Guide through Science Fiction World: The Different Subgenres

Have you ever observed that most science fiction stories feature different scientific and technological advancements as a bookworm? Some tales are set in space, filled with alien characters, robots, and more. It’s because sci-fi is a rich and vibrant genre, filled with notable stories showcasing the different sides of the field of science. In fact, it is referred to as the literature of concepts because there are loads of futuristic ideas embedded in the stories.

The wide array of notable features sci-fi has might be the best time to learn more about this genre. Thus, here’s an ultimate guide to the magnificent world of science fiction, specifically starting with its several subgenres.

Hard sci-fi

Hard science fiction pertains to stories that use or are based on scientific facts. The concepts used are often thoroughly elaborated and detailed to showcase scientific realism. However, there are moments when these particular ideas can hinder the development of the plot and characters. All Systems Red by Martha Wells, Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Hail Mary by Andy Weir, and Seveneves by Neal Stephenson are some books considered as hard science fiction.

Soft sci-fi

In contrast to hard sci-fi, soft science fiction is often characterized by stories that are inspired by the soft social sciences. Most of the plots are involved or concerned with hypothetical societies and connections. Thus, you can observe aspects of sociology, psychology, economics, politics, and more. The hit TV series Star Trek is the best example of this subgenre. It’s popular for tackling the problems and concerns on both political and social aspects in a futuristic and space-opera setup.

Climate fiction

James Bradley, Sam Bleicher, David Mitchell, Emmi Itaranta, Margaret Atwood, Kim Stanley Robinson, and Paolo Bacigalupi are some of the remarkable authors of climate fiction. The stories under cli-fi send significant messages on the effects and possible results of climate change. Thus, they also give awareness and reminders to the readers to be more focused on the planet. Another aspect that climate fiction highlights are that it’s not too late to prevent climate change.

Dystopian fiction

If you are a fan of Veronica Roth’s Divergent or Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, then you might already be familiar with dystopian fiction. This subgenre provides a glimpse of the future with books that challenges the readers to diversely evaluate the present social and political conditions and to encourage them to take action. Moreover, dystopia pertains to societies in devastating states, characters facing environmental wreck, technological manipulation, and oppression.

Space opera

The term “space opera” is not affiliated with music but with soap operas seen on television. This genre blossomed in the 1930s, which is when it began to dominate the literature, comics, movie, and other related avenues. Works categorized as space opera often feature fictional battles and adventures set in space inflicted with melodrama and chivalric romance. Moreover, the stories tend to showcase galactic wars, futuristic equipment, top-notch technology, and more. Dune by Frank Herbert and Legend of the Galactic Heroes by Yoshiki Tanaka are the best examples of space operas.

Gothic sci-fi

The classic novels by Mary Shelly titled Frankenstein and by Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are considered gothic sci-fi. From the name of the subgenre itself, it’s a mix of gothic and sci-fi principles. Thus, stories under this subcategory show or center on the following features: darkness, macabre, mystery, supernatural, monster, horror, and more. Gothic sci-fi tales often create great tensions and evoke intense emotions.

Parallel universe sci-fi

Parallel universe sci-fi is the subgenre with writings that simply show extraordinary alternate worlds present along with the “real world.” In the broadest sense, the parallel realms are the separate speculative dimension that exists together with one’s own. It is a subcategory of sci-fi in literature, but in film, it is considered a trope. The best examples of this genre are V.E. Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic, Claudia Gray’s A Thousand Pieces of You, and Terry Pratchett, and Stephen Baxter’s The Long Earth.

Military Science Fiction

This particular subcategory exhibits the utilization of scientifically innovated weapons and other aspects for military purposes. It may feature an interstellar warlike in space operas, but military fiction focuses more on military traits and events. Thus, stories in this category commonly portray military organizations, activities, pieces of equipment, goals, and more.

Historical Fiction Books to Read that Guarantee a Great Reading Experience

Who says historical fiction books aren’t enjoyable to read? Like all other pieces of literature, historical fiction has its unique charms that captivate the hearts and attentions of the readers. As of 2021, there are already millions of books under this genre that were published and are conquering different bestselling lists.

If you are looking for the best historical fiction books that will give you a memorable reading experience, then here are some of the must-reads that you should check out.

Bannack: A Growing Up Story in the Vigilante West by Jerry Delaney

Bannack: A Growing Up Story in the Vigilante West is a historical and young adult book by Jerry Delaney. It primarily focuses on themes of self-discovery and adventure. The story is set during the Civil War when chaos and vigilante violence existed. A sixteen-year-old boy named Billy Mayfair is the protagonist that moves the story forward. Billy’s journey was rough and challenging. At such a young age, he already experienced being cast away from home, searching for gold, losing his precious things in life, getting involved in a fight, and going to jail. From all those misadventures, he managed to stand up again and continued his rollercoaster journey. Thus, this is more than just a story of life but also of hope and survival.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Macmillan published this historical fiction book written by Ken Follett in 1989. It was preceded by The Evening and the Morning and followed by World Without End. Moreover, the story of The Pillars of the Earth revolves around a particular infrastructure of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, England, in the 12^th century. It follows the improvement of Gothic architecture out of the rising Romanesque architecture and the wealth of the Kingsbridge monastery and village opposing the state of historical affairs during that century. The story is divided into different parts, which each section features some events from different years. This book gained multiple feedbacks and was soon adapted into a musical, TV show, and more.

All the Lights We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr authored the bestselling book, 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and 2015 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction awardee titled All the Lights We Cannot See. It was originally published in 2014 by Scribner. The story takes place during the Second World War in France. The storyline is moved by the two main characters Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfenning, an orphan German boy. They both belong to different countries where one, Germany, invades the other, France. The two met at an extremely unexpected time, and Werner found himself slowly falling in love with Marie-Laure. As they journey together, an unfortunate event took place that took the life of Wermer.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

The bestselling author Kristin Hannah wrote another remarkable book titled The Four Winds that was published in 2021 by St. Martin’s Press. The story is set in 1934 in Texas. There were many people who lost their jobs, and the Great Plains is suffering from a drought. Every farmer is battling a natural occurrence and striving to maintain their livelihoods in the midst of it all. Living in one of the darkest moments of the Great Depression was not easy. Thus, Elsa Martinelli starts to create a terrible choice: to either stay or continue fighting for the land or begin to journey toward the west to live a better life.  So, what would Elsa choose?

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth E. Wein

In 2012, the young adult historical fiction book of Elizabeth E. Wein titled Code Name Verity was published. The story centers on the blossoming friendship of two young ladies from different countries, England and Scotland, during World War II, specifically 1943. It was also the moment when the young women crashed their British spy plane in France, which the Nazis unfortunately occupied. Only one of the two young pilots was bestowed the opportunity to survive because the other had already lost the game prior to reaching the starting line. The one spy who was called Verity was arrested and had to face a serious interrogation from the enemies. Apart from that, she also needs to fight for her life.

Must-read Stories about Courage and Survival

The word “survival” is often associated with bravery, hardships, and pain. In literature, several stories revolve around it, which also highlight the main character’s courage and other defining values. Most of these tales are based on the author’s real experiences, historical figure, or significant person that can inspire, educate, and warm the hearts of the readers.

Why do many are drawn into books that center on courage and survival? It is because they can relate to the featured human experience and have also been surviving their struggles. So, if you are a fan of these kinds of stories, here are some of the best books that you might want to check out to relate to and learn from.

The Innocent Eyes of a Child: Everyone’s Little Girl, But Nobody’s Child by Trea Jackson

The Innocent Eyes of a Child: Everyone’s Little Girl, But Nobody’s Child is a promising book that tackles significant themes, such as child abuse, foster care system, undying hope, and love. The story revolves around a girl by the name of Brighteyes. She was raised in an undesirable environment with a dysfunctional family. At such a young age, she already experienced abuse and abandonment. It leads her to be subjected to foster care. Hence, she grows up hopping from one house to another but never really finding the home, family, and love that she’d long for the longest time. With the years of mistreatment, pain, and heartbreaks, she still hopes and dreams for a home filled with love and care.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer

The reprint edition of Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster was published by Anchor in 1999. The journalist-mountaineer author narrated his personal experiences when a horrible storm hit Mt. Everest in 1996 that put an end to five lives and left several more in a regretful mess. By turning his experiences into words, Krakauer may have wished to drive away some of his demons and put to rest some heartbreaking inquiries that still centers on the event. Apparently, the disaster still haunts him and makes him struggle to see things objectively regardless of the several situations that he relates his selfless acts.  

All But My Life: A Memoir by Gerda Weissmann Klein

Gerda Weissman Klein pens down her account as a victim of the Nazi regime in her book titled All But My Life: A Memoir. Klein brings the readers on a journey of survival and freedom from her peaceful life in Poland to her remarkable liberation by the American soldiers in Czechoslovakia. Despite her awful experiences — loss of loved ones, property, possessions, and friends, she continues to show amazing spiritual strength and faith in humanity. Moreover, this book offers a significant message to the readers to find faith, love, friendship, and courage in the middle of your darkest and toughest times, which hatred cannot rise and dominate.  

The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger

The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea is the recipient of the American Library Association’s 1998 Alex Award. This bestselling book is real-life suspense that ignites different intense emotions from the readers, such as helplessness and hopelessness amid nature’s strong and uncontrollable force in the middle of a vast ocean. The author looks into rich historical accounts of the history of fishing, the scientific background of storms, and the random tales of individuals whose lives were once threatened by this particular natural disaster.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

This book is recognized as one of the best books of the year by The Boston Globe, Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, and other renowned platforms. It is also a #1 national bestseller. Moreover, it follows the story of the author on how she handled loss, heartbreak, and nothingness. But, she never thought an impulsive decision would turn her life around, which is to hike over thousands of miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solitarily. Thus, this book greatly showcases the fears and desires of a young woman pushing on all odds on a trip that exasperated, strengthened, and mended her.

The Joys of Living in a Small Town

Living in a small city or town is not only about being away from the hustle and bustle of the metro. It can also be about health, economics, and rediscovering many things in life.

Joy A. Totty recently released her latest novel, The Secret of Jerry’s Pride. Just like her previous novels, the stories are in small, peaceful Southern towns. While Totty’s books are mystery thrillers with themes of murder and mystery, we cannot help but appreciate her choice of settings for her fiction books. Her masterful descriptions of quiet, serene, and enigmatic towns make us want to consider moving away from big and toxic cities.

Of course, the idea of equating rural and provincial life with peace, serenity, and nature’s tranquility is nothing new. People have built cabins and vacation houses to be away from work, social interactions, responsibilities, and other demands of urban life. However, with the growing population in most cities and digital technology controlling most of us, it is no wonder that more and more people are actually thinking of settling in smaller towns and communities. And, the reasons and demands vary from the familiar to new ones that have something to do with adapting to new realities and survival.

Cost-Efficient

This is perhaps one of the practical reasons for choosing to live in a smaller town or city. Living in big cities costs a lot. The food, supplies, and even transportation are way cheaper when you live in a small town. You can choose to use public transportation or use a bike instead of spending dollars for gas and car maintenance. Moreover, finding a house might be difficult, but maintaining a house in a smaller city is better than renting a unit or buying one in metropolitan areas. You can also experiment more on providing power and electricity to your home when you are in rural areas compared to living in expensive condominiums or city suburbs.

Independence

Living in a smaller city or town comes with a bit of freedom in many aspects. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the metro traffic and pollution. Liberty from big crowds and social demands. Freedom to explore new things. Also, living in small communities and towns where luxury and other supplies are not always readily available, you get to experience building and creating things you need. You also get to experience a DIY or Do-It-Yourself lifestyle. In short, this brand-new lifestyle allows you to be independent and creative.

Management

Managing a household is a lot easier when you are not preoccupied with the unnecessary demands of city life. In a smaller community, you will be able to manage your budget, time, energy, and activities better. Being freed from the toxic pollution, traffic, expensive supplies, and busy social atmosphere allows you to breathe and take things easy. It will also allow you to manage your social interaction. Sometimes being in a small community with fewer acquaintances is all you need for a peaceful and serene life.

More Me-Time

This is more of the personal aspect and well-being. Living in a rural area, like countryside or a not so busy city, is beneficial for your health. You will rediscover many things about yourself in this new environment and be more attuned to a healthier spiritual and mental state. You can also engage in self-improvement activities and other personal goals. In smaller cities, you have a chance to interact more with nature. You can try growing your own food, set up a garden, or enjoy more time to yourself.

A Quality Living

Overall, one of the main reasons people are beginning to flock to smaller towns is to have a better chance of living a quality lifestyle. In smaller towns and rural areas where pollution, traffic, toxicity, and invasive technology have not yet reached, people enjoy relative safety, opportunity, a healthier environment, and a more sustainable livelihood. Aside from the proverbial peace and quiet, smaller cities and towns are more affordable in acquiring supplies, properties, and even luxury (although the word is relative). People find themselves, their purpose, and have more time and energy to live life to the fullest when they are not shackled to the toxic and arduous demands of living in big cities and towns.

Exciting Summer-ender Activities

Summer is ending while autumn is approaching. In the remaining days of this season, you should plan your activities to make the most out of it. Why? It is because there are many activities that you might not be able to do in the other seasons of the year due to different factors, including temperature, weather, career, school, and the likes.

Given that there are limited days until you can enjoy the warmer days, longer days, shorter nights, and brighter sunshine, we have listed some of the ideal summer-ender activities that you will surely love!

Watch the sunrise and sunset

The sun is among the celestial bodies that people are in love with. During summer, it is the season where the sun shines the most — giving the planet longer days. Therefore, one of the most underrated activities that you can do during this amazing season is to watch the sunrise or sunset, or both. It doesn’t require so many resources apart from the effort to spot the sun as it rises in the morning and it sets in the afternoon. There are many benefits that this activity gives, including but not limited to relieving stress, calming the mind, appreciating nature, reflecting on your past actions, and making thorough decisions.

Explore the outdoors with precautions

Summer is definitely the perfect time to explore the outdoors. You can go on various outdoor trips in your most comfortable clothes while carrying the most convenient adventure essentials. However, you should always follow the health protocols whether you’re already vaccinated or not since the pandemic is not yet over. Doing different activities outside will definitely help you improve your motor skills, boost your immune system, and enhance your physical health because they require you to be active and enthusiastic.

So, if you want to go on camping, fishing, swimming, canyoneering, and other related adventures, you should plan it beforehand. You may read books related to your chosen activity and even those literary pieces that focus on traveling and exploring, such as Into the Wild by Mike Honeycutt. After the sorting and planning, you may embark on your journey and make the most out of it.

Go on picnic dates

Many would probably consider picnic dates as old school, but it is definitely a fun bonding moment if you’d try to think about it. It is also low-cost because you wouldn’t be going on expensive trips and dates with your loved ones or friends. All you need is to pack some snacks from your pantry and a picnic mat. Another amazing thing about this activity is you aren’t required to actually do it in public parks because picnicking on your backyards or front yards or poolside will do. You get to enjoy the sun while bonding with your beloveds, which is already hitting two birds with one stone. There are also many advantages that picnics offer, such as relaxation, bonding, fitness, appreciating the view, and more.

Acquire new skills

When you think of summer, the fun and the outdoors might be the first things that will come into your mind. But, what you should also consider doing during this season is to try new things and learn new skills. Focusing on self-development can bring you one step closer to success. These skills can be technical and personal skills that you can apply to your future career and studies. Your everyday chores, such as cooking meals, baking desserts and pastries, cleaning the house, and other stuff, can definitely improve your skillset as they can ignite your decision-making, communication, critical thinking, and other essential abilities.

Ready yourself for the new season

Since the summer is ending, it is also important to take the incoming season into consideration. It is best to be prepared for autumn in terms of clothing, food, and other essentials. This activity will benefit you with regards to keeping your homes and selves comfortable when colder winds blow, and leaves fall. Thus, you may start cutting your lawns, sorting your clothes, restocking your pantry, cleaning the house, and a whole lot more. You also might want to clean the gutters and fireplace and shop for scented candles and essential oils so you will be ready to welcome autumn and say goodbye to summer.

Best Ways to Preserve a Memory

Memories are powerful. They have the ability to bring you so much joy, but they also have the capability to awaken the wounds that you thought that have healed. Regardless of the paradoxical characteristics of memories, they still play a significant part in the person that you are now. Without them, you wouldn’t become grateful for your past and appreciative of your present. Thus, the experiences and people that turned into memories have contributed and molded you into your present self.

The tricky part is they can disappear in a blink of an eye due to several factors, such as old age and memory loss. Thus, this is where the importance of preserving a memory comes in so you can still look back on your fondest moments and bravest battles. With that being said, listed below are the ideal ways to keep a memory.

Write a story

Your experiences are basically raw stories that are yet to be told through written tales or word of mouth. Writing a story based on real events is a great way of preserving a memory. Through this method, you are not only creating a keepsake, but you are also sharing it with other people. Technically, that particular event or person will live forever since your story will never die as long as there’s someone in this world that reads or tells it.

A great example is Grandpa Nick’s Bump, which is a grandfather story by Daniele. The author preserved the memory of her loving husband, specifically the time when he agreed to be the grandfather of the children in their neighborhood. Lynda Daniele’s way of keeping her husband’s story alive is truly wise and remarkable.

Start journaling

Having a journal or diary as an outlet to write down your experiences is good. Why? It is because these materials are practical and old-school methods of expression. So, at the end of your day, you should allocate some time to write not just the important events but also your thoughts, emotions, victories, and even mistakes. You can keep the same routine every day until your journal is filled with wonderful experiences that can make you draw a smile or create a frown on your face once you read it in the future. Moreover, you can also customize your diary by putting stickers on it or using other stationaries that fit your liking.

Create a scrapbook

The scrapbook will never go out of style. Regardless of how many websites and applications offer free scrapbook templates or free photo editing, going through the process of making a scrapbook is incomparably fun and calming. You will need scrapbooking materials and other stationaries in this method. Also, you’ll have to gather the photos that you want to preserve or other keepsakes, like letters, receipts, tickets, and more. If you want to follow a motif on your scrapbook, then you may do so. What makes this way better is the artistic freedom and the relaxation that it offers.

Film the event

If there is one word that will describe this era, then it would be “digital.” There are already millions of people who are into vlogging, which is the act of filming particular aspects of their lives. That said, you are given a choice to film the event, activity, and individual whom you think will turn into great memories when time goes by. There is no need to buy fancy cameras and other equipment, and you can use your phone to snap a picture or take a video of the whole scene.

Hang it on the wall

What does it mean when we say hang it on the wall? It basically means that you could frame a particular memory and display it on your wall. Now that the world is already progressing, there are many ways of preserving a memory that you can hang on your bedroom wall. You can go with the traditional printing of a picture and putting it on a frame. But, you can also have your Polaroid pictures preserved using resin and adding some charms, glitters, and other stationaries in it before it cools down. The said method is definitely a hit today because the finished product is aesthetically pleasing.

Tips in Preserving Family Recipes

Food never tastes the same in a restaurant as it does when it is prepared at home with love.  First of all, the recipes are most likely different. The ingredients used in a home cooked food do not include chemical items to retain freshness. The home cook elevates flavors differently than when food is prepared in a commercial kitchen to serve large numbers of people. Nothing tastes quite as good as when it comes from your kitchen!

Culture comes into play significantly when serving up different styles of food.  Different cultures use a variety of spices and herbs to flavor food.  When a specific flavor or ingredient lives from one generation to another it might be considered a secret ingredient. But nothing compares to sharing recipes and learning how to cook another culture’s food.  Preservation of food and recipes also preserves traditions.  How can we preserve traditions in food?

Create a cookbook

Writing a cookbook is not everyone’s cup of tea.  While it is a good idea to share family traditions and recipes with the world, it requires an investment of time, effort and money. Food entices the senses and many people love to cook or love to dabble in the kitchen.  Food allows families to relive memories of their ancestors. Generations of Good Food, a cookbook by Eleanor Gaccetta, contains many great recipes that span six generations and heartwarming tales of Italian life that brought families together around the table.

Share it with the next generation of your family

The most convenient way to preserve a recipe is by sharing it with the next generation in the family. No matter how the world has progressed today, there will always be one person in the family who is drawn to cooking. You can pass the recipe down to that individual by reaching out to him in your most preferred way, such as writing it in a note, sending it through a text message, sharing it verbally, or make a video while cooking. In that way, you can keep the recipe alive, and it can also be handed down to another generation as per your custom.

Write it in your journal

Journals are a reliable way to preserve recipes.  This is one way to pass down the legacy of a family or culture. You can write down the recipes and keep the journal until it is ready to be shared to a family member or used as reference in cooking a certain dish. In Gaccetta’s cookbook, recipes of family friends are also shared.  Many of those recipes were received on a notecard that was added to others. The notecards represented a type of journal of adding to the shared experience.

Make a scrapbook

Today people take pictures of their food on a regular basis.  It is not unusual to find people taking a photo with a smartphone in a restaurant of a dish they’ve ordered or see a picture of food in different social media platforms. An option to preserving ideas for food would be to create a scrapbook of art and recipes. It is will take you to a trip down memory lane and ignite your creative juices during the process. Often a chef in a restaurant will share the ingredients in a dish – you can research the amounts needed to re-create that dish at home. A “scrapbook” whether it is created online in scratch or using a template or one made of paper and pictures is a great way to preserve your food experiences and share with loved one.

Cook it in your kitchen

Personally, preparing the dish in your kitchen is one of the most accessible forms of preserving the recipe. Although you may have already memorized it by heart, you can invite a family member to watch you cook it. In that way, they will learn your techniques and can easily recall how you do it the moment they decide to cook the dish. There are different kinds of memories that can be awakened even in the cooking process, which can also turn into a great family bonding moment. With the help of memories and emotions, you will be inspired to cook better and preserve the recipe.

How Stories Boost Inspiration within You

Inspiration is crucial in life. Imagine having to live each day with a drained mind, body, and soul. Feeling drained and unexplainably tired for quite some time would be undesirable because it could impact your daily life. Moreover, that kind of condition can bring a series of negativity and unproductivity since you don’t have a good amount of energy and great mindset to look forward and face the coming better days.

Although it is normal for people to fall on a slump or ran out of enthusiasm for things, looking for ways to reinstate your previous well-being and regain your positive outlook in life. There are many activities and things that can help you acquire the inspiration that you need.  But, if you want a practical and inconvenience-free means to boost self-esteem and encouragement, then books is the perfect option! If you are wondering how stories could boost your inspiration, here’s how:

They offer significant guidance

Apparently, there are thousands of reasons that lead you to identify the cause of your lack of inspiration. It could be because you have fallen out of passion on things that once sparked joy to you. It could also be because of external reasons, such as the influence of the people and things around you. So, when you start reading books — the stories that they contain will give you the enlightenment and guidance that you never thought you needed in life. Whether it is a fiction or nonfiction tale, the central messages and other elements of the story give you guidance on how to deal with life in different angles.

Take for example, when you read the beautiful and encouraging story on LaPrele Jordan’s book, you will start to gain understanding and guidance on how faith in God can bring so much difference in your journey through life. The story will help you walk on your chosen path with enough confidence and inspiration to reach the end of the road.

They give essential lessons

Life is filled with millions of lessons. All this learning can be acquired through different approaches and means. Reading and hearing stories of kindness, bravery, forgiveness, and love, makes you learn and apply these values in life. Some of these amazing stories are Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and Forgiveness is a Choice by Robert D. Enright. That said, storytelling makes us develop a better understanding, respect, and admiration on a particular aspect in the world, such as culture, race, social status, religion, and more. From all these remarkable tales and learning, you will be inspired to also tell your story, savor every experience, and manifest values that can make you better.

They push you to your limits

Everyone undergoes different developmental process. Some grow slowly while others progress rapidly. It’s just never the same for most people. If you are drained of inspiration and have observed that you are not growing along with the individuals close to your heart, then there’s no need to worry. There are many stories that help you understand how progress is non-linear. These tales could be from your favorite books or from significant people in your lives. Moreover, the moment that you hear these stories and apply them in your life, you will be driven to take action. You tend to learn to direct your attention on your dreams and start to explore new things that can contribute to your development; you will become happier and more motivated.

They encourage you to reflect on yourself

Self-reflection is a great way to identify the parts of you that needs more nurturing. The product of reflecting on your past actions and decisions often leads to better and more positive things, such as rising of inspiration levels and boosting of self-esteem. There are many ways of reflection and among them is reading or listening to stories. Whether the tales are product of the imagination of the writer or based from real experiences, you can still get their gist and morals to connect and apply in your life. In that way, you are already given the guidance that you need, the chance to grow, and, most importantly, the drive to conquer every day with a head held high and heart made stronger.

Tips in Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Soul

When you hear the word “nurture,” you immediately might think about the act of taking care of someone or yourself. The term mentioned is often defined as the act of taking care and inspiring an individual to grow and development. That said, it is evident that nurturing is connected to personal growth because it is the process of caring for people through acts of service — such as providing them with their daily needs and more.

As a person starts to enter the process of metamorphosis, like how caterpillars gradually turn into butterflies, they go through different stages in life that can either make them or break them. Every phase is another challenge and experience that many need to conquer to say that they have fully nurtured themselves with the help of the individuals and things around them.

However, there may be times that you seem to run in circles and become stagnant. As a result, you find yourself less enthusiastic and encouraged to continue nurturing all aspects of yourself, including your mind, body, and soul. Perhaps there are a wide array of reasons why you haven’t fully focused on growth and self-care, but you might want to slowly go attend to yourself to develop holistically. So, in order for you to concentrate on nurturing your mind, body, and soul — we have listed below some simple yet essential tips that you should know.

Communicate

Many often overlook the value of communication. In this fast-paced world, people tend to be more focused on hustling and bustling that they forget to talk and bond with others. Effective communication plays an integral role on your health, especially on your mental and emotional well-being. So, if you have someone to talk about things that bother your mind, weaken your heart, and down your spirit can slowly make a difference in your life without you knowing it.

You are not required to share your stories and frustrations to everyone you encounter. You are also not obliged to keep in touch every minute of every day. What is needed is for you to have someone to hear both the good and bad things that you have stumbled upon in some days in your life. Just talk to someone you feel comfortable and safe with, and somebody who can appreciate and protect your vulnerability. As you keep the communication open, you can also help them take care of themselves because communicating is a two-way process that allows both sides to talk, listen, and vice versa.

Read

Reading is the best activity that gives you both healing and understanding. There may be a lot of people out there who fail to recognize the value of books and stories, but try opening and reading one so you can see the amazing benefits books can give you. Moreover, the literary world is filled with millions of books in different genres. Among these great categories is self-help, which houses books that aim to help people figure out life, understand themselves, and everything in between.

In your pursuit arrive at the best condition of your mind, body, and soul; it is important to pick books that are relevant to your situation. McClain book on De-Stressing Without Drugs titled Happiness in Quantum Leaps, would be a great read because it also guides you to achieve happiness by working on those three important aspects. There are also other works written by other remarkable authors that might suit your taste and demands. All you have to do is to look for the best and relevant book.

Meditate

In this lifetime, meditation is essential. Perhaps you cannot appreciate the value of this activity in the early stages of your life; but, now that you are already in the age where you slowly gain understanding of the world — meditating seems to be important. You can take some time off your daily routine or busy schedule to take a quick breather to refresh your mind, take care of your body, and feed your soul. There are many forms of meditation that might work for you, such as spiritual meditation, focused meditation, intention setting exercises, mindfulness activities, progressive relaxations, and whole lot more.

Must-read Science Fiction Books this Summer

Summer is basically the most awaited time of the year. Why? Because it is the season to relax, unwind, and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Although every season is worth waiting for, the atmosphere and brightness that summer brings is incomparable to the other seasons. People can wear thin clothes and do whatever they want since the weather becomes warmer and greater. On that note, different leisure activities can be done both indoors and outdoors with better comfort.

Reading and summer can become the best combination; because, you can read outdoors comfortably and happily with the most relaxing scenery and weather. It is also the most suitable time to look into new genres, such as sci-fi. Why science fiction? It just has the most awesome blend of thrill and excitement with twists that can blow your minds. There are also different tropes that you can find and scientific elements that will add to your knowledge. You wouldn’t only be entertained but also be educated; hence, you are getting the best of both worlds.

So, do you have enough books to delve into the most amazing time of the year? If not, then listed below are some of the must-read science fiction books that you should check out and add to your reading pile.  

Moon Luck by Scott Harral

Moon Luck by Harral was published in 2020 by Outskirts Press. The story follows the 30 astronauts who resides on one of the most admired heavenly bodies, which is the moon. They are not ordinary astronauts, because there are some of them that are researchers while others are explorers. What they are doing there is essential, especially on the field of science. There are those that are growing plants and looking for mineral ores while there are also those that creates experiments and makes animosities and close bonds. But, when a peculiar accident killed a senior member, suspicions arise. Was there a murder on the moon? If there was, then who was the actual perpetrator?

The Madhouse Projects by Rick Badman

Published in 2019 by ReadersMagnet, The Madhouse Projects by Rick Badman will definitely give you an adventure-filled story. There were no eerie homicides, only a roller coaster ride of action. It follows the story of Dick Thurman, who was a former professor at a promising university. After getting kicked out of the academic institution, he was hired to be an automotive engineer in Arizona, specifically in the Madhouse. Dick works hard to create fly-wheel-power electric Indy cars that are meant to be used in racing. His wife followed him in the Madhouse and discovered something through a virtual reality program. Thus, the story becomes more interesting.

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

Have read or seen Ready Player One? Then, you might want to look into the second book of the series, which is Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline. It was published in 2020 by Ballantine Books and automatically made it to The New York Times bestselling list. The story revolves around the same protagonist, Wade. However, his squad — called the High Five, was scattered worldwide. Aech is in Senegal, Shoto is in Hokkaido, and Samantha is in Vancouver. Wade decided to examine his brand-new skills to keep himself productive. He discovered an inscription on the Easter egg of James Halliday. He followed the instructions and finds the very first functional headset of the OASIS Neural Interface and the action follows.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

The bestselling author of The Martian and Artemis penned another remarkable book titled Project Hail Mary.  It is a near-future sci-fi book that centers on the story of Ryland Grace, who regained consciousness after being comatose afflicted with amnesia for quite some time. Ryland slowly recalled that he was into a mission going to a solar system called Tau Ceti, which is 12 light-years far from Earth. The purpose of his mission is to look for the cause of the solar dimming activity that might put the humankind on the verge of extinction. Hence, the sequence of the story is delivered through a mixture of both flashbacks of Grace and the present narrations while they are already in the Hail Mary.

Pulp Adventure Books You Shouldn’t Miss Reading

Have you heard about pulp adventure? It typically refers to the exciting mixture of fresh and classic fiction genre, such as sci-fi, mystery, horror, and more. It is a subgenre of pulp fiction, which pertains to the infamous hardboiled crime books and pulp magazines way back in the middle part of the 20^th century.

The word “pulp” was derived from the inexpensive wood pulp paper, which is the primary material used to print magazines. Doc Savage, Nick Carter, Secret Agent X, Captain Future, The Avenger, and Operator No. 5 are some of the well-known pulp characters.

So, if you are currently interested in reading pulp adventure or fiction works, then it must be your lucky day! Listed below are some of the best pulp adventure books that you should add to your to-be-read list.

The Hunter in the Shadows (Thule Trilogy #1) by Joab Stieglitz

The Hunter In The Shadows by Stieglitz was published in 2019 by the Rantings of a Wandering Mind. It is the first book of the Thule Trilogy following the story of Anna Rykov and the alien invasion that endangers humanity. The protagonist had a dream that Sobak, her alter-dimensional sibling, was in peril. Thus, Anna was brought to Boston during the Depression period to search and end the life of the shape shifting extraterrestrial creature who held her captive and who plots things that could end humanity. Cletus the hound and a homeless veteran with deep secrets helped Anna on her quest. But, her questions captivated J. Edgar Hoover, whose intentions in this mission are still undisclosed.

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

This classic pulp adventure was authored by Edgar Rice Burroughs and published by A.C. McClurg in 1914. It is the first book of the series focusing on the protagonist named Tarzan. You probably are familiar with the name of the character since Disney released a film with a titled taken after the name of the character. Moreover, the story revolves around the life and adventures of the guy Tarzan who grew up in an unlikely environment for a human to be raised in, which is the jungle. It was the apes who took him in and raised him until he begins to get in touch with people and the Western society. Identity crisis and racial superiority are some of the integral themes tackled by the book.

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

Does the named James Bond ring a bell? Well, he is the popular secret agent that was brought to life by many remarkable actors in movies with the same title as his name. The films were adapted by Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, which is the first book of the James Bond series. It was published in 1953 by Jonathan Cape. It follows the story of a British spy who is associated with the gambling at a popular casino called Royale-les-Eaux with the purpose to bankrupt a high-profile person named Le Chiffre. Although he is known to be a great secret agent, he was still assisted by Vesper Lynd, Felix Leiter, and René Mathis during the course of the mission.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson was originally titled as The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys. It was published in 1883 by Cassell and Company in London. This book was categorized in different genre, such as adventure fiction, young adult fiction, and more. The book typically centers on pirates and treasures. Its impact on the widely known views on pirates has become larger than expected; thus, creating famous elements that spark interest from the readers, such as treasure maps with X marks, tropical locations, amputated sailor with parrots on his shoulder, and more.

Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini

This adventure novel by Rafael Sabatini was published in 1922, which revolves around piracy and justice. The author based the first few sections of the tale from Henry Pitman’s story Blood, who is a doctor that took care of the injured Monmouth rebels and was given death penalty by Judge Jeffreys. However, he run away and was held captive by pirates after his death sentence was transmitted to Barbados’ penal transportation.

Exciting Stories about Our Furry Friends for Your Reading List

Do you have a pet that you love with all your heart? If you do, then books about them surely suit your taste. There is just so much comfort, joy, and fun our furry friends bring to our lives. Even though they have different traits and characteristics, both externally and internally, they still are charming and adorable in their own little ways.

Hence, if you want to be reminded of how spectacular it is to have pets or desire to see them break barriers with the help of fiction, then you are lucky! We have listed below the best fiction books to read that feature our furry friends that you shouldn’t miss reading. Check them out now.

William and Tibby Forever by Lynda Hamblen

Lynda Hamblen authored the action-packed book titled William and Tibby Forever. It was published by Christian Faith Publishing, Inc. last 2018. Both amazing furry characters display characteristics like no other. They are just so up for adventures and fun while being together and living under the roof of their Second Mom. But, the moment that William found himself in heaven, which is impossibly away from his partner-in-crime, everything changes. He struggles and works hard to obtain a halo and other significant things to be on his new setting. Thus, this book doesn’t only show you fun and thrill but also family life and love.

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

Hodder & Stoughton is the publisher of the first edition of Scottish author Sheila Burnford’s children’s book The Incredible Journey. It was primarily set in northwestern section of fictional Ontario that has several bodies of water and broadly spread little farms and towns. The book centers on the story of three pets that are on their journey through the wilderness of Canada, which totals to 300 miles. These pets are composed of two dogs and a cat that aim to look for their owners. What makes this book special is its way of depicting the pain and stress of a relentless trip along with the firm loyalty and bravery of the animals.

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

This New York Times bestselling novel was written by W. Bruce Cameron that was published in 2010. A Dog’s Purpose narrates the journey of a dog through the course of the lives that it has lived. Basically the dog has gone through multiple reincarnations and in every life that he experience, he constantly search for his purpose in it. Because of how inspiring and touching the story is, it obtained multiple reviews from popular critics, such as Temple Grandin, Marty Becker, and more. It was also adapted into film in 2017 directed by Lasse Hallstrom after DreamWorks bought the book’s film rights.

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

Have you watched the film titled A Street Cat Named Bob that was released in 2016 and directed by Roger Spottiswoode? Did you know that it is the film adaptation of James Bowen’s 2014 novel with the same title? The New York Times bestselling book by Bowen centers on the story of a street musician named James and a street cat named Bob. The struggling musician found an injured cat in the lobby of his apartment building one day. Little did he know, that cat would definitely bring great impacts on his life. Although he didn’t want a pet, he still helped Bob get back on his feet and sent it away afterward. He never thought of meeting that cat back again, until it happened.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon was published in 2003. It is a mystery novel that was release not just in the U.K. but also in two great countries namely U.S. and Canada. The book title pertains to the observation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s popular character named Sherlock Holmes in the short story titled The Adventure of Silver Blaze. It focuses on the story of a teenager who is experiencing some behavioral issues. One day, the boy found a corpse of a dog pierced by a garden fork, which he recognizes because it was his neighbor’s. That is when Christopher came up with a plan to investigate the dog’s death.

Clever Ways to Write a Page-turner Fantasy Novel

Does your heartbeat for exciting stories set in extraordinary worlds? Are you fond of powerful and interesting characters with great traits? Fantasy definitely has all these interesting aspects! It is a literary genre known for its remarkable ways of bringing magic and sparking up the imagination in this messed-up reality. 

If writing fantasy books ever crossed your mind, you must consider different points to create the best one. With all the promising fantasy stand-alone novels and series published before yours, crafting an outstanding work would be a struggle. But, worry not, because listed below are some of the best ways to write a page-turner fantasy novel that you should know.

Read books on the same genre

There are probably hundreds of thousands of fantasy books that were published and are conquering book charts today. What you need to do first is to read some of them in order to get familiar with the common elements and styles of fantasy and identify and hit the spots where you can stand out. This is a great way to assess, evaluate, and understand the genre better. There are different characters that possess different traits, which might inspire you, such as Elf Stronghold of Fallquint on Shadow of the Staff by M.A. Haddad, and more. You can also investigate the various themes and points of view that are usually conquering this genre. 

Set your target readers

Just like other genres, it is essential that you identify your target readers first for relevancy. The age range of your readers plays a significant role in the writing process because they usually help build the elements in your novel. You might be given all the freedom in writing fantasy fiction, but without relevancy, your book wouldn’t sell. Marketing-wise, writing a book using a suitable language, good point of view, timely theme, and engaging plot enhance the reading experience of your targets, compelling them to check out your brand and other works. Thus, ensure never to skip this step.

Build your fictional universe

The setting is everything in fantasy. This element doesn’t only tell the readers the time and date when the story takes place but also sets the tone and mood of your story. Gradually describing the fictional universe in your story generates excitement and other intense emotions from your targets. The setting will also give your characters and your story, in general, a fantastic avenue for development and growth.

Some incredible fantasy worlds that everyone has known are J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, C.W. Lewis’ Narnia, J.M. Barrie’s Neverland, and more. So, if you want a more captivating novel, make sure to focus on your setting and the way you bring the readers from the real world to your extraordinary realm. Also, do not forget to perfect your world by creating customs, traditions, and history. 

Write authentically

Get on the actual writing and start by creating the story’s outline for a more seamless and convenient process. Since you have read several fantasy books and observed the various fictional universes, you need to guarantee yourself and your readers to write authentically. This means that you must use your voice and writing style. There is no need for you to imitate the style of other authors just because they have produced best-selling books. Own your story and build your brand. Thus, bring your A-game during this step so that you can expand your reader base, hit targets, and produced a remarkable story.

Highlight the theme

Every great story has a remarkable theme as its foundation. A full-blown fantasy novel wouldn’t make that much difference in the lives of the readers and even in the world. Even though each corner of fantasy is composed of fiction and imagination, it cannot be denied that things inspired aspects of it in the real world.

There are also several important messages that readers can apply in reality, such as eradicating discrimination, ending classicism, fighting abuse, increasing determination, evaluating political events, striving to survive, and more. Hence, the theme is the gist that the readers should get after reaching the last page of your book. The central message must also be highlighted aside from the fun and thrilling elements.

Must-Read Romance Books of All-time

Romance books always hit differently. Perhaps it could be because people have experience how magnificent it is to fall in love and be loved back. The sense of comfort, relief and assurance that love can offer is incomparable. Hence, reliving that moment through the eyes and experiences of a character is still a spectacular opportunity that many have and are experiencing just by merely reading a book.  

With the huge reader base of the romance genre, it cannot be denied that there are thousands of books under its wing that are entertaining teens and adult readers. If you are one of the fans of romance novels that are looking for brand-new books for your to-be-read list, then you might want to check out the titles below.

Dream, Sweet Dreams of You by Rick Vasquez

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc. published the heartwarming book Dream, Sweet Dreams of You by Vasquez in 2018. This book recounts a Latino tale of love and survival set in Downtown L.A., specifically in Sonora Town. Juan and Rafella, two star-crossed lovers and immigrants, found love with one another in front of L.A.’s oldest church. But, like Romeo and Juliet, there were many hindrances in their love story. Rafella had to give everything up, especially her name and wealth, to marry the one she loves. On the other hand, Juan also gave up his family and spirit to pursue music and popularity. When they entered the married life, it wasn’t all good and fun because there are also pain and horror healed by forgiveness.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

The New York Times bestselling author, Colleen Hoover, authored the excellent book titled November 9. The book centers on Fallon and Ben. Many might think that everything is going well, and the happy ending would not be far-fetched. Little did everyone know that Hoover excellently injected great twists and turns that will make the readers flabbergasted! After their first encounter, they felt an unfamiliar connection resulting in them spending Fallon’s last moments in L.A. together before moving to another country. Fallon’s exciting life starts to ignite Ben’s creative juices, an aspiring author, which he put into writing. But, Fallon discovered how Ben took advantage of her vulnerabilities and put her life into writing; and, that’s when everything starts to get messy.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Written by the remarkable Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice have never failed to evoke familiar emotions and make the readers’ hearts flutter through the romantic story of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The young Elizabeth Bennet gradually gets to know all the aftermaths of fleeting judgments and starts to respect the variations of exterior and pure goodness. When Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth first met at a ball, the former refuses to dance with the latter with the prejudice of she is not glamorous and lovely enough. On the other hand, the latter didn’t take the judgment seriously and made it a joke to her peers. However, both grew fond of one another and ended up married to each other.

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie was published in 2004 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks. This contemporary romance novel revolves around two incredible people, which are Minerva Dobbs and Calvin Morrisey. Min knows for a fact that there is no happy ending in real life, while Cal believes that to commit is unimaginable. The cranky Minerva and gorgeous Calvin went on a date but didn’t go out again after that one evening. However, their paths crossed again, and now, everything has become a roller coaster ride with the appearance of a jealous and determined ex-boyfriend. Would they defy the odds and bet everything on true love?

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Another romance novel written by the New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks that will make you want to fall in love again is called The Lucky One. It was published by Grand Central Publishing in 2008 and has already adapted into a film starring Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling. The story centers on a US Marine who fought in Iraq named Logan. He found a picture of a young lady and carried it with him as a good luck charm. He never knew the woman, and he don’t have any idea who owns the photograph. When he got home in Colorado, he embarked on a journey to find the woman. And, he did found Beth. That is when everything starts to unfold.

How Young Adult Fiction Helps Its Readers

If you are a book worm, you probably know by now how wide the genre that literature has. Most of these literary genres feature thousands of remarkable books that have already created differences in the lives of their readers; and, young adult fiction is one of them. YA fiction is the category that showcases a broad array of books intended for teens that opt to help them uncover their best versions and get along with life.

However, it is nearly a redundant point at this moment to say that YA is not just for teenage readers anymore because even book worms beyond its targets are reading young adult books. According to the Association of American Publishers, there was a significant growth in both children’s and YA genre reaching up to 9.2 percent in 2019 compared to its preceding year, specifically in the paperback format.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Playing Hurt by Gerald L. Nardella, and Paper Towns by John Green are some of the best titles in this genre. Moreover, aren’t you wondering why young adult fiction is becoming popular even up to this date? It could be because of its ability to help its readers, such us by:

Giving them reasons to pursue their passion

Many readers are commonly going through a crisis of whether to follow their dreams or choose practicality. Those who chose the latter may grow to be a little less enthusiastic about life and everything in between. But, your judgment becomes clearer and you tend to develop better decision-making skills through reading young adult books. There are many YA books that will push you to pick and keep your passion ablaze. As a result, you will be more excited to live your life, strive better, and unlock a new level of happiness if you pursue your passion. A great example is Lara Jean Covey from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before who chose to go to NYU, where she fell in love, to study literature instead of going to Standford and be with her boyfriend.

Helping them discover themselves better

Self-discovery is one of the most popular themes of YA fiction. Most teenagers are still on their journey to knowing their purpose, following their dreams, unlocking their full potential. As a result, many YA authors write stories that will help everyone, including you, to gain self-understanding and awareness that will later on lead into greater things. Louisa May Alcott, for instance, wrote a coming-of-age story titled The Little Women. The March sisters have inspired millions of teenage girls and even boys to continue being themselves and strive to do what they love until they discover their hidden skills and talents and grow into the best version of them.

Making them more optimistic in life

Life is one hell of a ride. It gives you different kinds of experiences and situations that will either make or break you. These types of circumstances contribute to your pessimist mindset. But, young adult fiction is here to help you craft a more positive outlook and live a better life. There are many stories that will inspire to be better. Many protagonists in YA books go through different kinds of pain, such as depression, grief, heartbreak, and more, and hardships, which they opt to turn into strengths. The inspiring tales of the characters fuel your motivation to follow their footsteps and mold a mindset that will bring you to the more optimistic side of life. Thus, you become more positive in facing and conquering challenges.

Young adult fiction is one of the most overrated genres. But, it constantly proves that it deserves the attention and patrons that it gets even until today. With the promising stories that feature strong characters and powerful themes, they definitely create a mark on the lives of the readers.

YA fiction has an amazing way of getting the attention of its readers and relating to their personal experiences just by merely telling substantial and interesting tales. Therefore, the books under this genre truly helps the readers in dealing with  life and everything in between.

Amazing Children’s Books that Will Remind You of the Ocean

Many are in love with the ocean. Who wouldn’t fall in deep admiration and affection towards it? The waves, marine life, sand, sun, and everything in between make everything in life better just for a short while. Those who live near it are blessed to enjoy the view and calmness that it brings.

With all the things going on in the world right now, seeking peace and refreshing the mind might become necessary. As a result, a wide array of individuals turn to the ocean to relieve their pain, release their stress, enjoy life as they know it, feel genuine happiness even for a short while, and more. Coming to the ocean or just being reminded of it is therapeutic. There is just an incredible sense of comfort that only oceans can give.

Surprisingly, there are a bunch of things that can help you be reminded of how wonderful the sea is — from inside out. Literature, for example, showcases several of books — especially children’s books, that feature different stories about or set in the ocean. That said, listed below are among the best children’s books that feature the sea to read on times that you want to go or that you are missing the ocean.

Oscar the Mighty Crab by Penny Higgins

Penny Higgins books for children titled Oscar the Mighty Crab was published in 2018 by ReadersMagnet. This follows the story of a little crab named Oscar who resides in the pale bay of the sea. Together with his relatives, namely his aunts, uncles, cousins, and parents, as well as his best friend, they went into a ride to the wide upper world. Oscar thought of staying but ended up being tossed back out where they live. Tom, his best friend, recommended him to stay with his parents. However, the rides are really delightful for Oscar. So, will he continue venturing the world or will he remain with his relatives and friends?

The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark by Ken Geist

The illustrated edition of The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark was published by Cartwwheel Books in 2007. The book contains delightful and wonderful illustrations done by Julia Gorton. Moreover, the story is a deconstruction or a retelling of the classic children’s tale The Three Little Pigs. There were 3 little fishes named Jim, Tim, and Kim who were told by their mother to go separate ways, build their own homes, and live independently. However, there is a threat on their new journey, which is the shark. Jim used seaweeds to build his house while Tim utilized sand to form his home. Both homes were easily munched by the shark. Kim, however, is the smartest of all because he used a sunken ship as his home. Thus, you will surely enjoy this witty and hilarious tale.

The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer

This remarkable picture book is authored by Yuval Zommer and was published in 2018. This is the third of book of Zommer’s series, which is intended for readers 3 to 5 years old. The Big Book of the Blue doesn’t only showcase remarkable content but also cool illustrations drawn by the author. The book elaborates how various kinds of animals are capable of breathing and living underwater, as well as the variety of kingdoms and families that they are a part of. Hence, this enjoyable and substantial book that also thematically tackles the world beneath the ocean, such as searching for animals at risk, learning the ways to identify species at the beach, and know how to save the lives at sea.

A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

Written by the remarkable author Eric Carle, A House for Hermit Crab teaches the readers to not be afraid to grow and face changes. The story follows Hermit Crab who goes out of his way to find an ideal home; and, learned and appreciated everything he came across while he is on the process of change. This is the perfect book to read for kids who are terrified to face changes, to take risks, and to go on the process of growing up.

How Writing Memoirs Benefits You

Writing is always among the activities that bring healing. There are many things that you can write about, such as your own experiences. Imagine the things that can happen after you put some parts of your life into writing. It could inspire and move others to do the same. In literature, there is a genre that houses different stories of perseverance, determination, courage, faith, and others that happened in particular stages of a person’s life, which is called memoir.

Memoir belongs to nonfiction, which means that everything in the story must be factual and isn’t fabricated. Donut Hole is author RC LeBeau’s book on 1^st force logistical command or rather about his whole experience when he joined the Marines and fought in the Vietnam War. Educated is also a great memoir written by Tara Westover containing her story of success and survival.

If writing a memoir ever crossed your mind but you are still hesitant to pursue your plan, then are some of the aspects how writing a memoir benefits you.

Allows you to tell your truth

There are different sides to every story. What others have told might be a little bit different from what you want to tell. It is because both of you have different perspectives, concepts, and thoughts making your takes on the matter slightly different from one another. In writing a memoir, you are given the chance to tell your truth to the world. Readers get to know your story, learn about your values and views, and boost their inspiration to make a difference in the society. It also empowers you and makes you realize that your story matters.

Brings you to a trip down memory lane

Many say that looking back does you no good. You will only reopen a healed wound or rediscover a buried pain. Thus, the word “past” has been associated with bad memories and other undesirable things; but, it shouldn’t stay that way. Writing memoirs immediately brings you on a trip down memory lane. This exercises your brain as well as helps you remember the events that happened a long time ago.

You need those memories because they are essential in the book that you are writing. In times that you cannot remember clearly, you can approach the people that you are with during those moments for a more accurate work. Therefore, there are big chances that you can reconnect with people, feel nostalgic, and appreciate how wonderful it is to remember and even relive those memories.

Helps you unload burdens

A person’s experiences are filled with different types of emotions. One defining feeling that many have gone through in some parts of their lives is pain. In this lifetime, the pain really demands to be felt. Through writing a memoir, you can unload those burdens that have been boosting your anxiety or cause you troubles for a long time. Hence, memoir-writing is a great way to heal your soul and turn your life around without the fear of getting hurt or being judged from your past mistakes and actions because you have already shared them in your work. You can finally be free from the baggage in your heart and even inspire others from conquering those wounds.

Urges you to see things in different angle

There are times that your perspectives toward a particular thing or event are becoming toxic. As a result, you will become close-minded with stagnant growth; and, you surely don’t want that to happen. Memoir is a nonfiction work that requires all details of a story to be factual. That said, you need to collect and craft the information from a certain segment of your life into a remarkable tale.

Take note that the person you were before isn’t the same as the person you are today. You may either become better or worse, but that doesn’t mean that there are no parts of you that are great. The moment you finished and reviewed a chapter or the whole manuscript, you will soon shift your perspective into a better and practical one. You can identify where you went wrong, what to change, and how you can better your choices so you can develop a nicer present and future.

Brilliant Poetry Books that Will Uplift Your Spirit

Poetry has always been interesting and empowering. Its ability to instill profound messages that can be seen beyond the aesthetics and ambiguities is amazing. As a result, many tend to be more interested in reading poems as well as writing them. There are different positive impacts that poems bring to the lives of its readers including but not limited to boosting confidence, getting inspired, develops empathy, understanding oneself, improving skills, and more.

In this fast-paced and pandemic-stricken world, you cannot deny how much struggle it is to keep your spirits and self-esteem levels up. Poetry surprisingly offers a safe and comfortable place for those who are hurting, trying, and surviving. That said, here are some of the best poetry books that you should check out to uplift your soul and give you more reasons to continue getting by.

Poetic Parables: Listen with Your Heart by Alvina Y. Platt-Gregory

Poetic Parables: Listen with Your Heart by Alvina Y. Platt-Gregory is a promising poetry book published by ReadersMagnet in 2018. This isn’t your usual anthology of poems because this is also a devotional and self-help work that aims to ignite faith and happiness on your way of finding truth and spiritual wisdom. Each of the poems will definitely help you welcome Him in your heart and mind in different chances and situations. Hence, He is the answer and the truth if you try and look for Him. This book will surely make you have a stronger faith and a more profound relationship with God.

The Color of Love by Raymond Quattlebaum

Written by the amazing African-American author Raymond Quattlebaum, the book The Color of Love surely gives you a great and uplifting reading experience. It encourages everyone to see how magnificently life blossoms. The Color of Love talks about how life is ethereal and how the testaments of the Lord play a great role in our lives. You will get a better grasp about poetry by developing a brand-new perspective. It will bring you back to a different place in time but bound to take you back after it gave you the amazing reading journey that will spark your motivation to continue reading more poetry.

All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living by Morgan Harper Nichols

Published in January 2020, Morgan Harper Nichol’s All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living raises the spirit of the readers by celebrating hope and healing hearts. This beautiful anthology of poetry and prose inspires you to dive into the sunlight and glee in the awesome and limitless grace that have been bestowed upon you. The popular Instagram poet helps you remember that each season in life has a meaning, you are welcome to live in fully in the present even if you have tried your best to escape and run, there is always light in your life, and you are blossoming perfectly.

You’ll Come Back to Yourself by Michaela Angemeer

If you are fans of contemporary poets, such as Orion Carloto, then this book is perfect for you! You’ll Come Back to Yourself is a collection of prose and poetry written by Michaela Angemeer with the illustrations of Aleks Popovski. This book was self-published in 2019 and is available in paperback. Furthermore, the poems center on different themes that play important roles in the lives of the readers. Heartbreak, infidelity, mental health issue, and power of women are some of the important aspects that it tackled. All these messages combined together forms an awareness and understanding that lead to the boosting of confidence and uplifting of the soul of each reader.

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

The best-selling contemporary poet Rupi Kaur has published another masterpiece that is inspiring readers to be themselves and embrace their growth. The Sun and Her Flowers is the second book of the author that was published in 2017 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The book contains 5 remarkable parts and provides different amazing illustrations. The journey of a flower is being compared to the journey of humans where both go through withering, falling, rooting, reviving, and growing. The Sun and Her Flowers will definitely make you appreciate the different forms of love and keep your spirit high.

Reasons Why You Should Read More Books

Reading is an essential skill that everyone must nurture and improve. Many might think that books have been shoved aside due to the rise of many devices that can provide more than the enjoyment and learning that books do with the help of the internet. However, nothing really can compare to the power and impact of reading different kinds of books. The fun and excitement, as well as the learning and take away that reading offers are like no other.  Therefore, reading is truly a crucial aspect that needs constant improvement even in the middle of this technologically advanced era.

Being able to read several books from different genre can definitely contribute a lot on your self-development. Although there are still a lot who doesn’t put that much value on reading, then these reasons might convince them to read more books because these literary pieces have the ability to:

Develop comprehension and vocabulary

In life, developing your skills is one of the most important aspects that can lead to success. Being able to read words, phrases, and sentences is already amazing, but it wouldn’t make sense if you cannot comprehend what you have read. Hence, this is when the essence of comprehension comes into the picture. Reading books that are suitable for your age is a great practice to nurture your comprehension. The more you read these age-appropriate books, the more you can understand the story and apply your learning and understanding in the real world. You also stumble upon unfamiliar words on the process, which adds up to your growing vocabulary. Thus, reading doesn’t only helps you learn but also makes you a good communicator.

Encourage you to make a difference

The world definitely needs a change. Somewhere in this planet, there are many people who desire to live in a better place by slowly making differences in their own communities. Reading fiction books helps you get the inspiration that you need to boost your bravery and use it to break barriers and cross boundaries. Reading nonfiction books, on the other hand, makes you more enthusiastic to understand the good, bad, and ugly of the real world and create necessary actions for it. Moyler’s book on vision of hope and courage titled On Freedom and Revolt: A Comparative Investigation is a great example of how books encourage people to make a difference.

Ignite creativity

Creativity is an essential aspect of a person’s skill set. It is the ability that helps you become productive and resourceful in this interesting life. Reading several novels serves as the key to ignite your creativity. The fun and touching stories spark your imagination and give you concepts, which you can use in the future as you journey through life. Moreover, creativity is a lifestyle that welcomes genuineness and creates one-of-a-kind bonds between different ideas. Being able to use your creative side is an amazing perks you can get from reading. So, read more and create more.

Help you empathize with others

Having the ability to put you in other people’s shoes is amazing. This ability is called empathy. Recognizing, nurturing, and applying empathy can become difficult but once you get the hang of it, you will start to understand the people around you. Reading different types of books makes you empathetic and mindful on your words and actions. Regardless of the genre, you tend to learn to put yourself on the situation of the characters, which leads to the development of the said skill. Some examples of books that teach empathy are Wonder by R.J. Palacio, The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, and A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead.

Make you a better person

Becoming a better person is always on the goals of many. Imagine having the will and courage to turn your back on your bad habits and actions in order to live a better life. How cool is that? Sometimes we tend to brush this thought aside; but, we all want to become better deep down. With books, you can get inspired by the amazing traits of the characters or moved by the heartwarming tales. These are the primary reasons why we start strive harder to unleash our potential.

The Essence of Reading Fantasy Books for Children

Childhood is an integral part of our being. This is when we were once innocent, pure, and genuine. We are being guided by remarkable people so that we can see the world in a better angle and deal with life in a greater way. As kids, we laugh a lot, cry many times, laugh at simple moments, and express our hearts out. It is sad to think that we can never relive our childhood or even be the same innocent kids that we once were. However, we are still given the chance to reminisce those moments with the help of different instruments, such as books — children’s books in particular.

Although many the intended readers of children’s books are the little ones, there are still many adults who turn to them in order to find comfort and see things in different ways. Fantasy books for children under 10 by Patricia Gummeson are among the best works that teach kids and even those that are young at heart to imagine, dream, and believe.

So, what could be the essence of reading fantasy books for children in different moments of your life? Here are the things that you should know.

To be reminded that the world is a safe place

Children’s literature has its own unique way of making readers feel safe. The authors magically create different worlds that are sometimes extraordinary with wonderful characters co-existing despite their differences. The innocence and sincerity that the authors instilled in their works made everything better, safer, and more bearable.

Feeling safe is an integral part of everybody’s well-being. It is the primary aspect that we need to achieve to live a more comfortable life. The simplicity of every story and the values highlighted in the books give us idea that the world is still a safe place to live the life that we deserve, what we need to do is to readjust our focus and not over complicate things.

To restore the values that you have forgotten along the way

As we grow up, we tend to get carried away by the harsh world and the tough competition that surrounds us. Everyone learns to build their own walls, create judgments, and protect themselves. The tendency is that people may start to lose the values that they believe in and carried out since they were little. But, children’s books are here to restore those core values that we have learned and motivate us to execute them.

Kindness, love, gratitude, compassion, empathy, and honesty are just some examples of these aspects that we may have forgotten along the way but are being fostered by the lessons that we can get from these amazing fantasy books.

To make you feel more humane

Living in a fast-paced world where everyone is improving, chasing your own progress can make you do things that are either good or bad. Sometimes we become overwhelmed by the events around us and the emotions that generates within us. Children’s literature gradually helps us to feel more humane. Becoming humane means that we become more compassionate and caring towards our fellows.

It also means that we are viewing the world with our own eyes, which makes us see our responsibilities to create a more harmonious society. These fantasy books really do inspire and motivate us, as extraordinary as the stories are, to become better and live in a balanced world.

To feel the fun of being a child

Children tend to have fun in the simplest and most innocent way possible. With their fickle minds and hearts, every single thing makes them excited and happy. Children’s fantasy books contain aspects that can put to work the imagination and stimulate the creativity of the readers regardless of their ages. They also have vibrant colors, playful illustrations, and meaningful tales that really capture the hearts of everyone.

The more you read, the more you have fun by being surrounded by magical creatures, playing with inanimate objects, talking with animals, and more. While having the best time reading these magical stories, you also gain knowledge and advice from the characters and the tale in general. Hence, it is truly essential to read fantasy books for kids.

Awesome Books That Will Remind You of the Beauty of Exploring Nature

Exploring the wonders of nature is a great activity; however, many have halted their travelling trips due to the pandemic. A year after the Covid-19 outbreak, people have started to go back to their usual routine and are starting to go on the outdoors again but with proper caution. Travelling isn’t only about experiencing the beauty of nature but also about learning about the existence of different things in the world — both living and nonliving.

Moreover, if you have been planning to explore the nature for quite some time now but still torn whether to go out or not. Then, let these books remind you about the beauty of exploring the great outdoors.

Into the Wild by Mike Honeycutt

This notably written book by Mike Honeycutt was published in 2019 by Matchstick Literary. In contrast to the World of Hunting and Fishing, which is also a travelogue, Into the Wild by Mike Honeycutt is another promising book that tells his wide array of travel experiences. Northern Cameroon’s great savannas, southern Cameroon’s rich wildernesses, and U.S.A’s amazing Rocky Mountains are among the outstanding sceneries that Honeycutt has witnessed. There are also various activities done in different countries by the adventurous authors that were narrated in the book, including bird hunting, Gobi Argali Sheep search, turkey hunting, and more.

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Australia has been one of the top destinations of many. Hence, In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson will surely make you more inspired to come and explore this magnificent country. This book contains the report of the author regarding his discoveries in the country. Based on the book, Australia has the best dwellers, the driest and hottest weather, and the most mysterious and deadly wildlife in the whole world. Regardless of the imperfections of the nation, Bryson still have genuine love for it; thus, he brings the readers on a wild journey farther than the trodden tourist path. Australia is indeed a rich and spectacular country, and In a Sunburned Country has captured its magnificence and Bryson is the most ideal guide for aspiring travellers.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail was published in 2012 by Vintage. It was recognized as #1 National Bestseller and Amazon Editor’s Pick for best biographies & memoirs. It follows the story of the author who, at 22, thought that everything has slipped through her fingers. There was a series of unfortunate events, such as death of her mother, broken family, and destroyed marriage. She made reckless decisions that lead her to hike from Mojave Desert to Washington State alone. This book will surely bring you to a journey of a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail passing by California and Oregon.

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts

Rolf Potts penned the book Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel. There is no other activity that can compare to vagabonding. You can definitely get some time to escape your normal life for 6 weeks, months, or weeks in order to explore and experience the world. In this uniquely written handbook, master travel writer Potts elaborates the methods of people equipped with independent souls can reach their goals of extended overseas travel. Among the things that this book will guide you are the following: funding your travel moments; identifying your destinations; adapting to the life on the road; serving and volunteering abroad; managing travel difficulties; and registering back into your old life.

Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy by Frances Mayes

This New York Times Notable Book of 1997 awardee was written by Frances Mayes and published by Chronicle Books in 1996. It was set in Tuscany, specifically a re-established villa in the Tuscan suburbs. You will surely see the beauty of the Tuscan countryside as you go through the story. It was adapted into a film in 2003 with the same-titled as the book. The film adaptation directed by Audrey Wells got an Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Award nomination.

Notable Women of Literature that You Should Know

Although the International Women’s Day was already commemorated last March 08, it shouldn’t stop us to celebrate the excellence, talent, and beauty of women. The world of literature has always been a great platform that showcases the brilliant female authors and their wonderful stories. These authors have been adding more color to the literary realm by contributing their knowledge and talent to create tales that inspires readers from different parts of the world.

Hence, listed below are the remarkable women of literature that you should know.

Margaret Atwood

Have you read The Handmaid’s Tale? What about Alias Grace? If you did, then you might already know Margaret Atwood. This excellent author was born on 1939 in Canada. She received her education from University of Toronto for her bachelor’s degree and Harvard University for her master’s degree. In her literary career, she has gained popularity because of her remarkable books that convey valuable and significant themes. Atwood has received multiple awards because of her books, such as the Franz Kafka Prize, PEN Center USA Lifetime Achievement Awards, Princess of Asturias Awards, and more. Most of her books tackle feminism, politics, and such.

Rupi Kaur

Poetry has been always one of the talks of the town. In today’s day and age, Rupi Kaur is among the promising poets that have inspired various readers to also tell their story through poetry. She is an Indian-Canadian poet known for her contemporary style of writing with her poets accompanied by interesting illustrations. Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers are her bestselling works, where the latter paved the way for her to be one of BBC’s 100 Women last 2017. Her poems tackle theme about relationships, sexual traumas, and more.

Eleanor Gaccetta

Only a strong woman can turn her back on her career to take care of another remarkable female. That is basically the story of Eleanor Gaccetta. She is the author of the Pinnacle Book Achievement Awardee titled One Caregiver’s Jouney. In her heartwarming memoir, Ellie narrated how her personal life was tested and was turned upside down after her mother needed her care following the incident that broke her hip. Being a private contractor and a professional is definitely far from being a caregiver. But, she sacrificed everything to attend to her mother — and, that is one of the bravest things a woman can do.

Anne Davey Koomans

If you are a fan of nonfiction, specifically biographies, then you probably know Anne Davey Koomans. She is the author of Beyond Barriers, a biography about David Davey as he battled polio and how he met Anne. Moreover, she is a firm believer of God and is a strong Christian. In 1994, Koomans had her first-ever copyright for Witness of the Innkeeper, which is a Christian drama. She has presented this spectacular drama more than 200 times in different places. Anne has always been fascinated with writing; you can see her talent and passion from her works. Regardless of the tightness of her schedule due to different events in her life, she didn’t fail to create a wonderful biography that has inspired many readers.

Sarah Kay

Ever heard of the piece When Love Arrives? Are you a fan of slam poetry? Then, Sarah Kay must be familiar to you. Kay is the poet behind B, The Type, and All Out Wild Wonder. Many readers and fans from all around the world look up to her because of her works, talent, and goals. She was born in New York City, New York and is the daughter of a Japanese American and Jewish American. She went to Brown University and Grinnell College. Sarah has already toured from one country to another with Phil Kaye to perform their works. They often hold workshops during their tours to help aspiring poets get better in writing their masterpieces.

Nelibeth Plaza

Children’s books play a great role in literature. If you love these types of books, then you may have already known Nelibeth Plaza. She is the author of Is it Santa? and The Red Oak Rocking Chair. Aside from being an author, Plaza has spent 25 years of her life on education because she was part of the New York City Department of Education. Nelibeth was an elementary school teacher and a former assistant principal. She typically likes mingling with kids and loves reading aloud in the four corners of the classroom.

Different Cat Breeds that You Should Know

Cats are definitely one of the most adorable creatures. Imagine having to snuggle and cuddle these furry friends all day long, it would be the best thing ever. Cats are one of the most common pets. Somewhere in your community, there is a cat that is being showered with love and affection by its hooman. Aside from their beautiful fur, their purring and other characteristics made them catch the attention and hearts of people.

Their captivating appearance and traits made it through different platforms. In literature, for example, there are many remarkable books with cats as protagonists or supporting characters. The book William and Tibby Forever shows the eccentricities of the other cats by Hamblen, as well as the extraordinary adventures of William and Tibby, the cat protagonists.

Furthermore, you might be wondering how the cats in your region and other places are different. It is primarily because there are different cat breeds. If you want to get to know more about the diverse breeds of these felines, then here are some of the most famous and basic ones that you should know.

Persian cat

Persian cats have notably long hairs, round faces, and short muzzles. In other nations, they are referred to as Persian Longhair. Due to selective breeding, a wide array of coat colors and a bunch of flat-faced Persians were produced. There are different kinds of Persian cats, which are the Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, Toy and teacups, Chinchilla Longhair, and Sterling. The original Persian breed is commonly called the doll-faced Persian, wherein their physical features didn’t really change if you compare and contrast it to the images taken from the late 18^th century.

British Shorthair

You probably have seen this cat somewhere on social media. Well, who wouldn’t like this adorable British Shorthair? These cats were first introduced in 1871 at Crystal Palace in London. It has a short coat that requires moderate grooming. It is a domestic cat that is in medium size with an average life expectancy of around fourteen to twenty years. Cats of this breed are characterized as quiet, smart, faithful, low maintenance, and affectionate.

Siamese

One of the most popular cat breeds is Siamese. They are playful, smart, active, and affectionate cats. Siamese is of medium size and is slim. They have long legs where the hind is higher than the front legs. Moreover, they have a refined and glossy coat. What made them stand out are their tapered patterns that are in blue, lilac, chocolate, and lilac. Marilyn Monroe and Kesha are among the famous people who own cats of this breed.

American Bobtail Cat

American Bobtail Cats’ appearances might look wild; but, their physical features are definitely in contrast to their personality. These cats are loyal, affectionate, and intelligent, just like cats of other breeds are. They commonly have high self-esteem and are friendly. American Bobtails are also muscular and athletic. What matches well to these strong characteristics is their innate hunting gaze. Although they have firm and strong physical appearances, they are really friendly to kids and other pets and playful towards others.

Bengal Cat

Most cats seemed to be lazy and sleepy; but, Bengal cats for sure aren’t. They are highly active, playful, and loving. Bengal cats have nice coats that may appear in different colors, such as brown, gold, orange, ivory, rust, etc. Their spots also have varying colors, like from chocolate brown to black. These cats love the outdoors because they are enthusiastic and active. They like going on walks, playing with water, climbing in places, and more. Another perk of having them as pets is that they are low maintenance.

Sphynx Cat

One of the usual misconceptions about cats is that they are covered with fur. If you think that all these pawsome friends have thick and shiny furs, then you still haven’t met the Sphynx. Cats of this breed are hairless. They only have a curly coat that is really unconventional to what we imagine a cat would be. Regardless of their appearance, they are absolutely friendly to other pets, kids, and even strangers. They are also clever and affectionate.

Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold breed came into view after the farm cats in Scotland had an unpremeditated mutation. These cats are a crossbreed of domestic cats in both Scotland and England and British Shorthair cats. They are the descendants of Susie, a cat with peculiar folded ears discovered in the 1960s on the McRae farm. Scottish Folds are known to be sweet, adaptable, and loyal. Among the most famous cats under this breed are Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey, which are owned by Taylor Swift.

The Importance of Outdoor Workouts despite the Pandemic

Surely by now many of us have begun to slowly crawl out of the confinements of our homes and explore the outdoor world every now and then, much more so now compared to a couple months ago when the world plunged into a reclusive paranoia out of fearful necessity. A highly important aspect of staying healthy while in lockdown is, in fact, going outside every now and then (while exercising proper safety precautions of course). Humans just cannot be cooped up inside a single confined place for too long without adverse downsides creeping up on them, mainly due to the fact that our species has only spent a small fraction of our existence indoors while we’ve spent the other thousands of thousands of years evolving outdoors – which isn’t quite hard of a concept to grasp.

The social nature of human beings and the profound, deeply-ingrained connection to nature is what draws the mankind back to the great outdoors, and in this modern day and age’s situation, many of us display a need to reconnect with nature by virtue of simply being outdoors, many times due to the fact that a whole lot of us self-exiled individuals are gradually regressing into chubby couch-potatoes that need to get up and start working out again once and for all.  

There’s a strong enchantment to having a nice workout under the clear daytime sky – cloudy or otherwise. A woodland walk will leave you feeling reintegrated back into Mother Nature, and the roaring tides on the final miles of your coastal jog provide a highly-necessary diversion from the hustle and bustle of modern urban life, because a routine done outdoors can also help the mind and body spectacularly. Nature has all sorts of invisible factors which influence us. When we take in the negative ions on the beachside from the seawater, this travels straight to our brains and balances the positive ions that emanate from machines that induce fatigue. This means that whenever you exercise your muscles in an outdoor routine, a sequence of many other health advantages is happening behind the scenes. Laurie Bagley, a critically-acclaimed author as well as a health coach an athlete, embodies this connection to physical fitness in nature.

There is a significant multitude of advantages to being outdoors, for both the mind and body, such as reducing stress, sleeping well, enhancing your emotional wellbeing, improved nutrition, and satisfaction.  That’s because all the perceptions are engaged in a euphorically contented mode simultaneously. You’ve got this vast scenery that’s appealing to the mind, the gentle sound of the ocean, the feeling of the sand between your toes, the cool air you’re taking in, and the beauty of existing as one with Mother Nature. What more could there be to enjoy? 

A whole lot, actually. Here are some scientifically-proven advantages of outdoor-based workouts.

Natural training benefits

Sand is the blessing that continues to deliver. A series of scientific studies conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine have reported to have discovered the fact that plyometric exercise like running or jumping means that there is significant less impact—selecting the boundary where water and sand intersect to allow the optimal traction — and therefore about 30 percent more calories are burned compared to running on a solid surface. Furthermore, your shape can spontaneously change as you run barefooted on the beach, shocking the sweeter mid-foot location which is more relaxed than a heel impact, the studies have shown.

According to many athletes, the change from pasture to dirt (for strides, long runs, and scrimmings) improved their heart rates and load of training, and boosted their cardiovascular capacity in a couple of weeks, while less fatigue and exhaustion were experienced throughout the routine. On the other hand, ikers have been known to claim that they feel more alert, energy-conscious, carefully prepared, content and more relaxed than the treadmill-induced emotions in general. Following their exercise, the climbers said they felt less exhausted. In general, it was physically and psychologically easier for trekkers to do a workout, while outside and indoor walkers completed the very same level of exercise.

It’s time-effective and benefits nature

Constantly innovate and curate the environment of your routine and schedule an intense workout session on the nearest running track, slope or staircase, for example. Training places are also nearer than you assume!  The use of nearby outdoor areas saves time and environmental assets, since your automobile does not have to be trained. Were you aware that we have planned, produced, packed and shipped our own training goods to their end destination all while minimizing environmental destruction?  Working out at your local outdoor spot is good for the environment and yourself as well.

It helps us increase our endurance

exercising outdoors decreases perceived effort and encourages people to aim for higher workloads, which can help to increase the frequency and duration of physical exercise done and the desire to proceed. With this being said, it isn’t always feasible to do outdoor workouts, and fitness centers have their upsides at times too —protection from the weather when you need it, and facilities such as childcare, group lessons, and private lessons to mention a few. However, it’s always best to revisit and rejuvenate ourselves in nature when we can – outdoor workouts work more wonders than meets the eye.

Why it is Essential to Tell Your Story

Stories are among the ingredients of colorful life. Sharing tales of love, courage, pain, and other touching and inspiring ones always move the lives of both readers and listeners. Although storytelling is done through verbal communication, it is an integral part of literature’s oral tradition. Hence, every conversation and sharing that you do can be considered as a form of oral literature. Storytelling is an integral aspect that also attempts to link drama and narration. There are many pieces of literature that are based on a random conversation, the experience of others or your own, a passage from a book, an excerpt from a study, and more.

But, what could be the essence of sharing your story? How could this help you, as well as the people around you? If you are still wondering about these questions, then worry not! Here are the reasons why it is important to tell your tale.

To express yourself

Self-expression is one of the most underrated yet essential activities. Being able to express yourself makes you feel more human, connect with others, and let go of your heavy heart. There are just so many things that benefit self-expression offers. However, this doesn’t necessarily pertain to vocally sharing your emotions, worries, and experiences with another person or group. You can share your tale using different methods, such as recording audios, creating vlogs, making podcasts, etc. However, you should also be careful in expressing yourself because there might be others that have different principles, values, and beliefs as you. Disagreements and criticisms may emerge, but what is important is you don’t cross the line between expression and respect. Make sure to share and connect with respect to your listener.

To show fragments of your culture

Literature is always linked to culture because literary pieces show how great and rich the cultural heritage of the author is. Apart from that, there are many significant socio-economic advantages that are being provided by one’s culture. The better learning and health, enhanced empathy, and chances to work together as one; culture truly improves the living standard and develops the health of both the people and the society. There are many instances that listeners can identify the place of origin of storytelling through observing the way the storyteller tells his story. Therefore, telling your tale really depicts your rich cultural heritage by not just the way you move and speak but also on the context of your story and its other elements.

To share new ideas to others

Sharing your own thoughts encourages others to do so, which creates a much more optimistic and collaborative atmosphere for all. Whether you have thousands or only a bunch of ideas and concepts; however, you don’t share any of them then those will never move, inspire, and touch the lives of others. There are really a lot of benefits that storytelling can do such as how author Carol Wilson-Mack wrote a story about how communication clears the gap between generations. Thus, “Patchwork origin of humble beginnings” is definitely the best statement that best describes the book; because it shows how the women of the area try to remove the generations gap and share their stories and ideas humbly. There are really good deeds that storytelling can bring to the table, and being able to teach others is one of them.

To inspire people

The mere act of telling your stories, truths, and experiences to the world is already a grand move that impacts the lives of many. You never know how much you have inspired and motivated just by simply telling your friends your experiences, writing your thoughts online, or sharing your opinion about a particular issue. The skill to encourage and motivate others is a valuable ability, and will surely help you in arriving on top of your journey. All you need to do is to keep sharing your stories with authenticity to inspire people and teach them the lessons that you have also learned from your experiences.

In conclusion, storytelling is truly significant because it allows you to show your true self, be creative, teach people, and entertain others with the tales that were told to you, read from a book, or product of your own experiences.

Heartwarming Books to Read with Your Family this Holiday

The holiday season seems like the last chance to get a quick breather in this crazy year. With all the festive decorations, playful lights, beautiful Christmas trees, and cold winds, you can really tell that everyone still has the heart for celebration despite the pandemic.

What could be the best thing to do during your holiday break that can be done with your whole family? The one and only activity that will make you stop wondering are reading! Nothing can go wrong with reading books, and it is a great bonding and learning activity with your beloveds. Hence, we have listed below the best books to read with your family during the holidays.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

The popular Harry Potter series is not just for kids but also for the whole family! The international edition of the first book of the series titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling was published in 2000 by Bloomsbury. Even today, it has never left the charts of many bookstores. The book focuses on the story of a little boy with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead named Harry Potter. According to the tale, he is the boy who lived because he survived the attack of “he-who-must-not-be- named.” His time to be educated in the best wizarding school has arrived; hence, he was fetched by the school’s gatekeeper named Hagrid from his abusive aunt and uncle. Harry is yet to discover the magical world and the beauty of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; and, is on his journey to becoming the best wizard.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

This classic children’s book by Dr. Seuss was printed by Random House in 1957. It is in the form of rhymed verses with illustrations, which makes it to be classified as an illustrated poem. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! centers on the story of an unusual character named the Grinch, who is a grumpy and lonely creature who tries to stop Christmas by stealing things that are related to Christmas from the houses of the surrounding town of Whoville during Christmas Eve. Surprisingly, the grumpy creature saw the true essence of Christmas more than the gifts and money associated with it. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a book that tackles and critiques how Christmas and Christmas season is being commercialized.

Prediction Stories by Jacquelyn Hester Colleton-Akins

Published in 2016, Prediction Stories by Jacquelyn Hester Colleton-Akins is one of the most beautiful stories that highlight the wonders of family. The storytelling starts with the eldest kid in the family of Peter and Ruby Hester. The family bonding time occurs every Friday night headed by Peter as he tells wonderful tales to Sue Ann, Henry, and Jacquelyn. When the clock strikes 2 in the afternoon, the television will be turned off — then, everyone in the family will start to get ready to eat dinner and savor Daddy’s spectacular, exciting, and awesome tales. Each of his stories will surely motivate you, make you wonder, and bring you on an adventure to discover the beauty of life.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables is the first book of the children’s book series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Although it is considered children’s literature, it can be read by readers of different ages. The story follows a red-headed orphan named Anne Shirley who was mistakenly adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Despite the gender mistake, Matthew pleaded to his sister to keep Anne because she is a happy and optimistic girl. Anne really grew into a wonderful, happy, and imaginative girl in Green Gables. She also defied the gender stereotype that was present during their time. Also, she proved that she can compete with boys — especially to his enemy named Gilbert Blythe. In the end, Anne became a teacher in Avonlea School, which is the position given up by Gilbert to get Anne to be as closer to Marilla as possible.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Originally written in French by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince has become the instrument that teaches people to value friendship, love, and even loneliness. The story is narrated by a pilot who, as a child, hates grown-ups; and, that annoyance with the adults opens the tale. The pilot slowly talked about his friend whom he called The Little Prince. His friend lives alone on a planet that has little volcanoes that he cleans regularly, a rose whom he fancies, and a sun that sets multiple times a day. How the narrator talked about The Little Prince was very detailed and full of emotions, which the longing to meet his friend again was felt by the readers. As of now, this book has sold millions of copies and is still inspiring readers from different parts of the world.

Ideal Christian Books to Read to Grow Your Faith

As Christians, growing in the faith is essential to our walk with God. Our Heavenly Father desires that His children would mature to become more like His Son, the Lord Jesus. One way that growth occurs is by understanding and obeying God’s word. Even as we grow physically by taking in natural food, we will grow spiritually by embracing the spiritual food of God’s word. Reading the Bible along with Christian books promotes maturity in the faith. God has revealed how we are to live as Christ’s disciples through the Scriptures and Christian authors who share insights to the Word of God.

These Christian books inspire and motivate believers to mature in their faith journey with the Lord. This article highlights some books that are on the market that will help strengthen your faith. 

The Seven Fs to a Fruitful Life by Roslynn Bryant

This book by Roslynn Bryant is an excellent self-help book that every Christian should get. It is an informative book that contains substantial content that can guide its readers to live their lives as God has purposed most effectively. In this book, the seven Fs outlined by the author relate to the seven main areas in which individuals can optimize their potential: faith, family, friends, finances, fitness, focus, and future. This book will not waste your time, it is short and straightforward, but at the same time, will give you the knowledge and wisdom you need to enhance your life.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

In memorable, thought-provoking daily devotionals, Missionary Sarah Young shares uniquely driven spiritual wisdom. Jesus Calling is written in a touching first-person format from the point of view of Jesus, which helps readers to witness the Savior speaking directly to them through scripture. Jesus Calling is a devotional filled with inspirational treasures from heaven that a reader can use for every day of the year. This is a kind of book that will get people to cope up in life. Many have claimed that this book would be the reason why they get motivated to wake up in the morning. The author just started this book simply with a pen in hand and listening to God, without knowing that she could touch many hearts of Christians. 

Her Mother’s Hope by Francine Rivers

Her Mother’s Dream, the first part of a two-book saga, is an unforgettable story about the complex connections between mothers and daughters. This unique book will help a lot of mothers and daughters to have a great relationship with each other. Marta traveled through Europe at the turn of the 20th century, ending up with a husband and kids in California. Hilde is the oldest daughter, she inherits the determination of her mother to find her calling and works as a nurse. Hilde marries and begins a family of her own during the difficult times of WWII. She wants her daughter to never doubt her devotion, but against her, life conspires. The significance of their desires must be measured by each woman as they seek the guidance of God in the family. This is a kind of book that will bring readers all different kinds of emotions. 

 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

Millions of people around the world have read the amazing true story of Don Piper. His experience with death and life has caught the attention of the readers. In the ten years since 90 Minutes in Heaven was written, and in reading readers have found their lives changed. The story starts Don Piper’s car got into a collision with a semi-truck. At the scene, he was pronounced dead. He witnessed the glories of heaven for the next ninety minutes. Back on earth, even though everybody was told Piper was dead, a passing minister felt led to pause and pray for the accident victim. Miraculously, Piper came back to life, and a long and painful recovery replaced the joy of seeing heaven.

Overall, these books have the potential to touch your life and enhance your walk with the Lord.  Each story in its context has its own unique value that will prove to be beneficial to your spiritual growth. Thus, we encourage you to invest in your spiritual life by reading the above-mentioned books.

Amazing Fiction Books to Add to Your 2021 Reading List

2020 is close to its end, but have you already sorted and updated your reading list for the incoming New Year? Although it is now that necessary, but it would be really good to add brand-new titles to your to-be-read list. That will bring a sense of motivation for you to finish the books that were listed earlier this year and look forward to the new ones that were listed.

Fiction would be a great addition to your shelf. There are hundreds and thousands of fiction books that you can choose from. However, we ought to save you from the dilemma of having to pick a couple of titles from the thousands of books stacked in the market. With that being said, here are the best fiction books to read in 2021.

The Miracle of Wendy Whimple by Attilio Guardo

Published in 2019 by Readersmagnet, The Miracle of Wendy Whimple by Attilio Guardo is definitely one of the most heartwarming fiction books of all time. It centers on the story of Wendy, who is the daughter of Michela Vandemere Whimple. She is born with an imperfection, which caused her perfectionist mother to give her up. Wendy is taken in by a caring relative and quickly realizes she is not an ordinary girl. As she is growing up, she begins to exhibit a special healing ability with animals. During the time when the Pullo brothers came to the place, they started to get in the way of Wendy’s genuine love for nature and her special ability. Would Wendy make use of her special powers in doing good deeds and would she get along with her new neighbors? Read and find out!

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

During the moment when all the things are changing in the life of Bea and her family, the significant ones will always be the same. Bea’s life appeared to be very distinct in various aspects after her mom and dad decided to divorce. But in order to recall the stuff that will remain the same, she listed these constant things in her green notebook. The top and most important stuff in her list are: Mommy and Daddy will never end loving Bea and one another. She becomes excited after his Dad announced that he and his partner, Jess, are getting married. Bea sincerely loves Jesse, and she will eventually get what she has always wished for when they will get married — which is a sister! Although she has never met Sonia, the daughter of Jesse, she is certain that they would get along like real sisters.

A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland

After death has tormented the life of the grandfather of Esther Solar, everybody in her family has been made to suffer from one huge fear in all their lives. In a span of 6 long years, her father never left their basement due to agoraphobia. Without a single ounce of light, her twin siblings cannot survive being in the darkness. Bad luck seems to generate a good amount of fear from her mother. The Solars engulfed by their fears, and based on the curse’s legend — they are fated to die because of their fears. As for Esther, she hasn’t yet determined her biggest fear, a goal accomplished by avoiding almost anything. Tiny spaces, elevators, and a great number of people are out of bounds for her. Tonsurephobia, arachnophobia, pediophobia, spectrophobia, and 36 more phobias have made it to her semi-definitive list of worst nightmares. What made it worse is that her list was stolen by a former elementary classmate named Jonah. Would she retrieve her list and would love to be added on it?   

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

This best-selling young adult fiction book of Jennifer Niver was published in 2016 by Knopf Books for Young Readers. It revolves around two teenagers who are completely different from each other named Libby and Jack. People assume that they know Libby Strout, the kid often called “The Fattest Teen of America.” And yet nobody took the opportunity to see beyond her weight to discover who she truly is. She gathered up the remnants in the comfort of her house after the loss of her mother, living with her grief-stricken dad as well as her own mourning. Now, she is ready: for high school, for new mates, for love, and for every opportunity that life has to give. Everybody all believed that they know Jack Masselin, the popular kid in school. What they didn’t know is that there is a brand-new learned secret for Jack, which is he cannot identify faces of people that even his siblings are strangers in his eyes. These two different kids will bump into one another and probably became each other’s safe places.

The Qualities of a Strong Woman

In this day and age, women are starting to get recognized on their skills and abilities; and, they deserve it. You probably have known how they were struggling for the society to acknowledge their rights, intellect, and capabilities that hold more greatness than their physical beauty, house wife qualities, and aspects that make a good lady.

The journey of females towards success was bittersweet. Those that lived in the past has experienced the horror of having to resist participating in the important matters on the society and using their voices to make a change. Now, tables have turned and every female is starting to unleash their full potential without fear.

Females are starting to break boundaries and crossing bridges. You might be wondering what could be the qualities possessed by strong independent ladies. Hence, listed below are the answers to your question because a strong and independent woman is:

Loving

According to Lisa Firestone, Ph.D. on What it Means to Be Loving posted on Psychalive, love entails being sympathetic that exceeds the boundaries of any selfishness on the end of the endeared. It also cultivates and has a good impact on the confidence and sense of fitness of a person. Love is being honest and genuine, because deceiving the other person will scar his sense of reality and will create an effect on his mental health.

Love is one of the many fuels that make the world go round. Somewhere in this planet, there are people that show and feel great love toward one another. They also extend their love to animals and things. Women, moreover, are loving individuals. They show their affection by nurturing the people around them, talking to their loved ones constantly, making everyone feel that they care for them, doing things that they are passionate about, and focusing on themselves. Without this trait, they wouldn’t grow into the people that they are now.

Kind

Kindness is necessary in life. It is important in creating a harmony and balance in the world. There are just people that are naturally kind-hearted, while there are also those that are trying their best to exhibit kindness. Based on R.J. Palacio’s book titled Wonder, “When given the choice between being right or being kind choose kind.”

There are many definitions of kindness, but they vary depending on how a person perceives it. Kindness is a trait of women that allow them to touch the lives of others and make a difference. There are many strong females out there that show their kindness by organizing donation drives, helping old people cross the streets, supporting fellow females, being the support system of their families, raising wonderful kids, and doing everything they can to make their community a better place.

Dedicated

According to Roy T. Bennett, “Dedicate yourself to what gives your life true meaning and purpose; make a positive difference in someone’s life.”

The trait of being committed to a duty or purpose is the meaning of dedication. Hence, being dedicated means that you are willing and committed to do your tasks and live up to your purpose. Women, along with other genders, show genuine dedication towards the things that they are passionate about. They do not stop until they are satisfied with the results. They also put their hearts in the process. When given a responsibility or just when they started to realize their purpose, they will bring their game to the next level not just to reach success but also to try to educate and inspire others through their journey.

Take the dedication of a fraternal grandmother for example, she has shown her full dedication in raising a good son. She has done all she could to nurture her family, build a career, and raise good kids. As a result, her son has followed the values and lessons that she instilled in him and started a family on his own with the things he learned from his mother. That just shows how powerful women are. Their qualities create a great impact on people and make a difference in the society. Without the dedication of a woman, life wouldn’t be this wonderful as it is now.

How Real Life Inspires Literature

Literature is a vast place to dwell in, because it has different types of stories. One of the aspects that fuel this platform is real life. You probably are wondering how the cruel reality creates the best tales. Looking at the bigger picture, it is the experiences of the authors and their drive to mix reality with imagination that make literature live its glory days until today. There’s no rule that is set to forbid you in writing your personal tales, and add some magic in it to create an enchanting novel.

There are many literary pieces that are product of real life events. They vary in different story elements. Regardless of their differences, they still create wonderful works. Perhaps the thought of how real events inspire literature. Let us fill that curiosity up and see the information below.

The pain can be turned into great masterpieces

Pain is part of being human. There is no one in this world that didn’t feel pain or even experienced a tiny bit of it. After experiencing this uncomfortable sensation, you will later on become sad, lost, and numb. The more you avoid feeling it, the more situations become out of hand. That is why there are people who try to express their sorrows and pain through writing. Because of literature, you will have a platform to pour your heart out without the fear of being misunderstood or judged. In fact, there are already a lot of books that talk or display different types of pain. One of the most popular is John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars that was inspired by the author’s friend who died due to thyroid cancer,which says “That’s the thing about pain, it demands to be felt.”

The delightful events can touch millions of lives

Apart from tales of sorrow, loss, pain, and heartbreak, there are also other stories that create a big mark on people’s lives. There are many positive emotions that can make you create amazing works. The simple act of smelling of freshly picked roses can drive you to write a poem or two. Being with someone who can make you laugh and be with comfortably may inspire you to pick a pen and write a short story on a paper. The moment when you are the happiest may bring you to create the best novel. There is really nothing in the real world that limits you to produce a wonderful literary piece. The best example of delightful events that was turned into a wonderful book is the memories of a certain foods on Legsdin’s book titled Remembrance of Meals Past, wherein the author incorporated her wide array of experiences on food in her book.

The people and other beings can spice up the tales

What is a world without creatures that dwell in it? Then, what is a story without characters? Hence, living creatures and characters share the same importance. There are many people and animals that make your every individual’s life more colorful, and yours is not an exemption. These humans can be those that you love dearly, such as family members, friends, teachers, authors, idols, and lovers. However, they can also be those that boil your anger up when you think or gaze at them — like your enemies, persons who have done you wrong, and the likes. It can also be the animals that make your heart in awe due to their adorableness, like dogs, cats, rabbits, koalas, turtles, and more. It cannot be denied that they really impact your life; hence, you want them to create an impact on your fictional tale too.

The failures can become success stories

People always encounter failure either once in a while or all the time. This is the harsh reality that you must survive, especially if you are a perfectionist. What add insult to the injury are the expectations set by others or the society towards a particular situation or thing. When you fail to achieve your dreams or desires, literature is there for you. You can make these failures into learning experiences that will bring you to your goals. Hence, they will drive you to write a piece of literature that will also help those that have fallen to stand up again no matter how hard the circumstances. Later on, as you journey through life, you can write a sequel of this tale that highlights your success.

How Animals Create a Difference in Children’s Literature

The world of literature is like your box of Fruit Loops cereal. There are the same shapes of cereals but in different color. Like how pieces of paper contain diverse stories but still has a sensational flavor that can provide you a wonderful meal. There may have been millions of tales that are starred with fictional human characters that came from imaginary worlds. Children’s literature is one of the best avenues that help readers from kids to even full-grown adults to become the best versions of them. Stories that are being moved by animal characters are among the widely read today.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, The Ladybug and The Bully Frog by Caroleann Rice, and Sammie the Shark and the Return of the Lost Gift by Janet Councilman are some of the best books that are being starred by wonderful animals. Perhaps you are wondering how these amazing and lovely creatures make a difference in children’s literature and in people’s lives. .

They make stories more entertaining

Although there are some parts that say that literature should be entertaining, not every story is all about fun. However, children stories that highlight animals definitely embody the “fun” part of literature. They have their unique way of making their readers more engaged into the tales and entertained. It must be because of the simple yet captivating language that they use, which gives readers an easier reading experience. The way they are presented helps in bringing the fun out to people too. Picture books, for example, help better the works of imagination and improve the storytelling; thus, making readers’ eyes delighted with the colors, illustrations, and story.

They present a better learning experience

Reading equals to learning. But, not everyone expects to learn something when they read. Some picks a book in order to be entertained, go to another world, be another person, or get away from boredom. Learning is just the perks that readers unexpectedly get either in the middle or at the end of reading the story. Even though it is children’s literature, there are still many kids at heart that wholeheartedly dive deep into these books. Moreover, stories that are being moved forward by animals have their own way of educating their readers. You can assess it when the characters live up to certain values, when the conflict is resolved like how problems are mended in real life, and when there is always an animal that choose to be the bigger person. The strength of the morals embedded in the story is doubled when fused with the innate animal characteristics of the characters.

They hit the soft spots of people

There is probably no person in this world that doesn’t like animals. Sure, some may have fear on them but that doesn’t mean that never in their life that they find an animal cute or adorable. The animals with the biggest fanatics are the dogs and cats, because they are the common creatures that humans take care as pets. However, there are still a whole lot of creatures that are being loved by people that reside on land, water, and air. There are really something great about animals, especially when they are being featured to stories. It could be because they can hit the soft spots of people to creatures that fill the world with amazingness and wonders. Also, perhaps readers are already familiar to their real characteristics that making them into fictional characters that rule fictional worlds makes a great difference in the realm of children’s literature.

They have a better way of attracting readers

Readers, like animals, have different traits and characteristics. One defining characteristic of humans is their ability to create remarkable decisions. Reading preferences is among the decisions that people make. Some readers are into fiction while others are not. Hence, being able to incorporate creatures from the real world into an extraordinary realm makes bibliophiles filled with enthusiasm and anticipation. Who wouldn’t want to story full of fun, learning, and elements that are almost similar to the real world? Therefore, readers become more attracted to stories that are starred by animals; and, that is one of the biggest advancements animals bring to children’s lit.

Must-Read Young Adult Fiction Books this Fall

You probably have read a lot of books that centers on teenage life, high school, and coming of age. They are, in fact, among the best works that provide a light and satisfying read. Young adult fiction is the genre that houses these heartwarming and eye-opener stories. It is the category that contains books intended for people age 12-18 years old. But it cannot be denied that even adults are still drawn into YA fiction, perhaps it is because of the remarkable tales and realizations that these works give.

It is already a known fact that the common themes tackled by young adult books are about self-discovery, adventure, love, and more. However, these stories contain deeper and heavier issues that need to be focused on by the readers. Issues of domestic abuse, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, mental health condition, etc. are among the widely featured by YA books. So make your fall season experience worthwhile by reading young adult fiction novels! If you are looking for suggestions, listed below are the must-read ones in this genre.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

One of the best reads in 2017 and even until today is the book by Angelie Thomas titled The Hate U Give. It is her debut novel that paved the way for her literary career. The cover artist of the book is Debra Cartwright while the publisher is Balzer + Bray.

The story is all about the life of a 16-year-old black lady named Starr Carter. She doesn’t come from a well-off family, and they lived in a poor neighborhood. However, she managed to get into a prestigious private school where most students are white. The spice to the story didn’t end on that, because Starr will become an important figure in one of the hot cases in their area. She will become a star witness on the murder of Khalil, here childhood friend who was killed by a white policeman. The question is, would Starr be bold enough to stand up and reveal the truth or would she let fear takeover her?

Playing Hurt by Gerald “Jerry” Nardella

In September of 2018, the self-publishing company Readersmagnet LLC published the book Playing Hurt by Nardella, Gerald. It is a young adult fiction book that centers on the love triangle of teenagers Brian, Deanie, and Bill. The story is definitely one of the typical but captivating football-cheerleader love stories with a hint of violence due to its twists.

The football player Brian is on his senior year. Instead of enjoying the glory days of his sports journey, he got injured. He cannot quit because there’s no one that can sub him according to their coach. Hence, he became worried about his future and his lovely cheerleader girlfriend Deanie. Their relationship is going well not until the girl’s ex-lover came to town, forces Deanie to have an intercourse, and made her pregnant. Brian uncovered the truth and it was the most devastating thing that happened in his life. When Bill came back to town, Brian wants to have his revenge. He beat Bill, but the tables have turned because Bill got his gun and shot Brian in the arm. It was one hell of a fight, but Deanie came along and shot Bill in the chest. Deanie, later on, birthed her child in the summer that has eyes that were like Bill’s. Brian decided to enlist in the military with a heavy and broken heart.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

One of the most popular YA fiction books, Looking for Alaska, was authored by John Green. It was published in 2005 by Dutton Juvenile with Nolan Gadient as its cover artist. The book is inspired by Green’s experiences when he was in Indian Springs School; hence, the characters and plot were based on real people and events.

Furthermore, the book follows the story of Miles Halter who is about to embark on a journey to a boarding school. He desires to go there in order to search for the “Great Perhaps.” He then met Chip Martin, whom he refers to as The Colonel, and a fine young woman named Alaska Young. Miles fell in love with Alaska but they didn’t get the chance to progress their friendship, because she unfortunately died. And that’s when Miles began to get stressed, devastated, and frustrated, because he didn’t get to say goodbye and even know what her last words were.

10 Places that You Must Visit in Latin America

What comes into your mind when you think of Latin America? Soccer stars? Beauty queens? Nah, Latin America is more than that. It is home to stunning natural wonders, spectacular sights, friendly people, and a diversity of flora and fauna.

Latin America is romanticized for its carnivals and music and mysterious for its hidden natural wonders waiting to be discovered. There are many amazing places to visit in Latin America, among them are the Amazon Rain Forest, Galápagos Islands of Ecuador, and Angel Falls of Venezuela.

What places you should not miss when visiting Latin America?

• Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is the largest forest in the world. More than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon Rainforest, thus earning the moniker the “Lungs of the World”. The Amazon rainforest is a diverse ecosystem, home to a vast number of species of plants and animals, as well as tribes of indigenous peoples who survive remotely from modern civilization. The Amazon Rainforest covers an area of over two million square miles, covering nine countries and holding half of the planet’s remaining rainforests.

• Machu Picchu, Peru

Travel back to the time when the ancient Incas ruled a large portion of western Latin America, centered on the Andes Mountains. The Lost City of the Incas, Macchu Picchu is a spectacular archeological wonder atop the lush Andes. Macchu Picchu has about 200 structures made of perfectly cut granite stones that fitted perfectly tighter – without mortar. The origins of Machu Picchu remain a mystery as the Inca never left any record of why they built the site or how they used it before it was abandoned in the early 16th century.

• Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Belize

Situated in the Cayo District in western Belize, Xunantunich is one of the most popular Mayan archeological sites in Latin America. It may have been occupied as early as 1000 BC, and the large architecture that remained was built in the 7th century AD. It was first explored in the 1800s by a British medical officer. In the Mayan language, Xunantunich’s name means “Sculpture of Lady”. (Belize, by the way, is the setting for Len Stage’s science fiction novel The Brotherhood of the Wone.)

• Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, Mexico

Chichen Itza is a ruined ancient sacred Mayan city on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and was the center of pilgrimage for the Maya civilization for over a thousand years. Its name literally means “Mouth of the well of the Itza”. The most notable ruin on Chichen Itza is the El Castillo pyramid, which is also known as the Temple of Kukulcan.

• Lago de Atitlán, Guatemala

Picturesque is one word that best describe Lago de Atitlán (Lake Atitlán in English), which is the deepest lake in Central America. In the Nahuatl language, Atitlán means “between the waters”. Lago de Atitlán is surrounded by many towns and villages, in which Maya culture is still prevalent. Several submerged Mayan archeological sites have been discovered in Lago de Atitlán.

• Easter Island, Chile

The mysterious Easter Island is famous for the moai, a collective of 887 giant monolithic stone figures that were carved by an ancient Polynesian culture that vanished centuries ago. Another link to the lost culture includes petroglyphs or rock art found on the torso of the head statues, into the rocks, and ancient stone houses. What else to do at Easter Island rather than just gaze at the moai? Go surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

• Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Go wildlife viewings in the Galápagos Islands, home to a vast number of animal species, including giant tortoise, sea lions, penguins, and iguanas, all abounding thanks to a lack of natural predators. The volcanic archipelago is truly a paradise for every animal lover. Another factor that makes the Galápagos Islands so unique is its unusual climate. The archipelago straddles the equator, making the climate temperate.

• Angel Falls, Venezuela

Venezuela is home to many natural wonders, the most famous being Angel Falls. With a height of 979 meters (3,212 ft.) and a plunge of 807 meters (2,648 ft.), it is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall – and one of the four most beautiful waterfalls in the planet. A natural splendor, Angel Falls is located in an impenetrable jungle forest, so a helicopter trip is the best way to get a panoramic view of the falls. Trivia: Angel Falls is named after a U.S. aviator who became the first person to fly over the falls in the mid-20th century.

• Cartagena, Colombia

A beautiful port city off Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Cartagena is a city full of attractions, such as its colorful colonial buildings, churches, plazas, and excellent beaches. It is one of the ‘must visit’ location in Latin America for its blend of beachside charm and urban vitality. Noteworthy spots to visit in the walled city include the historic Castillo San Felipe de Barajas fortress, the wonderful Walled City, the neighborhood of Getsemaní, the Clock Tower, and the church of San Pedro Claver.

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Is there any other city in the world that’s fun, lively, and exciting as Rio de Janeiro? Nicknamed as the Dubbed the Marvelous City, Rio de Janeiro has hundreds of interesting spots to visit, including Ipanema, Copacabana, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue. The city is also known for its beaches, samba, bossa nova, and the Carnival, an extravaganza of flashy and sexy costumes, music, and dance. 

For its beauty, history, and culture, Latin America is worth visiting. There is so much to see and experience.

4 Best Books for Kids and Kids at Heart to Read this Summer

School’s out and summer’s in! Isn’t it great? Now, make most of your summer by not just enjoying the heat of the sun and waves of the beach but also staying at home to be safe and reading books to be entertained. Because of the global health crisis that is happening in the world, you going outside of the vicinity of your home can be a little too dangerous especially for kids. Vacation can be canceled and “staycation” can be pursued. There’s not much difference only there will be no travelling that will happen but it doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy being in your house with all your family members eating your favorite food, swimming in your inflatable pool, getting tanned on your backyard, and laughing your hearts out.

Reading is also a good activity to do this summer. You can pretend to have a book club and gather all your members — in this case, your family, to read and share ideas. You can also teach your kids or siblings to read and discover the wonders that come along with it. There are a lot of children’s books in literature that can be found online in the form of e-books and audiobooks while there are also the printed copies that you might find in your shelf or in your local bookstore.

So, if you want to keep the children in your homes entertained and learning at the same time, then these amazing books are perfect for them and even for you!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a series written by Jeff Kinney which was published by Amulet Books. It contains entertaining illustrations done by Kinney himself while the cover of the book was illustrated by the author and Chad W. Beckerman. Diary of the Wimpy Kid is the first book of the series that was published in April 1, 2007. It centers on the story of a middle school boy named Greg Heffley. What Greg’s greatest desire is to become one of the popular kids in his grade, even all throughout middle school, and so the misfortunes and dilemma begin.

Because of the humor and wit of the story, it was patronized by many readers all around the world. It also became a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into film with the same title that was out on the big screen on March 2010. Diary of a Wimpy Kid was awarded with the 2012 Blue Peter Book award last March 01, 2012. It was followed by Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules and a lot more.

The Adventures of Ivy and Kimber

Kimber Marie Snyder authored the amazing book The Adventures of Ivy and Kimber, which was published by iUniverse.com on June 20, 2019. This book is an inspiring read and is intended for children. It follows a girl named Kimber who is eight years old. She really desires to own a horse just like how Mike, her older sibling, does. Because of her heart’s strong yearning, one day she was granted the opportunity to have the horse of her dreams.

But the horse is not as perfect as she thought it was for its one eye is blind and its front legs are a little bowed. Despite of Ivy’s imperfections, Kimber loves her so much. She personally nurtures her every day and she always enjoys riding her daily; thus, making them the best of friends. As they face each day together, they were unexpectedly bestowed a very special blessing.   

The School for Good and Evil

The School for Good and Evil is the first book of its series followed by The School for Good and Evil: A World Without Princes (2014), The School for Good and Evil: The Last Ever Afte(2015)r, The School for Good and Evil: The Ever Never Handbook (2016), The School for Good and Evil: Quests for Glory(2017), The School for Good and Evil: A Crystal of Time(2019), and The School for Good and Evil: One True King (2020). It is written by Soman Chainani and was published on May 2013 by HarperCollins.

It revolves around the story of Agatha and Sophie, best friends who are completely different not just in clothing but also in characteristics. Sophie expected to be on the groups of children that are being trained to become princes and princesses and everyone thought that Agatha will be on the School of Evil where the future villains are molded. But it turns out oppositely.

Dork Diaries

 Rachel Renee Russell is the woman behind the amazing Dork Diaries series. She crafted her experiences in middle school into something that can be a keepsake and legacy, along with the help of her two daughters. The first book is of the same title of the series, which was published by Aladdin Paperbacks on June 2009. It doesn’t just contain humorous and amazing story but also wonderful and cute illustrations.

The book follows the story of a middle school girl named Nikki Maxwell. She is fourteen years old and was granted a scholarship to study into a prestigious private school called Westchester Country Day. She wasn’t happy when she received the news for she knew that she will not fit into a wealthy school. What made her middle-school life worse is when she discovers that her locker is beside the locker of the most popular girl in school, MacKenzie Hollister, who called her “Dork.”

4 Awesome Detective Fiction Books to Read this Summer

Detective fiction is the offspring of mystery fiction and crime fiction. The usual plot of detective fiction stories revolve around a person — who’s either a professional detective, aspiring detective, or retired investigator, who delves deeper into a crime and starts to investigates all corners of it. Murder is the common crime that is being solved in this genre. Among the renowned detectives in this genre that always save the day are Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, Hercule Poirot, The Hardy Boys, and more.

Additionally, it has a lot of subcategories that can spark some interests from the readers. Some amazing examples are hardboiled detective fiction, inverted detective, historical mystery, cozy mystery, legal thriller, serial killer mystery, etc. Many people patronize detective fiction because of the nerve racking and spine chilling discoveries that each story brings. So if you are into this type of fiction, here are some enthralling detective fiction books to add to your shelf this summer:

A Study in Scarlet

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous detective fiction writer, has written A Study in Scarlet and has it published by Ward Lock & Co in 1887. This is the novel where the iconic duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson was firs exposed. The title of the book was based on Holmes’ speech that was intended for Watson, which he stated that the investigation of the tale’s murder is his “study in scarlet.” The novel revolves around the themes inadequacy of public defense, inferential reasoning, religion, vengeance, and friendship.

 A Study in Scarlet was set in London, specifically in a room that is locked with the word RACHE written on its wall. It was narrated by Dr. Watson and the people that were killed in this story were Enoch Drebber and Joseph Stangerson. Moreover, the word RANCHE is a German terminology that means revenge. After all the investigations done by Holmes and Watson, the former started to figure out who the ruthless killer is. It was discovered that Jefferson Hope, a taxi driver, was the murderer and was immediately put into arrest by the detective.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

William Collins, Sons published The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie in June 1962 in the United Kingdon while Dodd, Mead and Company published the US edition of the book in the same year. It was the book preceded by The Secret of Chimneys, which is another detective fiction novel. Furthermore, it is the third book that showcases the amazing detective Hercule Poirot. It follows the story of the lead detective as he unravels the secrets, collects the clues, and solves the case of Roger Ackroyd’s murder. But before that, Poirot decided to retire on his job and stay on a village close to where his good friend Roger Ackyord lives in order to continue a project to refine the vegetable marrow.

The death of his friend was the primary reason why he was urged to come out of retirement and serve as a detective once again. Because of the Christie’s amazing skill, the book ranked 50^th on The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time in the year 1990, voted as the CWA Best Ever Novel in 2013, and a lot more awards.

Death in Sequence

Another pride of detective fiction is the novel Death in Sequence by JB Clemmens.It was published in February 18, 2018 by the CeateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. It is among the 5 books of Jeannie Clemmens, also known in her pseudonym JB Clemmens. Death in Sequence revolves around the mysterious random murders in a fictional D.C area. The killings are being investigated and studied by a detective named Mitch Jenkins, who is currently injured.

While detective Jenkins was very deep into fighting back the random attacks, his focus was instantly shaken up when his girlfriend Ginny Munsen, a mathematics instructor, was suddenly abducted from GWU. The scene didn’t get better for prior to detective Jenkins’ act of finding and saving his fiancé, a bomb was discovered in the room of the Supreme Court with a planted indication of how many are the victims and also indicating the growing boldness of the suspect.

The Moonstone

Wilkie Collins authored the first ever classic detective fiction novels, which is The Moonstone. It was first published in 1868 by the Tinsley Brothers. It is also considered as an epistolary book. Since the book was considered as the pioneer of the detective fiction, it has believed to establish a lot of rules when it comes to modern detective stories. The Moonstone has definitely become a success and was patronized by readers; as a result, it was adapted into film, and other forms of entertainment.

Furthermore, it centers on two things, which are murder and Moonstone. The stone was brought by Colonel Herncastle from India and gave it to his niece, Rachel, as a birthday gift as per his will. When his niece wore the stone on her birthday celebration, she suddenly was nowhere to be found. The biggest mystery was where’s Rachel and who took her?

5 Reasons Why You Should Read Young Adult Fiction Books

Books are vessels that can take you anywhere in the world and even in out of this world places. They are great advisers and teachers. With the words on their pages, they can give implant valuable lessons in your mind that you can take with you forever or until you breathe your last breath. You see, books are not just made up of paper and ink. They are, in fact, made up of wisdom and knowledge that can reach a lot minds and touch several hearts from all parts of the world. Young adult fiction books are among these stories that promote both learning and entertainment.

YA fiction is an exceptional genre that showcases themes about growing up and all things in between. Its books are among the most popular ones nowadays, selling millions of copies worldwide. Some of these novels come individually while others are in series. They also explore other genres such as romance, suspense, science fiction, and more. So, if you are eager to know the reasons why young adult fiction books are must-reads, here’s why:

They are entertaining like most books

Entertainment is among the perks that books bring. YA novels are not exempted with this characteristic. But the type of entertainment that they provide is different from the normal. They do not just take you to the outer space or to each of their fictional towns but also on road trips, skinny-dipping, cliff diving, zip lining, and other dare devil and exciting adventures. What also make young adult books more entertaining are the humorous dialogues that the authors convey in the stories. Lastly, YA books showcase a lot of action scenes, such as Eloise encounters a gang of outlaws in Eloise of Westhaven, Katniss volunteering as a tribute to save her sister in The Hunger Games, and Harry fighting a dragon in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Thus, you can read them on your leisure time, on moments that you are feeling down, and on periods that you want to laugh and ease some pain away.                                                                                                    

They have unpredictable plots

Plots are important in every story. Every plot must be consist of an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement. What makes plots exciting are the conflict embedded in them that makes the characters uncover what they truly are. Each young adult book contains well-polished plots. Some even start with flashbacks or in medias res. These books also mix other literary devices in their content making the readers crave for more. Examples of the devices that add to the perfectness of the story are foreshadowing, red herring, Checkhov’s gun, and more. You will get more hooked to the story and will want to turn every page until you reach the end. 

They showcase issues in society that need to be given attention

The world is always in chaos. But as of this year, the biggest chaos is currently taking place. People from all 50 states of America have united in order to end racism and it has transcended from all over the world. In literature, however, racial discrimination has been one of the hottest themes even from the classical times. A lot of authors have been fighting for black lives and wanting everyone to know that all lives matter regardless of your race and ethnicity. Aside from racism, young adult novels also talks about abuse, violence, mental health, oppression, manipulation, and other serious stuff that needs to be given proper attention — all the more reason to read young adult fiction. They are not just about teenage love but also about bravery and bravery to eradicate these societal issues.

They have amazing characters

Characters are important in every story. Again, they move the story forward by their own magic. Most young adult fiction books have created great impact on the lives of the readers. One of the factors that left a mark on the readers is the characters. There are not just heroes and heroines in the young adult world, but there are also normal teenagers that save the day by their mundane characteristics. Examples of the wonderful characters of YA are Clarissa Fray of The Mortal Instruments series, Percy Jackson of the Percy Jackson series, Eleanor Douglas of Eleanor and Park, Charlie Kelmeckis of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and more. These characters can inspire you and others to be more than what you are right now. They will show you endless possibilities and will teach you to dream big.

They are not only for young adults but also for young adults at heart

Young adult fiction books go beyond their established age range. Those that are about to enter the world of teenagers and those that have already gone through the teenage realm can still read YA novels. The stories and lessons can still move its reader regardless of their age. The books will not stop on becoming teachers and advisers; they will still continue even if adults and children are those that own them. You can still experience how amazing and scary it is to become a teenager and conquer the world ahead of you.

Why Are We So Interested in the Moon?

The shrouding mystery and wonder are some of the things that keep us interested in the moon, but why are powerful people interested in the moon really?

The moon is a natural satellite that orbits Earth for millions of years. It provides light in the darkness of the night. It also provides guiding illumination for nocturnal creatures that depend on its phases for reproduction, direction, and time awareness.

For us, we use the moon’s mystery as part of our culture. We tell stories of horror or adventures that are passed down to the next generations. Wayne Scott Harral’s Moon Luck tells a crime fiction set on the moon. It follows 30 astronauts and their experiences 384,400 km from Earth.

Moon Luck by Harral explores the lives of people on the surface of the moon as they try to survive with their colonies. However, as they try to thrive and grow plants on the surface of the moon, members of the colony die in an accident. However, it all points out a case of murder.

Speaking of the moon and all the stories we can tell surrounding it, what makes us so interested in it?

Here are some real-life reasons why the major powers of Earth are interested in the moon:

Claims for History

So, in school, we have learned that Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin were the first people to walk on the surface of the moon. Walking on the lunar surface gives us ideas about other possibilities we can still do and make it to history books or the hall of Fame.

Right now, scientists are trying to make scientific discoveries on the moon as it is still mysterious to us all. Studies about habitation and mineral mining are popular in the media nowadays. Who knows what else they’re trying to discover on the moon? Most of these studies have never been done yet, so these people are aiming for a Nobel entitlement.

Scientific Breakthrough

Making a scientific breakthrough is a difficult task, especially if the subject of the study is as mysterious and difficult to study as the moon. Astrophysicists try to find ways to discover ideas and things that are worthy of further studies and tests. Other than getting a Nobel title and a name for history, these breakthroughs will help us finally get to know more about our own planetary satellite, opening doors to knowing the other celestial bodies in the Universe.

Moon Mining

One of the reasons why the major powers of Earth are interested in the moon is its possibility of mining. Additionally, rare metals are present on the moon. It is not yet known how one can mine on the moon, but it’s a job for space explorers to pursue. Many private businesses are interested in the idea, trying to look for any minerals that are valuable for the future of mining, business, economy, and money.

Establishing Business Infrastructure

Private businesses are also aiming to build infrastructures on the moon that could help them establish a business for space travel and exploration. Right now, two space hotels are already in the works and will possibly open in five years.

Studying Water and Its Possibility to Support Life

Water is an important substance that supports life. Finding water in space opens the possibility that we can thrive in the vastness of space. Scientists study traces of water on surfaces of the moon, which means sustainability on the moon is on the list of the many possibilities a man can exploit for future business and scientific endeavors.

Helium-3

Helium-3 is another important chemical found on the surface of the moon. This Helium is rare on Earth’s surface, which means it will be valuable when collected and sold. Helium-3 is vital in providing nuclear energy. It is not dangerous nor radioactive, so collecting tons of it will not pose a danger to the major powers.

The Moon Treaty protects the moon from sectors that plan to build establishments and military bases on its surface. Military arms and other weapons are also forbidden in space, according to this treaty. In addition, the moon is not owned by any nation; thus, it cannot be owned by Earth’s major powers. However, Russia and China did not join this agreement.

Nurturing Self-Confidence in Timmy the Timid Cloud

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Timmy the Timid Cloud, by Elaine Vanderberg, is a wonderful tool for nurturing self-confidence in young children. Having self-esteem is extremely important for personal development.

In Elaine Vanderberg‘s Timmy the Timid Cloud, the denizens of the city of Summerville have been hanging around, waiting all year long for the vaunted Summer Fun Day. But not all things are cozy when, during the big day, Big, Bad Clouds are gathering on the horizon. And they don’t look like they’re here to join the party.

When something comes to scare away Summer Fun Day and bring nasty, gloomy weather, who is going to do something about it? Maybe it’s time for Timmy the Timid Cloud and his friends, Breezey, Wheezy, and Teezey, to showcase how brave they actually are!

The Power of Self-Esteem

As parents, educators, or simply concerned individuals, we all understand the profound impact that self-esteem has on a child’s development and well-being. A healthy sense of self-worth is the foundation for resilience, confidence, and knowing how to navigate life’s challenges. However, fostering self-esteem in children can be challenging. It requires a delicate balance of encouragement, positive reinforcement, and a genuine understanding of their emotional needs.

Throughout my years working with children, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of nurturing self-confidence. I have seen children blossom from timid, uncertain individuals into confident, self-assured young adults. The experience has taught me a lot about creating a supportive environment where children feel valued, respected, and empowered.

Self-confidence is a crucial aspect of a child’s well-being and development. It significantly affects their emotional, social, and academic growth. When a child possesses self-confidence, they experience numerous positive outcomes that shape their life trajectory.

Nurturing Self-Confidence

Boosting children’s self-esteem means providing them with opportunities to succeed. This doesn’t mean setting unrealistic expectations or pushing them beyond their limits. Instead, it’s about recognizing their strengths, encouraging them to explore their interests, and celebrating their achievements.

When children experience success, it reinforces their belief in their abilities. They develop a sense of competence and self-efficacy, knowing they can achieve their goals. This newfound confidence spills over into other areas of their lives, enabling them to tackle challenges with incredible determination and resilience.

What Can Be Done by the Parents?

Positive reinforcement plays an equally important role in nurturing self-esteem. It’s not about showering children with empty praise but offering genuine recognition for their efforts, growth, and accomplishments. Positive reinforcement helps children internalize a sense of self-worth and appreciate their unique qualities and contributions.

Just as important is providing support and guidance during setbacks. When children face challenges, it’s crucial to help them navigate these obstacles without diminishing their belief in themselves. Instead of focusing on the failures, emphasize the learning process and the importance of perseverance. Encourage them to take a step back and determine what went wrong. This rational approach will help them develop ways to overcome future challenges.

Effective communication is another cornerstone of fostering self-esteem. Children need to feel heard, understood, and respected. Active listening, empathy, and open dialogue allow children to open up about their concerns. Open communication builds trust, strengthens relationships, and allows children to feel valued and supported.

What Can Be Done by the Community?

Beyond individual interactions, creating a positive and supportive environment within the family, school, and community significantly boosts children’s self-esteem. Fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and diversity helps children feel valued and accepted for who they are. It encourages them to embrace individuality and develop a strong sense of belonging.

Nurturing self-confidence in children is an ongoing process that requires patience, consistency, and a genuine commitment to their well-being. By providing opportunities for success, offering positive reinforcement, guiding them through setbacks, communicating effectively, and creating a supportive environment, we can empower children to develop a healthy sense of self-worth that allows them to make the most out of life.

More from Elaine Vanderberg

Remember, the uniqueness of every child is a given. Let them develop at their own pace, but be there all the way. Be patient, supportive, and loving. Witness the incredible transformation that nurturing self-confidence has on their lives. 

Timmy the Timid Cloud by Elaine Vanderberg is part of a series on “overcoming,” where she shines a spotlight on gentle ways of overcoming problems. This series from Vanderberg is aimed at teaching children that the setbacks they take and the challenges they fail at are not set in stone—and they can rise above it all.

Fantasy in SPACE: The Appeal of the Space Opera Genre

Photo by Min An

The Shadowed Stars book series is a wonderful example of the space opera genre; full of galactic empires, alien gods, and mysterious phenomena—it’s a heck of a setting!

If you loved Star Wars, Mass Effect, Halo, the Fifth Element, and all other similar works, I’m afraid I have to diagnose you as a fan of the space opera.

What is the space opera?

Basically, it’s what happens when you read Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, love them, and get to thinking that maybe–just maybe things would be infinitely better if they were set IN SPACE!

Fantasy IN SPACE

The space opera is a particular subgenre of science fiction. While most other subgenres branch off to do more focused examinations of specific themes and subjects, the space opera wants and tries to swallow everything up. It’s basically a speculative fiction sink where you are allowed (and encouraged) to throw everything in, from faster-than-light travel, alien empires, magic, technologically advanced predecessors, magic, genetically altered humans, cyborg dinosaurs, magic, space elves, space orcs, space whales, magic, and everything else that you want to cram into your work. And did I say you could add magic?

Of course, there’s more to the space opera than that. 

In a space opera, the first thing to note is scope. And what do you do with that scope? You take it by the sides, and you STRETCH it! There’s no such thing as too small in a space opera. Everything is epic. Everything is mythic. There are planet-sized conflicts, adventures that span the galaxy, and a generous helping of fictional technologies and wondrous sciences. 

With a space opera, it’s basically your imagination’s the limit.

The Appeal of the Space Opera

There are a lot of reasons why the space opera genre is fast becoming a staple in speculative fiction, but let’s just stick to five reasons and blow up from there:

• Adventure. Space opera stories are, first and foremost, always focused on the adventures that the characters have and the potentiality of future adventures happening. From exploring new worlds, fighting against fascistic space empires, or saving the whole galaxy/universe from apocalyptic scenarios, space opera can fit about just anything. 
• Wonder. Within the pages of many space opera stories, you are never starved for creativity and imagination. Nowhere will you find a setting or genre that seamlessly weaves in complicated mathematical equations with hooded wizards fighting with magic lasers. In these grand narratives, there is also the creation of aliens with their own extensive cultures, brilliantly realized worlds and governments, and a whole lot more.
• Hope. While a space opera can start out bleak and depressing, it gradually transforms itself into a story of resilience and triumph. The universe is vast–vaster than what our human minds can comprehend–and it can be easy to fall into a lull knowing that we humans, with all our stuff and civilization, are just grains of sand in an immensely large and almost-infinite beach. But space opera shows us that there is still value in persisting, always a chance for a better tomorrow, even in the darkest times.
• Scale. One of the things that I love most about this genre is that it takes your sense of scale and just throws it out the window. What happens is that you’ll have spaceships the size of planets, empires that span galaxies, entities that are essentially sentient black holes, and infinite parallel realities. Space operas are often set on a galactic level, giving stories an epic grandeur that is sorely unmatched by any other subgenre in science fiction or any genre at all.
• Characters. Finally, the characters in space opera stories are wonderfully great. They are the drivers of the plot, actual larger-than-life entities that basically have heroism and tragedy etched into their veins were they real. They are the ones who make the stories come alive, and they are the ones who keep me coming back for more.

My Favorite Space Opera Stories

These stories all feature the elements I love about space opera: large-scale conflicts and adventures, advanced technology, imaginative world-building, and memorable characters. If you have the same taste that I do, you definitely need to check these out: 

• Dune by Frank Herbert
• The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons
• The Culture series by Iain M. Banks 
• Star Wars by George Lucas:
• Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry
• Shadowed Stars book series by Steven Koutz

Honest Answers to “Why Do People Love Classic Automobiles?”

^{Photo by revac film’s&photography}

The question “Why do people love classic automobiles?” has been thrown around for years, and in the world of automobiles, classic cars belong in a category of their own.

These classic cars, often classified as 25 years old or older, can captivate the affection and awe of auto enthusiasts from every aspect of life.

Jeff Lucier, the author of the children’s book “Mama’s Mini,” is a fan of classic automobiles. Whether it’s a first-generation Honda Civic, a Nissan Skyline GTR from the late 1990s, or any Ford Mustang with a fox body, numerous vintage automobiles have unquestionably cemented their namesakes among the most cherished designs in history.

But why does the popularity of vintage cars tend to increase with time? Here are our top five theories for why people adore vintage cars.

Older Vehicles Can Indicate Taste and Fashion

The manufacturing of automobiles has decreased. You’ll frequently hear people who enjoy classic cars say that. Compared to modern mass-production automobiles engineered and catered for efficiency and aerodynamics, older versions tend to carry that handcrafted feel and look.

Classic cars required a high level of craftsmanship to build high-quality automobiles in the past, which led to some of the most successful and iconic nameplates that transcend time. Each model felt indescribably unique to whoever had the opportunity to drive and own it because there was less automation and machinery used in the production process.

People who pass by can tell by the attention to detail that the person driving is a classic, well-built vehicle that looks beautiful and works well.

Older Vehicles May Provide a More Authentic Driving Experience

We are now living in the era of autonomous and electric vehicles. This signals the end of the time of manual gearboxes. There continues to be a market for reliable manual automobiles, although more and more automakers are choosing automatic transmissions and CVTs over stick shifts. It shows why people love classic cars so much.

Many aficionados would choose manual gearboxes over automatics because they are frequently seen in the most recognized historic cars. For some, driving with a stick shift transports them back to a simpler, happier era. There is nothing like getting into a vehicle without touch screens and driving without interruptions.

Only you, the automobile, and the pure excitement of the situation are present. For the “Why do people love classic automobiles?” question, the authentic driving experience is often more than enough of an answer. Jeff Lucier would agree with this statement, being a driver of a beautiful ’86 Austin Mini Mayfair.

Classic Automobiles Are Valuable Pieces of History

Classic cars are almost eternal reminders of the past. These automobiles include historical tales from their manufacture, looking back at the era before electric and crossover vehicles took over the market.

A vintage car may have seen or endured anything throughout the years. Classic vehicles can affect many individuals in their lifetime, mainly if it has been sold several times. Vintage automobile enthusiasts value history and know that the ideal model may age like a great wine and only improve with time.

Vintage Cars Are Often Simpler to Fix and Work On

The componentry in modern cars nowadays is substantially more complex than it was in earlier models. For instance, the Porsche 911 Carrera 1984 was the first mass-produced vehicle featuring an electronic control unit (ECU) for regulating fuel injection and ignition control. Years would pass before an ECU was considered standard equipment for less expensive vehicles.

Compared to later models, antique cars built prior to the early 1980s had more basic mechanical construction. This makes classic cars appeal to people who enjoy DIY auto maintenance. It may appeal to novice mechanics who wish to start working on a project automobile.

Numerous groups are available for vehicle enthusiasts interested in simple engines with little electronic components.

The Nostalgia Factor Is Strong in Classic Cars

Although classic cars can carry history, a personal connection can increase someone’s enthusiasm for a specific older model. Many people have fond memories of a classic car for various reasons, such as watching their fathers drive a retro convertible while growing up or falling in love with an old roadster they first saw on television.

It’s common for auto fans to hunt for individually sentimental cars and collect them. In many respects, nostalgia plays a significant role in why individuals continue to value vintage automobiles.

Find YOUR Answer to the Question, “Why Do People Love Classic Automobiles?”

Classic automobiles will always have a place in our hearts. Aside from that, they will always be remembered and remembered as well. Vintage cars will always be like precious gems to fans like Jeff Lucier and many others.

We hope that the reasons we listed here resonate with you. Now, it’s time for you to find your reasons. But while you’re still here, check out our article about some binge-worthy movies that feature awesome cars!

Wonders of the Sciences: The Steam Train in Motion

Photo by Bijsmans Fotografie

While a streamlined steam engine is something of a fantasy, the steam engine is not. Without it, the steam train wouldn’t have been invented along with the trains themselves.

The steam engine is a pretty significant invention. Its emergence alone shifted the course of human history, revolutionizing the way we approached transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. It is safe to say that without the steam engine, the Industrial Revolution—the most recent period in human history we can reliably trace back to our current luxuries—would not have happened.

Invented by James Watt in the 1760s, the steam engine was an improvement on the earlier Newcomen engine, which had been used to pump water out of coal mines. It was more efficient and versatile and could be used in several applications other than helping dredge out water from mines.

Wonders of the Sciences

Perhaps one of the ways that the steam engine most revolutionized the world was through transportation. In 1802, nearly half a century after Watt’s invention, the first steam-powered locomotive was built by Richard Trevithick. This early example of the steam train was primarily used to deliver iron and coal from the rest of the United Kingdom to England. It was a new way of engaging with travel that touched the romance of a thousand hearts.

This quick and efficient way of transferring cargo and goods initiated a scramble for constructing railways that crossed whole countries, thus establishing a massive interconnected system of rail that still exists today. Another way the steam engine helped with transportation was through the development of steam-powered ships that allowed for faster and more efficient travel across oceans and rivers.

Despite the impact that the steam engine had, the march of progress eventually replaced it with other technologies. 

While the dream of a streamlined steam engine might never be realized, there are still things we can cherish from that time. I, for one, am very fascinated with the steam train.

The Steam Train in Motion 

For the longest time, since forever, I have always loved trains. So, when I had the opportunity to ride the Corris Railway No. 7 0-4-2ST that runs in Wales, I was stoked. I jumped at the chance and didn’t even look back. 

Although it was only a replica of the original steam train, it still felt like I’d been pulled back across time. Even though the Industrial Revolution has long ended, walking through the train carriages evoked a deep sense of nostalgia and adventure in me. There was a longing in my heart for the romance of the bygone age of steam. 

The platform was full of train enthusiasts like me. Some even had the courage to dress up in vintage attire, ones appropriate for the time. The rest were simply excited to try out the experience of riding on the steam train. The locomotive itself was a beautiful piece of engineering. I often think that if humans just focused on making wonderful machinery, there would be no wars. But that’s just my two cents.

The engine and the carriages were gleaming with brass and copper fittings. The hiss of the steam and the whistleblowing to signal its arrival made me feel like I was part of the crowd in a period movie set in the 1900s.

As I entered the carriages, I was struck by the attention to detail: the wooden paneling to the plush seats. It was certainly evident that no expense had been spared in attempting to recreate the luxury of the past. The expansiveness of the windows would allow panoramic views of the Welsh countryside when we passed them by.

Once we were underway, a sense of excitement and anticipation—something I’ve never felt again in so long—rushed through me. I’d become a kid again, giddy with glee. The rhythmic chugging of the engine, the occasional whistle blast, and the carriage swaying all added to the atmosphere. When I’m on a train, it’s always more about the journey than the destination.

As we made our way through the countryside, I was struck by how different everything looked from the train. The fields and hills seemed alive and vibrant, hiding magic and wonder in their greenery. The sound of the steam train framed everything in a rustic and peculiar manner that was reminiscent of old-timey videos. There was also a connection I couldn’t shake off between me and the rail. It was as if my feet were the ones trudging over the tracks.

Something I regret, though, was the absence of a tunnel. We didn’t pass through one. It would’ve been the most memorable part of the ride. Sadly, it wasn’t so.

As we approached our destination, I felt sad the journey was coming to a close. I’d been transported back in time, and I was hesitating ever coming back. The steam train had given me a new perspective on the world, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to have experienced it.

Off the Beaten Track: Traveling the World Through Stories

Photo by Mumtahina Tanni

Traveling the world is a yearning most have, and books like The Mildenhall Legacy, On the Road, and Eat, Pray, Love take us on journeys where we discover ourselves.

I can’t help but try to remember when my first memory of wanting to go around traveling the world came up, but I am definitely sure that it’s been beating inside my head since as far back as I can remember. What does this mean? It means that the spirit of exploration exists in every human heart. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always loved reading books that have journeys as their fulcrum. This is because I believe, in my heart of hearts, that it is when you are reaching out to the world that you begin to discover yourself. There is something wonderful and magical about the idea of embarking on an adventure, looking for something, only to discover something new about yourself. It is simply captivating.In some ways, perhaps, the most important and most incredible adventure we all have to partake in someday is the journey to discover ourselves. Of course, not everyone has the luxury of packing what they need into their bags and just following the road to wherever.Back when I was younger, I would have waged war against you if you held this position, but now that I am older, I am more inclined to believe that traveling the world doesn’t necessarily mean having to do it literally. Humans are excellent imaginists, and I can’t find a reason within myself to argue against the journey being largely one done in the mind. That’s why among my friend groups, I advocate for reading literature that not only deals with traveling the world but journeying the self. There are grand vistas out there in the Americas, in Asia, and everywhere else in the world, but there are sights as equally valuable to be seen inside the mind and the heart that can be done with the help of the right story.

Traveling the World Through Stories

Whether it’s picking up a classic like On the Road by Jack Kerouac or a modern showing like Wild by Cheryl Strayed, it is extremely engrossing and gratifying reading stories about characters traveling the world–finding themselves in new places and meeting new people–who ultimately find themselves and a deeper purpose in life in the process.A big reason why I adore books about journeys and self-discoveries is that they are my biggest source of escapism. I’ll be honest with everyone, but I don’t think I could ever go traveling the world. When I read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, for example, I find myself transported to another world where the stresses of life are gone, and I can safely immerse myself in a story that is not my own. It’s self-care. When I’m traveling the world through books, I am disconnected from the ills of society, and I am healing myself.When I pick up The Mildenhall Legacy by Albert Sipes, I become Eve Chambers, the twenty-something protagonist who travels across the US to try and find ways to complete her education. I am living life vicariously through her in her attempts to forgive and redeem herself and the people around her. I feel her sacrifices and her ambitions.This is the wonder of literature.

Off the Beaten Track

Ultimately, the greatest reason why I implore others to read if they don’t have the capacity or wherewithal for physical travel is that books are a powerful reminder of how we humans are all interconnected with one another. I live in a rather famous city, so it’s always a delight for me when I read stories set here, especially ones written by foreign authors. This is because I can see my world through their eyes and experience what they think of the places that I found common. No matter where we come from, we all share a primal desire to understand ourselves and our place in the world. By reading about other people’s stories and their journeys, we gain a better sense of empathy and compassion for others and learn something new about ourselves.Reading is a reminder that no matter where we are in life, we all have the potential to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. And that, to me, is a beautiful thing.

Find Out What Fossil Plants Reveal About Climate Change

^{Photo by Cody King}

Plant fossils are so amazing that paleobiologists utilize them to discover what fossil plants reveal about climate change.

Thomas F. McLoughlin is a paleontologist who taught Introduction to Geology courses in Virginia, Cumberland, Kentucky, and Wise for around twenty-six years. His book A Guide to Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) Age Plant Fossils of Southwest Virginia discusses the ancient fossilized plants of the Carboniferous period.

But why are scientists interested in plants buried beneath the earth for millions of years? What secrets do they have that will tell us about climate change? We’ll be talking about that today and better understand what they have to share.

Scientists Use Fossil Leaves as Key Climate Indicators

More often than not, plants that live in warmer climates are equipped with larger leaves that have smoother edges, while those in cooler climates have leaves that are smaller with edges that are more jagged. By using fossil plants and comparing them to their modern-day relatives, scientists can find out what kind of climate these plants resided in.

Let’s take the palm trees of today as examples. Palm trees (by today’s standards) are subtropical or tropical plants. Scientists can promptly deduce that a fossilized palm tree probably grew in warmer climates.

Fossilized Plants Have Imprints of Ancients Ecosystems Within Them

Approximately 56 million years ago, during a time period named the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), planet Earth’s standard temperature increased from four to eight degrees Celsius in a matter of less than 10,000 years.

The leading cause of this temperature rise was the geologic processes, ultimately releasing trillions of tons of carbon dioxide directly into the Earth’s atmosphere. This drastic shift in the planet’s climate forced ecosystems worldwide to experience a massive upheaval.

What fossil plants tell us regarding climate change, and the leaves from their branches unearthed from PETM, is that ecosystems fluctuated due to the extremely rapid increase in the global temperature. What makes global warming different back in the PETM wasn’t caused by humans.

Scientists nowadays aim to figure out how to gather data from that time (with the help of fossilized plants) and use it to what is happening in today’s faster and more drastic events. Thomas F. McLoughlin’s book can be a reliable source for what kind of plants to examine.

How Can the Knowledge of What Fossil Plants Reveal About Climate Change Help Our World?

The results of researching fossilized plants will help us better understand the environments of our planet’s past, particularly for its environmental context, wherein many modern temperate plant species evolved for the first time.

Another thing that can help us is knowing the feedback of plant communities and how long local climates to global climate change are in terms of timescales, which are too long for the modern world to observe. Research like this offers a helpful perspective when coming up with informed decisions about policies regarding climate change.

Why Is Researching Fossilized Plants Relating to Climate Change Important?

Many know global temperatures are rising due to the abundance of carbon released into the atmosphere. There’s also a large concentration of greenhouse gases within the atmosphere at extremely high levels unheard-of within the past four million years. Many people are concerned about how plant communities respond to these global changes.

Fortunately, the fossil and geologic records of years long past give us the right insights into how the world’s past global warming occurred. Comprehending how local climatic conditions experienced changes during a worldwide event, and how the changes it brought affected the diversity and structure of their ancient forests, will provide us with great insight into what we can expect in an uncharted future.

Learning the Past Can Ultimately Help Us Make a Better Future

Paleobiologists, paleontologists, and scientists aim to understand better the present and future climate changes coming our way. For experts like Thomas F. McLoughlin, if we can develop a modern climate model capable of successfully forecasting extreme past events (such as the PETM), we can provide accurate predictions about how Earth will react to the climate change we are experiencing today.

What fossil plants reveal about climate change is extremely important, and by learning their secrets, we can better care for our environment.

If you want to learn how to care for the environment, read our blog “How to Be a Wildlife Conversationist in 4 Easy Steps.”

A Widow’s Resiliency: The Strength of Those Left Behind

Photo by Mustafa Akkoyun

A wonderful new book on my bookshelf is A Widow’s Cry, a great book by Jamie Pulos-Fry that explores a widow’s resiliency and her continued role within society.

Regardless of the length of the relationship, losing a partner is a very traumatic and life-changing moment in anyone’s life. This is especially so for many women across the world who live in already oppressive and misogynistic societies. In such a situation where your fundamental rights and dignity are merely theoretical and unheard of in law, becoming a widow can be a terrible situation, which can often lead one to become unseen, unsupported, and acknowledged in many societies worldwide. 

Yet, a widow’s resiliency in spite of these hardships is something to be amazed at and be astonished at; a great read to put on your bookshelf would be A Widow’s Cry by Jamie Pulos-Fry. 

The Challenges of Being a Widow

There are several things that face a widow. While working out their intense feelings of grief and loss, they will also be faced with the uncertainties of financial difficulties, social ostracization, and, depending on where they live, outdated and dangerous regional traditions that may go into effect because of their marital status.

In several places around the world, the idea that a widow has inherent rights to her spouse’s properties is unheard of and even scoffed at. This is tied to her status as a woman, which almost always results in her claims to land and home being taken away, either given to male relatives or her male children, and her access to areas, like the bank and government buildings, being denied. In some cases, these widows’ right to raise their children may even be revoked, and, in the most serious situations, the children themselves become separated from their mothers.

You see, in certain areas over the globe, the rights of women, when compared to that of men, are severely limited and restricted. These already diminished rights become more so when a woman becomes widowed. This can include, but not are limited to, losing her right to travel alone without a chaperone, her right to ask for loans, her right to communicate with men, her right to dress in certain ways, her right to eat specific foods, etc.

This is a very terrible and horrific situation to be in, affecting not only the lives of the widow but the people under her care, especially her children.

And this is without speaking on the social and psychological pressures that widows find themselves in. While a widow’s resiliency does not easily break, it is still an exhausting experience to be subjected to old prejudices, obsolete ideas of gender, stereotypes, and many consequential traditions to contend with.

Some traditions can be extremely detrimental for widows to continue engaging with the community and interacting with the broader society. They will be regarded as more prone to diseases, forced to undergo cleansing rituals, plucked out of their roles in society, and marked physically to overtly signal that they are widowed women.

There are even cultures that, depending on the age of the woman, will have the widow be “given” to a new male partner, who is more often a sibling or a relative, without the need to ask for her permission or her thoughts on the matter.

Despite these dreadful and horrendous conditions, time and time again, we see a widow’s resiliency everywhere. Widowed women are now standing up and fighting for their rights.

A Widow’s Resiliency

Widows are some of the most robust and resilient women I’ve ever met. These women have experienced unimaginable loss–an incident that is unbearably painful and something that only we can truly understand in the future. Yet, despite this heavy weight on their minds, they still manage to pick up the pieces and carry on with their lives.

This is a widow’s resiliency, quiet but enduring like the mountain looming over the horizon. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know a few widows, and I am constantly in awe of their strength.

The greatest thing that strikes me the most about a widow’s resiliency is their profound ability to adapt to great changes in their life. Losing a spouse is something that I can’t imagine at this point in my life, but I suspect it would feel like your world is turned upside down and inside out. It is overwhelming; it is definitely daunting, but all the widows that I’ve known have always taken in stride as if they weren’t lifting the weight of the whole world on their shoulders.

Because this is the truth that everyone should know about widows: despite the cards they’ve been dealt with, they just continue to experience life as best they can.

The World Is Crazy, and We Are Too: Accepting Chaos

Photo by Helena Lopes

We’re All Crazy: Get Used to It by Jerold Skolnik drives us to realize that the world is crazy and that accepting chaos is the best way to navigate it.

The World Is Crazy

Long before anyone was born, long even before humans first came down from the trees and learned that cooperating with one another was a good idea, and they developed civilization–long before any of all that, the world was already crazy. The world is incredibly and profoundly insane, simple as that, and it wasn’t because of anything any human has invented.

Accepting chaos is the best way to navigate the world, and We’re All Crazy: Get Used to It by Jerold Skolnik drives us to realize the importance of this truth both in how we can move forward with society and how we can understand ourselves better and more fully.

Left now with this truth, there are really only two paths that any of us has to take in trying to understand and survive this wild, wild world we all collectively call home. It’s either we let the craziness eat us up, and we fizzle out because of the madness, or we start accepting chaos and acknowledge that if the world is crazy, that also makes us crazy too.

And We Are Too

We like to think that what sets us apart from all the creatures of creation is that we humans are naturally orderly and stable, finding comfortable patterns and predictable routines that help us maintain sanity while living from day to day. 

Don’t deny it, but we all have a cricket inside our heads, our very own Jiminy Cricket that keeps on nagging at us about how everything should make sense, how this way is vastly superior to other ways, and how we should interact with the world according to a very convoluted but otherwise “logical” set of standards and rules that we’ve arbitrarily set for ourselves or are forced to follow because of the conditions and cultures of the people and community around us. 

If you think about it: That is crazy. For all we like to think of ourselves as children of reason and logic, when we dig deeper, we find that there is nothing objective to plenty of our stances and presuppositions of the world. We are all crazy, in a way. 

Yet, people are often very hesitant to embrace this truth; they struggle to accept chaos and proclaim, “The world is crazy, not me.” This is despite all evidence to the contrary, all the chaos, the unpredictability, and the overall madness that seems to always exude from the world and the people that live in it.

We always conveniently forget that we are part of the people living in it.

Accepting Chaos

The world is complex. The world is crazy too. These are not mutually exclusive.

As we may have already guessed, the reality of things is much more complex, multifaceted, and infinitely variable. Almost an endless amount of factors has the potential to affect the myriad events that have happened, are happening, and will happen all across the grand scope of existence.

If you think about it, we are all just ants in a very elaborate and massive ant farm. It’s more deliriously maddening when you learn that one of those countless factors can be an individual action coming from you.

How astoundingly insane is that, yeah? And simply attempting to make any sense of it all, let alone trying to take the horns (like a lot of us want to do), is an impossible and foolish task, which will only lead to eternal frustration and anxiety, perhaps even a bout of despair.

This is why accepting chaos is important.

When we understand that there are simply things that are beyond our control and notice, the things and opportunities that pass us by and the people that we cannot truly connect with become easier to ignore and put down, no longer are we burdened by missed moments and inexplicable rivalries; thus, we are freed, and this freedom allows us to make better use of our time in ways that are fulfilling for us and fully accounts for our needs and desires.

Inhabit the Moon: Lunar Living for Man

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Aspirations of being able to inhabit the Moon have been a part of sci-fi stories for decades, and the trope shows no sign of fading to obscurity any time soon.

Moon Luck is a novel by Wayne Scott Harral, and it centers around the notion of people living on the Moon, along with an exciting murder plot. Harral’s glimpse into the near future as we inhabit the Moon is quite realistic. It describes astronauts residing on the Moon, conducting experiments, researching, growing plants, and more.

Residing on the Moon is indeed an interesting concept. Still, when discussing colonizing or extending our residence to the Moon, one crucial question always arises: How will we do it?

Why Should We Bother and Try to Inhabit the Moon?

The notion of colonizing the Moon, or sending people there to live and rule over our natural satellite, has existed for a long time. Thanks to recent technical breakthroughs, it is now closer than ever to being a reality.

NASA already has plans to send people to the Moon by around 2024. Private companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX strive to make their lunar missions work correctly. But why do we even need to chase this goal or aspiration? Here are various compelling reasons why:

• Strategic Significance of Inhabiting the Moon

A long-term human presence on the Moon might pave the way for future deep-space research missions and open new avenues for international cooperation. Additionally, it can be used as a military strategic place. Harral’s glimpse into the near future as we inhabit the Moon introduces impressive technologies we will soon have.

• Moon Colonization is a Huge and Vital Scientific Resource

Studying the Moon, a celestial body in our solar system, can show how the planets formed and developed. Long-term research and experimentation that could provide necessary new knowledge about our solar system and beyond can be made possible by human presence on the Moon. The Moon’s thin atmosphere and lack of light pollution make it perfect for astronomical investigations.

• To Inhabit the Moon is to Be Immortalized Among the Stars

The historic accomplishment of colonizing the Moon would motivate future generations to further the frontiers of space travel. It would show off the strength of human invention and tenacity and foster a feeling of togetherness and cause among people worldwide.

• The Moon Offers Tons of Economic Potential

The Moon has a rich material source that could be used as fuel and raw materials for upcoming space exploration missions, including water ice, helium-3, and rare earth elements. We could develop a new industry and a fresh energy source by removing these natural assets and transporting them back to Earth. Additionally, this can increase employment and the nation’s economy.

Colonize the Moon: Challenges of Making Living in the Moon a Reality

Although lunar colonization has a lot of potential advantages, there are also serious obstacles we need to overcome.

• Health Implications Coming From Space Explorations

When it comes to residing on a planet other than our own, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Living on the Moon poses serious health hazards to people due to cosmic radiation exposure, lack of an atmosphere, lower gravity, the possibility of loneliness, and psychological stress. We would have to mitigate and carefully handle these hazards to guarantee the safety and well-being of the colonists.

• The Impact of Colonizing the Lunar Environment

The act of colonizing the lunar environment will impact the Moon. Altering the lunar landscape to suit our needs and preferences will affect the Moon and the habitat we’ll be living in. Managing these effects will be crucial to keep our operations on our natural satellite sustainable and free from long-term damage.

• Difficult Technical Challenges That Come With Moon Colonization

Significant technical obstacles must be overcome to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon. One of these challenges is the creation of secure and dependable transportation systems. Another is the construction of ecosystems capable of withstanding the harsh lunar environment. Creating renewable power sources and other resources is another challenge that must be addressed.

Moon Colonization Could Be On the Horizon

If we wish to inhabit the Moon, we will encounter complex challenges. For it to become a reality, substantial planning, investigation, and technological development are needed. But it is becoming closer to reality because of developments in space research and rising interest from both the public and the business sectors.

The science fiction world has envisioned many technological advancements, some of which are slowly becoming reality. Scott Harral’s glimpse into the near future as we inhabit the Moon will soon be something we’ll live in.