As July comes to a close and we all get ready to tackle this next month, I thought I would share some of my favorite books, movies, trends and more that I can't stop talking about. I think that this is fun for all of us. I get to ramble on about things that I enjoyed during the month and you can get some new (or maybe not) things to do/try during the month of August.
Books:
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
This was by far one of my favorites books of July(maybe even the whole year). It takes place in 2002, one year after 9/11 and tells the story of a 16 year old Muslim girl named Shirin. The novel highlights her struggles with stereotypes and the discrimination she faces each day at school because of how she looks and what she chooses to wear. These struggles are what cause her to close herself off from her classmates and immerse herself in the art of music and break-dancing. However, a love interest teaches her not only how to open herself up again but to break down the barrier she spent so much of her life building up. I absolutely adored this book. The writing was elegant and poised and sheds light on serious topics that still appear today in our own society. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a quick but life-changing read.
Again, but Better by Christine Riccio
For anyone going through a change in their life, especially those heading off to college or high school next year, this book is a MUST. I picked it up at the library one day being sensibly interested in the plot but ended up melting into the pages. It tells the story of Shane, a college student studying pre-med who decides to study abroad. Why? Shane believes that she has been doing everything wrong in college including her choice to not try to make any friends, only studying medicine for the approval of her parents and having a non-existent romantic life. But that is all going to change, she decides. But what Shane comes to find is that it is not that easy and her "ideal new life" is more complicated than she first thought. I loved this book because of the two main messages I received from it. One being that you only get to do college, high school, everything, once. And two, you must always do what you love and what makes your heart leap towards.
Music
Favorite songs:
1- Sweet Sublime by Ruby Waters
2- Mind Over Matter by Young the Giant
3- California by The Band CAMINO
4- Creme de la creme by Evalyn
Albums you definitely should be listening to...
Banks (new album is FIRE)
Kacey Musgraves ( always )
Vampire Weekend (new album)
Daniel Caeser and Tyler, the Creator (also just FIRE)
Movies
Sorry to Bother You
Okay, this movie is really weird and pretty whacked but oh was it so good. The whole theme of the movie is basically the effects of capitalism on our country. The main character, a telemarketer, works his way up to the "top of the food chain" where he finds things aren't as elegant as they seemed when he was lower class. There is a lot of satire throughout the movie but the idea is so real that it had me f-ed up for a couple of days. This movie was really interesting to me though because it relates so heavily to materialism in our world today and how nothing is ever enough.
Five Feet Apart
Love love love love LOVE this movie(its also a book which is equally incredible). No other movie (besides Marley & Me) had ever taken me on so much of a roller coaster of emotions before this one. Holy crap you guys, I am honestly having trouble even coming up with words to describe the experience that is "Five Feet Apart". Regardless though, the movie is about two teens with Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that effects the cell in the body that produces mucus, sweat and digestive juices. They fall in love but there's a catch, they have to stay "five feet apart" at all times. Hence the reason why this movie is incredible intense and heart-wrenching. This is a "curl up with a warm blanket in a dark basement with many refills of popcorn, alone" kind of movie (alone because the crying may become audible).
Misc
Waterproof Birkenstocks- cute AND affordable. I know a lot of people are sick of buying the birks that are literally $130 so this is an awesome way to not only save money, but change up your style during the last hot months of summer.
Filas- no, not "dinostompers". Lets just agree on letting people wear what makes them feel confident and if you want to wear shoes that are 3 inches thick but very comfortable, you have my full support!!
Spin Class- being a runner, I honestly really enjoy any form of exercise but spin class has been my pride and joy recently. It is a quick but difficult workout where the music is loud and the vibes are REAL. It is basically Zumba class but on bikes and on steroids which is so unique and fun! I recommend this to anyone looking for a new workout regime or something fun to do with friends or family.
Reusable everything- I know I post a lot of stuff on my Instagram about saving the environment but I believe that the best way to spread the movement is to SPREAD the movement. So, please consider finding ways to do so. I've referred to several books on my Insta but if you need more info let me know!
theSkimm- want to be more well-informed about what is going on in the world but don't have the patience (like me) to read through an entire newspaper or sit through two hours of news on the TV? Then theSkimm is perfect subscription for you! It literally "skims" through current events and things that we really should just be aware of as adults/young adults. Oh and its free!
Espresso Royale- I decided this month that I would branch out from my regular Starbucks drink and try some local coffee shops instead. Not only was I amazed at the taste of the coffee at Espresso Royale but also with its aesthetically pleasing seating area. They have an outdoor patio that is so hipster and trendy which brings a very chill vibe to your afternoon coffee break. Definitely a keeper!!
Celsius- If any of you know me super well, you know how obsessed I am with this drink. As a literal coffee addict, this drink satisfies my every day need for energy and the ability to not be a raging bi***. Celsius is an energy drink that is made for what all gym junkies call their "pre-workout". Holding 200mg of caffeine, it boosts metabolism, burns body fat, has no sugar or preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors, and contains 7 essential vitamins such as C, B6 and B12 and green tea extract. It is carbonated but if you're not into that, they also have non-carbonated flavors that are just as good.
I hope that everyone had a good month of July! Lets tackle this next month with new goals and positive vibes:)
Until Next Time,
Lo:)
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