Book Series Recommendations

I thought, it's been a while since I've posted a here. And I thought I had a light hearted topic. And I know I'm not the only one who loves reading. So I here are a list of books series which I would recommend. I should warn you these are mostly YA novels and also it's a viscous circle of reading you can never leave. No major spoilers I don't think.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Rick Riordan
Lots of weird things have happened to twelve year old Percy, but when his scary teacher tries to destroy him, things get even weirder, and his mother is taken by Hades, the god of the underworld, he reaches Camp Half Blood, a Greek camp for demigods, Like Percy it is up to Percy and his new friends to save the world. Again. And again.

Heroes of Olympus Rick Riordan
(Okay, but I'm not sorry. Rick could write out Percy and Annabeth's shopping list and I'd probably cry.) If anyone loved the PJO series, HOO is definitely for you. We meet several new and vital characters. And a whole new set of gods. Roman gods. When Gaia, goddess of the earth, tries to wake up and destroy the gods, and rule the earth, it's up to our favourite characters to save the day.

Harry Potter J K Rowling
I wouldn't be surprised if this was on every book list. The story of the boy who lived has captivated the heart of so many since it was first published. The entire series is magnificent, I promise. Eleven year old Harry Potter's parents have been killed by the Dark Lord Voldemort, and now you-know-who wants to seek revenge on Harry. Harry is thrust into the world of wizardry, making new friends and waving the wizarding world. (I'm sensing a theme too She pretty much owns my soul at this point.)

The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins
Possibly the first dystopian futuristic novel series I read. Sixteen year old Katniss is drafted into the hunger games after volunteering to save her younger sister. Together with fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark, Katniss aims to win the games and take down the capital, who uses the games as entertainment. (Yes. She also saves the day. Don't be surprised.)

Divergent Trilogy Veronica Roth
Another futuristic dystopian series. Sixteen year old Beatrice 'Tris' Prior has lived her whole life in Abnegation. Erudite and Abnegation are arguing. And the choosing ceremony is near. Tris can't tell anybody she is divergent, because if she did she might die. Nobody knows what is on the outside. Or what Jeanine, leader of Erudite, is planning. (I don't even need to say anything. I think you know.)

The Maze Runner James Dashner
Did anyone ask for another futuristic dystopian series? Possibly sixteen year old Thomas can't remember anything but his name when he wakes in an elevator and finds himself in an open area called the Glade. There are dozens of other teenage boys all trapped here with the same fate. Then Teresa turns up and everything starts going further downhill. Thomas tries to lead his new friends to safety but that is only the start of the problems they will have to face.

The Mortal Instruments Cassandra Clare
Nice. Sixteen year old Clary Fray witnesses what looks like some sort of cult murder her best friend can't see. A squad of teenage shadowhunters are ridding the world of evil demons. Her mother vanishes and she needs to find her. Clary falls in love for the first time but it is followed by a series of consequences. (I'm all for strong female characters and anything Cassandra Clare writes.)

The Infernal Devices Cassandra Clare
Talking of things Cassandra Clare writes. Set in the 1800s, sixteen year old Tessa travels from America to England to be with her brother. Instead, two warlocks teach her to do things she never wanted so they might free her brother. She is saved by Will Herondale, a shadowhunter from the London institute. Not that she needs it because she's badass anyway. Will, Jem and Tessa must defeat defeat the clockwork army of demon before it's too late. Fabulous tie in with TMI.

The Chronicles of Narnia C W Lewis
I don't even know how to caption this. They're so classic and so great. Also the characters who save the day range in age and also talking animals.

The Fifth Wave Rick Yancey
The story follows sixteen year old Cassie. But get this, the aftermath of the ongoing alien apocalypse. Her parents dead, her brother missing and all alone. Cassie needs to find out what is going on. But she can't trust anyone.

A/N: I really high key love these series.

Why Do Sexism and Racism Still Exist?

Unfortunately, it's true.

Racism

You can go ahead and say it's better than it was. But that doesn't change that, to this very day, people are still being killed because of the colour of their skin.

If a white person had been murdered by police brutality it would be a really big deal to everyone. And it should be a big deal, now. It shouldn't matter the colour of someone's skin. Racism shouldn't exist. People are all people.

(This still makes be angry. Ferguson was over a year ago now. But still there has been no justice. But as a white person, my voice is no where near as important as POC, who go through this oppression. Reverse racism is not a thing. We weren't slaves, we weren't deemed less important by other people.)

Sexism

Women still don't get paid as much as men. Especially WOC. For working just as hard and doing same jobs as men.

Getting catcalled isn't endearing either. It's rude.
Women don't exist to please men. And women aren't weaker than men either. And why gender or sex has anything to do with how equal people are treated is beyond me.

"Women in other countries are more oppressed." Yes they are and it needs to stop. Young girls shouldn't be forced to marry men twice or more their age.

(Like I said, my voice can only go so far in this fight. But it is important that people stand up against things they know are wrong.)

RIP to all those who wont get to see the day you will receive justice. We wont let them get away with this.

#LoveWins

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA

You've done it.

Gay Marriage is now legal.
I used italics as Love has no gender or sex. Love is love. And now it is legal to marry whomever you fall in love with.

I know this is just a band-aid solution. And the real goal is to normalise no heterosexual relationships and have everyone accept that straight isn't everyone's default orientation. But it's a good place to start, trying to make genders, sexes, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations and the like equal. The real problem being things like unaccepted non-heterosexual youth living on the streets.

But pride should still be celebrated. Not just by 'gay' people. Everyone within the LGBTQIA+. This is a big step towards equality. Well done to all those who took part in making the right decision.

It's still upsetting to see states like Alabama and Mississippi refusing to marry anyone to avoid marrying same-sex or same-gender marriage. Even from England. It is childish. Though children don't see gender in love, so it is a bad comparison.

And for those who are against it. Why?
The Bible? It is only God's place to judge.
It's just wrong? How is love wrong; love is beautiful.
Please think for a moment how illogical your dislike is. It is not an abomination. Deal with it.

Like I said in my last post, I think, I do not like to use labels. If you do, it does not affect me and I respect your choices. As I once read, "Feelings first. Labels later." Which is why I loosely use them here.

Stereotypes in Society

I thought that this was a pretty important topic to talk about. I feel quite a few people may relate or agree with me. The issue of stereotypes. Here are just a few examples.

Boys should be masculine and girls should be feminine.
No.  Just, no. This is a very black and white thought. It downgrades people and makes them thing they are bad at being themselves and should be a different person.
Masculine and feminine are not words I believe in. Watching romantic movies isn't feminine. Football isn't masculine. They just are.

Girls should shave.
Some people expect boys to be different from girls. Shaving is a personal choice but people are disgusted if a woman does not.
Doing it is not wrong. Not doing it is not wrong.

Boys have short hair. Girls have long hair. Girls who have short hair are lesbians.
Evidentially incorrect. Myself being one example.
Your hair expresses you. It doesn't define gender or sexuality.

Slut shaming and self respect.
It's just rude. It isn't funny.  People who sleep with other people are the same as you, and can still respect themselves.
So keep rude comments to yourself. Stop slut shaming. The same goes for virgin shaming. It's a choice.

Women belong to men.
Women belong in the kitchen? Women are possessions?
No. Women are free to do what they want. They cannot be controlled.

Muslims are terrorist.
First of all: No. Second of all: NO.
Some people to horrible things but the whole people is not at fault. They just want to live their lives and not be associated. Thinking this is very racist.

It is not okay to hate or discriminate someone for their race, sexuality, gender, religion. Anything.

There are more than two genders and sexualities.
Consider genderfluid, agender, there are more than two? Not all people fit into the choices of Male and Female.
Pansexuality, demisexuality, asexuality, -romantic. etc.

People do not need to label themselves because of societies standards. You do you.

Feminism

Feminism is about equality.

Feminism is not about overpowering men.
Feminism is not about being superior to men.
Feminism is not about shaming men.
Feminists do not hate men.
Women earn 78% averagely of what men earn.
Feminism is not about slut shaming.
Feminism is not about virgin shaming.
You don't need to be a girl to be a feminist.

Just because you are a feminist doesn't mean you are weak.
Just because you are a feminist doesn't mean you can't handle yourself.
Just because you are a feminist doesn't mean you think that all men are bad.

Anything men can do, so can women.
Anything women can do, men can do too.

I am feminist because I believe in equality.  Everyone should be treated equally and gender should not separate us. Everyone, including those within the LGBTQIA+. Everyone deserves respect. Equally.

Feminism doesn't just support women. They support equality for everyone, including men.

Feminism is about everyone being equal.