I started to read this book slowly, and quickly realized that I wanted to make it my January book of the month for 2 reasons:
1. I think talking about the ways in which my disability has impacted the way I view money is important to the wider conversation of ableism and disability.
2. Everyone deserves to feel empowered to make the money they deserve after the hellish year we have all been put through.
Growing up, I learned to hate biographies, not necessarily because they were boring, but mostly because they were assignments. On top of that obvious barrier, I often found them difficult to relate to. Most of the ones I encountered were about people who lived during the 19th and 20th centuries. So, not only were the stories seemingly ancient to my teenage mind, but they also were written about older adults who had essentially finished their story.
In my eyes, Chosen Ones was the perfect mix of the real, soul-crushing truths of adulthood and wild, gripping the book too tightly, storytelling. It was exactly what I have been looking for. Could someone in their mid to late teens read this and enjoy it? Probably, but I think that adults will better understand and empathize with the main character, Sloane, as she struggles with her past, present, and future choices.
I am the queen of rereading my favorite books. When The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel to The Hunger Games series, (my all-time favorite❤️), came out earlier this year, I immersed myself into the world of Panem for the 5th time. My preparation for THG’s prequel was very similar to my preparation for Midnight Sun, but the end results were much different.
After finishing The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I actually contemplated picking up The Hunger Games again and starting from the top. Though I do prefer THG to Twilight, this reaction was driven by a desire to make further analytical connections with the new knowledge the prequel unleashed, not just an obsession with the series.
Reading Midnight Sun after rereading the Twilight series led me down the opposite path.
I spent the greater part of July reliving the romantic lives of vampires and werewolves as I reread the Twilight Book Series for the first time since I was 13 years old.
The Twilight Book Series was one of the most divisive stories of my generation. Team Edward or Team Jacob was more than a mere question of attraction. Your answer fundamentally defined who you were at your core and had the distinct ability to end even the strongest of friendships.
Middle school was intense, y’all. But, to be completely honest, I am still judging you Jacob lovers out there.
If you have followed me on Instagram for a while and diligently remember all of the things I post, you know that I actually started reading Girl, Stop Apologizing back in February/March.
So, now you’re wondering why on EARTH it has taken me almost 4+ months to finish.
Is it long? Complicated? Boring?
No. It is a relatable read full of amazing tips and tricks to help you live an intentional life.
The book is split into 3 sections.
EXCUSES TO LET GO OF
BEHAVIORS TO ADOPT
SKILLS TO ACQUIRE
I stopped reading when I got to the “Behaviors” section because I realized something very important.
I wasn’t ready.
Welcome to the 10th Hunger Games! If you’re looking for a trip down memory lane, this is the perfect read for you, as you’ll constantly be referred back to old character names and parallels from the original series. But, let me be the first to warn you, this Hunger Games looks nothing like the one we lived through alongside Katniss and Peeta.