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Hello!
This blog was moved to https://thehorrormuse.wordpress.com/
Thank you!
Anila H.

First Chapter First Paragraph ~ Tuesday Intros -

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Hello Bookworms

This is a feature hosted by Bibliophile By the Sea.  We have to share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book we are reading, or thinking about reading soon.

I am currently reading "Haunted" by Heather Beck (Goodreads)

"Fifteen-year-old Chase Macmillan looked expectantly at her father from across the dining-room

table. She’d been doing so since his arrival and subsequent

announcement that he’d just received some

good news. Chase’s dinner, which consisted of meatloaf

and broccoli, was getting cold as she watched

Mr. Macmillan eat his own meal in a hurry."

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

If Dracula was my Best Friend Part 2

Hello bookworms,

Yes, the horrific Anila H. is here with another weird post. For the first part click here. Now without further a do, let’s jump to today’s topic:

Anila decides to take a break from writing, and she goes to the kitchen to have some cappuccino.

Dracula: Nonsense! Nonsense! Nonsense!

In Search Of Monsters #11: The headless horseman? Dullahan

Hello bookworms,

It’s been a while since my last In Search Of Monsters. Truth be told, this feature takes a lot of time.

If Dracula was my best friend Part 1

Hello Bookworms,

How have you been doing these days? I have been fine, working on my horror book. These days I have been thinking, what would it be like if Dracula was my best friend. I think you have already accustomed to my weird thoughts, therefore I don’t have to explain anything, and we shall begin our fun post for this week:

If Dracula was my best friend Part 1

A Story by AnilaH. From A Writer’s Dark Corner

In Search of Monsters #10 The Face Powder Hag? Oshirobaba

Hello Bookworms,
Today we are going to talk about Oshirobaba. Now, here’s the thing, there exist a lot of legends about Oshirobaba. Firstly she is seen as the servant of "Goddess of Cosmetics". She is supposed to go around, tricking young girls in trying her face powder.

In Search Of Monsters #9 Deadly cotton? Ittan-Momen

Hello bookworms,

How have you all been doing? Today we are going to talk about a deadly roll of cotton. Yes, you read it right, a deadly roll of cotton. Making creepy creatures out of ordinary objects, that, my darlings, is a talent.

The Ittan-Momen is a roll of cotton that just flies around in the wind at night but if you happen to be around there, it will either wraps itself around your neck and choke you, or wrap itself around your head and suffocate you. It sounds like the alien movie, where those wrap their legs around your face. Yes, my alien pet told me that.

But wouldn’t it be funny, if you would decide to have a nice evening walk, and in you find yourself being chased from a deadly roll of cotton. 

If in case this Ittan Momen would attack a stranger, and I would be there, chances are I wouldn't even notice...

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

January's Guide To Reading

 Here’s to an amazing year! Now let’s get to our Guide To Reading:

January is all about starting fresh, starting new, new possibilities, new dreams, plans and goals. What kind of reading is suited for us?

Reading Challenge:

Usually during January we are very determined to accomplish our goals. That is why this month should be inspiring, this way we know there is going to be an awesome year ahead.

Follow And Feature #11

Feature and Follow

Hello Bookworms!

Happy New Year everyone! Hopefully this year will be full of happiness, love, prosperity, and tons of horror books. (Finger crossing for Stephen King publishing some new ones)

I stopped doing Feature and Follow for some times, but here I am again!

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs! The goal is to increase blog followers and make friends.

This week’s question is:

What was your favorite book of 2014 – or books if you can’t name just one?

 “Doctor Sleep” by Stephen King. I know this book was released in September 2013, but I read it in 2014, after I finished “The Shining”. Also “The Last Vampire Series” by Pike were awesome. 

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

In Search of Monsters #6 : Are Aliens Cute?

Hello bookworms,

How have you been doing these fine days? I was sick with flu; therefore I was stuck at home, doing basically nothing at all. :(

Anyways let's get straight to our topic . In my last “In Search of Monsters”, I mentioned that the “aliens” are pretty cute. Roberta (OffbeatYA) suggested  to talk about these creatures in my next episode. So here you go! 
I am quite sure, that everyone knows the "alien", from “The Alien” movies (duh!) In this episode of "In Search of Monsters", we are going to talk about the creatures featured in these movies.

Not all of these creatures are what I like. I prefer the "dog aliens", the four legged ones, because they are cute. Well, not having the movie plot in my mind, and not having to witness how they kill, I think they are pretty darn cute, aren't they? Imagine if you had a pet like that. Imagine if that scary creature would be just a harmless pet! Wouldn't it be cool? This creature would scare away anyone, who dares to approach you. And they could kill anyone, whom is considered a danger to you. Like for example…

Walking all alone in a dark empty street? No problemo, I got my pet to protect me! 
Thieves just broke into my house? Puh-lease, I am not scared. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.

 Someone drank the cappuccino I ordered for myself? Get ready to die!

 (Ok, I was a bit overreacting there. I mean who would kill the thieves, just because they broke into your house? About the cappuccino thing, I am serious.)

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

November's Guide To Reading

Hello Bookworms,

It’s me, Klejda. I decided to take over this blog today, while Anila is in Italy. Welcome to November’s Guide to Reading!

Music:

When I’m reading or studying I generally don’t listen to music but the few times that I do,  I like to listen to songs such as:

You Be The Anchor That Keeps My Feet On The Ground I'll Be The Wings That Keep Your Heart In The Clouds – Mayday Parade (lovely name by the way)

Do I Wanna Know – The Arctic Monkeys

One For The Road – The Arctick Monkeys

Soldier – Before You Exit

When The Lights Die – Boyce Avenue

High Above The Ground – Daughty (all songs by Daughtry basically)

Nina – Ed Sheeran

Guns And Horses – Ellie Goulding

Try – Simple Plan

Another Love – Tom Odell

Books For this month:

Some of my favourite books are:

The Diviners – Libba Bray

The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern

Is It Just Me – Miranda Hart

The Storyteller – Antonia Michaelis

The Edge Of Never – J. A. Redmerski

And of course The Fault In Our Stars – John Green

Beverages of choice:

I preffer frappe, or coffee, and you all know what is Anila’s choice of course. 

In Search Of Monsters #5 Talking Teacups? Tsukumogami

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Hello bookworms

It’s been a while. Where have I been? Oh well, I have been studying all the time.

 I wanted to write this quick update on my blog.

I have been thinking about my feature “Weird Legends”. Now, if you tell me that I am weird (I get that a lot), I gladly accept it. I don’t take it as an offensive word. When I am saying “Weird Legends”, I am thinking “awesome, unique, amazing legends”, not “weird” in a bad way. I know I am borrowing from other cultures, so I don’t want to be misunderstood. Even though for me “weird” means good, it may not be the same for someone else. I don’t want to offend anyone, so from now on “Weird Legends” will be called “In search of monsters”.

The feature won’t change. I will do memes, interviews, and I will provide information. This feature is supposed to be funny, and it’s main purpose is to bring a smile on your face with my crazy imaginary conversations.

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I am pretty sure, that you have all watched “Beauty and The Beast”. I am also pretty sure, that you think those animate objects are funny, and cute.

Funny? Cute? Nu-uh , not in my blog.

Let me introduce to you the famous Tsukumogami. Never heard of that? Were have you been all your life? How can I put this simply?

Tsukumogami are animate household objects. 

 They are supposed to be harmless, but they will play some pranks. They have the capacity to get revengeful upon those who are wasteful. So, be careful…

Imagine how cool would it be to talk to your pen for example. Or to your cup of tea…

It would be like:

Anila: Oh hello Dracula Jr! (Do not ask!)

Dracula Jr. and Frankenstein Jr.

My tea cup Dracula Jr.: Hello Nila! Why aren’t you studying?

Anila: Well, you know there’s this good book, and…

Dracula Jr.: Anila! Stop procrastinating!

Anila: But I am kinda hungry right now!

Dracula Jr.: Stop it! You got loads of work to do!

My tea spoon Frankenstein Jr.: Sweetheart, don’t forget you have to post “In Search of Monsters” in your blog today.

Anila: What??? Oh God, I forgot!

Frankenstein Jr.: You had to write about us today. How could you forget? I thought you loved us.

Anila: Frankie, stop being so emotional!

Yeah, it takes a lot to handle them.

They still look cute to me, but again I kinda think that “The Alien” looks cute too! (No? I would love to have a pet just like him. Am I being crazy again? Oh sorry!)

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

October's Guide To Reading : Horror Books

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Hello bookworms

Welcome to another post of October’s Guide to Reading! 

On Monday we have talked about spooky music. I have given that task to Klejda, since she is so addicted to music. Now we are talking about horror books, so it is my turn to write. If you haven’t noticed until now, I love horror books.
I think that October should be the horror month (hence the Halloween). Who said that Halloween should last only one day? I celebrate Halloween everyday actually, but let’s just tone it down to a month.

Last year I have posted a list of my favorite horror books. The list is still valid even for 2014, so here is the link.

This fall I am loving antique books. Since I am so into old books lately, I will go with those bone -chilling classics this Halloween.

Dracula

Need to say more? I am Dracula’s number one fan! I absolutely love Bram Stoker. The book is a piece of art. I don’t have words to describe it. The most special thing about “Dracula” is it’s writing style. This book is written in epistolary format. You are reading a diary. It is like you have been there. It feels like that diary exists, like those characters are as real as you. The problem with “Dracula” is that peoplehave watched the movies, and now they refuse to read it. The movies don’t really have a plot. They focus more on the effects, and the disgusting part. How can you compare an actress in Lucy’s character with that sassy vampire, whose description makes you feel fear, and admiration in the same time? Give Dracula a chance!

Frankenstein

Good ol’ Frankenstein. Before I continue any further, please people bear this in mind: “Frankenstein isn’t the monster, Frankenstein is the scientist, Victor Frankenstein to be exact.” In the novel the creature has no name! That’s why I will call him Frankenstein’s monster. Hands down, this monster is the only one, who makes me feel sorry for his (second) death. He is innocent, and sensitive. He only wants love. This monster cannot stand looking at his reflection. I mean, can we get a round of applause for all these human feelings, that he possesses? Doesn’t this sound familiar to you? Isn’t this monster a little part of us, at the end?

Well, that’s it for today!

Last Post: October's Guide To Reading : Scary Music

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

Feature and Follow #10

Hello Bookworms,
This feature was hosted by the amazing Parajunkee, and the lovely Alison Can Read.
Learn more about this feature here.

This week’s question is:

Book looks – Your favorite fashions from the books you’ve read

Well, I was mad about this fantasy series, when I was 13. It was called “La bambina della Sesta Luna”. I don’t think there’s an English version of these series, but I read the Albanian one. Nina de Nobili really had a fashion sense! It reminded you of the 60’s or something.

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

October's Guide To Reading: Spooky Music

(Klejda is back!)

Hello people, 

I’m back. I know I have not written a blog post in quite a long time, and I apologize for that, but I promise to start writing regularly. 

Anyways, now that’s done, let’s start with today’s post, which is

"October Songs". 

I’m going to include mostly Halloweeny songs, but also, maybe some autumny songs.

September's Guide To Reading

Summer is gone. All we can do now is store those warm memories full of sunny days. Now it is time for September. As the season changes, I think that even your reading experience has to change (except the genre. Read whatever you want!) Welcome to my guide to reading in this sweater weather.

Creature Feature Ep.2 The true story of a witch Part 1

While continuing my research in unique creatures, I stumbled upon a true story, that made skin shiver from fear. I am sure you all know what a witch is. You think a witch is an old lady, who eats little kids.
This statement may be right or wrong, because these old fairytales may seem like a joke to you, but some old people in Albania really believe these legends. According to the person I interviewed, a witch was:
-A woman. She might be an old lady, or a young one.
- Someone who made children sick. She doesn't necessarily eat them. But if someone knows her identity, she will eat his/her liver.
- Someone close to the victim. Someone, who knows the victim. She is envious of the victim.
After writing that piece of information in my notebook, I asked the old lady again:
"Grandma (you usually call old people this way, even thought you don't have any blood relations with them), tell me how do you protect yourself from witches?"
"There are some ways. Something my mother would do was to put a mixture of seeds (the one you use to feed birds) into a bag, and then let it hang on the door. When the witch will enter, she will start counting the seeds, and because she can't, she will leave.  It would help putting a religious book, or object near the seeds."
That answer baffled me. I remember watching a greek TV series with vampires, and there was a legend that if you put rice at the entrance of your room, the vampires will start counting the rice.

The old grandma also told me the story when she met a witch.
"It was night. I hear my son taking a deep breath, and having difficulty breathing. I enter in his room, and in the darkness I find a woman with a blue towel on her head hiding her eyes, and her hand on my son's forehead. I tried to grab her, but she dissappeared. She was someone I knew, that's why she had put her towel in order not to let  me see her face."

Well, this was indeed a scary story, but I don't know if it was true or not. Regardless this was a very interesting creature, and I plan to continue my research. I will make sure to give the Albanian witch a lot more importance. By the way in Albanian "shtrige" means "witch". That ca be used even to offend someone.
This was the second episode of "Creature Feature"

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

Creature Feature Ep.1 Albanian Edition

Hello bookworms,
I am currently in Italy, enjoying some hot cappuccino even though it's summer. I spent an awful day today,from waking up at 2AM (after staying up the whole night reading "12 Years a Slave") , to traveling for 2 hours, to feeling nauseous while the plane was landing, to again traveling for 2 hours with a bus (falling asleep, and waking up scared) , to finally arrive at my destination only to find out that's raining pretty hard, and I don't have an umbrella...so...
But, anyways, I am ok now. I am currently writing on my IPad, and that's a bit annoying, but I don't have my laptop with me, so I have to bear with it.
Today "A Writer's Dark Corner" presents "Creature Feature" (credit to Roberta for the name), the first feature ever created to help writers find out about the most interesting, creepy, and unique creatures you never knew existed.
Anila interviews people for these creatures. Please support us in finding these unique creatures, by commenting, sharing, subscribing, and spreading love for horror.
I hope you enjoy it!
Not long ago, I interviewed an Albanian old lady about unique, creepy legends.This is "Creature Feature Ep.1 Albanian Edition" 
Pelhura is an Albanian creature, who is supposed to appear strolling around meadows. Usually shepherds are warned, when they go with their sheep in the meadows. If you see a "Pelhura" you need to hide between the sheep. This creature cannot pass the sheep, because the latest are supposed to be God's animals. While the goat is supposed to be devil's creature. "Pelhure" in Albanian means "fabric" or "cloth". The creature looks like a ghost, because it is covered in a white cloth, but it's huge, and it feeds on humans.

Lugat is the Albanian vampire, or the dead (usually vampires are called the undead, but in Albanian they are called the dead)
How is a lugat created?
It is told, that if you cry too much for the dead, he or she will wake up as a lugat, and he or she will eat you.
If you talk bad about the dead, this person will wake up, and he or she will eat you.
If this person has done something wrong in his or her life, the grave can't hold him or her.
There are a lot of everyday quotes regarding the lugat:
You eat like a lugat (You are filthy, and disgusting when you eat, and you are always hungry)
You sweat like a lugat (again, you are disgusting) 
Your nails are just like the lugat's (your nails are too long, just like the lugat's)
And then there is the curse "I hope you wake up as a lugat" , which means "I hope you die!"

Well, this was it! I hope you enjoyed it!

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

In Search of Monster #3: The Long-necked woman

If you have been around here for a while, you may know that I love mythological creatures. Actually, I spend my free time scrolling through Internet sites looking for bizarre, unknown, and unique creatures. Japan seems to have a demon for every occasion, so you should know by now that I absolutely adore Japanese creatures.  They are not the usual creatures you have heard of. Some of them are frightening, and scary, while some others are just weird (but that is okay, because hey we are all a bunch of weirdos)

This new creature I will be talking about is the long necked woman, or rokurokubi . Rokurokubi is part of the yōkai group (monsters in the Japanese folklore)

Now before you get confused, I have to explain to you that there are two types, the one who stretches neck during night, and the one whose head flies around detached from the body (the most dangerous). They are said to have the appearance of a very beautiful, normal lady, but during night their neck stretches, and their head goes finding humans to eat.

Actually, I don’t think of them as evil creatures. They just love to scare humans. Seeing it this way, I love to scare humans too, except I spare you the long neck thing. A lot of Japanese creatures aren’t really evil, probably just playful, or mischievous. When I will put them in my books, I’m sure they won’t be the evil guys.

The way to kill the long-necked woman is by hiding, or killing their body, while their head isn’t there.

I hope you enjoyed this creature.

This is an example of what would happen, if I ever met her. I don’t even seem frightened, haha!

Have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!

In Search of Monsters #2: A Vampire with High Heels

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Hello bookworms

This is another post for my “In Search Of Monsters” feature/meme (what should I call it?)

So, you may ask “What weird legend did this girl find today?” 

Well, today I am extremely excited to talk about the weirdest creature I have ever heard and I proudly say that this legend is Albanian (my Nationality). I know you have heard of those usual vampires (if not, what are you even doing here?), but this “type” of vampire is definitely unique. It is called “Sampiro”. 
Basically the legend says that Sampiro comes out at foggy nights (dun…dun…Dun!), swaying as it moves, because of the high heels (yes, this creature wears high heels), and it makes kissing sounds. Okay, now this is just weird. When I first found this legend, I thought Sampiro was a crazy ex-girlfriend following her lover, but nope. Even though this sounds funny, actually Sampiro is one of the most frightening creatures.
 A black robe with different layers covers its body and a pair of shining eyes pierce through your soul. If  this creature actually would exist, and I would meet it, I don’t know if I would be laughing or freaking out. I am pretty sure my reaction would be something like this:

“Hahahahahaha….You are so scary! Don’t eat me! AAAAAAAAAAAA…hahahahahaha!”

Okay, okay, I’m kidding. Let’s be real here, my reaction would be:

Anila: “So, can I have an interview with you? You know, I have a blog and I write about these weird creatures.”

Sampiro: *making kissing sounds* Mwah! Mwah!  (Translation: You are the weird one!)

Anila: (not understanding what the creature is saying) Ok, thanks! Then, shall we begin? First question, how were you created?”

Sampiro: Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!(Translation: Girl, you know I’m going to kill you after I constantly drink your blood for days and days.)

Anila: Got it! (writing in my notebook) So, how does it feel like being an unique vampire? Do you feel alone? Do other vampires bully you, because you’re not like them?

Sampiro: Mwah! Mwah!  Mwah! (Translation: I’m not hungry anymore)

Anila: Can you repeat it please?

Sampiro: Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! (Translation: Nope, I’m leaving.)

Sampiro starts running, I stalk him. The tables have turned! Yes, I annoy montsters, so they don’t kill me.

Hope you have a great day!

Happy Scary Reading!