Month: November 2023

Readers use reading as a way to escape reality and jump into an entirely different world. 

Sometimes the real world can be a lot to handle. I use it as an escape for that reason—our everyday lives can be overwhelming, and finding another world to jump into and explore is a fun way to take a break.

I have made it a goal to read a majority of popular books the media has been sharing. I have enjoyed a good majority of them, but there are others that I wouldn’t recommend.

“Fourth Wing” and ”Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros

These new masterpieces are some of the top-ranked books in the book community right now. Released Nov. 7, “Iron Flame” has sold nearly half a million copies, with the first book of “Fourth Wing” selling over two million copies.

This new series is quickly beginning to be one of my favorites. The themes are pushing toward the opposite of the typical book women stereotypes.

Usually in books that focus on women empowerment, it is the “I’m different from other girls, and I can pick up on skills quickly and always get the guy, but I’m already really pretty and the top of my class.”

Whereas in this book, Violet Sorrengail is relatable. She is a small girl who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a chronic condition that affects the body’s connective tissue, and isn’t at the top of her class like other stereotypical book girls would be. She has to find ways around her conditions just to survive that aren’t the traditional ways.

Unlike “regular” stories, Violet and Xaden Riorson, have a hard time trusting each other, yet they love each other through it all. But, that trust causes them a lot of issues on top of everything else they are dealing with. 

I can relate to the characters that Yarros has written because I am about their age, and I am going through a lot of the same situations that they are going through emotionally. Also, being able to read about these characters and their passion for what they do and what they fight for makes me want to grow as a person and push myself not only physically—because it would be cool to fly on a dragon and throw knives—but mentally as well.

This book has war and colleges, but there is also magic and dragons. It is a very nice balance to allow the reader to escape reality, but also keep them intrigued with themes that they feel they could relate to in some way. 

“Shatter Me” by Tahereh Mafi

“Shatter Me” is a book series that most new readers start with and end up loving. It’s a very easy read. The books are not very long, but they have a good amount of development and world-building but not so much that it is overwhelming or too hard to keep track of everything. 

The characters are much simpler compared to other series such as “From Blood and Ash” or “The Inheritance Games,” with the reader having to get past the first few books to learn what the characters are like and what they think and feel. These characters are a little more surface-level and easier to read. 

I like these books overall, but I wouldn’t read it more than once. The characters are cute, but they don’t resonate like a lot of the other characters in other books have. The whole plot of the book changed as soon as the love story came to pass. I felt that Mafi could have focused more on Juliette Ferrars’s storyline and how she grows as a character since the book started out with her in such a devastated state.

I love the impact that these books have on new readers. It is a great series to begin your reading journey with, and it opens the door to a whole new world of books.

“Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas is seen as a writer who is overhyped, but I have to disagree with that opinion. Her books have a lot of themes and character development that a lot of other authors lack. “Throne of Glass” is Maas’ most widely selling book and for good reason. The level of development that this eight-book series has is amazing. 

Going back to the typical stereotypes of women in books, Aelin Galythinius doesn’t match those stereotypes either. She starts out as an assassin, which we don’t typically see as a strong woman. Then she finds out her own heritage, and by doing that step alone, invites a lot of interest in her story. She is a strong woman and has a lot of impact on other characters from the very start of the series before any love interest is introduced.

At the end of the series, Maas does an amazing job of connecting things from the first book to the last book, which as a writer, is really impressive to keep all of that information in line.

Usually in books, the male tends to be the leader and supports the woman, oftentimes holding their significant other back from accomplishing things out of fear of being hurt. But Rowan Whitethorn doesn’t hold her back. He does fear for her safety, but he doesn’t stop her from doing dangerous things. More often than not, he just goes into those situations with her in support. This is a good way to show how this series is very different from your typical relationship.

Maas has a new book coming out in January 2024. For those who have read her books, specifically “Crescent City,” they know exactly why this next book is such a big deal. 

Excited doesn’t begin to describe how I feel about her next book. I love her storytelling, and I hope people are open-minded enough to give her books a chance and enjoy them as much as I do. 

“It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover

When I first started reading Colleen Hoover’s books, I thought they were decent, easy books. And that opinion still stands, but “It Ends With Us” is overhyped. It is a good book and was fun to read, but the level of excitement it has is a little much.

The lessons I learned from the story were good, and I give props to Hoover for writing a story about things that she had experienced in her own life, but the way that the fanbase is reacting to it isn’t a good thing. The negativity toward the book and its connection to the movie meant to come out in 2023 makes me ashamed to be a part of the group that read and liked this book. Body shaming and comparing a real person to a fictional character in a book is unacceptable.

I am a passionate book reader, but for these other passionate people to be looking at a false reality and expecting that reality to come to life is unrealistic. So, even though the book was a good read, I don’t entirely want to be a part of the group of supporters for this book.

Although the story was rushed and there weren’t a lot of details about the characters, I look forward to reading more of what Hoover writes. I hope she can include more detail and time into her characters and stories. 

State elections are coming up with the presidential elections the following year. For many of us on campus, this will be the first year that we get to vote in the presidential election.

Despite your political party, it is important to vote, but what qualities will persuade your voting? Maybe it is the qualities of “honest Abe” or the candidate with the best campaign. If you don’t know who to vote for, then look for certain qualities that you like in a person.

Celebrities are a great place to turn toward for great presidential qualities. While they might not be the ones running for president, they do have qualities that you might look for when voting.

However, have you ever thought about which celebrities would make a great president?

Well I have, and these would be my top choices if celebrities were president. They don’t have anything to do with politics, but they have certain qualities that should be seen in someone running for office.

Adam Sandler

Picture this: a man in gym shorts and an oversized t-shirt sitting in a presidential meeting. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

I think we all need a little bit more comedy in our lives, and Adam Sandler would be just the man for that job. In most of his movies, Sandler’s movie cast is made up of his comedy friends. While I don’t know how much would get done in his time in office, imagine how fun it would be to have Sandler as president and the cast of “Grown Ups” on the rest of the presidential board.

While Sandler is a great actor in comedy, he also plays a part in donating to multiple charities including the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He is famous yet so humble, which is something we need in a presidential candidate. There might be less violence if we had a humble president leading us because they wouldn’t be looking to prove anything to the world.

We need a president who isn’t full of themselves but is there to get the job done. It can be seen through Sandler’s outfits that he doesn’t care what others think of him but is rather living his life to the fullest. This is a quality that should be looked for in anyone, not just a presidential candidate.

Zendaya

Can you think about someone who can do anything better than Zendaya, herself? She can sing, dance, act and model. I would not be surprised if she could also be the president of the United States.

Now it might just be me, but I can’t think of a movie, TV show or song that Zendaya was in that did not turn out wonderful. From “The Greatest Showman” to her songs and acting in the series “Euphoria,” Zendaya has not missed either making her performance a tear-jerker or singing a sick beat.

I grew up watching Zendaya and now watch her in shows and movies today. She always seems so dedicated to her work, which would be something a president would need. I have never met her in person, but she also seems so kind-hearted and genuine. A president needs to be kind-hearted and genuine since, in a way, they are responsible for the U.S.

Zendaya’s talent also shows that she is a fast learner. A president needs to be able to learn and adapt to the fast-paced world. On top of it, with her ability to do almost anything, Zendaya is a role model. There have not been many presidents who would be considered role models, which is something that would be nice to see for once.

Jack Black

Another comedian and actor who would make a great president is Jack Black.

He is another actor who has very successful movies, whether that be acting or voice acting in animated films. The films are both family and comedy films, so he has influenced everyone in one way or another. One of his most recent films, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” was a successful movie with his role as Bowser. In this movie, he wrote and sang “Peaches,” which is one of my favorite songs in a movie for 2023. It is so catchy, and once you start singing it, good luck stopping.

From watching him in movies to seeing his interactions with other people, Black is someone I could trust. He always seems so caring while also making jokes. He gives off the vibes of a dad from the way he makes dad jokes while also making everything peaceful. Black would be the guy who would create world peace through making jokes. Many candidates say world peace is one of their goals, but do they show it through their actions like Black does?

Do you need a laugh or smile? Watch videos on his TikTok account. Every time one of his videos shows up on my For You Page, my spirits are instantly lifted. It would be great to have a president who lifts your spirits in a world that is often negative. What better president than the voice of Bowser?

Jane Lynch

Now I might be exposing myself with this one, but Jane Lynch would be another great president. I mean have you seen “Glee“?

If you haven’t seen this show, then you will have no idea what I am talking about. However, in “Glee,” Lynch plays Sue Sylvester, who is the cheer coach for the high school. She is mostly mean but occasionally nice at times, which I think could be a great presidential quality. We need someone as president who will get things done, which is something she would do.

In season six of “Glee,” she was even the vice president of the U.S. with the plan of running in 2024 for president. Her campaign slogan for president would be “That’s how Sue C’s it.” This is a phrase she uses when she stars on a news show but could easily be used as a campaign slogan to show her presidential views.

Taylor Swift

Last but not least is Taylor Swift.

Let’s put aside any bias or judgments you might have toward Swift and be real for a moment. If Swift wanted to be president, she could be president.

In the U.S. alone, her fan base is 53% of the population, which is 180 million people, and the Swifties are 16% of the population, which is 54.4 million people. To put it in perspective for you, the population of the entire state of Utah is 3.3 million. The entire state of New York has a population of 19.84 million. Her fan base is so large and dedicated that if she told them she was running for president, they would support her with no doubt.

On top of that, Swift has also helped the economy through her Eras Tour. On average, 54,000 fans attended the American leg of the tour. These fans had to find a place to eat, a hotel to stay at, and activities to do before the concert. All of the venues are also making a lot of money off of the tour. Our country is always in debt, so maybe someone with the qualities of Swift can help us get out of this debt.

If the statistics have not convinced you that Swift would make a great president, think about her music. There is a genre for any mood, and she just won Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2023 to add a cherry on top of her 12 Grammys. Through Swift’s fan base, benefits to the economy, music and just being her, she would make a great president.

So the next time you are watching a movie, TV show or listening to music, think about what it would look like if those celebrities were the president of the U.S. Maybe some of their qualities will help your voting in the upcoming elections.

In an era where scientific advancements shape our world, understanding genetically modified organisms has steadily become more important.

I strive to equip readers with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about purchasing GMOs and their important significance in our lives and the environment.

As a four-year Future Farmers of America member and avid performance horse enthusiast, who grew up on the outskirts of the Delta community surrounded by corn and alfalfa fields as far as one could see, agriculture has always had a special spot in my heart.

Rodeoing and stock-showing livestock throughout high school ignited my passion to inform others about “the joys and discomforts” an agricultural life can bring, all while educating those who may have never been around progressive agriculturists and family farms.

For thousands of years, humans have been selectively breeding to modify organisms to fit their needs and wants. Genetically engineered organisms are no different.

The United States Department of Agriculture openly reports that scientists use genetic engineering to take favorable genes, like insect resistance or drought tolerance, and transfer them into crops that Americans eat.

Genetically engineered corn, soybeans, cotton, potatoes, papaya, summer squash, canola, alfalfa, apples, sugar beets, and pink pineapples are grown in the U.S.

When consumers see large words or phrases they don’t understand, a sense of fear can set in, and that is why GMOs have been given a bad reputation simply because those who are not completely educated on them are offering others false information.

GMOs are not harmful to humans and some have higher nutritional value than their counterparts.

Scientists employ genetic modification today to increase crop yields, minimize crop spoilage, extend storage life, enhance visual appeal, and improve nutritional value. With the never-ending population growth, farmers would never be able to provide for everyone without GMOs.

A GMO farm will yield more healthy, appealing and cost-effective crops than a counterpart farm. This is because the farmer won’t need to spend as much on pesticides and herbicides since the plant has already been modified in a way that it can protect itself and grow strong without as much intervention.

GMOs are nothing to fear because they are just plants that have the most desirable traits for the best price. An example of selective breeding that we can compare to the selective breeding crops undergo is a dog breeder enjoying a golden retriever’s smart family-friendly personality but wishing they wouldn’t shed like their poodle.

America’s beloved golden doodle was born by crossing a golden retriever and a poodle, so individuals can still have a friendly and smart companion that is hypoallergenic for those sensitive to animal dander.

Corn that grows stronger, looks more desirable, has higher nutritional value and is more cost-effective is just like a golden doodle. They both were created for certain purposes by people for people. GMOs not only help farmers yield more crops per acre but also allow consumers to obtain nutritious fruits and vegetables at a lower price.

A world without GMOs would be a world where only the rich would have access to fruits and vegetables, and the poor would starve. The world’s farmers that use GMOs are making their living the same as everyone else, and their intentions are pure—to feed as many people as they can with nutritious food.