Maddie Kopecki

In 2019, I’ve read 81 books (and counting). While there are still 26 days left in this year, it’s become clear that I probably won’t find myself a new favorite in these final weeks. It’s a little depressing, but it means I get to look at all of the things I’ve read this year and decide what I consider to be the best of the best. There’s going to be a lot of diversity here, but if you take anything away from this list, hopefully, it’s a new title to add to your TBR. 5. Night Film by Marisha Pessl Night Film is a cinematic, harrowing novel that tells the story of Scott McGrath, a disgraced journalist who lost his career investigating an elusive film director. McGrath has a bone to pick with Stanislas Cordova, a controversial film director notorious for his disturbing underground horror movies. After McGrath tried to learn the truth about Cordova, his career and marriage were lost. When Ashley Cordova, the daughter of the infamous director, is found dead in a warehouse after an al

It's not a secret that I'm not religious. Don't get me wrong; it's not like I walk around looking for excuses to bring it up in unrelated conversation, but when it comes up, I don't shy away from talking about my beliefs. I'm not ashamed to be agnostic. In fact, it's the opposite, I'm proud to say I have my own opinions regardless of external pressure and shaming from other people in my life. I think religion is cool if it works for you. For people who seek to understand what is unfair and difficult in life, religion can be a pivotal backbone. If it brings you comfort, more power to you. I'm a firm believer that your life is your own damn business, and no one else should ever seek to take that freedom from you. I've been sitting with the idea of writing this for a long time. I was hesitant because I felt like some people might read this and judge me or my parents. Then, I realized that I was given a voice and it's my job to use it when I

Ironically, some of the scariest experiences of my life took place in an airport in Florida on two different occasions. And no, they had nothing to do with my irrational fear of heights or the terrifying notion of the giant metal box I was trapped in plunging out of the sky. I mean the time I accidentally brought a kitchen knife into my carry on, or the time I accidentally kidnapped someone’s infant. In my defense, I still have no clue how the knife ended up in my bag. And I know, I know, it wasn’t a good idea to stand near a toddler as said toddler failed to lift her baby brother into the stroller beside her. Nor was it a good idea to turn towards the terrible wailing sound and accept the child when the little girl handed him to me. I guess I instinctively held the kid, but I swear I never set out to take the kid. It was almost as if his sister held him out to me like she was saying “tag, you’re it.” I’m sure the baby was absolutely frightened by the random stranger holding him, and

High school is one of the most overwhelming experiences of my entire life. When I began as a freshman in 2016, I'll admit that I didn't think it would be. I entered high school one thing, and now, two and a half years in, I'm a completely different person, new and improved, and sure of who I am. The funny thing is, from middle school, we're taught that junior year is the most important academic year on transcripts. We're taught that it's the most stressful part of high school and that people go crazy trying to achieve perfection. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly stoked to start this critical academic year. My first day came and went, and I thought everything was great. I didn't have too many assignments, my teachers (except for my math instructor) were fantastic, and life was generally fine. Then, just a few weeks later, my to-do lists started to look like this: For context, I'm enrolled in a fairly rigorous course load, but nothing extre

1. It's not your fault that other people decided to hurt you, don't make excuses for them. 2. Hurt people hurt people. 3. It's okay to push yourself out of your comfort zone. 4. It's also okay to stay in your comfort zone. 5. Friendships need to have equal give and take to be healthy. You are not The Giving Tree . End the toxic friendships. 6. Make new friends. It's okay to make new friends. 7. Do what you love, love what you do. 8. Be kind, especially to yourself. 9. You don't have to justify yourself to anyone. 10. Your past shouldn't scare someone away. If it does, they aren't worth your time. 11. Treat mental illness like a physical illness. It's not in your control, and you wouldn't be frustrated with yourself if you had a cold. Being sick is being sick, no matter how you look at it. 12. Not all country music is terrible. 13. (See above) The same goes for rap. 14. Friends can be found in unexpected places. 15. More people thin

Dear Senators, When I was a little girl, I believed that I lived in the greatest country in the world. I thought to myself that this place was amazing, a place where women had equal rights and voices, where I could be anything I wanted to be and anyone I wanted to be and nothing could stand in my way. But as I grew older, I lost my rose-colored glasses and began to see the world for what it is: a place where women still have demons to fight in order to find success because there are still barriers to fight through. I am a liberal Democrat. I am proud to say that I know what I believe, but I am also proud to say that I don't mind the nomination of a Republican candidate to the Supreme Court. Despite my disagreement with his political views, my issue with him comes down to a couple of glaring problems, and none of them have to do with differences of opinion. I want you to understand the gravity of your vote. You voted 'yes' to a man who has been accused of sexually as