Jacqueline West, Author of the Books of Elsewhere » Glad to live in a world where there are Octobers

Glad to live in a world where there are Octobers

October 15, 2015 Tags: All Hallow's Read, Events, Reading, TCBF, The Books of Elsewhere, This is Halloween

(Anne Shirley and I are kindred spirits.)

It’s my favorite month. Blustery days. The light that falls through red and gold leaves. Jack-o’-lanterns and cider and eerie stories read while wrapped up in a blanket. Beren highly recommends BabyLit’s Dracula; he’s been practicing counting wolves and castles and rats and garlic blossoms, and occasionally howling like a true little child of the night. I highly recommend Through the Woods, by Emily Carroll — twisted, brilliant, beautiful, and terrifying comics that take folk and fairy tales to even darker places — and Get in Trouble, Kelly Link‘s latest collection of gobsmackingly good short stories. Or, of course, you could read The Books of Elsewhere. I hear they’re perfect for Halloween season. Especially Volume Four. (And if you liked them, you could recommend them to other readers, which is the best possible Halloween gift you could possibly give an author. Just saying.)

October is also the month of the Twin Cities Book Festival. If you’re anywhere in the area, come to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Saturday the 17th for a truly incredible day of readings, signings, panels, talks, and bookish fun. I’ll be moderating a Middle Grade Adventures panel featuring Lynne Jonell (The Sign of the Cat), D.J. MacHale (Voyagers: Project Alpha), and Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis (The Map to Everywhere), and in true middle grade style, we’re going to play Truth or Dare. Come join the fun: 12:15 p.m., 10/17, Middle Grade Headquarters. (And the whole incredible day is FREE!) Lots more info here: http://www.raintaxi.com/twin-cities-book-festival/

Along with the leaves, events for the next school year are beginning to pile up… Keep an eye on my appearance calendar if you’d like to know where I’ll be.

And for even more autumnal richness, The Books of Elsewhere, Volume Five: Still Life is a finalist for this year’s Silver Falchion Award, as well as being up for the Reader’s Choice Award — go and vote, if you’re so inclined.

Happy October to all you kindred spirits out there.

Comments (24)

Oh my goodness… Berenice is so adorable! How old is he now? Jack is 8 and 1/2 months old now. And I wish I could go to the Twin Cities book festival thingy, but we have family pictures that afternoon. Oh well. And happy halloween!!! And as always, stay amazing, Jacqueline. Good night, good health, and good luck.

XOXO, Nicole 🙂 😉 😀 😛

Comment by Nicole on October 15, 2015 @ 10:18 pm

Aww, Beren is looking so cute with his bear pj’s and hanging on to Dracula! They get so big so fast. Happy Halloween and congratulations for all the nominations. The Map to Everywhere was a great story, have fun at the Book Festival, wish I lived closer and could stop by.

Comment by Brenda on October 16, 2015 @ 2:16 pm

I wish you could have stopped by too, and agreed about The Map to Everywhere! Carrie Ryan and JP Davis are a great, hilarious pair. Happy Halloween!

Comment by Jacqueline on October 20, 2015 @ 11:08 am

Oh my gosh. I just realized that Beren autocorrected to Berenice. I meant Beren! Stupid autocucumber. Anyhoo, have fun this weekend!!! I wish I could go!

Comment by Nicole on October 16, 2015 @ 3:46 pm

Oh! I saw the movie version of Through the Woods! It’s really creepy and cool all at the same time. And my hair is SO curly. Like, my-hair-is-now-shoulder-length-and-it-typically-is-down-to-my-waist-curly. It’s crazy and awesome all at the same time. And ERMAHGERD I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder what it’s like to have naturally curly hair… Meh. Anyhoo, I gotta go shopping with my mom and then we gotta come back home and have lunch with our whole family and then we get to go to a park and have our family pictures taken! By the time that rolls around, my hair should be loosened into pretty waves… And I promise that when I finally do send my books and letter and all that jazz, I will send you a picture of Jack. And one of me, if you want.

As always, stay awesome! Peace out!

Comment by Nicole on October 17, 2015 @ 8:52 am

I still haven’t seen the Into the Woods movie — mostly because I love the musical so much, and I don’t know if I want to have the memories in my mind tinted by a new version. (I also played Cinderella in a production of Into the Woods during college… One of my favorite roles ever.) But I’m glad to hear that you liked it! And I’d love to see a picture of curly-haired you and little Jack, if you’d like to enclose one with your books. 🙂

Comment by Jacqueline on October 20, 2015 @ 11:11 am

Haio Jacqueline! I love fall so much… Yay! And I’m reading the excerpt from Dreamers Often Lie for the millionth time… I. NEED. IT. RIGHT. NAOW. AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

(That was me screaming my head off in frustration and excitement. But mostly frustration.)

And I love this quote from Dreamers Often Lie: “I just kept still, watching as the roses bloomed through the whiteness around me, their red petals growing larger.” You made it sound so pretty… Anyhoo, I can NOT WAIT for Dreamers Often Lie. I want it really bad!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been looking for a good series to sink my fangs-er, teeth- into. And I’ve found a couple:

Attack of the Vampire Weenies (And other Warped and Creepy Tales): I literally just finished this. The whole series is haunting and creepy and slightly nauseating (in a not-so-good way). But some of the stories are very ironic and hilarious.

The Books of Elsewhere: The Strangers: I just had to put this one on here. All the Books of Elsewhere are perfect Halloween books. 😉

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: I love Harry Potter. I LOVE it. And I had to put the Deathly Hallows on here. Potterheads unite!

And those are all the books I have to recommend. I also recommend The Maze Runner, but it’s not really a Halloween book. Anyhoo, tell me if you’ve read any of those books! I hope to hear back from you soon!

And as always, stay awesome.

Comment by Nicole on October 19, 2015 @ 6:19 pm

I haven’t read Attack of the Vampire Weenies — sounds like fun! — but I HAVE read Harry Potter multiple times, and I agree that those make great Halloween reading. Actually, they make great ANYTIME reading.

Glad you’re excited for Dreamers Often Lie. So am I.

Comment by Jacqueline on October 20, 2015 @ 11:13 am

I am so happy right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m 95% sure that I’ll be sending my books and letter on Friday!!! My mom has off on Friday and I have off of school on Thursday and Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Nicole on October 19, 2015 @ 9:01 pm

Heyo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so bored right now… Anyhoo, I love Harry Potter! I would be a Ravenclaw! Still waiting for my letter… Meh. And what’s it like being in a play? I’ve always wondered that… And we haven’t gotten our family pictures back yet. I do have a few pictures of Jack, though… I’m currently writing my letter to you. Yay! And I NEED Dreamers Often Lie. I need to read it! RIGHT. NAOW. AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I wish I had a copy… *sigh* And the movie version of Into The Woods is pretty cool. Just wondering, what does your singing voice sound like? And btw, I’m a soprano in choir. But I’m not in choir this year… Another reason to add onto the list of reasons that I need to see you in person. Here’s the list:

1.) To give you a hug!
2.) To talk to you about bookish stuff and writing stuff
3.) To ask you questions that might randomly pop into my head
4.) To (possibly) see Beren
5.) To sing a song (or three) with you

I wish I could meet you in person… Or at least over something like Skype or Facetime. Well, I guess I could go to an event that you’re going to be at. But traveling is kinda difficult with Jack, and I doubt my parents would say yes. URGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

And do you think you could check out my Wattpad account? Here’s the link; https://www.wattpad.com/user/snicklefritz192

Comment by Nicole on October 20, 2015 @ 4:27 pm

Hello Jacqueline! So, I’ve been struggling with insomnia these past two weeks. I tried everything I could and it didn’t help. But I think that I found a solution! I found a string of these pink lights, and they cast a pretty glow over my whole room. It’s a fairly soft glow, but it feels magical. I love it. I just found them tonight, so I’m going to try it out tonight. I really hope it works… Anyway, I guess I should get to bed. Bhan nochte! (It means good night.) Hasta manana, mi amigo!

As always, stay awesome!

Comment by Nicole on October 20, 2015 @ 8:57 pm

Hello Jacqueline!!! I had a very weird dream last night. It was where I was at your house for some reason and we were hanging out and laughing and talking. And then we went outside and you were making a video for something. It was really weird. I don’t remember much else. And just wondering, do you have any nicknames I could call you? My mom always calls me Cole and snickle and snicklefritz and peanut. And all the rest of my family calls me those nicknames too. My only rule is do NOT call me Nikki or Nicky or however you want to spell it. I hate being called those nicknames. But you can call me anything else that you want to! And as always, stay awesome.

Comment by Nicole on October 22, 2015 @ 7:40 am

Haio!!! In case you’re wondering why I’m talking to you right now, its because I don’t have school today and tomorrow. So yay!!! I kinda have the feeling that you’re going to respond today… I’m gonna keep an eye out all day. Anyhoo, I’m really tired and really bored. I think it would be crazy awesome if I saw you today. But that’s not likely to happen, is it? But seriously.

And I know your answer to this will probably be “I cant tell you”, but what will your next book be about? I think last year at the Gaithersburg Book Festival you said you were working on a book with a boy and magical squirrels? Anyway, I just wish I could see you. Someday. I wish it could be today. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Anyway, I’m 98.7% sure that I will be sending my books tomorrow. I will definitely let you know!

Comment by Nicole on October 22, 2015 @ 8:59 am

I’m really happy! I’m almost 100% sure that I will be sending my books and letter today! And since our family pictures aren’t back yet, I did a drawing of myself. I will be sending it in place of a picture, as we don’t have any current pictures of me… Anyhoo, I’m still currently writing my letter to you! Its almost done! Yay!

Comment by Nicole on October 23, 2015 @ 9:03 am

… and I didn’t send my books today. Apparently I was giving too much attitude? Anyway, I don’t know when I’ll be sending them… I hope I can soon. Other than that, I had a good day! I might be getting a set of copic markers for my birthday or Christmas! Ive heard that they’re a great medium to use. Say hi to Beren for me!

Comment by Nicole on October 23, 2015 @ 5:05 pm

I just saw your picture of Beren in instagram… He is so adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How old is Beren? Tomorrow is Jack’s 9th monthday… anyhoo, I think I’ll be sending my books soon!!!!! I should probably go to bed… I hope I can meet you soon! Oh! And the 8th grade line dance is on November 12th at 2:00 P.M. in the Creske gym in the Mosinee Middle School. I hope you can come… I can tell you exactly what I will be wearing. I will be wearing a black, gray and white plaid flannel button-down shirt, blue jeans, tennis shoes, and my hair will be in either a French braid or in a Katniss (aka Dutch braid going diagonally across the back of the head) braid. I have waist length brown hair with side bangs and pale skin, blue eyes, freckles, braces, and glasses. I’m the only person in our grade who looks like that… Anyway, hope you can come! It’s lots of fun… Well, buenos noches! Hasta luego!

Comment by Nicole on October 26, 2015 @ 9:53 pm

And as always, stay awesome!

Comment by Nicole on October 26, 2015 @ 9:54 pm

AHHHHHHHH STUPID COMPUTER. It keeps posting my comment before I’m done writing it. AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

As always, stay awesome. Unlike my stupid computer.

Comment by Nicole on October 26, 2015 @ 9:55 pm

Happy halloween Jacqueline (and little Beren!)!!! I’m really excited for trick-or-treating. I’m going to go as a princess/bride/fairy thing. I really don’t know. I’m going to wear one of my mom’s old dresses from when she was a bridesmaid at a friend’s wedding. It’s a light purply-pink with ruching (idk how you spell it) and a pretty brooch on the side that’s all sparkly. I think I’m going to curl my hair and do it in a half-up half-down hairstyle. What are you, Ryan, Beren, and Brom Bones going as?

As always, stay awesome!\

Comment by Nicole on October 31, 2015 @ 8:27 am

Hi Jacqueline! I was super bored, so I may or may not have attempted communicating with you telepathically a couple minutes ago… I kinda got the feeling that it might have worked. I definitely believe that it’s possible to communicate telepathically. I tried it… I really hope it worked! If it didn’t, let me know! I will definitely try more!

Comment by Nicole on November 2, 2015 @ 8:13 pm

Hello Jacqueline! On November 17th, it’s going to be a year since I first commented on your blog… A lot has happened since then! And I can’t WAIT for Friday!!! Here are the reasons:
1.) It’s an early release day!
2.) I’m getting my trial pair(s) of contact lenses and I get to try them on and all that jazz!
3.) The school dance is Friday!
4.) My crush and I might be going together (as friends)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, my best friend Fiona rides the same bus as my crush (Max). She asked him to the dance for me because I helped her mend a relationship with one of her best friends. And the best part is, he said he’s considering it (which is a huge upgrade from last year, because he said no both dances.)!!! And when he passed me in the hallway, he gave me a genuine, 100% real smile. I’m really happy! I hope he says yes!

And as always, stay awesome! Peace out!

Comment by Nicole on November 3, 2015 @ 5:01 pm

Ahh! Did you delete your Instagram account?!?! Please no!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved looking at pictures of Beren on your Instagram… I’m sad now.

Anyhoo, I’m trying to convince my band teacher to let me learn to play a secondary instrument. Hopefully I can play the clarinet! And I’m beginning to learn Canon in D on the flute. Yay!!! Our band concert is December 10th in the Creske auditorium, in case you would like to come. And our 8th grade line dance is on November 12th at 2 pm in the Creske gym, in case you wanna go to that.

As always, stay awesome!!!

Comment by Nicole on November 6, 2015 @ 1:51 pm

No, I didn’t delete my Instagram account — just gave it a name that will hopefully make me easier to find (jacqueline_west_writes). It’s not going anywhere!

It’s great that you want to take on a second instrument! Good luck at your upcoming concert…

Comment by Jacqueline on December 4, 2015 @ 10:35 am

Ohhhhhhhh. That makes a LOT more sense! And I’m excited for Dreamers Often Lie!

Comment by Nicole on December 7, 2015 @ 4:35 pm

Glad to live in a world where there are Octobers

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