Arts & Culture

A Feminist Take on the Hot Girl Walk

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We have all witnessed the rise of the hot girl walk over the past few years. My first encounter with this trend was during the COVID-19 shut-down in 2020. Many were bored at home and began to go on walks to get out of the house and better their health. Since then, the trend has blown up with girls and women all around the world putting their own twist on the hot girl walk. For example, some film what they pack in their bag or their favorite songs to listen to during their hot girl walk.

Arts & Culture

The Rise of Moo Deng

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Even if you are only occasionally online, I am sure you have encountered stories about Moo Deng. She swims. She struts. And quite frankly, she slays. She is beloved across the world and has become the star of many memes. But what brought about her rise to fame?

Arts & Culture

SOLAR FLARE | Spooky Solar Flare

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Halloween is this week so it is time to get in the spooky spirit! With exams and work piling up, I know I’m feeling pretty terrified. Here are a few songs to get you through this petrifying time and help you let loose this Halloweekend:

Michael Jackson: “Thriller” 

I have to start with the most iconic Halloween song of all time. Even 41 years later, this song is still an undeniable bop. Trap Remix Guys: “Harry Potter (Trap Remix)” 

I solemnly swear that this remix will bring all the spooky vibes.

Lifestyle

What is a Winter Arc?

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Since the beginning of October a new trend has emerged called the Winter Arc. Like me, you may have been confused when you first heard this phrase. Mainly, I have seen TikToks saying “Winter Arc loading” or “Winter Arc day three ” to caption a video of someone at the gym or eating a healthy meal. This trend emerged to recognize the fact that there are only three months left in the year. With the end of the year looming, the busy holidays approaching and the weather worsening, people often revert back to bad habits that they will not address until the new year.

Arts & Culture

Reading Annabel Monaghen

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The book world is arguably oversaturated with romance reads. Many of them offer entertainment with little literary depth, making it increasingly difficult to find a novel that both captures my attention and offers some level of emotional engagement. One author that is able to do both of these things successfully is Annabel Monaghen. Her books have recently risen in popularity in the literary world so I gave them a try this summer. Her three most popular books were all published in the past three years.

Arts & Culture

SOLAR FLARE | Sad Girl Autumn

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With the beginning of fall around the corner, that means it is time for sad girl autumn. Now many of you may not be sad girls, but the vibes are still immaculate. Whether you are lamenting a summer fling turned sour, a bad prelim score, or just need a dramatic walk around Beebe, these are the songs for you. Fair warning, there is a lot of Taylor Swift… but how could there not be? Taylor Swift: “Cardigan”

As you pull out your cardigans for the first time this autumn, listen to the painful nostalgia of fall romance. 

“When you are young they assume you know nothing…”

Billie Eilish: “Wildflower” 

Even though this is the end of the season for wildflowers, this song is perfect for reminiscing on what could have been.

Arts & Culture

Fantasy Favorites: Duology Recommendations

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As an avid fantasy reader, I have read everything from stand-alones to eight-book series with equal eagerness. However, I have found it can be extremely intimidating to start a lengthy series, while stand-alones often lack the development I seek in my fantasy worlds. In my opinion, duologies, or two-book series, offer a perfect middle ground. You don’t have to say goodbye to your favorite characters too soon, but you aren’t committing weeks or even months to a single plot. 

Arts & Culture

A New Genre for 2024: Trying Out Thrillers

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So far in 2024, I have been pushing myself outside of my reading comfort zone. This meant exploring new genres and reading books I might not normally pick up. In the past month, I was really into thriller and mystery books. Although not all of them were winners, I found a few new favorites. 

I started with The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden. The Housemaid is rated 4.34 on Goodreads and a nominee for the Goodreads Choice Award for 2022 Best Mystery and Thriller.

Arts & Culture

Fantasy Favorites: A Review of Crescent City Books 1 and 2

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As a fantasy connoisseur and Sarah J. Maas fan, I am super excited to review the first two books in her Crescent City series, House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath. These two books are big, both over 800 pages. However, they were well worth the time. The first book, House of Earth and Blood, follows the half-human and half-fae main character Bryce Quinlan. I love Bryce, as she feels like a real person with real issues.

Arts & Culture

A Review of Local Bookstores in Ithaca

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As the weather has gotten chillier, I have been spending more time inside, finishing most of the novels I brought with me to college. This meant I was in need of some new books, so I went on a mission to explore the local bookstores of Ithaca. While researching options near campus, I found three interesting shops down by Ithaca Commons that piqued my interest. 

First, I visited the Odyssey Bookstore, situated in the basement of a quaint stone building. As my friends and I entered the small space, we immediately fell in love with the cozy atmosphere. The store is packed with books from floor to ceiling, providing plenty of selections for readers of all genres.