Books, Taylor Swift, and other hyperfixations
I keep by my bookshelf a pile of books I plan to sell at Powell's. This time around, the victims include Lena Dunham's memoir, Tillie Walden's first graphic novel, a poorly-written account of a transgender teenager, and three YA romances I couldn't finish. This shouldn't be a huge deal - I stop reading books all… Continue reading I Hate Romance
I've rejoiced my parents' last day of school. I've purchased aloe for a terrible sunburn. I've broken out the baby powder for 80-degree days. Summer is upon us. That means it's time to read. A lot. If you're looking for suggestions, I have TRILLIONS. I even organized them from fluffy to thought-provoking, with ample gray… Continue reading Summer Reading List
First impression: "This looks really trashy." Second impression: "No one can see me reading this." My emotional journey: "This is stupid." "But it's written so beautifully." "Sold. I'm into it." "What's going on with the teeth?" "Wow, this is getting intense." "WHY IS HE ON FIRE!?!?" "NOOOOOO!" "NOOOOOOOOO!" "Okay, that took a turn." "I get… Continue reading MINI BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
(Catch up on part 1 and part 2.) Good ol' genre fiction. The stories I love tend to be more plot- than character-oriented, promising a fun ride. My favorite genres include chick lit, mystery, romance, and adventure. Meet the biggest offender for each of the above genres. Kale, My Ex, and Other Things to Toss… Continue reading Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 3
When it comes to books, I am a cheapskate. In this area of my life, I value quantity over quality, blowing my budget on thrifty, vaguely-interesting paperbacks rather than the one or two pricey hardbacks I really want. Why bother when I'm going to switch them out for cheaper, less bulky, better-looking copies in six months?… Continue reading Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 1
It's time to ship some characters. I love stupid ships. When writing with friends, my go-to prompt is always, "Write the most unlikely couple you can think of." I find this exercise fascinating even if they hate doing it. Some of my favorite ships have started as a joke; the more I laugh, the more sense… Continue reading R.I.P. It or Ship It
I think about these books constantly. I press them on good friends, whispering, "This book ruined my life." I read them to stave off anxiety attacks and cure bad moods. These aren't long-time favorites that I've collected throughout my life, but more recent volumes that I've read over the last two years. These are the stories I need right now, the ones that reassure me I'm on the right track.
A spoiler-free list for Star Wars fans who have yet to see the new movie.
What if the ugly stepsister wasn't ugly at all? What if she'd been told her whole life no man would ever want her?
Told in alternating perspectives chronicling the past and the present, a set of twins figures out how to love their messed-up family, each other, and themselves.
Narrative Paradise 