stardustandrockets

[stardustandrockets]

Do you like books that mix genres? Drop your favorites!

Gus and January were the first Emily Henry couple I met. I absolutely fell in love with grumpy Gus because, let's be real, he reminds me of so many other characters that I've also fallen in love with (Nick Miller, anyone?) I couldn't put this book down. It read so much differently than any other romance book I had read and have read since. It reads like both speculative fiction AND romance. Something I really enjoyed and absolutely makes sense with the plot of the book (Gus and January swap writing genres). It's by far my favorite of Hanry's books and I don't know if anything will ever top it.

Side note: I learned from a tiktok years ago that the UK edition has a ln alternate (and far more satisfying) ending. So I found said ending, wrote it out, and tucked it into the last chapter of the book. Why does the UK version have a different ending? I have no idea.

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What's your favorite rep to see in books?

Here are a few of my favorite books that feature asexual and/or aromantic leads. For the longest time I never saw characters that were like me in books. I feel like a lot of y'all can probably relate to that in some way. With it being "the month of love" I wanted to showcase characters that don't fit the traditional (read: heteronormative) mold of romance/love.

I included six characters that made me feel seen in one way or another.

1. Charlie Winshaw (The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun)

2. Clementine Hughes (How to Sell Your Blood and Fall in Love by D.N. Bryn)

3. Tori Spring (Solitaire by Alice Oseman)

4. Wren Roland (Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky)

5. Syd (The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. Capetta)

6. Georgia Warr (Loveless by Alice Oseman)

You don't have to fit what society says you should when it comes to relationships and romance. You don't want a partner? Great! You want three partners? Also great! No interest in anything but friendship? Wonderful! There's no right or wrong answer here and I hope you find representation in the books you read. Even if it takes a little searching to do so. You deserve it. 🖤

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Let's talk childhood favorite couples!

Howl and Sophie have been one of my favorites since probably 5th grade when I saw the Ghibli movie for the first time. For years I didn't know it was a book, much less a book by one of my favorite childhood authors. 🙈

If you've only seen the movie, please please PLEASE read the book! It brings so much more depth that you don't get in the movie. Like how Howl is a chaotic Welshman using magic to avoid paying taxes. And the dynamic between him and Sophie is so much more nuanced than the movie shows. I love how their relationship blossoms over the course of the book.

(print by @winklebeebee)

What's a childhood favorite of yours? From a book, movie, or tv show.

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What's one of your favorite books with a romance subplot?

I am definitely here for the romance books, but sometimes I want my romance as a subplot and not the full plot. Diversity, y'know?

young adult recs:

1. A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

2. A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft (falls more under romantasy, but it's not the whole plot)

3. Don't Let the Forest In by CG Drews

4. The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew

5. Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew

6. I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew

(Seriously. If Kelly Andrew writes it, I'll read it. And her couples? To. Die. For. Please read her books!)

adult recs:

1. Even Though I Knew The End by C.L. Polk

2. Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

3. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (I'm definitely talking Rhy and Alucard. NOT Kel and Lila.)

4. Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly

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Hello to the people coming over from other platforms!

This is my personal tumblr, but I do have @stardustandrockets for my book stuff. It's dreadfully behind on archival posts, but I'll get it up and running again in the event I ditch all meta products. I'll be sad to leave insta as my account over there has been running for 7 years now, but it's maybe time.

I'm happy to have y'all here!

Here's a link to all my other socials and junk: find me here!

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What's the last book you picked up from the library on a whim?

Every time I go to the library for physical books, I always make sure to check what's new in the manga and comics section. I usually find stuff that's never been on my radar. Which was the case for A Cat From Our World and the Forgotten Witch.

I'll admit once I found out what caused the cat to be sucked into the fantasy world I got really sad. The flashbacks are also kind of sad, but I think it's meant to be a happy story? Idk. Cat stories are always hit and miss on what's going to be sad. Especially for me when cat content makes me cry more often than not. But I enjoyed these two volumes and look forward to reading more of them.

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It's my 12 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

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What do you look for in a special edition book?

I'm not too picky if it's a favorite book, but alternate covers, pretty end pages, and pretty edges (plain or a design) are my main asks. Here is a stack of pretty edges from @rainbowcrate! They've really been knocking these books out of the park!

These aren't all the special editions I have from them, just my absolute favorite edges. (Though they're all pretty and worth showcasing, tbh.)

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January Reading Wrap-Up

Despite working every weekday that wasn't a national holiday or had school cancelled due to weather, I had a really good reading month. I don't think I'll have another one like it until school lets out. 🥴 I'm always so exhausted when I get home.

I ended 2023 with a Heartstopper novella and it prompted a reread of the comics. Then a few of my audio holds came in. I think my favorite is a tie between Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler and A Power Unbound by Freya Marske. Both were incredibly good in different ways. I may eventually post reviews of both of them, but we shall see.

Books read:

1. This Winter by Alice Oseman

2. If You'll Have Me by Eunnie

3-7. Heartstopper vol 1-5 by Alice Oseman

8. Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler

9. The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

10. My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy

11. The Gentleman's Gambit by Evie Dunmore

12. A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

Did you have a favorite read this month?

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Who is your favorite anti-hero?

I’m not 100% sure you can call him an anti-hero, but Damien is one of my favorite misunderstood characters. He wants so badly to belong, but his power of suggestion leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to doing the right thing. I don’t want to spoil anything, but after reading A Neon Darkness by @laurenshippen I totally understand where Damien is coming from in the Bright Sessions podcast and why he does the things that he does. My heart really goes out to him and I’m so glad Lauren gave us a little more of his story.

If you’re into fiction podcasts and audio dramas at all, I highly recommend giving @thebrightsessions a go. It’s basically like what would happen if the X-Men were in therapy dealing with their trauma instead of saving the world? It’s so good! If you’re not into podcasts, there are three books set in the world: The Infinite Noise (follows Caleb and Adam), A Neon Darkness (follows Damien), and Some Far Away Place (follows Rose). All three books (and the podcast) are incredibly queer and so so SO GOOD! The books are all technically stand-alone and supplemental to the podcast. Except for The Infinite Noise—it’s basically the first season from Caleb and Adam’s perspective. So if you do read it, and you like it, definitely give the podcast a chance.

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What's something you collect that's not necessarily bookish?

I have supported @deandraws for years now and am constantly blown away by his creativity! Most of my pin collection is stuff from his various kickstarters and I wouldn't have it any other way! These particular goodies came from his Heroic Rides campaign last year.

Photo 1: Dean's business card with Supernatural art

Photo 2: Dean Winchester and Baby pin

Photo 3: Dean and Baby sticker

Photo 4: Dean Winchester print

Photo 5: Bucky Barnes and motorcycle pin

Photo 6: Bucky and motorcycle sticker

Photo 7: Hunter and Flapjack pin (The Owl House)

Photo 8: Hunter and Flapjack sticker

Photo 9: Poe Dameron and X-Wing (Star Wars)

Photo 10: Haku mini pin (Spirited Away)

These are all available now!

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Happy early pub day to My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy! You can get this one out in the wild tomorrow!

Thank you so much to Brian for having me on his street team for the My Fair Brady launch! It's such a quintessential teen rom-com featuring high school theater! It's honestly everything I love about high school rom-com movies.

It's got theater kids, finding yourself, and falling in love! It's got makeover moments better than 90s movies, accepting yourself fully and being seen for your whole self, overcoming self-doubt, and putting yourself out there. Elijah and Wade are messy high schoolers in the best way possible, and despite me being almost 30, they gave me all the happy feelings. You can't help but root for them!!

Please read this book and get it in the hands of teens in your life! Especially if they're in theater themselves. Even if they're not, please share this book!

Today is the last day to pre-order!

(Side note: I may not have had cinnamon rolls, but cinnamon roll toaster strudels were the next best thing. 😂)

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Do you prefer character driven books, plot driven books, or a mix of both?

I read A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee back in October. It had been on my anticipated reads list since it was announced, and I was so lucky to win a signed finished copy from the author. This was a heavy book for more reasons than one, but such a good read!

I'd say it's more character driven than plot driven, though I don't think the story would have worked any other way.

Also, if you've read this, you'll know why I included the X-Men movies in the background (and no, Deadpool is not in Apocalypse. I bought it during the marketing period for Deadpool 2 because the slipcase was cooler than the original.) I also don't have Sanpellegrino or La Croix (ew), so Waterloo it is.

Content warnings:

drug abuse, alcoholism, recovery, religious trauma, death by overdose, death of a parent, sexual content, transphobia

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What's a release you're looking forward to for the first half of the year?

There's more to the list than these ten books, but I tried to cut it down to my absolute must-haves.

Most anticipated of January-June:

• A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft (Jan 2)

• Don't Want You Like A Best Friend by Emma R. Alban (Jan 9)

• My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy (Jan 23)

• The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky (Jan 23)

• ASAP by Axie Oh (Feb 6)

• Truthfully Yours by Caden Armstrong (Feb 6)

• Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew (Apr 2)

• Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun (Apr 2)

• A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston (June 25)

• Starfire by Kami Garcia & Gabriel Picolo (July 3)

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What did you start the year out reading?

I ended 2023 with a Heartstopper novella, which prompted a full Heartstopper reread at the beginning of 2024. I love this series so much!

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Happy 2024! 🎉

Easing my way back into posting with some stats and junk from 2023. Overall, I think I had a really good reading year. I almost completed the #ReadQueerly2023 challenge and was one book away from finishing the A to Z book challenge. A big goal for 2024 is to complete both challenges.

What's a reading goal you've set for yourself this year?

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Happy New Year's Eve!

Today is not only the last day of 2023 but also the last day of the @rainbowcrate November box challenge. The last item is this stunning bookmark tin.

The tin is inspired by The Unbroken by C.L. Clarke and designed by @/icanletter (insta). It has a removable tray for bookmarks making two different compartments, or you can take the tray out for more storage. I've been a bookmark collector since elementary school. We may not have always been able to afford books at the Scholastic book fair, but we could always get a bookmark or two.

If you're celebrating tonight, do so responsibly. 🍾🎆