I like to think that I have been on ‘BookTok’ since its inception in 2020. Not only did it help me out of a long-time reading slump, but it gave me countless recommendations that have since filled my book collection, as well as providing me with a community of book lovers that I was severely lacking throughout middle school and parts of high school. Thanks to BookTok, I have had a much easier time filling my shelves with my favorite tropes and genres, such as fantasy and enemies-to-lovers. When it comes to my ideal BookTok shelf, the first book that comes to mind is Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. I finished this book near the end of 2023 and devoured the sequel, Bloodmarked, almost immediately after. Both books have easily become some of my favorites, as they have everything I look for in a fantasy novel, let alone a fantasy. The way Deonn uses Arthurian legend to her advantage while weaving in complex themes of race, misogynoir, and grief is nothing like I have ever seen. I am forever grateful that BookTok brought this series to my attention and I cannot wait for the third book in 2025. This book is one of the first I bought in my journey to diversify my bookshelf, and I believe many other readers should take that step. To me, Legendborn would be a wonderful place to start. The next books that come to mind are what I believe to be a must-read if one loves romance. I cannot discuss my ideal BookTok shelf without bringing up The Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert. This romance trilogy somehow managed to fit every criterion I have when it comes to the genre. It was thankfully not set in high school and there was plenty of representation for disabled people, people of color and so much more. Additionally, this trilogy is one of the rarities in the sense that I don’t mind the third-act breakup that the author uses. In most romance novels, the third-act breakup is an unnecessary trope that could easily be eliminated from the book and replaced with something of legitimate substance. However, Talia Hibbert is such a wonderful writer that I not only tolerated her third-act breakups, but I found myself getting excited when I read them. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention one of my favorite reads of 2023 and the sequel that I am eagerly awaiting in the spring, The Davenports by Krystal Marquis. This novel is perfect for those who love the Netflix series, Bridgerton, and are looking for a romance that is a drama-filled easy read. The Davenports follows different young, Black high-society women in early-twentieth century Chicago and their unpredictable love stories. When I first picked up this book, I was very nervous about the fact that there were so many characters and plot-lines to keep up with, but Marquis does it effortlessly, tying all of the plots into one big cliffhanger at the end, which has me anxious for the sequel that will be published in early May of this year. I especially love this book because it doesn’t center itself around some sort of Black trauma or generational abuse. It is simply a story about Black people existing and falling in love, which is such an important image that we need to see more of. People of color deserve to see themselves represented in a soft, romantic light, and I am so glad BookTok introduced me to this novel, as well as all of the novels I have discussed.

Since I was in elementary school, I have always loved writing. Though, to this day, I am still not sure what brought it on. My best guess is the books my mother used to read to me and my brother before bed, but that fueled my love of reading more than anything else. Regardless of what started it, I have been writing stories since I was around five years old. It didn't take me long before I realized that I held the fantasy and romance genres much higher than all the rest, and I quickly began honing my writing skills in those two genres. As a result, I decided to major in creative writing when I began applying to colleges so I could better my writing and start on the path to becoming a published author. When it comes to the different aspects of my writing style, one of my biggest concerns is being able to tell a consistent, well-paced story. I have a habit of coming up with incredibly intricate plots, which could easily lead to plot holes and discrepancies if I get my details mixed up. With an education centered around the improvement of my writing, I believe that pacing out my stories will become a much easier task for me to achieve. Additionally, I wish to improve my skills in creating characters. The characters of a story are arguably the most important part, and if they are not written and developed properly, then the rest of the story will suffer. I try not to compare my skills to other pieces of media, but I have seen so many amazing character development arcs in my favorite books and movies, and I feel some sort of obligation to craft a character that is at that same standard. On top of bettering my writing skills, I greatly look forward to any classes that will help me learn about the publishing world. I know that there are many different routes a writer can take when they wish to publish their work, and the process always seems overwhelming at first glance. I have taken one class on writing to publish in the past, but it focused more on the writing aspect and not enough on the publishing. While majoring in creative writing, I wish to take any class that will help me gain a better understanding of the publishing world and how to gain my footing in the business aspect of writing.

With every album Taylor Swift releases, I almost always can never decide on my favorite song. I manage to compile a list of the songs I love the most, but I can never choose just one song that stands out above the rest. However, with her fifth studio album '1989', I managed to achieve what has, so far, been nearly impossible. My favorite song on '1989' isn't on the original album but on the deluxe edition. It is the first of the bonus tracks and it is titled 'Wonderland'. While I love every song on '1989' and there were many contenders that came close to being my favorite, 'Wonderland' is the song that, to me, does the best job of showcasing Swift's songwriting strengths, such as her lyricism, storytelling, and bridge-building. Throughout her career, Swift has been praised for her storytelling and lyricism, and 'Wonderland' is a prime example of why. Using the age-old fairy tale of 'Alice in Wonderland', Swift details a chaotic, toxic relationship that was doomed from the start. She plays on the characters and iconic moments of the tale, describing her lover as having a 'Cheshire Cat smile' in the second pre-chorus. I especially love this lyric because it shows the listener how Swift was lead into an unexpected whirlwind of a romance by her lover who, like the Cheshire Cat, seems to be extremely mischievous and enjoys causing unrest. Additionally, the song as a whole tells the full story of the romance in a way that is easily comprehendible and catchy. From the first verse to the end chorus, Swift details how the relationship started, where things began going wrong, the conflicts they faced, and how everything ended. The story is clear and concise, and there is an added perk in the chorus, which is simple and does not confuse the tale. Taylor Swift has crafted several songs where she tells beautiful, well-thought stories, but I can confidently admit that this will always be one of my favorites, no matter what else she releases. Of course, I can't discuss my favorite Taylor Swift song without mentioning the bridge. Going hand-in-hand with her storytelling and lyricism, Swift is notorious for crafting amazing bridges in her songs. Regardless of which album the song is on, all Taylor Swift fans seem to have a universally agreed-upon list of her best bridges. However, I have not seen much appreciation for the bridge in 'Wonderland', and I find it baffling. It may not be the wordiest of her bridges, but I love her voice as she sings it and the way you can feel the emotion in her words. The bridge of 'Wonderland' is also another prime example of her storytelling skills, as she uses that part of the song to detail the aftermath of the relationship and the effect it had on Swift and her former partner. Overall, I love everything about this song, from the instrumentals to the vocals and everything in between. The storytelling is beautiful and enticing, the lyrics and instrumentals are so fun, and the bridge is one of my favorites on the album. Unless Taylor Swift pulls out a show-stopping vault track when she releases '1989 (Taylor's Version)', 'Wonderland' will remain my favorite song on '1989', forever and always.