#wednesday reading meme

[kitewithfish]

Wednesday Reading Meme for June 14 2023

What I’ve Read A Bride for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath – This Victorian working class romance was rather charming – I got the rec from Reformed Rake, a podcast by a Tiktoker who blogs about Romance novels of many eras. I found the main character really convincing, smart, and kind – when Mina’s father dies, she meets her estranged half-brother who arranges a marriage for her to HIS estranged half-brother, William Nye, the son of his father’s mistress who became a prize fighter and runs an pub. It felt like the descriptions of Mina’s life in the pub and her connections to the staff working there were very natural – Mina is a ‘lady’ in the sense of having an innate sense of decency and the value of other human beings, and Nye has a backbone of kindness to him that comes thru his rough demeanor. I felt like this had, as the Reformed Rake podcast noted, some genre connections to the Gothic, which was right up my alley. Very good romance, you can really see WHY these people like each other.

Love for Sale bypoisonivory - (https://archiveofourown.org/works/29789145) – Roy Harper, Arsenal, is between jobs and ends up hooking up with Jason Todd, who just happens to have an apartment to lend him – it’s just a business deal. Right? This story is a bit of a soft sugar daddy vibe, it works for me, despite being rather a departure from how I think about Jason Todd.

What I’m Reading: The King in Yellow 25% -static – The next story up for me would be In the Court of the Dragon The Count of Monte Cristo – 9%

Babel – Xing Book Club – 53% - I was just thinking about how much the first part of this novel reminds me of Naomi Novik's Scholomance series, in that it feels like someone taking the challenge of Hogwarts seriously - what does it mean to be brought into a magical community from the outside? What are the real impacts of magic on the world? What are the economies of how magic works? And who does this world consider expendable? We have just gotten to the point where Babel's students are going to be forced to confront those questions outside of England as adults who have been raised to serve the powers of the Empire of Britain. It's brutal and great.

Kristeva Powers of Horror -back in the swing of things! Chapter 2 for the end of the month.

The Witch King - Martha Wells - p80 - Solid introduction, feels akin to Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation in some details but its also very much its own thing 

What I’ll Read Next Book Club is going to need to pick some more books soon but until then I have a breather.

Library books: The last unicorn by Peter S. Beagle The way home : two novellas from the world of The last unicorn by Peter S. Beagle.

Unnatural magic by C.M. Waggoner. For the wolf by Hannah Whitten. Horror: a very short introduction by Darryl Jones.

The spear cuts through water bySimon Jimenez. Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum.

The artist's reality : philosophies of art by Mark Rothko ; edited and with an introduction by Christopher Rothko. Into the Riverland by Nghi Vo Fun home : a family tragicomic by Alison Bechdel.

Owned and need to read: California Bones, Raven Song by IA Ashcroft, Kraken's Sacrifice by Katee Robert, Even Though I Know the End by CL Polk, At The Feet of the Sun by Victoria Goddard, Tamryn Eradani's Enchanting Encounters Books 2 and 3, Like Real People Do by EL Massey, Tom Stoppard, Invention of love, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty, "You Just Need to Lose Weight" and Other Myths about Fatness by Aubrey Gordon, Alisha Rai Partners in Crime, the Right Swipe

[keliatach]

Anyway, here's Wolfwoodwall.

[jonmcbrine-author]

[eu0n1a]

10 story starter prompts (pt 2)

1) it was the very worst thing I had ever done, and yet I couldn't help but laugh.

2) He had little interest in treasure, which was not ideal for a pirate. Luckily, he did have a lot of interest in ships, which she explained that the job and interview. He probably should have mentioned he met the ones in the bottle, as he had the tendency to get seasick.

3) As she fell, her only thought was that she had no antiseptic left in the bathroom cabinet, and this was probably going to hurt so much that she wouldn't be able to walk down to the store.

4) Fixing a time machine is tricky. Especially when you have bought the wrong tools.

5) the stream was still on silent.

6) She had never been a huge fan of unicorns. But she was a huge fan of money, and finding a unicorn was a good way to get money so she decided to get on board.

7) I had always wanted to travel into space – but I don't much like the dark.

8) Well, that was a terrible idea.

9) she did not want to grow up. Being like Peter Pan sounded ideal, but then she'd be surrounded by all those boys and that sounded like a different kind of hell.

10) Usually, the devil is in the details, but this evening he was hiding in the pantry.

[jcalexandrewrites]

What writing Light Prince: Prelude to Destiny has felt like.

Don't worry, folks! I'm currently working on the next volume. And I've even written another side story novella!

News about all of that coming soon…ish! 😂

Read my fantasy novel, The Light Prince: Grail, available on Amazon in paperback and e-book.

[rainbowcarousels]

Last Line Tag Game! ✨

I'm going to fold this into WIP Wednesday because I don't think it makes much sense without the context of the conversation. Also because chances are it'll be completely rewritten by the time it's done, it's only a first draft.

I'm going to cheat and fold this into WIP Wednesday.

"I knew you were angry," Sephiroth admitted. "I had always assumed Angeal had lectured you into submission." "I cannot be lectured into submission unless I allow it," Genesis looked affronted at the very idea of it. "Do you really not remember?" "I had a head injury," Sephiroth reminded him. "But I don't think I recall there being a specific moment where you decided you were no longer disappointed with the reality of me." Genesis sat down on the feather mattress wordlessly, picking at the polish on his nails as he seemed to actually consider what he was going to say. Perhaps there was something truly supernatural about Nibelheim after all. "There was blood in your hair," Genesis said, touching his own in a way that didn't seem entirely deliberate. "We were lying together in that dingy tent, sure we were going to be hit by lightening or discovered but you were so close that I could smell it. Angeal said something along the lines of saying it would nice to be home now, sand underneath us more than slush and mud and whatever else we'd trailed with us after you set my leg. I said something to the effect of 'oh I expect you have never wanted to go home, you're in your element out here in the blood and the muck', and I don't know if it was the shrapnel shaking your words loose or whether you simply thought we would die and it wouldn't matter if you said it - do you remember?" Sephiroth shook his head. While he remembered most of that night in what he would say was excellent clarity for someone with an obvious concussion, he couldn't place this exact moment at all. "You said that you wanted to go home every day," Genesis replied, huffing as he said it. "But that you didn't know where home was, so you just always felt that way so it didn't matter whether you were in Wutai or Midgar or anywhere else. It was so matter of fact, so utterly emotionaless for such a terrible revelation that I didn't know what to say. Something in me just started to scream about it within my own mind, that I had always wanted to bring you home before I had even set eyes on you in person and I was resolved to do exactly that one way or another. And I did do exactly that! The house doesn't matter. Whether it's in the Inn that taste forgot or in Costa del Sol or knee high in blood and mud and bodily effluvia, we will be home as long we're together. Your hair is all over my clothes, you keep stealing my conditioner and I know it's you that keeps eating my chocolate covered coffee beans!"

Tagged by @birdblacksocialclub! Thank you.

Tagging anyone who fancies it honestly, I think everyone I know has been tagged already!

[pororoh]

Incorrect Wyler Quotes (part 1 of ?) — (original post by @therulerofallpotatos )

[schalotte]

twilight date next friday 👍🏻

[scionshtola]

i don't want to reblog the fic Again but im just spinning shb corishtola in my brain SO fast these past few weeks

[thevikingwoman]

WIP Wednesday

Tagged by @myreia and @impossible-rat-babies thank you!

tagging @galadae @galadrieljones @roguelioness and @elveny and anyone else who wants to share

I'm not sure if this whole introspection fits as looking back or if I need to turn it present or move it out.. but I wanted to grab onto this and voice her feelings - unedited ofc

The tiredness wars with the bright unease within her. She barely slept last night, she couldn’t. She tossed and turned in the room in the pendants, after the ghost left. Trying not to think of the horrors she’d seen, of how it felt when the light was flooding into her. Even the return of darkness hadn’t helped her, her mind too busy. Too sad. Too angry. She’d had no desire to see the Exarch’s message for her the next morning, no desire to confront him on all he didn’t – and doesn’t – tell. She’d rushed into the lifestream, a vague notion of testing the Exarch’s reassurances that she could teleport to the Source. Grabbing on to the first beacon that sprang to her mind. Running away, she supposes.

[triglycercule]

i WAS gonna complain about horror being a skeleton and therefore never able to do the akanbe face but then i remembered. i'm an artist!! i can just DRAW him doing it 😇😇😇 ok but he doesn't have eyelids iKNOW ill figure it out ok

[kitewithfish]

Wednesday Reading Meme June 28, 2023

What I’ve Read The Witch King - Martha Wells – I think I had some user error with this one – I read the first third one day and got sidetracked and ended up reading the rest in a fugue stress state while waiting anxiously for something – not a good approach. I like Kai and the world build here is actually very interesting – the central mystery is engaging. The structure and some components of the stories definitely show Wells’s appreciation for Mo Dao Zu Shi (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) but it has some divergences that make it a stand alone story. Some thematic elements that crossed over are the dual timelines of the novels, the main character’s general cheerful demeanor, the element of breaking a social taboo being crucial to their social acceptance, and some body switching!

Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites – Evan Dorkin – I think I liked this volume better than the first one I read, and this is actually the first in the series. Shorter sections, a big more goody, slightly different cast, an artist I preferred for the animals – overall, a really pleasant read.

Nimona - ND Stevenson – A good book! I was a victim of overhype here, I had heard about it so much that I had formed some opinions before going in, but that was a mistake. I generally think that this was a pretty fun story with a really honest core about the emotional cost of being deliberately hurt by people. I’ll read more by Stevenson.

Podcasts – I am FINALLY getting to the good stuff in the fourth and final season of Wolf 359. It’s rare for me to go into something really totally unspoiled but here I am!

What I’m Reading: The last unicorn by Peter S. Beagle -19% - I really thought that there would be filler in this book or things I didn’t recall, but nope, I have a very solid (if unordered) memory of all the elements of this book. I am deeply enjoying the re-read. The Count of Monte Cristo – 45% Getting into the swing of the revenge plot! Our vengeful lead is in Paris causing marital strife for the Danglars family by means of horse sales. Kristeva Powers of Horror – 24% This book makes sense for no more than three sentences at a time, then I am just thrown back into the confusion of a person who Does Not Believe in Freud. The King in Yellow 25% -static – The next story up for me would be In the Court of the Dragon

What I’ll Read Next Book Club – This is how you lose the time war

Library Books The way home : Peter Beagle. Fun home : a family tragicomic Alison Bechdel. Beasts of burden : occupied territory Evan Dorkin Neighborhood watch Evan Dorkin The spear cuts through water Simon Jimenez. Horror : a very short introduction Darryl Jones. The artist's reality : philosophies of art Mark Rothko Helpmeet Naben Ruthnum. Nimona Noelle Stevenson. Into the riverlands Nghi Vo. Unnatural magic C.M. Waggoner.

Libby Books Neon Gods A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter The Bromance Book Club

Owned and need to read: California Bones, Raven Song by IA Ashcroft, Kraken's Sacrifice by Katee Robert, Even Though I Know the End by CL Polk, At The Feet of the Sun by Victoria Goddard, Tamryn Eradani's Enchanting Encounters Books 2 and 3, Like Real People Do by EL Massey, Tom Stoppard, Invention of love, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty, "You Just Need to Lose Weight" and Other Myths about Fatness by Aubrey Gordon, Alisha Rai Partners in Crime, the Right Swipe

[jonmcbrine-author]

Wednesday fun

[tigersarrcool]

1 like = 1 ship I hate

l l l

l l l

V V V

in comments :)

[raziraphale]

rules: shuffle your repeat playlist and post the first ten tracks, then tag ten people

tagged by @dykefaggotry :> ty!

Burn My Dread - Yumi Kawamura

Leprous - Esko Tiko

Us - U.S.S.

Colors Flying High - Lyn

From Eden - Hozier

Mass Destruction - Lotus Juice

Rivers in the Desert - Lyn

Afraid of Heights - Billy Talent

Violet Hill - Coldplay

Stay With Me - The Trews

tagging: @fearless-flower, @floralprintshark, @starrygazingpie, @grouchythefish, @greenslime69, @grandarcanist, @oursidae, @cordyceps-fungus, @orzamara, @acidmatze (no pressure, of course. and if you don't use spotify/equivalent that has a repeat playlist you can shuffle your library ig I promise I won't tell on you lol)

[mikecrewsteacup]

WIP Wheneversday

@starrypawz tagged me via me seeing it on my dash hello in return i'm tagging whoever sees this and wants to do it! hmm *cycles my rolodex of WIPs* you're all getting the "Mary attempts her Ritual early, but manages instead to switch herself with Eric" AU. Eric gets to take care of Gerry now I make the rules. ***

An hour after Gerry stormed out of the room, Eric goes to check on him. Paranoia is a hard habit to shake, but then of course it's even harder when it often turns out to be correct, which it is when Gerry is nowhere to be found in the flat.

Eric does his best to not be hysterical about this. Given his history, he thinks he does pretty well waiting four hours before calling the police.

The officer who's there when he answers the door audibly pauses during his rote 'we're here to follow up on a call about a–' with a stammer before continuing. No gasp, though, which means Eric's thankful he's gotten better at remembering to keep his glasses on. 

His grip on his white cane is tight enough to make his knuckles ache while he answers the basics: 

Gerry's twelve.

No, he hasn't run away before. (Has he? Eric's stomach churns. He must have, but he has a feeling Mary wouldn't have reported it if he had…not to the police, certainly.)

He's tall enough to come up to my chin. Blue eyes, blond hair. Long, to his shoulders.

No, I don't know where he might hang out. He likes music, maybe the record shop on Clapham, but I already called them twice. 

No, his mother isn't home, and no, he couldn't be with her. 

Towards the end of it, he hears a mumble from the cop who'd introduced herself as Hooper. 

"What's that?" He asks reflexively. 

"Oh." She sounds embarrassed, as if she'd been speaking to herself. Eric almost apologizes, but she beats him to it. "Just– I was wondering, what's that you've got on the wall?"

The wall…?

Eric's new enough to being blind again, post-page-ghost experience, that he actually starts turning around like an idiot before stopping himself. "...Wicca," he says. "We're Wiccan. Anyway—" Well, hopefully that covers…whatever it hadn't occurred to him to try to get off the walls immediately visible from their entryway. Presumably it's gruesome or at least looks intimidatingly arcane, if they're asking.

It can't be too bad, or maybe it's just the benefit of looking more pitiable these days, but the two officers leave a few more minutes later with very sincere reassurances. Hooper actually pats him on the shoulder, which he heard coming enough to not jump much – honestly, the positive attention is still new enough to be pleasant.

Through the miasma of his worry, admittedly, it's hard to really notice.