In April, I set an unrealistic goal to read 52 books before the end of the year. I soon learned this was a terrible idea as I was knee deep in wedding planning, working two jobs, and about to start an accelerated master’s program. I changed the goal to 25 books and used my Barnes and Noble employee discount like there was no tomorrow. And oh so quickly, the year is at a close. Let’s see how I lived up to my expectations, shall we?
Read MoreThis is one of those books that initially intimidated me: it is a “classic”, so I lumped it together with others like The Count of Monte Cristo or The Grapes of Wrath (both of which I was not particularly fond of when I read them in grade school). However, per Macklemore’s suggestion, I thought I would give it a shot.
Read MoreHoly moly, it has been busy around here! I’m just finishing week four of grad school, and I feel like I’m running a mile a minute trying to juggle homework, both jobs, and a social life. But I am alive, and what better way to celebrate being alive than with a book haul! So I didn’t think I accumulated too many books in August, that is until I stacked them all up to take photos for this post. I may have a problem, guys.
Read MoreI told myself I would not buy any more books until I finish reading all the ones I own but have not yet read, but I broke my own promise three days ago to purchase The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. The previews of the upcoming movie peaked my interest, and of course I was even more interested when I discovered it was based on a book series. The books were written for teens, the characters have powers, and it's set in a mildly realistic dystopian society---basically, my favorite type of book.
Read MoreFive years ago, five cheerleaders died within a month of each other. Two in a car accident, two murdered, and one committed suicide. After a quick investigation, the police pinned the murder on a neighbor; when they entered his home to take him into custody, the suspect allegedly had a gun and police shot him dead. Monica's school wants to hold a service to remember the tragedy five years ago, including the suicide of her older sister, but Monica just wants to forget it all. However, clues are starting to arise hinting that the police got it all wrong.
Read MoreOf all the books assigned in English class over the course of my high school career, this is the only one I read in its entirety. I remember relishing the dystopian setting and praising Huxley for his scarily innovative views on what the utopian future would look like, considering he wrote Brave New World in 1932. Naturally, I was excited to pick up this title for a bit of light summer reading, but quickly regretted this decision. Though the dystopian society was everything I remembered and more, I could not get past one glaringly abhorrent character: John.
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