Dana Parker: Little Book Haul

This book has recently been turned into a movie and every time the trailer plays either on the TV or before Youtube videos it catches my attention. I very rarely pick up books that I know are meant to be sad or books with plots surrounding tragedy and death. However, something about the focus on the state of in-between pulled me to this story. I've been thinking a lot about life after death lately and what happens to people when they're dying, so I'm eager to read about the main character's perspective. The lead, Mia, finds herself on the edge of life and death after a severe car accident; she must make the decision whether to wake up, or to leave the physical world.

2. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

This was somewhat of a spur of the moment purchase. It's not my normal book purchase about fictitious stories and characters, but literally a book about how to succeed in life. It's an old book, on the cover of my copy it says "Over 75 years in print!" So there's that. Ultimately I bought this book because one of my favorite Youtuber's, ShayCarl, recommended it. I've been thinking a lot about college lately and what I'm going to do in life and how I'm going to succeed at whatever I choose. I figured maybe a good way to start making moves and changes would be to figure out some methods that people who have gained a lot of success have practiced in their life.

3. Looking for Alaska by John Green

I've already read Looking for Alaska. I read it a little over a year ago and it is a story that will stick with me for a long time to come. I think the idea of "looking for a great perhaps" like the lead character Miles (or Pudge as he is lovingly nicknamed) does in the story resonates with me something fierce. I loved the idea of Miles struggling to step outside of his comfort zone for the hope of a 'great perhaps,' and learning how to navigate life to find a place for himself. So because I loved the story so much, I bought myself the hard cover copy exclusive collector's edition!

4. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

After spending my summer laughing and crying over Richelle Mead's comedic and stress-inducing Vampire Academy series, I decided to torture myself some more and bought the first book in her spin-off series, Bloodlines. I was honestly a little weary of buying this book just because I loved the main characters of the Vampire Academy series so much, and the thought of them not being in the Bloodlines series made me sad. After making these worries known to my friend who had already read both series, she convinced me that the Bloodlines series was just as sassy, comedic, and stress-inducing as the Vampire Academy books are. So I am putting my faith in the hands of both my friend, and Richelle Mead, in the hopes that the Bloodlines experience is just as wonderful as the Vampire Academy experience was.

5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Now I have heard a ton about these Stephanie Perkins books, and even so, I have passed them by in stores time and time again. The title just doesn't do it for me. However, because I always hear such great things about them, I decided to finally give it a chance - and I must say, now that I have the book, I'm pretty excited. I think I'm really in the mood for a cute and fun contemporary book, so this might be the first of all these books that I read. I'm excited to get to know the relationship between Anna and this Etienne St. Clair fellow. Even though that name will definitely be one that I just brush over when I'm reading and never actually learn how to pronounce. Also, side note - I love the pink cover.

6. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Again, another book that I have passed by in bookstores without much of a second glance. I've read the back before and just haven't been interested - even with the movie coming out starring one of my absolute favorites: Dylan O'Brien. For quite some time I just thought that I'd avoid reading the series, and just see the 2 hour movie and be done with it. That was until both my brother and his girlfriend began raving about the book. His girlfriend and I usually have pretty similar book tastes and she said that she wasn't too interested in the plot either before she decided to read it. Because she was unsure about it before she read it and ended up loving it, I bought the book. Whether it gets read or not - I guess we'll find out. The feel of the book just reminds me a bit too much of Lord of the Flies - which I hate.

Dana Parker