#bookish thoughts

[professionalintrovert]

are you ever reading a good book and watching a good show and creating fun things and suddenly you think to yourself oh wait, life is worth living

[books-and-cookies]

Something I really love about being a reader is the fact that your tastes can change significantly throughout the years, but that just means you suddenly get exposed to so many new books and worlds to explore, and the possibilities are endless. I went from being a fantasy girlie, to an exclusively YA girlie, to a thriller, a non-fiction and a horror girlie. It's so much fun to see your evolution as a reader and see all these avenues open up for you.

[kittensandforeheadkisses]

I am NOT going to let a one star review on goodreads ruin the emotional euphoria I got after finishing one of the best trilogies ever

[riverssongs13]

I was recently in a discussion about books and consuming literature and how it's generally an individual experience. I posited to the person that intellectualising and consuming books is an isolating activity for me (especially for the past few years) because I no longer have the same peers/group of people whom I could discuss and digest books with, and that I realised one of the main reason why I stopped reading books is the said lack of people to read books with.

They then launched into a tirade of explaining how they never realised me, as an "elitist" English major, would need to "consume books with others" because all their life their book reading experience has been individualistic and never supplemented with discussions afterwards with other people. There was never a sit-down kind of discussion on how they found the book, what lessons they got from it, how did the book make them feel, all that jazz. It was more of "oh you're reading that book? How far along are you? You should finish it, it's good" then they go their merry ways thank you very much.

They thought I would scoff at the idea of a "book club" because I would just dismiss other people's ways of absorbing books, that its absurd to talk about books like its a case study of a multitude of things, coz at the end of the day, it's an individual experience, and how you experienced it is entirely your own and nobody else's. Kinda like eating a piece of candy and that's it. That's the whole experience see you bye!

I was taken aback and a little bit annoyed (with how they just jumped right into their litany while I was still in the middle of my "woe is me I'm lonely" word vomit but that's another thing entirely). Yes, admittedly, I'm the "Typical Elitist English Major", coz I was already doing my degree during my Identity vs Role Confusion years [Erikson, psychosocial development], and being surrounded by the upturned noses of literary elitist snobs is not a good thing for a 15-yr old impressionable, hormonal child. But that's beside the point (I always get out of tangent demmit).

The point is, it's what we do. Yes, reading is an individual experience because nobody can do the reading for you. But there's a whole experience that comes after you eat the words. There's the discussion of themes, of settings, of symbolisms, of metaphors and allusions. There's talking about how that piece of literature reflects the society it was written in. How the author's biases and prejudices show and/or how they approach it in their writing, whether they perpetuate or implicitly try to dismantle said biases and prejudices.

There's the world-building and characterisation. There's character development and how that reflects to you, the reader, and your own experiences. There's timelines and confusion and realisations and eureka moments or boring shit and fuck I can't stand this character or oh my gods I'm in love with them I want to kiss the very earth they tread upon. There's the relationships between characters that please for the love of gods does NOT only include romantic relationships because that's not the ULTIMATE METRIC for becoming a self--actualised, well-adjusted person thank you very much.

There's discussions about problematic themes and how you as a reader should be able to consume these themes and not be ostracised for it because enjoying said themes does not mean you are a proponent of them irl; just because one enjoys Haunting of Adeline does not mean they support stalkers or stalking. There's discourse about how dare you compare ACOTAR to Interview With The Vampire go wash your filthy mouth but I'm not judging your literary taste I just have no plans of reading *that* I'm good thanks.

And so much more! Does nobody wonder why there's always a shit-ton of papers that we need to pass for every single piece of literature and written word in general that we ever lay our eyes upon? Its because of these things! These are the things we yap about in our annoying little papers of literary criticism. Because for us, The Curtain Is Not JUST Fucking Blue. And our entire program is dedicated to four years of looking at Blue Curtains™️ and dissecting why it's important that the curtain is blue and IT IS THAT DEEP, you piece of barnacle.

I mean, this person and I existed within the same circles at a certain point in our lives. They've witnessed and even participated in these discussions with the aforementioned peers, talking about social issues, books, TV shows, films, songs, records, etc etc etc. That's the "what happens next after reading a book"', and that's what I meant when I said it's difficult to read books these days because I have nobody to read it with. Nobody to process grief and happiness and euphoria and death and ecstasy and obsessions with.

Which is just a long-winded way of saying I'd like to have friends to yap about books and literature and other shit with, thanks. I recognise that it's no longer feasible to have late night discussions over coffee, talking about how Armand is the most well-adjusted, self-actualised character in the Vampire Chronicles or how classic Russian literature portrays loneliness like nothing else in this planet and Dostoyevski is the patron saint of the tortured lonely soul or that there is an inherent overlap between the grotesque and the sublime because something beautiful cannot sublimate into a transcendental level of beauty without it becoming grotesque at some point within its existence... but you get what I mean.

So yes, before I was so rudely interrupted, that's what I meant when I said reading is an isolating activity. Because reading makes one feel a lot of feelings and its exhausting to have to explain background stories and character dynamics to you before I could even get to explaining why I'm crying over "Gideon the Ninth, first flower of my house" and why I could never JUST read a book and not be completely consumed by it. Coz its not just a piece of candy you pop and you can go your merry fucking way afterwards. It's so much more than that. Fucking more. K bye.

[chenslucy]

i just finished taming 7 and now i don’t know what to do with my life

[wordwiilderness]

Thinking about that moment in Juniper and Thorn when Marlinchen pulls a human rib bone out of her sink and goes “ope, Papa must have killed a pig” and Sevas just like… says nothing. My guy was WHIPPED because I would have been running for the hills

[black-is-beautiful18]

I don’t know why we have to keep saying this but if you are a white author it is not a good idea to take someone else’s trauma and write a book about it. My main example of this will always be Handmaid’s Tale. Yes all women experience misogyny and often throughout history do not have autonomy over their bodies and have to fight for it. However, when you use the lived experiences of Black and Brown women, which historically have been treated much worse and still have to fight harder than white women, and then apply them to ALL women then yes you are going to get side eyed and maybe even told off depending on the person. This goes for any genre of book really but especially fantasy. I know we like to come up with interesting stories but when you as a white person think you have a right to include things like residential schools and the erasure of culture in your book about dragon colonizers…Let’s go back to the drawing board babes. Like it’s good you did research but let’s think. Not only are you actively taking part in taking away the voices of Black and Brown ppl by doing this but you are also profiting off of it. If you want to talk about oppressive systems so badly write the book from the POV of those that benefit from said systems. The reason why books with fantasy racism wind up getting bashed is cuz of this very thing. Taking things that you have not experienced and stamping them on elves, dragons, orcs, etc will rightfully get criticized by those who actually do have those experiences.

[rhyssuperdupersecretacc]

Me when I hear a certain the acotar fandom spew that Rhys was NOT sexually abused for over 50 years.

[sipsandfables]

Unfiltered Thoughts While Reading: Fourth Wing

⚠️⚠️⚠️BEWARE OF A BEVY OF SPOILERS ⚠️⚠️⚠️

Chapter 1

​​I really like Mira so far - not too sure about their mom yet lol

​​Is Brennan REALLY dead? Lol Could be a page pulled from Red Queen

​​Their mom might have been Manon in an alternate universe

​​“Decide, Violet. Are you going to die a scribe? Or live as a rider?’”

​​I love the relationship between the two sisters

​​“He's the most exquisite man I've ever seen.”

I mean, Xaden does sound pretty hot. I’m a sucker for dark hair and dark eyes lol

​​“Flaming hot. Scorching hot. Gets-you-into-trouble-and-you-like-it level of hot.” ​

🤣​​🤣​​🤣​

​​ Nooooo! I had a feeling Dylan wouldn’t make it ​😭​

​​Chapter 2

​​Jack Barlowe - even his name sounds like a dick

​​Chapter 3

​​So there are four wings, with 3 sections in each wing, and 3 squads in each section making it 4 wings, 12 sections, and 36 squads total

​​“I will not die today”

​​Chapter 5

​​so Violets mom opposed General Melgren about the rebel children - wonder if they have animosity

​​Lol well Violets plan of getting Ri to ask her questions didn’t work ​🤣​

​​Damn, does her mom hate her? Why would she send Violet to do this??? Lol

​​Chapter 6

​​Aw, I really hope Brennan isnt actually dead and it’s a plot twist because he seems like a character I’d love

​​Chapter 7

​​It’s so strange that the people with the most motivation for revenge (rebel children) are put in such high power by training to become riders WITH MAGIC AND DRAGONS

​​Oh and look, a bunch of them are gathering to scheme even though it’s illegal for more than three to be seen together lol

​​Violet hanging out in a tree while passing judgement on this group is hilarious

​​“‘Fascinating. You look all frail and breakable, but you're really a violent little thing, aren't you?’”

​​Alright, I admit that I love their dynamic lol

​​Chapter 8

​​I’m surprised Dain didn’t see her rendezvous with Xaden since they touched and he can see memories

​​I wonder if the decrease in the number of dragons willing to bond speaks to the fact that the dragons’ don’t align with humans like before

​​Omggggg I hope Violet gets the black one! If dragons bond with humans like them, it would make sense because she’s so smart

​​Omg was the one and only rider of the black dragon Brennan?! The last time he was seen was five years ago which is when Brennan “died” and the teacher looked at Violet when he told the story of how the rider died

​​Oh I got it wrong, Brennan was the rider that was trying to be resurrected

​​Omg i totally thought it was Jack volunteering to spar Violet. I’m glad it’s Xaden instead hahaha

​​Chapter 9

​​Violence? I love the nickname haha

​​“Beautiful. Fucking. Asshole.” ​

🤣​​🤣​​🤣​

​​Am I the only one getting hot and bothered by this death match? Lollll

​​“Defenseless women have never been my type.”

Okay sir ​👀​​🥵​

​​Man, I get Dain is her bestie but he is trying way too hard to get her out of the rider squadrant - just believe in her

​​Chapter 10

​​Theory time: the rider who died trying to save Brennan was his lover. He didn’t do it for fame, he did it because he loved Brennan. The black dragon is going to take Violet as his rider because of the special bond his rider had with her brother. BOOM

​​I already liked Ridoc before because I resonate with cracking jokes through hard times but now I like him even more and respect him

​​Violets squad: Sawyer, Pryor, Trina, Tynan, Rhiannon, Ridoc, Violet, Aurelie, and Luca

​​I hope everyone on this squad stays alive because I like them and their dynamic. I also hope Sawyer gets a dragon this year ​😭​

​​As I read the Gauntlet practice scenes, I just picture the final challenge on Wipe Out ​🤣​

​​Aurelie ​😭​​😭​​😭​

​​“Do not make me ask three times.” ​

👀​ or what Zaddy?

​​“What makes you a rider is what you do after people die.”

​​

​​Things I like about this book so far:

​​Female lead is not annoying. She’s very logical and the writer SHOWS that she’s smart instead of telling

​​The pacing is great. What a page turner! And the chapters aren’t impossibly long. The book is long but it doesn’t FEEL like it

​​The romance between the main ship is not cringe! They’re dynamic is hot. He’s hot. She’s hot. It’s all hot

​​There is more than one badass female characters! It’s giving Throne of Glass series (Aelin, Manon, Lysandra, etc)

​​

​​Chapter 11

​​Does that mean someone will be punished for not burning Brennans things? Or does it not matter because Brennan is ALIVE?!

​​okay, so there’s a lot of representation in this book and I’m loving it (people of color, gay, they/them pronouns, etc)

​​I mean if Dain REALLY cared about her survival, he’d help more! He would have watched her practices and given her ideas on how to make it - not continue to try to get her to quit!

​​Violet is a fucking badass. LETSGOOOO

​​I also love how shameless her mind is when describing how sexy Xaden is lol

​​Also, I notice that Dain isn’t mentioned AT ALL during this whole thing about her making it through the gauntlet. Shouldnt he have been there also defending her win???? Sus

​​Chapter 12

​​Ahhh there’s a Feathertail? Maybe THATS the one that she bonds with since they abhore violence and are smart (sounds like Violet)

​​OR the Feathertail will report back to the black dragon about Violet and he comes during the Threshing ​👀​

​​Damn these dragons are heartless! Poor Pryor. But also, humans are heartless - Tynan and Luca can jump off a cliff

​​I hope that the awesome conversation Violet and Rhi are having throughout this walk means they’ll get awesome dragons

​​OMG finally someone I dislike diess LOL freaking Luca. Bye Felicia

​​Chapter 13

​​Hmmm, if Violet hasn’t felt a connection with the feather one so far then I don’t think they’ll bond. Maybe she hasn’t felt a connection because the black dragon wasn’t on the walk and Tynan will bond with that gold one to teach him a lesson about strength?

​​I wish Tynan also got burned to a crisp during presentation

​​Threshing is giving me “Manon and the Thirteen must fight others for Wyverns” vibes

​​Okay, maybe the gold dragon IS her dragon lol

​​I’m proud of Violet for coming to the Gold dragons defense but I’m relieved that Xaden was there with his dragon hahaha

​​Chapter 14

​​I FUCKING KNEW IT! It’s the black dragon! Here to claim Violet!!! Fuck yes!!

​​This fucking dragon is hilarious. I love him already

​​“"My name is Tairneanach, son of Murtcuideam and Fiaclanfuil, descended from the cunning Dubhmadinn line."

​​Tairn, this dragon is so sassy hahahaha

​​SHE FALLS OFF?!

​​Chapter 15

​​“You’re making us look bad. Stop it.”

I’m ded hahahah this dragon ​🤣​ He reminds me of Venom in the Venom movie with Tom Hardy lol

​​“Was everyone’s dragon a curmudgeon? Or just mine?” ​

💀​​💀​​💀​​💀​

​​“"You are the smartest of your year. The most cunning. You defended the smallest with ferocity. And strength of courage is more important than physical strength.” ​

❤️​​❤️​​❤️​

​​SHE FUCKING BONDED WITH BOTH?!

​​What. A. Legend.

​​Chapter 16

​​Damn, even the head dragon isn’t a huge fan of this? Now I’m concerned because General Melgren is obviously a bad guy lol

​​I’m so glad Sawyer got bonded this time around! And Rhi and Ridoc are bonded!!! Yay!

​​Poor Trina

​​Tairn told you to stay with Xaden and you’re not LISTENING!

​​Oh I didn’t see the dragons bond coming!!!

​​Damn Dain, that’s cold. But I knew it - he’s no real ride or die bestie!!!

​​I really do like Violet but her undying faith in Dain is pissing me off

​​Strange how Dain kisses her after all this time only because she has TWO bonded dragons ​😒​

​​Chapter 17

​​But if you really think about it, Violet didn’t take any available dragons away from others - Tairn hasn’t been seen in five years and Goldie was unwanted and a surprise at presentation

​​“Your puny gods”

lol I love Tairn

​​Chapter 18

​​Yes! Finally Violet sticks it to Dain. I’m tired of his shit too

​​Omggggg poor Jeremiah. That was brutal

​​the golden dragon can freeze time?! What a badass power!

​​chapter 19

​​Dang, Xadens rejection to Violet had ME in my feelings - what do you mean you wouldn’t sleep with her to keep her safe?!

​​Omg Andarna is adorable - she better not die EVER

​​Ohhhhh, a Feathertail is a baby dragon?

​​I bet it was Imogen who opened the door for those people to kill Violet

​​Chapter 20

​​Based on the intro of this chapter, now I’m thinking it was Amber because she’s the only female wing leader I can recall

​​Yep, it was Amber!

​​Also, I love their squads banter and camaraderie lol

​​Fucking Dain - you’re the worst

​​I’m glad they were able to show undeniable truth since SOMEONE refused to believe her ​😒​

​​Chapter 21

​​I love that there’s even more representation in here with the hearing impaired scribe

​​Liam sounds hot lol

​​Something sus is happening with this war

​​Chapter 22

​​I’d be staring too ​👀​

​​So our boy Jack is allergic to oranges hmmm? Funny how a guy that talks so much shit can be killed by produce. Just saying

​​Okay now I’ve reached the “when will they get it on?!” Point lol

​​Xaden is just giving out hot compliments left and right ​🥵​

​​FINALLY! It only took two dragons fucking for Violet and Xaden to finally give in lol

​​Nooooooo! Damn Xaden for thinking straight lol

​​Chapter 23

​​I see what Rhiannon is hinting at - that Xaden is only the most powerful rider in their generation for NOW because it was before Violet got here lol Gotta love that bestie support!

​​Man Dain really needs to step up - he’s giving Tamlin vibes right now

​​I knew Jack was allergic to oranges! I hope he’s dead!

​​Chapter 24

​​Damn, still alive

​​A guy burned himself alive with his own power?! Man, this squadrant is insane and brutal

​​Violet’s mom is cold as ice

​​Chapter 25

​​the most valuable thing would be intel! They should think like a Scribe, like Violet

​​Liam and I are on the same page!

​​Break into the Commander’s office?! This could go horribly wrong! What if they see stuff they’re not supposed to?!

​​“‘Scribes freak me out. Quiet little know-it-alls, acting like they can make or break someone by writing something down.’” ​

🤣​​🤣​​🤣​

​​Alright, pretty badass plan

​​Chapter 26

​​Mira!!! I’m so glad they got to see each other and that Rhi got to see her family ​🥰​

​​Omg mated dragons can only be a part for three days?!

​​It’s strange that earlier in the book they made it seem like Tairn hasn’t been seen for five years but if he’s mates to the blue dragon, wouldn’t he be seen wherever Xaden is?

​​Chapter 28

​​I love how intense and dangerous Tairn is one minute and super cheeky the next haha

​​FINALLY JACK IS DEAD! Fuck that guy!

​​And yessssss, Lightening Wielder sounds badass!

​​Chapter 29

​​I swear if Andarna dies in this series, I’m going to RIOT. She’s so pure and wonderful ​🥹​

​​“Get the fuck away from her with that nonsense.”

Xaden does not mince words and I love it haha

​​Xaden and Tairn’s pep talk to Violet is way better than Dain’s

​​I mean she has a point about her powers. They’re badass but yeah, pretty destructive lol

​​Chapter 30

​​Well this escalated quickly ​👀​​🥵​

​​Pretty awesome that dudes take contraception lol

​​Xaden is responsible for all the rebel children?! Omg I bet it was her mom that gave him those scars! That’s what he meant when they ran into the commander previously

​​I’m not a fan of when the male lead says “Don’t fall for me” like bro, it’s too late - I’m invested haha

​​This training session with Carr is hilarious lol

​​I think I like professor Carr more now

​​Chapter 31

​​I’m pleasantly surprised she comes right out and says “yeah I’m probably going to fall for you if we keep this up” lollll most characters in this position stay in denial until it backfires lol

​​“He really does have an incredible body, but he doesn't get to dictate what I do with my heart.”

Preach girl

​​I’m living for all of page 393 - you go Violet!

​​Damn, I really like Violet lol

​​Chapter 32

​​​🔥​​🔥​​🔥​

​​Cheaper 33

​​Phew, thank goodness it was a fake drill!

​​Hmmmm, something tells me this fake war is about to get real

​​Omg why is Andarna so adorable?! Tairn will carry her like a human dad carrying his baby in a bjorn lol

​​Idk that “I’ll miss you, Violet.” from Dain was a little SUS. He was way too quick to make amends with her decision. Something fishy is going on

​​Xaden and the other rebel kids in the fourth wing are also acting sus. Like they know more about this scenario than they’re letting on. Why are they all so tense if it’s just a game? Why did Dain’s dad give Xaden a weird look?

​​Chapter 34

​​did the Gryphons start attacking after unification because Navarre took something from them and made it harder for the Gryphons to get it back after unifying nations?

​​Ah! I had a feeling the Gryphons and their riders weren’t so savage as the Navarre historians and leaders want people to believe!

​​Chapter 35

​​Okay, we can recover from this Violet! Sure everyone including your two bonded dragons and the love of your life lied to you over and over BUT it must have been for a good reason. I’d give them the benefit of the doubt over Dain and the others any day

​​Okay Violet really believing Dain would break rules to save people is ludicrous. I like Violet but her thinking on this is stupid

​​Theory time - Violets mom killed their dad because he was in the know about venin and ready to go public

​​Another theory - Dain and his dad have known about venin this whole time. Dain’s being used to help continue to cover it up. He’s also been lying to her technically as much as Xaden has been

​​I fucking knew it! Dain has been reading her memories this whole time! Duh girl!!!

​​The real question is if more than just Dain and his dad concocted this plan to kill Xaden

​​If Xaden dies, there’s a chance Violet would die because of their dragon bond so wouldn’t her mom know that? But would she even care? Or mayb her mom is like The Hound from the crescent city series

​​Chapter 36

​​“We’re riders. We defend the defenseless. It’s what we do.”

​​Damn, so General Melgren can’t see the fate of people with rebellion relics? Good

​​The level of stress I have reading these last 80ish pages is HIGH

​​I don’t want anyone in this riot to die! Or the Gryphons and their riders!

​​maybe her mom knew she’d survive because of what general Melgren can see? Which might explain why she was fine with making Violet become a rider

​​Whyyyy would you say “we actually might survive this”?!?! Now people will die!

​​“It’s been. My honor.”

​​I am unwell

​​​😭​​😭​​😭​ Liam

​​Chapter 37

​​So many emotions rn fucking hell

​​Chapter 38

​​Omg if they are going where I think they’re going I’m going to be shooketh ARE THEY TAKING HER TO BRENNAN?!

​​Another theory - the reason why the number of dragons willing to bond is decreasing, is because more dragons are bonding with the rebels and not the Navarre military

​​Violet is annoying me with her thoughts about Xaden right now though. Girl, you saw and fought that evil and you still mad that Xaden didn’t bring you in sooner?! Get over it and live lol

​​The person Xaden is asking to save her HAS to be Brennan - he was a mender

​​Chapter 39

​​we’re getting a Xaden chapter?! Is this the end?!

​​Something doesn’t feel right - did she lose her memories? Why is she being so nice to Xaden right away? Sus

​​Oh good her memory is back! I was about to be pissed if all of book 2 was her trying to recall book 1 lol

​​What happened to Xaden’s mom?! Sounds like another storyline ​👀​

​​Andaran became full grown?! Can wait to hear what she looks like and her special power

​​BRENNAN I FUCKING KNEW IT!!!!

​​Well if Violet didnt trust Xaden before, she definitely won’t now! Keep a dead brother secret seems pretty big lol

​​I wonder what Tairn thinks of Brennan since his rider died saving him

​​also, I’d be low key pissed at my sibling! I wonder if Mira knows about Brennan. I assume not - maybe he thinks she’s too much like their mom?

Me after finishing the final page:

[darkacademiaarchivist]

thinking about how the first line of Solitaire is "I am aware as i step into the common room that the majority of people here are almost dead, including me" and the last line is "All I know is that I'm here. And I'm alive. And I'm not alone."

Tori is still far from being fine but shes in a better place than in the beginning and that's what i love about the book - the ending feels hopeful without feeling cheesy.

[janeaustenluvr13]

When Jane Austen wrote to Cassandra, “What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance”, I felt that. It’s September, and If they don’t turn the sun off and let me enjoy Autumn, I promise I’ll leave Earth with aliens the second NASA announces they exist.

[kittensandforeheadkisses]

the fact that of all ana huang books, I only liked twisted games and king of pride says something about me my bestie is not going to like

[bookishintherain]

“𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.” - 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦

All of Us Villains ended in a weird place, and it was a bit jarring, but once it settled into itself I could NOT put down All of Our Demise.

I highly recommend it if you enjoy Hunger Games-esque events, dark magic, and morally grey characters (Alistair 🥹🥰)

The whole vibe is so dark and moody and the story is thrilling. Especially since both books are out, you’ll be able to go right from one to the other and avoid the jarring bit.

[chenslucy]

i just finished happy place by emily henry. guys… i fear that i will never be able to fully recover ❤️‍🩹. that book hit me on a whole different level 😢

[feedthewriter]

I've started annotating my books.

Not all of them, and not consistently. I don't have a system. Sometimes I highlight, sometimes I underline, or circle, or scrawl in the margin. I can't even say what makes me want to pick up a pen and start going to town on a particular book, except that some books just make me want to have a conversation with them. I've heard people ask what people are writing in the books when they annotate them. Sometimes derisively, often out of genuine confusion. I used to be amongst the latter. And then, last year, I re-read Pride and Prejudice for the first time since I was a wee'un and was so impressed by Jane Austen's craft that I felt weirdly compelled to CIRCLE it. To note where her portrayal of Lizzie diverges from the adaptations. To rave about her incredible conversation construction and the characterisation of Lydia and to draw little cartoon stars around Lady Catherine de Bourgh's name every time it was uttered so reverently by Mr. Collins.

Now I keep a pen beside my reading chair and when the mood takes me, I chat to my book. I question it, I commend it, I track certain worldbuilding reveals and craft choices and I doodle shit in the margins. It's not pretty (I admire people who can turn the reading of their books into these exquisite art projects and can't fathom why anyone would be annoyed by it) but it helps me retain information in more complex stories, and it helps me improve my own craft.

But most importantly, it's fun.

[theladyoflore]

The Devil's Dreamland: Poetry Inspired by H.H. Holmes by Sara Tantlinger

Thoughts: Just finished it. It's a fantastic horror poetry book that walks a fine line between diving into a horrific mind while also not brushing away Holmes' terrible deeds, nor ignoring or brushing aside his victims.

I did not know what to expect, but overall, it's a solid book.