Aldous Huxley's profoundly important classic of world literature, Brave New World is a searching vision of an unequal, technologically-advanced future where humans are genetically bred, socially indoctrinated, and pharmaceutically anesthetized to passively uphold an authoritarian ruling order--all at the cost of our freedom, full humanity, and perhaps also our souls. “A genius [who] who spent his life decrying the onward march of the Machine” (The New Yorker), Huxley was a man of incomparable talents: equally an artist, a spiritual seeker, and one of history’s keenest observers of human nature and civilization. Brave New World, his masterpiece, has enthralled and terrified millions of readers and retains its urgent relevance to this day as both a warning to be heeded as we head into tomorrow and as thought-provoking, satisfying work of literature. Written in the shadow of the rise of fascism during the 1930s, Brave New World likewise speaks to a 21st-century world dominated by mass-entertainment, technology, medicine and pharmaceuticals, the arts of persuasion, and the hidden influence of elites. (Goodreads)

Many find dystopian novels to be either silly or too depressing. However, I find them incredibly interesting and consider the sub-genre to be one of my favorites to read. Regardless, I found myself not entirely looking forward to picking up Brave New World. I spend most of my reading time with modern YA and the transition to classic adult novels can be a bit brutal due to the expanded vocabulary and just overall increased denseness. This usually means I take twice as long to read classic books. Brave New World was different though. I quickly breezed through it and found it difficult to put it down so I could get some sleep. I even had a dream where I was talking about the book to someone...which has never happened before.
As I often find myself doing when I read these types of books, I could not help but find similarities between our world now and the world created by Aldous Huxley. This gave the book a terrifying twist as there are definitely people who exist in our world today that have beliefs that could lead us to a fake utopia that is similar to the one presented in Brave New World. Ultimately, this book left me pondering on the things that make us human and what purpose we serve on this planet. I definitely recommend it to everyone, even if you do not like the genre.

Rating: 5/5
Buy: Amazon, Abebooks

Image and book summary via Goodreads.

Unlike anything else on the market, DayClear® Allergy Relief delivers completely clear, liquid-fast relief when you need it most. This multi-symptom allergy formula is right for those who suffer from mild to severe allergy symptoms and want relief fast. With two powerful and effective active ingredients, you can experience clarity from miserable allergy symptoms for up to 8 hours. DayClear® Allergy Relief provides relief from sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose and throat, and cough. (Pinchme)

Active Ingredients:
Chlophedianol HCI - 25 mg (Cough Suppressant)
Pyrilamine Maleate - 50 mg (Antihistamine)

Additional Information:
Contains no dye, sugar, alcohol, or gluten.
Lasts up to 8 hours

The sample I received in my most recent pinchme box was for their one dose bottles, which is a bit bigger than your average energy shot. The smell reminded me of an organic cleaner I have used in the past, which led to me putting off trying this out for several days. The clear liquid is incredibly deceiving, tricking your brain into thinking it will taste of nothing or at that very most, chemically. However, it does indeed have a flavor and I despised it. The watered-down chemically berry flavor tasted absolutely disgusting and left a weird, salty aftertaste that lingered even after eating and brushing my teeth later.
Regardless of this horrible start, I did find myself impressed. Within twenty minutes, I noticed a huge difference when it came to sinus congestion and the need to cough. It did a decent job of stopping my runny nose and I actually liked how it did not completely dry everything out, like several other options I have used previously have done. It did not make me drowsy either, which was something I was worried about. Ultimately, I do not think I would use it as a regular allergy medication. The process of getting it down is just too rough for me. However, I do see myself using it in emergency situations when I needed fast relief and was out of my usual brand.

Rating: 4/5
Buy: DayClear (official site) Amazon, Walmart, CVS


Product information and image via pinchme.com

Wholesome loving care blended for naturally beautiful hair. Our Whole Blends Gentle Shampoo & Conditioner delicately cleanse and nourish for hair that’s soft to the touch and weightlessly hydrated. Tested on Sensitive Scalp. (pinchme)

I have concluded that this brand is just not for me. I have yet to enjoy or feel positive about any of their products. The shampoo sudsed up well and did the basic job of washing my hair and the conditioner left my hair feeling soft at first. After my hair had dried though, my scalp felt incredibly dry and the frizz situation was way out of control. I have this exact same thing happen with other shampoos and conditioners from Garnier, with extended use leading to quite a bit of hair fallout. I was hoping the formula in this would be gentler, but unfortonately, it just wasn't.

Rating: 2/5
Buy: Amazon

Product information and image via pinchme.

On a floating junkyard beneath a radiation sky, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap.

Eve isn’t looking for secrets—she’s too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she’s just spent six months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, and the only thing keeping her Grandpa from the grave was the fistful of credits she just lost to the bookies. To top it off, she’s discovered she can destroy electronics with the power of her mind, and the puritanical Brotherhood are building a coffin her size. If she’s ever had a worse day, Eve can’t remember it.

Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead of moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead, Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.