#s.t.a.g.s

[readingandlisteningtobooks]

This books is about a working class girl who starts going to an exclusive boarding school when her father decides to work abroad, she preferred to idea of going to boarding school over living with her aunt.

This school is like no other. It is ruled over by the Medievals, adored by both teachers and students alike. But all is not as it seems. When Greer and two other school outcastes are invited to a weekend getaway with the school royalty they uncover the dark underbelly of the school where the privileged few feel they can get away with anything they like. After all, all their ancestors had done as they wished.

This book is filled with mystery and adrenaline. Even once the truth and the true friends have been discovered, Greer must still navigate herself out of a tight situation or two. It is brilliant, and I can’t wait to listen to the next book.

[thepiedsniper]

Greer Macdonald from S.T.A.G.S.

[b-oredzoi]

Books I read in 2024: S.T.A.G.S by M. A. Bennett

Huntin’ shootin’ fishin.’

[kingsbridgelibraryteens]

Are you ready for the new school year to start? Check out our latest WE RULE THE SCHOOL display, featuring:

S.T.A.G.S. by M.A. Bennett

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

First-Year Orientation edited by Lauren Gibaldi and Eric Smith

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

The Wave by Todd Strasser

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina

[shishiikura]

Tagged by @scarlet-riot

Favorite Color: Lavender! And dark purple too I just love purple

Currently reading: I’m almost done with a book called S.T.A.G.S. it’s not amazing or anything but it’s a horror/thriller story about this group of outcasts at a boarding school being invited out to the rich kids’ country home seemingly out of kindness but it’s really that the rich kids want to hunt them for sport. A little heavy handed in its commentary but a fun read.

Last song I listened to: Bigmouth Strikes Again by The Smiths 

Last movie I watched: Knives Out! I watched it after Glass Onion both are amazing of course

Last series I watched: I’m currently rewatching Our Flag Means Death (for the third time... it’s comfort TV to me) and I just finished Mob Psycho 100 season 3, Chainsawman and Wednesday recently

Currently craving: some good hot tea honestly... I just caught a cold so I really have no appetite at all 

-

Tagging: @good-beans if you haven’t already done this and uuhhh anyone else who wants to

[thebrideofadventureland]

The Magicians Nephew by CS Lewis and also just started S.T.A.G.S. by MA Bennett

If you see this you’re legally obligated to reblog and tag with the book you’re currently reading

[koushirouizumi]

{H.O.L.I.C S.T.A.G.E}

{Cap by Me} {DO NOT RE POST} (Please ASK to Use)

[hopeless-booknerd]

I am so excited for the christmas break to start since I would have so much more time for reading and writing then School has really been breathing down my neck so I didn't have any real time reading except for the ones I had to read for school but the christmas break should free me up and I got 4 books from the library which I am quite excited about

I got 3 books that are dutch translations: - Slammed by Colleen Hoover - S.T.A.G.S. by M.A. Bennett - Miss peregrine's home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs

the last english book I got was: - Whisper to me by Nick Lake Also expect a review on Lily from Tom de Cock soon!

[athoma48]

What If the Prey In S.T.A.G.S Fought back

[funkylilomen]

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8SeU9YY/

reminds me of the book S.T.A.G.S.

[thepiedsniper]

Sketch of Henry from S.T.A.G.S.

[jonfarreporter]

Entertainer extraordinaire, Carole Cook is remembered well by those who knew her

It seems that the only thing most of the celebrity newsfeed channels could say about the passing of comedian/actress Carole Cooke is that she was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service for a comment she made about Donald Trump when he was elected to the office of President.

Cook died on January 11 just three days before her 99th birthday. Her nephew Mark Cocanougher posted on Facebook that “my dear aunt Carole departed in peace…having lived a long and wonderful life doing the work that she loved.”

The work she loved according to those who knew Cook well such as, David Galligan was entertaining and charitable work.

He remembered the very first time he met Cook. “It was at a special party that was planned for Carole,” he said.

“She was returning home from Australia after playing the lead in the touring production of ‘Hello Dolly.’ Carole was the first to portray Dolly after Carol Channing. Australian audiences loved her,” said Galligan.

Galligan met Cook through actor Ray Stricklyn. Galligan surmised that Stricklyn and Cook became friends quickly because they were both from Texas. “I didn’t know anyone at the coming home party, said Galligan, but Carole made me feel right at home. She was so wonderful.”

Noting that Cook was larger than life in more ways than just show business, “I knew inwardly and instantly I loved this woman,” Galligan said.

Like his longtime friend Stricklyn, Galligan was an actor. “I enjoyed acting but it gave up on me and I then went into journalism,” said Galligan. His writing for mostly trade publications and theatrical news/critique, brought him into directing plays and various productions/awards ceremonies like Drama Critics Circle Awards.

Among shows he directed was benefit shows like S.T.A.G.E. (Southland Theater Artists Goodwill Event) Gala. “S.T.A.G.E. is among the longest running AIDS benefit shows around,” said Galligan. “And, Carole was always eager to help.” He added.

While some celebrity news feeds like Facts Verse on YouTube did mention Cook’s longevity in television and movies, as Galligan pointed out. “She enjoyed being on stage.”

He remembers with much appreciation the stage production he directed of ‘Lion in Winter.’ “Carole was marvelous in it, to great success,” said Galligan.

Yet he laughed as he recalled, “I was always conscious of her natural Texas drawl,” he said. There were times when she would slip into it and I would say to Carol. Remember you are supposed to be Eleanor of Aquitaine, and not a Eleanor from Abilene!”

Cooks ability to remain current helped her to get roles in contemporary films such as “Sixteen Candles” with Molly Ringwald and “American Gigilo” with Richard Gere, in the 1980s. To some film critics, those are among the definitive classics of the era.

Yet some, attribute her longevity to Cook’s humor. Like Lawrence Helman observed. “There is nothing so funny and or irreverent than seeing a show biz professional over 80 telling hysterically funny, off-the-cuff jokes and slaying the crowd into fits of laughter.”

For more than 20 years Helman has been doing the PR for the Richmond / Ermet Aid Foundation (REAF).

Helman mentioned “There are two big events that REAF does, HELP IS ON THE WAY - a large benefit for REAF and Equity Fights AIDS.”

“Carole performed regularly at REAF's annual summer "Help is on the Way" gala benefiting local AIDS, hunger and homeless youth services, said Ken Henderson. Executive Director of The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation (REAF). Her dedication was appreciated as Henderson added. “She was often referred to as REAF's Grand Diva."

As Henderson reminisced, “one year when Carole was having severe abdominal pains and could hardly stand up straight. We kept telling her she couldn't go on and we should get her some medical attention,” said Henderson.

Yet as he pointed out. “Carole refused and when the music started for her entrance, she drew herself up tall, marched on stage and gave one of her best performances of her many years of doing our benefits.”

“Her pain, we found out later, said Henderson was from a kidney stone that she eventually passed. But she was so dedicated and committed to the cause, even that kidney stone could not keep her off the stage.”

In 2018, Carole was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedicated service & commitment to REAF and for the S.T.A.G.E AIDS benefits in Los Angeles.

To understand the extent of the charity work Helman said. “Help Is On The Way, they do a Summer show and a Holiday show in December.”

“For all those years I have worked with REAF, said Helman, Carole did the big Summer show in August. She always went on stage last to close the show - with a bang,” he said. Adding, “Carole always was irreverent and she delivered.”

Which might be why the Secret Service were on the alert when Cook allegedly commented something politically outspoken and outlandish to the effect of “Where’s a John Wilkes Booth when you need him!”

Facts Verse, and other celebrity news reports noted, Cook was a longtime advocate of the LGBTQ community. All relationships were important to Cook as Helman said. “Carole’s long-standing marriage to her devoted husband  (actor) Tom Troupe set the bar for a great partnership. They adored each other.”

As a stage and production director for over 33 years Galligan was quick to say. “Carole was always helping people, she almost never missed a charity event, he said. She was a ‘mother hen’ and I want people to know, Carole was one of the most unselfish people I have ever met. If there was a charity or benefit that needed help, Carole was there. I wouldn’t do the benefit show without my Carole,” he added.

Cooke spoke highly of many people and experiences when interviewed by HVY-Journalists in 2019. “It was Lucille Ball and ‘The Lucy Show’ that brought me to Hollywood and to television and the movies,” she said.

The 1964 live-animated, “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” with Don Knotts was a hit and her very first movie.

“But the stage was my first love,” said Cooke who spoke highly of her theatrical training in Texas at Baylor University. This gave her the skills and confidence to make her way from doing regional theater to go off to New York City and be in major productions like ‘Annie Get Your Gun.’

It’s is there in that musical that she caught the attention of Lucy Ball. And her career then took off.

Even though she was in contracts with Desilu Productions and Warner Brothers her love of the stage kept beckoning. So much so, “I took a risk, and gambled on going on tour to Australia to do Hello Dolly,” she told HVY. Cook also recollected and reiterated something similar to The Bay Area Reporter (The BAR) at the time back in 2019.

Of course some of that gamble had a “sure bet” spin of the wheel of fortune assurance as Galligan explained. “It was (producer/choreographer) Gower Champion that encouraged Carole to go on tour to Australia.” And the fact, that her husband Tom was willing to pull up roots and go on that venture with Cook, no doubt helped.

Working with the material of composer Jerry Herman was a delight as not only did Cook get to play Dolly, she also appeared on stage in the lead as Mame. Of which she described as a “rare and fun opportunity.” Because not only are the characters of Dolly and Mame optimistic amid life’s challenges, “they are survivors,” she said.

“She was truly magnificent,” said Galligan. Helman agreed as he sees Cook as someone who was more than just a survivor. "We shall not see the likes of her again, said Helman. “And I might add, “Whatta Broad!”

[forest-hashira]

ok i've been on a big nonfiction kick this year and a lot of them have been bangers, but i'm also gonna include some of my favorites from high school/uni (where i got an english degree, so i read A Lot). so, in no particular order:

arc of a scythe trilogy by neal shusterman - i haven't read the third book yet, but i almost didn't walk at my high school graduation ceremony bc i refused to turn the second book in until after i finished it. it's probably my favorite dystopian series i've ever read, bc the concept of humanity having overcome death and having to designate a group of people to curb the population even the tiniest bit? it's a lot to grapple with and i fucking eat that shit up. starting a reread soon! also i have special signed editions of this series. i never go out of my way to get special editions of books.

into thin air by jon krakauer - krakauer's firsthand account of mt. everest's deadliest day (up to that point anyways; it was in 1997). krakauer was invited to join an expedition as a journalist, and just about everything that could go wrong on the way down from the summit, did go wrong. it's gripping, it's terrifying, it's insane. buddy read it with my best friend from high school and we've been on a mission to get everyone possible to read it. cannot recommend it enough.

empire of pain by patrick radden keefe - i knew i didn't know all the details of the opioid crisis (i was a little too young to know what was going on when all the court stuff started happening), but upon reading this book (after watching dopesick, which is also really good & i highly recommend) i realized just how little i knew. all i can say is i hope all the sacklers rot in hell forever. please please please read this book.

an enchantment of ravens by margaret rogerson - standalone fae fantasy book. it's about a romance, but it's YA and not romantasy, so it's not crazy steamy, which i personally prefer. i've read this book no joke six times since it was published. i even bought a second copy and annotated it for a friend last year for christmas. could quite possibly be my favorite high fantasy book of all time. i think about rook almost daily.

s.t.a.g.s. by m.a. bennett - another high school read that holds up upon rereading as an adult, and also another book i annotated for a friend who fucking ghosted me like a year later lmao. it has some of my favorite things: the lake district, tons of film references, fucked up rich people getting (at least somewhat) exposed for their fucked up-ness. this one is also YA so it is about high schoolers, but i actually think it adds to the craziness of the plot. the playlist i made to go with this book is probably the best playlist i've ever compiled.

rozencrantz and guildenstern are dead by tom stoppard - technically a play, but i think this is my favorite assigned reading from high school. it takes place alongside hamlet, focusing on rosencrantz & guildenstern. there are some appearances from hamlet characters, but mostly it's just about r & g. it's an absurdist play, and it gets a bit existential, but it's so good, and definitely worth a read if you're familiar with hamlet - and honestly even if you're not, the context just elevates it imo.

the shepherd's life by james rebanks - i read this during study abroad before we went to the lake district (one of the most wonderful places i've ever been, btw). it's a memoir written by a shepherd from a family who's been shepherds for multiple generations. he recounts how he started to hate the job, tried to leave for school, but wound up back in his family home doing the work he'd hated not too long before. i never thought i would be interested in knowing how sheep are raised in northern england, but i actually found this fascinating.

there there by tommy orange - read this two back to back semesters in uni for 2 separate classes, and i actually sat down and read it cover to cover both times (both in the same calendar year). tommy orange is native american, and this book is about a group of native americans living in oakland, california. all their separate storylines are mostly disconnected throughout the novel, but they all come together at the end in one of the craziest ways possible. warnings for sexual assault/abuse, mentions of genocide, and gun violence.

on earth we're briefly gorgeous by ocean vuong - it's been a hot minute since i've read this one, but it was also an assigned reading while i was at uni (for one of the same classes i read there there for), and i remember it put me through a rollercoaster of emotions. vuong is a poet, but briefly gorgeous is a novel, and i love the way his prose flows in an almost lyrical way. the main character/narrator, who isn't given an actual name, is the son of vietnamese immigrants, and deals with figuring out his sexuality and growing up in a place that doesn't really accept him, both for his race and for being gay. it's very emotional, so be prepared for that. i want to reread but i'm not sure i'm emotionally prepared rn.

anyone else who wants to add anything to this is more than welcome to! i'm always open to recs

What are your favorite books and why?

I’ve been seeing weird discourse going around about anti-intellectualism, and people are always always talking shit on booktok. I’m tired of it.

No judgments whatsoever—doesn’t matter what age group it was written for or how awful the author might be—I want to know your favorites, I want to know why you love them, and I want this to reach as many people as possible, so please don’t hesitate to tag others!

I’ll start! In no particular order:

A Series of Unfortunate Events - the series that got me into reading in the first place. Also the series that holds the first book that ever gave me a visceral reaction while reading it.

To Kill a Mockingbird - has one of my favorite literary figures of all time (Atticus Finch), some of my favorite quotes, and really just kind of changed how I viewed the world and the privileges I have in it.

Dune - changed the way I look at world building entirely. I’ve only read the first book and only because it was assigned summer reading, but I’m so glad I did. I’ve never looked at fiction the same way.

The Priory of the Orange Tree - I actually can’t pick just one or two reasons. It’s really a fantastic book all around. The world building, the history, the characters, the settings, plus how it all comes together in the end. I’ll never not recommend it to people.

Your turn!

@lady-lauren @kweenkatsuki-fics @entirelysein-e @aceofbooks @monst @theoxenfree

[kingsbridgelibraryteens]

Now that school is in session, check out our latest WE RULE THE SCHOOL display, featuring:

S.T.A.G.S. by M. A. Bennett

First-Year Orientation ed. by Lauren Gibaldi & Eric Smith

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

Promposal by Raechell Garrett

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

[sophielovesbooks]

2022 Wrapped (Reading Edition)

I wasn't tagged by anyone because I'm a sad loner with no booklr friends lmao

But I wanted to reflect on my reading year regardless so I am just going to answer these questions bc nobody can stop me and 2023 is the year of fuck it, we ball!

Here we gooooo

Did you reach your reading goal for the year (if you had one)?

It was the first year ever since I started setting reading goals that I DIDN'T reach my goal. #sad

I set my goal at 50 books and only managed to read 41. But when it became obvious that I was going to fail, I made a downward adjustment to 40 books, so in that sense I did reach my goal? But only through cheating so not sure it counts.

(I blame podcasts btw. I used to go through so many audiobooks and now I am obsessed with "Today in Focus" among others and this audio content has reduced the time I listen to audiobooks to a dramatic extent)

What are your top 3 books you read this year?

Notes on an Execution (Danya Kukafka)

The It Girl (Ruth Ware)

Bunny (Mona Awad)

(It was tough, though. Honourable mentions include They Never Learn by Layne Fargo, S.T.A.G.S 3 and 4 by M. A. Bennett, The Push by Ashley Audrain, A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee, True Crime Story by Joseph Know and Writers & Lovers by Lily King. Man, so many good ones!)

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to enjoy quite so much going in?

The Little Sister (Raymond Chandler)

Were there any books that didn’t live up to your expectations?

Honestly... Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater, a bit. Though it was alright.

Did you reread any old faves? If so, which one was your favourite? Omg, yes!

The Secret Place, The Trespasser and In the Woods by Tana French. Loved all three rereads! Probably loved In the Woods the most. Rob, Cassie and Sam, my beloved! <3

Did you dnf any books?

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. :/

Also All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

Did you read any books outside your usual preferred genre(s)?

Perhaps And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie because I very rarely read classics.

What was your predominant format this year?

Paper books, I believe...

What’s the longest book you read this year?

The Trespasser (Tana French)

What are your top 3 anticipated 2022 releases?

Oh gosh, this has got to be one of the first years where I can't think of many? Oh hey, I just looked up the sequel to Ninth House and found out that it's called Hell Bent and is supposed to come out in 8 days. So that one! Yay!

What books from your tbr did you not get to this year, but are excited to read in 2022?

Among others:

Hell Bent (Leigh Bardugo)

Ace of Spades (Faridah Abike-Iyimide)

Other People's Clothes (Calla Henkel)

The Initial Insult (Mindy McGinnis)

Tagging every other booklr loser with no friends! Just do this 2022 wrap-up, you don't need anybody else's permission, not even mine! ;)