Category: writing

Top Books of December

Here are my top reads of December!

  1. 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!
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. 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

Our Day Trips in Spain

While on our trip to Madrid, we also visited two neighboring cities- Avila and Segovia. Both were gorgeous places and amazing experiences!

Avila is famous for its walls. The city is surrounded by medieval style walls which can be climbed and walked-on. Additionally, it’s known for being the birthplace of St. Theresa. In Avila, we explored the church of St. Theresa, which was opulent and gorgeous, decorated with realistic sculptures and paintings. It was a treat to see the beauty of the church and to get to hear the story of St. Theresa. After visiting the church, we got to see a traditional Avilan home, complete with a courtyard and gorgeous tiled walls. Finally, we went to a church, famous for its walls made out of “blood stone”. Its stained glass work was astonishing and it was beautifully gilded.

After Avila, we drove to Segovia, a city famed for its Roman aqueducts. After viewing these architectural marvels, we also visited their castle, named the Alcazar de Segovia. It was artfully decorated, with stunning ceilings and breathtaking views.

Overall, I really enjoyed my two day trips! They made me love Spain even more.

The Food in Madrid

This year for Thanksgiving Break, we went to Madrid, the capital of Spain. There was so much history and so many gorgeous sights and wonderful architecture there, but most of all, there was a lot of delicious food. Our first day in Spain, we got to experience the city through a food tour, where they took us to original tapas places. I really enjoyed the tour and here are some of my experiences!

Tapas mean “small plates” and are similar to more hearty snacks that vary based on the region in Spain where they’re served. All the places we went to were original, having been in one family for multiple generations- where they’ve perfected a recipe/recipes. We went on the Devour Tour for Madrid.

Firstly, we went to Taberna Real, a restaurant famous for their jamon iberico (Iberian ham) where we also tried olives, almonds, and pan con tomate (bread with tomato). The ham was delicious, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a taste that wasn’t incredibly meaty. The bread was also perfect and overall, I really enjoyed it.

Second, we went to Meson del Champinon, which was known for their stuffed mushrooms. The mushrooms were made with butter, garlic, and chorizo and were delightful. I really enjoyed them, as well as their other popular dishes- tuna + red bell pepper and piquillo peppers.

Finally, we reached La Casa del Abuelo, a place famous for their revolutionary recipe- Gambas al Ajillo or shrimps in garlic. The shrimps were brought to us in bubbling dishes, still being cooked. Once they finished boiling, we dug in with relish, also tasting the sauce with the bread given. It was such a delicious meal and other “gambas al ajillo” that we had didn’t measure up at all.

Overall, I really enjoy Madrid’s food and getting to experience all of it!

Top Books of November

Here are my top reads for November!

  1. 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!
  2. 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!
  3. 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!
  4. 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!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! To celebrate, here’s a few things I’m grateful for this year.

  1. I’m grateful for travel! I’m currently in Madrid, Spain and I’m really enjoying the culture and getting to experience the new food and city. Overall, it’s been really fun and I’ve loved going to museums, markets, and learning about the traits of this city. I’ve also traveled a lot this year, going to Oman and Chicago, making this year incredibly cultured and exciting.
  2. I’m super grateful for books! I’ve definitely had less time to read, with more schoolwork and dance practices, but I still do enjoy reading and whenever I get time to, I love diving into a great book. It’s still so comforting to me to be wrapped in a story and let it carry me away.
  3. I’m grateful for dance! It’s been a huge part of my life, especially this year, and it’s a great place to express myself. I love learning new items and getting to perform them and grow. It’s a way for me to get in touch with my culture and the stories/mythology from it as well, so I’m incredibly grateful for it.
  4. And last, but certainly not least, I’m grateful for my friends and family! I’m super thankful for everything they do for me and the way I can be myself around them! They’re the people I really rely on throughout my life and so, of course, I’m forever grateful and thankful for them.

What’re you thankful for?

Imaginary Friend: A Poem

I wrote a poem for the prompt ‘Imaginary Friend’. I hope you enjoy!

they want me to hate you
they want me to be rid
they want me to not love you
anymore

i could never hate you
i could never lose you
i will always love you
for evermore

but they want me to hate you
they tell me to be rid
they force me to not love you
anymore

i tell them i can’t hate you
i promise them i’d never lose you
and i swear i will always love you
for evermore

Did you have an imaginary friend growing up?

Maybe In Another Life

I recently saw a writing prompt which was, “Write a story that includes the phrase “Maybe in another life.””. Here’s what I wrote! I hope you enjoy!

A pink umbrella. It was unusual, to say the least. But Elion couldn’t help but follow it, silently tracing its pattern through the rain, watching as it bobbed and weaved its way over to the small alley where Elion was working. She held her breath, hand pausing over the canvas which was just beginning to be drawn on.
“It’s raining.” The owner of the umbrella’s voice was playful, though its melodious lilt wasn’t lost on Elion.
“Yeah. I’m not an idiot.” Elion was sharp in her retaliation, though she couldn’t help but feel strangely…captivated by this stranger- with her pink hair that matched her umbrella and by her hat with its small, but bright pawprint.
The stranger laughed brightly, “Didn’t think you were. Do you not have an umbrella?”
There wasn’t much Elion could say in response. She shook her head, turning back to the painting, studying in it the faint glow of the streetlamps. “No. I like the rain”.
The stranger cocked her head, though her voice was as bright as ever, “You’ll ruin your outfit. And your painting,” She held out the umbrella, an almost dare in her eyes, the water droplets catching the light- and Elion’s eyes- as they fell off the umbrella, “Here. Take it”
Elion furrowed her brow, “…What about you? You’ll be the one ruining your outfit, then.”
The stranger just winked at Elion, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.”
And with that she was gone. Had turned and walked away, ignoring Elion’s protests of “Wait! I don’t…”
Elion trailed off in frustration, her hand wrapped tightly around the umbrella. She studied it, a small smile on her face. It was pretty. And…and quite thoughtful.
Her thoughts turned back to the pink-haired stranger. How confident she was. How playful. Picking up her canvas, she tucked it back into her bag, thinking to herself as she got up. Maybe…maybe in another life, things would’ve been different. Maybe they could’ve gotten to know each other more. Maybe the only remnant Elion had of her wouldn’t have been the umbrella.
Maybe.

Top Books of October


Here are my top reads for this month!

  1. 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!
  2. 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!
  3. 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!
  4. 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!
  5. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
    This book was really well written!

The Royal Tiara of Lady Martian

For an English class assignment, we had to take a very plain and uninteresting paragraph and turn it into an interesting story following certain steps. I hope you enjoy!

The cagey jewel-thief, owner of all the prizes jewels, slunk into the despondent, dreary room, confirming that it matched the photo messages to him a few days prior. As he entered, he shivered, wishing for a brief moment that he’d thought to bring a jacket. he shook off the thought and looked around, slipping his earbuds into his pocket as he did so. His heartbeat quickened and he was forced to press a hand to his chest to calm himself down. Taking a deep breath, the man brushed his greasy, dyed-as-a-disguise hair out of his face with a trembling hand. The room was dark, seeped in shades of sepia and gray, making it hard to see. He walked over to the window and looked out apprehensively, hands shaky as they drew the curtain closed. His steps made a noise on the bare floor as he moved to examining the room. To his nervous ears, they sounded as loud as an elephant thundering through the jungle. He turned around anxiously, looking to see whether someone else was in the room, but he saw nothing but 5 pieces of furniture underneath a thin, dusty sheet. “Is this really it?” he thought, a tremulous grin blooming on his face. Nothing could stop him now. The royal tiara of Lady Martian would finally be his!

This was a fun writing exercise and forced me to be creative with all the details I added!

The Jack of Hearts: a Poem

I recently tried a prompt about pulling a card from a deck and writing a poem based on that card. My card was the Jack of Hearts, which represents young love and playfulness. I hope you enjoy the poem I wrote!

The Jack of Hearts walks eagerly along a path,
plays with his crowns, tossing it
up, down, up down.
He surveys the courtyard, plucks a rose,
tucks it into his hair. 
Sits on the swing, lets 
the breeze push him
back, forth, back, forth.
Lets himself relax, lets himself
hear the beat of his heart.
Lets himself feel free,
allows himself a moment to 
fall in love with the world.