Reading List of an English Grad -- Issues of Place and Space

Happy first day of autumn!! Wow, could I not be more excited. Tonight I plan on working on one of my Fall Bucket List items-- my Littles are coming over and we are continuing to watch Stranger Things. Not going to lie, I got pretty freaked out the last time we watched it, but I'm still super pumped for it! Last time I brought you all a Reading List post, it came from my fantasy class. That was easily my most favorite class at Pitt! This time I'm bringing to you my first ever college lit class reading list. These books were a little more scattered about, as they dealt with a theme more than a genre. This theme encompassed the issue of places and spaces. If you really want a broken down analysis of why these books fit into this category, I'm sure I could scrounge something up, but suffice it would be long and arduous and not really something I want to get into at the moment. :P So without further ado, the Reading List of an English Grad.

Issues of Place and Space:
1. Agamemnon by Aeschylus
  Greek tragedy--classic English lit reading material. Clytemnestra is one powerful female character! 
2. Once and Future King by T.H. White
  This book was by far my favorite! The single book had three parts written in it. The first part-- the part we read-- was basically The Sword in the Stone and the coming of age of King Arthur. The first is full of so much hope and growth. Apparently, things go down in the next two parts, but we didn't get that far. 
3. Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Murakami
  Okay, full disclosure this novel is actually insane. At first when you read it, you think you know what's going on. The book is split into two--half of the book is written about Hard Boiled Wonderland and the other half about the End of the World. Already confusing enough, but then 3/4 the way through the novel it starts playing mind tricks on you! Such a good book, but definitely a challenge.
4. Waiting for the Barbarians by Coetzee
  Another great novel that plays with the use of time and space. I don't honestly think things get resolved at the end. It's another one that really makes you think. Coetzee is an amazing writer! 
5. Maggie, a Girl of the Streets by Crane
  Okay, guys, I'm going to be real with you. I didn't actually read this book. This was the last book of the semester--around when I had finals-- and we weren't tested on it and I wrote my paper on another novel so I just didn't read it. (Oops)






What's your favorite novel that really makes you think?? Leave it in the comments below and be on the lookout for the next installment of this series! And, as always, make sure to follow me on my social medias. I'm sooo close to reaching my Instagram goal for September! Follow me to help to complete my goal!! :) Until next time, 

xoxo,

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My Trip to the Strip District

Hey, everyone! Can I be the first to say that I have no idea where August went or this entire summer for that matter! I feel like there are so many things I want to get accomplished and no time to get them done. On the bright side, though, I have a lot of exciting collaborations coming up. I've been playing around with a bunch of different outfits and styles and I can't wait to bring them to you! 

The last time we spoke I was telling you all about this adorable outfit. Off the shoulder crop tops and pom shorts-- is there anything cuter?? I mean, probably, to be honest. But as far as outfits go, this is the tops! What I didn't tell you during that post, though, was the amazing night I had in between photo shoots.  

The Strip District in Pittsburgh is such an interesting place. There are so many unique shops, markets, and eateries. This trip was only the second time I had been there and I can't believe it took me so long to get back there! One of my favorite things lately is trying out new, off the beaten path coffee shops. Don't get me wrong, I love Starbucks. 100%! But as much as I love a good Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato, I love the vibes of a non chain coffee shop. Each one has a unique spin on the typical coffee shop experience. Each one an adventure in itself. I could sit in a coffee shop for hours, blogging away and be perfectly content! 

Besides the overwhelming feeling of future adventures, there were two stops on the trip that stood out to me as places I want to highlight.. 

Grandpa Joe's Candy

The first is called Grandpa Joe's Candy. Imagine all of the candy your grandparents used to bring whenever they came over your house or the candy they always had stocked on hand when you came to visit. Now multiply that by 50 and that's Grandpa Joe's Candy store! I walked in and wanted to put up a tent in the corner. Now, granted, I would have gone into sugar shock in a half hour, but the amount of colorful candies was so enticing! Everywhere I looked there were walls and walls filled with vintage and modern candy. Anything you can think of this shop has! 100% worth the trip.

Bar Marco

If you're looking for a killer happy hour, this is the place to go. This Italian restaurant features a small list of happy hour drinks to choose from, but don't be disappointed. If you don't find something on the list to your liking, the bartender has got your back. Simply tell him a list of flavors and a type of alcohol that you like and he creates a drink based on that description. They're extremely accommodating. And their food looks stunning! I haven't gotten the chance to try it yet, but I was so excited to see focaccia on the menu! When I studied abroad in Italy that was definitely a favorite of mine. This restaurant is a chic slice of Italy in little old Pittsburgh. Oh, did I mention there are wine bottles decorating the walls? **swoon

On top of all the excitement that has been the last few weeks, recently my guest post on Remington Ready was published. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing your work up on someone's page. I can write whatever my little heart desires on my page, but for someone else to believe in me was just so inspiring and humbling. Definitely a step in the right direction!! Check in out here. :) 

Also, before I forget (because God knows I'm good at forgetting), shout out to Morgan K, the winner of my CaseApp giveaway! Thank you to everyone who participated. Until next time...

xoxo,

The Reading List of an English Grad -- Fantasy

Hey, everyone! I hope you're all having a fabulous week. Mine looks like it's going to turn into another whirlwind of a week, but I'm definitely not complaining about it! I'm the type of person that thrives when busy. Today, though, I'm going to slow it down a bit for you and talk about what I love to do to unwind more than anything else-- read. Ever since I was a small child, I loved reading. Library class was my favorite. I had a goal in grade school to read all of the books in the library before I graduated. Pretty ambitious for a small child, but I loved to read, so it was a challenge I was more than willing to accept!


As an English student, I read a LOT in college. Some of the books were pretty tedious and others I just couldn't put down. So today I've decided to start a series about all of the books I've had to read for college. I love finding new books to read and would love to help someone else find their newest favorite novel! As an English Lit major, we were allowed to take a few electives. One of the electives I took was a Fantasy class and this was by far, one of my favorite classes. The teacher was so insightful, yet fun at the same time, and because the books were of a genre we were all invested in, the discussion was interesting and definitely got heated at times.  So without further ado...

The Reading List of an English Grad -- Fantasy edition: 

1. The Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - If this list hasn't started off on a good note for you, I may have lost you already, hahah. I had always wanted to read the Lord of the Rings series, but for whatever reason, I had never gotten around to it. This book surpassed all of the hype I had heard about it. Tolkien was truly a genius writer and his books are just as magical as the characters he writes about. 10/10 would recommend! 

2. The Tolkien Reader by J.R.R. Tolkien - This book isn't a novel, but if you're obsessed with Tolkien and his novels, this book gives excellent insight into how he wrote and his thought process. 

3. Lirael by Garth Nix - This book is actually the second in a series called 'The Old Kingdom Trilogy'. I honestly had no idea what to expect when I first started reading this book and was a little confused when I found out we were reading the second book of the trilogy. After diving in, though, I had no problem catching on to all of the characters. This book may not have the same fame as some of the others on this list, but it definitely held its own in my book! (pun intended) I can't wait to get my hands on the first book of this series and finish what I started. 

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Does this book really need any explanation? With all of the hype around The Hunger Games these past few years, you would think everyone and their mother has read the series. I was so excited when I saw this on my syllabus. I would take any opportunity to read this book again and talk about it in an academic context-- or any context for that matter!

5. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - Wow. What an amazing book. Unlike the other books on this list, this particular novel is a very quick read! Only about 200 pages. Don't be fooled, though. There's a LOT going on it in. This particular novel takes on the magical world and the read world side by side. This class focused, in general, on the unlikely hero in all of the novels-- mainly the children as heroes and the adults as causing the trouble. I lent my copy to my mother earlier this summer and she really liked it! It's one of the first books that comes to mind as a quick, easy and intriguing read.

6. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud - If you've been following along my summer goals (June, July, August), you've noticed a slight obsession I've had with Jonathan Stroud. Here is where it all started. Yes, this novel is for children, but it is SO good! Thematically and literarily interesting enough for a term paper or two! This novel takes a look at London in an alternate future where ghosts are not only prevalent but an epidemic. The only solution to this problem comes at the hands of children. Literally. The government hires children to eradicate the problem. In this novel, children are the powerful portion of society and the adults rely fully on them. A very, very interesting and exciting read. 

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling - Yes, I got to read this amazing novel for class. Yes, it was everything I remembered it to be. 

I can assure you not all of the classes were this exciting. Although I enjoyed all of my classes and the reading material that came along with them, I certainly had my fair share of Renaissance plays and 19th century British Literature. Fun fact, I was in a small group discussion during a British Literature class on a day around Christmas when a girl in my group set one of her papers on fire as a joke. I seriously thought I was going to get kicked out of class. Thankfully, we had seminar in the Cathedral of Learning and my teacher thought the smell of burning paper was due to the fireplaces they light around Christmas in the common area. Never a dull moment.


That's all for today! Be sure to subscribe if you have not already to keep up with everything Rachel Lynn. Also, help me reach my August Goal and follow me on Instagram! I love flowers and coffee and pretty dresses. It's a good time, I promise! Until next time,

xoxo,

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