8 Ideas for Your Next Anniversary Celebration

Anniversaries are opportunities to revisit treasured memories and create fresh ones, not just markers to mark events deserving of more than ordinary respect. Celebrating this important day might transcend traditional meal settings or gift-giving ceremonies. Couples who want to make their festivities better can look to unusual events that speak to love and provide lifelong stories. Every couple may discover the ideal concept, from private settings to big activities that fit their chemistry. Let the celebration of your anniversary be the narrative you carry with you always.

Walk Through Time via a Historic Site

Select a historic site for your anniversary celebration to appreciate the grace and romanticism of a past age fully. Older estates, castles, or historic homes radiate a beauty that transforms the encounter into something ageless. The elaborate building, well kept grounds, and historic interiors provide an atmosphere that seems like you have entered another century. Starting the evening with a guided tour of the place helps one to untangle the tales imprinted on its surfaces. This experience provides a personal setting for remembering your background together. Follow it for a romantic meal in a great dining hall or beneath a star canopy in a secluded garden. Including live-string music will help to accentuate the charm of the event. Historical sites are ideal for your unique day as they are chapters of human connection and romance, not just locations.

One Day of Peace at a Temecula Winery

A temecula winery provides the ideal setting for couples who value the peace and simplicity of the countryside as well as the great luxury of good wine. The verdant vineyards, undulating hills, and pure air combine to provide a perfect haven from the everyday. Select a personalized tour where samples of fine vintages, along with handcrafted cheeses and chocolates, accompany each other. For a farm-to-table eating experience, request a table at the winery restaurant or arrange a gourmet picnic among the vineyards. A sunset tour might end in a panoramic view of the vineyard drenched in golden light, ideal for pictures and poignant memories.

Taste the Excitement of a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Flying above the scenery in a hot air balloon can help your celebration to become an amazing journey. Unmatched sights and an opportunity to enjoy times of wonder together come from the peaceful yet thrilling sensation of floating with the wind. See nature’s most amazing color displays by riding a dawn or sunset excursion. Couples may toast champagne as the balloon softly rises to mark a special occasion honoring love. Many ballooning events include professional photographic services so couples may document their soaring celebration. Once you arrive, think about spending the day with a gourmet breakfast or supper planned at a picturesque location.

Plan an Under the Stars Private Movie Night

Design a customized outdoor movie experience for a small yet spectacular event. Set up an outdoor cinema in a garden or rent a portable projector and screen. To evoke romance, arrange the space with soft chairs, fairy lights, and candles. Choose a lineup of significant films or a preferred genre and provide a selection of gourmet nibbles like handmade desserts, finger appetizers, and artisanal popcorn. Get a caterer to provide a multi-course supper before the viewing to improve the experience. An emotional aspect could be added with personal touches like a PowerPoint of treasured memories before the movie starts.

Retrace to a Private Island

Escaping to a private island can turn your anniversary into an unmatched romantic journey. These remote paradises guarantee a celebration free from interruptions by providing immaculate beaches, opulent homes, and unrivaled seclusion. Many islands provide well-chosen anniversary packages, including private dinners, spa treatments, and custom excursions. Whether snorkeling in glistening clean seas, relaxing with health treatments, or taking a sunset cruise, spend the day discovering the island together.

Take a Gastronomic Trip

Food can unite people, and a celebration centered on cuisine could provide a special and private experience. Think about signing up for a culinary course where, under expert chef direction, both couples can learn to create a new meal together. This common hobby promotes creativity, fun, and collaboration. Take a taste trip of well-known restaurants or street food markets in a neighboring city for a more complex experience. Every visit turns into an honoring of tastes, anecdotes, and treasured memories. Add elegance by matching the gastronomic experience with a wine or cocktail tasting. This is a significant anniversary celebration as the process of finding and enjoying food together captures the depth of a partnership.

Coordinate a Romantic Art Retreat

Celebrate your anniversary by working creatively. Through painting, sculpture, or photography classes, romantic art retreats let couples establish a closer relationship. To improve the experience, choose a calm environment like a coastal studio or mountain resort. Expert teachers may lead couples through the process of making group artwork, therefore leaving a physical legacy of the day. Working together to create something original develops emotional connection and collaboration. Add fine dining cuisine and leisure pursuits such as yoga or meditation to enhance the retreat. Apart from offering a significant approach to honoring love, an art retreat promotes personal development and shared experiences.

Savor a Luxury Train Trip

Celebrating an anniversary may be done with a nostalgic but luxurious train trip. Beautiful cuisine, lavishly adorned carriages, and gorgeous journeys turn the celebration into an experience. Routes of unmatched sophistication and complexity include the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express or the Rocky Mountaineer. Unload in a private stateroom and savor exquisite cuisine created on board by world-class chefs. As couples negotiate breathtaking scenery, from mountain ranges to gorgeous valleys, the trip itself becomes the celebration. Train travel’s sluggish speed lets couples appreciate every minute and the sights as well as each other’s presence. An amazing approach to celebrating an anniversary with grace and appeal is a luxury train trip.

Conclusion

Anniversaries call for festivities reflecting the depth and beauty of the partnership. Couples who embrace unusual events may create memories they will treasure always, transforming every anniversary into an adventure of love.

Blooming With Love: The Magic of Flower Delivery Services

Valentine’s Day is upon us yet again.

For those whom the heavens have already matched with their twin flames, Valentine’s is an occasion to cuddle together and reminisce about beautiful memories. And to them that are yet to find their soul mates, it’s equally an opportunity to be grateful for life’s unbounded favors.

Either way, Valentine’s is a day to surround yourself with love and adoration. You could express love to your partner by gifting them a romantic getaway or recreate the events during your maiden date. And if you’re not an outdoorsy guy, you could opt for a staycation as you catch up on your favorite series.

But whichever way you choose to celebrate this Valentine’s or your other romantic anniversaries, nothing captures the spirit of the occasion more than sharing flower gifts. This article looks at how flower delivery services can make your romantic celebrations moments relish forever.

Benefits of Flowers

Flowers are the quintessential expression of love and romance. Despite our cultural and social diversities, the language of flowers is understandable by all humans.

But flowers are not only synonymous with romance. They can also provide immense therapeutic benefits.

Research indicates that flowers can relieve stress and improve your mood. Smelling certain flowers or simply marveling at a colorful blossom can also improve your memory.

Those struggling with sleep disorders like insomnia may also find flowers incredibly useful. The sleep-aiding benefits of flowers have much to do with their anti-anxiety properties.

What’s more, flowers have been known to spur creativity. Many creatives claim that taking a stroll across a flower garden is sometimes all it takes to beat inspiration blocks.

However, finding the right flower when you need it can often be a daunting task. And that’s where flower delivery services come in.

Flower delivery services play an instrumental role in maintaining the flow of these precious items between senders and recipients. If you’re based in Scarborough and surrounding localities, it’s great to know that the town teems with numerous outlets where you can get your hands on high-quality flowers.

Choosing flower delivery to Scarborough is an excellent way to overcome the challenges commonly experienced while shipping these delicate gifts to your near and dear ones.

How Flower Delivery Services Can Improve Your Romantic Experience

1. They Come with the Element of Surprise

Gifts are known to create the biggest impact on recipients when they’re thoughtfully packaged and unexpectedly delivered. This is particularly true for flower gifts.

One reason for choosing a flower delivery service instead of physically delivering the flowers is that these companies guarantee the element of surprise. The fact that your partner is unfamiliar with the florist will make them more eager to unwrap the gift. And their face will light up as soon as they know who the sender is.

2. They are Convenient

Our fast-paced lifestyles have made it exceedingly challenging to spend quality time with our near and dear ones. There’s a decent chance you’re reading this post while at work on a special occasion when you ought to be with your loved ones.

Flower delivery services let you express your love to your partner without sacrificing your bread and butter. All you need to do is place your order, specify the recipient’s shipping address, and let the florist take it from there.

3. They Bridge the Gap Between Long-distance Lovers

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” so the saying goes. But on the other hand, distance can quickly kill relationships. That’s especially true if there are not enough ways to profess your love to your absent partner.

This is another area where a reliable flower delivery service can come in handy. Having a florist on speed dial is a proactive way to ensure you never miss out on those important anniversaries, even if you’re working or studying thousands of miles from your partner. You simply call your florist and have them deliver a customized flower gift that’s sure to wow your significant other.

4. You Get Variety

Flowers come in all shapes and sizes. From roses to daisies, lilacs, tulips, etc., there’s virtually no limit to the type of flower you can dedicate to your spouse. However, it’s unlikely that your wellness garden will have all the world’s most gorgeous flower species. And even if it does, the flowers may not bloom simultaneously.

Flower delivery services take away these hassles by ensuring you have access to different flower varieties whenever you need them. You don’t have to wait for your roses to bloom before gifting them to the sweetest man/woman in your life.

5. Your Flower Arrives in the Best Condition

Florists use advanced preservation solutions to keep their flowers in peak condition for much longer. The flowers are continually fed to enable them to retain water and maintain their pH. They may also be chlorinated to minimize the risks of bacteria and fungi.

All these interventions aim at one bottom line – to ensure the flowers get to the intended recipient looking fresh and clean. You could order a specific flower today and have the same delivered the following day in the exact condition.

Wrap Up

We simply cannot overemphasize the significance of having a florist on speed dial. Just remember to do your homework while choosing a flower delivery service. As you shall find, no two companies are identical.

You Should Never Feel Guilty For Outgrowing A Relationship In Your Life

There are many times in your life when you’ll meet someone and picture them by your side for years to come. You meet someone and you hit it off so well that you don’t ever want to picture your life without them. They make you feel whole in some ways, as though you were missing a piece of yourself and had never realized it wasn’t there until they walked into your life. They make you see brighter colors, clearer skies, really and truly feel the moments of pure and genuine happiness. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic relationship. Often times, you can exhibit these emotions and feelings in genuine friendships in your life, not always with someone of the opposite sex and someone you are dating.

While meeting people who make your world feel bigger and better is a universal human experience, growth is as well. In life, we all wish to grow into better people. We’d hope, and most of the time we are, growing to become better versions of who we were in the past. No one truly stays stagnant in life. We change and we become different people as we go through different things, different phases of our lives. It’s inevitable. You won’t be the same person you were as a teen when you grow into adulthood. So, it makes sustaining relationships sometimes a bit, difficult.

When you meet someone when you’re young, you have a particular set of wants, needs, and standards that are set in place for that particular time period in your life. And, as you grow older, these may change. You may want different things out of people growing up. You may think you want to be with someone forever when you’re younger, but as you get older, you realize you are feeling unfulfilled, or as though something else is missing in your life. This isn’t something to be ashamed of or something that should be made out to be a problem – it’s just something that happens naturally in life.

There have been times in my life where I have outgrown friends and romantic partners and at the time, I felt guilty for ending things for the sake of my own sanity or my own desires. It’s like a gut-wrenching pain you feel when you’re hurting someone else, and you don’t wish to ever cause them pain. Outgrowing relationships doesn’t mean you don’t love someone, it just means you don’t want to settle for something and regret it or hurt someone even more later down the road. But, the initial struggle of having to walk away for something you have invested time and effort into while knowing the other person still feels the brighter colors, all-too-familiar pangs of excitement – it hurts.

When you want to spend a future with someone, you don’t want to half-ass it. While it’s a juvenile way to put the feeling into words, when you outgrow a relationship – it feels as though you’re only giving it half of yourself. Things just aren’t as bright and everything seems a bit duller. While you still love this person and cherish everything you’ve built together and everything you have been through, it also feels as though you’re doing a disservice to both them and yourself by staying around. You never want to be with someone just because you know it’s a solid thing and won’t go anywhere, even though you feel as though you may be happier somewhere else.

Outgrowing people isn’t something to feel guilty over, it’s just something that needs to be recognized as what’s really happening. Sometimes, we’ll try to make excuses for why we feel the way we do. We’re having an “off few weeks,” and things will get better. Maybe we’re stressed out because of work, school or outside forces that may be interfering with our emotional balance. But, the more we push the reality of the situation away, the more we begin to resent the relationship and ourselves. It may not even be conscious. We may know in the back of our minds this relationship is no longer for me. I no longer want to be the person who does the things we usually do, I want to expand my horizons, I want to try new things and meet new people. This is totally okay, there’s nothing wrong with that. What’s wrong is lying to yourself and the person in your life about it.

You can’t force yourself to stay with someone when you are really unhappy. I mean, you can, but in the long run, things will always be a bit of a struggle. You’ll find problems in everything they do, everything that happens and everywhere you go. You will always be stuck wondering what else is out there, or how you can slowly leave without doing anyone any harm. The truth is, the longer you lie to yourself, the more pain you will cause to everyone involved. Once you address the truth, you can truly learn to make a better life for yourself, and the person you are with can find someone else, as well.

There’s an old saying that says: “stop watering dead flowers.” If a relationship is no longer working for you, you feel it in your bones. There is no need to continue to put time and energy into something that will hinder your growth and trap someone else. It isn’t because the person has done you harm, it isn’t because the relationship is toxic or unhealthy – the relationship just doesn’t work for you anymore and you need to live that truth. Don’t deny yourself the sanity of living your own, authentic life. Don’t deny someone else the opportunity to find someone who will genuinely love and appreciate them either. Face the music.

9 Things You Should Know Before Moving In With Your Boyfriend

Sometimes in long-term relationships, there comes a point where a couple discusses taking that next step from “just dating” to “moving in together.” While it seems like a natural progression in any relationship, it’s actually a huge step to take as a couple. Sure, you may think it’s not such a big deal when the two of you spend every other night at each other’s own apartments anyway, but sleeping at someone’s apartment and actually sharing an apartment together are completely different things – trust me. While moving in may seem like an adorable and magical idea – playing “house” always makes every girl excited and happy – it’s a big f*cking deal, especially if there are things you’re unsure about or questions you don’t exactly have the answers to.

1. Make sure it’s something you both want to do.

Everyone feels as though it’s natural to move in together when you are a long term couple and you’re a certain age (in your mid-20’s/early-30’s). And, while it is a normal step to take in many relationships, you want to make sure that you and your partner are both happy and comfortable with the idea of living together. If one person is more into it and the other isn’t ready – don’t f*cking do it. You both need to be ready to take this step together because if one person isn’t ready, resentment will grow and your relationship will suffer because of it. I know a lot of couples who broke up after moving in together because they just weren’t ready or at that stage in their relationship to do so.

2. Make sure you’re doing it for the same reasons.

If you’re moving in with someone because you want to build a life with them, but they’re moving in with you because it’s financially convenient for them – it’s going to create tension. Make sure you discuss your intentions before you move in together. Make sure that you’re both on the same page and understand what living together really means. It’s not the same as just dating someone and staying over their apartment, you two are no cohabitating which means what’s yours is theirs and vice versa. You don’t want to have false expectations and hope and create conflict because you were both unclear of what you want.

3. Talk about finances, no matter how weird it may get.

When you move in with someone, your finances are now up front and important in your relationship. Most people will tell you not to discuss money with your partner unless you’re married, but, if you’re living together – everything matters in terms of money. And, it’s more than just rent. You’re going to paying for rent together, electric, cable, internet, food, furniture – everything you want to put in this apartment will be both of yours, not just yours or theirs. If your partner is financially irresponsible, that’s a big consideration you need to weigh before moving in. If you make more than your partner, that’s also something to think about. You don’t ever want to be stuck paying for 90% of the things in your apartment and your partner mooches off of your financial well-being, you’ll begin to get angry and resentful and will end up blowing up on them about it. The best thing you can do is discuss how to split things and make a schedule for things such as laundry, groceries and other necessities.

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Unique Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day This Year

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is either largely loved or largely despised depending on who you asked. Single or in love, some people just don’t have a taste for the candy hearts and roses, and some people are in love with all the sweetness that this day of love has to offer. No matter how you usually spend the day of love, there are a few unique ideas that you can look into for some fun and exciting experiences. Whether you’re rocking it solo, spending time with dear friends or cozying up with your beloved, you can make the most of this Valentine’s Day with some of these ideas.

Galentine’s Day

You may be familiar with the concept of Galentine’s Day from the show Parks and Recreation, although the popularity of this holiday has spawned long beyond its introduction in Pawnee, Indiana. Based on season 2, episode 16 of the show, it decrees February 13th as the day for celebrating female friendships — your gal pals, if you will. Brunch it up, have some drinks, and spend time with those you love! That’s what this day is all about!

Palentine’s Day

If you want your Galentine’s Day celebration to feel a little bit more inclusive, you can either switch up the name or switch up the celebration. Paletine’s Day is just what it sounds like — it’s for celebrating all of your wonderful pals! You can celebrate this on February 13th in place of Galentine’s Day, or you can celebrate it on the 15th so you have multiple celebrations! Additionally, you can also make February 13th Galentine’s Day, and have February 15th be Palentine’s Day for the boys!

Make It an Adventure

If you’re thinking of a more classic romantic time, going out on a regular date might seem a little bit played out. Why not try something totally spontaneous and different? Go on an adventure for this holiday! Of course, you totally can make an entire trip of it, but you can even find little adventures close to where you are. Explore a brand new hiking spot, try something wild like bungee jumping or going up in a hot air balloon! There are so many incredible choices that you might have to save a few for next year.

Self Care Extravaganza

This can be perfect for you to rock solo, for you to do with your love or for your friends to share in the fun! Sometimes, Valentine’s Day can have an air of pressure to it — like you should be doing something fancy and impressive, regardless of what you really want. If you would rather do the things that actually make you feel great, this is the perfect opportunity! You can plan a little spa day, take yourself somewhere nice or even accomplish some tasks you’ve been putting off if that’s what’s calling your name.

Take Yourself On a Date

Who says you need a partner to go on an awesome date? If you want to spend your night out on the town, do it! Partner or no partner, you deserve to have a great time and treat yourself! Find a spot to have a great meal, take yourself out for a drink or even go dancing all night long! Or you can find another date that you’d love to go on and do whatever you want, all day long. That’s the beauty of treating yourself! You know yourself the very best.

Plan a Night In

Again, this can apply to pretty much every group of people — from one single pringle to a whole crowd of pals. If you usually spend this day of love out and about, why not try something different this year and stay in? Plan a movie night, play some games or find a craft you can do! This can be a great way to relax, cozy up and feel super comfortable on this holiday.

Learn Something New

If you want to take things in a new direction and spice things up a notch, why not try something entirely different and learn a new skill this Valentine’s Day? Try taking a cooking class or learning how to tango! Go to couple’s yoga or finally rent that tandem bicycle. The sky is the limit with what you can learn, and trying something new together can truly be an enriching experience.

Getting Creative With Your Valentine

Even though Valentine’s Day might conjure up a very specific image for some, you can truly get creative and do whatever you want with the holiday. From spending it with some of your greatest friends to going solo on the date of your dreams, there’s no stopping you from having a beautiful day filled with love and care. What do you plan to do this Valentine’s Day? Do any of the options on this list stand out to you?

About The Author

Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find herin a yoga class, advocating for body positivity, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or smashing the patriarchy.

16 Wintery Date Ideas to Get You Ready for Christmas

Winter can feel really stale with the days ending sooner and the temperatures quickly dropping.

You can feel trapped indoors with nowhere to go and nothing exciting to do.

But if you think outside the box, this does not have to be the case this winter.

Don’t let the winter blues halt your love life, use these heart-warming date ideas to get you through the cold winter:

1. Ice skating.

Starting off with the classic winter date, go ice skating together. Whether indoors or outdoors with some nice scenery, go hold hands and skate around or race each other.

2. Human bowling.

A super fun and quirky alternative to ice skating is human bowling. Some ice skating rinks set up life-size bowling pins and you take turns being human bowling balls knocking down the pins!

3. Below 5 bar.

If you’re over 21 and fortunate enough to live near a Below 5 Bar, it is a place you must experience!

It is a bar where everything is made out of ice, including the bar, the sculptures, and your drink glasses.

It is literally below freezing in the bar to keep the ice intact so they give you special jackets to wear while you are in there.

4. Skiing/snowboarding.

Whether you make it a day trip or over the course of a few days, look up winter slopes and go skiing or snowboarding.

A great adrenaline rush to keep you warm and excited.

If you don’t have any previous experience, you can both learn a new sport together.

5. Winter lodge.

If you’re planning a winter weekend getaway trip, find a fun cozy lodge.

You can make it a romantic getaway with just you two or bring some of your friends along too to make it a party. You can double this up by staying near a ski resort.

6. Play in snow.

If going away is not within your budget or schedule, build snowmen, roll around, make igloo paths, and have a giant snowball fight.

7. Sledding.

Whip out your sleds and tap into your inner child.

Find a local hill with a nice slope and push each other down or race each other. It’s a great adrenaline rush and super fun with no cost.

8. Christmas tree lighting.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or just want to go for the fun of the festivities, Christmas tree lightings are exciting.

People gather around waiting for the tree lights to turn on for the season and there are performances leading up the the lighting.

There are small local ones and also huge tree lighting events such as the one held in Manhattan, New York every year.

9. House light decoration drive.

Driving around highly decorated neighborhoods at night is stunning with all the lights and colors and arrangements.

Some of the decorating people do is so breathtaking and innovative and worth the drive to see in person.

Especially houses that are nationally known to go all out on their house every holiday season.

10. Hot tub.

Being in a hot tub feels so good, especially when it’s an outdoor hot tub in the middle of winter.

The contrast of the extreme hot and cold temperatures feels amazing and you forget it’s even winter outside.

This will instantly heat you up and will make for a really snazzy time together.

11. Romantic bath.

If you don’t have access to a hot tub, get a warm bubble bath running and throw some petals on there and add some wine and music.

This will make for a really warm romantic time indoors. Treat yourselves to that long overdue bath.

12. Ice sculpture show.

Find a local ice sculpture and go, you will not be disappointed. It’s fascinating to see the art that people can make out of frozen water.

13. Cuddle and watch movies.

It’s freezing out and the sun is gone so we tend to feel sluggish.

If you two really aren’t up for even stepping foot outside, then do just that and binge watch shows or movies.

Make it extra festive if you watch holiday movies. Elf, anyone??

14. Game night.

Want to stay inside but also be active?

Make it into a game day/night. Whip out your favorite video games, board games, card games, and make up your own games.

Staying indoors doesn’t have to be boring!

15. Drinking games.

If you want to take it a step further, add drinking into the mix. Play some classic drinking games and look up new festive ones for the holidays.

Guaranteed to be a fun and warm night indoors.

16. Cook together.

Sticking with the indoors theme, cook something up together.

Make a delicious and warm dinner either together or combine both your separate dishes.

Whip out some hot chocolate with marshmallows to top it off.

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90 Books From All Of Your Favorite Genres Published In 2021

The ultimate list of 90 new books that will fit whatever genre you love.

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about winter is curling up with a good book under a fluffy blanket with hot cocoa within reach. No matter what genre you love – romance, bios, sci-fi, etc. – there’s definitely something in this list for you. These books have also been very recently released, which means you’ll be among the first to read them. Here are 90 books that fit your genre, whatever it may be.

Romance:

For the Love of April French – Penny Aimes

Heartbreak for Hire – Sonia Hartl

Incense and Sensibility – Sonali Dev

Neon Gods – Katee Robert

Seven Days in June – Tia Williams

The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes – Xio Axelrod

The Intimacy Experiment – Rosie Danan

Love at First – Kate Clayborn

The Ex Talk – Rachel Lynn Solomon

Shipped – Angie Hockman

Mystery

The Last Thing He Told Me – Laura Dave

The Maidens – Alex Michaelides

The Wife Upstairs – Rachel Hawkins

Local Woman Missing – Mary Kubica

When the Stars Go Dark – Paula McLain

For Your Own Good – Samantha Downing

The Night She Disappeared: A Novel – Lisa Jewell

The Man Who Died Twice – Richard Osman

A Slow Fire Burning: A Novel – Paula Hawkins

Too Good to Be True – Carola Lovering

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

The Nature of Middle Earth – J.R.R. Tolkien

The Body Scout: A Novel – Lincoln Michel

The Last Graduate – Naomi Novik

The Brides of Maracoor – Gregory Maguire

Perhaps the Stars – Ada Palmer

Noor – Nnedi Okorafor

Termination Shock – Neal Stephenson

Alien³: The Unproduced First-Draft Screenplay by William Gibson – Pat Cadigan

Truth of the Divine: A Novel – Lindsay Ellis

The Veiled Throne – Ken Liu

Horror

Later – Stephen King

The Last House on Needless Street – Catriona Ward

The Mary Shelley Club – Goldy Moldavsky

The Final Girl Support Group – Grady Hendrix

The Book of Accidents – Chuck Wendig

My Heart is a Chainsaw – Stephen Graham Jones

Revelator – Daryl Gregory

A Broken Darkness – Premee Mohamed

Whisper Down the Lane – Clay McLeod Chapman

The Drowning Kind – Jennifer McMahon

Poetry

Many Kinds of Love: A Love Story of Life, Death and the NHS – Michael Rosen

A Blood Condition – Kayo Chingonyi

Wicked Enchantment: Selected Poems – Wanda Coleman

Teeth in the Back of My Neck – Monika Radojevic

Rotten Days in Late Summer – Ralf Webb

Poems: 1962-2020 – Louise Glück

Call Us What We Carry: Poems – Amanda Gorman

The Crossing – Manjeet Mann

Sho – Douglas Kearney

Glass Constellation: New and Collected Poems – Arthur Sze

Young Adult

Roman and Jewel – Dana L. Davis

Be Dazzled – Ryan La Sala

Lore – Alexandra Bracken

Happily Ever Afters – Elise Bryant

You Have a Match: A Novel – Emma Lord

The Girls I’ve Been – Tess Sharpe

City of Villains – Estelle Laure

Written in Starlight – Isabel Ibañez

Hot British Boyfriend – Kristy Boyce

These Feathered Flames – Alexandra Overy

Historical Fiction

Band of Sisters: A Novel – Lauren Willig

The Rose Code: A Novel – Kate Quinn

Our Woman in Moscow: A Novel – Beatriz Williams

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur – Alka Joshi

The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel – Kristin Harmel

Three Words for Goodbye: A Novel – Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Harlem Shuffle – Colson Whitehead

Of Women and Salt – Gabriela Garcia

The Social Graces – Renee Rosen

The Personal Librarian – Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Non-Fiction

Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir – Ashley C. Ford

The Unfit Heiress: The Tragic Life and Scandalous Sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt – Audrey Clare Farley

My Broken Language: A Memoir – Quiara Alegría Hudes

White Magic – Elissa Washuta

Crying in H Mart – Michelle Zauner

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty – Patrick Radden Keefe

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism – Amanda Montell

A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance – Hanif Abdurraqib

Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, From Sustainable to Suicidal – Mark Bittman

Please Don’t Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes – Phoebe Robinson

Biography/Autobiography

The Contrarian: Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley’s Pursuit of Power – Max Chafkin

Philip Roth: The Biography – Blake Bailey

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music – Dave Grohl

Goodbye, Guns N’ Roses: The Crime, Beauty, and Amplified Chaos of America’s Most Polarizing Band – Art Tavana

Hollywood Eden: Electric Guitars, Fast Cars, and the Myth of the California Paradise – Joel Selvin

The Triumph of Nancy Reagan – Karen Tumulty

Unfinished: A Memoir – Priyanka Chopra Jonas

The Almost Legendary Morris Sisters: A True Story of Family Fiction – Julie Klam

The Young H. G. Wells: Changing the World – Claire Tomalin

Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century – Tim Higgins

Check out some of these reads and see if you can borrow them from the library (old-school style), download them to your electronic devices, or purchase them to keep it all to yourself. Happy reading!

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About the Author

Emmie Pombo is a latte and tattoo-loving Tennessean who specializes in mental health and beauty writing. She holds a degree in Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Airbrushing. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Adventure Book Dating Tips for a Healthy Relationship

Are you in a healthy relationship? Building and maintaining a connection with your adorable partner is trickier than it seems.

Having such a connection means nurturing positive interactions while avoiding negative emotions, discussing your conflicts, respecting the boundaries, sparing daily time for communication, having fun, etc.

Individuals in unhealthy relationships are constantly controlled and humiliated, as well as disrespected and intimidated. No person deserves to feel dependent and controlled by his/her partner.

The adventure book tips below will help you build a good connection with the person you love.

Make deposits in the emotional bank account

The emotional bank account term was coined to describe the combination of negative and positive interactions in a relationship. Following a negative interaction, couples need twenty positive interactions to restore the emotional balance back to normal. Examples of negative interactions include having a fight, being ignored, feeling disappointed, etc. Find out how to keep negativity out of your marriage.

A healthy relationship means positive interactions always outnumber negative ones. Making deposits to the emotional bank account is done by creating positive interactions on a regular basis, like flirting, being a good listener, making a cup of coffee for your partner, celebrating small achievements, and other small gestures. If you don’t recall the last time you’ve deposited in your relationship account, it’s definitely time to make some changes.

Always discuss your conflicts

Another dating tip for building a healthy relationship is to discuss your conflicts. After having a fight, many couples wish to move on by pretending the conflict ever happened. In such scenarios, both partners are relieved to be back on the same page without considering the potential buildup of negative emotions in the background.

While such behavior is somewhat understandable, a healthy relationship means talking through the conflict and preventing destructive patterns from repeating in the future. The more you ignore your conflicts, the more resentful you are to become. Partners in a functional relationship learn lessons from past mistakes and discuss what to do differently when facing a future conflict.

Additionally, by discussing conflicts, partners look for the source of the problem, whether it is superficial or serious. Couples striving to build a healthy relationship should be prepared to constantly work on their communication, as communication is key for growing and changing positively. Evolution is indispensable for every relationship, and couples should learn to embrace it.

Create a conflict contract

Another helpful dating tip for building and maintaining a healthy relationship is having a conflict contract. These relationships are based on trust and have boundaries, which must be respected in order for nobody to get hurt. Nevertheless, when fear, anger, or jealousy run high, these boundaries can be crossed without considering the consequences.

Therefore, couples are advised to safeguard the trust by creating a conflict contract, which both partners have to adhere to in times of disagreement. This contract involves certain boundaries that apply to communication when not seeing eye to eye. For example, these boundaries might include rules like no shouting, not bringing up other topics to the conversation, using no offensive words, etc. There are no right or wrong boundaries, as every couple knows what works for them.

Nevertheless, it’s not surprising if a person ends up crossing these boundaries accidentally. In such moments, stopping the argument is crucial until both of you have calmed down. Healthy relationships are those where partners are aware that protecting their intimacy and connection is more valuable than being winners of the argument.

Spare daily time to connect

In a healthy relationship, partners are expected to spare daily time to connect, not just during date nights. It doesn’t have to be the entire evening but as many as ten minutes a day to devote yourself to your partner and to leave the phone aside. Make sure you choose a special time during the day to eliminate all distractions and focus on your connection.

Couples choose different times in the day based on their schedules. For instance, some partners make time early in the morning before going to work, while others make thetime right before hitting the sack. For others, the best time for connecting is dinner time. Everyday communication is crucial for feeling close and appreciated, especially if you know the other person has deliberately spared time for you.

Have fun

Another secret weapon in building a healthy relationship is having fun, even though many individuals neglect this aspect. At the start of the journey, most couples seem to enjoy effortless fun by laughing at each other’s jokes and doing fun activities together. Anyhow, as partners become busier, they usually lack the energy and time they’ve had before.

If playfulness is no longer present in your long-term relationship, try introducing some fun once again. Partners should search for datebooks online, which offer fun dating ideas. There are various sites, such as https://www.theadventurechallenge.com/, providing adventures for every relationship. Playfulness and laughter are always welcome, as these feelings remind couples of the time they fell in love.

Additionally, there isn’t supposed to be any special reason for doing something fun. You can perhaps recreate some of your first dates or consult the datebook for advice.

To sum up

No person should stop investing effort in romance.

Always keep the spark alive by communicating daily, respecting your darling, listening to his/her problems, resolving conflicts, and promoting positive interactions!

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8 Ways To Keep Your Long Distance Relationship Interesting

Maintaining a steady and nourishing relationship can be a challenging task, especially a long-distance one. The distance itself can be a hard thing to handle, but unless you spice up things you might get into an unwanted argument or even a breakup. Let’s leave those thoughts behind and start thinking about some fun, lucrative, and interesting things you can incorporate into your long-distance relationship to make it more interesting.

1. Spruce up things with online games

Distance should never be an obstacle, but rather be represented as an invigorating way to make your relationship blossom. One way to make that happen is to play online games together and get competitive. If your partner is a keen gamer, there’s no better way to stay “connected” than by playing online games together, chat, and compete against each other. A little competition might make you connect more.

2. Surprise them with a gift

Social media platforms, texting, and emails help communication get wild, however, a thing that will undoubtedly spark off romance is sending actual presents and gift boxes or baskets. There’s no better way to show someone who is miles away from you how much you care than surprising her with a fantastic gift that will arrive at her doorstep. Nowadays you can find fantastic gift hampers for your loved one that can be delivered to their house, and with a special message inside, they’ll surely be over the moon.

3. Find your favorite show

If you had the opportunity to be in the same city, you’d probably spend hours and hours watching some cool show together. No problem! Just because you’re not in the same city doesn’t mean you can’t do that, what’s more, enjoying quality TV time will actually make you more closer. Set aside a time every day to sit down together to watch an interesting episode at the same time, comment on things afterward and predict a few situations.

4. You’ve got (snail) mail!

Anything handwritten has more meaning than any other printed item. Getting a pen and paper to write a special love letter is, to be honest, more difficult than sending a regular text message. Hence, it’s more meaningful. So, if you desire to keep a long relationship interesting, pick up a nice greeting card, write some dazzling quotes, sketch cute doodles, and send it off. Once you see your partner’s reaction, you might become a loving pen-pals.

5. Go on a weekend getaway

Even if distance impedes from seeing each other on a daily basis, when you do find time to see each other, you should make it memorable. Book a fabulous weekend getaway and choose the perfect villa escape to maximally celebrate your reunion. Plan to meet in a new place to spice up the relationship, go somewhere where neither of you has been there before. It doesn’t have to be a costly trip, but rather a fun vacation where you could enjoy each other adequately.

6. Get sassy

For an utterly sensational long-distance experience, you should get a little bit dirty. As you need to compensate for the lack of quality physical time, you’d better spice things up to keep things active. Send sexy photos to each other, let your partner how much you love him/her in a sassy way, don’t be shy and spruce things up with a hot video. The distance can make things hotter, and when you meet up finally, the result of long-awaited physical attention will be bombastic.

7. Never miss out on anything

Maintaining good communication is a must in a long-distance relationship. Do your best to always keep track of activities your partner is doing, and try not to miss out on anything. Sharing your worries as well as all the positive things that are happening to you daily will undoubtedly make your bond more tightly. Share your dreams and future wishes, and in this way, you will grow together more profoundly. Give your support and advice whenever you can, and try to be “present” even on a video call on every major event your partner is attending.

8. Surprise them with a visit

Planned trips are awesome, but surprising your special someone is even better. Work together with your partner’s best friend or family so that you can surprise them with a visit. There’s nothing more amazing than seeing that shocking grin spread across your loved one’s face when they see you in person. Do this when they’re least expecting, maybe when your partner is having a tough week or when there’s a reason to celebrate something big.

Making a long relationship work is a daunting task, but a doable one. The key to a successful relationship, no matter the miles between, is mutual trust, respect, honesty, and a little bit of spark to make things extra spicy.

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About The Author

Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom, with a Fine Arts Bachelor’s degree. Expressing herself through different mediums is what keeps her spirit bright. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet. You can follow Jasmine on Twitter

Fun Ideas for Your First Post-COVID Date

You’re fully vaccinated, and you’re ready to head out on your first post-COVID date. After a year or more of staring at the same four walls, punctuated by only differing Zoom backgrounds, you’re more than ready to make it an occasion to remember.

What should you and your special someone do? After the quarantine, it’s challenging to choose. If you find yourself stumped, try one of these 11 fun ideas for your first post-COVID date.

Take Them Out to the Ballgame

Is your partner — or prospective one — a sports fanatic? If so, they had a long, lonely time in 2020. Many venues shut down, and teams played for cardboard cutouts. However, this summer, many venues return to full seating capacity, so take advantage.

If you find yourself in the Windy City, cheer on the Cubs or the Whitesox. You can’t beat the nostalgia of catching a game at Wrigley. However, if you or your date have children along, Guaranteed Rate field features the Xfinity KidZone to keep the littles entertained while you enjoy adult company.

Find Your Italian Restaurant

The restaurant industry took some of the harshest hits during the lockdown. Why not do your part to support local businesses by enjoying a bottle of red or white at a new favorite?

If linguine isn’t your deal, pick your favorite cuisine style. Call ahead for reservations, as demand is sure to soar. Ask your date about any food allergies so that you can select an appropriate spot.

Have a Picnic in the Park

You might find your favorite spot, too teeming with folks all as anxious to be out and about as you are. If you want to flee the madding crowds, why not have a picnic in the park?

Take a picnic basket — but leave your cellphone at home. Consider it a Zoom-free chance to disconnect and reconnect in real life.

Recreate Paparazzi Pics

Is your Instagram account looking a little bare? It’s time to fill it with all your adventures.

When you and your date get all dolled up to paint the town red, take dozens of photos. Invest in a selfie stick if you don’t already have one. Strike a pose in front of some of the most famous spots in your hometown and resurrect your social media feeds together.

Learn to Skateboard or Longboard

Learning a new skill is a fabulous way to bring you and that special someone closer. Choose something that makes you feel like a kid again, like skateboarding or long boarding. Take a lesson together, then head out to the nearest park to show off your new moves for the youngsters.

Try a Paddle board Yoga Class

If you thought balancing in tree pose was challenging on land, wait until you throw water into the equation. Yoga on a paddle board will work your core like no other workout, but you won’t even feel the burn. You’ll be too busy having fun and getting wet with this tough-as-nails, yet no-sweat activity.

Go Geocaching

Are you and your date urban explorers? Why not give geocaching a try? All you need is a device capable of reading GPS coordinates — your phone will do — and free club membership.

The game works by choosing a cache and programming the coordinates. Once you locate your booty, snap a photo to share your conquest on social media before leaving it for the next person.

Find an Open Mic Night

Famous performance artists like Taylor Swift kept going throughout the pandemic, but up-and-comers have had a rough go the past several months. Why not put some bread in their jar when you hit up an open mic night? If you or your date are brave and creative enough, you can even take the stage.

Discover Laser Tag

Now that you’re safe to interact with strangers indoors again, why not rediscover the thrill of the hunt. You and your partner can head to an indoor laser tag venue and see who can blast the other the most. Many such facilities also offer climbing walls and bounce facilities, so come prepared with comfy clothes and socks.

Ride to the Danger Zone

Theme parks also had a rough go of things in 2020, but those that previously closed are now reopening — why not go for a thrill ride or a dozen? Even if you don’t like loop coasters, you and your partner can get out your aggressions on the bumper cars. Feeling romantic? There’s nothing like a kiss atop the Ferris wheel.

Rediscover the Joy of Cinema

Finally, theaters also struggled to survive the pandemic. Why not treat your date to a buttery tub of popcorn and a matinee, now that you can? Alternatively, see if you can find a midnight screening of one of your favorite classics.

Create a First Post-COVID Date to Remember With These Tips

You want to make your first post-COVID date memorable. Try one of the above 11 tips.

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.