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Raised in a family consisting almost entirely of single women, I was surrounded by smart and strong females every day.

These women should get most of the credit for raising me. 

And today, in honor of Women’s History month, I’m here to celebrate the library ladies who raised me.

Continue Reading "The (Literary) Women Who Raised Me" →

I love to bake, there is nothing better than my house smelling like fresh bread or cookies in the oven.

My husband proposed to me while we were watching The Great British Baking Show because he loves how much I love to watch it. I'm always the first to volunteer to create a tasty treat for family and friends.

In my world, baking is love.

Continue Reading "No Milk, No Eggs, No Problem! Delicious Vegan Cooking" →

I recently read an article from the Atlantic titled The New Age of Astrology.  It asked the question:

“Why are Millennials so into astrology?”

I am a Millennial, but I never thought that I was “so into” astrology.

After thinking about it though, I realized I TOTALLY am.

Continue Reading "What’s Your Sign?" →

My reading habits are diverse. Nonfiction, teen fiction, adult fiction, graphic novels, memoirs...I love it all. You know what's not diverse? Me. (see photo evidence to the left). That's why I seek out #ownvoices books. An #ownvoices book is one where the main character is from a marginalized group and the author is a part of that same marginalized group.

In the past few years there has been an explosion of books written for young adults by diverse authors writing about their own diversity.

 

I've read most of the titles below and I have learned so much from these authors. I've also learned that there is always room to learn more about people whose experiences don't match my own.

 

Here are ten #ownvoices titles from 2018 that have given us beautiful stories and inspirational verse based on diverse lived experiences. I can’t wait to see what 2019 brings.  

Continue Reading "#Ownvoices YA Favorites" →

I read a decent amount of self-improvement books, especially ones that spark creativity.

But my current favorite piece of advice isn't from a book.

It's from the film Star Wars, Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back.

Yoda said,

“Try not. Do or Do not, there is no try.”

Continue Reading "Change All Year Round" →