JellyFishSwirls

So I definitely DROPPED the ball in June. I ended up not finishing the book I planned. It was honestly boring and some of the chapters I read just feel useful or they felt strange.

After a short trip I took, I really got into"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens. SO good. I loved how that book was written, the characters, the settings, themes. I think everyone should read that book.

I am now caught up and have read one book for every month this year. I am going to continue "for the soul" for the remainder of July. Hopefully I can get through the rest.

I finished "The House On Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros a minute ago. I loved it! I thought the writing was unique and the stories interesting. I was left thrilled that I chose to randomly buy the book one day, and now have it in my collection.

The next book should probably be something else, but "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul" was at the top of my pile, so it goes. I've read a few stories over the years but decided I'd read it front to back now. I'm not a lot of years away from my teenage days, so who knows, maybe there will be some things I learn from it.

So I finished "before the coffee gets cold," now keep in mind I already started it like years ago and only had some 70 pages left. I can't remember much of it and perhaps that's the problem, but I can't seem to care to restart it. It was a fine book, I did like how some of it was written and I do remember liking the first part! I can't say the same for the ending. It felt rushed. Maybe that was the feeling it was supposed to give, due to the characters position, but I did not find it to be a satisfactory ending anyway. Nothing more to say on that.

The next book I'm reading will be "The House On Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros. (The 25th anniversary edition, if that matters.) So far it has been an interesting read. I love learning about her thoughts and how she has lived in the past. Her writing style is also very comforting. I'm still in the introduction, but I have high expectations.

I believe this is for June's reading goal, since I rearranged my list due to a summer class I'm taking. I'm still only a month ahead because I counted this and "before the coffee..." as the same month.

After finishing "Don't Get Caught," I fell into a reading slump...I was tired of high school stories and quite frankly wanted something more. I had a brief time where I watched YouTube video essays. While watching one on "The Summer Hikaru Died" by Pickle Ditto, she mentioned a book she loved about body horror and it really piqued my interest. Now, have a list of similar books I want to read.

Okay so I just finished "Don't Get Caught" by Kurt Dinan.

It was about what I suspected a book, about a teenage boy who pulls pranks to get revenge, to be about. Some people had a real problem with how sexual it was or how they did ruin an adults life but. I don't think it was that bad. Truly nothing did happen, it was all teenage jokes I'm sure you would hear passing people in the halls. I do wish that The adult I mentioned wasn't so one dimensional. The message about confidence, taking accountability for your mistakes, and trying to put yourself out there was nice.

I will be donating it though, I'm much too old to be holding on to it and don't like it enough to wait the 15 years my nephew would need to appreciate it.

This book was meant for the month of may, but I am ahead of schedule right now. I'm choosing the skip the June book because it's much too long and I have an accelerated class this summer.

I think I will finish "Before The Coffee Gets Cold," by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. I've already read parts 1 and 2, but struggled through the second one and ended up discarding it for a few years. With 60 pages left, I do assume it'll be done before the month is up. Which is why I'm also throwing in "The House On Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros. I've only heard a few mentions of the book but never any reviews.

The next book in my reading list is another old book that I wanted to see if I wanted to keep. I never read this one though, so I'll be seeing if this book is something I'll pass down to my nephew or something.

"Don't Get Caught" by Kurt Dinan is a fun mystery book from what I gather. It's set in high school, about a group of kids trying to discover who set them up. I've already started reading (2 chapters this morning) and, so far, it's not a horrible read. Definitely better than my last book...

(Now I know that this is technically April's book but I just had to finish it.) The book "The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett" by Chelsea Sedoti was a waste of paper, ink, thoughts, and time. Even when the book wanted me to sympathize with the main character I found it hard because of how insufferable she was. She caused her own problems and blamed everyone else in her life. I read that she was 17/18 and yet kept thinking she had to be younger due to how immature she was. While I know the message (how could I not when the book kept telling me what it was), I barely felt it. I also have problems with the fact that a relationship/feelings with a character is hinted at, despite her knowing that she should STOP going after older men.

So I started March's reading book in February, and finished today(3/02)! The book, "Love? Maybe." by Heather Helper had a cute message, "don't be so cynical with love." I found it an okay read, keeping in mind it's a book for middle school age kids. However, I had a problem with the "I'm not like other girls" aspect that I think was just everywhere during the 2000's/2010's. I'm not sure I would recommend this book to young girls, or maybe they would see how problematic the FL is acting like? I know I am donating the book, but should I leave it in a little library?

For April, I'll be reading "The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett" by Chelsea Sedoti. Based on the sneak peak I read of the first page, I think it's going to have the same "pick me girl" problem as the last...Maybe worse than. The book is more mature, being made for high school levels though.

Has anyone read/liked this book???

I finished Broken Throne! It was an okay read, not my favorite but I did love some parts. Actually I liked the new characters more than anything. That's honestly all I have to say on the matter, but I would love to hear anyone's thoughts!

So I actually made my Jan reading goal! I finished War Storm by Victoria Aveyard. It was honestly killer and I begrudgingly read most of it. Not something I would personally recommend, but I wouldn't stop others from reading it.

February's book is the spin-off(?) book from the Red Queen series, Broken Throne. I've actually already started yesterday, but I don't have a strong opinion just yet.

So far I have NOT gotten good at gift giving... and I got a late start to my 1 book per month goal bc I forgot that January started a new year... I got a very cute dress tho!!

Pass classes and get my certificate!

read 1 book a month (at least.)

find a makeup routine I like and can do daily.

crochet more/finish the projects I start.

have a great Halloween costume idea by June and done by October 1!

Just finished Sunrise on the Reaping, I am a little (just a little) disappointed in the writing, but it did make me cry! Honestly cannot wait for the movie!!

Overall, I have learned this month that I definitely need to get better at gift giving, particularly with older people. I mean what do you get people that have everything they want?

Also, I skipped yesterday but I'm back to reading everyday! I'm going to try and not do that in the future.

I need to buy some books and a few more Christmas gifts... and then wrap & tag everything!

Hello! I've recently decided that I want to start doing my makeup. I heard that powder foundation is better for those with oily face, but all I see are liquid ones?