Semester Reading Recap

Posted on December 30, 2024

Hey everyone! Solenn here.

As the year draws to a close, I want to discuss some of my readings from the semester, for class and personal. As an English and Creative Writing major, this is what I do for the majority of my free time (or not!). Being in a UNESCO City of Lit also means that I fit right in with plenty of friends, peers, bookstores, and coffee shops to encourage my hobby. Let’s get into it!

August:

Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins

I read this textbook for my Advanced Creative Writing course on Object Biographies and Family and Oral Histories. This book discusses different family stories and how they impact descendants. It was a very interesting read, a solid 7/10.

 

 

I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book before it went to print to buy! It’s a sapphic romance set in ancient Greece. The start of the story was very intriguing, but it truly fell short for me after that. A solid 4/10.

September:

Also read this for my creative writing class, it was cool to learn more about some artifacts in the British Museum’s collection. A solid 8/10.

I had to read something by an Iowa faculty member! This is a fabulous memoir about surviving an abusive sapphic relationship and it’s painful but beautifully written. I’m inspired to improve my writing. 10/10.

October

The newest novel in the PJO universe. I love new additions to my childhood favorites. I sat outside Art Building West’s koi pond one sunny Sunday for like three hours reading this. 8/10 because Percabeth.

One of my textbooks for Cultural Misunderstandings: France vs. The USA. Super interesting to learn about a wide variety of Francophone culture such as romance, work, food, and social etiquette. 8/10.

The other textbook for the class above! Also discusses aspects of the French culture such as regional languages and cultures, school, etc. 8/10.

November

This is on the list of my top five reads of all time. It’s set in Saint-Malo, a seaside town in my beautiful region of Bretagne, France during WW2. The writing is phenomenal I took so many notes, and it’s dual POV. I cried reading this book and felt empty after reading it for like a week. READ IT. 100/10.

I don’t generally like Emily Henry or romance novels, but this one is friends to lovers, my favorite trope. It was also fairly realistic and not too cringey, quite enjoyable and a good pallet cleanser. 7/10.

I bought this book in Ireland this summer after reading an excerpt for class. Her writing style is a mature, better version of mine so I’m stoked to emulate it. I loved reading about how Ireland really is a healing place, and the writing is just beautiful. 11/10.

December

I got an ARC version of this book as well! I thought it would be cute considering it is a romance set in Ireland. I liked reading about the places I visited, but the writing was weak and very predictable. The book ended better than it started but this was honestly forgettable. 4/10.

That is my semester reading wrapped! I cannot wait to see what 2025 has in store.

Continue Reading →

Activities for English and Creative Writing Majors

Posted on October 24, 2024

Hey everyone! It’s Solenn again, with a list of things to do as an English major in Iowa City. We are a UNESCO City of Literature, but the University of Iowa also offers a ton of opportunities for students in its top-notch program. Here are some things I’ve enjoyed during my time here so far.

1. Working on a lit mag/attending launch parties: This is a great way to gain publishing experience and make friends! Or, you can submit your work for a chance at publication! Even if you do not want to do either, going to the launch parties are a cool way to support your peers and see what amazing work they have done!
2. Author Readings: There are multiple readings every week, so there is something for everyone! Faculty do readings/craft talks, visiting authors come read at Prairie Lights, and graduate students in the Writers’ Workshop read their work as well. These are fun to go to since you can discover a new favorite book or chat with a writer!
3. Prairie Lights: Our local bookstore that hosts readings and has a wide variety of books to purchase. There is a cafe on the top floor with reading nooks or a great place to write and study.
4. Sidekick: On the west of campus is another book store that does midnight book launches and also has coffee! A great place to hang out as well.
5. Literary Walk: This takes you everywhere in Iowa City and explores some top locations and famous writers who have spent time in Iowa City!
6. Book Festival: Every fall, this is a place to buy books, attend readings, and meet people from all over who have a shared love of writing and reading.
7. Poetry Slam: Once a month, you can attend a poetry slam as an audience member or a poet! This is a great way to meet members of the community outside the University, and to share some of your own work!
8. Writing Groups: Start your own, or there is Writers Room, a community that meets a few times a month based on a genre of writing.
9. Book Clubs: There are many on campus if you are interested!!
10. English Society: Every Wednesday, this club meets to do literary trivia, talk about lit mags, or simply socialize!
11. Alpha Tau Iota: The English Honors Society on campus. You can travel to their annual conference and present your work, or they do game nights and industry talks/readings!

These are just a few ways I’ve gotten involved, and I hope this helps!

-Solenn

Continue Reading →

How to make your dorm room cozy!

Posted on October 23, 2024

Hey y’all! It’s Solenn again.

I want to share ways to make your room feel cozy as the weather starts to get cold, by someone from Arizona, a certified warm place.

• The heat does not come on in the halls until the weather stays consistently cold so my room can be chilly. I highly suggest a heated blanket so you can sit at your desk and on your bed and warm up. Having a ton of blankets for your bed and throw blankets helps a ton, too!
• Make your door and windows stay closed to prevent any drafts from getting in.
• Mood lighting means everything, get some fairy lights and dimmer lighting to make it cozy at night. I also recommend a humidifier and an LED light therapy lamp to combat dry noses and seasonal depression.
• Fuzzy socks, warm pjs, and slippers keep your feet and body from getting cold and it has done wonders for me.
• Have some holiday/fall-scented Wallflowers or plug-ins to make your room smell good. No candles though!
• Flannel sheets are a must too, they warm up quickly with your body heat.
• Don’t be afraid to decorate your room for the fall and holidays! It gets the mood going.
• Kettles are allowed in the room, so brew a coffee or a tea to sip on. Microwaveable food like soup is always a good choice, too.

These are a few suggestions I did and it made my mood so much better during the chilly season!

-Solenn

Continue Reading →

It’s About Time I Discussed Broken Clock Mag!

Posted on September 26, 2024

Hello all!

Solenn again, and I am here to talk about Broken Clock, the literary magazine I am Editor-in-Chief of! It is an undergraduate lit mag focusing on the concept of time. For example, our upcoming issue focuses on the theme Time is Infinite. All submitted works need to have sone connection to this theme, whether vague or specific.

All genres are welcome: poetry, drama, nonfiction, art and photography, and fiction.

A bit of history about this magazine is that it was started in 2021 in a Publishing 1 class before becoming a full-fledged campus magazine. One of the original founders just graduated this past year, passing the leadership onto me. I was a poetry reader for Broken Clock last year, so this was quite a big jump in roles. But with my editorial experience on Ink, I knew I was ready to tackle it. And so far, it has been amazing having free rein to revamp the mag and continue to develop my editorial and leadership skills.

This mag has always been a virtual one, but I intend to have it in print from here on it. Keep an eye out in the Magid Center for copies in the near future!

broken clock issue 4: https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/solenn/files/2024/09/broken-clock.pdf 

broken clock website: https://thebrokenclockmag.wixsite.com/the-broken-clock

broken clock Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokenclockmag/

-Solenn

Continue Reading →

A Trip to the Iowa City Farmers Market!

Posted on September 26, 2024

Hey y’all!

Solenn again, and I’m going to highlight something fun to do during the weekend in Iowa City: the farmers market!!

Different food trucks, restaurants, farms, and other vendors sell their goods every Saturday from May to October in the area by the Chauncey Hotel. There are always new booths so every visit is different. I enjoy my weekends off from Hawkeye football by grabbing breakfast and doing some produce shopping with friends.

This weekend, the weather was slightly cooler from the high 80s, perfect for being outside! I wore a cute summer dress to take some photos for my poem that got published in the literary magazine New Moon. 

First stop at the market: Get Fresh Cafe. This local smoothie place has divine acai bowls and salads. I got myself a strawberry smoothie, a perfect pick-me-up after waking up early to go!

Next, my friends and I wandered around, scoping out tables to stop by, chatting with friends/classmates we ran into, petting dogs, and people-watching. A local jazz band was performing, adding perfect ambience to our exploration.

We looked at some cute crystal bracelets, tried apple butter (delicious!), and honey. Because I’m an English major, I had to visit the Iowa City Public Library’s Bookmobile. They had a smaller selection of what would be found in their much larger physical location downtown.

I also purchased some macarons from a French woman who had a booth set up with French pastries and bread. I picked a couple fall flavors such as vanilla pecan pie and orange cinnamon!

Because it is fall, there was also a stand with pumpkins. I was tempted to buy one for my room, but resisted.

Overall, I had a great time and I’ll definitely be back before it ends for the season.

Bye for now!

-Solenn

Continue Reading →

Wild About Wilder Things Mag!

Posted on September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

Hey y’all!

Solenn again, back with another literary magazine referral! This time, let’s get speculative. I am a Marketing Team Member for Wilder Things, an undergraduate lit mag focusing on speculative fiction such as horror, sci-fi, mythos, romance, and many more.

We are busy reviewing submissions, which we just closed, so keep your eyes peeled for copies and a launch party at the end of the semester!

As a marketing member, I am busy making graphics for the Instagram and writing blog posts for the website, like my recent book review of A Study in Drowning, a YA folklore novel by Ava Reid.

We accept most genres like poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction. We do accept writing from all over the world, rather than just based on-campus here at Iowa, which is an incredible way to encourage people to write and be published in the speculative genres!

I have readings to do, so see ya next time!

Wilder Things website: https://wilderthingsmagazi.wixsite.com/wilderthings

Wilder Things Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilderthingsmag/

-Solenn

 

Continue Reading →

Life as an RA

Posted on September 5, 2024

Hey y’all!

Welcome back to Iowa, where I am beginning my second year of college. Time flies by!

Today, I’m gonna talk a bit about what being an RA, or Resident Assistant, is like.

The application process has a few different steps. Firstly, you have to attend an informational meeting that gives you access to the application. Then, you wait a few weeks to hear back after submitting the application. You either move forward with an interview, or are let go. During the interview, you are interviewed virtually by Hall Coordinators and RAs, and wait about a month to hear back. After that, you are either accepted with an assignment to a residence hall, or let go.

I am currently an RA in Burge this year, and love it so far! This position has a lot of perks, such as free housing, a stipend, a single room, and leadership/teamwork skills for a resume. We move in about a week and a half before residents do for training. Training is a great way to meet all the other RAs, hall coordinators, and your residence hall staff. I feel prepared for whatever I might have to do as an RA because of training, and am very close with my team.

I helped with move-in and On Iowa! week, as well as host activities like community meals, floor meetings, etc. to help my residents get to know one another and me.

This job is definitely a lot of work, but it is very rewarding.

Bye for now!

-Solenn

Continue Reading →

My Time in Ireland with IES Abroad

Posted on August 5, 2024

Hello, hello, wonderful readers!

It has been a couple months now since I got out for summer break and I’ve been busy! I had the amazing opportunity to be part of the Irish Writing Program in Dublin, Ireland for the past six weeks.

The Irish Writing Program is through IES Abroad and the University of Iowa, and sends a group of students with a passion for writing to study, write, and explore in Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature, just like Iowa City!

I took a class taught by Inara Verzemnieks, a professor at Iowa who traveled with us to teach a writing workshop based on the theme of resurrection. Then I took a play-writing class, and two literature/culture classes based on Irish literature taught by the staff of IES. We had an attic classroom that was the perfect setting for creativity. My finals were writing pieces for each class. We had class Monday-Wednesday from 10 am to 3:30 pm, which left plenty of time for homework and exploring! On our days off, we were free to travel, or had excursions organized by IES.

Our excursions included trips to Glendalough, Dun Laoighaire, Bellaghy, to name a few. All of these involved some sort of literary connection. Many poets like Yeats and Heaney grew up around these areas and wrote poems about them. We read parts of Ulysses by James Joyce for Bloomsday, the annual James Joyce festival. I bought many new books such as a Yeats collection because of how much I enjoyed them.

22 of us, mainly students at Iowa, were in this group. Some of us were already friends, most of us didn’t all know each other. I have made some life-long friends thanks to trip that I plan to hang out with on campus!

On the weekends, I planned trips around Ireland. I went to Belfast to see the Titanic Museum, Derry (“Derry Girls” anyone?), Dingle Peninsula for its natural beauty and to hold lambs, Killarney to hike Killarney National Park, Galway to shop, Connemara for Kylemore Abbey, and spent time in Dublin itself. Dublin has so many museums, like the Museum of Literature, that are fun to explore. I went to local pubs to hear some traditional Irish music, and spent time writing on the rooftop of my apartment. I cooked dinner with my friends, and had afternoon tea. I even went to a Hozier concert in Dublin!

Some people in my group traveled outside Ireland as well. A few places they went were Spain, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and Paris to name a few!

Thanks to IES I also got to see a play called “Dancing at Lughnasa,” an Irish film called “That They May Face The Rising Sun,” and listened to a conversation with Johnny Marr.

Those six weeks flew by, and before I knew it, it was time to leave. It’s been just over a week since I left and I’m homesick for Ireland. Studying abroad changed my life. It made me more independent because I had to fend for myself in a foreign country. I had to learn the public transportation and make travel plans. It also made me realize that living in another country is a possibility for my future post-grad. This summer was magical in the best way possible, and I recommend reaching out to a study abroad advisor at Iowa about programs like the Irish Writing Program if you’re interested!

-Solenn

 

Continue Reading →