Life + Reading Update | May 28th, 2020

Wow, I haven’t posted on here in months. This is the longest I’ve officially gone without updating my blog since 2016. I apologize for randomly not posting however I’ve been active on my instagram so if you follow me there, you can get updates more often.

I guess the recent I haven’t been posting as much is because I haven’t been reading much either. When I do read, it takes me forever to finish something. I’m slowly making my way through Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins. I’m only about 200 pages in but I plan to read more tonight.

The bookstore I used to work at is closing and I haven’t had a job there since early March. I moved onto to working at Barnes & Noble but I unfortunately got laid off at the end of March. I haven’t gone back yet because our stores still aren’t open yet. I have no idea when it’ll open again. It’s been tough but I’m lucky enough to have my family here for me.

I also just went through a breakup that was hard. We had been dating for 4+ years and I’m not going to say it’s been easy, but I’m not hurt anymore. I feel pretty good about it, actually. The timing just sucks, though.

I was actually tested for COVID-19 recently as well and my test came back negative, thankfully. I’ve just been dealing with my asthma/anxiety lately. Because my asthma has been worse, I was recommended for both COVID tests. However, I’m very lucky my test came back negative.

I’ve been listening to a lot of music recently, as well as watching films here and there. I’m going to make a whole post dedicated to the films and stuff I’ve been watching recently. I hope you’re looking forward to that. 🙂

I hope you all are staying healthy!

 

 

 

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a Little Life Update

Hello everyone! I know I’ve disappeared a bit in the past few months but I just wanted to let you guys know what’s going on. I haven’t been posting nearly as much and I want to — it’s just been busy.

Let’s just get the big stuff out of the way first! I’ve been having really bad stomach pain the past month and I finally went to the doctor for it. It’s unlike any pain I’ve had before so I was worried. They thought maybe my appendix was irritated since it does happen on the right side often. I got a CT scan and my appendix was fine however, my lungs weren’t. They had seen a teeny tiny nodule on my left lung and decided I needed a full lung CT scan to make sure that’s what it really is. I went the next day for my lung CT scan and found out two days later that I actually have three nodules (or lumps) on my lungs. They’re not cancerous which I thought so considering I’m quite young and don’t even smoke. I was kind of shaken up by this because how do you not panic when you find out there’s things on your lungs that shouldn’t be there? Why are they even there? They said it could be from a lot of things but that I need to get routine CT scans every year to make sure they’re not growing. This is because if they are growing, they’ll start to cause problems with my breathing. They’re very small so I try to not worry about it but I’m seeing a lung specialist soon so still kind of worried. I have no idea why they’re there or if they even affect me already so I’m hoping I’ll find more out Tuesday.

Now, onto the other big thing that’s been upsetting me. One of my precious cats, Baby, passed away a few days ago. He had been struggling with his health for awhile since he had a category four heart murmur. If you know anything about heart murmurs in cats, that’s pretty dang bad. He actually lived much longer than he should have since we took great care of him and gave him medicine. Unfortunately, his medicine hadn’t been helping his breathing at all. You could tell it was hard for him to breathe and he was working extra hard to do so. He also has had seizures for the past year or so but they slowed down a lot after awhile and they didn’t worry us anymore. But, unfortunately, they started coming back and he had three in one day before he had to be put down. He started to pee himself every time and he seemed miserable. He wasn’t acting himself anymore and there wasn’t much we could do for him. His medicine stopped working and if we did an X-ray on him to find out more, he would’ve probably ended up on oxygen and in a hospital. It’s not the life he wanted to live and we know that. He was struggling so much in the end but it was still very hard to let him go. Losing a pet is so difficult because one moment they’re there and the next, they’re gone.

Now, onto the little things… I had to take the Fall semester off due to personal reasons so I haven’t been in school. I’ve been bored without school but this had let me read much more and focus on other things. I’m still working at the indie bookstore but I’m losing hope that I’ll have this job very long. I don’t want to share much about it but it seems like our store isn’t doing as well as it did before so I’m just praying that we stay open for now. It’s stressful working in a store that isn’t doing it’s best because you feel as if there’s something you should be doing but you can’t. I’m just a minimum wage bookseller with truly not much control at all. I just sell books.

I don’t have much more to update you on but if you wish to be updated more often, I’m way more active on my Instagram (@uponthepages). I try to post daily excluding Fridays and Saturdays. I hope to see you on there!

 

To hear my thoughts elsewhere, follow me on social media: Goodreads | BookTube | Instagram | Twitter

August Playlist | 2019

 I know this is incredibly late but it’s here now! Here’s all the songs I listened to on repeat during the month of August. I hope you find some new jams!

viii. août

truth hurts – lizzo

juice – lizzo

boyfriend ft. social house – ariana grande

bb talk – miley cyrus

i get so scared – miley cyrus

pablow the blowfish – miley cyrus

hey look ma, i made it – panic! at the disco

good as hell – lizzo

coloring book – the regrettes

pumpkin – the regrettes

stop and go – the regrettes

i dare you – the regrettes

dress up – the regrettes

more than a month – the regrettes

slide away – miley cyrus

people – the 1975

motivation – normani

false god – taylor swift

cruel summer – taylor swift

Albums that I had on repeat:

• Lover by Taylor Swift
• How Do You Love? by the Regrettes

Let me know what you’ve been listening to!

Things Not to Say/Do to Your Bookseller

I’ve been a bookseller for about a year now at two different bookstores (a chain and an indie) and there’s so many things I’ve heard that I wish I didn’t. As a bookseller, you learn a lot about your customers based on what they read and the endless conversations you have with them about these books. After a year of bookselling, there’s just some things that I want to advise you NOT to say to your bookseller.

• “Are you sure you don’t have it? It says in stock right there.”

This was something that happened to me SO often at Barnes & Noble. The customer service desks faced out towards customers and this caused a lot of issues with customers thinking they know what they’re reading. Yes, while the computer says it’s in stock, that’s only at a warehouse. If I tell you we don’t have the book and we can order it, just order it and believe me.

• “Don’t you have a cheaper version like a paperback of this new release in store?”

This was ALWAYS for new releases. Please understand that most of the time, publishers don’t release paperbacks until about a year after the release. This time frame mostly depends on how well the book is doing. If a book is flying off the shelves in a hardcover (For example: Where the Crawdads Sing), it’s less likely they’re going to release a paperback anytime soon. This is simply because they’re making more money off these hardcovers. So, if you don’t want to pay for the hard cover, you’re going to have to wait a year or so.

• Please stop leaving your iced plastic cups on the bookshelves. You’re ruining our shelves and books.

Most bookstores with Starbucks or coffee shops attached know what I’m talking about. There were so many different occasions I’d find an iced drink leaking all over the shelf because someone decided just to leave it there. There’s trash cans, people. Also, maybe get a more environmentally friendly cup that you won’t leave everywhere? It’s just annoying when there’s rings on our bookshelves because of other people not having manners. I get it, sometimes you forget your drink and it’s an accident, but DAMN. This happened to often for everyone to be that forgetful.

• You don’t have to whisper.

As an indie bookseller in a small store, it’s just awkward if you whisper. It’s not a library so you don’t need to be quiet. I can promise you I’m probably not even listening because I’m too busy reading my own book. It’s okay to talk to your friends or family while you’re book shopping!

• While I do have an expansive knowledge on books, I don’t know that book that was mentioned on the news this morning or a magazine.

I wish that I knew these books that are promoted on TV or in the paper. But, unfortunately, I don’t have time to watch the morning news. I’m usually at work when that’s airing. I’m not mad if you ask about these books but it sucks when I’m not able to find them online when you’re looking for them. I really do want you to find this book! Try to take a photo of the news article or the TV screen whenever they’re promoting the book. I’ll definitely be able to find it then.

• Print books aren’t dying and neither are the bookstores.

I hate it when people tell me this and remind me of their trusty e-reader they love so much. Don’t get me wrong, e-books are great. But, if you’re standing in the indie bookstore I work at, why would you tell me this? I’m aware of the popularization of e-books but it’s important to know print isn’t dying. If it was, we wouldn’t be a bookstore full of physical books. It is important to know that bookstores aren’t as busy as they were before but there’s new indie bookstores opening everywhere in America. In fact, there’s more newer indie bookstores than ever. That’s why it’s so important for you to shop at your indie bookstore. If you want to be able to linger around a bookstore for hours sipping on your hot coffee, you gotta at least get some books there!

• “The last time I read a book was for high school reading. It sucked.”

I’m glad you’re bragging about being illiterate, Brad. Why are you even here?

• “Do I HAVE to start with book one in the series?”

I can’t believe people really start in the middle of some series. Yes, I’m pretty sure if you want to understand most series: you should start with book one. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some series that you don’t really need to start at the beginning. But, if you ask me if you need to read the first book in Throne of Glass or A Darker Shade of Magic, I’m going to tell you: Yes. Definitely.

• Please stop taking photos of our books to buy them somewhere else.

Man, I really hated seeing this because I knew most people do this to pick up the book somewhere else (Amazon, probably). Google exists for a reason! Don’t waste my time asking me to help you find a book if you’re not going to buy it here. I’m not an Amazon bookseller. I’m an indie bookseller! I could be helping someone who genuinely wants to read and buy the book they need help finding.

• “The book you recommended me sucked.”

This hasn’t happened to me personally but it did happen to one of my old co-workers. I love giving recommendations to people but listen, I’m going to be bias. I’m going to recommend my favorite books to you if you ask, “What’s the best book you’ve ever read?” That question doesn’t let me help you find YOUR favorite book, it just lets me show you mine. If you’re going to ask for recommendations, please give us more on what you’re into. What was your last favorite book? What’s your favorite TV show? It helps us way more!

• “Why would I read the book when I can watch the movie?”

I don’t know, why are you in a bookstore when you can just go buy some DVDs or something? Also, the book is ALWAYS better.

• Don’t flip over or move a book that you don’t agree with or that you just don’t like.

I used to do this when I was a KID simply because it’s childish. It’s annoying when you turn over Donald Trump’s books or move them to an entirely different section. This causes customers to be mad at US for not being able to find the book you moved. I don’t like his books either but I’m also aware of the extra work that causes for booksellers. Not to mention, we don’t get paid enough to walk around the store looking for books customers moved. Also, even though I get bored, I don’t want to turn over a bunch of political books because a customer decided to be petty. It’s annoying so please don’t.

• Don’t argue with booksellers if we say the book is in the back and we can’t get to it right now.

My first ever horrible experience at Barnes & Noble was with a dad who INSISTED on getting this book for his daughter. It was some obscure paperback that even I hadn’t heard of. This was during the holidays so we were so busy and the back was FULL of boxes. I couldn’t just go rip through all the 50+ boxes for this random paperback. He went to several booksellers about this saying, “Isn’t the title on the box?” like no, it’s not. If it was, I could’ve gotten it for you. Anyways, the manager had to rip through all the books to find it because this person couldn’t wait for the receiver to unbox it. RIP. Most of the time, the book is in the back and we can get it for you but you just have to be patient!

• “I’m just going to buy it on Amazon. It’s cheaper!”

Why would you ever tell a bookseller that? Let alone, an indie bookseller? It literally hurts hearing people come in here and just say they’re going to buy it online. We can order any book you want, we offer discounts for teachers, our bestsellers are 25% off and we work much harder to help you than Amazon will. I know that books are cheaper on Amazon but don’t you want a bookstore near you to rely on? Don’t you want to have weekends where you linger around a little indie bookstore and end up finding your favorite book? I get it, some people will STILL shop on Amazon. But, there’s no reason to tell your bookseller that. I don’t think you’d walk into Wendy’s and say, “I’m just going to get food at McDonalds. BYEEE” like ??? I don’t get it. Have some manners, please.

 

To find an indie bookstore near you, check out this link.

 

I love being a bookseller but there’s just some things that make me giggle or that I had to get off my chest. If you’re a bookseller, HOLD ON TIGHT. You can do this! If you have more to add to list, comment! I’d love to see how others feel as well lol.

 

To hear my thoughts elsewhere, follow me on social media: Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter

Feminist Friday | Taylor Swift’s “Lover”

I know this post isn’t about books but I’ve been anticipating this album since she announced new music. I’ve loved every single she’s put out so far (ME!, You Need to Calm Down, the Archer, and Lover) so I had no doubt in my mind that this album was going to blow me away.

I debated staying up until midnight to listen to this album but of course, it’s released on a day that I have to work. I decided I would just go to sleep and wake up earlier than usual to hear the full album before work. I listened to it the entire time I was getting ready for work and I am so HAPPY for Taylor. This album is absolutely gorgeous. Here’s some of my favorite songs as of right now:

• Soon You’ll Get Better ft. The Dixie Chicks
• The Man
• False God
• Lover

“Soon You’ll Get Better” is a beautiful song but it’s so sad. This song is about her mother who’s going through cancer again and knowing this and listening to the song makes it so much more emotional.

“The Man” is one of the reasons I wanted to write this and post it today on Feminist Friday. This is 100% a feminist BOP and it’s so true. She basically writes about how her life would be different if she were a man. Here’s some of the lyrics:

• “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can
  Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man
  And I’m so sick of them coming at me again
  ‘Cause if I was a man, then I’d be the man”
• “When everyone believes ya
  What’s that like?”
• “They’d say I played the field before I found someone to commit to
  And that would be okay for me to do”
• “If I was out flashing my dollars
  I’d be a bitch, not a baller”

Since I’m pretty sure this is her upcoming single, I can’t wait to see the music video that comes along with it. I’m so glad Taylor is speaking out about things like this. Her voice has such an impact and I can’t wait to see the rest of the Lover era. I’m praying that she announces the tour and the tickets go on sale in a month or two so I can save up before then. I’ve been a fan of Taylor since I was a little girl and here I am as an adult. Here’s to the Lover era!

If you haven’t listened to Lover yet, here’s some places where you can listen online! I have the second deluxe edition from Target. You can order these online or in store.

 

What’s your favorite song off this album?

 

the Reading Rush | Instagram Challenge Day 2

Since I really tried with this challenge, I’d thought I’d share with you the photo, why I chose this book and how I took it!

Here’s the challenge:

Challenge Day 2: Take a photo of an outfit inspired by a book cover! // Photo by @arianddante! // To enter use the hashtag #rrbookoutfit in your caption! // The prize is open internationally and is the August @owlcrate “Storms & Seas” box, which includes a new signed YA book and bookish goodies! // You have 23 hours to enter and we will announce the winner right before midnight!

Once I heard Laur was chosen for an Instagram challenge, I knew I was going to do it. One of my favorite covers this year is Christine’s book, Again, But Better. I really love the outfit of Shane on this cover and it’s definitely something I’d wear. When I woke up and saw the challenge, I knew exactly what book outfit I’d want to re-create. I mean, come on. I already had an outfit EXTREMELY similar so I decided to go out and take a photo. Mind you, I live in Florida and it was about 90 degrees outside. I had my boyfriend and my mom record videos of me walking back and forth, holding my bag and the book in the correct hands.

It was going to rain soon after this photo was taken so I had to wake up and just take the photo. I had several different edits chosen but I thought this one looked the best.

The editing process wasn’t really that hard. I just added the Again, But Better cover over my photo. Since our outfits are incredibly similar, it almost blends in. I’m quite proud of this photo because I tried really hard to get it to match. My Instagram theme is an entire mess right now but let’s not talk about it. At least my challenge photos are doing well and I’m proud of them!

Are you participating in the Reading Rush challenges? Let me know!

 

June Playlist 2019

here’s all the good music I listened to this June! if you want to listen as well, here’s a link to the playlist.

unholy – miley cyrus

mother’s daughter – miley cyrus

i wanna be your girlfriend – girl in red

we fell in love in october – girl in red

girls – girl in red

dead girl in the pool. – girl in red

i need to be alone – girl in red

watch you sleep. – girl in red

4am – girl in red

forget her – girl in red

saying anything – girl in red

prom dress – mxmtoon

cheap queen – king princess

feelings are fatal – mxmtoon

i like (the idea of) you – tessa violet

the bitch is back – elton john

honky cat – elton john

rocket man – elton john

saturday night’s alright – elton john

goodbye yellow brick road – elton john

guiltless – dodie

you need to calm down – taylor swift

souvenir – boy genius

bite the hand – boy genus

me & my dog – boy genius

stay down – boy genius

salt in the wound – boy genius

ketchum, ID – boy genius

5 Books I’m Extremely Excited About

Good afternoon! Here’s a little list of all the books I am EXTREMELY excited for. I have pre-ordered almost all of these books and I am just awaiting their release. Are you looking forward to any of these? Let me know!

 

• Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell

“The story is supposed to be over.

Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after…

So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?

What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light…

That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West.

They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place…

With Wayward Son, Rainbow Rowell has written a book for everyone who ever wondered what happened to the Chosen One after he saved the day. And a book for everyone who was ever more curious about the second kiss than the first. It’s another helping of sour cherry scones with an absolutely decadent amount of butter.

Come on, Simon Snow. Your hero’s journey might be over – but your life has just begun.”

Release Date: September 24th, 2019

Carry On is one of my favorite books and I’m so excited that it’s getting a sequel. I wrote all about why I love this book in this blog post dedicated to it!

• House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas

“Half-Fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan loves her life. By day, she works for an antiquities dealer, selling barely legal magical artifacts, and by night, she parties with her friends, savouring every pleasure Lunathion—otherwise known as Crescent City— has to offer. But it all comes crumbling down when a ruthless murder shakes the very foundations of the city—and Bryce’s world.

Two years later, her job has become a dead end, and she now seeks only blissful oblivion in the city’s most notorious nightclubs. But when the murderer attacks again, Bryce finds herself dragged into the investigation and paired with an infamous Fallen angel whose own brutal past haunts his every step.

Hunt Athalar, personal assassin for the Archangels, wants nothing to do with Bryce Quinlan, despite being ordered to protect her. She stands for everything he once rebelled against and seems more interested in partying than solving the murder, no matter how close to home it might hit. But Hunt soon realizes there’s far more to Bryce than meets the eye—and that he’s going to have to find a way to work with her if they want to solve this case.

As Bryce and Hunt race to untangle the mystery, they have no way of knowing the threads they tug ripple through the underbelly of the city, across warring continents, and down to the darkest levels of Hel, where things that have been sleeping for millennia are beginning to stir…”

Release Date: January 28th, 2020

I’m SO happy that Sarah J. Maas finally decided to write an Adult fantasy series. I used to love Throne of Glass but was kind of sad about the direction it went. I haven’t read the final book, Kingdom of Ash, but will try to get to it sometime this year.

• Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

“Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?”

Release Date: August 27th, 2019

I will buy literally anything written by Rainbow Rowell but this Fall theme SENDS ME! I am so pumped.

• Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

“The mesmerizing adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.”

Release Date: October 1st, 2019

Listen, I love Leigh Bardugo’s writing but I cannot wait for this adult NON-GRISHA (Yes, you heard that right) book. I am living for the cult theme that seems to take place in this novel. I have it pre-ordered already because I’m beyond excited to finally read something by Leigh Bardugo that’s not the Grisha-verse. I’m also so happy so many YA authors are going out of their comfort zones to write books like these. Expect a review for this book!

• Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

“The dreamers walk among us . . . and so do the dreamed. Those who dream cannot stop dreaming – they can only try to control it. Those who are dreamed cannot have their own lives – they will sleep forever if their dreamers die.

And then there are those who are drawn to the dreamers. To use them. To trap them. To kill them before their dreams destroy us all.

Ronan Lynch is a dreamer. He can pull both curiosities and catastrophes out of his dreams and into his compromised reality.

Jordan Hennessy is a thief. The closer she comes to the dream object she is after, the more inextricably she becomes tied to it.

Carmen Farooq-Lane is a hunter. Her brother was a dreamer . . . and a killer. She has seen what dreaming can do to a person. And she has seen the damage that dreamers can do. But that is nothing compared to the destruction that is about to be unleashed. . . .”

 

Release Date: November 5th, 2019

If there’s anything I needed from Maggie Stiefvater, it was another Ronan centered book but instead, I’m getting a whole trilogy! This sounds fantastic and you bet I already have this book pre-ordered.

Movies I’ve Watched Recently

So, I might’ve gotten back into watching films whenever I’m bored instead of re-watching old TV favorites like Friends or Greys Anatomy. I have a profound love for indie movies or independent films. I don’t know why — a lot of them tend to be just okay but some of them become my favorites. I have a list of nostalgic movies and some of my favorite indie films are on there! Without further ado, here’s a list of the movies I’ve watched recently.

Quick Disclaimer: I’m not a movie expert or anything. I’m just sharing with you stuff I’ve watched recently. I’m not also fully reviewing these movies. Just giving you what comes to mind whenever I think of it!

 

• Always Be My Maybe (2019)

 “Childhood sweethearts have a falling out and don’t speak for 15 years, only reconnecting as adults when Sasha runs into Marcus in San Francisco. Although the old sparks are still there, the couple live in different worlds.“

Watch the trailer here.

Director: Nahnatchka Khan

Production company: Good Universe

Screenplay: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Michael Golamco

Producers: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Nathan Kahane

Watch it on Netflix.

My rating: five stars ★★★★★ out of five stars ★★★★★

I’m not really a big fan of romantic comedies. However, I noticed a bunch of people talking about this movie (mainly Jenny Han) and it’s on Netflix so I decided to watch it. It’s also an all Asian cast so HELLO Asian excellence. I loved seeing a strong, independent female lead. While it is a romantic comedy, the main character is still a full character. She’s not nothing without the love interest and I loved that. I also loved the friendship in this movie too. Overall, this movie was insanely adorable, hilarious and sentimental. I totally cried at the end and would recommend it to others!

 

• the Edge of Seventeen (2016)

“Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until an unexpected friendship with a thoughtful teen (Hayden Szeto) gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all.“

Watch the trailer here.

Director: Kelly Fremon Craig

Production company: STX Entertainment

Screenplay: Kelly Fremon Craig

Producers: James L. Brooks, Richard Sakai, Julie Ansell

Watch it on Netflix.

My rating: four stars ★★★★ out of five stars ★★★★★

I’ve seen this movie on every coming-of-age recommendation lists so I decided to finally watch it even though I heard it’s pretty “cringe.” I didn’t think it was horrible but it was incredibly emotional. I liked it but didn’t love it like everyone else seems to!

 

• Then Came You (2019)

“A terminally ill teenager and a 19-year-old hypochondriac help each other achieve their dreams and face their fears.“

Watch the trailer here.

Director: Peter Hutchings

Production company: Voltage Pictures

Screenplay: Fergal Rock

Producers: Nicolas Chartier, Alissa Phillips, Claude Dal Farra, Brice Dal Farra, Derrick Tseng, Brian Keady

Watch it on Netflix.

My rating: 3 ★★★½ out of five stars ★★★★★

 

I wanted to hate this movie because it’s literally a cancer romance movie mixed with a manic pixie dream girl but I didn’t. I didn’t hate it because the actors in this movie are too good. I love Asa Butterfield so I decided to watch it on a whim. Maisie Williams plays the lead female character who has cancer and finds out she only has very little time to live. It’s weird seeing her playing this type of character but I think she still did a great job. I can confirm this movie isn’t for everyone but I still found it enjoyable and definitely cried at the end. It must be too easy to make me cry during films now, eh?

 

• Rocketman (2019)

“An epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Sir Elton John’s breakthrough years.“

Watch the trailer here.

Director: Dexter Fletcher

Production company: Paramount 

Screenplay: Fergal Rock

Producers: Elton John, David Furnish, Matthew Vaughan, etc.

Watch it on Netflix.

My rating: 4 ★★★★ out of five stars ★★★★★

 

My boyfriend and I went to see this in theaters recently and it was an insanely good movie! I didn’t know much about Elton John before but I’ve been listening to all his music after seeing this movie. I think Taron Egerton did an AMAZING job as Elton John and he looks so much like him when he was younger. I feel like it was kind of all over the place but it was still so much fun to watch. Also, I’ve heard people not watching this movie because it’s rated R and Elton John is gay but I’m telling you now, this movie isn’t as “vulgar” as everyone seems to be saying. I think they’re just saying that because they’re not used to seeing gay couples on screen. Anyways, great movie!

 

• Miss Stevens (2016)

“A high school English teacher (Lily Rabe) becomes a weekend chaperone for three students (Timothée Chalamet, Lili Reinhart) at a drama competition.“

Watch the trailer here.

Director: Julia Hart

Production company:Gilbert Films, Big Beach

Screenplay: Julia Hart, Justin Horowitz

Watch it on Netflix.

My rating: 3 ★★★½ out of five stars ★★★★★

 

 

 

What movies have you watched recently?

 

 

May Playlist 2019

Here are all the songs I listened to in the month of May! To be completely honest, I listened to less than I usually do. I did jam to the 1975 most of the month in preparation and after the concert I went to. But, I only put two of their songs that I seemed to be listening to way more than the rest of their music. Hopefully, you find some new music today! If you want to listen, here’s a link to the spotify playlist.

v. Mai

boys will be bugs – cavetown

formation – beyonce

man! i feel like a woman! – shania twain

don’t touch my hair – solange

michael in the bathroom – be more chill

K – mac demarco

infections of a different kids – AURORA

you – the 1975

i like america & america likes me – the 1975

earfquake – tyler, the creator

i think – tyler, the creator

guiltless – dodie

i wanna be your girlfriend – girl in red

4am – girl in red

 

What have you been listening to this month?