“It was a normal weekday morning, nothing out of the ordinary, until a woman’s scream echoed throughout the Boston Public Library. During the subsequent lockdown, strangers Cain, Marigold, Whit, & Winifred connect while sitting at the same table. They form a fast friendship & start spending more time together than apart. The library incident is initially ruled a false alarm, but soon after a body is discovered. Now the newly-formed group of friends is caught up in a police investigation, & it seems like not all of them are innocent witnesses. One of them might be guilty of murder.”
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
If you’re currently in search of a mystery that’s a thrill ride from the very first chapter, look no further than “The Woman in the Library.” I hadn’t done much research before reading so the first nine pages were enough to hook me. The story lagged a bit in the middle but didn’t take long to pick back up. I finished this book in less than three days because I had to know what happens; it was all I could think about!
The first twist is common knowledge so I’m going to discuss it. The prologue is a letter from American writer Leo Johnson to Australian author Hannah Tigone; they’ve been pen pals for quite awhile but haven’t yet met in person. As a fan of her work, Leo politely but insistently asks for a new book, offering to be her beta reader. We now move into chapter one, setting up a story about four strangers connecting in the Boston Public Library during a police lockdown. After the final sentence, which is quite the enticing cliffhanger, we see another note from Leo to Hannah revealing that he’s test reading her new book. The main plot is her manuscript, & the side plot is her correspondence with Leo, though we only ever see his notes to her. I’d never read anything like that before & thought it was such a brilliant idea. I’ve seen a few reviews saying the line between fiction & reality is confusing at times, but I strongly disagree. It’s always very clear when you’re reading Hannah’s book & when you’re reading Leo’s letters. There is a clear question of how much inspiration she takes from reality, but I would call that intrigue rather than a source of confusion.
I want to give this book all the stars for it’s unique format, but the story did not completely deliver. The whodunnit reveal made sense but disappointed me; I thought there would be more to it, more connection to real life. Speaking of the side plot, there was less development as it went on, & the abrupt resolution was not satisfying. I do feel let down overall, but I must admit the final chapter left me with intriguing questions & theories floating around in my head. My biggest question is why Hannah ended her book the way she did; at the risk of sounding dramatic, that creative choice blew my mind. My final rating is three stars, & I still recommend this thrilling mystery despite an ending that fizzles. The format is a bibliophile version of Inception & fascinating to experience; you won’t be able to put this book down until it ends!
*Disclaimer: I read an uncorrected ARC so certain things might change before the final copy is printed.
Abuse: An abusive stepfather is mentioned throughtout the book; Chapter nineteen depicts verbal & physical abuse as well as attempted sexual abuse.
Alcohol, Cigarettes, & Drugs: Mentions of alcohol, alcoholics, bars, intoxication, cigarettes, & junkies; morphine & painkillers are also mentioned in relation to a hospital patient.
Blood & Violence: Multiple mentions of blood & blood splatter | A hypothetical murderer is discussed, the killer pounding his or her victim’s head into a hard surface. | Dead bodies described with bloody hair, cut throats, and/or injuries to the breast & pubic areas | Description of a young girl leaning over a lookout to take a picture & falling to her death because of a loose guardrail | One mention & two depictions of attacks that lead to head trauma | Two mentions & one depiction of a stabbing
Insensitive Language:
A character makes racially insensitive comments about black people, such as being identifiable by living in a certain neighborhood or wearing hoodies.
A character from “It” by Stephen King is referred to as the “fat kid” who might get the “pretty girl.”
In reference to hospital janitors, a character says “Immigrants, they get the job done.” He’s referencing the musical Hamilton but is met with the response “That’s not less offensive because it’s Hamilton.”
Two men involved in a bar fight are described as “thugs”; their physical appearances are not described, but that particular word could be perceived as racially-motivated & offensive.
Language:
*$$hole
Chr*st / Chr*ss*kes
D*mn
F*ck / F*cking
Good L*rd
H*ll / H*lluva
J*sus
My G*d / Oh My G*d
Sh*t
Son of a b*tch
A bakery’s products are described as something that would “make you believe in G*d & willing to forsake Him at the same time.”
Sensual/Sexual:
A character removes her shirt to show off her tattoos; her nakedness is mentioned as well as the sight of her “small breasts.”
Some of the characters go to a restaurant called Oh My Cod which is known for sexually suggestive decor & menu items, a few of which are described. Someone from the group refers to the restaurant as a “sex shop.”
Someone is called a “courteous porn star” in jest.
There’s a detailed discussion about methods of murder that give the killer sexual gratification (i.e. A certain movement while sitting atop a victim or the motion & penetration of a blade).
Two characters sleep together; the scene doesn’t fade to black, but their intimacy is described with minimal detail. In another chapter, they’re in bed together, but nothing happens beyond the two of them waking up side by side.
Two other characters sleep together off-page; it’s mentioned in a conversation with very little detail.
Stalking: There is evidence of one or more characters being stalked: robbery, phone calls, text messages with photos of front doors, & a physical attack.
“Last summer Alice Ogilvie disappeared after her boyfriend Steve Anderson ended their relationship. Now she’s home, & it’s time to go back to high school. She tries to return to normal despite the curiosity surrounding her disappearance, but the mystery on everyone’s mind grows even bigger when Alice’s former best friend & Steve’s current girlfriend Brooke Donovan disappears.
Iris Adams has one goal & one goal only: get out of Castle Cove! She agrees to tutor Alice because it’s a paid job, but her pupil is too distracted by the latest news to get any work done. When a reward is offered by Brooke’s grandmother, Iris sees an opportunity to fund her trip & gives in to Alice’s desire to play detective.
When Brooke’s body is found, Steve is arrested based on convenient but flimsy evidence. Alice & Iris aren’t convinced of his guilt so they turn to the works of Agatha Christie to guide their investigation. Along the way they face personal demons, hard truths coming to light & threatening the integrity of their partnership. Are they truly prepared for the task at hand, or will the secrets of Castle Cove prove to be too dangerous for two amateur teen detectives?”
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Delacorte Press through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
“The Agathas” was inspired by the Queen of Crime Agatha Christie, & it’s not just lip service in the title. Her iconic characters Marple & Poirot are mentioned throughout, & several chapters begin with a quote from one of her many novels. If that’s not enough, there’s a special blurb about Agatha’s success, & I’m pretty sure Alice Ogilvie’s disappearance is a nod to her own 11-day disappearance. I was excited to get my hands on this book because Agatha is my favorite author; for that same reason I was terrified to start reading because the standard was set so high. The pace started slow, & the teenage tone of the dialogue took some getting used to. But just when I was starting to feel like this might not be my cup of tea, the mystery consumed me, & I flew through the last three quarters of the book.
There are two points-of-view: Alice Ogilvie & Iris Adams. I’m not sure how the chapters were divided between authors Kathleen & Liz, but the writing is seamless; the story is cohesive from start to finish while both characters remain unique & easily distinguishable from the other. I was pleasantly surprised by the addition of mixed media: Alice & Iris’ “Murder Board,” news articles, social media comments, text conversations, & transcripts from local news, police interviews, & press conferences. Those pages made me feel even more immersed in the mystery, like I was an Agatha too. I correctly identified the murderer & motive around the halfway mark, but I’m the kind of bibliophile who theorizes as I read so I wasn’t bothered by a spoiled ending. What did bother me is how the reveal happened; the location made sense thanks to excellent foreshadowing, but the interaction was a little awkward in places.
Despite a few cons, this book was a top-down, sea air thrill ride so I’m rating it four stars. I do recommend it to Agatha Christie fans, but only those who also enjoy teen novels; otherwise you might find yourself more annoyed than amused by the language & mannerisms of the youths. The coastal California setting reminds me of the Big Little Lies TV show so picture that with a teenage cast. If the result intrigues you, preorder a copy of this murder mystery right now. The release date is May 3rd, 2022.
*Disclaimer: I read an uncorrected ARC so certain things might change before the final copy is printed.
Abuse: Iris’ dad is abusive, & it’s frequently discussed in her chapters. There are several mentions of the time he broke her wrist. He shows up a couple times, disobeying the restraining order; near the end of the book he barges into the Adams’ apartment & physically harms Iris & her mom. He is attacked in self-defense, first hit on the head & then pushed down a flight of stairs.
Alcohol, Cigarettes, & Drugs: There are several mentions of alcohol & being drunk, & the bar where Iris’ mom works is mentioned & visited a few times. There is one mention of Lucky Strikes cigarettes. There are mentions of pills & weed as well as being high. Two separate times, someone’s drink is drugged.
Blood: Some of the characters wear cheerleader costumes on Halloween that are covered in fake blood. There are a few instances when a character bleeds from a head wound.
Language:
Apesh*t
A*$ / A*$hole
B*d*ss
B*tch / B*ches / B*tchy
D*mn / D*mmit
Dumb*$$
F*ck / F*ckboy / F*cking / Middle finger
G*d
G*dd*mn
Good L*rd
H*ll / Holy H*ll
Holy sh*t / Sh*t / Sh*tless
J*sus / J*sus Chr*st
Merde (French word for sh*t)
These can also be considered crude: Crap, Frickin’, Mother-Sucker, & What the F ( I don’t know if those last two will be changed in the final book, but they obviously replace What the f*ck & Motherf*ck*r )
Sensual/Sexual: There are a few mentions of condoms. Alice is shown a video of another character getting intimate with a boy from their school. One character exchanged nude photos & sexual texts with multiple people, some of which are recovered & described.
Violence: After the discovery of a dead body, an autopsy is performed off-page & discussed on-page. Crime scene photos are looked at, & the body is described in gruesome detail more than once. There is one past & two present car crashes which lead to head trauma. There are a few attacks during which a character is hit on the head. When the murderer is revealed, the murder is described in detail.
As of November 5th, I am 26 years old. Year 25 was NOT a walk in the park for me. I have really struggled with energy & motivation & purpose this past year. I am so passionate about what I do online, but being defeated time after time after time is so deflating. My Instagram, Twitter, & YouTube follower counts barely go up from month to month. I stay up late editing videos & writing blog posts, but it feels like no one cares when I make my work public. I worked for weeks & hours on my Tarzan video for the Disney+ Dream Job contest. I was so incredibly proud of what I produced, & yet I didn’t get one of the five spots to watch 30 Disney movies in 30 days for $1,000. Instead of breaking down barriers, I feel like I’m beating my head against a wall that isn’t going to budge. Is year 26 going to be better, or do I have to accept that I’m not meant to do this any longer?!?
How do I turn this into a positive? One step at a time. I may not have won a check for a Disney+ marathon, but I’m going to do it anyway. Starting November 12, I will be watching a Disney show & movie every day for 30 days. Don’t worry! You can follow along on here, Instagram, Twitter, & YouTube. Just use my links listed below to make sure you’re following me with notifications turned ON. 🍋 This is called turning lemons into lemonade. 🍹 I’m also trying to step outside my comfort zone & interact with people I follow on social media. Scary! 😱
🌻 Go enjoy your Saturday readers! 💛 Hopefully it’s cold & feels like the holiday season wherever you are because California is still HOT. 🥵 🙄 😂
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Most of us are currently going through the motions on Black Friday still recovering from a (sweet, glorious) turkey coma. Not to mention the delicious leftovers! Now that Thanksgiving has come & gone, the coldest of hearts can admit that Christmastime has officially arrived. If you’re an eager gift giver, this blog post is for you. I have put together a Bookish Gift Guide for the readers in your life.
1. The products are organized by a common theme such as Book Sleeves, Candles, Home, etc. That being said, some stores in one category might have items from another, but I only focused on something specific. Make sure you take a good look at everything so you don’t miss out.
2. I am only human so naturally I have not purchased from every single one of these shops. I simply did the research & compiled a long list to give you as many ideas as possible. It is up to you to read reviews & decide for yourself whether or not you’re going to make a purchase. If you’re curious, I will indicate where I have shopped with a star – > 🌟
3. The pricing information, in American dollars, is based on what I saw while researching but is subject to change. If a store is from a country other than the United States, assume that I had to convert the prices using Google, & it may not be 100% accurate. Also, shipping charges are not included due to the variance from country to country.
4. Most of these businesses are small shops so products will be limited, & the time between purchase and arrival will take longer than a typical shopping trip. The face behind a small business is more often than not one single person doing everything so please show your holiday spirit & be gracious. Pro Tip: For the best updates, follow social media accounts.
5. Any images used that are not mine are credited to their owners. They are only being used for advertisement purposes & not for my own benefit.
🎁 Specialty: Bags inspired by book covers | Faux leather or leather | 5 sizes ranging from clutch to large messenger bag/tote | You can add a page of text from the book of your choice to the empty space that is revealed when you open the bag.
🎁 Specialty: They used to sell book jewelry but currently only have clear Christmas tree ornaments with miniature books inside. Keep an eye on their shop for future gifts because they might eventually bring their jewelry back.
🎁 Specialty: Gloves, headbands, & scarves that feature book passages | Each book has an assigned color & should match across the entire product line. | There are also pillows, shirts, & totes, and the pricing is included below.
🎁 Specialty: Book-inspired coffee roasts, ground & whole | The flavors are limited, but the quality is sure to impress because the owners also own a coffee shop: Lexington Coffee Co.
🎁 Specialty: Magnetic bookmarks that resemble book characters | Lots of Young Adult options – A Court of Thorns and Roses, Illuminae, Shades of Magic, etc. | There are also book sleeves & pins, and pricing is included below.
🌟 Specialty: Colorful, vibrant art featured on wooden bookmarks known as woodmarks | There are other great products to choose from such as art prints, pins, & totes, but pricing is not included below.
🎁 Specialty: Standard size bookmarks inspired by characters, locations, & quotes | The overall style is not cartoonish but rather focused on the graphic design elements, sometimes veering into (what I would consider) minimalism.
🎁 Specialty: Book sleeves in the following sizes: Mini (mass market paperbacks), Indie (paperbacks), XL (standard hardcovers), & Jumbeau (Large, Harry Potter-size hardcovers) | They also sell Book Beans for $29.99, a pillow shaped with readers in mind.
🎁 Specialty: Book sleeves | Each individual listing provides a size in the description. | If you’re a fan, they sell quite a few Disney patterns that I have not seen elsewhere.
🎁 Specialty: Book sleeves | One size fits all, made to be roomy | Add on options include a button loop, button flap, pockets, velcro tab, & velcro flap
🎁 Specialty: Book sleeves | There are 4 sizes available: Kindle Paperwhite, Mini (mass paperback), Standard (standard paperbacks & small hardcovers), & Large (large hardcovers)
🌟 Specialty: The website is currently down for maintenance so I can’t give exact information. What I can tell you is that I paid $16.95 for a paperback-size book sleeve & $19.95 for the hardcover size.
🌟 Specialty: Book sleeves | Only one size: 9 x 11, made to be roomy | Waterproof book sleeves are also available; that information should be provided in the product title and/or description.
🎁 Specialty: Tablet cases that resemble books (mostly classics) | They also have really cool lights that look like books with fanned out pages. Perfect for late night reading sessions!
🎁 “Bring Your Own Book is the game of borrowed phrases, where players search through books for text to take way out of context. It’s easy. Players take turns drawing prompts from the deck, then race to find the best phrase in their own book that satisfies the prompt. Since you can use a different book each time, you can play it with any audience, and there’s a practically infinite supply of source material.” – Taken from the BYOB website | Think of the game as a bookish Apples to Apples! | An app version is currently in the works. | Made by Do Better Games
🌟 “After hearing the details of the case, you will move around the streets of London, visiting various locations where you will collect clues – cryptic, factual and even misleading – before using your powers of deduction to solve the case and returning to Baker Street with the correct solution.” – Taken from the John Lewis website | If you like Clue but crave a “meatier” game, this is for you. | Made by Jay Moriarty / Antler Productions
💰 Pricing: I purchased from John Lewis & paid $23.50
🎁 This bookish version of Trivial Pursuit is no longer sold officially. It sounds like an item worth searching for as a collector so let me know if you find it in good condition. | The multi-colored pieces you collect to win the game are miniature books that you store on a mini bookshelf. The Great Penguin Bookchase is the same game, but the book pieces look like Penguin editions. So adorable! | Made by Art Meets Matter
🛒 B Y T H E B O O K: A N O V E L S T A C K I N G P U Z Z L E 🛍️
Location: Massachusetts 🇺🇸
🎁 “In this original 3D puzzle, stack up to 12 differently shaped books – and one clever cat – so that the upper shelf lies evenly across the top. Use the special included level to make sure everything is perfectly aligned. Master all 40 challenges and you’re on a level above the rest!” – Taken from the Brainwright website | Ages 8 & up | Made by Brainwright
🎁 “In Ex Libris, you are a collector of rare and valuable books in a thriving fantasy town. The Mayor has just announced a new seat in the Village Council, Grand Librarian. The prestigious and lucrative position will be awarded to the citizen with the most extraordinary library! Unfortunately, several of your book collector colleagues (more like acquaintances, really) are also candidates. To outshine your competition, you’ll need to expand your personal library by sending your trusty assistants out into the village to find the most impressive tomes. Sources for the finest books are scarce, so you’ll need to beat your opponents to them when they pop up – especially if they match your library’s secret focus! You only have a few days before the Mayor’s Official Inspector comes to judge your library, so be sure your assistants have all your books shelved in time! She is a tough cookie, and will use her Official Inspection Form to grade your library on several criteria including alphabetical order, shelf stability, prominent works, and variety. And don’t think she’ll turn a blind eye to books the Council has banned! You’ll need shrewd planning, cunning tactics, and perhaps a little magic to surpass your opponents and become Grand Librarian!” – Taken from the Renegade Game Studios website | Ages 10 & up | Made by Renegade Game Studios
🎁 Liebrary is similar to Apples to Apples except you’re making up your own first line for a book; you win a round if your answer is chosen. | This game is not sold in stores anymore so you have to search on Amazon & eBay. | Made by Discovery Bay
🎁 Card game based on “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen | A printable version is available H E R E | “Undead” & “Emma” game expansions are available.
🛒 T H E A R T O F C O N V E R S A T I O N L I T E R A R Y E D I T I O N 🛍️
Location: Australia 🇦🇺
🎁 “TAOC® comes with 300 starter questions plus a 32-page guidebook that includes informative and comprehensive endnotes . . . Even reluctant readers will be drawn in! Readers of all stages and ages will find themselves being educated, all in the name of fun . . . Ideal for book clubs, but can also be adapted to friends, family, workmates, students or even solitary readers . . . Covers all genres – fiction, poetry, drama, biography, autobiography, science fiction, fantasy, crime, romance, historical writing – essentially, the whole bookshop!” – Taken from the TAOC website
🌟 Specialty: Therapeutic Rice Bags | They can be stored in the freezer or warmed in the microwave. | My family has used them for cramps, migraines, & knee pain. | Small, medium, & large sizes available + eye masks with or without straps | Three scents available: Eucalyptus, lavender, & peppermint – You can purchase rice bags unscented.
🛒 C A N T E R B U R Y C L A S S I C S N O V E L J O U R N A L 🛍️
Location: Colorado 🇺🇸
🎁 Specialty: Colorful journals with text & a quote from a specific book on the cover; on the inside, the lines on each page are text from that same book.
💰 Pricing: $16.93 – $203.40 (prices vary on Amazon, you can buy in bulk on the Juniper Books website)
🎁 Specialty: Mugs, prints, & totes customized to represent the books of your choosing | They also sell book cover necklaces & pins which are included in the pricing below.
🎁 Specialty: Literary dolls such as Alice (in Wonderland), Anne Shirley, (author) Edith Wharton, Hermione Granger, & the Wicked Witch of the West | Custom options are available; just contact the shop owner Marcy. | Doll orders probably won’t be available until January, but now you know for the future.
🛒 L E T T E R F R O M M Y B O O K B O Y F R I E N D 🛍️
Location: Massachusetts 🇺🇸
🎁 Specialty: Thanks to Bookified, you can receive a letter from your literary crush. When you make a purchase, take advantage of the”Notes” section to specify exactly what you want.
💰 Pricing: $3.99 (3 lines, customized for an occasion), $6.49 (standard letter that is sent out over & over again, not personalized for you), $8.99 (5 lines, 1 page, customized), & $12.99 (10 lines, 2 pages, customized)
🌟 Unfortunately this shop no longer sells a customizable cellphone case, but it was one of my inspirations for this Bookish Gift Guide. It’s still open so you can take a peek here ➡️ etsy.com/shop/yazrajadesigns
🛒 S W E E T S E Q U E L S 🛍️
Location: Texas 🇺🇸
🌟 Specialty: Original art on prints & lifestyle products | Customization is available. I paid $235 for a custom oversized blanket with 9 total illustrations. Haleigh already had three of the book cover designs I wanted, and then I paid $30 for the six other covers ($5 each). I also requestedbacking that didn’t have long fur due to my sensitive eyes, and she was more than willing to oblige. I cannot recommend her shop enough!
Prepare yourself. I’m about to vent about some not-so-happy issues. Me and my mom recently relocated to the west coast to join my dad and brother who had already been living in that area for a few years. Because of college, the move was stretched out to three years for me and for my mom who selflessly chose to stay behind and help me. Words will never be able to express my gratitude! An impending out-of-state move is not easy to deal with while going through undergraduate education. As if the stress of daily homework and sleepless nights wasn’t enough, let’s throw in living out of boxes and without furniture. Fast forward to now. My family is currently sharing a mini apartment above a garage, a space I have nicknamed “The Loft”; it has one main room (a living room, table, and kitchen with no stove), one bathroom, and one bedroom (two small beds). In case you haven’t already done the math, four adults are sharing a living space meant to comfortably accommodate two people, perhaps two adults and one small child. I can’t complain because at least my family has somewhere to live. However, living in small quarters for an extended period of time is not a comfortable situation to be in. The cherry on top is I have no job, no money, and no car.
I am an introvert therefore it is important that I force myself to go out otherwise I wont do it at all. So far I am failing miserably even though living like a hermit is sucking the life out of me. I am pale from not going outside. I have no physical energy. I have way too much time to analyze and criticize myself. I am becoming even more uncomfortable around people. I am stressed to the point of regular migraines and anxiety attacks. In a nutshell, NO BUENO!!! Why the heck am I writing all this down on my blog?? Well, Tuesday was one of those days when I was stuck in the loft working on my laptop and stressing over my current project and life in general. Also, it was really hot outside, and heat is the worst possible antagonist on a stressful day. I doubt it is too late for me to get out of this awful cycle, but in my “Debbie Downer” brain, it is. Being social has not produced positive results in my life therefore I am very cautious. I am unfortunately comfortable in this way of life, but I know it is not a healthy way to live. The moral of this story is “Don’t live like a hermit if you have the choice not to.” The black hole does not magically disappear and replace itself with sunshine and rainbows; it only gets deeper. Find a happy medium between being yourself and living without regret. I am going to close with a list of things that make me happy. Let’s end on a positive note!
I spent the rest of the night playing a video game and watching a movie with my brother so I already feel much better. Keep moving forward, and don’t look back readers!
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkban”
This is a SUPERSIZED Spring and Summer fashion haul consisting of apparel from Kohls, Target, TJ Maxx, and V-Luxury. If you prefer not to look at pictures, you can watch my Youtube version: https://youtu.be/IqMxHfWv0sA
If you would like to look at pictures, proceed. :)
– I bought one other dress, but I cannot find pictures online. I think it is sold out. If you would like to see it, you can watch the video on Youtube –
My world has been shattered. After months of “Will they?? Wont they?? Will they?? Wont they??”, CBS has officially cancelled “Stalker.” I know that my opinion is bias, but I really do believe this is a mistake. “Stalker” is one of the best shows that has come out in the past eight months. Critics were unhappy with the blunt approach, but I appreciated it. It may sound stupid, but horrifying storylines make me feel prepared for any dangerous scenario imaginable because they make me think. “Stalker” was startling and unexpected, two adjectives that made it stand out. It will be greatly missed by me and many other fans. R.I.P. “Stalker.”
On Monday I left Texas, my home of 13 years. My family’s 6-bedroom house provided shelter to 26 people, not including me, my parents, and my brother; I always had extended family around me. On Tuesday I arrived in California, my new home; my family currently lives in a one-bedroom apartment above a garage. Quite the adventure we are on!! The picture you see above is my room, an empty room bursting at the seams full of memories. It is amazing to recall all the things that took place in that space: Babysitting, beauty transformations, concerts, counseling, dance practice, dreams, doll shenanigans, dramatic dress up, DVD viewings, emotional breakdowns, exercise sessions, fashion shows, fights, hide-and-seek, 2+ hour phone calls, illness rehabilitation, internet browsing, late night reading, outfit planning, schoolwork, and sleepovers. One last thing: Me and my best friend Gabby officially became friends in that room thanks to “Lord of the Beans.” I moved to Texas when I was 8, and I am now 21. My middle school, junior high, high school, and college years took place in that state. Many different struggles and transitions took place in that house; perhaps now you have a better idea of why it is so special to me. It is bittersweet to move on, but I will always carry the memories with me in my heart.
Treasure each moment readers! You never know when you will be uprooted and replanted.
Isn’t that title horrific?!! It should strike fear into your soul, if you’re a serious reader that is. I have loved books for as long I can remember. They are an escape from reality, an airline ticket to any country or fictional realm; no money or actual travel required! After I graduated college, I was ecstatic to return to my fifty books per week schedule. My excitement was quickly dissipated by my inability to finish one book in one week. Since my graduation in September, I have read ten books or less (The exact number is unknown). This change is depressing and frustrating. I desperately want to devour books, but my ability to focus has weakened. I wasn’t really sure what was going on or what to do until an acquaintance’s words gave me a revelation. She went through the exact same struggle and advised me to patiently wait for my mind to readjust. In college, I was FORCED to read numerous articles and chapters every week for three years. Eventually my mind will catch up and realize that I am now reading for recreation, not necessity and survival (HA HA!!). The process is far from over, but I am slowly readjusting. In fact, I recently finished a book in two days. That is major progress!! Thanks to Half Price Books, I made a pledge to attempt to read 30 book this year. I obviously have high expectations for 2015. Well, I am off to start another book. If anyone is curious, the book is “Fire in the Night” by Linda Byler.
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” – Charles William Eliot
The quote says it all. The excitement of Christmas and the holiday blues are officially behind us. February is only eleven days away. It is time to press the gas and move forward. Trust me, I am still in a “blah” mood, but I try to remind myself everyday that in order to make it to my college graduation in eight months, I have to complete and pass the remainder of my classes. Therefore, full speed ahead!
I have a heavy homework load this quarter, but I will try my very best to maintain a consistent blog. I am also working on my new Youtube channel. Please check it out and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCic1VLw_OuW2fzDQ88oi_AA
I was very scared to put myself on public display; a lot of hurtful things are said on social media. But, I have had the idea for awhile and finally decided that I would never know if it was a bad idea unless I tried. So far I am having fun despite the amount of work it requires. I appreciate the support I have received on Tumblr and WordPress, and I hope you all will continue to support me in my new endeavor. I also want to encourage you to try new things. Do not not let fear and what ifs control your life!
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch
“In spite of fear, do what you have to do.” – Chin-Ning Nu
“I’m not what I have done. I’m what I’ve overcome.” – “What I’ve Overcome”, Fireflight
Lauren Michele ❤️ 
