Can I Just Be Veronica?

Here's a story for you:

I went home for labor day weekend to stay with my sister while my parents went out of time and I had all day Friday to myself. My parents were gone and my sister was at the state institution called public school so what does a 21 year old girl do when she is home alone, you may ask??

She lays out by the pool reading a book while tanning and she may have had an iced tea.

I also stumbled upon a random channel on DirectTV and saw that the show Veronica Mars was playing. I thought: Hm, I like Kristen Bell and I know she plays Veronica and that this is set during the 2000s, this could be promising. So I decided to watch it. I watched three episodes from the middle of season 1 and was so lost and confused but SO HOOKED!!! So here I am, almost done with season 3 and it's amazing. Go watch it now. It's so good.

Also Veronica made the lamest joke that I would totally make in real life on purpose, so are we the same person? Probably.

My plans are to watch the movie too when I finish season 3 if you wanted to know my future plans.


Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
Started: May 22, 2016
Finished: May 25, 2016
Stars: 3/5

This book was pretty funny. It makes fun of the private school type parents and that whole situation and kind of how people raise their kids. It's told mostly through the daughter's point of view and she plays detective to find her mom. Bernadette and Bee are probably the best parts of this book. They are quirky, funny, and really love each other.

Honestly, the ending was a little dragged out. I don't want to spoil anything, but in the middle of the book the big conflict happened and it felt like it took forever for it to be resolved. That was the only thing I didn't really like.


A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Started: June 20, 2016
Finished: June 21, 2016
Stars: 4/5

This adult version of what all good things about Harry Potter and other supernatural books. It was soo good. I started this on the plan home from China and stayed up the entire. flight. home. reading it. I ended up crashing in my bed at home when I landed 16 hours later with 100 pages left. So I got up the next day and finished it. It was such a great read.

I loved the history involved with the magic and the human dynamics. It was such a fun book to get lost in. My mom's good friend and also our neighbor loved these books. And was convinced that I would like it too. Also our DG House Mom loved them and said I would like it. So I read it via their recommendations and here were are.  


["book recommended by a family member" for my 2016 Reading Challenge]

Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Started: June 22, 2016
Finished: June 22, 2016
Stars: 3.5/5

I started this book in February 2014 and couldn't finish it because school is a lot and busy and I couldn't find the time. When I picked it up again in the summer, I just picked up where I left off when I first started. I also finished it in one sitting when we were driving on a family road trip so win.

I picked it back up during the summer and loved it. I love Cheryl's story and how she had the courage to backpack in the woods by herself. She finds healing and reassurance in the woods and it is beautifully written. Her words are comforting and peaceful and I want to have the courage to do something half as brave as her.

["book you started but not finished previously" for my 2016 Reading Challenge]


Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Started: June 22, 2016
Finished: June 25, 2016
Stars: 5/5

So many great things about this book. I read her previous series called Shadow and Bone and it was pretty good. So when I saw this new book I had some decent expectations, you know kind of meh. But it wayyyy surpassed my expectations. It was so good.

There were different perspectives from the different characters and each character was so diverse and unique and it was so much fun to read. I love her writing. It's magical. The sequel came out a few weeks ago and I so want to find the time to read it because I want to know what happens dammit!!! I just need to play time out with school so I can sleep and read this book (or maybe not sleep) and then go back to school. Takers any one?

["first book you sea in a bookstore" for my 2016 Reading Challenge]

Look Who's Back [it's me]

I seem to do this a lot: take a hiatus from you my loyal readers either because I don't know what to say and/or I can't seem to manage my time well enough to plan for how busy I am/what all I need to do. Two things I'm really good at: procrastinating and thinking I have all the time in the world. Usually I don't.

So I'll update you on my life. It's been ten months since I last logged my very riveting thoughts on the internet. A lot has happened since then.
I celebrated my 21st birthday in May, and am now legal to drink the alcohol. Very liberating.

I traveled abroad to China for 3 weeks with a university centered group. I'll probably contribute those details in the near future (if I can ever find the time/motivation/words to do so).

Also traveled to Telluride, Colorado and hiked a ton (yes that is a very specific amount). I love nature.

I also attended Lollapallooza in Chicago and heard some AMAZING bands/artists play and just share the music. That should be a separate post. It deserves it.

Also, I am now a senior (GASP) and I don't like it. If you know anything about me, it's that 1) I avoid conflict, and 2) I can never make a damn decision. So naturally, I have no idea (no one small idea) as to what I want to do after I graduate. If you have any suggestions, please send them my way. I need all the help I can get at this point.
And Senior year sucks. Don't do it. Avoid it at all costs. Be a freshman all your life. Don't take this advice lightly!!

So obviously, I've read a lot since May. I had to downsize my reading goal from 120 to 110, because I just did not have the time to read 3+ books per week. That sucked honestly. So since then I have read 45 books. It was summer and I had more free time than usual. I won't bore you with 45 book reviews, but I'll hit the highlights.



Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard
Started: May 7, 2016
Finished: May 11, 2016
Stars: 3.5/5

I read this after the high that is Glass Sword and I just needed a fix. I needed back into that world. I'm like a book addict. Victoria Aveyard could write a shopping list and I would read it and probably fall in love with it. It contained 2 (count 'em 2) stories and they were all the more enlightening. They really helped with the perspective of the series overall.
The first novella was so haunting and beautiful. It's about Cal's mom, Queen Coriane, and how she became queen. It was so sad!!! Ugh.
And then the second novella was about Farley before she met Mare in the Stilts. It wasn't quite what I was expecting and I don't know if it really helped the reader better understand Farley. I wanted more about Farley and Shade or Farley behind the scenes of Red Queen or about Farley and her family. It seemed oddly timed and not really helpful for the overall plot of the Red Queen story.

I also learned that the next installment comes out in February and you better believe that I am stoked beyond belief for King's Cage.


Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Started: May 15, 2016
Finished: May 16, 2016
Stars: 3/5

Preface: my sister needed to write a research paper on any banned book and she chose this one. I was also home by the time she needed to actually write the paper and the outline, so naturally, me being an English major, I was recruited to help her with the paper. You're groaning in your chair right now, but I was hella excited. THIS IS MY JOB!!! ITS SO MUCH FUN!!!!

So I read the novel (this banned novel) to better assist her with the analysis and summary and to help her better write her paper. (she got an A btw, cuz she's related to me and she's brilliant by association).

Honestly, this book is dark. It has humor but the overall concept and the plot is dark and depressing. The idea of kids surviving on an island together and their being a power struggle with such violence and hatred is startling. Which is probably why it's banned on some school board or in some library.
This is a classic so if you need me to summarize it for you, you could honestly read it within a day or two and find out the fun for yourself!

[this was my "book set on an island" for my 2016 Reading Challenge]


The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
Started: May 10, 2016
Finished: May 17, 2016
Stars: 3.5

I think the issue with this book was that I built it up too much before reading it. I had been a year since I read the first two and I had some high hopes. Overall, this just seemed like flat ending to this series. I loveeeddddd the first two. I thought they had so much substance and possibilities for the third one. But it just didn't do it for me. I remember having to push myself to finish this one. Not the writing was bad, but that the plot didn't hook me. I could predict how it ended and the conflicts in the middle just didn't intrigue me. Sorry Marie. I love your fictional and scholarly work, but this one just didn't hit the high notes.

[this was my "book published in 2016" for my 2016 Reading Challenge]


Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
Started: May 19, 2016
Finished: May 22, 2016
Stars: 4.3/5

If you take one thing away from this whole post, let it be that Sarah J. Maas is a mastermind and I would read her grocery list in a second. Her writing is incredible and it is a dream of mine to be only half as good of a writer and plotter as she is.

I started this in the middle of the school year last year and couldn't finish it because I was so busy. So I picked it back up in May and started from the beginning and read it in one weekend. Three days. THREE. DAYS. 648 incredible pages absolutely devoured in 3 days. What a concept.

Honestly, you never know what to expect in her books. I can never predict them. I struggle with anticipating them before I read them because her plots are so out of this world. Her characters have so many complexities and you can't help but relate to every. single. one. of. them. It's incredible. She is able to weave in out of all of her characters' perspectives so fluidly and you don't even realize what she's doing until you've finished. And it doesn't matter if the book is 200 pages or 700 pages, you want to breeze through it because she reels you in like any good fisherman does. Bless your crafty writing creative hands, Sarah Maas.

["Young Adult Bestseller Book" for my 2016 Reading Challenge, though I argue that it's a little mature for YA and should be considered as New Adult, but what do I know.]


That's all I have for now. Ideally, I'll update you soon with the rest of the books and other fun events that are going on in my life. It's really not that exciting, but it's your choice.

SOP: Stone Cold by Demi Lovato
I am going through a Demi phase because she is such a cool person. And has an incredible voice. So go check her new stuff out.

God Bless Captain Wentworth

“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.” 

I rediscovered this quote. It's from the Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and I don't know why it's been on replay in my head, but it is. And I can't escape it, but I love it.

It's finals week and I have a 10 page paper that I'm working on, but I told myself that once I got to page 5 I could take a break. So here I am, taking a break watching Netflix and updating my blog. (Apologies for the delay of posts.) Mostly I'm just updating my book reviews cuz I am hella behind.

The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien
Started: March 28, 2016
Finished: April 1, 2016
Stars: 4/5

This book is straight up weird. But hilarious. But absurd. But ridiculous. When you first start reading it, you think that it'll be a normal read, about a poor Irishman and his life story. But it's not. Like at all. IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

There is no logic to this book but that's what makes it awesome! The footnotes add a whole different aspect to the story and the narrator. and it's brilliant. The atomic theory is hilarious, you'll love it I swear.
I don't really know what else to say about it because there are no other words to explain it. It's just a really strange but great book.



Emma by Jane Austen
Started: March 27, 2016
Finished: April 6, 2016
Stars: 5/5

Oh Emma. I think the reason why Emma is a hard character to like is because she messes up all the time. But I also think that's why she's relatable. Everyone messes up and Emma gets called on it alllllll the time by Knightley. I think this is why I like Emma so much. She's childish and causes problems, but in the end she gets her own happy ending. And I think that's what everyone is looking for.

This is third time that I've read Emma and every time I read it, I get all happy and fall in love with a different character. This time, I realized how great Knightley is. The first time I fell in love with Emma and her intelligence. The second time I realized how great Mrs. Weston is. (No seriously, she is basically match-making Emma and Knightley the entire book.) The past two times, I thought that Knightley was an overbearing jerk who needed to let Emma make her own mistakes. But he's basically the backbone of Highbury. He makes sure everything goes smoothly and everyone is happy and provided for. I want someone like that in my life.

Persuasion by Jane Austen
Started: April 6, 2016
Finished: April 18, 2016
Stars: 6/5

I love this book. It's my all time favorite book. And if I go on a rant right now, I'm sorry, but I just can't help it. Everything about it makes me giddy and unable to contain my excitement. I'm also going to apologize for any spoilers.

This is the second time I've ever read Persuasion and I forgot how much I love it. Anne is the perfect character. She quietly sits in the background of the entire novel, up until the very end. She is modest and kind and selfless and just the most pure character. All I want to do is protect her. She's solemn and melancholy after nursing her broken heart for 8 WHOLE YEARS!!! WHAT??? WHO HAS THAT DEDICATION?? And after you figure this out, you're like damn Anne, get over him. But then you meet who she's been hung up over. AND HOT DAMN CAPTAIN WENTWORTH YOU ARE A GIFT TO MANKIND. You totally understand why Anne can't get over him. Because he's perfect. Literally in every way except that he doesn't pay attention to Anne (not explicitly) until the second volume. Cuz honestly he's still kind of pissed off at her (which he's totally justified in being upset with her—you'll figure out why).

Captain Wentworth's letter gets me every. single. damn. time. I get this stupid little grin and I clap my hands a few times. This time, when I read it, I was kicking my feet in the air as I laid on my couch in the living room. Where everyone could see me. Last time I read this, once I had it finished, I re-read Wentworth's letter I don't know how many times. When I'm sad, I go and read his letter because it's the best flipping thing since sliced bread. It's amazing. Hands down the best, most happiest thing I've ever read.

If you haven't read Persuasion, you are missing out and you need to read it ASAP. It's only 200 pages so it's not like a huge commitment, but you'll want to give it your full attention (no reading it while watching Netflix, sorry).

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Started: April 30, 2016
Finished: May 2, 2016
Stars: 5/5

This may not be news to anyone but this series is my fave and they are beautiful with a strong female heroine and so so so so so so so so so good!!!!!!! I love it. I kind of have a slight book hangover from this one and I just keep thinking about the ending (HOLY CRAP TALK ABOUT CLIFF HANGER AND PLOT TWIST) and all the characters in it are flawless.

Cal is bae (obviously) and Mare is amazing and so conflicted throughout the entire novel. I don't know what else to say that won't give away the plot or the emotions or the feels or I don't know. I just love her writing, it's so beautiful and powerful and makes you feel so many things.

When I was maybe 2/3 of the way finished, I had to put the book down because I was so worked up and anxious. I was sweating, I was jittery and I was just hyped by the adrenaline that the plot gave me. It was a whirlwind of a read.
Low key upset that I have to wait until 2017 for the next book because I need it yesterday.

SOP: As Much As I Ever Could by City and Colour

BRB Napping

You know that feeling when you wake up from a nap and you have no idea where you are, what day it is, or even who you are? That's me but all semester.

I have no idea what day it is because last time I checked it was February and I was bundling up for cold weather. Now it's March (almost April if you want to get technical) and I'm wearing sandals. All I can think is WHERE THE HECK DID ALL THAT TIME GO???

I'm not ready. I need more time for this semester. I am not ready to think about final paper topics and graduate school applications and more standardized tests. There's also one other thing... I am SOOOOO not ready to be a senior. Nope. Nope. Nopity. Nope. Not ready. Give me another four years please.

So that's me right now. Quietly but forcefully panicking about the future and how much I am not ready for it.

I'm sorry I took a small hiatus. School is busy and apparently, I've been napping (psychologically) since I last posted. Yay naps!



A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
Started: February 21, 2016
Finished: March 8, 2016
Stars: 5/5

Joyce, my man. He's great. I love his language, I love his writing style. I love his characters. I even love his strong bouts of existentialism.

Stephen is a great character. He is flawed in so many ways, but that is makes him so realistic. He is struggling to find himself and doesn't quite know where he fits in this mess we call humanity. He doesn't really know what he wants, except that he wants to be an artist. Same Stephen. Same.

I read this book for My Irish Literature course and also wrote a pretty great parody to it. I enjoyed it at least.

But yeah... 10/10 would recommend Joyce.

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
Started: January 17, 2016
Finished: March 12, 2016
Stars: 4/5

What a whirlwind of a story. I loved the history and the places. Her imagery is always phenomenal and her characters are always so diverse and realistic. Not going to lie here, but Etta got on my nerves a few times. But it was worth it because that just made her seem all the more realistic to me. The ending kills you. You feel for these characters and I was engrossed. I did have to set it down for a few months because I couldn't finish it in January before school overtook my life. But I'm so glad I was able to put off school work and pick this one back up during Spring Break!

Winter by Marissa Meyer
Started: March 13, 2016
Finished: March 17, 2016
Stars: 4.5/5

This was such a great conclusion to the Lunar Chronicles. I don't really know what to say about it because I'm still a little starstruck. All of the characters were so great and the friendships are my favorite parts about these books. It was so great that I don't even know where to start!!!!

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Started: February 19, 2016
Finished: March 22, 2016
Stars: 3.4/5

Funny story about my time reading this. So I thought for my Austen class that after reading Pride and Prejudice, we would read Mansfield Park, so I was a good student and read the assigned reading days before it was due. Then I look at the calendar to check my other homework and on the date that it was due, I see that we were supposed to read Northanger Abbey and NOT Mansfield Park so I was royally screwed. The only positive thing was that I had already ready NA and just refreshed myself by reading the spark notes. It's funny now, but I was flipping shit when I first realized my error.

Mansfield Park didn't leave me with the happy feeling that all of her other books did. I didn't like any of the characters, first of all. Except for Fanny and William and Susan (the last two don't even have a major role in the book). Edmund seemed boring and just annoying. I get why Fanny liked him, but she totally could've done soooo much better. At one point, even though Henry Crawford is despicable in the end, I was rooting for him and not Edmund. He's so much more suave than Edmund. Edmund is like that older brother who doesn't let anyone have any fun unless he somehow justifies himself for having that fun also. Buzzkill.

But I love Austen. It's impossible to not like her books even though the characters are blah. So Read it and Enjoy it. I swear.

SOP: Let It Go by James Bay
(or is it James BAE, idk you decide)

Me and Austen and Shakespeare

I recently (and finally) watched Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. If you recall (or you could just go look at my review for the book version), I'm not a fan of the book. The characters were flat to me and Greg was just a asshole with zero redeeming qualities. Thankfully, the movie is not like the book in that aspect. Greg has some humanity to him and he actually becomes friends with Rachel. In the book I got the feeling that Greg felt indifferent about everything, especially Rachel and his friendship with her.

I enjoyed the movie. I thought it did a good job of portraying human emotion and human experience, with the added challenge of high school. It's depressing though. I definitely do not remember feeling that sad when I read the book. Rachel was obviously the best character. Then Earl. Then Greg. If you wanted to know my preference. (Cuz you totally did. I know it.)

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Started: January 25, 2016
Finished: January 26, 2016
Stars: 4/5

Have you seen She's The Man? Then you've seen a modern interpretation of this play. Granted, Amanda Bynes makes it hilarious and feminist as hell, but still it's based off of Twelfth Night. This may be one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I love all of the gender confusion and feminism and Viola is my fave. She's great. And you can't help but laugh at the Duke Orsino because he's ridiculous and dramatic in the woes of love and blah blah blah. Just men making fools of themselves is hilarious.

[this book is my "book set during Christmas" for my 2016 Reading Challenge]


Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Started: January 21, 2016
Finished: January 31, 2016
Stars: 4/5

Introducing Elinor. One of my new fave Austen heroines. Elinor is quiet and composed, yet logical and smart and humble and SO COOL. I think she is the most relatable of Austen's heroines because anyone can relate to her. Marianne can get a little annoying at times, but you can't help but sympathize with you because she is young and naive and only announces publicly what everyone else wants in their life. The only awkward component of S&S is the heroes: they aren't really anything special. But I really loved Colonel Brandon. Most people are indifferent towards him, but, next to Elinor, he is my fave in this book. I really loved the friendship between Elinor and Colonel Brandon and think it was severely underrated.

[this book was my "book that is 100 years or older than you" for my 2016 Reading Challenge]


The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
Started: February 10, 2016
Finished: February 15, 2016
Stars: ?/5

I'm very confused on how I feel about this play. I don't know how to read it. Is it a satire? Is Shakespeare being literal in his description of Petruchio's abuse? I  D O N 'T  K N O W. I love Katharina. I am positive that she is a semi-feminist character, at least up until the last two Acts... But who the heck knows.


Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Started: February 6, 2016
Finished: February 13, 2016
Stars:

This is the third time I've read this book. I read it for the first time in 7th grade and I call it "my gateway book." It's the book that made me love reading. I read it again in high school and, now, I suppose it's appropriate to read it again in college.

I have forgotten how much I loved this book. It just makes me so happy. There is no way that you could hate this book. I'm sorry there just isn't. It's funny and romantic with social commentary and challenges the social standards. Lizzy is funny and witty and totally does not follow how a lady is supposed to act and it's great.


Hey, did you notice that my reviews for this post were either Jane Austen or William Shakespeare? Well, that's my life this semester because I'm taking a Perspectives on Jane Austen class and a Shakespeare Comedies and Histories class. Sorry if you don't like either of them. But that's life. I will be having a boatload of fun this semester! Yippee. No really. I'm not being facetious. It's going to be so fun.

SOP: Over My Head by Fleetwood Mac

Merlin's Beard

Whenever I hear or read or write this phrase, "Merlin's Beard," I always finish it and think "Merlin's beard, Harry." Why? Because Professor Slughorn always uses this phrase in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and it's just stuck with me. (Yes I tied it back to Harry Potter, aka Bae.) There's a little side note about yours truly.

I’ll preface this next part by saying I took 2 English courses last semester: European Modernism and Arthurian Legend and Literature. The deep books I read in fall 2015 are for the European Modernism class, mostly. I’m not complaining here. I loved the books I read this past semester. But I’m just explaining the situation. 

Here are those reviews. I'm sorry this post will be super long. You can pick and choose what to read. I won't be offended if you don't read it all and just skip to the end. Totally understandable. I do it too. 

Fruits of the Earth by André Gide

Started: August 26, 2015

Finished: August 30, 2015

Stars: 3.5/5

A classmate of mine described this as a book (I'm paraphrasing here) "a pretentious jerk would read in a hipster coffee shop and quote it to make people feel stupid when really he doesn't understand what he's reading." I thought it was pretty funny and pretty spot on because Gide is a little pretentious. But nonetheless I loved what he had to say about the fruit and desire and pursuing one's dreams and hopes.

Nathaniel is the subject to whom Gide is writing and giving advice. But Nathaniel is actually the audience, the world, anyone reading. He is a universal character that is used to make everyone feel like Gide's words are intimate and informal and personal.

Gotta love those French philosophers.

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

Started: September 12, 2015

Finished: September 15, 2015

Stars: 4.5/5

Hemingway at his rudest. He pokes fun at all of his friends while he recounts all of his time he spent in Paris. It's beautifully written and in the form of vignettes. Each episode revolves around a certain subject and theme and you feel as if you were there living with Hemingway in his modest dwelling. 

After the Paris Terrorist attacks (I learned this from CBS Nightly News or something like that), this book was in high demand because it paints Paris in a beautiful light, as it should be. People want to remember Paris as this city of light and love, not one of terror and Hemingway's episodic piece is the perfect way to pay respect to the city, especially in the time of suffering and pain that recently occurred.  

Kew Gardens by Virginia Woolf

Started/Finished: September 8, 2016

Stars: 4.5/5

This story focuses on one snail as it observes different couples on a causal day in a Garden. You are literally viewing the world through the perspective of a snail. Like who does that??? Woolf does. That's who. And she's the Queen of this stuff. 

The Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf

Started/Finished: September 5, 2015

Stars: 5/5

Woolf is known for her stream of consciousness and her tendency to emphasize the insignificant in the world. Her descriptions seem like rambles, but are filled with an amazing amount of imagery. She forces us to change how we look at menial and small parts of our everyday lives. That's what is so great about her writing. You get stuck in her head as you read her words and it feels like you are reading a reflection of your own thoughts on paper and in her words. 

Reading her work is like opening your eyes to the same world in a new light. This is my favorite piece that displays all of Woolf's wonderful tendencies. 

Blue & Green by Virginia Woolf

Started/Finished: September 8, 2015

Stars: 5/5

I had to read this short story at least 5 times. It's not even a page long so it's not like it was long and took me a long time. But I took me forever to understand what Woolf was describing. And when I figured it out, it was like a lightbulb went off and I wanted to jump around and dance because it's that beautiful. Her writing and descriptions are beautiful and magical. The two parts almost contradict each other in mood, but, in order to put the whole piece together, you need to put the two stories together. It does not make sense if you neglect one part of the story.

The String Quartet by Virginia Woolf

Started/Finished: September 5, 2015

Stars: 3/5

Music and nature are two things that aren't usually described in tandem in one story. But Woolf does it beautifully. It's beautiful. I really can't say enough on how eye-opening and satisfying it is to read Woolf's words. 

Blood Wedding by Federico García Lorca

Started: September 19, 2015

Finished: September 20, 2015

Stars: 1.5/5

Ugh. This play was dark and frankly I was bored most of the time. It had good literary merit. But I think the problem was that I had an edition that had a mediocre translation. Classmates of mine had editions with completely different wording and, in my opinion, it changed the entire meaning of the play. Maybe I would've enjoyed the play had I read the edition of a majority of my classmates.

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Started: September 24, 2015

Finished: September 25, 2015

Stars: 

This book is always a classic. The more I read this book, the more I appreciate this book. I really hated this book the first time I read it in high school. But I really saw that Kafka is supposed to be portraying alienation and loneliness that I think we can relate to, at least in the slightest bit. Family issues and self-image are important too. 

If you hate it at first, think about what Gregor goes through. And then you won't hate it. 

A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka

Started/Finished: September 29, 2015

Stars: 4/5 

This is equally as depressing as Metamorphosis, but different. It focuses on the search for something you desire and love. It's short and pretty easy to read, but carries a ton of underlying meaning. Go on. Read it. Enjoy it. You can thank me later. 

Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Started/Finished: October 15, 2015

Stars: 2.5/5

Frankly, I only remember the plot to this book. It's not one of Hawthorne's best work, but it's good. It's set in the Salem witch trials era. But it's theme revolves around secret societies and conspiracy. 

No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre

Started: October 5, 2015

Finished: October 6, 2015

Stars: 4/5

This is such a great play. It preaches the whole concept of "hell is other people" because these three people spend the afterlife with each other. It's not said that they are in hell, but who knows. These three characters are in a "hate triangle:" they feed off of each other and drive each other crazy by pushing each other's buttons. Like Camus, it also touches on the ideas of bad-faith and honesty and decisions. Existentialism man. It's the best. 

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

Started/Finished: October 19, 2015

Stars: 3.5/5

Very philosophical. It deals with decisions and actions and what that determines about our character and essence. 

That’s all you really need to know about it. 

The Adulterous Woman by Albert Camus

Started/Finished: October 21, 2016

Stars: 4/5

My favorite Camus story. I don’t want to say much without giving away the point of the story because the ending is amazing. This story is short enough and intriguing enough that you could finish it in 30 minutes. 

It focuses on bad-faith and existentialism and regret for doing something because it was comfortable and not because you were 100% committed and excited about it. Something I’m sure a majority of people can relate to and understand. 

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

Started: October 20, 2015

Finished: October 21, 2015

Stars: 2.5/5

No. Just no. I get that this play is mostly about existentialism and the idea of action to determine oneself instead of thought or word. I get it. BUT NOTHING HAPPENS IN THE PLAY. 

It’s two men talking about waiting for Godot. It’s almost as if there is an attraction between Estragon and Vladimir and the two of them hold their own attractions and fascinations with Godot. Also are in they in hell? Are they in purgatory? Are they on Earth and literally just waiting? We. Don’t. Know. 

Nothing in this play is known except the names of the characters and that they are waiting for Godot. It’s all left to interpretation. Have at it.  

Marcovaldo by Italo Calvino

Started: October 28, 2015

Finished: November 1, 2015

Stars: 3/5

Light and humorous but also deep and slightly depressing. It talks about struggles in Italy in post-World War II and the Mussolini regime. It all centers around the life and struggles of Marcovaldo and his family while trying to adjust to city-life after living in the country. 

It’s structured much like The Moveable Feast where it is like a montage of episodes strung together. 

It’s beautifully written with the abundant imagery and colors used. It’s also funny. While Marcovaldo struggles to survive, what he comes up with to try and get ahead in life is funny. He is naive and hopeful in a world of capitalism and selfishness. It is a battle of nature versus industrialization and machinery. 

The Lover by Marguerite Duras

Started: November 8, 2015

Finished: November 10, 2015

Stars: 5/5

Is it an autobiography? Or is it fiction? It’s difficult to tell with Duras’ book. She talks a lot about photography and image in the book and is conscious of her own image, literally. The writing in this book is phenomenal (hence the five star rating). 

She talks about race in a colonial country. She talks about abuse. Attraction, desire, lust. Familial relationships. Self-worth and self-image. Duras covers a lot of issues and topics in this short book. 

While this book’s plot and characters are slightly bothersome, you are so focused on the plot that you don’t really care about the uncomfortable age gap between the main character (who doesn’t have a name) and the Chinese (also name-less) as soon as the writing sucks you in to the book. 

Same relationship as Lolita, but I’ve never read Lolita so I can’t really compare the two other than the general fact that there is an older man having a sexual relationship with a much younger girl. 

But really, this is such a great book. 10/10 would recommend. 

Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov

Started: November 18, 2015

Finished: December 2, 2015

Stars: 4.5.5

Reading this book is like reading a story and not knowing what the heck is going on. But in a good way, I promise. To get the whole beauty of the book, you have to read the page from cover to cover. You have to read the preface, the note, the poem, the appendix, the index, everything. Nabokov sets up this chess match that you don't even know you're a part of. And he wins. Every. Time. 

I read this book twice because the first time, I was like what the heck did I just read. And then the second time I noticed the brilliance. There are definitely two different schools of thought on how to interpret the characters and the whole point to the book. I won't get into that to prevent this from sounding like a preachy paper. 

It's great. You'll love it. Go read it now.

SOP: Do Me A Favour by Arctic Monkeys

This post is also as long as Merlin's beard so it's fitting.

The Jar

I'm writing this post as I watch Merlin on Netflix (I'm on season 4). So who's having a great night? That would be me. I am having a fabulous knight. (Get it?) And side note about the show Merlin: The producers/directors/writers were brilliant because they include a bunch of little details that are related to the King Arthur Legend that you wouldn't catch unless you knew about them or watched for them. It's really satisfying for me as the viewer (and slight obsessor).

Update on my very exciting (not) life. I am drowning in reading homework. Which is my own fault because I enrolled in 3 upper-upper division classes that all occur on the same day. But all of my professors are great and the readings are actually entertaining and I'm having a swell time underneath all these pages of mandatory reading. (send help or food or tea)

Sadly, because I am spending all of my free time doing the reading homework for my classes,  I (so far) don't have the time to read books for leisure. So all those sequels and new releases that I've been waiting to come out and wanting to stick my nose in, all those wonderful pieces of literature will have to wait. *sigh*

The roomies of 214 have also decided to use a "wtf" jar for all the weird stuff that we do. If you've seen New Girl, it is much like the concept of the "the douchebag jar." I think that I'm the victim of this situation because I do a lot of weird things. Like prance around and meow. It is undecided what the proceeds of the jar will go towards, but it will be something cool. Something big.

Night Train by Martin Amis
Started: January 14, 2016
Finished: January 16, 2016
Stars: 3/5

I have read a couple of Martin Amis' short stories so I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this novella. Mike Hoolihan, despite the male name, is a female detective. And a well-skilled and trained detective who has been in the force for a while. She is chosen for to determine whether the Colonel Rockwell's daughter was the victim of a murder or her own suicide. It is obviously a case that's close to heart for Mike and the rest of her task force and she is chosen because of the closeness between Mike and Jennifer Rockwell.

This isn't a book that is centralized on the mystery or the action of the book. It's an emotional journey through Mike's head. Mike talks about how the "police" don't look for the why in a case. They don't care about that answer. They care about the who, the what and then how. What is interesting is that the whole book is about the why. Why what happened to Jennifer happened? Why? Mike is distressed with this question as she stays up late to listen to the Night Train that runs by her house.

The only problem with this book was the fact that it was a British author writing about the American police force. Amis used terms to describe the American police system that just aren't used. I was confused at the beginning because I was thrown off by the language and the terms that Amis used.

While reading it, I wasn't particularly intrigued by the characters or the plot, but when I finished the book, I was confounded by the concept of the novel. As police they don't ask the why question because they aren't emotionally attached to the case (usually and ideally), but with Mike and Jennifer's case, she is emotionally invested. Jennifer's father is a close friend of Mike's and Mike was fond of Jennifer— everyone was fond of Jennifer. This emotional attachment is what causes Mike to ask that heavy "why" question.

[this book was my murder mystery book for my 2016 Reading Challenge]


SOP: Love Yourself by Justin Bieber
I have no idea why he hasn't made a real music video for this song because this song is great. Ily Biebs (but not in a weird way, just you know normal level.)

The Once and Future King

Last semester I had the blessing of taking an English course called Arthurian Legend and Literature. So basically everything about King Arthur, after King Arthur, somehow relating to King Arthur was our course. Now, the course itself was kind of boring because our class wasn't into the idea of class discussion so it was mostly a sit and listen class. But the content was cool. And it planted the King Arthur obsession in my head. So now I have King Arthur on the mind. All. The. Time.

Even yesterday, I tied something in my Shakespeare class to King Arthur. And two days ago, I was reading the assignment for my Irish Literature class and for some reason thought it was talking about King Arthur so all I could picture was Arthur in battle and something that was totally not in the text.

It's a slight problem.

I wasn't very prompt with the readings for that class... I regret not keeping up with the readings (but apparently it didn't affect my grade too much because I got an A! Wuhoo). My friend and I presented on a movie from 1942 called King Arthur Was a Gentleman which basically uses the King Arthur Legend as a way to pump up the British people for World War II and used the legend as propaganda. Then this led to us writing a (really really good) research paper on the use of the King Arthur legend during World War II in general—both on the ally and the axis sides.

So now I can almost relate anything back to King Arthur.

And then I started the BBC series Merlin on Netflix and holy guacamole is it good. If you need a new show on Netflix to watch, watch Merlin. It's fabulous and I'm obsessed. And let's face it, the idea of knights and courts and kingdoms is super awesome and who wouldn't like it? (If you're cynical, don't answer that. It was kind of a rhetorical question. If you are positive then the answer is: "No one because everyone likes that shit.)

I'm not going to review two of the books I actually read for that class last semester (but shhhh don't tell anyone what a bad student I was) because there isn't much to say that wouldn't be a complete summary. The books are good, but they are in an older English and it isn't going to be a quick read if that's what you are expecting.

Merlin and the Grail by Robert de Boron and Le Mortre Darthur by Sir Thomas Malory, congratulations on making my reading list for Fall 2015.

SOP: Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift

New Year New Reading Challenge

First off, that whole saying "new year, new me" is just way to easy to manipulate to your immediate descriptive needs. Just saying. It's just so easy to twist! So my apologies if I use it an obnoxious amount. I swear it's all on purpose and for my own entertainment. (Plus it only usually lasts for the month of January and, on the rare year—maybe on a leap year or something— February too.)

I'm still "reading " Gone With the Wind by Melissa Mitchell. I'm still 22% finished. I, however, did not take it with me to school in the fall nor am I taking it to school this spring. I'm thinking it will be strictly a summer-time read because its so damn big.

Unfortunately, I did not complete my 2015 Reading Challenge that consisted of 55 books. I read 45 of those books. So, in order to remedy the situation, not only did I find the 2016 Reading Challenge, but I also added the ones that I didn't complete last year to this year's challenge. I feel better already.
Here's the link to the new 2016 Reading Challenge if you're up for it (do it. it's fun, it's challenging, and it broadens your reading experience).

I adjusted the Challenge slightly... I am not a fan of graphic novels or self-improvement books so I took those off the list. I also added one/replaced those. The only one I added (other than the unfinished disappointments from last year) is "a book that you've been putting off." So there. No explanation needed.
 I'm still working on those book reviews from last year, but give me time! There are a lot. They'll come in due time!

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
Started: January 9, 2016
Finished: January 11, 2016
Stars: 4/5

Holy crapola. This book was hilarious. She's hilarious. And she talks about something that we tend to overlook, or disregard in our society: mental illness.

It's not so much a taboo in our society anymore (at least I don't think so), mental illness, that is. But I still think it's a touchy subject for us to discuss openly and without judgement because the mind and how each individual reacts to stresses are such fickle things. I think Jenny Lawson did an incredible of describing not only how her illnesses have affected her life, but how she reacts to them. She stresses the importance of just being yourself and knowing the limits of your body and your mind.

And let me tell ya, Jenny is perfectly comfortable in her own skin. Her stories are unique and personal and funny.

Seriously, if you need a laugh-out-loud book that makes you realize you're not the only one, read this one.

[this book was my book by a comedian for my 2016 Reading Challenge]


SOP: Wolves by One Direction
[So what? I like One Direction, sue me.]

Peace Out.

I'm Actually Terrible at New Year's Resolutions

No really. I am. Bad at New Year's Resolutions, that is. I'm not really sure why, but once I investigate I'll let you know. I also have a tendency to put off making a Resolution/goal until the last minute. I'm not very timely in establishing these life improvements,

I have a strong feeling that it's because of my laziness. Honestly, it probably is.
Last year's Resolution(s): train for the half marathon that I ran in April, blog more consistently.

I did run the half marathon, but I did a terrible job of training for it. Honestly, I'm surprised I finished it with how little I trained.
I was really good about blogging more consistently, but, as you've realized, it stopped in August.

Maybe my problem is that bigger and better things distract me from my Resolution(s) or maybe I just don't care enough. Or maybe 365 days is just a really long time and I forget how long a year really is.

I still have yet to announce a New Year's Resolution. Maybe I'll just forgo one altogether. As of right now, I have established goals for the semester. It's a shorter time frame and I can put all of my focus in that immediate goal. Goals include: 4.0 GPA this semester, I will actually train for the half marathon this year (no really I will), read more physical books (aka use the kindle less). That's all I have, for now. There's always time to create more goals.



Now I have my first round of reviews! YAY!!

But don't get too excited... because I'm *cough* lazy *cough* and did the second shortest groups of reviews first. So enjoy this piece of moldy bread I'm throwing you. (Because you're totally sitting around waiting for my fingers to run across the keyboard and proclaim the great wonders that are swirling in my brain. lol. yes I'm being sarcastic.)

So here are the Non-School Book Reviews:

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Started: December 21, 2015

Finished: December 28, 2015

Stars: 5/5

If you didn’t know this about me, I love dinosaurs. LIKE OBSESSED. It’s reached the point where I have a pterodactyl pillow pet named Terry that some of my friends (yes I have friends) call Peter because that’s real alliteration. Seriously, dinosaurs are the coolest thing ever. We would be screwed if they weren’t extinct. Just saying. Like velociraptors are scary as hell. That’s what I would want to be in the Jurassic Period. Or a pterodactyl because they are vicious.

Anyway. Back to the book.

Michael Crichton is a genius. If you like dinosaurs, even just a little bit, read this book. Its astounding. The math and the graphs that are included in the book make it seem real (but thank God it isn’t real). The characters are a little flat, but I don’t think that affects the overall appeal of the book because it is so action packed and often switches between the different perspectives of the characters. Sometimes it was difficult to differentiate which perspective you were reading, but I got so wrapped up in the plot and the action that it didn’t really matter. 

Geez this book was so good. And I love dinosaurs even more than I did before I read this book, and I don’t know how that’s really possible. 

[this was the book published in my birth year for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Started: December 28, 2015

Finished: December 29, 2015

Stars: 4/5

Do you like reading? Do you like books? Do you like all forms of literature? Do you like quirky characters that have characteristics where you see yourself in them? If you answered yes to these simple questions then you’ll like this book.

It’s a pretty easy read. The characters are likable and realistic— they aren’t muddied by the authors expectations of who she wants her protagonists to be. They face real life issues and personality traits. And they react to these developments in human ways. There weren’t eye rolls on my end where I was annoyed by the ridiculousness the author created because the situation was unrealistic or the character was just damn annoying.

There was a plot twist that was completely unnecessary. I mean really? I won’t say what it is, I won’t spoil the book for you, but I was annoyed by the damn plot twist that, in my opinion, just overcomplicated the book and the characters. 

[this was the book recommended by a friend for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Started: August 21, 2015

Finished: August 26, 2015

Stars: 3/5

I remember when I read this book I really enjoyed it. But now, 6 months later, I don’t quite remember what I wanted to say about his book in a review. I actually really enjoyed it the more I think about it. I want to read the rest of the series. 

I can tell you that it’s fantasy. It features a strong female lead. There’s magic involved with military and power. If you need another fantasy fix like The Winner’s Curse or Throne of Glass then pick this one up and give it a shot. You’ll like it. 

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

Started: August 26, 2015

Finished: November 28, 2015

Stars: 3/5

Don’t judge me. The reason it took me so long to read this book is because school is busy. Classes require lots of reading and, sadly, my homework was not to read Bray’s book (and the book is 613 pages so naturally it’s going to take me some time). 

The thing I love most about The Diviners books is that the characters are so dynamic and diverse. I love that they are all intertwined in one way or another and the sense of adventure is so real and consuming. Granted I do think there are a lot of major characters from whose perspective we read. Sometimes it’s a lot to remember what character was doing what (especially when you space the book out over 4 months). 

I love the dialect and the time period Bray uses in this book. And the imagery she creates is beautiful, even when it’s set in the pits of the subway system. 

The book was a little slow until page 300. It needed (and used) a lot of space to provide the back story and set up the book. Jericho didn’t seem to have a major role in the book and I was upset because he is my fave!!!!!! I felt like the action was too rushed because it happened so close to the end of the book. I just wanted to finish it and didn’t relish in the action. 

[this was my book with a love-triangle for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Started: November 9, 2015

Finished: November 11, 2015

Stars: 4/5

Bless you Colleen Hoover. I don’t think she has it in her to write a bad book. Ever. Each character is different and beautifully written and EVERY SINGLE ONE PULLS ON MY HEART STRINGS. (Caps make me feel better— like I’ve truly expressed my feelings, if you hadn’t already noticed that.) 

Fallon and Ben create this great romance surrounded around the hope of one single day each year. They have their own demons to battle throughout the story and you can’t help but fall in love with Ben and sympathize with Fallon (who may be my new favorite female lead. If not favorite then very close second to Layken from Slammed).

If you haven’t read a Colleen Hoover book, I don’t know what you’re doing with your life. No really. Stop reading me babble on this stupid blog and go read one of her books now! I would recommend this one or my fave Slammed or Ugly Love. Go forth my friends. Read her books. Embrace the wonder that is Colleen Hoover and then come back and read me babble. 

[this book was my book with a number in the title for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

SOP: Colors by Halsey

Peace and Love. 

School Ha[d] Begun

Hello long lost friends!

I started this post in August. I've been on hiatus since then. I sincerely apologize. But here's the stitch: I got really lazy and, apparently, writing reviews is a lot of work (surprised? I was too), but this post will be like a summary of my life since August.

[WARNING: if you think that you'll be riveted to the point where you are sitting on the edge of your chair biting your nails in eager anticipation, I'm sorry to disappoint you. My life is actually really boring and my laziness should tell you that much. I think the most exciting things that happened to me were the Taylor Swift concert—I'll save that for another post— and when my friends took me to the history museum which is filled with dinosaurs. I'm not being sarcastic here, it was so damn cool. If you think I'm a weirdo because I like dinosaurs (first of all you're wrong, I'm weird but not because of the dinosaurs), then you obviously haven't looked up velociraptors. Seriously, so cool.]

So when I was working on this post (in August 2015) here is what I was thinking:
"School has started and I'm actually not completely bummed by the idea. The only thing I'm not excited for it not being able to read all day erryday, but I make certain sacrifices for higher education...

Here's a quick update on my life: I am taking 15 credit hours this semester, two of those classes are 4000 level. In other words, this semester I might drown in the work load. I'm also a TA for two freshmen introductory classes, one of which is at 8:30am, so I'll be stressed and sleep deprived. I'm also apart of an internship for a Magazine that is run on campus, but is also world renowned.

I'm not complaining about my schedule or what I'm up against for this next semester, but I'm realistic (and also slightly cynical) when I say that it's going to be a tough semester. I'm actually really excited about this semester and all the fun stuff I'll be learning and doing.

Actually, this is my first post of the semester and it's not even the beginning of school anymore. If that doesn't tell you how much free time I have, I don't know what will...

Update on my Gone With the Wind reading:
It's still a work in progress. I may have left it at home and am stuck at whopping 226 pages. I really want to finish it, but Scarlett just irritates me so much. I don't seem to like any of the characters, even though the writing is phenomenal."

That's what I had in August. I'm sorry. I really did have the intention of finishing and posting it.

But to sum up, I was busy. I'm also patting myself on the back because I made it to every single one of those 8:30 classes! If you know me at all, you know I'm not a morning person. So that fact that I didn't sleep through the class once, needs its own celebration. (I'll be accepting cookies or mint-chocolate chip ice cream as gifts, if you feel the need.)

I also started the show Scandal on Netflix and that as a baaaddd idea because all I did was obsess over how perfect Jake is and how much I dislike Fitz (thanks a lot Maddie).

And, this is my first post of 2016. I'm almost positive that I made the "resolution" this time last year to keep up with my blog (hahaha). In my defense I did a great job until August. Maybe I'll make the same "resolution" again.

I've read a lot of books since August. Because that's what I do: read. I like to justify my constant reading to the fact that it's my job (thank you English Major), but really it's just my excuse to read. I'm going to break up these reviews (maybe in like theme or something cool and snazzy), or else this post will be DAYS long. And that's just annoying.

So I'll end the post here because those book reviews might just take up their own post. Let's be real. I'll leave you with a cliff-hanger to my life.


SOP: She's Kinda Hot by 5 Seconds of Summer 
I've been in a boy band mood lately. I think it's because of nostalgia. I'm also listening to old school Jonas Brothers and One Direction. Sorry not sorry. (in August I developed an obsession with 13 year old girl music. That phase is still going on and has extended to 5 Seconds of Summer, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber (old and new), and literally One Direction all the time. S/O to my friends that put up with me and my middle-school-esque playlist literally all semester.)

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I'm still going through this phase. I did add Halsey to the mix so I'm not sure if that's improving the situation.

Goodbye Summer

It's been a while since I last posted. Mostly because I haven't been in the mood to review. Also because I haven't really been reading review-worthy books. I've mostly been reading easy reads that take zero focus or stimulation. Those books (in my honest opinion) aren't worth writing full out reviews for because they all sound the same and they aren't as fun to write.

As I'm writing this, my summer is officially finished. Which means a couple things: No more reading all day with absolutely nothing else on my agenda, and required reading for school. I am one of those nerds who actually looks forward to required readings for school because it gives me an excuse for reading books that other people find boring and weird for a 20-year old to read for fun. During the summer, there were a few times where I was in desperate need of some in-depth analyzation and all I wanted was a paper prompt on a book or movie or even a simple song where I could hyper-analyze it and make it into some huge masterpiece. I craved  that stimulation.

So I'm that person who is actually excited to start classes again because of the reading assignments and the papers.

The Diviners by Libba Bray
Started: July 15, 2015 4pm
Finished: July 16, 2015 4am
Stars: 5/5

I really loved this book. From the start I was on the edge of my seat in suspense, dying to know what was going to happen next. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I'm slightly on a book high after reading it.

The book takes you back to a time that, let's face it, everyone would love to experience. You picture every good thing the Jazz Era: the flappers, the feathers, the beads, the classiness of it all. You get a taste of the prohibition, the liberties people had then (17-year olds drinking in night clubs), the dancing, the gossip, and, of course, the city of opportunity, aka New York City.
But that's not all...
Bray also talks about the social topics of that time period! She talks about the black social situation, specifically Harlem! She touches on the homosexual taboo! She doesn't even narrow her focus on romance in the book. There are tropes and comments here and there, but that isn't even one of the top 3 plot lines. I found myself learning about the 1920s while I was swept into the supernatural of the book.

But enough about the social themes, it's a spooky read. There's talk about ghosts and cults and human beings acting out in evil even though they think it's action based on God's will. It's a smart book too. It references pop culture from the 1920s and talks about the popular cults and secret societies from this time. The brutality of the crimes give you a little bit of the hebee-geebees (spelling?? who knows), but all you wanna do is read m o r e.

I also read this book in 12 hours, if that tells you the degree to which I loved this book.

It was a funny read. No two characters were the same and she used a lot of them. They were each so diverse, each with their own tragic (or not too tragic) back story. But mostly tragic. She switched between perspectives seamlessly. I'll admit that Evie and a few of the other characters were a little annoying, but once you got a little annoyed by those characters, she switched perspective to a calmer character. By the time you got back to Evie (or other) you forgot why you were annoyed with her in the first place! The interactions between the characters were natural and realistic (I don't know how realistic for the 1920s, but for modern day it definitely was).

This book was a mystery/thriller/supernatural/historical/paranormal/aBEAUTIFUL READ.

I cannot wait for the next one. For Evie's stupidity, her banter with Sam, JERICHO, Memphis' consistent existential crises, Theta's "free" behavior, and the brother/sister relationship between Theta and Henry. But mostly Jericho cuz wow do I love that character.

[I'm trying to count this as my historical read for my 2015 Reading Challenge, but we'll see. I'll keep you updated.]


The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo
Started: July 19, 2015
Finished: July 26, 2015
Stars: 4/5

The reason it took me so long to read this book is not because I didn't like it or because I thought it was boring. I may have hit a small slump in the middle of reading and then I transitioned to trashy novels that (like I said earlier) took zero concentration or mental thought. But once I started to read it again, I couldn't put it down. Kudos Paulo. Kudos.

I really loved this book. It was philosophical and deep, but oh so simple at the same time. The meaning behind this book and the metaphors and symbols blew me away. The English major in me really wanted to annotate the book, but I read my mom's copy and she hates people writing in books so that analytical journey is an adventure for another day. 

You could honestly read this book in a day. And I think it should be a required reading for everyone—regardless of age or gender. This book helps you open your eyes to the world around you and the meaning behind your own existence. It doesn't give you any answers to life or purpose for living, but it makes you aware that there might be those things living underneath your noses, you are only blind to them now. 

Even though it is a non-fantastical book, it carries this magic to it. In the descriptions and the characters, you sense magic in it. How I interpreted it was as the magic of life. Life carries it's own magic even though it's not witchcraft or sorcery or anything beyond our everyday comprehension. It adds the idea that wonder and the extraordinary exist in our mundane lives. It just puts you in a happy, optimistic mood after you finish it. I guarantee it. If this book isn't a classic now, it will be very soon.

[this book was my "book originally in another language" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

SOP: Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac

I Was Scolded

A little birdy told me that I made a mistake in my previous posts. When I mention my "friend" in my posts, I'm talking about my friend Maddie. She's usually responsible for my SOP's of any other criticisms or ideas. She's also reading my blog now so that means she knows how weird and nerdy I am. She's also the one who scolded me about not specifically mentioning her in my blogs. So there you go, Maddie.
She also gets to put up with me all year next year because we are roommates. She'll have to live with my nerdiness and weirdness. MWAHAHAAHAHA. I can also be really annoying sometimes (my sister can vouch for that) so she better watch out.
She's also visiting me in a few weeks so thats exciting!

And this is me scolding myself because I am behind on my Goodreads reading challenge (a whopping 1 book). It's been a struggle because for a while I was 2-3 books behind and it was stressing me out. I'm 34/52 checks complete in my 2015 Reading Challenge. Now that I'm doing the calculations doesn't stress me out as much as I was like twenty minutes ago.

But if you have any quick reads that are decent and will take me max 2 days to read please recommend them to me. Post a comment, send me an email, a message on Goodreads, send me a carrier pigeon with a note attached to its claw, whatever floats your boat. Because I like recs and am in major need of them right now.

I've also decided that my next book to read is Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell so I'll need some quick books to read while I trudge through that monster of a book. :) hehe

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Started: June 19, 2015
Finished: June 20, 2015
Stars: 4/5

I have seen this book at Barnes and Noble since May and from the first time I saw it, I was thinking that is a book that I'll like. But it took me a while to pluck it from the shelf. What I thought the book would be delayed my reading it. But it wasn't anything that I expected. I was expecting something that revolved around the romantic relationship between the two characters (like the typical fantasy/dystopian books these days), which isn't to say that those are bad, I'm just tired of them for now.

It didn't focus on the romantic part until closer to the end and it was only for max 15 pages.

It focused on decisions and coming of age. Find out who you want to be and the legacy you want to leave. It focused on being scared and angry and using those things to make decisions and change not only your own life, but the world around you. The fantasy world was so well developed and complex that I didn't need to reference the maps as much as I usually do. I was enraptured by the plot and the characters.
I really enjoyed it. Another series that I started this year to pine over until the next book comes out... Yay.

[this book was my "book by a female author" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

The Night Circus by Erin Morgentstern
Started: June 20, 2015
Finished: June 23, 2015
Stars: 3/5

I loved this book while I was reading it. Throughout the book it talks about experiencing something that feels like a dream but is actually reality. And that's exactly how reading the book felt like.

The mystery and the magic of the book is what hooked you and made you want to keep reading. There wasn't much character development per say or dialogue, at least not as much as I was expecting.

I did feel like some of the events were under described so I was confused during a couple parts of the book. The ending also irritated me. I don't want to spoil the book by saying why, but I just thought it was like the author didn't know how to end the book or was tired of writing it and just picked the easiest way out.

This books isn't character driven and not really plot driven. It mostly revolved around the descriptions and the extravagance of the book. It was still beautiful to read and really well done.

[this is my "book with magic" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

Into the Afterlife by Alexandra Bracken
Started: June 28, 2015
Finished: July 1, 2015
Stars: 5/5

I forgot everything that happened in the previous two books before I read this one. All I could tell you was the character's names. So naturally, I had to read the first two books before this one. And I modified my Goodreads so that the two re-reads counted for my challenge for this year. Oops.

I forgot how good this series was. Why did it take me so long to pick up the finale???

Even though this book is dystopian/futuristic/sci-fy, it was realistic and believable. The sad thing is that everything that happened in this series could potentially happen. Plus, every decision the characters faced were decided with reason. There wasn't anything ridiculous in this book: their actions, plans, words, expectations, emotions, thoughts, everything.

It even touched on issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression without blatantly stating it. The usual character tropes that are being used in most modern books are twisted in this book. Each character is strong and different and each one has their faults. The author doesn't cover up the character's faults, but describes and explains them.

This was the perfect ending to this series. The ending left me satisfied and happy. There wasn't anything wrong with this book.

[this is the "book that made me cry" in my 2015 Reading Challenge]
I really didn't cry, more like tear up. But I almost never cry in books so that category has been tricky for me. This counts. 

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Started: July 2, 2015
Finished: July 3, 2015
Stars: 2.8/5

This book is in the style of a journal, narrated by high school senior Greg Gaines, and it told after the events have happened.

Greg annoyed me. His narrating was annoying. He kept disrupting the story to tear his writing down and say how bad of a writer he is. And I get that it factors into his Excessive Modesty Mode, but it was annoying to read.  Mostly he talked about himself and his senior year, which is fine. But the Dying Girl maybe took up a third of the book, maybe that much.

As I was reading, I was waiting for plot development or for something exciting to happen, but it was a majority of backstory and narrating the high and low points of his senior year.

I had high expectations for this book and it wasn't really what I was expecting. It had the right idea, but the execution was lacking.

[this was the "book set in high school" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]


SOP: Unkiss Me by Maroon 5

I love Summer.

I've picked up a little more momentum and I'm only 2 books behind schedule now! YAY!

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
Started: June 5, 2015
Finished: June 13, 2015
Stars: 4/5

Typically, it takes me a looong time to finish non-fiction books. Regardless of their content. It usually takes me months to read nonfiction. I'm still "currently reading" Wild by Cheryl Strayed even though I haven't touched it since March.

But with this one, I was sucked in and I wanted to finish it. I wanted to know what next Mr. King had to tell me about writing and how I could become a better writer. And it was all gold. I'm trying to incorporate some of his advice into my writing.

I went to it with a pen and highlighter: underlining favorite parts of his writing and highlighting tips and tricks to writing. It was fun. I learned a lot and I have so so so so much more respect for him as an author and a person (which isn't saying much because I already had unreasonable respect for him).

He only talks about himself for 100 pages. That part was the hardest part for me to get through. Not because he didn't have an interesting life, but because autobiographies just don't hook me like good fiction does. No idea the logic behind it. Then he starts talking about the writing tool box and his actual writing routine and I was sucked in and ready to learn. I loved it.

That's all I can really say about it. I loved this book. I loved what he had to teach me and what I go out of it. I loved how he wrote it and the techniques he used. I loved it so much I was quoting it to my parents who didn't care in the least bit. I even passed it along to my equally-reading-obsessed neighbor. Well, I kind of forced it on him, but that's beside the point.

And now I'm rambling so I'll end with this: If you want to write and want to write better, read this book. He has so many great tips to share. Even if you think it's a bunch of hogwash, you'll at least take it into consideration and use it to develop your own writing technique.

[this book was my "nonfiction book" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Started: June 4, 2015
Finished: June 18, 2015
Stars: 2/5

I was unimpressed with this book. I tried really hard to get into it. But it was lacking in the suspense area. Among a few others.

First, it was really difficult to relate to any of the characters. I wanted to slap Ben. I just felt bad for Patty. And I wanted Libby to grow up. Diondra just annoyed the crap out of me. Lyle was the one character I didn't want to hurl across the room and he was given very little page time.

Usually, I'm all for the flashback chapters and the changing point of view. But the narration styles changed between past and present perspectives and that confused me. It also slowed the pacing of the novel and prevented me from getting sucked into the story like I was with Sharp Objects. The pacing was super slow. The narration had to do with that, but also, I was bored for the first 200 pages. I may have skimmed the book for about 40 pages because I was just reading it because I needed to finish it to get back on track with my book challenge. Because I've wasted a good three weeks on this stupid book. Ugh. The frustration.

I may have been expecting great things because of Sharp Objects and my mom said that this one was better than her first novel. I think Sharp Objects is the real winner out of these two, despite it's higher degree of twistedness (that's not a word, but I'm using it anyway).

[this book was my "thriller/mystery book" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

SOP: Bad Blood by Taylor Swift

Summer lovin'... AKA Books

I always over hear people making great plans for summer of having lofty expectations: a summer romance, traveling, partying (? I actually don't know about that one, but I'm assuming?), making some radical memories, etc. Me, not so much. My idea of summer is this: laying out in the sun and reading. That's all I really need in my agenda for summer. This year I incorporated writing and maybe working out a little bit so I look good  while laying out in the sun (and so it looks like I'm actually productive during the summer and my mom doesn't nag me to work out).

My internship ends soon (two days to be exact). And do you know what that means??? I GET TO READ!! I'M FREE TO BECOME A SUMMER BOOK BUM!!

I'm a little excited.

Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger
Started: May 10, 2015
Finished: June 1, 2015
Stars: 3/5

You know how you have authors you admire, authors you want to be like, authors you want to be friends with and then authors that fit into all of the above? I, at least, have a mental list of my top authors for each category. (And a physical list but that's irrelevant.)

Well, after reading this book of short stories, I've decided I want to be friends with, write like, and admire J.D. Salinger.
I could honestly write an entire post (and possibly a 10+ page research paper) about how much I love J.D. Salinger. Seriously though. It's verging on unhealthy.

In my defense, it took me so long to read this short little book of a whopping 198 pages because I was working hard on my internship... [actually, it was probably because I had to take a pause between several of the short stories because I was soaking it all in and trying to understand it all.]

His stories were gold. They were simple and completely ordinary, yet they messed with me! I would sit at the end of finishing one and try to understand what he meant, what the story meant. Sometimes it was easy. And when I say sometimes, I mean maybe 3 of the stories the meaning clicked. Each of these stories was so ridiculous ordinary, but it had this complexity about it. If you want my English Lit opinion, I think it was supposed to resemble the uniqueness of our lives (the reader's) even though our lives are usually mundane. There is always something special or unique about our mundane every day life.

Nothing will ever live up to my experience of reading Franny and Zooey, but that doesn't mean that this should be disregarded. His writing is just i n c r e d i b l e.  He could've written a grocery list and I would read it with a pen in hand, trying to understand what it all meant. I would read way too far into every mark.  He's that good.

[this was my "book of short stories" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Started: June 2, 2015
Finished: June 3, 2015
Stars: 3/5

Let me just preface by saying that Gillian Flynn is twisted and a pure genius. This book was really good. I had low expectations for it, honestly. And even though the characters were almost impossible to relate to (they had some serious issues), I was rooting for some of them and predicting the outcome almost instantly.
I even prevented myself from reading the last few pages which is always successful. I did try to coax my mom into telling me who did it when I was a third of the way finished with the book, she claimed she didn't remember. Yeah... Sure.

[this was my "popular author's first book" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

I'm really not feeling up to reviewing these books right now, so I'm sorry that these two are short. Maybe in the near future I'll bulk them up a little bit... Until then.

SOP: Hate to See Your Heartbreak by Paramore

Cut the Pickle

By the grace of the high heavens, I have pulled myself out of the book rut.

However, I'm still 5 books behind schedule. And I have an internship that is 9-5, 7 days a week. That means there is very scarce time for reading. Especially binge reading.

Which is why I'm usually in a quiet, pensive mood these days. I'm mourning my summer reading schedule. And when I mean schedule, I mean all day, every day.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Started: May 23, 2015
Finished: May 25, 2015
Stars: 5/5

Sarah Maas has done it again.

I don't know how she does it, but every single sentence on every single page captures the reader. She uses language and manipulates it in every degree to present the best experience for the reader. Her descriptions are so graphic and detailed. Her characters are complex and relatable. Her sentences vary and only help her writing and the story overall. If only I could live in the world she created.

Contrast to Throne of Glass, this book is told in first person and I loved it. I thought Maas did a great job with the multiple perspectives like she does in her most notable series, but she can work the first person narration to a tee! She has the thought process to a point where you think they're your thoughts instead of the characters.

Here on my thoughts, though. Feyre resembled Celaena from Throne of Glass, very closely. They had the same strong-willed character, hard-headed and stubborn girl who happens to be the savior against the evil that threatens a certain land. And I don't mean that analysis in a bad way— I actually appreciate it. With that being said, I felt like I connected to Feyre more than I do with Celaena. What really got me was the relationship with her sisters and her father. You see how she struggles because she is so unlike them. You see her as she learns to accept herself and then her relationships with her family members seem to fall into place once she does so. It was realistic and carried a subtle message to be true to yourself.

Even the friendships that developed in the book were realistic and I may have loved that part of the book more than her Tamlin—actually, no. But very very close.

Then there's the whole Stockholm Syndrome aspect of the book, which initially threw me off from reading the book (but then I read so so so many positive reviews and it's Sarah Maas so naturally I had to read it. What can I say, I'm easily swayed). But not even 50 pages in, I was rooting for Tamlin and Feyre and Maas did not disappoint. The Stockholm Syndrome then became irrelevant and I didn't care at all. Their dynamic was complex and they are both so stubborn and it was really cute reading their story.

The last third of the book is where most of the action happened. There was blood, guts, adventure, evil (a lot of evil), twists and turns, and a plot twist to defy all expectations. I'm usually pretty good at predicting a book's ending, but I did not predict this ending. Not even close. I wasn't even remotely close in my prediction. Which I'm slightly ashamed to admit.

If you haven't read the book yet, then disregard this next paragraph. 
why was tamlin's heart made of stone? Is it still like that at the conclusion of the book? What the heck was that about? I need closure on that asap. Also, what became of her sisters? Clare? Her father? Helloooo, Sarah Maas, I need answers!!

I know I say this a lot in my reviews, but I need the next book. If only to answer a few questions. Also to quench my unreasonable obsession with fictional characters and their lives. But that's implied with most books I read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fantastical, magical, enrapturing, and just a good, solid read. 10/10 would recommend.

[this book was "a book with antonyms in the title" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Started: May 26, 2015
Finished: May 28, 2015
Stars: 4.5/5

The cover got me on this book. I saw it sitting on the bookshelf among hideous covers in comparison to this and it called out my name. I had to take it home with me.

And am I glad I did.

I finished this not 10 minutes from now—as I write this review. My jaw still hurts from hanging loose for about 10 minutes and I keep checking the sequel's goodreads page, hoping the release date has updated to a much sooner date. Like next week. Or tomorrow. But alas, 2016 is a long way away. And there isn't even a summary where I can tease myself, waiting for its release.

I seem to do this too often to myself. I buy (and consequently read) the book very close to it's release date and then I'm stuck twiddling my thumbs, waiting for the sequel to come out.

Anyway, back to the book!

I don't know much about A Thousand and One Nights but now I find myself wanting to know more after reading this book.

Similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses, it too had a slight Stockholm Syndrome aspect, to a lesser degree but still there. It was told in multiple perspectives which confused me in the first 40 pages. But it had so much more mystery! It starts in the middle of the action. Within the first chapter (not the prologue because I didn't really see the benefit of the prologue) you have questions about what's going on and who's this and what the hell is going on! It really doesn't give you an answer to all of your questions until 75% of the book.

I loved the characters. I also really like asshole-type and stubborn and strong-willed and fierce characters, so naturally I loved Shazi and Khalid. Especially Khalid. And secondly, Jalal, Despina. Khalid and Shazi were just so stubborn that they naturally fit together and provide a great reading. A story of just these four characters and practically no plot could've satisfied me for 400 pages.

And then there were Jahandar, whom irritates me, and Tariq, whom despises me. Jahandar is a respectable father figure, yeah he's a little cowardly and let's his daughter practically sacrifice herself, but he does so because she is such a strong-willed character! And then he just has to try and save Shazi, but he manages to screw everything up. Ughhhhh. Idiot.  Tariq is just so childish. Acting like he is so high and mighty where anyone who has Shazi's love is immediately a fraud. Ughhhhh, it was irritating to read and I just don't like those types of characters (like Kilorn from Red Queen).  He just won't let Shazi live her own life and make her own decisions if they are different than his expectations of her. At least Rahim was there as a comic relief to Tariq's stupidity.

I also really hate love-triangles so that could be another reason why I hate Tariq.

I could've done without Tariq's character altogether. But I know that he has merit to the story. And provides conflict.

The ending to the first book ripped me to shreds. I'm JUST SO CONFUSED!!!! Why did that happen??? WHAT IS GOING ON!!!

That question basically sums up my reading of the book. In the best way possible though. This book kept me hanging throughout all of it. It gave me answers and then ripped the carpet from underneath my feet 10 pages later. The crafting of the plot and the sentences were beautiful. Honestly it was amazing how Ahdieh could keep my interest on literally every single page of the book, even in the parts about Tariq and his foolishness.

I feel like I'm rambling now, so I'll finish.

This book would've gotten a full-fledged 5 stars, but it was stupid Tariq who ruined it all. Ugh.

[this book was my "a book by an author you've never read before" for my 2015 Reading Challenge]


SOP: Snake Eyes by Mumford & Sons

So take that March/April/May Reading Slump!!

Except now I'm 4 books behind schedule. Send Help. Wish me luck as I try and get back on track.