Posted in Wrap Ups and Challenges

January Wrap Up

Posted on by Rachel Hall

I cannot believe it is already February. It’s insane how time flies. But in a way, so many things have happened in the first month of 2020, it’s hard to believe that it all occurred in a span of just a few weeks.

I started my Spring Semester of College on January 6th, hence why my posts have been sparce lately. My goal is to have 1-2 posts a month and work my way up. However, my memory isn’t the best, so I may need to plan some dates and write it in my calendar.

Here are a few things that summed up my January. Write in the comments or write on your blog YOUR wrap ups!

Books:

U.S. History II by TopHat 3/15 chapters (for some reason there is no page numbers in the textbook)

The History of Music Expounded in Verse By Allen Webber page 23

Experience Music by Katherine Charlton page 78

Earth Science by Stanley Tarbuck page 79

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan page 210

Favorite Things

Passionate Professors are one of the things I’m very lucky to have this semester in my classes. It’s very fun when professors are excited about what they teach, and in turn, make me excited for what I get to learn.

Animal Crossing is a wholesome game where you take care of a town that are filled with adorable creatures. I’ve played it on and off for a long time, but with the rise of Nintendo’s new Animal Crossing themed Switch, the hype is back. Right now I am playing the app version called Animal Crossing Pocket Camp, which is free on the Apple App Store. If you want to be friends, my code is 3125 1678 458.

Chicago is full of towering buildings and cold weather, but most of all, it’s cold. I live in Florida so when I went to Chicago for a wedding, it was amazing to wear layers (yes multiple layers) of clothes, and be able to stomp in the white snow. Of course, it wasn’t always white and dreamy like, but it was still there nonetheless. I went to multiple museums and landmarks, but my favorite has to be the Field Museum with their collection of rare rocks and crystals. Here is my birthstone, opal:

If you would like to see more pictures and hear more thoughts on my trip, please let me know in the comments!

Posted in Book Reviews, Wrap Ups and Challenges

My Top 5 Books of 2019 (With Reviews)

Posted on by Rachel Hall

With the beginning of 2020 among us, I decided to write in my planner my top books of 2019, to recap the year and to evaluate my..well…evaluations. Seeing as I didn’t get back into reading until November, I decided to do top 5 rather than top 10 or 20. Hopefully this year I can read even more. Here is my list, in no particular order:

  1. Best. State. Ever. A Florida Man Defends His Homeland by Dave Barry

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2961980788?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

2. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2976576298?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

3. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3051576716?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

4. Sweat by Lynn Nottage

I don’t have a review for this one so I will just put the synopsis from Goodreads here:

No stranger to dramas both heartfelt and heart-rending, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage has written one of her most exquisitely devastating tragedies to date. In one of the poorest cities in America, Reading, Pennsylvania, a group of down-and-out factory workers struggles to keep their present lives in balance, ignorant of the financial devastation looming in their near futures. Set in 2008, the powerful crux of this new play is knowing the fate of the characters long before it’s even in their sights. Based on Nottage’s extensive research and interviews with real residents of Reading, Sweat is a topical reflection of the present and poignant outcome of America’s economic decline.

I rated this book 5/5 stars.

5. The Complete History of America (Abridged) by Adam Long, Reed Martin, and Austin Tichenor

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2961979968?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Posted in Lifestyle

The Little Women in my Family

Posted on by Rachel Hall

After seeing Little Women in theaters, directed by Greta Gerwig, I could not stop thinking about it. Not only did I see myself in Jo March (her temper, her desire to write, and most all to not love but feel loved) I saw all the March sisters within members of my family. 

Unfortunately, I am not one of four sisters. Even more unfortunate, I am not a March sister. But I firmly believe my mother, and her three other sisters are. My mother is the 7th of 8 kids, four boys and four girls. And each and every one of my aunts on that side of the family are just another version of what I saw on the big screen. (Just add some crass language.)

Like myself, I see my mother in Jo March. She is strong, smart, and independent. Even though my mother does not write, she lives her life and follows her dreams first, and has no problem being single until she meets a professor, who ends up being my father. She continues to follow her dreams, and is often, “bossy,” and strong-willed.

I see my aunt Ro in Beth March. She is not as loud as the other three sisters, but she too has her own incredible talents. She is kind and strong in her own way, and is talented in music. She is the mold that brings the family together.

I see my aunt Elizabeth in Meg March. She marries a man and has children because there was no bigger dream to her than having a family of her own. And despite the conflicts that come with parenthood, her love for her family, children, and husband only becomes stronger.

I see my aunt Donna in Amy March. She travels to far lands to pursue her dreams, but goes back to where she comes from and falls in love with someone she knew young. (In this case, her college sweetheart.)

Like the March sisters, I admire these women in my family, and I am fortunate to know them and love them. But most of all, I am fortunate to have grown up with them, and for them to have given me guidance to become a Little Woman myself.

Posted in Book Reviews

Pokémon Sun and Moon Vol. 1 Review

Posted on by Rachel Hall

The Sun and Moon Manga follows characters Sun and Moon. Sun, despite being young, cares a lot about his financial future, and wants as much money as possible. On one of his many odd jobs, he meets Moon, who is a pharmacist and archer looking for Professor Kukui. Together, they find him but are entangled with the gang Team Skull and together fight a Pokemon battle.

Find the rest of my review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3011489753

Posted in Wrap Ups and Challenges

Seeing 2020

Posted on by Rachel Hall

Hi my name is Rachel Hall. I’m making this website to talk about writing, reading, and everything in between. I’m a writer, reader, reviewer, roleplayer, avid tabletop player, and an active internet user. Right now I am 20 years old and it’s Christmas! Since it’s the end of the year, here are my goals for 2020:

Book Goals:

-Read 20 books

-Read more books with diverse characters

-Read different genres

-Read thicker books

Writer Goals

-Write half of my novel

-Be active on this blog

-Be active on twitter

-Be active on instagram