The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Apr 23

chicago yarncon vlog + haul | 2026

My experience at Chicago Yarncon this year! ♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more! ★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod ★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit. ➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. WHERE TO FIND ME ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Apr 22

A few weeks ago, while my partner and I were waiting for our gluten free pizza place of choice to open for the day, we decided to spend the arcade tokens he found in his jacket pocket that he’d had for over a year. We walked over to the local arcade, and zeroed in on the pinball machines. After a few games on the Jurassic Park and Addam’s Family machines, the tokens were spent and we left for dinner.

Little did we know that was the spark for a new hyperfixation for us both.

A week later, my partner told me he’d gone on a pinball deep dive and had been playing virtually at home (a thing I didn’t know was even possible before now). He’d also done some research and found that the largest video arcade and pinball arcade was located in the Chicago suburbs. A great thing about this venue is that there is an entry fee but then it’s unlimited free-to-play. We made plans to go.

Those plans came to fruition this weekend. We drove the hour (with traffic) to Brookfield, IL for The Galloping Ghost Arcade. This place has not only 1, but 4 total buildings in a few block radius. One is the video arcade that has over 800 games, including retro arcade games and more modern ones. Then about a block away is the Pinball Arcade featuring over 45 pinball machines. The Galloping Ghost franchise also has their own game production studio and, weirdly enough, a gym and martial arts studio (they are not the first arcade game business to branch out into wellness - Bally of Bally’s Total Fitness is also a arcade video game and pinball manufacturer. I don’t understand the correlation but if I find out, I’ll make a follow up!)

Image from r/gaming

The video arcade is $25 for unlimited free to play and the pinball arcade is $20. We decided to buy tickets to both to try out everything.

The video arcade is largely overwhelming and gives the vibes of a casino with how many machines there are, the flashing lights, and the noises coming from the various games. We both agreed if we decided to go back and get the arcade pass, we would mostly camp out at our favorite games. For me, that’s Tapper. A game sponsored by Budweiser when it was released (although you can also find the non-alcoholic Root Beer Tapper) where you play as a bartender pouring drinks. The two controls are a joystick and a tap handle. It is wildly fun and addictive, so having to pay to play can get expensive. But in a free-to-play environment? Perfect.

Anyway, back to the point of this, which is pinball.

I’ve never played pinball with any interest in the rules, the setups of the different machines, etc. I’ve always played with a button masher mentality, which is also how I play a lot of older video games; I push buttons and hope for the best. No memorizing combos or any of that. But playing pinball this time with a very baseline understanding of how these machines are built, the various mini-games and objectives within the different game cabinets (which is the name for a pinball machine), and how you can actually get good at playing - it now feels more like pool to me. But with lower risk and barrier to entry! Pool can feel intimidating if you play in an area with a lot of pool leagues. There’s a lot of people wanting to get on the pool tables and if you aren’t good, it can feel like you are wasting time while someone more serious could be playing. While I know there are competitive pinball players and leagues, your average arcade isn’t going to have anyone hovering over you waiting for your pinball game to end.

We ended up playing multiple rounds of Addam’s Family (little did we know when we first played it at the local arcade that that is one of the most popular and beloved pinball games), Godzilla, Monster Bash, Medieval Mayhem, and multiple Elvira machines. Our favorite was the Elvira’s House of Horrors machine, which my partner actually got the 3rd highest score on and added his name to the leaderboard. It is a newer cabinet featuring Elvira making witty puns and showing clips from old B horror movies, and has a number of additions that are really fun. This cabinet has a lot of interactive areas on it, which I’ve found in my short time getting into the game is one of my favorite features.

Image from Stern Pinball website

Ok… but why am I telling you about pinball?

This newfound interest in pinball feels very aligned with the current pull many of us are having towards analog hobbies and getting offline. Although my partner did find a way to play virtual pinball, the real joy is in going to an arcade and experiencing these machines. Pinball is a very tactile experience. Pushing the buttons on the side that get the flippers to work is part of the fun. There’s also different opinions about how to launch the ball. I, for example, prefer the mechanical “plunger” type of launch that many of you are probably familiar with on older pinball machines, since it is a more tactile experience. But many of the newer machines have a launch button that automatically launches the ball for you. Some of them have a cool mechanism (like Jurassic Park for example is a trigger on a rifle which is on theme for the movies), but I still prefer the mechanical style. This reminds me of the move towards more analog media devices, such as older gaming consoles, record players and Walkmans, etc.

I was recently reading a substack article on the analog trend and this quote stuck out to me:

Analog has become shorthand for containment. The relief isn't aesthetic, it's structural. It offers an experience that begins and ends in the same place, in a culture where almost nothing does.

Pinball is a contained experience. On that cabinet, there is only one game. There’s not an endless amount of games to choose from. Even at a pinball arcade, there are a limited amount, and most arcades have only a small selection of pinball machines. There is no room for distraction on your phone. It’s a fun experience that reminds many of us of a simpler time, even if we grew up far after the pinball heyday. It makes me feel similar to how I felt when I was getting back into roller skating a few years ago.

I’m not saying you have to get into pinball. But I would recommend trying out a game if you haven’t in a while. Playing it as an adult has been pleasantly entertaining and it’s nice to add another offline hobby to my list of interests. Plus an arcade is a wonderful third space, even if you do have to pay for tokens since tokens are much less expensive than things at most other venues where you have to pay for entertainment.

Consider trying something out you haven’t done since childhood, whether that’s pinball or another more analog hobby. And if you have recently, tell me about it in the comments!

xo Sam

Pinball: a new hyperfixation

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Apr 18

March Low Buy Check In

♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more! ★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod ★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit. ➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. WHERE TO FIND ME ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Apr 14

EARLY ACCESS | recent reads: lake monsters, biopunk detectives, re-reads of old favorites, and bad YA dystopians

In which I discuss the books I've read recently.. ♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes or https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more! ★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod ★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit. ➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. WHERE TO FIND ME ► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtsontomes.bsky.social ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes ► Tiktok: @thoughtsontomes_ MORE THAN BOOKS? ★ Check out The Bibliothecary! I used to discuss witchcraft and other topics on my other channel but that content has all moved to The Bibliothecary: https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time

12 books

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Apr 3

creative burnout rambles

In this video, I talk about creative burnout, the attention economy, frustration with consuming and making content to be consumed, and how I'm trying to manage that burnout and find creative spark again. ★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit. ➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. WHERE TO FIND ME ► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtsontomes.bsky.social ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes ► Tiktok: @thoughtsontomes_ MORE THAN BOOKS? ★ Check out The Bibliothecary! I used to discuss witchcraft and other topics on my other channel but that content has all moved to The Bibliothecary: https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Mar 25

The Tainted Cup GUSH | EARLY ACCESS

In which I discuss my spoiler filled thoughts on The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett... Spoiler free review: https://youtu.be/RKc9adI7fSo ♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes or https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more! ★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod ★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit. ➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. WHERE TO FIND ME ► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtsontomes.bsky.social ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes ► Tiktok: @thoughtsontomes_ MORE THAN BOOKS? ★ Check out The Bibliothecary! I used to discuss witchcraft and other topics on my other channel but that content has all moved to The Bibliothecary: https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time

1 book

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Mar 25

The Tainted Cup (Spoiler Free) REVIEW | EARLY ACCESS

In which I discuss my spoiler free thoughts on The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett... GUSH: https://youtu.be/kQ6-4G1alEg ♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes or https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more! ★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod ★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit. ➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. WHERE TO FIND ME ► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtsontomes.bsky.social ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes ► Tiktok: @thoughtsontomes_ MORE THAN BOOKS? ★ Check out The Bibliothecary! I used to discuss witchcraft and other topics on my other channel but that content has all moved to The Bibliothecary: https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time

1 book

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Mar 24

Hi friends - Apologies for the delay on this post. In case you aren't in the Discord, I had really awful food poisoning last week and while my brain registered that it was the equinox passing, I completely blanked on having to write up this post for it. So a little late but that's the great thing about this being a seasonal challenge: we've got time!

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: SPRING EQUINOX

In the northern hemisphere, we have the spring equinox. There are a few other names for it but some of those have problematic origins so I like to keep it simple. Equinoxes and solstices have been celebrated for thousands of years by many different cultures. It is the day that daylight and nighttime hours are equal, bringing balance. In the spring, it is welcoming in the light. From here on out until the autumn equinox, there will be more light than darkness. Because the sun is coming out and temperatures are starting to rise, this is a time of rebirth, revival, and even resurrection (this is where the association with the Christian holiday of Easter comes in - there's a lot of overlap in themes and symbols).

For reading this month, fiction reading is going to be focused on starting something new: starting a new series, reading a debut author, etc. For non-fiction readers, you can also read a debut author or you can take the resurrection and rebirth route and return to a topic you haven't explored in a while. Maybe you went on a dinosaur kick a few years back and there's been some new and interesting titles that have come out since then. Return to the topic and see what's there now.

Outside of reading, this is a time to finally start leaving hibernation. I know I leaned into the coziness of winter this year, which was lovely, but I can feel myself starting to emerge from my cave. Start to get outside as often as the weather allows. Spring cleaning is a theme for a reason - now is a great time to do a deep clean, do some organizing, etc. Conveniently, during this time I am getting ready to move (I'll be moving the weekend of our next season starting actually), so I will be removing clutter that has built up in my current apartment over the last 4 years. Nothing motivates me quite like a move to get rid of shit I don't need.

I'd love to hear either here in the comments or on Discord what is being reborn for you this season.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: AUTUMN EQUINOX

In the southern hemisphere, you are also experiencing and equinox but instead are entering the dark half of the year. This is actually one of my favorite holidays during the wheel of the year, and is when I really start to get settled in for fall and winter. My witchcraft tends to become even more front and center during this time. This time is about celebrating the abundance of what you harvested during the warmer months before fully starting the preparations for the colder months, although those are looming. For now, enjoy the fruits of what you accomplished.

For reading, give yourself a little treat. Whether it's a book you've been putting off for the perfect moment, a genre you find comforting, or whatever feels a little indulgent. The same goes for non-fiction reads, but you could also lean into the accomplishment aspect and read something that won a prestigious award like the Nobel Prize or Man Booker.

Outside of reading, enjoy this time for the celebration it is. Take the time to notice the weather as its changing and start saying goodbye to the plants as they start to go into hibernation for a while. Consider this time for what it is: soaking up some energy now to get you through the colder months. This can also be a great time for a clean, much like your spring equinox counterparts. I personally like to clean in both spring and fall, as well as restore any witchcraft wards I have that are more long term.

What abundance are you celebrating this season?

Next prompt will be released on Beltane/Samhain! Enjoy the season :)

March 20: Wheel of the Year Reading Challenge

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Mar 17

Fallen Gods Series Review (Spoiler Free) | EARLY ACCESS

In which I discuss my spoiler free thoughts on the Fallen Gods series by Hannah Kaner... ♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes or https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more! ★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod ★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit. ➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. WHERE TO FIND ME ► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtsontomes.bsky.social ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes ► Tiktok: @thoughtsontomes_ MORE THAN BOOKS? ★ Check out The Bibliothecary! I used to discuss witchcraft and other topics on my other channel but that content has all moved to The Bibliothecary: https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time

3 books

The Bibliothecary

Samantha

• Mar 16

February Low Buy Wrap Up

In which I discuss how my low buy went in February ♡ Join THE BIBLIOTHECARY: patreon.com/thoughtsontomes or https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ ►► Bibliothecary members get perks such as early access to videos, written posts, podcast-like ramblings, witchcraft book reviews and sharing about my personal craft, a year long interactive reading challenge, seasonal readalongs, and more! ★ Reading spreadsheet I use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhrdlRfnRs&t=626s ► End screen song: Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod ★ FREELANCE EDITING SERVICES: https://tinyurl.com/editing-services -- I'm currently accepting clients for developmental editing and manuscript evaluation (I'm full for 2026 - I may open up additional editing slots later in the eyar depending on schedule so send me an email to get on the waiting list). I am still accepting book coaching clients for all of 2026. I'm interested in working with adult fantasy and scifi, especially Hades and Persephone retellings, stories involving polyamory, and mental health rep. I offer free editing samples of your first 1,000 words to make sure we are a good fit. ➝ DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. WHERE TO FIND ME ► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtsontomes.bsky.social ► Storygraph (alternative to goodreads): https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thoughtsontomes ► Instagram: @thoughtsontomes ► Tiktok: @thoughtsontomes_ MORE THAN BOOKS? ★ Check out The Bibliothecary! I used to discuss witchcraft and other topics on my other channel but that content has all moved to The Bibliothecary: https://bibliothecarybooks.binderybooks.com/ REVIEW/BUSINESS INQUIRES ➝ Email: thoughtsontomes@gmail.com ➝ Review Policy: https://thoughtsontomes.tumblr.com/reviewpolicy -- due to the volume of email requests I get, I do not accept review requests from indie or self-published authors at this time