I guess we all have to grow up sometime.

I often ask myself, "Why does everybody my age seem so immature?" Well as I figured out, it has nothing to do with my class as a whole. It's those few people. You know, every school has them. The students that just can't seem to grow up and cut the crap. Those few people just happen to be my friends. Why do I even still talk to them? Not too sure. Still trying to answer that question myself. But I do know this: any friend who causes you so much emotional pain that you can't even focus in school and end up doing this rather than a philosophy project is not a friend worth having. I'm one of those morning people. The kind of person who as soon as they wake up is just naturally happy. But every morning when I get to school, that happiness is blown to bits due to the arguing, the complaining, the constant aim at always being right. That's my friends for ya. The argument today was about how my friend said that her mom was skinnier before she had her. To which another girl shot back saying, "That's impossible! She'd be dead! Your mom already looks anorexic". These are the kinds of deep philosphical things that my friends often talk about. After hearing this go on for about 5 minutes, I put my ipod in and tuned out. My friend then yelled at ME for having my ipod in and not talking to her. Every day, they have a new conversation about just why they're so ugly, fat, and stupid. None of which they actually are. But for some reason, they have all of that embedded into their brains. I can't stand it. I constantly have to ask myself WHY I even talk to them. I still haven't figured it out. It's sad, but that's my friends. It's really a great thing to wake up to every morning. I just can't wait until I can pack up and leave this place. Four more months. Only four more months.

Sooo....

I'm back! I've gone crazy over Tumblr so I've been back and forth but I want to keep updating this blog. If you'd like to check out my tumblr, feel free. I've linked it below.


http://liveoutspoken.tumblr.com/

Just a thought

Oftentimes, we get so caught up in what heaven will be like that we lose sight of what's actually happening all around us. The miracles that are still happening today, the beauty that God has created here on earth.

But still, sometimes being on earth and seeing the worldy things around us can really hurt. We learn to feel what God feels and see the hurt and pain that people feel. We begin to empathize with those that we have the least bit in common with. Our hearts are broken for the same things that break God's heart. We forget that one day we will be in a perfect, beautiful, flawless place. A line from an episode of The Waltons (I'm oldschool, I know) states it perfectly. When asked what death is like, a character says:

"I think it's closing your eyes and instead of seeing the darkness, seeing the light."

One day, we'll be with God in the light instead of being on this dark, terribly hurting earth. It's an amazing thing to look forward to. But for now, we're here. So live out your life to the fullest so that when you're in the light, you'll be proud to have shown those around you how to get out of the darkness and into the light. Make your life count for something. Because you never know when you might be closing your eyes to the darkness for the last time.

"No matter what tomorrow brings, or what it has in store, I know I will praise the Lord."

You always ask why I don't love you. Maybe it's the constant swearing at me. Or maybe it's the way that you always tell me you'll always be better, smarter, and make more money than me. Maybe it's the way you always look down on me and never take me seriously when I say that I can never like you. Or no, maybe it's the way you've become the person you said you never would be.

....Or maybe it's the way you hit me. Pick me up and throw me to the ground. Kick me until I can't move. Throw me into the table, accompanying me with a chair. Picking me up, pulling my hair, then throwing me down again.

So is it really so bad that I can't find the heart to love you? I don't think so.

Easily broken. Pieces ripped apart then sewn back together. Hope of a better life fogged up. Dirty inside and out. Words kill the future that I hold onto. Shattered by the judging that I have felt.

Fragile. I am.

Hmmmmmmmm

I'd like feedback. I may want to get a Tumblr. Anyone familiar with those? The thing is, if I ever post anything there that people may want to reblog (meaning add to their tumblr) what I post, I'll feel as though it's plagarism. Even though it says who originally posted it. Thoughts?

Review: Fixing Delilah

Delilah Hannaford goes to a lovely little Vermont cottage where some memories of what was seem to come back, after the sudden death of her grandmother. She finds herself there all summer, as her mother and aunt fix up the house to be sold. Delilah runs into some childhood memories and gets stuck in the past. Her family is torn apart and she finds herself coming to pieces. She must put herself back together, as her family learns to be stronger and her old friendships seem to re-blossom.

After reading "Twenty Boy Summer", I was expecting another "couldn't put it down" kind of book. I was sad to not experience that with this one. Granted I read it in less than 24 hours, BUT this book simply didn't have me doing that as much.

However, I loved a few things about the novel. The first being that it was set in the summer. I love how Sarah Ockler has set her two books in the summer. It just makes it easier for me to enjoy because I'm not all that into books with school settings when it's summer. I also enjoyed that Sarah added another romance. Although, the boys almost seem too good to be true in both novels I've read by Sarah. But one can always be hopeful for a boy like that :)

I didn't like that the ending seemed waaay too perfect and good to be true. I found that it just made me think it was some kind of a fairytale. Other than that, though, I gave the book a 4 out of 5 stars because I simply loved Delilah's love interest, Patrick. If you're looking for a great summer getaway book, this is one of them!

Because sometimes I just need a little air.

I sat beneath the stars as a storm rolled in. The distant buzz of the cars flying through the interstate. The frequent horn of a barge welcoming itself into town. The hum of a train rolling on by, asking for attention. The breeze blowing across my face, fighting to blow out the candle lit to accompany me as I read on my back porch. Man, this town really goes to bed at night. And reading outside on a summer night puts me in a lovely mood :)

Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty

I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of historic-themed novels. BUT that's why I read this. I'm trying to expand my reading into other categories of literature that I may not always like. And I must say, A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray made me like historic literature a lot more than I did. I think it was mostly because there was an adventure tied in with the story rather than a bunch of girls learning to be proper and sitting around a fire all day. Although, there was some of that in this novel. The book is part fantasy, part historic fiction, and part mystery. It had me going until the very end. Much like the Hunger Games series, though, I found that reading it at night was not a smart idea.

In the novel, a young girl named Gemma Doyle(love the name, by the way) is sent to a girls' private school in Englandafter a tragic family accident at her old home, India. After receiving a strange necklace from her mother, she begins to experience visions that eventually come true. She is approached by a boy who seems to continue to follow her that constantly threatens her, telling her to stop having the visions and that she can force them away herself.

That's about all I'll say about the novel. But I absolutely loved the storyline and the creativity of the story. I only gave it 3 out of 5 stars, however, because I am not a huge fan of historic fiction. Also, I was at times confused with when Gemma was having a vision, and when she was in real life. Other than that, I feel that the book is a great summer read! I'll also add that I loveeed the cover!

Tree Hugger

I've been finding that I'm loving going into the woods and just exploring nature a lot more than I used to. I used to be a wuss when it came to going outside and would refuse to ever go in depth in any part of the woods. But ever since I've taken an Environmental Science class at school, I've found that going in the woods is a routine thing for me. After learning about every plant, tree, and animal in existance that lives in the area, I've become less afraid and learned to love nature. Maggie and I went into the woods today. Here are some pictures :)

Review: The Time Traveler's Wife

What would you do if you could time travel? Sounds awesome, doesn't it? Not always.

Clare has known Henry since she was 6. She does not know, however, what his life was like before the age of 28. In The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger, a young girl discovers a new friend at a meadow by her house. Henry and Clare immediately became friends. Only one problem, he had no control over when, and for how long, he would disappear...yep, leave. Vanish. Pull a Houdini. And when he came back, he was different ages. He sometimes was with Clare when he was 25, and at other times, 36. Having been to the future, Henry knows all about how lovely his future with Clare will be. Because of messing up any future events, he is not supposed to tell Clare any of what is to come. However, he sometimes slips. He eventually goes on to tell her that he will meet her again when she is older and that they will get married.

The next time Henry and Clare meet again after her childhood is at the Newberry Library in downtown Chicago. After that, the romance begins. They fall in love and get married.

Okay, so the summary was short. That's because going into any of what happened in the story would be all too confusing. I found that this book made me think in having to figure out exactly what was going on. It jumped around a little too much for me to keep up. But, I enjoyed the book a lot. A friend of mine had a few boxes of books that she was getting rid of, so I took this one. I was glad I did, too, because I absolutely loved the ideas presented in the book. The novel is time travel with a twist. A little bit of science fiction, a looooot of romance. The way the writing is set up is that one person, either Clare or Henry, will have an entry and the top line will say the date and age of each character. Henry may be 36 while Clare is only 16, for example. I loved the genius behind that type of writing. If there are other books out there written like this, I'd love to read some others. I did not like the ending or some of the ideas of life after death....oops, that was a spoiler, sorry. I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars, because it was a book that I could not put down, while it was still lacking.

Worldviews

For those of you who may be thinking this post will be about a camp, it's not. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you're not those of you.

Okay, so I recently came across a lovely little quote...

"I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when it's components fail [basically when you die]. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken-down computers. That is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark." Stephen Hawking

I'd love to meet ya, Mr. Hawking. I have some words for you. Some simple words that will sum up the Christian religion that a lot of people don't seem to understand too well...

It's not about having all the answers and knowing everything. It's about FAITH. There are more witnesses that can account to Jesus' miracles than in any other situation in life. And the amount of witnesses keeps growing. I may be afraid of the dark, but this ain't no fairy story. It's faith. And seeing the impossible happen right before your eyes.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since evertthing will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:10-13

I know where I'll be when my computer breaks down. How about you, where will you be?

Friday Wrap-Up

My summer officially started last weekend. I started it out by going to Maggie's graduation. I then went to her graduation party the next day. Then last night I went to a bonfire that turned into sitting in a camper because it started raining. Other than that, this was a pretty laid back week. I spent most of my free time reading and enjoying the weather :) It's been absolutely beautiful here aside from some rain. I just started a 40-day devotional that takes a journey through the Bible. In terms of reading, here goes:

I started out with the book The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. I read it for a library book discussion that I was going to but ended up having no time due to finals. The book went prettty slow and dragged on. Although, I loved some of the comments and random phrases that the main characters in the book would say. I'd recommend the book more for the middle school age group, but that's just me. I thought the book was okay, and liked the story line. Two children find out that their father has a little bit of a secret he's keeping that has to do with, well let's just say...ancient Egyptians. The children went through numerous things that mixed modern day with ancient times. I liked the idea behind the story, but it just dragged on waaaay too much.

Next, I read Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Okay, I just have to say that I absolutely loved this book. I'm starting to realize that I prefer adventure books more than modern day sappy love novels lately. There's not enough action in realistic fiction. I reviewed the book already in another post, so I won't go too deep into it. But I loved the twist that was in the book. I discovered the hard way that this book gives me nightmares, but we won't talk about that...

Then i read Spring to Mind by Zoe Copley. I receieved the book for free as a First Reads giveaway winner. In the novel, the main character, Tess, goes through a series of trials and tests as she coaches a networking course. The novel is written very uniquely, as it is basically a series of letters to Tess's mom. Or should I say mum. Even though the story itself didn't have me dying to turn the pages, I still enjoyed Zoe's writing style.

I'm currently reading The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I plan to do a review of the book, though. I'm not too far into the book, but I'm really enjoying the story. It's a bit confusing to understand when it comes to the whole time travel and what Henry, the main character, is experiencing. But hopefully I'll get it eventually. Part of why I really am enjoying the book is because the story is set in Chicago...a city that I am extremely familiar with. Be looking for a review on this from me!

I may add pictures from the bonfire I went to later on, but here are some pictures from Maggie's graduation.

^Isn't this picture awesome?!

Review: Catching Fire

Did I really just do that?...
So, I have never in my life stayed up all night to read a book...until last night. I was reading Catching Fire and knew there was no way I could put it down, so I read the entire thing. And didn't go to bed until 3 am. And you know what? I'm glad I did! It was soooooo good. I have yet to read a bad book by Suzanne Collins. Needless to say I've only read two of her books, but they were both so good! There is no way you could possibly understand until you read the books.

I read the first book, Hunger Games, a bit slow at first because the beginning seemed to drag. And I'll admit, so did the beginning of this one. But keep going because I promise it gets so much better! I'm finding through these books that I'm starting to love adventure novels a lot more than I used to. The setting of these books reminds me of the setting in The Uglies series. Woody, with forbidden borders-then big and futuristic. That may not make too much sense but it does in my mind.

Okay, so the main character, Katniss Everdeen, is now 15 and has survived the 74th Hunger Games. What are the Hunger Games you ask? Well, the U.S. has fallen to pieces and is now divided up into 12...or so, districts and a capitol. Each year, there is a ceremony called the Reaping where two names, the names of a boy and a girl in the adolescent stage, are drawn. The two names drawn represent the people that will have to go to the capitol to fight in a bloodbath called The Hunger Games. Each year, they are taken to an arena with an endless variety of atmospheres (ex. forests) to compete against not only the children from the other districts, but against their own teammates from their districts. Fight actually isn't the correct word...I believe kill is the word. Murder. Destroy. Literally. And the last one in wins and gets food and money for the rest of their lives. That's the thing about these districts in the nation of Panem...they have little to no food. The kids in the games are literally fighting to save their lives and the lives of their families. Hence the name HUNGER Games.

Anyway, in the first book, Katniss volunteered to take the place of her sister, Prim, who was originally chosen. Because this is a trilogy, obviously Katniss won. Sorry to ruin any surprises. So let's venture to the next book. Katniss has returned and lives in a fancy area with her family called The Victor's Village, where all of the previous winners of the games from her district live. Besides the winner(s) of the last Hunger Games, Haymitch is her only neighbor. Life seems to go on as usual, until after her victory tour through all of the districts. People of the districts finally begin fighting back against the Capitol for their freedom. Problem is, the Capitol often comes back showing its strength in these types of situations. So to turn a twist on the next year's Hunger Games, President Snow shows his power and turns away all ideas of hope and of a fight to get rid of the Capitol by bending some rules a bit. Every 25 years, the Hunger Games have what is called a Quarter Quell. During this time, the president can add a twist to the games. This year, he adds a little surprise that just might kill Katniss. Will she end up having to fight in the games again?...Dun dun dunnnnn.

This book had me turning the pages for hours on end to get to the next part of the story. It became like a roller coaster. Every time I thought things were back to normal for Katniss, there was another spin. I could not put it down and I highly suggest it for those looking for a great summer read!

Sweet Kauwela

The endless days that fall into purple skies and starry nights.
The constant buzz of lawn mowers as I sit on my back porch swing and read,
getting drenched in the sun's rays.
The sound of birds chirping outside my bedroom window.
The freedom that comes with waking up at noon and going to bed at 1 the next morning.
The drives through my little town, watching as people walk by with their dogs and their ice cream cones.
The beauty of nature as it blooms up through the ground.
The smell of the chlorine as I dive in so freely.
The sound of the char as it sizzles on the grill.
The memories made by my friends and I.

This is why I love this time of year.
Welcome back, summer. <3

Outraged

Have you ever been a part of something that changed your life? Something that you did that would stick with you forever? Well that's how middle school was for me. It forever shaped who I am and helped me to find out what I'm good at. Sure, a lot of it had to do with the teachers. Actually, all of it had to do with the teachers. My middle school was my safe haven, the place where I could go when I felt like the world hated me. Maybe I'm exxagerating, but a lot of other middle schoolers would tell you the same thing. In fact, I had a red face from crying in all the pictures from my eighth grade graduation that I was in. Why? Because it had so many ups and downs, so many moments, so many memories for me, that are a part of my past. I had a few teachers who deeply touched my life. The school impacted me in an emotional way I simply can't put into words.
But sometimes things change. The school announces that it's $30 million in debt, it fires teachers, lets go of award-winning programs, slowly falling apart. That's what's happened to my middle school. The school I once cherished and will love forever. I don't even think highschool has touched me in a way even the slightest bit close to that. I've seen my favorite teachers be let go. I've seen the faces of so many disappointed children. I've seen the fights and fueds it's caused between parents, families, and teachers. And I want it all to stop. I love the school. And going back to visit it. I went to do that today and was kicked out because "I didn't have an appointment with a teacher". What, like I'm going to sell the kids drugs or something? So I called a few teachers to "set up an appointment", and was rejected by every one of them for their fear of getting in trouble. So I turned around and went back to my car. The second I hit the seat, I cried. I couldn't stop crying, as teachers walked by, students walked by. I refused to stop. This school needs new leadership. And help. Fast. I feel terrible for the students there. What happened to looking forward to school? What happened to being able to be in a fun club? What happened to ACTUALLY LIKING SCHOOL?

Don't you think it's about time to stop screwing kids over? I think so.

I am thankful every day for the brand new chance at life that God has given me.

You're so fragile, and I hate to see the way I've treated you. I'm so sorry. I've hurt so many of you in ways that I never thought possible. And I don't mean to. I don't know what's wrong with me. It's killing me. To see myself do these things. I wish I'd never come into all of your lives. It'd do you guys good to not have someone like me bringing you down. I honestly don't mean to bring you down in the ways that I do. I'm sorry. From the bottom of my heart.

These feelings are diminishing so quickly.








But I don't want them to.

Gotta Love Stereotyping

Apparently, posting poetry online and having a blog makes you emo. Thank you Mr. Tom for those words of wisdom. Pathetic, idiotic, and completely arrogant words.

Friday Wrap-Up

So, I said I’d do this every Friday, and I failed. I also told myself I’d never start a post with the word so again, but I did. So deal with it. Hehe :)
Alrighty, so I haven’t been able to read many books in the last month. Below is a run-down of what I’ve read. After that, I’ll go deeper in depth about a few of them that needed some ranting.

~You Wish by Mandy Hubbard
~The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
~The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
~The Candymakers by Wendy Mass
~Paper Towns by John Green
~Take Me There by Susane Colasanti
~The Things they Carried by Tim O’Brien

I’ll start with The Catcher in the Rye. When I first started the book, I absolutely hated it. I’m sorry, but Holden bugged me with all of his random tangents about absolutely nothing. I later realized, however, that the character of Holden not only represented the youth of the 20th century, but it also almost perfectly portrayed the mind of many who grew up as teenagers when the book was written. The character is not supposed to represent a negative, miserable complaining high school kid, but rather a lonely, hurt, typical teenager. With the technology and communication advances that have occurred in the past 30 years, no teenager has truly been able to relate to the character of Holden. My English class had a very interesting discussion about it.

Next, I’ll talk about the Hunger Games. Oh, how this book astonished me. Maggie constantly obsessed over the book and told me it had such a “huge and deep impact in her”. What this meant, I wasn’t sure. But I knew I had to read it. So I did. I purchased the book months ago but never picked it up until a few weeks ago. And I just have to say, I was thoroughly surprised. I didn’t expect to actually be hooked to the book-mainly because I’ve never actually felt truly hooked to a book. I hope she never reads this because I’ll hear a big fat “I told you so!” but…this has now become my new favorite book. I had what seemed like this obsession with the character, engrossing myself in whatever could happen next. I absolutely loved the book, and I highly recommend it.

This post will be too long if I do any more book opinions, but let me know if you’d like to see a more in-depth review of the books I mentioned, or of the ones on the list I didn’t mention.

I originally said I’d talk about what’s been going on with me lately when I first did this post, but I’m not in the mood to write about it. So I’ll show you some pictures. Enjoy! :)

Easter :)

Taking a walk with Maggie

an art museum opening

my sister's college graduation! with my dad as the alumni board president at the school

Prom!

my church's passion play

Jumbled Up Thoughts

The way your smile can brighten up my entire day.
The way you hold me in your arms.
The way you really care about me.
The way we have the same dry sense of humor.
The way you genuinely want to know about my life.
The way you love what I believe.
The way we get along better than I can ever seem to get along with anyone.

These are the reasons I love you.

Reckless Romance

You know what's funny? I was just thinking this morning about how amazing my summer with you will be. My fantasies set me flying, send my head spinning with thoughts, reeling through reality. It's like a dream I can't get out of. And the thought of you turns me in a million directions. Funny thing is, I don't want it to stop.

America in a Nutshell

"From here, you can't see the rust or the cracked paint or whatever, but you can tell what the place really is. You see how fake it all is. It's not even hard enough to be made out of plastic. It's a paper town...look at all those cul-de-sacs, those streets that turn in on themselves, all the houses that were built to fall apart. All those paper people living in their paper houses, burning the future to stay warm. All the paper kids drinking beer some bum bought for them at the paper convenience store. Everyone demented with the mania of owning things. All the things paper-thin and paper-frail. And all the people, too...I have never once in my life come across anyone who cares about anything that matters."

from Paper Towns by John Green

So why don't we go somewhere only we know?

Pieces of a Broken Heart

Why am I so afraid to love again? To be held, to fall for someone, to put all my trust in them? I could see myself with you forever. But, my heart doesn't want me to. I don't wanna be hurt. Stepped on. Trampled. Memories of my past haunt my future. I'm afraid, scared, troubled. You mean the world to me, but my heart won't let me fall. Because falling hurts. But I wanna fall for you, dance with you, be with you.

I just want to love again.

Memoirs of a Messed Up Life

I'm sorry. I can't change the past, what's already happened. I'd like to say that I'll change what I'll do in the future, but I can't. Because I won't. I want this too much. And I don't want it to stand in the way of us. Because I wish that you'd just be happy for me. As much as I may have hurt you, I want us to move past this. You may never trust me again, but what's the use in changing things since I know you already won't? It would be for nothing. What's done is done and I like the way that things are.

So I'm sorry but I can't change them. Because my heart simply won't let me. I want this, and I want you to support me. If you can't, then I don't know what to tell you. Do you like seeing our lives be affected by this the way they have? Because I don't. And I want us to be fine. But I don't know what that's going to take. Stopping things now will never change what's already happened. I don't want to see what may happen turn into what could've happened. Because well, I like what may be to come in the future.

I just want you to be happy for me.

Nifty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqZZlL0l5Uk

I can't figure out how to add the actual video onto here anymore. There may be copyright restrictions on youtube or something. BUT, I love this band. A lot.

Friday Wrap-Up

I've decided that on Fridays I'm going to do what I call a wrap-up...I'll think of a more creative title later. Anyway, I'm going to give a brief summary of what I did, read, etc. during the week. I can't commit to doing this every Friday though. I'm kind of a busy person. But here goes...

Alrighty, so let's start with my week. This was the first week back from Spring Break, so most of us were still on vacation mode. Aaand since Charleston decided to be crappy and rainy while I was there last week, I felt unusually white this week...it was embarrassing. It's hard to believe I was just halfway across the country a week ago! I was a bit lazy and a huuuge procrastinator this week. Wait, that's nothing new. Forget that last line. I had rehearsal for the passion play at my church coming up on Palm Sunday. I'm so excited to be the whitest middle-eastern character ever! Ugh, I need a tan. So then the highlight of my week was White Sox opening day. My family kind of revolves around the Sox during baseball season. And no, that is NOT a good thing...not if you've ever seen anybody like my dad when he watches games. But I got to skip school yesterday for it. Don't worry, my dad actually told the principal at a luncheon a few weeks ago that this was happening. But I missed musical rehearsal and my director got really mad...oh well. I sat in the suites with Maggie and it was pretty awesome. It was soooo foggy but it was a great game. I think she may have been embarrassed by my screaming though...hehe.

Okay, to the books. I read three books this week: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin, and The Arrival by Shaun Tan. None of them were really too exciting. I gave The Last Song a four out of five stars ONLY because of the story line. I am not a fan of Nicholas Sparks, sorry. I know that's shocking because everybody loves his books, but I simply don't hold onto his writing when I read books he's written. I'm not much of a sappy kind of person, not in reading at least. So it wasn't a huge favorite of mine. But I think the story line he has is the most realistic of all the books he's done, with A Walk to Remember coming in a close second. I give him props for having kept onto this many fans this long, though.

Next was The Arrival. Now this book was a little bit different than other books I've read because it was all pictures. I've read two others like this-Persepolis by Marjane Sitrapi and The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. But this was STILL unlike them in that it included no words, at all. The story was about coming to new places, togetherness, and how everybody's stories connect. I gave it a four out of five stars because I simply loved the idea of all pictures, giving it a challenge; as well as the illustrations because they were soooo good! I had to read this book for English so I put post-it notes on certain pictures and pages to make note of what exactly what was happening.

Last was Extraordinary. Okay, I'll be honest. I went in with low expectations on this book not only because I don't like fantasy too much, but also because I had read sooo many bad reviews on it....and they were all right! It was terrible! These two faeries come onto earth looking like people and try to get a girl, Phoebe, to admit that she was ordinary. In order to attain this, they continuously cut her down..and then put her mom in a coma! It sounds dumb...and weird. And it was. I gave it a two out of five stars simply because I could have written better than that, even when I was in middle school! The author's continuous use of the word also sounded so unrealistic in dialogue and made her seem like she was unable to find other words like also. Terrible writing! But once again, I give her props for trying. Aaaaaaand. The end.

The Unrealities of Reality

I find myself drawn to very fictional, unrealistic books. There I said it; now it's out there. Why do people read? I've been thinking a lot about this lately. For some, it's all they know-it's what they were raised on. For some, they just like it. For some, it's to pass the time. But for me. For me, I read to put myself in lives I could never live. Lives that I could never dream of living, but so often invision. That's why I've been drawn to realistic fiction. Kind of a paradox, don't you think? At least from what I'm saying, it is. I read the kinds of things that would never in a million years happen to me. So, either I'm unrealistic, or realistic fiction is unrealistic, and inaccurate to the way that peoples' lives in this American society really are. I rarely hear of stories that sound too good to be true-stories that I would want to put in a novel.

But I'm babbling. Which wasn't the point of this post. The point of this post was to simply explain the kinds of novels I find myself drawn to-realistic fiction. Or should I say...unrealistic, but what people want to have in their lives. Just thought I'd add that. But really, I love to read realistic fiction because for me, reading puts me in new worlds. Worlds that I could never live in because well, I'm human. And my life isn't perfect. But who wouldn't want to live in a world where you can travel to a luxurious summer home on the coast where all you have to really do is just walk on the beach every day, the warm sand between your toes and the smell of the ocean? Man. I wish I could. And that is why I read realistic fiction. The end.

Opinions anyone?

So, I recently saw the movie Beastly with Maggie. It's been on my mind lately. Why? Not really too sure. But I think I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars. Maybe a 3.5 It was a little depressing for me. I want to know what other people thought about it. Comment below and give me your opinions. I'm interested in hearing what other people thought about it.

My Happiness

the smell of rain.

reading in a cozy chair.

panera bread.

picking up the guitar again.

the thought of life after graduating early.

easter.

him.

Review: Twenty Boy Summer

When i first came across the book Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, I'll be honest...I expected to read a book about fake love-otherwise known as lust, boys, and just stupid teenage girls. However, I was quite wrong...

Fifteen year-old Anna Reilly, otherwise nicknamed as "Anna Abby from New Yawk", has fallen in love with her neighbor, Matt. Her lifetime neighbor, he and his sister Frankie have been inseperable with Anna. Every year on her birthday, Anna makes the same wish as she blows out her candles: for Matt to kiss her. In the novel, we see the classic "friend falls in love with friend" scenario, with a twist...his sister is also friends with her.

On her fifteenth birthday, Anna's wish comes true. By the way, that was not a spoiler because it happened in the beginning of the novel, thank you very much. Anyway, Matt and Anna become entangled in a situation where they are absolutely head over heels over each other, but Frankie is completely unaware of the situation. Matt makes Anna promise she will not tell Frankie, and tells her that he will once he and Frankie are on their annual California summer trip. But...Matt dies in a car accident just before the trip. Suddenly, Anna is stuck with her secret forever, always remembering that she cannot tell Frankie.

Frankie's way of dealing with the death is by making a change-she transforms into an all-out diva. Unaware of how to deal with the situation, Anna just sits back and watches. The next summer, the girls get to go on the California trip together, calling it the ABSE (Absolute Best Summer Ever). They make a deal to each meet 20 guys on their trip. However, this is cut short when Anna meets Sam. She is afraid to move on past Matt, leaving all of her memories behind. She is forced with the choice to keep living in the past or move on. Eventually, her past with Matt begins to haunt her and spirals out of control. Will she ever be able to move on past the tragic history with Matt or will she continue to live in the memories of what she has left?

I thuroughly enjoyed the novel. I can't believe I'm actually saying that. I expected to read another mushy love book that just will not win me over. But I found a novel that truly knocks me off my feet, that I could not put down. I loved it. It does have a little more mature content, possibly too much for anybody lower than the high school level. But the book was an absolute favorite of mine. Sarah Ockler has a way with words-she is a very personal down-to-earth writer. And I love it. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. I recommend it for anyone who has ever lost someone, had trouble with friends, or has simply just fallen in love with someone unexpectedly.

She kept her nose in a book.

Rain. All day, everyday. Wind blowing at my sandals, cutting through my jeans. A broken umbrella. No beach. Walking through crowds of people, dropping my phone constantly. So how did I get through the week?...

By reading. I got through four books this week. Well, I'm still reading the fourth, but you get the point. I began with a book called Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. I then continued on to That Summer by Sarah Dessen. Next, I went to The Arrival by Shaun Tan. Last, I'm still reading it but it's The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Although I wasn't a HUGE fan of the movie, I still was really drawn to Ronnie, the main character. So far it's pretty good. It's the book that I connect with the most by Nicholas Sparks. Anyway, this was how I got myself through the week. I kept my nose in between a book pretty much the entire week.

Oh, and of course, took pictures...

Oh hey it's my prom dress...