Who’s ready for weekend? I know I am. This week has been insane, and I’m ready for a quiet few days before heading to the beach (safely) with my mom next weekend. I’m excited for some downtime. I know we have all been looking at these last few months as downtime, but even while working from home, I’ve been busier than ever. Let’s get into what’s been catching my eye this week! My roommate drew me! How amazing is she? Check out her other work on Instagram @sarahstonecreative. 1// These helpful tips for keeping your cool during tough times… If you haven’t had at least one freak-out during the last…
Books I Read in May 2020
Back at it with a total of NINE books read this month. Who even am I? I have never read this much in my entire life. I truly chalk it up to adding audiobooks into my routine. I got through three audiobooks in May, four e-books, and two physical books. I read a range of YA books, fiction, and non-fiction over the last 31 days. Let’s get started! 1// Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (E-Book) Anna and the French Kiss is problematic to say the least. But, it’s a fun read when you’re stuck inside on a rainy day. Anna is shipped off to school in Paris (the reason is…
August Reading Wrap Up
You may have noticed, but I skipped out on doing a July reading wrap up since I read so little that month. Between moving and being out of town, I really hit a reading slump last month and only read two books. And even though I only read three books this month, I got half-way through two others, and I feel like I’m back in the reading game. Let’s get started! Image from Amazon 1. Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs A well-written auto-biography from Steve Jobs’ “forgotten” daughter, Small Fry is an eye-opening read. Brennan-Jobs shares stories of her childhood and the strange way she and her estranged father used to interact. I’ve never been…
Salt to the Sea: A Book Review
Over 9,000 innocent lives lost. Over 9,000 lives that ended too soon. Over 9,000 people who didn’t get to continue their story. And I only knew about it because of a book. I was never taught about it in any classes, but the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff was one of the largest civilian casualties in World War II, and I didn’t learn about it until I picked up a book from a local bookstore. Told from four different perspectives, Salt to the Sea combines the unique journies of Joana, Florian, Emilia, and Alfred as they attempt to escape dangerous lands during World War II. Each character brings their own baggage to…
Red Queen: A Book Review
A girl like no other thrown into a world she knows nothing about determined to change the world. This sounds like almost every YA dystopian novel I have ever read — and Red Queen is no different. Victoria Aveyard’s breakout novel Red Queen is set in a dystopian world where there is a harsh division between the red-blooded and the silver-blooded. Those that have silver-blood are blessed with abilities that allow them to manipulate the elements around them. For some that means being able to grow massive trees from tiny seeds, and for others that means being able to start blazing fires from a tiny spark. While the silver-blooded live…
May TBR
I have recently fallen into the world of Booktube, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t loved every minute of it. Some of my favorite videos to watch are TBR (to be read) lists, and I’ve been inspired to start creating monthly (possibly seasonally) TBR lists myself. I think this will be a fantastic way to read the books that have been on my list (and shelves) for years without blindly reaching for a new book after I’ve finished what I’m currently reading. Let’s get started! Image from Goodreads 1. “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr My mom gave me this book over the summer…
Top 7 Young Adult Books To Read At Any Age
I am of the firm opinion that one is never too old to enjoy a young adult novel. YA authors tend to tackle topics like sexuality, abuse, mental health, and family dynamics in an easily digestible manner that can teach anyone at any age about an important life topic. I continue to read YA novels in my free time because I feel like I still have something to learn about the developing mind. I’ve got a list of seven YA novels that I think people can read at any age to learn more about themselves and others. Let’s get started! Image from Amazon 1. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”…
Top 12 Books to Look Forward to in 2018
A new year means a whole new set of books coming out to read. I’m typically pretty bad about looking forward and figuring out what amazing books are coming out, but this year I decided to add some new releases to my list to look forward to. I’ve compiled a list of books including one release for each month of the year. Genres include fiction, young adult fantasy, non-fiction and more. Let’s get started! Photo from Amazon 1. January — “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing” by Daniel H. Pink In his new book, Pink strives to prove that timing is a science rather than an art. Using research and…
Top 5 Books I Want For Christmas
Christmas was never a huge deal in my family. Of course we celebrated, but when I was a kid, the importance of the holiday was placed on spending time with family, and as I got older, that didn’t change much. I think as the years go on, we all become a little more aware how important time with our loved ones is, and Christmas is the perfect time to come together and celebrate each other. But alas, people still ask you what you want each year. I like to think I’m pretty easy to buy for because I have so many interests, but my parents still make me tell them…
Eleanor & Park: A Review
Title: Eleanor & Park Author: Rainbow Rowell Genre: Young Adult Fiction Quotation: “But it’s up to us …’ he said softly. ‘It’s up to us not to lose this.” Would recommend to: anyone who likes John Green novels and out-of-the-box characters. Eleanor & Park features your atypical love story — an overweight, redheaded girl and a skinny Asian boy. Due to its uncharacteristic characters, author Rainbow Rowell has received a lot of questions about Eleanor’s weight and Park’s ethnicity. She is acclaimed for stepping out-of-the-box and presenting an interesting, different love story for young adults. Apart from their unconventional physical appearances, Eleanor and Park stand out for other reasons such as Eleanor’s abusive household and…
