I've always been similar to a kettle. You wouldn't know anything was wrong from the outside; a perfectly shiny ornament is all that would meet the eye. I keep to myself, quietly letting my emotions simmer under the surface, until one day it all becomes too much. The whistle ringing throughout the house, alarming everyone who hears it. The only way to stop the whistling is to remove the kettle from the heat source. That is what reading and writing are for me: the hands that grasp the handle and pull me away from my heat source. From Shakespeare's tragedies to Holly Black's fantasies, my life has always been intertwined within the pages of books, and these pages which offer me comfort will one day hold my own story. Pouring my thoughts out onto paper, my emotions take control, reveling in the story that’s soon to unfold. While it might not be Peppermint or Earl Gray, writing is my own special cup of tea. Memories of a once creative and carefree child now linger in the back of my mind collecting dust, much like an old cardigan left under someone's bed. The never-ending isles of the public library consumed most of my childhood, and any free time I had was spent huddled up in the corner of my room writing anything and everything that came to my mind. As a child with a vast imagination, the stories I wrote usually involved mythical beings. It wasn’t until I was older that my writing slowly became less and less magical. At fourteen I learned the harsh reality of what the real world can truly be. No book prepared me for the unexpected betrayal I endured. Much like Julius Caesar, I too was stabbed in the back. Realizing that the person whom I trusted with every fiber of my being no longer wanted anything to do with me hurt. A lot. During that time I fell out of love with reading and writing. It’s quite ironic considering the person who ignited my passion for The Hunger Games spread lies about me. Clearly the odds were never in my favor. At the end of my freshman year I picked up The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky. For once in my life I felt seen, I felt like someone finally knew what I was going through. Much Like Charlie, I keep to myself, sitting in the corner of a room ,silently fighting my battles. With every page I read, I couldn't help but think that this book was made for me. That I am a Wallflower. After years of struggling in secret, Charlie made me realize that I am not alone. Charlie reignited my passion, he gave me the purpose to live. The purpose to inspire. Three nights later my first short story was complete with a total of 1,600 words. I felt empowered. After years of not writing, of thinking I was no good, one book changed it all. Someday I hope to inspire others with my writing, just like Charlie’s story inspired me to keep going. Each word I write soothes the rolling boil rising inside of my mind, stopping my thoughts from heating over. While I can never bring back who I used to be,I can honor her in my writing. Putting on that old cardigan with pride, I pour my cup of tea waiting for the rest of my story to unfold, and as this chapter of my life ends, another one begins. In the words of Jenny Han, “The future is unclear, but it’s still mine.”

From Shakespeare's tragedies to Holly Black's fantasies, my life has been intertwined within the pages of books, and these pages which offered me comfort as a child will one day hold my own story. Getting lost in the never-ending isles of the public library merely a mile from my house consumed most of my childhood, and any free time I had was spent with my nose stuck in a book as I tried to escape the bustling world around me. Memories of a once imaginative carefree child are now left to collect dust lingering in the back of my mind, reminding me of who I once was. The characters I admire have molded me into the person I am today . But who am I? The girl who sits at the front of the class trying her hardest to fit in with those around her, hoping that one day she would be seen, that is who I used to be. For years I tried to conform to others ideas and beliefs waiting for the day someone would accept me. Too focused on what others thought about me, I failed to embrace who I was. No book prepared me for the unexpected betrayal I endured. Much like Julius Caesar, I too was stabbed in the back, figuratively, not literally, of course. Realizing that the person whom I changed every aspect about myself for no longer wanted anything to do with me hurt. A lot. The person who ignited my passion for The Hunger Games spread lies about me. Clearly the odds were never in my favor. It was the end of 8th grade when I realized I was going to start high school with no friends. At 14 I thought my life was over. During that time I fell out of love with reading. The thought of doing anything that reminded me of them held me back from becoming who I am today. However, It’s been 4 years, and safe to say, reading has changed my life. I fell back in love with reading the summer of my Sophomore year. That summer I did something 14 year old me never would’ve dared to do. I joined an online book club. While the book club ceased to exist by the end of July, the friendships I made have lasted for years. That year I learned that one tiny decision can change your life forever. While reading saved my life, I owe it all to one book. During the end of my Freshman year I picked up The Perks of Being a Wallflower By Stephen Chobosky, not knowing my life would be changed forever. For once in my life I felt seen, I felt like someone finally knew what I was going through. Much Like Charlie I keep to myself sitting in the corner of a room never to be seen, silently fighting my battles. With every page I read, I couldn't help but think that this book was made for me. That I am a Wallflower. After years of struggling in secret, Charlie made me realize that I am not alone. Charlie gave me a purpose, he gave me the purpose to live. The purpose to inspire. So no, while I might not be someone outgoing who enjoys giving school presentations and frequenting public events. I am the girl who sits in the back of the classroom quietly reading, preparing for the rest of my story to unfold, and as this chapter of my life ends another one begins signaling the start of yet another unpredictable journey.

Tears fall down my face as the last pages of the book come to an end. The story of a boy facing his own struggles not only with the world but also within him self, resonate with me. Questions consume my mind as I try to process the events I just read. Never feeling so seen before i can't help but stare blankly at my wall as the hours pass. In my heart I know that no book will ever make me feel this way again. At the end of my freshman year I picked up The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky. For once in my life I felt seen, I felt like someone finally knew what I was going through. Much Like Charlie, I keep to myself, sitting in the corner of a room ,silently fighting my battles. With every page I read, I couldn't help but think that this book was made for me. That I am a Wallflower. After years of struggling in secret, Charlie made me realize that I am not alone. Charlie reignited my passion, he gave me the purpose to live. The purpose to inspire. Three nights later my first short story was complete with a total of 1,600 words. I felt empowered. After years of not writing, of thinking I was no good, one book changed it all. Someday I hope to inspire others with my writing, just like Charlie’s story inspired me to keep going. If I were to have everyone read one book it would be The Perks of Being a Wallflower. In hopes that someone else will feel as seen as I did when I first read it.

I've always been similar to a kettle. You wouldn't know anything was wrong from the outside; a perfectly shiny ornament is all that would meet the eye. I keep to myself, quietly letting my emotions simmer under the surface, until one day it all becomes too much. The whistle ringing throughout the house, alarming everyone who hears it. The only way to stop the whistling is to remove the kettle from the heat source. That is what reading and writing are for me: the hands that grasp the handle and pull me away from my heat source. From Shakespeare's tragedies to Holly Black's fantasies, my life has always been intertwined within the pages of books, and these pages which offer me comfort will one day hold my own story. Pouring my thoughts out onto paper, my emotions take control, reveling in the story that’s soon to unfold. While it might not be Peppermint or Earl Gray, writing is my own special cup of tea. Memories of a once creative and carefree child now linger in the back of my mind collecting dust, much like an old cardigan left under someone's bed. The neverending isles of the public library consumed most of my childhood, and any free time I had was spent huddled up in the corner of my room writing anything and everything that came to my mind. As a child with a vast imagination, the stories I wrote usually involved mythical beings. It wasn’t until I was older that my writing slowly became less and less magical. At the end of my freshman year I picked up The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky. For once in my life I felt seen, I felt like someone finally knew what I was going through. Much Like Charlie, I keep to myself, sitting in the corner of a room ,silently fighting my battles. With every page I read, I couldn't help but think that this book was made for me. That I am a Wallflower. After years of struggling in secret, Charlie made me realize that I am not alone. Charlie reignited my passion, he gave me the purpose to live. The purpose to inspire. Three nights later my first short story was complete with a total of 1,600 words. I felt empowered. After years of not writing, of thinking I was no good, one book changed it all. Someday I hope to inspire others with my writing, just like Charlie’s story inspired me to keep going. Each word I write soothes the rolling boil rising inside of my mind, stopping my thoughts from heating over. While I can never bring back who I used to be,I can honor her in my writing. Putting on that old cardigan with pride, I pour my cup of tea waiting for the rest of my story to unfold, and as this chapter of my life ends, another one begins. In the words of Jenny Han, “The future is unclear, but it’s still mine.”

At the age of 14 I was introduced to the world of Booktok. From Colleen Hoover to Emily Henry, Booktok truly changed my life. Books slowly started to fill the shelves on my wall, while videos of popular book recommendations filled my "For you page." As my collection has grown in the past 4 years my love for reading and booktok has yet to diminish. Titles such as "Daisy Jones and the six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid or "If we were villains" by M.L. Rio are among some of my favorite books that I have read. These all were influenced by the videos that flooded my TikTok feed. Being apart of Booktok has helped me make some of my closest friends. Millions of people have been brought together by one thing, their love for books. One of the most popular books on booktok is "The invisible life of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab. This book has been one of the most viewed titles under the hashtag #booktok. I have yet to read this book and this is definitely one of the top contenders for my "ideal" bookshelf. However, One series takes the cake. "Shatter me" by Tahereh Mafi is by far the most popular book series found on booktok. With trending hashtags with over 2 billion views. The love that Shatter me has received is astronomically positive. The impact that these books have on booktok creators is insane. From beloved fan getting matching tattoos with Aaron Warner to others going as far as naming their child or pet after Kenji Kishimoto. This universe has helped thousands if not millions of teenagers discover their love for reading. With the heart-stopping plot twists, reading "shatter me" will have you sitting on the edge of you seat and possibly throwing your book across the room when something you don't like happens. While one of the biggest books found on TikTok has received an immense amount of hate, "It ends with us" by Colleen Hoover remains the most well know book. The book that started it all, "it ends with us" was one of the main attributes in the uproar of booktok. The hate it has recived over years can be reasonable but to most this book was the reason reading became so popular. These titles have impacted millions of lives and while both good and bad surround these titles they are what make booktok the booktok we've all come to know and love.

A green chair sits in the corner of my room, covered in blankets, and surrounded by books. I stayed up late watching the sunrise as the night quickly passed by and each chapter I read pulled me further in. The computer that sits upon my desk calls my name, unfinished stories wanting to know their ending, I want to know how my story ends. In my room, I have the power to write whatever I want and the ending doesn't always have to be happy. With every person comes a unique set of DNA, the DNA that makes us who we are. No disability can stop me from becoming who I am. While it might be type one diabetes I am powerful in my ways. It just so happens that storytelling is written into me, I guess that makes writing my superpower. At the age of 5 I knew that the world of literature was always going to be in my life but when I was 8 a shocking diagnosis flipped my life upside down. It isn't an easy pill to swallow being told that you aren't like other kids anymore, that you have to take care of yourself in case something happens. That was the reality of my life. As a child with diabetes, I have faced setbacks and discrimination for something I didn't choose for myself. However, as I grew older reading became my coping mechanism which soon evolved into writing short stories and poems in hopes of expressing myself. I discovered that writing is my passion and hopefully, I get a chance to pursue it. While it may be an insecurity for some, to me diabetes gives me the chance to educate others around me about a disease that millions of humans live with every single day. If that so happens to be through my writing then so be it. After years of constant discouragement and judgment about my diabetes, I have finally accepted myself for who I am. I'm no longer defined by this disease that used to loom over my head and for people to accept me my diabetes comes along with it. I can never change who I am but through my writing, I can inform others about the reality that comes with having a disability. The struggles I so silently dealt with as a child remain in my mind and I hope that one day I can help change how someone feels about their diabetes.