Yvonne's Pick: Be Present by Daily Calm on YouTube

I'm heading off Wattpad for this one. We're all stressed out. Take a few minutes for yourself with this meditation from YouTube.

Why Recommended:

Things are hectic... let's slow down. Ohhhhmmmm.

https://youtu.be/ZToicYcHIOU

Sky's Pick: Netflix

Blurb: Netflix is a streaming site where users can watch endless amounts of shows and movies.

Why Recommended: Lately, I've been so busy and I've not wanted to do anything. I've found that being able to sit and watch something on Netflix is such a relaxing time. Helps tone down some of the stress!

https://www.netflix.com

Naomi's Pick: Mind the Gap by @EvelynHail and RainerSalt

Blurb:

Two strangers on separate trains, divided by uncaring glass.

A bond forms between them.

But will it hold when their trains are bound for different destinations?

Evan's heart has been bleeding since his little family was torn apart by divorce, and his nose runs with a cold. Trying to pick up the pieces of his life, he has changed cities, and he's about to change jobs. And he has run out of tissues.

A woman's blue hair catches his eye at a train station. And her smile, fortified by braces, catches his heart.

Sitting in her train, Iris revels in her future perfect. Her work is finally getting published and she has found Mr. Right. Nothing could go wrong now.

Gazing out of the window, she sees the stranger. He looks miserable and sneezes, but her hands want to tousle his bed hair.

A random encounter at a subway station. But both of them are caught in their tracks and when their trains pull apart, they don't expect to meet again.

Why Recommended:

I read this story a while ago and it's made such an impression on me that months later I can still remember exactly what happened. This is a beautiful love story set in a very recognisable modern day. The romance is well-paced and feels thoroughly convincing. It revolves around two characters, each written by a different author. This gives them both a unique voice and personality, making them both feel incredibly convincing. I am so impressed by the way the authors managed to weave their unique writing style into one story, making it feel whole.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/213771173-mind-the-gap-%E2%9C%94%EF%B8%8F

Laila's Pick: Turnpike by simonesaidwhat

Tagline: "This is not a love story. This is a ruination."

Why Recommended:

Turnpike tells the story of an unnamed college-aged woman and the toxic "relationship" she's in with a privileged fraternity member. It dives deep into the topics of rape culture, toxic relationships, and victim blaming in such a subtle realistic way that you could almost miss it if you weren't paying attention (which is something Simone reminds readers to do as they read through, because clues about the female main character and her situation are expertly hidden throughout the story and show a whole new level of how manipulation factors into this relationship.)

The intentional exclusion of the female and male main characters' names just add another level to the brilliance that is this story. They could be anyone, even you.

In the era of Brock Turner and countless other stories of young women seeking justice against privileged predators and abusers, this story absolutely nails the hard topics at hand.

https://my.w.tt/kpNGFzBd4ab

Loutka's Pick: To the Grave by KateNorth

Blurb:

Lea Cartwright can see dead people. She sees them in the street, at school and even in her little brother's day care. But when one appears in her bedroom begging her to solve his murder, Lea realises that there's much more to fear in high school than detention and mean girls.

There's a hidden world beneath our own that calls Lea's name, one filled with love, betrayal and a voice in the darkness that wants to claim her for itself. If only things were as simple as worrying about the next homework deadline, right?

Why Recommended:

Though, this story is only ongoing with 6 chapters, it's been an amazing read so far. The prose is beautiful, the descriptions are simple, but impactful. And I love her writing style, in general. Also, the ghost whisperer vibes, and mystery undertone is a bonus.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/216962373-to-the-grave