I used to hate Halloween. I know, it is a seriously unpopular opinion. But I was the world’s biggest fraidy cat. I’m serious. I couldn’t watch the slasher movie episode of Boy Meets World without foregoing sleep that night. I refused to have anything to do with even the tamest of scary movies. Spooky YA books were out of the question. I jumped at the slightest noise.
Ok, I still do that. I’m a jumpy person. I can’t stop myself.
In my experience, there are two types of people in this world-the people who are thrilled to have left their school years behind them, and the ones who get nostalgic for school supplies come September. I am in the latter category. If I had unlimited resources, I would still be in college, collecting degrees and making all the young-ens wonder who the crazy old lady is in the back of the room. Sadly, being a lifelong college student is expensive, and I am not a character on Community.
I have such a respect for people willing to relive their most painful, embarrassing and awkward moments for the rest of us to enjoy. Writing about the exploits of a fictional character could almost be considered easy compared to compiling moments you might prefer to forget in a neat little package for others to dissect and examine. If these authors are brave enough to gift us with pieces of their history, we owe it to them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Check out some of my favorite must read memoirs below and take a trip down someone else’s memory lane.
I’ve never really subscribed to the notion of certain books being “beach reads”. My summer reading list has always run the gamut. From classics assigned for school to tense thrillers, I’ve never felt the need to limit my warm weather reads to a certain genre. However, I will concede that, just as some books are better on a dark and stormy night, some are meant to be enjoyed with the sun beating down on you and a cool drink in your hand. Check out my recommendations below to toss in your beach bag or place next to your deck chair.
There are sometimes when I think my Netflix subscription is just an expensive way for me to binge watch my favorite shows repeatedly. Honestly at this point I should have just bought The Office on DVD. I would have saved a ton of money by now. But we go back to our favorites for a reason. Because it is comforting to fall back into old patterns and revisit old themes. With that in mind, when looking for a new book to jump into, it can be helpful to look back to the things you already enjoy. Take a look at the list below to see what book matches up to your favorite show.
Young adult fiction gets a bad rap sometimes. People assume YA books are full of over the top teen angst and ludicrous plots. And I can understand a bit. I’ve read my fair share of disappointing melodramas. A few years ago, I decided to dig back into the YA world, and I was shocked by the fantastic stories I discovered. Engaging plots, with well-rounded characters and fun creative twists, these books reminded me why reading is so much fun. It is a natural escape from our everyday lives. The world of YA can seem a bit muddy, so I created a list of books that you will enjoy based off of some of your favorite “adult” novels.
As far as I am concerned, the year officially begins in February. January is essentially one long recovery from the hectic holiday season. It is basically a hangover. A physical, emotional and financial hangover. Which is why I have such a hard time making resolutions in January. I need a buffer zone between Christmas indulging and the responsibility and effort that a new year brings.
I know that New Year’s resolutions can be a bit controversial. Some people swear by them, but many see them as a giant trap that you will eventually give up by March. Personally, I consider resolutions not to be challenges, but as a way to zero in on areas of your life you want to work on. And for the record, resolutions don’t need to be serious and scary. Trust me, they can be fun.