Pets

Gifts for dog lovers

Whether you’re looking for something to say “Happy Birthday” or “Merry Christmas,” a dog owner will agree that gifts for dog lovers are always among the most treasured and appreciated.

Many times, a dog lover’s gift is designed with a specific breed in mind; Among the various popular breeds that are owned are the following:

Beagles

Boston terriers

Chihuahuas

Bulldogs

Jack Russell Terriers

Pugs

Golden retrievers

Poodles

Dachshunds

Shih Tzu

The type of dog an owner has is often a reflection of his personality; Therefore, it shouldn’t be too difficult to select a gift for dog lovers that is suitable for Fido and Fido’s parents.

Many owners are fans of the smaller breeds, often referred to as “toy” dogs. These include Pomeranians, Shih-Tzu, and toy poodles. These animals are often purebred and traditionally owners love to show off their animals to anyone who is willing to admire them. These dogs are often “stereotyped” in the movies, hidden in the bags of “well-behaved” women who are polished, stylish, and well-groomed. These little animals are often depicted enjoying a trip to the salon with Mom to brush and trim themselves. Smaller dog breeds are often the perfect choice for families living in smaller apartments. Some dogs are even smaller than popular cat breeds! The Yorkshire terrier is a perfect example of a puppy small enough to fit in the palm of your hand!

Many owners of specialized breeds introduce their puppies to competition. Many hours are spent grooming, fluffing and grooming the animals for the show; therefore, gifts for dog lovers can include any accessories that help complement your dog’s unique characteristics or characteristics. No doubt when you enter the home of one of these award-winning animals, you will find tapes and hundreds of photographs of the dazzling champion. Ideal dog lover gifts for people who have a prize dog would be anything that highlights and helps show puppies a dazzling nature and well-mannered personality. Clothing and picture frames are often popular choices for this category of dog.

Other dogs are prized for their warm and loving personality and “family” nature. Golden retrievers, for example, are a popular choice among families with children. These animals are generally high-energy but very well-behaved, making them the perfect pick for a family with many young, energetic, and playful children. For these, the toys would be very well received, since the children can play with them, while they enjoy their pet.

Real Estate

Prefabricated log houses – is it a good idea?

Prefabricated wooden houses – now there is a concept. Somehow it reminds me of the image of a huge conveyor belt in a huge factory where the cabins are built on an assembly line from the first logs to the top of the chimney, adding this and that along the line to the finished product. A bit cartoonish, I know, but overall, this image, and others like it that may pop into our minds when we hear about this concept, would make the idea unattractive to anyone. So what is the truth about this type of log home? Are they all the same, as if they were taken from molds? Are the logs real, plastic or something? Let’s take a closer look …

Prefab log homes are actually a brilliant option for anyone wanting to live in a log cabin of their own. They excel in many areas, but especially in three: lowest construction cost, fastest construction time, and design diversity. No, they don’t all look exactly the same and go through a factory assembly line pressed down with cookie cutters. The number of designs is huge, they can be mixed and you can even add your own ideas or complete design. The “manufactured” part of all this is in the individual pieces, the logs themselves. In custom log houses, as in any cabin, there are different measurements and cuts and shapes that must be made to each piece, according to the nature of the placement within the entire finished structure.

Some pieces need to be in continuous lengths for large wall spaces, others need to be cut a certain way to allow for placement of the windows and their sills, then there are the molding cuts for corner joining and configuration cuts. to allow the placement of doors, or any combination of these, and the list goes on. Every log, every part, is carefully measured and cut to exact specifications according to the design. They are also all numbered in the order they will be placed in the log cabin construction. Some companies even go so far as to guarantee their work by building the custom log houses on site at the factory to make sure everything fits perfectly without mistakes, then they take it apart again and pack it up to ship to the construction site.

Along with the blueprints and instructions, construction can begin immediately and take only a few weeks, then it’s time to move in! With manufactured log homes, it really can be that simple and easy. Instead of building your log home the old-fashioned way, costing a phenomenal expense and taking the better part of a year to accomplish, do yourself a favor and get it done the quickest, easiest, and least expensive way.

Shopping Product Reviews

WoW Monk Specialization Guide

The latest talk in town is none other than Mists of Pandaria, Blizzard’s new expansion for the famous World of Warcraft title. Confirmation of the first rumors and speculation of a new Panda-type class to be featured in the expansion was accepted to a lot of positive uproar among WoW fans when the new Monk class and the Pandaren race were officially announced.

The Monk class is a playable class starting at level 1. In other words, it is not a Hero class that will be available to players later in the game. As such, one of the most discussed topics is class constructions and specializations. More specifically, what to expect from each spec from start to finish considering different playstyles. Monk’s three specializations or character builds are Brewmaster, Mistweaver, and Windwalker. In more common terms, a tank, a hybrid between a healer and a damage dealer, and a melee DPS, respectively.

Monk players gain a basic Monk skill set to start with and a set of specializations to further differentiate one Monk character from another based on each player’s playstyles. Monk’s basic abilities include those like Tiger Palm, Blackout Kick, Healing Spear, Paralysis, and Disable. As the name of the basic class abilities suggests, the class is highly versatile with a wide range of abilities ranging from dealing damage, buffing, debuffing, and healing.

The Brewmaster is suitable for players who love to be on the defensive. The skills available for this build promote protection and enhance evasion capabilities. For example, the Brewmaster can use Avert Harm to protect himself and other protective abilities such as Guard, Gift of the Ox, and Clash. On the other hand, the Mistweaver is suitable for WoW fans who prefer a good balance between dealing damage and making sure the HP gauge is always above the danger zone. In addition to healing abilities, abilities such as mana tea and mana meditation are also very helpful in making sure that the monk never runs out of mana while at the climax of a fight. Finally, the Windwalker is all about melee DPS. The names of the skills available for the spec say it all: Fists of Fury, Flying Serpent Kick, Rising Sun Kick, and Combat Conditioning. All three specs are carefully crafted by Blizzard. Add in the highly positive comments about the Death Knight class, a new class that came out with the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, the Monk class is sure to gain instant popularity.

Sports

What happens inside your car?

We’ve written quite a bit about disruptive technology in new cars, whether it’s production models, prototypes, or drawing board concepts. As each new feature is introduced we usually hear some “WOWS” and also some skepticism until the feature is tested and accepted. Once accepted, the new feature can quickly move to the “must do” category. A current feature that is not very well known is the “inward-facing” camera, an innovation that Cadillac, Tesla, Audi and Volvo are considering. At this point, no car has this feature enabled. Clearly, there are two sides to what this innovation will look like, and those two sides are becoming very familiar:

  1. this innovation is great because it gets to know me, help me and make my life easier and more convenient
  2. this innovation is bad as it intrudes into my private space to discover, and potentially share or reveal, information that I consider private

By now, we should all be aware of the advantages and disadvantages that technology can often introduce into our lives. Given the success of products like GOOGLE Home and AMAZON Alexa, it is very clear that the masses are buying into the “convenience” aspects of technology, although there are many who warn us about the loss of personal privacy and the dangers of having your personal information used against you, such as identity theft. There are ongoing developments in the field of “information privacy”, and those technologies could also provide investment opportunities that we will carefully evaluate. To get an idea of ​​where we are going, click here.

So what is it that an inward-facing camera can do, as it watches you and transmits information to all of the vehicle’s systems? For starters, you can positively identify who is in the vehicle, especially in the driver’s seat, and activate all of this driver’s preferred settings. It could monitor the driver’s mood and monitor health indicators, such as glucose levels indicated in the pupils of the eyes. For mood altering, the system could activate the appropriate settings for driving to work, such as music or podcasts to motivate and energize, and on the way home from work, activate relaxing music or meditative mantras. If your health indicators go off the charts, vehicle systems could notify your family, your doctor, the hospital, or 911 emergency services. There are also some simple convenience issues that a camera could help with, such as notify you that items such as your wallet, computer, or phone are being left when exiting the vehicle.

As always, the driving force behind many of these innovations is discovering and collecting information about you, and of course there are all those Privacy Policies that every privacy invader wants you to accept. As mentioned above, the trade-off is that they will provide you with a certain level of “convenience” and you will provide them with a lot of personal insights about yourself and everyone else traveling in your vehicle. Those personal insights will help them advertise effectively and will soon be trying to sell you even more things that they have designed and will design to make your life even more convenient.

If you want to see what vehicle technology will look like very soon, take a look at the BYTON electric vehicle on display at the world technology conference in Las Vegas: a dash display that is the size of seven I-Pads, a column of floating address. display for the driver and a consul-mounted display for the passenger. The interiors of electric vehicles have never looked as dazzling as this one.

Let Trend Disruptors be your guide for the future, as we continue to identify technology investment opportunities that can lead to financial success.

Stay tuned!

Tours Travel

Looking for a reasonable Toronto vacation rental for a family? Consider luxury furnished condos!

With the economy still trying to recover, we are all trying to find ways to save. Many families in both the United States and Canada are deciding to postpone a family vacation or choose a vacation at home (a vacation closer to home). We are wiser now than before the recession. We pay attention to sales and special offers, we try to spend within our means and we try to avoid depleting our credit cards. At the same time we want to continue enjoying life and indulging ourselves!

We need to get the best value for our money. And that’s exactly what corporate housing / furnished rental providers can help us with. Those companies offer fully furnished condo apartments in luxury condo buildings in some of the best areas of the city at a fraction of the typical cost of a hotel room.

You can rent spacious designer-decorated apartments that are more than twice the size of typical 350-square-foot hotel rooms and offer two separate bedrooms, two bathrooms and a sofa bed in the living room, 2 televisions, and fully equipped kitchens. from just $ 150 – $ 200.00 CAD per night for the whole family.

Don’t forget that most furnished rentals in Toronto include wireless Internet, cable TV, unlimited local calls, and unlimited use of the in-suite washer / dryer. Some of Toronto’s best short-term rental providers offer a variety of water, soda and juice and a gift basket of candy and snacks upon arrival, so you don’t have to run to the convenience store and buy a bottle of $ 3.00 water and a $ 5.00 bag of chips if the kids start the infamous “I want a drink, I want candy and chips, I want …”

These suites (also known as corporate suites, executive suites, and executive accommodations) offer more space, privacy, flexibility, and cost savings compared to conventional hotel accommodations. At the Toronto Hilton, Internet access costs $ 19.95 CAD plus tax per night per computer, a bottle of water in the room costs $ 6.00 plus tax, local phone calls cost $ 1.00 each.

Furnished suites provide a comforting home feeling and feature luxurious, modern furnishings, premium bedding and towels, and necessities as small as a large screen plasma LCD TV in the living room, a second Plasma LCD TV in master bedroom, remote control DVD / VCR, CD stereo, iPod / MP3 docking station with alarm clock, cordless phone and bedside alarm clock radio in each bedroom.

The main advantage for most families and couples is the convenience of having a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size dishwasher, full-size refrigerator, full-size stove with built-in oven, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee maker, as well as tableware. . kitchen utensils, cutlery, glasses and numerous kitchen utensils. Coffee or tea in downtown Toronto can cost you anywhere from $ 1.30 (iconic Canadian Tim Horton’s Coffee) to over $ 6.00 (hand-mixed Starbucks creation).

Breakfast in downtown Toronto for a family with 2 children can cost between $ 35 and $ 70 CAD after taxes. If you get some basic breakfast supplies at a corner grocery store, your breakfast will cost you $ 15-25 and save a ton of time too!

Furnished suites include a full-size washer and dryer that you can use at no extra charge, iron and ironing board, built-in safe, even things as small as hair dryers and bathroom scales.

As you plan your next visit to Toronto, save yourself some money! Consider short-term rentals in Toronto and spend the money you save on shopping and dining.

Arts Entertainments

Slot machines: where were we, where are we and where are we going

Where were we

Charles Fey invented the slot machine in the 1890s. You probably never imagined that his creation called the “Liberty Bell” would evolve into the most popular form of casino gambling today.

However, the evolution of slot machines had many growing pains, as many in the United States viewed gambling as a social evil. In 1910 all legal gambling activity was shut down, leaving horse racing the only legal entity in the United States.

During the Prohibition era of the 1920s, the public’s thirst for gambling coincided with that of alcohol. Slot machines along with alcohol were found at “Speak Easy” across the United States, many of them controlled by organized crime. After the ban ended, the underground casinos remained active.

States began cracking down on illegal casinos and began destroying sixteen and destroying gaming equipment, including slot machines. New York City Mayor LaGuardia called them “mechanical pickpockets”, smashed them with a sledgehammer and threw them into the Long Island Sound. (You can see the action on YouTube).

In 1931, Nevada legalized gambling. Slot machines littered the floor at state casinos, but they were there just to amuse the wives and lovers by playing their pennies and nickels while the men did all the heavy play at the tables. (A representation of this is shown in the 1952 film, “The Las Vegas Story” with Vincent Price, Victor Mature, and Jane Russel.) Slots remained a “women’s” game until Atlantic City legalized gambling in 1978.

Bally Manufacturing invented an electrically powered unit and slot machines began to “light up” and produce various sound effects. When multi-coin acceptors were introduced, the new dollar machines meant bigger prizes for customers. When the Random number generator The number of maximum prizes that could be increased in four and five reel versions was invented. A rotary knob became an alternative to the handle.

Tea Indian Gambling Law It was passed in the 1980s, allowing casinos on reserve land and gambling on recently legislated riverboats attracted new slot players, while racetracks added one-armed bandits.

IGT launch Megabucks in 1986 and slot machines were now connected across Nevada by phone lines that offered a giant jackpot the size of a lottery that grew with every coin wagered. Tea Progressive jackpot was born and gamers could now become millionaires. Players began to abandon board games, flocked to the machines and the casinos noticed.

Where we are

The proliferation of slot machines paved the way for new inventions. TO video slots with 25 lines, up to a 10-credit bet per line allowed for an entry-exit system (TITO). Coins and handles followed the dinosaurs. Traders could now cut denominations down to just a penny and still make a profit.

In the new century, slot machine manufacturers were quick to promote the themed slots, Units based on popular movies, TV shows and animators. Players can now rotate the Wheel of Fortune, laugh about Curley, Larry and Moe, take a walk with Captain Kirk, or hum Ol ‘blue eyes. All games have video clips of your favorite shows.

Themed slots have evolved to 5 video reels with up to 40 lines. The chairs have high, comfortable backs, and some even vibrate when certain additional features are activated. Touchscreens have the latest LCD technology, 3D graphics, and Bose sound systems as they continue to evolve. Depending on the theme of the game, players can bet from one penny (credit) per line to a maximum of $ 2, $ 3 and $ 4. Bonus features offer generous payouts, while progressive jackpots go up to six and seven figures .

Newer games saw the introduction of CSI, Sex and the City, Iron man, Michael Jackson, David Copperfield, The Walking Dead, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Wonder Woman, Ellen, Let’s make a deal, The Godfather, Monopoly, And the list goes on and on.

Where we go

Without a doubt, the themed slot will continue to grow. However, there is a large segment of casino customers who are looking for something different. They are the Millennials.Born in the early 80’s to the late 90’s, he grew up playing video games. The casinos realized that this generation did not mind sitting in front of a machine that did all the work for them to win. They want to participate to make this happen. This led to the introduction of Gskill masters at the 2016 Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.

Two companies, GameCo Y Gamblit Games featured its products at the show and by all accounts things are looking very promising. Other companies, Konami and Scientific Games are creating their own versions to appeal to Generation Y. Other companies will soon follow.

Some of the games are based on poker, where a limited number of players use their skill to drink the cards they need. In another game, players have to collect rare treasures in the Pharaoh’s Secret Temple before time runs out.

It’s too early to tell if the skill element will succeed, but some games are already up and running in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Only time will tell.

Tea American Gaming Association reported that there are 832,988 slot machines in 1,151 casinos in 44 states, with more on the way. This begs the question: with over 50 million visitors to casinos a year, will the slot craze continue?

You can bet on it!

Technology

The trend of iPhone repair at your doorstep

It’s no secret that iPhones are one of the most popular mobile devices today. Many people cannot imagine going a day without their iPhone. However, accidents do happen and iPhone damage is very common. Today, many mobile repair companies offer their services at the customer’s door.

Today, it is easy to call an iPhone repair expert at your home, workplace, or anywhere else. This is because on-site service is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people prefer to call in an expert rather than go to the expert themselves. All you need to know is that if you need an expert to come to you, it is possible.

The other plus point about your door iPhone repair is that you won’t need to go to a real store. Let’s say you live far from an iPhone repair shop. Instead of going to the shop, you can simply call and ask the repair expert to come to you. This means that you can wait in the comfort of your home. The good news is that it takes no more than a few hours, so your phone will be ready to go in no time.

Since iPhones are expensive devices, it is not easy to replace them regularly. For this reason, the best way to keep using your iPhone is to request repairs, replacements, and updates. No matter what model of iPhone you have, be it iPhone 3, iPhone 5, or even iPhone 6s, you can still call for repairs. . Professionals who understand iPhones can perform all kinds of repairs and services. You can ask for battery replacement, screen replacement, charging port replacement, and even camera replacement.

In addition to hardware, you can also request debugging, analysis, and iOS updates. This will help fix any software related issues as well as improve performance and speed up your iPhone’s processor. Experienced professionals carry toolkits with the relevant tools and materials so they can quickly get started on your device.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you can request a warranty on any of the parts of the iPhone that the expert replaces. This way, if the device stops working again or encounters the same problem, you can use the warranty. The minimum warranty period extends to two years, so be sure to ask beforehand. This will ensure that you get the best value for your money.

Home Kitchen

Different types of kitchen tiles and their use

Most of the time, homeowners put extra effort into decorating the kitchen. Because all members of the family frequently enter the kitchen expecting good food. So, directly or indirectly, the kitchen is one of the essential areas of a house. Along with that, if the kitchen is decorated with good quality marble tiles, it will definitely increase its value.

Everyone who enters the kitchen looks at the floor and walls. It would be fabulous if you used tiles that look warm, bright and elegant on them. The kitchen has many areas where tiles can be placed. You can also use tile, wall tile, and countertop tile. One of the must-have things to remember is to choose waterproof tiles for the kitchen. Non-laminated porous tiles or wood tiles can be easily stained.

Below are the different types of tiles that are suitable for the kitchen:

Ceramic

Ceramic tiles are very popular and versatile. These look beautiful and functional. These are the reasons why many homeowners choose to use them inside their kitchens. These tiles are heat resistant, durable and available in different designs and colors. Ceramic tiles can be used on countertops, floors, and walls.

Porcelain

These are also chosen equally due to their natural look and texture. These have a homogeneous structure that keeps them free from scratches, chips and is resistant to weight.

Glass

The glass tiles are elegant and classy. They are also durable, strong and heat resistant like porcelain tiles. These tiles are good for kitchen walls.

stone

Stone tiles are suitable for a luxurious finish. They are expensive but are also available in less expensive versions. If you are looking for inexpensive tiles, choose granite or slate. For an expensive one, choose the marbles.

Vinyl tiles

These are easy to install and inexpensive. They are best for kitchen walls, but require maintenance as they can be easily scratched.

Backsplash tiles

These tiles can be used on your kitchen floor and countertop. Backsplash tiles come in natural stone, glass, metal, and ceramic varieties. You can use wallpaper over these, but they can come off if there is high humidity.

The cost of the tiles depends on the variety and, of course, on the quality. When it comes to kitchen tiles, it is best to buy the high quality ones as they are durable and enhance your lifestyle. Also, if you have children in your home, choose something that is easy to maintain and healthy.

Auto

Classic movie car chases

There’s nothing like a car chase, right? Some of the most memorable scenes in the movie have been car chases – the euphoria, the excitement, and the smell of gasoline! If only there were scratch ‘n’ sniff cinemas …

Many car chases seen in movies today are enhanced through the use of computer generated imagery (CGI), although the classic car chases that stick to memory were those that were authentically filmed – gritty, not polished: exactly how a car chase should be.

A car chase gets the juices flowing and really leaves a lasting memory with the viewer. So much so that many movie fans have left the movies and gone straight to buy the latest Aston Martin (in their dreams), or more realistically at least a used Mini.

A favorite car chase is Robert De Niro’s 1998 film Ronin, which featured a gigantic chase in which a Peogeot 406 was chased by a BMW 535i through the streets of Nice. Watching them speed through tunnels dodging oncoming traffic left me clutching the seat of my pants.

In terms of quantity, Gone in 60 Seconds – not the Vinny Jones-starring remake, but the 1974 original – holds the record for the longest car chase ever seen in a movie, spanning 40 minutes and inducing 93 accidents.

A more iconic movie, Bullitt, starring the late great Steve McQueen, sees McQueen as cop Frank Bullitt and features a fantastic scene where he races his Mustang against a Dodge Charger through the streets of San Francisco.

Of the most recent films, The Bourne Supremacy triumphed with a convincing chase through the cobblestone streets of Moscow. And Quentin Tarrantino’s Death Proof revolved entirely around Kurt Russell, brilliantly portraying a crazed stuntman turned assassin targeting his prey, namely young women, with his ‘Death Proof’ stunt car – a Dodge. Challenger from the ’70s. The chase scene with stuntman Zoe Bell clinging to the hood of a car as’ Stuntman Mike’ hits the car from every angle is as terrifying as it is brilliantly filmed.

And who can forget the stacking of the Blues Brothers: dozens of police cars one on top of the other, with the Bluesmobile leaving them behind.

But the most iconic car chase in movie history has to be the Italian Job. The Mini, a threefold British classic, racing stripes and all, hurtling through Turin, hauling golden bricks from a wonderfully planned heist scene.

This was Michael Caine, in his prime, as Charlie Croker, a criminal mastermind who orchestrates ‘work’ by jamming the midday traffic of Turin and finding the best way out of that gridlock: by using three Mini Cooper’s.

The Italian Job was a huge hit in theaters in Europe and across the Atlantic. Mini saw a huge increase in sales, and used Minis began to depreciate less and less due to their popularity, especially the Mini Cooper.

In 2003, the Italian job was redone, largely due to the reinvention of the Mini by BMW. The remake starring Mark Wahlberg, Jason Statham and Ed Noton followed a similar plot, but with the main car chase set in Los Angeles, using three Mini Cooper S roaring through the city, including through the Metro.

Once again, Mini sales and used Mini sales increased and many experts suggested that the success of the Italian work is a rationale for the Mini’s continued popularity. And it really makes sense – I challenge you to watch any of the Italian work without wanting to get behind the wheel of a Mini.

We can all dream of an Aston Martin, but the most viable option can sometimes be just as fun. After all, there is a Charlie Croker in all of us, not in terms of his criminal mind, but in terms of his enthusiasm for speed and excitement. And who hasn’t dreamed of doing an Italian job when stuck in traffic on the way to work on a Monday morning?

Digital Marketing

Growing Up: Time to Give Up Your Youth Books

Tired of my Tumblr board drowning under images of immaculate shelves filled with youth novels and Harry Potter books neatly stacked between a slim Macbook and a Starbucks mug, I thought I’d get out of my Nerdcave and see what all the hype was about. .

I started with the preconceived idea that young adult literature was just another trend, followed by naive teens with a particular taste for cloying trash. I ended up with the confirmed idea that youth literature was just another trend followed by lazy adults who take pleasure in staying dumb.

To start at the beginning, what the heck is a Yong Adult? Even for that fairly simple question, there is no set answer. According to book publishers, anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 is considered a young adult. Curious, I consider 12-year-olds as “older children.” However, I have heard writers and readers say that YA is aimed at people aged 18-25 or even 15-30. I guess only after 30 are you finally considered a “suitable adult” or something like that.

I don’t want to sound fussy or anything, but according to almost all dictionaries, between the ages of 13 and 19 you are a teenager. That’s right, not a “young adult,” not a “near-adult,” but a rebellious acne teenager.

So why don’t publishers simply call literature aimed at this 16-year-old group “teen literature”? Probably because they realized that “adult adults” were also reading it and that they would be ashamed to go to the children’s section to buy their books. Understandable; It takes a lot of guts to flick through the Twilight books without pretending it’s for the niece when you’re over 12 years old, I’m not sure I’d have the balls to do it.

So … this little clarification brings us to the big question: “Why the heck do adults read books written for people so much younger than themselves”?

I don’t like the answer I have found one bit, but for me it is the most obvious. I think people read ALREADY for the simple reason that those books are written with not too difficult an intrigue to follow, not too complex characters in a not too complicated style to understand. Am I saying YA readers are stupid? No. Is that YA reader lazy? Yes. On an intellectual level to be exact. It’s the problem of our generation, people are so used to having everything pre-chewed for them, ready to order so they don’t have to make any effort, like thinking (oh my head hurts!), Reflect on their habits Reading.

‘Why exhaust myself using my brain reading a book written in subtle prose with an intricate plot and well-developed characters? It might make me think, let’s read, Divergent, the maze runner, whatever … ‘Okay, that’s harsh and generalizing, but that’s how the crowd thinks and not just with literature.

I understand to some extent that real teens enjoy YA, after all they are the target niche. Adolescence sucks, it is a period of doubt and it is legitimate to enjoy reading about young characters who go through their existential crisis of puberty when you are going through the same thing. The YA authors understand that they perfectly and ruthlessly fill the book market with the so-called “real problems” of YA literature. (Oh! I have cancer, so do you, let’s get together!) Why not … Teens have to vent their hypersensitive hormones from time to time.

However, what I do not approve of is “adult adults” reading NOW. You have no excuse to identify the characters, (or if not, explain to me how a 28-year-old woman can identify with a prepubescent schoolgirl …). You don’t have the excuse that “adult literature” is too complex for you, damn you are adults !! Not young adults, not older adults, not part-time adults. Only mature adults and adults. Now may be the time to behave like one and stop hiding your ignorance behind the “young adult” bullshit.

It’s time to grow up, to challenge your mind, to read something a little more substantial than teenage romantic romantics. It’s time to open books that are difficult for you to read, with plots that are difficult for you to follow, or styles of writing that you would not have turned to in the first place. This is how you will develop the ability to judge and think for yourself. It is your duty as an adult to educate yourself, sharpen your mind, and challenge your brain.

Sorry to tell you this, but you can’t be an eternal child, no matter how great it sounds to you. As an adult, you now have rights and obligations towards society, so don’t screw it up. I worry about being around people who lack the curiosity to discover new things and who prefer to swallow whatever shit they are forced to eat. I am convinced that the world would not be a disaster today if people had read less John Green and more George Orwell. I am not saying that the two are incompatible, it is like a diet: eat (read) whatever you want, but eat (read) a little of everything and occasionally enjoy junk food (books). This is how you stay healthy (smart).

I’m going to stop my spiel here and just say that (good) literature for teens, Young Adults, or whatever you call it, is fine for teens who can still enjoy tear-eyed stories without thinking too much for a few more years. In nothing. more than themselves. But you “grown adults” who swear that ‘the glitch in our stars’ isn’t just ‘Twilight with chemo’, I think you’re just trying to bury your head in the sand and pretend you’re still a carefree youth (YOLO !), indifferent to the issues that really matter. Okay, apparently ignorance is a blessing.

With all of this being said, I’ll be going back to my Nerdcave to play all my ‘over 3s’ video games.