12/26/2021 0 Comments Let's talk: book tags!Let’s catch up and talk about my reading habits this year!
I love a good book tag but I don’t watch as many as I used to, so I decided to do a short one of my own! I found some questions from a few different sites (there a TON of book tag sites lemme tell you) so I chose five questions that will hopefully have some fun answers about my reading habits! I can’t wait to get into it and be sure to answer these questions for yourself or with your friends. I love to talk about books with friends. 🥰 Least Favorite Book This Year and Why? Unfortunately, I did not like “Grip” by Kennedy Ryan. This is my second time reading one of her books and don’t get me wrong, her writing is phenomenal, and “Flow” was so freaking beautiful. But oh my gosh, I loathed the main character. I think it’s important to read about understanding the nuances that come with being in an interracial relationship. But we never actually get to see Bristol put in any of the work or make active efforts to change her way of doing or acting or thinking about things within their relationship. Reading about how a white woman who has to learn how to adapt to being with a Black man is fine, except it was always left up to Grip to educate her on his experience and his culture. I didn’t like that the book upheld her lack of accountability when it came to racial politics. In real life, it works when partners are comfortable discussing these things with each other, but for this book, I think it falls into a bad trope of having minorities always having to explain their experiences just so everyone can validate their feelings and experiences. It rubbed me the wrong way. I may or may not continue with the third book in the trilogy for that reason but you can read my Goodreads review on this here. A Book You’ve Read More Than Once I love this question because I rarely get to talk about the books I read in my childhood. I rarely, if ever reread books, especially now, but in highschool I reread Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter (ugh, Ali and Cole were so freaking cute. I love a good bad boy, troubled girl). And I reread The Selection series by Kierra Cass at least once. Come on! It has got to be the best love triangle ever and the politics? Please. Maxon knew America was his girl from the beginning. So what if he had to ~die~ to realize it? Hehe. A Book That Surprised You This Year Honestly, I read a lot of books out of my comfort zone that I'm really proud of, so I’ll list my top two. First, Solo Viola: A Post-Exotic Novel by Antonie Volodine was amazing. It’s a translated fiction that I read for my literary publishing class (which was so fun). It’s about five characters who are somehow connected and end up finding each other at the end of the story by unlikely circumstances. The backstory behind the genre and the writer/writer’s is so freaking cool. There are only going to be 8 more books in the genre “series” so I definitely think I’d pick up another book like this. If you want something that’s slightly trippy, very Italian, based on fictionalized government organization, politics and revolution with a touch of “digestible” trauma…this one's for you. I loved it. And the second book that surprised me was (gasp) a non-fiction called “The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now” by Meg Jay. I picked it up on a whim because Carley talked about it in her video and I love a good 20’s existential crisis, so I thought it might be interesting. It’s basically a book that tells you how to grab life by the balls in very practical ways and make the most of your 20s when we often feel so lost. I went in with no expectations and I honestly loved it. I loved the tone of voice, I loved the very practical advice based on real stories and clients. I did dislike the chapter talking about preferring “white, middle to upper class patients because their problems are simpler” though. (That felt very elitist to me) but everything about career was very helpful and enlightening to me. So, hey, here’s to self help books and non fiction this year, am I right? Did You Read Any Series’? I did! I surprisingly read two and loved both of them! I want to talk more in depth about them in my favorite books of the year post BUT spoiler alert, both of these book series made the top of the list. The first one was the Saga series by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples. It’s a series of sci-fi graphic novels (I know, who am I reading all these different genres?) of 9 books (so far). It's about this alien space couple from two different, warring planets that get together, fall in love and have a baby. It’s about politics and government and love and family. Ugh. I bought the first two books, borrowed the rest from the library and shoutout to Kat from paperbackdreams for putting me on to this series last year because I ate that shit up. Love love LOVED! So. Read that, thank you. And the second series I read was the Mindfuck Series by S.T. Abby (yes, it does spell stabby) which is about a serial killer and her FBI agent boyfriend trying to solve her own murders? It was so freaking awesome and entertaining. I laughed out loud, I grieved with her, I fell in love with the characters as they followed her case and best of all, it was a romantic suspense! It was so great. The only thing I didn’t like was how the ending tied up a little bit too nice and neat but it wasn’t too bad. Given the circumstances, we love a HEA. Unfortunately, the author passed away this year, so I really hope I can get more people to support her work. Especially because this series was so freaking phenomenal. And it's short! 90-150 page novella’s were perfect for my school ridden brain. Favorite Book Inspired Show/Movie I know the girlies are going crazy over the new Hating Game movie starring Lucy Hale and I read the book. I thought it was boring. So I don't really have high hopes for the movie (aka I'm scared to watch it and also be bored). With that said, everyone always says the books are better than the movies/shows. (Shadowhunters anyone? ~cringe~ Mortal Instruments on the other hand…I didn’t think was too bad). I guess it depends on preference but for me, I love the Hunger Game movies. In my defense, I’m cheating because I never actually read the books and just saw the movies but I think those movies are freaking amazing. Peeta and Katniss? Please. I also thought the Fault in Our Stars by John Green was freaking amazing. (That, I did read the book for). I watched the movie four times when I first got it on DVD and sobbed ¾ times. And I’m not a crier. So dare I say, I thought the movie was better than the book?? In my defense, I was like 12 reading all this medical talk and I did not care. But mister Augustus Waters at the gas station really did me in man. The eulogy? My emotions were opening the floodgates for tsunami season. Other honorable mentions that weren’t too bad: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card and The Giver by Lois Lowry. They weren’t bad, they weren’t amazing, but I liked seeing those books as live actions since they’re so message and word heavy. I also loved those books so it was vibes. ~End~ And that’s it! Thank you so much for reading. Here’s to higher reading goals, 4 and 5 star reads and more fun book tags! I actually really loved this. So, Until Next Time! With love, Arianna
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12/24/2021 0 Comments End of year catch up!Let’s Talk!
It’s been awhile. But I’m so excited to finish off this new year off strong and now that I finally have some freaking time in my schedule, let’s talk. School going fully back in person this year was such a struggle. Like I think we can all agree that this had to be one of the hardest school semesters, ever. The good news is, I feel a lot better about the direction I want to take my career post grad. I don’t want to speak too much into existence because so much can change and I want to keep everything full of positive vibes and good energy (I don’t want to jinx shit). But fingers crossed that all the hard work and struggle this semester makes it worth it. 🤗🤞🏾 On that note, reading? Egregious. It’s been so hard to find time to read this semester, and even when I did, I feel like the beginning of the year started out so well. We had some stellar reads and then it all went downhill from there. I watched Mina from Mina Reads’ video and she had similar thoughts so I’m going to link her video here. But I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt like the reading vibes were off this year, because I felt like such a slacker. But I’m hopeful that next year will be a much better reading year. 📖 However, I have exactly 8 days to read 3 books by the end of 2021 (because it has to end on an even number). So, the goal is to try and read some novellas so I can get to 110 books by the end of the year. Until the end of December I was trying to read all holiday and sexy santa romances but again, I started off strong and then things went downhill from there. (AKA finals and bad reads). I’m trying not to dnf anymore books but we might have to make a few sacrifices to make my reading goal and also so I can get the blog posts I want up in a timely manner. ⏰ Overall, I just wanted to come on here and spread some positive vibes, maybe talk a little bit more about books and gauge the general thoughts and feelings over this past year and future goals for next year. So I looked up a quizlet with some “We’re Not Really Strangers” questions to get reconnected and then next time, I’ll have some book related questions to go through. So let’s get into it! ~Questions~ What’s One Thing You Hope to Change in the Next Year? I hope to truly open myself up emotionally and literally to new experiences next semester since I'm going abroad to London. I’m forcing myself to get out of my comfort zone and explore everywhere and everywhere; introduce myself to new people, give myself the space to grow without feeling obligated to give more of myself than I have or am willing to share, etc. I’m just really excited to grow next year (specifically next semester) and I hope to see that change by the end of 2022. Even if it’s small. What’s One Lesson that Took You the Longest to Unlearn? (This year) I think it took me a long time to learn that I can’t be everything for everyone. It’s something I’m still trying to learn but recognizing that this year is helping to ease some of the anxiety I’ve been feeling surrounding not being good enough or doing enough for those closest to me. I’m not stretching myself too thin and that’s been nice to go through this year. How Are You Really? Tired, overwhelmed, stressed but also really really happy. All of the negative, tense emotions definitely have to do with planning for going abroad and the details that go along with that, as well as worrying about the upcoming changes. I’m also still figuring life things out, working towards career goals that I'm waiting to hear back from, so waiting sucks. But I’ve also got to spend the most time with friends and create some really beautiful relationships this year that I didn't have before. My support system is as strong as it’s ever been this year and I don't know, I’ve just been feeling really blessed and thankful for the people in my life and the experiences that have opened up to me because I took certain opportunities or chances this year. What’s Been Keeping You Sane Lately? Steven Universe and watching Grey’s Anatomy with my besties. Anyone can fight me on this (and be wrong) but Steven Universe is probably one of the greatest shows of all time and for it to be so openly queer during the time it was streaming? Bye. I’m in love. This show literally got me through my finals. Plus spending quality time on one of the most dramatic shows ever with two of my favorite people has been amazing too. What Would You Tell Your Younger Self and What Have You Learned From This Lesson? I’ve actually been thinking about this question a lot lately and I think I would basically tell her that everything she’s going through will make her even more prepared for the amazing things that are coming her way. I’ve learned that patience really is the key when it comes to life circumstances changing but also, taking advantage of all opportunities as well. I’d also tell her to keep investing in her passions because what she’s doing now will shape who she is and everything she does in the future for the better. So, just hold on, things will get better. ~Closing Thoughts~ Thank you for everyone reading! Especially all the way to the end. Longform writing isn’t as trendy as it once was but those of y'all who love to hear a good ramble, really keep this platform so fun for me to interact with. I wanted to ask these questions because this card game is really so fun and it allows you the time to self reflect and engage with those closest to you in such an intimate way. So much has happened this year that this could be the time to take a pause with a card game like this. Take the time to check-in and reconnect in ways that you didn’t have the time to before if you can. I hope everyone who’s done with school is glad their semester is over with (because I sure as hell am). And I’m wishing you positive vibes, good grades and inspiration for end of year reading goals. I’m determined to reach my reading goal so in order to encourage me… you should probably follow me on my Instagram and Goodreads. 😏 Hehe. It’s always a fun time there (and if you notice that I update Goodreads more than Insta then just mind your business 😜😂). With love, Arianna |
AuthorI'm an 21 year old girl who lives in NY. I love to read and write and fashion is my life. Follow me to find out more! Archives
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