

The Craziest & Most Bizarre Jewelry Heists of 2015.

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