I’ve been a Sabrina Carpenter fan for as long as I can remember. I was there for “Smoke and Fire,” “Thumbs,” “Why,” and every release after that. There are countless reasons I’m a fan of Sabrina, including but not limited to her exceptional musical talent, creativity, and individuality. But the biggest reason I love Sabrina is because her music was there for me through thick and thin. All the days I spent sitting alone at lunch or in my room avoiding arguments. All the parties I spent standing in the corner, and all the days I spent growing and finding my people. Her lyrics are unbearably relatable. I found her song “Thumbs” to be especially perceptive. It made me realize that to find true happiness, one needs to find a passion to pursue that fulfills them, not work a job just to pay the bills and contribute to the system so many are confined in. Listening to Sabrina helped me find my way in life, and acted as a buffer between me and the bad thoughts that occupy all of our minds. It inspired me to pursue what I loved, not what was popular or expected. Now I’m on track for a career in pediatric medicine, where I’ll be pursuing my passion and helping children through science. Sabrina also helped me unlock a quality I’ve had trouble with for most of my life so far. Confidence. Sabrina once said, “Confidence is the most beautiful thing you can possess.” Her persona exudes a confidence that has uplifted my self-assurance for years. I can recall a memory from middle school when Sabrina’s lyrics encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. I had recently met someone I wanted to be friends with, but I was too nervous to pursue a connection with them, as they were always surrounded by their friends. One day I was listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Sue Me” and they happened to be sitting alone. As I heard Sabrina sing, “So sue me, for being good friends with your friends,” I thought, “I want to be as outgoing and charming as that.” I realized that it only takes one step at a time to become more comfortable with yourself and others, and I mustered the courage to speak to the girl. She ended up being one of my closest friends for years. Although she probably doesn’t know who I am, Sabrina Carpenter has played a major role in my life. Her music has helped me through my toughest times and accompanied me through my best. She is truly an inspiration. Not only is she an extraordinary entertainer, but Sabrina is also a beautiful person inside and out. Her authenticity encourages us all to pave our own paths.

When I was in the fourth grade, I read a book that catapulted me into the world of reading. It was a novel that made me realize books didn't have to be boring. They can be more intriguing than any movie or TV show can because of their use of description and detail. This book made me fall in love with the written word. And it just so happens to be quite popular on #BookTok. This book was Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. While it might be predictable, there was something about the adventure, characterization, and depth of Percy that made me start to become enthusiastic about reading. The idea that he was "the chosen one" and had so much to offer despite the adversity he faced every day inspired ten-year-old me, who, like Percy, had very few friends, many of whom did not treat me with the respect I deserved. Five years later, at my current fifteen years of age, it makes me smile to see that #BookTok-ers are sharing how Percy and his friends inspired them. I've seen many a #BookTok video about how the series sparked a love for reading in countless hearts. Needless to say, The Lightning Thief is a must-have on my bookshelf. The second book I would add to my bookshelf is A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (AGGGTM) by Holly Jackson. The novel that took #BookTok by storm with its captivating mystery of the Andie Bell case. Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school senior, decides to do her Capstone project on the missing persons case of Andie Bell, a case that has left an indelible mark on her town. The book did not fail to leave an indelible mark on the members of the #BookTok community either. By partnering with the brother of the accused murderer of Andie Bell, Pippa embarks on a rollercoaster of danger, determined to prove Sal Singh's innocence. I was first introduced to this book through #BookTok. Before finding it, I wasn't much of a mystery reader. However, after first picking up AGGGTM at my local library and reading the first chapter, I was hooked. I couldn't put the book down and was surprised that I could be so interested in a story about something as dark as murder. The #BookTok community agreed and the novel exploded not only on TikTok but platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Many creators and commentators were also enamored by Ravi and Pippa's romance, a subplot I found relieving amid the eeriness and suspense of the mystery. In fact, members of the #BookTok world were so riveted by Pippa's detective skills that Netflix released a TV series based on the book! The final book I would add to my #BookTok-inspired bookshelf would have to be I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Unlike the other two books on my shelf, Jennette's 2022 memoir is a true story about the child actress's career and the abusive tendencies of her late mother. This book was unlike any I or #BookTok had seen in a long time. It was raw and disturbing but still brought with it levity and hope. It was a book that was completely honest, and I believe that's what made it so popular in the #BookTok community. A shocking and popular statistic states that the memoir was a New York Times bestseller for eighty weeks, just short of AGGGTM, which stayed on the list for 100 weeks total. The book never fails to remind me and the #BookTok community to have hope.