One of my goals for 2018 was to spend less time on social media & more time nose deep in a good old fashioned book. I'm always on the hunt for ones you just can't put down until you're finished-- nothing beats that feeling, am I right? So far I'm only my second book for the year, but I'm DREAMING BIG. 

WHAT TO READ THIS SUMMER

1// Once And For All  I love ANYTHING sarah dessen & honestly, every one of her novels make for a lovely summer read. But since once & for all is her latest (& the book I'm currently diving into) it makes first round draft pick. 
"Is it really better to have loved and lost? Louna's summer job is to help brides plan their perfect day, even though she stopped believing in happily-ever-after when her first love ended tragically.  But charming girl-magnet Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged now that he's met the one he really wants. Maybe Louna's second chance is standing right in front of her."
2// Twenties Girl I read this book back in high school after a recommendation from my cousin, & now that I'm actually in my twenties I kinda wanna go back & re-read! I really like sophie's writing style & I remember this being an easy & cute read. 
"Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they? When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie—a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance—mysteriously appears, she has one request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, because Sadie cannot rest without it.  Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’s necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different “twenties” girls learn some surprising truths from and about each other."
3// To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy Jenny Han just released the last title in the TATBILB trilogy, 'Forever & Always, Lara Jean.'  I haven't started it yet but I loved the other two in the series, & now is the perfect time to get caught up. Jenny gives her characters a unique voice & I think this series is a fun read that also gets touching at times. 
"What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?
Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control."
4// The Heiresses I've talked about this one before as it was the first can't-put-down-til-I'm-finished book I'd had the pleasure of reading in quite awhile. If you like mysteries (especially murder mysteries) you'll EAT. THIS. UP. (please don't actually eat the book though) 
"The only thing more flawless than a Saybrook’s solitaire is the family behind the diamond empire. Beauties, entrepreneurs, debutantes, and mavens, the Saybrooks are the epitome of high society. Anyone would kill to be one of them. But be careful what you wish for, because if you were a Saybrook, you’d be haunted by secrets and plagued by a dark streak of luck.
Tragedy strikes the prominent family yet again on a beautiful morning in May when thirty-four-year-old Poppy, the most remarkable Saybrook of them all, flings herself from the window of her office. Everyone is shocked that someone so perfect would end her own life—until her cousins receive an ominous warning: One heiress down, four to go.
Was it suicide . . . or murder? And who will be next: Aster, the beautiful but reckless girl who’s never worked a day in her life—and who’s covering up her father’s darkest secret? Her older sister, Corrine, whose meticulously planned future is about to come crashing down around her? Perhaps it will be Natasha, the black sheep of the family who suddenly disinherited herself five years ago. Or maybe the perpetually single Rowan, who had the most to gain from her cousin’s death.
A gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller about heiresses who must uncover a dark truth about their family before they lose the only thing money can’t buy: their lives."
5// Milk & Honey This one is a poetry book that's full of incredible words & inspiration. Rupi is kind of badass.
"The book is divided into four chapters, and each chapter serves a different purpose. Deals with a different pain. Heals a different heartache. Milk and Honey takes readers through a journey of the most bitter moments in life and finds sweetness in them because there is sweetness everywhere if you are just willing to look."
Tell me what's on your reading list this summer!
xo,

What I've Read In March

I've been on a bit of a reading binge lately. It's always been one of my favorite things to do, but there's this thing called Netflix that calls me away & before I know it all my reading time has been stolen.
BUT lately I've been trying to change that, & I'm reminded how much I genuinely enjoy sitting down & getting lost in a story. 
Here's what I've been getting lost in this month:

Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham If you're into memoirs & a Gilmore Girls fan like I am, you'll want to read this. I really want to meet Lauren, not only because she seems like that cool aunt type, but so I can ask her if her sense of humor has always been like Lorelai Gilmore's or if she picked it up from playing the character for so long. Either way it's great! A mix of stories from her childhood & early days in Hollywood and a collection of diary style entries from the 'year in the life' set, it's the type of memoir that feels like coffee with an old friend.
The Heiresses by Sara Shepard This book has actually been on my shelf for ages, waiting to be read. I saw it at Target one day, thought 'ooo, the PLL girl,' & it was in my cart. I've been very into mysteries recently and this is such a great read if you're looking for something light but intriguing. The premise is around five cousins from a prominent family struck by mysterious tragedies (think modern day Kennedys) & the aftermath of Poppy's (one of the cousins) death. Very PLL but also really different!
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix  This one I've only just started, but it's another mystery/ thriller, about, well, an exorcism. "The year is 1988. High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fourth grade. But after an evening of skinny-dipping goes disastrously wrong, Gretchen begins to act…different. She’s moody. She’s irritable. And bizarre incidents keep happening whenever she’s nearby. Abby’s investigation leads her to some startling discoveries..."  I'm not familiar with Grady Hendrix so it'll be interesting to see her writing style. Will update! Maybe snapchat/ insta story?
QUESTION: kinda wanting to start a book club type series, maybe pick a book each month or so & chat on IG/ here about it. Would y'all be into it? ANNNNDDD......
What have y'all been reading? Anything I need to add to my (never-ending) 'to read' list? SPILL.
xo,

Recent Favorites

Oh hi, hey! If you've noticed I haven't done monthly favorites in awhile, & I think in the new year I'm gonna try something different: instead of monthlys, just periodically sharing my recent faves & inspirations. Sound good?
Good.
1// This comfy f21 sweater is still on rotation. Can I just like, wear it all the time? Not socially acceptable? Oh. Fiiiiine.
2// Still delving into Anna's book; still loving it. From the moment I read about her struggles as a baby-faced petite, I felt spiritually connected. I'm ready to be bff's, Anna. Call me?
3// TWO WORDS: Hand. Food. & my soap and glory obsession continues. This stuff is so good on your hands & quite hydrating, which is great because winter hands= yikes.
4// How many lipsticks does one girl need? The limit does not exist, okay? This matte elf lippie is $3, y'all. THREE. 
5// I've been on a Private Practice binge since Christmas, and I really only started for my girl Amelia Shepherd, but come to find out she doesn't even show up til season three! Whatever. It doesn't hold a candle to Grey's, but it's still pretty binge worthy. I loooove Charlotte! If you've seen it, who's your favorite? 
Tell me all your recent faves!
xo, 

Good reads | To all the Boys I've Loved Before

I was a little late to this party, but I've recently discovered the treasure that is To all the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han.

TATBILB follows Lara Jean, who keeps letters she's written to the five boys she's loved tucked away in her mother's old hatbox. Everything is fine until she discovers the letters have been sent..........

This was honestly the first so-good-can't-put-it-down-thinking-about-it-when-you're-not-reading-it book I've read in quite awhile. (Besides Sarah Dessen's latest)

It's humorous and realistic and unpredictable. I was always wondering about what was going to happen next and I fell in love with Lara Jean's character as she is sarcastic and witty and you want to root for her. 

It's all just a really good summer read.

Thank goodness there's a sequel that I delved into the moment this one was over! (and so far it's equally as good)

Have you read this one recently? Do you love it too? 

Good Reads | Saint Anything

FROM GOODREADS:

"Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time."

It feels like I had been waiting forever for this book to be released because diving into a Sarah Dessen is the epitome of what summertime should feel like. Warm, light and oh so sweet. 

The thing about this one is it's not always as light as usual. I think the whole plot of it, with drunk driving backgrounds and the feeling of being invisible, is darker and that is what makes it so much more than just another Sarah Dessen novel. 

The story always had me wanting to know what happened next and it was predictable and surprising at the same time. I think that's how the best stories are.

Have you read Saint Anything? Lemme know what you thought! 

Happy to be Alive, Because

Chelsea writes one of my favorite blogs and when I heard she had also written a book, I was immediately intrigued. A blogger just like me???? Who published a book just like I want to???? Hello, new inspiration. 

I'm not super great at summaries, unless it's summarizing the plot of Gilmore Girls, so here's what the back of the book tells ya:

"Avery is a seventeen year old girl whose reality has just been shattered by the death of her mother. Feeling a desperate need to flee from what has become her life, she follows a travel plan meant for her mom and her that leads her to the little beach town where her mom grew up. It's there that she meets a group of three adventurous friends who adopt her into their circle, allowing her to experience a summer she never thought would be possible after suffering such a great loss. 

Unfortunately, her summer full of experiences threatens to end abruptly when she realizes that one of the three has a secret that causes her to question everything about the new life she has been building. Avery must learn to balance her grief and her desire for a future in order to achieve her mother's final wish for her: that she would be happy to be alive." 

You know those books that make you feel all warm and fuzzy and you can't put down but you also don't want to end? That's what happened to me with this one. It was like I was reading a Sarah Dessen book, but also unique and sad and happy and really really good. 

I'd tell you more but then you wouldn't be able to find it all out on your own...

Good reads | Where She Went

I'd wish you a happy Monday, but the Cowboys are 6-3 and I simply cannot. Maybe I really did jinx it. Anyway, I'm here to talk about happier things.... a book. 

Where She Went is the sequel to If I Stay by Gayle Forman, which is about a girl, Mia, who gets into a car accident with her family and is the only one that survives. She's in a coma, though, and through one day of an "out of body experience" she realizes what life would be like if she stayed. Ultimately, her boyfriend Adam's love makes her decision for her. I first read If I Stay in high school and really liked it. I had heard something about a sequel, but for some reason I never read it. After re-reading If I Stay, however, I decided I needed to continue. 

Where She Went begins three years after Mia wakes up. She and Adam have broken up and gone their own ways. She went on to Julliard, he went on to make it big with his band. One night, they both happen to be in the same city and within the course of the night they revisit their past.

This was one of those can't-put-it-down books that I love so much. If you have yet to read If I Stay, I highly recommend you do that before you read this one or it won't make as much sense. Once you do read it, though, it will make you feel so many feelings and make you long for more.

Read away

Last week I told you the books that are on my wishlist, and now I'm sharing the books that I've recently read.

If you're in the market for a new book to read, I recommend these gems:

1// Paper Towns- I read this one because I love John Green and the way he writes. This book was really heartfelt and kinda sad. Not TFIOS sad, of course, but it still makes you feel.

2// Fangirl- This was the first Rainbow Rowell book I read and WOW. It's very well-written and funny and real. What first attracted me was the title, because let's be real, I fangirl about a lot of things. And then I fell in love with the story.

3// If I Stay- This is one that I'm rereading, and there's a reason for that. I had forgotten a lot of what happens in the book, but I always remembered that it was such a good story. And sad. But so, so good.

Have you read any good books lately? 

So little time, so many books.

There is an infinite amount of books on my to-read list. Okay, maybe not quite infinite. But still. If you're a fellow reader, you know what I mean.

That constant struggle between knocking books off your list and reading other books, books that aren't on the list but just look oh so good. I know. I feel you. Look on the bright side: we never have to say "What do I read next?" The answer is right there, going read me! Read me! 

What books have been calling me lately?

1// #GIRLBOSS- I'm all about strong ladies who show 'em how it's done.

2// Eleanor & Park- I've read another one of Rainbow's books, Fangirl, and it was one of those can't-put-it-down books. I feel like Eleanor & Park will be another. Maybe it's the cute little cover.

3// Gone Girl- I have heard such great things about this one and it's about to be a movie. {With Ben Affleck, which is always a plus} Another plus, my cousin "doesn't read books," {her words} but she read this one and said it was super interesting. So now I'm interested.

4// Where She Went- This is the sequel to If I Stay, which I'm rereading right now. I remember when I first read If I Stay and I heard there was going to be a sequel I got really excited. I never read the sequel. Now's the time.

5// Never Have I Ever: My Life {So Far} Without a Date- I mean, the title is basically my life in a sentence. So obviously I have to read it. 

6// Grace's Guide: The Art of Pretending to Be a Grown-up- This one doesn't come out until October 21st, but Grace is pretty rad and the book is sure to be hilarious. What else is hilarious? The fact that the title is basically my life in a second sentence. Thanks Grace.

What books are on your list?

Forever

{via}

I recently decided to reread my favorite book, The Truth About Forever. I think the story is so beautiful and the quote that kinda blows me away is *spoiler alert* the last paragraph of the book:

"That was the thing. You just never knew. Forever was so many different things. It was always changing, it was what everything was really all about. It was twenty minutes, or a hundred years, or just this instant, or any instant I wished would last and last. But there was only one truth about forever that really mattered, and that was this: it was happening." -Sarah Dessen

I think that is the truth about forever. There really is no one definition. It's just there, and it's happening all around you, at every second. And you'd better start making your forever count, because it could all end in a second. 

Take risks.
Fall in love.
Be fearless.
Live.

P.S. He Loves You

Erin, one of my favorite bloggers + writers, released a little ebook/ devotional awhile back. It's taken me longer than I planned to finish it, but I got there. 

I kinda wish there was still more left. 

See, this devotional is more than that. It's raw. It's honest. It's real. Each day I read it, it broke me in a wonderful way. It reminded me of the amazing love of Jesus. 

It's written in a series of little letters to you, the reader, and it is powerful y'all. 

This ebook is good for the soul and leaves you feeling whole and reminded of your love + worth in Jesus. 

You can purchase the book here if you'd like. Oh, is it worth it.

Broken and healed.

Yesterday's Staying Strong passage was much needed. So much of the time I try to deal with things that are bigger than me, and I don't know where to start. But I think you have to start within yourself. 

Emotions can break you. 

They can beat you down and take every bit of your energy. 

But they can also heal you. God gives us the strength inside of us to make ourselves whole again. You can use the same emotions that caused you pain and turn them around. Make them heal you.

{via me}

All of your wounds can be fixed. With the guidance of Him and people that love you, it's amazing what you can accomplish. And what you can heal.

Be patient.

Be strong.

My favorite... books

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things in the world is a good book. 

And I love talking about those books. 

So, I've decided to share a few of my favorites.

1// The Fault In Our Stars. I just recently read this book after hearing about it for the longest time and seeing the trailer for the movie. And I fell in love. It also broke my heart. But mostly, I fell in love.

DISCLAIMER: If you choose to read this gem, I am not responsible for any emotional trauma that will occur. 

2// The Truth About Forever. This is one of those books that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I think it's a Sarah Dessen side effect.

3// Someday, Someday, Maybe. I reviewed this one. It's sweet and funny and light. I like that.

4// The Future of Us. Super cute and unexpected. And kind of genius.

5// The Great Gatsby. I read this for the first time in English my senior year of high school. I thought I wasn't gonna like it, but I was wrooong.

Really, I have like a thousand other books that I could talk about. But these are the ones I just have to. What books are on your list?

Good Reads | Someday, Someday, Maybe

When I first heard that Lauren Graham wrote a book, I immediately wanted to read it. I love the woman, I have ever since Gilmore Girls. (I am fully aware of my slightly unhealthy obsession with that show. What can I say? The Gilmores get me)

The story is supposed to be loosely based on Lauren's life as a struggling actress, and it's set in 1995. Franny Banks wants to make it big in New York City, and she's given herself a three year deadline to make it happen.
And the deadline is six months away.
So now Franny is determined to begin serious acting work and find love. Of course, it's not as simple as it seems.

As soon as I turned the first page of this book I knew I was hooked already. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the book, and Franny has a lot of the Lorelai Gilmore wit and charm that I love so much. That being said, Franny is also her own character. She is strong and she finds her true self in the midst of trying to be the person she thinks would be most successful.

One of the things I love most is that it's not necessarily predictable. It keeps your grip until the very last page. And oh, how I wish there were pages. Franny's story is that lovable.

Feel

Hello dolls! I hope you are having a wonderful day.

So far, I really love Demi Lovato's book. Every morning I've been spending time reading and journaling. So good for the soul.

Saturday's words really made me start thinking. Her quote for the day was by her, and she said:
"Life can be so difficult at times, but fighting through the pain is so worth it. It's better to feel every kind of emotion than not feel at all."

Let's face it. A lot of the emotions that we have to deal with in life are not super fun. So many times we find it easier to numb the feelings, or just push them away and pretend they're not there. That's not healthy though. I'll be the first to admit that I struggle with this most of the time. I would rather not feel the less-than-fabulous emotions, so I try to make them go away. But, there's something you should know.

We're human. We're supposed to feel.

So on Saturday, I let myself feel. And I'll be real with you, it wasn't all that pretty. Being on vacation from reality in Florida has been good for me, but that doesn't mean I'm automatically happy every moment I'm here. And it's still important to deal with my feelings instead of pushing them aside.

{via}

If you're struggling, know that you're not alone. And it's okay to be sad, frustrated, upset, whatever you're feeling. Do something that's good for your soul so that you can get through the emotions in a positive, healthy way.

+ read a book

+ journal

+ pray

+ watch your favorite show

+ talk to a friend
+ listen to music

+ know that you are loved.

xoxo, Kae.

Staying strong

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year (besides my beautiful record player) was Demi Lovato's new book. It's called Staying Strong, and there are encouraging words and a goal for each day of the year.

It is one of my goals for 2014 to read this book every day, and maybe even share some of the things here. Demi has also inspired me to write my own words down on paper so that I can inspire others.

If you are struggling with anything or just need some encouragement, I highly recommend this book. (I mean I haven't started it yet, but let's be real. I'm a little biased)

Make this the year for change. Be brave. And stay strong.

xoxo, Kae.

Good Reads | The Moon and More

Sarah Dessen. How do I even begin to explain Sarah Dessen? She's my favorite author, so this post might be a tad biased. But believe when me when I say that you should read this book. I'm one of those people who likes getting things right when they come out. Albums, seasons of my favorite shows, and books. So naturally, I had to get this book right away and start my journey of Emaline in her summer before college. I'm a little less than halfway through right now, so I guess this can't even be a proper review. But I am really loving it so far. It's so very classic Sarah, and I find myself drifting into the story, as I do with all of her novels. One of my favorite things about Sarah is how she always seems to find a way to incorporate characters from her previous books in. That's the thing about her novels. They are predictable in some ways, but in other ways it's always new and exciting.