No one puts bookworms in a corner...unless it's a reading cornerWelcome to book club. Let's get reading.

I take pictures of every book I complete, as well as new ones as I buy them, and this picture is one of my favorites. It’s just so pretty and perfectly balanced.  

The year of book rereads

​This year, I’ve been rereading a few books in the mix of all the new ones I continue to buy. I have plenty in my own collection, so why wouldn’t I reread some of them every so often? 

There are always certain ones I come back to like, Harry Potter, The Royal We, Pride and Prejudice, etc. Old favorites that I could never not open again. They’re like friends you haven’t seen in a long time, but when you finally get together again, it’s like no time has passed.  

I spent January all the way through the first half of March deep in all seven Harry Potter books, and it was so joyful. I laughed and smiled and stared at the wall occasionally; I had forgotten a lot of the small details that made the series so special in the first place, and I had a blast discovering them all over again!  

And through my focus on old books, I’ve learned that there is a large number of people who think rereading doesn’t actually count as reading because you already know what happens. 

You make the rules for your own books

First of all, reading any words from left to right counts as reading, I promise. A screen or paper, or a stone tablet- they all count.  

Even listening counts. Where are my audiobook lovers at? 

And second of all, every read after the first gets so much better because you are able to pick up new details and meaning. But if it feels too slow, you can put it down.  

And third, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks! The rules can be whatever you want them to be! They’re books that you’ve purchased with your own money. Enjoy them however you’d like. 

A one-woman book club is totally in right now. Own those rereads if that’s what you’re into at the moment. 

I hope you enjoy every part of your reading experience because it is uniquely and wonderfully yours.  

Have a great day and let me know what you end up reading next!

Obsession is an understatementWelcome back, friends! I did promise that we’d get here eventually. I am so excited for the endeavour before me: to explain the Zodiac Academy book series and why you should add it to your TBR list.


I started reading book one, The Awakening, in January. I bought it on a whim because, well, FOMO. I’d seen it in bookstores and online for years. But it took the endless drain of January for me actually to execute the purchase.

There was one thing that shocked me before I even opened the first page.

A Harry Potter reference on the back page blurb.

Harry Potter exists in another fantasy world. I can die happy.

I had almost no idea about this series going in. There was magic, and it was based on your zodiac sign. A trait I have as a reader is jumping in without any foresight, typically after I’ve bought the whole series.

So here’s the deal: the main characters, Tory and Darcy, are twin sisters. Their parents died in a fire years ago, but they survived. They’ve been through the foster system and now live on their own in a bad part of Chicago.

Darcy broke into an old foster home to steal money they stashed. However, she ends up losing the money in the ensuing police chase. Tory steals bikes and gets a cut when she sells them for parts.

But so far there’s no magical academy with magical courses for magical powers.

UNTIL…

Tory sees a very attractive man watching her at the bar. She hightails it out of there.

THEN…

Mr. No Name FOLLOWS HER HOME.

He has a whole monologue but here’s the to the point version in the most unhinged delivery ever:
Tory and Darcy are not actually Tory and Darcy. They are fae princesses switched at birth. Their birth parents were the King and Queen of Solaria
Solaria is a world that runs parallel with the human world, but there’s magic—their magic acts like a homing beacon, which is how the ‘politicians’ of Solaria found them. So then Mr. No Name persuaded them to come with him again. They travel by stardust to Zodiac Academy (imagine Floo Powder in Harry Potter).

Got all that?
It’s a lot to take in, especially as the book starts on a normal note.

I truly love the magic system in this series! Your abilities stem from your star sign. That power development over the first few books is so cool to see.
And the love interests bring chaosThere’s also the romantic element that adds more tension to the plot. It’s a bullies-to-lovers story, which I know doesn’t sound fun. The first book can be challenging to read because of it. As you come to understand motivations, the reasoning for this specific trope becomes clear—a ‘good intentions, horrible plan’ type.

This entire world consists of three separate series.

1. Zodiac Academy
2. Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac (set five years before ZA)
3. Darkmore Penitentiary (set five years after ZA).

I researched many ways to read all of them because, while they don’t follow each other, there is some crossover.

This video is super informative for reading order.

I’m onto Vicious Fae, the third overall Ruthless Boys book, but number four in the three series universe extravaganza. I like the plot of it, but I am not vibing with the romance trope.
​
Please let me know if I’ve piqued your interest. Some parts might be a little on the vague side, but spoilers are for another time.

Today, we will talk about book-movie adaptations, which are the next best thing to books! The movie industry is no stranger to taking books from the page to the big screen. Production companies have been doing book-movie adaptations for nearly a century. Iconic literature like Dracula, The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, and Gone with the Wind have been made and remade by Hollywood greats; they’ve stood the test of time in a rapidly changing world. What makes them special enough to keep people coming back through the generations? Is the casting accurate? Are the monologues true to the source? Let’s discuss!  

Well-known book-movie adaptations

Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Jane Austen's 1813 novel is the pinnacle of regency-era literature. I have read the book and watched the 2005 movie adaptation. First of all, the casting of Keira Knightley and Matthew McFadden as Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy is perfection. The atmosphere of the movie is immediate. A significant part being the instrumental score playing behind the English countryside at dawn. There's so much meaning as the music plays over key scenes. This ultimately adds a nuance to the idea of home and comfort. McFadden delivers Darcy's proposal with seriousness while being unconcerned that her disdain of his character could lead to a rejection. The finale pulls it all together. Darcy walks across the field. His silhouette is slowly becoming visible through the fog. The two meet. Finally, a swoon-worthy declaration of love from both parties subsequently follows without delay. 1,000 stars.

Little Women (2019)
Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel is a tale about that cusp of time between child and adulthood. Beth, Jo, Meg, and Amy, navigate life as they pursue dreams and subsequent struggles.The characters bring a depth to the screen that is relatable even today. Beth wants to be an artist in a man's world. Comparatively, Meg doesn’t want to struggle putting food on the table or buying new clothing. Each girl has a set of expectations that they want to break free from. It's such an innately human story.

​We'll always return to movies like those above for the heart of the story. We will always be enchanted by tales of love, loss, and perseverance. Time can never touch what impacts us so deeply.

Over spring break, I went to Hilton Head Island and enjoyed some much-needed R & R.
And while the ocean waves were a wonderful view, I still managed to find myself in familiar territory: the island's singular Barnes and Noble.
I went in there with one goal: to buy the new Hunger Games book.
I found it immediately at the front of the store but there was time to kill for a further store perusal.
*Happy Noises!*
I made a beeline for the fantasy books and was met with a wonderful sight for a book lover: the complete Plated Prisoner series. *cue angelic chorus*
These books are a King Midas retelling with magic, warring kingdoms, and top-tier banter. Linked here because it's so underrated!
I read the first two books over the holidays and hadn't had a chance to get the next four, mostly because I was spending money on other books (we'll get to Zodiac Academy later).
I had to take advantage of the moment because only one copy of each book was on the shelf. The horror!
Just in case you're counting, we're up to five books now.
I talked to myself out loud, alone in this aisle because I'd reached the limit of impulse book buying.
...
Then I passed the history section on the way to check out.
...
Book six ended up being a recollection of European leaders trying to save the Russian imperial family from execution post-Russian revolution.
My one-book mission turned into a six-book extravaganza and $119.00 down the drain.
But! I get reward points with every $10 spent. I already had $5 worth, and the Hunger Games book was discounted too!
Once the dust had settled, I had to maneuver my bank accounts, and I managed to make it all fall even without having a panic attack. Thank goodness for savings account caches, honestly.
With these six books, I brought nine books home from vacation (I bought three others at a separate shop). Did I mention I brought six with me originally?
So, I had to fit fifteen (manic laughter) very large books in my carry-on for the return trip. My mom was truly thrilled.
I guess my book-buying love doesn't disappear when I cross state lines.

The books I've read in 2025 so far:

• The DaVinci Code
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Four Weekends and a Funeral
• The Pumpkin Spice Cafe
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
• Sleep Tight
• Onyx Storm
• Red Queen
• Curious Tides
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Glass Sword
• Immortal
• The Awakening
• Ruthless Fae
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• The Life Impossible
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Angel's Peak
• Washington: A Life
• The Beautiful and the Damned
• The Reckoning
• Gleam
• Sunrise on the Reaping
• The London Seance Society
• Empty Theatre: The Lives of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and Empress Sisi of Austria
• Dark Fae
• Heat of the Everflame
• Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
• King's Cage
• Savage Fae

Books are my thing. I have a collection totaling 475 books across physical, audio, and e-books.
The above drop-down includes the books I've read so far this year- my total goal being 130. Last year, I got to 124, and I'm hoping to knock a lot out over the summer.
I'm considering 2025 my year of rereading. Yes, rereading counts! I've gotten through Harry Potter and am in the last stretch of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen quintet.
I remember loving Red Queen when I read it in middle school but now being an older, wiser, more experienced reader, it's lacking something.
The plot is cool and the magic system is well-developed, but the main character... annoys me now? Like, give me more of steel princess, Evangeline or more time in Cal's POV because he literally wields fire and is actually trying to solve problems when he has all the right in the world to mope and be self-pitying.
But that all goes to our main female lead, Mare. She's the primary POV and while her story has been traumatic, she's very stuck in her own issues. I'm almost a third through the last book and she's finally not on my last nerve after the last book had me in. The. Trenches.
This is after I've read Onyx Storm and Throne of Glass by the wonderful Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J. Maas, respectively.
They've honestly ruined YA fantasy for me because their series's are so well done.
Both the Empyrean and TOG worldbuilding is supreme and I recommend both even if slightly traumatizing (but that's how you know the story is worth it!).
I've linked all the series Goodreads pages that will make it easy to track down titles and other details straight from this page.
What will you read next?
​

   Hello, hi. When I write here, I try to make sure it's a fully-fledged, somewhat makes sense piece of writing. But there are a lot of times when I write just to write and then scrap the draft because, who would want to read me rambling about my days or what I ordered at Starbucks? I found this one still saved and thought, what if I just post it? Be wild and step away from my sometimes crippling need for perfection. So here, I am. Putting non-edited thoughts out on the internet for anyone to stumble across. 
Travel back in time to March 18th and find out why Mondays and I don't agree. Enjoy! 
    Apple Music finally put Taylor's new album up for pre-download and it put me in a joyful writing mood! We're just coming back from spring break and it is, of course, a cold, grey Monday. I don't like the sun immediately in the morning because I'm not fully awake yet but generally by 8:30 or 9, I'm like, "Hello? Sun? Please come out and make me feel happy today." Getting ready this morning I pulled down the shower curtain. Not just the hooks coming off-no, no, that's too easy. The whole rod came off. But it's fine. I've already broken the hinge on a cabinet. And caught the fridge handle nearly every time I go into the kitchen And run into my bedroom door. And left a hole in said door. And ruined the carpeting. And whitled this corner of a wall down past the drywall. I will say, my dad was oddly cheerful this morning and that just threw me off so it's possible that getting caught on the shower curtain wasn't necessarily a conscious thought since I felt like I'd entered an alternate dimension. As I'm sitting here thinking back on this, I'm not really that shocked because last week I was also a mess. For some reason, I kept spilling coffee one day. Another day, I had migraines and my glasses broke. Also, I was so tired. I don't know what was going on but I was always falling asleep. In the midst of all of that, I read five books and watched some movies. 
     This week, I really want to focus on my routines and being productive. I think I had such a rough time because I was doing exactly the opposite. I always feel better when I make my bed and clean my face and put away the laundry. Sometimes they can feel taxing which is honestly crazy but that's the only word I can put to it. So now I want to change my thinking. These aren't tasks or a punishment. These are things I deserve. I deserve a clean, calm space that I love. I deserve fresh clothes. I deserve clean teeth and skin. Match your mindset to match your intentions or you're going to get nowhere.
     Life has been a bit chaotic these last couple weeks and now I feel like I can finally get my head on straight and regroup. I am ready for spring and sun. March is a very strange month. It's like half in half out in terms of transitioning from winter to spring. Some days are fabulous and some days are like today where Hades is pouty and doesn't want to give Persephone back so Demeter is equally moody. A little Greek mythology for your Monday!  
     Welcome to Tuesday! I always do this. I write half a post one day and then finish it the next day. But unless you want to hear about migraines and protein deficiency, the rest of Monday would've been yawn inducing. My Tuesdays and Thursdays are my longest days. And even though my brain says otherwise, I really need to have a productive afternoon before PT takes away my will to do anything. I have to write a thesis essay for my religion class and I've written half of an intro paragraph. My second essay is an analysis on effective communications within political messages. I also have to start prepping for fall registration. Lots of stuff I cannot forget. I have a pretty great memory until I have to get things done within a specific time period. 
     I usually get coffee in the afternoon to give me a boost and today I decided to be adventurous and get one of the new spring drinks from Starbucks. I got the lavender oat milk latte with lavender coldfoam. So far, I'm enjoying but I'd probably switch the oat milk for almond. Also the purple of the cold foam is so pretty!
     I'm still a bookworm, in case anyone was worried. My 2023 reading goal was 100 and I got to 102. This year I'm aiming for 150 and right now I'm at 21. I've been adding in more audiobooks and even though I will always take a physical book any day, I appreciate the ease of the audiobook. I started Sherlock Holmes but do not be fooled- I still have plenty waiting on my physical stack. I'm working my way through a Stephen King novel which is the biggest one I'm reading at the moment. I've been into memoirs lately and my current is called The Choice. I started reading it yesterday and I'm surprised how much I was able to get into it. Some memoirs take time to get into it; that's been my experience at least. My biggest challenge right now is wanting to reread books. Every time I look at my bookshelves I want to grab Harry Potter or Pride and Prejudice but I have so many still waiting on my TBR shelf. So I'm using that wish to push through on my current reads. Comfort reads are so hard to veer away from when the other choice is a totally new, unknown book!

    Guys!!! I'm writing from my dorm! It has been a crazy week here and I will fill you all in very soon. But I feel like I've done a lot of storytelling recently that I want to switch it up and give you guys some recommendations. I've actually ventured out into the world in the past few weeks and I have places you absolutely need to go!

Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen - East Village, Des Moines
If you haven't been here yet, you need to drop everything and get in the car because this place is a ten on the scale of fabulousness! It's a brand new coffeeshop in the East Village with so many unique features that'll make your day truly vibrant. For starters, if you're in a rush, there's a window right there on the sidewalk. Running late for work? No problem! Your coffeemaker on the fritz? Don't even panic! You can get your latte and scone with so little hassle that you won't even want to gouge the eyeballs out of that one co-worker when you walk into the office! My personal favorite is that the door is automatic. When I was first coming up to the entrance, I thought my eyes were deceiving me because after many years of accessible doors being on my radar anytime I enter a building and of course, the inevitable disappointment, imagine my shock when a storefront in a major urban area have accessible doors. In fact, don't even imagine. Here's video evidence:
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I've been there twice and both times I have gotten the grown up grilled cheese. It is a grilled cheese with the additions of bacon and some variation of American cheese. I know that is a mediocre description but cheeses are not my thing in the slightest. I'm just a consumer, alright? A consumer of good things. And this sandwich is absolutely devine! I have, though, switched up my coffee order which is a big deal when you are a religious orderer of iced caramel macchiatos. I'm sticking to the signature lattes for right now because I always love seeing what indie coffee brands have up their sleeves (it's almost always better than the chains). First I got an iced candy bar latte which was very refreshing with a perfect balance of sweetness and caffeine! On my second venture, I tried a hot fudge latte not iced. It was yummy but not the best decision considering it was ninety-five degrees outside. Esthetically, Vibrant Coffeehouse is very chill. It's cool and dark but pops of color give the space a nice contrast. There's lots to pursue for your purchasing pleasure and plenty of options on the menu whether you need a midday pick-me-up or an early morning latte!
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    Okay, gang, here goes nothing. I am attempting a redo of the lost post which I tragically deleted as I was writing. This time around, I'm going to save by paragraph because, that's, you know, the smart thing to do. Before we get going into this absolute roller coaster of a day, let's do some positives and negatives as the evening has settled. Positive: I finished a book, caught up on some podcasts, and lounged around in my pajamas all day. Negatives: Jax, our very old, very sweet, but very deaf dog, decided right in front of. my desk would be a great spot to take a nap. It was fine until I actually needed to do things and he just would not move. I left the room, I yelled loudly. I gestured. Nothing. This dog would not budge. So then I brought my laptop to the living room and of course as soon as my mom came home for lunch, he got up. I chipped a tiny corner of my manicure on my thumb and the annoyance I feel is so over the top but I just can't help it. I have no clue when I did this and it's just enough for my to notice but not enough for me to call my manicurist and ask her to fix it. Major issues going on over here, guys. Oh, also, I didn't make coffee this morning and have been perpetually tired all day. I don't know why I do this. I need coffee to function but at least once a week I'll be like, "Nope. No caffeine today. Only water." Spoiler alert: there was no water consumed today either. Now my left hand is doubly tight and I want to fall asleep before 7pm. But here I am, ready to push through for all of you because this day is too funny for me to keep to myself. 
    Allow me to take you back to last Thursday, August 10th. My day started when I gained enough semi-consciousness to untangle myself from my blankets, feel around for my phone, barely lift my eye mask. and see it was barely past 7:30. Back to bed! Though, not for very long because a morning doctor's appointment was on my schedule. My dad was the one taking me and I never really fell asleep-asleep so I heard most of the business calls he took that morning. I swear, I've never seen the man not answer the phone on the first ring. We were in the car a few weeks ago and he took a call but got another one that he kept declining. This person kept calling and then finally just texted "call me". Lots of calling but anyway, what you need to know on this particular occasion is that my appointment was at 10 am and he was taking calls up until 8:50. Yes, I remember details like this. My dad then opens my door (very annoyingly and aggressively, might I add) and tells me he's going to take a quick shower. Key word here is "quick" alright? I'm thinking at most this'll take ten minutes because my father, as long as I have been able to retain memory, has had the most minuscule amount of hair in the history of mankind. That and he really has no clue what a descent shower skin care routine is.

BUT THEN.....
 
    I hear the lovely docile tones of his morning sports radio cast. It is, of course, blaring because he can't hear it otherwise and then I have to bank for fifteen minutes instead of ten because of that wonderful radio cast that makes me want to jab a pencil in my ear. I'm sorry, but that is just not how I like waking up in the morning. I like quiet but if I want to listen to music or a podcast, there are these wonderful things called AirPods that allow you to listen at your own volume preferences without disturbing those around you. Moving on. (insert pause for breath and also so I can maintain what is left of my rapidly crumbling mental state while I recap this day) THIS MAN ENTERS MY ROOM AT 9;30!!!! I had gotten into my wheelchair from my bed because I can do that now and pull out the first thing I see in my closet while berating my FIFTY-TWO YEAR OLD father on his lack of time management. Yes, Matthew. I am calling you out. But I'm your favorite and very prepared to g0 against you in a battle of wills so there's nothing you can really do to phase me. 

AND FOR THE PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE....

    Mom took the wrong car to work. I love her but man, the brain-to-action connection really just flopped on this day. Normally she drives the van to work because I am allergic to interacting in the world and therefore, never leave the house and  my dad has his work car. It is like, a quarter to ten and I am stressed because there's a schedule to keep to and we are failing at it. As I'm brushing my teeth, I am informed that the van isn't home. All we have is my dad's short Subaru. My chair weighs three hundred pounds, is at least four feet tall, and does not break down. The irony is not lost on me. The wheelchair accessible car is not available for use by the wheelchair-bound person. So, long story short, I had to swap chairs to go to this appointment and then we drove to my mom's office to switch cars. All's well that ends well. Almost. We still had to go home and get my regular chair and also pick up Ashley. I thought it would be done in that order but apparently not! I was holding the back of the drivers seat in a vice grip because this chair is very light, has no seatbelt, and my dad like to take corners very sharply. Let's just say that I was especially glad to finally be in the chair that is substantial and has a seatbelt. But my dad did get us breakfast once we were all settled so yay! Also, sidetone: did you guys know that Smokey Row has energy drinks? They're not on the menu anywhere except the main location but they're taped to the windows at all the other spots. Seems like a counterintuitive marketing technique but you do you Smokey Row. On to the state fair!
    This year, we went on the first day hoping to avoid the big crowds. We were actually able to park on grounds which is a small miracle, The three of us walked around before we were desperately in need of AC so next we ventured into the Varied Industries Building. If you've never been to the fair, this building's sole purpose is to sell you things. We walked through all the booths and then went to the livestock barns. I don't typically go through the barns but my dad is very much the "this is the plan and there are no other options" parent so I went into three barns! I did survive and I will admit that it was cool to see the largest cow and pig of the year. 
    I finally tried fried Oreos this year and my honest review is that they're good but I don't think I need to have them again. My dad tried a grilled cheese-mac and cheese-brisket-bacon sandwich. It was good but he could only finish half. It was a shocking moment in my life. Then we walked through all the antiques where dad and I kept freaking out at finding vintage four-foot tall Darth Vader statues. The last things we did included walking through the dollhouse exhibition and finally, for the first time in years walked right past the butter cow. A very successful trip!
    And would you look at that?? I made it to the end without deleting my work! I was right about to this point the last time so don't worry; I immediately pressed the save button. I hope you enjoyed my summer story time! I can't believe we're so close to back-to-school. Maybe on my next post I'll be coming to you live from my....dorm room?? Ahhhh!

Note: all jabs were made in good fun. 

XO,
​-Caroline
​     

    This was not the post I had planned. In fact, I had an entire very long, very funny post ready to go but I was writing the closing, I did something on the keyboard and the page reloaded. I hadn't been continuously saving so when I logged back in, only about 10% remained. I thought I could make it work but my original was just one of those that could not be replaced. The humor and stories and EFFORT and time. I won't lie, I'm kind of sad that this one was lost. But it's okay! There's plenty of other stuff bouncing around in my head that deserves to be put into words. So let me save this and give you guys something equally amazing!
    First of all, I cannot let today's epic news pass: Taylor Swift announced that 1989 TV is coming on October 27th!!!💙 Yes, it's already in my calendar and yes, I pre-ordered the vinyl and one of the exclusive CDs. This was after I ordered the vinyls for Lover, folklore, and evermore online at Target last night at 10pm. I'm not responsible for what semi-conscious me does. I just deal with the repercussions once responsible, levelheaded me returns. I already have the vinyls for Red TV, Fearless TV, Speak Now TV, and Midnights. All I have left is Reputation and Taylor Swift but they haven't been re-recorded yet. The re-records are a very big deal. Allow me to explain:

Taylor's Music:
💚Taylor Swift
💛 Fearless
💜Speak Now
❤️Red
💙1989
🖤Reputation
🩷Lover
🩶Folklore
🤍Evermore
🩵Midnights

    When Taylor started she was very young and when Big Machine Records took an interest in her, she immediately jumped at the chance. She signed a contract in 2005 which was set to expire in 2018. By the time the contract expired, a more experienced Taylor decided to switch from Big Machine to Universal's Republic Records. Seems fine, right? Oh, no no no. Because Big Machine owned the masters aka the original recordings of her first six albums. Now when she switched labels, she made sure that the ownership rights would lie solely with her. Hence- Lover, Folklore, Evermore, Midnights, and beyond are all entirely hers. No one else makes any other decisions or gets the primary royalties.
    So back to those first six stuck with BMR. The label was sold to an equity group owned by who? Music sleaze number one Scooter Braun. Scooter then sold Taylor's masters to another group called Shamrock Holdings in 2019 for a sky-scraping $300 million. Now on the surface, this seems like good business when an artist is as popular as Taylor Swift. But underneath, oh it was like the underworld of music. Scooter Braun was terrible to Taylor and people who were in his management, were also equally terrible. I mean, everyone knows about the mic drop heard around the world. So Taylor claims those masters were sold as a move of malice against her in order to prevent her from getting any of the royalties or other benefits since she did not own them.
    What did she do? The most epic girl boss gatekeep move she could: she promised to re-record those first six albums. Not only does she get control back but her version would become the preferred versions amongst her fans therefore, the originals would essentially lose their $300 million value. As of now, we have Fearless (Taylor's Version), Red (Taylor's Version), Speak Now (Taylor's Version), 1989 (Taylor's Version) coming in October, and as I've mentioned, everything from Lover on is hers under her new contract. The re-recordings work because she owns the lyrics and musical arrangement. The recordings as they currently exist are where the issue lies. So with every re-release, they're slightly modified which also works as a great way to show growth in her as an artist through these songs we all knew growing up and absolutely love.
    There's a little Swiftie School Session for everyone who needed a catch-up! My two loves in this life (at this present moment) are Taylor Swift and books. On the book front, I'm reading six right now. The trick that I have is that my bookmarks are in the most annoying spot so that any time I have a bookmark out, I immediately put it in a book instead of trying to put it away. Then when I finish a book, the bookmark goes into the next one in my pile, and so on and so forth. The goal is to one day run out of books to rotate through but I've never gotten to that point. I'm about a hundred pages into Under the Dome by Stephen King but I've been there since April and then before that, it had been unread on my TBR since December. I will finish it. I never leave a book unfinished even if it takes three years to get through. I did finish two books this week! One was a twelfth century pirate fantasy novel. while the other was set sometime in the future dealing with a serial killer and clones. That one was wild. 
​    I'm trying t0 read as many as I can in the next week because my mom has told me that I'm not allowed to bring all of my books-only the ones that I am actively reading- to college. It's actually a good rule in retrospect because I go for the four hundred page hardbacks and those are heavy. When we moved to Waukee, the three totes of books were all bowed and required two people to lift. So I'm hoping to only need one oversized bag this go around. I've got about half my closet packed into one suitcase which was actually shocking because it was essentially all of my winter clothes. Crossing my fingers that only one suitcase is needed for the rest. I can't believe we're this close to move in day! I've been oscillating between panicked and excited - sometimes in the same hour. I know that once I get settled a lot of my nerves will dissipate but the lead-up has me all over the place. I am genuinely glad to just have more of a routine and things to do everyday. I think I've reached that point in the summer where you're nothing but perpetually bored. Luckily this last week of summer will help alleviate that because my birthday's on Wednesday! We're doing some back to school shopping over the weekend, I've got a facial scheduled. Lots of fun things! 
    I hope you guys enjoyed this one! I really was all over the place but had a blast educating you on my favorite music and my dilemmas with college move-in! I might try another go at the post I accidentally erased now that I've had some time to write about other things. It was very funny so I'll definitely attempt! Serious question though: What am I going to call this one??

XO,
-Caroline

    Hello! I’m glad you’re reading this. It means people are still popping into my little corner of the internet and I greatly appreciate it. I know it’s been A. While. Since my last post. Sometimes I go through periods where I don’t think I have anything worthwhile to say- hence, I kind of ghost social media. But I genuinely enjoy writing here for anyone who happens to stumble upon it and I’ve made a deal with myself to just write. No matter what. Even if it’s just a paragraph or a review of something or a piece of my novel; I want to be present and I want to be creative. I’ve got a few ideas already of some future posts that I’m really excited about. Keep an eye out for more regular updates and consider this a reboot of sorts!
    So where have I been? For starters, I graduated high school in May! It’s so nice to be officially done but not for long since I start college at the end of August. For those who don’t follow me, I plan on attending Drake University where I’ll be majoring in magazine and brand media. I am super excited to get on campus and begin this new chapter! In between school prep, I’ve been traveling and going to concerts. My sister and I saw Taylor Swift at the beginning of June which was the best kick-off to summer! She’s such a great performer and being apart of that crowd was such a magical experience. She’s my absolute favorite artist so to be able to see her live was an absolute dream. Over the last few years, she’s been re-recording the albums she doesn’t own and recently dropped Speak Now. That album is my all-time favorite and the tracks are ten times better than they were the first time.

My personal favorites are:  
💜Speak Now
💜Enchanted
💜Better Than Revenge
💜The Story of US
💜Long Live
💜Castles Crumbling

    A few weeks after seeing Taylor Swift, I flew to Hawaii with my family to celebrate the end of the school year. I’ve never been on a plane before this and my general experience was pretty good. We ordered an electric chair that can fold and I think that’s what really saved us because we didn’t have to worry about my primary wheelchair being damaged or anything like that. Obviously, it’s not always smooth sailing for all people who use assistive devices but I had very few issues. The TSA check was easy and the people who helped me were very nice and explained everything they were doing/how they were doing it. Aisle chairs definitely are not ideal but it was easy to get into it and relatively quick. Whenever we exited the plane, my chair was always there waiting. Our trip itself was so nice and relaxing. There was a whole day where I did nothing but sit on the beach. I got my first tattoo there too! I posted a vlog recently full of clips from the week so make sure to check it out!
    In other big news, I’m working on a novel! At this very moment I’m a little over halfway and I am having a blast creating characters and watching the story come together. The genre is fantasy and I’m hoping to make it a series. I’ve always thought about taking the leap and trying a novel but I never got the ‘spark’ for one until my creative writing class. I might post snippets here and there so always be on the look out. Between that and writing here, I’m excited to have all these outlets for creative energy!
    I’m hoping to post on here weekly on Mondays from this point on so make sure you’re signed up to be notified as soon as new content is live. I know this one wasn’t too long but I’m easing back into things. I hope you’ll stick around for this new chapter!

XO,
​Caroline