30 Day Writing Challenge: A Book I Love and One I Didn't

A Book I Love and One I Didn't

I am a book lover. I could read books all day every day if I could. I read so many good books, a lot of great books, and a good group that I've fallen in love with, so it's hard to comb through the books I've read, probably hundreds by now, in order to pick one that I didn't enjoy reading. But here it goes. These are some that I remember off the top of my head; they're not completely representative of all of my reading adventures.

Book I Love: The Giving Tree

Photo credit:
books.google.com

The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, is my favorite book of all time. The book follows the relationship between a tree and a boy. As the boy ages, the boy takes and takes from the tree to the point where the tree becomes nothing more than a stump. They tree cares for and loves deeply the boy, which is why it is willing to sacrifice itself over time. In the end, the tree has nothing left to give, and the boy finally ceases to ask for anything, just to sit on it's stump. The book ends with the phrase, "And the tree was happy."

This story is a story of friendship. Though I don't think the friendship was a completely healthy one, as the boy basically uses the tree throughout the vast majority of their friendship, but it introduces children to the concept of empathy and the beauty of giving. It teaches you that money and material things can't buy you happiness, that relationships, whether it be with other people, or with oneself, are critical for happiness. We need more love, more giving in the world. I aspire to be that tree. I want to give and give until there is nothing left of me, because for me, that will make me truly happy. I don't need a lot to be happy, just to know that I am helping others. 

Other Books (and other literary works) I Really Like:

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
• the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• Anthem by Ayn Rand
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
• The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Book I Didn't Love: Heart of Darkness (sorry Seematter!)

Photo credit:
books.google.com

I read Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad my senior year of high school in my AP Literature class. This book follows the journey of a man named Marlow during a trip to Africa as a member of an ivory trading firm. Along the way, he witnesses struggle and brutality between the native people and the colonizers. He meets a man named Kurtz, who is a "prisoner" and "god" of the native people and "rescues" him. Kurtz eventually dies and Marlow spends the rest of the book picking up the pieces after his death. 

It's a rough book to get through, in my opinion. The writing style, the events of the book, it just took me awhile to get through. Keep in mind though, I was also a senior in high school with little motivation to do anything. I'm not sure if I didn't love it because it was a challenge or because I didn't actually understand it completely. Literature is also not my best subject, so I missed a lot of the literary elements present in the book. I also don't think I understood the context of the book well enough. Eventually, I plan to go back and read it again and see if I come to a different conclusion, now that I'm in my third year of college. 

Other Books I Didn't Love:

• Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

30 Day Writing Challenge: My Current Relationship

My Current Relationship (or lack thereof)

No surprise here, but I am currently single. Or maybe it is a surprise. I don't know what you assume about my life, nor do I really care. I've learned to be confident in myself and not let what other people assume about me bother me. Though I'd like to be known for my kindness and my passion for helping others, you may not see that. I hope you do. If you do feel like making assumptions, honestly just ask be and be blunt; I respect that. Heck, I learned today after talking with some women in my class about, I don't even know what we were talking about, that people, at least those in my study abroad program, think I do nothing with my life. They told me that they assume I don't do anything because they never see me out at the bars during the week. I could see how they could come to that conclusion, because they're right; I don't really go to the bars during the week. One, I've got a lot of school-related stuff to get done and I don't think that staying out until the odds hours of the morning before heading to an 8am the next day is the best decision for me personally. Two, that scene is just not my jam; it's not really fun for me. I don't enjoy going to crowded places, paying a ton of money for drinks, and getting drunk most nights of the weeks. Why would I want to impair my judgment and make decisions I might regret? That's my personal decision not to engage in that scene. If that's your scene, you do you. But personally, I'm more the person that likes movies, getting out in nature, having a drink and dinner with friends, going to plays and museums and parks, reading, volunteering. I like the occasional club or bar to get out of my comfort zone a bit, but not all the time. That's too much for me. Three, I don't get invited, because before even asking me about my interest, they've already assumed that they know my life. It's unfortunate because they made that assumption before even giving me the opportunity to express interest or disinterest, or knowing my feelings about drinking and going out. But to say that I do nothing with my life, I feel like that's a bit of an exaggeration. I mean there are plenty of things to do that don't involve drinking, and I choose to partake in those activities instead. I personally find it sad that they thought that if I wasn't partying, I must not be doing anything. I think it's sad that non-drinking activities did not even come to their minds when making that assumption. That's the problems with assumptions: we make them and stick to them before even attempting to gather evidence to create them in the first place. Their loss, though.

I got way off topic. Sorry friends. End of rant; I promise. What was I talking about? Oh, yeah, the single life. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I'm okay with being single. I've been single my entire life. It's not that I wouldn't eventually like to find a best friend that turns into a life companion; it just hasn't happened for me. I love the idea of love. I love the idea of companionship. But I haven't found it yet, and I'm okay with that. After all, I'm only 21, and I've been growing and changing my life for the better. I've been going after my non-romantic dreams and aspirations and pursing my passion to change my community for the better. Sorry I don't have a story, or a relevant blog entry. Actually, I'm not sorry at all. I won't apologize for living my life as a strong, independent, ambitious young woman. 

If you aren't sure what activities are out there for us non-drinkers, I encourage you to check out the non-exhaustive list at: http://theodysseyonline.com/tcnj/51-things-that-you-can-do-other-than-drinking/209464

Or you can check out a short snapshot of the things I enjoy doing that don't involve drinking and getting drunk and going out to bars and clubs all of the time. These are also things I can really enjoy and appreciate solo while living the single life.

volunteering

hiking

playing board games & hanging with friends

tutoring

baking

appreciating the performing arts

reading

checking out some art

watching debates

enjoying sporting events

supporting my high school students

trying new things

gettin' musical

enjoying music

loving my animals

How to Get Your Textbooks... For Free or Really Cheap Online!

It's that time of the year again. Your television floods with advertisements for back to school gear, telling you everything you need to buy to make your school year rock. Those summer days are slipping away and you can't help but think about heading back to college. It will be fantastic! Back to your friends away from home, those fabulous late night study sessions, and that college life. Classes start soon and you can't help but dread buying all of those heavy, expensive textbooks. Fear not! After some research and sifting through articles galore, I have your hookup for the online sites where you can score free pdf versions and/or super cheap paper or ebook copies of the learning materials you need to succeed.


FREE BOOKS

I came across an article on my Facebook feed about the best sites to find free textbooks earlier this summer. Halfway through college already, I was skeptical at best. However, my twin brother heads back to school in a couple of weeks, while I start my adventure abroad in a month in a half, so we tested these websites on his textbooks.

1. Library Genesis               http://gen.lib.rus.ec
My brother found 3 of his 7 textbooks for free as PDF and mobi downloads on this site, ones that would have cost over $100 each. I'd highly recommend checking out this site first.

2. Bookfi.org               http://en.bookfi.org
Library Genesis often rerouted us to this site, so I'd highly suggest looking on this site as well.

3. Project Gutenberg               http://gutenberg.org
I knew about this site previously. I used to use it to download ebooks for my kindle when I had one. I highly recommend this site for free books, particularly ones that are more chapter books than textbooks. For example, books for English or Literature classes would be easy to find.

4. Ebookee           http://ebookee.org
I didn't get to explore this website very much, but it seems safe and reliable according to internet reviews. Be cautious though, as it is a file sharing site.

5. Many Books               http://www.manybooks.net
I didn't get to explore this website very much, but it seems safe and reliable according to internet reviews.

6. Online Library of Liberty            
http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=380
This site is very focused on books pertaining to individual liberty and free markets. Would only recommend for books in that subject area.

7. One Big Torrent               http://onebigtorrent.org
This site is deemed safe by many internet reviews. It's a file sharing site as well, so be cautious. I didn't find any of my brother's textbooks on there, but I found a lot of links for documentaries, television episodes, and other media with educational content.


CHEAP RENTALS/PURCHASES/EBOOKS

The following sites are all ones that I have personally used to rent, purchase, or download my textbooks from. I found them mostly through searches for textbook rental sites, and these sites are my favorite, as they are cheap, user friendly, and reliable.

1. Abebooks
My favorite website for textbook purchases. I can often find books that cost way less to buy than to rent with small shipping costs. They ship your books quickly and always keep in contact to make sure your books are delivered to you. They have a wide selection of textbooks and almost always have the books I need in stock. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

2. Barnes and Noble
I'm sure you've heard of this site. It's a popular, trustworthy chain that also does textbooks. They have rental, purchase, and ebook options, and often times, I find my textbooks pretty cheap on this site. I've never had any problems with Barnes and Noble. They also have a marketplace option, with other sellers you can buy from. I really enjoy that because I sometimes find cheaper options than buying or renting directly form B&N. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

3. Better World Books
I haven't ordered any textbooks from them yet, but their website is user friendly and makes me feel happy every time I search on it. They have a huge mission to impact the world for a better, and stick to it in all of their transactions. They donate books, raise funds for libraries and literacy programs, and reuse and recycle books as well. They seem like an amazing company and I hope to do business with them soon. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

4. Biblio
This is also a great site that I haven't ordered anything from yet. However, their site is very user friendly and easy to navigate.

5. Bookbyte
I really like bookbyte for its marketplace option. I've found great deals from many of the sellers they do business with. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

6. Bookrenter
Bookrenter is my absolute favorite online site for book rentals. Free shipping both ways, cheap rental terms, and their site is so easy to use! I always get my textbooks from Bookrenter first and have done business with them many times. They are my go-to rental site. They have a wide selection of textbooks and almost always have the books I need in stock.

7. Campus Book Rentals
Probably my second favorite rental site. The prices are a bit higher than Bookrenter usually, but they also have free shipping both ways and don't care if you highlight or make marks in the books. They are also super flexible with rentals -- they let you choose a rental term or you can even choose your own return date!

8. Chegg
Chegg is a pretty well known company in the college world. It offers rental, purchasing, and ebook options. Chegg is bigger than just a textbook provider though. You can get study guides and tutoring services as well. I've rented from them as well as rented an ebook from them and I have nothing bad to say about my experience. It was great! Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

9. Coursemart
Coursemart is an easy ebook option. You can rent or buy an ebook. They don't offer hard copies, but their ebooks are easy to use. Their selection of textbooks is kind of limited though, so don't assume that coursemart will have the book you need.

10. ECampus
ECampus is a great, always reliable option for rentals and purchases. Their site is also very user friendly. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

11. First Class Books
Pretty easy site to use, but the selection is not as varied as some of the other sites. I haven't ordered from them yet, but I'm sure they are great. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

12. Knetbooks
I really like Knetbooks! It's so easy to use, free shipping both ways, and so reliable. The website is cute and user friendly. They are a rental site, so no purchases. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

13. Powells'
Powells' is like a lesser known version of Barnes and Noble with a more limited stock. They don't always have my textbooks, so it's not a go-to site for me, but definitely one to keep in mind. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

14. Skyo

Skyo is great and user friendly. They offer rental, purchase, and ebook options. Also, free shipping! They are so easy to use and fast at shipping books out.

15. Textbook Rush

Textbook rush is easy to use, fast, affordable, and offer both purchase and rental options. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option. You can also sell technology, games, and more.

16. Textbooks.com

Textbooks.com offers all of the options: purchasing, renting, ebooks, and textbook buyback. The site is easy to use and I've never had any problems with my orders.

17. Valore Books

Valore is probably my third most used website, only after Abebooks and Bookrenter. They have purchase and rental options, as well as marketplace sellers. They are reliable and cheap, and their site also offers opportunities to sell different types of technology. Also, if you're looking to get some cash for your old textbooks, they have a buyback option.

Happy Textbook shopping!