#book review!

[benn-hurr]

Dreams of Arrakis, 02: The Tyrant, The Revenant, The Sisterhood

So. I’m finished. I don’t think I have read a series of books this swiftly in years. The six original novels in the Dune Chronicles, (Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse Dune), still mostly fresh in my mind. With each subsequent book the narrative became stranger and stranger. The density of the lore and the volume of character conflicts…

[loveelizabeths]

love elizabeth s.

[veronica-soysauce]

Book review!

The Parliament by Aimee Pokwatka

I don't normally do book reviews but I thought this would be fun since I haven't read in a while

Spoilers ahead!!

TW: Mention of a school shooting, death, death of a child, mild claustrophobia.

I'd rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

I really enjoyed it and read it in about a day and a half (I usually start reading at like, midnight, so idk how to categorize this lol). It is 361 pages.

TLDR: Main story was pretty good, secondary fairy tale thing was kinda unrelated and took way to long for the main "lesson" it was trying to teach.

Essentially, Mad, the protagonist is going to her local library to teach a class on bath bombs/chemistry (she's a chemist). There are the librarians, a handful of book club attendees, a mom and toddler, her friend Farrah (who we learn later is pregnant), and Nash, a pediatrician and her love interest. There are also all of the kids that attended her class. Theres about 6-8 of them I think, but I'll name them as I go. There's also a cute blue lobster that they consider eating (but don't!) named Jolene. All of these people are stuck in the library when a bunch of killer owls swarm the library, and kill a librarian and a guy who both walked outside. Their city does essentially nothing, but they are delivered food and water at some point. They're also missing medication for a girl with epilepsy, which Nash tries to solve by trying to find Xanax (???) I'm not doctor so idk if that would work but it doesn't sound like the best solution. The owls break through windows and eventually only a few rooms are left for people to be in. They also try throwing flaming books out the windows at some point (because they had read articles that say that smoke scared them off), and the city also uses chemical fumes of something. The power and water also shut off about 2/3rds into the book. Throughout the story Farrah and Mad read the Silent Queen to the kids, and in-between every chapter of the book there is a chapter of the Silent Queen (once they start reading it). In the end they "suit up" in found materials to cover all of their skin (expect for their faces I guess because people regularly smile at each other as they run), and they run out together, eventually branching off and breaking into peoples homes (who have been evacuated). The owls disappear, having split up to chase the around 20 people before loosing them, and the library is fixed/rebuilt.

Overall I really enjoyed the book! I like the concept and I liked all of the characters. There was a good amount of suspense and just a bit of a horror aspect to it which made the fear of the characters feel more real. I will say however, that I found it hard to remember the names of all the characters, and a pair of characters were referred to as the Kennedy, and I have no idea which characters they are. Most of the kids were funny with distinct personalities, and Mad's relationship with Nash was nice to read. They do need to stop kissing all the time though. There are killer owls outside this is not the time.

As for the owls, they have apparently been found all over the world and seem to just migrate from place to place? The book says that they're about the size of a fist, and there are literally thousands of them outside. In all cases the building they were surrounding was burned down and they left (except for the library). When they're alone they basically act like they're drunk and it's kinda cute. When you hear them you like freeze up and re-live traumatic memories, and if you stop moving they will and can eat you alive in a couple of seconds. They feel supernatural in that way, but it's also not explained in the book how they make you re-live memories, and kinda feels like an excuse to tell the reader about the school shooting where Nash's brother and Mad's best friend died when they were in middle school.

I also do not understand the layout of the library at all, there's no mention of which rooms are connected to others, and also characters keep going into rooms that are supposed to be blocked off because of broken windows, and characters even state that they're off limits. A door is shattered at some point, what I assumed to be the main door the library, which should lead to the lobby, but then characters just hang out in the lobby later, so I don't know where the door was, or if the author just forgot about the shattered door. There is also a vault (The library used to be a bank, which, how big was the bank to begin with??) and idk if there are bookshelves in there or not.

As for the inclusion of the Silent Queen, I didn't really like it. The thing on the inside cover says that it'll be important, but honestly the connection between the two is stretched. I feel like it could have and should have been shorter and I wasn't that invested in the characters. In general I feel like the alternating chapter style it was laid out in interrupted the flow of the main story, and kinda killed suspense and fear for the characters, as well as making chapters drag on and on forever because every other chapter had to be the Silent Queen. I dreaded reading it and would have skipped ahead, but the cover flap thing says it was important, so I read it. A character states that it's a metaphor for capitalism, which I agree with, but capitalism is loosely connected to the main story, and is not the cause of the problem like it is in the Silent Queen. The closest thing I can come up with is that the owls natural habitat has been destroyed because of capitalism, but that is never mentioned in the book and is quite a stretch.

There are also a few abandoned plot threads. At one point people outside start pouring flame protectant on the building, which leads the reader and Mad to believe that they are going to set it on fire, but they they end up using chemicals of some kind? There are also hints of people having reactions to getting hurt by the birds in a way that would make them like zombies or at least affect them in some way. Nash even has an unexplained allergic reaction to the birds, which he has to spend around a month in the hospital for (I think), and Mad continues to kiss him anyways, which feels like it should have some sort of repercussions. They also eat basically nothing for the couple of days they're trapped in the library, with Mad and Nash even spitting out and wasting food because it doesn't taste good, which feels incredibly stupid seeing as Mad had only had half a granola bar the day before, and hadn't eaten anything since. Farrah, who is pregnant also isn't mentioned to have eaten the whole time, and continually vomits, which feels like it should be more plot reliant that it is. There's also mention of Mad's mother, who I think is an alcoholic? But its not further explained.

The book is also a commentary on how bad systems that should save you are, like how med that they ask for aren't delivered, and police do not open car or van doors to people who are trying to flee the library and are about to get eaten alive, as well as them shattering a large window at some point. Characters continually describe the mayor as old as fuck, and generally being unhelpful. Overtime they loose faith in the police and their local government. The commentary I think is done pretty well, very show not tell of the incompetence of systems made to protect.

Overall I enjoyed the book. Its a good read for those who like thrillers, I'd just skip the Silent Queen.

[figtreeforever]

Dostoevsky, The Idiot

Caspar David Friedrich, Gartenterrasse, 1811

(Collage: instagram @emmalinatotes)

[nedlittle]

it drives me bonkers the way people don't know how to read classic books in context anymore. i just read a review of the picture of dorian gray that said "it pains me that the homosexual subtext is just that, a subtext, rather than a fully explored part of the narrative." and now i fully want to put my head through a table. first of all, we are so lucky in the 21st century to have an entire category of books that are able to loudly and lovingly declare their queerness that we've become blind to the idea that queerness can exist in a different language than our contemporary mode of communication. second it IS a fully explored part of the narrative! dorian gray IS a textually queer story, even removed from the context of its writing. it's the story of toxic queer relationships and attraction and dangerous scandals and the intertwining of late 19th century "uranianism" and misogyny. second of all, i'm sorry that oscar wilde didn't include 15k words of graphic gay sex with ao3-style tags in his 1890 novel that was literally used to convict him of indecent behaviour. get well soon, i guess...

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

25 Laws of power for women

Conceal your goals especially the ones that are appealing. Losing weight, reinventing yourself, marrying wealthy. Instead talk about your altruistic goals - to help children, invest in education, this will chase insecure people with vile intentions.

Do not give anyone your source of power: Was is a book that changed your life? a mentor? a movie? Never give up your secret to success. If forced to do say allude to God, the universe, the a random phenomenon

Use the patriarchy to your favor; we live in a world that is, only associate with men who have power, use that power for good.

Never appear too perfect but be selectively vulnerable when needed. Only share something that you will be comfortable saying. You might say “I forget my keys all the time,” “I don’t know how to perfectly park a car “. But never disclose something you are not comfortable with just because you are afraid of being perfect.

Maintain distance in relationships. Friends are the best and you need them. But if you feel that they are becoming too dependent, see them at your own will. But also the reverse could be the case. Your friend may keep a distance, and that is the way of life. You have got to move on from it.

Develop your own style that makes you unique, beautiful, and elegant. Avoid trying to fit in the crowd of people who claim to care less about their style yet have too many opinions about other women’s style

Avoid male friends at all cost, you will have male colleagues, male bosses, male acquaintances, business partners. Keep it that way. You do not want a Truman Capote divulging your secrets to the world. Do not keep a man who does not fit your standard.

You do not have to win at every game. Pick and choose what is best for you and leave room for others. And step down if you have attained that level of success, do not let the society do it for you.

Trust people but remember that we are all humans. So trust with discretion!

Confuse people with kindness; people are not always comfortable with beautiful and intelligent women. That power is too intimidating so confuse them by being genuinely generous, curious, kind, and passionate.

Keep your strong opinions to yourself.. if you support a movement, a way of life, do so silently.

We all have dirty laundry, wash them privately, don’t expose yourself. Remain silent when people try to attack you or shame you. Whatever is not confirmed is not true. You are the only one who knows all the truth about you.

Don’t attract pity or praise: People who pity you do not help you, in fact they might think that you are weak and could mock you at their annual gossipping meeting. And if you are doing things for the sake of praise you are wasting your time.

Choose yourself all the time; never put any one’s feelings above yours.

Trust your own intuition if you feel someone is being malicious towards you, giving you back handed compliments then you should let them go

Never speak bad of another woman. Do not lazy around gossipping. Keep your hands clean and your conscience clear.

Avoid women with low self esteem they will bring you down. For some reason they do not like seeing other women who are doing better than them

Be careful who you seek validation from. Not everyone needs to be pleased. If they are in no way capable of contributing to your life in the ways you prefer, then don’t ask them for their opinions or please them.

Do not compete with other women, if you do you are only putting them on a pedestal. You are making the the standard by which you measure your progress. If you do compete, begin digging your grave.

Do not give unsolicited advice, do not share the inner workings of your mind, If your mouth is very charitable you better start journaling.

Be well-rounded and interesting. It attracts people. It also keeps you busy because you are continually improving and learning. An idle mind is an easily subdued one.

Avoid women who want to live vicariously through you; they want to know who you know, shop where you shop, befriend who you befriend, wear what you wear.

Pay attention to the source of your discomfort; get rid of them. You tell them your dreams and they remind you of all your hindrances. They ask why are you dressed so fancy as though fancy isn’t subjective. They undermine you interests and goals. They will also be quick to bring you down because they are afraid of your potential.

Do not fear power or please power. When we see powerful people we try to hard to befriend them, to be close to them but you need to be comfortable without them. Don’t push yourself in the name of friendship, do not try too hard to be in their inner circle. Your independence of mind is the most important. Instead become a powerful woman, aloof to the presence of power but aware of its importance. Be an ingenious and intelligent and use your creativity to uplift yourself. When you do so it will be hard to ignore you. Even the powerful will become an ally.

Enjoy moments of solitude. Use that time to develop yourself, improve your body, learn new skills, create with your mind, read widely, become more elegant, then launch yourself.

Remember the most powerful women are the most intelligent. Inspired by Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power. Use at your discretion.

[clonerightsagenda]

Spotted the word "blorbo" in The New York Times book review. Listen NYT romance reviewer, I really do not think your paper's audience is going to recognize that one

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

How To Plan A Book Series: Ultimate Guide

Writing a book series can be an incredibly rewarding experience for authors, but it also requires careful planning and execution. A well-crafted book series can captivate readers, build a loyal fan base, and provide a steady stream of income for writers. However, planning a successful book series is no easy feat.

It demands a deep understanding of world-building, character development, and plot progression. In this ultimate guide, I'll help you explore the essential steps to help you plan a compelling and cohesive book series that will keep your readers hooked from start to finish.

Develop a Compelling Premise The foundation of any successful book series is a strong premise. Your premise should be unique, engaging, and have the potential to sustain multiple books. Consider exploring a complex world, a captivating concept, or a character with a rich backstory that can evolve over the course of several books. Ask yourself: What makes your premise stand out? What will keep readers invested in the story for multiple installments?

Create a Detailed Outline Before you dive into writing, it's crucial to create a detailed outline for your entire book series. This outline should include the overarching plot, major story arcs, character development, and key events for each book. Having a solid outline will help you maintain consistency, avoid plot holes, and ensure that each book contributes to the overall narrative. Don't be afraid to make adjustments as you write, but having a roadmap will keep you on track.

World-Building: Crafting a Vivid and Consistent Universe One of the hallmarks of a successful book series is a richly developed and immersive world. Whether you're creating a fantasy realm, a futuristic society, or a contemporary setting, pay close attention to world-building. Establish the rules, customs, histories, and geography of your fictional world. Consistency is key, so ensure that the details align across all books in the series. Consider creating a "bible" or a comprehensive guide that outlines the intricacies of your world, making it easier to maintain continuity.

Develop Compelling Characters Great characters are the heart and soul of any book series. Your protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters should be well-rounded, multi-dimensional, and undergo significant growth and transformation throughout the series. Craft backstories, motivations, flaws, and strengths for each character, and ensure that their actions and decisions drive the plot forward. Remember, character development is an ongoing process, so be prepared to explore new facets of your characters as the series progresses.

Establish Recurring Themes and Motifs Themes and motifs are powerful tools that can add depth and resonance to your book series. Identify the central themes you want to explore, such as love, redemption, power, or identity. Weave these themes throughout the series, allowing them to evolve and deepen with each installment. Motifs, like recurring symbols or imagery, can also create a sense of cohesion and add layers of meaning to your narrative.

Plan for Cliffhangers and Resolutions One of the key strategies for keeping readers engaged in a book series is the strategic use of cliffhangers and resolutions. Cliffhangers create anticipation and leave readers craving for the next installment. However, be cautious not to overuse this technique, as it can become frustrating for readers. Balance cliffhangers with satisfying resolutions that tie up loose ends and provide a sense of closure, while still leaving room for the story to continue.

Consider Pacing and Narrative Structure Pacing and narrative structure are crucial elements to consider when planning a book series. Each book should have its own narrative arc, with a beginning, middle, and end, while also contributing to the overall story progression. Vary the pacing between books to maintain reader interest, alternating between action-packed and slower, more introspective sections. Experiment with different narrative structures, such as multiple perspectives, non-linear timelines, or frame narratives, to keep the series fresh and engaging.

Manage Continuity and Consistency As your book series grows, maintaining continuity and consistency becomes increasingly important. Keep detailed records of character descriptions, plot points, world-building elements, and timelines. Regularly refer back to these notes to ensure that you're not introducing contradictions or inconsistencies. Consider creating a series bible or a wiki to help you keep track of all the moving parts.

Plan for Character Growth and Evolution In a book series, characters should undergo significant growth and evolution. Plan for character arcs that span multiple books, allowing your protagonists and supporting characters to face challenges, make difficult choices, and emerge as changed individuals. This character development will not only add depth to your narrative but also keep readers invested in the journey of your characters.

Anticipate and Address Potential Plot Holes As your book series expands, the potential for plot holes and inconsistencies increases. Be vigilant in identifying and addressing these issues during the planning stage. Regularly review your outline and notes, looking for any logical gaps or contradictions. Enlist the help of beta readers or critique partners to provide fresh perspectives and catch any potential plot holes you may have missed.

Consider the Overarching Story Arc While each book in your series should have its own narrative arc, it's essential to plan for an overarching story arc that spans the entire series. This overarching arc should tie together the individual books, building towards a climactic conclusion that resolves the central conflict or mystery. Ensure that each book contributes to this larger narrative, advancing the plot and raising the stakes for the characters.

Plan for Marketing and Promotion Finally, as you plan your book series, don't overlook the importance of marketing and promotion. Develop a strategy for building buzz and engaging with your audience throughout the release of each book. Leverage social media, author events, book tours, and other promotional opportunities to keep your readers excited and invested in your series.

Remember, writing a book series is a marathon, not a sprint, so be prepared to invest time, effort, and dedication into crafting a truly remarkable literary journey. Hope this helped!

Happy Writing - Rin T.

Hey fellow writers! I'm super excited to share that I've just launched a Tumblr community. I'm inviting all of you to join my community. All you have to do is fill out this Google form, and I'll personally send you an invitation to join the Write Right Society on Tumblr! Can't wait to see your posts!

[myjetpack]

My Reading Year.

(My last @guardian Books cartoon for 2023)

[benn-hurr]

Book Reviews Vol 09: Death’s End, part 01

Wow. First of all, this is coming quite late in succession compared to the previous two book reviews. I write this overarching foreword on the 17th of May; a significant hunk of time has passed… I have been chipping away at the review, adding small paragraphs here and there. To be honest, I should listen through the book again just so I can reliably recount the details and my opinions on…

[4theitgirls]

youtube channels for the book girlies

♡ a frolic through fiction

♡ alexa raye

♡ alexandra roselyn

♡ anda kent

♡ ashley’s little library

♡ basically britt

♡ becca and the books

♡ briddy

♡ carmen gilfraguada

♡ coverswithcassidy

♡ destiny sidwell

♡ ellen catherine

♡ fruitful reader

♡ gabbyreads

♡ hailey hughes

♡ haley pham

♡ heather mclarry

♡ jack and the books

♡ jaime fok

♡ jodie

♡ katie is reading

♡ katherine karas

♡ kendall watson

♡ larry

♡ leora aileen

♡ lexi aka newlynova

♡ maditales

♡ melreads

♡ peachapplebi

♡ pursuit of the truth

♡ rachel catherine

♡ reading with asha

♡ read with kate

♡ reading with meg

♡ sara carrolli

♡ taylor ann wright

♡ tia chu

♡ the book leo

♡ withcindy

[fandom]

Books

Huge congrats to The Iliad. It's only taken 3,000 years. This list is brought to you by Tor Publishing Group, which you're probably familiar with, given what tops the list this year.

The Locked Tomb series +3 by Tamsyn Muir

The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series -1 by Rick Riordan

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Six of Crows duology +3 by Leigh Bardugo

Dracula -3 by Bram Stoker

The Warrior Cats series -1 by Erin Hunter

A Song of Ice and Fire -1 by George R. R. Martin

The All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic

The Discworld series +7 by Terry Pratchett

A Court of Thorns and Roses series +3 by Sarah J. Maas

The Silmarillion -1 by J. R. R. Tolkien

Pride And Prejudice -3 by Jane Austen

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Raven Cycle series +3 by Maggie Stiefvater

The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro

The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

Wings Of Fire +9 by Tui T. Sutherland

The Secret History -7 by Donna Tartt

The Trials of Apollo series -4 by Rick Riordan

The Iliad +10 by Homer

The Odyssey +24 by Homer

The Folk in the Air series -8 by Holly Black

The Animorphs series +5 by K. A. Applegate

The Stormlight Archive +8 by Brandon Sanderson

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Moby Dick +24 by Herman Melville

1984 +6 by George Orwell

Fables by Bill Willingham

The Diaries of Franz Kafka by Franz Kafka

The Song of Achilles -10 by Madeline Miller

The Last Hours series by Cassandra Clare

The Simon Snow series -10 by Rainbow Rowell

The Throne of Glass series +13 by Sarah J. Maas

Nimona by ND Stevenson

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard +6 by Rick Riordan

The Bell Jar -15 by Sylvia Plath

The Dreamer trilogy +6 by Maggie Stiefvater

The Shadowhunter Chronicles -15 by Cassandra Clare

The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone

Captive Prince -1 by C. S. Pacat

The Twilight Saga -7 by Stephanie Meyer

The Sandman by Neil Gaiman

The Deltora Quest series by Jennifer Rowe

Romeo and Juliet -8 by William Shakespeare

The Far Side by Gary Larson

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde +2 by Robert Lewis Stevenson

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

The Picture of Dorian Gray -31 by Oscar Wilde

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

The number in italics indicates how many spots a title moved up or down from the previous year. Bolded titles weren’t on the list last year.

[hkthatgffan]

Barnes and Noble released some reviews of the Book of Bill...written by Bill himself!

[bookreviewcoffee]

Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they've got ambition, and they've got talent, as well as just beauty. I'm so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. I'm so sick of it.

[Almost crying] 

 But I'm so lonely...

Jo March little women

[floral-ashes]

My favourite part of the Cass Report is where she goes: “Florence Ashley and others have shown that gatekeeping doesn’t work and should be abandoned. We disagree, not based on any evidence but because it’s incompatible with the way we’ve already decided we wanted to do things.”

[classycoffeesublime]

Book collections