I Wrote More Postcards Than Hooks, I Read More Maps Than Books...

College lets out in about a week, and after that I am in my hometown until mid-June, when I will be heading off to become a camp counselor on the East Coast. Until then, I am going to have buckets of time on my hands. In order to keep myself occupied, I have compiled a list of book that I need to read. it's a weird mix of "literature" and those feel-goods where the couple stays together in the end. Here it is:

A Clockwork Orange- Anthony Burgess

Back When You Were Easier to Love- Emily Wing Smith

The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To- DC Pierson

Bearded Women- Terrie Milbrodt

Dark Places- Gillian Flynn

Eleanor & Park- Rainbow Rowell

The Secret Lives of Gay Men-Ryan O'Connell

Bonfires- Alexander Helmke
The New Age Camp- Chloe Caldwell

Gates of Paradise- Melissa De La Cruz
Lunch In Paris- Elizabeth Band

Just One Day- Gayle Forman

Less Than Zero- Bret Easton

Love and Other Perishable Items- Kerry Winfrey

On The Road-Jack Kerouac

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest- Ken Kesey

The Glass Castle- Jeanette Walls

Easy- Tammara Webber

Hopeless- Colleen Hoover,
 The Sea of Tranquility-  Katja Millay
The Coincidence of Callie and Hayden-Jessica Sorensen.
Lola and the Boy Next Door- Stephanie Perkins
Isla and the Happily Ever After- Stephanie Perkins
Small Damages-Beth Kephart
Twice Told: Original Stories Inspired by Original Artwork- Scott Hunt

Struck By Lightning-Chris Colfer

The Dice Man- Luke Rhinehart
The Future of Us- Jay Asher

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test- Tom Wolfe

The Realm of Possibility- David Levithan
Love is the Higher Law- David Levithan
I Wrote This For You

The Tragedy Papers- Elizabeth Liben

Slaughterhouse 5- Kurt Vonnegut
Choke-Chuck Palahniuk
Franny and Zooey-J.D. Salinger

Apparently Classic Novel Apparel is Becoming a Thing

I am definitely not complaining.

John Green

John Green has pretty much always been my favorite author. Ever since Looking For Alaska, aka the best book ever (and my favorite). He is also has some of the best quotes ever. Here are a few for your enjoyment.

Cassandra's Angel

When I came home for Easter, my mom found our copy of Cassandra's Angel (By Gina Otto), which is my favorite children's book ever. Not only does Cassandra have pretty much my name, she also completely lives my little kid life. People are constantly criticizing her because she thinks outside of the box and is always chillin' like a villain while all of the adults around her are super tight laced.

The book's message is incredibly inspiring, aka I will definitely be reading it to my campers this summer. The pictures are also spectacular, and I am a sucker for interesting illustrations.

Hot Teen Slut

     After adventuring off and around campus with my adventure friend, Henry, and our other friend, Davey,  I ended up collecting all of the library books that I had on hold. I am currently making my way through as much of Write Bloody Publishing's author line-up as I can get my hands on without paying money, something I do not have much of at the moment. 

My first read was Hot Teen Slut by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz. It's a story in poetry form. Kind of. I know that a lot of you picture this when you think of poetry.

 Before you all go getting your literary panties in a metaphorical bunch, I would just like to say that the idea of poetry freaks me out a little as well. However, this isn't that kind of poetry. It's the awesome kind when Cristin describes her job as an editor for PORN WEBSITES... you read that right. 

It was a short read, less than 100 pages, and quite the page turner. It also made me super excited for the other ten books from Write Bloody, especially since two of them are by Cristin.

Poetry doesn't have to be scary. It can be its own weird kind of awesome (just like you).  

Burned Out: It gets you down, we've all been there sometimes, but tonight, I'll make you feel beautiful once again

     Everyone (or at least most people) feels burned out at some point in their lives. I have been through this multiple times during various points in my life. Now is definitely one of those times. Dictionary.com defines burned out as exhausted or made listless through overwork, stress, or intemperance. 

It's easy to feel listless, restless, and useless. It'd be all too easy to lay on my couch (to climb onto my bed would require motivation), skip all of my classes, and binge on ice cream and candy. I have definitely debated doing that.

However, I have found that there are benefits to burn out, if one manipulates it correctly. As you guys have noticed by the extensive quantity of poetry review posts, I have been exploring my interest in modern poetry, from Andrea Gibson to "children's" poems to anything that catches my eye. I have also agreed to participate in more things that are outside of my comfort zone (raves, coffee, all-nighters, etc.)

Burn out is a fantastic reason to look into other hobbies. In order to not go completely crazy from stress (my tenth interview of the semester is next week, along with classes, and other stressors), I realized that I have to pick up other hobbies. 

Can't think of something to be interested in? Look around, check your Pinterest boards, ask your friends, or look up a list of hobbies, attach them to a dartboard, and then try the interest that you hit. Go with someone to an out-of-your-regular-routine activity. The possibilities are endless.

Crazy, right? Who knew there was a bonus to burn out?

So, next time you sigh the exasperated-burn-out sigh (you know the one),  just know that you are not alone, and might, in fact, be about to acquire a new interest.

Happy Soul Searching! 

 

Shel Silverstein

As someone who enjoys reading ( as you can most likely tell from the amount of books I talk about), I like to pretend that I read everything, no discrimination, equal opportunity literature enthusiast. But that really isn't the case.

One genre that I continually avoid is children's books. I associate them with small children, something that I am not, and avoid them like the ten page paper I should be working on right now. However, there are many things to be learned from children's literature. Today, I have pulled from Shel Silverstein, whose poems are extraordinarily deep yet simple at the same time. Take a look.

 

The Madness Vase

     I swear, I am normal on occasion. However, tonight is just not one of those nights. After hanging out with my Oma, I stopped in to visit my friend Kristen, and I ended up reading. Yes, you read that right, reading.

Wow. Even I am amazed at the new level of nerd that I have just reached. And no, it wasn't because Kristen is boring (in fact, her life is super entertaining. She usually does most of the talking when we hang out because I just love her stories that much).

She showed me her latest book buys Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Johnathon Safran Foer and The Madness Vase by Andrea Gibson. I didn't have a positive experience with Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, but since The Madness Vase is a collection of poems, I figured that it'd be easy to read (and keep conversation).

And it was quite amazing. Haunting, in the most beautiful way. I only made it halfway through, so my new mission is finding this book and making it my own.

Here is an excerpt from her poem entitled "Sleeping"

 I’m exactly like him
We both have wrinkles around our eyes, a hundred years older than our ages
We both carry ourselves like ambulances with someone dead inside
hoping we’ll get there in time.
I didn’t get here in time.


And here is a link to the preview of these poems.

You're welcome (they are that good).

Hate List

"Hate List" by Elizabeth Brown, was a spur of the moment read, decided by some book review website that I can't remember the name of.

It's about this girl, Valerie, whose (ex?)boyfriend (Nick) killed people in a school shooting. Valerie stepped in the way and was shot in the leg to stop Nick from killing more people. Then Nick killed himself.

But people still think that she is guilty, since she was the one that started the hate list that led up to the shooting (hence the title of this book).

Even her own parents think that Valerie is basically a school shooter (which makes me sadder than I would like to admit).

Some of the more Kumbaya-esque moments between Valerie and Jessica seemed a little staged and fake, but all of Valerie's thoughts feel real to the point that she could be a friend.

The most interesting thing about this book is definitely the perspective. We rarely hear about things from someone like Valerie, and this book is so real, it's crazy. I also borderline cried near the end, and I am not a huge book-crier.

The ending also threw me for a weird loop, which I appreciate (I read so many books that cliche ends make my eyes roll).

This novel is kind of amazing, and I would definitely read it if I were you.

Just don't read the author's note...she says she was inspired by Nickelback, which pretty much ruined the book for me.


Peace, Love, and Literacy.

Sitting Al-own

     Due to the fact that my usual breakfast buddy, Derek, (aka Maddie's boyfriend and one of my best friends) decided to sleep in late, I headed towards my school's cafeteria alone.

     Many of you just read that and completely judged my life. Honestly, I would have too.

     However, there comes a time in everyone's life where they are forced to do things alone. Maybe it's going that poetry reading that all of your friends thought was stupid. Maybe it's walking home alone from the clubs because you realize for the billionth time that you can never find a respectable guy/girl/etc. in the dark. Or maybe it's because all of your friends happen to be busy and there is nothing edible in your dorm room.

     While I have a lot of friends, there are  still many times in my life where I do things alone (All of the above situations were pulled from my own experiences, gotta find my material somewhere). Literally, every single one of my friends has a significant other at this point, and there are times when I am simply not in the mood to third wheel it yet again. At first, I thought that this meant that I was doomed to be a social outcast, but then I realized; sometimes it's actually more fun to do things alone.

Here are some ways that you can be al-OWN (cheesy, I know)

• Bring a book. As an English education major, reading is one of my favorite things to do, and one of my favorite loner activities.

• Peoplewatching- Because judging the lives of others is a lot more enjoyable by yourself.
• (Also, this is a fantastic time to check out good looking members of the gender that you're attracted to...)
• Catch up on someone new music. Being that anti-social kid with the chunky headphones. Use that computer. Do some homework. Most technology doubles as loner-buffer equipment. Especially if you're checking out my blog.
• Get hit on. Like I said a bullet point or two ago, you're much less intimidating by yourself. That good-looking individual who has had their eye on you now has the perfect opportunity to make their move.
• Think deep life thoughts. You could be the next Socrates. Or invent something crazy. Or write a story. Or think some questionable thoughts about the aforementioned peoplewatchees.
• Walk with your head up high (especially at night, looking down signals to predators that you're an easy target since you aren't paying attention. Looking down also signifies low self-esteem, (another perk for predators).
• Plan evenings/days with yourself. I live with four other girls, and am constantly surrounded by other people. As much as I love them all, I don't know what I would do without my loner runs/tv marathons/blogging sessions/ book readings. If you enjoy hanging out with yourself, others will too.

...And if you didn't bring a friend, but still want to be social

• Sit next to someone else who is alone. Instant friend. Being alone is the best time to make friends, since people are less intimidated by one person they don't know than a whole group of people. This works especially well when walking alone at night, since walking home alone at night as a female is even more dangerous, it's a nice excuse to grab a walking buddy (sexism at its finest, but it's the truth).
• See if you can find anyone else that you know in the area. A lot of times, you'll see that random girl from you communications/education/etc. class, and you can hang out with them.
• Call someone. I always call my parents or my Oma when walking home from work, which they really seem to appreciate. It makes them feel special, and it gives you someone to talk to so that you don't feel so alone.

When I was looking through Google Images for a picture of a loner, I mostly saw black and white photos that were massively depressing. 

This picture is awesome because 

• It's in color
• It has nice nature imagery (especially fun when everything here is grey)
• The little boy in the green looks like a total rebel, if you don't think about the picture for too long.

Basically, own being alone. 

Where Things Come Back

I swear, I am not a speed reader. I just queued the previous book post.

     Anyway. Where Things Come Back (by John Corey Whaley) was something else. It was crazy and amazing and one of those books where you need to exhale afterwards. 

At first, it just seems like it's going to be one of those books where the cynical average boy (Cullen Witter, in this particular case) grows up and dates the beautiful popular girl. Wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. Completely wrong.

It's so difficult to even explain this book, due to the crazy amount of sub plots that go on.

Some oldish guy named John Barling thinks that the "Lazarus" woodpecker (oh the symbolic irony in that name) isn't extinct, and riles up the town.

Cullen's brother, Gabriel, goes missing/runs away/you'll-have-to-read-the-book-to-find-out, and the town cares more about the woodpecker.

Benton Sage has the most crazy sad religious parents and the heavy realization that he has failed at being a missionary.

Cabot Searcy is something else, something that I cannot tell you guys without giving away the story.

And the best part is, it all comes together in the best way for the ending. The ending is so ridiculously satisfying and makes the entire book (I hate unsatisfying endings).

And at first you may be like, "well, that doesn't sound very interesting". But it is, it really is, it's just super difficult to describe. This is the book that our high school teachers should have had us read instead of Fill in this blank with a book you hate (The Scarlet Letter, etc.)

Read it. Read it. Read it. Your life will be better, or something.

Another Day, Another Book

     Usually, when I title posts about books that I read, I use the title of the book. It's quick, it's easy, it's there. By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead (by Julie Anne Peters) is the exception. I didn't want to scare you guys.

      I usually read books during breaks. I have a tendency to start off near the lighter end of the depth scale and work my way over to the heavier/deeper pieces. Since school is in session, however, I decided to just go for it. Teen suicide has interested me a lot lately (not because of any plans to commit suicide myself, just fascination), and, as the title pretty much tells you, that is the main topic of this book.

     Not that I expected a book on teen suicide to be happy, but this one was quite a downer. Definitely not a beach read. The story is told from the main character, Daelyn's, point of view, as she finds a website, Through-the-light.com (which is thankfully not a real website) that acts as an aid for people considering suicide. As she reads though and comments on the website's forum, we learn more information about her, including her previous suicide attempt, which left her in a neck brace and unable to speak.

     It's crazy how real this book reads (we only see what Daelyn sees and thinks, giving it more depth), and it's even crazier that there are Daelyn's everywhere. I hate the fact that she is bullied so contantly throughout this novel, and that things are rarely done about it. Daelyn's story definitely personifies the fact that the bullying of others leaves scars, and that those scars can be permanent.

     Although this wasn't my favorite book, it was an intriguing read, and felt extremely real. If you are interested in reading about suicide, I would recommend reading Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It was extremely interesting and had me hooked until the end.


Also, if you or someone you know is consider suicide, please at least consider calling a suicide hotline. This link has a list of different suicide hotlines (by state). Life is awesome. So are you.

Other People's Love Letters

Since I always have small chunks of random time on my hands and because I am almost through with the last season of UK Skins on Netflix, I keep attempting to check books off of my reading list. When I read, I am very much a tunnel vision reader. I do not stop until my novel of choice is finished. It's an addiction. Because I am not in my hometown (where I have a ton of free time), I have started to read short story collections, poetry, and shorter novels instead of full out chunksters (aka those books that double as dumb bells). Since some of you like a preview of your future reads, and others are just too lazy/busy to haul yourselves to a library or bookstore, I have thrown in some letters throughout this post for your reading pleasure.

     Other People's Love Letters, my present book of choice, has a pretty self-explanatory title. There really isn't a whole lot of mystery, or anything that I can really explain to you, besides that it is, in fact, other people's love letters. But who doesn't want to read those? I cannot be the only one, this book has sold so so so many copies.

     I have always been a curious person, and Bill Shapiro (the author/compiler) is my new favorite person for helping me to satisfy this curiosity. Although last names and specific details (addresses and things) have been taken out, these letters are, for the most part, uncensored, and that is the beautiful thing about them. Plus, as someone who is newly single and figuring out how to continue being friends with Dan after breaking up with him without leading him on, it's nice to know that I am not the only one who has imperfect relationships. It's also fun to compare these to the love letters/texts/napkins/etc. that I have received.
    

It's definitely a fun book to have in your bag for when you're bored, or read with friends/your significant other (I read it with Dan, and we both enjoyed it, being love letter enthusiasts, as well as curious motherfuckers).

Happy Reading!

Anna and the French Kiss

     Sometimes, school is just boring as all hell, especially when only taking ONE literature class (Gay and Lesbian Lit, love that class to death). Sad day for this English minor. Therefore, I take the opportunity to read when I can. Usually it's young adult fiction and trash, but, like I tell the students in the (high school English) class that I assist at, it doesn't matter what you read, as long as you love it.
     So yeah, I read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. It was kinda beautiful, not gonna lie. The nice thing that separates the young adult genre from older books is its emphasis on the coming of age story, and this novel pulls this off with grace.
     The book takes place at a Parisian boarding school, aka the best setting ever. At first, Anna whines about going there, which is super annoying, but thankfully she overcomes that. It also deals with parent cancer and family issues in a realistic way (my dad had cancer, and I can definitely relate to the characters in this story).
     Oh, and did I mention that Etienne St. Clair, the book's resident hottie, is FRENCH, AMERICAN, and ENGLISH? Read it if you like young adult chick lit, it rarely comes off as cheesy (at least in my opinion), which is a rarity.

     In other reading news, my roommate has her 15 and 12 year old sisters over, and they are telling me about all of the books that they have read. It's probably the English teacher in me, but I think that is the coolest thing ever! It makes me so happy that kids still read.


Pick up a book dudes. Whip out your kindle. Skim a magazine. Read an online article. The back of a cereal box. A billboard. Graffiti on the side of a building. This blog (I am a little biased).