It feels like forever since I’ve sat down to write a blog post. In a little over a month, my life has completely turned upside down. When people say starting college is a transition, they do mean it! Between schoolwork, clubs, exercise, and my job, it’s been hard to find time for reading. There is always a looming deadline for work or school to tackle even if I don’t have homework due the next day. I never want to feel behind, so I am always putting in the time to

​       Hello, bookish people! I’ve been wanting to do a tag to tell you all a little more about me, but I just couldn’t find the right one to share with you. So, after a little over two weeks of being eighteen, I thought it would be perfect for finding eighteen books that relate to “fun facts” about me. The books could connect to me through their title, plot, or cover, and they are everything from significant events in my life to small quirks. Let’s do this.

       Hello book lovers, and welcome to my crib!* While I was tidying my room this past week, I came to the realization that in over two years, I’ve never shown you guys my bookshelves. I think that because the lighting is so weird in my room, I tried to take a few pictures a long time ago, and never ended up posting them. Good news is, this girl has gotten a lot better at editing her photos and has brought you a full photographic tour of my desk and bookshelves area. 
*I have no shame lol.

​       Have you ever completed a book and thought any of the following?

• I still am not sure who this character is…
• Why is this event important?
• It’s not that the book wasn’t enjoyable, but I don’t think I liked it…

       If you have, then you are probably suffering from an ill-timed read (Diagnosed by Ashton Smith Re.D. [Doctor of Reading lol]). Sometimes you start reading a book that is supposed to be REALLY GOOD, but you happen to start it at a

       Let’s be real here because it’s just you and me...you’re going to have to lean in to hear this...I couldn’t think of what to blog about this week, and I’ve been busier with schoolwork than usual, so this is my way out...HAHAHA. The good news is that I have been doing a lot of reading and writing in the past week (in the form of a research paper AND required reading. Hoo-ray). So, I figured this would be the perfect time to inform all of my beautiful readers out there Hi! on my life as it is at this very moment.

       ♬ You are the Dancing Queen,
       Young and sweet, only seventeen. ♬
       Happy birthday to me! I love birthdays because they're a time to celebrate yourself and celebrate life in general. So, I thought I would celebrate this year's big day with you guys, my lovely readers. I wouldn't be here today without you guys; thank you! Now, let the celebration begin as I share the top 17 books that I've read in the last year.* Click the purple titles to check out my full reviews.

       Books: They’re the love of my life. We have a great relationship; they exist and look pretty, and I can thumb through them whenever I feel like it. They’ve always been there for me, and to show my appreciation for them, I shout about their greatness to the winds (and anyone who will listen {like you. Hi there! [Look, I got to use those fancy squiggly brackets no one ever uses.]}). Unfortunately, over the years, I have morphed and changed into a better version of myself, and a result of that growth is a drastic change in my lifestyle. If you didn’t already know, I have

       If you have ever tried to listen to an audiobook, you have come across the problem of, "what to do now?". Here is a quick list of 6 things to consider when you find yourself asking that very question.

       Reading slumps are awful. Every reader can vouch for that, because we've all encountered the monsters that eat up our will to read, live, and breath. So, if you are currently in a reading slump, or want to prepare for the inevitable future, here are a few things to do and not do when a reading slump attacks you at your most vulnerable moment.

       1. Pick up a new book.
If you aren't interested in the book you are currently reading, you aren't going to want to read. Try picking up something you have been wanting to read for a while.​ If you can't get into that book, pick up something else. Don't force yourself to read something you aren't enjoying.
       2. Book-to-movie adaptations.
Movie adaptations of books are a great motivation to read. Find a movie you want to go see, and read the book first. This works especially well for movies that are in theaters, because you can only go see them for a certain amount of time. That way, you want to read the book, and you have to push through it quickly.
       3. Pick up a short story or a collection of short stories.
I love shorter reads, because they make me feel good about how much I've read. They are also great for keeping your attention, because you are constantly being presented with new stories, especially in anthologies. You are also more likely to set aside time to read one story, because you know it won't take you very long.
       4. Set aside a specific time to read.
Everyone has that time in the evening that they set aside to watch their favorite show, or do something for themselves. It's just as easy to set aside reading time! My favorite way to do this is to start my nighttime routine 15-30 minutes earlier. (My nighttime routine consists of showering and brushing my teeth. Not too extensive...) That way, when you would normally put on your pajamas and crawl into bed, you can curl up with a book and get in some more reading time.
       5. Grab an audio book.
If you just can't find time to read, audio books are a great alternative to traditional reading. You don't know when to listen to it? The easiest way to integrate it into everyday life is to listen to it whenever you would normally listen to music. Car rides? Done. Exercising? Easy. Cleaning? How fun. In the shower? Um.........I like to sing. But if you don't sing, that's a great place to listen to a story.
       6. Take your book everywhere with you.
When you take your book with you when you go out of the house, you will realize just how much time you have to read. A couple minutes on the bus here, a few minutes during lunch there. All of a sudden, you've read fifty pages throughout the day, but you didn't do anything different from normal.
       7. Make it a group event.
If you are finding that you can't stick with a book, try reading one with others. Start or join a book club, or pair up with a buddy to read. This way, you have a goal, a deadline, a friend with whom to chat, and it will be spoiler free. It's a quadruple win.

       1. Netflix and Youtube
If you turn on a internet video of any kind, you're doomed. You'll say, "One more episode," to Stranger Things one too many times, and look up at four in the morning and realize you've wasted your entire life doing nothing. (Sorry. That got a little dark.) Anyways, stay away from Netflix. It's a trap set by the reading slump monster.
       2. Push through a book.
When you force yourself to read something you aren't enjoying, you won't want to read. It seems so common sense as you read it right now, but I don't know how many people do it.