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By Hope Jorgensen While Halloween and October have come to an end, the season of spookiness doesn’t need to. November is a month of gray skies and rich autumnal hues, and what better way to spend those chilly November nights than with a horror novel? In my opinion, the only thing better is cosying up with a queer horror novel. Luckily, I have three queer paranormal novels in mind. My next recommendation for queer horror is “Summer Sons” by Lee Mandelo. “Summer Sons” is a queer Southern Gothic set in Nashville, Tennessee. The content warnings of this book include suicide, homophobia, violence, drug use, and racism. The story follows main character and narrator Andrew as he deals with the sudden suicide of his childhood best friend; Eddie. Andrew is haunted by both supernatural forces and his own grief as he navigates graduate school at Vanderbilt University. The ghoul of Eddie stalks his every move, and Andrew must learn to resist him and his past. As he struggles to understand new secrets of Eddie’s, he must also dive into his own complex feelings regarding Eddie and what these feelings truly mean. For those looking for an escape from a dreary, chilly November, this novel full of the ghouls of late summer is a perfect fit. The next novel I will be recommending is “The Taking of Jake Livingston” by Ryan Douglas. There are a few content warnings for this book that include school shooting, attempted sexual assault, suicide, homophobia, racism, physical abuse, and animal cruelty. The main character of the book is Jake Livingston, a queer Black 16-year-old boy and medium who lives in a world of ghosts and ghouls that no one else can see. Jake attends a predominantly white high school where he struggles to find true friends and succeed in school. After the sudden death of a neighbor, Jake becomes haunted by the ghost of Sawyer Doon, a school shooter. The book switches between Jake’s point of view and Sawyer’s past before he died. As the book progresses and the haunting worsens, this becomes a fight for Jake’s very soul. The last book I will be recommending is “A Lesson in Vengeance” by Victoria Lee. Content warnings for “A Lesson in Vengeance” include child neglect, suicide references, and violence. The story is set at an all-female boarding school called Dalloway School. Felicity Morrow has returned to school after a year, having taken off after the death of her girlfriend. Returning to a dorm thought to be haunted by the ghosts of the Dalloway Five, Felicity meets Ellis Haley. Ellis is a prodigy author who draws Felicity into her research for her next book, based on the Dalloway Five. Reality becomes horror and horror becomes reality as Felicity searches for the truth. Truth not only about the ghosts, but her own haunted memories and what really happened the night her girlfriend died. For those seeking queer paranormal dark academia, this book is an ideal pick for a November read.

By Abby St. Jean “I can’t even draw a stick figure!” — the most common words muttered out of someone’s mouth following my admission to being a Studio Art minor. A statement that I, frankly, do not believe. I think that our art curriculums do a lot wrong, but the biggest shortfall is assigning a grade based on benchmarks meant to assess the creativity of young children. Before our worlds are shattered by a 3 out of 5 on an elementary school progress report from a grumpy, older woman dictating that our art did not meet the expectations she held — we are all artists. Beginning from the first grasp of a red Crayola marker followed by the journey our hand takes from the table right up to a fresh white wall, there is a sense of freedom we all possess. A freedom that can only be described as artistry. A desire to create something from nothing. I think this experience, or ones similar, can be fondly remembered by most of us. Yet, our years of creativity often halt at age 9, unless we are encouraged to pursue art. In a world with increasingly less original thought, why are we not encouraging every single child to pursue the arts, why is it only the ones who excel in the eyes of that grumpy old woman who get to continue? When we tell our younger generations what they can’t do, they believe it. So when someone regurgitates the words “I can’t even draw a stick figure,” really what they are hearing is some external voice saying “you can’t even draw a stick figure.” My advice? Return to the urges you had as a child to draw on your mother’s white couch. Maybe not literally, but doodle, make gifts for people, draw for fun — not for a progress report, and seek out creative outlets. And maybe, one day soon, you will create something beautiful, and someone will come up to you and say, “Wow! I can’t even draw a stick figure!”

By McKenna Casey There’s a vampire sitting at the bar. She’s got red lipstick on because she thinks it’s hot and kind of ironic, like eating jam donuts or wearing her necklace with the little silver cross on it. She had considered ordering a Bloody Mary, as well, but thought the red lipstick was probably enough. It’s a nice shade. It leaves little marks on her mojito glass when she pretends to drink. The vampire is considering eating the man four seats down. He’s wearing a baseball cap and a plaid shirt that has never been in style, and she would know. He’d stared at the bartender’s chest as she had taken his order, then stared at her ass as she made it. He had also complimented what he saw, which was never a compliment. The bartender had only rolled her eyes and gone back to drying glasses. The vampire had watched this exchange with a detached sort of curiosity. Now, she taps her nails on her glass, stirs her drink, and thinks. She’s been alive for several lifetimes, but hadn’t even gotten to the second one before getting tired of men. A synth-heavy song comes on then, and the girls at a table across the room shush their conversation and begin to sing, laughing and pointing at each other as they recite the lyrics. The vampire takes her eyes off the capped man and swivels in her seat to watch them. She smiles. It’s this kind of paradox that makes her love humans. These girls hadn’t even been born when that song came out, yet they all knew the words and loved them enough to sing them at a bar. A bright spot of humanity, only feet away from a dirty one. The vampire turns her attention back to the man down the bar. He isn’t singing, which she thinks was a shame. It’s really quite a good tune, and the band had been very talented when she saw them live in the 80’s. The man downs a beer, then snaps at the bartender for another. Snaps, with his fingers, like it’s a poetry recitation. The vampire looks at her nails and decides to kill him. She’s not a vigilante, or anything. She just likes killing annoying people better. Less strain on her ancient, weathered moral compass. She’s dead, after all, not evil. The vampire watches as the bartender brings the man his drink, smiling a sickly sweet smile as she sets the drink down in front of him. The vampire figures if more women had fangs, there’d be a lot less men. The song finishes. The table of girls let out a symphony of giggling and go back to their French fries. The vampire takes out her phone and checks the time: five hours until dawn. Plenty of time for a late-night snack. She’s very good at this by now, knows to check all her boxes, cross the t’s and dot the i’s, so to speak. The vampire hadn’t come to the bar with this goal in mind, but she knows not to pass up a good meal when it practically falls into her lap. The man in plaid finishes his bottle off with a grunt, then ruffles through his things to pull out a dollar bill. He throws it on the counter, taking one last long look at the bartender’s cleavage as she bends down to grab something under the bar. Then he gets to his unsteady feet and makes his way to the door, eyeing the table of girls as he goes. The vampire leaves a few bills of her own, two hundreds that she slides beneath the full mojito glass. Money is easy when you’ve had centuries to collect it, and don’t have to pay taxes on account of being long dead. She leaves before the bartender finds the tip, following her meal out the door. It’s a cold night, with a chill wind out of the north that rustles through the vampire’s hair. She watches as the man in plaid shivers and tracks the plume of his breath as it floats toward the moon. He stumbles towards his truck, parked at the edge of the lot, away from the lights. Perfect. She steps lightly after him. As he fumbles for his keys, hands probably numbing in this temperature, the vampire goes right up to him and taps him primly on the shoulder. He whirls around, the motion nearly taking him clean off his feet. “What the hell?” His breath is pungent. The vampire sighs. She doesn’t like the tang of alcohol in the blood, anymore, but will make do. “Hello,” she says, smiling a bloodred smile. “Would you like to go into the woods with me?” The man grunts again, which seems to be his primary method of communication. The vampire finds herself desperately exhausted by this. She, as a lover of languages, knows several. She has spoken with dozens of accents, lived in hundreds of places, learned countless dialects and quirks of speech. Grunting is boring. She repeats the question. He acquiesces. It’s quite a quick conversation, really. She’s very convincing - another thing she’s perfected over the years. As they walk side by side into the woods beyond the bar, the vampire considers taking off her dress. It’s a fun little silk number she’s had since the 60’s. She doesn’t want to get blood on it. She stops when they get far enough into the trees that she can’t hear the music from the bar anymore and slips it quickly off. The man approaches her, clearly taking her state of undress as a signal. “Aren’t you cold, baby?” he asks, bringing his rough hands to her pale arms. The vampire considers him. Eyes his throat, where his pulse jumps underneath the skin. “I’ve been cold for a very long time,” she replies simply. “But I think you can help make me warm again, at least for a little while.” She smiles again, and this time he sees all her teeth. His eyes widen. He doesn’t even make it three feet before she’s on him. Afterwards, she cleans herself up a bit. Puts on her dress. Steps daintily over the mess. Walks out of the woods. As she fixes her lipstick in the sideview mirror of a truck, the vampire starts humming that song, the catchy one from earlier in the bar, and smiles, a real one this time. She really does love humans.

By Emma DiValentino For two years I was plagued by writer’s block. Here are the practices I’ve implemented into my life to combat it. It’s okay to take a break from writing! Contrary to what capitalism and the academic hellscape lead us to believe, you don’t have to be producing something all the time. Some periods are meant for rest and consumption, much like bears in the wintertime. Sometimes what is best is to hibernate for a short while. Pushing yourself every second of every day is a surefire way to fall into the pits of burnout. Instead, take some time to experience the world; go for walks, find a lovely park bench to sit on, explore new music. 2. Investigate external problems Sometimes we can’t write because other things are interfering with our creative process. Consider these questions… Do you feel inspired by anything in your life? Perhaps a new album or friends and loved ones or books you’re reading. Are you engaging with the world around you in a way that feels fulfilling? Do you have a suitable space to write that you feel safe and comfortable in? Are you feeling burnt out? 3.  Keep a journal (even if you just use it to vent and scream about the horrors of the world) Try to stay connected to writing as a form of expression, even if it’s just to discuss your inner thoughts or complain about your daily life. Some people like to write a certain number of pages each day to keep themselves in a routine, but if you’re like me, staying on track with a writing practice is difficult when juggling work and school. I solved this by finding a journal at the store that I was in love with and just dedicating it to absolutely anything that popped into my head, no matter how minor or silly or emotional it was. I used it for grocery lists, to do lists, notes for stories, etc. In this way, my journal became a resource for me rather than something to feel guilty about neglecting. When I was ready, my journal became the place I naturally turned to when I was ready to start writing again. 4. Don’t be afraid to write badly One of the biggest things that kept me in a writing rut for so long was that I was too focused on getting a story perfect on the first try. The writing process is entirely dependent on editing and good, careful editing at that. Also, rewriting intentionally brings opportunities to your story that you may not have thought of on the first try! Don’t fear the editing process! 5. Force yourself to write again After you’ve taken some time to properly consume the pleasures of the world, write. Write even if it feels miserable; you’ll get over it. Try starting by just writing the beginning of stories, even if it’s just a line or two. I experimented with cheesy prompts I found on the internet and overused tropes before I found my place in writing again.

By Peyton Dortch As the year comes to a close and everyone is seeing their Spotify Wrapped I see the amount of minutes everyone has listened to music this year. But when I looked at mine I only racked up a total of 17,425 minutes. This felt low after seeing my friends have totals of over 50,000 minutes. But then I thought to myself what am I listening to? If I am leaving my room, I have my headphones on. So why am I not at 50,000 minutes or more? After some thought I realized I am an avid podcast listener. So allow me to give you 5 podcast recommendations for your walk to class, errand running, or morning routine. I have put this list from my most listened and favorite podcast to my least but do not think for one minute that the podcast at my bottom spot is not truly beloved by my ears. Happy listening! American Scandal American Scandal has been my most listened to podcast for about 3 years now. I discovered it while I was downloading entertainment for a long train ride. Narrated and hosted by Lindsay Graham this podcast tells the story of as the title states, American Scandals. Some episodes cover more notorious scandals like Watergate and some cover lesser known scandals like the Plame Affair. One reason I keep coming back to this podcast is because of how long it is. One season of about 5 to 6 episodes each about an hour long it covers one scandal and all the different elements, people, and facts of the scandal. This makes it perfect for a long travel day or an all-day listen. I also tend to listen at night when I cannot sleep. I must discuss the amazing sound mixing this podcast has. There are sound effects that perfectly encapsulate the sound of a heel clacking on tile or the sound of a brief case being opened. This podcast was launched in 2018 and since there are 56 seasons to pick from. My one note, this is a Wondery premium podcast so a new season will be locked to non-subscribers for an amount of time. But since there are 56 seasons to pick from you can wait until the new season is fully released to non-subscribers by listening to other full seasons. I recommend this podcast to anyone who has a love for history, crime, and scandal. Emergency Intercom This podcast is an acquired taste. If you were a YouTube kid like me you have probably stumbled upon their YouTube videos. Enya Umanzor and Drew Phillips are hilarious but I will say that it is a niche sense of humor. This podcast doesn’t have a clear theme that it sticks to. Rather each episode is just a recording of two friends having a conversation. A bare bones podcast, no sound effects, no research done before recording. Just start the recording and see where the conversation is taken. If you spent hours of your youth on YouTube you probably have an interesting sense of humor making this podcast perfect for your tastes. Listeners beware if you are listening to this podcast in public people may think you are crazy because you will be laughing out loud at seemingly nothing. Short anecdote, I was on a flight home listening to the episode “We got lead poisoning” and I could not stop laughing. Picture a silent airplane and some girl giggling to herself looking out the window. The middle-aged woman sitting next to me was side eyeing me the whole flight. She probably went on to tell the story of the time she sat next an obnoxious teenage girl who could not stop laughing for the duration of the flight. I think everyone should listen to this podcast just to see if you enjoy it. This is a great podcast if you just need a good laugh. Tune in! High Brow This is a newer podcast just launched by host Mina Le. You may know Mina by her YouTube channel where she uploads video essays about a variety of topics. If you are a video essay lover this podcast is perfect for you. It is like a video essay without the visual component making it perfect for an on the go listen. The topics that Le discusses are always interesting and contemporary yet also unexpected. By listening you will end up having knowledge on something like “courtcore” or “modern farmhouses”. She also brings on guests that are experts or have a perspective to share on the topic of discussion. There is a common theme of fashion and pop culture to this podcast that makes you feel very as the title states “High Brow”. If you are like me and tend to intellectualize everything around you this podcast is a perfect fit for you. It uncovers the history of trends that we see every day like the rise of “quiet luxury” and Erewhon. Episodes span about an hour with the minutes feeling like they are flying by. Every episode I’ve listened to has me thinking about it for days after and telling my friends about this new knowledge I acquired. History This Week This podcast is the shortest in run time out of all the other podcasts I have recommended. Episodes are 15-30 minutes long making it perfect for a podcast to start your morning or for a short walk. I discovered this podcast when I was trying to find something to listen to on my morning walk down to Spring Valley for class. Hosted by Sally Helm this podcast is a quick history lesson every week to tune into. With so many episodes to choose from you could either relearn about something you have previous knowledge about or learn about something completely new. The sound mixing on this podcast is also fabulous, it plants you firm in the setting of the episode’s event and paints a clear picture of what is going on. In most episodes there is also a guest host who is an expert on whatever topic is being discussed. Somehow this podcast manages to take a possibly mundane event in history and make it interesting by talking about the details we all want to hear like the juicy bits of scandal and gossip. I recommend this podcast to history buffs, lovers, or newbies to accompany them on whatever journey the day has given them. Celebrity Memoir Book Club Celebrity Memoir Book Club is like American Scandal as their titles both explain exactly what the contents of the podcast are. The hosts, Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton read a new celebrity memoir every week and discuss. This podcast is absolutely hilarious. The hosts both have a background in comedy so it makes sense that their podcast will have you bowled over with laughter. The best part about this podcast is that you do not need to read the book to know what they are talking about. They pull quotes and give context so that listeners are able to understand the jokes. Launched in 2020 this podcast feeds your craving for celebrity gossip. Listening to this podcast reminds me of chatting to friends about the newest headline about a celebrity. The out-of-pocket jokes made, the random connections to other celebrities, and the inside jokes made with friends. With episodes spanning about an hour and a half it is perfect for a long walk, a car ride, or even just ambient noise. If you love gossip, celebrity culture, and a good laugh I highly recommend this podcast. That is all I have for now! I sincerly hope you listen to at least one of these podcasts as I feel these are shining stars in the podcast universe.

By Page Murrell If you randomly happen to be anything like me, then there’s one thing on your mind at all times: Hozier’s song “I, Carrion (Icarian)” from his most recent album Unreal, Unearth. (Duh.) And if you’re nothing like me, you probably have better things to do…but this is about me. Me and Hozier. Unreal, Unearth was released in August, making it his newest musical masterpiece. Through the album’s 16 tracks, Hozier pieces together a narrative inspired by the Nine Circles of Hell in Dante’s  “Inferno.” Naturally, this creates a pretty epic odyssey as listeners move throughout the tracks, each one a new narrative that draws parallels between Dante’s legendary vision and Hozier’s contemporary struggles and triumphs. The rhythmic pulse of the music serves as the heartbeat of the descent and the lyrics are poetic commentary on the sins and virtues that populate each circle. It’s enough to make a grown girl cry. I have never read Dante’s “Inferno,” nor have I ever wanted to, because I guess you could say I rock with contemporary struggles and triumphs more, especially when sung to me by Hozier. Anyways, I’ll admit that when I first listened to the first few songs, I was questioning whether or not I would like the rest of the album and deeply saddened by the thought of not loving anything my guy (Hozier) put out there for me. And then the fifth track began:“If the wind turns, if I hit a squall, allow the ground to find its brutal way to me.” And that is how the greatest listening experience of my life began, and never ended. The track that I am referring to is “I, Carrion (Icarian),”  for those who are interested. The title is an obvious reference to the Greek myth of Icarus, the boy who flew too close to the Sun, which Hozier drew inspiration from. According to Greekymythology.com, Icarus and his father were locked in a tower by the King. His father, the master craftsman that he is, makes each of them a pair of wings so that they can escape. He teaches Icarus how to fly and warns him not to fly too close to the Sun because it would melt the wax holding his wings together. Newsflash: he flies too close to the Sun. His wings melt, he falls into the ocean, and drowns. The story is often interpreted as a warning about excessive pride and carelessness. However, Hozier aims to reimagine the story. Hozier explains that this song tries to imagine that Icarus was so “enamored and so breathless and so ectatic in moments that he felt the air brushing him, that he never knew he died.” Icarus wakes up and is in complete denial that he is dead after being in such a place of ecstasy. Mix in a little love song vibes, and you got yourself track five of Unreal, Unearth. It’s magnificent. So yea, this is all I’ve been listening to for the past few months and there is no foreseeable end in sight. TLDR; I think it’s pretty cool of Hozier to bless us with the beautiful masterpiece that is “I, Carrion (Icarian),” but that’s just me.

By Franky Rodriguez What’s up AmFam? Wait, don’t even say anything, I already know what you’re thinking. It’s written all over your face. It reads; “Wow, ever since I moved to the Washington D.C., I’ve had an almost insatiable itch that’s begging to be scratched. Where are the most affordable used bookstores across the D.C. Metropolitan Area? I’ve just got to buy some AFFORDABLE USED BOOKS!” First of all, calm down. There’s no need to yell, the kids just fell asleep and I don’t think either of us wants to have to put them asleep again. Secondly, don’t you worry, because I’ve got the cure for your tiresome woes. I’ve got here with me a list of the best used bookstores in the DMV. Yeah, the best of the best. The best part though is that I’m gonna put you guys on real quick. That’s right, you’re getting the best list of the best (used) books(tores) in the ENTIRE DMV. Don’t say I never did anything for you. Anyway, let’s begin. 4. SECOND STORY BOOKS Yep, we’re gonna start here with a classic. First opening its doors in 1974, this place has become one of the DMV’s finest used bookstore juggernauts. It’s located in Dupont Circle, right off the redline for your convenience. These dudes know their stuff, and you could genuinely lose yourself for hours scanning through their vast selection of rare books. Check it out! 3. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY This intimate little bookstore is located right outside of D.C. in the glorious district of Wheaton-Glenmont. Attached to the Wheaton Library and Recreational Center, this used bookstore offers some of the most affordable used books in the DMV with a constantly expanding book selection of all genres. On top of that, the place sells used records, DVDs, CDs, and comics, all for cheap, I’m talking $2-5 dollars cheap. Make a stop here the next time you’re in Wheaton-Glenmont and get your picture taken in front of the iconic Glenmont water tower! 2. LOST CITY BOOKS 1. The Lantern The Lantern is a non-profit volunteer-run bookstore specializing specifically in used and rare books. Since 1974, the bookstore has been helping fund women in need of financial assistance attending Bryn Mawr. Located in Georgetown, this place has a vast selection of used books, DVDs, Vinyl Records, and CDs. The best part is that the bookstore makes sure to keep all its products extremely affordable! Truly one of the DMV’s finest used bookstore gems.

By Abby Tredway With the fall semester wrapping up, we are headed into a miserable time of the year signified by leafless trees, early sunsets, and, for some, below freezing temperatures. Although many opt for a nice jacket or a soft pair of mittens to keep them warm, I tend to reach for an album to avoid the cold. Over the years, this tendency has led me to accumulate a hefty list of my top picks for the season. Here are my five warmest albums! songs by Adrianne Lenker (2020) This is very possibly my favorite album of all time, and while I reach for it regardless of the season, it is perfect for winter. Released in October of 2020, “songs” has stood the test of time for me, as I have listened to it every day since. I’ve loved and lost and loved again with this album, but, most importantly, I’ve grown with it. The album as a whole is a folksy tribute to love, nature, and what once was. In the most popular song, anything, Lenker laments on a former lover in a beautiful fashion with soft vocals that are a commonality between every song. The pair of her calming vocals and intricate guitar are perfect for laying inside in attempt to warm up after a cold day outside. Every song is incredibly stripped down, mirroring the bareness of the trees in winter. Adrianne Lenker changed my life, and I’m hoping she’ll change yours. 2. Better Oblivion Community Center by Connor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers (2019) Phoebe Bridgers and Bright Eyes frontman Connor Oberst teamed up to form their band Better Oblivion Community Center and released an impressive self-titled album that is perfect for the cold. Both Bridgers and Oberst are known for their writing skills, which means this superteam formulated the perfect album to either cope with seasonal depression or fall deeper into it. Either way, the journey Bridgers and Oberst take you on is worth it. On “Didn’t Know What I Was In For”, both close out the song with a haunting line: “Sit on the couch and think about how living is just a promise that I made.” Sonically, this album is more full than Lenker’s, riddled with drums, multiple guitars, and various other instruments. Both are incredible, but if a slower, more folksy album is not your pick, Better Oblivion Community Center is an incredible option without having to sacrifice the lyricism. 3. The Moldy Peaches by The Moldy Peaches (2001) Led by Kimya Dawson and Adam Green, The Moldy Peaches’ only official album (excluding compilations) is a sweet, honest, and raw collection of songs. Both The Moldy Peaches and Dawson herself found fame after their inclusion in the soundtrack of 2007 film Juno. Michael Cera and Elliot Page came together for a cover of “Anyone Else But You”, which has become a fan-favorite on The Moldy Peaches’ self-titled album. In tracks like “Jorge Regula”, both Green and Dawson opt for a slower pace than their more popular songs, which they are able to do just as well as their faster songs. This album is as versatile as it is sweet, and is it sweet! As a contrast to the other two albums, this one will not leave you feeling upsest and discontented with your place in the world, so it may be a better choice for some. 4. Just Another Diamond Day by Vashti Bunyan (1970) Regardless of the album, Vashti Bunyan is the quintessential winter artist. Her vocals are so incredibly calming, and they are the main focus of her songs. The intrumental takes a backseat and allow Bunyan to ruminate on many topics. This album almost forces you to light a candle and just sit while you listen to her voice. It is perfect for evenings where the sun sets sooner than it did previously and you’re waiting for something to do. 5. Bavarian Fruit Bread by Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions (2001) Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval and My Bloody Valentine’s Colm O’Ciosoig teamed up to create a slow, reflective album that perfectly fits the season. The sound is in character for both Mazzy Star and My Bloody Valentine, but it is also a perfect blend of the two separate bands. None of these songs have the simple structure of most common songs, which allows the listener to think more about what is being said. This album is great wintery dream pop, and won’t leave you feeling too sad. Both Mazzy Star and My Bloody Valentine are more wintery artists for me, and this doesn’t change with this pairing.

By Thomas Weaverling The sun has already begun to set before 5 pm and the cold has officially arrived, meaning one thing: seasonal depression is imminent. As we enter this difficult portion of the year, creative hobbies have never been more important. If you are in high school or college and are active on social media, it’s likely that you have experienced the phenomenon of doom scrolling. For those unfamiliar with the term, doom scrolling refers to the action of compulsively scrolling on social media that often produces feelings of isolation or anxiety. You likely are well aware of the effects that social media can have on one’s mental health, but what can be done to avoid doom scrolling? Although well-intended actions, simply deleting social media or limiting screen time is not enough, as something is needed to replace the time that would have originally been spent online. Without a substitute for this time, the urge to doom scroll will not disappear. Thus, creative hobbies are the perfect replacement for social media. A creative hobby can be nearly anything that involves creating something, whether it be a unique creation or something produced from a pattern. Some examples of creative hobbies are drawing, painting, crocheting, knitting, writing, even cooking. You may be intimidated by some of these activities that involve creating unique work such as painting and drawing, a feeling that I can personally empathize with. However, other hobbies such as crocheting and knitting involve following patterns, meaning no innovation is required. I personally recommend the art of crocheting, an activity in which a hook is used to loop yarn in order to create nearly anything, primarily articles such as blankets or sweaters, although the possibilities are endless. I have been crocheting for nearly six months and have thoroughly enjoyed each and every project. Crocheting has significantly improved my own mental health as I have been able to find fulfillment in creating something that is tangible. Additionally, I have been able to make multiple gifts for friends that have all been incredibly rewarding. As the holidays approach, being able to make personalized gifts is an invaluable skill. The best part about creating is that I am able to consume media while crocheting, whether it be listening to music or watching a show. Although it is beyond okay to watch a movie while not doing anything, for those who find contentment in being productive but also like to consume media, crafts are perfect. While crocheting, I love to listen to the H3 podcast (shoutout family) or watch movies that have been on my watch list for far too long. As we enter the Winter, I challenge you to pick up a new hobby to fight back against the looming seasonal depression. If you are like me and have the incessant urge to be productive but are also an avid consumer of media, you should definitely find a craft and try it out!

By CJ Kula This semester has been brutal, and this past week has been no exception. If your professors are like mine, they have loaded all the final project assignments onto you the day before break. But that’s all in the past now! You have (hopefully) submitted all those assignments and you are ready for a much-needed break. Personally, I will spend this time with my family watching some of my favorite fall comfort movies. Without further ado, here are three movies to watch with family and friends over break. 1. Addams Family Values (1993) This film is the sequel to The Addams Family, but it works perfectly well on its own. After giving birth to their son Pubert, Gomez and Morticia hire a nanny to care for him. This nanny is the iconic villain of the story, Debbie, who marries and murders rich men for their money. Her next victim is Uncle Fester, who falls hopelessly in love with her. Meanwhile, Debbie sends Wednesday and Pugsley to a summer camp, where they are part of a Thanksgiving play. In true Addams family fashion, Wednesday gives an iconic speech and burns the set to the ground. This movie is full of incredible scenes, including Debbie’s origin story. She explains that for her tenth birthday, she got a Malibu Barbie instead of a Ballerina Barbie, so she burned down her family’s house. Despite their quirks, the Addams family is one of the best depictions of a loving and supportive family in media, and I will continue to watch this movie every year. 2. The Muppet Movie (1979) This is a little self-indulgent, but I will put this movie on every list until the end of time. It is one of my comfort films. It is a film within a film, the story of how the Muppets met. The movie follows Kermit the Frog from his swamp to Hollywood, meeting and picking up new friends as he goes. They are chased by a classic villain, Doc Hopper, who wants Kermit to advertise his fried frog legs. Even though they have just met, the Muppets band together against Hopper to achieve their dreams in Hollywood. They all come from different backgrounds, but as they sit in the theater watching their origin story, it is clear that the Muppets are family. 3. Lilo & Stitch (2002) You could argue that this is a summer movie but hear me out: It’s about family. It’s about how family can be put through the wringer and still be okay in the end. Experiment 626 escapes and crashes on Kaua’i, Hawaii, where he is sent to an animal shelter. Nani is Lilo’s older sister and guardian, who is trying to prove to a social worker that she can take care of Lilo. They adopt Experiment 626, now called Stitch, and Lilo forms a special bond with him. In the end, Nani, Lilo, and Stitch are a unique family that neither social workers nor aliens can tear apart.

By Ava Stern Badass. Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang explains what female rage is and what it feels like. Set in 1950s Upstate New York, this novel follows five high school girls as they form “Foxfire” their version of a gang. Vengeance remains the main value of every member and it gets them into quite a lot of trouble. The best part about this book is probably the revenge. The girls mainly target predatory men and boys in the name of feminism and women empowerment. This novel is fast-paced in a stream-of-consciousness format that feels like you’re right in the backseat of the getaway car fleeing the scene with Foxfire. The leader/founder of Foxfire, Margaret “Legs” Sadovsky is a portrait of an independent and determined young woman. The way that Oates describes her character is intoxicating, with such a strong personality and way with people that encapsulates what it feels like to be a high school girl. What I liked most about this book is how the character Legs changes. She may run a girl gang and steal cars and break the law, but she is still a high school girl. She is both naive and aware at once. Confronted with problems at home, Legs uses her girls to escape and make a life for herself. At the end of the novel, the girls of Foxfire rent a house and it serves as a kind of haven for any girl who needs a place to stay. The overwhelming theme of sisterhood is comforting and reminds me of the close female relationships and groups I have been a part of. When they all lived together, it kind of reminded me of summer camp, when we all would sleep in the cabin together and spill every secret and regret. Sisterhood is such a powerful force and Oates managed to spell it out on the page. When I finished this book, I seriously considered a tattoo with the Foxfire symbol. One of my favorite reads this summer. “I look back now to that first year that was FOXFIRE’s supreme happiest time but we didn’t know it then, you never know at the time. Living’s immediacy, you go full sail, you’re in a fever of motion. Until it’s safe and past and down and dead and you can say, like walking from a dream. ‘Yes I was happy then, yes now it’s all over and I can see I was happy then.’ Maybe that’s the advantage of dying?” (Pg 56). Want more book reviews by Ava? Check out her blog: http://bookmarkedblog.net/

By Ava Stern Once is Not Enough by Jaqueline Susann takes the reader to the 70s to follow the tumultuous life of January Wayne, daughter of a movie mogul, as she runs into tragedy after tragedy. Heavily focused on the Electra complex of January, Susann shows her deepest desires through each life decision she makes. Along with the everlasting competition with anyone her father shows interest in, January channels her subconscious desire through her desired partners, including an older man with a history with her father. After reading this book, I felt satisfied and excited, dreaming of a New York with $100 rent and champagne at the Plaza. Although the novel deals with pretty heavy topics of sex and drugs, the aesthetic and characterization of the main characters are easy to fall in love with. Throughout the novel, I felt drawn to and fascinated by the character Karla, an immigrant with a sad story who became a worldwide sensation. Her connections to the main character January are complicated, yet she symbolizes the opposite of January. Karla grew up with nothing and had to work very hard and eventually lived a quiet life, whereas January grew up with immense privilege and just then was starting her life. In chapter thirteen, Karla’s whole life is explained. Starting in Wilno, Poland in 1920, an excruciating painful story of her life is told. This chapter provided perspective and a zoomed-out point of view for all the characters in the novel and gave great details that helped me understand the complex character Karla. This element of the book had themes of historical fiction which I greatly appreciated. The use of flashbacks and storytelling was crucial for the characterization of this novel. “No! She cried out. ‘Once is not enough! Oh, Mother, how did you ever live through it as long as you did!” (Page 464) It always is satisfying to find the title of the book in the text. This quote connects January to her Mother, who left her when she was young. This agonizing cry for help really shows how much January’s Electra complex affected her (no spoilers). Once is Not Enough is now my second favorite book. I give it 5/5 stars! For more book reviews by Ava check out her blog: http://bookmarkedblog.net/