I have been on winter break for about 2 weeks. I actually finished my finals early so I was able to come home a lot sooner than I expected. So far, my break has been very busy. I've hung out with friends from high school, had holiday parties, finished Christmas shopping, baked cookies, and lots more. Being home for Christmas, I expected to be busy but I didn't realize how busy I would be. Being home is completely different than being away at college. At my school, I am so used to a routine and doing homework that I sometimes forget to have fun and do something that I enjoy. Even though I've been busy during break, I am so thankful for the things that I have been able to do.
Last Thursday, my best friend Parker and I visited our favorite high school English teacher. We brought her coffee and sat and chatted for over an hour. She asked us about life and how our school years were going but then we started talking about what we wanted to do later in life. I brought up that I would love to travel around the world (another thing that I've realized over break is that I want to travel as much as possible). She asked about study abroad opportunities and where I would like to go. As I listed the places, I felt myself grow more and more excited. She and Parker both said to go after it. If it is something that I really want to do, find a way to make it happen.
For the rest of break, I'm focusing on spending time with my family and friends. I love being home and plan to enjoy myself. Break is not going to slow down for me. I have things almost everyday but I plan to make the most of it.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a happy New Year!!
LD
Monday, December 22, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Book Lover's Gift Guide
Hey everyone!
With the holidays coming up, I thought it would be nice to create a quick list of books that I think would make perfect gifts for that book lover in your life. Personally, I love asking for books for Christmas (my family often asks if there is anything I want besides books). I love to read and find that books can be a very personal gift to give somebody. This list contains many of my favorites and possibly some of yours. If you don't get any of these for someone on your list, maybe treat yourself and pick up some of these recommendations!
1.) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This is one of my favorite books in the entire world. The night circus shows up without warning and is open from dusk until dawn. Inside, two magicians named Celia and Marco have been trained since their childhoods in order to compete against each other in a fight to the death. This book is filled with magic, mystery, and a slight romance that makes you feel like you are actually at the circus.
2.) His Fair Assassin Trilogy by Robin LaFevers
This is a recently completed historical fiction trilogy that is filled with action, adventure, and romance. It follows assassin nuns. That's right. Assassin nuns. Each book follows a different assassin but characters from the previous book usually make an appearance. It is great to see how all of their stories intertwine and how all of the characters are connected. This trilogy consists of Grave Mercy, Dark Triumph, and Mortal Heart.
3. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
If you like kick-ass female protagonists, a great love triangle, assassins, and magic, then the Throne of Glass series is perfect for you. It follows a young assassin named Cealaena Sardothien who has just been taken out of prison camp to compete to be the King's Champion. As the King's Champion, she would earn her freedom and get paid to go around doing what she does best which is assassinating people. When she agrees to compete, she doesn't realize what she has gotten herself into and soon the adventure begins. This is a fantastic fantasy series and it is personally one of my favorite series of all time. Currently, the first three books are available (Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire).
4.) Stephanie Perkins Novels
Stephanie Perkins is one of the queens of contemporary YA. If you know anyone who loves a cutesy love story, pick them up a Stephanie Perkins books. All of her books are full of romance and happiness and they are the perfect pick me up, especially if you need to get out of a reading slump. (: Stephanie's books include Anna and the French Kiss (my favorite), Lola and the Boy Next Door, Isla and the Happily Ever After, and My True Love Gave To Me (a collection of short stories by various authors but edited by Perkins).
5.) Just One Day/Just One Year by Gayle Forman
This book is so much more than it seems. When I picked it up, I thought that it was going to be a cute love story but instead, I was met with a deeper story that focused more on self-discovery. In Just One Day, the main character Allyson meets a boy named Willem while on a school trip to Europe. The two spend the entire day together and Allyson begins to fall for Willem. They stay the night together but when she wakes up, she finds Willem gone with no idea why he left. The book then follows Allyson throughout the rest of the year and her journey to find Willem and discover what happened that night. Along the way, she finds things out about herself that she never knew. It is a great story and I would highly recommend it. Just One Year, on the other hand, the same story told from Willem's point of view and is just as good as the first one.
6.) Bookmarks
I discovered this Etsy shop a couple weeks ago and I instantly fell in love with it. It is called Craftedvan and they sell magnetic bookmarks. When you get on the shop, you can see that they have a wide variety to choose from. They have different characters from Frozen, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Alice in Wonderland, and many, many more. They are so cute and I already have a wish list of ones that I want (the Peter Pan ones are at the very top of that list). These are perfect for any reader and would make a great Christmas gift!
Craftedvan Link to Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/craftedvan
I hope you guys enjoyed my book lover's gift guide!
Have a great Christmas!
Lo
With the holidays coming up, I thought it would be nice to create a quick list of books that I think would make perfect gifts for that book lover in your life. Personally, I love asking for books for Christmas (my family often asks if there is anything I want besides books). I love to read and find that books can be a very personal gift to give somebody. This list contains many of my favorites and possibly some of yours. If you don't get any of these for someone on your list, maybe treat yourself and pick up some of these recommendations!
1.) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This is one of my favorite books in the entire world. The night circus shows up without warning and is open from dusk until dawn. Inside, two magicians named Celia and Marco have been trained since their childhoods in order to compete against each other in a fight to the death. This book is filled with magic, mystery, and a slight romance that makes you feel like you are actually at the circus.
2.) His Fair Assassin Trilogy by Robin LaFevers
This is a recently completed historical fiction trilogy that is filled with action, adventure, and romance. It follows assassin nuns. That's right. Assassin nuns. Each book follows a different assassin but characters from the previous book usually make an appearance. It is great to see how all of their stories intertwine and how all of the characters are connected. This trilogy consists of Grave Mercy, Dark Triumph, and Mortal Heart.
3. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
If you like kick-ass female protagonists, a great love triangle, assassins, and magic, then the Throne of Glass series is perfect for you. It follows a young assassin named Cealaena Sardothien who has just been taken out of prison camp to compete to be the King's Champion. As the King's Champion, she would earn her freedom and get paid to go around doing what she does best which is assassinating people. When she agrees to compete, she doesn't realize what she has gotten herself into and soon the adventure begins. This is a fantastic fantasy series and it is personally one of my favorite series of all time. Currently, the first three books are available (Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire).
4.) Stephanie Perkins Novels
Stephanie Perkins is one of the queens of contemporary YA. If you know anyone who loves a cutesy love story, pick them up a Stephanie Perkins books. All of her books are full of romance and happiness and they are the perfect pick me up, especially if you need to get out of a reading slump. (: Stephanie's books include Anna and the French Kiss (my favorite), Lola and the Boy Next Door, Isla and the Happily Ever After, and My True Love Gave To Me (a collection of short stories by various authors but edited by Perkins).
5.) Just One Day/Just One Year by Gayle Forman
This book is so much more than it seems. When I picked it up, I thought that it was going to be a cute love story but instead, I was met with a deeper story that focused more on self-discovery. In Just One Day, the main character Allyson meets a boy named Willem while on a school trip to Europe. The two spend the entire day together and Allyson begins to fall for Willem. They stay the night together but when she wakes up, she finds Willem gone with no idea why he left. The book then follows Allyson throughout the rest of the year and her journey to find Willem and discover what happened that night. Along the way, she finds things out about herself that she never knew. It is a great story and I would highly recommend it. Just One Year, on the other hand, the same story told from Willem's point of view and is just as good as the first one.
6.) Bookmarks
I discovered this Etsy shop a couple weeks ago and I instantly fell in love with it. It is called Craftedvan and they sell magnetic bookmarks. When you get on the shop, you can see that they have a wide variety to choose from. They have different characters from Frozen, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Alice in Wonderland, and many, many more. They are so cute and I already have a wish list of ones that I want (the Peter Pan ones are at the very top of that list). These are perfect for any reader and would make a great Christmas gift!
Craftedvan Link to Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/craftedvan
I hope you guys enjoyed my book lover's gift guide!
Have a great Christmas!
Lo
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Girl Online Book Review
When I first heard that Zoe Sugg was coming out with a book, I was
so excited, but also very nervous. Zoe is one of my favorite YouTubers to watch
and I didn't want to be disappointed. My sister picked up a copy for the
day it came out and I started it over my Thanksgiving break. I finished it
around midnight last night and I absolutely loved it! I was thoroughly
impressed by the writing and the character development. It was a very cute and
quick read that immediately brought a smile to my face.
Girl Online follows a fifteen-year-old
girl named Penny Porter who writes a blog under the name Girl Online. After a
mortifying event occurs at school and the video ends up all over the internet,
Penny decides to go with her parents to New York for Christmas. Once she’s in
New York, she meets Noah, a musician who immediately captures her heart. The
two go on adventures together while Penny is in New York. When it comes time
for her to leave, things start to get complicated.
Girl Online was an incredibly
fast-paced read that I loved. I give it a 5 out of 5 stars because of its
ability to keep me entertained. It was the perfect read when I needed a break
from finals. I found myself not being able to put it down and having the urge
to read, something I haven’t felt since college. I loved this book and it has become
one of my favorites.
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