Creating an ideal bookshelf inspired by #BookTok recommendations, is definitely interesting with a variety of genres to choose from. The vibrant online community of, #BookTok, has revolutionized the way we discover and discuss literature. The titles that have emerged from #BookTok not only reflect diverse genres and themes but also foster a sense of connection among readers. Here’s a glimpse of my envisioned bookshelf, featuring must-have titles and their impact on the #BookTok community! 1. "It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover Colleen Hoover has become a titan in the #BookTok space, with "It Ends With Us" leading the charge. This poignant exploration of love, trauma, and resilience resonates deeply with readers. Its candid portrayal of difficult relationships has sparked conversations about domestic abuse, encouraging many to share their own experiences. The emotional depth and relatable characters have made it a staple on my shelf and a catalyst for important discussions. 2. "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller This retelling of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus has captured the hearts of readers. Its lyrical prose and exploration of love and loss have prompted countless TikTok creators to share their emotional reactions and deep analyses. The book’s themes of friendship and sacrifice resonate widely, making it a must-have for anyone looking to engage with classic literature through a modern lens. 3. "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid This novel offers a compelling narrative about the life of a reclusive Hollywood star. Its intricate storytelling and rich character development have made it a favorite among #BookTok users. The book’s exploration of identity, love, and ambition has inspired many to reflect on their own lives and aspirations. TikTok creators frequently use the hashtag #EvelynHugo to share their thoughts and highlight the book’s impact on their understanding of fame and personal sacrifice. 4. "Beach Read" by Emily Henry This contemporary romance showcases the power of storytelling and the complexities of writer’s block. #BookTok has embraced "Beach Read" for its humor, relatable characters, and emotional layers. Readers often share their favorite quotes and moments, fostering a sense of community among those who appreciate witty banter and heartfelt romance. The book has encouraged discussions about the writing process and the importance of pursuing one’s passions. 5. "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas This fantasy series has garnered a massive following on #BookTok, with fans passionately discussing its characters, world-building, and romance. The series has inspired countless fan art and theories, creating a vibrant sub-community within #BookTok. Its themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and empowerment have resonated with readers, making it an essential addition to any fantasy lover’s shelf. 6. "People We Meet on Vacation" by Emily Henry Another gem from Emily Henry, this novel combines humor and heartfelt moments, exploring the complexities of friendship and love. Its relatable narrative has sparked discussions about the importance of maintaining friendships over time, making it a favorite among any reader who appreciate a good romantic comedy. The impact of these titles on the #BookTok community is profound. They not only provide entertainment but also facilitate conversations about personal experiences, societal issues, and emotional wellness. My ideal bookshelf, filled with these must-have titles, embodies the spirit of connection and discovery that defines #BookTok, inviting readers to explore, reflect, and engage with stories that resonate deeply.

Being in nature gives me a sense of peace and relaxation—a place to get away from the day-to-day monotony. Being able to travel and experience the different climates the world has to offer allows one to see not only different weather trends but also other non-native species. The Earth gives us the ability to find peace within ourselves and endless land and sea to explore, giving us a deeper understanding. Humans, plants, and animals serve purposes on Earth, and without all of the components, they would not be able to function properly. Since the start of the industrial revolution in the mid-1850s, the world has released a plethora of greenhouse gases that cause significant increases in temperature, shrinking of large bodies of water, melting of the Arctic, forest fires, growing deserts, and threatening of species livelihoods. Each year, the global temperature rises, and it is up to us to help lessen the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere. In order to lessen my and my family's contribution, I purchased energy-efficient appliances, reduced the amount of water used to preserve both energy and water, changed all lightbulbs to LED to use less energy than traditional bulbs, unplugged unused electronics to lessen idle loading, had fuel-efficient cars, and recycled when possible. I am also working to address the issue of climate change by speaking with my family about the impact each aspect of our lives has on the environment and how we can lessen it. When going through my day-to-day, whether at work or at home, I often catch myself doing many of the tasks listed above without even being consciously aware that I am doing them. In 2020, I joined the Citizen's Climate Lobby, a group dedicated to sustainable living practices and lobbying Congress to pass legislation. Every week I have had the opportunity to speak with others on the committee about volunteering in the community. We also address how we can have more widespread education on the importance of preserving the climate, not only for us but for future generations. In June, I will be attending a conference to speak with expert speakers and members of Congress to push for legislation to be enforced that would help decrease our carbon footprint. Not only do I get to hear their point of view, but I am also able to work alongside them, experiencing not only lobbying as a political activist but also the important effect lobbying can have on congressmen. I hope to continue to serve on the committee and have more wonderful experiences similar to the virtual conferences I have attended. They have helped me not only collaborate with others passionate about climate change but have also allowed me to learn more about our climate and preservation efforts. Beyond the committee, I would like to further promote research and development toward how to limit our footprint in multiple aspects of our day-to-day lives. The Earth is our home, and we should care about preserving as much of the landscape and unique species as possible. When we take action to prevent this change, we are not only benefiting our lives but also helping make the environment clean for future generations.

The dream version of my future self is a successful business woman, while also giving back to the community.

Since my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in business, focusing on marketing and digital analytics. Personally, I enjoy everything numbers, statistics, and research-based, so when I decided to pursue marketing and business analytics, I had a feeling it was right for me. With my recent studies, I have become extremely passionate about the field, and I am interested in helping businesses grow through the use of technology. Eventually, I would like to be a market research analyst, helping companies understand the data behind the consumer market, how they compare to competitors, and the optimization of their web pages and social media outlets. As a full-time student with a part-time job, it is difficult to find time to do everything I would like to do. From a young age, both my mom and dad stressed the importance of responsibility as well as education. Throughout my life, they have always pushed me to follow through with tasks, take responsibility for my actions, and work hard in order to get the best education possible. They instilled in me that knowledge is one of the most powerful resources a person can have; therefore, I dedicate much effort to continual growth and learning, as it is endless. When I am not studying, I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family, playing lacrosse, and weightlifting. I find the balance between school and home life very important and try to manage both so I can be successful while also maintaining time for myself. In order to maintain this balance, organization is crucial, as is time management. At my current job, I was put in a situation where I experienced emotional weakness and had to not only adapt but also overcome the circumstances at hand. The previous store manager was let go by our corporate offices without notice, leaving our store with a manager and staff weary of what would happen in the workplace. Since I was operations manager, they had asked me if I would assume the position of store manager in her place. When they first asked me, I was hesitant. I faced much self-criticism, doubting myself and my ability to lead staff and manage multiple aspects of the business. Being twenty was difficult, as I did not have much experience and was nervous about the role and the responsibilities. However, after much thought, I decided that I was ready to take on the challenges being thrown my way, which helped me learn to adapt, problem solve, lead staff, and manage my responsibilities as store manager. Even though there were days I was hard on myself, the experience helped me flourish and learn aspects of business management that I would not have learned if not given the opportunity. With the support of my staff, I was able to persevere through self-criticism and doubt, allowing the business to flourish, the staff to feel confident in the workplace, and all managerial tasks to be completed on time. My staff was there for me through the learning curves and had a shoulder for me to cry on when frustrated or having a difficult time with the new responsibilities expected of me. I was able to overcome the emotional weakness by having a support system to encourage me to persevere and let everything happen the way it should.

Having a sister recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes I have been immersed in the importance of not only a balanced but healthy diet. When reading nutrition labels to determine the number of carbohydrates in different products, it really makes the consumer think about what you are putting in your body. Since her diagnosis, I have been more conscious of what I am eating and researching the ingredients on nutrition labels that I am unfamiliar with. With that being said, it is critical to have healthy eating habits because it promotes not only mental but physical health. Healthy eating habits help to ensure that bodily functions are able to be completed, by providing the necessary nutrients. Natural whole foods can improve the immune system, aid digestive functions, maintain body weight (metabolism), nurture brain health, and reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions. If a person continually has poor eating habits the risks of compromised health increase and bodily functions are unable to process as they normally would. When eating healthy I feel a significant difference in both my mental health as well as my physical health. Choosing healthy food options can sometimes be difficult when a majority of the foods promoted contain ingredients that pose a risk to normal bodily functions. As a result of eating more fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed food, I feel more energetic and have the ability to exercise for longer without being extremely sore. Also by maintaining both a healthy diet and exercise, I am able to reduce the risk of tearing muscles, having weak teeth, and fragile bones. With nutrients from unprocessed natural food, the body is able to allocate the vitamins and minerals necessary to promote bone as well as dental health (calcium) and strengthen the muscle to reduce the risk of injury. My mental health has also improved since I am getting an abundance of nutrients that are converted to energy. Working out has become an outlet of mine that I use to relieve stress, work on myself, and strengthen my muscle health. Overall, through research as well as proper diet and exersise I have learned that the healthy food options have a better long-term effect on bodily functions. Not only have I noticed better overall physical health but I have realized the positive impact it has had on my mental health. By making healthier choices I feel more clear minded and less anxious in my day-to-day activities.

When I first started high school, I struggled with body image and having a healthy relationship with food and exercise. Over a year, I chose to watch what I ate very closely, work out for an exorbitant amount of time, and solely focus on burning more calories than I had eaten. Rather than having a healthy relationship and appreciating the nutrients I am able to receive I chose to starve myself in search of the desired body image. Towards the end of the year, people close to me began to notice how thin I was and how my eating habits were not healthy. At the end of this dark time in my life, I met my boyfriend, who competed in powerlifting competitions and valued nutrition. Once I started to go to more competitions, had conversations with him, and researched the value of nutrition I changed my lifestyle. Rather than continue to be "stuck" in the routine, I decided that it was crucial that I needed change. After researching nutrition benefits as well as the effects on the body, I decided to begin to weight lift, maintain a caloric surplus, and develop a healthier lifestyle. I have begun to take multivitamins, and certain supplements (iron, magnesium), drink protein shakes and do weight lifting four to five times per week. Since starting to take numerous supplements (vitamins), I feel more energized and have a more balanced immune system. These supplements aid numerous body processes that I was lacking previously which harmed my bodily functions. Without the proper nutrients, my body was depleted of energy making it difficult to get through school, exercise, homework, and outings with my friends. Now understand the value of these vitamins and supplements, I ensure that I take them every morning to maintain healthy body functions and be able to live life to the fullest. Weight lifting has become my new favorite method of exercising rather than extensive cardio only focused on burning a certain number. At first, I was nervous to start weightlifting with the fear of becoming "bulky" however now I have learned to love my physique. From weightlifting, I have gained personal confidence, built muscle, and developed a healthier "obsession" with working out. With weightlifting, I feel less stressed, have less muscle tension, am more confident, and have an overall better mental headspace. This has overall had a positive impact on my health and well-being making my lifestyle more well-rounded.

Throughout my whole life, the importance of education has been reiterated to me by my mother and father. Being raised by parents who value education very much, I have developed an appreciation for learning, opportunity, and the importance of hard work. Ever since I was young, I have had wanderlust, determination, and a love for learning. I put forth my best effort in everything I do regardless of my given title, to ensure that it reflects my zealous, passionate, hardworking personality. Education is essential to me because I can have a better understanding as well as an appreciation for the world around me. Since I am fortunate enough to receive a proper education, I strive to learn as much as possible while developing practical skills necessary for the future. In my past job, I had the opportunity to develop management skills and progress to the store manager position in less than three years. I accredit my successes in professional development to the academic experiences that I have had. Without education, I would not have had the opportunity to learn how to talk to other individuals, problem-solve, work in a team setting, time management, and respect.