Dear Everyone Who Has Asked For Book Recommendations: SciFi

I think I'm going to make this a little series, where I post a group of book reviews/recommendations every two weeks. So without further ado, here's a lot of book recommendations.

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic/Science Fiction: 

The Matched Trilogy

by Ally Condie

A dystopian society that has taken away choice + beauty. I appreciate Ally Condie's writing style so very much. The plot itself is not incredibly unique, but it was one of the first dystopian novels I read, and therefore has a special place in my heart. The characters and the writing are what make this book so very enjoyable. Cassia, Xander, and Ky are all well-rounded and interesting., and Condie's description and appreciation of beauty in the little things is so glorious. And the covers are sooo pretty. Get it on Amazon here.

The Lunar Chronicles

by Marissa Meyer

Science fiction fairy tales. I love, love, love these. Cinder pulled me in, and Scarlet and Cress were almost as good. I adore Cinder -- the character herself. All the characters in these books are so unique and so much more than the usual fairy tale character. I am a sucker for science fiction, and these books fit the bill. Space ships! Cyborgs! Aliens! They're down right stunning. Winter, the last book in the series, comes out in November, and I am very excited. Preorder it here.

The Partials Sequence

by Dan Wells

A sub-human species was created to be the perfect army... but the plan backfired. Now the few survivors left on Earth face not only these super soldiers but a disease that is killing their children and newborns. This book -- much like Unwind (below) -- very much deals with questions about morality and humanity. It's action packed, interesting, and really quite deep. Kira is a medic, determined to find the cure to the disease, no matter the cost. When a Partial is captured, Kira learns that the solution to her problem might lie with their greatest enemy. Click here to buy it. 

Unwind

by Neal Shusterman

A speculative fiction, Unwind explores a world where abortion is illegal, but an alternative “solution” has been found. Unwanted babies can be “storked” or left on someone else’s doorstep. From conception until 13, children can’t be touched. Then, with their parent's signature, they are can be sent to a Harvest Camp, drugged, removed of their blood, and taken apart. They are "unwound." Unwinding is considered a compromise for the ProLife and ProChoice people. The Unwinds -- some are problem kids, wards of the state, some are tithes (dedicated since birth to be Unwound) -- remain technically alive even after they’ve donated all their body parts. Everything is put to use in a Frankenstein-ian way. The book is haunting. It will shake you. Almost every character has a chapter to tell the story from their perspective - even the bad guys. You see everyone's motives and thought processes and vulnerabilities, which makes it about fifty times more intense. It is terrifying in a really powerful way. It will make you think really hard about the value of life, and what makes a person human. It questions humanity and love, God, death, respect, betrayal, hate, revenge, lost innocence, regret, neglect, fear, hope, leadership... In the first book, a bunch of kids ask each other at what point a person has a soul. If you ask me, that's the whole point of the books. Buy it now.

Ender's Game

by Orson Scott Card

This is a classic sci-fi book. Ender Wiggin is a child genius who is selected for Battle School -- a soldier training program. Ender quickly rises in the program, and it's clear that he's a natural strategist and warrior. Ender is a fascinating character, because he's both gentle and terrifying. His siblings, Valentine and Peter, represent both sides of him. The book explores Ender's growing up and his sense of morality. The people who run the Battle School push him so hard, and Orson Scott Card really explores that piece. How far is too far? Get it at this nifty link.

Avalon

by Mindee Arnett

Reminiscent of Star Wars, Avalon is about Jeth Seagrave and his team of thieves (known as the Malleus Shades. Talk about an epic name). The Shades are sent for their biggest score ever when they uncover a secret that almost anyone in the Confederation would kill for. Action packed, filled with twists and planet hopping and advanced technology and Jeth being awesome. This book is a quick, really fun read, and I absolutely adored it. Also, so much cover love.

The Giver

by Lois Lowry

This is one of Holly's favorite books, and a classic dystopia. The world has been removed of pain. Everything is regulated, safe. Jonas enjoys his life, how ever plain as it may be. Then he is selected as the Receiver of Memory, and he realizes what the world was like before. He experiences the pain and the joy and the color of life. There's a movie for this book, and though the differences are significant, the movie captures the point of the book really well. It's a celebration of life -- all aspects of it. Click here to buy it.

Fahrenheit 451

by Ray Bradbury

One of the first dystopian novels written, Fahrenheit 451 is about a world without books. Technology has progressed and people's lives are surrounded by screens and sounds. The book strangely parallels our world and our dependency on technology. Filled with amazing quotes about books and life, this book is haunting and compelling. Easily in my top five favorite books. I don't have a lot to say other than read it. It's here.

City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

Earth has been destroyed, but instead of fleeing, the Builders created a city underground. It has been successful, except now everything is running out. Food, supplies, electricity, are all in demand. Two kids start investigating, searching for a way out should the worst come. I read this as a kid, and I loved it. It's interesting, unique, and a fun story with high stakes. Guess what? You can click here to get it.

Red Queen

by Victoria Aveyard

This is my go-to book recommendation. I read it like the week it was released and holy wow I was in love. This is a) one of the most original books I have ever read, b) one of the most beautiful covers in the history of ever, c) so incredibly well-written if hurts. The gist of it is this: there's a world with two types of people, those with silver blood and those with red blood. The people with silver blood have powers (think X-Men) and rule over the Reds. Everything is fine and dandy for the Silvers and terrible for the Reds, until one Red realizes she, too, has powers. Containing a fast moving plot, minimal-ish romance, some seriously wonderful plot twists, this is one of my favorite books. Click right here to get it. Because you really want to get it. It's wonderful.

September First

Oh.

It's James Sirius Potter's first time going to Hogwarts today. 

And Teddy Remus Lupin's last. 

And I'm very emotional about it?

It makes me feel very old. I only read the books... five years ago, maybe six, but they mean so much to me and there's so much beauty in them, and in the fandom and I just can't deal and on days like this it hits you with the fact that this story that means so much and feels so important isn't even real and it's just.... It's weird. 

On one hand, the power of the language, my friends. Can we talk about how amazing it is that we live in a world where symbols can be rearranged into words and sentences and paragraphs and make up beautiful, wonderful stories that can reach millions and millions of people all over the world?

And, going slightly more abstract, the fact that this story started with just one woman's idea? And then it spread and it caught on and then people could share this story and could see in their heads the way she saw it and then other people picked it up and transferred it from words on paper into a movie? And actors portrayed these characters, portrayed them so well that sometimes it's hard to differentiate between the two? 

And then there's all the fans, who make fanart (art pictured here is courtesy of Viria) and fanfiction and fanmusicals and start things like the Harry Potter Alliance, and it just blows my mind how one little story about a boy can literally change the world. 

This is why I love reading and writing and stories. 

And I'm just really emotional right now so excuse me while I go listen to the Harry Potter soundtrack and read Harry Potter and wear my Harry Potter t-shirt and drink butterbeer and pl an a Harry Potter movie marathon and rewatch A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel, and A Very Potter Senior Year and look at Harry Potter fanart and join the Harry Potter Alliance because I adore this story and I adore how much good has come from this story. 

Senior Year and Stuff

First, I solemnly promise to post the last part of the Road Trip Series really, really soon.

Second, school has started.

And I really like it.

Not all of it. I do not like Personal Finance in the slightest, and staying awake through English on block days is one of the most challenging things ever, but...

For the most part, I'm very, very happy at school.

There are so many wonderful people at school, and so many wonderful things to learn, and experiences to be had and conversations to be held and every morning just seems so optimistic.

It's weird.

But golly, the past two weeks have been almost completely golden.

So. Many. Fun. Classes.

Ministry and Missions, Systematic Theology, Concert Choir and Madrigals, Music Theory, College English, even Government is kind of interesting. And AP Statistics is... bearable.

And there's so many people to talk to!

We had three days of school before leaving on senior trip. And senior trip was surprisingly fun. I really think the only thing most people got out of it was closer/new friendships, but I also know that some people were very much impacted by it. I just really loved hanging out with my friends, and with people who weren't really my friends before the trip. We did flips off diving boards, ziplined, jumped off the high dive, did the barn swing dozens of times, talked and worshiped and "bonded." And it was great.

The ride home, however... well, let's just say that 7+ hours on a bus with over forty other girls does not bring out the best in people. I mostly hid under a blanket fort with Ellen and listened to music.

But I liked the trip for the most part. There were too many athletic activities and too much segregation between the guys and girls, but overall, I had a lot of fun. And we came up with some bomb-awesome ideas for making senior year rock, several of which we have already implemented. Also, worship with that group? A-freaking-mazing. So many kids in our class are musically talented, and when everyone is channeling that towards God, it's so so so so cool.

This week has been mostly us figuring out school, since we barely had time last week. I've learned that we will get very, very little done it Stats, and get a heck of a lot done in music theory.

Music theory is just me and two guys (whom I like very much) and we are, um, a little competitive. Which is great, because we gets loads done very quickly and we're pushing each other to get better. But, it's also a wee bit scary because there are days when I think Oh gosh, we will not all make it out as friends. Let's just say we are all very smart and very used to being the smartest. At least it keeps things interesting, and if we make it out alive, I think we will all be better for this healthy competition.

Thursday afternoon, several senior girls stayed after school and covered the mirrors in two of the bathrooms with brown paper. We then proceeded to write on the paper. We wrote verses, song lyrics, quotes, all sorts of random things. Some were heartfelt, some were funny, but they all celebrated beauty that goes beyond what someone looks like. We wrote about being a strong woman, about being made in the image of God, of being wonderful and loved and valued. And I think it may have been more meaningful for us seniors who made it than any of the underclassmen who saw it.

Thursday was also Sonic's annual $0.50 corn dog day, so before we started working, Sofia and I drove to Sonic and got fifteen corn-dogs. It was glorious, and we thought it was hilarious. The guy who took our order was a little surprised by how many we wanted. They were delicious corn dogs, too.

Friday night absolutely wonderful. It was Final Friday, so Holly and I dropped by R Coffee Shop to see Maddie's artwork before it was moved/sold. It was amazing art, and an adorable shop, and really good coffee. Then we went to Sonic, got kids' grilled cheeses with tots, and headed to Trinity for the soccer game. We saw about twenty minutes of the game before it stopped for lightning. My dearest Laura was at the game, as Trinity was playing her school, so I chatted with her as we waited to find out what everyone else was going to do. We decided to head to someone's house for swing dancing. Well, we decide this, and suddenly it's pouring. Buckets of rain fall from the sky, and we are drenched in seconds. And obviously we have to sprint to our car, which about as far away as we could have parked, and everyone is screaming with delighted shock and we're running through puddles, avoiding cars, cheering and gasping and feeling suddenly, exquisitely vibrant and young. So we run, and Laura ends up in our car and we're shaking with cold and blasting the Black Keys and trying to find her parents. We find their car and drop her off and yell goodbye and exchange phone numbers with the promise to hang out soon.

Then Holly and I drive to the swing dancing party. It was a small party, really just us, five boys and six-ish other girls. But it was lovely. We played music and danced in the backyard on the basketball court and ate Chex Mix with M&Ms. I was getting fairly decent at it by the end of the evening. There is something so fun about swing dancing. It's so fast, and takes so much energy, and I mess up so much (sorry, Devin and Ethan), but it's so fun and relaxed. My goal is to be fairly competent by Barn Dance.

As the night wore on, we all got exhausted, and wound up sitting around a fire pit singing. Isaac brought his violin, Will had his guitar, and Ethan had his ukulele and an impromptu jam session happened. Will sang Untitled by Matt Corby and... wow. The feels.

Holly and I stayed until a little after midnight, singing and talking and dancing. It was really, really great. I was kind of surprised how much fun I had, since none of my "usual" friends were there. But it was nice to branch out, and amazing to get to practice dancing all night, and the jam/worship session at the end was just... Mmm. Yas. It was a good, good night.

So all in all? I'm so optimistic about this year. I have been blessed with someone wonderful friends and fabulous teachers, and I get to learn about things I actually care about.

Senior year, let's go.