#txt original

[we-are-ronin]

Estoy cambiando constantemente esperando encontrar una versión capaz de amarme.

-浪人

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

I don’t normally comment about booktube here. But I’ve just seen a video and I have to get some comments off my chest.

This video was about e-readers. And while the person has a huge collection of books behind them, goes on to explain that e-readers are so unnecessary, cause they are expensive. And if you are going to buy an e-reader, just buy an iPad cause they are similar in price….

I’m sorry but in what world is an iPad and an e-reader the same price?? (Or yk other tablets of a similar nature).

This person goes on to talk about how e-readers can’t install apps like Libby etc…are we just going to ignore the e-readers that run on android?? That function like a regular phone just with an e-ink screen??

I honestly gave up watching this video cause this person just sounded like they were pretty single minded on the topic. So here’s my two cents.

Pro’s for an ereader: (at least in my case)

1. E-reader’s are amazing for portability. Physical books can get very heavy, and although I love them, I hate taking physical books out with me cause I’m terrified of damaging them.

2. Books in my country, are incredibly expensive. You can go to the bookstore, and end up spending $50 AUD and get 1-2 books depending on what you get. Hard covers are usually $40+! Paperbacks can range between $17-$40 also. And if it doesn’t get printed in Australia?? Good luck. The only way I could get Hunting Adeline was to pay $65. Because whenever I ordered it from Amazon at $35, from America, it would come absolutely obliterated because they don’t package it in anything but a basic plastic mailer bag. No protection at all.

3. E-readers are much better for your eyes and don’t have constant distracting notifications and people trying to ring you. I have weak eye muscles. Always have. I wear glasses for this. And I used to read on my phone cause it’s what I have with me while I was out. But once I got an e-reader, I realised just how bad my eye strain was from my phone. E-readers have seriously improved my reading stamina especially since mine has the orange light feature. It’s not like we all don’t have an internet or phone addiction anyway. At least according to statistics I’ve seen in the past. Majority of us are trying to spend less time on our phones and more time doing what we love. And e-readers absolutely help with that. (Much better for my ADHD too honestly.)

4. I live with roommates, I have very limited space. So big book collections is just not something that’s possible for me. I’d love to, but again, space and money.

5. E-readers have given me the opportunity to read books that I’d never be able to get. Because of space reasons, money reasons, and the fact that Australia just does not get the wide selection of books that other countries do. We miss out so much. Some books, we have to wait YEARS for, while everyone else gets them on release dates. My e-reader has been such a huge investment for me, as well as an opportunity maker to give me the option to read books I’d never be able to get other wise.

I will clarify this by saying yes, I do have an iPad. But that was a gift. I didn’t buy it for myself. My mother very graciously bought it for me with her inheritance money. She went out of her way to make sure I had a good working device for university. That iPad was over $2,000 aud. My e-reader?? $250!!! HUGE price difference. And it has helped me save so much money in the process. Cause if I read the ebook, and don’t like it, that’s okay, refund. If I do??? Then I can absolutely go out and hopefully track down a physical copy. If that’s not possible?? I still have the digital version. That I can enjoy over and over.

No, I’m not ignoring the cons to do with DRM, and companies censoring ebooks, not at all. But I feel like either way there is still more pros then what this person was giving e-readers credit for. She sounded privileged honestly, she may not have a use for e-readers. But to be saying that you don’t need one, and that they are completely unnecessary….its just incorrect.

I haven’t even touched on how e-readers help others with disabilities to be able to access books. I have a friend for example that has been very unwell for many years now. And because of this, she has fatigue and strength issues. She at one stage could barely hold a book. But once she got her kindle, she was so over joyed cause she could finally enjoy books again. Kindles are so light, they have stands etc. It honestly reminds me of the people that say audiobooks arnt counted as reading and you shouldn’t do it. Sure, let’s just alienate all the people that can’t read or have vision impairment right? (For clarity, I’m being sarcastic.) Or how about all the cultures that past on the culture, history, legends etc all by word of mouth?? For centuries, way before anyone invented written script. But that’s a whole other tangent I can go off about later.

If e-readers arnt for you, that’s totally fine. But to say no one has a need for them, because physical books exist, is just closed minded. Just because you have the privilege of a huge book library and may not have use of an e-reader, doesn’t not mean that other people don’t have a great use for them.

Anyway, that’s my rant. I don’t like ranting online. But this just frustrated me so much. No hate to this person personally, I just think they weren’t open to the possibilities of how these devices are used and fulfil needs for other people that live differently.

If you read this, cool! I hope you have a good day. And enjoy reading what you are currently 💝

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

I heard recently chronic dehydration can make your muscles sticky, and eventually stick together creating pain. I don’t know if this is true but IM NOT RISKING IT!!!

drink some fucking water

[we-are-ronin]

Qué bello eras, Lucifer, pues vi tu semejanza en esa mujer, la cual tu infierno me llevó a conocer. 

-浪人

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

Last year I found one of my favourite books and in turn favourite author this way. I just thought the cover looked interesting. Turns out it was popular for a little bit when the first book came out. But I’d never seen it specifically as a TikTok book. But I did see a few people mention it on BookTube.

House of Salt and Sorrows, and its sequel, House of Roots and Ruin, seriously deserves more love.

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

Oh how I hope to have something like this someday day. Hopefully when I move next (if that works out) I can have a quiet little area for myself 💕

[kpchrs]

[daughterofchaosstuff]

‘‘Red flag” this “Green flag” that

white flag. i just want peace. i surrender🏳️

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

Me but also not me

[lesbiansforeddiediaz]

Thinking about season three eddie and he was actually in hell. His wife died. His son and best friend almost died. His parents are evil. His best friend legally can't talk to him or his son who is going through trauma due to the death of his mother as well as the near death experience he shared with said best friend. And he legally can't talk to him because he's suing the fire department. He's fighting people. He almost killed a man and then saved his life. He's so hot also unrelated.

[onthecrescentofthehill]

i love this early chapter illustration. living armor was a turning point when i read the manga for how it shows laios and his solo analytical process but the contrast here…. this is the very first time he’s drawn without armor in the manga (this doesn’t fully happen in-story until chapter 28 when falin goes to check on him after she’s been resurrected, the heartbreaking hug scene)

before living armor he’s demonstrated wild feats of strength and bravery, his enthusiasm is deeply alienating, and then there’s this sparse illustration with him looking quite small and thoughtful.

he looks extremely Human. i feel like the contrast is a really forward thinking narratively.

something i find really interesting about laios’s characterization is how the dungeon is such a small window into his personality, and the few moments where he’s more aloof and cold, sometimes resentful are probably what he’s like most of the time (there have been posts showcasing those but i can’t find them rn.)

his default state is not trying to take up too much space, a little bit in his head. i think this chapter pic does a really good job bringing in that idea in really early, while also saying that he’s a lot more than an enthusiastic, leadership driven tank character. he’s vulnerable and analytical.

[inthelandofv]

next time I open my eyes, please be there

please, please

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

This 100%. I feel like a lot of people are trying to make people, that read a million books a year, into these exalted it girls and I honestly….dont understand.

Read what makes you happy. Read what excites you.

Oh, and don’t go broke from the pressure of those massive book hauls people do. Those are dangerous man. You don’t need to go out and buy a shit tone of books, just because some people do them for views. Don’t fall into the pressure of it. Just go at your own pace💝

I 💗 that so many people are getting into reading again however I do think we need to clarify something here : you do not need to be reading at max speed to be a reader. You don't have to have a high reading goal or one at all if that stresses you out. You don't have to read genres you don't enjoy. You don't have to be obsessing over your to be read list. You don't have to prioritize "popular" books nor feel embarrassed about most of your favourite reads of the year being mainstream books if that's the case. You don't have to read at a particular age group. If you are in your 30s reading middle grade novels thats great! You also don't have to own a particular amount of books to be a reader, nor a kindle, nor any reading gadget. Heck If you prefer to read in eBook format/audiobooks you don't even have to own a physical copy to be a reader. And that goes without saying but no matter how you purchase books whether it's a store, thrifting or the library you absolutely are a reader.

Please remember that reading is a HOBBY. Not a chore. It doesn't matter how you do it. As long as you're enjoying yourself you're doing a splendid job.

[we-are-ronin]

Cómo un fantasma te apareces en mis días, alterando mis recuerdos, pero sin estar presente.

-浪人

[books-and-strawberry-tea]

A little library I found today🥹🌷 It was outside of a day care, so it just had kid books. But I was so happy to find one.