I started reading Colleen Hoover books when I saw post after post on Instagram about her. Friends on there were saying how amazing her writing skills are, how relatable, heartfelt, captivating, etc. All I saw were rave reviews! I had to take a look for myself.
I started reading them last year, 2022, and have managed to read almost all of them (only one or two books I haven’t picked up yet).
I love how one book is a thriller, another has to do with ghosts, then you got romance (endless romance) — characters with unique names— unique stories. I love all her books I’ve read. Each one has me, for the most part, finishing within a day or two.
When books have you in a chokehold where you can barely walk away aside to go to the bathroom, you know it’s a 10/10 read.
Did I mention all her books have pretty covers?!
This author has me loving everything about her writing. I wish she could write and come out with a new book every.single.week. (HOW AWESOME WOULD THAT BE).
Hoover Books I Can Cross Off My List
Hopeless Series
Hopeless
Losing Hope
Finding Cinderella
All Your Perfects
Finding Perfect
Maybe Someday Series
Maybe Someday
Maybe Not
Maybe Now
Slammed Series
Slammed
Point of Retreat
This Girl
It Ends With Us Series
It Ends With Us
It Starts With Us
Stand Alone Colleen Books
Ugly Love
November 9
Confess
Without Merit
Never Never
Verity
Regretting You
Heart Bones
Layla
Reminders of Him
The only ones I haven’t read are…
Collections
One More Step
Two More Days
Stand Alone Book
Too Late
Can you tell I’m obsessed with her books? I’ve read so many and so quickly! Each story is so different from the other, and I think that’s why I love each and every one of her novels!
If I had to pick a favorite, it would be a tie between Verity and It Ends With Us. Verity is a thriller about a girl; Lowen, facing the recent death of her mother. She’s someone who loves to write but is afraid of being in the spotlight with her stories. She gets asked to assist Verity, a famous author, who’s practically brain dead, and finish the book series she was writing before the terrible accident she was in.
Lowen, stays at Verity’s home, going through her writings and starts to fall for Verity’s husband; Jeremy. As she’s working and staying at the home, strange things start to happen making her wonder if Verity is faking it. Let me tell you, I was hooked from the very beginning! That’s all I say about that book because I don’t want to give away anything!
It Ends With Us is a whole different story that’s just as engaging. The focus is on domestic abuse and how hard it is to walk away from someone who beats you when all you want to do is believe that person will change. Believe that they didn’t mean it. Believe that they deserve forgiveness, a second chance. Believe that there’s still good in them. Lilly Bloom thinks that Ryle Kincaid is her true love and despite watching her mother get abused by her father, this is different. Ryle really, truly adores her and it’s different from her parents. He’s not like her dad. While she’s involved with Ryle, Atlas, a boy she loved as a teenager and helped him out when he was homeless and struggling to make ends meet, comes back into the picture. And by doing so, causes more abuse from Ryle.
The book puts you in the mind of a victim of domestic abuse. We see first hand how challenging it is to say goodbye to someone you’re heart belongs to— someone you wanted to be with forever— someone you sincerely loved with your entire heart. It’s a story that will move you enough to tears. I recommend every female reads it and acknowledges how difficult it can be to say goodbye to someone you trust and care about who physically abused you. You are not weak— you are not less of a person because you struggle to walk away. It takes a great deal of courage to let go and walk away from a horrible situation like that.
Keep mind, some parts will be difficult to read because of how intense it is, describing the abuse and putting you in the shoes of Lilly; the victim.
Instead of simply taking my word for it, I say you go ahead and start reading Hoover’s books. Who knows… you may end up loving them as much as I do!!
From January – August, 2022, I read 100 books! Can you tell I LOVE reading?? 😉
It started with a goal of reading 50 books for the year. But then I finished that goal back around April/May. So I was like… Might as well set a new goal. Read 100 books like you always wanted to but never had the time for. Ladies and gentlemen, I had the time this year (do not judge me). A social life? Do I know her? I am an introvert to the core. Yes, I love a good day out adventuring around the pretty desert filled with palm trees and gorgeous mountains, but I also love curling up in bed with a good book in my hands, turning page after page until my eyes hurt from reading for three hours straight (yes, I have absolutely done that).
I read every story you can think of. I read biographies, classic literature, classic children’s literature, fairytales, romance, murder mysteries, books in the Holy Bible, I even read books I hadn’t read in years… new, old… I READ IT ALL.
Let me tell you something, no matter how many books you read, you will never run out! There is just so many it will always be impossible to read them all. Thankfully writing books— reading— is still low-key trendy. 😉 It has not gone out of style (let’s pray it never will).
Even if you don’t plan on reading that many stories each year, make a list of what you did read and how many total and rate it on a scale of 1-10 on how much you liked each story. Then you can look back at the end of the year and see how much you accomplished with your reading habits.
My Top Twenty List of Books Read in 2022
1) Where The Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
Of course it’s number 1 on my list! 1,000/10 rating — will love this book forever! It was about a girl living in isolation and being seen as trash— as the “marsh girl.” The “marsh girl” or Kya, gets accused of murdering this popular guy in town, and the whole book is basically flashbacks of her childhood and what led up to Chase Andrew’s death and the question of whether she murdered him or not.
2) Kris Jenner… and All Things Kardashian – Kris Jenner
Kris Jenner spilling tea about herself and going into detail on the O.J Simpson case— I felt like I was reading her diary! 11/10 rating
3) Milk and Honey (poetry book) – Rupi Kaur
This book is great for teen – adult females. I found it beautifully written and amazing drawings. The writer is so talented. 10/10 rating
4) The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger
Oh man, what a story! A troubled teen in school, trying to figure out what he wants from life— I think we can all relate. I’ll give it an 8/10 because I didn’t like all the cursing in it.
5) Turtles All the Way Down – John Green
Whether or not you struggle with your mental health, you’ll see up close what it’s like to have OCD and anxiety and how life is so messy and hard but can get better. Life will never be perfect but it gets better. 10/10 rating
6) The Lost – Natasha Preston
All my thriller, adrenaline junkies, this book will have you reading it in a day. Teens going missing— being tortured in these sick, twisted games by psycho guys who are popular and well-liked in the town— WOW YOU’LL BE ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT. 11/10 rating
7) All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven
Another book sharing the struggles of what it’s like to feel lost and alone and not in a good headspace. It’s a tough book to read but beautifully written and a reminder there is still good in this world— there are still bright places even when it feels like all hope is lost. 12/10 rating
8) The Twin – Natasha Preston
An evil twin trying to take over her twin sister’s life… where the popcorn at?? This was quite the edge of your seat story! 11/10 rating
9) And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
The queen of mystery— Agatha Christie, really had me finishing this book in two days! Plot: Strangers all sent invitations to this remote island and all agree to go, only to be picked off one by one with the question of who is the killer? Is it one of them?? 13/10 rating
10) Finding Rest: A Survivor’s Guide to Navigating the Valleys of Anxiety, Faith, and Life – Jonathon M. Seidl
My dad suggested I read this book. It encouraged me in so many ways. The author shared his struggle with mental health as a Christian and how you never have to feel less of a person or a bad Christian because you’re experiencing anxiety and depression. The author helped me see how important it is to seek help and know that I nor anyone else has to face our struggles alone. We can turn to Jesus always and get help through therapy and medication. 1,000/10 rating
11) Maybe Someday – Colleen Hoover
A story about a girl who’s boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend (I know, right?! Horrible)! But through this ordeal, she gets to know her next door neighbor who asks her for help in writing lyrics to songs for the band he’s in. They begin to develop a friendship that leads to something way bigger than they expected. Maybe Someday has a love story that’s unique with intriguing characters and an interesting plot. 10/10 rating
12) The Cellar – Natasha Preston
Girls getting kidnapped and being renamed after flowers by this twisted man named Clover, who keeps them locked away in his cellar and forces them to act like good, 1960’s housewives and treat him like he’s king— quite a story indeed. It’s sad, scary, and a book that hooks you in from the very first page. 11/10 rating
13) One of Us is Lying – Karen McManus
The Breakfast Club but thriller style! Five kids get detention. One of the five dies from a peanut allergy in detention. The police discover someone put peanut oil on the victim’s water cup. Who murdered the victim? Is it someone in detention that day or someone outside of detention somehow did it?? P.S. There’s a TV show as well and both get a 12/10 rating from me. 🙂
14) The Cousins – Karen McManus
Another good book by the same author! I really like young adult thrillers (can ya tell). Plot: three cousins each receive an invitation from their grandma to come visit and work at her resort for the summer. They soon begin to realize there’s something fishy going on at the resort and soon discover big secrets about their family’s past. 11/10 rating
15) The Summer I Turned Pretty (Belly’s Summer series; book 1) – Jenny Han
Cute & quirky… the whole series actually and a great read for sitting on the beach in the summer. The plot: it’s about a girl named Belly who has grown up with her mom’s best friend’s sons and how her family and there’s always gather together at a beach house each summer. You’ll see a love triangle, drama, and heartfelt moments throughout the story. 10/10 rating
16) Awake – Natasha Preston
The story is all about a girl with very little memory from her childhood who is searching for answers from her past and discovers some scary truths of why she blocked out her memory. Natasha Preston never disappoints! 10/10 rating
17) As Good As Dead (the final book in the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series) – Holly Jackson
Oh boy! I loved this book! It’s the best out of the series because it has this crazy plot that will make your head spin. The main character throughout the series; Pip, learns some chilling truths about the town she’s from, Fairview, and works to solve a huge murder mystery that may have put the wrong man behind bars. And she deals with a stalker harassing her and has a podcast where she shares what she uncovers throughout the story! 11/10 rating
18) Everything Everything – Nicola Yoon
It’s got romance, deals with tragedy, lies— you feel every emotion reading this book. The story centers on a girl facing a serious illness where she cannot leave the house and could die if she does. She falls in love with her next door neighbor, despite not being able to be close to him and touch each other like a normal teenage relationship. It’s emotional but shows the beauty of forbidden love and how important it is to live life to fullest and take risks. 9/10 rating
19) Genuine Fraud – e. Lockhart
This one is definitely a psychological thriller and a page turner of course! Plot: this intelligent girl manages to outsmart and manipulate and lie to whoever crosses her path to get what she wants. She also keeps reinventing herself and getting more evil as the story progresses. 10/10 rating
20) The Sun and Her Flowers (book of poetry) – Rupi Kaur
If you love honest, raw poetry, this lil book will touch your soul and is just as good as Milk and Honey! 10/10 rating
“ If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” — J.K. Rowling
You Read How Many Books This Year?
2022 isn’t even over and already I’ve read 50 books! You could say I really wanted to reach this little goal of mine. 😉
Usually, each year, I read about 10-15 books at the most. I just never make enough time to read 25 books— let alone 50. But finally, I DID IT. I started in January of this year, and now it’s May and I’ve already reached my goal. 50 books worth of reading. That’s right! I ACTUALLY DID IT. If you’re obsessed with reading, you know this is something! Because let’s be real, who has time to read 50 books in 4 months? Well, I apparently had the time. I would read books in the car, stay up late and read till all hours of the night. I would read while watching TV. I would even read sometimes 1-2 books a day, occasionally 3. Any time I had in my day (whether five minutes or an hour), I’d read.
For the past four months, I constantly went to Barnes & Noble, Target, and Walmart, looking for my next book— my next escape into another world filled with unique characters and exciting plot lines. It became an obsession. I really wanted to cross this goal off my list and say I did it.
It sounds silly, I know, but I don’t care! When I get into something— when I get really passionate about doing something— I’m all in. I put all my time and energy into it— even when it comes to the small things like reading 50 books for fun.
I’m not going to list all the 50 books I read but what I will do is share the top ten from my list that I’d recommend for those looking to add a few novels to their bookshelves.
10 Books to Add to Your Reading List This Year
1) One of Us Is Next – Karen McManus
– A.K.A The Breakfast Club with a murder twist. Five students in detention and one ends up dead with a case of whodunnit? It’s the kind of read that you might end up reading in one sitting.
2) The Cellar – Natasha Preston
– Another young adult novel. The plot: girls get kidnapped by this creepy guy who calls himself Clover and names his victims after flowers, keeping them locked up in a cellar. If you like suspense this is for you!
3) All The Bright Places – Jennifer Niven
– You’ll need tissues for this one. It’s all about the little things in life and reminder for those struggling with their mental health that you’re not alone. And there is still beauty in this life we live.
4) The Fault in Our Stars – John Green
– AGAIN TISSUES. Two teenagers, both battling cancer, fall in love and go on this adventure to Amsterdam to meet the author who wrote their favorite book, An Imperial Affliction. Hazel and Augustus, the main characters, are funny and passionate and have unique personalities that make this book so special. I’ve read this book a few times, and I’m never disappointed. I even wrote about this book for my senior thesis project!
5) Death On the Nile – Agatha Christie
– Agatha Christie will have you turning and turning those pages, finishing this story in a day or two. Basic plot: a murder happens on the Nile in a cruise ship with Hercule Poirot eager to solve the case of a honeymoon that turns into a nightmare and again, a case of whodunnit? Who killed the bride on her honeymoon? Is it the obvious suspect or someone else? It’s a good mystery novel to check out (trust me)!
6) Finding Rest: A Survivor’s Guide to Navigating the Valleys of Anxiety, Faith, and Life – Jonathon M. Seidl
– I recommend this one to anyone struggling with anxiety or depression. It’s encouraging and a reminder you never have to feel alone in your trials. Trust in God and work towards getting help with your struggles. Pray, research, see a therapist— whatever it takes to heal.
7) And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
– Oh boy! Another thriller that has you spending your whole day glued to a book! Plot: ten people each receive an invite to this remote island and go only to discover— it’s not what they think it is! Murder, mystery, secrets— it’s a book you should really read ASAP.
8) Thirteen Reasons Why – Jay Asher
– Summary: Clay is given a box filled with cassette tapes made by his friend and classmate, Hannah, who tragically ended her life a few weeks prior. He listens to the tapes and sends them out to each person who is on the tapes. Each tape explains the reasons that ultimately led her to make the decision to end her life. This book has such an important message. You never know what someone is going through, so be kind. Don’t bully, don’t hate— BE KIND. ALWAYS.
9) The Summer I Turned Pretty (the first book in Belly’s Summers Series) – Jenny Han
– Looking for a light, teen romance story? This is a cute, fun book about a girl who spends just about every summer at her mom’s best friend’s beach house with her mom and brother and her mom’s best friend and her sons. It’s about growing up, (and the challenges and triumphs), boy drama, and overall— a good story if you’re looking for something to read at a coffee shop or perhaps while sitting on the beach. I recommend the whole series as well. There’s three books total in the series.
10) Kris Jenner… and All Things Kardashian – Kris Jenner
– I have a confession. I’ve binge watched the entire Keeping Up With the Kardashians TV show and now I’m watching their new show, The Kardashians on Hulu. So naturally, I had to have the tell-all book Kris Jenner wrote about herself. In it, she shares all about her early years before she became famous, including lots of info about the O.J Simpson case (TRIAL OF THE CENTURY) and how she and her first husband, Robert Kardashian, we’re close friends with O.J and the deceased, Nicole Simpson. Very interesting read!
As you can see, I’ll pretty much read anything! I go from one genre to the next. One minute I’m lost in a romance novel and the next, an intense thriller or a celebrity autobiography. What can I say? I just LOVE getting lost in a good book!
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” – C.S. Lewis
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin
Lately I’ve been reading non-stop. I seem to always have a book in hand and a highlighter, ready to mark up and get lost in an exciting story. There’s just something magical about reading. Sometimes, I like it even better than watching TV.
My mom bought me a bunch of books for Christmas (bless her heart), so it looks like I’m gonna be busy for a little while reading book after book. And after I finish reading all of them, I’ll probably order a few more on Amazon or re-read some books I already I own. I just can’t stop reading!
Here’s a few books I’m currently working on…
1) Kris Jenner… and All Things Kardashian – Kris Jenner
2) The Rescue – Nicholas Sparks
3) One of Us Is Lying – Karen McManus
4) The Return – Nicholas Sparks
5) After We Fell – Anna Todd
6) After Ever Happy – Anna Todd
7) Before – Anna Todd
Well, if you’re looking for a new read… consider reading one from my list. Romance, drama, mystery, and a biography… there’s a few options to choose from you might like!
Once I finish these books, I’ll have to explore and see what other stories pique my interest that I can add to my 2022 reading list. I know I want to read soon the sequel to One of Us Is Lying – One of Us Is Next. They even have a TV show based off of the books on Peacock! I watched it recently and if I were to rate it – 10/10. It’s the perfect show and books for you if you love mystery and teen drama. And basically it’s “The Breakfast Club” meets “Gossip Girl.”
“Let’s be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.” – Lena Dunham
I’ve always loved summer! Everything about it. For me, it used to be a relaxing time to unwind and take a break from the business of school. Now that I’m out of college, I’m sure summer will seem a lil different this time around, but I’ll still love everything about it, regardless!
I decided to create for myself a little bucket list of fun things I would like to do this summer! I want everything about it to be exciting and full of adventure. And, that’s exactly what I plan to do!
Summer Bucket List 2021
1) Visit Sedona, AZ
2) Hike at the Grand Canyon
3) Fly back to Jersey for a bit
4) Visit a nearby aquarium
5) Get a nose ring
6) Read 10 books
7) Rent a cabin in the woods for a few days
8) Go to California for a day trip
9) Eat something I’ve never tried before
10) Go to a spa and have the ultimate self-care day
11) Get a pool for my backyard
12) Find a place to go kayaking
13) Get all Picasso and spend the day painting
14) Go on a coffee adventure, getting iced coffee at 4 different cafes (all in one day)
15) Have a date with my dog – spend the whole day doing fun stuff with Sedona
16) Have a horror movie marathon
17) Redesign my bedroom
18) Watch the sunset
19) Watch fireworks
20) Make s’mores
If you can think of any more fun ideas, let me know in the comments. Thanks!
“A little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about.” – John Mayer
“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”– John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
Reading is for Cool People
I LOVE getting lost in a story that takes me on an adventure. One where it connects me with the characters, making me never want to put it down. Those are the best kind of reads! Sometimes I go to Hawaii to solve a crime. Sometimes I go to high school and deal with teen drama. Sometimes I get to hangout with best friends trying to find their way in the world, while they hold on to their friendship. That’s the beauty of reading- it takes you all over the world where you meet the most unique, exciting characters that inspire and teach you along the way. It allows you to get in touch with your imagination and learn more about yourself and the world around you.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching a good show on Netflix (hence my previous post), but I’m also a big fan of cracking open a book. I think too many people nowadays aren’t reading enough and that’s pretty sad. There’s so many amazing stories that are being left untouched on shelves in libraries or in stores like Barnes & Noble. When was the last time you bought a novel? Or, when was the last time you stepped inside a library? Probably most of you will say well, who has time? MAKE TIME before books become a thing of the past.
Reading is a novel idea
The other day, I went shopping with my mom and we stopped at this cute store, Screws and Sparkles. You can find all sorts of house decor, stickers, hair accessories, and so much more there. It’s one of our favorite places to explore and buy trendy things for our house & my bedroom. So, I bought this sign, “Just one more chapter” yesterday because I love reading so much and well, you know, it fits my personality and looks trendy for my Pinterest inspired bedroom. Anyway, It’s my new favorite sign and it’s the perfect reminder to me of just how powerful good stories can be and how ever since I was little, I enjoyed reading and always will.
It began with picture books and then Judy Bloom reads and then before I knew it, I was picking up random books off the shelves of my library, not caring what genre it was as long as it looked decent. I’ve read mystery, romance, non-fiction, you name it! I’ve read it all! Some stories I have loved and some I have hated. And some, I was left in absolute awe over the writing style and how I was able to feel as though I was right there in the book, completely immersed in the story. Those are the novels I could read again and again. Those are the books that help me grow as a person and make me just a tad bit more wiser.
Favorite Books
Here’s some of my favorite reads (don’t judge my selection please, lol), they each have left an impact on me for different reasons and they each remind to never stop reading… or writing.
1) Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
2)To Kill a Mockingbird– Harper Lee
3) The Fault in Our Stars – John Green
4) The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (the 1st novel in the series- this is why I said don’t judge me) – Ann Brashares
5) 13 Reasons Why– Jay Asher
6) Firefly Lane – Kristin Hannah
7) To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (I love the entire series… again, don’t judge me please) – Jenny Han
8) Predator – Terri Blackstock
9) The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon– Stephen King
10) The Masterpiece – Francine Rivers
11) The Last Battle – C.S. Lewis
12) Almost every Nicholas Sparks novel (yeah, yeah, I like romance stories… sue me)
If you haven’t read or want to reread any of these books, you should! They each have unique characters and story lines filled with inspiration (even the Sisterhood novel).
Now, go pick up a book and drink an iced coffee while you’re at it!
Why don’t readers have extra time? They’re booked.
You’re busy! You work 9-5 Monday through Friday and can barely catch a break on the weekend! Whether you relate or not, let’s face it… sometimes it’s hard to get the self-care we so desperately crave! Do we still need it? Absolutely! Self-care is everything and it’s so important to make time for it. We need to feel refreshed and get our vibe back whether it’s a day of treating yourself or one hour of “me time”. With that being said, here’s a few helpful tips on the best ways to stay healthy and happy!
Cheabae’s 10 Favorite Self-Care Treatments
1) Take a Bath – whether I’m in a good or bad mood, a long, warm bath is one of my favorite ways to unwind for a bit. I give myself an hour of no talking or over-thinking and instead, sit in complete silence and just enjoy the quietness and relaxation of it (trust me, you can’t go wrong). And while you’re at it, buy your favorite bath bomb!
2) Drink Iced Coffee While Binge Watching Netflix – ahhh, that first sip of cool, refreshing coffee while I watch Good Girls and sit on my cozy bed (I live for it). If you have a Keurig, great! If not, run over to Dunkin’ Donuts and order a coconut iced coffee with their option of 20% more caffeine (yes, Dunkin’ give us the energy we need) and then plop down on the couch, kick your feet up, and pick out a Netflix show that tickles your fancy.
3) Clean Your Room – I know, it sounds crazy, but how can you vibe if you’re surrounded by a mess? You just can’t! So, pick your clothes up off the floor and bring out the vacuum. If you’re feelin’ wild, re-decorate too (make your room feel like your happy place and hang up new, cute wall art or buy a new bedspread).
4) Buy a Face Mask – It’s a given! How can you have the proper self-care treatment without a nourishing Shea Butter or Brightening Lemon mask to clean those pores and leave your skin feeling super soft??? Ladies, go to Target right now and get one!
5) Shop Till You Drop Queen – head over to the mall and spend a lil extra cash on something for your next girls’ outing or get comfy pjs for a night in! Either way, you can’t go wrong with a super cute outfit that makes you feel fabulous!
6) Cuddle With Your Pet – this is the best kind of self-care, hands down. Pet your dog, cat, ferret, whatever you got and snuggle right next to your bff on the couch. You’ll love it and so will they!
7) Get Your Hair Done – your hair is the crown on your head! Treat it right and make an appointment at a salon for some highlights or a new cut (maybe a bob style if you’re down to experiment). I recently cut my hair shoulder length and got red highlights to try something new and let me tell ya…I AM VIBING WITH IT!
8) Zoom Your Best Pals – I call my friend, Lydia, on Zoom every Friday night to catch up with her and watch a movie. It’s my favorite day of the week, because I get to see my gal pal and keep in touch despite being states away. She keeps me sane with all the craziness of the COVID and gives me a fun night to chill, spill some tea, and almost always, watch a scary movie (sorry, not sorry Lydia hehe).
9) Get Lost in a Good Book – whether it’s an Agatha Christie Novel or a light rom com story, take the night off and go on a journey with the characters. Forget about your latest to do list and crack open a book that gets you so hyped, you just can’t put it down!
10) Paint Like Picasso – get to paintin’! Choose your favorite quote or draw your pet on a canvas. Who cares if it looks like the work of a six-year-old?? If you want to try something fun and laid back, head over to Michael’s and purchase what you need for a chance to get crafty and have a fun time while doing it.
These are just a few of my go-to, self-care treatments. The list is endless, believe me! I’m always coming up with new ways to keep my mental health vibing & thriving! If you don’t find any of these tips worthwhile, create your own. Whatever floats your boat! Self-care is all about what makes you relax and calm, so do just that!
Firefly Lane is my current, favorite read. Check out the new show on Netflix too (my girl, Katherine Heigel, is in it)!
“If you feel “burnout” setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself.” – Dalai Lama
BA in English with a minor in communications and Bible
Cairn U Class of 2020
Abeautifulfeeling– closing your laptop after submitting your final undergrad assignment. I could have cried tears of joy. I did it. I actually finished school, earning my BA in English with a minor in communications and Bible, graduating with a 3.68 GPA. If I could go back in time and tell my younger self I’d write an intense senior thesis on coming of age in literature, present on it, along with taking other classes and have to finish over zoom (thanks COVID), I would have thought it was all a joke! I faced many obstacles from the beginning all the way to the end, but enjoyed every single moment of it. I wouldn’t change a thing! I grew as a person. I grew as a writer. I found myself progressing as each semester went by.
My first semester in college, I barely understood MLA format and wrote my first college paper in first person (I had absolutely no clue what I was doing). Then, one day, a light went off and I got it. I found more of my voice in my writing and fell in love with learning (I’m corny, sorry not sorry). I found myself getting excited and wanting to strive for no longer a C to get by, but instead, fight for that A+! I wanted to thrive and be able to look back one day and say.. I worked hard and gave it my best effort for every single paper and every single exam.
Hey look Ma, I made it!
Thanks for the Memories, Cairn!
Living on campus my last semester being so many states and so many miles away from family was a whole new experience! Did I struggle?? ABSOLUTELY. Did I love every second from Dunkin’ Donuts runs with my roommate, Julia, to walks around campus with my friend, Moriah, to working ahead on assignments, doing laundry for the first time, etc. So many firsts and finals for me. My first time being on my own and always having a mask and sanitizer in hand, and my last time ever studying for exams or taking out to be verbs in papers. It’s bittersweet!! I’m moving on from my time in school to bigger & better adventures. Yeah, I do miss it. I miss the fact I’ll never have a winter and summer break again. I’ll miss spending those simple moments of eating in the MAC with friends (low-key miss the yucky food) to having photo shoots with friends and movie nights, to fun events like Starry Night and Gala, to going to a creative writing club and coming up with unique story ideas and just getting to explore more of who I am. I miss the beautiful moments made at Cairn University, because there, I let myself develop. I’ll miss it all but I know for certain, I’m ready to keep moving forward!
Along the way, I discovered to think more for myself and not be afraid to have deep questions about life and willingness to search for the answers. I could write a novel (maybe I will someday) about how I learned so so much from various classes, professors, and of course, the students. For now, this blog post will have to do!
At times, I didn’t think I would make it. If I’m being truthful, I would have moments where I’d want to just lay in my dorm bed and forget about all the assignments due. I would throw the covers over my head and shut myself away from everyone and everything. I can remember one time I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. I had to redo my senior thesis and felt completely lost over how I could improve and perfect it. I spent hours working on it and wanted to literally pull my hair out. But hey, isn’t that what college is all about? If it was easy would it be worthwhile?? NO. Why? Because with joy comes pain! I sweat, cried, stressed..experienced every single emotion as I poured myself into my senior thesis. After all, I made it this far.. I couldn’t quit now. From the book reviews, presentation, three drafts..I FINISHED THAT SENIOR THESIS PAPER (if you would like to read it, write a comment on this post or shoot me an email). I used the books Little Women, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I’ll share my senior thesis for an idea of what the paper focused specifically on!
SeniorThesis– Bildungsroman novels such as Little Women, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants, distribute identity formation within young protagonists, challenging the advancement of their characters to reflect and foreshadow self-actualization. By doing so, it pushes them towards maturity into adulthood, rendering them with the confidence needed to face hindrances and progress in society.
CairnUniversity– A place where I learned to never stop grinding and when you think you’re done with an assignment, re-read it, proofread it, and make it 110% perfect! I owe it all to people like my advisor, Dr. Minto. Dr. Minto taught me more than simply how to read literature. She taught me how to look at literature with the Bible in mind and see how we, as Christians, can apply what we study and contemplate into our own lives. She even made Shakespeare plays relatable! Dr. Minto was a wonderful person inside and out, and I don’t think I could of graduated without her guidance. Sadly, she passed away in the middle of the semester. She was helping me with my senior thesis and teaching my Great Christian Writers class. You never realize how precious life is until someone leaves this world. She is forever missed and will always be remembered by so many who loved her dearly. I know I’ll never forget the impact she had on my life for the two years I spent at Cairn. I am truly grateful for her wisdom and guidance that I will bring with me into the next steps of my life, along with the other wonderful people and memories I made at Cairn. As sad as it is to no longer have her earth side, I’m thankful she’s resting in the arms of Jesus and finally getting to sit with J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, discussing Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.
“But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle
Time for New Adventures, Better Than the Old Ones
Throughout my final semester, I read books like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Great Divorce, and The Last Battle. C.S. Lewis provides great wisdom in each of his works and managed to make them powerful stories, enough for young children to learn and grow from. I wanted to share this quote from The Last Battle because it stuck out to me after reading and writing a brief response on it for one of my classes. It reminded me of my graduation and how even though I’m finished with my academic studies, there’s still more for me out there. I’m not finished! I’m still on a journey of continuing to find myself and become stronger in my faith and leave my mark on this world. “Every chapter is better than the one before.” That line reminds me that it only gets better! Jeremiah 29:11 says it all.. “I know the plans I have for you.” God has a beautiful and wonderful plan for each of us if we choose to let Him reveal it in however He sees fit! I love the idea that I don’t need to worry. Whether I become this successful writer or become a truck driver (lol backup plan), it doesn’t matter. It’s about enjoying life and living, soaking in every moment from having a slice of pizza on a sunny afternoon or swimming in my grandma’s pool or reading a really good book or watching a Pixar film. Live fully and enjoy the simple moments. Why? Because those memories are the ones that truly stay and impact you as a person overall.
In The Last Battle, the old Narnia is destroyed and Aslan takes the Pevensies and other special characters in the book to a new Narnia- a beautiful, extraordinary world compared to the original (similar to Jesus taking His children away from earth and up to Heaven). If we, as Christians, choose to believe in the magic and joy of this journey we all must take, everything will be just fine, because we have God on our side. No matter how long we live or what happens, we’ll be alright on this voyage of life. We cannot fail with God next to us! With this in mind, I’m ready. It’s time for me to apply for jobs, pray, and go wherever my Heavenly Father calls me. I’m eager for this new and exciting chapter- 10x better than the one before!
I guess the saying is pretty true- “The tassel was worth the hassle!” 😉
What’s next?? Perhaps in a future blog post, you’ll find out more! For now my dears, you must wait. I gotta find out from God first and then I’ll get back to you all. Ta-ta for now, xo.
Me standing in front of a water fountain in 114 degree weather~ 7/8/2020
My gigi’s pool ft watermelon tube~ 7/11/2020
Tropic Like it’s Hot
The heat is pretty crazy in AZ! It’s been going up to almost 120 degrees!! Boy is it different from NJ (and to think I thought it was hot there). Well, the weather here is definitely taking some getting used to, for sure. It’s still beautiful and sunny every day, so I guess that makes up for the intense heat. It also gives me an excuse to visit my gigi and swim in her pool every week. I’ve made it a point to take full advantage of multiple trips to her house each week for those dips in the warm water and relaxing on my watermelon tube (thanks, ma for buying me that).
I still feel like I’m on a vacay and probably will for a year until it fully sinks in that AZ is my new, permanent home. Growing up in the east for 22 years..it’s hard to believe I’m so far away from the sandy beaches and crazy traffic that never ends. I miss it sometimes- all of the east coast vibes but before I know it, I’ll be back in August for my last semester at Cairn and that’s when I’ll be missing the scorching heat and maybe the lizards (nah, just kidding not the lizards).
Summer School
Aside from the weather, my summer has been very laid-back, giving me time to take a 7 week summer class and finish 2 weeks early (hallelujah) and begin working on a topic for my senior thesis.
As an English major, I need to focus on a topic that features what I’ve learned throughout my time at Cairn University and of course, has to do with literature. So, I took some time to think about it and decided to focus on coming of age and friendship themes in literature. They seem to tie together perfectly and if you think about it, as you grow up and experience adulthood, you need the help of your friends to face all the challenges of losing childhood innocence and accepting that life is gradually getting harder. Let’s just hope my topic gets approved or something similar to it! I’ll tell you one thing, senior thesis is no joke! Just deciding on a topic and books to use was a project, but it means I’m so much closer to graduating in December (CAN’TWAIT).
COVID-19 has given me plenty of free time to work extra hard on my studies and finish strong. This head start with my senior thesis is wonderful, making the coming semester a little less stressful and making me feel more prepared. It also gives me an excuse to catch up on my reading! I love a good novel and can’t wait to do close readings of To Kill a Mocking Bird, Little Women, The Fault in our Stars, and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I can’t wait to see all the similarities and differences and their connection to my senior thesis topic idea.
I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie
There’s nothing like the magic of getting lost in a fascinating story and being taken to a whole other world with characters you adore and loathe, who teach you valuable life lessons through the 600-1200 words or however long they may be.
I’m sure many of of you, especially college students on summer break, have more time to relax and unwind (quarantine will do that to you too). If so, great! Read a novel you absolutelylove and highlight your favorite parts. It’s fun annotating/marking up a story! It let’s you enjoy it even more and appreciate the special quotes throughout it. I recommend reading at least one good book this summer..one you’ve read before and 110% LOVED or a new story that intrigues you (and I’ll do the same- most likely by my gigi’s pool).
“Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable.” — Louisa May Alcott
I love a good book. Place me in front of a warm fireplace with hot chocolate and a murder mystery novel, and I feel on top of the world. As an English major, I suppose it’s in my nature to say this. And to think, winter break has finally arrived so now I can read for fun all I want! I have a few weeks of reading books until midnight and getting lost in a story I actually enjoy (sorry, but safe to say reading Shakespeare all semester was not my favorite thing in the world).
Cairn Starry Night- 12.06.19
And That’s a Wrap! It’s so nice to finally be free of this crazy, whirlwind of a semester! That’s right, no more staying up until 1 AM trying to finish a ten-page paper. I still don’t know how I balanced homework, an internship, mentoring a freshman student, working on weekends, commuting and socializing (I’m tired, to say the least). It was incredibly stressful, but I’m thankful for the process of learning more and growing from the craziness, even when I’d much prefer sleeping in and hitting the snooze button 20 times.
I could say so much about the entire semester.. from writing about conspiracy theories, dogs & cheetahs, profile pieces, and news articles between my internship and Freelance Writing class, to interviewing and composing 100 pages worth of transcribing the interviews, to homecoming dance at Cairn University’s President’s house, to dressing up as Boo from Monsters Inc for Halloween, to endless to-do lists and spontaneous adventures with my friends. It’s been quite a ride, but I’ve definitely enjoyed every minute of it!
Writing Intern
Writing is my passion and getting to intern for the Office of Communications & Marketing, at Cairn University, has been an incredible journey. It was an exciting process of composing articles, interviewing my advisor and a student, transcribing the dialogue from their interviews and another interview between one of my supervisors and an alumni ( I spent fourteen hours typing up one of the transcripts, finishing it all in one day..WILD, RIGHT), proofreading, editing, discovering new writing techniques and getting to see my name in print ( I’m adding it all to my resume). I’m used to writing academic papers, so switching to short, concise articles less than 500 words was definitely challenging. One of the biggest things I learned was how to pack as much information into a short piece, keeping it tightened but full of significant features that still make it worth reading.
Student Spotlight Article If I had to pick my favorite thing I did during my internship, I would say the major project I worked on as part of my internship requirement. The project involved interviewing a student for the student spotlight article featured in Cairn’s magazine every year, and writing an article on him or her (a student gets picked each year for standing out and being someone fascinating). The student chosen this year plays on the school’s baseball team and is the first to major in one of the five new Biology programs. He’s currently a Pre-Physical Therapy major in the process of switching to Pre-Med, with his goal to help injured athletes recover from serious injuries and share the gospel with others.
I spent an hour interviewing him and almost two weeks transcribing our conversation to use as quotes for the article. Then I spent a few weeks composing the article, making it tightly packed with information but also creative and fun, letting his story come to life. The process of learning about the student and getting to compose a creative piece that shares his journey has been intriguing and fun, teaching me so much about journalism and magazine writing.
The article starts by telling a story about a serious injury he faced after throwing and pitching excessively, leading him to pursue a career path in medicine after his time in Pre-Physical Therapy. Throughout the piece, I share his passion for baseball, how he came to Cairn, what he has learned so far from his science classes, and end with a quote on how he aspires to serve others and further medicine, whether on the baseball field or in the science lab. I have to say, writing profile pieces are by far my favorite type of articles to compose!
I Actually Did It!
It’s truly been a joy writing nine articles this semester (between my Freelance Writing class and internship). I spent so much time drafting, editing, and making each article better than the previous ones. I began the semester thinking I wouldn’t survive and ready to fall apart at any moment. It took me until the very end, when my professor emailed and told me how proud she was of the hard work I put into my internship and Freelance Writing class, that I realized I actually pulled this off without completely losing my sanity (I couldn’t have done it without prayer and God leading me through it all).
Do You Like Conspiracy Theories???
One last thing… I’d like to share an article I wrote in my Freelance Writing class on three celebrities from the past, who died mysteriously. Personally, I love reading about stars from any decade, even if it means going back to Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and George Reeve’s time of fame. Whether you know them or not, here’s some interesting info I think you might enjoy. I had the most fun writing it, uncovering more about their deaths and the mysterious circumstances that surrounded each one. If you like it, let me know!
Column: Hollywood Spills the Tea
Top Three Hollywood Cold-Case Conspiracies
By Chea Kostbar
Murder mysteries: exciting and terrifying stories that can bring out the Nancy Drew side of anyone. Especially in real life, when it comes to celebrities in the public eye. Fans tend to notice when they die and when suspicious circumstances surround their deaths. They are left wondering: How did they really die? And what really occurs behind a celebrity’s closed door?
Conspiracists are constantly seeking to find answers and open the doors to the world of the rich and famous and discover how they truly live. Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and George Reeve’s are only three of many classic Hollywood stars, whose deaths were treated with suspicion and still remain unsolved cold-cases. The question remains: Are their deaths worth reopening, and can they finally be solved?
The Blonde Bombshell
Marilyn Monroe; the 36-year-old “blonde bombshell” from the 1950s-1960s, died August 5th, 1962. Monroe’s autopsy report was treated with suspicion when released with claims she died after ingesting multiple pills. However, no trace of the capsules in her stomach or suicide note were found. Police discovered her body lying nude and face down on her bed, with a telephone in one hand.
Her assumed suicide faced murder speculation. Many thought John F. Kennedy and his brother Bobby were involved with her death due to rumored affairs with them. Monroe’s housekeeper, Eunice Murray, claimed Bobby Kennedy visited Monroe the night of her death, believing the pair fought before her untimely passing.
The Los Angeles coroner office quickly declared her death “probable suicide.” However, the deputy coroner who signed Monroe’s death certificate eventually claimed he did so “under duress.” With a statement like that, her death suggests the possibility of a cover-up. Could the Kennedy’s have played a role in her passing? They certainly had the motive, with the risk of her claiming the alleged affairs were true.
Many conspiracists wanted Monroe’s case reopened including junior medical examiner, Thomas Noguchi, who performed her autopsy. Nothing came of reopening the case, but conspirators agree on one thing: If Monroe was murdered, only someone with power and resources could have killed and covered up the death of the famous movie star.
West Side Story Girl
Natalie Wood; the 43-year-old star of West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause, died November 29, 1981. Wood took a deadly weekend boat getaway off the coast of Catalina where they found her drowned, bruised body floating in the water a mile from the boat in a red jacket and flannel nightgown.
Accusations of foul play were quickly placed against the other people on the boat: her husband, Robert Wagner; friend, Christopher Walken; and boat captain, Dennis Davern. After a two week investigation, Police listed Wood’s death as accidental drowning.
Thirty years later, the L.A. Sheriff’s Department reopened the case, and the coroner’s office changed her death certificate to drowning and other undetermined factors. In 2018, police named Wagner a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
The Original Man of Steel
George Reeves- known for his role as 1950s Superman, died in 1959 from a fatal gunshot wound to the head. His death at 45 ended in the house his ex-lover, Toni Mannix purchased him, despite leaving her for younger New York socialite, Leonore Lemmon.
The night of the incident, a party occurred with Reeves upstairs while drunk company remained downstairs. The guests claimed they heard one gunshot when there were three and delayed calling law enforcement following it.
Murder allegations arose against Eddie Mannix, husband of Toni and famed Hollywood star scandal fixer, Toni Mannix and Leonore Lemmon. Did Eddie kill Reeves, angered over his wife’s affair with him? Would Toni murder him for ending their relationship and leaving her for Leonore? Or was it Leonore, the girl with a temper who argued with Reeves the night of his death and waited to call the police. Despite assumptions, police pronounced his death a suicide.
The incident remains mysterious for many reasons. Shells were found underneath Reeves with two bullets embedded in the floor, the gun was registered under Eddie Mannix’s name, Lemmon waited 45 minutes to call the police, and the coroners never checked for gunpowder residue on Reeves’ hands. Sixty years later, the suicide stays questionable.
Will We Ever Know The Truth?
Monroe, Wood, and Reeves share tragic tales with unanswered questions. One thing that stands out: the police opened and shut their investigations too quickly. This leaves conspiracists thinking: Are there cover-ups involved? Does money buy you an out for murder? Could bribery play a factor in their deaths?
With the Kennedy family’s power and fame, they could have convinced police to declare Monroe’s death a suicide. In Wood’s case, money might play a factor in the cover-up, and as of 2018, LA police no longer accept the bribe. Maybe for Reeves, the three suspects closest to him convinced police to shut the case with hush money too.
Curiosity may have killed the cat but that never stopped conspirators from trying to solve celebrity crimes, no matter how old the cases are. A good murder mystery catches the eye of anyone interested enough to come up with outrageous theories on who done it. Because of course, a strange death can’t be an accident or suicide, right?
Dimuro, Gina. “The Death Of Marilyn Monroe: Accident, Suicide, Or Murder?” All That’s Interesting, All That’s Interesting, 13 Sept. 2019, allthatsinteresting.com/marilyn-monroe-death.
Dimuro, Gina. “Who Killed Superman George Reeves?” All That’s Interesting, All That’s Interesting, 16 Oct. 2018, allthatsinteresting.com/george-reeves-superman
The Chronicles of Chea K. 