It’s Sunday again! So I don’t normally share non-bookish news. But this time?
So basically, there’s this colleague of mine who appreciates a good joke. But like I mean, a really good joke.
So for his 35th birthday, he found this cafeteria-bar in the dodgiest part of town, that apparently hosts Friday dances for age 50+ folks who like listening to some really cheesy old Russian music. Let me just illustrate it for you:
That’s where he held his birthday party. I can tell you, half the guests couldn’t stop laughing at the novelty even an hour and a half in, and after they did, they still kept taking pictures and broadcasting a live video feed on Facebook. Imagine 30 rich middle-age hipsters who work in a fashionable ad agency and probably comb their beards every morning, sitting around a table in a lower class bar with a disco ball, live bad old Russian pop covers blaring at max volume and an entirely full dancefloor of 50 year old guys dancing with 70 year old ladies. I tell you, it was something, alright. (And let me tell you, those old folks know how to have fun!)
Me and Ebilshrimp though, we dressed up for it. Gotta be one with the joke. I wore a vintage dress that fit the party perfectly! Ebil just looked plain smart in a suit. We even danced to the bad music! Hell, everyone danced to it. This must’ve been one of the weirdest and possibly more memorable evenings this year! The funniest bit was when my colleague told us about how he’d been listening to people making excuses all day (gotta watch the kids, nothing to wear… oh, I just need to do this for my mother…) because they were too weirded out or embarrassed to be seen at a place like that. Good riddance! It just means we all had more champagne left.
(Literally. We all got a bottle to take home. We’re opening ours tonight live on Ebil’s Twitch channel where we’ll be streaming Undertale (yes, you get to see me too) starting 6.30PM GMT+3. So cheers!)
~ Last Week On The Blog ~
~ Coming Up Next Week~
Next week I’m finally posted the long-awaited review of The Punch Escrow (I can’t recommend that book enough!!) and State of the ARC #2, where you will be able to link up your own ARC progress post after it goes live. So come and join! There will be bricks and buildery-fun. (Yes, bricks. Don’t ask. Just see for yourself :D)


~ Little Book Haul ~
I hauled three books last week! It’s not a huge number again, which makes me happy. Ironically, even though I said I don’t read a lot of fantasy, the books I hauled this week are mostly fantasy, plus one nonfiction! The Hidden Face is a book my buddy here S.C. Flynn wrote and kindly sent my way (I think my co-blogger Ebil might be reading it), and I couldn’t help grabbing The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame, because come on – a real story about a nearly forgotten daring woman who would rather leave all her riches and run off to the cold North Pole to explore the snow and ice and loneliness? I have to read about that. And The Forgotten Beasts of Eld was recommended to me by my friend Margaret Kingsbury, because she thought I would like it, so I dutifully grabbed it – it sounds great!
~ In The Bookish Community ~
First of all!!! Don’t forget to sign up for Sci-fi Month over at Rinn Reads! I’ve just signed up. Join us for some fun!!!
Last week I didn’t have too much time to blog hop (I apologize to those whom I failed to visit from the linkup!), but I have found these gems!
Lisa @ Remarkably Lisa shares a why a bad review is still a good review
Avada Kedavra @ The Bookish Muggle shares a random post about life, career change, politiness on the internet and many other random ponderings. Does a post always have to have a topic? Nope.
Mikaela @ The Well-thumbed Reader shares a discussion about what she has changed in her blog and blogging habits for her readers
Shruti @ This Is Lit shares
why she likes Jodi Picoult’s books buy is getting tired of them
As usual, I’m linking up with the usual crew for the Sunday meme at Kimba’s book blog and Stacking The Shelves over at Tynga’s Reviews. This time I won’t be linking up with Mailbox Monday or Book Date, because it’s just too hard to visit 100+ blogs! Staying true to the Sunday post crew though 🙂
I’m Evelina and I try to blog about books that matter, with a bit of fun there too! Disability and equality will be topics you see a lot, but there’s also a lot of scifi, fantasy and… GIFs. I’m also the proud founder of #ARCsAnonymous.
I’m sorry, but the picture of your party, all I can see is the food on the table. And I almost didn’t recognize you! Oh my god you’re even prettier than your profile pictures XD (Seriously you’re so pretty. I’m seriously jealous right now). Don’t judge the disco-style party, every party is a party! You’re so lucky, I’ll probably never get to go to a party like that. My favorite post is probably your announcement of your co-blogger. It’s so funny! You got to show a picture of him one day! And you need to know how lucky you are… Read more »
😀 no worries, I can absolutely understand the food thing. The food WAS good 😀 it was like your regular New Year’s feast! And awwww! You know what’s funny? Because me and Bf spent an hour at the end of that party (when we got bored xD) debating about my understanding of beauty and why I think I’m ugly 😀 (I really don’t like my hair and a lot of other things xD) but I’m really glad you think so highly of me 😀 my Bf will say HA TOLD YOU SO when I show him this comment xD If… Read more »
I actually had the worst hair in that picture! But thanks. What are you talking about though? Your hair looks amazing! I love it!!!
It’s a nope for me to curly hair. I’ve had too much abuse in life for it (childhood? Nope. Teen years? I was utterly unacceptable. Even now people still sometimes say that being curly makes you lazy, WTF even.) Also you don’t want to know what it looks like in the morning 😀 let’s just say I would switch with you gladly xD
Isn’t she just gorgeous though? She never believes and usually states “Your opinion doesn’t count” But for the record: HA TOLD YOU SO! Just so you know, the stunning guy next to her that doesn’t have a bad case of ribbon-face is me, her boyfriend! ^^ Now you have to show us your future boyfriend! I would like to amend one detail though. Your expected crush almost never likes you back. BUT FEAR NOT! Your real, secret crush that you don’t know you crush on yet appears to catch you off guard when you least expect it. Ava and I… Read more »
Haha nice to finally meet you! You and Ava actually do look a lot alike, and is a really great match 😀
I’ll try to check up the stream if I can, but I’ve never used Twitch 🙁
Thanks! We get that a lot for some reason 😀 (I mean, people saying we look alike)
And Twitch is really easy, you don’t even have to sign up. It’s kind of like youtube that way, only live. But you can sign up with an email if you want to comment 🙂 and that’s all there is.
OMG YOU AND YOUR BF MAKE SUCH A BOMB COUPLE! Glad to know you guys had an awesome time!!!!
Hahaha thank you lovely 😀 glad you liked the pic! It was such a funny evening, I swear xD utterly and completely random!
Looks like a good time had by all. 🙂 Quite the place for a birthday party!??!
Punch Escrow has me so curious, between the title and the premise I just want to know what that book is about! Ha ha
Quite the place, indeed 😀 I know I’ll keep telling stories about it for a while 😀
And you should ABSOLUTELY read The Punch Escrow. Like just take my word on it!!
That party sounds like it was amazing! I love it when you go out to strange places you’d never have normally ventured to and up having the best time. Who cares if it was a place which seemed to be targeted to the elderly you had fun and that’s what matters. And a bottle of champagne to take home? Sounds like an amazing success, everyone else missed out.
Everyone else DID miss out, you are right 🙂 thank you for dropping by!
Sounds like a great party! How fun that your collegue is such a funny guy!
LOL!! I also don’t read a lot of fantasy novels. And my two new books this week are also fantasy novels. Strange.. Maybe I do like reading fantasy more than I think I do. 🙂
Have a great week and happy reading!
Haha, a coincidence 🙂 thanks for dropping by!
I cracked up on seeing the pic of the band. Tell me THEY didn’t resurrect themselves and thrill you with “Hey Baby, What’s Your Sign?” at the party. Whatever, sounds like you and Ebil & Co. had a blast:)
The Punch Escrow…now that sounds like a novel I must investigate. I think I’ll hold off until you review it, though.
Oh, you absolutely MUST check out The Punch Escrow! I hope you like the review too 🙂
That birthday party sounds like it was one for the books. Glad you had a great time!
Thanks, it truly was 😀 thank you for dropping by!
The party sounds amazing! Your colleague must be a hoot to be around with! xD
As usual, thanks for the shoutout! Really appreciate it.
Yeah, my colleague is fun 😀 he gets extra points because he brought me ACTUAL Gemina from ACTUAL Australia too! Imagine that 😀
Wow! Nice. xD
That sounds like the best party ever!! I love that you guys were able to embrace the weird! Have a great week!
We make a point of embracing the weird, haha 😀 have a great week too, and thanks for visiting 🙂
That party sounds hilarious…and fun. Pooh to those who made excuses for whatever reason. Who needs glum people looking down their noses?
Enjoy your week, and I am curious about The Polar Adventures.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
That’s true, their loss 😀 thanks for visiting back too! Have some awesome margaritas this week so you can share a pic, as always 😉 love your restaurant pics!
That bar and party sounds awesome!
Now I am off to find some old Russian pop music on Youtube 🙂
And how did the YouTube search go? Do you regret it yet? 😀 haha.
Have a great week, Brian!
That party sounds like a blast!
Can’t wait to hear what you think of The Forgotten Beasts of Eld!
I’m quite eager to read it 🙂 such a great cover too! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂 have a great week!
Haha.. oh hilarious! I’m glad you had a wonderful time there. Once in our lifetimes (or more than once) we need to do something uncomfortable. I would definitely go to that party. Awesome!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy your books. Have a wonderful week. ❤️
PS: have I told you I love your name? I’m obsessed with it.
It was truly hilarious 😀 I think you would totally enjoy that party, truly 🙂 or just a party like that. Fun ride.
You have a wonderful week too! And awww! Thank you, what a lovely thing to say about my name 🙂
OMG, that is so funny! I love going to those type of places. It’s good for the soul to laugh! 🙂
Have a great week, Avalinah! Happy Reading!
Yes, indeed 😀 thank you! You have a great week too, and thanks for visiting 🙂
I’m glad you had fun! No Russian pop songs actually jump to mind, so I’ll have to look some of them up!
I haven’t heard about any of the books you got but I hope you’ll enjoy them! Have a great week and happy reading!
Yeah, they’re… not very good songs, in my opinion 😀 songs of the 80’s pop kind as well xD
Thank you, you have a great week too, and thank you for visiting 🙂
That sounds like a memorable evening! Laughter and good company and music (even bad music) and dancing — all good for the soul.
Enjoy The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. It’s a beautiful little gem of a book.
Exactly xD even bad music can be so much fun! Thanks 🙂 yeah, it seems like a very cute book, I hope I can make way for it soon, cause I signed up for the Sci-fi month for November, so now I have… quite a long-reaching TBR, so to say 😀
Thanks for visiting!
Sounds like a great party! Glad you had fun.
Enjoy your books. Have a great week!
Thank you Yvonne! Have a great week too 🙂
Sounds like ya’ll had fun at the birthday party. I hope you enjoy the new books you got this week. 🙂
Jenea’s Book Obsession’s Sunday Post
Thank you Jenea! I want to apologize for not visiting your update, but I tried twice yesterday. And both times my antivirus told me there was something evil and blocked me, and the page wouldn’t load at all… sorry!
It’s challenging to jump around isn’t it; but I try to give to get…if only there was more time in each day. Also, sounds like a fun party. Love the humorous tone of your writing as well.
Thank you so much! Yes, if only there was more time 🙂
You’re looking very snazzy! And that party. What a fabulous place to hold it. I bet nobody will ever forget. And times like those are so few and far between.
Thank you Laura 🙂 yes, that’s one word for the place 😀 it was different for sure! It was such a dodgy neighbourhood though, like your local Harlem, basically xD thanks for visiting 🙂
Haha that party sounds amazing! Dive bars and old Russian music? It sounds perfect 😛
Yes, and dodgy neighbourhoods 😀 it was something alright 😀
Thanks for dropping by 🙂
The party sounds wonderful – thank you for sharing the pic:) I’m looking forward to seeing what you make of The Forgotten Beasts of Eld – it’s a book I read a while ago, but I remember quite vividly. Have a great week, Evelina and thank you for popping in and your kind words:)
I felt like it would be a book some of my friends would have read for sure, and you’re the third already! I’m so lucky to get something that’s being republished on NetGalley 🙂 really, that’s when you feel like “yessss. Blog win!” Haha 😀
The birthday party sounds like so much fun! I am glad you had such a good time. It sounds like everyone who went did. 🙂 I like the sound of your new books and hope you enjoy them! The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame appeals to me for the same reason it does you. I’ll have to look for that one.
I hope you have a great week, Evelina!
Yep, everyone did, I think 🙂 yeah, I think you can still grab that book on NetGalley. I can never stop myself from grabbing a nonfiction book about a strong woman 🙂 so inspiring! Hope you get it 🙂
That sounds like an amazing time! One of my favorite memories back in Chicago was spending New Years at this Romanian/Greek/Something Else But I Don’t Remember restaurants/dance/bars near downtown. The food and alcohol were pretty good but the entertainment and decoration were over the top. The music was instrumental and there were these old women with tons of makeup on and crazy outfits dancing all around the place. And the even older men there kept making the bills rain down on them. It was all kinds of crazy, but it was definitely one of my favorite New Years Eve ever.… Read more »
Your description sounds like JUST the kind of place we were in! Only with the appropriate cultural substitutions 😀 I’m so glad you know the kind of place! It is unique, isn’t it. Especially because sometimes I feel we middle class people are pretty trapped in our whole “fashionable-proper-intellectual” way of living and we don’t know how to break out of it the way both the rich and the poor do. So we can kind of get boring that way. That’s why it’s good to go to a place like that for a change 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Very entertaining post about that party! And thanks dor mentioning THE HIDDEN FACE.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Oh, the least I can do is mention you in a haul, man 🙂 have a great week!
That party sounds hilarious. Your friend has a great sense of humor and he had a birthday party you all won’t soon forget!
It was hilarious 😀 and totally worth it. Thanks for visiting, lovely 🙂
That party sounds pretty funny and fun!! Glad you had a great time. ENjoy your new books and have a great week!
Thank you Grace, have a great week too 🙂
That party sounds absolutely amazing! Such a good time. Yay for keeping the book haul small again this week. I hope you have a great week and enjoy all of your new books!
Thank you, Carole! Thanks for visiting and you have a great week too 🙂
That sounds like a fun party! Neat you dressed up in a style that fit the party. Have a great week!
Yeah, it was fun for sure 🙂 have a great week and thanks for visiting, Lola 🙂
It sounds like you had a really great time! That sounds like a lot of fun actually. I can never seem to resist a good nonfiction read so I’m going to watching for your thoughts on The Polar Adventures! Have a great week and happy reading!
If you’re looking for good nonfiction, check out The Radium Girls and Quackery as well 🙂 thanks for dropping by!
The party sounds like it was a great time and very memorable. The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame sounds amazing, I would love to read a book like that. I hope you enjoy all your new books. Have a great week!
Thanks Karen, and thanks for visiting 🙂
Glad you had so much fun! I’m cracking up over that gif of the keyboard player. LOL.
Glad you liked it 😀 took me a while to find, but when I did, I knew it was PERFECT 😀
Have a great week!
That party sounds like a very memorable experience, haha!
I look forward to reading your review of The Punch Escrow.
Have a wonderful week!
Thanks Suzanne, and The Punch Escrow is live right now, actually 🙂 have a great week!
That sounds like a fun party and you are a cute couple!! That gif is great and I can just imagine the dance floor filled with elderly people dancing lol.
Thank you 🙂 yes, it was just like you’re imagining 😀 have a great week and thanks for stopping by 🙂
Omg that party must have been one hell of a kind! Glad you guys had so much fun! 🙂
Trust me, it was 😀 have a great week and thanks for dropping by 🙂
Ah, thanks so much for linking back to my post! ❤️ It means so much to me!
Totally my pleasure 🙂
Oh my gosh, I can’t stop laughing at the night out at the dodgy bar with the retro Russian disco music. LOL That had to have been so much fun. I would have gen just for the spectacle. No dancing for me but I would have loved to just sit back and take it all in. What a fun night!
I know right 😀 I believe you might have even danced! Because you would have seen ladies double your age (and size) dancing and you would have been all like ‘to hell with it!’ 😀 it’s quite inspiring xD but yes, it was totally fun. I’m happy to have made you laugh as well 😀
I NEED TO VISIT A BAR LIKE THAT!!! It sounds so silly that it would be a blast to visit with friends 🙂 Hope you’re off to a great week and welcome to the new co-blogger! I’ve been way behind on blog-hopping this week and looks like I have some catching up to do 🙂
Thanks! Actually it was kind of a tough week, but of well D: it’s alright even if you’re late, cause you’re here <3 have a great weekend 🙂
*waves* I am visiting back because I always try to, but I have no brain because of a cold so I can’t think what I want to say! Hi.
Hi 😀 that’s alright! I am so glad you visited 🙂 I hope you get better soon!
[…] went to the weirdest party ever and I talk about it here […]
The Polar Adventures does sound intriguing – especially good one for the upcoming cold season. Happy reading.
I should have a guest post by the author of that one sometime in October, if that works out 🙂
Someday, I will come visit you. When I do, we MUST go to this bar. It is imperative. Particularly for the longevity of our relationship. We will dance and eat and celebrate all the amazing things this bar will bring to our lives. Well, yours for the second time. Regardless, you have been warned. 😉 I TOTALLY WATCHED SOME OF UNDERTALE. I don’t understand now Twitch really works, but it was really interesting to me! Please don’t forget to invite me to more of those in the future. 😉 I love all the posts you share from other blogs each… Read more »
It’s actually a cafeteria during the day, not a bar xD maybe if you visit when we are both 60ish, we’ll even fit into the crowd! XD As of next Sunday, we will be playing Mass Effect 2, and you said you liked that! So maybe you can join us again 🙂 Undertale rocked xD it was so delightfully random! Too bad it’s so short. As for shared posts.. I don’t always find time for that. But when I do read them on my phone, I will always just put the links of what I liked into a draft post… Read more »