What I’m Into October 2013

Another month, another roundup. Once again, I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer.

How is October nearly over already? It’s been a busy month. PhD coursework, as it turns out, is a much bigger jump from Masters coursework than Masters was from undergrad work. But business and (slight) lack of sleep notwithstanding, it’s been a good month. I haven’t had time to read too many books for fun or watch any movies, but I’ve still baked and watched TV plenty because occasional outlets for procrastination are necessary.

Books:

I only got 3 books read for fun this month. I know, it’s shameful. They were all library books, because it’s much easier to justify taking time off to read when overdue fines are potentially hanging over my head.

• Deception by C.J. Redwine–this was the sequel to Defiance. It was as good as the previous one, although as it turns out the book does appear to be set in a dystopian version of our world (with a gigantic underground demon/dragon/thing). It’s a bit of an odd conceit.
• The Fault in our Stars by John Green–I’ve been on the waiting list for this book for months. The premise sounds like something out a Lurlene McDaniel novel (did anyone else torture themselves with those in high school) but it’s grittier. I can see why it’s been so successful.
• The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore–I loved this series, but it’s starting to drag on. I really hope the next book wraps things up.

Television

• I’ve been keeping up to date with new episodes of Big Bang Theory (how adorable was Howard’s song for Bernadette on the last week’s episode), Parks and Rec, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother (which is kind of dragging, by this point), Drop Dead Diva (are they finally about to bring Grayson and Jane together? I sure hope so!), and Downton Abbey (all the feels, but I’m trying not to give spoilers).
• I’ve also been giving Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Mindy Project a try. SHIELD looks promising, but I’m not sold on the Mindy Project. There really aren’t any terribly likeable characters. Maybe they grow on people?

In the Kitchen

I created another What I’m Into Pinterest Board to showcase some of my favourite things I made this month. Since you American readers don’t have Thanksgiving until next month, I especially recommend the Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing and the Pot Pie with a Sweet Potato Crust to use up some turkey leftovers.

Online

• I nearly lost it laughing at this bizarre list of Puritan names
• I loved Suzannah Paul’s thoughts on teaching consent to preschoolers.
• I teared up at Sarah Bessey’s post on why she likes going to church. Also, less than a week until Jesus Feminist releases!
• And finally, I recommend this post by Adam McLane on how to be a good neighbour during Halloween.

IRL

• We didn’t have a family Thanksgiving dinner to go to this year, so we had some friends over, crammed into the attic, played games (I’m still terrible at mafia), and ate way too much food. It was a good time.
• Convocation for the Masters degree I finished back in August was this past weekend. I have to say, it felt really weird blowing off homework to go to graduation. My aunts came to watch along with my husband, and we all went out to eat afterwards. The ceremony was as boring as those always are, but it was lovely to spend time with family afterwards. I’m looking forward to the next graduation, though, because PhD regalia is much cooler (or something. Cool might not be the right word).
• Tomorrow, I fly out to Chicago to attend a seminar on Early Modernity in Global Perspective at the Newberry Library. I’m super pumped (and a little nervous about the border crossing passport rigmarole–it’s been years since I’ve had to do that).

That’s been October for me. Do head on over to Leigh’s website to check out some of the other link-up contributions.