Humans Of New York

I am usually the type to stand in front of my chosen scene then wait for everyone to walk out of the range of my shot no matter how long it takes to get the "perfect" photo with minimal people in it. Or sometimes I would go to the extent of editing stray people out of my photos because I think they "ruin" my shots.

Brandon Stanton is my favourite people photographer because he makes me want to take photos of complete strangers, ask about their life stories and hang onto every word they say.

Humans of New York is a compilation of Brandon Stanton's photos made into a book. He basically goes around taking photos of people on the streets of New York then asks them a simple question or strikes up a casual conversation then captions his photos with quotes from these ordinary people. He then posts his pictures daily on his Tumblr and Facebook that I read everyday like a morning paper (except I don't read morning papers). We get a little window into these strangers' lives and I really like how real it feels.

I think my favourite thing about Humans of New York is that it shows everyone has a story and they're not just another mundane person living their mundane life doing mundane things. (My overuse of the word 'mundane' made that sentence sound mundane towards the end. But you get my point?)

Clockwork Princess

I usually tear up over books, but I never actually cry page after page from pain and being deeply sad until I read Clockwork Princess, the very last book from its trilogy. All the comments I've seen so far commends the author for the beautiful ending, but I don't feel it. There was too much pain for the characters to get to where they are now.

I would normally have a little spazz over the characters and a brief storyline, but this book has caused me to experience depression for a week (and I think it'll go on for a while longer). The story revolving around Tessa, Will and Jem's world has finally come to an end, leaving me in the state of a heavy book hangover.

I know it seems insane to be so attached to fictional characters and to treat them like they're not just fragments of my imagination, but it's the lessons I've gotten out of them that makes me love them. They teach you about sacrifice. They teach you about loss. They teach you about nobility. They teach you about respect. They teach you about friendship. They teach you about kindness. They teach you about love.

Another one of the many quotes from books I live by?
"To respect the printed page and cherish the stories those pages held."

Cunctator

I am the best student ever to have existed during exam period. I've made the bad decision to start reading Tomorrow, When The War Began when I've had this book for ages but never got around to getting past the first 30 pages. I kept feeling bad because I was supposed to be studying so I'd stop reading after two hours then repeat the cycle for the next few days. This is why I read books in one sitting - I keep thinking that a war is going on and I'd start planning tactics in my head on how I should conceal or defend myself every time I hear a plane flying overhead. I'm so paranoid and I'm losing that fine line between reality and fantasy.

A few days ago, Christmas arrived early on my doorstep in the form of a cylinder package. I have John Green's autograph. CUE HYPERVENTILATION TO THE POWER OF A THOUSAND ONE DIRECTION FANGIRLS. Except I'm fangirling over a married 35 year old man. I think I might actually love him. And his brother, Hank Green.

THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER TO HAVE TOUCHED MY WALL BECAUSE JOHN GREEN TOUCHED THIS POSTER. It's a quote from his book, Looking For Alaska, that I am sure every teenager (and older) who has given their time to read will love forever.

So yes, exams. I will study. It's nearly 2am. I haven't studied. I'll be okay. I've calculated and I only need 3% in the finals to pass the exam that I have in 7 hours. I'll be okay. Nearly halfway through my exams. I'll be okay.

The Book Thief

While normal teenagers smuggle clothes and shoes home to hide from their parents, I smuggle books.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is the first book in a while that has affected me this much. This lady on the train kept staring at me while I was trying to contain myself from creating a dramatic scene and end up as a bawling heap of puddle on the filthy floor. I could feel my heart shatter and disintegrate into millions of pieces as if a bomb was thrown at me as well. The story was both tragic and beautiful.

This story is told in the point of view of Death during World War II in Germany. It's so clever and wonderfully written. It's about a girl living with her foster parents who are hiding a Jewish man in their basement. We see this girl bond with these people and her neighbours during that time and as the war escalates, there are more restrictions and dangers placed upon their lives. Having studied Nazi Germany during Modern History in high school really helped me understand the historical context.

One of my friends (COUGH JASON COUGH) has been calling me an ass scratcher and trolling through my phone texting others about how my ass is itchy. I think I know where he got his idea from now. Earlier last week he told me he’s read the book as well and was going to ruin the ending for me. That saukerl. I’ve learnt a lot of German swear words thanks to this book.

Clockwork Prince

Santa Claus came early this year! Or either the birthday fairy came a tad bit late. Jellee bought Clockwork Prince for me and I am forever in her debt because she bought me a paper version of my boyfriend. Clockwork Prince is the second book from the trilogy Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. I highly recommend it and every other book she has written. The world she creates make you want to go to your kitchen, whip out a knife and fork, because it's the most deadly weapon you have, then out to the streets to fight off demons invisible to mundanes (ordinary people) after you've finished reading every one of her books.

I spent 24 hours reading the book with so many distractions like filling in four bloody Centrelink forms, satisfying my body functions and needs by eating, sleeping and what not.

I think my heart shattered to gazillion pieces several times then the fragments were thrown out to sea. It'll be weeks before I finally get over the events in the book and find the willpower to put the pieces back together. I honestly love James Carstairs and now I think I'm leaning towards Will Herondale too. Why isn't there anyone I know who's so perfect and sweet like Jem?

If I wasn't reading the book through to sunrise, I swear I would've screamed out traitor and thrown it across the room.

You know what I hate more than anything? CLIFFHANGERS IN BOOKS. I have to wait for another year for the third book of this series. I think it'll be a while before I get my head back to reality again. In the meantime, I'll continue running around my neighbourhood with a knife and fork in my Shadowhunter gear while dancing and singing DEMON POX IS REAL because it's been proven in the book. I knew it!

Comis

I finished reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and I honestly don't know how I feel about the book. Usually when I read, I must finish it all in one go so I stayed up till 4am. I don't like to eat or sleep because it'll ruin the whole experience for me. It was a bad idea though because I ended up lying in bed for an hour trying to understand the ending and I wanted someone to discuss it with, but I don't think anyone would like the idea of me waking them up at such a ridiculous hour just to discuss a book!

Straight after I woke up, I texted Annie because she was the one who told me about the book and made me confused about the definition of a wallflower. She once called me "the sweetest wallflower" and I wondered why she called me "the sweetest cabbage" and now I keep laughing at myself for it.

Now I'm just horrified and shocked because it's such a turn of events in the last few pages. I know it's strange, but I keep sitting here wondering where and how Charlie is now.