Books Are Jazzy

Wow. It feels like such a long long time since I've last written one of these - a blog post for Books Are Jazzy. I checked that my last entry was in June but honestly it feels much longer than that.

I've missed this.

We took a break of undetermined length together with Laura because we were feeling a little uninspired and the whole blog had turned into more of a burden then an outlet of creativity. Slowly, over the past few weeks, maybe a couple of months even, I started to notice my love for reading and writing to grow again and I felt a really big want to share that passion once again.

So, that is how I find myself back here now, writing this.

I think I want to take it slow to reassure that this feels good and is a source creating joy, not draining me of it. It will be in your best interests too, don't worry, since I honestly believe it shows wether one does something out of honest will or a feeling of must.

For now I'm just going to leave you with a few points from the last months that I have been absent.

-I finished quite many books. And really good ones at that! I haven't in a long time felt this excited about books and have made time during the day, not just at night, to read.
Here's some top picks that I've absolutely devoured:

• You Are a Badass -How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life -Jen Sincero
• Akvarelleja Engelin kaupungista -Jukka Viikilä
• I Want to Sleep -How to Get a Good Night's Sleep -Harriet Griffey (for all my fellow insomniacs)
• A Court of Thorns and Roses -Sarah J. Maas

-My absolute disinterest in fantasy and newer curiosity towards nonfiction and self help has taken a new turn. I found myself effortlessly sucked back into fantasy come fall (aka the ultimate season of all things magical, mystical and murky). I have the A Court of Thorns and Roses -trilogy to blame or mostly thank for this dip back into my former favorite genre. I guess my preferences change around the year to fit the seasons. I also believe that I was just in need of a good, new, more adult story to suck me back in.

-As for nonfiction and self help -well I'm still going strong on that track as well and am looking for books to add to my repertoire. (All suggestions are very welcome!) Actually, all 6 books that I breezed through over my summer vacation where from this category. Let's allow that to speak for itself.

It must be this gloomy weather that has invited me to grab a book and a mug of tea by the candlelight -bliss

As for what's to come, we hope to start posting monthly from now on instead of the previous pace of once a week. I have some reviews and thoughts already in mind so stay tuned! Thanks for being so patient and more over for being loyal and sticking around! :)

-Anna

Before starting college this fall, I was assigned summer reading for the first time in years! We were to read Make Your Home Among Strangers by Jennine Capó Crucet before arriving on campus in August. Then, the summer reading program was rounded out by a lecture held by Jennine Capó Crucet herself.

Make Your Home Among Strangers is Crucet's second book, the first being a collection of short stories and this being a full-fledged novel. Make Your Home Among Strangers follows the main character Lizette as she struggles to adjust to life in college, as a first-generation college student. Or, as Crucet described it, "a novel about people landing in places and having no clue who they are as a result."

I related to the novel, and Lizette's feelings, more than I expected to. Honestly, I believe every incoming college student should be reading Make Your Home Among Strangers either to get accustomed to the specific culture that permeates college campuses, or to learn about microaggressions people of color can face at college, or even to read an example of what it feels like to discover your passion in a classroom.

-Laura

I feel like I'm living the dream. Well, I pretty much am living my dream -studying medicine and living in Turku doing all the things I've always wanted. One of these things is living close to cafés and just the most adorable coffee shops. I can easily walk down to one to study, catch up with friends and most relevant of all for you guys, have same quality time with my #currentlyreading, which seems to be on my mind all the time because it's one of my favorite things come fall.