Categories
Love + Sex Love Advice

Why does nostalgia make us want to go back to the ex that hurt us?

Recently in one of my philosophy of logic classes, we explored the idea of interpersonal relationships and the reason why we tend to feel nostalgic towards past romantic relationships. It’s a topic of interest that I’ve become pretty knowledgeable about.

So welcome to my Ted Talk.

We’ve all been there. Following a bad breakup with your significant other, you’re stuck with this extreme feeling of nostalgia and emotional distress, which makes you want to take them back. 

But here’s the thing: most of the time, we actually don’t want them back. We don’t call them to beg for a second chance. We seriously hate their guts, but yet we find this unexplainable need to run back to them.

Then, is it nostalgia? Our personal instinct to cling onto some of our treasured memories with the people who hold a special part in our hearts? Or is it our psychological incapability to forget about the past

Why do we continue to experience these types of feelings when it comes to our past romantic relationships?

This is my logical approach regarding this phenomenon

We just want to feel loved. And when I say loved—I mean we desire these types of heartwarming feelings, especially during our most emotionally stricken moments.

But when we can’t fulfill this feeling, we begin to search through everything in our current relationships (past relationships included) to find that. And most of the time, that can only be fulfilled when we look back into a previous relationship with a toxic ex and block out everything that went wrong just so we can enjoy the good feelings again.

But while it’s good for you to reminisce on all the great feelings you had, keep in mind why the relationship ended and how the heartbreak affected you. When you’re deep into that moment, it’s hard to shift your focus back onto why your ex is your ex and all the things that caused you two to part ways.

Maybe they will be a part of your future, maybe not. But don’t expect things to be perfect. 

My advice to you is to take the time to focus on yourself and to try not to think about them in a way that everything around you reminds you of them.

Then, when you’re emotionally stable, try to gain some type of closure with them to figure out why the relationship ended and why it’s best for both of you to go your separate ways. 


Finally, delete them from your memories!

Easier said than done, but this is the most crucial step into trying to avoid this dilemma of running back to your ex for heartbreak round two based on that feeling of nostalgia.

Best of luck, and keep your head up high and strong! 

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Categories
Feel-Good Love + Sex Love

Valentine’s, Galentine’s or Palentine’s? Our editorial team spills it!

Valentine’s Day is coming up – lovebirds and palentines – follow along with our Vday series right here

You can always feel the air around you changing as the world dresses itself up in red and the internet is dolled up in hearts, affirmations and words of love and promise. It’s that time of the year again: Valentine’s Day.

There’s something about Vday season that makes you want to share and revel in all the love around you. It may be a simple gesture of sending a box of chocolates to your best friend, treating yourself to a much needed day of self-care, or cuddling up with your boo, but the holiday is here in all its shining red glory.

Heart shaped chocolates and balloons, flowers galore, cheesy cards and sappy rom coms are the mood of this season.

We hope you’re shining, no matter what your plans may be!

So to share our celebrations with you, our editorial team has given you a glimpse into their Valentine’s Day plans:

It has become sort of a tradition for me and my boyfriend to spend Valentine’s Day apart, as it usually fell during our university’s Reading Week, and therefore one of the few times where both of us could go home and spend time with our families. There is no university holidays keeping us apart this year, but he’s still over 3,000 miles away and the UK is on lockdown anyway. My plans include Zoom Scrabble, long hours in front of the computer, chocolates and rewatching Valentine’s Day for the 10000th time. And who knows, maybe I’ll receive a hand-made present by mail.

Bea, Senior Editor of Pop Culture

2021 is the first year in two years that I will be single for Valentines Day, though I am kind of glad about it! I always spent the holiday longingly watching my friends from a distance celebrate together in perfect “galentines” fashion via champagne, chocolate, bundles of flowers, and our favorite movies – while my ex and I acted as if it was any other day: Fast food and video games. I am a hopeless romantic, so this reality definitely gutted me. This year I plan on spending the day with my roommates laughing, singing, dancing, and loving!

Vanessa, Senior Editor of The World

This is the very first Valentine’s Day I’ll be celebrating with my husband. Although we won’t be able to do the typical romantic things we had envisaged – a weekend getaway, candlelight dinner, going to the movies – due to national lockdown here in the UK, we’re grateful that we can celebrate this day together after months of being apart. We’ll go for a walk in the morning around our nearby park, order a Domino’s pizza and watch our favorite sitcoms. I’m pretty sure we’ll rewatch Friday Night Dinner, Friends, and Brooklyn 99 throughout the day!

Rebecca, Junior Editor of Lookbook and Weddings

This will actually be my first Valentine’s, since I was a teenager, that I’ll be spending at home (courtesy of the pandemic). So that leaves me celebrating a mini Gal-entines with my mom. While other people might find that a bore, my mother is the person who taught me—in the wise words of Parks and Recreation—to treat yo’ self. For us, that means we’re picking up some pink balloons for house decoration. Then we’re going to go to our local patisserie and get either a cake or some pastries. And, let’s be real, we’ll probably end up watching Pride and Prejudice or Notting Hill. After all, who needs love when you have cake, balloons, Mr. Darcy and Hugh Grant?

Helena, Junior Editor of Now + Beyond

My boyfriend and I have been together for about four and a half years now, but his birthday falls on the 13th! So we’ve had to find creative ways for him to have a special birthday, then turn around and do something romantic for both of us the next day. Living together during the pandemic has made that extra challenging, since we can’t go out anywhere and it’s nearly impossible to buy a gift or plan a surprise without the other one finding out. Last year we went to a pinball arcade and had an amazing dinner at our favorite restaurant, but this year we’ll probably get curbside pickup (from the same place we went to last year) and create a romantic night in!

Megan, Senior Editor of History

I am pretty sure that I have been single for as long as I can remember… Nonetheless, I still think that Valentine’s Day is a super cute holiday! I like the idea of a day that focuses on spreading love, giving love, and receiving love. It also serves as the perfect opportunity to watch a rom-com, drink some wine if I am in the mood, and eat desserts. Last year around Valentine’s Day, I watched To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You with my friend while drinking rosé and eating cookies. With the pandemic, I won’t be seeing my friends, unfortunately. However, unless I magically find myself in a relationship before Valentine’s Day, I am still planning to watch a movie, drink champagne, and eat dessert like I normally do with my friends! I think this year’s film will be Bride Wars starring Anne Hathaway and Kate HudsonIt is one of my favorite rom-com’s!

Tatayana, Junior Editor of Love and Health

This is the first Valentine’s Day that I’m going to be spending at home after a long time, so I ordered some clothes online and if they deliver on February 14th, I’m going to spend Valentine’s Day getting dressed up at home, feeling myself, and then spending the rest of the day calling my college friends. This time last year, I was living with them so it is going to be a little disappointing, but I can’t wait to drown myself in chocolate and cute t-shirts that I found on an online sale. I’m actually looking forward to being able to dress up, even if its to just click pictures at home.

Natalia, Junior Editor of Pop Culture

This Valentine’s Day, I’ll be spending time at home with my immediate family because of the pandemic. I’ve never been in a proper relationship before, so that’s how I’ve spent most Valentine’s Days anyway. But my mom, in particular, has always made up for my non-existent love life by going out of her way to make the day special nonetheless with gifts, snacks, and cute cards. I’ve also been reading romance novels this month; namely, “The Princess Trap” by Talia Hibbert and “Written in the Stars” by Alexandria Bellefleur (highly recommend both). And to keep feeding my hopeless romantic heart, on Valentine’s day I’ll also watch some of my favorite romantic comedies. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, 10 Things I Hate About You, and The Love Birds are definitely on my docket for Valentine’s day paired with a glass of wine and chocolate-covered strawberries to top it all off.

Ebony, Junior Editor of Life

Self-love is the first and most important form of love. And I know while I haven’t been looking after myself constantly, this Valentine’s Day gives me a chance to reflect on that. Every year, my friends and I do a cute galentine’s day celebration. Last year, we watched To All The Boys 2: P.S I Still Love You, and so this year, it seemed fitting to watch part three. Let’s see if we actually end up watching the movie though, since the second one was a bit of a let down. But who doesn’t love a good Noah Centineo pick-me-upper? Along with the movie, we’re doing a bring-your-own pasta night, where each of us make our own pasta, revel in the beauty of the rom-com genre and just enjoy ourselves.

Maheen, Senior Editor of Love and Health

I’ve been single for 21 Valentine’s Days and we are continuing the tradition for the 22nd year! 😀 I am actually home for a Valentine’s Day for the first time in two years, so I’ll probably just bake some cookies with my mom, and curl up with a romance book and some hot chocolate. I’ve been reading so much of historical romance books, so I’ll continue to spend some time with a duke or some regency era scandal. Right now I am bingeing through Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove series, and I hoping to reread some Lisa Kleypas classics when the weekend comes around.

Mishma, Senior Editor of The World

The worst Valentine’s Day I’ve had was when my ex didn’t wish me the entire day, got us discount burgers (that I ended up paying for), then he left me alone in his house while he went out drinking with his friends…so basically the bar is set low on what would make any future Valentine’s Day a good one! This year I plan to do nothing. I wish I had a tale of how I was going to buy myself flowers and watch cheesy rom-coms while binging on chocolate but, in all honesty, I will be spending 14 February 2021 like any other average day (with the added feature of trying to not obsess over why my crush isn’t texting me back). And it’s going to be amazing.

Kajal, Senior Editor of Now + Beyond 

This is the first Valentine’s day I’m away from home, and not spending it with family and friends, so I’ll really be focusing on self-love. I plan to take a walk through chilly London, grab some delicious takeout on the way back, and pop in for a game night with a few of my flat-mates. After that, I’ll get in bed with some chocolate, watch some Modern Family (my current obsession), some fanfiction, and an Agatha Christie Novel. Really, a perfect night for me.

Sahar, Senior Editor of Lookbook + Weddings

I’ve been single for every Valentine’s day and this year is no different! Luckily for me, my friends are in the same boat. Since I live in New Orleans, Valentine’s Day tends to overlap with Mardi Gras festivities. Last year, we were able to pass the day by watching the parades, but unfortunately due to the pandemic, that’s not an option this year. Our plan at the moment is to buy a large king cake, order a bunch of food, and watch as many cheesy romances as our hearts desire. 

Apoorva, Senior Editor of Life

Regardless of how you’re spending the day, we hope there’s time for a lil extra love somewhere in there!

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Categories
Aww Nostalgia Movies Pop Culture

Here are the 13 best romantic films to watch this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is here – lovebirds and palentines – follow along with our Vday series right here!

If you are looking for ideas to spend a COVID-19 Valentine’s Day then there is no better way to spend Cupid’s holiday other than watching romantic films, even if you have to share your screen on Zoom to watch them with your date. Single, committed, separated, pro or anti-Valentine’s Day, there is a romantic film for everyone.

So, grab your remote, light up a sultry scented candle and fire up a romantic film on NetflixAmazon Prime or Hulu for a cozy night in that will rival any party.

To make things easier, I have compiled a list of some of my all-time favorite romantic films that will not make you feel like you are missing out on anything by staying in:

1. Valentine’s Day

[Image description: Taylor Swift in Valentine's Day smiling next to an elevator and a giant teddy bear] Via GIPHY.
[Image description: Taylor Swift in Valentine’s Day smiling and jumping next to an elevator and a giant teddy bear] Via GIPHY.
Well… duh.

This aptly-titled film takes place in Los Angeles on February 14. The ensemble cast reads like the guest list at a splashy Hollywood event: Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxxx, Patrick Dempsey, Jennifer Garner, Ashton Kutcher…, the list is endless. Their love experiences that will resonate well with you because there is literally something for everyone!

2. Titanic

romantic films
[Image Description: Titanic Kate Winslet GIF] via Giphy.com
If you have never seen Titanic, you must and if you have, consider watching it again this Valentine’s. This classic romantic-disaster film won eleven Oscars because of its superb cast, plot and music. Titanic is a tear-jerker with an epic romance that is fated to failure.

3. P.S. I Love You

romantic films
[Image Description: Gerard Butler Love GIF that reads, “I love you ’till the end] via Giphy.com
Grab the tissues for this one which is about a young widow who finds out that her late husband left a series of letters for her to move on after his death. This is a serious tearjerker that will make you want to hug your sweetheart just a little tighter.

4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

romantic films
[Image Description: Jason Segel Dancing GIF# via Giphy.com
So, maybe, you do not want to watch something overly romantic on Valentine’s Day or end up crying your heart out, for that matter.

Perhaps, you have gone through a recent breakup. Well, then Forgetting Sarah Marshall is just the film for you. Join Jason Segel in this hilarious and painfully honest comedy about a man who is just trying to get over his ex.

5. The Five-Year Engagement

romantic films
[Image Description: Vince Vaughn Clinger GIF that reads, “I’VE GOT A STAGE-FIVE CLINGER.”] via Giphy.com
Modern partnerships require equal sacrifice. This film shows how people’s careers are likely to change and partnerships need to weather location and vocation change, all while putting marriage and baby-making on hold to be able to navigate all of this.


6. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

romantic films
[Image Description: Lana Condor Tatbilb GIF By NETFLIX] via Giphy.com
A feel-good YA adaptation with Asian representation? Count me in.

This Netflix original, starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo was all the rage in 2018. If you have not seen the cute and cringe-worthy story then follow it up with the sequel and a new addition to the trilogy this Valentine’s.

7. One Day

[Image Description: Anne Hathaway looking at a man and smiling] via Giphy.com
[Image Description: Anne Hathaway looking at a man and smiling] via Giphy.com
Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess star in this sweet story about two former flames who reunite on the same day year after year. Watch this film if you are losing hope in your relationship because sometimes all you need is a little reminder. that love exists.

If you like pinning, then you’re in for a ride.

8. Bridget Jones’ Diary

romantic films
[Image Description: Renee Zellweger Comedy GIF By Bridget Jones] via Giphy.com
We know that Pride and Prejudice is the ultimate Austen novel, but perhaps you’re feeling more in the mood for a modern adaptation of this great classic.

Renée Zellweger is forced to choose between two handsome potential suitors, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, in this British romantic comedy. I certainly know what I am watching this V-day: a Bridget Jones marathon.

9. You’ve Got Mail

[Image Description: Tom Hanks Joe Fox GIF] via Giphy.com
If you thought I was going to make a romantic film list without the romance OG think again.

Watch the most dynamic duo in cinematic history, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks play rival bookstore owners who, unknowingly, become email pen pals in You’ve Got Mail. Who knows? Maybe it’ll inspire you to look out for love even during a pandemic. 

10. Friends With Benefits

romantic films
[Image Description: Black And White Love GIF] via Giphy.com
Friends with Benefits stars Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake who meet in New York and agree to be just friends with benefits, thinking that it won’t complicate their friendship. As their relationship progresses, the two begin to develop romantic feelings. This angst-ridden love story is full of chemistry and all you would be wishing for is for the two to get together.

11. The Wedding Singer

[Image Description: Drew Barrymore GIF that reads, “I wanna grow old with you.”] via Giphy.com
How can I not add one of Adam Sandler’s romantic films to this list? The film highlights the charm and romance of the ’80s/ From the fashion to the killer soundtrack. Also, this film will have you laughing at Sandler’s classic comedic antics.


12. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

[Image Description: How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days Title Card GIF] via Giphy.com
This classic rom-com shows the cringe-worthy hilarity that occurs when one magazine writer makes it her life’s moto to ensnare a date and then drive him away. The man in question has a bet going with his boss that he can make any woman fall in love with him. Watch the film to find out what happens when they meet.

13. Crazy Stupid Love

[Image Description: Girl Love GIF] via Giphy.com
Who doesn’t love the chemistry between these two? They have many movies together, but we have chosen to end our list on this one.

The scenes between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in this film are a depiction of sizzling on-screen romance, along with other intertwining love stories. Watch this film to make sense of love, even when it makes you do crazy and stupid things. The best part is that no matter what age group, you will relate to the film at some point.

With so much uncertainty around due to the ongoing pandemic, some of you might have cancelled extravagant date ideas with your significant other. But, hey, do not be disappointed, think of this as a way to stay indoors and close, play a film and just cuddle up. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Book Club Books Pop Culture

Navigating queerness & tradition in YA fiction with Adiba Jaigirdar, author of “The Henna Wars”

Adiba Jaigirdar is an Irish-Bangladeshi writer, poet, and teacher with an MA in Postcolonial Studies. Her latest book, The Henna Wars, is a poignant story about two Muslim girls falling in love.

Be sure to check out our live Instagram event featuring Adiba and our own editor, Shaima. We’re also doing a giveaway of her book, enter now!

 

Adiba Jaigirdar’s debut novel The Henna Wars stems from a genuine desire to inspire joy. She was drawn to “write a story that made [her] happy and that was funny to read and fun to write.” She settled on the idea of a romantic comedy with two teen girls with rival henna businesses while “attempting (and failing) to teach [herself] henna”.

Looking to up the stakes of the girls’ rivalry, Adiba imagined what it would be like “if the two girls were also romantically attracted to each other, and grappling with what that might mean.” From there, everything else came together to make this wonderful tale of love, longing, and growing up. 

The Henna Wars revolves around themes of queerness, first love, culture, and family. Adiba interjects stories with themes that are relevant to herself and her life, and exploring them in the medium of storytelling.

Her influences range from The Princess Diaries, Hayley Kiyoko and Janelle Monáe to Bollywood film like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which she cites as part of her introduction to romance.

She recalls the first time she encountered a person of color writing about people of color in Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses (which we love!). Reading her stories made Adiba realize that it was possible to write about people like herself.

As a queer woman of color, she acknowledges that she has a responsibility to represent her culture, gender, and sexuality in her work. “There’s a lot of pressure, especially because there aren’t a lot of novels out there about Bangladeshi teens, and even fewer about queer Bangladeshi Muslim teens,” Adiba said. “Even though realistically I know that it’s impossible to represent everything as you write a single story, I still felt the pressure of that.” 

To her, storytelling cannot be separated from politics. “Especially as a queer Muslim South Asian, there’s no way that what I write is not going to be political. My very existence is political.” 

As she writes in the contemporary era, I was curious to see what she finds unique to the time that we are currently living in. To her, this time is a time of “rising up against oppression and attempting to enact change.” Yet, she believes this has been the case for a while, as “marginalized people have been fighting for our rights for a long time. We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go.” 

If this story were set in the future, she would love to say that the “characters like Nishat and Flávia wouldn’t have to worry about their sexuality, race, and culture making it more difficult for them to fit in.” However, she has her doubts. “I’m not particularly hopeful of that happening anytime in the near future.” 

For the writers out there or those interested in what happens behind the scenes, Adiba admits that her writing process is “honestly a little chaotic.” When she first begins writing, she “usually have a very basic idea of the story I want to tell. I figure out the important bits that I need to be able to write the story—the beginning, the end, and bits and pieces in the middle. Then, I begin to write and it’s a process of stringing everything together. It’s a little like putting together a puzzle. Once it’s out there on the page, it’s time for me to begin revisions and shape it into something that really works.”

[Image Description: Book cover of The Henna Wars, two girls with henna reaching their hands out to each other.] Via Twitter
[Image Description: Book cover of The Henna Wars, two girls with henna reaching their hands out to each other.] Via Twitter
The scenes that she enjoyed writing the most were the Bengali wedding scenes at the beginning of the book. “Bangladeshi people are obsessed with weddings, and our weddings are a whole event. So it was nice to explore that aspect of my life through the lens of a character like Nishat, who is surrounded by the familiarity of a Bangladeshi wedding, while also stumbling across her childhood crush.” 

As for how it feels to see her work being shared around the world, Adiba admits that “it still feels a little surreal.” Her dreams of being a writer when she was younger seemed to rely on her writing about straight white characters with whom she shared few experiences. Those were some of the only stories that she saw published or have mainstream success. “It was hard for me to imagine a world where someone like me could be writing stories about people like me.” 

In the future, she hopes that The Henna Wars can allow queer brown girls to see a reflection of themselves in its pages, and that it can open doors for more queer brown people to write and publish more of their own stories. 

For those that have enjoyed the latest book-to-movie adaptations like To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before or Crazy Rich Asians, Adiba shares that she would love to see The Henna Wars adapted for the big screen in the future. Especially if the potential adaptation stays true to the ethnicities of the characters.

As of now, Adiba is revising her second novel, which will be out from Page Street in spring 2021. It’s another YA romantic comedy which follows two girls—one Bangladeshi Bengali and one Indian Bengali—who have to start a fake relationship in order to achieve what they want. 

Have you entered our Instagram giveaway yet? And if you absolutely cannot wait, get The Henna Wars on Amazon or on The Tempest’s own virtual bookshop supporting local bookstores.
Categories
TV Shows Pop Culture

“Never Have I Ever” on Netflix is an amazing representation of coming of age as an Indian American

We all know how hard it is to be a teen.

After classic John Hughes movies and Disney Channel original shows, it has been established that teenage angst and adolescent awkwardness would always be a sweet spot for viewers of all ages. But Netflix is giving the teenage experience a new spin these days. With movies like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Beforeand shows like On My Block, the streaming platform has been giving us a peek into the experience of growing up as a minority in contemporary America, and Mindy Kaling’s newest comedy teen show Never Have I Ever has officially joined the ranks.

Never Have I Ever follows Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), a first-generation Indian American teen and her plan to finally get a boyfriend in her sophomore year of high school. Sounds like an easy plan, right? But throw in some personal trauma, her exploration of her identity as an Indian American, a seemingly fruitless crush, a petty high school rivalry and some wonderful but sometimes clueless best friends, Devi’s plan might backfire so so bad, but it provides for a wholesome story about teenage angst, first love, beautiful friendships and family relationships.

[Image Description: Three girls sit at a table hugging each other, smiling, with their eyes closed] Via Netflix
[Image Description: Three girls sit at a table hugging each other, smiling, with their eyes closed] Via Netflix
Mindy Kaling‘s image as an actress often makes people forget what a good writer she is. The show, created by Kaling and Lang Fisher is so snappy, the comedy is so fresh and I burned through the 10 episode series so fast. I’ve not had this much fun while watching a show in recent times. But then I also realized why, the show made me genuinely happy, a strange intrinsic joy in looking at this Tamil, Indian girl walk around and do normal things and have normal teenage problems. Those of us who grew up in the various countries of the vast South Asian community and diaspora are often connected by experience if not our exact identity, and there’s something so beautiful about a show that reminds me both of how similar and different I am to this 15-year-old (or I was, thinking back to 15-years-old me growing up in Sri Lanka).

Devi is a delight to watch. She’s angry and rude at times, but also kind and understanding. She’s ridiculously funny – especially when she tries to walk in heels in an attempt to reinvent herself – and the show isn’t afraid to poke fun at its protagonist… but never at the cost of her identity. It shouldn’t be a pleasant surprise to me, but you know how easy it would have been to have a bunch of racist high school bullies make her life hard and center all the drama around them and call it a day?

In the first episode of the show, Devi confronts her arch-nemesis Ben about how he calls her and her best friends Fabiola (Lee Rodriguez) and Eleanor (Ramona Young) “the U.N.”, a term that Devi calls racist. Ben looks surprised – not defensive, makes a lot of difference – and reveals that the UN doesn’t denote United Nations (as Devi assumes) but rather “Unfuckable Nerds.” Now an insult is an insult, and Ben is still horrible, but there is a twisted relief in knowing that the character is being mean, but not racist. The show understands the nuances on microaggressions, but doesn’t dwell on it for long. Devi’s identity is an integral part of her journey, but it isn’t the axis that the plot or tension revolves around.

[Image Description: Three women, wearing saris are looking at each other, smiling] Via Netflix
[Image Description: Three women, wearing saris are looking at each other, smiling] Via Netflix
While Devi’s romantic and high school life looms around in the background, in the crux of the show is her relationship with her mother. Once again, it would have been easy to portray Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan) as insensitive or semi antagonistic, but instead, we get a grieving wife and mother who is trying to keep her family intact after her husband’s untimely demise. There’s a desperation to her character, whether it be in attempting to be faithful to her culture or trying to instill the values in Devi, but even when Devi retaliates, the show never writes off Nalini as forceful in her attempts. The mother and daughter often misunderstand each other, but there’s so much love, so much shared pain that eventually bonds the duo no matter their differences.

The rest of the cast is so diverse, wonderfully fleshed out, and equally delightful. Eleanor and Fabi – Devi’s best friends – are so loyal and supportive yet aren’t afraid to call on her bullshit when she deserves it. Kamala (Richa Moorjani), Devi’s PhD student cousin from India, has her own thread of love and marriage going on in the backdrop and while I have my qualms with western media portrayals of South Asian arranged marriages, the way Kamala’s story was juxtaposed with Devi’s own love drama was so brilliant and illuminating.

The show isn’t perfect, it does fall into some teen rom-com cliches – but why not? Why not have a perfectly cliche and fun rom-com with an Indian lead? – and it might not be relatable to every Indian or South Asian, but I think after years of waiting to watch a mainstream show or movie where a South Asian’s teen’s highs and lows are so normalized, Never Have I Ever is not just a breath of fresh air, it’s also such an important step.

The South Asian community is so vast and so diverse, we are never all going to relate to one another in the exact same way, and for now, I am filled with joy and satisfaction after witnessing a very specific and individual story of a Indian American teen growing up in California suburb, and hoping that Devi’s story paves the path for many many more.

Categories
Shopping TV Shows Fashion Movies Lookbook Pop Culture

14 television and movie characters who were the ultimate 2018 style goals

From shows about female comedians to female 80s wrestlers, and Afro-futuristic dimensions, 2018 has been a glorious year for television and movies. What’s most impressive besides the range of stories being offered, is the quality of the visual media itself, right down to the fashion. It seems that no matter the story, costume designers have really stepped up their game this year.

Here are a few looks from 14 TV and movie characters who were style goals in 2018:

1. Sabrina from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

The character Sabrina from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina looks at something curiously. She carries a stick and wears a bright red coat
[Image Description: The character Sabrina from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina looks at something curiously. She carries a stick and wears a bright red coat] Photo via Teen Vogue.
Who can resist Sabrina’s bright red coat? Get it here:

A woman faces the viewer with a serious expression on her face. She wears a red striped shirt and bright red coat
[Image Description: A woman faces the viewer with a serious expression on her face. She wears a red striped shirt and bright red coat] Via Asos.

2. The Weird Sisters from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

The Weird Sisters from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina stand facing the viewer. They wear knee length dresses with lace sleeves and collars
[Image Descriptions: The Weird Sisters from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina stand facing the viewer. They wear knee-length dresses with lace sleeves and collars] Via Wikia.
The Weird Sisters may be twisted but they know how to flaunt a look with their schoolgirl outfits. Try a slightly elevated look with a knit dress and diamante collar:

A woman wears a black knit dress
[Image Description: A woman wears a black knit dress] Via Asos.

3. Miriam from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Miriam from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, a woman with short brown hair, wears a green coat with big sleeves. She stands in front of a microphone outside
[Image Description: Miriam from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, a woman with short brown hair, wears a green coat with big sleeves. She stands in front of a microphone outside] Photo via Kveller.
On top of being a hilarious comedian, Miriam “Midge” Maisel sure knows how to dress. Embody her retro style with this hooded green coat:

A woman models a long green coat with a hood and wide sleeves
[Image Description: A woman models a long green coat with a hood and wide sleeves] Photo via Etsy.

4. Susie Myerson from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Susie Myerson, a character from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel wears a newsboy cap, leather jacket, and striped shirt. She looks slightly concerned and holds her hands in front of defensively
[Image Description: Susie Myerson, a character from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel wears a newsboy cap, leather jacket, and striped shirt. She looks slightly concerned and holds her hands in front of defensively] Photos via amNewYork.
Susie doesn’t play by the rules of femininity and her style definitely reflects that. Get this look with this crewneck t-shirt, leather jacket, and newsboy cap:

A woman models a striped shirt. She kneels on the ground with her hands in her lap
[Image Description: A woman models a striped shirt. She kneels on the ground with her hands in her lap] Photo via Asos
A woman stands with one hand on her hip, wearing a leather jacket
[Image Description: A woman stands with one hand on her hip, wearing a leather jacket] Photo via All Saints.
A woman smiles straight ahead and wears a newsboy cap]
[Image Description: A woman smiles straight ahead and wears a newsboy cap] Photo via Showpo.

5. Petra Solano from Jane the Virgin

Petra Solano, a character from Jane the Virgin, wears a blue strappy dress and looks shocked. She has blonde short hair
[Image Description: Petra Solano, a character from Jane the Virgin, wears a blue strappy dress and looks shocked. She has blonde short hair] Photo via WornOnTV.
As a hotel owner and former millionaire’s wife, Petra is used to a certain level of comfort and extravagance. Her daily wear often includes outfits like this plunging dress. You can snag a played down version with this dress:

A woman models a blue and teal pencil dress
[Image Description: A woman models a blue and teal pencil dress] Photo via Asos

6. Xiomara De La Vega from Jane the Virgin

Xiomara, a character from Jane the Virgin is in the middle of a conversation, holding a mug. She wears an off the shoulder embroidered top
[Image Description: Xiomara, a character from Jane the Virgin is in the middle of a conversation, holding a mug. She wears an off the shoulder embroidered top] Photo via WornOnTV.
Xiomara always seems to pull off the easy, vacation-mode look so well. A colorful off the shoulder blouse like this one really captures her essence:

A woman wears a white top with a colorful floral print on it
[Image Description: A woman wears a white top with a colorful floral print on it] Photo via Desigual.

7. Cheryl Blossom from Riverdale

Cheryl Blossom from Riverdale walks through a set of doors. She has long red hair and wears a faux fur coat
[Image Description: Cheryl Blossom from Riverdale walks through a set of doors. She has long red hair and wears a faux fur coat] Photo via You Know You Love Fashion.
Besides being chock full of drama, Riverdale is also full of excellent fashion choices. Snag Cheryl’s look with this white fur coat, spider pin, and choker necklace:

A woman wears a white faux fur coat
[Image Description: A woman wears a white faux fur coat] Photo via Missguided.
A glittery black spider pin
[Image Description: A glittery black spider pin] Photo via Etsy.
A woman poses with her hand against her cheek, smiling. She wears a black glittery fabric choker necklace
[Image Description: A woman poses with her hand against her cheek, smiling. She wears a black glittery fabric choker necklace] Photo via Missguided.

8. Josie McCoy from Riverdale

Josie McCoy from Riverdale stands up on stage playing guitar and singing with her eyes closed. She wears a leather jacket, leopard print dress and cat ears
[Image Description: Josie McCoy from Riverdale stands up on stage playing guitar and singing with her eyes closed. She wears a leather jacket, leopard print dress and cat ears] Photo via Marie Claire.
As Cheryl’s bestie, it only makes sense that Josie would match her in style. However, she seems to prefer more of a rocker look. You can go full Josie and the Pussycats with this leopard print shirt dress, leather jacket, and cat ears:

A female model wears a leopard print shirt dress
[Image Description: A female model wears a leopard print shirt dress] Photo via Missguided.
A woman models a plus size leather biker jacket
[Image Description: A woman models a plus size leather biker jacket] Photo via Missguided.
Leopard print at ears that attach with bobby pins
[Image Description: Leopard print at ears that attach with bobby pins] Photo via Sammydress.

9. All of the 1980s fashion from GLOW

Female characters from the show GLOW wear 80s activewear and are exercising
[Image Description: Female characters from the show GLOW wear 80s activewear and are exercising] Photo via Hollywood Reporter.
GLOW tells the story of a little-known all women’s wrestling team from the 80s. Take this 80s look into the modern day with acid wash jeans and a suede biker jacket:

Image of someone from the chest down, wearing jeans and a white sweater
[Image Description: Image of someone from the chest down, wearing jeans and a white sweater] Photo via Asos
A woman wears a purple suede jacket
[Image Description: A woman wears a purple suede jacket] Photo via Asos
For a more classic look, try these rose gold high tops, cropped sweatshirt, and bodysuit:

Brown weight lifting shoes with rose gold detailing
[Image Description: Brown weightlifting shoes with rose gold detailing] Photo via Ryderwear.
A person wearing a sleeveless cropped sweatshirt
[Image Description: A person wearing a sleeveless cropped sweatshirt] Photo via Sammydress.
A woman wearing an off the shoulder red bodysuit looks to the right smiling
[Image Description: A woman wearing an off the shoulder red bodysuit looks to the right smiling] Photo via Showpo.

10. Missy Foreman-Greenwald from Big Mouth

Missy from Big Mouth smiles off, staring off into the distance. She has braces and wears a yellow headband, a yellow t-shirt, denim overalls, and a pink "square ass" backpack
[Image Description: Missy from Big Mouth smiles off, staring off into the distance. She has braces and wears a yellow headband, a yellow t-shirt, denim overalls, and a pink “square ass” backpack] Photo via Wikia.
Big Mouth captures the rollercoaster of hilarity and embarrassment that is puberty. Missy is one of the best nerdy characters, right down to her overalls, headband, sandals and “square ass” backpack.  Get her look here:

A woman wearing a white t-shirt and overalls stands with her hands in her backpockets, looking at the camera with a serious look on her face
[Image Description: A woman wearing a white t-shirt and overalls stands with her hands in her back pockets, looking at the camera with a serious look on her face] Photo via Asos.
A woman wearing a yellow scoop neck t-shirt and denim skirt]
[Image Description: A woman wearing a yellow scoop neck t-shirt and denim skirt] Photo via Asos.
A woman with long brown hair wears a yellow headband with a knot at the top. She smiles slightly
[Image Description: A woman with long brown hair wears a yellow headband with a knot at the top. She smiles slightly] Photo via Asos
Image of someone's legs from the knees down pointed to the viewer's left. On their feet are brown sandals with tow buckles
[Image Description: Image of someone’s legs from the knees down pointed to the viewer’s left. On their feet are brown sandals with tow buckles] Photo via Showpo.

11. Sam White from Dear White People

Sam White from Dear White People looks at the viewer, smiling slightly. She has braided hair coiled on her head and wears a big studded metal necklace, silver disk earrings, and a torn knit sweater
[Image Description: Sam White from Dear White People looks at the viewer, smiling slightly. She has braided hair coiled on her head and wears a big studded metal necklace, silver disk earrings, and a torn knit sweater] Photo via Pinterest.
Carry yourself with the confidence of Sam White with this statement necklace and sweater:

Image of a silver necklace from above featuring a crescent shape pendant and five attached charms with turquoise beads
[Image Description: Image of a silver necklace from above featuring a crescent-shaped pendant and five attached charms with turquoise beads] Photo via Etsy
A woman wearing a black knit off the shoulder sweater looks straight ahead]
[Image Description: A woman wearing a black knit off the shoulder sweater looks straight ahead] Photo via AllSaints.

12. Queen Ramonda from Black Panther

Queen Ramonda from Black Panther stares straight ahead defiantly, slightly holding back a young girl behind her. She wears an off-white gown with a matching Zulu-inspired hat
[Image Description: Queen Ramonda from Black Panther stares straight ahead defiantly, slightly holding back a young girl behind her. She wears an off-white gown with a matching Zulu-inspired hat] Photo via Pinterest.
With so many strong black women in Wakanda, it only makes sense that their style would be equally fierce. Tap into your inner Queen Ramonda with a dress featuring a beautiful print and a cape, naturally:

A person poses with their hand on their hip and wearing an all black dress with a cape that has yellow, blue, and silver African fabric on the inside. They wear a black purse that has matching fabric along the top
[Image Description: A person poses with their hand on their hip and wearing an all-black dress with a cape that has yellow, blue, and silver African fabric on the inside. They wear a black purse that has matching fabric along the top] Photo via Etsy.

13. Rachel Chu from Crazy Rich Asians

Rachel from Crazy Rich Asians passes through a crowd of people and is smiling widely. She wears a blue tulle dressed with flower embellishments on the shoulders and waist. Her hair is pulled into a bun and has a flower hairband in it
[Image Description: Rachel from Crazy Rich Asians passes through a crowd of people and is smiling widely. She wears a blue tulle dressed with flower embellishments on the shoulders and waist. Her hair is pulled into a bun and has a flower hairband in it] Photo via Vulture.
While we not all be crazy rich, we can at least pretend with this low-key version of Rachel’s romantic floaty tulle dress:

A woman, smiling and looking down, wears a blue off the shoulder dress that is ruffled along the neckline
[Image Description: A woman, smiling and looking down, wears a blue off the shoulder dress that is ruffled along the neckline] Photo via Showpo.

14. Lara Jean from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Lara Jean from To All The Boys I've Loved Before looks wistfully at something with her arms behind her back. She has black hair pulled back and wears sunglasses on her head, a colorful striped sweater, and denim skirt
[Image Description: Lara Jean from To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before looks wistfully at something with her arms behind her back. She has black hair pulled back and wears sunglasses on her head, a colorful striped sweater, and a denim skirt] Photo via Seventeen.
Lara Jean had the girl next door look down and you can too with this striped turtleneck and jean skirt:

A person with long blonde hair wears a colorful striped turtleneck and tan jeans
[Image Description: A person with long blonde hair wears a colorfully striped turtleneck and tan jeans] Photo via Asos.
A person poses, tucking their hair behind their ear. They wear a white t-shirt and dark denim button-up skirt
[Image Description: A person poses, tucking their hair behind their ear. They wear a white t-shirt and dark denim button-up skirt] Photo via Showpo.
Don’t forget to share your new tv-inspired outfits!

Categories
Movie Reviews Movies Books Pop Culture

Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is taking young adult romance to new heights through representation

In addition to Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians releasing in theaters, the movie adaptation of Korean American author Jenny Han’s book To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before will be streaming on Netflix August 17, 2018. With an Asian female-led cast this movie is making just as much of an impact as Crazy Rich Asians and I’m so excited to see some different representation on screen.

This teen romance follows the story of Lara Jean Covey or LJ (Lana Condor), a biracial Korean American teen whose seemingly normal life goes haywire when her secret love letters get sent out to five boys. This would be a nightmare for almost anyone, especially the imaginary romanticist like Lara Jean. How she overcomes her dilemma and falls in love for real is both hilarious and inspiring and will leave viewers of all ages with important lessons to take away.

Besides the inevitable love pentagon Lara Jean finds herself in, this movie is filled with gems.

First, we have the sisters’ unbreakable bond. One of the boys to receive a love letter happens to be her older sister Margot’s (Janel Parrish) boyfriend, Josh (Israel Broussard). This causes some tension between all three sisters but multiple times throughout the movie they can put their petty issues aside and stand together. As three girls growing up without a mother, their relationship and influence on each other are extremely important to them, and it shows with each sister’s actions, even the youngest bratty 11-year-old sister, Kitty (Anna Cathcart).

Secondly, the way they address loss in this movie I find really important. So often we see young adult media where there is a single parent but the effects of this are readily ignored. Both LJ and Peter (Noah Centineo), another letter recipient, live in single-parent households, one from death and one from abandonment, but neither have issues discussing their pain in an open and healthy way. I really relate to both Lara and Peter, and the solace they find in each other is admirable.

Furthermore, the subtle addressing of social issues in this movie is phenomenal. From calling out the racism in 80s movies in their disgusting portrayal of Asian characters to dealing with slut-shaming and comprehensive sex education. When older sister Margot relays to LJ that “it’s never worse for the guys” I felt like I was talking to my sister and friends. And I truly appreciate the gynecologist father who is not afraid to be open with his daughters about menstrual cycles, love, and safe sex. This movie doesn’t beat you over the head with wokeness but instead realistically portrays issues that teen girls are going through all over the world.

As to be expected when condensing a sizeable novel, the pacing of the movie is a little bit off. And you don’t get the full romantic growth that eventually buds between Lara and Peter like in the novel. Their love is still believable, however, and you root for them to figure it out.

My only criticism of the movie is a minuscule moment between the sisters that you would only notice as a book reader. When Margot comforts her sisters after the big climactic moment in the movie she says the words “Covey Girls forever”, but in the book, the sisters frequently refer to themselves as the Song Girls. It’s an important way in which they connect with their deceased mother who gave them the moniker of her maiden name as well as their Korean heritage. A lot of the moments that seemed to be cut from the movie are those that deal with the girls’ Korean identities. Maybe it’s not a big deal but the erasure felt deliberate and left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth.

Overall, the movie is cute and I would 10/10 watch again. It ends with a cliffhanger of another letter recipient arriving at her door, John Ambrose McClaren (Jordan Burchette) which only alludes to more drama for LJ to wade through. I can definitely say he is my favorite boy of all Lara’s boys and you won’t want to miss what’s next.

What I’d like to see most in the sequel (Netflix, I hope you’re working on it right now!) and hopefully the third movie is a full embracing of the Song girls’ Korean identity. I look forward to how New Year’s will be portrayed because in the book it’s a full celebration with traditional dress, activities, and their mom’s side of the family. These elements are essential parts of the characters’ personalities and motivations, includng their dad, and it shouldn’t be erased.

Categories
Books Pop Culture

10 amazing young adult novels featuring women like us

Even though I’m 22 years old, I still read  YA books religiously. Some people dismiss YA books because of the dramatic, know-it-all teens, shallow plots, and love triangles; but I embrace them for these very reasons. Like a lot of folks, I use books and stories as a form of escapism. I love getting lost in the teenage love stories and magical quests. Everything doesn’t have to have an intricate plot, though many of them do. I just want to be entertained!

That said, I do have one complaint about the genre that I’m sure many of you can relate to. The YA genre, like much of the publishing industry, seems to push aside diverse characters written by diverse authors or for diverse audiences.

Front and center of most YA novels (especially the popular ones) are protagonists who are white or racially ambiguous. Meanwhile, the characters of color, if there are any, are always in the role of the token friend.

When we finally do get our own stories, they’re centered around the struggles of our past. While I’m aware that these stories are important, and need to be told,  we are so much more than our hardships. Sometimes, I want to read books where the women of color get to fall in love, save the world or just be completely carefree as our white counterparts.

That’s why I’ve made it a priority to support YA books that feature complex people of color in the shining lead role, however few and far in between they are. Keep reading for 10 awesome YA books written with women of color in mind.

1. “The Sun Is Also A Star,” Nicola Yoon

The Sun Is Also A Star
amazon.com

Natasha is a 16-year-old Jamaican girl who doesn’t believe in fate—not that she has time to. Because her father got into a car crash, her family is 12 hours away from getting deported to Jamaica. So, she uses her time left in the U.S to make one last plea to save her family, and the life she isn’t ready to leave behind. Daniel, on the other hand, is a poet who wants to go against his parent’s wishes and pursue a career in the arts instead of academia. He’s been accepted into Yale and as a reward, his parents have given him the day off from school. What will happen when their paths cross?

Buy here.

2. “Tiny Pretty Things,” Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

Tiny Pretty Things
amazon.com

Tiny Pretty Things, described as Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars, takes you into the cut-throat world of ballet. It follows three girls: a Black girl named Gigi White, a White girl named Bette and a half- Korean girl named June. Gigi just moved to town from California, has a heart condition that makes dancing life-threatening, and is having a hard time dealing with some of the shadiness from the other girls. Bette has been at the American Ballet Conservatory the longest of the three and she is a conniving narcissist who wants to get out of her sister’s shadow. June has also been at the conservatory for an extended length of time but feels like she’s always getting overlooked and must improve before her mom puts and end to her dream.

Buy here.

3. “Everything, Everything,” Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything
amazon.com

Maddy Whittier was diagnosed with severe combined immune deficiency at birth, which means that she can’t leave her house without getting really sick. Despite being confined to her home for 17 years, Maddy has made the best of her situation by reading and spending time with her mom and nurse, Carla. That changes when a cute boy named Olly (Nick Robinson) moves in next door and awakens feelings in Maddy that she’s never experienced. Everything, Everything chronicles their blossoming romance and the unique challenges that come along with Maddy’s disease, before a major twist at the end that will leave your jaw on the floor. Everything, Everything is being made into a major motion film that will star Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson.

Buy here.

4. “Poison’s Kiss,” Breeana Shields

Poison's Kiss
amazon.com

Marinda is a visha kanya, or “poison maiden,”meaning a young girl (in Indian folklore) whose blood and saliva are poisonous. Marinda has killed dozens of boys with just a simple kiss on the lips. Why? She receives orders from the Raja and believes that she’s doing good until she receives an order to kill a boy she knows, Deven. Nothing that Marinda knows about him says that he deserves to die, so the order has her questioning whom she is really serving. Once she start to pry, the life she knows slowly starts to unravel.

Buy here.

5. “The Kayla Chronicles,” Sherri Winston

The Kayla Chronicles
amazon.com

Kayla Dean is a self-proclaimed feminist and journalist who’s about to break the biggest story of her life. She believes that the Lady Lions dance team discriminates against girls with small breasts. With the encouragement of her friend, Rosalie, Kayla undergoes a makeover and decides to test her theory. She knows that she’s a great dancer, so if she doesn’t make the squad it’ll be because she’s not as well endowed as the other girls. She doesn’t get her story, though, because she blows everyone away with her audition and makes the team. Her views about feminism and womanhood are challenged when she realizes the girls on the squad aren’t who she expected them to be.

Buy here.

6. “This Side of Home,” Renee Watson

This Side of Home
amazon.com

Maya and Nikki, twins living in Portland, are on the same page about pretty much everything. They have the same goals; share the same friends; and even like the same types of boys. After graduation; they plan to attend the same historically Black college together, too. When their neighborhood gets revamped with new coffee shops and fancy businesses, Maya is thrilled, while Nikki feels like she’s losing the essence of their home. For two girls who have always been in sync about everything, the gentrification of their hometown makes them face the fact that they might not always see eye to eye and will have to stand on their own.

Buy here.

7. “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before,” Jenny Han

To All The Boys I've Loved Before
amazon.com

Lara Jean is a teen girl who has had her fair share of crushes—one of them being her sister’s ex-boyfriend! When she gets over these feelings, she writes each boy a letter that she never intends to send and stores them under her bed. One day, she realizes that someone has sent out the letters and her life gets super complicated when she has to confront each of her past loves.

Buy here.

8. “The Secret of a Heart Note,” Stacey Lee

amazon.com

The Secret of A Heart Note centers on 16-year old Mimosa. She is one of only two aromateurs left on the planet. As such, she spends her days her mixing the powerful elixirs that help other people fall in love. There is a catch, though. If she ever falls in love herself, she will lose her very special and unique gift. When she accidently gives an elixir to the wrong woman, she must enlist the help of the woman’s soccer star son. With his help, she will undo her mistake and learn that you can’t always control whom you fall for.

Buy here.

9. “The Education of Margot Sanchez,” Lilliam Rivera

amazon.com

Margot Sanchez attends a prestigious private school paid for by her father, who owns two grocery stores. She’s shallow, self-centered and downplays her culture in order to fit in with her rich peers. When she steals her dad’s credit card to buy fancier clothes, he forces her to work in one of his stores. Though she’s embarrassed at first, she learns more about being grateful for what she has, loving herself, her family and her culture.

Buy here.

10. “Lucy and Linh,” by Alice Pung

amazon.com

When Lucy wins a scholarship to a prestigious private school, she soon learns that it’s a whole new world than that she’s been used to. For starters, a powerful trio named “The Cabinet” sets their sights on her, but she realizes that the powerful clique isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. As she works to fit in and live up to impossible expectations, she confides in her friend Linh, someone she knew before, through a series of letters. That relationship also gets tested as they realize they might not have much in common anymore.

Buy here.

These are just a few of the great YA books out there that feature smart, funny, flawed women of color. They show that we don’t always have to be strong or someone else’s support system. We can be the lead, the funny one, the math wiz and even the ballerina. Though they might be a little harder to find, it’s definitely worth putting in the extra effort.

Categories
Books Pop Culture

Nine reasons it’s okay to be anti-social this month

I’ve pretty much accepted that I’m going to turn into even more of an introvert than usual in May — because for some reason, the publishing houses decided to make this the month of glorious book releases. Big names in the YA world such as Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, Sarah J. Maas, and Kiera Cass are all coming out with books that you absolutely need to get in your hands.

It was pretty difficult to narrow the list down to these nine books, and I could easily have added more — but I didn’t want to hurt your wallets too much.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Cover of A Court of Thorns and Roses

 What it’s about: One of my favorite fantasy authors in the YA world is Sarah J. Maas — I’m a massive fan of her Throne of Glass series, so you can imagine my excitement when I heard she was releasing a new series based on Beauty and the Beast. A Court of Thrones and Roses is not your average Beauty and the Beast retelling; Feyre, who is the Belle character in this book, is kick-ass and fierce. When she’s captured by the Beast character, Tamlin, she soon realizes the truth about the darkness that is taking over their worlds. Oh, and if the dark fantasy isn’t enough to tempt you, I should mention that there’s quite a steamy romance …

Expected Publication: May 5th 2015 by Bloomsbury Children’s

Goodreads Review: 4.36/5 stars

2. The Heir by Kiera Cass

Cover of The Heir by Kiera Cass

What it’s about: If you’ve read Kiera Cass’ The Selection series, then you should be very pumped up for the release of this book, which picks up where the third book — The One — left off. In an effort to not give away any spoilers, all I’m gonna say is that I’m expecting a ton of fluff and romance from this book.

Expected Publication: May 5th 2015 by HarperTeen

Goodreads Review: 4.43/5 stars

3. Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

 Cover of Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

What it’s about: When I think back to authors I used to read a ton of during the my high-school years, Sarah Dessen always comes to mind. She’s the queen of romance books that always take you on an emotional journey. Saint Anything follows the story of Sydney, who is dealing with family struggles — including a reckless brother who gets into a drunk driving accident and is facing a jail sentence. I’m expecting this book to send a powerful message about self-discovery.

Expected Publication: May 5th 2015 by Viking Juvenile

Goodreads Review: 4.19/5 stars

4. P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Cover of P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

What it’s about: The first book in this series, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, made quite a splash in the contemporary YA world last year. It was adorable and has one of the best sisterhood focuses of any YA book I’ve read.  P.S. I Still Love You picks up where the first book left off, and Lara is still trying to figure out her relationship status with Peter when another boy enters the picture.

Expected Publication: May 26th 2015 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Review: 4.32/5 stars

5. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Cover of The Wrath & Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

What it’s about: I’m a massive fan of retellings, and so I was thrilled to hear that debut author Renee Ahdieh was writing a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights. Renee’s book follows sixteen-year-old Shahrzad (Shazi) as she spins tales to bring down her husband, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, who has a reputation for executing his brides.

Expected Publication: May 12th 2015 by Putnam Juvenile

Goodreads Review: 4.29/5 stars

6. Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen

Cover of Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen

What it’s about: If you’re a fan of retellings, books with girls who pose as boys and are super kick-ass, and Robin Hood tales, then you should really pick up The Scarlet series. Since Lion Heart is the third and last book in this series, I won’t give anything away other than that you need to prepare yourself for all the feels!

Expected Publication: May 19th 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Children’s

Goodreads Review: 4.30/5 stars

7. Love Fortunes and other Disasters by Kimberly Karalius

Cover of Love, Fortunes and other Disasters by Kimberly Karalius

What it’s about: Sometimes in life, you just need a fluffy and lighthearted book — and Love Fortunes and Other Disasters definitely fits that bill. Fallon, the main character, gets a fortune that tells her she will never find love. She refuses to accept that fate and soon enough, she discovers Sebastian. What follows is a cute romantic story that will put a smile on your face.

Expected Publication: May 12th 2015 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Review: 4.26/5 stars

8. Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra & Dhonielle Clayton

Cover of Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra & Dhonielle Clayton.

What it’s about: As soon as I heard that this book is being described as “Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars,” I immediately added it to my ‘must get now!’ list. Tiny Pretty Things is about three girls in a top Manhattan ballet school who will do anything to become prima ballerina, including manipulating and backstabbing each other. This sounds like a fun book for those days when you want something a bit more drama-heavy.

Expected Publication: May 26th 2015 by HarperTeen

Goodreads Review: 3.96/5 stars

9. Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

Cover of Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan.

What it’s about: Carrie Ryan’s newest release is a thriller that seems full of plot twists and revenge. Frances Mace, the main character, has just lost people she loves in a yacht accident. Three people survived the destruction of the yacht, and two of them are lying about what actually happened. Frances is determined to find the truth and avenge the people she loves.

Expected Publication: May 26th 2015 by Dutton Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Review: 3.91/5 stars