The sound of a spinal crack as it ricochets off the book bind stitches and into the air as it's complemented by the strong scent of manipulated and weathered paper is one of the most soothing yet thrilling acts to me. There is nothing like the sweet smell of a new paperback.

The crinkle of each passing page as you continuously rush from one page to the next because the pull of the story has cast a strong line- to the point of your senses and focus being held captivated by their reality rather than yours. An escape; my favorite type of escape.

If you haven’t noticed, I love books. I love going to bookstores and putzing through the shelves to see what cover captures my eye, reading the blurbs about each and every book I pick up to see if it piques my interest, freaks me out or leaves confused on how this manuscript beat out all of the others that made its way through the publishing house.

Books contain the oldest form of communication; the written word. Besides geeking out on that fact, it is quite impressive that throughout all the changes the world has witnessed and endured, this is one of few things thats been a constant and will continue to outlive anything.

Though I love reading, it ironically was not a strong suit of mine growing up. I was not the strongest reader. This was actually the first challenge I ever faced in life but fast forward to now, my weakness has now turned into a passion of mine.

Don't get me wrong, I love the greats and appreciate the hidden messages within their work, Hemmingway I see you, but like I've said before, books can be whatever you want or need them to be. My favorite types of genres include prose, drama, fiction, poetry and contemporary romance.

Classic and informative books are great but I enjoy escaping into a mindnumbing easy-going read, thus making rom-com books easily my favs. I love love, sue me.

There's nothing like finding a book that makes you feel so much to the point of having to set your book down because you're either pissed off, extremely excited or heartbroken and just need to take a minute. Isn't it the best?!

1. All of Jasmine Guillory's books; this series is set in today's reality and is just really stinkin cute!
• The Wedding Date
• The Proposal 
• The Wedding Party
• Party of Two (This one is not out yet but I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Yes, it's not out and yes it made the list. Why? Because I have faith it will hold up like these last ones.)
2. The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
• This book made me so annoyed with the character and her choices but at the same time, empathetic because in a way, the choices she made are understandable and because of this, that broke my heart. But then there's a plot twist you just don't expect that breaks your heart again but then you're happy again? Idk talk about an emotional rollercoaster that is definitely worth the ride.
3. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
• I got this book, it sat on my shelf and when it came time to read it, I honestly forgot what it was about. Rather than reading the back for a refresher, I just dove in and boy was I shocked because I just wasn't expecting this storyline. It's from a unique POV that is rarely ever heard from- an autistic woman. To me, in a weird way, it's like Pretty Woman but instead, the rich and powerful is the woman and the prostitute is the man- another POV that's rarely heard from too.  
4. The Cactus by Sarah Haywood
• This was on Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick which is how I found this book. It does start off slow and then picks up in the middle which is usually not my favorite but there was something about the story that made me want to know how everything turns out. Unlike the last 5 books where I read them in one sitting, with this one, you can definitely read night by night over the course of a week. A very good story you should check out!
5. Not The Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher
• Now talk about a rom-com book. The reviews for this book said it's an updated version of How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. After reading it, I can 100% agree this statement is very much true. I love a classic rom-com book.
6. All The Missing Girls by Megan Miranda
• A book recommended by a fellow bookworm, s/o Taylor Martinez. With this book, just when you think you've guessed what happens- which let me tell you, as an avid crime show junkie, my investigation skills are killer (no pun intended but also not mad about it), everything you know is wrong. Since this story starts backward, it adds even more spice to the storyline. If you're like me where once you're invested in a book and can't put it down until you finish it, this the book for you. If you value sleep, you might want to start this on the weekend so you can balance out a late-night with sleeping in the next day.
7. Aquarius by Sally Kirkman
• Yeah yeah yeah, I read astrology books about my sign, what about it? All things astrology fascinates me, especially when it comes to learning more about myself, seeing if some traits hold true, etc. It's just dumb and fun. Like I said before, books don't always have to be a deep intellectual based novel. This is an easy read and only took maybe 20 minutes to finish. A waste of money? Nah, it now serves as a cute little coffee table book. 
8. Nice is Just A Place In France by The Betches
• A book rec by another fellow bookworm, s/o Claire Fountas. This book was definitely interesting because it basically tells you sometimes you just have to say screw you, don't take shit and just accept that Nice is just a place in France. 
9. Guac is Extra But So Am I by Sarah Solomon 
• Disclaimer: I haven't read this book yet. But nevertheless, I am so excited to read it! It's a book that's literally marketed to people my age since the situations discussed in the book are all about life once you're a real adult in your early 20s. 
10. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
• Disclaimer: Another book I haven't read yet. A book that I am also excited to read because this one focuses on understanding that everyone is smart but it's how you use your grit, your passions to stay focused on what you want to accomplish which is then how you can succeed.  

Till next time, cheers!

Your selflessness, your humor, your acceptance & your love are characteristics that only scratch the surface of who you were. These characteristics and the lessons that came from watching you live your life make me feel blessed to have had you in my life & praying that I possess even a fraction of these qualities. 

You were my partner in crime, my right hand (or left hand) man, both figuratively and literally because I was never not by your side for every Wednesday Night meal, outing or wherever we were. For Jack, you were his best friend; he loved every lunch, dinner- basically, anytime you guys hung out together. In general, you passed your love (mainly your love for food down to me) which made us an unstoppable team. We could devour a whole pound of pasta or mussels like it was nobody’s business. How can anyone fill that spot? We ate a lot, that’s one big shoe to fill don’t ya think? 

Even from eating as much food as possible, and you always count on me to refill your plate, it didn’t matter how big or small or important my accomplishment was, you were always rooting for me. You were my favorite and best number one fan anyone could have asked for. Whenever I tried a new sport, even when I was terrible, you and nana were there for every single game, competition & recital. Cheering me on; your pride in me made me feel like I could do anything. It made me confident to go to school across the country and graduate with a major I love. To have you guys there last May made my world. Seeing you in my second home & being able to show you around was the best feeling ever. You were the rock of our family, even till the end, mom told me how hard you fought & I couldn’t be prouder of you. 

I feel so blessed to have a plethora of memories with you but even then is it selfish to have wanted another 20 years of that? This the only time being the youngest sucks because everyone else had more time. 

I wish I could stop crying and the part of my heart you took with you could be returned but knowing you are no longer in pain eases all of ours. I don’t like our new normal, nobody does. You touched so many lives idk if you are aware of that. So much so that you touched your ER nurse's heart so much she wants to come to see you one last time. 

Last night when we all gathered around at our house, I know you would have loved and wished to have been there for yourself. Each time we gather around the table for dinner, I always tear up because you aren't there. My eyes wander around the room in hopes of you popping out from around the corner or walking through the door. Dinner sucks and I hate your kitchen table now. So, that's quite unfortunate for me. 

We’re not really sure how to move on and go from here but I promise we’ll take the best of care of nana. We’ll try our best to guide and love her the way you did since you guys were 12 years old. Thank you for being her soulmate, for being the best role model to our family, for being Jack's best friend & for being my other half. I will always be your eating buddy, your sweetheart, your little squirt. 

Please say hi to all of our other angels we miss, you’re in great company. Hopefully, you all are gathered around the table enjoying cocktail hour just like we always did together.