Books of the Moment: September

Hello fellow readers and book devourers!

Welcome to your favorite book reviewing blog. Since everyone is sooo obsessed with "summer reading" I've decided to take a stand. Introducing FALL READING which is the best reading. In the summer, you're sweaty and you drop your book on the subway and it's too hot to enjoy it and you're never home at night because it's too hot and you're at the movies instead because they have air-conditioning and you're wondering why bookstores don't have air-conditioned reading pods that you can hang out in. But the days of suffering are gone! Because what goes better with the crisp pages of a new book than the crisp leaves of fall? Nothing. Shh you weren't supposed to answer. I know tea goes well with books too, thank you for pointing it out. Okay moving on. In order to celebrate Fall Reading than with a good ol' fashioned list of summer reading flops and promising fall books?

Summer Flops:

Eligible

This is a "modern take on Pride and Prejudice" and is also the most disappointing book I have ever read. I don't mean to be an Austen snob, but this is an embarrassment. Liz lost all of her spark and the fight and lovable wit that made us adore her, replaced by a clueless, sad writer at a "women's magazine" who didn't have an ounce of our Liz Bennet in her. I finished it, because I kept hoping it would get better, but I feel like I need to read Pride and Prejudice right now to cleanse myself of this trash. The attempts at "modern" upgrades to the original storyline were in ill taste at best and offensive at worst. I wish I had never wasted my time reading this.

Station Eleven

While I enjoyed the world-building that went on in this book, and the interwoven story lines, I felt like the plot never really went anywhere, but treaded water in the same few square feet of the pool. Another dystopian book, this work had the benefit of a fleshed out back story and influence of theater as well as religion to bolster it. However, the impressively built world left the characters lacking, and characters make the story. I finished this book feeling as though I knew the landscape, but I barely knew any of the characters that I had travelled through it with. And to me, a story without characters isn't a story at all.

Promising Fall Newbies:

A Discovery of Witches

I recently started this book and only a few days later, I'm pages away from finishing the 400+ page heft of it. This book falls in the fantasy, sci-fi category for me, but I love those books sprinkled in to more books of "this world." I feel a little guilty reading this at times because of its similarities to Twilight, a very juvenile book (which I begrudgingly confess I loved in middle school), but this book is eons more mature and complex than its star-crossed-lovers-feat.-vampire counterpart.  There are questions of identity, family, loyalty, academia, origins, and love in this book. In my opinion, it's the perfect book for fall, if you're in the mood to travel to England and France and Upstate New York, while learning about the world of witches and deamons and vampires, underscored by a love story.

Infinite Home

I haven't started this book yet, but have heard good things. It takes place in a brownstone in Brooklyn, and promises quite a cast of characters. 

Today Will be Different

The new work from the author of Where'd Ya Go Bernadette, (highly praised in one of my previous Books of the Moment posts), I cannot wait to start this one. The author's uniquely eclectic writing style intrigued me in her first novel, and I'm interested to see how she builds on that in this work.

Tried and True Fall Favorites:

The Night Circus

This book was very popular a few years ago when it was released, and I remember loving it but don't remember many particulars, other than many magical scenes in cafes and in countless circus tents. There may have even been a sweater or two mentioned. I find myself drawn to magic in the fall for my reading, I'm not sure why. It's actually probably because Halloween is when we all entertain the idea that witches and wizards and other things that go bump in the night might actually exist.

The Harry Potter Series

Come on. Obviously. There's no better time to read about a school in a castle with magic and robes and wands and feasts and candles than in the fall and winter.

Pride and Prejudice

As I said, I need to cleanse myself from Eligible. But this is also a wonderful book for the fall, because of its budding romances, balls, and expansive English countryside.


What do you love to read in the fall?

Happy reading!

September Resolutions

Here comes September. September brings new school years, new pencils, chillier air, and excitement for a  new season.

Fall is my favorite season for many reasons. Mainly the cooler temperatures, sweaters, wardrobes of brown and plum, and the litany of school supplies. Fresh notebooks still thrill me like they did on the first day of English class in the sixth grade. But I think what I like most about fall is the anticipation of settling in. We're saying goodbye to the unexpectedness of summer, with it's warm late nights and last minute plans. Fall brings more stability, more comfort. We get ready to settle in to new grades at school, colder days, and the approaching holiday season. For me, this fall brings more settling in and more new beginnings than ever before. I'm moving into a new apartment, with a new roommate, and starting a new job all in September. I thought I was done with the start of new school year's with their new dorms and assignments, but it seems the days of fall beginnings aren't over for me yet.

Forget New Year's Resolutions, made in the dark of winter under the optimistic fuzz of champagne. Let fall bring with it new ambitions and goals for you. Settle in, get cozy, have long talks under blankets and around fireplaces. Settle into yourself, getting to know yourself more as time slows down and meetups at bars turn into dates in warm coffee shops in the late afternoon. Treat yourself to a fresh notebook and a new pen, and map out some goals for yourself for the last few months of the year. Here are some of mine:

1. Kill it at the new job, mainly by being hyper organized. 
2. Make a home that feels homey. 
3. Cook food that excites me (aka not spaghetti)
4. Go to the gym--it's just plain good for you
5. Write dat novel. 
6. Read before bed. Fall books are the best books. 
7. Look nice. A good hairdo and a put-together outfit makes me feel like I can kick ass. 
8. Take more pictures. This is a time in my life where a lot is changing so fast that I barely know what's going on. I know I'll want to take a minute and reflect on it years down the road. 
9. Call or text a friend everyday. Getting older means getting farther from friends. In this day and age, there's no excuse not to be connected. 
10. Eat breakfast. This is a small one, but it helps me feel ready to tackle the day when I walk out the door. Plus, it's a moment to plan my day and have a moment to myself before heading out into the crazy world. 

Happy fall :)

My Books of the Moment: July

I haven't posted one of these in a long time, so I thought I would spice up the middle of the week with a little book-talk.

This is the time of year where it seems that every publication publishes a "summer reading list" or "best books of the summer" list. Where's the winter reading list? Where's the best books of fall list?? (probably somewhere and I just haven't looked closely enough) I just want to have lists of books in all seasons, is that too much to ask?

I'm going to be honest. The first book I read this summer, I read only because the movie was coming out. And Khaleesi was going to be in the movie. This was Me Before You, and it took me about a day and a half to read it. This is a page turner. If you want to be transported to the English countryside, with a little wit and a few tears, this is the book for you. This isn't a groundbreaking literary master-piece, and it follows a few cliched plot-formulas (he hates her, he loves her!), but it is fun to read. The movie--big surprise--wasn't as good, in my opinion.

Next, I read The Circle, which pretty much haunts my dreams. I did not go into this expecting a thriller, horror, suspense story, but that's what it turned out to be. There aren't any guts, and there isn't a murder, but the distopia-disguised-as-utopia that it presents is so eerily similar to what our own world is headed toward, and it chills me. The plot follows a young woman, Mae, as she enters the world of The Circle, a Facebook-on-steroids tech company in California. The Circle provides one account for everything online, and requires users to register with their real name, address, and social security number. No more internet trolls! No more identity theft! The world is better, people are more connected. Everyone posts dozens of updates in a single day. Everything is shared and documented, increasing the world's library of knowledge. Nothing is deleted. The implications of this book were terrifying, because they were so plausible in real life. It seriously stressed me out.

Currently, I'm reading a light book, because of how much The Circle shook me. I need to recover. So I'm reading Mindy Kaling's newest book: Why Not Me? This couldn't be more different than The Circle. No "big brother" omens here. Celebrity memoirs are my weakness. A tiny part of me that I won't admit to elsewhere scours celebrity memoirs for "how I made it" stories. That tiny part of me thinks that maybe if I read enough of them, they'll rub off on me and I'll "make it" too, without even trying! This would never work.... Back to books! Mindy Kaling writes in such a familiar tone that you think you're reading a lengthy letter from your friend who for some reason doesn't have email. Mindy's writing gets its humor from its specificity, which is the best source of humor. If you want a quick, light read that gives an honest insight into Hollywood, Spanx, and on-screen sex, this is a good choice.

Next on my list is Sweetbitter. My mom gave me this book (hardcover! I feel spoiled. I would have waited for the paperback) because the author also went to my alma mater, Kenyon College. It's about a 22 year old woman who moves to New York City, so I really should read it because that's basically me. Except she works in a restaurant and goes to crazy parties, whereas I'm trying to get a job in PR and my favorite thing to do is stay in and watch TV while eating takeout Indian food. But apparently there's a lot of oyster and heirloom tomato eating in this book?

Also on my list is a new book called Eligible, which is a modern take on Pride & Prejudice. As you may know, I am a huge Austen fanatic, so this is a big thing for me. I've been on my library's waiting list to get it for months, and I'm next in line. Why must you torture me like this, library! (Fun fact: In her book mentioned above, Mindy Kaling says that Mindy and Danny in her show are based on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Danny, Darcy. I can kind of see it now. Kind of.)

What are you reading this summer?

Travel Across the Land, Searching Far and Wide

To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause...Pokémon!!!!

Is it sad that I didn't even have to think twice about those lyrics? That theme song was catchy.

Pokemon.com

For the first time ever, Pokémon is available on IOS and Android devices!!! This is a big deal. I've been waiting for an official Pokémon app since I got an iPhone. Even since I had my Razor and wanted an iPhone, I was waiting for it.

I knew it was coming out in July, and yesterday afternoon some lucky people were able to download it. I had no such luck until I checked one last time before going to bed. I waiting until the morning to take it for a spin and here's what I've learned from playing it for the first time this morning.

I couldn't do much before I left the house, as the app seems to want to encourage you to go outside, explore your surroundings and landmarks, and get movin'. All good things! But not so good when you're feeling lazy or it's 90 degrees out.

So I left on my morning commute to work, and launched the app, passing parks and various landmarks that I didn't even know were right outside my own door. But in Brooklyn, there wasn't much action. Once I got off the subway in SoHo, however, things were on fire.

Bullet Journaling

This is not my idea, nor am I the first to blog about--not by a long shot. In fact, I first heard of bullet journals from Buzzfeed. In fact it was in this article. Very useful. Highly recommend.

Since starting my own bullet journal, I've found that there is a very active community of bullet journalers online, and specifically on Instagram. From this community, I've gleaned some handy tips and tricks that I've incorporated into my daily bullet-journaling. Here are my favorites concerning bullet journaling.

I Know I Shouldn't Get a Dog

I know. I KNOW. I know I shouldn't get a dog.

I know that I'm particularly tempted to get one because EVERYONE in my neighborhood has one. I know the reason it's on my mind is because I see hoards of puppies on my commute to and from work. I know living near the park, where doggies big and small love to run and play makes me a prime target for this kind of urge.

I recently discovered the joy of corgis, and that's making this even harder.

How CUTE is that? 

I know, I know. All puppies are cute. You're right. They're biologically designed to make every living thing love it and want to protect it and cuddle it. It's science. So I shouldn't fall for it.

Damn you, science! 

I know I don't have a fixed apartment or job or location, but these puppies are staring me in the face everyday and it's getting harder to resist. 

To all those young professionals/recent grads who want a dog, but whose lifestyle forbids it, I am with you. I stand with you.

Join me in raising awareness for our suffering. Share your story #puppylessmillenials 

Moving to New York

I've lived in two apartments in New York so far in my life, and I feel like I've won the lottery with this second one. So here are some tips to help you hit the jackpot with your next NYC apartment. 

1. Windows are important! Sunlight cheers you up and makes you feel like you're not in a small square box. Windows are hard to come by, but I have three in my little one bedroom place, and it makes a difference. Just compare the two photos below:

                         

2. Take subway stops into account. Being close to a subway line makes life infinitely easier. Last summer, the trek to my closest subway line was riddled with catcalling men, creepy abandoned lots, and busy highways. I have to admit that I didn't always look forward to the journey and that occasionally impacted my decisions to go out or stay in. My new apartment is a beautiful seven minute walk from the subway. I actually look forward to my commute to work. 

3. Don't get cable. College students and recent grads, rejoice! You heard me right: you should not get cable. Get a smart TV, or a Roku. That is really all you need. I bought a TV with Roku built in and have been so happy with it. I hooked up HBO, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and Spotify with ease. These are all subscriptions you probably already have anyway. A smart TV is the easiest and most affordable way to use these services to their fullest. Here's the TV I bought:

4. Tupperware is huge. It doesn't sound exciting, but when you get a box of all those little clear squares that fit together so snugly you get a surprising pleasure out of it. And if you're cooking for yourself (which you should because money), having a way to store your leftovers makes the food you cook go the extra mile. Leftovers are king. Tupperware is even better if you have your shit together and you cook for the week in advance.

5. You're going to want to wear new, fancy shoes. Don't. I wore an innocent looking pair of flats to my first day of work. They were even from Clarks, the supposed king of comfort shoes. But they rubbed my heels raw and I limped home from my first day of work, making me feel like a dejected and very unsuccessful New Yorker. So wear sneakers. Sneakers reign as the uncontested top shoe of NYC and don't challenge their authority. A sleek pair of kicks will fit in at most offices, running errands, normal running, maybe light jogging, Trader Joe's, shopping, bars, and most anywhere else. Just look how fashionable this woman is!

6. Say hello to people. New Yorkers are notoriously cranky, but I've found that as long as you're not trying to strike up chatter with someone running to catch their train, people are pretty friendly. If you're waiting in line, talk to your neighbor. They usually open up, and these small conversations brighten my day every time. Talk to your regular neighbors, too. Don't stay anonymous. If you're having a bad day and you walk up to your building, being able to exchange a wave and a greeting with the people you encounter, instead of reserved closed-mouth smiles, can cheer you up. While you're at it, say hi to the people who work at your local bodega, or your UPS guy, or that lady you always pass on your way to the train. Yesterday, on my way home from work, a woman was sweeping her steps and looked at me as I passed. I ignored her and kept walking. This morning I passed the same woman, but I smiled. She joked with me that I'd be late for work and told me to have a blessed day. I hope I see her again on my way home today. These small interactions can build something that feels like a community. Plus, you never know when you might be in need of a friendly face. Like if you get locked out of your apartment, for example. 

It's a big place. Be nice to each other.

Photo sources: http://assets.fodors.com/destinations/1128/skyline-manhattan-new-york-city-new-york-usa_main.jpg, https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o3eXTuo1J81vOpzza1KzQov4acb8SoZAvfzPbDuMZX2QS8b2OXV5k6NNp-3fTlH2GmGYWe-LF13s-p6J9ww6gyywrPmkf-a9Lo8Ya3FFtsluH_3EmnaA3dKhZ3VN_Fd6ktYIoHwKM6c/s1600/sneakers-street-style-fall-2014-3.jpg, http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2014/november/images/article_img_storing_leftovers.jpg, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/tcl-32-class-31-5-diag--led-720p-smart-hdtv-roku-tv-black/4235000.p?id=1219711487221&skuId=4235000&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=9aef5722-e85e-471b-8071-288fc43e34c4&ksprof_id=16&ksaffcode=pg58621&ksdevice=c&gclid=CjwKEAjwp-S6BRDj4Z7z2IWUhG8SJAAbqbF3iZKwz0Xmdw_rJCvDuh_rzdAILfB-8bCCiyMCsPItDBoCHg_w_wcB, http://www.mappery.com/maps/New-York-City-Subway-Map-2.gif, http://cdn.home-designing.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/sunny-apartment.jpg, https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiKrruhs5vNAhXGdT4KHe-PBdcQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F358317714073667901%2F&psig=AFQjCNF1S-hV2qGtDTa5mVhOQOVE634wLg&ust=1465576747728630,