{"id":33163,"date":"2017-12-13T11:27:56","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T16:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/?p=33163"},"modified":"2018-01-03T13:21:32","modified_gmt":"2018-01-03T18:21:32","slug":"my-suggested-novels-and-shows-for-the-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2017\/12\/13\/my-suggested-novels-and-shows-for-the-break\/","title":{"rendered":"My suggested novels and shows for the break!"},"content":{"rendered":"It\u2019s finally here! Our holiday break! Now that classes are over and it\u2019s officially too cold to go outside without hoping to immediately find a way back in, we\u2019ve got about 3 weeks of staying indoors and binging Netflix or novels that aren\u2019t found on a syllabus. To celebrate this occasion, I\u2019ve compiled a list of suggestions; my 5-star-rating-on-good-reads novels, and some of my favourite tv series on Netflix, see them below!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>My Brilliant Friend \/\/ Elena Ferrante.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_33164\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-33164\" style=\"width: 236px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-33164\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/elenaferrante.jpg\" alt=\"the front novel cover of Elena Ferrante's &quot;My Brilliant Friend&quot; featuring a man and a woman sporting wedding attire walking away, trailed by three young girls\" width=\"236\" height=\"367\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-33164\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Here's the cover of my brilliant friend!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nI read the entire quartet of the Neapolitan collection by Ferrante and then consumed all her other works immediately afterward. If ever I was certain of the absolute talent of an author, it is with Ferrante. The series follows the life stages of two captivating Italian women who grow up alongside each other, sharing a complex and heart stopping relationship. The novel is beautifully written and paints a very detailed picture of the culture found in the city of Naples which is its setting. 100% read it. Right now. Go.\r\n<ol start=\"2\">\r\n \t<li>The Girl Who Was Saturday Night \/\/ Heather O\u2019Neill<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-33165 alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/tgwwsn.jpg\" alt=\"the cover for &quot;The Girl Who Was Saturday Night&quot; featuring a woman in a red jumpsuit \" width=\"251\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/tgwwsn.jpg 316w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/tgwwsn-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 251px) 100vw, 251px\" \/>\r\n\r\nO\u2019Neill\u2019s breathtaking talent with words makes prose sound so close to poetry it almost slides into magic realism. Narrating the chaotic lives of two Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois twins who\u2019s father is a famous musician, the story is interesting for it\u2019s ability to highlight the psychological effects of growing up under the limelight and in the shadow of a parent who never grew up themselves.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n \t<li>Lord of The Flies \/\/ William Golding<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-33166 alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/lordoftheflies.jpg\" alt=\"The book cover of Lord Of the Flies, featuring a collection of butterflies and flowers in a bundle in black pen \" width=\"220\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/lordoftheflies.jpg 220w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/lordoftheflies-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/>\r\n\r\nYou\u2019ve probably heard of this book before, or had to read it for a class. I know some people find this novel boring, but I have no idea how. I read this during my year off and finished it in one day. The plot (a group of school boys get stranded on an uninhabited island and deteriorate into madness) is completely engrossing and teaches you a few lessons about the effects of group mentality and social power along the way.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n \t<li>Rule of The Bone \/\/ Russell Banks<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-33168 alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/51dTodSNvGL.jpg\" alt=\"the book cover of Rule of The Bone, featuring a sketch of two bones crossed with each other\" width=\"242\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/51dTodSNvGL.jpg 329w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/51dTodSNvGL-197x300.jpg 197w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 242px) 100vw, 242px\" \/>\r\n\r\nOh this book! It gets me every time! Fair warning this one is pretty heartbreaking- okay, incredibly so. If you can get passed the grammar and misery, this coming-of-age story about a 14 year old victim of domestic abuse who drops out of high school and eventually moves to Jamaica is a touching tail of the resiliency of the human spirit and the power of empathy. I don\u2019t know what it is about it that makes me so emotional- Chappie a.k.a. Bone has a heart of gold and he deserves all the good things in the world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow onto Tv shows!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Black Mirror<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_33169\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-33169\" style=\"width: 326px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-33169\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/lmao.png\" alt=\"A meme about black mirror with the following text: me: *finishes black mirror* phone: beep, me: (photo of a woman panicking)\" width=\"326\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/lmao.png 500w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/lmao-287x300.png 287w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-33169\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">everybody loves a good meme<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nOkay, I wont lie, I binged the entirety of this show and now I\u2019m nervous about any and all technological advancements- don\u2019t get me started about robots. This anthology series (meaning each episode is a new story) is a satirical view on common themes in modern society- specifically new technology. Chilling, intriguing and with incredible cinematography- I suggest watching the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> season because by public vote it is unanimously the best one. Also I just found out the new season is coming out on the 29<sup>th<\/sup> !!\r\n<ol start=\"2\">\r\n \t<li>Please Like Me<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-33170 alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/pleaselikeme.jpg\" alt=\"A man in sunglasses saying &quot;I just really think that if I got to sing Hakuna Matata to a real meerkat, that would cheer me up&quot;\" width=\"558\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/pleaselikeme.jpg 740w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/pleaselikeme-300x233.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 558px) 100vw, 558px\" \/>\r\n\r\nProbably the most lighthearted media in this blog post, Please Like Me catalogs the life of a fresh-out-the-closet socially awkward Australian and his close friends as they get themselves into all kinds of ridiculous and uncomfortable situations. I like it because it addresses stressful life situations in an optimistic perspective, and even this group of adults who have been adults for longer than me are afraid of being adults, so it\u2019s relatable. Also, the characters are endearing and hilarious and the aesthetic is pretty. If you\u2019re having a bad day, the opening song will immediately lift your spirits.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n \t<li>Stranger Things<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-33171 alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/strangerthings.jpg\" alt=\"A poster for the netflix series Stranger Things featuring all the main characters\" width=\"427\" height=\"263\" \/>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI mean, do I even have to say anything here? With all the hype surrounding this series lately, everyone seems to have an opinion about it- you either LOVE it or you couldn\u2019t care less. If you\u2019re not familiar with it however; it\u2019s a science fiction-horror series set in the 1980\u2019s involving a little kid with super-powers, alien\/monsters, and the never-ending power of friendship. If you\u2019ve never seen it, definitely give it a chance. My favourite character is Dustin, he\u2019s adorable as heck.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n \t<li>Atypical<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-33172 alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/atypical-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Sam, Atypical's protagonist, saying &quot;Sometimes, I wish I was normal&quot;\" width=\"466\" height=\"263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/atypical-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/atypical-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/atypical-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2017\/12\/atypical.jpg 1136w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px\" \/>\r\n\r\nLast but not least on my list, this show is hilarious and sweet in many ways, and gives viewers a more thorough understanding of what it means to exist on the spectrum. Sam is a high school senior with autism who\u2019s attempts at fitting in and finding romantic love lead to both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. I highly suggest watching if you\u2019re looking for an emotionally fulfilling 8 hours.\r\n\r\nThat\u2019s it from me for now, I hope you all have a fantastic holiday break! Eat lots of chocolate and stay warm.","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n<div class=\"entry-summary\">\nIt\u2019s finally here! Our holiday break! Now that classes are over and it\u2019s officially too cold to go outside without hoping to immediately find a way back in, we\u2019ve got about 3 weeks of staying indoors and binging Netflix or&hellip;\n<\/div><div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2017\/12\/13\/my-suggested-novels-and-shows-for-the-break\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;My suggested novels and shows for the break!&rdquo;<\/span>&hellip;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2017\/12\/13\/my-suggested-novels-and-shows-for-the-break\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;My suggested novels and shows for the break!&rdquo;<\/span>&hellip;<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":335,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1],"tags":[105,2038,13494,477,12644],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33163"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/335"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33163"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33173,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33163\/revisions\/33173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}