Nightstand: Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel. This book was SO GOOD. It doesn’t come out for a while, but I promise you a review so you’ll know all the reasons you’re going to want to pre-order it.

Coffee table: Good Earl Gone Bad (The Lords of Anarchy) by Manda Collins. It’s not a normal week if I’m not reading at least one historical romance on the side. I’m only a little ways into this one, but it’s looking like a fun, fluffy, my-father-lost-my-hand-in-marriage-in-a-game-of-cards,-how-can-I-ever-be-live-this-down,-oh-wait-this-guy-isn’t-bad-looking kind of story.

On the balcony:  If These Jewels Could Talk: The Legends Behind Celebrity Gems by Beth Bernstein. As I mentioned last week, I have the honor of an early review copy of the fabulous Beth’s new book! I just finished reading it and I really enjoyed it. Review to come!

Internets:

I wrote for Book Riot about how to put together the ultimate Phryne Fisher Halloween costume – featuring authentic 1920’s jewelry, of course.

Connie Britton reveals that the secret to her amazing hair is…drumroll please…feminism.

Speaking of Connie Britton…my current favorite show to put on when I feel like multitasking is Friday Night Lights. (The parts when they play football are boring, so I get a ton of work done.) The FNL cast had a reunion and it was adorable.

Books About Women Who Literally Kick Ass.

The fabulous Wendy Brandes and a very special engagement ring redesign.

Nightstand: Starting To Collect Antique Jewelry (Starting to Collect Series) by John Benjamin. This book is killing me with nerd glee. I’m finding a a fair amount of the information is familiar to me, but it’s so great to have it all laid out logically with illustrations. The knowledge, I want it allllllllll.

Coffee table: If These Jewels Could Talk: The Legends Behind Celebrity Gems by Beth Bernstein. I’m so excited to get a peek at the fabulous Beth Bernstein’s upcoming book! Stay tuned for full review.

On the balcony: Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel. So many Book Riot buddies recommended this to me, I HAD to check it out. I’m only a chapter in, but it’s really intriguing so far.

Internets:

Desserts to go crazy for: I’ll be making that cake from the photo as soon as I can come up with a good reason (like wanting cake at the moment).

How To Use Your Harry Potter Stamps – my post for Book Riot about how I decided to use Harry Potter stamps for my wedding and the problems that it caused.

How Much Jane Austen Is Too Much Jane Austen? This question is answered at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England.

Students at this DC high school are fighting a new rule that says their principal has to approve the contents of the student newspaper before it’s published. Rock on, baby journalists.

Nihilist Lisa Frank. Exactly what it sounds like.

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Coffee table: Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older. Gorgeous, vibrant, totally unique urban fantasy about a world in which certain gifted people can channel the power of spirits through art. Awesome book.

On the balcony: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson. Beautiful, strong, and heartbreaking. Impossible Knife‘s protagonist is a high school girl who is trying to have a normal life while taking care of her ex-soldier dad, who is losing his struggle against PTSD.

Internets:

EReader Cases That Look Like Beautiful Old Books.

Did you see the bisecting face jewelry go down the runway at NYFW? Please discuss.

Dolly Parton Wants a 9 to 5 Reunion to Happen on Grace and Frankie. I am so there for this. BRB, must watch 9 to 5 again.

“We always describe it as tasty, yet invasive,” Gold says of the blue catfish. – DCist looks at the recent trend of combating invasive species by cooking them.

A specially designed gadget to keep your nutella under lock and key. Just in case you need that.

A history of anti-aging products used by notable historical women and their contemporary product equivalents.

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