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5 More Poems to Get You Into the Halloween Spirit

Posted on by emilylizthompson

It’s the spookiest week of the year! In a few short days it will be Halloween, the day I take my final spooky form. It is also sadly the last week of spooky season. In honor of this fun time, I’m back with one last week of spooky content. This week we’re continuing with the wonderful world of poetry. It’s part two! This time we have a mixture of poems outright spooky, and those that capture the eerie vibe of the season. 

  1. “To — — –. Ulalume: A Ballad”- Edgar Allen Poe

It’s no surprise that part two of this list features another Poe poem. He is the king of gothic poetry after all! The tale told in this poem has a melancholy and mysterious vibe that is perfect for spooky season. Poe is great at creating the atmosphere  and setting for this poem. By the time he introduces the characters of this poem, you have a vivid idea of the world around them. He is also great at building suspense. You find yourself wondering what happened that night in October. Then, the poem beautifully brings us with the speaker back into the past when he lost his love. It’s a sad but beautiful poem that is worth checking out. If you want to read this poem,  check out the link in the poem’s title.

  1. “Windigo”- Louise Erdrich 

This poem’s title is named after the supernatural creature from Native-American folklore. The wendigo is a terrifying creature that is created after a human resorts to cannibalism. It wanders with the eternal hunger for human flesh. This poem is from the perspective of this creature. A fascinating way to build suspense and create the eerie tone that makes this poem so great. It’s also a very interesting glimpse into the lore of the Chippewa tribe. Eridich builds a vivid world within this poem. You can hear the woods and touch the objects described in the poem.  If you want a twist on the eerie side of legendary creatures, check out the link in the poem’s title.

  1. “Little Orphant Annie”- James Whitcomb Riley

This poem is a mixture of a nursery rhyme and a Brothers Grimm story. In this tale, an orphan named Annie tells stories to scare the kids of the family who employ her. We have another goblin poem, of course. Goblins are perfect supernatural creatures for the spooky season. This poem is a great example of a poem written phonetically. You can almost hear the speaker’s accent as they remember Annie’s tales and personality. I love this one because, as I said earlier, it reminds me of the Brothers Grimm tales that used to spook me as a child. If you want to dramatically read a spooky poem to a younger sibling or child, this is a perfect option. It is the fun side of spooky, and is fun for all ages! As long as there are night lights nearby, of course. If you want to read this tale to your friends, check out the link in the poem’s title.

  1. “The Haunted Wood”- Issac McLellan 

This poem tells the story of a haunted wood, as you could probably guess from the title. It is another poem with a great atmosphere. McLellan even uses language that reminds me of a story that is recited around a campfire on a cool autumn night. He also uses great language to make the world of this poem vivid. This poem gives us a glimpse into the stories of the souls who are buried in the wood. You can hear the echo of these characters as you read on. As a sucker for an atmospheric spooky tale, this is a great poem. If you want to take a trip into the woods, check out the link in the poem’s title. 

  1. “Beyond the Last Lamp”- Thomas Hardy

This list wouldn’t be complete without more ghosts. In this poem, Hardy takes us on a journey down a lane. A lane that brings the speaker to a common sight…or is it? If you could not tell by the rest of this list, I love spooky poems that have a vivid setting that adds to the eerie feeling. A lane itself is not eerie. A lane past the last light during a dark, rainy night adds a new edge to this story. Anyone who has walked in a rainy, dark wood knows how it elevates any normal situation. Add in some specters and you’ve got a poem perfect for the Halloween season. If you want to go down the mysterious lane, check out the link in the poem’s title.

What did you think of these five poems? Are there any spooky poems that you love to read that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below! We are just a few days from the spookiest time of year! I hope you are able to celebrate it safely. I recommend having a movie marathon or a spooky reading session. Let me know in the comments what your plans are for this Halloween. Next week starts NaNoWriMo, also known as National Novel Writing Month. In honor of my third year, I’ll be doing NaNoWriMo themed content for the month of November. Join me next week for the start of my 2020 writing adventure and possibly a snarky writer’s woes. Thanks so much for reading and happy Halloween!

5 Poems to Get You Into the Halloween Spirit

Posted on by emilylizthompson

It’s spooky season time! If you have read any of my blog posts this month, you’ve probably noticed that I love Halloween. With Halloween, comes a lot of spooky content that is sure to get you into the spirit. Whether you are a movie fan or a book lover, there’s something for you. There’s more than movies and books to get you into the Halloween spirit, though. Throughout history, there’s been enough spooky poems to make even Edgar Allen Poe happy. I’ve found a few that will get you into the spooky spirit!

  1. “The Raven”– Edgar Allen Poe

It wouldn’t be a spooky poetry list without mentioning Mr. Poe at least once. This is one of his most iconic poems. It also includes one of his most iconic lines, where a raven speaks the words “Nevermore”. This is a great poem to check out if you are in a mood for a spooky story. It channels the eerie feeling of a foggy Fall evening. The mood that Poe does so well, and it prevalent in almost all of his poems. If you want to continue down this eerie aesthetic, Poe is the perfect place to start. If you want to read more of this poem, check out the link in the poem’s title.

  1. “Goblin Market”– Christina Rossetti

“Goblin Market” is a different kind of vibe from “The Raven”. This poem reminds me of old fairy tales like those written down by the Brothers Grimm. There’s a mixture of a seemingly light-hearted character and a dark situation. The poem tells the tale of two sisters who come across a goblin market. It is said that those who eat the fruit of the goblins are never the same, and yet one girl is still tempted to visit these mysterious creatures. If you are a fan of that Grimm vibe and goblins, this is a poem for you. It’s spooky factor falls in the risk of this tale instead of straight horror. Still, it’s worth a read during this season. If you want to take a safe trip to the market of goblins, check out the link in the poem’s title.

  1. “Song of the Witches” from Macebeth– William Shakespeare

Like Poe, my list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this poem from the scottish play. This poem is what people imitate when they pretend to be witches. Shakespeare’s influence can be seen through the witch costumes  and bubbling cauldrons we see on Halloween night. His poem also is a bit more light-hearted compared to the others on this list. Maybe not in the context of the play. Outside of the murder plot, this poem is a fun thing to recite when you’re passing candy to children. Bonus points if you are dressed as a witch. Even if we can’t trick-or-treat this year, you can still enjoy the fun side of Halloween with this poem. If you want to read the full version of this spell, check out the link in the poem’s title.

  1. “Mary’s Ghost: A Pathetic Ballad”– Thomas Hood

Now we take a sharp left from more light-hearted to super dark. If you aren’t a fan of bones or graves, turn back now. This poem was written by Thomas Hood in the 1820s. During this time, there was a surge of medical students robbing graves to study anatomy. There were even a few students who decided to make their own corpses. In this tale, Mary is the poor victim of one of these grave robbings. This poem goes a bit into what they have done with poor Mary’s bones through the eyes of her ghost. Her ghost appears to a young William, who has to wake up to all this terrible news. Not a fun way to wake up, I’m sure. This poem has a good mixture of dark Regency era history and a bit of spooky vibes. If you want to take a trip into the darker side of history, check out the link in the poem’s title.

  1. “Ghost House”– Robert Frost.

Last but not least, this wonderful poem by Robert Frost. We’ve talked about witches and skeletons, now it’s time to hit on another common symbol of the spooky season; the haunted house. This poem does an awesome job of painting a picture of this decrepit house. It feels like you are walking through an old house full of dust and creaky floorboards. What remains is something that feels eerie in the dark, even if it was once a lovely house. This poem is told from the point of view of a mysterious presence, who may not be alone. It’s an interesting spin on spooky old houses and the ghosts that live within them. If you want to visit this eerie house, check out the link in the poem’s title.

Have you read any of these poems? Is there a poem you love to read during the Halloween season? Let me know in the comments below! I’m sure many of you will be thinking “what about this poem” or “how could she forget this amazing work?” Well friends, I might have a solution for you. This is only part one of my poetry list. It was so hard to narrow it down to five, that it ended up being ten wonderful poems that I had to split up into two parts. In two weeks we’ll be taking another trip to spooky poetry land, so get ready! Any spooky poetry recommendations are still encouraged, of course. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, and happy reading!

4 Reasons Why You Need to Read Good Omens this Fall

Posted on by emilylizthompson

Fall is one of my favorite times to read books. This is when I can let my mystery and fantasy nerd run wild in the spirit of spooky season! These books can be read year-round, but there’s a great atmosphere when reading them between the months of September and November. One of the books I love reading this time of year is the classic by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Good Omens. This book is full of attributes that make it a fun read when the leaves start to turn. Not convinced? I have four reasons why you should reconsider!

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  1. Crowley and Aziraphel’s dynamic 

Crowley and Aziraphale are the main characters of this story, and an unlikely duo. Crowley is a demon formerly known as the snake in the garden of Eden, and Aziraphale is angel previously on guarding duty.  A demon and an angel? Friends? It’s an interesting dynamic that Gaiman and Pratchett play into well. These two are a bit like a celestial odd couple, sassy remarks and all. Crowley and Aziraphale have known each other for roughly 4,000 years, which adds an interesting layer to their relationship. They make many quips about “my side vs. your side”, but they’re still fond of each other. These two create a good bit of the humor and plot points that make this story exciting. So many quotable moments are ahead of you with these two. 

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  1. The humor

I must give a disclaimer when discussing the humor of Good Omens. This book is written by two English authors. That means the humor is very British, aka dry and sarcastic. If that is not your scene, then the humor of this book may not be for you. As a lover of British content and sarcastic humor, I gravitated towards this book like a moth to flame. A lot of this humor comes from the twists that the authors concoct. I don’t want to give everything away, but the obstacles put in the characters’ paths are both interesting and funny. Another thing that adds to the humor of this book is the character dynamics. There are many characters in this story, all of whom play a part in the coming apocalypse. As the characters come together, you get a fun mesh of different personalities playing off each other. And, of course, the word choices are perfect to add that dry British humor to this story.

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  1. So many ways to enjoy the story!

Are you a reader? A fan of booktapes? Or maybe you prefer to enjoy storytelling through tv or movies? Well, this story is for you! One of the awesome things about Good Omens is the many ways you can enjoy the story. There’s the classic novel, which is a great way to enjoy the story. If you are more of a book tape fan, Audible has multiple versions that you can enjoy. The BBC has a dramatized version of the book tape told by different actors. It has also been adapted for the screen! Amazon Prime recently released a miniseries version of Good Omens starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen. The miniseries has some changes, but it’s still a very faithful adaptation of the book. Pick one, or all, and you’re sure to have a great time!

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  1. The world building 

While this story is about the end of the world, it still has a great use of world building. The book and the miniseries are great at introducing you to the world Crowley and Aziraphale live in. While the setting is England, the world of these characters involves a good bit of supernatural and otherworldly entities. For example; the story does a great job of describing Heaven and Hell, as well as those who inhabit them. My favorite version of this is when the story goes on to describe how, if ever, angels and demons dance. This is even better in the miniseries, where they use visual gags to add humor and get the point across. They also use verses from Revelations as a jumping off point. Often they flip them on their head as well, which adds a fun depth and twist to the world. 

Good Omens has been a fun part of my life since I first read it in college. I was happy to join the multitude of fans who love this book. It’s a fun, satirical book that is a perfect read to enjoy on a cool fall day. Or any day, really. Have you ever read Good Omens? What did you think about it? If you end up watching or reading this story in the future, please let me know. I’m excited to hear more people’s thoughts. Also, if you have any books that you have to read every fall, please let me know in the comments below. I would love some new book recommendations. Thanks so much for checking out my post, and happy reading!

A Reader’s Mystery Challenge

Posted on by emilylizthompson

I love Agatha Christie. If you have visited this blog before, you’ve probably gathered that. Her sharp wit and intriguing plots called to me when I delved deeper into the world of mysteries. I knew of her, as many people know of Arthur Conan Doyle and Shakespeare. Just the main facts and a bit of knowledge about the stories that made them famous. As I lived with a Sherlock Holmes lover for many years, I knew a fair amount about his creator. But I didn’t get into Agatha’s world until later in my reading career.

Agatha Christie lived an extraordinary life, and had a writing career that many writers would dream of. Overtime she wrote 66 detective novels, 14 short stories, plays, and romance novels. How the woman managed to create and solve that many mysteries still baffles me. She is an inspiration to me both as a writer, and as a woman. She traveled all over the world and wrote these locations into her novels. She even disappeared when she was younger and evaded the police for eleven days before reappearing. What an awesome lady! In some ways, I hope to be like her when I grow up.

This year marks the 100th anniversary for the release of her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles. The first time the world met the eccentric but lovable Hercule Poirot. The man whose sharp wit still attracts readers today. I didn’t have the chance to read this Poirot story until very recently, when I was able to listen to an Audible version. It certainly started him off with a bang! In honor of this anniversary, I have revisited a goal that I jokingly made one November evening. I had just finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which I threw across my dorm room because of my frustration with Agatha. Not at her lack of plot or writing style, far from it. I was livid that she was so good! I couldn’t figure out how she managed to put her red herrings in the perfect spots. I imagined her laughing to herself, thinking about how I, around 90 years later, would suspect the correct culprit. But I would be thrown off by a tiny nugged she planted, and ignore the other signs until the final shoe dropped. After that evening, I set a goal for myself. Before I die, I want to read all of her work.

This goal is not a crazy one. There are people the same age as me, or younger, who have already completed this goal. But the vast world of books is large, and so is her catalogue. Still, I want to go on this reading quest. At first, I foolishly believed I could read all of these works by my 26th birthday next March. Seeing as I have only read 8 of her books and plays so far, that was a dumb idea. Instead, I decided to push the date to a slightly more feasible time. Before I turn thirty, around five years from now, I want to finish these books. Five years seems like a long time to finish 70-something books, especially when I try to read 40 books a year. But, like many readers, I have books I want to read every year. And many of her novels feel at home in the crisp autumn air more than the balming heat of summer. This means many of the mystery novels I read aren’t opened again until the first of September. Despite all of this, I am determined to read all of these stories. I can do it! And you can too!

Have you read all of Agatha’s stories? If so, which ones were your favorite? This list is a bit overwhelming, so a few suggestions would be a great jumping off point! If you’ve never read an Agatha Christie, I highly recommend checking them out. Especially if you love mysteries with a good plot twist. You might even decide to join me on this quest to read them all. Trust me, I have a feeling it will be worth it. Happy reading everyone!

5 GIFS That Perfectly Show A Fiction Lover’s Reaction to Non-fiction

Posted on by emilylizthompson

If the title didn’t give you a hint, I love reading fiction. There are so many fun options and genres to choose from! I could jump into the world of historical fiction, or go on a quest with Harry to find the horcruxes. I could help Holmes and Watson solve a mystery, and even journey on a flying steamship to London. The prospect of visiting all these worlds makes my fingers itch to open another book. If you put a non-fiction book in front of me, the reaction is not the same. In fact, I often have the exact opposite feelings. I found five gifs that perfectly describe my experience reading non-fiction. They might line up with your experience as well!

  1.  After you read a stereotypical non-fiction book. 

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  1. When someone tells you they found a non-fiction book that even fiction lovers would like. 

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  1. Me trying to read a non-fiction book once a year as someone out of school. 

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  1. When I found a non-fiction book that I thought I’d like but I ended up hating it. 

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  1. When I finally find a non-fiction book with an interesting topic and writing style 

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Are you a fiction lover? What’s your experience when reading non-fiction? Have you found any non-fiction books that are perfect for fiction lovers? Let me know in the comments below! If you’re a non-fiction lover, do you have any recommendations? I’d love to give non-fiction novels another shot. Especially historical non-fiction! Thanks so much for checking out my post and happy reading!

Why I love Fairy Tale Adaptations

Posted on by emilylizthompson

Did the title of this blog post give you déjà vu? If so, then you know that I’ve already nerded out once before about adaptations. What can I say, they’re a fun genre that I can’t resist.  But I’ve scratched the smallest surface of the genre. Last time, I spun a tale of my history with mythology adaptations. Today, it’s time to jump back down the adaptation rabbit hole. I wanted to nerd out over my first literary adaptation love: fairytale adaptations. 

Like many kids, I grew up reading fairy tales. My personal favorites were Grimm’s fairy tales. I loved the countless little stories about animals, heroes, and magical creatures. My childhood book of fairy tales had a worn spine by the time my sister and I got older. Even as a 25-year-old, I still have a book full of the complete Grimm’s fairy tales. But I did go through a phase where the traditional fairy tales seemed a bit stale. Sure, I loved the classics, but there are so many times that you can reread The Golden Goose. During that time, I began to notice a lot of fairytale adaptations entering the reading scene. There was Y.A. rom-com adaptations, more adult takes, and the classic “dark-retelling” of some classic tales. 

One of the first adaptations I remember reading was Cinderellis and the Glass Hill by Gail Carson Levine. It was a fun twist on the story of Cinderella, with some elements of other stories sprinkled in with a bit of humor. Levine has done many other fairytale adaptations, like Ella Enchanted and Fairest. Her versions of these classic tales made me interested in the art of storytelling. When I was older, books like Geek Charming introduced me to a fun and quirky way to retell some of my favorite fairy tales. 

Reading these stories excited me because of the creativity involved. Sure, these stories aren’t new, but it’s so fun to see where the twist comes in. Sometimes it’s witty humor or a deep sense of world-building.  Or it could be genderbent characters and modern settings. These elements give fresh life to the stories, and even expand on some parts of the original tales.   You could read the banter of characters interacting who are from different stories. Or you could enjoy a steampunk version of a classic story. The possibilities are endless!

One day, I want to write my own fairy tale adaptation with a twist. In the meantime, I’m delving into interesting fairy tales from many different cultures. It’s so fun to learn about the folklore of these parts of the world. I also love seeing how iconic stories translate in different cultures. What is your favorite fairy tale that you’d love to see adapted in some way? What’s your favorite fairy tale adaptation? Let me know in the comments below! I’m excited to hear your thoughts, and hopefully learn about some new tales. Happy reading everyone!

Why I love Mythology Adaptations

Posted on by emilylizthompson

When I was a young girl, I lived in a world of stories. Bedtime stories full of adventures and the lives of little women, TV shows teaching me to read, and more. When I could put the sentences together on my own, I opened myself up to a new world of imagination. One day, my mom bought me a kid’s version of Greek mythology and the rest is history. 

Since that time around the age of 7, I’ve gone through an on and off relationship with mythology. It was fascinating to hear the stories of people thousands of years back in time. I could understand their version of why the sun set, why the seasons change, even the origin of arachnids. During my off time with mythology, I came across a series that many know well: Percy Jackson.

Percy Jackson introduced me to a new world of storytelling: adaptations of mythology. Through Percy’s snarky point of view, I relearned some things and even learned a few new things along the way. It was a wonderful combination of a more dynamic tone with a nod to the stories I knew and loved. After devouring that series, I went on a quest to find more stories adapting all types of mythology. 

 Twelve years later, I’m still drawn to these adaptations. I love the way these storytellers breathe new life into stories. From podcasts to musicals, the opportunities are endless. I can see the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice in a new time. Modern storytellers can weave the stories in a modern tone and bring a new understanding. What brings me the most joy about these is not only the new life it creates for these stories. It is the knowledge that somewhere, someone will pick up an adaptation for the first time. And after their interest has peaked, they might go down the mythology rabbit hole and find a new thing to love. 

What do you think of mythology adaptations? Do you have a favorite one? Let me know in the comments below! After many years as a fan of mythology, I’m always excited to find a new version of a classic story. Bonus points if it introduces me to a new world of mythology that I’ve never visited before. Thanks so much for tuning in to my nerdy gushing, and happy reading!

A Goodreads 2020 Update!

Posted on by emilylizthompson

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow we’ll be into month seven of 2020! To call this year a wild-ride would most likely be an understatement. Every week I have thought “I wonder what surprise occurrence will happen this time.” Like I said in my last post, I have been able to focus more on my hobbies to keep my spirits up. One of the small silver linings of this time is that I have more time to read. And since I’ve laid out a more challenging Goodreads goal this year, it’s a welcome opportunity.

When I discovered the Goodreads challenge a few years ago, I found it a way to make my reading feel productive. Recently, I’ve been procrastinating on doing some productive things by doing others. Instead of vacuuming, I’m watching a video about a historical figure. When I should be searching the internet for blog inspiration, I’m reading. It has been a great way to feel that I’ve accomplished something during this weird time vortex.

Thanks to the miracle of book tapes and intriguing storytelling, I’ve clocked myself in at 24 books as of the publication of this post. To my utter excitement, I’m 5 books ahead of schedule. According to the Goodreads site, that is. There’s hope that I’ll wrap up with 40 books, or maybe even more, by Jan 1, 2021!

While this is exciting, I haven’t challenged myself with a book recently. I’ve been diving into the glorious world of beach mysteries and fun rom-coms. These are lovely books to read, but I wanted to add some classics and “challenging” reads to my reading list. I want to learn, to grow as a person in this crazy world we live in. I also want to beef up my random fact repertoire, which I feel has been a bit stagnant since I graduated college. Either way, I’m looking forward to the new worlds and stories that are in my future

Do you have any book recommendations that you think I should add to my list? How is your Goodreads challenge going? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks so much for checking out my blog. I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for around eight months! It makes me so happy that my words are interesting enough for you to return for new posts. I hope y’all have a great week, and happy reading!

10 things I want to see in the Percy Jackson Adaptation on Disney+

Posted on by emilylizthompson

A few weeks ago, Rick Riordan confirmed something that Percy Jackson fans hoped for years. In the future, Disney+ will release a Percy Jackson series! As someone who grew up loving the original series, I was ecstatic to hear the news. The series is full of amazing moments that were either altered or cut in the movies that won’t be named. With a series lead by Uncle Rick, it’s likely that we’ll get to see some of our favorite moments in live-action.  In anticipation, I tried to imagine some of the moments I’m dying to see on screen. There are countless quips, hilarious moments, and even heart wrenching scenes. Here are a few that I can’t wait to see in the series. 

  1. The Nobody jokes from Sea of Monsters

 As a mythology nerd and someone with fond memories of the Odyssey, I was so happy to see these jokes in the books. It’s not as long running as the dam joke, but it’s still pretty great. It’s a cool mix of informative and a way to highlight the sass and quick wit of the characters in the book. 

  1. Mr. D being Mr D.

Something that I missed in the movies was the full character of Mr. D, aka Dionysus. I loved the dynamic between Percy and Mr. D, especially in the later stories.  At the beginning, their relationship is more for laughs and sass. This part of the story offers a lot of great comedic opportunities. In the later books, we start to see a more “human” side of Mr. D through all the intentional name-calling. It was nice to see a god care about his kids, especially during a book where many half-bloods were struggling with their absentee godly parents. 

  1. Grover and Percy’s bond 

Something that I really liked about the story was Grover and Percy’s mental bond. The dreams and mental communication added a lot to the story and their friendship. We got to see a bit of their friendship in the movies, but we missed what made their bond so special. It would also be a fun thing to shoot in tv show format, so I hope we get to see that done well.

  1. The sassy chapter titles… in any way possible please

This is a lot harder to include than the other items on this list, but I hope they can find a way. The chapter titles were one of my favorite parts of the series because they illustrate the tone of the book so well. And this girl loves creative sass, so they need to include them somehow. Maybe episode titles? I’m sure Uncle Rick will think of something.

  1. Apollo’s puns and crappy poetry

Apollo is more of a side character in this series, but he has some memorable moments in the series. As a pun lover, I loved his puns and hilariously crappy poetry. It was a fun juxtaposition from the Greek mythology version of Apollo. It also makes his more serious moments more impactful to the series. 

  1. Tyson and Percy’s Relationship

Tyson and Percy’s relationship is something that I want to see grow on screen. At the beginning, Percy was definitely frustrated at the fact that there was another son of Poseidon. But overtime, there’s a great growth in their relationship that also helps Percy and Tyson grow as demigods. It’s a great example of how sibling relationships can help you grow, even if you aren’t on great terms at the start. Also, I loved their interactions in the book. I want to see that wholesome mix of annoyed brother and cinnamon-roll brother on screen!

  1. Rachel Dare

I have to admit, Rachel Dare annoyed me a bit when we first met her. But over time, I grew to appreciate her character and arc. She can see through the mist, which is rare for anyone mortal. In fact, one of the few who can in the books is Luke’s mom. Rachel’s story has the risk of going down the same path as Luke’s mom, but she instead takes the reigns of the Oracle with determination. Being chosen by Apollo is a huge help to avoid Mrs. Castellan’s fate. I also want to see Rachel’s story arc because she is a dynamic person who, despite her lack of demigod strength, plays a big role in saving the world. So awesome.

  1. Blackjack and Mrs. O’Leary

Blackjack and Mrs. O’Leary are a great part of the series. They may not be primary characters of the books, but they help the primary characters move the plot along in great ways. Blackjack, as Percy’s Pegasus, is helpful to him in battle or when the demigods are trying to escape. Also, he’s hilarious and helps keep the sassy tone of the books with his quips. I just want to see a flying horse demand donuts. Is that too much to ask? Mrs. O’Leary is a great character, because she expands the lore of the story and is a great dynamic for Percy. Giant hellhound with the personality of a puppy? So many great situations to play out on screen. 

  1. The stakes

Something that I appreciate about the Percy Jackson series is that it’s real to an extent about the cost of war. You know why these kids are choosing to spend their summers learning to fight. There are stakes when the impending battle against Kronos grows closer. People die, people get hurt, and even betray each other. In the movies, it felt like the stakes weren’t at the same level. It is a Disney+ show for kids, so they obviously can’t go too far, but it’s important to show that the kids at Camp Half-Blood are fighting a dividing battle. A few of these moments for me that were super important was when Bekendorf died, and Silena’s betrayal afterwards. It  reminded the readers that those fighting in this war were teenagers. It also showed the sacrifices they had to make to get them to the Battle of Manhattan.

  1. More of the campers and their shenanigans 

The quests are an exciting part of what makes the Percy Jackson series great, but the camp is just as important. It’s the home base, where Percy learns more about being a demigod and trains for his future adventures. Another great thing about the camp is that we get to see the other demigod’s shenanigans and personalities. The Hermes cabin is always up for a prank, and the fun rivalries always brought about fun moments. I hope that the show will include some of these not only so we get to know more demigods, but also to change up the pace a bit. Quests back to back is fun, but after awhile it can get boring. That’s why the books have the camp adventures woven in, and why the show needs to include these moments also. 

What are some things you want to see in the Percy Jackson adaptation? Do you have any theories about casting or what they’re going to include? Let me know in the comments below! I’m so excited see the series, and hope it goes well. Happy reading everyone!

10 Iconic Shakespeare Insults

Posted on by emilylizthompson

If someone mentioned William Shakespeare, what would first come to mind? Great plays? A ton of sonnets? Or maybe you’re someone who recalls falling asleep to Shakespeare in English class. Either way, Shakespeare’s name usually brings back memories. Due to prose and old language in his plays, many people forget one of the best parts about Shakespeare: his witty remarks. Shakespeare’s work is full of iconic insults and comebacks that are still great to this day. Here are a few iconic insults and comebacks that you might even want to use in your own life.

  1. This comeback for someone being an idiot
  1. When an obnoxious person pisses you off
  1. The sassiest burn…no pun intended.
  1. A great response for a person being sassy for no reason
  1. For anyone being a terrible person. Or for laughs
  1. A creative comeback
  1. A burn destined for the biggest idiot
  1. The most modern sounding Shakespeare insult ever.
  1. One of the best bants from Much Ado About Nothing
  1. The perfect comeback to use when you’re done with someone.

What are some of your favorite Shakespeare insults or comebacks? Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play? Let me know in the comments below! I had such a great time looking into witty Shakespeare comebacks. If you need something to spice up your day, take the time to look up some more great Shakespeare comebacks. You won’t regret it. Happy reading!