Beware of spoilers! If you’re not caught up on Loki yet, scroll at your own risk.
Let’s talk Loki.
Or better yet, let’s talk several Lokis.
My love for the world’s greatest consulting detective began with BBC’s adaptation of Sherlock, and my life has truly never been the same.
Since that fateful day back in 2010, there has always been a part of my brain living in the fictional world of 221B Baker Street.
I mean, can you blame me?
The show’s cast, production quality, and modern day storytelling had me hooked from the very beginning.
Over Sherlock‘s seven year run, I read every novel and short story in the Sherlock Holmes canon—an easy thing to do while waiting two years between seasons. When I reached the end of Conan Doyle’s original works, I immediately looked for other Holmes inspired stories . . . and I never stopped reading them!
Spoiler alert: there are a lot of retellings to choose from.
Whether you’re a fan of the dynamic duo in their classic Victorian setting or you prefer Holmes and Watson in the modern world, there are plenty of stories to keep fans booked and busy.
Whatever your storytelling preference, the game is on: here are five books to read if you love Sherlock Holmes. While there are many Baker Street inspired tales to be found, these are some of my favorites!
Read at once if convenient. If inconvenient, read all the same.
1. The Lady Sherlock Series, Sherry Thomas
Great for: fans of period pieces, genderbends, slow burn romance
Set in Victorian London, this series puts a feminist twist on the traditional Holmes story. Charlotte Holmes is the “man behind the hat,” using made up character of Sherlock Holmes as a front to allow her access in a male-dominated field. With five books already published and more sequels on the way, there’s lots of great content to sink your teeth into here!
2. Stalking Jack the Ripper Series, Kerri Maniscalco
Great for: fans of YA, forensic science, historical fiction
Audrey Rose prefers to spend her days carving up cadavers as a student in her uncle’s forensics classes. When the world’s first (and most infamous) serial killer takes to the streets, she uses early forensic science to find the culprit terrorizing Victorian London. If you watched BBC’s Sherlock and found yourself shipping Sherlolly, you’ll fall head-over-heels for these books.
3. Charlotte Holmes Series, Brittany Cavallaro
Great for: fans of YA, modern Sherlock retellings, split narratives
Bringing Holmes and Watson to the next generation, this series follows the teenage descendants of the famed detectives. When Jamie and Charlotte meet for the first time at boarding school, they must learn to navigate their shared family histories along with their personal relationship dynamics… which aren’t exactly the most amicable.
4. A Study in Sherlock, Laurie R. King
Great for: fans of creative retellings, the Sherlock Holmes canon, short stories
One of the best things about Sherlock Holmes is that there have been so many unique interpretations of him over time. This collection of short stories gathers world-renowned authors and lets them loose on Baker Street, imagining new perspectives and insights to the beloved detective’s adventures. A Study in Sherlock proves a delight for both casual and dedicated Holmes fans.
5. The Sherlockian, Graham Moore
Great for: fans of historical fiction, traditional Sherlock Holmes stories, famous authors
A “present day” search for Arthur Conan Doyle’s missing diaries leads Harold to an unexpected murder investigation. As his investigation unfolds, the reader is transported back to Victorian London where Arthur Conan Doyle solves a mystery of his very own. The Sherlockian is a love letter to the fans of Baker Street, but you don’t have to know the classic stories to enjoy this fun take on history.
THE GAME IS ON
Ready to grab your deerstalker and a magnifying glass? Let me know if you end up reading any of these books! And if your favorite Sherlock Holmes inspired books weren’t listed here, be sure to let me know down in the comments—I’m always looking to add more detective stories to my reading list.
Cheers!
Pop quiz!
How many songs have been released in the history of Disney’s animated feature films?
The answer: a lot.
I’ve got a bit of a confession to make: Marvel is one of those fandoms that I haven’t been able to get into.
Who’s got two thumbs, always wears the same outfit, and is worth more than his weight in beskar? No, not Baby Yoda. I’m talking the Mando, the myth, the legend himself—Din Djarin or, as he’s better known, THE Mandalorian.
There are a lot of things from the early 2000s that, frankly, I’d like to forget. At the top of the list are low rise jeans, followed closely by awkward Myspace mirror selfies and roll-on body glitter (seriously, that stuff got everywhere).
Spooky season is my favorite season, no bones about it. I love the tasty treats, the cult classic movies TV specials, and seeing friends embrace their silly sides as they plan their costumes for the year.
In the midst of it all, there is one crucial aspect of Halloween that lives near and dear to my heart: the soundtrack.
Over the years, I’ve learned a little something about The Monster Mash. It was a graveyard smash. It caught on in a flash. It’s a party song staple and is played no less than 500 times throughout the month of October.
Now don’t get me wrong—I love the Transylvania twist as much as the next ghoul, but I think there’s room for some variety in our cauldron of creepy cacophonies. Some days I want to embrace the eerie aesthetic without throwing down to the Ghostbusters or Addams Family theme songs. You know?
If you’re looking to spice up your séance or update your pumpkin carving backtrack, don’t worry. I’ve dug up some scary fresh alt rock tracks for all of your happy haunting needs! The playlist is full of recent alternative releases with a villainous vibe, and you can listen to the mix below.
Halloween Unwrapped
Since we’re on the topic of Halloween, let’s talk CANDY. We all have our favorites . . . Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats, and Butterfingers are usually top contenders. But what about the candies that are more trick than a treat to receive? You know the ones: they live in the communal kitchen candy bowl until someone is desperate for a sugar high or they become too old to safely consume.
This might cost me some friendships, but the truth needs to be told and it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
I’m throwing down the ghostly gauntlet and ranking the ten grossest candies to receive on Halloween. Let me know if you agree or disagree in the comments below!
10 HALLOWEEN CANDIES THAT SHOULD JUST BE THROWN AWAY (or given to your friends who like them I guess)
10. LAFFY TAFFY
The only saving grace to receiving a Laffy Taffy is getting to read the joke on the wrapper. And you can do that without eating it.
9. DOUBLE BUBBLE BUBBLE GUM
You unwrap a piece, you chew it for ten seconds, it loses its flavor and you spit it out. WHAT IS THE POINT!?
8. ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS
Thank you, Grandma! We’ll all pretend that you remembered it was Halloween and didn’t just give us leftover Christmas candies.
7. WARHEADS
Listen, I know this candy has a big fan following. Why do you do this to yourselves? You deserve happiness! Eat a snickers or something!
6. TOOTSIE ROLLS
I overdosed on tootsie rolls when I was a child and have never been able to face them since. A personal grudge, but it still counts—they’re on the list.
5. ALMOND JOY / MOUNDS
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. I don’t feel like either, to be honest.
4. MILK DUDS
Ah, the dentist’s nemesis. Milk Duds: 1, dental fillings: 0
3. DOTS
Same issues as Milk Duds, now with gross fruit flavors!
2. GOOD AND PLENTY
Black licorice is disgusting; how dare you try to disguise this evil taste with a thin candy shell? Get out of my house.
1. RAISINS
You don’t want to be known as the person that gives out raisins on Halloween. There’s no coming back from that.
There’s some good candy in this world Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for
Whew, I’m glad I got that off my chest! All of this gross candy talk makes me want to eat a chocolate bar . . . you know, to remind myself that good candy still exists.
Did your favorites or least favorites make my list? Let me know your candy hot takes in the comments below!
And don’t forget—you can make your spooky season a little sweeter with this Halloween alt mix. All treats, no tricks! Boo-ya!
Time travel, super powers, hit men, oh my!
With a ragtag group of super-siblings and a vintage sci-fi feel, there’s a lot to like about The Umbrella Academy. Whether you watch the show for its unique story, its lovable cast of chaotic characters, or its stunning production quality, there’s one thing we can all agree on…
You can dance if you want to, you can leave your friends behind. It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine. When I’m not with you I lose my mind. Same as it ever was… same as it ever was…
No, this isn’t an ultimate medley for the great quarantine of 2020. But it is a sneak peek into the playlist I’ve put together to help us get through these uncertain times!
With most of the United States under “stay at home” orders to help lower the impact of COVID-19, it can be challenging not to go stir crazy from being cooped up at home, being unable to see friends and loved ones, and dealing with the general state of worldly affairs.
Music always makes things a bit easier for me to manage, so I put together a mix that made me want to sing, dance and laugh as I continue taking things day by day.
There are plenty of “quarantine classics” to be found within this mix, but I’ve also included some hidden gems that you should know about.
Here are 5 new songs that will make you want to stay home and dance — check them out here and find them in my end of the world playlist below, along with a plethora of other apocalyptic hits!
5 New songs that will make you want to stay home and dance:
1. Level of Concern, Twenty One Pilots
The newest release from alt-rock duo Twenty One Pilots brings an upbeat reminder that we’re going to be okay. The single comes (metaphorically) hand in hand with a fun-filled music video shot from the band members’ respective homes, complete with homemade light shows and glow in the dark star stickers. Way to practice those social distancing guidelines by supporting the postal service, guys! Somebody should tell Josh about letter openers, though.
2. Disaster Party, Magic Giant
Magic Giant released Disaster Party back in 2019, but it has quickly become an anthem for 2020 as the year has progressed. This band brings a bit of chaotic energy to everything they do, and I absolutely love them for it (their live shows are a blast)!
Check out this spontaneous acoustic performance of their most recent single, which takes place in the back of a pedicab from a time when we could safely hang out outside with friends!
3. The Apartment, Foreign Air
Foreign Air keeps putting out one solid release after another and The Apartment is no exception. I’ve had this single on loop since its release and it hasn’t gotten old yet, so I had to include it in this list! Forgetting how to function like a normal human being is a big quarantine mood, and I love the unexpected drops in the song’s electronic instrumentals. You’ll definitely want to get up and dance to this one—give it a listen!
4. Good News, K.Flay
Now more than ever, I’m finding it helpful to look for pieces of good news. This song by K.Flay is a great reminder to do so! The beat and bass of this track has me frequently bouncing around my house and singing along, and it instantly puts me in a better mood. Check out this live performance of Good News from a recent clubhouse session that took place in Austen.
5. Confetti, DOUBLECAMP
With a “que sera, sera” mentality, this song by DOUBLECAMP reminds us that good things can happen even when we least expect them to. It’s a message that resonates closely with me right now and is encouraging me to keep things in perspective. Listen to the fun guitar melody and catchy lyrics in this single, and maybe you’ll find some symbolic confetti falling around you!
Stay home. Wash your hands. Get your groove on.
Now that I’ve shared some of my favorite quarantine themed songs, it’s time to throw yourself a dance party with the full playlist!
You could create your own light show for a bit of ambiance if you feel like getting creative, or put it on in the background while you work on a project. Whatever the case, turn up the volume and have fun with it!
What are some of your favorite quarantine tunes? Share them in the comments below!
Sometimes, you just need an extra boost of confidence to get through the day. And sometimes, that extra boost is found by singing along to the soundtrack of your favorite Disney movie. To add a bit of magic to our everyday lives, I’ve gathered some of my favorite Disney songs into a playlist to share with you!