I Read Some Books

101 in 1001    BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013



I read a lot of books (I am better than you!), and I'm praying to the literature gods that I'm not forgetting any.




The Perks of Being a Wallflower: #15

"After his friend commits suicide, smart misfit Charlie is trying to learn to "participate" in life. He befriends a group of interesting older kids who introduce him to partying, but also respect his sensitivity. In letters that Charlie writes to an anonymous stranger, he talks about his family, his friends, and his complicated, often overwhelming, feelings about growing up. Eventually, his longtime crush tells him that he "can't just sit there and put everybody's life ahead of yours and think that counts as love," and he slowly learns to be present in his life."


My friend Jessica knows I read like a madwoman, so she lent this to me thinking I would like it.

I was a bit taken aback when I started reading this; the writing seemed juvenile, rigid and stiff. My immediate thought was "Wow, this is terrible." But then, I realized that this is how the writing was supposed to be; a 14 year old is writing these letters, I shouldn't be expecting Hemmingway. After this dawned on me, I knew that Stephen Chbosky is a genius.

I also think that the way it was written makes the story that much more chilling. This kid is just stating what happens in his letters, and is very blunt about his feelings towards these events, if mentioning them at all. It's almost as if Charlie is scared of everything that life is throwing at him, or doesn't really know what's happening. I don't know, I had a thought that was clear in my head.

Overall, I was so impressed with this book. It really was fantastic, a hauntingly beautiful story. Now I can finally see the movie!




This Song Will Save Your Life: #16; #10

"Elise Dembowski is not afraid of a little hard work. In fact, she embraces it. All her life, she's taken on big, all-encompassing projects. When she's fifteen, she embarks on the biggest, and most important, project of them all: becoming cool: Except she fails. Miserably. And everything falls to pieces.

Now, if possible, Elise's social life is even worse than it was before. Until she stumbles into an underground dance club and opens the door to a world she never knew existed. An inside-out world where, seemingly overnight, a previously uncool high school sophomore can become the hottest new DJ sensation. Elise finally has what she's always wanted: acceptance, friendship, maybe even love. Until the real world threatens to steal it all away.

In a refreshingly genuine and funny voice, Leila Sales delivers an exuberant novel about identity, relationships, and the power of music to bring people together."


This was such a cute story, and really unique; I can honestly say that I've never read a book about DJing before. It was empowering, watching Elise find herself; maybe that's just because I relate to her a lot.




Just One Day: #17; #11

"When sheltered American good girl Allyson first encounters laid-back Dutch actor Willem at an underground performance of Twelfth Night, there's an undeniable spark. So when fate brings them together a second time, Allyson takes an uncharacteristic leap, changes course, and follows Willem to Paris. After just one day together, the spark bursts into a flame . . . until Allyson wakes up after a whirlwind day shocked to discover that Willem is gone.

A life upended in one day turns into a year of self-discovery as Allyson embarks on a journey to break free from a lifetime of limits in order to find her true passions, and maybe even a true love."


Holy f&*@ this was such a good book. I finished it within a few days, and, after I found out that there's a second book from Willem's point of view, immediately put it on hold at the library.

This book was funny, sexy, romantic, witty, and I related to Allyson so much. I'd sell my soul to play her in a movie version.



Thanks for reading, no one!

Autumn

#4.14: Read 25 New Books; #6.9: Read BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 – Being Henry David

101 in 1001

BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013

"How can you move on with your life when you can't even remember it?

He wakes up in Penn Station with no memory of who he is. All he has in his possession is a worn-out paperback of Walden by Henry David Thoreau. All he knows is that he's on the run. 

And so he becomes Henry David, "Hank" for short. With the book as his guide, he sets out for the only destination he can think of: Walden Pond. There, while sleeping in the woods and hiding around town, it seems like he can begin again, with new friends and a girl he can't stop thinking about. 

But when pieces of memories start coming back, Hank realizes the stranger he fears the most is himself. What's in his past that his mind won't let him face?"


I've been pretty impressed by all of the books on BuzzFeed's list so far, including this one (I guess being a well-written book is a prerequisite to making a list entitled 21 Best YA Books of 2013?). Again, this book had a plot that I hadn't experienced in books before; it was suspenseful and exciting, but was also romantic and sweet and I 10/10 recommend ok


Thanks for reading, no one!

Autumn

#4.13: Read 25 New Books; #6.8: Read BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 – Out of The Easy

101 in 1001 

BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA of 2013



So, it's been about a year since I started this challenge (actually, 11 months today), and it's just hit me how little I've accomplished.

SO MANY FEELINGS SO MUCH ANXIETY

But anyway, I read another book. This was another that wasn't part of a series, and I picked this to read next because the premise was so interesting:

"It's 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secret, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan to get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in a police investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in a quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secret, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny. 


I loved this. It had elements of romance, which we all know I love, but was also suspenseful. It had murder, violence, and mystery, which is something I love in film but hadn't ever really experienced in books before.


Thanks for reading, no one!

Autumn

#4.12: Read 25 New Books; #6.7: Read BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 – Eleanor & Park

BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA of 2013

101 in 1001

"'Bono met his wife in high school,' Park says.

'So did Jerry Lee Lewis,' Eleanor answers.

'I'm not kidding,' he says.

'You should be," she says, 'we're 16.'

'What about Romeo and Juliet?'

'Shallow, confused, then dead.'

'I love you,' Park says.

'Wherefore art thou,' Eleanor answers.

'I'm not kidding,' he says.

'You should be.'

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, Eleanor & Park is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under."

This book was so many things. It was passionate, and sexy, and loving, and realistic, and funny, and, in the end, heartbreaking. I don't want to give too many details away, because I think everyone should read this and because I'm too exhausted to think of anything witty to say, but just know that I highly recommend it. 

Thanks for reading, no one!

Autumn

#4.11: Read 25 New Books; #6.6: Read BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 – The Beginning of Everything

BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013

101 in 1001


I've been really tied up with college applications, working, and being sick the last week. A bit overwhelming. And naturally, when things get overwhelming, I turn to Netflix and forget about my commitments because I am a responsible adult and you can't tell me otherwise!

"Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them – a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was printed to lose it all: In one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra's knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra's ever met – achingly effortless and fiercely intelligent.

Together, Ezra and Cassidy discover flash mobs, buried treasure, and a poodle that might just be the reincarnation of Jay Gatsby. But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like boys, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: If one's singular tragedy has already hit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

Robyn Schneider's The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings."


This was such a sweet book. The writing style was so clever and unique and funny, and I was immediately mesmerized within the first few pages. I honestly might read this book again, and will probably read the author's other work, just to experience her writing more.

The book didn't end the way I originally wanted it to, but I'm not going to go into it for a couple of reasons: 1. the feels, and 2. I don't want to spoil it for anyone out there who may want to read it. But I highly recommend.


Thanks for reading, no one!

Autumn

#4.10: Read 25 New Books, #6.5: Read BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 – Perfect Ruin

I'm applying to colleges again (much excite, very stress), and everything that comes with college admissions is taking up a lot of my time. There are a lot of feelings going on, but I'll spare you an angsty sob story.

That being said, though, all these things I'm dealing with has prevented me from reading as frequently as I would have liked to. It took me over two weeks to finish this book, which is a shame, because it was really well written, and the plot was exciting, and it was just immensely entertaining overall.

It was a sci-fi book (is that the right genre?), though, so at first I didn't think I would like it. I actually had no idea what it was about when I picked it up at the library, and I didn't read the summary before starting it; I just knew that it was on my list and that I needed to read it.

Look at how artistic these purposely shitty photos are

"Morgan Stockhour knows getting too close to the edge of Internment, the floating city in the clouds where she lives, can lead to madness. Even though her older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. If she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in her best friend, Pen, and in Basil, the boy she's engaged to marry.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially once she meets Judas. Betrothed to the victim, he is the boy being blamed for the murder, but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find – or whom she will lose."


The only issue I have is that it had SUCH a cliffhanger ending. I mean, it'd be fine if I could just go straight to the next book, but I have to wait UNTIL MARCH, 2015. NEXT YEAR. But nevertheless, I definitely plan to read it when it comes out.




Thanks for reading, no one!

Autumn

#4.9: Read 25 New Books, #6.4: Read BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 – Where the Stars Still Shine

Just like the previous book I read, this one is also not part of a series. 

"Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from Laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she'd like to forget completely.

But when Callie's mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie's real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love–even with someone who seems an improbable choice–is more than just a possibility.

By turns heartbreaking and hopeful, this sweet and sexy romance offers a whole new take on happily ever after…"

OHMYGOD.

THIS BOOK

THIS BOOK WAS LITERATURE

It had everything I love in a book, and I couldn't put it down. I read it in the span of about three days, which I haven't done with a book in a long time. I only wish the ending wasn't so terribly sad, but other than that I wouldn't change a thing. (Don't want to give too much away, but seriously, read this book)

However, after reading such an amazing little piece of art, I am not very excited to read the next book sitting on my nightstand. It's another fantasy, and the only reason I picked it up was because it was the only one at my library available also on my list. 

Wish me luck.

Thanks for reading, no one!

#4.8: Read 25 New Books, #6.3: Read BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 – The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Listing reading BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 may have been a mistake; I'll have to read a lot more than I was originally intending to, and it's keeping me from rereading certain books that I haven't in a while (i.e. Harry Potter).

BUT that's why it's called a challenge, right?

I picked The Coldest Girl in Coldtown off the list to read because it wasn't part of a series (there are a lot of books on that list that are the second or third book in a series, and obviously I'm going to have to read whatever books precede those, so once again, I'm going to have to read a loooooot).

A little background about my reading preferences: I am not one for fantasy or sci-fi. The only exception to this is the Harry Potter series, which I've read 10 times and am still obsessed with. I like books about romance. I like books about people my age. I like books that are funny. I like stories that are real, in the sense that they could feasibly (or unfeasibly, whatever) happen.

Back to the book.

"Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mixture of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of range and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black."

Spoiler alert: it's about vampires. That initially turned me off, and I had a hard time getting into the story, but once there was romance happening, I was ALL IN. I thought the book ended in the middle of what could have been a great opportunity for even more romance, and there really was a lack of closure. Maybe this means there'll be a sequel? I sure hope so.

Thanks for reading, no one!

#4.7 Read 25 New Books – The Body Book

Before I took off for Oklahoma, I wanted some new reading material. I had been on the waiting list for The Body Book at my library for a while now, and finally getting through it could not have come at a more convenient time.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Naturally, I was a bit skeptical about a nutrition/fitness/health book written by an A-list celebrity, as they are typically known for indulging in the latest fad or having a diet and fitness routine that isn't realistic for anyone not in Hollywood. That wasn't the case with this book at all. Cameron really stressed eating whole, natural foods, avoiding anything processed, and the importance of incorporating activity into your daily life. Simple information, but that's really what it comes down to.

I didn't learn anything new while reading this book, but that's probably because I'm pretty knowledgeable about fitness and health anyway. It was nice having all that information organized into concise, clear, and easy-to-read chapters.

Two thumbs up.

Thanks for reading, no one!




101 in 1001

#4.5: Read 25 New Books – Code Name Verity

Surprise, I read another book! A couple months ago I read Rose Under Fire, and when I realized it had a companion novel, I knew I had to read it.

"When 'Verity' is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution. They'll get the truth out of her, but it won't be what they expect.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure, and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from a merciless and ruthless enemy?

Harrowing and beautifully written, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that reveals just how far true friends will go to save each other. The bondage of war will never be as strong as the bonds forged by the unforgettable friendship in this extraordinary tale of fortitude in the face of the ultimate evil"

Although it took me a while to get into this book, I really enjoyed it. The plot twist towards the end is so unexpected, and it broke my heart. I couldn't finish it fast enough, and I really recommend it. I really liked that I was able to delve a bit more into the world of Rose Under Fire. Two thumbs up, for sure.

#3.2: Make 20 Recipes From Pinterest – Snickerdoodle Waffles

Can you believe it's already May? Where does the time even go?

This past Sunday was Mother's Day. I had been putting off buying a gift for my mom all week, as I wasn't sure what she'd like, and I decided at the last minute to cook breakfast for her and the rest of my family (it's the thought that counts, right?). After scouring over the Internet for a bit, I found this recipe through Pinterest. Waffles are always popular at our house, so I thought these would be perfect.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 TB sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1tsp cinnamon

For the Topping

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cinnamon

Preheat waffle maker.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Beat eggs in a separate bowl.

Pour in the melted butter…

...vanilla and almond extracts, and milk. Mix well.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, and mix.

Add the cinnamon, and, once again, mix.

You're now ready to add to your waffle maker!

While the waffles are cooking, mix together the cinnamon and sugar in a dish.

Put the butter in a pan or on a plate. Make sure it's big enough to fit the waffles.

When a waffle is done, first dip it in the butter…

…and then in the cinnamon/sugar mix.

Voila! This recipe made 7 waffles with my waffle maker, but this can obviously vary depending on your waffle maker. 

The verdict? These were amazing! We polished them off throughout the day, and will definitely make them again sometime. It took about an hour and 15 minutes from start to finish, which may seem like a long time, but it didn't bother me. I enjoyed it and had a lot of fun.

#4.2, #4.3: Read 25 New Books, #6.1: Read BuzzFeed's 21 Best YA Books of 2013 – Fact of Life #31, This is What Happy Looks Like

Like I said in my last post, I've read a few books the past several weeks, and I'm happy that I'm one step closer to completing my 101 in 1001 challenge!

This post has been a long time coming, even longer because I've temporarily misplaced (lost) the book I'm currently reading, and I was originally planning to include it in this post. I've spent hours looking for it, and I haven't located it yet, which is frustrating because I was in the middle of an exceptionally exciting part. Also frustrating because it's a library book and I can only renew it two more times. Lolz.

Anywaaaaay, back to the two books I have read.

Fact of Life #31 by Denise Vega was the first book I picked off the library shelves, and consequently the first book I ended up reading.

(I forgot to take pictures before I took it back to the library, so here's a fuzzy, pixelated image I stole from the Internet)

(Fact of Life #129: Some people put you where they want you to be, not where you actually are.16-year-old Kat Flynn believes in going with the flow. She practices yoga, works with her mom at Abra’s Midwifery, and watches the Perfect Couple in the hall at school. But when she finds herself in the middle of the Perfect Couple’s drama and some drama of her own (including an unexpected romance), Kat has to decide whether going with the flow is really the best way to come back to herself.)

This book was cute, written like typical high school/teenager girl novels (I quite these kinds of books, sue me), but unlike typical high school/teenage girl novels, this one had a setting and plot that was unlike any I'd ever read before. You don't typically think of teenagers and midwiferies belonging together. Regardless, it worked, and I really enjoyed reading this.

The second book I read was This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith.

(Again, I forgot to take pictures, so here's another stolen-Internet picture for you.)

(If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?)

I thought this was decent. The plot was slow-going, and it honestly felt like nothing was really happening the entire book. One thing just sort of evolved into another, and there weren't any definite, clear, crisp changes (did that even make sense? Lol, crisp?). I did like the general plot though, and I think this could have been amazing if it were written a little differently.

Fun fact: I wrote a play several months ago, and my main characters where named Graham and Ella. So. There's that. 

Once I find the library book I've temporarily misplaced (lol, I should just say lost), I'll be back with another book post. Until then, I'm hoping to find a few recipes from Pinterest to make, so hopefully I'll have those up soon. 

Thanks for reading!

Autumn

#5: Go to a Comedy Show; #6: Meet Someone Famous

Remember that one time I went almost three weeks between blog posts? Because I don't (wink wink).

But in all seriousness, I'm back after an unplanned hiatus! I apologize to the - 4 people that read this blog. To put it simply, I was off the Internet machine because my depression flared up (that makes it sound like it's a rash or a bad case of cystic acne, but lol), and when it does that, I try to stay off social media/electronics in general. Instead, I watched television and read a few books (expect a blog post on that).

Anywaaaaaay, I am able to cross two things off my 101 in 1001 list, which is why I'm writing. On Tuesday, the 25th, I saw Colleen Ballinger's Miranda Sings show, and met her for the second time (with more than 1.345 million combined subscribers, I consider her pretty famous).

For anyone who doesn't know, Miranda Sings is a character created by the lovely Colleen Ballinger, poking fun at Internet singers and those trying to acquire fame via YouTube. Don't let Miranda's atrocious singing fool you, though. Colleen is a very talented singer herself, and earned a degree in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific University. Colleen also has a YouTube channel, entitled Psychosoprano, which has nearly half a million subscribers (I actually like Colleen more than Miranda, don't tell on me).

Colleen's channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/PsychoSoprano
Miranda Sings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1OFDlfdRb6ma1ZGZd07gWA

The show was FANTASTIC. I saw the show last April, but so many things were different. That's one of the great things about the Miranda shows, they're always evolving, but still incredibly entertaining. This time, I was able to meet the majority of Colleen's family (Rachel, Chris, Jess, Bailey, Jacob, and Parker), whereas last I only met Josh (not complaining, though!)

Here are some pictures (I took these all with my iPhone, so I apologize for the cringe-worthy quality):

Waiting

Rachel!

She sang Love is an Open Door from Frozen with Jake. 

Queen.

I love how Colleen incorporated her awkward childhood pictures, as she calls them, into the show.

Anti Porn Unicorn Horn

She literally took the shirt I bought out of my hands and started signing it. Precious.

#4.1 Read 25 New Books – The Lovely Bones

Let me start off this post by saying that it's been a while since I've read a book. My free time is usually spent on social media and/or Netflix (a habit I'm trying to break, mind you), so reading hasn't been a priority (whereas the Internet has. Sad).

Believe me, I used to read ridiculous amounts. It wasn't uncommon for me to read a 200+ page novel a day back in seventh grade, and I remember spending Saturdays at the public library collecting so many books to take home it physically hurt my arms. I miss that. I miss that time in general (the first six months of 2009 has, so far, been the best time of my life), but reading as much as I did especially.

Anywaaaaaaay, The Lovely Bones was a Christmas present from my mom's friend. She's a big reader herself, and I know whatever she recommends will be great. And that's just what The Lovely Bones was: great.

"'My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.' So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her – her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, The Lovely Bones succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy."

I've never read anything quite like it before. The whole premise of a character narrating everything that happens on earth from heaven was foreign to me, but I realized how genius it was a few pages in. Susie's situation offers such a unique perspective of her family's (and killer's) lives. The whole book had a very somber tone to me, possibly because death is such a huge theme, and I felt very discombobulated whilst reading it. The abrupt ending definitely contributed to that; I was left not knowing what exactly to think or feel. Just as Susie was unexpectedly and prematurely torn from her world, I was taken out of the Salmon's. If it was intentional, I must tip my hat off to Ms. Sebold.

Bottom line? I loved this book, and it was refreshing to read something that both made me think and made me feel. If you're on the hunt for new reading material I highly recommend it.

#3.1: Make 20 Recipes From Pinterest – Whole Wheat Pumpkin Brownies

I feel kind of bad for writing another recipe post, nonetheless another dessert post, right away. But, unlike the last one, this one is for my 101 in 1001 list. That makes it sound less lazy, right?

I was in need of a dessert to take to a get-together my mom's best friend was having. At first, I was frustrated – I'd completely splurged on pumpkin chocolate chip cookies a couple days ago, and I was counting on that for my cheat day. I knew I'd have a hard time staying away from all the food and desserts that would inevitably be there, so I decided I'd make something healthy. This way, there'd be something for me to satisfy my dessert cravings, and the chance of going overboard would be thrown out the window. You've heard that saying, I'm sure – if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So that's what I did. I planned.

After searching Pinterest for a number of hours (slight exaggeration), I found this: 65 Calorie Whole Wheat Pumpkin Brownies. The blog is run by a girl named Taralynn, and it's amazing. I highly recommend checking it out. Anyway, the brownies looked so good, and the comments were full of rave reviews, so I had to try them. Plus, this would give me the chance to use the leftover pumpkin I still had. Zingaaaaa.

Ingredients

º 3 medium eggs
º 1 tsp vanilla extract
º 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
º 1/3 cup hot water
º 1 heaping cup whole wheat flour
º 6 oz vanilla yogurt
º 1 cup pumpkin puree
º 3/4 cup Stevia in the Raw
º 1 tsp butterscotch chips
º 1 tsp chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Put the eggs, yogurt, pumpkin, and vanilla in a bowl and beat together. 

Now, I didn't have any vanilla yogurt, so I substituted half a cup of plain Greek yogurt. I also added an extra teaspoon of vanilla.

Mix in the Stevia with the pumpkin mixture aka bowl of vomit.

Mix the water and the cocoa powder. 

It should look somewhat like icing. If it's too thick, add more water. (CAUTION: DO NOT LICK THE SPOON UNLESS YOU WANT TO HACK UP YOUR OVARIES. IT'S VERY BITTER)

Mix with the pumpkin mixture. Now it's a darker shade of vomit. 

Add the flour and mix.

Spread out the batter in a greased baking dish.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. I didn't have any butterscotch chips, so I just doubled the amount of chocolate chips. No complaints here! Taralynn also mentioned that topping the brownies with cherries, cranberries, walnuts, peanut butter, or M&Ms would be good. Bake the brownies 25 to 30 minutes. They're done when a toothpick comes out clean.

Once they're out of the oven, place them in the fridge to cool. This gives the brownies a fudgier consistency (2 points for my clean, organized fridge).

Cut them into 15 pieces, and eat!

You all must be dying to know how they turned out. Did I like them? Yes and no. They turned out great for brownies that were only supposed to be 65 calories, and I'll definitely eat one or two during the week if I'm craving something sweet. BUT, they didn't meet my expectations. Maybe it was because I didn't use vanilla yogurt, maybe I should have used more chocolate chips or cocoa powder. Who knows? Needless to say, I did not take them to the party. It turned out that we were the only people bringing dessert, and I didn't want to make people gag. What did I end up doing, then? I made chocolate chips cookies and took those instead, but I did bring a brownie for myself to resist any temptation. It was a good night.

Nutrition per Brownie:
65 calories, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein