a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.

‘Daughter of Molokai’ is a horribly bittersweet book, filled with love, family, and friendship, but also the worst losses and hardships a person can endure. It gave me new insight into the plight of Japanese-Americans, how they were treated before, during, and after the war. I highly recommend this book, if not to refresh your high school history class, but to experience the rollercoaster of emotions Ruth and her family experience.

-Alan Brennert, Daughter of Moloka’i

I recently signed up for Netgalley, a website where you can read and review books not yet released. For my first book, I chose to read “I Owe You One,” by Sophie Kinsella. It was a fun, satisfying read. It’s not heavy or profound, but I definitely enjoyed myself as I read this book. At the start, I hated 100% of the characters, wondering if anyone in this universe understood how the world worked - but their arcs throughout the book eventually make up for the irritating start. Overall, it’s a good read, and I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something fun and light (or to just escape this dreary world we’re living in for a bit).

30. The Little Book of Hygge, by Meik Wiking

-The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears, by Dinaw Mengestu

- Let the Great World Spin, by Colum McCann

Paper Towns, by John Green

Paper Towns, by John Green

I love flipping through this book, landing on a random letter, and just hearing what people had to say in a time when letters were one of the only ways of communicating with your loved ones. My favorite letters by far are the love letters, because you can just hear the emotion and passion the writers are putting into their words. So, in case of a fire, while my arms would be filled with books, I can guarantee you that this beautiful book would be at the top of that stack.

There’s a little bookshop in Washington, D.C. called Kramer Books, and it’s one of my favorite places in the world. It also doubles as a cafe, so on top of finding amazing books (like this one), I can also enjoy huge pieces of chocolate cake and hot cocoa. What more could a girl ask for?

While I probably wouldn’t enjoy being stuck on a deserted island for the rest of my life, I can’t ignore the fact that the characters of this book seem to be having the time of their lives, and I won’t miss out on their fun and tom-foolery a minute longer! I need to go crash a boat on a tropical island!