2015 - In Books

Well, I totally slacked on this year's challenge. But in my defense, I had a lot of textbook reading to do. On the plus side though, I reviewed a lot of the books I read this year. Then, I kind of slacked on that too. So anyway, here all the wonderful (and not so wonderful) books I read this year. You can click on the links to be taken to their reviews.

1. Saint Anything - Sarah Dessen
2. What She Left Behind - Ellen Marie Wiseman
3. 10 Days in a Madhouse - Nelly Bly
4. Thorn - Intisar Khanani
5. Edgewater - Courtney Sheinmel
6. Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon
7. Keeping the Moon - Sarah Dessen
8. That Summer - Sarah Dessen
9. The Truth About Forever - Sarah Dessen
10. The Wrath & The Dawn - Renee Ahdieh
11. Ruby - Cynthia Bond
12. Every Day - David Levithan
13. Burned - Ellen Hopkins
14. Shatter - Michael Robotham
15. Black Moon - Kenneth Calhoun
16. The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
17. Sloppy Firsts - Megan McCafferty
18. Lucas - Kevin Brooks
19. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
20. The Vanishing Season - Jodi Lynn Anderson
21. Isla and the Happily Ever After - Stephanie Perkins
22. Tiger Lily - Jodi Lynn Anderson

Favorite: The Wrath & The Dawn 

Least Favorite: The Vanishing Season, Black Moon, Ruby

Surprising Like: The Handmaid's Tale

Surprising Hate: The Vanishing Season (I liked Tiger Lily so much!)

Beloved Re-Read: Sloppy Firsts (always!)

Would Re-Read: The Wrath & The Dawn

Wondered Why You Bothered Finishing It: Black Moon

Made You Cry: Lucas

Made You Laugh: Isla and the Happily Ever After

Want to See it Turned into a Movie: The Wrath & The Dawn

Overrated: Ruby

Underrated: Thorn

Best/Most Promising Series: The Wrath & The Dawn

Started Good But Petered Out: Black Moon

Started Slow but Stuck the Landing: The Handmaid's Tale

Author to Watch Out For: Renee Ahdieh

Best Book Cover:  The Wrath & The Dawn

Bad Cover, Good Book: Lucas

Made You Think: The Handmaid's Tale & Lucas

Guilty Pleasure: Isla and the Happily Ever After & Shatter

Best YA: The Wrath & the Dawn

Best Adult: The Night Circus

Favorite Character: Shazi & Khalid

Least Favorite Character: Susannah from Edgewater

Most Hated Antagonist: Old-school psychologists from 10 Days in a Madhouse

Most Hated Protagonist: Maggie from The Vanishing Season

Fictional Crush: Josh from Isla and the Happily Ever After

What were some of the books you read this year? Which should be on my first-to-read for 2016? Leave them in the comments!

Thanks Giving

Since I'm currently jobless at the moment, I have the fact that I can spend the entire holiday with various family as a reason for thanks.

Some other things I've thankful for this year include:

• Still being able to pay rent and bills! 
• The fact that we adopted Lana Lane into our home. 
• I started school again and my first semester is almost over. 
• I've made some new friends. 
• John's still stuck by my side for another year. 
• Scientist said that carbs are the key to a long life (just kidding!)

I hope you're having a good Thanksgiving or just a good Thursday. Even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving there's always time to give thanks. So, what are you thankful for? Also, what's your favorite recipe for this holiday season? I need more in my repertoire. 

You Did What???

I've had one job or another since I was 18. Sure some of them were part-time work-study jobs but I usually had two. Sometimes, even three. I've tried to be very independent my adult life. I knew that my parents would always help me out should I need it, but I never wanted to ask for it. I figured that whatever I got myself into, I could get myself out of. Hence all the jobs.

Well, a few weeks ago I did something that I thought I would never do.

I quit my full-time job without a back-up plan in place.
Yup. I did that.


The job I had wasn't the job I wanted. And true, there are a lot of jobs I've had that weren't the most perfect. But this job, it was stressful. And not even in a good way. TV stressful - I can do that. Getting text messages that things needed to be ready yesterday - not something I'm good at. I would get text messages at 7 in the morning. Sometimes on weekends. I Pavlovian-ingly started to hate hearing my texting sound. I would leave my phone at home when I could. Going into work became dreadful. I tried to deal with it and I tried asking for a different position but it just wasn't in the cards for me.

So, after discussing it with John I felt comfortable enough with my decision to quit.

Yeah right. Even after it had been done I didn't feel comfortable. But I figured that in the moment, it would be better for me to quit than for me to continue at a place I felt was so toxic.

I don't know why I'm sharing this. I guess I can chalk it up to my goals of sharing my private life more. I don't have any funny anecdotes about it. I don't feel confident even now about how we'll pay all our bills. I'm not encouraging anyone to follow in my footsteps.

But I am glad I did it. If that even makes sense.

I've been freelancing a bit to scrounge up some money. And John and I are looking into starting a small business. So at least my time isn't a complete waste.

Oh and my grades at school are pretty excellent.
And the house is almost always pretty clean.
The laundry has been done.
And I've updated, reformatted, re-edited, and re-everything-elsed my resume.
Hopefully something sticks soon.


Until then, I'm trying not to stress too much about it. I'm focusing on my blog, our business, and school. And I'm looking forward to the tradition of watching the BBC Mini-series of Pride & Prejudice with Mum during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

If you seen more blog posts - you'll know why!

My Purse Essentials

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BeHealthyforEveryPartofLife #CollectiveBias

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is already next week? I really can't. It always feels like time moves faster the closer to the end of the year it gets. I don't think the time change helps much either. Though I love stuffing my face with endless amounts of turkey and copious heaps of pie, what I'm most looking forward to is my birthday! It's after Thanksgiving and I can't wait to celebrate with friends.

I've already started thinking about what we could do, where we could eat, and what exactly I'll be packing in my purse.

I tend to carry so many things in my purse with me that I may have been referred to as a Bag Lady at one time or another. But I think we can all agree that carrying around a Mary Poppins bag can be a pain. So, I've made a handy-dandy list of all the great things I can carry around with me...in even my smallest of bags.

1.) ChapStick Total Hydration - This stuff is great! I'm a sucker for coconut so that's the one I chose, but they have different flavors. All of them are 100% natural and instantly smooths and moisturizes. It feels great. Not too sticky, mushy, or gloopy. It's the perfect ChapStick for this wintery weather (though here we're still in the 80s).

2.) Centrum VitaMints - I'm sure you've heard of Centrum vitamins before but have you heard of their new VitaMints?  VitaMints are adult multivitamins with a refreshingly minty taste you can enjoy any time of day with or without food or water. I love these because it's a 2-for-1 product. They're perfect to enjoy as an after dinner mint and you'll feel better knowing that you got your vitamins in for the day. Win, win!

3.) Advil Tablet Vial - With the colder weather inevitably comes the winter cold/flu season. I always carry some Advil around because nothing's stronger, longer lasting or better on your tough aches and pains than Advil, and nothing works on more pains than Advil (among OTC pain relievers). The vial is perfect for keeping those little round tablets in without taking up too much space. I actually found these in the travel section of WalMart. Perfect.

4.) Emergen-C Immune+ Chewables - Back to that whole cold/flu thing - you're going to want to keep your immune system up so you don't end up in bed sleeping instead of out conquering the world. These chewables are perfect because you don't need water to take them. I got the Orange Blast flavor because I always associate oranges with being healthy. These chewables allow for More Healthy Days, More Healthy Nights.

5.) Bobby Pins - I always have bobby pins on me, even when my hair is down. It's just something I keep in my purse because you never know when you want your bangs to stay out of your face.
6.) Plasters - You never know when you're going to need a plaster. Sometimes it's a paper cut or a hang nail and other times you're wearing those shoes you haven't quite broken in yet. Either way, you'll be glad you have them.
7.) Compact Mirror - They're perfect for checking your lipstick or making sure you don't have spinach in your teeth. I take one with me everywhere I go.




The great thing about all the things I usually keep in my purse is that I can find them easily at WalMart. Don't you just love how WalMart has everything? The Advil was in the travel section but everything else was by the Pharmacy aisles.

What do you have in your purse? Any of these make your list? Be sure to check out Pfizer so you can see what products will help you Be Healthy for Every Part of Life. Then come back and let me know which made the cut.

Friendzone

I'm sure you've heard of the term "friendzone" by now. It's become quite a popular word in today's lexicon.

I've gotten pretty sick of this word and its many memes. It's basically guys complaining about how girls they like, don't like them back in that way.

This irrationally upsets guys for some reason.

I guess it's because they've put so much time and effort into actually being a good friend and even after ALL THAT, they get absolutely nothing out of it.

I mean, you would think the least she could do IS GIVE HIM A BLOWIE, right?


Uh. Hell No.

Women DO NOT owe you anything. If you're being nice and helping her out and doing whatever for her - that's your decision. I'm going to let you in on a little secret,

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT. 

But, if you want to - that's great. It means you're a good person. Caring, kind, compassionate.


But that does not apply if you're expecting sexual favors in return. What is nice about only doing something for the results you expect to get in return?

Nothing.

So you can stop that shit about "I'm such a good guy."

Which also begs the question: What makes you think it's your manners that turn her off? I'm sure that you have a myriad of other personality traits that she doesn't like. Maybe it's the way you talk back to your mother. The way you don't pay your fair share of rent. The way you say you're going to do something and then don't. You think that the ONLY reason she doesn't like you is because she'd rather have a "bad" boy?

Pst. Please.

I also don't quite understand where the word comes from.

If you were both friends with each other and then you eventually liked her, well into the friendship, then you're in exactly the same place as before - both friends.

If, however, you went in wanting sex, but didn't tell her - then you're the one who's being untruthful.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to talk to a girl to see if you two are compatible. But it's super helpful if the girl in question knows what's up. Especially if the girl can tell you from day one that she isn't interested.

To go into a friendship, expecting a relationship is just plain stupid.

I'd also like to address the double standard and stereotype of the whole unrequited love thing. Why is it in movies & TV shows that girls are always crying hysterically when the guy doesn't like her and the guy's like "Whatever, next bitch!"  This whole friendzone thing is the equivalent to ugly crying in your pillow at night while eating ice cream straight from the tub. But I guess it's just somehow more "manly" to bitch about it when you've got a penis swinging.


Here are some people who know what's up when it comes to the whole friendzone thing.

My Love of Books

I have been a book-lover forever. My parents would read to me when I was younger and then I'd read
to them. I loved reading so much that my mum would sometimes use it as a punishment. "No, Valerie, you cannot read today! Go clean your room!"

When I was in elementary and middle school I loved reading science-y books. Anything in the 500s I would devour. Ancient Egypt. Pyramids. Space. Spiders. I read to learn and better understand all the things I couldn't comprehend.

Via Franklin County Kids Library

Then I discovered the Young Adult section at Barnes and Noble. My dad and I would go and treat it like a library, reading books and magazines while my mum went shopping. I'd pick a book from the shelf, then sit on the floor - or if I was really lucky, one of the well-worn sofa chairs and read for hours. Then the next week I'd do it again until I finished the book. As soon as I was done, I'd put it up and go straight to the next one.

In high school I became a library volunteer, shelving books and scanning incoming and outgoing books. As I scanned them I'd read their sleeves or back covers. This was the first time I remember challenging myself to read a certain amount of books within a certain amount of time.

When I got to college my love of reading didn't falter. I worked at both the school library and the bookstore. Borrowing and buying books with my discount like crazy.

A few years ago I even got a job at a local SA library. It was great because one of the perks was no due dates!

Now, I visit the library about every two weeks. I'm still in love with YA books but every so often I'll read something tougher. I like to read the classics or books they make you read in English classes. Sometimes I'll read an action or thriller and I'm always down to read one of Stephen King's newest.

I've never gotten tired of reading. I have learned so much through the words of others. I know that I did so well in school because I loved reading. I also attribute my empathy for others to the books I have read.

I believe that books can change people. The written word can alter their opinions and their outlooks. We should be encouraging everyone to read more; whether that's by buying eBooks, listening to audio books, or borrowing them from the library. And it doesn't matter if it's War and Peace, Not That Kind of Girl, or The Hunger Games. Reading teaches people of all ages how to think critically, how to empathize with others, and how to sit still in contentment.

I have tons of favorite books. I have books that I've hated but left me thinking long after I'd finished. What books have inspired, impacted, or changed you?

Firsts Friday - First Job

When I was 17 years old I decided that I needed a part-time job to make some money. I wasn't a party kid so what I needed the money for is lost on me now. Books probably. But anyway I decided that I needed to get a job to get away from my parents, learn some responsibilities, and earn some cold-hard cash.

Of course when you're 17 you're not going to be the CEO of some internet website. You're going to be working in retail or in the restaurant biz. I ended up working at a seafood restaurant called Barnacle Bill's. The chain has since closed down which means I don't have any pictures to show you (thank god).

I honestly don't even remember what my job title was. But I basically put the sides on the plate. Fridays were our busy nights. I remember being so overwhelmed sometimes and not even caring if I accidentally missed a ticket or two.

Because Fridays were so busy I remember how sometimes we'd have to stay late on Thursday to peel shrimp. Yes. Peel shrimp. We'd all go hang out around a big trash can and peel shrimp until we had enough pounds of it ready to go for the rush the next day.

Even though the job wasn't horrrrible, I try to forget about it. I didn't make any friends, I never really use what I learned and overall I just don't ever admit to having worked there.

So what was your first job? Or for those who still haven't had one, what do you wish your first job would be? Join in on the fun and link up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Literary Junkies

1. What are you reading right now?

 - Well as fun as it sounds, I've been reading "The Essentials of Abnormal Psychology" for a few months now. Obviously for school. For funsies I'm just about to start reading "Saint Anything" by my fave Sarah Dessen. 

2. What was your favorite book you had to read in school? Which was your least favorite? 

- I really liked "Lord of the Flies" when I read it my sophomore year. In senior year we read bits and pieces of Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried." I ended up reading the entire book and I was just...blown away and I loved it so much. I still reread it occasionally. 

- I absolutely hated reading "The Odyssey" and "The Magnificent Ambersons." Soooo boring. 

3. What is your favorite book that was turned into a movie? Were you happy with the movie? 

- I was sooo excited to see "The Giver" turned into a movie. Until I saw the movie. I absolutely hated it! I loved the Harry Potter movies. I think they were true to the stories. Oh and I actually loved the movie ending of "The Fault in Our Stars" more than the book ending. 

4. Which book do you wish could be turned into a movie? 

- Any of Sarah Dessen books would make a cute but not-so-cheesy romantic movie that I would squeal to see. 

5. Did you start/have any reading goals for 2015? How are you doing with them? 

- I did have a goal to read 40 books by the end of the year. With school books and their 80 page chapters taking over my life...I am currently 13 books behind schedule. I've only read 19 books this year so far. Yikes! 

If you're interested in reading any of these books or watching the movies - check them out on Amazon.com!

              


            


            

Rinse Made Rad

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinion are mine alone. #RinseMadeRad #CollectiveBias

When I was in high school I used to wear a plaid flannel shirt as a sweater. (No, I wasn't a Nirvana fan.) It was the perfect easy-to-throw on clothing accessory. The fabric wasn't so thick that I would burn up outside but it was good enough to keep me warm in the over zealous air-conditioned classroom. John has since brought it to my attention that I didn't look very cool.

I beg to differ.

However, since the late 90s plaid has come back in style.

 

Oh wait, what? It never went out of style you say?
I just wore it incorrectly? Whatever.

Since my apparently tragic high school days, I've gotten better at picking my plaids. Now I pick LISTERINE® in their limited-edition plaid bottles. With four different refreshing flavors to choose from, you can pick the one that best highlights your bathroom décor:

• LISTERINE® Zero: Red Plaid
• LISTERINE® Cool Mint: Blue Plaid
• LISTERINE® Original: Yellow Plaid
• LISTERINE® Fresh Burst: Green Plaid

I saw Target's awesome LISTERINE® end cap while we were shopping for puppy Halloween costumes, foodstuffs, and dollar treats.

They were so cute that I just had to have some. We chose Cool Mint (blue) and Zero (red) because John and I use mouthwash daily. I've been going to the same dentist since I was a baby and he told me that one of the easiest things you can do to keep your mouth healthy is to rinse with a therapeutic mouthwash. Using LISTERINE® twice a day can make your gums five times healthier in just two weeks!

And who doesn't want a healthy mouth?

Okay, so you've bought your LISTERINE® your mouth is feeling so fresh and so clean, clean. Your bathroom is looking plaidtastic. Now what? Well, if you want some inspiration just head over to Target. They are in a plaid frenzy right now and letmejustsay, I'm loving it.

I decided to spread the plaid-love around by writing some letters to friends. Which is always something I try to do and always find something else to do instead. But isn't it great to get something handwritten and personal in the mail?

Are you ready to rinse rad? Go pick up one of these outfitted plaid bottles at Target. But hurry! They'll only be on the shelves until October 31.

Also, be sure to use the Cartwheel Offer for 10% off each bottle. The offer is valid from 9/13 - 10/31.


Tell me about all the ways you're going to incorporate plaid into your life. Also, which LISTERINE® made it to your bathroom? Let me know in the comments!