reading – The Mint Girl Blog

The Meteorite Sample

Meteorite samples weren’t unusual, per say, but this was my first time dealing with one. Exciting for sure, but also nerve-wracking. The bosses were strict about anything from space- even the smallest misstep could lead to your reassignation to a lower, dingier job. So. No pressure or anything. The sample I’d gotten was small, just a speck really, especially compared to what Alice, at desk 9, had. But everyone had to start somewhere, right? So the speck it was.

I’ve worked at the lab for a good 3 years now. 3 years before I finally got to do what I’d always wanted. 3 years to achieve my greatest dreams. I’d spent all morning fiddling with the microscope, knowing that if I messed this up, I’d miss my opportunity. For good. And that…that would be awful.

When the sample was finally delivered to my station, I had to physically hold myself back to not tear open the packaging. Careful…careful. This thing is worth more than your entire life. The meteorite sample I’d gotten was barely a shard, but it was enough. My hands shook as I carefully lifted the sample out of its package and set it on a slide, placing it under the microscope. As I adjusted the lens, twisting it ever so carefully to zoom into the rugged surface of the rock, something that looked almost like words caught my eye. But…surely not. How could there be English words on an outerspace rock? But as the lens panned across the meteorite, it was clear- words carved deep into the rock: “If you see this, call this number. Do not tell anyone”.

My hands shook. But in my mind, there was only one thing for me to do- call the number.

The Spanaritar

This is a short story that I wrote for the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition! It won an honorable mention.

It had been a nice, normal, spring day. Before the man, before his daughter, before…well. It started with cherry blossoms. They were the first thing Aryan noticed as he headed outside, his plan to relax, to take a break. The pink flowers littered the pavement and as Aryan passed the movie theater, the smell of popcorn wafted through the open doors. All around, kids were laughing, couples were talking, and, well, everyone seemed joyful. As Aryan scanned the crowd, a pleasant smile lit up his face. It really was what some would call a perfect day.
As he continued to observe the sights, setting a leisurely pace, he startled at the sight of someone unhappy. A middle-aged man was sitting on a bench, his face buried in his palms. Something drew Aryan to the man, something that he couldn’t quite explain, but couldn’t quite ignore either. Aryan laid his hand on the man’s shoulder, startling him. The man looked up, alarmed, his teary gaze meeting Aryan’s calm, steady one.
“Hey. What’s wrong? Well, obviously, I’m a stranger, but…if you have anything that’s troubling you…you can tell me”.
The man tried in vain to smile, “That’s-that’s nice of you, thanks. I-, well, I guess I sound stupid, but um. My daughter- she, she’s going to kill me, I swear”
Aryan furrowed his brow, “Um, well. I’m sure it’s not that bad, but you can stay with me for now? If you prefer?”
The man shook his head frantically, “No. I must get back to her, I must! I can’t, I have to see her again!” As much as Aryan was put off by the situation, he couldn’t help but pity the man. He must have been having some family problems, maybe a fight had broken out between the two and his daughter had gotten terrifyingly vicious. Though I don’t understand why he’d exaggerate so much…
Aryan sighed, “Fine. But promise me you’ll let me walk back with you. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
The man’s face collapsed in a relieved grin, “Yes. Yes, thank you so, so much. I’d appreciate that. Just…stay back, ok? If…if it happens again, you should stay safe.”
No matter Aryan’s wariness, he nodded, following the man closely.

Aryan and the man walked together in relative silence, the man occasionally glancing over as if to make sure Aryan didn’t disappear completely. Aryan surveyed the apartment complex they walked up to, satisfied when he saw nothing wrong.
He turned to smile at the man, “There. Is your daught-”. He stopped suddenly, surveying the man’s withdrawn expression, the fear returned to his eyes, “What’s wrong?”
“She-she’s there. Don’t you see her?” He raised a finger, slowly pointing at a figure in the window. Aryan’s eyes narrowed, watching her closely. On first glance, she had blended in with her surroundings- her matted black hair and rumpled clothes matching the darkness of the room behind her.

As Aryan continued to pay attention, the figure turned around, an almost evil gleam in her eye and a manic smile making its way up those red-lined lips. He found himself backing away subconsciously, his overwhelming selfishness and greed to live overpowering his desire to help the man. Even as his legs trembled, he couldn’t look away, eyes locked onto the girl in the window.
She lifted an instrument to her lips, then began to play. Aryan watched in horror as the man seemed to collapse onto himself, clutching his head desperately. As he gazed upon the man’s obvious turmoil, terror bleached his brain.
The instrument….it couldn’t be? Unless… it was what he thought it was. But there’s no way- she shouldn’t have one of those…
If it really was what he thought…well, they were all screwed. It was a device of legends, an instrument said to control the listener, to force them to listen to its twisted tunes, burrowing its way into their brain, until…well, until they were gone.
The last Aryan saw of the man was him getting dragged into the building by some kind of force, his eyes dark and tornmented, his lips barely pushing out the words, “No- please. The Spanaritar, please. Save me.”

I hope you enjoyed!

Top Books of February

This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff
I read this book for school and it was really interesting! Tobias, or Jack, has followed his mother to Utah, hoping for a new life. However, wherever they turn, misfortune follows them, as Jack learns who he is and what he truly wants in life. It was a really interesting book!
One Thousand and One Nights by Hanan al-Shaykh
This was a retelling of the story of Scheherazade, who told stories to a cruel king so that she wouldn’t die. I really loved the way the stories were written, each individual story a part of something bigger. It was beautiful to read and I definitely recommend it to you!
Tales of India: Folktales from Bengal, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu by Svabhu Kohli and Viplov Singh
This book contained folktales from India, as well as the most gorgeous illustrations! I really enjoyed the way the stories were told in simple terms with Indian vocabulary. It was really enjoyable to read and learn about all these folktales!
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

Lennon’s life, once ruined, was saved by the Drayton College. The college specializes in “persuasion” and Lennon is one of the most gifted students. But the corruption that lurks around the school is terrifying, ad well as its past. I really enjoyed this book and its plot!

Top Books of December

Here are my top reads of December!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
This was such an interesting and well-written book! Blue has been told from her first days that if she kisses her true love, he will die. So, she’s made a point to stay away from all boys. But when her path collide with the “Raven Boys”, a group of boys who go to the private school nearby, she finds herself drawn into their improbable plan. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Cats of the World by Hannah Shaw
This was an incredibly cute book with pictures of cats from all over the world! Cats and their lifestyles from countries worldwide are detailed, with an important message intertwined throughout the book. It’s beautiful and really shows the resilience of cats as they thrive in lands you’d have never thought they’d live in. I really loved reading this book and looking at the beautiful pictures!
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
This was an interesting short story about what it means to feel trapped. Gregor is a traveling salesman, the breadwinner for his family, when one day, he wakes up as a giant cockroach. He soon becomes a burden, something others, even his own family, are scared of. It was an incredible read and enthralled me from start to finish.
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
This was a creepy and exciting read from start to finish! Ines wants to start a new life at Catherine House- that’s how it works for everyone, after all. But everyday turns out to be the same…until she gets a visit from the headmistress. Ever since then, her life turned upside down, new and strange happenings changing her perception of this school. It’s a really interesting book!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February
Top Books of March
Top Books of April
Top Books of May
Top Books of June
Top Books of July
Top Books of August + September
Top Books of October
Top Books of November

Top Books of November

Here are my top reads for November!

This is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
This was such a beautiful and well-written book! Red and Blue are on opposite sides of the “Time War”. But when they start leaving notes for each other, something changes. The prose was beautiful in this book and I absolutely loved the story and its ending. I totally recommend this book to you!
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
This was such a good book! Monty has one last summer with his best friend and his sister before all three of them are forced into futures they don’t want. He’s determined to make the most of it, but that’s derailed when he steals something he shouldn’t have and bandits chase after him. This was such a beautiful book and I loved the character growth!
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
This was such a well-written book! Yamilet is at a new school and that means a new start for her and her brother. But as struggles build up at home, she feels hopeless, finding solace only in a friend named Bo. I really enjoyed this story and it was great to read!
Liar’s Beach by Katie Cotugno
This is a really cool book, inspired by Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles. I loved the story and the mystery, as well as all the different characters and side plots we got to see. It was a really interesting read and I can’t wait to read the second book!

Psychological Profile for Holden Caulfield

Recently, for my English class, we had to create a “psychological profile” for Holden Caulfield, a character from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. We had a series of questions to answer about his character and were instructed to write it in the style of a profile.

I) The subject’s name is Holden Caulfield. Caulfield is currently 17 years old.

II) Caulfield lives in an unspecified location relatively near Hollywood and his brother. He does not speak of his living conditions much, but his tone indicated a less than satisfactory home.

III) Caulfield has two siblings, one older and one younger, as well as a younger sibling who has passed. Caulfield is known for his aggressive outbursts as well as his tendency to lie.

IV) Caulfield’s symptoms of grief include a longing for his lost brother, a bitterness over his loss (note: subject’s bitterness seems to have mostly faded, though was clearly active at time of death), a lack of trust in others, as well as a withdrawal from social activities. Caulfield’s signs of PTSD include negative and pessimistic thoughts about the world, a detachment from friends and family, being on guard for danger, smoking, aggressive outbursts, and trouble sleeping.
Additionally, Caulfield shows signs of anxiety, namely irritability and nervousness. Finally, Caulfield shows signs of depression, including a loss of pleasure in usual activities, a cynical view of the world, an extreme sensitivity to failure, restlessness, and social isolation.

Have you read the Catcher in the Rye?

Top Books of October

Here are my top reads for this month!

The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
This was the second in the “Once Upon a Broken Heart” trilogy and I really enjoyed it! Evangeline has promised herself to never trust Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, again, not after what happened last time. But when she’s cursed again, he’s the only one who can help her. I really enjoyed this book and its plot! It was really well-written and all the characters were wonderful!
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
This was the final book in the aforementioned trilogy and it was a really good read! Evangeline, now without her memories, must fight to remember who she is and why she feels like this. It was such a good conclusion to the series and I enjoyed it a lot!
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
This was such a beautiful book! Effy is the only woman at her college and she lives knowing that she has to prove herself against the teachers who believe she is unfit for the school. She gets the opportunity when she applies, and is selected, for a competition to redesign her favorite author’s house. I really enjoyed this book and how well written and beautiful it was!
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
This was a classic that I was so excited to read! When Carmen got a new pair of jeans, she shoved them to the back of her closet without thinking about it. But now that her and her 3 best friends are going to be apart this summer, the jeans are their good luck charm. I really loved the plot of this book and I thought it was really well done!
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
This book was really well written!

My Top Books of June

I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman
I really enjoyed this book! Angel’s whole life revolves around The Ark, an insanely popular band. Jimmy used to love being in the band, but recently everything is just overwhelming. The two meet by chance at first, but eventually they learn from each other and find new lives. I really enjoyed this book!
Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa
This book was so cute! Eleanor isn’t used to being happy or having good things, especially after what happened last year. But when she meets Pix, she finds herself being open to a new life with magic. This book was so sweet and I loved the plot and the characters!
Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione
This book was gorgeous! I loved the illustrations as well as the plot. Basil is such a sweet character and incredibly relatable! I loved learning about her adventures in (magic) culinary school as well as her adventures with her friends. It was a great book!
Big Nate books by Lincoln Peirce
Recently, I’ve been reading more relaxed/not as serious books and the Big Nate series is one of my favorites! Nate is just trying to have a fun time- at school and with his friends, but something tends to go wrong…though he’ll have a blast along the way. It was a super fun read!
Out of the Blue by Jason June
This book was perfectly sweet! Crest is a merman and so, to fulfill their quest, they must go to Earth and help a human. Sean agrees to get Crest’s help and the two embark on a spectacular journey. I really loved the characters in this book as well as the ending. It was a great book!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February
Top Books of March
Top Books of April
Top Books of May

Category: reading