Category: lists

Top reads of June!

Here are my top books of June!

  1. The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    This was such a perfect ending to a series I had enjoyed a lot! I’ve enjoyed this book series for a while and I have been so excited to read the last book! The Hawthorne Mansion is almost Avery’s, but she has one more year to get through. When a visitor turns up at the Mansion, Avery doesn’t know whether to trust them or not, but misplaced trust could hurt them all. This book was incredibly written, with an amazing plot filled with puzzles, riddles, and mysteries- just like the whole series. I totally recommend this series to you!
  2. The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea
    I loved this book so much. It’s a great re-read about different kids who deal with different thing in life. They have nothing in common until they are placed together in Mrs. Woods 6th grade class. Even then, at the beginning, they are reluctant to work with each other, but as the time for the statewide tests draw closer, they learn to trust each either and how to be a good team. This book is so emotionally touching and I loved all the ups and downs. The characters are also really great. I totally recommend this series to you!
  3. The Ivies by Alexa Donne
    This was an incredible murder mystery! Olivia is part of the Ivies, a group of high school students who would do anything to get into the Ivy League schools they want. But when one of the Ivies is murdered, Olivia starts to question her friendship and everything she knows. I really enjoyed this book and the way the characters were created! There was a lot of layers and I enjoyed reading through them all. This is a great book!

  4. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
    I adored this book! It’s another re-read from an amazing author. Similarly to The Perfect Score, kids who normally despise each other are forced to be in their 6th grade class together. I loved exploring each of their unique personalities and characteristics! Soon, tragedy befalls the class and they each have to learn how to cope with their grief while still caring for everyone. This was an incredibly book and I totally recommend it to you!
  5. Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton
    This was an incredible book! Saoirse is used to telling lies to survive. It’s how she climbed to the top of training and gets offered a job to be a guard to the Prince. But being a siren is dangerous, especially when all the prince’s guards are on the hunt for a beautiful woman who just happens to be Saoirse in disguise. This was an amazing book and I totally enjoyed it!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April and May: click here

Top Books of April and May

Here are my top reads of April and May! April’s books are the first 2 and May’s are the last 3.

  1. The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
    This was a great book about one of the “heroes” from Greek mythology! Perseus is commonly known as the only hero with a happy ending, but this fails to consider the women in his life. I loved the way the story flowed and its plot! I also enjoyed how we got 3 POVs from the most important women in his life- Danaë, his mother, Medusa, the woman he killed, and Andromeda, his wife. It was such a great book and I really enjoyed it!
  2. The Cobra’s Song by Supriya Kelkar
    I loved this book! When Geetanjali gets stage fright for the first time in her life, she’s sure it’s over. She can’t stand up for her friends and now, she might be at risk of losing her best friend. Not only that, her usually kind and caring neighbor is now cold and distant-possible possessed by the snake gem. I really enjoyed the story and the way that the book’s characters were developed! I totally recommend it to you!
  3. Wretched Waterpark by Kiersten White
    I really enjoyed this book! When Theo, Alexander, and Wil are suddenly told to go spend the summer with their mysterious Aunt Saffronia, they aren’t sure how to react, especially when their aunt decides to deposit them at the Fathoms of Fun waterpark, a waterpark that looks more like a nightmare zone. Then comes the problem of all the staff suddenly changing their personalities…This was such a great read and I totally recommend it to you! I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series!
  4. Family of Liars by Emily Lockhart
    This was the prequel to We Were Liars! In this book, Caroline’s own story comes to life during the summer that the boys arrived. The island is their own safe haven and soon, the boys both help build that up and break that down. Carrie falls for Pfeff, though he doesn’t seem to reciprocate the same feelings. As Pfeff shows just how much he doesn’t care for Carrie, their relationship splinters, to the point where she hates him. I really enjoyed this book and the way it defines the book after it! I totally recommend it to you!
  5. The Ojja Wojja by Magdalene Visaggio
    This was a graphic novel about two misfits in a “perfect” town. They’re terrorized by a bully, but find solace in each other and their small projects. Until one of those projects accidentally awakens a demon who takes over their town and makes their bully the center of it all. Only the two and their friends are spared. But the ritual to recapture the demon is tricky and they have to learn that sometimes, violence isn’t always the answer!

My Top Books of March ’23

  1. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
    This was such an amazing book! I’d heard about it for a really long time and so when I was able to get it, I was really excited! This book is about Queen Clytemnestra, one of the most infamous characters in Greek mythology, as she murdered her own husband after watching him kill their daughter as a sacrifice. I loved the way Clytemnestra was portrayed in the book, especially as we got to see her early years and how that led up to who she is. It’s a great story!
  2. Threads that Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
    I really enjoyed this book! It creates an intriguing world where the gods have died and humans and otherborns alike are left to fend for themselves. The otherborns are descendants of magical creatures, like the Fates, the Furies, the Graces and many others. Each otherborn has a special ability that they can use to change the world around them. I loved the worldbuilding that happened in this book and the way that they story evolved. This is a great read!
  3. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
    This was such a good book! Starr knows grief. She’s witnessed it with Natasha, and now, she witnesses it with Khalil. Now, she’s the only one left out of their friend group. Starr has to figure out where her loyalties lie as she struggles through family and school life. I really enjoyed this book and the way that the story was created. It was powerful and held strength in each sentence. I totally recommend it to you!
  4. Brighter Than the Moon by David Valdes
    Jonas and Shani met online. Ash and Shani are childhood friends. When Shani suspects something isn’t right, she asks Ash to investigate. But soon, they all find themselves stressed out and dealing with all their problems. Not to mention, that their feelings are confused and they don’t know what to do with their lives. I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters and the different perspectives, so you could see how each character reacts to what. It’s such an amazing book and I love how it ends!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here

My Top Books of Feb ’23

Here are my top books for this month!

  1. Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega
    Seven has been waiting her whole life to be sorted into coven and so when the sorting ceremony comes, she can’t wait. But when she doesn’t get sorted and becomes a Spare, she’s distraught. Along with her worst enemy and the new girl, Seven must battle the monster that’s been plaguing their town to stay alive. This is an amazing book and I totally recommend it to you!
  2. Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery by Agatha Christie
    This was such an amazing book! I really enjoyed getting to read all the different stories- some that were serious and some that were fun and light. All the stories had different plots, different characters, and overall, different fun experiences to dive into. This is a great book and I totally recommend it to you!
  3. Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit by Colby Cedar Smith
    This was such an amazing book! We get to see 3 different perspectives, Mary’s and her parents’. I loved the style of writing and the way poetry was eloquently used to tell the story of a French-Greek girl struggling to fit in. The author also included many beautifully written lines that still stick with me. It’s an amazing book!
  4. Curses by Lish McBride
    When Merit refused to marry the suitor her mother picked for her, she was cursed and transformed into a beast. A few years later, her 18th birthday is coming up and if she doesn’t marry soon, she’ll be a beast forever. However, she’s found a band of criminals who promise to help her meet her match. I really enjoyed this book!

Top Books of January: click here

Kalkandu Sadam

Recently I made a quick and easy Kalkandu Sadam in my Ninja Foodi. I really liked it and wanted to share it with you!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup kalkandu (sugar candy)
  • 2 and 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 and 1/2 tbsp ghee
  • 2 tsp cashews
  • 2 tsp raisins
  • a pinch of saffron

Recipe:

  1. Wash the rice and powder the kalkandu until it forms a coarse powder
  2. Add the rice (washed), water, and 1 cup of milk to the Foodi.
  3. Cook for 5 minutes and let the pressure release naturally, then open lid and mash the rice.
  4. Set the Foodi in saute mode and add the rest of the milk, the powdered kalkandu, and the cardamom.
  5. Mix well and cook for around 3-5 minutes.
  6. In a separate pan, heat the ghee then add the cashews and raisins to fry.
  7. Add this to the Foodi and mix well.
  8. Garnish with saffron and enjoy!

2023 goals

2023 is hopefully going to be a big year! I’m graduating middle school and moving on to high school, so that’s a pretty big milestone for me. I’m also hoping to work on things I’m passionate about and get much better at them.

Dance:

Dance, especially Bharatanatyam, is already a huge part of my life and I want that to continue through the new year. I hope to practice a lot more, learn many new items, and get more opportunities to perform.
This year, I’ll also get to perform in my school’s Spring Show, where I’ll be able to perform 4 dances in front of parents and friends. This is something I’m really excited for and I can’t wait to grow my contemporary dancing skills as well!

Writing:

I really want to work on my writing, as well as my use of vocabulary. Writing is already a huge passion of mine and I definitely want to grow that this year. I’m also auditioning for a creative-arts school in the category of writing!

Art:

Along with my writing, I would like to get better at my art skills! Currently, I might not be the best artist, however, I definitely want to practice a lot this year and hopefully learn more about art and develop an art style (or any semblance of one)

Books:

This year, I’m going to be trying to “read my bookshelf” more and get through many of the books on my bookshelf instead of always getting new ones. I hope to maybe finish more series and discover a lot of good books!

School:

This year, I’ll be going into high school and I hope to find my footing quickly. I’ll definitely keep working hard in my new school (and for the rest of middle school).

What goals do you have for 2023?

2022 Top Books

Here are my overall top books of 2022!

  1. If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
    This was such a amazing book! Clark is stuck in a time loop. No matter what he tries to say or do will get him out of it and he is sure this is how life will be forever. Until he meets Beau. Beau walks into his calculus class one day and creates a ruckus, so Clark knows that he has to follow Beau. Beau introduces him to a life filled with love and joy and Clark realizes how much Beau means to him. But the next day, Beau is missing and Clark can’t find him anywhere.

    I really enjoyed this book because of how beautifully detailed the story was. It was an amazing ride and I loved the whole story from start to finish.
  2. Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
    I really loved how powerful this book was. Alicia has gotten used to being bullied, being an outcast, her only friend being one she made in detention. But when she gets to meet with a mentor, she learned just how to channel that anger out and how to become the most powerful version of herself.

    I really enjoyed this book because of how the eloquent the writing style flowed. The poetry was beautiful and there were a lot of beautiful lines and quotes. The book also displayed sexual abuse very well.
  3. Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
    This was such an interesting book! Noah and Lewis used to be best friends. But when Lewis dies in a car accident, Noah is forced to survive alone. He decides to do his science project on Mothman to honor Lewis’ legacy, but when his teachers and his parents start to doubt him, he knows he needs real evidence. As he continues his search for the legendary creature, he learns how to make friends and move on while honoring Lewis.

    I really enjoyed this book and the portrayal or LGBT+ characters. The writing style, in letters and poetry, was incredible and I really liked the drawings. The story flowed incredibly well and I loved the quotes I got from it too.
  4. The Insiders by Mark Oshiro
    This was such an amazing book! Back home, Héctor being gay didn’t change anything. But now, when he gets bullied relentlessly, he needs a safe space…and finds it in the janitor’s closet that isn’t exactly what it seems. Soon he meets 2 other students who also don’t exactly fit in at their schools. The Room gives them a safe space, but they have to learn to face their problems on their own too.

    I really enjoyed this book and the way that Héctor and his friends are written. They are all incredibly lifelike and I loved the LGBT+ representation. The story was beautiful and can easily help people feel more welcome.
  5. Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
    When Hani comes out to her friends as bisexual after they try to set her up, they don’t believe her. When they confront her about it, she panics and claims she’s dating her friends’ enemy- Ishita Dey. Ishita agrees on pretend to date Hani on one condition- she helps Ishita win the election to be head girl. But as Hani and Ishu get closer, Hani’s friends get jealous, punishing her and pushing her out.

    I really enjoyed this book because of how realistic the two main characters were. The representation was also beautiful and I enjoyed the book a lot.
  6. Loveless by Alice Oseman
    This is such a great read. Georgia has never had a crush, only one that she’s forced onto herself. So when university starts, she is determined to date someone. But when no one, male or female, appeals to her, and she joins the LGBT+ soc in her school, she realizes that maybe she’s a little different. I really loved coming along on the journey of Georgia figuring out who she is, while navigating her friends and their own feelings.

    I really enjoyed this book because of how beautifully Georgia’s college life is portrayed, especially as she and her friends learn how they are. It’s such a nicely written book.

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September: click here
Top Books of October: click here
Top Books of November: click here
Top Books of December: click here

2022 lookback

January:

I started the year in India. We didn’t really do much that first month, but it was a good and clean beginning to the new year.

February:

We took a quick staycation in Downtown, which was definitely a lot of fun. It was a great opportunity to relax while staying in the city.

March:

We went to Miami this year which was a lot of fun! We got to see a lighthouse and also got to visit Calle Ocho, which I had been learning about in school. I also visited the science museum which was a fun experience.
We also got to see Hamilton, which was awesome. I loved watching the songs come to life and it was overall a great experience.

April:

I did two dance performances this month- an annual recital for Bharatanatyam and my first ever Mohiniyattam performance!
I also got to watch an arangetram which was a new experience for me.

May:

We went to New Mexico which was really cool! I really enjoyed viewing the Carlsbad Caverns and the Petroleum Museum, as well as Monahans Sandhills State Park.
Our school also put on Matilda the Musical and I really enjoyed watching it, especially as a lot of my friends starred in it.

June:

Right before 7th grade ended, we had our schoolwide International Peace Festival, in which my friend and I put together a project on gender equality. During summer, I went to India which was a lot of fun, as usual.

July:

I went to Delhi in the beginning of July, which was a place I’d never been before. I really enjoyed visiting The Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar, and Isa Khan’s tomb, as well as other places.
I came home from India early (☹️) to go to Leadership Camp, hosted by my Leadership teacher for 8th grade. I really enjoyed camp and definitely made a lot of memories there.

August:

I started 8th grade around the middle of August which was an incredible new experience.
I also competed in a duet and a group Bharatanatyam competition and won first place for the duet!

September:

I celebrated my birthday this month and turned 13! Other than that we didn’t do much, but I really enjoyed celebrating my birthday and cherished everyone in my life that day (and month).

October:

I started the month with a roller skating party for everyone in Leadership. At first, I was a bit shaky, but I eventually got the hang of it and had a lot of fun!
I also got to see another musical- Hadestown, which was inspired by Greek mythology, which I love.
After that, we had Homecoming, which is definitely one of my highlights this year, as I got to have a lot of fun that night.

November:

I started November off with my UIL theater class performing twice, once for parents and once at a competition. I had a lot of fun both times and I can’t wait to do it again in the spring!
After that, we went to my last musical of the year- SIX the Musical. I also saw two of my friends there which was such a fun experience!
Then, during Fall Break, we went to Boston and I saw a lot of historical monuments, which went perfectly with what we were learning in US History.
Lastly, I ended the month with Fall Show, a performance organized by the dance teachers so we can show off what we have learnt in the first semester.

December:

Our school’s first semester has ended, meaning we’re halfway through the school year. This was also the first year I had to do midterms, because I’ve started taking high-school level courses.
As the semester ended, I went to our school’s winter concert, as I had many friends in orchestra. I really enjoyed watching them perform and they did great!
Lastly, I closed the year off by going to India for winter break.

How has your year been?

Top Reads of December

Here are my top reads of December!

  1. Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus
    This is such an amazing book! When Brynn moves back to her hometown, she’s sure nothing good can happen. That is until she gets a job at a murder investigation podcast by pitching the story of her dead teacher. I really loved this story and the way the plot unfolded. It was a great read!
  2. The Dead Queens Club by Hannah Capin
    This was such a great book! Annie, or Cleves, as she’s known, has been Henry’s best friend for a long time. She’s seen him go through a girlfriend, get angry at the slightest mention of her cheating then break up with her. But as her friends propose a theory that is certainly possible, she has to figure what is right or wrong. This is such a great book!
  3. All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue
    This was such a cool book! When Maeve’s temper gets her into detention, where she has to clean an old storage cupboard, she’s horrified. But when she finds a deck of tarot cards that call to her, she’s suddenly immersed in a world of magic and her life begins to change for the better. Until she accidentally makes someone disappear. I really enjoyed this book and I totally recommend it to you!
  4. If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
    This was such a amazing book! Clark is stuck in a time loop. No matter what he tries to say or do will get him out of it and he is sure this is how life will be forever. Until he meets Beau. Beau walks into his calculus class one day and creates a ruckus, so Clark knows that he has to follow Beau. I loved this story and how it was written! I totally recommend it to you!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September: click here
Top Books of October: click here
Top Books of November: click here

Top Reads of October

Here are my top books for October!

  1. The Town with No Mirrors by Christina Collins
    This was such a cool book! It’s set in a town where mirrors, or any way you can see your reflection, are not allowed. Yet, Zailey keeps having superficial thoughts, telling her to draw what other people look like and wonder about how exactly she looks. However, before she figures herself out, something happens that changes her life forever. I really liked the dystopian element in this book and how it unfolds. It’s a great read!

  2. Harley Quinn: Ravenous by Rachael Allen
    I really enjoyed this book! This is actually the second book in a series, but you can read it by itself, without any prior knowledge. When Harley Quinn wakes up in a hospital room with no memory of where she is, how she got there, or who the people surrounding her are, she knows she needs her memories back. She was interning at a college when…something happened. This was such a great book and I loved the LGBT+ rep!

  3. Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura
    Momo isn’t the most popular person in school by a long shot. She’s often bullied and mocked for being “out of date” or for the traditional mythology stories her mom would tell her. But when a fox who can shapeshift shows up at her door telling her to follow him to save her mother, Momo has no choice but to follow him, teaming up with her worst enemy throughout the way. This is such a great story!
  4. Cat’s Cradle: The Golden Twine by Jo Rioux
    This was a great book! Suri has always wanted to be a monster catcher, so when someone in her caravan brings in a giant cage, presumably holding a monster, she jumps at the chance to meet it. But when an encounter with a strange boy goes wrong, things start to get hecticc. This was such an interesting story and I totally recommend it to you!
  5. Attack of the Black Rectangles by A. S. King
    This was an amazing book about censorship! Ms. Sett isn’t the best teacher. She has always been on the lookout for people who aren’t following the town’s precise rules. But when Mac gets her as his teacher, she seems nice. That is, until she begins blacking out words in their class copy of “The Devil’s Arithmetic”. Mac and his friends are outraged and immediately begin to fight against this. I really enjoyed this book and totally recommend it to you!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September: click here