Books I've Read & Places I've Loved: November 2018
Originally published on November 29th, 2018
Like July, November was a month where I accidentally took a break from writing. I say accidentally because I got to the end of the month and realized that I had barely posted anything, and when things were posted, I forgot to share them like I usually do. This month was one of many ups and downs. I had my first college breakdown (my writing teacher had said that if it didn’t happen during weeks 3-5, we should all expect one before Thanksgiving. He was right), had a mini crisis when it came to this blog, and tried my hardest to expand my social circle while still staying on top of everything else. November was a little crazy, but it was also really good.
BOOKS I’VE READ
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
I think it’s official- I will read anything recommended to me by my cousin. I should always keep in mind that anything recommended by her will result in me crying, but that’s neither here nor there. This book is spectacular. It revolves around a family of seven, with four boys and a child who was born a boy but discovers she’s actually a girl. This book goes in directions you don’t expect, and this book makes you think about how not even the black and white is black and white.
I recommend this book for: Fans of Celeste Ng (author of Everything I Never Told You and Little Fires Everywhere). The writing is very similar, and Frankel has the ability to wrap readers in the lives of the characters and make them feel like they are part of the story.
If this book seems like a little too much right now, try: Everything I Never Told You (Celeste Ng). Like I said, the writing is similar and the story is still deep, but in a different way that may seem more approachable.
PLACES I’VE LOVED
The Drama Department’s Fall Show - You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
I wasn’t expecting to get involved with the the drama department so quickly, but when a friend called to ask if I could help with house management, I jumped at the chance and said yes. This month I spent hours in a headset doing my best to keep up with unfamiliar- yet still extremely familiar- territory. I loved helping backstage, and it reminded me of how much I love tech people and being involved with a production in any way possible.
Sacramento, CA
I realized towards the end of Thanksgiving Break that I hadn’t taken any pictures of my time back home, so here’s the picture I took in the Walla Walla airport to show how small it is. Going home for a week was exactly what my tired soul needed. It was so nice to burn candles, eat home cooked food, and play music without using headphones. I got to play card games and watch movies with my family, and I got to spend a day with friends I hadn’t really spent time with in over a year. I have a whole post going up next week about what it can be like to go home when you’ve been on your own for a couple months, but the main thing to take away is that I was really happy to go home, even for a short while.
November was a month of inner turmoil. I had that breakdown, started the process of changing my major and adding another minor (more on these later), and spent most of my time trying to figure out how to be a little happier with my circumstances. But I also took time to remember how blessed I am. I go to a good school and I am lucky enough to be surrounded by good people doing good things. This month may have been a little strange, but I’m still very happy to be where I am, even when it isn’t perfect.