Posted on by Cesar

What Helped Me Stay Organized as a Student at UW-Bothell

 My time here at UW-Bothell has been quite the journey. I developed many new skills and experiences as I embraced coming and dorming here from my hometown. To me, it is still unbelievable that I will be graduating this spring quarter! Time goes by fast and each time I think of this, I still remember the chaos of my high school graduation and senior night. I knew that participating in the Running Start program at my community college would set me up for the ability to advance in college credits so that I would be able to graduate early. However, it is still shocking to see that in a couple of weeks, I will be walking across the stage. 

 This past academic year has proved to me that time goes by fast and that it is important to take advantage of each given moment. With this being my last quarter here at UW-Bothell, I wanted to share some of my skills and tips that I have developed and embraced throughout my two years of being here. 

Something that I used each day during high school that has stuck by me to this very day is: a planner. I find that by having a planner, it makes everything a lot easier. Not to mention that it can also help you develop other skills like organization, time-management and reduced stress/ procrastination. This can certainly help especially if you are a college student with a hectic schedule filled with demanding homework deadlines. 

When it comes to using a physical or an electronic planner, I personally enjoy a physical one. I like to have the physical copy of my planner so that I can customize it to my liking and so that when I do check things off, it feels more of an accomplishment. Not to mention that for me, having a physical planner is more aesthetically pleasing to have and it keeps me accountable for being consistent with planning out my weekly schedules. 

 

Weekly Planning For Beginners And Pros - Bordio
Image Captured from Bordio.com

Let me take you through my process when it comes to using my planner. To start, I enjoy planning my week every Sunday. This is so that I am aware of what is happening throughout the week ahead of me and so that I’m able to see what I have to get done for that given week. I am also able to prioritize my assignments to see which things require more attention. 

Every day, I like to start the day off by going to the gym. Incorporating weight training into my schedule is a way for me to take time for myself and for my health. I like to set aside about two hours of my morning that is dedicated to this. Within my planner, I write down “Gym @ 8am” for each day, Monday-Friday. This helps me be accountable for getting up in the morning and tackling the day with a good workout. 

Next, I like to write down my scheduled times for my job and for any lectures. With this, and the gym, I like to do a check box on the left-hand side so that once I finish this task, I can sigh relief after I have checked it off. When it comes to class assignments, I like to write them down on the days that they are due during the week, along with the times as well. I find that having Canvas opened to the monthly setting helps me get a clearer picture of how many things I have to do. It also gives me the ability to have some insight the week after to see if there are any important exams, projects, events, etc., need to prepare well in advance. 

Due to the majority of my coursework having deadlines on Sundays @ 11:59 pm, I’ve noticed that the Sunday box within my planner usually has more writing within it. To help manage my time with my classes, and with what I have assigned, I like to color coordinate my classes and assignments. What is nifty about this is that it makes my planner more organized and appealing to the eye. 

Whenever I have additional things that occur during the week, I also like to write them down so that I do not forget. This usually includes any scheduled times that an event or a meeting will happen. As a busy college student, having things written down is important because it helps me manage my time and priorities better. 

 

Photo of my planner for the week of May 20th – May 26th

Having a planner with everything laid out helps me with my routine. I am very routine-oriented, and I like to know what has to get done during the week so that I don’t rush or procrastinate at the last minute. I carry this around with me in my backpack so if there is anything I need to check off or update, I can do so.

Reflecting on how my planner has helped me throughout college, I developed new skills and strengthened some of the skills that I currently have. A new skill I developed is multitasking, and a couple that I have strengthened are prioritizing my objectives, organization, and time management. Some of the skills were ones that I already have, but with the help of a planner, I’ve noticed how it has helped me strengthen my skills because I can get a head start for the week and see which assignment deadlines were high and low-stakes. 

Learning these skills is something that I didn’t adapt to easily. If I were to pull out my previous planner, the resemblance would be apparent as it has taken me time and effort to implement exactly what I was looking for in terms of developing a routine, planning, and organizing. I think we underestimate the power of the planner. It is such a prime way to stay organized and consistent. The nice thing about a planner is that it only suits you and you. It contains your work, schedule, meetings, appointments, etc. A glimpse into your life on paper is the way that I like to think of it.

Looking at the planner example below, one thing that stood out to me was that the creator included a “Rest Day!” on a weekend day. I think this is something that I could see myself doing for the future of my planner because it’s such a great written reminder to prioritize ourselves at the end of a crazy and busy week. 

Some of these techniques were effective for me when it came to using my planner and I hope this blog post can inspire and help any new and current students who are thinking about using a planner or need some guidance to get started. 

Happy planning! 

 

Image Captured from Korrashay.com

 

Resources to help you get started on your planning journey:

Resources for UW-Bothell Students: 

Resources for Cascadia College Students: 

Posted on by monsea

Attending Community College Doesn’t Have to be Shameful

Graduating from high school is a well-known life milestone. At this point in your life, one of the most frequently asked questions that you receive is “What university are you going to?” This question can be intimidating for many reasons. Some people aren’t committed to a university yet, some people aren’t pursuing higher education, and maybe some people are going to their family’s long-time rival university. For me, however, this question was intimidating because I wasn’t enrolling in a university: I was enrolling in community college.

For as long as I can remember, community colleges have been perceived as the schools for delinquent students who will end up working dead-end jobs. Upon further research, it appears that the media consistently portrays community college students as “mediocre, probably losers, and usually unsympathetic,” often making them the punchline of a joke (6). Because of the negative connotation latched on to the idea of community college, I became hesitant and embarrassed to share my post-high-school plans. When I would tell people about my plan, I would hastily add that I planned to transfer to UW Bothell after receiving my associate’s. Now that I have graduated from Cascadia College and am in my second year at UW Bothell, I realize that attending community college is truly nothing to be ashamed about.

One of the advantages of community college (and one of my main reasons for going to a 2-year institution) is that it is much more cost-effective. According to an article published by US News & World Report, the cost of tuition for community college is about ⅓ of the cost of tuition for universities (7). For example, the typical in-state tuition for Cascadia College is slated at around $4,678 while in-state tuition for the University of Washington is $12,224 (4). If you’re planning on transferring to a university after college, another advantage is that many universities have programs with community colleges that allow for easy transferring of credits. This type of education plan is referred to as the 2+2 model (3). Additionally, community college offers great experience and training for jobs. Martha Parham, the senior vice president of public relations for the American Association of Community Colleges, has stated that different career programs offered by community colleges have a “highly applied nature” that “prepares students for entering the workforce” (7).

Now having experienced community college classes and university classes, I can say that the quality of education between these two is the same. One of the other stereotypes of community college is that the classes are not rigorous or of good quality, however this is not the case. During my time at Cascadia College, the classes I took definitely required a great amount of effort, with the material being challenging and engaging. One of my worries upon entering UW Bothell was not being prepared enough for my classes. Because my foundational knowledge about biology was gained in community college, I felt that I would fall behind in the biology classes at UW Bothell. Fortunately, I realized that Cascadia did prepare me for these classes. Many of the topics discussed in classes had already been introduced in my previous classes, and I was able to easily comprehend new topics. Furthermore, the amount of homework between these institutions did not differ greatly, which was another worry of mine.

Despite my good experience with community college, I understand some of the discrepancies that people may have with it. For example, a study found that the percentage of community college students who did not earn a degree and that were no longer enrolled in community college was around 50% (5). That being said, more disenfranchised groups have a higher likelihood of attaining that bachelor’s degree (1). Additionally, a portion of funding for community colleges, especially in Washington state, depend on property taxes (2). As a result, the community college experience will vary depending on the location of the college. Because of this, I also recognize that my experience at Cascadia is not going to be universal for community college students everywhere. I do believe that many of the problems that face community colleges lies within a much larger conversation about federal funding and stigmatization.

In summation, community college has its own great benefits that should not be overshadowed by its 2-year institution status. The knowledge gained in community college has the same educational value as classes from a university. Many benefits can be gleaned from community college, such as work experience and lower tuition costs. While more work needs to be done in sufficiently funding community colleges nationwide and in removing stigmatization surrounding community college, there is nothing inherently wrong about attending community college.

Check out Cascadia College and University of Washington Bothell!

References

(1) Brand, Jennie, et al. “The Community College Effect Revisited: The importance of attending to heterogeneity and complex counterfactuals.” Sociological Science, vol. 1, 27 Oct. 2014, pp. 448–465, https://doi.org/10.15195/v1.a25.

(2) Burke, Ethelda, et al. “Key Facts about Higher Education in Washington.” Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2011.

(3) “Community College.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 28 Aug. 2023, educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study/research-your-options/community-college.

(5) Goldrick-Rab, Sara. “Challenges and opportunities for improving community college student success.” Review of Educational Research, vol. 80, no. 3, 1 Sept. 2010, pp. 437–469, https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654310370163.

(6) LaPaglia, Nancy. Storytellers: The Image of the Two-Year College in American Fiction and in Women’s Journals. LEPS Press, Northern Illinois University, 1995.

(7) Warner, Andrew. “5 Reasons to Consider Community College.” U.S. News & World Report, 19 May 2022, www.usnews.com/education/community-colleges/articles/reasons-to-consider-community-college.

 
Posted on by Rory

Summer, Productivity, and “Wasting Time”

If you’re like me, you find that during the summer, when there’s no classes and no homework absorbing every waking moment of your existence, you’re really bored and have no idea what to do with yourself. I mean, I’m all for spending the whole day playing Minecraft or Animal Crossing or something, but lately, doing that feels very “wasteful.” Well, any time you’re having fun is not wasteful, and you should be enjoying it for as long as you can! But, that feeling when you’re out of things to do and thus the only thing you can do is a mindless time passer, it doesn’t feel too great. If you’re like me, you hate that feeling, and if you’re like me, that feeling doesn’t really go away until school starts again.

So why not pick up a hobby? I’ve been meaning to try punch-needling for a while and then…oh no, all the supplies are so expensive. But, I tell myself, “Oh well, I’ll just do it, maybe I’ll really like it!” and somehow expect myself to be a master at it as soon as I start. Then I’ll watch a tutorial and get confused and jealous about how good the tutorial-person’s work is, and mumble to myself “Maybe this just isn’t my thing…” Eventually, I’ll throw the supplies in my closet, hoping to find the confidence to pick it up again but in the back of my mind I know I won’t, at least not for a while. Maybe you’re like me and pick up and throw away hobbies quickly. Maybe that’s not the route to go this summer.

So, okay, that was a bust. Maybe I’ll do something with my friends, surely there’s someone I can do something with. OK, I have this person’s number, but we never really talked outside of that one time. It’d be weird to invite them to something, right? How about this person? We sat next to each other the entirety of that one class, maybe they’d want to do something with me? Ah no, I’m sure they already have friends to hang out with. Maybe I should just stay home and watch a movie, but that sounds kinda boring and lonely without other people to join me. What else can I do though? I don’t want to be the only one with a really lame response when someone asks me what I did on a Friday night. They’d all say they went to a club with friends or made the magnum opus of their painting career or something. And, I’m not even into doing either of those things! Why am I even jealous of the people in these hypothetical scenarios? I’m supposed to be out having some serious fun right now! It’s summer! I have so much free time now, what am I using it for! ARGH! …

Maybe you’re like me and often left wondering, “So what can I do?” Maybe the issue isn’t so much that I and others like me have trouble being genuinely productive but we define productivity in a way that means creating or doing something “useful.” But being productive should be and is doing anything that you personally find valuable for any reason! If you think it’s worth your time, then I believe that is completely productive. A New York Times article derives from a study by the journal Emotion which tested how much “pleasure people derived from thinking. [In the study] Participants left to their own devices were more likely to gravitate toward worrying or neutral topics like work or school, and they were left with negative or neutral feelings after the session. When given a framework that guided them to imagine something positive, like a fantasy of having superpowers or the memory of their first kiss, they were 50 percent more likely to feel positive after the session.” (Article) If even something seemingly “unproductive” like daydreaming can, in actuality, help you feel good then there must be so many other similar activities that work the same!

Though, I don’t blame anyone who may feel apprehensive about this. Business Psychologist, Peter Steward, explains in his aptly named article, “Why You Should Embrace The Concept Of ‘Wasting’ Time” that, “In a world that values productivity and results, a world where 70- and 80-hour work weeks are a badge of honor, the very concept of ‘wasting time’ provokes a sense of guilt and worry.” (Article) It’s always good to find a balance between focusing on responsibilities and chilling out, but there are many nuances as to how and what activities are productive to specifically you. Everyone has their own obligations be it work, school, or other, but when you do have the down time I suggest you use it pleasurably! Appreciating that time will make you feel better, and this is how I believe productivity should be redefined. Instead of feeling bad you’re not “using” your time properly during the summer, it could actually be more productive to appreciate that you have the free time to do whatever you want!

Not to get it twisted though; to reiterate, doing errands and chores, going to work or volunteering your time is definitely productive, but I’m specifically speaking about relaxing activities that are typically seen as “a waste of time.” While it’s true we only have so much of it in our lives, if you spend it worrying about always doing things that capitalism defines as productive then that doesn’t seem like a life you’ve left for the more pleasurable things like reading a book, going for a walk during sunset, spending time with the people you love, writing poetry, analyzing a movie, or doing whatever you like to do!

On the other hand, maybe as much as you may try to just relax, you just can’t shake the feeling that you’re missing out on doing anything and something. And that’s OK! I find myself in very much the same predicament. Some people can just relax and do nothing, and others like to always be doing something. If you’re like that and struggle with finding activities you like to do (as I do), I suggest spending time just exploring! Typing in “How To” or “[X subject] Tutorial” on YouTube and searching through what comes up can be a great way to discover some hobbies you may have never thought of! That’s how I got into car detailing; I watched a bunch of videos of others doing it and I found them so satisfying I thought, “Hey, I could be doing that!” So, I did! Though, I don’t have all the same fancy supplies that they use, I just make do with what I have. A handheld vacuum, some car soap, a hose, and some microfiber cloths have had a similar effect in the end after all, and this can be said for many other activities as well. It’s been really good for me at least, since I find doing some self-imposed labor and seeing the end results of thereof very relaxing.

As well, actually limiting your materials can force you to be more creative and has led to some very innovative projects in real life. It may take some stretching of the imagination, but you can affordably and easily enjoy many activities this way! For example, if you want to create art but only have crayons, you really don’t have to go out of your way to buy fancy artist markers or oil paints in order to create something amazing. Mixed media art can be good inspiration for this, as you can take pieces of newspaper, magazines, some paint, and whatever else to create something entirely different! Isn’t that cool? Though this doesn’t necessarily apply to everything, it can be good to start with what you have first whenever trying a new activity or hobby. Jumping into it right away can be overwhelming, and lead to frustration, disappointment, and a sense of loss. Give yourself a taste first, and then decide if you want to invest in it more. If you try something and it doesn’t end up being your thing, at least you tried it! And hey, maybe if you’re sure you’ve given up on it, it’s always nice to donate any supplies you got to someone else who would be interested! Just feel free to keep experimenting while you have the time to, it’s a really good way to spend your summer.

Remember, if you get too hung up on what is and isn’t being done, you can really burn yourself out. Maybe it’d be helpful to make it your goal to just find as much time as you can to invest in things that make you happy, whatever it may be. Maybe you like to make tier lists of your favorite albums, or scour the internet for niche movies, or listen to hilariously named Spotify playlists; whatever you enjoy doing is productive! Life is short anyway and there’s so many things in the world to enjoy, and maybe summer is the perfect time to get started on exploring!

 

Extra Pro Tips:

Next time you feel you’re just “wasting” time, try these tips!

– Remember, you are not a machine — and besides, even machines have to be reset and recalibrated occasionally. “Wasting time” is your brain and body’s way of recalibrating and resetting. Ask yourself:

  • Do you feel guilty when you take time to care for your physical health during the day? Why?
  • How much time do you spend on tasks unrelated to work each day? Is it enough?
  • What are some productive time wasters you enjoy (exercise, reading, crafting, etc.)? Is there a new one you’d like to try?

(Article)

– Time management coach Elizabeth Saunders examines scenarios where “wasting” time could, overall, make your mind feel better.

  • Decompressing – As previously mentioned, sometimes your brain just needs a break! Especially after work, this is a perfect time to just “waste time” however you please. Doing so helps clear your mind for the next day.
  • Processing Emotions – “For example if you had a tense confrontation with a colleague, you could talk about the situation with someone you trust, write out your thoughts, or simply think through what happened, what you learned from the situation, what you could have done differently, and how to move forward from here. [ …] This emotional processing may take you a few hours or more depending on the intensity of the emotion and the complexity of the situation. But, by ‘wasting’ those few hours, you gain peace of mind so you’re not carrying around the negative emotions from the situation for days, weeks, or even months.”
  • Making a Decision – Giving yourself time and permission to properly make a big decision can help you not regret it later. Instead of avoiding it or acting impulsively, try relaxing first and then let yourself passively think. This is called “diffused thinking,” and can actually help you be more creative too! Diffused thinking can happen “when you’re brushing your teeth, walking, cooking dinner, or really in any other ‘in-between’ time where your mind wanders. Although it can make sense to listen to podcasts, music, or audiobooks during these times, by not ‘wasting’ a little time by giving yourself input-free space, you may miss out on many spontaneous creative thoughts.”
  • When “Savoring” – “Although on the surface, [savoring a moment] may seem like a waste of time, from a psychological point of view, it’s an important key to a happy life. Savoring involves being present in the moment and allowing yourself to fully feel and appreciate the positive emotions generated by the present.”

(Article)

– Lastly, this article from Medium.com called “How to Manage Your Time and Embrace the Concept of Wasted Time” can also be a very useful resource!

Finding what works for you is crucial to enjoying a time well “wasted”!

Posted on by anmeig

Don’t Judge a Book by It’s Cover

There is a common phrase that is used and recognized by many book readers, and that is

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover

As often times there are book that although is amazingly written, the cover is not the attractive at all but it surprises you.

Yet, what if I tell you the cover is everything to a book.

Imagine walking into a library, stock full of beautiful books full of amazing stories, and you find a book catches your eye. Without even reading the name, it’s what’s on the cover that you see first, or specifically, the color.

It’s like first impressions when meeting a new person, even if you’re an amazing human being, the first impression will stick in the back of their mind the entire time they know of you. Maybe your actions will completely throw their impressions in a loop, or perhaps they justify their impression by what they had known when they first met you?

What is a good story if there’s nothing that can draw people’s eyes to read it in the first place?

The cover and the book go hand in hand, it will change the way you see a story and have you speculating from just one glance. Although there are many things that contribute to designing a delectable cover, I’ll be talking about one quality that is, what I think, the most important part of book covers.

The color!

It’s the spice and seasoning to a meal!

It provides the flavor and an introduction to what’s coming next.

Colors are connected to emotions and give personality to your first impressions.

Some of the book covers of this blog can be found in our library catalogue and will be hyperlinked below the photos.

The Hypocrite World by Sophia Hill

Let’s get a look at the meaning of the colors specifically, the tone and feeling each of them convey when it’s dominating the cover. Any color can be used for many purposes as long as you use it correctly, but there are some colors that are better at portraying certain aspects than others. Don’t be tempted to make an entire palette based on these descriptions. You must also leave room for novelty and exploration. Be ready to make diversions from the usual color uses and make a surprise.

Red

The Illuminae Files | Fahrenheit 451 | His Majesty’s Dragon | The House that Fell from the Sky | Cemetery Boys

 

We’re going to start with Red, a very bold strong color that immediately attracts attention. For example, the fastest and most luxurious cars in the world are most often painted in red and famous people are usually given the red carpet treatment. There’s a reason why so many brands features a lot of red on their logos. Red is about, confidence, energy and passion. Romance is also associated with Red, usually recognizable from red roses, red balloons, and red ribbons on gifts. Yet, darker shades can also be used for showing danger, power and rage. Since darker reds are often associated with the color of blood, as a result, the color red increases heart rate and boosts the energy level.

Pink

Someone Who Will Love You In All Your Damaged Glory | Laura Dean | Sugar and Spite | Some Places More Than Others | Happy Place

 

Pink is next up, although it’s technically a lighter tint of red, it deserves its own category with the amount of influence this color has alone. The color pink can be linked to feminine and masculine, shallowness and confidence, and many other things. It is a very contradictory color and the meaning would change depending on how it’s used. Pink at first glance is a color that brings playfulness, emotion, desires, and dreams. It’s a more youthful color, often seen as innocent or naive. It is not aggressive like red but rather suggests safety and vulnerability. However it can also be used to deceive, the rose-colored glasses proverb is often associated with pinks, so it can also be seen as refusing to see the reality of a situation and remaining willingly blind to the consequences.

Orange

Haikyuu!! | A Mango-Shaped Space | Dune | If I Ever Get Out of Here | Not Your Sidekick

 

Orange is a combination of red and yellow, filled with energy and stimulation. It is an extrovert color, think of all the self-made success books, it’s the color of strength. It has positive traits such as optimism, enthusiasm, sociability, self-confidence, flamboyant and adventurous. Negative traits include superficial, inexpensive, dependent, risky and too proud. Each shade of orange has a particular meaning, such as peach for communication, golden for vitality and self-control, amber for confidence and self-esteem, and burnt orange for aggression, pride, and tension. If you didn’t know, pastel orange shades would increase the appetite. It’s a good color that can be dominant but is usually used as an accent to other colors.

Blue

Dear Evan Hansen | Bloom | Dear Edward | The Great Gatsby | Dark Money

 

Blue is the color of relaxation, calm, and peace. It is a non-aggressive color that encourages serenity, orderliness, and tranquility. It is also the color of exploration, magic and travel. You can recognize this color on many though provoking novels. It is often linked to creativity and promotes trust and dependability. It has been chosen as the color of choice for law enforcement officers worldwide due to its association with trust and dependability. The idea behind dark blue uniforms is that blue should convey an authoritative yet calm and confident presence, just like the color itself. Lighter blues can sometimes appear icy, cold, and unfriendly. Yet, the color blue can also evoke feelings of sadness and depression. Music genres that are called ‘blue’ are often referred to as sad songs related to painful experiences.

Purple

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care | We’ll Always Have Summer | Honor Among Thieves | Carry On | Lost In The Never Woods

 

Purple is often associated with luxury, power, royalty, dignity and nobility. It is also associated with independence and grace, mysticism and magic. Just as history depicts the most influential royals wearing purple robes, so too has it been used for public officials, honored military veterans, so on and so forth. The meaning of purple varies with its shade, with lighter shades shifting towards soft or romantic or spiritual energies, brighter shades associated with nobility, power and status, and darker shades representing darkness, sadness and frustration. The colors Violet & Lavender are often symbols in the LGBTQ+ community as they were historically associated with secret gifts and what they were called, for example “Lavender Menace” in 1970s New York was an informal group of lesbian feminists protesting the exclusion of their presence in spaces, “Lavender Boys” was a term used for gay men in the 1920s, and gifting violet flowers as a symbol for WLW. You can see this color a lot in fantasy covers, as one of the most mysterious colors, no doubt, is dark purple. This color can be used to impart a sense of the unknown, of curiosity and mystery, especially when paired with black.

Green

Little Fires Everywhere | The Inheritance Games | The Maze Runner | The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Britt-Marie Was Here

 

Green is a color that is often associated with nature, growth, and balance. It is used in literature and art to represent different emotions depending on the shade. For example, light green is associated with health and vitality, while dark green is associated with magic and mystery. Green has also been found to have therapeutic and calming effects on people, promoting recovery from surgery and reducing mood disturbance. Green has also been associated with environmentalism and sustainability, as well as with financial prosperity and wealth in some cultures. However, too much green or the wrong shade of green can evoke negative connotations such as stagnation, isolation, envy, greed, and possessiveness. In addition to its emotional and psychological associations, green has cultural and symbolic meanings as well. In some cultures, green is associated with environmentalism and sustainability, while in others, it is associated with financial prosperity and wealth.

Yellow

I’m Glad My Mom Died | Recursion | The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo | Pretty Little Liars | Career Mastery

 

Yellow is a color often associated with optimism, cheerfulness, and joy, making it a popular choice for book covers and marketing materials, especially when used contradictory in horror and thriller covers. However, yellow can also be used to evoke negative emotions such as cowardice and impulsiveness. Pale yellow is associated with good moods and can eliminate apathy and anxiety, while bold yellow provokes ambition, motivation, and creativity. Yellow is linked with intellect and logic and has been found to improve analytical thinking. Yellow fosters positive thinking and a thirst for knowledge, and promotes energy, optimism, confidence, and fun.

Black

Obscure Sorrows | The Night Circus | Hell Followed With Us | Twilight | To Kill a Mockingbird


Black is often seen as the most serious color, conveying a sense of mystery, sophistication, and even death. It is a popular choice for book covers, as its neutral quality allows it to play off other colors and design elements to create a striking visual effect. Despite its reputation as a somber color, black can have different symbolic meanings for different people. In Feng Shui, for instance, black is associated with the water element and can evoke a sense of power, mystery, and calm. When used sparingly, it can have a grounding effect in the home or office. The color black can also evoke a sophisticated and formal lifestyle, as exemplified by a little black dress or a black-tie affair. However, it can also be associated with depression, as it can make us focus on the negative aspects of life and shut out the positive. Black has both positive and negative connotations. It can convey protection, comfort, strength, and elegance, but it can also be aloof, pessimistic, and secretive. Its association with authority and power can be intimidating, but it can also indicate discipline and self-control. One of the most prominent associations with black is its link to mystery and the unknown. It is often used to convey secret knowledge or esoteric ideas, and can be used to hide feelings or weight. It can also be a color of celebration and power in some cultures, such as in parts of Asia where it is used in weddings, as white is seen as a death and funeral wearing color. Despite its many associations, black remains a color that conceals rather than expresses emotions. It can create a sense of superiority or set someone apart from others, but it can also be seen as a grim reminder of loss and grief.

Grey

This Book is Gray | Hush Hush | Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children | Six Of Crows | Warcross

 

When you think of gray, what comes to mind? Perhaps a sleek skyscraper, a powerful machine, or even the gray hairs that come with age. Gray is a unique color that has many meanings and associations, both positive and negative. On one hand, gray is seen as a symbol of sophistication, knowledge, and prestige. It’s the color of the urban landscape and industrial machinery. It’s often used in high-end design and fashion because of its elegant and timeless qualities. On the other hand, gray can also be perceived as conformist and unresponsive. It’s a neutral color that doesn’t have much personality on its own. It can appear either dark or light depending on the colors it’s mixed with. From a color psychology perspective, gray represents compromise – it’s the transition between black and white. As gray gets darker, it becomes more mysterious and intense. But when gray gets lighter and approaches silver and white, it becomes more dynamic and eye-catching. Gray is a calming and stabilizing color, but it can also be seen as boring and depressing. It’s associated with maturity and responsibility, and often used as a background color in design.

White

The Hate U Give | Sadie | Fence | The Cruel Prince | Hunger

 

White is a color that invokes a sense of simplicity, purity, and innocence. It’s often associated with new beginnings and clean slates, making it a popular choice for books to utilize on their covers. But while white can be refreshing and energizing, it also has a dark side. One of the most interesting things about white is that it’s not a color at all – it’s actually the absence of color. White is the lightest shade, and it has the power to reflect all colors in the spectrum. This is why it’s often associated with neutrality and impartiality. It can be used to represent perfection, as it’s the purest and most complete color. It’s also a color that is associated with spirituality, purity, and enlightenment. In many cultures, white is used in religious ceremonies to symbolize innocence, renewal, and rebirth. But while white can represent new beginnings, it can also be associated with emptiness, isolation, and even death. In some cultures, white is the color of mourning and is worn at funerals. It’s also a color that can evoke a sense of coldness and detachment. Despite its potential negative connotations, white is a powerful color that can bring calmness, comfort, and hope.

Brown

Soil Mates | Home is Not a country | Lalani of the Distant Sea | The Overstory | Bury My Hear at Wounded Knee

 

The color brown may not immediately catch your attention like bright and bold colors do, but there is a certain charm to them that shouldn’t be overlooked. Brown is a warm and earthy color that brings a sense of stability, reliability, and comfort. In many ways, brown is the color of the earth. It is the color of the soil that we plant our seeds in and the trees that grow from it. It is the color of wood and leather, both of which are commonly used materials for book covers. Brown is also associated with autumn, a season of change and transition. Books with brown covers often give off a cozy and nostalgic vibe. They can transport you to another time and place, evoking memories of childhood and simpler times. They can make you feel grounded and connected to nature. Brown book covers can also be seen in the genres of history and biography. Many history books have brown covers that feature photographs or illustrations of historic events or figures. Biographies often feature brown covers with a photograph or portrait of the subject.

 

 

As stated at the beginning, all colors can be used for the right purpose, as long as it’s used in the right way, and different cultures may have different interpretations. There is no specific laws for color, and everything is both true and a lie.

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

Despite that, there are some common colors are are usually associated and used frequently in specific genres. I will be listing some of them down below!

Non-fiction

Blue | Yellow (Gold) | Orange | occasionally Red and Green

Ultra-Processed People by Chris Van Tulleken

 

Non-fiction covers usually prefer to use a palette of blue, yellow (or golden), orange, and sometimes red, selecting these colors based on the meanings they convey and the emotions they evoke. For authors of self-help motivational books, success stories, and thought-provoking non-fiction, this color scheme can be particularly suitable. Additionally, utilizing white space on non-fiction book covers can enhance scannability and emphasize key elements for the audience. Red, being the color of power and one of the most primal colors, quickly evokes emotions. Using red in a business book can make it appear strong and influential. Blue, associated with math, science, computing, and a sense of calmness, can be ideal for books that aim to enhance decision-making skills. Yellow, symbolizing brilliance, light, clarity, and joy, is an excellent choice for books that seek to enlighten and bring about life-changing perspectives. Some American business or self-help books may also incorporate green, representing the color of the US dollar.

Science Fiction

Blue | Black | Green | Red | Gray

Translation State by Ann Leckie

 

Science fiction often employs a color palette featuring blue, black, green, red, and gray to set the mood and atmosphere of the story. Many sci-fi books are set in dystopian societies, facing challenging times, or exploring rebellions. Cool blues, purples, and metallic grays are used strategically to evoke tension and unease, while some books venture into the realm of impossible fictional colors, which do not naturally occur in nature. Blue, being associated with the mind, computing, and AI, is prominently featured in science fiction due to its connection with futuristic technologies. Black, even deeper than blue, represents the unknown, space, death, beginnings, and endings, all of which are common themes in sci-fi as it delves into the unexplored potential of humanity. Green, often linked to magic, signifies renewal and the healing power of nature, making it a fitting addition to science fiction stories that explore advanced technologies resembling magical feats. Interestingly, red, the color of power and fire, is surprisingly common on science fiction book covers, which might be attributed to the genre’s frequent inclusion of intense combustion-related scenarios. In film, red and green are frequently used together in science fiction, though the exact reason for this pairing remains uncertain.

Romance

Pink | Purple | Red | White | Blue

Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

 

Romance novels typically embrace a color scheme consisting of pink, purple, red, white, and blue, which is especially fitting for historical, contemporary, erotic, or paranormal romance genres. Pink and purple are colors commonly associated with romance, evoking sentimental and affectionate emotions. While once used in an ornate and melodramatic manner known as “Purple Prose,” modern romance covers tend to use these colors with more sophistication, though less frequently than in the past. Red in romance signifies danger, excitement, mischief, and passion, making it a popular choice in graphic design and art due to its impactful nature. The combination of white and blue on romance covers represents values like purity, innocence, light, and tranquility, as well as security and fidelity, often juxtaposed against excitement and danger in the plot to create a compelling and deeply satisfying reading experience.

Fantasy

Bright Green | Purple | Yellow | Everything

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

 

Fantasy books embrace a vibrant and diverse color palette, including bright green, purple, yellow, and many others. These colors hold special significance in the genre due to their connections with magic, royalty, and spiritual elements. Green and purple are both associated with magic, with purple historically linked to royalty due to its rarity and cost of production. The color’s proximity to the crown chakra, representing cosmic consciousness and infinity, adds to its spiritual connotations, making it a prevalent choice in fantasy. Similarly, gold, symbolizing wisdom and solar energy, also holds a magical essence and an association with royalty. Yellow, often used as a substitute for gold in graphic design, complements purple and naturally finds its place on fantasy book covers. However, despite these color associations, fantasy covers feature a vast array of colors, embracing the entire rainbow, as the genre is rich and diverse, encompassing various themes and worlds.

Thriller/Horror

Red | Red | Red | Black | Blue

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

 

Thriller and horror book covers predominantly feature a color scheme consisting of red, black, and blue, symbolizing blood, aggression, fear, power, violence, and mystery. Suspense, horror and thriller genres heavily rely on the color red in their covers, as it effectively conveys elements of power, blood, and fire, aligning perfectly with the themes of these intense and gripping stories. When combined with black, red sends a strong message that the book revolves around violence, mystery, and death. In graphic design, white, black, and red are considered the most crucial colors, known for their striking, clean, and impactful qualities. Additionally, blue frequently appears on thriller covers due to the genre’s affinity for incorporating water-related themes. Water has traditionally symbolized life, death, and love in literature, making it a common trope used by authors. Scenes set at lake houses, near rivers, or involving bathtubs often come into play. The allure of water imagery lies in its mysterious power to captivate viewers, similar to Kelpies and Sirens in nature.

 

Thank you for reading this far into this blog! It’s mostly just me rambling about basic color theory and my passion for colors. As we’ve seen, colors possess incredible power in influencing emotions, setting moods, and conveying messages in various aspects of life, from book covers to graphic design and beyond.

Next time you see a book cover, an advertisement, or a piece of art, take a moment to contemplate the colors used and how they make you feel. It’s fascinating to realize how much thought and intention goes into selecting the perfect color palette to evoke specific emotions and reactions.

May this newfound understanding of colors enrich your perception of the world around you. Embrace the artistry of colors, and don’t hesitate to experiment with them in your own creative endeavors. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of colors, let this knowledge empower you to make bolder choices in your expression.

 

Additional Resources and Article Sources:

Color Psychology

The Importance of Color

Book Colors

Book Covers

Sanzo Wada

Posted on by libraryvoices

My Thoughts on Audiobooks

Many readers enjoy books in different ways. I personally love e-books and sometimes physical books, while some people only read physical books, or some read only e-books. And that’s okay. But, there’s another way to enjoy books, and it’s called audiobooks.

Audiobooks are prerecorded narrations of books, where you don’t read the words yourself, but instead you listen to the words instead. There are two different types of audiobooks, there are physical audiobooks that are burned on CDs that can be then played on a device that supports them, and then there are e-audiobooks where there is no disc like what Alexa has. Alexa can play an audiobook that is downloaded on your Amazon account. Now an argument can be made here that if you are listening to a book, then you are technically not actually reading but instead listening to someone else read. But, I remember as a little girl listening to my elementary school teachers read out loud to the class and was still able to enjoy the books. So I guess audiobooks are not a way to read a book but instead it is a way to enjoy a book.

I haven’t listened to an audiobook before but my friend the other month gifted me an Amazon Alexa (which I thought to be overpriced and unnecessary from the start but was still flattered to get). In my exploration of this new device Alexa had the thought to inform me that she can play audiobooks for me and she is able to read to me Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, book 1 of the Harry Potter series. Being a big Harry Potter fan I thought to myself why would I wanna listen to the books when I have the physical books that I can read right here? Besides, I have a hard time listening to people talk, my imagination always gets the best of me. But I thought about it, decided to try something new, so I told Alexa to read to me.

Harry Potter Book 1 Audiobook from Amazon image
Harry Potter Book 1 Audiobook image
https://www.audible.com/pd/Harry-Potter-and-the-Sorcerers-Stone-Book-1-Audiobook/B017V4IM1G

Now from the start, I knew exactly what was going to happen and pretty much had this series memorized, so I did not know how well I will be focusing on the words and how effective it will be. As Alexa started and the story was going on, I did notice that I wasn’t paying attention to the words if I happened to be doing something else as well (so no multitasking for me), and yes in fact I was not able to catch all the words as good as when I myself reading. So I guess it was going exactly how I expected it to be. But, then I became to realize that even though I knew the story and I myself wasn’t reading, I still found myself laughing at the funny parts. But, I eventually came to realize that I was having a hard time paying attention even when I was staring at a blank because my ADD brain kept wandering off and I frankly don’t know what to do with my hands seeing as I had nothing to hold and twiddling my thumbs just felt ridiculous to me.

After finishing this book with Amazon’s Alexa, I have compiled a list of all of the pros and cons that I could think of, to decide if I liked this new way of enjoying books or not.

Pros

  1. Convenient when traveling or running errands, you can listen in the car while driving or listen with headphones/earbuds while doing activities.
  2. Lightweight, a physical book is heavy.
  3. Convertible, can be listened to on a phone, car, Alexa, and several other electronic devices.
  4. Can be listened to in the dark and not strain your eyes.
  5. Many other people can listen along too with you if play it out loud.
  6. Can be taken anywhere so you don’t have to stop if you are in the middle of a good part in the book (shower can be included).
  7. Inclusive if you are unable to read for any reason, you no longer have to read but instead listen.
  8. Private, nobody will know what you are reading when you are in public.
  9. You will know the correct pronunciation of words and/or names. As a kid I had a hard time pronouncing words correctly because I learned lots of them reading and never heard them out loud.
  10. Cheaper, audiobooks tend to be cheaper than physical books because just like e-books, you are not paying for paper.
  11. Save paper, in this way audiobooks are a way to save trees.

Cons

  1. No physical touch or gratification of the feeling of holding a book in your hands.
  2. No book smell (if you love the smell of books like me).
  3. Won’t grab your attention, I kept on getting distracted and ended up not listening.
  4. The recorded narration plays the words not in your own pace which means that it might go slower or faster than your ability to read.
  5. Hard to play backwards, if you missed a word or misunderstood it’s really inconvenient or at least timely to play back what was immediately said or a specific word.
  6. You can’t tell where you are in a story. I always like to see how long in a book I got to or what I still have left of the book or chapter. The title and number of the chapters are always announced in audiobooks, but it does not announce how many chapters are left to finish the story every time you start a new chapter. This is not an option with an audiobook with certain devices, Alexa does not have this as an option for example. Sometimes I like to stop reading, close the book and look to see how much I have left, that is highly convenient with an e-audiobook.
  7. If you are using a device, you can run out of battery power while physical books don’t need batteries.

Here’s another list that someone else made on the benefits of reading audiobooks if you are interested.

In the end I realized that audiobooks are probably a no for me, but I still got to see why some people love them because despite everything I still was able to laugh and feel emotions throughout the read. Although I have found that there are more pros than cons on my list, the cons outweigh the pros for me personally. However, I have come to find a new respect for audiobooks even if it’s not for me, but if you find that they are for you, here’s a list of the top rated audiobooks from Goodreads.

If you would like to check out audiobooks, the UW Libraries do have e-audiobooks and physical audiobooks for you to check out. However at this time, physical pick up is not an option at UW libraries so physical audiobooks are not an option at this time, however you can still find e-audiobooks on the UW Library’s website. You can also find many audiobooks at your local public libraries, although they are not open at this time they still have online reaches for e-audiobooks. King County Libraries Online, Snohomish County Libraries Online

– Lana S.