#based on what's available on Libby

[cervidsunrise]

Whenever I start a new book I can never tell if I don't like it because I actually don't like it or because it's not a continuation of the last book I was listening to

[certifiedlibraryposts]

i just got my library card renewed after a very long time - do you know what all i can do with it other than taking out books? because i know there's more things but i feel like it's a silly question to ask

Not at all, and welcome back to the library life! Your millage may vary based on which of these services your library has available, but here's a few things I know of off the top of my head that are pretty common:

The library might have CDs, movies, and even newspapers you can borrow as well

Libby, an app that uses your library card to borrow and download ebooks and audiobooks to enjoy on your mobile device or e-reader

Kanopy, a streaming service for TV shows and movies

Hoopla, which has a whole bunch of stuff like shows & movies, comics, and magazines

Your library might have a makerspace that gives you access to things like 3D printers, button makers, computers with a bunch of Adobe software, ect

Sometimes they host book clubs or other fun community events!

my "#library guides" tag also has a number of posts about services like these if you'd like some more info. Your library's website should also list what services they offer, and/or you could ask a librarian there. Have fun!

[atopvisenyashill]

alright here is my rec list for everything george rr martin:

(link will be in reblog). in it you will find:

the list of all the asoiaf books and related supplemental books and graphic novels (just to like, cover all my bases here)

books and authors across all genres that george has name dropped as having an influence on the series, from historical books written in the late 1800s about random scottish castles to the beginnings of the sword-and-sorcery genre written in serials in magazines.

books about the history he's taken inspiration from besides the ones he's name dropped - basically i found non fiction books that seemed well reviewed on an academic level but also sounded like narrative non fiction bc i can’t do anything too dry or technical. however,,,, i included notes in this section on what part of the story is inspired by each book. i kept it to the stuff that he’s name dropped - like dorne being a mash up of wales, moorish spain, and palestine, or hadrian’s wall or the anarchy - so if you think something sounds interesting but the book i picked was ass, basically every subject had a bunch of books on it!

(caveat i mean, i picked stuff that was readily available to me through my library system as someone in the greater chicagoland area lol so ymmv as to whether there's a lot of info available to you. if you want to know about how to use libby, hoopla, or kanopy tho, hit me up!!)

books i think it's very likely he took inspiration - this is the smallest section, i’m not about to project onto this man, its at the very bottom of the sheet & it’s just like, lolita, some fairy tale stuff, and other books george has written, so it’s also about further understanding his ~style~ + i am simply interested in these titles.

if anything is kind of unclear or if you noticed i missed something george has said, feel free to let me know!

[queerliblib]

Are y'all currently able to provide any information on how resources will be accessed when your initial collection is complete and available? Specifically I'm wondering if it'll be possible to access the resources through the Libby app and send the borrowed files to a Kindle, which is normally how I borrow library books. Love what you're doing with this project, and I'm super excited! Congrats on full funding!

Hello! Thank you & yes! Nail on the head. We’ve already had meetings with Overdrive about our library and the collection. Basically, come our launch in October, you’ll be able to visit our website to sign up for a digital library card which you’ll be able to use to access our collection through Libby. You’ll then be able to read or listen across devices, send to a Kindle, or download to read offline etc.. any of the ways you usually use Libby but just with our 100% queer collection 🏳️‍🌈📚🏳️‍⚧️

(or 108% queer based on our current fundraiser stats!!)

[authorsadiethatcher]

It's time for another State of the Thatcher Address. I tried writing this earlier, but I just ran out of time. But now you get it here, with my latest updates on what's happening in the Thatcherverse.

Last month I talked about being behind on my writing. The good news is I've caught up. And I've got a lot of fun stuff planned for you, which I'll mention specifically below.

This month I need to lead off with the fact I have books up for several awards and you can help me win. The 2023 Golden Pigtails is a series of erotica awards hosted by Alexa Sommers. The categories aren't necessarily great fits for my books, but this is my first time being involved. Check out the awards and you can vote for your favorites. This is the semifinals. Voting in this round goes through February 14.

2023 Golden Pigtails: https://alexasommers.com/the-golden-pigtails-2023-semifinals/

A quick reminder that you can find my books on Amazon, Smashwords, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Everand. You can also read everything I've published under my Sadie Thatcher name since last May on Ream, which is a subscription platform built specifically for authors. You can check out my Ream page below.

Ream: https://reamstories.com/sadiethatcher

And speaking of Ream, I have a Ream exclusive novel called The Muse (extreme dollification) that is approaching completion. I've set new chapters to release twice per week (Tuesdays and Fridays). When not writing new stories, I'm spending my time writing The Muse.

However, as soon as I finish The Muse, I will redirect that free time toward my other pen name, Libby Feron. As Libby, I write modern fantasy romance. I'll have a free novella available to prepare for a new trilogy that I hope to publish this year. The trilogy will be focused on a previously introduced character as she heads off to a college for magical people. I don't talk about my fantasy writing often, so checking out https://libbyferon.com/ and signing up for the email newsletter is the best way to stay informed. And that free novella will be exclusive to newsletter subscribers, so you'll want to sign up for that.

Now to focus on this month's upcoming books. In addition to the ending of The Muse, I will be finishing the Protest Babes Series. At the time of this address, the third book hasn't been published yet, but it will be called Vexing the Vixen. I've also just started an auction themed series, understandably titles the Bimbo Auction Series with Ring in the Bimbo. A ring plays an important role. A pair of panties and a hairbrush will be important in the other books in the series.

Some of the other upcoming books I've got in the pipeline for this month is a series based on a future glimpse that will lead women toward bimbodom. And then the one I'm really excited for, which won't see the light until the very end of the month is a series inspired by the time loop in the movie Groundhog Day. I considered moving it up to coincide with the holiday, but I decided against it, because other than the time loop inspiration, the movie and the series will have little in common.

So that's what you can expect in February. It's a packed month, especially because there are only 29 days (yay leap year). My favorite part is how sunset occurs later every day. That's true in January, too, but it's less noticeable.

Have a sexy and bimbo-filled February!

[khadgarfield]

This year I set myself a goal to complete FIFTY books, and keep a record of what I read including what I thought about/learned from each book in terms of writing techniques, story structure, or just wrt developing a better idea of my own writing goals and tastes. I demolished this goal before June, which I am extremely pleased about, and I am still in the process of demolishing this goal, having completed another three books since I last updated this list a week or two ago!

The aim of this exercise was the following:

Re-establish reading habit, and improve attention span.

Re-Learn how to write down my thoughts about books, even if they are uncritical observations, opinions, or ideas inspired by what I'm reading.

Cover as much ground as possible as fast as possible, over a wide range of topics and genres (audiobooks and written books both count!)

Book quality was not a factor I considered when picking what to read - if it fell into my lap I read it and wrote down my thoughts, and let me tell you I definitely read some sub-par books in 2023. I read some really great ones too! But when one is not picky you kinda get what you get, and I think next year I might be a bit more discerning/tactical in my approach. I also did NOT go to tik tok for book recs because I don't believe in tik tok the same way some people don't believe in the spherical earth. I picked books based on word of mouth, recommendations spoon fed to me by via the audible algorithm (still evil, but the devil one knows and all that), and via on-the-ground perusal of book shops and stacks and the 'recently returned' feed on the libby app. Despite this, I know some booktok faves managed to find their way onto my list. I am working very hard not to acknowledge this, please don't draw undue attention to it 😂

Speaking of libby, my hold list also grew astronomically this year. My poor local library is limited, and I have been waiting for a few books I really want for MONTHS (riyria revelations v1, the colour of magic, the king in yellow...). I was able to borrow as many cosy murder mysteries as I wanted, though, because small town libraries seem to have 10000000 of those available per patron per anum. Unfortunately, I have discovered I am neutral at best about this genre. 😔

The best books I read this year across all genres and in no particular order were as follows:

The southern book clubs guide to slaying vampires - Grady Hendrix: this appealed deeply to my love of and familiarity with horror movies of the 80s-2010s. It had an innovative and articulate approach to themes like powerlessness, rage, desperation, boredom, inequity, and guilt - at least compared to everything else i read this year. I noted paralells between this and Ira levins stepford wives, much of Stephen kings horrific americana, plus some other books and movies which I alluded to in my notes but for some reason I didn't write down (foolish 😓). Some big TWs would apply for this one, however.

The day of the triffids - John Wyndham: genuinely I do not know how I enjoyed this so much. I had no business enjoying this so much. Despite being from 1951, parts of this felt very contemporary in style and concept, tho sometimes dubious ideas about humanity or society would appear in the text as if they were a natural fact. Nevertheless, I went out and read another Wyndham book straight after, because there was also some beautiful prose in this, and it's always interesting to personally experience the origin of so many tropes which are like. Ubiquitous now.

Uglies series - Scott Westerfield: another unexpected winner. I never read these books as a teen and I consider that a good thing because they would have made my little adolescent brain crazy. These books are crammed with paraphernalia which would have been the coolest shit to a 13 year old me, all masterfully concealing themes about beauty and social hierarchy and state surveillance in a way that seems exponentially more relevant now than it did nearly 20 years ago. I was so impressed with these books honestly, and the way this author used language was something else. I didn't even notice what was going on until it was pointed out by the story, having simply resigned myself to reading an averagely written book full of weird dialect quirks just because it was pitched at a teen reader. I was way wrong, and ive never seen such an elegant example of style justified by the narrative itself. I really wish I could do something that skillfull in my own work!

Braiding sweetgrass - Robin wall Kimmerer: gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. a sensory joy. Seriously beautiful, and surprisingly emotionally intense. I had to read this in short bursts because it made me feel too much about trees.

Boy Parts - Eliza Clark: this one made me feel things I haven't figured out yet. Unlike everything else ive ever read, I could have believed that I wrote this, and that recognition of the self was horrifying because there wasn't a moment in the story i didnt struggle to reconcile revulsion with the exquisite beauty of it all. Easily the scariest book of the year, Easily the one i have thought about the most, Easily the biggest TW of my 2023 recommendations. I'm gonna be defining my own work against this for at least the next six months, or until I have matched it in calibre/distanced myself from it so completely that I am forced to recreate myself and my art anew.

In 2024, I plan to narrow my scope more and focus back on horror, fantasy, and non-fiction. Based on how good I was in 23, I'm going to aim for 65 books in 2024!!!

[amies-books]

SEVEN bookish apps all readers need

Picture this: You, curled up with a cup of coffee (or tea) and a well-loved paperback. Now, imagine enhancing that experience with the wonders of technology. In this blog post, we'll explore the modern side of reading – the best bookish apps that seamlessly blend with your reading habits. So, whether you're a digital explorer or a paperback purist, join me on this journey to discover apps that add a new chapter to your reading adventures. ☕📱📚

My top favorite app is GoodReads. GoodReads not only helps you track your progress and share reviews but also lets you connect with readers all around the world. You can join groups, comment on each other’s updates and reviews, and even “friend” readers that you want to keep in touch with. GoodReads also has a shelves feature which can be used for organizing your books. 

Price: free 

Two apps that I always recommend to readers are Libby and Hoopla. Both have a similar structure where they connect to your local library and allow you to read books for free from the comfort of your home. Libby allows you to have multiple library cards whereas Hoopla only allows one. While they both connect to your library, in my personal experience, the variety of books are completely different. Libby has more “mainstream” books where Hoopla has not as popular books. Libby’s limit depends on your specific library and Hooplas limit is a monthly amount. 

Price: Free 

Another app I love is Everand (previously Scribd). Once I started listening to audiobooks, I started searching for a cost effective way to listen to audiobooks. That’s when I found Everand. Everand is a monthly subscription that gives you unlimited access to an entire library of ebooks and audiobooks. I use this app for 90% of my reads that I don’t physically own. They have a lists feature that helps you organize your tbr and will recommend you new titles based on what you’ve already read or saved. 

Price $11/ month 

I believe all readers should have the kindle app on all their devices. The kindle app gives you access to tons of ebooks all on one device. You can use your amazon prime membership to access “Prime Reads”, amazons library of 1,000’s of books that are free to prime members and you can also sign up for Kindle Unlimited (or KU). KU gives you access to 100,000’s of books and new releases for a set price each month. (US is currently 11.99) additionally, some of the KU books come with free narration! 

Price $12/ month 

This leads me into the next app I love, Audible! Audible is a subscription based audio book app. The base plan gives you 1 credit each month that you can use on any book available in Audibles library. Audible also has a “membership library” which is full of audiobooks you can listen to without using a credit (as long as you have an active subscription). Audible can pair with your kindle so you can use your audiobook to follow along with the ebook and it can even pair with Alexa so you can listen to audiobooks on your Alexa devices too! 

Price $16/month 

Lastly is my most used app, Instagram. I have an Instagram account solely for posting about books. I use this account to connect with other book lovers, authors, and publishers. Having a Book Instagram account (or Bookstagram) has helped turn my love for reading into being apart of a community. I’ve made so many friends and been give so many amazing opportunities from having a bookstagram. 

Price free 

[queerauntie]

An Alice Oseman Celebration

They're iconic, they're exponentially blowing up, and they have an adorable tv show based on their comic book series, people of tumblr we gotta talk about Alice Oseman!

Alice Oseman is an impeccable writer and a beautiful artist. I have followed Alice as an author for some years now, my best friend had me read Radio Silence years ago, maybe 2016, so I have always known about Oseman's works and supported them from a distance. Now that books are calling my name, it only felt right to finally read their collection!

A major reason why I got through so many books in October was that I had accepted a full-time job with a huge commute. So at 2x speed. I was getting through hours of stories a day. Another reason why I read so much was because of the level of stress this job provided, my brain was desperate for distraction and to focus on anything other than what I was facing. Oseman was truly a safe space to get away from all of those stressors and root for these adorable protagonists.

So as I mentioned, I had read Radio Silence years ago, but because of ADHD memory, I couldn't remember any of it. So jumping in was like deja vu but without any of the spoilers, it was awesome! I fell in love with Frances all over again, the friendship between her and Aled was so magical. Finding your bestie just when you need them is such a gift. We don't see enough romances like this, falling in love with your bestie and being able to experience that intimacy free of judgment and cishet norms. Radio Silence really was that book. I love my nerd babies!!

This Winter was so precious, Nick and Charlie are angels and I knew them well at this point. I haven't included Heartstopper on my books read mostly because I can't remember when I read it, but also because I did see the show before I read the comic. But when I saw this in Libby and available now instead of a huge hold, I was so excited for a whole novel on Nick and Charlie! Well, that's what I get for not checking the length because I was not prepared for a short story. I started it on the way home and the timing couldn't have been funnier, the audible credits started going as soon as I pulled into the driveway. I thought surely it was an error that skipped forward but nope, it was a teasing little taste and that is all. It was very adorable though, and I love how Nick and Charlie get to be spread out throughout Oseman's works.

Loveless!!! I don't know how one picks a favorite Oseman book, but Loveless might win for mine. It's a beautiful story of a young woman off at university, who begins to struggle with the idea of relationships and the definition of "Love". Like many people who've attended college or uni, her story is one we can all relate to. Being in a new environment where even the familiar feel strange, and being forced to navigate a million new variables all at once. It's a scary time and Alice Oseman does a great job sharing those emotions through their characters and their respective journeys. This book helped me figure out some things about myself even, looking back on it now. Anyone looking to feel a little less lost in the chaos of the world, I recommend this book!

Solitaire! Oh, how it gave me muscle aches in my eyebrows from all my concern for Tori. It was kind of perfect, reading this book as a late twenty-something, a decade away from my teenage experience. I was able to read the story from a true third party and not feel caught up in Tori's spirals, but have empathy and hold space for that part of me that felt just as helpless, just as unlovable, just as stupid. The story is really fun, there's a big mystery and a really kind boy who simply won't let her push him away. Persistent love is exactly what Tori needs in her life, and this story is her journey to figuring out that she deserves it. I really enjoyed this book, but mostly, I just really really love Tori Spring.

The timing of when I read these books in October could not have been better because "I Was Born For This" came out in the US right at the end of October! This was not a book I could wait for through the library either, so luckily I still had credits from an earlier audible subscription I forgot to cancel! The day it came out was the day I started it and it only took a couple days to finish, it was amazing. At it's core, it's a perfect Oseman book. The characters are beautifully thought out, the conflict is masterfully constructed, and the stakes are just perfectly measured. I absolutely loved this story and I can't imagine a more relevant story for the times. With parasocial relationships on the rise, a story like this is really important for young people and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a taught text someday. I would certainly recommend it to any young person I know!

That wraps up my Alice Oseman appreciation post! I know I didn't mention a couple books, but that's because I haven't read them yet! So if you're a fan of "Heartstoppers" or "Nick and Charlie" keep an eye out because I'll definitely be getting back around to them this year!

[kleptonancydrew]

Things realised/remembered while rereading The Clue in the Crossword Cipher yesterday: 

- The books are ridiculously short - Libby said I read it in about 40 minutes 

- Air travel used to be cheaper and more dangerous 

- Nancy’s idea of safety is damaged 

- Nancy’s privilege is extreme 

- Nancy just trusts people, she’s way too midwestern, where is her urban sense of general distrust 

- The level of unreal coincidences in the games do not compare to this book - has a book by someone who could identify wood types is strange, being someone who just knows experts (who happen to speak English in Peru) off the top of their head without being in the field is stranger

- I don’t know much about Peru, but I do know that I would not be just talking about potential treasure with any member of their government knowing that there were frequent regime changes 

- Who the fuck would let random people mess with national landmarks based off of a hunch 

- The violence that is depicted in the book shouldn’t peter out as it does, just talking the culprit (a drug smuggler who organised a plane failure that could have killed Nancy and the others) down works 

- Let Bess eat OMG 

- This was a great reminder that international calling being widely available to the masses for free (through internet) is something that I didn’t even have the first time I lived abroad

- Nancy literally sat down with someone with someone speaking Quechua (which she does not speak) and just wrote down the sounds of what this person was saying thinking she could have someone else translate them 

- The casual denigration of Indigenous Peruvians 

Maybe I need to turn up my suspension of disbelief. 

[disneymbti]

Piper Adora and Libby from Star Darlings?

Hi there sweetie, I really hope you like this a lot!

Piper's MBTI Type, Big Three and Enneagram Type

MBTI Type: INFJ [The Advocate]

Introverted INFJs exhaust quickly around people and recharge by spending time by themselves.

They tend to overlook small details and instead focus on the entire perspective. They love to see how everything connects together.

Advocates prioritize their emotions. They tend to base decisions on what they feel is right rather than what might be logically sound, making them very empathetic.

They are also very structured and organized. INFJs like to plan ahead and follow processes and schedules.

Big Three: Pisces Sun, Pisces Moon and Pisces Rising

Pisces Sun: The planetary ruler for Pisces is Jupiter and Neptune, which gives Pisces Suns a sentimental, intuitive, imaginative, and dreamy nature. 

Pisces Moon: Pisces Moons are hyper-attuned to the needs and emotions of others. They're likely to predict what's on your mind before you even say it.

Pisces Rising: The Pisces ascendant commits fully to their beliefs, and has an active imagination.

Enneagram Type: 9w1 [The Negotiator]

Basic Fear: Nines with a one wing are afraid of being separated from the rest of the world and losing what matters to them.

Basic Desire: They desire peace, both internally and externally. Their type one wing encourages them to make their idealized and peaceful world a reality.

Negotiators defend themselves by participating heavily in routine to distract themselves and avoid negative emotions.

Adora's MBTI Type, Big Three and Enneagram Type

MBTI Type: INTP [The Logician]

INTPs prefer spending time alone so they can explore their rich inner world, and prolonged exposure to big groups of people can make them feel drained.

Their focus lies more on understanding the big picture than on noticing the tiny details. They want to know how things connect together, which gives them great intuition for solving complex problems.

As the most thinking-oriented of the types, they rely on logic rather than emotion as their main influence in decision making.

An INTP normally likes to keep their options open rather than locking themselves into a commitment. They’re flexible and spontaneous, which allows them to capitalize on opportunities that come available at the 11th hour.

Big Three: Aquarius Sun, Aquarius Moon and Aquarius Rising

Aquarius Sun: Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and Uranus, which makes them seek out unique ways to problem-solve and to approach life. They're known to be intellectual and innovative.

Aquarius Moon: Logic or emotion? Why not both. The Aquarius Moon integrates logic with sentimentality in order to attain a deep understanding of their inner lives.

Aquarius Rising: This rising sign can speak lucidly on a number of topics, using their lofty knowledge to charm crowds and solve problems alike.

Enneagram Type: 5w4 [The Philosopher]

Basic Fear: Type fives with a four wing are afraid of being helpless and incompetent. They tend to overcompensate for this by spending their time developing new knowledge and skills to feel useful and worthy.

Basic Desire: Their basic desire is to feel helpful and able. They express this by passionately pursuing knowledge and understanding of the world.

Philosophers tend to guard themselves by withdrawing from others, which may lead to loneliness.

[elenajohansenreads]

I have just spent two hours wrangling my TBR.

I know it's mostly a joke, but a few days ago there was an article on Apartment Therapy about what fall resolution you should make based on your sign. I'm not super into the zodiac, but they do that article style frequently and I often read them anyway because it's a list of twelve ideas for something, with the built-in expectation that doing all twelve isn't necessary--which is liberating to my ADHD brain.

As it happens, the suggestion for Gemini, my sign, was "Tackle your to-be-read list."

I've been out of my most recent reading slump for months now, though it's only been a few weeks that I've been caught up with reviews. Still, it's good to have goals, right? And I recently (finally) downloaded the Libby app, because I've been using Hoopla for ages but hadn't gotten around to Libby.

Now, I have a list of my TBR broken down into availability:

Books I own (separated into physical/digital as I always have)

Books I would need to get physically from my library (with *s on the ones I would have to order from other branches in the system)

Books I can get through Libby (separated into ebook/audio)

Books I can get through Hoopla (separated into ebook/audio)

There are a handful of titles on my master TBR that I do not currently have access to without buying them myself, but amazingly, it's very few. I have soooooo much to read before that becomes an issue that a) my library might get some of them by the time I want them, or b) I might lose interest by then/decide my interest isn't worth the purchase price.

I'm shifting my reading goals from reading down my owned TBR (as it's no longer 300+ books, it's down to 35) to utilizing my library as much as reasonably possible: all eight borrows from Hoopla every month, always having at least one on-hold book on Libby plus whatever I have time to borrow that's immediately available, and a physical-library cycle of "order one book, wait for it to come in, grab two other books off the shelf of my local branch when I'm there," and when I've read all three of those within their borrow period, order another book. (It takes anywhere from two to five days, usually, for the book orders to get in, and anywhere from one to four days for me to actually have time to get to the library, so I'm not shut out from reading books from other sources.)

Currently listening to: To Let, by John Galsworthy Currently reading: Trigger Warning, by Neil Gaiman

[clunelover]

I’m working through the list of best novels @the-brodie-set sent me. Slowly - just based on what’s available on audiobook in Libby. I have a million holds. So far I’ve done The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (great) and now I’m on The Postman Always Rings Twice. Holy crap it’s so good! And the audiobook is read by Stanley Tucci!! Really amps up the goodness. Also it’s super short - less than three hours. So anyway I definitely recommend that if you want a quick good audiobook.

[trevmex]

REVIVING 1990S DIGITAL DRESS-UP DOLLS WITH SMOOCH

Libby Horacek

POSITION DEVELOPMENT

@horrorcheck

What is the Kisekae Set System: It is a system to make digital dress up dolls!

Created in 1991 by MIO.H for use in a Japanese BBS. Pre-web!!! By separating the system from the assets of the dolls, you can make the systems much smaller

CEL image format. They have a transparent background and indexed colors like GIFs!

There is also the KCF Palette Format. Each GUF stores its own palette, with CELs there is a shared KCF palette file. Which is a file size cost savings. You do not have to repeat your color info per file.

Having your palette in another file makes palette swapping really easy! Just swap the KCF file!

CNF configuration files dictate layering, grouping, setting, and positions!

KiSS dolls have a lot of files, so they used LhA, the most popular compression format in Japan at the time.

In 1994, KLS (a user) created the KiSS General Specification

1995 FKiSS is born by Dov Sherman and Yav, which adds sounds, and animation!

FKiSS 2, 3, 4, two versions of FKiSS 5! So much innovation!

1995-2005 huge growth in KiSS! Increase of access, mainstreaming of anime, younger and more female audience.

2007-2012: KiSS declined due to it being much harder to make. All the old tutorials were written for older systems, English-speaking KiSS-making died out by 2010

The Sims, and other doll making was more accessible.

But, why KiSS? If I can make dolls in other places. They are great snapshots of the pre-internet world, and how play online evolved early on.

Lots of fun dolls were available, and it would be cool to save it.

Picrew is a modern thing people use to make dolls.

Tagi Academy is a tamagochi game within KiSS. Impressive!

KiSS has an open specification!!!! That is super cool! That means anyone can make your own viewer, as opposed to a closed system in The Sims.

So, why NOT make a KiSS interpreter?!!

Libby made Smooch, a KiSS renderer written in Haskell, which at the Recurse Center!

Smooch used a web framework called Fn (fnhaskell.com)

Had to make a CNF file parser using Parsec library that uses parsing combinators.

She created a data type that houses everything that can be in a CNF file, and parses it correctly in priority order.

Parsing is a great candidate for test-driven development. You can write a test with a bad CNF file, and then make sure your parser handles it.

The parser translates CNF lines into JSON. Uses the ASON library to translate into JSON.

First tried cel2pnm, coded with help from Mark Dominus at Recurse Center Made a C program that converted cels to portable bitmaps, which could be translated into PNGs.

Then JuicyPixels was created to translate palette files directly in Haskell

Now it is converted to JavaScript! No libraries, just JS!

Using PNGs in JS, thought, made it hard to click on parts of the clothing! Since it is squares.

So, you use ghost canvases! You use tow canvases, one on top of the other, to find the color of the pixel you clicked on, If you clicked on a scarf color, it will pick the scarf, and if you pick the sweater, you get the sweater!

Libby just added FKiSS 1 to Smooch! So we have animations now! The animations are basically event-based scripting the CEL files.

Smooch translates FKiSS to JSON, then the interpreter translates the JSON to JavaScript!

An action in FKiSS is translated into a function in JS. To do this you have to use bind in JS.

The events become CustomEvents in JS! So it looks like a regular event on the DOM.

What is the future of KiSS? Let's get more people making KiSS dolls!!! So why not make it easy to make dolls using PNGs.

How can we make people interested in building KiSS dolls and KiSS tooling.

Smooch need contributors!

Thank you, Libby, for the great talk!

[chattingwiththelightkeeper]

Submissive's Odyssey: Illuminating D/S Growth

Just as a steadfast lighthouse, stands tall against the turbulent waves, lighthouses in the lifestyle have witnessed countless souls venture into the vast expanse of the D/S lifestyle. For those submissive souls who embark on this journey with curiosity and the desire to grow, these lifestyle lights are here to illuminate the path ahead. The intent here is to serve as a guiding light, illuminating how a submissive, new to the lifestyle, can foster personal growth within this captivating realm of human connection and self-discovery.

To embark on the journey of a submissive, it is essential to cultivate self-awareness. Engage in deep introspection, exploring your desires, boundaries, and aspirations. Ask yourself what draws you to D/S and what specific aspects of submission resonate with you. Understand that submission is a deeply personal journey, and by knowing yourself intimately, you can better communicate your needs and expectations.

Education is the foundation upon which growth is built. Explore the vast resources available on the subject of BDSM and D/s. Books, online forums, workshops, and educational websites can provide invaluable insights into the dynamics, protocols, and safety measures within the lifestyle. Take advantage of these resources, but remember to approach them critically, evaluating the information based on your values and experiences. Three recommended books are:

"The Loving Dominant" by John Warren and Libby Warren: This book offers a comprehensive guide for both dominants and submissives. It covers a wide range of topics, including communication, negotiation, consent, safety, and the emotional aspects of BDSM relationships. "The Loving Dominant" provides a balanced and compassionate perspective on power dynamics within D/s relationships.

"Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns: The Romance and Sexual Sorcery of Sadomasochism" by Philip Miller and Molly Devon: Considered a classic within the BDSM community, this book provides a detailed exploration of the psychological and practical aspects of BDSM. It covers topics such as bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism, offering practical advice and insights for individuals exploring the D/s lifestyle.

"The New Bottoming Book" by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy: Written specifically for submissives or those interested in bottoming, this book offers guidance on self-empowerment, negotiating boundaries, and developing a healthy mindset within the D/s dynamic. It emphasizes the importance of consent, communication, and self-care, providing practical tools and resources for personal growth within the submissive role.

Trust forms the bedrock of any healthy D/S relationship. Prioritize open and honest communication with potential partners or within existing dynamics. Discuss your boundaries, desires, and expectations openly, ensuring mutual understanding and consent. Engage in ongoing conversations about limits, consent, and the emotional well-being of all involved, and remember that communication is the lighthouse that guides the vessel safely through the stormy seas.

Joining a supportive community can be a transformative experience for a submissive in their journey. Seek out local munches, events, or online forums where you can connect with like-minded individuals who can offer guidance, advice, and share their personal experiences. Engaging with others who are more experienced in the D/S lifestyle can provide valuable insights and support, allowing you to grow and learn from their experiences.

Just as a lighthouse's beam slowly scans the horizon, illuminating one step at a time, so too must a submissive embrace patience and gradual progression. The lifestyle is a journey, not a race. Understand that personal growth takes time and that learning from mistakes is an integral part of the process. Allow yourself the space to explore and experiment while always prioritizing your emotional and physical well-being.

Mentors and role models can serve as guiding lights, offering wisdom and guidance to those new to the D/s lifestyle. Connect with experienced submissives who embody the values and qualities you admire. Establishing a mentorship or learning relationship with someone you trust can provide valuable insights, allowing you to navigate the complexities of the lifestyle more effectively.

As a lighthouse illuminates the way for ships lost at sea, there are also lighthouses in D/S that shine their beacons to guide and support those embracing the path of submission within the D/S lifestyle. By embracing self-reflection, seeking knowledge, building trust, connecting with the community, practicing patience, and seeking submissive mentors, you can cultivate personal growth and flourish in this captivating realm of human connection. Remember, the journey of a submissive is as unique as each beam of light that shines from the lighthouse, so allow yourself to navigate the waters of self-discovery and find fulfillment in the embrace of the lifestyle.

What steps do you believe are crucial for a submissive new to the D/S lifestyle to educate themselves and grow? Let's ignite a vibrant, positive discussion on personal growth and self-discovery in D/S.

As with all of my thoughts, please see this disclaimer.

©TLK2023

[jesse-eisenberg-interview]

Jesse Eisenberg Describes Fleishman Is in Trouble's Many Sex Scenes

Jesse Eisenberg shares how the sex scenes in FX's Fleishman Is in Trouble were filmed, calling it an "incredibly uncomfortable" experience.

Actor Jesse Eisenberg has revealed the work that went into shooting Fleishman Is in Trouble's many sex scenes.

In an interview with Total Film Magazine, Eisenberg shared that filming the numerous sex scenes in the FX on Hulu series was an awkward process because of how technical it was. He likened the experience to shooting an action scene, where a vast amount of filming is done for a mere 20-second scene due to the various elements that have to be captured on camera.

"It was incredibly uncomfortable," Eisenberg said of Fleishman Is in Trouble's love scenes ahead of the series' United Kingdom premiere on Disney+. "It's very technical. Like when you do an action scene. It takes forever. You'll shoot a 20-second scene over the course of three days, because there's tiny little pieces that they have to get. So the action scene that is fun to watch is not fun to film. Similarly with sex scenes. It's this incredibly technical, process-oriented experience."

Eisenberg then went on to describe how he managed to film a scene without any clothes on, given that he has been battling anxiety since he was a child. While the fact it was a closed set did help, the actor explained it did not change the fact that the sex scenes would eventually air on television for all to see. "We did have a closed set," he said. "But a closed set means they put some curtains around the scene, so no one can see, but you also know that it's being filmed on multiple cameras. You're filming it for a TV show -- there's no amount of 'closed' that they can make a set that's going to be on TV."

Based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner's 2019 novel of the same name, Fleishman Is in Trouble follows the recently divorced Dr. Toby Fleishman (Eisenberg), who begins using dating apps for the first time. Everything changes, however, when his ex-wife, Rachel (Claire Danes), vanishes without a trace, leaving him alone with their children. While trying to balance raising his kids, his job and all the women in Manhattan, Toby soon finds that he will not be able to untangle the mystery behind his wife's disappearance until he can be more honest about what happened to their marriage. Alongside Eisenberg and Danes, the show also stars Lizzy Caplan as Libby, one of Toby's best friends and the narrator of the story, and Adam Brody as Seth, another one of Toby's close friends.

All eight episodes of FX's Fleishman Is in Trouble are available to stream on Hulu. The show is slated to premiere on Disney+ in the United Kingdom on Feb. 22.

SOURCE

[authorsadiethatcher]

Welcome to March. In the northern hemisphere, where I live, it is the start of meteorological spring. Except the weather didn't switch with the month and things here are starting out wet and cold. But the extra indoor time should be good for writing.

Last month I talked about finally being caught up on writing. I try to maintain pretty strict deadlines, but I fell off at the end of February. Two days behind schedule may not seem like a lot, but it feels like a lot, especially when working on longer books, which I'll talk more about later.

The big news for this month is something I can't actually share yet. But pay attention on March 9 for some cool news from me. I just don't like having to wait, but it's something I'm really excited about.

A quick reminder that you can find my books on Amazon, Smashwords, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Everand. You can also read everything I’ve published under my Sadie Thatcher name since last May on Ream, which is a subscription platform built specifically for authors. You can check out my Ream page below.

Ream: https://reamstories.com/sadiethatcher

And speaking of Ream, I have a Ream exclusive novel called The Muse (extreme dollification) that is now complete. I've made the first three chapters available for free. All you have to do is sign up as a follower at the link above to get a taste of my first real story that is too extreme for Amazon.

This month I plan to spend some time on my other pen name, Libby Feron. As Libby, I write fantasy romance. I’ll have a free novella available to prepare for a new trilogy that I hope to publish this year. The trilogy will be focused on a previously introduced character as she heads off to a college for magical people. I don’t talk about my fantasy writing often, so checking out https://libbyferon.com/ and signing up for the email newsletter is the best way to stay informed. And that free novella will be exclusive to newsletter subscribers, so you’ll want to sign up for that. However, I'm also considering an entirely different book to clear out the cobwebs in my head. We'll see.

Now to focus on this month’s upcoming books. I have two ongoing series. Bimbo Future will soon be complete with Free to Be releasing in a few days. This will follow a similar pattern of a fairy showing a woman a possible bimbo future and persuading her to choose that over a more conventional life. And then there's Quantum Bimbo. This is a slow burn transformation series following one woman as she encounters a recurring time loop that leads her down a path toward becoming a bimbo. The first book, Déjà Vu, is out now and the rest of the trilogy will be released in the first half of the month. I'm really excited for this series.

Some of the other upcoming books I’ve got in the pipeline for this month is a series based on the concept of a woman's intelligence, or other aspects of her life, being stolen and held for ransom, forcing her to turn toward bimbo jobs to pay the ransom. But once she goes bimbo, it's hard to stop. I've also got a plan for another series that could include societal changes. I'm keeping my cards on this one close to the chest, because I'm not entirely sure what is going to happen in it yet.

Something else I'm considering, but I'm only considering right now, is to write a few flash fiction stories, one or two per month, and put them up on Ream for free for anyone who wants to follow me there. It's time permitting, of course.

So that’s what you can expect in March. It’s a packed month, especially because my schedule will make for 11 published books this month. I average 10 usually with a release every 3 days. There will be a couple months like this in 2024, with 11 releases instead of 10.

Have a sexy and bimbo-filled March and happy spring in the top half of the world!