Inspiration at World Championships

This past week, I had the amazing opportunity to attend FIRST Robotics Competition's World Championships with my robotics team. For some, this was a chance to observe the best high school-made robots in the world. For all, it was a time to learn and experience all that FIRST had to offer. For me, it was the experience I had been dreaming of to bond with my fellow robotics team.

The things we do at robotics are not simple. In 6 weeks, we are expected to build a fully functional robot for a specific task. But in addition to the mechanical aspect of the team, we have to maintain a group that takes a lot of planning to run. My closest friends on the team are probably those I've worked with the most: the marketing team. Together, we help manage--keeping us hyped and ready for competitions while making us look like a cohesive team.

Like any other sport or extracurricular, friendships are forged through the experiences with each other. The more time you spend with these people, the more you come to enjoy their presence. I realized this early in competition season last year. While at a regional competition my freshman year, I felt a bit of what the seniors felt in their four years together--utter adoration for each other and the program.

Being at worlds gave me a similar, but more powerful, feeling. The juniors and seniors above me and freshman below me have always been amazing friends. But until our time together this past week, I had not truly observed the familial bond that's been keeping me a part of FIRST robotics.

I am not a technical person. I've learned many things in my time on the robotics team, and I hope to learn many more throughout the rest of high school. But being on the team is an opportunity for me to work in business type relations with people to manage the team. I can respect how everyone has found his or her niche on the team while never excluding others. Hopefully, as my class gets older, the bonds between the students grow deeper and even more loving and compassionate. Hopefully by senior year, we can inspire incoming freshmen the way that the seniors inspired me.

I think it's really important to get involved with something and find your niche. I never would have envisioned myself on the robotics team if it weren't for the passion of the upperclassmen who looked like they were having the time of their lives building and making things. But here I am now, and here is my passion. Even if my passion is just the love within the team, the passion exists, and it will hold me to them until senior year.

The 5-Star System

There are so many reasons rating books is hard.

The comparison exists to make some books stand apart from the rest. I love the idea of having some favorites, some least favorites, and some in between books that leave no significant impression on you.

But what, exactly, are we comparing these books to?

In some ways, the 5-star system is rating books among genres. But because same system is used to rate books in historical fiction and fantasy, the historical fiction that I read would always have less stars. I find this frustrating because I like fantasy infinitely more than historical fiction, but I don't want to grade a good historical fiction down on the fact that it was historical fiction.

The star system is also used to compare books by a singular author. But if there's an author I love who has written books I love, I start running out of stars to differentiate the ways in which I liked the books. Perhaps one's plot was on par, and another had good characters, and yet another had a good message. Nothing is done to contrast the meaning behind the 5 stars I've given each.

Or perhaps the book is just being compared to itself. When rating books, this is the only way I can stand to do it. Does it have a good plot? Writing style? Likable characters? All of these things contribute to whether or not I like something.

But until I can explain my rating in words, the star system seems insufficient in doing what I'm trying to accomplish.

I use the 5-star system because it's universal. Goodreads uses it, and everyone understands the scale of "terrible" to "amazing." And I'm lazy, so I rarely write out my own reviews.

Despite my lack of motivation to write reviews, I still get angry whenever I think of the 5-star system. Maybe I should start rating books based on multiple categories. Maybe I'll come up with my own system sometime.

My Excuses for Pathetic Reading Habits

Life has been crazy, I haven't been reading, and here's why!

New semester means new classes, also: everything gets harder. My writing for publication class is a little more than I thought it'd be. I enjoy it a lot, but there's added homework that I'm not used to. Also, my classes are all kicking into high gear because it's third quarter, naturally my busiest time of year. 

I'm also in the school musical this year: Once Upon A Mattress. I have a small part in the chorus, but I've still had rehearsals 1-6 times a week since the beginning of January. The show is the weekend of March 19-21, so stress regarding it will be over soon. However, I'll be more busy in these coming weeks than any time ever. 

I'm also on my school's robotics team. We had a competition this past weekend (made it to the semi-finals!) and have another one the week of the musical. Meetings for the team have been about 10-15 hours a week for me, which is a lot on top of musical rehearsals. 

If that's not enough, I also need to prepare for State Solo & Ensemble. 

All of this has made me push off reading a little, not for lack of interest, but out of necessity. A few weeks ago, I was also having a reading slump but another book got me going last week (thanks Lola and the Boy Next Door!). 

Right now, I'm just trying to fit everything in (homework, robotics, rehearsals). March will be even busier than January and February!

This is just for the sake of documentation. Thanks for bearing with me. 

2015 TBR Reading Goals

I've got some, and here they are!

The Precious Stones trilogy by Kerstin Gier
I've heard nothing but good things about this series. I finished Ruby Red yesterday, and it's taking everything I have not to go out and buy Sapphire Blue.

The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
I read Clockwork Angel in June of last year, and I really want to finish the series. My friend says they get better, and I'm holding her to her word on it (since I didn't think Clockwork Angel was all that great).

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I'll be reading the book for school in a few months, so this book doesn't really need to be on this list. Still, it's been in my TBR for years.

The Maze Runner series by James Dashner
I didn't even really like the first book, I just want to finish them out of principle. I'm like that.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor
Kat from Katytastic on YouTube has raved about these books so many times, I just have to read them.
 

Queen of Shadows and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
The Throne of Glass books get better with each one, and Sarah J. Maas says this new one is her favorite. I have high hopes! I'm also hyped for her new series (in which people praise the chapter sampler that's been released).

Attachments and Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Haven't read them yet! Might as well reread Eleanor & Park and Fangirl while I'm at it.

Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien
Not just the books. No, man. The audiobooks.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
My class read it in 5th or 6th grade but I don't remember it. I've gotta try it again!

Lola & the Boy Next Door and Isla & the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
I NEED THESE BOOKS IN MY LIFE.

Edgar Allan Poe poems and short stories
I love his stuff so much.

1984 by George Orwell
Not only is my APUSH teacher encouraging it, but Ariel Bissett from YouTube practically worships him. I value her opinions, so I'm gonna try it out.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Received it for my birthday, and I really want to start diversifying my reading selections. Some historical fiction will be a good twist to add, since I hardly ever read historical fiction.

2014 Wrap

The new year is finally here! I decided the best way to kick off the blog would be to wrap up 2014's (loose) top ten favorites reads and some book awards, so here they are.

Favorite Books of 2014

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

I read this book in English class last year in the spring. It was short, but beautifully written through short vignettes. It was one of my favorite books I read for school last year--which is a weighted statement because I read so many great books in ninth grade.

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

In some ways, 2014 was a year of marathoning series. I got through the first five books in The Mortal Instruments in a shameful amount of time. I'd caught up in time for City of Heavenly Fire, which wasn't a disappointment. I loved how fast paced the book was. My brother and I agree that there were no slow parts, and that all of the sub plots were interesting.

Raging Star by Moira Young

A stunning conclusion to my favorite YA dystopian series. The Dust Lands Trilogy will always have a special place in my heart, especially after the (somewhat shocking) ending of this book. I read it too fast to remember what all happened (oops), but I know I must have enjoyed it.

We Were Liars by E. Lockheart

This book. THIS BOOK. It gets to me. It gets to me in ways books should not get to people. Read this book. Get your friends to read this book. Get your pets to read this book.

If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Foreman

I enjoyed both books immensely, but remember liking the second one a bit better. I think it was because of the Shooting Star lyrics at every chapter, and seeing things through Adam's point of view. Bonus points: the movie was spectacular.

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

These books, I've decided, were my all-time favorite books of 2014. This was another series I marathonned, though there were only three books out at the time I started them. Favorite aspect: characters. No wait, plot. Or world building. Favorite character: Rowan Whitethorn (but I bet you already knew that).

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Unfortunately, I felt obligated to include this book. By the end, I had lost a lot of respect for Riordan. I enjoyed the first two thirds of the book, but I had trouble accepting the ending. Maybe I'll get over myself once his Magnus Chase series comes out next fall.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

As every minute goes by, I feel myself shaking until I get another fix of Stephanie Perkins. These books are like crack. I'm so glad Anna and Étienne were the way that they were. It was all just so lovely.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

I have such mixed feelings about Ari and Dante. On one hand, it made me sad. On the other hand, I like books that make me sad, because they make me feel something (and if not to feel, then what else is the purpose of a book?). On my other third--and nonexistent--hand (I just need it to prove my point), I found myself unsatisfied with the characters and the wrap up. Still, I'm inexplicably drawn to the story in a way I can't begin to describe.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The only classic making it onto the list, I adored this book. I finished it on the last day of the year. It's a book for school, but the most enjoyable one (so far) of tenth grade. Huck is such a likable character, and his childlike humor makes the book entertaining and enjoyable.

2014 Book Awards

Best Female--Celaena Sardothien from the Throne of Glass series (Sarah J. Maas)

She kicked butt more than any other female I encountered this year. With each book in the series, her emotions and motives became more and more layered. Celaena was unbelievably well written and I can't remember ever getting sick of her. 

Best Male--Rowan Whitethorn from Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas)

I really loved these books, if you can't tell. Finally a wonderfully written male who didn't become the female protagonist's love interest! By the end of  Heir of Fire, I think 90% of my tears and emotions were directed towards him. Thanks, Rowan--I'll love you forever.

Best Plot Twist/Twist Ending--We Were Liars (E. Lockheart)

I'm afraid I'll say too much for those who haven't read it. I don't want it spoiled for you. Just gonna leave this here...

Best Book to Movie Adaptation--The Fault in Our Stars (John Green) and If I Stay (Gayle Foreman)

What can I say? I loved them both dearly. I reread TFIOS before the movie came out so it was fresh, and because it turned out so well, I'm even more excited for Paper Towns. If I Stay was so lovely, and now I should probably do some research to see if they're making a Where She Went movie. 

Best Antagonist--Sebastian from City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare)

HE WAS SO EVIL. I loved how he was kinda/sorta good in the end? Not really. I mean, not at all. But when he died, he kind of made you wish he wasn't dying.

Best Supporting Characters--Meredith, Rashmi, and Josh from Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins)

I was rooting for them the whole time. The dynamic of the group suffered when just one of them was missing, and the book would have lost a lot of its magical quality if they hadn't been there.

Best Friendship--the 7 demigods (+ Nico and Reyna) from The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan)

True friendship can save the day, yadda yadda yadda. I love every single one of them, but especially the underdogs who aren't as loved. Reyna, Jason, Piper, I'm looking at you. Besides, Percy and Annabeth will always have a special place in my heart. Maybe if they were in the book more...

Best Couple--Anna and Étienne from Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins)

I can't, with these two. It was the cutest, fluffiest book I read this year. I just want more Stephanie Perkins. I'm on withdrawal right now.

Best Setting--Beechwood Island from We Were Liars (E. Lockheart)

The mysteriousness. The nooks and crannies. The...incident.

Oh darn, I think I've said too much.

Best Ending--Raging Star (The Dust Lands Trilogy by Moira Young)

There was something so simple and unexpected about how the series wrapped up. It wasn't too fluffy or too sad. Just the right amount of realism to keep me guessing and thinking.

Book That You Threw Across the Room the Hardest--The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan)

Was that ending even real? It was so bad. So so bad. Everything neatly wrapped up in little boxes. And the last chapter killed me inside, not in the good way. Why did it have to end like this?

Overall, I had an amazing year of reading. My original goal was 25 books, which I surpassed. In all, I read 35 books, over 400 pages of my AP U.S. History textbook, and a whole lot of fanfiction.