The List by Siobhan Vivian

          The List by Siobhan Vivian is a book that brings different elements to it. To me, it seems to be a mix of Pretty Little Liars (except a lot more tame) and Gossip Girl, which is different. 
       What happens is each year before homecoming, a list comes out. This list picks two girls from each grade, this list picks one pretty and ugly girl from the freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior class. The List basically chronicles how each girl, who made this years list, handles being called pretty or ugly by the entire school. 
       I liked that this book had all the characters deal with this list in different ways. They all faced self-esteem issues, ridicule, and judgement from all their peers which is what school can be sometimes be like. So I like how honest this book was. The characters were all great, I liked the layers they had to them and I liked how my thoughts about them changed throughout the story. I like the sense of mystery added to it when we find out who created this years list. When we find out who made the list I feel like it comes out of nowhere, like it wasn't foreshadowed or really discussed much, so I feel like it should have been. In the beginning I really didn't wonder who created the list because I feel like the author, Siobhan Vivian didn't make it a big deal. So when it's revealed who created it I was sort of blindsided since it comes out of nowhere. I also felt like the book could have been a little longer, it almost felt rushed.
       Other than the fact that it felt rushed and there was a lack of foreshadowing, I think The List was a nice book to read. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.  

(306 words)

Red by Taylor Swift

       Red is the fourth studio album by Taylor Swift which was released on October 22, 2012 in many places including the United States, the U.K and Canada. Red is one of the most different, unique, and intricate pieces of her work to date and it probably won't be her last. With this new album, Taylor Swift transcends into a genre new to her, pop. Though she tries to include some elements of her country roots I think it's safe to say that she has officially changed up her style and this album is definitely not a fail.
       Songs I think are worthy of giving a listen to, if you haven't already, include: State of Grace, Red, I Knew You Were Trouble, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, I Almost Do, and Starlight.
      To me, State of Grace is the moment you realize you're in love and like her lyrics say, you never saw it coming. It's how you look back at those moments you've had with your special someone and you're like, "Oh my gosh, he can be the one." This song definitely highlights the process of falling in love with someone and the endless possibilities you can have with him. 
      Red has to be my absolute favorite song of the album! The song seems to describe all those feelings when it comes to love, it's imagery is beautiful. The lyrics are heartwarming and the beat to the song is simply amazing to listen and sing to!
      I Knew You Were Trouble is basically the song that says, "I knew you were trouble but I was willing to risk my heart to love you, which was stupid of me." That's what I got from this beautiful song and I agree with it, a lot. 
      We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. I feel like the title of this song says it all, it's that song you can sing along to because it's catchy and maybe some people will listen to it when they're bitter about a break-up, I feel like that will probably happen, I really do. 
        A song that I enjoy listening to is I Almost Do, I'd say it's one of my top five favorite songs of the album. I like this song because I'm able to relate to it. I know I say that a lot but the way I see it: If it doesn't touch you in different ways and forms, than it's not really something you're able to understand, which is stupid because you should be able to understand it and feel emotions running through you. I Almost Do is the kind of song that reminds me of someone I wish was still here with me and it explains how much they meant to me and I'll always look back with fond memories of that person even though it's been years. 
       Another marvelous tune on this album is Starlight, again this song would probably be one of my top five songs. I like this song because it describes such a beautiful love story in about four minutes. I'm probably going to be replaying this song for the next couple of days.
       All in all, I think Taylor Swift has succeeded with changing up her sound with the release of Red. Like always her songs are like excerpts of her diary and are relatable to many young girls. This album was filled with beautiful songs, lyrics, and it was fun listening to it! I give this album 4 out of 5 stars. 
         
(587 words)

Journaling

         Everyone has their own thing they do when they're bored, some would call that a hobby. Some people only have one specific hobby while others have a bunch of hobbies. Some play sports, some make videos, some make art, some create and listen to music, but I write. I write all kinds of things but the form of writing I use more often would be journaling. 

      Journaling is a way to express yourself, which is why I like to do it so much. Since I can be very reserved and shy, except with my closest friends, I usually am able to express myself best in my writing. Which I guess explains why I like my language arts classes. Since I journal so much I have a lot of them stored away with a bunch of my silly thoughts, ideas, diary entries, lyrics, and any other thing that I felt like scribbling into my journal at the time. To some it might be silly that I keep a journal but I think keeping a journal can be a valuable treasure. Years from now I'll enjoy looking back at my silly complaints and I'll make fun of myself for being such a drama queen. I'll be able to reflect back on moments special to me. Journals are thoughts that can never be lost or forgotten, they can be revisited. 

       So what do I write in my journals? I write a variety of stuff. I write lyrics, observations around me, my thoughts, my feelings about a certain issue, lists, summaries of future novels I'd like to write, and diary entries. If a person were to pick up my collection of journals for some reason than they would learn so much about me, you'd practically be probing through my brain. Which some of my closest friends would advise you not to do so.  

        I do other things in my journals as well. I tape in little mementos into the pages such as a ticket stub of a movie I'd been anticipating to see for a while, my old school I.D's, pictures, and a bunch of other stuff. 

        My point is journaling is definitely something everyone should try at some point. Try it and if you don't like it than that's fine, at least you have the satisfaction of saying you tried it but it just wasn't for you. So far I have successfully completed two, they both chronicle my sophomore year of high school. Right now I'm on my third journal with Paris, France on the cover cause I have a weird fascination with France. Anyways, I'm more than halfway through it and it chronicles the beginning of my junior year. I feel like I'll journal for the rest of my life, maybe I'll let my future kids read them and maybe their kids will read my journals, it seems kind of cool if you think about it. 

(484 words)

         

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

         Anna and the French Kiss is written by Stephanie Perkins. The book is about teenage girl, Anna Oliphant, who is sent off to boarding school, in France, because her dad feels like she should gain experience in a different culture. Initially, Anna isn't so happy because she isn't ready to leave behind her home: Atlanta, Georgia as well as her friends and her crush who can potentially become something more. She's also weary about starting her senior year in a different country, with different customs, trying to make new friends, and learning who she is and what she really wants.
     What initially drew me to this book is the cover, I know the saying: Don't judge a book by its cover. The thing is, I do judge a book by its cover, if the cover is appealing in any way to me than chances are I'll pick it up and read the summary on the book. When I saw the spine on Anna and the French Kiss, it immediately drew me in because the Eiffel Tower was on it. Since I'm totally in love with anything French related I knew I had to try this book, so I did and I didn't regret it.
      Lately I've been reading a lot of paranormal books so it was refreshing to take a break from those and to immerse myself into this book which was like a scoop of strawberry ice cream! 
      I loved the quirky character, Anna and I loved seeing how she got through this huge change. If I were in her place though, I think I'd be ecstatic to go to Paris! True, I'd miss the people I care about but it's not like I'd cut them out of my life completely. Anna wasn't happy at all going to a boarding school in Paris but she eventually grew to love it. In the end she didn't consider it her home, she didn't consider Atlanta home either but she did find something else that she considered home and it was super adorable! 
      The romance, was definitely something I adored about this book. It was something typical and something everyone is able to relate to because like all of us, Anna can't help but wonder if the guy she likes is into her as well.
       This book was really cute, I loved how the story takes place in France, Anna is amazingly quirky and easy to relate to, all the other characters like St. Clair and Mer are really fun to read about, and the romance in this book was adorable! I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

(438 words)
      

Don't Panic by All Time Low

        Don't Panic is the fifth studio album released by one of my favorite bands, All Time Low. It was released just recently on October 9, 2012 and some of the singles so far released include: The Reckless and the Brave, For Baltimore, and Somewhere in Neverland. I haven't really talked about album covers before but the album cover All Time Low did for Don't Panic is just absolutely amazing and cool. I've see an album cover similar to this cover one other time and that was Foster the People's, Torches. I think both albums and album covers are cool in their own way.
        Anyways, the album begins with The Reckless and the Brave which is different from all the other All Time Low songs I've heard, I would personally say. But it's not a bad kind of different, it's refreshing to hear and I feel like this song could be the anthem to those people who just don't care what others think and it just cheers them on. Lyrics that make me believe this include:

                           Long live the reckless and the brave

                             I don't think I want to be saved

                                My song has not been sung

                                         So long live us

At one point in the song they also say:

                        Looking back at a life on the other side
                               I realize that I didn't fit in
                       Didn't hate it, but I didn't quite relate it
                             To my precious little world.

        The Reckless and the Brave is definitely worth listening to if you haven't already and while you're at it you might as well check out the rest of the album, why just check out one song?
         Songs off the album I really enjoyed listening to, besides The Reckless and the Brave; include Backseat Serenade featuring lead singer of Hey Monday, Cassadee Pope; If These Sheets Were States; and So Long, Thanks for All the Booze.
        Each song has something in common they all have a good melody to them that I enjoy and great lyrics, I just love lyrics to songs, they're just as important as the melody if not even more important. Another thing I always look for in songs is if I'm able to relate to them. I mean it's kind of pointless if you don't have some sort of connection in the music you listen to. And All Time Low's music does that for me, I'm able to connect to it, they have amazing lyrics, and they have great melodies you can to along with your friends. 
        The song I absolutely love, and I believe should have a music video, would be the song: If These Sheets Were States. The lyrics to this song are very relatable to most people and I'm able to develop a connection to them which is what I love about the song. In addition it has a funny sort of twist to it and the melody is great! Definitely a song you should check out.
      The album is great and I definitely can't wait to download all the songs, I give Don't Panic by All Time Low 4 out of 5 stars. If you want you can check out their song, If These Sheets Were States below.

(479 words, not including lyrics of song: The Reckless and the Brave)

     

All I've Ever Known

            It's weird and unimaginable to know that two years from now I'll be out of high school. I'll be eighteen and hopefully in college, beginning a different life then the one I have now. Setting this new life apart from all I've ever known. The other day I was talking to my friend who graduates this year and she was saying how weird it was going to be not getting up at six in the morning to get ready to go to school after she's been doing it for so long and it made me think that soon I was going to be in her position, before I knew it. 
         Though I'm still a junior, I can't help but think of graduation sometimes. If you really think about it, life after high school is terrifying for many reasons. First of all thee's the million dollar question: What will I do for the rest of my life? I don't know about other people, but the adults in my life love to ask that question, they believe it's never too early to plan out my life before them. They don't realize that I do think about that but I'm taking it one day at a time. I mean some people already have that all figured out and planned but I honestly don't and I'm probably not the only one. I mean, I have a general idea but that's basically it. Right now I'm thinking either journalism or neonatal nursing as a career, both are so different yet I find each one fascinating in their own ways.
        Another reason life after high school is terrifying is you have no sense of direction. All your life you've known that you go to elementary, from there middle school, followed by high school. After that you decide what path you want to take, either continue your education or get a job right away. Growing up you're made to think that continuing your education is the best path but for some it's not. Some would rather become apprentices for a job and work their way up because that's what works best for them. My point is sometimes people aren't sure what's best for them and other people influence us to believe what certain things are best for us.
       Where you're going to live, is another thing you could ask yourself. You're faced with the decision of either moving out of your parents house and getting your own place or continue living with your parents until you believe you're financially stable enough to afford to move out into your own place with roommates or something. That's another important thing to think about. 
        There's a bunch of things to think about once you move on from high school, they're all scary and at the same time exciting. It's terrifying when you move on to new things but than again the experience is always worth it in the end. Though graduation is still some time away from now, I still can't help but think about it and all the other things I've ever known. 
         
(514 words)
          

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

        Masque of the Red Death is the first book of the Red Death series. The book is written by Bethany Griffin and is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's short story, The Masque of the Red Death. I remember being fascinated by Poe's short story when I first read it back in my freshmen year of high school in my language arts class. I loved how creepy it was and how Poe spent the entire time describing these beautiful rooms only to kill off all the people. When I heard about this book and how it was inspired by Poe's short story I was immediately intrigued on how Bethany Griffin would be able to portray his story into her own and I wasn't disappointed.
        Throughout the book the tone is mysterious, dark, and haunting which I think is amazing and I enjoy Bethany Griffin's style when it comes to her writing. It's different from other books I've read, I'm not exactly sure what about it is different though. Her writing perfectly creates an image in my head which is always a good thing to accomplish within a reader. 
       The world she has created with the help of Edgar Allan Poe is amazing to imagine. The main character, Araby Worth, lives in what seems to be in a dystopia society. Her world is succumbed by a plague where most of the population has died because of it. The people left try to avoid the plague by wearing specially designed masks only the rich can afford and the poor are forced to save up to buy one while running the risk of getting affected by the disease before they're able to save themselves. 
        I like how the people wear masks, I think it just adds to the mystery and the intrigue in this book. I love how the book has steampunk elements in it and I love how Araby joins forces with Elliot in hopes of creating a better world than what Prince Prospero has led. 
        I enjoyed reading about the characters, at first I didn't really connect with Araby which made it hard for me to read the first half of the book but along the way it got better. I loved her friends, April who is completely different from Araby. Elliot, April's older brother was entertaining to read about and how he interacted with Araby was even more fascinating. Will was sweet to read about because at first you think you know who he is, a bad boy but you later find out you're wrong. 
        The betrayals in the end of the book were shocking because I honestly didn't see them coming, it was as if they were pulled out of thin air so I had mixed feelings about them. 
        Some things that annoyed me about the book would probably be that there were moments when things were abrupt  sometimes it lacked a good transition which sometimes confused me but otherwise there wasn't really much to complain about. I give the book 4 out of 5 stars and I can't wait to read the next book, Dance of the Red Death. 

(520 words)

Sticks & Stones by Cher Lloyd

      Sticks & Stones is the debut studio album from British singer and rapper, Cher Lloyd probably best known for her hit song: Want U Back. The album was released nearly a year ago on November 7, 2011 and the United States version was recently released on October 2, 2012.       I like the album because of its infectious rhythms and fun lyrics, it's a great album to dance to and have fun with your friends at a party. The lyrics aren't really serious and they don't really seem to have a meaning behind them that I can find but I still like them because they're fun and catchy to listen to. 
        The United States version starts off with her single, Want U Back and it ends with End Up Here. I liked all of the songs for the reason that they each make you want to get up and dance. But if I had to choose my absolute favorites of the song would include Want U Back because me and my friend like singing to it she especially loves singing to it. She loves Want U Back the way I like to sing Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen. It's a song everyone can relate to and I like how "in your face" the music video is. 
       Another song off the album I love listening to is her fourth single: Oath featuring another fellow rapper, Becky Gomez. I like the song because I think it's the anthem for all best friends out there, it perfectly describes a peoples friendship with one another. I guess I like it because it's easy to relate to and that's always a good thing to incorporate into your music, it's what brings in a good audience. 
       Beautiful People featuring a collaboration between her and Swedish pop-rockers, Carolina Liar is another amazing song! I like this song because while all the other songs are bright and ready to dance to Beautiful People isn't, I think that shows off another side of Cher Lloyd. It also showcases her singing talents. The song is nice and slow with the most meaningful lyrics off the whole album, in my opinion. Hopefully, in her future albums, she will feature similar songs to Beautiful People because it's my absolute favorite song off the whole album. 
       The album was good to dance to and it had fun lyrics so I give this album 3 out of 5 stars.




(408 words)

France

           Ever since I can remember I have always had this fascination with France and anything French related. I'm not exactly sure why, it's just the truth. France has always been the number one place I have always wanted to go and hopefully one day I do go, that would be amazing! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a place, the place, they would love to go to one day if they haven't already. For some it could be Russia, Uruguay, Mexico, Germany, others it could be Spain, or Madagascar but for me it's France. 
        Reasons I would love to go to France one day include:

• The language. I'm bilingual which means I can speak two languages pretty fluently, English and Spanish. But just because I speak two languages already doesn't mean I don't want to learn any more languages! Since I'm taking Spanish right now to further improve it and since I'm going to be a senior next year, I decided that I would take AP Spanish as well as French at my school, which I'm excited to do! The French language is so beautiful!
• It's history. France's history is fascinating to me for a reason, especially in the age of monarchy's and eventually the time of Absolute monarchy. Last year I wanted to learn more about France and its history so I decided that I would take European history as a sophomore at my school and I'm so glad I did! Europe is amazing overall but I loved learning about The French Revolution and Marie Antoinette's marriage to Louis XVI, the Napoleonic Era and all of that other good stuff.
• Paris, France is one of the fashion capitals like London, Milan, and our own New York. Fashion is not as important to me as to other people but I do respect the fact that Paris, France is considered to be one of the fashion capitals of the world, I find it kind of cool!
• The places you can visit seem endless! There are so many places I want to go to in France but to name a few those places include The Eiffel Tower, it's the number one place I really have to see one day, especially at night because in the picture the tower looks breathtaking! Another place is a place I learned about in my AP European History class sophomore year and it's the Palace of Versailles. The palace is so beautiful in pictures and I'm pretty sure it's even better in person just like the rest of the country!

(426 words)

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

       Beautiful Darkness is the second book of The Caster Chronicles, written by the two friends, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. 
       I read the first book of the series a couple years ago and I enjoyed it, I thought the characters and their personality were different than what I had read before. Lena Duchannes and Ethan Wate were unique characters with their little quirks that I enjoyed like Lena carrying around a tattered notebook everywhere she went and the necklace she used to keep small things like a button, or a small sharpie Ethan gave her, small things like that.
       When I started reading Beautiful Darkness, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Usually I have a pretty good idea where the book is going to go but not with this series, this series always has me guessing and always has me constantly being wrong, which I'm not used to. I enjoy the element of surprise in this book, it's nice to have me guessing.
       The world the authors have created is just amazing! I love the ideas, the creativity  and all the thoughts they put into creating such a complicated and a beautiful world. 
        New characters included Liv who I really liked reading about because she was definitely different from Lena. Liv was sarcastic and smart meanwhile Lena is more shy and thoughtful. The addition of Liv and the new guy, John Breed was nice too. We didn't get to see as much as John Breed like we did about Liv but I can't wait to see what he has to contribute to the story, him being a half-breed.
        In the end I give Beautiful Darkness, 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed some of it but there were moments in the book I had to force myself to continue to read. I do like the series though, so I'm going to continue reading it.  

(315 words)

The 2nd Law by Muse

        The 2nd Law by Muse is the sixth studio album that was recently released. In some places it was released on September 28, 2012 meanwhile in North America it was just released, October 2, 2012 and in some places it's released October 3, 2012. 
        Starting off with Supremacy and ending the album with The 2nd Law: Isolated System, I thought Muse pretty much stuck to the same vibe as all their other songs, which is good, I like it. There are definitely some songs on the album in which they changed their sound like, The 2nd Law: Unsustainable. Personally I liked it and I had no problem that hey were trying something out. Slight differences in their sound doesn't change the fact that their lyrics are amazing, as always and they're haunting in a beautiful kind of way. 
        The songs that definitely stand out for me would include: Supremacy, Madness, Panic Station and Follow Me. I enjoyed a lot of the other songs but I'd say those were the ones I enjoyed listening to the most. 
        Supremacy starts off with a good beat and it has a haunting sound. Matthew Bellamy's voice sounds amazing in this song, like always he just adds that extra edge to the song. The same thing goes for Madness, his voice is amazing on that song. To me the lyrics of Madness are probably one of the best lyrics to a song I've ever heard, I like how deep they are and my capability to relate to this makes it even better. My favorite part of the song, Madness, would probably be the way he says: I need to love. The way he says those words can affect a person to their core which is what a good song should do, good songs are the ones who have an affect on you after listening to them, a catchy beat shouldn't always be the reasoning for a song being called "good".
          Follow Me is the kind of song I would probably use to exercise to or to do my homework to. It's a good motivational song. 
         All in all I would give The 2nd Law by Muse 3 stars out of. The rhythm to the songs were good, the lyrics were great, and it was nice to listen to. If you want to check out some of the music by Muse, there's a video to Muse's single, Madness. 

(402 words)

        

Studying Tips

       Studying is something everyone goes through, I personally don't like it, it's no fun at all. But than again no one probably thinks studying is fun, it's a necessity. First of all I find it hard to concentrate, not only is it my environment that is usually distracting but it's also my sense of focus or more like lack of focus. I'm a person who just can't study no matter now important a test can be, I mean I'll try but the most I ever can get accomplished is just looking over my notes once, which I would not call studying at all. This year though, I think I've gotten slightly better at attempting to study, I think it's because of new techniques I'm trying and so far they're working out. This is what I've been trying:

• I'll admit, last year I took really crappy notes. When I mean I took crappy notes I'm not talking about handwriting, my handwriting is pretty decent. What I mean is I took notes and when I looked at them later on I really didn't understand what I had meant to say, from there it all went downhill. Since I couldn't understand what I meant, that meant more work for me because I would have to refer back to the textbook and I was honestly too lazy to do that so after that I just quit studying. The point is take notes you can understand. It'd be nice to take a look back at your notes and actually understand what's going on. 
• Spanish class, or any foreign language class, U.S history, Language arts, a lot of classes use new vocabulary terms you're meant to know. So when that happens it's always good to use flash cards. I used these for Spanish class in the last few years, I never really used them though but this year that's changing. This year, in U.S history, I started using them for the vocab. terms and they've been really helpful to me. Tests have become a lot more easier because I actually know what I'm talking about!
• Study guides is something most teachers give you, to be honest I don't really think they're that helpful but if you think they are than go ahead and use them. In my U.S history class my teacher doesn't hand out study guides and I'm still doing fine in that class, that's the one class I have the highest grade in right now. So study guides aren't meant for everyone but if that makes it easier for you go ahead and use them, just use them right. See, when I have to do a study guide I end up doing it just because it's worth points not because it helps me in understanding, that's the dangerous thing about study guides. 
• Highlight your notes, condense your notes down to the most basic, most important things you absolutely need to know. 
• Reread the chapter, this is really helpful because it jogs your memory, I usually end up doing this before the test a couple of days before.

       So those are the study tips I've been using so far this year and it's been really helpful, hopefully I helped you out in some way!

(539 words)