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Top Books of July

Here are my top picks for July!

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was so beautifully written and I loved the prose. 10 years ago, Oliver was arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, the detective who arrested him is curious for his side of the story. The book is mostly told from the lens of Oliver from 10 years ago, though we do get to see him in the future as well. I loved this book as well as the ending and I totally recommend it to you!
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
This book was amazing and so well written, especially the world-building! Alex isn’t the average Dante for the Lethe society in Yale, but her ability to see Grays (ghosts) makes her the only option. The plot of the story was incredible and progressed quickly and with enough plot twists to fully capture the reader. It was an incredible story!
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz
This was such a cute graphic novel and I loved the art style! I also loved the vibe of the story- everyone and all the kingdoms were named after different cheeses. Lady Camembert doesn’t want to marry, so she moves to a different town and disguises herself. But when one of the royals catches her attention, she has to keep up the disguise. I adored this book and I loved the ending! It’s a great read!
Big Nate novel series by Lincoln Peirce
This was another light read! It was the classic Big Nate comics, but in more of a novel style with a full plot. I loved getting to read through these books as they were super fun and light-hearted to read. I totally recommend these books for a quick and easy read!
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
This book was so beautiful and illustrated love incredibly well! It also tackled feeling out of place in a new land. I loved the different perspectives- one of Lily in the time period of the book, one of her mother/father, and one of her aunt. It was so nice to read and the ending was very well written! I really enjoyed this 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

The Garden of Envy

Recently, I wrote a short story inspired by the song “Envy Baby” by Kanaria. I hope you enjoy!

The circus tent was dark, faint lights glowing to illuminate the seats and nothing more. Cebu took his seat apprehensively. When he’d first gotten an invitation to the mysterious, elusive ‘Garden of Envy’ circus, he’d been more than excited. Now, taking a look around the unlit tent, unease crept in. He wasn’t sure how many people had been invited and the pitch black of the tent didn’t help.

Not even a minute of the stifling silence had passed when a quiet snap sounded. Immediately, without any warning, bright industrial lights lit up the ring, each blasting a ray of clean, white light around the room. Cebu took in a sharp breath, gazing in wonder around the tent. True to its name, the tent was decorated a dark green, a large tree standing guard in the middle of the ring. Looking around, Cebu noticed just how isolated he was. No one else was around, no one to watch the magic of the night.

The ringleader strode into the ring, an air of confidence, of mystery, of wonder surrounding him. And with that, the circus began. Everything was sharp, precise, polished to perfection. Everything was just how it was supposed to be.
It was gorgeous. The most exquisite performance Cebu had ever seen.

“And now!” the ringmaster’s voice boomed, “Please welcome Love Maniac, your tightrope walker for this evening!” With an air of elegance, the tightrope was mounted, the thin string wavering alarmingly in the air. Cebu held his breath, a faint sense of concern beginning to build up. He couldn’t pinpoint its source, couldn’t figure out exactly why, but it was there.

And it only increased. As Love Maniac made her way across the tightrope, the disquiet grew, leaving Cebu with the intense temptation to shout out and warn the tightrope walker of the impending danger. But he couldn’t interrupt the show. Not with how perfect the night was.

Love Maniac reached the middle of the tightrope. Cebu held his breath.
The rope quivered. Once, twice, a third time.
The tightrope snapped. Love Maniac plummeted. The lights all shattered.

The circus was officially over.

Writing a short story based on a song was really interesting! It was a fun prompt to go off of.

A Cold Time

I wrote a poem in the style of a pantoum- a poetic form originally from Malaysia. This poem has 6 unique lines, repeated to form 3 stanzas of 4 lines each. I wrote this poem about my summer vacation in India. I hope you enjoy!

A cold time spent in India:
Ice cream dripping down chins,
Shivers of joy trailing down spines
Happiness is a blast of cold

Ice cream dripping down chins,
Freezing hours spent in malls,
Happiness is a blast of cold
Experience life in the chill

Freezing hours spent in malls,
Shivers of joy trailing down spines
Experience life in the chill,
A cold time spent in India

I hope you enjoyed!

In The Flower Field

I wrote a short story based on the prompt ‘Write a story that contains the line, “I wish we could stay this way forever.”‘. I hope you enjoy!

The sunset cast golden rays over the landscape as Asher sat down with a sigh. It was close to darkening, hints of pink and a deeper red beginning to shine through. The field he sat in was empty, as it had been for yesterday and the day before. And the day before. And for forever before that. No one else would ever be there to bother them. As the sun continued to set, Asher sat down cross-legged, picking flowers here and there, weaving them into a flower-crown.

Every night, just when the sun went down, Asher would meet Vienna, just less than an hour a day. The two were fated for forever, destined to always see each other, day after day. But never for long. Never for longer than 60 minutes. 2 lovers bound by forever, but not without a catch. 2 lovers bound by luck ran dry.

Asher had grown used to making flower crowns, his hands deftly going through the motions as his thoughts wandered. He hadn’t expected to feel regret at first- the arrangement, though less than ideal, allowed for forever meetings with his beloved. But as time wore on and the seasons changed, Asher felt just a sliver of resentment. For being stuck in this position for eons. For being so tied to someone. For being just a victim of the fates.

Asher turned at the sound of padded footsteps. Right on time, as always. A lonely figure, a loved figure turned to look at him, whispered sweet nothings falling from her lips. Right on cue. Asher placed the brand new crown on her head gently. Right on the dot. Knowing that no matter what happened, no matter what Vienna felt about him, the crown would end up in the trash, the flowers wilting, rotting, then eventually decaying. Just as they all would. Just as time would make its way and claim all of them. But not their love, written in the stars to be forever.

What was forever, anyways? In a couple of hundred years, who would remember who they were other than the grass that they lay on, the flowers that they picked? In time, they would fade away. No more obligation to love, no more duties to pursue, just rest. Cold, numb, rest. Asher and Vienna were lovers, that was true, but perhaps a life without love would be nice. Perhaps a life without Vienna would be nice.

The idea fermented, persisted, even through the words gently uttered by a devoted lover. Asher’s breath hitched as he reached for the knife he had by his side. It wasn’t wise, it wasn’t advisable, but it was something of his. And that’s all Asher wanted. To have something not controlled by an arbitrary definition of fate. To have something that he could call his own, his own choice, his own decision.

The deed was done.
A life was taken in the very field where two lovers met.
A new ghost joined the crowd of spirits.
As the ghost drifted forward slowly, joining the side of Asher, the stars began to shine in the night sky.

“I wish we could stay this way forever”.

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

Newsies: The Musical

Recently, I went to see another musical- Newsies! This musical was originally a Disney movie, which was then adapted into the musical that it is today.

I absolutely loved the songs in this musical, especially the solos. All the actor’s voices were so beautiful and were perfect in conveying the story. I also really liked the set and how they were able to move only a few pieces/add in a few pieces around to convey completely different areas.

Newsies is about a group of newsboys who’s goal is to leave New York and find a new, more peaceful life for themselves. However, when the cost of buying newspapers to sell is raised, the Newsies decide to go on strike. As they gain support from other Newsies around town, Pulitzer, who runs the press, becomes enraged, banning the newspapers in town from publishing any news about the strike.

One of the things Newsies (the musical) is most well known for is its choreography and this didn’t disappoint! All the characters had such fun choreography that was a treat to watch and I really enjoyed it!

I loved this story as well as all of the characters! They all had so much spirit and such amazing personalities. I hope to watch the movie sometime as well and see how they compare!

Letters: A Short Story

Recently, I saw a prompt to write a story told in letters. I hope you enjoy it!

Dear,

I know I shouldn’t be writing to you anymore. You made that awfully clear with your last letter. But. All the same, darling, I need you. I need to feel the way that I did on that late summer night in your garden, the stars bright above us, determining our fates and tying us together forever and ever. I need to feel the spark inside of me when you look at me and grin like you used to when we were kids and best friends and oh, so madly in love. I need you, love. And if you deny me that, so be it. I will foster your story, our story and it will be marvelous. I will keep every letter you have written to me, every memory of your joyous, wondrous laugh, every glint of your eyes as you hid a laugh behind your hand, every time your hand grabbed mine. I will treasure the life you have breathed into me forever and I hope you treasure that knowledge.

With all of my love.

My darling,

It pains my heart to receive no response from you. It is what you told me would happen, I understand, however, I yearn for your sweet paragraphs of your daily amusements. I long to pick flowers from the fields behind your house, then braid them into your hair as you hum the songs you’ve just learned. I ache for how your words sound whispered into my ear as you promise to hold me endlessly. Darling, do you not hear me as I call your name, long and loud, short and sweet? Will you not poke your head out of the window and laugh at me, just once, so I can feel accomplished? Do you deprive me of this too?
I went to the river yesterday, the one where we skipped stones and drank cherry wine, and I thought about you. I wondered what you would think of me, standing at the same spot that you had, climbing the same trees you had, living the same life you had.

Until the ends of time.

Sweet,

I came by your house the other day. I know, I know, awfully reckless of me, but. Your mother was sick and I had picked up some groceries and if the flowers in my hand were for you- well, no one needed to know that. I knocked on the door, and hearing no answer, let myself in. Your house was empty, the faint, almost eerie, ticking of the grandfather clock. The floorboards had collected a layer of dust, the living room rug rolled up and placed to the side. Sweetheart, I cannot tell you when my stomach began to sink, when the truth set in. It was all I could do to not run to your room, to paw through the drawers, the cabinets, searching for the slightest trace of you. But I gathered myself, and with the slightest tremble in my hand, pushed open your door. And I found it. I found your letter, love. I know it now. You’re gone, off on a grand adventure, and I’m still here, writing letters to your ghost. I understand, my love. I understand. And I love you. Always.

Your loyal companion.

Beloved,

It has been a year. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you, without the silent, ever present wish that you were by my side, reading my book over my shoulder. Not a day. Darling, I miss you, that much should be obvious. However, I shall heal. I shall move on, and if your ghost permits it, I shall find someone new. Darling, let me bury this letter by the old willow tree and let it grow with the tree that has watched over us as we lived, loved, and learned. Let me climb the tree and let its branches cover me as I lean my head against its trunk. Let me adore you without needing you, hold on to you without suffocating myself. Darling, let me love you in the only way I know how.

Forever yours.

Hermann Park- a poem

Recently, I got to go to Hermann Park and I had a fun, relaxing day! I wrote a small poem about it, where the goal is to start with 10 words and decrease one each line, eventually ending with 1. I hope you enjoy!

a stroll through the park, a waltz on the lake,
oh, how joyous you can be if you let
the weight of the day not weigh on
your shoulders and instead let the ducks
feed your joy, feed your existence,
as you drift by. be
free, be light, be
truly who you
want to
be.

I really enjoyed being able to go to the park! I got to feed the ducks, as well as boat on the lake (on a paddleboat). I got some really cute photos and in general, had fun during this free day.

The Transition from Middle to High School

Recently I wrote a short essay on how to ease into the transition of middle school to high school. I hope you enjoy!

The transition from middle to high school is tough. It can be intimidating to move to a bigger school and once again, be at the bottom of the school. As you move into 9th grade, it’s important to learn how to manage your time, how to make good friend choices, and how to still make time for what you enjoy.
Managing your time is important because with homework from multiple classes that is expected to be finished on time, you’ll need to make sure that you get through everything you need to do. A planner is helpful for managing homework, because, if you maintain it well, it’ll list out everything you need to do and when they’re due. Planners are also useful for big projects, because you can plan out your steps and what needs to be done in what order.
Classes will start to move faster! You’ll often need friends who you can rely on to help with homework and/or catch you up if you missed a class. Having friends you can rely on is incredibly useful, especially when studying for tests, as you can bounce information back and forth to review tough topics.
Lastly, make sure you still have fun! While there might be a lot of homework and it’ll take some time to settle down, you should make sure that you have time to do activities that let you relax. Having an activity separate from school that you enjoy will help make sure that you don’t get too overwhelmed or stressed by school. This can include a club/extracurricular offered by your school or something you choose to do in your free time.
Using all three of these strategies can help you adapt to a new school and a new style of work. While the transition from middle to high school can be rough, managing your time, having the right friends, and still having fun can make the transition easier and help you adjust.

What do you remember about your middle to high school transition? Was it easy or confusing?

The Shadow: Poetry Prompt

Hi! I wrote this short story from the prompt, “You wake up trapped in a strange castle with no memory of how you got there and there’s something lurking in the shadows as you explore the halls.”. I hope you enjoy!

There was a faint, dull throbbing in Emery’s head as she looked up to see stone, more stone than she’d ever seen in her life, elaborate windows, and a gorgeous, gorgeous view of rolling hills and green pastures. She sat up, pressing a hand to her forehead, adjusting the tiara (tiara?) that sat on her head, walking over to the window. The glass was cool to touch, foggy with condensation, and she resisted the urge to draw on it, to sit there and doodle and forget her senses and why she was there and really where she was.
She took a deep breath, walking over to the door, and pulling it open with a sense of finality. The hallway was deserted, completely silent. Emery’s gaze darted to the side, seeing a faint wisp of something, something dark, menacing, hiding in the corner, a shadow, really. It called to Emery, telling her to touch it, to let its cool, refreshing solitude wash over her.
Emery blinked and the moment was gone, the voice of the shadow just a figment of her imagination. Maybe the whole castle is too. Maybe I’ll wake up in just 5 minutes and I’ll never see this place. Wouldn’t that be nice. She continued walking down the hallway, pausing as a stairway appeared in front of her, so sudden it was like it was enchanted. She risked a glance behind her, watching the shadows in the corner shrink and grow, pulsing towards her. She pushed down her growing sense of dread and continued up the staircase, counting the steps as she did, pushing open a small door at the top of the stairs to open up into a small room. One of the castle’s turrets, she would assume, a square one.
The shadow was back.
It sat at the top of the stairs, as if waiting for Emery to turn around and notice it. Emery closed her eyes. On top of everything, this…creature (?) just had to be following her. As she turned around to examine the room, its voice spoke in her head once more, loud, bold, unafraid. I know you want to go home…Emery. Or Emmie. That’s what they call you isn’t it? And you hate it, but I bet you’d be ok with being called Emmie if it got you out of here. If it got you away from me.
Emery closed the book she was studying with a thud, letting the cover slam down on its antique, ink-ridden pages. She shook her head. She was imagining things, because shadows couldn’t talk, let alone talk in people’s heads, and this place must be making her dream. It must all be a dream and she would wake up and be normal and go to school and live her normal life and-
You know, it’s sweet how you have all these hopes and dreams. Most people that end up here don’t. And so, they end up being these unsatisfying hosts, but you. You’re different. Aren’t you, Emmie?
The shadow was almost on top of her. And then it was in her and then it was her and her thoughts and the shadow’s thoughts were just one and the same and there was no distinguishing, no real difference between the two.
The shadow wanted a host, after all. And it had gotten one.