celestialmoodreader

[celestialmoodreader]

hey it’s a reading update!

completed

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin — One of my reading goals this year was to read more Black classics and boy is it paying off. This book was everything!!!Captivating, layered and disastrously entertaining. I loved the ways gender, sexuality and privilege were presented and explored here. Checked the ebook out from my library, and now I need to get my hands on a physical copy as soon as possible

Brighter than Scales, Swifter than Flame by Neon Yang — I liked the parts about Yeva navigating her cultural identity a lot. The way she was interacting with and adapting to Quanbao reminded me of Spirited Away. Her missteps and inner conflicts were the strongest part of the book, but they take a backseat in the second half. Unfortunately, I felt pretty disconnected to the overall story. There was just too much telling and not enough build up to be truly impactful (esp since the twist is so obvious). It’s a nice story, but ultimately bland in the second half.

in progress

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett — I’m liking this so far! I liked Foundryside a lot in the beginning too but thought the third act was weak. I haven’t read the rest of the series so I don’t know if this has changed in this author’s writing yet. The world here is just as interesting as it is in Foundryside though! A magic system where they use plants for anything from building material to air conditioning to bodily enhancements. I like the characters too. Yeva and Din have a fun dynamic to read about. They make me miss Clef and Sancia, so maybe I’ll go back to The Founders Trilogy soon.

[celestialmoodreader]

here’s a link to an organization shared by Bisan on instagram providing food and water to Palestinians in Gaza

[celestialmoodreader]

BTW, the belief that you have to leave where you are and go somewhere in order to connect with nature is part of the problem. You can literally connect with nature anywhere; yes, even in an urban environment. You have birds, bugs, plants, weather, seasons, etc. A lot of people need to stop thinking of nature as something out there and start recognizing that it's something that's already right here.

[celestialmoodreader]

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma, which is a speculative lit fic short story collection. Weird as in, if you don't suspend your disbelief, you're not making it out of this one alive.

question for bookblr: what is the weirdest book you’ve read that isn’t erotica? (bonus points if it’s SFF or horror)

weird as in: narrative framing/storytelling devices

weird as in: POV

weird as in: plot trajectory

weird as in: just fucking weird

[celestialmoodreader]

[celestialmoodreader]

IM SO PISSED OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT TO EAT SWEETS AND CHOCOLATE BUT THERE ARE NONE IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOVIANS: GET IN THE TARDIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!! GRAB YOUR SWIMSUITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOMESTUCK

[celestialmoodreader]

Actually I’m gonna discourse-post about gothic horror (my favorite horror) for a moment which is probably a bad idea but w/e. Yolo, as the kids no longer say.

Gothic horror is at its root about domesticity as horror. What if your home but haunted. What if your husband but monstrous. What if your family (or in-laws) but twisted and grotesque. What if wealth and comfort but tarnished and controlling. What if love but broken.

It’s a very intimate kind of horror, because houses and families and love are very intimate things. But because it’s about how those intimate things can be made horrifying, it also will of necessity deal with intimate taboos and violations, because those are the things that make intimacy and domesticity horrifying. Of course incest appears in the genre. Of course there’s violence, sexual assault, mental illness. Of course there’s expressions of love, sexuality, and sensuality that are messy in ways that feel dangerous. It’s a genre about safe spaces when they’re not actually safe. It’s about the subjective emotional experience of domesticity gone wrong.

I love the genre in part because it acknowledges this brokenness in ways that are still taboo in broader culture. I love it because often the main characters find a measure of peace after experiencing the emotional tumult of the story. I like that this peace is often highly conditional or strange. Yes, you’ve escaped but you won’t forget it. Yes, you’ve escaped but you’re fundamentally different. Yes, you’re changed, but you escaped. Yes, you’ve changed, but that’s ok. Yes, you’ve changed, and now you’re powerful in a way you finally understand.

It’s fine if you don’t like, well shit, any genre really. But especially a horror genre. My mother couldn’t stand anything scary, and as someone who’d been abused as a child, gothic horror was particularly difficult for her to handle. I get it.

But if you choose to engage with gothic horror, it’s good to remember what it’s about. It’s upsetting on purpose. It’s intimately upsetting on purpose. If you don’t like being upset that way, that’s completely fine and understandable. But it’s not the fault of the genre.

[celestialmoodreader]

One of the most infuriating things I've seen in the online book community is someone who read Frankenstein, analyzed it, and then came away from that experience having written an essay in the defense of generative AI, citing Frankenstein as the basis of their analysis. They compared generative AI to Frankenstein's monster, specifically how humanity hates both of those things based on conjecture instead of the actual characteristics of them.

It's been two months, and thinking about that essay still angers me

[celestialmoodreader]

Bad Girls by Camila Sosa Villada

Gritty and unflinching, yet also tender, fantastical, and funny, a trans woman’s tale about finding a community on the margins.

In Sarmiento Park, the green heart of Córdoba, a group of trans sex workers make their nightly rounds. When a cry comes from the dark, their leader, the 178-year-old Auntie Encarna, wades into the brambles to investigate and discovers a baby half dead from the cold. She quickly rallies the pack to save him, and they adopt the child into their fascinating surrogate family as they have so many other outcasts, including Camila.

Sheltered in Auntie Encarna’s fabled pink house, they find a partial escape from the everyday threats of disease and violence, at the hands of clients, cops, and boyfriends. Telling their stories—of a mute young woman who transforms into a bird, of a Headless Man who fled his country’s wars—as well as her own journey from a toxic home in a small, poor town, Camila traces the life of this vibrant community throughout the 90s.

Imbuing reality with the magic of a dark fairy tale, Bad Girls offers an intimate, nuanced portrait of trans coming-of-age that captures a universal sense of the strangeness of our bodies. It grips and entertains us while also challenging ideas about love, sexuality, gender, and identity.

[celestialmoodreader]

Lex's May "Weekly" Reading Recap (5/1-5/10)

🌸 🌼 🌸

Finished:

What Do Nightmares Dream Of - Antonija Mežnarić

Sister Snake - Amanda Lee Koe

The Bruising of Qilwa - Naseem Jamnia

In Progress:

Forest of Noise: Poems - Mosab Abu Toha (24%)

Water Moon - Samantha Sotto Yambao (pg. 59/372)

When No One is Watching - Alyssa Cole (14%)

Loans Not Yet Started:

But Not Too Bold - Hache Pueyo

Asian Readathon Progress:

Prompt #1: Not started

Prompt #2: Complete - The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

Prompt #3: Complete - Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe

Prompt #4: Currently reading - Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha

Prompt #5: Not started

Hope I can keep this up throughout May (and beyond)!

I planned on sticking with just my Asian Readathon picks this month, but then When No One is Watching came in (I've had it on hold for almost a freaking YEAR) and But Not Too Bold, which is short and sounds great. So it'll be a mood reader month as always lol.

~ Lex

[celestialmoodreader]

Beyond They/Them by Em Dickson and Cameron Mukwa

Beyond They/Them is a captivating, gorgeously illustrated book celebrating 20 trailblazing nonbinary, genderqueer, and two-spirit individuals who have left an indelible mark on music, sports, film and television, politics, and more.

Explore 20 biographies of game-changing and noteworthy nonbinary people of diverse backgrounds and in a wide variety of industries. Beyond They/Them: 20 Influential Nonbinary People You Should Know is a fully illustrated guide to celebrities, activists, musicians, and other influential people of various identities across the nonbinary spectrum. Complete with beautiful illustrations by the talented artist Cameron Mukwa and written by Em Dickson, this book is a celebration of nonbinary joy and proves that there has been, and always will be, a place for people of all genders.

Featured individuals include:

ND Stevenson

Janelle Monáe

Rebecca Sugar

Maia Kobabe

Sarah Gailey

Joshua Whitehead

Quinn

Layshia Clarendon

Jaiyah Saelua

Vico Ortiz

Sam Smith

Demi Lovato

Cris Derksen

Amita Kuttner

Uzomo Asagwara

Maebe A. Girl

Audrey Tang

Dr. James Makokis

Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins

Judith Butler

[celestialmoodreader]

I'm not sure this username is sticking. Or maybe it's the avatar with it.

[celestialmoodreader]

Updated Library For Kinksters

I completed some major changes to the Library For Kinksters. Here is the update…

Aftercare

Aftercare 101

Aftercare For Dominants

Coping With Emotional Subdrop

Dom Drop

How To Make A Sub Drop Kit

Online Aftercare

sub/Dom Space, sub/Dom Drop and Aftercare

Subdrop and Aftercare

Subspace and Aftercare

Consent

Consent & BDSM

Guide to Consent

Doms, Daddies & Masters

7 Fundamental Characteristics of A Daddy Dom

12 Characteristics Of An Ideal Submissive

25 Things Daddies Should Do For Their Littles

30 Rules For A Modern Gentleman

45 Things A Girl Wants, But Won’t Ask For

50 Rules for Daddies

100 Sweet Things You Can Do For Your Princess

101 Things To Do To Make Your Slave Feel Owned (loved)

Alternative Names For “Daddy”

Alternative Domme Titles

Aspects Of Control

Asserting Ownership - Rules

Daddy Up!

Defining A Daddy Dom

Dominants Need Training Also

Fun Tasks Daddies Can Give Their Littles

Help For New Doms

How (and Why) To Go Down On Your Submissive

How To Be A Good Dominant

How to Find a Submissive

Knowing when to be a Dom and when to be her Man

New to DDLG - A Daddy Dom

Observations On Doms By A Submissive

So you want to be a Dom?

So Your Girlfriend Wants You To Dominate her

Some Little Rules All Daddies Should Know

The Dom Commandments

Things for Daddies to Keep in Mind

What Being A Dom Is About - A Submissive’s Perspective

What does the title Daddy mean?

What is a Daddy Dom?

What is a Daddy Dom Mentor?

What It Means To Be A Dominant

What Makes A Good Dominant

Littles, Subs & Slaves

6 Questions Every Submissive Needs To Ask Her Potential Dominant

7 Common Types of Submissives

10 Tips For Living With A Sadist

10 Things A Dominant Needs From A Submissive

11 Red Flags Of An Abusive Dominant

26 Baby Girl Jobs

50 Things You Can Do For Your Daddy

A Bottom’s Responsibility

A Dominant’s Advice To His Submissive

A Man Who Knows You…

A Good Dom vs. A Bad Dom

Acid Test For Subs

Ask A Million And One Questions

Attraction to DD/lg: A Little’s Perspective

Baby girl or little? A brief introduction

Care and feeding of Daddies

Characteristics Of A Good Daddy

Coaxing The Daddy Dom Out Of Your Partner

Feminist Submissive

Finding Your Dominant

Good Rules For Middles and Littles To Live By

Guide For Young Newbie Sub Girls

How a Dom Behaves Shows How He Will Behave Towards You.

“How do I find Daddy?” A guide to help you safely find the Daddy you’re looking for.

How Does A Submissive Ask for Something from Their Dominant?

How To Find A Dom

How to Take Proper Care of Your Dom

I Solemnly Swear I Will Not Do This To Daddy

Novice Submissives

Physical abuse of littles - it is never OK

Signs Of A Fake ‘Dominant’

Stuff no one tells you about submission, until the spreader bar is on and you are trapped.

Submissives, Learning to Trust Your Instincts

Submissive Pride

Submissive Traits - Intelligence

Things My Dream Daddy Would Say To Me

What is a Little?

When newbie subs, with asinine “doms,” need to run away.

Why I call him Daddy

Your Rights As A Submissive

Long Distance Relationships

10 Ways To Survive A Long Distance Relationship

Getting The Most Out Of A Long Distance Relationship

How To Make Long Distance Relationships Work

Long Distance Relationships - Tools To Cope

Long Distance Relationships (LDR) Contemplation: Sticking with plans

The Long Distance D/s Relationship

Mental Health

BDSM practitioners ‘healthier and less neurotic’ than ‘vanilla’ peers

Body image & BDSM

How to Get Over Feeling Sad

Is BDSM normal?

Love your Vulva – a self-esteem guide to your sensitive bits!

Managing bipolar disorder in a D/S relationship

Meditation And Mindfulness

On Cutting

Steps For Letting Go of Painful Memories

Things to Do When You’re Anxious, Scared, or Just Need a Distraction

Tips for Recovering from Codependency

What Are Anxiety Disorders? (Infographic)

Why Do I Feel Unloveable?

Relationships

10 Habits of Happy Couples

10 Top Communication Mistakes

10 Types of Emotional Manipulators

12 Relationship Truths We Often Forget

50 Best Ways To Say “I Love You”

BDSM Breakups: All Good Things Must Come to an End

BDSM: Control Goes Both Ways

Collars and Collaring - A Personal Perspective

Communication Is Key

Concept Daddy Dom/Little Girl Relationships

Daddy Doms and their little girls

Daddy Doms, Baby Girls, Little Boys And More

Date Night In A Jar

DD/lg In Public

D/s and Domestication

Factors That Make A Relationship

Finding Love When You Least Expect It

Finding Others with Common (Adult) Interests

How To Be Present In Your Relationships

How To Build A Healthy Relationship

How To Get What You Want In A Relationship

How To Know When You’ve Found “The One”

How To Take Your Relationship To The Next Level

Importance Of Confidence In RelationshipsImportance Of Trust In A Relationship

Key Ingredients of a Happy and Healthy Relationship

Needy Girls Are Daddy Dom Bait

Relationship Advice To Follow, And What To Ignore

Searching for a D/s partner?

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies In Relationships

Stop Arguments Before They Start

The Rewards of a Submissive

Types Of Relationship Insecurity

Well-Balanced Power Exchange Relationship

What Is Real Love?

When He Doesn’t Call

Why Love Makes A Night Of Kink Even Better

Safety

Another life ruined because of the morality police

Bondage Basic Safety: Crops, Paddles & Bondage!

Kinks, Risks, How To And Why Sometimes You Shouldn’t

Limits in BDSM

What is Emotional Abuse?

Self Improvement

10 Tips for Creating a Happier Life

10 Steps To Self Care

10 Ways To Be Happy

10 Truths To Live By

Guaranteed Ways To Be More Attractive

How to be Yourself

How To Deal With Your Enemies

How To Ignore Haters

How to Recognize a Toxic Friend

How to Stop Being a People Pleaser

Slut Shaming Explained

Tips for Healing a Broken Heart

What are the Signs of a Jealous Friend?

Sex

50 Cunnilingus Tips from Women

Basics of Breath Play

D/s or Kinky Sex?

Fetishes Explained

How To Make A Girl Squirt

How To Tell Your Son About Sex

Intersection of BDSM and Queer Heterosexuality

Sensual Biting

Sex: Myths & Stereotypes

Sex: Practical Details

Sex: Pregnancy and Birth Control

So You Want To Try Anal? A Practical Guide For Women

Squirting Educational Video

Squirting Notes

Toys

Advice on Dildos and Buttplugs

BDSM on a budget

Bondage Rope: How To Choose Yours (And More)

Training

10 Considerations for Inexperienced Subs

30 Things You Can Do For Your Human Kitten

40 Very Important DD/lg Facts

Age Play: A Short Guide

BDSM for Beginners: Safe and Affordable Play

DEFINED: SSC (Safe, Sane & Consensual) & RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink)

Etiquette in BDSM Part 1

Etiquette in BDSM Part 2

Exploring the D/s Lifestyle: Part 1 - Beginnings

Exploring the D/s Lifestyle: Part 2 - The Dominant Mind

Glossary of BDSM Terms

Guide To Blood Play

Guide To Bruising

Guide To Talking Dirty

Guide To Wax Play

How Do I Get Started In BDSM?

How to Make a Blanket Fort/Cuddle Nest

How To Make A Comfort Box

Introduction To BDSM

Newbie’s Guide To Vaginal Fisting

Punishments in BDSM Relationships

Red Flags For Online BDSM Relationships

Some Thoughts On Rules

The Leash Has Two Ends - Responsibility

The Need For Rules and Discipline

Topping from the bottom

[celestialmoodreader]

when e.e. cummings said “i’ll live my life if it kills me”

[celestialmoodreader]

hi trans people in my phone. The life expectancy of trans people is not 35. That is the average age of Brazilian transmisogyny affected murder victims, taken from crime data from the early 2010s. Brazilian trans women also usually live longer than 35 years; this data comes solely from the subset of trans women who are murdered, and does not account for the majority of Brazilian trans women. Murder victim age averages are not a good proxy for overall life expectancy even of the same demographic group. Take a deep breath. You have a future. Start planning for it.

[celestialmoodreader]

kitties on the bed

[celestialmoodreader]

I don't know why people don't seem aware of this, but going out of your way to step in and say "this does not apply to me because I am not part of this conversation :)" does not contribute to the conversation. If you're aware that you have nothing to do with this subject, you are allowed to just skip it. It's always morally correct to not step into something that doesn't involve you just to announce that it doesn't involve you.

"I don't need this advice for how to avoid contaminated meat because I'm vegan :)" that's nice dear. This information has nothing to do with what we were talking about and brings nothing of value to the conversation.

"I don't need this advice for how to stay safe in these spaces because I don't go to those places :)" that's nice dear. This information has nothing to do with what we were talking about and brings nothing of value to the conversation.

"I don't need to pay attention to these culturally gendered red flags because I don't date that gender :)" that's nice dear. This information has nothing to do with what we were talking about and brings nothing of value to the conversation.

"I already avoided this fun but risky activity because I didn't like doing it in the first place :)" that's nice dear. This information has nothing to do with what we were talking about and brings nothing of value to the conversation.

You don't need to announce that some situation, post, or piece of advice doesn't apply to you. Your perspective on such matters is not valuable.