The Silkworm - Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)
Cormoran Strike is back again to solve figure out why the famous novelist, Owen Quine, disappeared, and who's to blame for his random disappearance. J.K. Rowling creates the most captivating mystery novels I've ever read.
Scroll down to see all the books I read this week.
The Scorch Trials - James Dashner
This is the second book in The Maze Runner series, and in this story, Thomas and the other 20 boys (and girl) who are left journey through another trial to see if they can combat the flare. It sort of reminded me of the second Hunger Games novel, as in it seemed a bit redundant, but it was just as thrilling as the first book.
The Vacationers - Emma Straub
This book is a total beach read, and if you were to take one book on vacation with you, this is the one that I highly recommend. The Post family, consisting of an unstable husband and wife, a daughter getting ready to go off to college, and a 28-year-old son dating a 40-year-old woman, goes on a vacation to Mallorca with their close family friends, and drama ensues. Loved every second of reading this!
Check out these tunes for a great start to your weekend!
"I Wanna Get Better" - Bleachers
As you may or may not know, Jack Antonoff (aka Lena Dunham's boyfriend and guitarist in the band F.U.N.) released a solo album and it's awesome. This is my favorite track.
"Everything I Didn't Say" - 5 Seconds of Summer
Because I don't think I could last a week without posting one of their singles.
"Come Get It Bae" - Pharrell feat. Miley Cyrus (uncredited)
This is truly the song of the summer and Miley is perfect in this!
"Ain't It Fun" - Paramore
Ain't it fun, ain't it fun, baby, now you're one of us?
"She Came To Give It To You" - Usher feat. Nicki Minaj
Any song Nicki is featured in is always a great song.
"Mother & Father" - Broods
This song speaks from the heart.
"Rude" - MAGIC!
I was not a big fan of this song at first, but the hook is pretty catchy, and it makes more since after watching the music video (P.S. Men, don't let this scare you away from asking the father to marry their daughter, it's respectful).
If you are an avid pinner, just as I am, then you may have stumbled upon a few pins marked as "Thinspiration" or "Fitspiration." These usually involve a super well toned body with quotes such as the ones above.
However, these are anything but healthy or inspirational images to help you get in shape, and may actually further you from your goals. It is well known that the secret to weight loss or getting a toned body is NOT avoiding food because that would just lead to craving and binge eating. Also these are very unrealistic images and, for all we know, they could be photoshopped.
I'm not at all saying that these inspirational photos are completely useless, but I want to encourage a sense of awareness about why you are exercising in the first place. Whether you want to lose weight, build a stronger body, or just become more healthier, the most important part is that you love your body and you don't put it through strenuous changes to try to achieve an unattainable goal.
Instead of thinking about getting thinner, consider trying to really love your body the way it is, and then using that motivation to help you make better choices. By doing so, you will want to workout not to lose weight, but because it's really good for your body to stay active. Also you will start eating healthier because it's better for your body to eat natural foods rather than processed foods. So instead of looking up "Fitspiration" and "Thinspiration," look in the mirror and let your body motivate you to a healthier lifestyle.
[Note: If you are trying to lose weight, don't try to lose more than 1-2 pounds per week because just as you are trying to adapt to a new lifestyle, so is your body.]
"National Anthem" - Lana Del Ray: Because "red, white, blue is in the sky, summer's in the air and baby, heaven's in your eyes" is the perfect Instagram photo caption.
"Kids in America (Cover)" - One Direction: My favorite X Factor performance ever! (Skip to: 1:53 for the actual performance)
"God Bless The U.S.A. (Cover)" - Beyonce: No words.
"American Girl" - Bonnie McKee: Yes! Yes! Yes!
"Party in the U.S.A." - Miley Cyrus: That's what today is!
