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I think, with kids put in the “gifted” category, and kids that are always told things like “I know you’re going to go far in life,” it sets them up to be unsatisfied with everything they do.

Maybe that’s just me. Because on the one hand, I kinda wanna settle down, have a normal nine-to-five, and have a degree from a normal, local college. On the other hand, though, if I did that, I would feel bad. I would feel like I’m not enoug, I think. Actually, now that I think of it, the exact feeling I would have would be the weird sickening feeling of wasting my potential.

And, even my therapist, as a parting thing during our last session, said something like, “I can tell you’re going to go really far in life— you’re bright.” I was grinning the entire session, but I’m pretty sure my face fell a bit at that. And then she added, “If you want to.” I’m pretty sure that was the first time someone tacked on the “if you want to.”

But yeah. If you’re going to tell someone that they can go far in life, say that they can do it if they want to. Don’t throw your expectations on them. That’s unfair and it puts a lot of pressure on them. It probably also sets them up to compare themselves to others all the time, and it’ll make them feel like they’re not trying hard enough, even if they’re doing great.

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These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (Book Review)

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (Book Review)

Title: These Violent Delights Author: Chloe Gong Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Romance Pages: 449 pages Yes, I am indeed in the same position as you are desiring to read an Asian book with the Enemies-to-Lovers trope.  I spearheaded this book blindly, only aware that I’m about to embark on a Shanghai-themed book with morally grey Asian characters. I wanted to keep my fingers from…

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May Monthly Wrap-Up

Is summer finally here? Besides the scorching heat and humid air, the books I have read in May were also lit, producing warmth in my soul and fervor in my mood. Surprisingly, I gained two favorite books from this list. My TBR is a conundrum, constantly being ridiculed by me. Don’t even get me started with booktok and booktube. So that’s that. May has been pretty uneventful because of COVID, but…

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Top 13 Quotes from Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Top 13 Quotes from Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Without a doubt, Cassandra Clare’s writing in Clockwork Prince was exquisite, graceful, and lyrical with its beautiful descriptions and introspective reflections of each character. Reading this novel was similar to witnessing a ballet dancer on the stage – opulent and elegant. However, I found particular quotes that can be equivalent to rubbing salt on a wound and sprinkling sugar on toast. I…

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Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers (Book Review)

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers (Book Review)

Title: Cracked Up to Be  Author: Courtney Summers Genre: YA Contemporary Pages: 240 pages Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games, but they don’t know that the real reason for this whole mess isn’t…

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April Monthly Wrap-Up

I have to admit, April has been a great reading month for me! Ironically, I read more contemporary books than fantasy novels despite of my brimming fantasy TBRs. Other than that, I stumbled upon a new YA romance contemporary book that makes me all queasy and cheesy whenever it gets mentioned. I also found myself obsessed with a new mystery series? Graceling by Kristin Cashore ⭐⭐⭐…

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Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Title: Gilded Wolves Author: Roshani Chokshi Genre: YA Historical Fantasy Fiction Pages: 388 pages It’s 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite,…