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justmybookthots · 1 year ago

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My Top 30 Books of 2023

30. An Ember in the Ashes (#1) by Sabaa Tahir

Such a terrific debut!!!! I loved it. From the moment Laia signed on to spy on the military academy, I was hooked. Premise was intriguing as heck, and Elias' mother was fascinating to me. Some small things I didn't love, however—I wished Laia had been more involved in the trials. Elias, the MMC, felt a bit weak of a character to me, and I wasn't a fan of Helene (I like her so much more in the sequel, though). The ending left the story at such an exciting place, and I was hankering for the next book.

29. Red Winter (#1) by Annette Marie

We're at the midway point of my ranking, and from here on out it's books I mostly really enjoyed. Red Winter!! The first book!! When I read it, my mind was kinda blown because it felt like I was reading a very well-written novel spinoff of Kamisama Kiss/Inuyasha, and I loved both series as a child. Also, the illustrations in the novel are soooo good, and Shiro the MMC/fox is cute. ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡) It was a solid book, and I had a blast, BUT— this is not the best Annette Marie has to offer. Nope. I will get to her magnum opus (for me)... eventually.

28. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

I shouldn't have spoken so soon about the midway point. This book… was very hard to rank. The beginning had me deliciously invested (and is what establishes such a high rank) but my interest languished the more the book progressed. I actually think people who like SJM may like this one because it's pretty much a power fantasy, but make it contemporary. Regardless, I did have a good time if I ignored the power fantasy elements. Sawyer was a great hero, and Mallory was nicely tortured, which is just how I like my heroines. :)

27. The Housemaid's Secret (The Housemaid #2) by Freida McFadden

Ah, the sequel to the Housemaid! Not as good as the prequel, but still pretty good!!! I think the themes it covered didn't hit me as hard as the Housemaid did, but the story stayed with me longer than some of Freida's other works. Overall a solid sequel, but I don't think it could have really lived up to what the Housemaid did for me.

26. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

I'm not a huge fan of Jackson's writing style or the characterisation of Ravi and his brother, but the mystery was so good! I loved the themes it covered and the psyche of the victim.

This mystery is quite fleshed out and goes in depth about abuse, sexism, etc. I disliked the main leads, but enjoyed the case and the reveal. I was much more invested in the victim than I was in the person who was wrongly accused of murdering her, even though I think we were supposed to care for both?

Anyway, it's definitely a much more memorable thriller than the ones below the ranking of this list so far.

25. A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager

Another book that's kind of hard to rank for me. The romance was reaaaally good at the start, and then somewhere it kind of lost me?? But the story was interesting and I LOVED the plot twist (!!!!!) at the end, and the smut was one of my favourites. Also, the hero did something so sweet in the second half of the book. ♡ That aside, while this may be a fae book, I just don't think this is anything like how fae should be in my head. It doesn't feel like I'm reading fae at all.

24. If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang

AH, Henry, my beloved!!!!!! My first book of Ann Liang's, and it was so cute and Henry was just!!! Almost!!! Everything!! The Chinese rep also made me so happy!!! It depresses me that I couldn't love it as much as I wanted to because the story was riddled with issues towards the end but I loved the rest of it. This book walked so that the other book of Ann's could run! (We will see that other book along the list soon.)

23. Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo

If my friend saw this list, she'd go: "SoC, in 23rd place? DISOWNED". To that, I say…

Sowwieee.

I LOVE the Crows, but it's not this book that definitively sealed the deal about them to me. This is 100% my personal gripe because my brain hates setting-centric books and it was so hard for me to figure out the logistics behind the heist. But I loved the banter in this book, Kaz's brains, Inej’s badassery, and the revelation about Jesper being Grisha. Also Wylan, my baby. My love.

Ahhhhh, can't talk about the Crows or I'll start to melt. Make a TV show that ADAPTS THE ICE HEIST ALREADY.

22. City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

OMG, it just occurred to me that if the same friend saw this being ranked above SoC, she's really going to have an aneurysm. 🤣

I'm not going to elaborate other than the fact that I had a fun and easy time with this book, even if it was far from perfect. It actually exceeded my (admittedly) very low expectations, lol. In any case, I've already written a more in-depth review of it.

21. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

A really, really solid book. I loved the concept of magical cards in the worldbuilding. While it doesn't do anything groundbreaking, nor was I extremely invested in the leads, I consider this very well-done. I loved Elm, lol. However, I've yet to read the second book and I hope to get on it soon.

20. The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden

I loved this thriller!!! But this is mostly because I am VERY partial to psychopathic boys written in the way Liam was—and at the same time, you realise: are real psychopaths that easy to spot? Is he really a psychopath, or is it someone else? This is probably one of my favourites from Freida, and the ending… made me so nervous, lol.

19. How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

A short novella written by Holly Black, with vignettes set in Cardan's POV as he grew up over the years. I fucking loved it to pieces, but that's just because I love Cardan 😛 I loved how the stories the hag told Cardan kept changing to fit his narrative, I loved seeing his perspective when Nicasa cheated on him with Locke, I loved hearing about how he felt towards Jude. Also: the last chapter, set after Queen of Nothing!! Him and Jude!!!!!! My heart!!!!!!! I will not elaborate except that it was fucking amazing. The only downside was that it was too short, and I could have done with MORE scenes.

18. Last of the Talons by Sophie Kim

It's a novel that does very little wrong. Its only sin is that it's predictable and formulaic, but it was such a wholesome and at times swoony story because Rui (the goblin emperor) was lovely. While I didn't love Lina, the heroine, I thought the book was still fun, and THAT scene by the river was ( ◡‿◡ *). I'll be reading the sequel once it's out.

17. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

I have so many conflicting feelings about this book. See, this is the book that got me into reading fantasy this year. For so long, I'd avoided fantasy, but after I finished this, I decided I'd give the rest of the genre a try. It literally rearranged my entire brain and opened something in me—it was sooooo good. The slow burn, the trials, the eventual consummation, the ending… I can't fault it. Almost every other fantasy book I've read has this one to thank (and Kingdom of the Wicked to blame because it almost made me boycott the genre, lol). However—the problem is that I've read it so long ago (at the start of the year) that I can't remember much, and also that the sequel bored me to tears and I still haven't finished that. If I ranked this earlier in the year, it might be much higher in the ranks.

16. Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

This book!!!!!! It was so unexpected how much I enjoyed it. A lot of reviews were complaining about the verbiage and how nothing was really happening and I… went into it thinking I wouldn't like it, if I'm being honest. But I did!!!!!!!!!!! It portrayed fae similarly to the Folk of the Air series (The Cruel Prince), and instead of boring me like the Enchantment of Ravens did, I was HOOKED. I loved how it kept me on my toes, I loved how creepy some things were… and I thought Wendell was insane and so much fun (insane he might be, but you cannot deny his untouchable EQ). Also, Emily is such a dear. I must add that Reverse grumpy/sunshine is my FAVOURITE. I could go on and on about this book. It's marvellous and I'm so desperate for the sequel. In fact, I think I'm going to do a reread of this book before the sequel comes out. 🙂

15. Delivering Evil for Experts (Guild Codex: Demonized #4) by Annette Marie

OMG, OMG… We have finally reached the Guild Codex: Demonized series.

(*ﾉдﾉ)

Now THIS series is, as far as I'm concerned, Annette's magnum opus. Not Red Winter. THIS. Don't mock the goofy-ass cover—it's a GEM UNDERNEATH! IT'S AMONG MY FAVOURITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME. It's one of the holy trinity series (yes, that's what I'm dubbing those three series) that broke my brain this year. This action series is about a girl (Robin) who makes a contract with a demon, Zylas, where he has to protect her in exchange for... her baking cookies for him. 🤣 It sounds ridiculous, but I promise it all makes sense when you read it. Unfortunately, this is the last book, which was my least favourite of the series because the tension had started to ebb for me. BUT. It's still so, so good. The ending was initially gearing up to be a tragedy but ahhh!! I am content with how it ended.

14. City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments #2) by Cassandra Clare

Never would I have thought this book would be higher than one of the books from Guild Codex: Demonized but I really, unexpectedly enjoyed City of Ashes. It was better than the first; I thought it was a solid and frankly speaking great book. I did hear, however, that the first 3 books in this series are actually decent before the rest nose-dives in quality, which explains why I enjoyed the first 2 so much. (I've already written a full review on this book.)

13. The Queen of Nothing (Folk of the Air #3) by Holly Black

We have finally reached the Cruel Prince series. *hyperventilates*

Okay. Okay.

So.

The last book is my least favourite of the trilogy, but… it is also the culmination of Jude and Cardan's relationship. We have "By you, I am forever undone" here. (There's even more quotes, technically, but I'm trying to keep this succinct.) It is legendary. It is magnificent. It is immaculate. Overall, the plot in this book may be my least favourite, but the payoff after two books of scheming and constant push and pull? Fucking chef's kiss.

12. The Only One Left by Riley Sager

One of the best thrillers of 2023 for me. It is so, so, so good. I don't think I can stress how brilliant this book is. Story revolves around a mute, sick old lady wheelchair-bound inside a gothic manor on a cliff. The main character is sent to be her caretaker. And the old lady has a story to tell—she was accused of murdering her entire family in her youth. Very atmospheric and chilling read.

See, I expected the first plot twist but the SECOND? Wowza. Magnifique. Also such a sad, tragic tale. It felt me reeling for a good bit after I was done. It deserved to win the 2023 GR awards and NOT Housemaid's Secret. It's not even close to me.

11. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

This book. This fucking book.

It broke me out of a reading slump at the start of the year but that's not why it's left such an indelible mark on my brain. The way this story covers infidelity and abuse… Wow. Exquisite. And the way the tables turn at the end is so good it's ILLEGAL.

In fact, I think the theme here just hit closer to home for me than The Only One Left, even though the writing of the latter is definitely superior. This is my first book of Freida's and is, to me, her best work.

10. The Maid's Diary by Loreth Anne White

[Takes deep breath] This story was so unexpected for me. I wasn't expecting to like it. At all. It was supposed to be a palate cleanser.

A palate cleanser, I thought! HA!

This wasn't perfect. There were plot holes. Some things weren't wrapped up. BUT. BUT. BUT. It is the best thriller I read this year and I stand by that. I have never, ever felt more vindicated by a book than I did this one. It is a work of art.

One line to sum this story up? I SUPPORT WOMEN'S WRONGS. That’s it. That's all you need to know. (That said: Full review has been written)

9. Hunting Fiends for the Ill-Equipped (Guild Codex: Demonized #3) by Annette Marie

We are in the top ten now. Gird your loins!

This book!!!!!! Ahhhh. I can't even write this coherently, and I'm only at the ninth. But this was the book where the relationship between Zylas and Robin finally began to change!!!!!!! It was so divine, it was near perfect, it made me scream and want to tear my hair out—I can't. This was a slow-burn done right. It was just a little hint of what was to come, and yet… yet it short-circuited my brain. Also, I do not APPRECIATE the emotional turmoil Annette put me through with this one.

8. This Time It's Real by Ann Liang

🥺 At this point, my writing is going to be incoherent. Because these are my absolute favourites. I'm crying. I'm seriously crying. This book was everything to me (even though a friend read it and she said the guy was too perfect for her liking and I get it. I really do. I agree. But... I loved it).

(;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)

I have nothing coherent to say except I loved it. And that, much as I didn't want to admit it, this stupid book put me in a reading slump for 2 months. I found myself constantly trying to find books with similar tropes as this: celebrity/non-celebrity, Asian rep, cute swoony contemporary romance. I couldn't find anything that hit the same way.

7. The Cruel Prince (Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black

Do I need to say more? DO I?????????

I took a gamble buying the whole boxset before reading it and I thought I was fucked because usually that means I'm going to hate it. Fate isn't normally this kind to me. But my gamble paid off. It fucking paid off!

The prose, the political intrigue, my first venture into fae… Also, Jude's spite is low-key TOO relatable: “If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.”

Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it—

6. Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

This, above Cruel Prince? Yes, it feels illegal, but here's why: Cruel Prince is only the first book. We don't get the payoff yet. In Love Theoretically, you get everything from start to finish. It's like a whole ass trilogy in one book.

And the slow-burn in the first half of this book is LEGENDARY. I was actually kicking my feet like a teenager. That in itself is monumental, because I'd stopped enjoying/reading contemporary romance for at least a year before this book came. I'd actually given up on the genre/demographic at some point… until this.

Jack is one of my favourite male leads to ever exist. And the themes the book covers with Elsie hits so close to home for me. It's not perfect, but belong to my top ten it does.

5. Slaying Monsters for the Feeble (Guild Codex: Demonized #2) by Annette Marie

The top five books are really, really cutting it close, because this book is, in my opinion, near perfection. It's INSANE how Annette could carry the momentum from a perfect first book and make it just as exciting as the predecessor. The action scenes were phenomenal, and I loved the makeshift family between the three leads and the cat. Also Zylas' characterisation and the exploration of his psychopathy was so INCREDIBLE. I can go and on about this book forever. I still remember reading this on the toilet and going: "HOW IS THIS SO GOOD?"

IT'S A WORK OF ART.

4. The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2) by Holly Black

The best book in the Cruel Prince series to me. The mind games, the scheming, Jude's machinations, the twists, the ENDING, I could scream. Jude is a force to be reckoned with. And the tension between her and Cardan? Sublime. Throughout the whole book, Jude has him under her control, but she knows time is ticking and he'll break free of the magic soon. The suspense and the push and pull is…

ლಠ益ಠლ)

Another work of fucking art. I only have so many adjectives to praise this bona fide masterpiece. But wait! I still have three more books.

3. The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

So many people would stare me down for this. The Stolen Heir (the spin-off sequel) above Cruel Prince? YES. OKAY? YES.

I prefer Jude to Wren (who is arguably a bigger force to be reckoned with in her own right), but. OAK. Almost nobody liked him, but I did. I DID. It's fine; I will be his only fan. No biggie.

Oak was everything that I felt Cardan—whom I already loved—lacked in. Oak… Ah, Oak. I just have a soft spot for sweet sunshine characters who are also secret badasses. It's like Holly plucked out the archetype I like in men and created Oak (okay, I don't love the hooves but that's beside the point). I adored this book with my beating heart and I just don't think the sequel can live up to it.

(I just read the first chapter of the sequel and I'm already shaking. Please don't let me down. I've been burned by too many sequels at this point.)

2. Taming Demons for Beginners (Guild Codex: Demonized #1) by Annette Marie

A masterpiece. That's what this first book is. Even the Stolen Heir and Wicked King had parts I didn't love, but this? It's *chef's kiss* from start to finish.

Every scene and exchange built towards a fantastic crescendo near the end when THAT contract was made. Gah. The delicate balance of comedy, tension and suspense was immaculate. And the magic in those scenes when Robin first stumbles upon Zylas inside the summoning circle is…

( ˘ ³˘)♥

I'm not going to pretend this book is a literary tour de force that's going to be analysed like Hunger Games is, or anywhere close to that. All I will say is that this was the first book that blew my socks off after my Cruel Prince-induced slump, and that says enough about it.

1. Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Remember when I said the last book was easy to place? The first book was also easy to place. This took almost NO contemplation at all.

Here we have the final one of my holy trinity series, alongside Folk of the Air and Demonized.

Since it wasn't so setting-centric like the first book, this sequel shone for me. I don't… I can't… There are no words. Kaz is a male Jude, but even smarter and more traumatised. Every Crow is majorly fleshed out, and they all get some kind of closure at the end. (One also… ends, but never mind that one.) It's so cathartic I could fucking cry; I nearly did. Kaz and Inej are forever etched in a special corner of my heart. This is not a book that I can give justice to by writing one or two paragraphs about, so I won't. I've already written all my thoughts in my review. All I will say is that it deserves all the hype it gets.

In fact, it deserves more.

SoC #3? 👉👈

#book blog #book review #the cruel prince #the stolen heir #crooked kingdom #six of crows #ali hazelwood #love theoretically

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thisselflovecamebacktome · 1 year ago

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Can you rank all little mix albums? I miss them lol

I miss them too :( but am loving Leigh Anne's single and am super excited for whatever else they have coming individually!

Glory Days (my beloved, still one of my favourite albums of all time from any artist) > Get Weird > Salute > DNA > LM5 > Confetti

#little mix #I'm not adding between us because that was mostly a greatest hits album but either way thank you for the ask!

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zenlesszonezero · 18 days ago

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As the conspiracy reaches its finale, the Void Hunter joins the fight.

Uncover the Conspiracy in Zenless Zone Zero's All-New Version "A Storm of Falling Stars", S-Rank Agent Hoshimi Miyabi is here! With S-Rank Agent Asaba Harumasa Limited-Time Giveaway! Pre-register to obtain additional rewards.

#Zenless Zone Zero #Miyabi #Harumasa #HoYoverse #zzzero #zenlesszonezero #Mobile Game #Anime Game #Gaming

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doyouknowthisbook-poll · 10 months ago

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welcome to do you know this book poll!

about:

This blog was inspired by RecommendMeABook.com—which posts first pages of novels before revealing the title and author—and by poll blogs such as doyoulikethissong-poll. The main goal of this blog is to expose people to books that they might like and read through posting snippets of different books.

how this works:

I post polls with excerpts from books—occasionally I post excerpts from novellas and short stories. Polls run for one week, so results are posted eight days after the original post date. Part of the fun is guessing/trying to figure out which book the excerpt is from, with some excerpts being more obvious than others. Feel free to leave suggestions for books you want to see posted (or suggestions for the blog in general) in the replies of this post 😊📚

I am one person running this blog so please be patient and kind. I currently post 1-3 polls per week.

submissions are now open, submit a book here!

current voting options:

A) I’ve read this book before, and I like it!

B) I can tell which book this is from based on this excerpt, but I haven't read it

C) I started reading this, but didn’t finish it (or I am reading it currently)

D) I haven’t read this book, but I like this excerpt!

E) I’ve read this book before, and I don’t like it

F) I haven’t read this book and I don’t like this excerpt

tags:

open polls you can still vote on: tagged/open

closed polls/revealed: tagged/results

all of this blog’s polls: tagged/poll time

fiction polls only: tagged/fiction

nonfiction polls only: tagged/nonfiction

submitted polls only: tagged/submission

all polls (includes polls from other blogs): tagged/poll

all posts that are not a poll: tagged/not a poll

resources to free reading, libraries, and posts about libraries: tagged/library

additional tags not listed here include names of titles and their authors.

a list of all excerpts that have been posted and revealed:

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

Six of Crows (part of the Six of Crows duology and the Grishaverse) by Leigh Bardugo

Beloved by Toni Morrison

“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

My Immortal fanfiction — this was posted for April Fool’s Day

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel von der Kolk

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez

Silver in the Wood (part of The Greenhollow Duology) by Emily Tesh

Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls

Holes by Louis Sachar

1984 by George Orwell

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

“I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” by Harlan Ellison

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

The Giver by Lois Lowry

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

All Systems Red (part of The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells

The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsburg

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Aces Wild by Amanda DeWitt

Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki (the results also discuss Memoirs of A Geisha by Arthur Golden)

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

The Alchemist by Paulo Cuelho

Mistborn: The Final Empire (part of the Mistborn trilogy and universe) by Brandon Sanderson

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Eve by Cat Bohannon

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Carrie by Stephen King

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

“The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

The Forests of Silence (part of the Deltora Quest series) by Emily Rodda — submission by @/pearlhoardingdragon

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

#pinned #not a poll

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ann-leigh · 1 year ago

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EMBERBLOOM

Love blossoms not on a branch of logic, nor does it sprout from the seed of expectation. It is a rogue tendril, snaking from the cavernous garden of the soul, drawn by the unseen sun of another's being. It climbs, unbidden, over walls of self-preservation, ignoring the thorns of past heartbreak.

It’s wild.

It’s untamed.

—

I had just arrived at the café where Clarissa and I had planned to meet for our appointment when Clarissa rushed over to me. Her phone was clutched tightly in her hand. “You better give me an acceptable good explanation to this, Miss Leigh.”

She was so keen to show me a picture of Isaiah and me on her phone that she didn’t even let me catch my breath before handing it over. I was about to question the picture’s whereabouts, but before I could ask, Clarissa stopped me. “Don’t answer me with a question.”

“I can’t believe I keep missing things about you.” The young lady dramatically protests upon seeing me, her best friend, casually sitting and sipping my drink. I get used to seeing how Clarissa reacts in every dramatic way possible. Amusing.

“I don’t keep things from you. You happen to find things out before I tell you. Oh, anyway, this one is mine, right?” The table has only two drinks: one matcha latte and coffee. Since I don’t drink anything with matcha, my drink would be coffee.

Clarissa’s lips were pursed into a tight line, her eyebrows furrowed like thunderclouds, and I could tell she was trying to make me feel guilty for something. I found it hard not to laugh at her expression, but I knew that would only upset her.

“Come on,” I coaxed, playing along with her act. “You’re thirty already, Miss.”

“Only if you tell me everything,” she said, relenting. “It’s only fair.”

“Okay,” I said, “I’ll tell you everything. What do you want to know?”

Seven years back, in Boston, I met Clarissa for the first time while working at her elder brother's house. Since then, we have developed a strong bond of friendship that has stood the test of time.

“How come—you two, in a picture together?”

“It’s Isaiah Lee.”

Clarissa is a seasoned veteran of the entertainment industry. Forbes lists and award nominations were commonplace in her world, so Isaiah's name wasn't entirely unfamiliar. However, she didn't know him personally.

I, her closest friend, stood arm-in-arm with Isaiah, the industry titan whose name graced every "Most Powerful" list— is a complete surprise for her. Clarissa couldn't connect any dots on how Isaiah and I could be seen together.

Not to mention, people assumed a relationship upon seeing the picture.

Clarissa couldn't help but feel a little left out. Ann was her best friend, yet she found out such an essential thing from someone else.

“Someone introduced him to me about a year ago.”

I can recall with great clarity the moment when Graham introduced his beloved grandson to me. His eyes were filled with pride and joy as he spoke of Isaiah's accomplishments. During this conversation, he extended an invitation to an upcoming event, where, later, someone took a picture of me and Isaiah.

Seeing the expression on my face, Clarissa shot the question, “Love at first sight, huh?”

“Anyway, who is that someone?”

My face broke into a smile. “Not really,” I said. “But, I have to admit, he’s attractive.”

“His grandfather.”

“He kindly invited me to their family party,” I explained to Clarissa, satisfying her curiosity. “It was during that event that the photo you asked about was taken.”

From the frown on her forehead, I knew my answer still didn't answer Clarissa's curiosity.

“My father knew his grandfather,” I added.

“Right, sometimes I forget you’re a Leigh,” Clarissa muttered, then excitedly asked. "Spill the beans! How's things going with you guys?"

“Nothing.”

“What? Why?”

“Just because?”

“Just because? Hello, are you really Bernadette Ann?”

“I'm afraid you might consider me crazy if I share how I fell in love with him—”

Clarissa's gaze locked onto me. I could see her expression shift to a judgemental gaze. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she asked me to speak up. “Tell me,” she said.

“I noticed a lot of things when I attended his family event, and it made me realise a few things. I felt sorry for Isaiah for the first time,” I explained.

However, I can't disclose what I learned from my observations. It's enough for Clarissa to know what she was already aware of from the internet. “After that, I wanted to be there for him and offer my support,” I added.

“That’s all?”

I shook my head, indicating that there was more to tell.

“I tried to get closer to him, but it was quite arduous, just as I had predicted earlier. Despite the efforts, I could not get as close as I had hoped, and I was left feeling a little disheartened by the outcome.”

“And you still have feelings for him after that?”

I nodded in answer.

Love, a mischievous rogue, sneaks into life's tapestry through unexpected threads. One moment, it whispers from a quiet book nook; the next, it bursts onto a crowded dance floor, a kaleidoscope of desire swirling under flickering lights. Logic bows out, its rigid lines replaced by the unpredictable brushstrokes of chance.

Logically, I should have given up after being repeatedly rejected by Isaiah. However, my curiosity about him only grew stronger.

Clarissa asked for more information or details. “Even until now?”

“Mhm,” I nodded, taking another sip of my drink.

“Your exceptional qualities never cease to amaze me. It's fascinating how your love stories always seem to take an unexpected turn. I wonder how pity could develop into such a strong love for someone. It's fascinating to see how none of your love stories follow the typical, predictable path most people experience.”

“You have everything except for a normal romantic relationship.”

I chuckled quietly at Clarissa's response. Every word she spoke was accurate.

“God is fair.”

“I possess everything except for a normal love story.”

“But I can sense that this time is distinct from the others,” I commented. “Despite his cold demeanour, there are moments when I perceive a hint of concern slipping through. He's not as terrible as he seems.”

Clarissa gave me a thoughtful look as if she was trying to process the story I had just shared with her.

“I’m not going to say much about your relationship. I think my curiosity has been satisfied. I know you understand the potential risks that may come with your decision, and I respect that.”

“But, if that person mistreats you, I won't hesitate to take care of them.”

I waved my hand, signalling that she didn't have to. “No need; my dad will probably do that first.”

Clarissa's gaze softened. A smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah, your dad's a force to be reckoned with.”

I laughed, the tension dissipating. “No doubt. He's like a protective grizzly when it comes to me.”

Conversation flowed easily, skipping from the latest gossip to shared memories of our younger days adventures.

“You know,” she began, “I never thought I’d see you, the queen of caution, leap into something so—uncertain.”

“It's not like I'm jumping off a cliff,” I protested, though my cheeks warmed.

She snorted, a playful glint in her eyes. “Maybe not a cliff, but a tightrope strung over a crocodile pit.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile. “Maybe. But sometimes, the view from the other side is worth the risk.”

Clarissa leaned back, studying the surroundings. “Just promise me one thing, Ann.”

“Anything.”

“Be happy, always.”

Taking a deep breath, I let the warmth of Clarissa's words settle around the ember-bloom feelings in my chest. Perhaps, like a seed nurtured by sunlight, it could unfurl into something beautiful, something true.

#Bernadette Ann Leigh #Clarissa Putri Wardhana #Shades of Redemption

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redheadgleek · 2 years ago

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4th Quarter reading (October through December)

October: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - I really enjoyed this book. I liked the main character and her OCD was believable. Beguiled by Cyla Panin. This book didn't know what it wanted to be and it showed. Disappointing. Huntress by Malina Lo. I have no recollection for reading Ash, although I remember that I liked it, so I couldn't tell you how this was a prequel, but it was a good book. Hopefully I'll remember it in a few years. The Fox by Malinda Lo. Attached to Huntress. Should have just been deleted. A Darkness At The Door by Intisar Khanani. I really liked this series (which really was one book followed by a duology), well developed world and characters. Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope by Karamo Brown. My favorite of the Fab Five. I found this to be meh. (The fact that there was entire chapters devoted to his fiance who he broke up with about 6 months after this was published was a little *wince* Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. A truly fun, cozy fantasy book. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk. A book club book. Dragged a bit, but certainly made me think about nature and borders. The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzie Lee. A good conclusion to the trilogy (the second book was the best). Fic: Why Fanfiction Is Taking Over the World by Anne Jamison. Started reading this in 2014 and never finished. It was already dated. I would have really liked taking a college class from her. Corinne by Rebecca Morrow. I read this because there was a rumor that it was written by Stephenie Meyer. I don't think it was (but I wouldn't be surprised if it was Rainbow Rowell). It was so terribly cheesy and entirely relatable. The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J. Charles. I... did not realize when I first picked this book up that it was just a very smutty romance novel. I wanted more plot than what I was given. (Books need AO3 tags and ratings!) The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun. Truly charming.

November: Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger. I think @constantcompanion told me that it was one of her favorites. Don't read this one as an ebook, the letters do not translate. The ending was unconventional. Tanqueray by Stephanie Johnson. The Humans of New York photo essay was better. The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzie Lee. Another one that I started reading years ago after reading Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. It was just meh. Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker. I had never read Dracula. Tumblr made it a much more enjoyable experience than the novel itself. The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien (audiobook read by Andy Serkis). Andy Serkis's voice is so good (except as Galadriel) and really made this an immersive experience. The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain. Truly delightful about an older man facing retiring and reexamining his life in the closet. The cross-generational friendship were the best. Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardago. The drawings were beautiful, the story was short. Stardust by Neil Gaiman. Needed to be longer. The Guncle by Steven Rowley. I loved this book - there are not enough books dedicated to childless adults and their relationships with the niblings. The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien (read aloud by Andy Serkis). Long car trip to Utah meant plenty of time for listening to books. Eowyn's voice wasn't much better than Galadriel's, but the rest was excellent. Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell. Too many republished stories. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. Delightful correspondence. I can see why it's beloved. Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall. This book suffered because it was the third or fourth book that I read with a anxious/OCD protagonist and it's just becoming the trope of the month.

December: Brambles by Intisar Khanani. The prequel to Thorn. A nice introduction but you really didn't need it. Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx. Have never seen the movie. Didn't really like the characters. Writing was lovely, but I don't know that that Wyoming really ever existed. A Marvellous Light by Freye Marske. A reread. Just as delightful as the first time. A Restless Truth by Freye Marske. Not quite as good as AML and the romance wasn't as engaging. I'm excited for the concluding book though. Illuminations by T. Kingfisher. I just love every word she writes. Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman. Some truly excellent poetry in this collection. I'm going to buy the book. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens as part of a daily email. Not as much tumblr discussion. The Lightning Thief by Percy Jackson. My nephew's favorite books right now and I realized I've never read. A fun romp. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. Another book that I was cleaning out from my "started reading years ago but never finished." Enjoyable, but I don't really enjoy potty humor so I think I was the wrong audience.

Currently reading: Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet Washington. It's a great book but it's so heavy that I can only read a chapter at a time. The White Allies Handbook: 4 Weeks to Join the Racial Justice Fight for Black Women by Lecia Michelle. I was really hoping for a Antiracism 202 kind of book and this isn't quite that. I might finish this one by tonight.

I gave up on Great Expectations, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, and Moby Dick as emails since nobody else on tumblr seems to be reading those.

#books #reading

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wtf-am-i-drawing · 3 years ago

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Okay the new songs from between us... They did not disappoint they said these are gonna be the best 20 minutes you're getting this year cause we're still forcing you to listen to the rappers ruining our older songs

#Like why tho #But yes no trash cut between us love sweet love my beloveds #Little mix #Perrie Edwards #Leigh Anne Pinnock #Jade Thirlwall #My post

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zenlesszonezero · 18 days ago

Text

As the conspiracy reaches its finale, the Void Hunter joins the fight.

#Zenless Zone Zero #Miyabi #Harumasa #HoYoverse #zzzero #zenlesszonezero #Mobile Game #Anime Game #Gaming

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leafvy · 4 years ago

Photo

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢��𝐭

here’s a list of short names to coincide with my long names list :)

[ disclaimer: my sincere apologies if there are any spelling/meaning/origin mistakes in any of my name lists, i am by no means a professional in this area, i just like creating lists to help aid storytellers. i do try my best to find each name’s corresponding origin/meaning/spelling but i am a human who is prone to make the odd mistake. p.s, i take requests! ]

Female

Ada - German - First born female

Ali - Arabic - High, elevated, champion

Amy - French/Latin - Beloved

Anne - Latin/Hebrew - Favour, grace

Aria - Hebrew/Italian - Air, song, melody

Aura - Latin/Greek - Wind

Ava - Latin - Bird-like

Aya - German/Japanese/Hebrew - Sword, colourful, beautiful, bird

Ayn - Hebrew/Finnish/Russian - God has favoured me, grace, eye

Bay - English/French - Auburn-haired

Bea - Latin - Bringer of happiness

Beau - French - Beautiful, handsome

Belle - French - Beautiful

Bia - Latin/Italian - White, fair

Bindi - Noongar - Butterfly

Blair - Scottish - Plain, meadow, field

Blanche - French - White

Blythe - English - Joyous, kind, cheerful

Bree - Irish - Exalted one, strength

Briar - English - Bush of wild roses

Brook - English - Small stream

Bryn - Welsh - Hill

Buffy - Hebrew - Diminutive of Elizabeth, my god is an oath

Cara - Latin - Dear friend

Chloe - Greek - Blooming, fertility

Cia - Greek/Hebrew - Light,

Clair - French - Bright, clear

Coco - Portuguese/Spanish - Diminutive of Socorro, help, relief

Cora - Greek - Maiden, girl, daughter

Cove - English - Small coastal inlet

Dara - Hebrew/Irish - Pearl of wisdom, gift, compassion

Dawn - English - Sunrise

Doe - English - Female deer

Dot - Greek - Diminutive of Dorothy, gift of god

Dove - English - A bird

Eden - Hebrew - Delight

Edie - English - Prosperous in war

Ella - Greek/Norman/Hebrew/German/Spanish - Beautiful, fairy maiden, goddess

Elle - French - She

Elm - English - Elm tree

Elsa - Scandinavian - Joyful, Noble, god is my oath

Emi - Japanese - Blessed, favour, beautiful

Emma - Germanic - Whole, universal

Erin - Irish - Peace, from the island to the west

Esmé - French/Persian - Esteemed, beloved, emerald

Etta - Latin - Of noble birth

Eva - Hebrew - Giver of life

Eve - Hebrew - Giver of life

Faith - Latin - Confidence, trust, belief

Faye - French - Fairy

Fern - English - Green shade-loving plant

Fiona - Gaelic/Scottish - White, fair

Fleur - French - Flower

Flo - Latin - Flowering, flourishing

Gia - Italian - God’s gracious gift

Grace - Latin - Gracious

Greta - Greek/German/Persian - Pearl

Gwen - Welsh - White, holy

Hope - English - Desire of fulfillment

Ida - Scandinavian - Labour, work

Isla - Scottish/Gaelic/Spanish - Island

Ivy - English - Fidelity

Jade - Spanish - Stone of the colic, precious gemstone

Jae - Korean - Ability, talent

Jane - English - God is gracious

Jessie - Hebrew - He sees

Jill - Latin/English - Child of the God’s, youthful

Joan - Hebrew - God is gracious

Joy - English - Happiness, joyful

June - Latin - Born in June

Juno - Latin - Queen of heaven

Kai - Hawaiian/Japanese - Sea, ocean, shell, restoration, recovery

Kat - English/Greek - Clean, pure

Kate - English/Latin/Greek - Clean, pure

Kim - English/Korean/Chinese/Vietnamese - Gift of God, gold

Kira - Russian/Japanese/Persian/Greek - Mistress, ruler, leader of the people, beloved, light

Kyla - Hebrew/English/Scottish - Narrow channel

Lacy - English/Latin/French - Lace, cheerful, unbridled

Lake - English - Body of water

Lana - Slavic/Gaelic - Little rock, light

Lark - English - Songbird

Lea - Hebrew/English - Delicate, weary, meadow

Leda - Greek - Woman

Leigh - English - Delicate, meadow

Lia - Greek - Bearer of good news

Lily - English/Latin/Greek - Pure, passion, flower

Lisa - Hebrew - God’s promise

Liv - Norse - Shelter, protection, life

Lois - Greek - Superior

Lucy - English/Latin - Light

Lula - German/English - Famous warrior

Luna - Italian/Spanish/Latin - Moon

Lux - Latin - Light

Luz - Portuguese/Spanish - Light

Lyla - Arabic - Night

Mae - French/Latin - Month of May

Maeve - Irish/Gaelic - Intoxicating

Mara - Hebrew - Bitter, strength

Mary - Aramaic/Latin/Hebrew/Greek - Bitter, beloved, rebellious, marine, drop of the sea

Maude - German/French/Hebrew - Powerful battler

May - English - Month of May

Meg - Greek - Pearl

Mia - Scandinavian - Of the sea, bitter

Mila - Slavic - Gracious, dear

Mina - German - Love

Mira - Latin/Slavic - Wonder, wonderful, peace

Moon - English - The moon

Mya - Greek/Arabic/German/Persian - Sea of bitterness

Nelly - Greek - Light

Nia - Gaelic/Swahili - Lustrous, goal, purpose, resolve, brilliance

Nina - Spanish/Hebrew/Russian/Babylonian - Enclosure of fish, little girl

Noa - Hebrew - Motion

Nora - Irish/Latin/Arabic - Honour, light

Nova - Latin - New

Nya - Swahili/Gaelic - Purpose

Opal - Sanskrit - Gem

Ora - Latin - Pray

Paige - Latin/Greek - Assistant

Paris - Latin/Greek - Pouch, wallet

Pearl - Latin/English - Smooth round bead formed by a mollusk

Pia - Latin - Pious, reverent

Pixie - Celtic/Swedish/Cornish - Fairy

Quinn - Irish/Gaelic - Counsel

Rae - Hebrew - Ewe, female sheep

Rain - English - Rain

Reese - Welsh - Ardent, fiery

Remi - French - Oarsman

Ren - Japanese - Water lily, lotus

Rita - Spanish - Pearl

Rose - Latin - Flower

Ruby - Latin - Red gemstone

Rue - English/Greek - Regret, herb

Ruth - Hebrew - Friend

Sadie - Hebrew - Princess

Sage - Latin - Wise

Shae - Gaelic/Irish - Admirable, full of majesty

Sky - Norse - Cloud, scholar

Sloan - Irish/Gaelic - Warrior

Sue - Hebrew - Lily

Suzy - Hebrew - Lily

Tara - Sanskrit - Star

Tate - English/Norse - Cheerful

Taya - Japanese - Young

Tess - English/Greek - To harvest, to reap

Teva - Hebrew - Nature

Thea - Greek - Goddess

Tia - Spanish - Aunt

Uma - Hebrew/Sanskrit - Nation

Una - Irish - The personification of truth, beauty and unity

Velma - German - Determined protector

Vera - Slavic - Faith

Wren - English - Small bird

Zara - Arabic - Radiance

Zelda - German - Grey fighting maid

Zia - Arabic - Light

Zoe - Greek - Life

Zuri - Swahili - Beautiful

Male

Ace - Latin - One; unity

Amir - Arabic/Persian/Hebrew - Prince, chief, immortal

Araz - Arabic - Provisions, commodities

Arik - Norse - Eternal ruler

Arlo - English - Fortified hill

Arris - Greek -Best

Asa - Hebrew/Japanese - Healer, physician, born in the morning

Ash - English - Ash tree

Atlas - Greek - To carry

Axel - Hebrew - Father is peace

Bane - Slavic - Glorious defender

Bear - French/German - As strong and brave as a Bear

Beau - French - Beautiful

Beck - Norse - Small stream

Blaire - Scottish/Gaelic - Plain, field

Blake - English - Fair-haired, dark

Bodhi - Sanskrit - Awakening, enlightenment

Bolt - English - Bar, arrow

Bran - Scottish/Irish/Gaelic - Bramble, thicket of wild gorse

Brock - English/Celtic - Badger-like

Brody - Scottish - Broad eye, broad island

Bron - English - Son of a dark man

Buck - English - Male deer

Cade - English - Round, barrel

Cain - Hebrew - Something produced, spear

Cash - English/Latin - Hollow

Chase - English/French - To catch, to seize, hunter, huntsman

Clark - English - Scribe, secretary

Cody - English - Helpful, pillow

Cole - English - Swarthy, coal-black, charcoal

Colt - English - Young horse

Crew - Latin - Chariot

Dane - English - From Denmark

Dax - French - Leader

Dean - English - Valley

Drake - English - Dragon, snake

Duke - English - Leader, son of Marmaduke

Eden - Hebrew - Place of pleasure, delight

Eli - Hebrew - Ascent

Evan - Welsh - Youth, young warrior

Ezra - Hebrew - Help, helper

Felix - Latin - Happy, lucky

Fig - English - Fruit

Finn - Norse/Irish - Finn, Sámi, white, fair

Fox - English - Cunning, sly

Gage - French - One who is defiant

Gale - English/Greek - Jovial, tranquil

Grant - English/Gaelic - Tall, big

Grey - English - Grey-haired

Guy - French - Guide, leader

Heath - English - Someone who lives by a moor or heath

Hugh - English/French/Germanic - Mind, spirit

Ian - Scottish - The Lord is gracious

Ike -Hebrew - Laughter

Iker - Basque - Visitation

Jack - English - God is gracious, supplanter

Jax - English - God is gracious

Jay - Latin - Bird in the crow family

Jeb - Hebrew - Beloved friend

Jed - Hebrew - Beloved of God

Jet -English - Black, airplane

Jody - English/Hebrew - Jehovah increases

Jon - Hebrew - God is gracious

Joss - German - One of the Goths

Jovi - Latin - Father of the sky

Judd - English - To flow down

Jude - Greek - Praised

Kade - Scottish - From the wetlands

Kai - Hawaiian/Japanese - Sea, ocean, shell, restoration, recovery

Kiam - Unknown - Unknown

King - English - Monarch

Kit - Greek - Bearing Christ

Knox - Scottish/English - Hillock, round-topped hill

Koa - Hawaiian - Warrior, brave one

Kye - Welsh/Scandinavian/Gaelic/Greek - Keeper of the keys, earth, narrow, straight

Kylo - Latin - Sky

Lane - English - Small roadway or path

Lars - Latin/Scandinavian - From Laurentum, crowned with laurel

Leif - Scandinavian - Heir, descendent, beloved

Leo - Latin/Greek - Lion

Leon - Latin/Greek/French - Lion, son of a Lion

Levi - Hebrew - Joining, attached

Luka - Italy/Slavic - A person from Lucania

Luke - Latin - The bright one, the one born at dawn

Max - Latin - The greatest

Milo - German - Soldier, merciful

Nash - English - By the ash tree

Neo - Latin - New, gift

Nico - Greek - People of victory

Noah - Hebrew - To comfort

Oak - English - Oak tree

Otis - German/English - Wealth, son of Otto

Pax - Latin - Peaceful

Piet - Dutch - Rock

Pike - English - A person who lives on a sharp hill

Poe - English - Peacock

Quana - Native American - Aromatic

Ray - English/German - Counsel, mighty protection, guards wisely

Reed - English - Red-haired

Remi - French - Oarsman

Ren - Japanese - Water lily, lotus

Rhett - English/Dutch - Advice

Roan - Gaelic - Little red-head

Rory - Irish - Red-haired King

Ross - Gaelic - Promontory, headland

Roth - English/German - Red, wood, renown

Roy - Gaelic - Red

Rudy - German - Famous Wolf

Ryan - Irish - Little King, illustrious

Saint - English - Holy person

Saul - Hebrew - Ask, question

Sid - French/English - Wide meadow

Slade - English - Valley

Tate - Norse - Cheerful

Teo - Spanish - God

Tim - English - One who honours God

Toby - English - God is good

Torin - Gaelic - Chief

Troy - Irish - Descendent of a foot-soldier

Tye - English - Someone who lived near a pasture

West - English - Western stream

Wolf - German - Travelling Wolf

Zane - Hebrew - God is gracious

Zeke - Hebrew - God strengthens

Zen - Japanese - Peace

Zev - Hebrew - Wolf

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fluoresensitivearchived · 4 years ago

Note

mx yah yah may I ask for the list of books you included in your uquiz? and I hope you're having a lovely day! (❁´◡`❁)

SURE! All the books on my book rec quiz, by section,

THE MELODRAMATIST

You're very melodramatic, and you like to read books that match your melodrama. Anything that's full of emotion and tragedy is the perfect pick for you. You probably cried over Rose and Ten being separated in middle school, and you know what, I can't even fault you because I did the exact same thing. Here's a tissue. Group therapy is at five; bring snacks!

A SINGLE MAN by Christopher Isherwood

SONG OF SOLOMON by Toni Morrison

CRUSH by Richard Siken

JUST ABOVE MY HEAD by James Baldwin

THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD by Zora Neale Hurtson

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini

THE THINKER

You like for books to linger with you for a while, I get it. The longer you have to think on them, the longer you have to consider what you just read the better! You want books to haunt you, to creep you out, to make you yearn...

MR. FOX by Helen Oyeyemi

BELOVED by Toni Morrison

OIL! by Upton Sinclair

CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN by Sayaka Murata

THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold

THE RAPTURE by Claire McGlasson

THE ROMANTIC

Please, okay, PLEASE, stop crying I literally just off-handedly mentioned 'In the Mood For Love'! You're so sappy and emotional, so you like your books to be sappy and emotional. You know those Tumblr posts that are like, 'you can read smut with a straight face but your face gets all warm seeing people being tender with one another'... That's you. You're that person.

ATONEMENT by Ian MacEwan

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK by James Baldwin

THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE A TIME WAR by Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone

JAZZ by Toni Morrison

RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuinston

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN by Anne Proulx

THE FANTASIST

You've got a massive imagination, but your brain is way too big for Harry Potter. You need more! You need excitement, books that grab you, books that take you away! You need rabbits with a complex political system! You need dragons! You need magic! Ahh!

WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams

NINTH HOUSE by Leigh Bardugo

THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. Jemisin

THE WIZARD OF EARTHSEA by Ursula K. Le Guin

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER by Octavia Butler

THE FIFTH SEASON by N. K. Jemisin

THE WILD CHILD

I literally cannot figure you out, but that's okay, because listen! Sometimes it's hard to pick just one thing to be, and you are a literal multitude of feelings and emotions. Here's five books that I think you might enjoy because they're so radically different from one another!

I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou

THROUGH THE WOODS by Emily Carrol

TWELVE NIGHTS AT ROTTER HOUSE by J. W. Ocker

MOSTLY DEAD THINGS by Kristen Arnett

FALSE BINGO by Jac Jemc

MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER by Oyinkan Braithwaite

#🌙#recs by yah yah #punkkeroppi

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youre-on-your-ownkid · 3 years ago

Text

A proper about me I guess?

Name: Sarannya / Saru || Indian, Bengali || Pronouns: She / her || Zodiac sign: Libra || Rising sign: Aquarius || Moon sign: Virgo || Birthday: October 6th || Personality type: INFP || Favourite colour: blue and green

Fandom info:

Slytherclaw || Cabin six || Daughter of Athena || District 3 || Team Nat || London Institute || Tidemaker

Fandoms (literary):

Percy Jackson (Uncle Rick is a king, bow down to the real author of our generation) (Percabeth, solangelo is LIFE)

The Maze Runner (Thominho is real bitches I said what I said) (also, no teresa slander accepted)

The Grishaverse (Leigh Bardugo is a GENIUS)(KANEJ KANEJ KANEJ) (WESPER WESPER WESPER) (HELNIK HELNIK HELNIK) (ZOYALAI ZOYALAI ZOYALAI)

The Shadowhunter Chronicles (Jem Carstairs is bae <3) (Official Matthew Fairchild and Will Herondale simp)

The Folk of the Air trilogy (JURDAN MY BELOVED 😭)

Hunger Games (team Peeta cause he's the sweetest)

Little Women (maturity is knowing Amy and Laurie are deservedly endgame) (Stan Jo March for being the best female character in literature, ever)

Red White and Royal Blue (CAN I JUST SAY WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BOOK THIS IS ;-;)

Dan Brown books in general

Harry Potter (but in no means do I support JK R*wling who is a transphobic jerk)

Artemis Fowl (super underrated series)

Fandoms (TV show/ series/ movies):

Marvel Cinematic Universe (The. Best. Fandom. Ever.)

Umbrella Academy (the series) (#protectvanyahargreeves2021) (also, Elliot Page is an ICON)

HSMTMTS (I started watching it as a joke and now I'm addicted) (I watch it for the plot; the plot = Portwell)

Stranger Things (In this blog we stan Steve Harrington and Will Byers)

Teen Wolf (Stiles Stilinski is hands down the best character in tv show history bye) (also, Stydia= life)

BBC Sherlock

GoT (Arya marry me challenge)

Dead poets' society

Glee

Five Feet Apart

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Chandler Bing is my spirit animal)

JATP (Reggie Peters supremacy)

Fandoms (music):

|| Taylor Swift || One Direction || Little Mix || 5SoS || The Vamps || Panic! at the Disco || Anne Marie || Lady Gaga || Queen || Hozier || Olivia Rodrigo || Dear Evan Hansen || Hamilton || Six ||

YouTube fandoms (?):

Kurtis Conner || Danny Gonzalez || Drew Gooden || Trin Lowell || Dylan is in Trouble || Hannah Byles || With Cindy || Filtercopy || Slayy Point || Alex Meyers || Coleydoesthings || Anthony Aiken Jr || Jasmine Zade

In this blog, you shall find:

LOTS OF FANDOMS, A NEW ONE EVERY MONTH PROBABLY

Me simping over James Potter, Sirius Black, Steve Harrington, Kaz Brekker, Julian Blackthorn, Matthew Fairchild, Neil Perry, Stiles Stilinski, Fred Weasley, Reggie Peters, Will Herondale, Nikolai Lanstov, James Carstairs, Leo Valdez, Yelena Belova & Taylor Swift.

asks and long as fuck posts with mostly @i-dream-of-idk or @louthefish-28 or @i-dont-like-a-gold-rush or @thatbooksimp or @noselessness-forever

my shitposts / random thoughts that I get when I'm sleep deprived (ie, everyday) tagged #saru shitposts

a lot of random shit

Anything but sane content.

DNI: homophobes, transphobes, biphobes, misogynists, terfs, pedophiles, racists, pornbots, and bigots. 🗑️ Here's a trashcan for you to dwell.

This is the third time I'm updating this smh. I tried this schedule post thingy and idk if it works or not imma just keep this in my drafts and publish it later.

I'm supposed to tag people ig? So um here @i-dream-of-idk @i-dont-like-a-gold-rush @louthefish-28 @noselessness-forever @deanhouselocked @mik-in-chaos @ninazenikfanatic @thatbooksimp @edgarallanpoebutworse @your-true-north @pearljamislife @chrysalism-sonder @bi-n-high-vibes @buttcrflys-rose @justanaveragebookworm @anotherplaceintheuniverse @burn-like-starss @deadpoetsbythelakes

#about me #third time i pinned this-#but anyway #i feel so cool lmao

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leafannarchive · 2 years ago

Note

DNFISMS MY BELOVED truly a favourite user of yours leigh ann

hannah 🫶

i’m trying to lure them out hehe

#peepotalking

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zenlesszonezero · 18 days ago

Text

As the conspiracy reaches its finale, the Void Hunter joins the fight.

#Zenless Zone Zero #Miyabi #Harumasa #HoYoverse #zzzero #zenlesszonezero #Mobile Game #Anime Game #Gaming

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you-cant-spell-subtext-without · 3 years ago

Note

Do you have any book recs? Have been wanting to read and I don't know what

This is going to disclose that I read an inappropriate amount of YA and I apologize in advance, however:

[got verbose so long-winded list of recs are under the cut]

ANYTHING by Sarah J. Maas if you like series (my favorite of hers are the ACOTAR books - starts with A Court of Thorns and Roses [THERE ARE WINGS!!!]); anything by Leigh Bardugo; The Ember quartet by Sabaa Tahir (Ember in the Ashes is the first book); the Caraval trilogy by Stephanie Garber.

If you like Bridgewater, Lauren Shippen also created an audio drama called the Bright Sessions and there are three in-universe books - the third came out today!!! You don't have to have listened to the audio drama to read them, and they can be read as stand-alones or separately. They are: The Infinite Noise (TIN is such a comfort read), A New Darkness, and Some Faraway Place (HBD TO THIS ONE!)

Sam Smith mentioned another series by Laini Taylor that I love dearly at this last con; first book is The Daughter of Smoke and Bone (monsters, angels, lore galore!)

If you wanna get Halloween-y I really love the book Anna Dressed in Blood and its sequel Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (also her Three Dark Crowns series is amazing).

I can't book rec without mentioning my beloved Winternight trilogy by Katherine Arden (first book is The Bear and the Nightingale), which accurately incorporates so much of my own Russian historical folklore and Talk About A Compelling Otherworldly Being as a lead character RAWR.

I read a lot of series; that much is clear. However -

Non-series: Slaughterhouse Five; The Song of Achilles (but prepare to be broken); The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (peak literature); The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (and watch the Netflix film after); On the Come Up by Angie Thomas. I was recently rec'ed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke as well and really enjoying diving into that one (I read mult books and fic at once I am unwell).

Oh! And White Oleander. I am always thinking about White Oleander by Janet Finch, be warned if it was an AO3 fic though the triggers would be a paragraph long. But its fucking lovely and sadly formative brain reading years for me.

If you're ok with harder topics, the best two books I've ever read on the concept of addiction are Beautiful Boy by David Sheff and the companion piece Tweak by Nic Sheff (the boy in question). Please be forewarned they are BOTH very hard reads dealing with drug abuse (meth and other things). Also as someone with personal history of ED I would be remiss not to mention Portia De Rossi's memoir Unbearable Lightness which does the best job of describing that area of struggle I have ever read (however again - please watch the triggers).

For lighter, funner fare please read through Tamora Pierce's entire oeuvre and enjoy the stories of my youth. Also Anne McAffrey. Pern, my beloved safe place.

Nonfiction I have enjoyed includes What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates; Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (if you're a history human this is a great account of the REAL history so many of us were not taught in school); and Pity The Reader by Kurt Vonnegut and Suzanne McConnell (a great writing book).

oh god this is so long and now I want to re read almost everything on this list. hope this helps; if you have a specific genre or type of story you are thinking of pls feel free to lmk. I used to (and sometimes still!! do!) read a TON.

#you-cant-spell-subtext-without-asks #drgarth #book recs

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miqojak · 3 years ago

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15. Recommend us 5 books?

I'm gonna cheat and suggest book series where I can, lol.

1. The Fever series, by Karen Marie Moning. She began as a romance writer, but this series is a BALLER series about the Fae, and all that surrounds them. I didn't much care for the protag, McKayla, all that much at first - very barbie-girl who has everything, her life is a cake-walk and nothing ever goes wrong! She gets what she wants because she's pretty, not smart, etc. But like, holy shit the character development in this series is so good, on top of the stellar lore about the Fae, and the unflinching look at how the Seelie and Unseelie operate. There's ancient monsters, there's gods, there's fae, there's blood, there's even post-apocalyptic fae realm stuff later! This series really hits a lot of likes for me, and the romance bits are well done - talk about slow burn. There's also a LOT of found family in here. But, at times, it does get gritty and dark...it's Fae, after all, and the writer doesn't gloss over the horrible things they do. They're also an easy read, and the books are pretty short. (I promise you that the plot points that come to light at the climax of Mac's tale will be doozies you didn't see coming. So many twists and turns in this story!)

2. The Vampire Chronicles: Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, The Queen of the Damned

I have a long-standing love of vampires, and have a very high bar for what constitutes a good vampire story - Dracula, obviously, being the standard by which I judge most things (I felt it might be weird to suggest Dracula, but it's a good read once you're used to the dry writing style), since Dracula is sort of the traditional vampire, and all. Anne Rice might be a bag of mixed nuts, herself...but her vampires are amazing. And, if you're looking for queer media...well, these are some gay as hell vampires (mlm more often than not, but let's not forget about the bi/pan's out there). Lestat, obviously, is beloved by most who read it. He's a 'bad boy with a heart of gold'...usually. He's not afraid to challenge the status quo, and look fly as fuck while doing it - I mean, he makes his own vampire themed punk band at one point, what's not to love? But where Interview is about romance gone wrong, and the passing on of legacies, Lestat is...well, what 'he' says it is, in the beginning. It's about him. Queen of the Damned isn't as high on my list as the others (though the story of the first vampires is hella, and I'll gladly learn more about Lestat), and I've never read past it in her series, but if you read no others...read the first two...and I'll give Rice this, her writing is beautiful. There are times in which it has definitely sparked something in me, to see how beautifully she phrased things. 3. The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, by Leigh Bardugo

Okay, I know this new show may make the book suggestion seem silly, but wow the books blow the show out of the water! There's so much more to take in, and learn about the universe. There's so many things they gloss over or leave out in the show! The culture of the people in the story is so rich, but...delivered to the reader in a way that really makes it interesting, and not like a fantasy history lesson. The protagonist is, once again, someone I don't much like initially - she feels entitled and stubborn and foolish...because she is, at first. I once played a Pathfinder character like her - chosen by gods for a great deed, through no will of her own, thrust into danger at every turn with a power she didn't ask for...my character hated it, and resented the power and attention for a long time, but seeing this protag go through the arduous journey of having to grow up very fast as a young adult is just so well done, here. It's hard not to wonder 'why would she go along with this' until we realize that she is a naive, young woman who has no idea how to navigate magical politics. And let me tell you, those magical politics are rather intricate, and incredibly interesting. I love a unique magic system, and this one hits that sweet spot for me...especially with how in-depth the books are about it. And turning most fantasy on its head, this is set in a more fantasy-Russia type of setting...really shifting the expectations and cultural norms we're used to seeing in most fantasy. The villain is similarly used to great effect, and never too much - and when we finally do start to learn about him? It's hard not to see how he came to be how he is, and why he thinks he's in the right; almost all villains see themselves as the hero of their own story, after all. (There's also a little queer rep here, as well - think it's mostly wlw this time.) Well worth the read, and not a terribly long read, at that, these 3 books.

4. I was going to suggest The Stormlight Archive, by Brandon Sanderson, but I'm here to say: read anything by Brandon Sanderson, if you like magic/fantasy. I fucking love long books - and I fucking love fiction, and magic and unique magic systems. This world/universe has all of that, plus great characters with amazing character development and complex magic systems. While the Stormlight Archive is its own set of books on its own world, other series of his books are set in the same universe so they are all, technically, interconnected. They all have amazing fantasy stories with wildly unique magic systems that do, at their core...all kind of feel like they might maybe be stemming from something similar, despite their differences? There's a lot of 'give and take' with his systems, there's a lot of exploration of how the magic affects society, and religion. If you lack the time for a whole series, there's other stand alone books (that, guess what, still fall into that universe!), like The Emperor's Soul:

A heretic thief is the empire’s only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel, Elantris. Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor’s scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Though her skill as a Forger is considered an abomination by her captors, Shai will attempt to create a new soul for the emperor, who is almost dead. Probing deeply into his life, she discovers Emperor Ashravan’s truest nature—and the opportunity to exploit it. Her only possible ally is one who is truly loyal to the emperor, but councilor Gaotona must overcome his prejudices to understand that Shai’s forgery is as much artistry as it is deception. Brimming with magic and political intrigue, this deftly woven fantasy delves into the essence of a living spirit.

Excuse me, who doesn't want to read that?? But my favorite stand alone of his is Warbreaker:

Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn't like his job, and the immortal who's still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago. Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people. By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery, and mysterious Vasher, the Warbreaker.

It's hard to put my finger on why I like this one so much - hell, I have always wished he'd write more stuff for this world and its magic! But the characters are all so different and unique and really grow throughout the story, and once again you see a lot of magic and politics and how it all connects with religion surrounding that world's magic, and how not only the powerful, but the weak, survive in this sort of world. The characters, the magic system, the setting...this story fits neatly into its own stand alone book, and feels good to finish.

HOWEVER, and I'll make these my last recommendations, as I grow long-winded - if you lack time for even ONE book, read some of his novellas! Here's two I own, and thoroughly enjoyed (both with very different kinds of settings and interactions...and fun magic): Perfect State, and Sixth of the Dusk (I feel like the culture in Sixth could be neat Viera inspiration? I might re-read it, myself.).

Perfect State:

God-Emperor Kairominas is lord of all he surveys. He has defeated all foes, has united the entire world beneath his rule, and has mastered the arcane arts. He spends his time sparring with his nemesis, who keeps trying to invade Kai's world. Except for today. Today, Kai has to go on a date. Forces have conspired to require him to meet with his equal—a woman from another world who has achieved just as much as he has. What happens when the most important man in the world is forced to have dinner with the most important woman in the world?

Sixth of the Dusk:

Sixth of the Dusk, set in a never-before-seen world, showcases a society on the brink of technological change. On the deadly island of Patji, where birds grant people magical talents and predators can sense the thoughts of their prey, a solitary trapper discovers that the island is not the only thing out to kill him. When he begins to see his own corpse at every turn, does this spell danger for his entire culture?

It's taken me a while to do this because I wasn't sure...and then I word vomited, so pardon that. I am very passionate about Brandon Sanderson's work, and while he can get lengthy in his Stormlight Archive books, if thick fantasy tomes aren't for you...well, a lot of his other work is equally as good, and more concise in the delivery. But when I dig into a story? It's nice for me to know there's two thousand more pages of the good stuff coming my way.

#thanks for asking!#long post #book recommendations #I love fantasy #I love fae #I love slow burn #I love complicated magic systems #realistic cultures set in fantasy worlds are so good #how WOULD magic affect society and religion and politics?#It's such a neat thought exercise #books

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