Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Comfort Reads
This week’s prompt is “Comfort Reads” and it comes with instructions. They are: Share which books or kinds of books you turn to when you need to escape; they can either be specific titles if you love to re-read or qualities of books you look for in a comfort read.
When I need a comfort read, something to get me out of a reading slump or to cheer me up when I’m feeling down, I can usually rely on: 1) rereading a favorite book, or 2) reading a book with lots of kissing. Here are my top ten 16 comfort reads:
Forbidden RomanceForced ProximityHidden IdentityMarriage of ConvenienceFriends to Lovers
What about you? Which books made your list this week? Do we have any in common?
I learned in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) that life is full of dialectics, or two opposing truths. In this case, the two opposing truths are: 1) I don’t agree with JKR’s stance regarding trans people, and 2) I still love Harry Potter.
Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, andshowcase books and other things.
Feeling
I’m feeling sad and angry that we’re dealing with yet another mass shooting in an elementary school and not even a fortnight after what happened in Buffalo. I grew up around guns. My dad had a cabinet full of rifles, shotguns, revolvers, and other handguns. They were always under lock and key and I never knew where that key was. I have so many fond memories of going out shooting targets with my dad. Even though every memory of my parents is precious to me now that they’re both gone, I’d give up the memories I have of shooting with my dad if it stopped these pointless, hate-filled, violent crimes. We are a country who values our guns more than our people. It’s utterly despicable. Guns aren’t worth it.
Yes, I know regular guns aren’t the problem. It’s assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons like AR-15s. I’m just saying that I’d gladly give up every single one of my fond memories with my dad to stop these shootings. Only military should have access to semi-automatic weapons and I think that should even be limited access.
I finally read something this week. I decided to throw out my best-laid plans for May and read something I knew would grab my attention right away–THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by Ali Hazelwood–and I wasn’t wrong (the link to my review is above).
I started reading WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens yesterday. I’d like to start reading THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW by CS Lewis today. Hopefully, I can finish both of those before Wednesday so they count towards May.
Listening
I’ve actually been listening to a lot of K-pop this week. It’s upbeat poppy nature is a great way to help pull me out of depression. Thanks to my friend Suey (It’s All About Books), I’ve discovered a new favorite band Onewe. My favorite of their songs I’ve listened to so far is “Montage.”
Watching
Corey and I watched the first two episodes of OBI-WAN KENOBI on Disney+ and they were amazing. The recap they did of the prequels before the first episode started gave me chills. I’m so excited to have Ewan McGregor () back as Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen back as Darth Vader. I love them both so much!
Right after we watched the OBI-WAN KENOBI episodes, we watched the first two movies in the prequel trilogy. It was a lot of fun. We’re going to make our way through the main nine movies. Woo hoo! It’s like when I was a kid/teenager and I had Star Wars marathons every time I was sick and stayed home from school.
Loving
I love Oreo shakes with double the Oreo in them. I’m kind of obsessed with them right now. I get one at least two to three times a week. I think they’re my unhealthy way of dealing with all the stress I’m feeling.
Wanting
I wanted to drop my class this week because of anhedonia (diminished interest/pleasure in previous activities). I used the skills I learned in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to fight the urge to drop out. For those wondering what skills I used, I used STOP, mindful of emotions and thoughts, check the facts, turning the mind, willingness, and opposite action. Needless to say, I’m still taking the class and I finished my homework for the week.
Needing
I need to channel my stress into more healthy ways of coping so I don’t end up with diabetes or gain a ton of weight.
There's a trigger warning for this book. See Trigger Warning section at end of review for more details.
Goodreads Synopsis
As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees, Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass.
My Thoughts
I’ve wanted to read THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS ever since I started blogging and reading again. The cover and synopsis drew me right in and I knew I’d love it. Now having read it, I wasn’t wrong. I adored THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS so much!
The fake-dating trope is one of my favorite romance tropes and THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS did it so well. The sexual tension was strong with this one. Hazelwood is really good at writing banter between her characters. I was giddy during most of the book because I just loved Olive and Adam’s interactions.
THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS is such a fun story. I really needed it right now. I felt so many emotions. I laughed, yelled, cried, and swooned. I stayed up until 2am on Wednesday finishing it because I couldn’t put it down.
I’m starting to wonder if this is what being in love is. Being okay with ripping yourself to shreds, so the other person can stay whole.
I loved all the characters in THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS, even the ones I was meant to hate. They each had distinct personalities and were fun to get to know. I especially loved Holden, Adam’s best friend, and Olive’s best friends, Anh and Malcolm.
I adored the setting of THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS, especially the representation of women in STEM. I know there’s some controversy as to whether a relationship between a professor and grad student would be allowed. Honestly, even if it weren’t allowed, I can suspend my belief enough because of how Hazelwood presented it.
THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS started out as Reylo fanfiction. (Yes, just like FIFTY SHADES OF GREY began as TWILIGHT fanfiction.) You can tell that the characters are based on Rey and Kylo Ren if you focus on it. If you don’t, the story works just fine one its own. Personally, I’m not a Reylo fan. View Spoiler »I often feel like Reylo fans add toxicity to the Star Wars fandom. « Hide Spoiler That being said, if this is how Reylo fans see Rey and Kylo Ren together, I now know why there are so many of them.
Anyway, THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS is a fun nerdy contemporary romance that also deals with some heavy themes to give the story some depth. I’m really glad I took the time to read it.
Have you read THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS? If so, what did you think?
https://i0.wp.com/jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/review-thelovehypothesis.png?fit=919%2C918&ssl=1918919Jenni Elysehttps://jennielyse.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logow_final2x.pngJenni Elyse2022-05-27 00:00:002024-02-29 21:47:28Review: The Love Hypothesis
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Favorite Quotes from Harry Potter
Today’s prompt is “Book Quote Freebie” and I’ve decided to share my top 10 favorite quotes from Harry Potter. As many of my readers know, I struggle with mental illness–Borderline Personality Disorder, depression, anxiety, among other things. Harry Potter has been a huge comfort to me for the last 21 years. Because of Harry Potter, I learned to love reading. Many of the quotes I’m sharing have inspired me in some way or another. Here are my top ten favorite quotes from the series:
What about you? Which quotes made your list this week? Do we have any in common?
I learned in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) that life is full of dialectics or two opposing truths. In this case, the two opposing truths are: 1) I don’t agree with JKR’s stance regarding trans people, and 2) I still love Harry Potter.
Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, andshowcase books and other things.
Feeling
I’ve felt a little overwhelmed from trying to transition to the next step in my DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) progression. As I stated last week, I graduated on May 12, which means I no longer go to group sessions and I only see Doug, my therapist, when I need him versus seeing him at an appointed time every week. It has triggered my fear of abandonment, which is one of the key symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). I have to keep checking the facts and reminding myself that Doug’s still available through booster sessions. It’s just different than it was before.
I also feel excited, nervous, and proud because I was interviewed by a Huffington Post reporter about how the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial is affecting those with BPD. Some of you may know that Depp’s legal team has alleged that Heard has BPD, which is fine. The problem is that many of the people who believe Heard is the problem in the relationship are saying things online like, “No wonder she’s abusive. She has BPD,” implying that violence is synonymous with BPD. It’s been really hard to see those reactions, actually. BPD is already very stigmatized and this very public trial is further stigmatizing it. Anyway, the reporter sent me the link to the article on Thursday and it’s very well-researched and -written. If you take the time to read it and not just base your opinion on the title or tagline (like some have), it may help further the conversation about BPD.
I spoke to people with BPD about what it's been like to see the disorder further stigmatized because of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial.
There's also some solid therapist advice in here for those who feel unsettled by the nonstop coverage and memes.https://t.co/5pabbkx1GJ
I didn’t read anything AGAIN this week. I’m just so stressed with everything going on–selling our place, new semester starting, graduating from therapy, etc.–that I can’t seem to sit down and read. I’m feeling too anxious. Maybe, I should’ve put that up in the “Feeling” section. I’m hoping as I get more and more used to my new schedule, I’ll be able to relax a little bit and read again.
Listening
To help calm my nerves, I’ve been listening to a lot of Enya, specifically her A DAY WITHOUT RAIN album. My favorite song on that album is “Only Time.” A lot of people know this song from the Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves movie SWEET NOVEMBER.
Watching
Corey and I are still really enjoying the new STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS TV show on Paramount+. I really love Anson Mount as Pike and Ethan Peck as Spock. I especially love Mount’s hair. Ha! I’ve told my husband he needs to grow his hair out and style it like Pike. It reminds me, though not quite the same, of Ewan McGregor’s hair in JACK AND THE GIANT SLAYER. (Maybe, I should’ve put this in the “Loving” section. )
I also watched TOP GUN for the first time ever. I know, right? Anyway, am I the only one who thinks Kelly McGillis and Tom Cruise don’t go together, like at all? I thought she was fine in WITNESS with Harrison Ford, but opposite Tom Cruise? Really? She would’ve worked way better opposite Val Kilmer, IMHO.
Loving
I love my Nintendo Switch. I also love Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). When the pandemic first started, I wasn’t in DBT yet and I had a hard time regulating my anxiety. The way I got through 2020 was by playing ACNH for anywhere from six to 12 straight hours each day for almost a year. I’ve clocked 1600+ hours on the game according to Nintendo. Anyway, to help calm my nerves this week, I’ve broken out ACNH for a couple of hours for a couple of days. It’s been nice to ignore everything.
Wanting
I want to get LASIK. Distance seeing and reading have become a huge problem for me. I have progressive lenses and I still take my glasses off more than I use them when I read or take notes. It’s a problem with school because I need my glasses to see the board. I can’t keep taking off and putting on my glasses while I’m in class or doing homework. Not only is it annoying and impossible to actually do anything productive, it also gives me very painful headaches.
Needing
I need our place to sell quickly. Every time we have a showing or open house, it’s very stressful and scary for our cats. I feel bad that they’re so scared.
How was your week? Anything exciting happen?
So I’m not accused of defending Heard’s behavior, I think Depp’s in the right in this instance. I don’t condone Heard’s behavior at all. AND, just because someone has BPD doesn’t mean they’re violent. I don’t have a violent bone in my body.
Title: The Love Hypothesis
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