My Week In Links

Last week involved a lot of John Green excitements. First of all my P4A version of The Fault In Our Stars arrived on my doorstep! Then I broke down and decided to buy the 10th anniversary edition of Looking for Alaska from my local bookstore. When it first came out I told myself I wasn't going to spend the money on a book I already owned, but it's my favorite John Green book so it happened anyway (whoops).

Finally the Paper Towns movie trailer was released last Thursday. (Can we acknowledge that Nat Wolff should star in every film adaptation of John Green's books? I swear he could fit as Miles, Colin, and Will. Okay that would be a bit overboard, but in my mind it works.)

I've had a mini obsession with Mariah Carey's Always Be My Baby lately. I was listening to a bunch of 90's music the other day and just couldn't stop replaying that one. What a classic.

Another favorite recently is Work This Body by Walk The Moon. Mostly because it makes me want to crazy dance whenever it comes on.

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I found my new favorite spring outfit inspiration on Pinterest. I love the mixed patterns on the classic style. Wish I looked that effortlessly stylish while riding a bike (or doing anything really).

I've been all about the florals lately. I don't know where it came from since I've never been a flower person. The other day I told my mom I wanted to get some flowers for my room and she just laughed. I always thought they were silly and useless, a complete waste of money, but minds change and that's okay.

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Even this wall paper sparked my interest.

I want this to be my future living room; just look at all the books! The room has a lot of color without looking too cluttered, although I would use less pillows and lose the peacock. Plus the big windows help the full space look light and airy. I'm smiling just thinking about it.

This interview/discussion was so good! I could listen to these ladies talk all day. What interesting conversations one could have with these women; I never wanted the video to end. I really admire how they all support and lift each other up. Kind words and kind hearts.

Speaking of admirable women, check out these totally awesome illustrated quotes on feminism from The Nib.

March is Women's History Month, and although it may be coming to a close it's never too late to catch up on amazing women in history and today. The ever inspiring Amy Poehler's Smart Girls has highlighted a few of their favorite women in history, such as Mildred Norman and Anne Frank. They even have inspirational coloring pages you can print off (how cool)!

-S

Books, Books, and More Books

I know I've mentioned books before on here and given some reviews but I have really gotten back into reading and buying books lately with all my free time. I recently finished Looking for Alaska by John Green...

 and listening to the audiobook of Divergent by Veronica Roth.

I knew from how many good things I've heard about both of these books that they wouldn't let me down and they really didn't. First of all, if you haven't heard of either of these books (where have you been?) look them up. (PS. There might be some spoilers in the next review section)

Looking for Alaska is about a boy named Miles Halter who decides to go to boarding school in seek of "a great perhaps" and ends up having his life turned upside down after becoming best friends with his roommate and a girl named Alaska. The book really took me by surprise because the whole time I was reading the first "Before" part I kept thinking the event that it was before would be something else. And then the thing that happens, (so vague lol) happened and I just couldn't stop crying. I just sat there clearly emotionally compromised by this story and characters I had started loving so much. I know there are adult books that conquer life's big questions and delve into the depth of our purpose as humans, but I swear nothing answers or addresses these questions in quite the same way as Young Adult books do. John Green does an excellent job at making you think about your life and your perspectives, and it made me want to keep reading and learning in a way I haven't been motivated to for a long time. Much like The Fault in Our Stars, this book is definitely worth all the praise it has gotten and I would recommend it to anyone at any age.

Divergent follows the life of Beatrice "Tris" Prior who is forced to choose between the life she has known and the life she is better suited for. Set in a dystopian society where people are separated by the values they hold but can no longer function as a way of keeping the peace, Tris has a dangerous secret that could be the key to her survival and that of those she loves. I think what really stood out to me about Divergent was that it didn't center around a love triangle. Having a love story that exists only between two people was a nice breathe of fresh air. Now I can't wait to read Insurgent, the not yet released Allegiant, and to see the movie when it eventual comes out. Hopefully the story continues to be good. The only thing I would say was an advantage to listening to this on audiobook was that I think it would have taken me longer to get into the story. The beginning seemed like it was kind of slow, but it definitely made up for it at the end.

Much more book geekyness to come in the future. I've put myself on a book buying ban recently because I currently own way too many books that I have not yet read. If you want to know more about the books I want to read or the books I'm reading you can check out my Goodreads account and friend me on there.