road trip

Are You Bored Yet?

LinneaLeave a comment

We’re entering those lazy days of summer, where it becomes all too easy to binge every episode of Love Island, lounging on the couch in air conditioning. But July is National Anti-Boredom Month and each week I’ll showcase some books that will (hopefully) get you out of the boredom cycle! 

A great way to keep boredom at bay is to be a tourist in your own city. It’s easy to take for granted what you can experience everyday but there’s a whole world just a walk, bike ride, car trip, or bus journey away! If you’re looking to escape into the great outdoors, you’ve come to the right city. Best Hikes Cleveland will get you out and about, exploring all the wonderful parks and hikes within an hour drive. Not so interested in nature? Check out all the spooky happenings in Haunted Ohio, if you dare. Rather explore Cleveland by food? There are plenty of restaurants to taste test in Unique Eats and Eateries of Cleveland. And if you’re up for the ultimate Cleveland challenge, why not start working on 100 Things to Do in Cleveland Before You Die?  

If you’re farther afield from Cleveland, check out another book in the 100 Things to Do in… series for your city or a city nearby. If you’re eager to explore, Lonely Planet has tons of road trip guides, whether you’re in the United States or France or Australia, even!  

But if you just feel like relaxing as we all deserve to do, honestly, that’s a pretty good way to spend the summer too! 

-Linnea

Novels in Verse for Poetry Month

MeganLeave a comment

I have always struggled to appreciate poetry, which is why I am always surprised when I read and love a novel in verse. Every time. I read two this month and they were both amazing.

Me (Moth) by Amber McBride. Moth, named for a fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is grieving the loss of her family. When she meets Sani, she recognizes another lost soul, another lonely person. Together they embark on a road trip. A quest. A search for roots and ancestors.

I went in to this book knowing nothing about it and I recommend you do the same. Just know it’s beautiful and engaging. It’s full of Earth magic and voodoo and Native imagery along with nods to Greek mythology and Shakespeare. A truly lovely read.

Ain’t Burned All The Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin. I listened to this one while following along with the book. In about 10 sentences and 300 pages of art, the Jasons tell the story of what if feels like to be Black in America today. This manifesto is brilliant. Dark and vulnerable, fierce and hopeful, it’s a stunning visual experience.

Finally, the novel in verse that started it all for me:

To Stay Alive: Mary Ann Graves and the Tragic Journey of the Donner Party by Skila Brown. What more can I say about a NOVEL IN VERSE ABOUT THE DONNER PARTY other than, heck yeah!

I hope you found a new gem during National Poetry Month. If not, I suggest you check out one of these.

Megan