books-arebetterthanpeople

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~ The Valley of the Dolls ~

First, let’s start out with an R.I.P to Jacqueline Susann whom I had never heard of before a couple of months ago. I can confidently say that she is the author to one of my *new* favorite books, The Valley of the Dolls. This novel, originally published in 1966 was the biggest selling novel that year with over 31 million copies. Despite being the novel being about 51 years old, the characters and storylines are still exceptionally relevant to modern day.            The novel follows three young women, Anne Welles, Jennifer North and Neely O’Hara who eventually become friends while pursuing their dreams of love, money and fame. Anne is a New England socialite desperate to leave behind her small town and find that all-consuming love and when she finally does, it threatens to crush her to pieces. She’s forced to make some life-altering decisions that beg her to question whether or not this is what she has truly wanted all along. Jennifer has only ever wanted to be loved for who she is, not her body. Finally, when happiness is within her grasp, she receives some devastating news that threatens to destroy everything she has. Lastly, Neely, young and eager for the chance at fame and fortune becomes an incredible talent and finds herself slipping down the rabbit hole of fame and forcing her to become someone she swore she wouldn’t. What I truly admire about Susann’s debut novel is that instead of each character’s life coming together and concluding in a perfect bow, things are still left open and unresolved. Not to give too much away but each character seems to ascertain what they spent their whole lives waiting for but not without a fair share of sacrifices and negative consequences.

The Valley of the Dolls is a timeless classic that I would definitely recommend to women’s fiction readers. I also think that readers in their mid-20s who were also fans of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars and those stories will find interest in this 1960s tale of New York City fame. It’s glamorous and real and Susann really hit the mark on an lasting novel that I will proudly display on my shelf.

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That’s the problem. We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us. What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (via tessalivesandbreathesbooks)

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Prefers...

Movies: Scorpio, Sagittarius, Pisces, Virgo, Leo, Aries, Libra

Books: Capricorn, Cancer, Taurus, Gemini, Aquarius

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[books-arebetterthanpeople]

Currently reading 📖 ✨

[books-arebetterthanpeople]

5 Favorite Authors to Date

My favorite authors are transient. They are constantly changing depending on outside factors like my tastes and interests. The authors that I can't get enough of now were definitely not on my radar when I was in high school. Here is a list of 5 of my favorite authors to date and why. 1) Gillian Flynn I absolutely adore her. She introduced me to the enthralling, irresistibility of a good thriller and suspense novel. I've only read "Gone Girl" from her list but I have purchased her other two books and would expect nothing but the best. 2) Rupi Kaur She has only one book of poetry published but "milk and honey" has changed my whole life. In snippets, she spoke the rawest of truths. I was so inspired after reading it that she immediately cemented her place in my top favorites. 3) Roxane Gay She's on my list for a number of reasons. She's incredible, for one. Although I haven't read a single piece of her writing, she is a fellow Haitian women and writer. Being that we're both interested in the publishing world, I immediately consider her a kindred soul. Besides being bisexual (which I am not), we are basically the same person and I truly admire her and what she has accomplished for herself as a fellow first generation child of immigrant parents. I've purchased 3 out of 4 of her books and can't wait to read them. 4) William Shakespeare You're probably thinking "how random" but honestly I've always really liked Shakespeare. I'm not like a weirdo who can recite Hamlet's monologues off the top of my head but I'm crazy for Othello. It's my favorite play. Shakespeare was able to create and imagine these lasting and complex stories that are discussed in the U.S and abroad, he was a genius. RIP. 5) Jane Austen How sappy, how traditionally feminine. I'm overwhelmed by the cliche of this choice but I love her nonetheless. Pride and Prejudice was iconic, Becoming Jane (the movie), everything I've read from her has been exceptional. I don't read romance novels but I will always appreciate a good Jane Austen novel.

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Girl in Pieces

I recently finished reading Kathleen Glasgow’s debut novel, Girl in Pieces. Girl in Pieces is a young adult novel that follows main character, Charlotte “Charlie” Davis, on her journey of self-discovery. Charlie specifically is battling against her proclivity to self-harm through cutting and decides to strike out and start fresh in Arizona. Despite being in a different location, Charlie learns that no matter how many miles between her home and Arizona, that doesn’t mean her past can’t catch up with her.

In this novel, Glasgow shows her skills as a master of entering into the mind of a teenage girl. Despite the complicated feelings Charlie has, the use of striking metaphors leave a lasting impression on the reader. I really enjoy the alternative format of the novel, there weren’t traditional chapters but sections divided by markings on the pages. There were also pages that would include descriptive blurbs about the setting and Charlie’s feelings about the situation. Self-harm is a serious condition that Glasgow handles delicately. I think that anyone who enjoys reading young adult novels like John Green would really enjoy reading this. I stumbled upon the novel while seeing the “recommended books” section of Amazon and definitely do not regret the purchase.

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💖📚 To celebrate World Book Day here are some pretty book photos 📚💖

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There is something so magical about secondhand books… the little things you find inside are like getting tiny glimpses of another reader’s soul.

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When you have plans over the weekend and don’t have time to read your book

Can’t we just cancel life so we can finish our books?

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Up next! 👉🏾✨🍷📚☕️

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Before you suffocate your own fool self

I owe my readers an apology. I haven't written a review in weeks because I couldn't get through the book of short stories I was working on. I was reading Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evans. She's an amazing writer but for some reason I just couldn't keep track of what was happening in some of the stories. I know the book has won awards and kudos but I personally couldn't get myself fully committed to it. I don't believe there's a such thing as a bad book, I think it's just a manner of personal preference and timing. Sometimes when you read a book, it's exactly what you need at exactly the right time. That time for me isn't now so for the first time in my life, I'm going to stop reading the book now. I'm going to continue onto another book and get back to posting regularly and sharing my thoughts on the books that are out/ that I've been reading as of late. I don't like to think of myself as a quitter but I'll definitely revisit the book at another time. Who knows? Maybe in two years, I'll be like what in the world was I thinking then. Life is funny like that.

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[books-arebetterthanpeople]

The 27 Most Exciting New Books of 2016

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