5 Books You Should Reread In (wait for it) Adulthood

I really don't like the use of the word "adulthood" because its so void of meaning. What does being an adult even mean? How do you know when you've become an adult? When you're 18? When you're legal to drink? You pass from being 17 years old to 18 within a few hours and *big surprise* nothing changes. Adulthood is just a verbal shortcut. What I really mean is perception.

When you change, as a person, so does your perception. You see things from a different angle and understand things in a whole new way. Or maybe its perception that changes you. This applies to everything you learn, its why we still study History and novels in English classes. Its important. Not only do we discover new point of views, but we also grow to understand a little more about ourselves. Not to mention that a bit of maturity can go a long way when it comes to reading a book you didn't think you understood at first.


1. Catcher In The Rye
         I never had to read this book in high school (which ticked me off), so I took it upon myself to do so. And...I didn't really get it. What I mean is, I started it, forgot about it for 1 month and restarted it. Forgot about it again and read it during my last months of high school. I guess that was kind of a good thing since it molded really well with the whole nostalgia of "growing up" that accompanied graduating. As they say, the third time's the charm. That time, I read along with John Green helping me out, and I didn't really notice a lot of the plot devices and symbols until he actually pointed them out and then I went "oooohhhhohohohh! GENIUS!" And things definitely started to make more sense to me. As a whole, this novel is really great, and it would be a shame to miss out on it because it didn't click the first time, like in my case.

2. Looking For Alaska byJohn Green.
         The first time I read this I was about to turn 16 years old and had never really heard about John Green except for the whole "drizzle/hurricane" metaphor everyone loves to use on tumblr. I read it and was angry. Why did he have to do that? SO UNNECESSARY to do the thing,  I finished the book in one whole sitting and decided that he was overrated by the end of it. Fast forward a few months later, and see me re-reading it for the second time with a fresh pair of eyes. The next time I read it, I highlighted my favourite passages (something I never do!) and I think I started to really "get" what the book was about. Kinda made me look at books in a different way, not only are they there to tell us stories but they're also there to teach us about life. Thats deep, man. So maybe rereading this book a second time, if you didn't like it at first, is in order.


3.Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

         *This also has a stellar movie adaptation you should definitely watch after reading the book. Ok so I loved this book the first time I read it, in fact, I loved it so much that I read it about 2 more times and I grew to love it even more. It was after I left it alone for a few months and decided to reread it almost a year after the first time that I saw things a little differently. I picked up on certain things I hadn't ever noticed the first time and enjoyed it much more. It helped me cope through various life-changes and allowed me to know that I wasn't the only one having a not so great time in life.

4.Romeo and Juliet by this guy named Shakespeare???

       Technically, its a play. But technicalities are irrelevant. In high school, I witnessed about two different opinions when it came to R&J. The first, was that the person hadn't bothered to read it/or only read it in class along with the teacher (nothing wrong with that, of course) and hadn't been moved by it in any way. The other opinion, is a newer, more hipster-ish.  "Romeo and Juliet were two teenagers who met and "fell in love" a few days within meeting each other and who ended up killing themselves and a bunch of people, what's so great about that?" *Insert random guy in a fedora shouting: Still better than Twilight!*. When I hear that, I silently justify the play in my head. R&J were basically kids, yes, but times were different! We already covered this in grade school, people didn't live very long and so the cycle of life was a bit more sped up. Nothing in plays lasts very long, in most plays, everything happens within a few days, including falling in love. Can't we move past these technicalities for the sake of enjoyment? Because while actually reading the play, I loved it! And the dual suicide? Well, in good Shakespearian fashion, that's a tragedy. Honestly, some of my favourite lines ever written are from R&J and years later, I can still quote it. This play left an impact on me, and if you can muster up the energy to read this play through the perception of someone from a different time, you might enjoy it as well. (Or maybe you'll be appalled at R&J's selfish behaviour and the tale of two star crossed lovers that has been used in literature since the dawn of time that you'll want to pass. That's also a possibility)

5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyers
Plot twist! I know, why would I ask you to re-read Twilight, of all books. You shouldn't have even read it the first time! Ha! Well, this one is a bit more personal. Twilight was the book that started it all for me back in 2008, my seventh grade.  I always loved books as a kid, but as I grew older, the library was

starting to become a bit too childish and it just wasn't working for me anymore. Twilight introduced me to a whole genre of books I never knew existed, Young Adult! There's literally a genre for everything. And so, my love for books restored, I discovered a whole slew of books, including The Mortal Instruments series, The Hunger Games, and Vampire Academy, all successful young adult series. I recently reread Twilight a few months ago during a transition-heavy moment of my life. Literally everything was changing, and the contrast between my seventh grade life and the one I was leading at the time was strong. It made me miss the good ol' days and provided a lot of nostalgia. Not only that, but Twilight really isn't that bad of a book. Sure, it has many flaws, just like any other young adult book, but its aiiiiigghht. There's no reason to get your panties in a twist if someone states it as a book they like.  In fact, just like other books, you shouldn't talk bad about the Twilight books if you haven't read em. I suggest re-reading Twilight again once you're a little older to check up on a younger version of you and seeing how they're doing.


I suggested these 5 titles because they were books I never fully understood (I'm not talking about Twilight) or maybe because reading them again after so long helped me understand something new. I guess I either needed to re-read these after my perception had changed a bit, or maybe after they helped change it.

Does this mean I'm an adult?
Whatever, Peter Pan lifestyle 5 ever!

What books helped change your views on the world?

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (SAY THAT FAST FIVE TIMES)

So I guess my opinions on this book are slightly skewed and the reason they are is completely my fault.

Let me explain.

When I first saw this book at my local Chapters, I thought it was creepy and after looking through the pages a bit and reading like half the summary, this is what I concluded. MPHFPC is probably about this kid who goes to an abandoned orphanage and discovers letters or a book of pictures which documents the torture of these children with peculiar abilities. And y'know, he investigates. It sounded really cool in my head.

Which is why, once I was offered to review the newly released paperback version of this novel I said YEEs!>!?!???. The many acclamations by John Green also helped, because...y'know. John Green.

So thinking I knew what this book was about, I began my journey five minutes after finishing Project Cain and was ready to be creeped out. Man, was I wrong about pretty much...everything.

So what's this book really about?
After an unfortunate event, Jacob feels its necessary to visit a remote island near Wales where he discovers the abandoned ruins of MPHFPC.

So maybe it wasn't completely my fault, the summary offered by the publisher is slightly misleading. To set you straight, there are mentions of time travel, secret societies and yes, romance *sigh*. Three years ago, this would have probably been the Hunger Games of my life. Because although the story is a bit childish, make no mistake: the writing is excellent, the story is creative, and the inclusion of pictures makes the novel that much more magical. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. It is not nearly as disturbing or creepy as you'd think but it is exceptional. Perhaps it isn't the type of book I can relate to at this time of my life which is probably why I felt so disconnected. Not to say that John Green was wrong, he just wasn't speaking to me.

BUT, I do admit that the romance in the book did indeed creep me out, and felt slightly unnecessary.

I suppose it's all to say that, I am not the target audience for MPHFPC, but I can appreciate what it has to offer: genius, creativity, exceptional writing, and a lovely series for a young audience.

Pick it up, and see what you think of it.

"I was born into Bolivar's labyrinth, and so I must believe in the hope of Rabelais' Great Perhaps" - John Green

This too shall pass...I hope.

Photos: tumblr & Jonathan Ducruix photography

Speedy reviews

During my unexpected hiatus, I read a few books that I feel are worth menitoning:

The Faults in Our Stars by John Green

     If you haven't heard of TFIOS or at the very least, John Green, you must have been living under a heavy boulder with a cloak of invisibility covering it up from civilization.  That's alright though, because as they say, better late than never.  Undoubtedly, John Green has become some sort of king...a king of YA novels, a co-king (no they don't exist but they might as well) of video blogging with his ultra nerdy (and proud) brother Hank Green, and the king of metaphors.  Thunder and rain ring a bell?  His latest masterpiece, The Faults In Our Stars centers around Hazel, a young girl who has been battling cancer since puberty (seriously).  Hazel has a bleak outlook on life, with reason, but after Augustus Waters saunters into her life, Hazel's outlook on life kind of becomes an enigma.  This is a phenomenal book that deserves to have a prime spot in your bookshelf!  Read on.




Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

  Cleopatra's Moon is not a book about Cleopatra, although she is a very prominent character, it is about her daughter Selene.  The writing in this novel was exceptional!  As I read, I felt like I was looking into Cleopatra's kohl rimmed eyes, as was Selene, and that I was being pounded by the Egyptian sun as she walked through the streets of her home.  It was an opening into an ancient world filled with beauty, and of course, destruction.  Although I'm not sure about which facts were true and which ones weren't (there's a cheat sheet at the end of the book) most of the book is based on real facts and I felt like I had a detailed understanding of what really went on behind the closed doors of the Egyptian palace.  It is definitely worth checking out!




The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

    I just finished reading this book a few hours ago, although I bought it from the bookstore probably over a year ago.  So yeah, I know I'm late to the party, but just in case you haven't heard of the party, let me extend an invitation.  The Summer I Turned Pretty is basically what every girl waits for.  It's the Summer when one becomes a woman, when your natural beauty is unveiled and you become the swan!  Alas, some of us may be waiting for that Summer (patiently...or maybe not), Belly is living through it. Every Summer, Belly goes down to Cousins beach where she meets up with her mom's BFF, Susannah, and her two sons.  Jeremiah, the loveable goof, and Conrad, the brooding older brother.  Now that Belly has flourished into a lovely young lady, she needs to start making grown up decisions...that she may not exactly be ready for.  The book is licked in sand and sun, reminiscing of the days when doing nothing and drinking kool-aid was as good as it would get.  Read about Belly's Summer.

The Vampire Stalker by Allison VanDiepen

Cheesy name, cheesy cover, cheesy story?  Not exactly.  Okay, cheesy synopsis, yes, but not cheesy story.  This is about a girl named Amy, who fangirls for a certain book series about a vampire hunter hottie named Alexander Banks.  And then...Amy finds herself fangirling for Alexander, who is somehow standing right before her.  A classic tale of a beloved fictional character coming to life and trying to adjust to the mundane life, yes.  Accompanying Alexander's voyage into the real world is Vigo, the long time nemesis.  Together, Amy and Alexander must kick Vigo's vampy butt back to where he came from...and also figure out a way for Alexander to get back home, unless he ends up wanting to stay, maybe for a certain fangirl?  I know this sounds so cliché, but the writing does make up for it.  It gives me a certain nostalgic feeling for my Twilighter (my 7th grade self still refuses to say Twihards) days and hey, I liked the book.  It's worth the read if you're looking for that time-travel feeling.  Also, the author, Allison VanDiepen is representing Ottawa, (Canada's capital...no...our capital isn't Toronto) so big props to her!  Consider getting into The Vampire Stalker.