I absolutely like autumn. It's my second favorite of all the seasons (though it's really not that far off from how I feel about summertime), both for the actual weather and for all of the things it brings into my life. I adore the cooler temperatures (especially after the crazy heat we've been having), the colorful foliage and the change in my wardrobe and activities. I'm sharing a few of my autumn essentials today! (Don't forget to check out Rachel's autumn essentials today too.)

Plaid shirts | When autumn officially kicks in, I officially bring out all the plaid that I own. It just matches the aesthetic of the season to me personally, and I love having something in constant rotation that makes it easy to dress up. I'm planning to grab more from Uniqlo this year! (1)

Scarves | I tend to wear more accessories when the weather gets cooler, and scarves are a favorite! I like all sorts of textures and patterns. I also like when I can use the scarves as accessories in multiple ways (like hair, neck and bags)! (1, 2)

Cardigans | This is a wardrobe staple for me year-round, because it's a good way to stay comfortably warm in cooler temperatures. I only own two at the moment, but I need to get more fuzzy ones (particularly in cream) for the season. (1)

Beanies | I don't wear a ton of hats, but I do love having a beanie as an accessory. It's comfortable, it works with any hair length, it can keep my head warm and it can be such a fun pop of color (especially since I tend to wear very monochromatic outfits in general). (1, 2)

Leggings | I also consider this a staple in my wardrobe year-round, but my leggings usually come into rotation very heavily in autumn. I tend to gravitate towards plain black leggings due to my personal taste, and I just find that they go with everything. (1)

Combat boots | I usually wear out my boots in autumn because I wear them with every outfit. I actually am looking forward to breaking in a new pair this year because last year's pair pretty much fell apart at the end of the year. I prefer a comfortable black pair with a slight heel that looks good with leggings, tights and jeans! (1)

Sweatshirts | I'm all about cute and comfortable when it comes to what I wear, and sweatshirts totally fit the bill. I'm pretty obsessed with grabbing fandom sweatshirts or ones with cute slogans! While I normally wear these when I'm traveling or running errands, I like to make sure they're also cute enough for me to wear on a regular day out too. (1, 2)

Candles | I love candles all year-round (and yes, that means even during the summer season). They just lend more atmosphere to any room and they make said room smell great. I'm always excited when the temperatures drop because it just means that my candles end up creating an even better ambiance and see even more use than during the spring and summer. (1, 2, 3) (P.S. If you're going to shop at Canterbury Road Co, please use ALEXA17 in order to get 17% off!)

Notebooks | The turn of the season from summer to autumn always makes me think of going back to school, even though it's been years since I've actually been in school. I love acquiring new notebooks, and I usually go for ones that have motivational quotes or adorable prints. (I probably shouldn't get more, seeing as how I have a number stored in a box right now, but.... how can I resist?) (1, 2)

Apple cider donuts | I absolutely adore these donuts. You guys, I cannot even overestimate how much I love them. They're so good. They're so delicious. They're seriously my favorite seasonal snack, and I would highly recommend getting some for yourself too!

What are your autumn essentials?

Don't forget to check out Rachel's post!

Zane Obispo has always enjoyed having a dormant volcano near his home, even though having only one good leg makes any exploration a little challenging. However, he would never have imagined that this volcano is actually a gateway to another world and that he happens to be at the center of a prophecy that involves him releasing an evil god from an ancient Maya relic. When Brooks, a new girl at his school, tells him that she's willing to help him avoid ending the world as they know it by finding and destroying the relic, he has no idea that he's about to embark on an adventure to save his beloved dog Rosie, uncover his own family lineage and encounter magic and mayhem along the way... The Storm Runner successfully takes the formula that Rick Riordan novels are well-known for, but incorporates Mayan mythology in a way that still feels fun, fresh and educational the reader. I didn't know too much about this lore going into it, but Cervantes made it accessible and easy to understand (though I admittedly still had to keep referring to the glossary of Mayan mythology to remember everyone correctly). She really succeeded in writing a story that was entertaining and funny, even as it brought to life all this lore that has existed for many years now - and I really liked it and would highly recommend checking it out.

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes | Series: The Storm Runner #1 | Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents | Publication Date: September 18, 2018 | Source: ARC received from the publisher (Thank you!)

You may be surprised to see Sadie among my reviews, mostly because I so rarely read thrillers or mysteries. I was really intrigued by the cover when I first saw it and every time I saw someone I knew talk about it, I couldn't help being curious. It's why I ended up picking this one up, and I must say, it lived up to the hype that surrounds it for me! The novel centers around Sadie, who has been raising her younger sister Mattie in a very isolated small town all by herself. But her life falls apart when Mattie is found dead, and it's only the promise of bringing justice to her sister's killer that keeps her determined to keep pressing on. Apart from this timeline, the chapters alternate with podcast excerpts that are narrated by West McCray, who slowly traces Sadie's footsteps as he tries to figure out what happened to her before it's too late... Now, as mentioned, I don't read a lot in this genre, which meant that I was always unsure of what would happen next while I was reading Sadie. It made the unveiling of clues and events that much more intriguing and unexpected, which was thrilling to experience as a reader! I found it so compelling, despite being about something very difficult (trigger warnings for a lot of things: violence, murder, rape, abuse, drugs) to read. I definitely think Sadie was well-written, well-plotted and an intense reading experience on the whole.

Check, Please!: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu | Series: Check, Please! #1-2 | Publisher: First Second Books | Publication Date: September 18, 2018 | Source: ARC received from the publisher (Thank you!)

Yumeko, a half-human/half-kitsune teen girl, has been raised all her life at the Silent Winds temple. But her life is upended completely when her home is destroyed, the monks she calls family are slain and she is charged with the mission of protecting one part of an ancient scroll that has the power to summon the Kami Dragon in order to get the wielder's wish granted. She must now journey to safety, and fate ensures her path crosses with Kage Tatsumi, who is a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan that has been tasked with seeking the scroll she conceals. As they journey together, these two encounter demons and allies and find themselves sorely tested in more ways than one.

If you love anime, particularly anime in the vein of Fushigi Yuugi or Yona of the Dawn or Naruto, I certainly think that Shadow of the Fox would be a book for you! It's also a great book for YA fantasy fans in general, especially if you're intrigued by Japanese lore and culture. I immediately was invested in the two main characters (and also immediately wanted them to end up together, but that's just the otaku in me, I'd say). I also really enjoyed the journey bits, including all the action scenes, the encounters with demons and unexpected allies (who are such a delightful bunch and I need more of them) and all these great cultural references. I definitely thought Shadow of the Fox was so entertaining, fast-paced and fun, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to find out what happens next to Yumeko, Tatsumi and the rest of the gang.

Favorite anime? I'm only supposed to pick one?! This is very, very hard for me, particularly since I've slowly become more and more immersed in the world of anime again since 2015. I have to mention Fushigi Yuugi, since it was one of the first ones I ever watched and I've watched it multiple times since. (Here's a post I did about it a few years ago!) But I also wanted to mention Yona of the Dawn, which is an incredible show that tells the story of a princess who loses her kingdom and must locate four dragons of prophecy in order to win it back. It is so, so well-done, with great characters, excellent storytelling and wonderful animation, and I love it so much. 

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa | Series: Shadow of the Fox #1 | Publisher: Harlequin Teen | Publication Date: October 2, 2018 | Source: e-galley downloaded from NetGalley (Thank you!)

Blanca & Roja is, at its core, a modern day fairytale centered around two sisters. Both fair-haired Blanca and dark-haired Roja have grown up knowing that when Roja turns fifteen, the swans will come to take one of them away. While just about everyone assumes Roja will be the one taken, Blanca is determined to save her sister — no matter what the cost. As the sisters navigate the magical circumstances that surround their family and their home, they’ll soon learn that nothing is as it seems... and that perhaps they do truly have the ability to change their fate.

I have read every single one of Anna-Marie McLemore’s stories, and each one has the same lyrical, gorgeous prose that a reader can simply devour. Blanca & Roja is no exception. I knew I was in for a treat from the very beginning, because I do love Anna-Marie’s lush storytelling and it suits this modern day fairytale well. But, as with most of Anna-Marie’s other novels, the build-up is cautious and careful. She takes the time to really introduce you to all the main characters, and reveal bits of the world, and while it does seem to meander initially, the story crescendoes beautifully as you continue to read. Before I knew it, I was deeply invested in the outcome of this sorry situation Blanca and Roja found themselves in; I cared deeply about what would happen to Barclay and Parker. These characters quietly came alive with every word in this novel, up until they found a little spot to claim in my heart. In case you couldn’t tell, I really enjoyed Blanca & Roja. Atmospheric, magical, complicated and almost inexplicably wonderful, I would certainly recommend adding this book to your TBR.

Favorite fairytale? I do adore a lot of fairytales, but my personal favorite has always been The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen (even though it ends on such a melancholy note).

Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore | Publisher: Feiwel & Friends | Publication Date: October 9, 2018 | Source: ARC received from the publisher (Thank you!)

Ia Cocha is a notorious outlaw that is feared and respected by many. Ia also happens to be a teen girl. When she's captured by the Olympus Commonwealth, they make an example of her by exerting their authority to control her by enrolling her in their military academy. All Ia wants is to escape her new situation... until she starts forming bonds with people at the academy that have the potential to change her alliances forever. If you think Ignite the Stars sounds like a fun sci-fi read that's on the lighter side, you wouldn't be wrong! I actually really ended up enjoying it. It was entertaining, simple enough to follow (even with the sci-fi elements, which can sometimes be a struggle for me) and I ended up really liking the characters a lot as the novel progressed (especially Ia). The only reason that I didn't fall completely head over heels for this story was because the pacing and set-up portions felt really clunky. Thankfully, I didn't, otherwise, I would have missed out on this one and it would have been a shame! If you're in search of a new sci-fi read to try, I'd humbly suggest giving this a shot.

Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan | Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company | Publication Date: September 4, 2018 | Source: e-galley downloaded from NetGalley (Thank you!)

If you could name five people, living or dead, who you want to have dinner with, who would you pick? It's a question that many of us have encountered at some point, and The Dinner List brings that question to life through telling the story of Sabrina Nielsen's thirtieth birthday dinner with her best friend, favorite college professor, father, ex-fiance Tobias and Audrey Hepburn. As the six of them share a meal, it starts to become clear that there is a reason apart from Sabrina's birthday that these folks are all at this dinner together, and so this story unfolds. Now, here's the bottom line: I genuinely thought the concept and execution of The Dinner List was quite enjoyable. It drew out the storyline in a way that felt fresh and interesting to me as a reader, and I'm always a big fan of when that happens. However, even though I thought that the narrative was interesting and pretty much devoured the entire novel in a day, I just didn't personally connect with Sabrina or any of the other characters. I truly feel that if I had, the emotional impact of this story would have been a lot stronger and I would have liked it even more. I still would recommend giving this one a shot, especially if the premise is one that you find intriguing.

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle | Publisher: Flatiron Books | Publication Date: September 11, 2018 | Source: e-galley downloaded from NetGalley (Thank you!)

When I first heard about Rule, it was being pitched as Pretty Little Liars crossed with Three Dark Crowns. And that is basically pretty much what readers will get with this one. The entire story is told from the perspective of three girls, who find out very early that they are the illegitimate daughters of the ailing king of Kolonya and must compete in order to determine who will be his heir. These girls are so different in terms of upbringing - Zofi is a Traveler who has spent her entire life in the outer Reaches with her band, Akeylah was raised in the Eastern reach under an abusive father and Ren grew up in Kolonya as a lady's maid wise to the ways of the court. But the three girls share something in common apart from royal blood, and that's the fact that they each have a dangerous secret that they're being blackmailed about. You can likely see how the two comp titles would be relevant to this one based on the synopsis! I liked this one well enough to keep on reading, but wasn't personally invested in any of the sisters or what would become of them as the stakes got higher. I did think the world elements and cultures we were treated to were interesting, but other than that, I didn't find this one to be a standout among the YA fantasy I've been reading lately. 

Rule by Ellen Goodlett | Series: Rule #1 | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | Publication Date: September 11, 2018 | Source: ARC received from the publisher (Thank you!)

Even before the month started, I already knew September was going to be filled with a ton of fun events! True enough, I've barely had time to sit on my laurels (both when it comes to actual work and to the fun stuff), but I wouldn't have it any other way. (Okay, maybe I would like work to calm down just a teensy bit...). Here are a few fun things that happened over the last two weeks!

Anime Day

We basically dubbed September 15 as 'anime day' when Kristin and I learned that Rachel hadn't yet watched Kimi No Nawa (Your Name) and we decided that needed to be remedied. Our plans ended up including a morning visit to Golden Unicorn to grab some dimsum, Milk and Cream Bar for some ice cream and walking a bit around New York before we settled in at Kristin's to watch the anime. Unsurprisingly, I am still obsessed with this anime, y'all, and would totally recommend checking it out for yourself if you haven't see it yet.

Boston Teen Author Festival

Months ago, Rachel & I had made plans to head up to Boston for an overnight trip so that we could attend the Boston Teen Author Festival. While we had come primarily to meet Adrienne Young, author of Sky in the Deep, we also both got to see a lot of our other favorite authors, eat some real good food (waffles from Zinneken's and ice cream from J.P. Licks) and have quality friend time with each other and DJ. I'd like to take a moment to say that the staff and volunteers were super helpful and everything was run really well! I'd definitely consider going back to attend the festival again in the future.

Miscellany:

- I got to attend the launch party for Kerri Maniscalco's Escaping from Houdini. Kristin and I knew we were definitely going to be at this event when it was announced because we both adore the books and Kerri! It was a real treat to hear her talk more about her process, her characters and just to see Kerri and snag a signed copy of the book too. I can't wait to read it!

- My sister and I had a fun day out in the city. My sister Rachel & I visited Bocaphe, Kith Treats and Bluestone Lane Coffee for some delicious food, and we also popped in and out of a couple of shops to window shop for new clothes and shows. It was a lovely, relaxing day and the weather was perfect too!

I've always loved sharing the new things I'm into with my friends, so I figured it was high time that I started doing a series that just highlighted all of my favorite things in a month! Even though it's coming a little later than I'd originally planned, I wanted to take the chance to talk about some of my favorite things from the month of August.

Voltron (Season 7) | While this recent season isn't perfect, I still enjoyed it. That's likely because I have grown to love the paladins so darn much, and just having the opportunity to see their stories play out is such a joy. (Except for when I have to watch my precious ones get put through the most terrible situations, because that just huuuuuurts my soul.) This season ends very definitively for the main conflict they were facing, but there is more to explore in the next (and last) season for sure.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before | I. Am. Obsessed. If there's one thing you must know about me, it's that I love a good rom-com and that is exactly what this film is. I'd been highly anticipating seeing one of my favorite books come to life in film, and it was lovely. The cast, the costumes, the script, the soundtrack - it all came together to create the sort of film that you watch when you need something that will just make you feel all warm and fuzzy and gooey and happy on the inside. I've seen it three times in full, and rewatched my favorite parts more than I can count. Safe to say, this one will be a comfort movie for me in the years to come and I definitely think you need to check it out.

Crazy Rich Asians | Speaking of romantic comedies, can we all please discuss how wonderful it was to have a film with an Asian cast be released in theaters worldwide and garner such a positive response? Because this movie was excellent. I laughed a lot, I cried a fair bit and I just thought that it was so well-done. It's ostentatious, it's charming, and it's certainly a film that breaks the glass ceiling for Asians in many, many ways.

The Best (Cover) by James Bay | Many of you probably know how much I love James Bay, but it's a fact worth repeating. I love James Bay. I wasn't familiar with the original version of this song, but I have to say that his cover of it is flipping fantastic and I've had it on repeat (and added it to a lot of playlists) since I first heard it.

Hurt Somebody by Noah Kahan (feat. Julia Michaels) | I cannot stop humming this song! It's been in my head pretty often since I first heard it (on the OST of The Darkest Minds), and I can't say I'm unhappy about it. 

All I Am by Jess Glyne | I am a huge Jess Glynne fan, so it's unsurprising that her latest released track is on my favorites this month. As my sister Rachel puts it, Jess Glynne's songs are about love - both romantic and self-love - and this one is particularly in that vein. It also has a very catchy beat!

Sweetener by Ariana Grande | I'm so pleased that I really liked Ariana Grande's latest album, since I wasn't particularly fond of the last one. There's just something about this one that's catchy, fun and also extremely easy on the ears (for me), and it's just the sort of pop that I'm into.

Happy Planner & Happy Notes | My friend Hannah gifted me with Happy Notes (this is the exact one I have!) for my birthday, and I picked up a Classic Happy Planner (this is the exact one I own!) to follow her gratitude journal idea - and my obsession has stayed solid all through the month of August and beyond. It's just so fun to have Happy Notes, which is like a hybrid bullet journal type situation I use for tracking my reading and blogging. It's also equally rewarding to see how my gratitude journal fills up so quickly and serves as a lovely reminder that I've got so much to be thankful for. 

Adidas Cloud Foam sneakers | My sisters gave me my first pair of Adidas sneakers ever for my birthday, and I don't know how I never owned a pair before now. They're one of my comfiest pairs of shoes and they're made of a material that's pretty waterproof. I genuinely love them and will probably wear them out because I use them so much!

Overcooked | For the entirety of August, Macky, my sisters and I were obsessed with the game Overcooked (which is played on the Nintendo Switch). It's a team coop game where all the players must work together to cook, serve and clean in the kitchen. Because the whole lot of us (except perhaps Macky) are completionists about games, we basically worked so hard to get three stars on every level - and have successfully done so now.

What were some of your August favorites?

Jetta and her parents are a troupe of traveling shadow players wandering their country and putting on stunning performances with puppets that look like they have no strings or sticks to move them around. The truth? Jetta has a magical ability to see the souls of the dead and harness them to objects, like her shadow puppets. Because magic is forbidden, she and her family keep the truth hidden and are determined to secure passage across the sea towards safety and a potential cure. But their carefully laid out plans are all thrown into chaos when they cross paths with a young smuggler, gain the attention of the military and find themselves forced to make some difficult decisions.

I liked For a Muse of Fire alright. It had an interesting blend of Western and Eastern culture influencing the world’s details, though it was very overwhelming to make sense of it all at the start. It also mixed formats — regular chapters, scenes from plays, letters - which was an interesting narrative direction to take. And I’ll admit that, as I read, I was mildly curious to find out where the story would go. But even though I thought it was a solidly enjoyable book as I read it, it wasn’t one that really stayed with me. I wasn’t particularly invested in the characters and their journeys, nor do I find myself particularly desirous of picking up the next novel in the series. Still, I can see why other readers might enjoy this one — so if you’re interested in this story, I’d say to at least give it a shot.

Favorite play? My favorite play that I've read is probably A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare (though really, I just love Shakespeare plays in general). And my favorite that I've seen is a toss-up between Harry Potter and the Cursed Child or The Play That Goes Wrong, which are both extremely wonderful.

For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig | Series: For a Muse of Fire #1 | Publisher: Greenwillow Books | Publication Date: September 25, 2018 | Source: e-galley downloaded from Edelweiss (Thank you!)

The Boneless Mercies centers around a troupe of Boneless Mercies - girls who are taught and hired to deal death efficiently and mercifully. Frey and her companions Ovie, Juniper and Runa have spent years as Mercies, but all are weary of being involved in the death trade. When they learn of a ruthless monster whose death would ensure their fortune and fame, Frey determines that this is the path that their group must take... no matter what other situations they find themselves in along the way.

Before I share any more thoughts, I must say that I'm not as familiar with the original source material - Beowulf - as I'd like to be. But even so, I really enjoyed The Boneless Mercies. It was fun to read a story where women comprise majority of the cast of characters. It was also the sort of fantasy novel that documents a journey the characters go on - not just internally, but also externally - with all sorts of obstacles and reprieves, and as I'm a particular sucker for that type of tale, I liked that part a lot. It was definitely an engaging story, and I found it hard to put it down once I started reading it! It's definitely a strong stand-alone fantasy offering! While I don't think I'd return for a reread, I'd say it was definitely worth checking out.

The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke | Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) | Publication Date: October 2, 2018 | Source: ARC received from the publisher at BookExpo 2018 (Thanks!)

I get most of my manga recommendations from Kristin of Super Space Chick, and Paradise Kiss was one of them. I've read another series from this manga author (Nana, and yes, I'm still dying over where it cuts off since it's unfinished) and really liked that, so I'm not entirely sure why it's taken me so long to pick this one up. Paradise Kiss is about an ordinary girl who is undecided about what she wants for her future, and finds herself crossing paths with a team of student fashion designers who want her to model for them in a showcase. I liked it even more than I expected! Yes, it's definitely over the top with the fashion, the drama and the characters, but that does lend it a certain unexpected quirky charm that reeled me in. I loved the characters (especially George), found the story super compelling and was constantly wishing I could see all this art (and the fashion) in full color! I found myself really eager to find out what would happen next, and pretty much yelled at myself for not just buying the entire series so I could binge the next two parts. I can't wait to find out what happens next! (And thank goodness this one is already a finished series, or I would have felt so sad about it.)

Paradise Kiss 1 by Ai Yazawa | Series: Paradise Kiss Volume #1 | Publisher: Vertical | Publication Date: September 25, 2012 | Source: Purchased the manga

Let's get the obvious out of the way first: I'm so biased about Your Name. That movie was my anime obsession of 2017 (and still is), and I just know that it's earned a lifelong spot among my favorites. Anyway, even though I know the story so well, I still wanted to read the manga in order to experience it via a different medium! This is the story of Mitsuha and Taki, who find themselves switching bodies for nearly a month until that abruptly ends and it's up to Taki to figure out just what is going on. It sounds farfetched, yes, but I promise you, it is so, so, so brilliant. Just like the film, the art style is gorgeous in manga form. It's fun seeing tiny details and having more time to peruse them while reading the manga! And I still got the same sense of warmth, humor and thoughtfulness with the written form of this story. It was quite lovely experiencing this in a different way, and I definitely would recommend it - both to those who have loved the film and those experiencing the story for the first time. (But do watch the film too if you haven't yet!)

your name, Vol. 1 by Makoto Shinkai | Series: Your Name manga #1 | Publisher: Yen Press | Publication Date: June 20, 2017 | Source: Purchased the manga

I didn't know that this manga existed until a random day when I was browsing at the Strand and the author's name caught my eye as I was perusing their collection of manga. Makoto Shinkai is the person behind Your Name and 5 Centimeters per Second, and that was all I needed to know when I picked this one up. The Garden of Words centers around a high school freshman who meets a woman in a garden who tells him part of a poem, and that's the beginning of their story. There's more to it than that - which I expected but couldn't have predicted the specifics of - and I liked this one a lot, even though it does have a very melancholy vibe to it. There was just something sweet about the themes running through the story, even with all the heartbreak woven in as well. And the art style was lovely! It was ultimately a very likable (and sad) manga read, though it still hasn't beat out Your Name as my favorite.

The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai, with art by Midori Motohashi | Publisher: Vertical Comics | Publication Date: October 28, 2014 | Source: Purchased the manga

If you’ve been reading this ol’ blog since last year, or following me on any of my other social media accounts, you’ll already know that Warcross was my favorite book I read in 2017. I love it so much, in fact, that I decided I needed to reread it before I picked up the sequel this year. It was so worth it because the story was just as fun and exciting as I remembered it, I still loved all the characters (though I discovered my new obsession with being president of the Asher Wing fan club) and I was left so hyped for Wildcard.

(This is probably a good time to mention that if you have not yet read Warcross by Marie Lu, you are going to be spoiled for it if you read any further. Also, you should definitely remedy this by going out, grabbing a copy of Warcross from your bookstore or library and reading it ASAP.)

Wildcard is a direct sequel to Warcross that literally picks up just after the events at the end of the first book. After discovering the truth about Hideo Tanaka and his plans for the NeuroLink algorithm and his technology, Emika Chen is determined to stop him even though the stakes only get higher when a bounty is placed on her. The only way to survive and stop Hideo is to cooperate with Zero and his Blackcoats… though it looks like Zero may be keeping a few explosive secrets of his own that may just change the game.

If I thought Warcross was an intense thrill ride of a read, Wildcard basically blew my mind. t’s very rare for me to say that a sequel is just as wonderful as, if not better than its predecessor, but I truly think Wildcard is one of those rare few. There was just more of everything I had loved about the previous book in this sequel, and I could not have asked for more.

Here are just a few of the things I loved about Wildcard, put into a bullet point list for easy reference:

• The characters | Emika Chen is still such a badass. Our girl knows how to get things done, no matter how difficult it might look, and she’s very capable, brave and smart. Her skills are put to the test again in this story, plus we also get to see her make sense of her feelings and ideals in the context of this tale. Apart from Emika, I developed a deeper love for all of the Phoenix Riders (but particularly Asher, my captain), Hideo (with his morally gray actions driven by personal emotions), and Zero and his Blackcoats (there is one person in particular I love who is a new addition to the series).
• The story | It’s so intense, emotionally and events-wise, and I was totally here for it. It helps that there is a very short timeline within which everything takes place (which just added to the urgency of the situation). Marie did such a great job with unveiling the plot, including some awesome fight scenes and still having nods to the Warcross gameplay I adored in the first book.
• The themes | My sister (who has also read Wildcard at this point) and I like to talk about how it’s so impressive that Marie Lu manages to write an entertaining story and invite her readers to think about things like free will, technology and the power it holds, bad choices made with the best of intentions and morality. It’s really cool, and she does this both in Warcross and in Wildcard. 
• The action (and gameplay) | There is plenty of action online and offline in this sequel. I loved seeing some pretty cool real life action-packed sequences, but I really loved getting to dive back into the world of Warcross gameplay even more. It’s so fascinating to see what Marie does with what she built in the first novel, and it’s soooooo good.

I obviously loved Wildcard! It was the follow-up slash ending to this series that I didn’t know I wanted, and it exceeded any expectations I had before diving into it. It’s definitely a series that I can see myself rereading in the years to come, and I will definitely be encouraging anyone and everyone to read it too. So excited that this one is out in the world today, mostly so that more people can join me in gushing about Wildcard!

Rachel of Hello, Chelly and I have teamed up to bring you a collaboration that involves two of my favorite things: New York City and food. Welcome to Table for Two, where the two of us will be highlighting restaurants and dessert spots in New York City. Today, I'll be sharing my thoughts on Blank Slate Tea, while Rachel will be talking about our visit to Blue Box Cafe.

I love finding places to eat in New York City that have tasty food and an adorable aesthetic. Blank Slate Tea fits both those criteria perfectly, and it's unsurprising that it's become a spot that I like frequenting. (It does help that it's located only a few streets away from my office!) I love the dainty, colorful aesthetic it sports, the really cheerful and positive staff and I've enjoyed each drink and dish I've had the chance to taste on my visits.

On our most recent visit, Rachel & I wanted to try out their two dessert dishes - the rose gold dip and the earl grey lavender tea cookie skillet. The former is rose-flavored dip topped with edible gold and served with tea cookies and strawberries, while the latter is basically a cookie in a skillet topped with earl grey glaze. Both were really good! I think I might prefer the cookie a smidge more, just because I love cookies, but I definitely think both were having.

You should definitely drop by Blank Slate Tea if you ever get the chance, particularly if you're a tea fan (their tea offerings are pretty delicious too). It's located on 121 Madison Avenue (between 30th and 31st St), New York, NY 10016.

While I'm pretty consistent about updating my Instagram to share all the fun things I've been up to, I realized that it had been a while since I'd managed to do that for the blog. (It's been a little while since I've blogged, really.) Since I'm feeling inspired to pick up the ol' blogging habit properly again today, I thought it'd be fun to start off by sharing a few fun things that I've done in real life this month!

Maman + Blue Box Cafe

Rachel & I kicked off our September with a girls' day out together. We grabbed a quick breakfast at Maman (a place we love visiting, and would happily return to), got new manicures at Paintbox (which is also a place we adore, though things can get a bit pricey) and finished off the day with a visit to the Blue Box Cafe in Tiffany's on 5th Ave. We've been wanting to visit since it first opened, but getting a reservation can be really tough! I'm so glad it finally happened, as it's a charming little cafe decorated in Tiffany blue and white. The food was delicious (I'm partial to the waffle), the tea was equally yummy and the views from the windows were a delight.

The Little Mermaid Rooftop Movie Night

I'd never actually seen a movie on a rooftop in the city until this month! Rachel is the one who discovered that they would be doing a screening of The Little Mermaid at SkyLawn, and since she and DJ and I all share a mutual love of mermaids and nostalgic love for this film, we decided to go. We ate dinner at the indoor seating area (the service was so-so, but the food was delicious), before plopping into the chairs and settling in to watch the film (with headphones for better sound quality too). I really enjoyed the experience and would definitely do it again!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts 01 and 02)

I finally had the pleasure of going to see this show with Macky and Mel after booking the tickets months ago. I'd really enjoyed the script when it was released in novel form, but it was nothing compared to how much I adored the show. The production is magical, the cast is excellent (particularly Scorpius) and the theater itself transports you out of the city and into a whole new world. I definitely would go and see it again, should I ever get the opportunity to!

Miscellany:

- Rach and I had an ice cream date at Stax Ice Cream. I'd been before (with one of the other Rachels in my life), but it was a lovely second visit! I had a scoop each of jasmine tea and earl grey tea ice cream, topped with Oreos on French vanilla cone. Unsurprisingly, it was delicious!

- Macky and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. Time has just seriously flown by. I can't believe it's been five years since we got hitched in a church in front of our family and friends, but I'm really excited about it... and the many more to come.

- I got to moderate the As She Ascends launch party at One More Page. It worked out that I was able to go and visit my friend Jodi Meadows in Virginia last weekend, which was just in time for the launch of her sequel. I'm excited that I got to spend time with her, visit One More Page (which is so cute and the staff is wonderful) and actually host her event.

- I met Christina Lauren (again) at their event at Strand Bookstore. DJ, Rachel & I all attended their event together, and it was delightful seeing these two ladies again. They are serious friendship goals, writing inspiration and just all-around wonderful human beings. I can't wait to read their latest release, because it sounds right up my alley!