Day-Dreamer, Night-Thinker

Lotus Land

Hello readers!

Today I wanted to share with you some photos from an outing I recently took with my grandma to Lotus Land. For those of you who don't know, Lotus Land is a garden here in my town and is my absolute favorite place on Earth. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to go, and I would like to thank my grandma for this lovely birthday gift. So without further ado, here are some photos!

Book Review: A Certain Slant of Light

Summary: A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb is a surreal romance about two ghosts, or 'light' as they call themselves. The protagonist, Helen, meets a boy named James who is able to see her while haunting her host Mr. Brown at the local high school. Her fear is quickly turned to curiosity, and then to something much deeper as she learns that he too is light, but has learned to inhabit the body of one of the quick (living beings). They proceed to find her a human body to inhabit as well, and the two fall deeply in love. But their intrusions have repercussions, and they find that they have tangled the fates of the families they have become part of hopelessly and irrevocably.

Review:

Overall, this book grew on me. When I began it I was very skeptical, and found the plot line simple and rather predictable. However, as I continued to read, I became more invested in the story and characters. So if you do pick up this book, give it a few chapters before you set it aside.

My favorite part of this book was definitely the language. It was incredibly poetic, and full of rich, colorful figurative language. I would say the main reason I enjoyed the book was the writing style and the aesthetic of the book in general.

As for the plot, I had some parts I loved and some parts I found annoying. First of all, I was confused by the fact that they were actually adults, but chose to inhabit the bodies of teenagers. Although it would've been one thing if they acted like adults, they seemed to have the maturity and mindsets of typical sixteen or seventeen year olds. Moreover, being a YA book, I feel it would've made more sense to just have them be young adults instead of trying to make a person who is in a teenager's body but still acting like an adult. It just made it confusing. The love story itself was very basic, and I thought it was annoying how quickly they fell in love ((like in two pages it seemed like)). The concept itself was intriguing, and I like the take on haunting and ghosts. I wish that it had been a little creepier though, although I don't think that's the direction the author was trying to take it. I really liked the families of the two people Helen and James possessed, and I think their interaction with the light was really interesting to read. I especially enjoyed reading about Jenny's (or Helen's) family, and I think that their dynamic was so interesting to explore. Whitcomb did an awesome job showing the families' interactions but still leaving the reader to form their own inferences and opinions, which is the mark of a truly good writer, and I applaud her.

For me, the ending of this book was one of it's strongest points. I was moved, and I liked the way it neatly concluded the book while still leaving room for the imagination to elaborate more on the story. The message itself was also so meaningful, and I think that it closed the book perfectly.

Overall, this book is a pleasant read. It's quick and will leave you with a happy, if slightly nostalgic, impression, an I would recommend placing it in between denser or more emotional reads.

What did you think of A Certain Slant of Light? Did you find the language intriguing? The love story basic? Comment below!

I just discovered there is a sequel to this book-- I think I'll pick it up soon. Let me know if you'd enjoy a review on that as well.

A Wish I Forgot to Make

Beginnings are hard for me

I erase too much

Overthink

And then it doesn't flow right

How to get from A to B is a challenge in itself

So let's just skip that step

I leave my plants in a drought and my room messy for too long

Do I find comfort in the chaos?

I'm not sure,

I know I do find something in order but I don't know what

I found an eye for you

I could sew it on and you could see

But you've been missing it for so long it almost looks strange

I keep floating back

Over and over

My teeth are too straight

It shouldn't matter

I have too many library books sitting on my shelf for anything to matter

But it does

And I catch myself watching for you in the tinted windows of passing cars as I walk home

Clothes soaked and heart waterlogged

The streets were covered in confetti

Who would clean it up?

And I wonder

If your invitation

I've so long awaited

Is an answer to a wish I didn't make

forgot to make

On that shooting star last night

It's hard to remember to wish on a star when you are feeling so close to the one who threw it across the sky

I have a bruised purple finger

A reminder that physical pain is real

And so are car doors

I feel I have so many blemishes

But really I am more whole than most

And my selfishness shames me

I paint my lips black

Maybe 16 will be the year I can add another needle

Olive branches on tan skin

Six dollar shirts

A sandwich I've never tasted

And experiencing a place I've never been

I wish I could stop

Living the present in the future

Why can't I just let it go?

Maybe you help me stay in the present

Or maybe you just help me forget the present, past, and future exist

You'd think I was philosophical

But really I wear octopus pajamas while writing overthought poetry that I try too hard to make sound under-thought

And I'm just as tired as you

Bandaids don't stop the pain, they just hide it

So everyone knows something hurts

But nobody knows what

Except for you.

Why is every poem I write like a million years long? Sorry guys.

Sketchbook Work

It feels like I just published a sketchbook post, but in reality my last one was so long ago. I have completed a multitude of new artwork in my sketchbook to share with you, so enjoy and comment your favorite pieces :)

flowers in your eyes ((I like this concept--maybe and OC? Who knows.))

a little art journal

Twenty-One Pilots Holding on to You-- this song is my jam right now guys

Mermaid ((of course))

Random girl

MAGNUS LUKAS DAMORA

more art journal

purple hair

even more art journal wow I have a lot

Halloween art journal yay! So much spook xD

Bastille!!

Hello hello awesome readers!

First of all-- I am aware that it has been way too long since I last posted. I had midterms last week, and was quite crunched as far as time went. I missed you all so so much, and I hope to be able to post more now that those tests are all over because I have so many posts to do!

And that brings us to this post--

I WENT TO SEE BASTILLE IN CONCERT

AND IT WAS SO AMAZING

For those of you who are not yet aware, Bastille is my favorite band. I was very very excited (like freaking out every day excited) to have the opportunity to see them, and it was such a crazy experience. I was jumping up and down and filming every song and singing at the top of my lungs. There was once point I remember specifically when they were playing Fake It, my favorite song in the new album, and I felt a thrill go through me as I realized I was actually there, listening to my favorite songs live. It was incredible.

But enough of me jabbering away- I have some videos and photos for you to enjoy :)

((or check this video out on my youtube --maybe better quality?-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyjtNqbCsB4

The Greek Myth Book Tag

I'm back and with another tag!! I keep getting tagged for all these sweet book-y writer-y tags it's awesome and I'm so excited about all of them. This one is thanks to the superb Ellie who runs a rad blog go check her out. So anyways here is the tag!

Zeus/Jupiter- God of the Sky+Thunder, King of Gods: Favorite Book (Choose Your Own Category)

To Kill A Mockingbird is by far one of the best books I've ever read- it was just so so good.

Hera/Juno- Goddess of Marriage and Family: Cutest Book Couple

Percabeth. Sorry-- you knew this post wasn't going to happen without at least one Heroes of Olympus book I mean come on it is the Greek Myth tag

Poseidon/Neptune- God of the Seas and Earthquakes: Book that Drowned you in Feels

I still haven't fully recovered.

Athena/Minerva- Goddess of Wisdom, Handicraft, and Strategic Warfare: Series with the Best World-Building

The world in this series was great as well as the plot and structure and everything about it.

Hades/Pluto- God of the Underworld: Favorite Book with a Dark, Ominous Plot

Stephen King is a master at freaking people out, and this book was spooky for sure.

Aphrodite/Venus- Goddess of Love and Beauty: Favorite Book Cover on a 2016 Release

I have yet to read this one as it just came out, but is that cover not totally epic?

Ares/Mars: God of War and Bloodshed: Most Violent Book You've Ever Read

There was a lot of assassination and just generally disturbing things that happened in these books, especially this one. But they were superb books and I love them and would recommend them, just fair warning.

Hephaestus/Vulcan- God of Blacksmiths and Fire: Biggest Fictional Crush

Haha sorry to double up on the Percy Jackson references but Leo Valdez...He's great

Artemis/Diana- Goddess of the Hunt and Virginity: Favorite Heroine

Nasuada definitely wins this one-- she essentially carried this whole series on her back and saved everyone. She is amazing. ((and there is also not any good fan art of her I tried))

Phoebus Apollo/Apollo- God of Lights and Healing: Sequel Book that Redeemed it's Series

I don't know if I could go so far as to say it 'redeemed' the series but at least it closed it up as neatly as possible and left it alone for good.

Hermes/Mercury- Messenger God of Thieves and Commerce: Book with the Best Message

This book is just incredible. It changed my whole life. I highly, highly recommend it.

Hestia/Vesta- Goddess of Hearth and Home: Most Relatable Book ((Or Book that is Closest to Your Heart in General))

This book has meant a lot to me for a really long time. It's sort of just my comfort book, the book that I turn to when I just need something warm and familiar and beautiful to read. This is that book for me.

Demeter/Ceres- Goddess of Fertility and Agriculture: Favorite Bookish Setting