August Reading + Writing Goals

Happy Friday!

It is that time of the month where I share all my reading and writing goals for August, and go over what I got done in July. To be honest, it was not a lot! Life got in the way as it always seems to do when I attempt to be productive, but c’est la vie.

August is going to be a crazy month no matter what. I have some traveling I am doing (which is completely following the rules of my province), I start my brand-new full-time job as a Communications Development Lead, and I am launching a secret business! There is a limit to what I can do alongside all of this, so this will be a very practical goals list.

TIP: Write down everything that you MUST get done that month and then plan your goals. This way, you know what your main focus(es) are but also how much time you have to dedicate to other projects.

Here is what I wrote and read during July.

Writing

The Obsidian Butterfly – This is my Camp NaNoWriMo project and my goal for the month was to reach 25k. However, I ended up only writing 6,704 words. I am not too bummed about it because I was dealing with a lot of things for the last half of July. Overall, this is a good start and I’ve decided to take a break from the novel version of this story anyways (more on this later).

Flanelle Magazine -Fashion, Design, Culture & Photography

Flanelle Magazine Interview – In July, I got a really exciting project for the magazine I write for (Flanelle Magazine) and it was an interview with Zonnique, a 24-year-old, Atlanta born singer. This was a cool project because I’ve never done an interview before. I will link it once it is live on the website!

Reading

Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel: Reid, Taylor Jenkins ...

Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Even in a reading slump, this book never fails me. While this was the third time I’ve read this book, I zipped through it in only 2 days. I adore this book, the characters, the story…everything about it is just so addicting. It follows the rise and fall of this band from the 70s, and it was inspired by Fleetwood Mac so what is not to love? 5/5 stars

Kingdom of Souls (Kingdom of Souls, #1) by Rena Barron

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron – This took me a bit to get through, but overall, I really enjoyed the mythology, the characters, and the overall story. It didn’t blow my mind and I didn’t love any of the characters specifically, but it reminded me of my own book and it helped inspire me to work on it throughout July. Kingdom of Souls is inspired by West African mythology and follows a girl who year after year, has not been able to find her own magic. When the story takes a dark twist, she finds magic but it is not in the way she wanted or expected. 3.5/5 stars

Here is what I want to write and read in August…

Writing

The Obsidian Butterfly (Novella Version) – In March, I wrote a novella version of my novel idea, The Obsidian Butterfly, and submitted it to the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest which I received a Silver Honourable Mention for. I’ve decided to re-write this story because I feel it was missing some things that really held it back. My goal is to get 7,000 words done in August because the word limit is 17,000 (which being the overwriter I am, I will reach). Since the deadline is October 1st, it should give me enough time to finish it even with all the other things I’ve got going on.

Reading

Eliza and Her Monster by Fransesca Zappia – Yes, this is a re-read but apparently I am in the mood for re-reading my favourite contemporaries. Eliza and Her Monsters is an all-time favourite of mine, especially because the main character suffers from anxiety and how she feels and eventually copes with it is something I strongly relate to still. With everything going on, my anxiety has definitely spiked. I’ve been the most anxious these past few months that I have ever been in my entire life, but I’ve found re-reading my favourite books has helped.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – I have an unofficial tradition of reading this book every summer, or in the fall, before school starts. I am going into my second year of university and Cath, the main character, is in her first and we follow her as she experiences it. This book is also another one that is so easy for me to read. I have no doubt I will fly through it in less than a week!


Those are all the things I want to write and read during August, and also what I got done back in July. I swear, the months are flying by and I can BARELY keep up. But, I am doing my best and despite everything, this has been a productive quarantined summer.

Don’t forget to check out my last blog post as well as my social media accounts which are all linked down below! I will be announcing my secret business on there first, so follow my Twitter, Instagram, AND Pinterest.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Last Blog Post: Beginner’s Guide to: Aztec Mythology

Twitter icon
Instagram - Free social icons
Pinterest - Apps on Google Play
Patreon changes have creators concerned they'll lose income ...

Biannual Bibliothon Day 6 – Reading By the Fire 101

alejtr5u

Happy day 6 of the Biannual Bibliothon!

Not going to lie…I completely forgot to write a reading update for day 3&4 but that’s okay because I didn’t get much done (hahaha go me). Anyways, today’s blog host is Jacqueline from EvilQueenBooksBlog and she wants us to tell her what books we think would be perfect fireside reads. This challenge sounds so cozy and it makes me want to curl up by the fire and read…even though I don’t have a fire to do that with. But anyway, I decided that along with picking 5 books to read, I would share some tips on how to have the perfect reading time next to a fire.

STEP ONE: Choose Your Books

gof

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

I had to throw a Harry Potter book in here because are they not the most perfect side reads? The fourth book is my favourite as of right now in the series because it’s long and a little bit of a different plot structure than her other books. When I close my eyes, I can definitely imagine myself by the warm and crackling fire, swaddled in a blanket and cracking open this amazing book.

fangirl_coverdec2012

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Not only would this be a great fireside read because it always makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, but it is also one of those books I can finish in one sitting. This book is relatable, funny, adorable, awkward, and a whole lot of fun to read!

thelightbetweenourworlds1

The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth

The atmosphere in this novel is cozy enough on its own that I wouldn’t even need a fire to read by. The story would do a well off job heating me up on a cold, cold day. This contemporary-fantasy book takes place in dreary ol’ London, the best place, I think personally, to cuddle up next to a fire. Well, actually right now in Canada a fire sounds great too but you get what I mean!

Image result for beneath the sugar sky

Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire

I have yet to read this book, which is the third installment in the Eleanor’s Home for Wayward Children series (will be reading it this readathon though!). I loved the first two books and cannot wait to dive into the next one. These books are so incredibly short (this one being under 150 pages),  and that along with their addictive, fast-paced storylines, makes them great fireside reads.

 

STEP TWO: Make Yummy Drinks/Snacks

This is a very important step. Are you going to make some delicious, rich hot chocolate? Steep some green tea or brew some coffee to keep you awake whilst reading? Maybe you’re a little hungry and need something to snack on. Well, now is the time to figure that all out! Personally, I would love nothing more than to snuggle up with a good book and some hot chocolate right now.

STEP THREE: Atmosphere

This is also crucial to your fireside reading experience. The atmosphere must be the ultimate cozy atmosphere, but how do you accomplish that? Well, let me tell you: blankets (specifically fuzzy ones, but any old blanket will do), mood lighting (if the fire isn’t enough light to read, light some candles or if your lights can adjust to different settings, perfect), and of course, seating (are you going to sit on the ground next to the fire, or on a chair? This is important to figure out people!).

STEP FOUR: READ

One important thing to remember while reading by fire is too NOT PUT YOUR BOOK IN THE FIRE. Whether it is intentional (for who knows what reason. Maybe the book is really bad) or accidental, books do not belong in fires. If you are a particularly clumsy person, adjust yourself so there is no way your book can accidentally fall out of your hands because let’s be honest, that would ruin step 3, and it’s all about the atmosphere.

Those are 4 books I would love to snuggle up and read by the fire, along with a “Reading By the Fire For Dummies” step-by-step guide! Don’t forget to check out my last blog post, as well as all my other Biannual Bibliothon blog challenges, and make sure you check out my social media accounts linked down below. Thanks for reading 🙂

Last Blog Post: 

Biannual Bibliothon Day 1 – Winter Snow Storm Fun

Biannual Bibliothon Day 2 – Christmas Party

Reading + Writing Update – Biannual Bibliothon 2019 Day 1 & 2

Biannual Bibliothon Day 3 – Bookish Mad Libs

Biannual Bibliothon Day 4 – Clickbait Challenge

Biannual Bibliothon Day 5 – Winter Trips

 

@zoermathers

 

Image result for instagram  @zoeiswriting

 

@zoematherswrites

5 Books That Motivate Me to Read

It is the beginning of a new year, and while that means a sudden burst of motivation to read, write, workout, work, etc, etc for some people, it can also be a sluggish period of time for others. So, if you are having trouble figuring out what to read to get you back into the swing of things, not just reading wise but in any aspect of your life, then check out some of the books below! This list is curated out of books I love, and books that always motivate me in general, so I hope you enjoy 🙂

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

fangirl_coverdec2012

This is a great book to motivate me to read, write, and also attempt to like school a little more than I do. Fangirl is all about a girl named Cath who is starting her first year of college with her twin sister, Wren. While Cath wants to stay in her little bubble of a dorm room, writing fanfiction, Wren wants to explore the college life, leaving Cath behind. Cath struggles to find a place of her own in college, not really wanting to, until she is taken under the wing of her roommate, Raegan, and her best friend, Levi. This book is all about social anxiety, loving the art of writing, and making friends which are things a lot of us can relate to. This book is such a quick (even though it is over 400 pages) and fun read that I always crave another book right after, and because of that, this is the book I always run to when in a reading slump!

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

lady-midnight-by-cassandra-clare

Honestly, this is the book that reminds me why I love to read and also write. The world is so genius and the characters are incredibly amazing and diverse, that it inspires me to write a story just like it. It also makes me desperately want to read more fantasy and that is always fun. Lady Midnight is the first book of the third series in Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter world, a world where Shadowhunters (half human, half angel) carry out their mandate of ridding the human world of demons. Our main character, Emma Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, desperate for revenge and answers after her parents’ dead bodies wash up on shore. We follow her search for answers along with her friends and maybe getting more than she bargained for. I love, love this series, its characters, the world…everything is just amazing.

The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth

thelightbetweenourworlds1

Everything about this book’s atmosphere makes me want to read and write; its dreary and grey, England weather draws me into a cozy mood that just wants to snuggle up and do the things I love. The Light Between Worlds follows two sisters, Evelyn, and Philippa who have just returned, along with their brother, Jamie, from a magical, fantasy land called The Woodlands. During the devastation of World War II, the siblings fled their backyard bunker into this world and spent years there before returning home. While some are settling into reality better than others, Evelyn can’t. The Woodlands was her home and now she struggles to find her place in the mortal world. When she goes missing, Philippa must return to England from American and uncover the truth of her sister’s disappearance and the struggles she faced, and she is in for an awakening. The whimsical atmosphere, writing, and characters really draws readers in, and because of it, I love this book!

The Outsider by Albert Camus

71T2ZEK5TgL

Okay, this one needs a little explanation. I read this book for English and just finished my second read of it before I write a bunch of tests, essays, etc for it, and I like this book. I do. I think it is clever and an excellent representation of existentialism in literature. However, it is not a book I read for enjoyment necessarily. The plot is really quite simple, hitting point A, B, C with not much in between. This book is really about the main character, who is really a personification of existentialism. It is all about this character who fails to act certain ways towards events like his mother dying, etc; in the ways that society expects him to. After committing an immoral crime, he is then cast as an outsider from society because of his lack of emotion and feeling. What motivates me about this book, is the main character. He is unlike anything I have ever read and it really motivates me to read more characters who are morally grey, and also to write more characters like that!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

TheRavenBoys

I always forget how much I truly adore this book until I read it. Right now I am reading The Raven King (finally), and I’m reminded how atmospheric this witchy, magical town of Henrietta is, and how much I love the characters. The atmosphere is a huge factor in any book for me, and this magical, mythical type of atmosphere always draws me in immediately. The Raven Boys is a story influenced by Welsh mythology, taking place in small town, Henrietta. We follow Blue, and the Raven Boys; Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah, who are all on different journeys but one day their worlds intersect when Blue welcomes the soon-to-be-dead on St. Marks Eve as she does every year, and meets Gansey. In all her years of doing this, Blue has never once truly seen a ghost, only feeling as they pass through her. Gansey is the first, and she is told it she saw him because he is her true love or because she killed him. This book has psychics, as Blue’s family are all psychics, and a wonderful cast of characters that you really can’t help but get attached to.

Those are the 5 books that motivate me to read, and also write, and I hope you enjoyed! Let me know what books motivate you to read because I would love to know. Also, don’t forget to check out my last blog post and my social media accounts linked down below. Thanks for reading 🙂

Last Blog Post: Reading + Writing Update!

 

@zoermathers

 

Image result for instagram  @zoeiswriting

 

@zoematherswrites

Audiobook Recommendations!

Hello! I am back after my two day hiatus after the busyness that was the winter Biannual Bibliothon. While it was loads of fun, it was a little draining but over the weekend I recharged and am ready to blog! Lately I have been listening to a lot of audiobooks, I think I listened to about 4 this past week, and have been loving them, so I decided to share a few audiobook recommendations with you guys and some tips if you are just starting out. I hope you enjoy!

Audiobook Tips for Beginners:

  1. Choose An Audiobook That You’ve Read the Physical Book Of – When it comes to your first few audiobooks, I find that it is a lot easier to ease into the world of audiobooks when you listen to a book you have already read. When adjusting to audiobooks, it can be difficult to retain all the info you hear while listening to the story, so my advice is to start of listening to a favourite book of yours!
  2. Free Audiobooks! – If you aren’t sure if you will like audiobooks, try borrowing them from your library. And I don’t mean borrowing the 30+ disk set, but borrowing from their online selection. Lots of libraries have links on their websites to online libraries where if you use your library card, you can electronically borrow books and audiobooks on your phone or computer, and they are free!
  3. Don’t Waste Audiobook Time – There are so many times throughout the day when you could be listening to an audiobook. So instead of watching mindless YouTube videos while getting ready, press play on an audiobook! You can also listen to them while walking around, driving, doing mindless tasks, etc, etc. Don’t waste perfectly good audiobook time!

Now for my audiobook recommendations!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

fangirl_coverdec2012

Not only do I recommend this physical book, but the ebook is so much fun! I get the exact same feel as I do when I physically read it, and listening to the book come alive just brings so much more to the story. This is one I am actually currently listening to, and it is nice to discover the world of Fangirl in a different medium.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Image result for percy jackson and the olympians series

I don’t have a specific book recommendation for this one, but really any of this series would be amazing on audio. I have only listened to the fourth in full, and snippets of some of the others but listening to the fourth was a blast, and the person who voiced it did a great job of giving each character a different voice and making the journey so much more fun!

The Selection by Kiera Cass 

selection-cvr

Listening to The One on audiobook was really good, I felt the tension between the characters and really felt the emotion I felt while reading the physical book, which is obviously what you want from an audiobook. While it did sound a little robotic, I quickly got over that and became so incredibly invested in the story. I can only imagine that the first book, The Selection, would be just as good!

Peter Pan by James M. Barrie

51aQASyBXfL._SX296_BO1,204,203,200_

Really, I think that any children’s book would be magical in audiobook format. I listened to this book during the Biannual Bibliothon, and it was fun listening to Wendy, John, Michael and Peter’s adventures in Neverland. Again, it brought the story to life in a way like a movie would, and while I was walking around and listening to this book I would get so invested in the story I would wander around for hours. Also, it is really short (about 5 hours or so) so a perfect first audiobook!

Those are a few audiobook tips and recommendations for any of you considering giving audiobooks a try, or for any of you who just were in need of some more recommendations. I hope you enjoyed this, and make sure you check out my last blog posts: 2018 Biannual Bibliothon Day 7: Write a Book Recommendation + my Day 7 Reading Update! 

Thanks 🙂

Other Places You Can Find Me:

Twitter:@zoermathers

Pinterest: @zoermathers

Books to Keep You OUT of a Reading Slump

Reading slumps are actually the worst! I have been hit by one reading slump after the other, and I am tired of them. Anyways, here are a few books that always help keep me out of a reading slump, and I hope they will help you too!

fangirl_coverdec2012

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – This is such a fun and easy contemporary that you can’t help but want to read cover to cover, and then pick up another book. Fangirl follows a girl named Cath, who is entering her first year of college with her twin sister, Wren. Cath and Wren are complete opposites, and while Wren wants to explore and meet new people, Cath wants to keep safe in her own little bubble. But when Cath meets her scary roommates friend, Levi, she finds herself slowly coming out of that comfort zone and learns that stepping out of your comfort zone a bit is alright. I love this book and think every fangirl and fanboy should read it!

vampire-academy

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy sucks you in from the first few pages and doesn’t let you out, and luckily, it has a whole series awaiting you once you get sucked into that world. Vampire Academy follows two girls, Rose who is a protector of vampires and her best friend, Lissa who is a vampire, as they return to the school they ran away from a year ago. There is lots of action with lots of fun and headstrong characters that you can’t help but fall in love with!

city-of-bones-cover

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – City of Bones, like Vampire Academy, also has a series (multiple actually) awaiting you once this story captures you. City of Bones follows a girl named Clary whose mother goes missing, and she sets out to find her while unraveling the truth about who she is. She falls into a world of demons and angels and realizes she has a larger place in this world than she thought. I love the huge and diverse cast of characters in this series, and I think it is a lot of fun so I definitely recommend it for a good series marathon this summer as well!

divergent_hq

Divergent by Veronica Roth – While the other two books in the series aren’t that amazing in my opinion, I really enjoyed Divergent and always have a blast reading it. Divergent follows a girl named Tris who lives in a world that is divided into five factions, Dauntless the brave, Amity the kind, Abnegation the selfless, Erudite the smart and Candor the honest. This is a beloved trilogy which also has movies out, and I think that it is a great and easy read to keep you out of a reading slump.

to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han – I know I know, I rave about this book WAY to much but that is because its amazing and always makes me want to keep reading! To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before follows Lara Jean, a quirky, shy girl who writes love letters to all the guys she has loved before, but then one day those letters get sent out and her life gets flipped upside down. Everyone needs to read this trilogy. It’s as simple as that!

Those are a few books that always help me stay out of a reading slump and I hope you enjoyed. Don’t forget to check out my last blog post: Movies I Watched in May 2017!

Favourite Re Reads!

Re reading books I love is one of my favourite things to do, which can sometimes be bad when I need to read some new books on my shelf…but anyways, here are a few of my favourite books to re read!

lady-midnight-by-cassandra-clareLady Midnight by Cassandra Clare – I absolutely loved Lady Midnight the first time I read it, but now I am re reading it and it is just as amazing. Lady Midnight is a massive books but reads quickly in my opinion. I forgot how witty the characters were and how fantastic the whole story is, and I am falling in love with it all over again. I love re reading all of Cassie Clare’s books but at the moment this is definitely a favourite of mine to re read!

obsidian-cover5Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout – This book is such a quick, fun read that I can read multiple times but never get bored of it. Obsidian is part of a five book series, but it is hands down my favourite of them all. I think I like it the most because as the story progresses, the books grow darker and I just enjoy how light and fluffy the first one is.

fangirl_coverdec2012Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – I have read Fangirl twice now, and the second time was just as good as the first let me tell you. Fangirl is just one of those cute contemporaries with not only relatable characters, but relatable moments. I recommend anyone who hasn’t read it to read it, because you will fall in love with it!

gofHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling – I doubt this is a surprise for any of you because who isn’t going to want to re read a Harry Potter book? I almost put the first book down, but overall I love the fourth one the most. Something about have the triwizard tournament and than the ball just makes me love the story even more.

anna-kissAnna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – Surprise, surprise right? Its not like I have read this book ten thousand times. I just love contemporaries and Anna and the French Kiss is a perfect one, okay? I re read contemporaries the most just because they are so fun, entertaining and super quick reads!

 

Those are five books I like to re read the most and I hope you enjoyed. Don’t forget to check out my last blog post: 5 Things I Look for in a Book!

 

Books That Frustrate Me!

There are a LOT of books out there that annoy me and get on my nerves so I decided why not make a blog post of it and share with you all those books?

73a98b48-41cc-43d2-baf6-89c696bc86f8img400The Heir by Kiera Cass – When I think of books that get on my nerves, this is the first book that comes to mind. If you didn’t know, The Heir is a continuation of the Selection series and in my opinion, is a continuation that was not needed. The first three books in the Selection series were great, but they had to ruin it with this book! The Heir is a sequel that takes place 20ish years after the events of The One, and follows America and Maxon’s daughter Eadlyn who is of age and has to hold a selection to find “the one”. I enjoyed seeing America and Maxon again, but there daughter, Eadlyn is such a hard character to like! She is whiny, inconsiderate and incredibly selfish, and is in no way a relatable character. I honestly felt this book was unnecessary and I am sure there are a lot of people out there who agree!

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare – I absolutely adored Lady Midnight, lady-midnight-by-cassandra-clarebut overall it did have some very frustrating moments! Lady Midnight follows two shadowhunters named Emma and Julian who live in a world of demons, magic and fighting. Our main characters are the frustrating part and I don’t want to spoil anything for people who haven’t read this book, but if you have you know what I am talking about!

fangirl_coverdec2012Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – Again I love Fangirl but our main character is such a stubborn character sometimes that it irritates me. Fangirl follows a girl named Cath who is attending her first year of college with her twin sister, Wren, and while Wren wants to be independent and have fun, Cath is much more shy and reluctant. I do love this book, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I wanted to scream at Cath to take a risk for once, or just leave her dorm room instead of moping around and letting life pass her!

Prodigy_Marie_Lu_BookProdigy by Marie Lu – I really enjoyed Prodigy but the relationship between our main characters is something I don’t always enjoy. The first book in this trilogy, Legend, follows a teenage criminal named Day and a soldier named June who become an unlikely team as they band together for revenge. I am honestly not a huge fan of June because in my opinion, she is quite a hard person to like and see through her suit of rock hard iron, so I did have some moments were I gritted my teeth during specific scenes.

Those were some books that frustrate me and I hope you enjoyed. Don’t forget to comment some books you find frustrating and also check out my last blog post: February 2017 Wrap Up!

January 2017 Wrap Up!

Tc-alwayssummerhis is my first wrap up of the year and luckily, I managed to complete a good amount of books!

We’ll Always Have the Summer by Jenny Han – This is the 3rd and final book in the Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy and I really enjoyed the trilogy overall. The trilogy follows Belly as she returns to the summerhouse that she has spent every summer in since she was little, with her mom, brother and her mom’s best friend who has 2 sons. We follow Belly’s summer which is filled with jealousy, romance and fun and is overall a really entertaining, fast paced read. 4/5 starsobsidian-cover5

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout – This is the 1st book in the Lux series and follows Katy, a senior who for her last year of high school has moved to West Virginia with her mom for a fresh start. But when she moves next to a pair of unusual and different twins named Dee and Daemon Black, her entire life is flipped upside down. This was a re read, and as always I loved this book. The writing isn’t amazing or anything, but the plot is very gripping along with the cast of kickass characters! 4.5/5 starsonyx-cover-2

Onyx by Jennifer L Armentrout – This is the 2nd book in the Lux series, and I won’t say what happens because that would give away spoilers…but what I can say is that things get so twisted and knotted in this book that you start to wonder how in the world they will ever fix all these problems! I did really enjoy re reading this book and Daemon is amazing as always. 4/5 starsatorchagainstthenight_cv-4-14-687x1024

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir – This is the sequel to An Ember in the Ashes which by the way, was a fantastic book. I was really curious to see if this book would live up to the 1st book and while it was almost as amazing, it was still a flipping amazing read that I treasured so much! An Ember in the Ashes is about a girl named Laia who’s brother is one day kidnapped by the Empire, and she goes on a journey to save him. There are relationships that make your heartache and sacrifices that will leave tears in your eyes. A must read! 4.5/5 stars

Fangirfangirl_coverdec2012l by Rainbow Rowell – Fangirl is such a light hearted, relatable book that I could read over, and over, and over again. It follows a girl named Cath who is entering her first year of college with her twin sister, Wren. While Cath wants to stick close to Wren’s side, Wren wants to be wild and free, leaving Cath behind in the dust. But when Cath’s new roommate, Raegan and her ex boyfriend take Cath under their wing, she learns to dip outside her comfort zone a bit and things get interesting…Highly recommend this amazing contemporary if you haven’t read it already! 4.5/5 starseleanor%20and%20park2

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell – Again, I could read Eleanor and Park for weeks upon end, but I try to minimize it to once a year because I do like to cherish it. Anyways, Eleanor and Park follows our 2 main characters, Eleanor and Park who’s relationship starts off weird and rocky, but soon blossoms into something more. Eleanor and Park is such a heartfelt book that hits you straight in the feels! 5/5 stars

Those were all the books I managed to read this month and I hope you enjoyed! Don’t forget to check out my last blog post: Quick Writing Tips!

 

Reading/Writing Update!

Sorry I didn’t post anything yesterday, I had no energy after a full week of exams! Also, this blog turned 1 year old yesterday which is so exciting and I just want to thank all of you for an amazing year. I love blogging and am so happy to continue it!

Anyways, now onto what I have been reading lately. I recently completed Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and ugh, it was such a good re read! It was so light hearted and easy going and was what I NEEDED after all the studying and exams I did this week. I also needed to bump up my book count for this month and I knew I would get through that book quickly and as usual I did. Now since I am finished, I really want to re read Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell since I am in the mood for her books so I will probably start that today! Other than that, since it is February next week, I am hoping to start on my TBR by trying to read Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard.

For writing I have done absolutely nothing. The reason behind that is mostly because I was way, way to busy to set an hour aside just to focus writing. Since my school life has slowed down a bit, I want to jump back into writing again either this week or the following. I am still incredibly pumped to continue on with my idea and I cannot wait to dive deeper into it!

That is all for my Reading/Writing Update and I hope you enjoyed!

Books to Read Before You Finish High School!

All these books on this list I recommend everyone to read, but these are ones that I feel like are very relatable and eye opening for people still in high school. Overall though, they are all amazing books that everyone should read!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – This book deals a lot with mental health issues, which is something that a lot of people deal with. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is about a boy named Charlie who is entering in his first year of high school and meets a group of odd, confident people who really help him feel happy and not so lonely. It is an amazing book that you will not want to put down!

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – I highly recommend everyone read this, but the reason it is on this list is because of the characters. The characters are very diverse and different, and anyone who reads it can find someone they relate to somewhat. City of Bones follows Clary, who after the sudden disappearance of her mother is thrown into a new world of Shadowhunters and demons in order to get her mother back. This book is fun and fast paced, and I absolutely adore it!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – Again, this book deals with mental health issues, but is not as heavy as The Perks of Being a Wallflower. In Fangirl, we follow Cath, a book loving, shy girl who is entering her first year of college with her twin sister, Wren. While Cath wants to stick tight to her sister’s side, Wren wants to adventure off and be her own person, leaving Cath in the dust. But when Cath meets her new roommate and her roommate’s friend, Levi, they help push her out of her little comfort bubble and things get interesting. This book is a great read!

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell – I love this book because it gives off the message that the person you fall in love with may be the person you least expect. It shares that love is not about what you look like but who you are on the inside and it is really beautiful. Eleanor and Park is about 2 teenagers named Eleanor, who is a big red head and Park, a quiet music lover. When they meet, they slowly build an odd relationship that eventually blossoms into something more. When you read this book you cannot put it down!

Those are a few books that you should definitely read before you finish high school, but even if you had you should still read them!