#cotemporary books

[thenowherejournal]

A Chapter in Jelaine’s Life: Some things About being a Reader

An Interview Article by Francis and Nad (February 2024)

Readers have different approaches to picking up a novel and have varying tastes– and for a bookworm, you could imagine all the stories that had accumulated during their journey in the vast spaces of a library. Each shelf, rows and rows of stories that came from people all over history and realities. For this interview, we found someone who can share their experience with literature. Our resident bookworm for this article is Jelaine Dio.

BACKGROUND

The 25-year-old graduate of Bachelor of Science in Psychology found herself reading stories in her past time during 5th Grade. While the other kids in her class were playing outside during break time, she was exploring her English textbook for the short story collection; that is when the world opened up to her. Now, she reads novels from the likes of Sally Rooney, John Green, Jandy Nelson and Coco Mellors—some of her current favorite authors that she noted. Her current read is The Guest by Emma Cline, previously followed by Jenny Mustard’s Okay Days.

A lot of these books share a similar genre: Contemporary fiction. She stated that it was her favorite genre in fictional literature because she found herself easily visualizing the story if it is closer to real life or based on certain personality traits. 

KEY EXPERIENCES

“Summer Time: A Book A Day”

Only after a few years of falling in love with the short stories, she managed to read over 7 books a week during her summer vacations. Although some readings are motivated by school credits, she still read an impressive amount during that time. She noted that she has read over 200 books since then. As life goes by, people get busy with their time. Even if life gets busy, she always tries to slip in a moment to read. She said “I read my book if I was waiting for something or if there’s a downtime—whether in public or at home. Because I do not have any cellular data on my phone when I leave the house, I always bring my book for times when I must wait.”

We asked her what was the first fiction she had read and she directed us back to her 3rd year of Junior High. She asked her classmate for a recommendation for a book to start reading fiction “She is also a bookwork and reads her book on an iPad. I asked her ‘What ‘s a good fiction to read first?’ and she let me borrow a copy of ‘The Little Prince’”. She noted that before that, she was not reading much then. After picking up the book, that is when she started being a book fanatic again.

On average, outside of summer time when she finishes a book a day, her average reading time then lasts for two to 3 days per novel. Now, she slowed down to finishing a book in a week but if she has work, then she finishes a book in a month. After she finishes a book, she takes a day to take a break and she picks up another book to start. 

I’ll See It Through, Always

When she reads a book, she sees through it, even if it is average “It’s like in the movies, for example. I watch a movie and I find myself enjoying it but when I see some bad reviews, I don’t find it as a waste of time because I enjoyed the work”. She also added how she also thinks about the effort the author took to finish their story. That’s why sometimes when she finds a story in BookTok, a community in TikTok that shares content about literature, she reads it because of how it was marketed. Sometimes, she ends up reading erotic fiction without realizing it because of how the synopsis was advertised. During the interview, she laughingly said that she found that it was her guilty pleasure to read those types of stories

INSIGHTS

Eenie-Meenie-Miney Book!

When entering a bookstore, some people may feel overwhelmed when offered a lot of options. Jelaine is one of these individuals. Because of this, she has devised three ways to choose the next book she will indulge herself in. One is looking at its cover. As ironic as it is for a bibliophile, she does not really follow the famous saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover." When she sees that a book has an aesthetic and eye-catching cover, she will pick it up and read it. Though on some occasions, she will go through the book’s synopsis before buying it. 

Another way is through recommendations in social media’s “BookTok". She follows countless book lovers on Instagram that post their recommendations in their feeds. When she sees these posts, she will buy two to three of those novels and put them on her shelf of books she will later read. Lastly, she picks up and buys the next novel that she will read by browsing the books of the same authors as the previously finished novel she enjoyed. With these three ways, she has fortunately bought novels that she considered a “good book".

"A Good Book"

It is fair to think that a bookworm that has read hundreds of novels would have a grasp of what makes a "good book". In Jelaine’s viewpoint, a novel that has a striking and grand plot is not important, but what is important is the story’s overall flow. She also added that “ A good book is something you can genuinely relate to the character even though that character has a different experience compared to you." Jelaine also mentioned that when she underlined and bookmarked a lot of lines and parts of a book that she is reading, then that novel is exceptional for her.

LESSONS TO SHARE 

A Wider Vocabulary And Getting In Touch To One’s Feelings And Emotions

For almost half of her lifetime, Jelaine has been “sticking her nose" into numerous books in various genres and lengths. With all these consumed fictional works, she has gained extensive knowledge in vocabulary. She quoted, “Due to reading, my word bank is overflowing". As a result, she can understand words in novels that are unusual while also understanding each sentence that she reads quickly.

Reading has also helped her to become more empathetic, since she is able to know and feel what the characters are going through and understand them as the story goes on. Hence, when a person reads, they can be in touch with their emotions and process them in a healthy manner. 

Something for Readers

Jelaine’s go-to book recommendation to whoever asks her is Celeste Ng’s first novel, "Everything I Never Told You". She deemed this as a good recommendation since it has themes that will make a person feel multiple emotions throughout its entirety. As she shares what the book is about, she mentions that it circles around the idea of family dynamics and how grief affects each member. She said, "This novel is heavy and heart-wrenching". Another book recommendation she mentioned was "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" written by Gail Honeyman, which is also a heavily emotional novel.

In addition, she mentioned a quote from one of the books that genuinely made an impact on her. The line was “They teach you growing up that you are only one thing at a time-angry, lonely, content--but he's never found that to be true. He is a dozen things at once. He is lost and scared and grateful, he is sorry and happy and afraid. But he is not alone.” This is from V. E. Schwab’s, "The Invisible Life Of Addie Larue. With these few pieces of line, she feels comforted and loved since it tells the reader that it is good to feel emotion and not to invalidate one’s feelings.

 “When you read, it’s not just printed words on a paper, it is a mixture of the character’s experiences, feelings and views and in turn, you also experience what they have gone through and feel their emotions. With reading, you gain new experiences without physically experiencing them, but through words on a piece of paper." - Jelaine Dio

[eloreenmoon]

'The Sceptic' by Lily Morton #Audiobook #LGBT #Review #MM #Paranormal

Erryn reviews The Sceptic by Lily Morton. Published May 26, 2022, 356 pages.  The audiobook was released Feb 15, 2023, is 11 hrs and 18 mins and is narrated by Joel Leslie. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review. Why I read it: I love Blue and Levi. As the best friend of a psychic, Will Buchanan can’t help but believe in the dead. It’s the living that he finds to be problematic.…

[bmacreadz]

"Hooked" by Emily McIntire

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Author's note in "Hooked:"

"Hooked is a dark, cotemporary romance. It is an adult fractured fairy tale. It is not a fantasy, or a retelling. The main character is a villain. If you're looking for a safe read with redemption and a bad guy turned into a hero, you will not find it in these pages."

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"Hooked" is indeed a dark, contemporary romance, which is not my usual brand of romance. In fact, I was a little apprehensive after reading the author's note because I wasn't sure if I would end up liking the story. I hadn't read anything where the author literally promises evil without redemption and I didn't exactly know how I felt about it. To be honest, I still don't really know how I feel about it. Nevertheless, I read on, and I'm surprised at how I actually enjoyed this book.

There are a lot of trigger points in "Hooked," and the author provides a list at the beginning in the author's note (I read the kindle version with the link to the list). I didn't read the list before diving in, because I usually don't get triggered by even the most heartbreaking of topics, though they were still pretty hard to read. I will say to readers who are very empathetic: tread cautiously with this one. There are some rough points that are made, and this is an all-around rough book.

"Hooked" follows Wendy Michaels and James Barrie, affectionately known as Hook, as they traverse the very dark and complicated streets of their emotions and hidden agendas of drug-pushing mob bosses in Massachusetts, USA. James is out for vengeance, Wendy is out for love and, as you can imagine, things get a little twisted. I was shocked at the turn of events and a little sad as I presumed that this book was not going to end very happily.

I couldn't fathom agreeing with anyone's decisions in this book, and the characters were extremely unlikable, but I continued turning the page to see how things were going to play out because I couldn't put it down. And I assume that's how it was supposed to be, given the genre I was diving into. Eventually, I was graciously reading the romance I hoped it would be... sort of... and personally, I think McIntire might have fibbed a little when she said the book lacked any sort of redemption.

"Hooked" was written from the perspectives of both Wendy and James, and I am so glad it was. If I had to guess the whole time at what was going through either of their heads during some of their roughest moments, I don't think I would have had the patience for it. Wendy was aggressively naïve and I really wanted to hate her for it, but I couldn't. With the way the author wrote her emotions, her understanding, and her heartbreak, I couldn't bring myself to be mad at her or James - with vengeance being the latter's greatest priority. Consequently, I ended up rooting - beside myself - for the so-called villains in this story because in a story like this, nobody's the "good guy." There's only the bad guys and the worse ones. One ends up rooting for the lesser evil, and I surprisingly felt no guilt from it. I wanted Wendy to find peace, I wanted James to get his revenge, and I wanted everyone who had ever hurt them to feel their wrath in the very gruesome and vivid ways that were promised. Most importantly, I wanted them doing it together.

Now that I'm done with the book, I don't think I'll be venturing much further into this genre in the near - or even distant - future. It was thrilling and I liked it, but more than that, I like to live in fairy tales and go to places that make me feel happy and in love. This was definitely not one of those reads.

Although "Hooked" wasn't my usual cup of tea, I tore through it in less than two days. I obsessed over it as I read it. It was a good read and made me feel a lot of things. I still wouldn't recommend this to everyone. Like I said, tread cautiously because there are some deep-cutting wounds dealt with in this book. However, if you think you can handle it, and you like to take extended stays into the darker romances, then absolutely go for it.

One more thing: McIntire says in the author's note that this is not a retelling of the beloved "Peter Pan" story, which is definitely true. This book is saturated with "Peter Pan," though. The names, the places, everything is a reference and I loved it. It was interesting to see all the different ways this story could spin a reference, and I'm glad that McIntire ventured into something so unique. This coming from someone who loves "Peter Pan."

So yeah, read it or don't. I could've gone my whole life without reading it and not been sad about it, but I think I'm glad I did. Like I said, I still don't really know how I feel about it.

[writersblockproduction]

The consequence awareness of saying, “I do.” Meanwhile looking for an escape. This complicated novel centers on marriage, divorce, motherhood, career, and family. Author, Paula Perry, https://a.co/d/357rh3H Coming Soon! Hard Love, the movie. https://www.hardlovemovie.com Writers Block Production Entertainment Group, and Moving Pictures Media Group. #paulaperry #author #romancebooks #bookstagrammer #booklover #romancenovels #bookstagrammer #bookworm #readersofinstagram #bookish #romancereader #cotemporary romance #bookaddict #booknerd #romancereadersofinstagram #kindleunlimited #romancenovel #bibliophile#booksofinstagram #romancebookstagram #booksbooksbooks #love #romancereaders #bookrecommendations #writersofinstagram #romanceauthor #writersblockproduction #movie #cinema #selfcare #divorce

[madlovenovelist]

Book Review – ‘The Summer the World Ended’ by Matthew S. Cox

A dystopian twist?! Genre: YA, Cotemporary, Apocalyptic No. of pages: 331 Riley McCullough thought her best friend getting ‘dragged’ off to Puerto Vallarta for the first two weeks of summer vacation was the end of the world―at least until the bombs fell. Life in suburban New Jersey with her mother is comfortable, not to mention boring, to an introverted fourteen-year-old. As if her friend’s…

[lastdaysofus]

“Because caring for you is as natural as it’s always been.”

//First Love Take Two

[shelfleigha]

Audiobook Review: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Cynical August meets mysterious Jane on the subway train, but their budding romance goes awry when August discovers Jane has been displaced by time.

One Last Stop is a heartwarming, character-driven romance focused on found family, positive LGBTQIA representation, and a captivating mystery. The audiobook is phenomenal! It's amazing how one narrator can create different personas and voices for such a large and diverse cast of characters. Unfortunately for me, time travel is my least favorite trope. I thought if anyone could cure my dislike for time travel, it would be Casey McQuiston, but I thought wrong - my hatred for time travel knows no bounds.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[devikafernando]

I consider myself a 'small-town girl'. So it makes sense to write small-town romance, right? I'm kicking off my new series with this novella that proves that opposites do attract. SEEKING LOVE is one of my personal favourites & available now (on KU too): mybook.to/seekinglove

[everythingwritingg]

How to create a plot

How do you want the story to begin? Every story begins somewhere. Whether it’s your character waking up or in the middle of an action scene. The way you start the story is up to you, as long as you think it fits the story best. You can choose whether or not to use a prologue.

Build the action up slowly. The first part of the story is usually low action and mainly meant to get the reader interested in reading the story. Before you reach the climax, gradually build up your action by different events. This doesn’t mean you never have calm moments in between action scenes, but you include events that crate suspense and build tension. There will usually be three plot points before this.

Create the climax. We all know the climax, the scene where are fingers fly so fast they just might fall off. This is where the main action happens. In genres like fantasy, dystopian, or sci-fi, this can be a battle between the hero and villain. In cotemporary novels, it can be when something goes disastrously wrong in your protagonist’s life. The climax should be the most action-packed scene, and it should get more descriptive.

Figure out the falling action. After the climax, things begin to wind down a little as life begins to get back to normal. During this time, characters may seek closure and solve mysteries, while they come to terms with what happened. Characters also get an understanding of their relationships. They’ve all become different people, and they need time to reflect on themselves.

Create a conclusion. Though there are many books that are so good we wish they could go on forever, that’s just not how things work. Your book has to end somewhere. When creating a conclusion, try not to leave too many unsolved mysteries unless there’s more to come in the series. The problem is usually solved by the end.

[tsarinastorm]

Dreams Were Thunder-Adam Sackler/Reader-Chapter 1

This is my first fic, let me know what you think. No smut now, but there will smut in later chapters. I’ve outlined this storyline, but I also have some other fics that I’m working on simultaneously. 

Words: 2,500

________________________________________________________________

You were finally moving to New York from your small town in the middle of nowhere. You had saved enough from your book sales to afford a place in the city. You had won a MegaMillions jackpot when you were still twenty-six and living in your parents’ house. You had given most of it to your family, paid off your student loans, and invested the rest. The winnings had allowed you to focus on your true passion: writing. You had since written several novels and a few other works. Now, you just had to find an actual place to live, other than your married friend’s couch or random hotel, and preferably a roommate to help you adjust to the city. You had settled on the neighborhood of Williamsburg and found a building you liked, but the roommate search seemed doomed from the start.

Half of the roommate options seemed likely to commit a crime, while you just did not mesh well with the others for one reason or another. Your friend Elijah, who you met accidentally at a writing soiree, suggested his ex-girlfriend to be your roommate as she was moving back to the city and was a writer as well. It sounded perfect: someone in your profession, not criminal, or otherwise intolerable. Well, you assumed she wasn’t intolerable. That was the catch: you hadn’t met her yet. And she had a kid, which you thought you could deal with if the two of you got along.

You agreed to meet her at a coffee shop in Williamsburg in January, near the building you wanted to live in. You arrived early, a habit from your previous 9 to 5 career. You were wearing a long gray coat with black cropped sweater, black skinny jeans and over-the knee boots. You had just sat down at a table near a window with your first cup of black coffee and scone when a short, mousey-haired woman carrying a cute baby made her way to your table.  She spoke as she moved forward,

“Are you Y/N?”

“I am. You’re Hannah Horvath?” you respond with raised eyebrows. She sits down across from you, as her baby boy watches you with curious eyes, “Unfortunately, that’s me. I’m sure you were hoping for someone more glamorous.”

You’re surprised that she would assume anything since you just met. Maybe it was the way you dressed, you always enjoyed fashion and tried to look on trend. “Oh no, you’re fine. What’s his name?”  You say as you look at the baby.

“This is Grover. He’s six months old. He is actually the best baby, he goes to bed at a decent time and hardly ever cries. Except he cried when he was really young. Turns out we had a problem with latching. But that’s not a problem anymore, don’t worry.”

“I’m sure he is the best baby around. He’s adorable. Elijah tells me that you’re a writer too?”

“Still aspiring at this point. I’ve been teaching since I found out I was pregnant with him. Better money, better insurance. Though now I got a job as an editor, and have flexibility. What do you write?”

“I’ve written three cotemporary novels and a few short stories. My second novel was chosen by a popular book club and has done well. But it’s always hard for writers, unless you happen to be Stephen King.”

               You and Hannah had hit off, and agreed to be roommates. She was a bit narcissistic and over-dramatic but you thought the two of you would get along as roommates. You had met her friends, Marnie and Shoshanna, and liked them so far. But her other friend, Jessa was more elusive as she had gone on another adventure.

               A few months had passed since you had moved into your new place. You had hardly been there as you had to do promotional work on your third book. It was now April, and the weather was finally warming up. The two of you were walking through a park with Grover in the stroller when a tall, dark haired man approached you. He had unusual, yet handsome features, and he was built like a house. You were suddenly glad that you had on a cute outfit of a tank top, white shorts, sneakers and a windbreaker. The man joined Hannah and Grover saying, “Oh hi, kid, and hi little kid,” then as he looked at you, “Hi, person I don’t know.”

“Adam, this is Y/N, my new roommate. Y/N, this is my ex-boyfriend, Adam.”

You reach out to shake his hand saying, “nice to meet you” as you thought what a strange relationship to have with your ex. But nothing with their relationship was normal, at least that’s what you gathered from her, Marnie and Elijah. You were expecting him to look like some weirdo, not almost charming. Hannah had told you recently that she and Adam had hooked up when she came back to the city, then had decided that there wasn’t any spark left. She had also said that he offered to always be there for Grover when she needed him.

“So how do you afford Williamsburg? Are you another rich daddy’s girl?”

Your face is turning red. Now you see what Elijah and Marnie were talking about. Who the hell says that kind of thing to someone they just met? You hate when people assume things about you anyway, but that comment was really hurtful to you, especially when you grew up in poverty. “No, I actually lived most of my life below poverty level so I am not another rich daddy’s girl. Never assume you know anything about me again.” You walk away as Adam’s jaw drops, and you sit on a bench to wait for Hannah to join you.

4 Months Later.

Hannah had talked you into having an “End of Summer Party” at your apartment. This would be the first party you’d have since moving in. You had agreed with her because she was leaving soon for the semester and apparently she was the using the party as a way to tell her friends. She would still be paying rent and she got free housing where she was going, so you couldn’t complain. It also gave you a chance to dress up and become more better-acquainted with the friend group. You pull down the edge of your baby blue slip dress and toss on a pair of strappy heels, while you grab a bottle of champagne and head towards the foyer.

Marnie, Shoshanna, and Elijah came into the apartment in a cluster. Then there was Ray (who owns the coffee place) you add in your head, who trailed behind the trio. Elijah immediately goes to hug you saying, “Y/N, you look amazing tonight! Who are you trying to impress? Seriously, you look hot.” “

“Just you. I like to dress up,” you respond while hugging him back. You offer him a glass of champagne and as you step back to pour a glass, you lock eyes with Adam who’s just walked through the door. You can’t help but grimace when you remember your last conversation with Adam. Elijah notices, “So I guess that look means that you’ve met Adam. He is very different and according to Hannah, kinky. Do you know he even made a movie about it?”

“Excuse me,” you say as you hand Elijah his drink and begin moving further into your apartment. You see Adam heading towards you, and you try to retreat onto the terrace. You make it out there, where you’re distracted by the view and don’t notice him come up beside you. His voice startles you, “hey Y/N. I want to apologize for what I said when we first met. It was rude and I had no business saying it,” you look at him which must put him on edge because his voice changes pitch, “FUCK—I’m so socially awkward.”

“It’s okay. Really, let’s put it behind us.” You say, before being cut off by him, “You know, I had it pretty rough growing up too. So I get it, and I really don’t know why I even said that. I guess I can’t help but get nervous around a pretty girl.” You’re stunned and you’re certain that you must be blushing, but before you come up with a way to respond, you notice that he’s walked away.

The party drags on, the guests are shocked by Hannah’s announcement. However, the shock wears off, and you start to feel lonely even in a room full of people. You go back to your room, sit down on your bed with a glass of wine, and scroll through your phone. You see updates from your friends and family back home, you never realized how much you’d miss them. Before you know it, you start to tear up at the feeling of homesickness that wrenches through your gut. Then you hear light knock on your door as a head of black hair comes in.

“Are you alright? What’s wrong?” He says as he comes up and sit beside you. You wipe your tears away and feel embarrassed that he saw you crying. He must think you’re emotional wreck. His hands reach out like they’re going to embrace you in a hug then he pulls back to place a hand on your shoulder and he gives you a comforting pat.

“I just started feeling homesick for no apparent reason. I promise I’m not some kind of train wreck. At least not all the time.” You try to smile.

“Well, I’d rather stay here than be all around them. This is a nice setup in here. I’ve been around them for years and still don’t fit in. I don’t really find any of them tolerable, except you. Maybe.”

“Uh thanks. Do you want a glass? I have both red and white wine around. Or I can get you something else.” You shake your glass as you go to stand up. He gently pulls you back and shakes his head.

“I don’t drink at all. I’m an alcoholic, I’ve been in AA since I was seventeen.” He says as he looks down. You put a hand on his shoulder this time as you say, “Adam, if I had known I wouldn’t have even offered. You’ve been sober for all that time? That’s really great for you, sobriety is an achievement. I’m proud of you.” His face lights up into a smile, then suddenly it’s gone.

“Sorry to tell you how fucked up my life is so soon. I normally wait until the third or fourth meeting until I start sharing emotional trauma. Seriously, I never open up to people like that. You’re very easy to talk to.”

You smile and you sit back down on your bed. Why is it that you start to feel butterflies in your stomach? It must be the wine and other drinks you’d had earlier.

“Well I’ll take that compliment. You don’t need to feel bad about it, everyone is fucked up in some way.  I had an eating disorder for years so I understand. Not that it’s the same as alcoholism, but you know what I mean.”

“Yeah I know what you mean. How are you doing with that?”

“It’s a struggle every day. Some days are better than others.”

“You should probably head back out there, it’s your party.”

“No, it’s really Hannah’s party. And I think I’d rather stay here.”

               Hours must have passed. You and Adam had talked about everything. You talked about your backgrounds, he talked about being raised by his sister, his going through multiple career choices for years. Then you talked about his acting gigs and your writing, including his time in Major Barbara on Broadway. His most recent gig being Woyzeck at The Brick. That had set the conversation down the literary path.

“Tell me what it’s like to play a character who is going mad? Is it easier, freeing, or challenging?” You say in an excited pitch. He looks slightly embarrassed then he gets up and starts pacing.

“All three actually. I guess I’m kind of crazy too. I look back at my past relationships and I’m definitely crazy.”

“I think we’re all crazy when it comes to love, and if what Hannah told me is true, then you might be actually be crazy for good reason. Based on her stories, her life is more dramatic than a reality show.”

 He starts looking through the books on your bookshelf by your bed. You have a large, full bookcase that sits in the living room. But the books in your room are some of your favorites.

“You know, 1984 is better than Animal Farm.” He says as he picks up a book.

“Well I really like Animal Farm but I haven’t read 1984 so I can’t comment on it.”

“I have it. I’ll bring it over for you to borrow, you should read it. It’s a classic,” He says as he stares intensely at another cover on the shelf, “Though I’ve never read Jane Eyre. You like it?”

“Yes, it’s one of my favorites. I love all of the Bronte sisters. They’re some of my biggest writing inspirations.  I’ll let you borrow it, if you promise to bring it back.” You remove the book from the shelf. You suddenly notice how close the two of you are. You’re close enough that you can appreciate every one of his freckles, and you can’t help but take note of his plush-looking lips. It feels like there is an electric current between you as his hand brushes yours when he takes the book. You lock eyes and you think he might kiss you, then the spell is suddenly broken as Hannah walks into the room.

“There you guys are! I had thought everyone had left, but of course Adam is still around! I can never get rid of him.  And Y/N you just disappeared, I was worried that you got sick or something.”

Adam steps away from you and heads toward the door, “We were just talking. Not everyone is a social butterfly like you…Bye!”

Adam is out of your apartment in record time. Hannah watches you and raises her eyebrows at you. You don’t know what to say so you just shrug your shoulders. Hannah tells you good night and goes to check on Grover. You try to go to sleep, but you can’t stop thinking of Adam’s freckles and his lips. You think you’d like to trace all of his freckles and see if his lips were really as soft as they looked.  You know you shouldn’t feel that way about your roommate’s ex-boyfriend because that could be a nightmare, but you ease your conscious by remembering that there’s no harm in thoughts so long as they don’t lead to actions.

[morebedsidebooks]

Brazen: Rebel Women Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu

French artist Pénélope Bagieu created the comic series Culottées: Des femmes qui ne font ce qu'elles veulent in 2016 which in short installments presents 30 biographies of women from across the globe, ranging from the 4th century BCE to several ladies who are still living today. A fairly diverse collection in more than a few ways by ethnicity, nationality, class, career, age, sexuality, etcetera it is though rather cotemporary with only three of the women covered born before the 1800s. Popular it has now been licensed in many languages, translated in English by Montana Kane titled Brazen: Rebel Women Who Rocked the World published by First Second. If you’re curious the full list of the women:

Clémentine Delait

Queen Nzingha

Margaret Brainard Hamilton

The Mirabal Sisters

Lady Josephina Caroline Petronella Huberina van Aefferden

Lozen

Annette Kellermann

Delia J. Akeley

Joséphine Baker

Tove Jansson

Agnodice

Leymah Gbowee

Giorgina Reid

Christine Jorgensen

Empress Wu

Mary Temple Grandin

Sonita Alizadeh

Cheryl Bridges

Thérèse Clerc

Betty Davis

Nellie Bly

The Shaggs

Katia Krafft

Jesselyn Radack

Hedy Lamarr    

Naziq al-Abid

Frances Glessner Lee

Mae Jemison

Peggy Guggenheim

  And the English version ends with a bio of Bagieu herself. Though, the original French edition (two separate volumes btw) has a different installment. Turns out every edition is a little different because there can be some challenges in bringing comics across the globe.

The profile English readers won’t see is Phoolan Devi.

An Indian woman born in 1963 who would become an outlaw renowned as a “Bandit Queen” and later who took up politics and eventually was assassinated a few weeks short of her 38th birthday. Because hers is a history steeped in violence, particularly sexual violence. Too much for the New York publisher. And Bagieu feeling the entry on Phoolan Devi couldn’t really be changed in presentation and still remain understood therefore it’s omitted completely. So, here is where I’ll plug Phoolan’s autobiography The Bandit Queen of India: An Indian Woman's Amazing Journey from Peasant to International Legend, compiled by two writers with her as she was illiterate.

There are also a few other bios that managed with some alteration to still be included.

There’s something ironic in that entertainer Joséphine Baker, who found a place in her adopted country of France, is in cartoon form once more restricted when this book traveled over the ocean back to America. I’m not sure how the art redrawn in a few panels to cover or omit her topless is fitting the aim of the publisher. (But many of the splash pages like above sure are pretty.)

Same for singer/songwriter Betty Davis, can’t have a nipple in a funky splash page with her bio huh. (Above image French edition.)

Or panels depicting actress and inventor (what the splash page above stresses) Hedy Lamarr nude that were redrawn. Howard Dietz in his autobiography Dancing in the Dark wrote she once stated to him “You Americans are terrible, you have no artistic appreciation.” in relation to how the US press treated her regarding one of her earliest and most (in)famous roles. To also note here, the book Ecstasy and Me that was mentioned in the comic is not a great title to get if Lamarr’s life interests. It was a ghostwritten (auto)biography that Lamarr was more than critical of and sued over its publication, the likes of Variety doing an article about the controversy in 1966.

Which also brings up a point that no edition of Bagieu’s comic I’ve seen has reference page(s) at the end for where Bagieu drew information from and some details for the bios may not be on the money. At least I noticed a couple things. Drawing broad strokes is an unsuitable defense. It’s understandable when the webcomic was created at a rapid pace, but any collected edition offers a chance to revisit or receive more feedback with a greater number of eyes involved.

And to the differences between English and French editions, these are in part that First Second apparently marketed Bagieu’s comic younger. Citing common core connections appeal to schools too, which are the second place after public libraries where challenges to books occur in the US. In fact, since I first wrote this review Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World has still been targeted as not appropriate for K-12 schools and challenged. Though, I’ve yet to see a recommendation for an age under that of teens, unless it’s from kids whom the comic has made its way into their hands (as many things can). But also, when it comes to promotion is it fair to ask if these kind of changes for the English edition go against the words in its title?

brazen: Bold and without shame.

rebel: A person who resists authority, control, or convention.

rocked: Cause great shock or distress to (someone or something), especially so as to weaken or destabilize, be exciting or full of social activity, very good or pleasing.

Even the cover redesign making use of an emblem of the raised fist in a Venus symbol could cause discussion. Most will trace this symbol back to the 1960s but, it’s a little unclear exactly and nowadays used across the world with association and meaning a bit different to people, not always positive or, some protective of it for cultural or anti-commodification reasons.   

Honestly somebodies somewhere are going to say the book is all wrong due by its very nature that the women featured in this comic have personal/professional/public aspects of their lives that made them stand apart. Many of their histories contain all sorts of adversities life offers too. Take your pick of what’s unsuitable. Abortion? Child brides? Childhood sexual abuse? Divorce? Domestic violence? Gender identity? Health education? Murder? Racism? Rape? Sexuality? Torture? War? Quite a world out there ain’t it.

The distinction Bagieu has spoken of when it comes to content challenges and sensitives regarding the ideological or cultural seems very difficult to me. Whether and how detailed the nude form can be depicted (around motherhood apparently passed), certain types of work eschewed, or the spaces and manner (dis)allowed when it comes to the subject of abuse and sexual violence or its effects, especially when founded in lived experience are to me sociopolitical. Yes, this is tough stuff to sort but, in any event, I at least find it disgraceful a censored edition would receive the Eisner for Best U.S. Edition of International Material in 2019. Can do better than that, no?

Something best accompanied by more books (as it is the hope of its creator that readers would search and explore more), overall Pénélope Bagieu has created an interesting comic, an educational comic, an entertaining comic. Dare I say contributing its own good to sit on bookshelves across the globe as it is increasingly doing. I just wish it could do that without having to go change itself in these ways to fit there.

  The original French edition Culottées: Des femmes qui ne font ce qu'elles veulent by Pénélope Bagieu is available in print and digital, in two volumes ISBN#: 9782070601387, 9782075079846

Brazen: Rebel Women Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu is available in English translated by Montana Kane, print and digital, published by First Second

[brujahinaskirt]

I know the exasperation about erasure of women, lgbtq+ folks, and people of color from history is about justice more than attacking cotemporary historians, but these days it really goes more like this:

Historian: Check out all these love letters I found written between medieval nuns!

Conservative Publishers, catering to straight white men: Aww they must have been great friends!

Historian: Actually, they're romantic love letters. They specifically mention kissing and being in love.

Hollywood, catering to straight white men: That's impossible. We all know the only thing women did in medieval times was die in childbirth.

Historian: What?? That's not even remotely--

Fiction Tropes, catering to straight white men: I quite concur. As we know, women were illegal before 1700 and the punishment was beheading

Historian: We have no sources suggesting that? Where the fuck are you getting this bullshit inform--

Your High School "Social Studies" Teacher with No Specialized Degree, taking a mis-remembered pamphlet he read at Medieval Times completely out of context, IS a straight white man: Medieval women didn't know about sex and died at 30 because they didn't bathe. Gays are the result of GMOs.

Historian: ARE YOU HIGH

23-yr-old straight white MRA on reddit: Thank you, gentlemen. SJWs should really pick up a history book.

[lavenderlibrary]

To All The Boys I've Loved Before (#1) Book Review

1 girl, 5 boys, 5 letters, they were only meant for her eyes... until they were sent out...

Author: Jenny Han

Genre: Becoming of age, YA, Cotemporary, teen romance.

Age Rating: 13+

(check out Common Sense Media for a second opinion)

Rating: 4,81/5

 Synopsis

In this story, we get the perspective of Lara Jean Covey Song. She has only ever loved 5 boys, So to get over them she would write them a love letter, and store them I her blue hatbox her mom gave her, she could pour here heart out because she was the only one that would EVER read them. But then the letters get mysteriously sent out, causing her to get confronted by her 5 first loves. Maybe something good could come out of these letters?

 My Opinion

This book was so Captivating and such a whimsical cute read. This book makes you feel so many emotions all at one, such as: Happiness, Anger, Rage, Sadness, excitement and so much more. This book was soooo good. This book didn’t feel like one of those books where you highlight and take a moral out of, (this is a good thing) It felt like I was 6 again reading fairytales, you could just sit back relax and enjoy, except this storyline is nothing like A fairytale. Be prepared and have the second book next to you because, THE ENDING… It ends on such a cliffhanger, but it builds the suspense! There are so many plot twists and twists and turns I never saw coming. It is an impossible book to put down. Jenny Han is my favorite trilogy Author I have read nearly all her books and have loved all of them. I love her style of writing. She is so Clever that she makes you think what she wants you to think. SHE IS A MANIPULATOR (in a good way).

You will like it if…

You will like it if you are looking for a really captivating adorable trilogy (I know this is the first book review but once you done the first, you wont be able resist the next two!)

 Characters: 10/10

Plot: 10/10

 By Nicole Hil

[fauvester]

7, 9, 29 for humankaiju mosugoji and/or rodorah pls! ;w ;

CLAPS MY HAAANDS thank u

7.  Goji and Mothra usually end up at Monster Island together on Friday nights after work. Sometime’s Mothra’s ambulance shift doesn’t end until later and Goji waits for her and orders takeout so that it’s there when she shows up and they eat in one of the booths and listen to the late night karaoke. Neither of them are very talkative, but they have interesting lives and deep history to draw from.

When they want to do something special together, sometimes they load up Mothra’s old range rover and they drive out into the mountains and spend a weekend hiking and camping. Goji really lets loose when nobody else is around and she and Mothra can goof off and try to cook over a campfire, or splash around in a creek together and look at interesting wildlife.

They’re also big fans of Hanging Around though, since Goji’s pretty lazy and Mothra’s always tired after work. If you ever need to find them, Goji’s porch, lying on the swing, watching the waves, shooting the shit and sharing a beer, is a good place to look.

+ Rodan and the triplets’ date nights are all over the place lol.  Rodan likes going to events, so he’s always on the lookout for parties, concerts and dances, especially downtown. His tastes have mellowed out since his thrasher days but he still likes a good mosh. Since the Ghidorahs don’t, though, he usually takes them out to outdoor music festivals, neighborhood parties and local band performances instead.  They rarely all go out together, since their schedules and tastes can interfere with each other’s, so he can pick and choose who he takes to what.

That’s what Rodan’d prefer, at least, just going out once or twice a week to Hang Out Together, but they Ghidorahs (at least at first) keep trying to take him downtown for lavish dinners at the finest restaurants in the city… at the top of the highest building… places with years-long waitlists… and that’s so not Rodan’s scene (at least not that frequently, but he wouldn’t complain about the free food and great mixed drinks.)  Once they cool down a little with the overbearing courtship, they embrace the art of co-working with their boyfriend, especially since the three are running a multinational company and have to do a lot of paperwork. Rodan comes over to their place for a few days to work on his own stuff and they all sit in the blindingly bright minimalist living room and type away and Rodan scratches everyone’s heads.

9.  Oh god they’ve known each other for so long they’ve gone through too much stuff to be embarrassed hjkhj

Goji had a tantrum about having to wear braces in middle school (she did not ever wear braces, and as such, she has ‘fangs’ where her incisors didn’t grow in right). Mothra threw up in a gutter walking home after she drank too much at a house party in high school and had to strip down to her slip and Goji gave her her jacket and walked her home. It was really awkward for everyone. They broke up like 6 months later.

+ Ichi admitting he slept with Gigan one time is really high up there for him (kidding, but not really.)

The Ghidorahs are all deeply concerned about their image, so being embarrassed is their number-one fear and they avoid it strenuously.

Rodan isn’t actually embarrassed by much. He lives by the philosophy that most things in life are about as bad as you make them, so he tries not to be embarrassed by things. It’s a lesson his partners could stand to learn.

29. They have a very old-married-couple attitude, despite the tenuousness of their relationship at the moment. Now that they’re older, though, different aspects of their personality are emerging. Goji really loves kids, which Mothra never expected from her. When Mothra’s twin nieces stay over Goji always finds an excuse to visit and play with them. Even though she’s not the most smiley person, she’s protective, creative, and loves telling children about explosions and dinosaurs (their two favorite things.)  Mothra melts every time.

Goji used to write Mothra off as being sort of hands-off, delicate and weak – not necessarily in a bad way, but in a that’s-what-it-is way. Goji went to parties, got into fights and had all kinds of trouble, and Mothra’s avoidance of that, her softness and her desire for peace, was interpreted as timidity and frailty.  But after all the things she’s gone through Goji’s had a chance to appreciate how incredibly resilient, gritty and strong she is. When it seems like she’d be crushed or destroyed she comes back stronger, wiser and softer.

The time she stabbed Rodan was also sort of a “OH SHIT NO BABE lol that was so hot though BUT NO THAT’S OUR FRIEND”

+ After a few weeks of faking attention to spite Goji, and out of a morbid sort of interest, Ichi actually finds that he likes Rodan. He especially likes that he has no compunction about standing up to him. The two of them can have some amazing arguments; he likes the challenge. But later he also realizes how soft Rodan can be, especially when he’s scared. Once he gets to know the Ghidorahs better he’s less worried about coming off as weak and he lets himself be affectionate and apologetic and cheesy and instead of being disgusted or put off Ichi’s just like… oh lort I love this little bastard.  San likes him from the beginning, but seeing him throw hands with his old friends to fight for him and his brothers.  Deep down he just wants people to show up for and protect him.  Ni gets used to Rodan eventually, and even though he never has the same sort of passionate romantic love for him that his brothers do, when he realizes that Rodan’s been listening to everything he monologues about – and reading outside material about Danish property laws and cotemporary architecture - he realizes how much he’s underestimated him.

Rodan realizes that he’s in love right at first; he’s been fighting against his feelings since he first found out who they were and what they did, but he can’t help it and he can’t stay away, and the dread and desire are equal.  Later, after the fireworks and the drama and then long after he loses them, he searches for them elsewhere. He goes to Copenhagen and finds the house they grew up in. He reads Ichi’s favorite books and plasters his kitchen table with Ni’s building blueprints, looking for traces of him in the margins and floorplans.  With Gigan’s help he gets access to San’s encrypted personal email and reads all the conversations that they had together.

They didn’t know each other for long enough to find these things out the natural way, so Rodan clutches to each scrap of information, each turn of phrase or picture or detail, preciously.

[ymd3signs]

What Should I Study to Become a Fashion Designer?

The glamour. The fame. The art of creative details. Becoming a fashion designer promises all this and more. But is the love for designing clothes enough to become a good designer?

1. Get an early start – prepare from highschool for Fashion studies It's always good to be ready before time to satisfy the university admission requirements for a Fashion Bachelor's degree. That's why performing some related courses in high school can assist you. Here are some critical steps you'll take:

Take home economics classes and find out how to stitch fast

Draw and paint on your own to exercise your eye for color and patterns

Learn visual design software like Photoshop, CorelDraw, Xara, Serif DrawPlus

Read about Art and Fashion Design from blogs, books, and magazines

2. Study a Bachelor's in Fashion Design

If you don't want only to add the style industry, but to become the drive behind it genuinely, you would like to start with the fundamentals. Doing undergraduate studies in Fashion Design will help you understand everything about fashion design history, manipulating clothing textiles, sketching and drawing clothes, fashion events, or managing a fashion house.

These are some great fashion schools you ought to consider applying to:

LISAA School of Design, in France

Istituto Europeo Di Design (IED), in Italy

Accademia Del Lusso, in Italy

London College of Cotemporary Arts, in the UK

3. Study a Bachelor's in Visual Arts

Some contemporary hip fashion designers have completed a Visual Arts Bachelor's degree. These study programs specialize in combining theories and practices from painting, drawing, and photography, ideal for fashion designing.

Learn techniques like collage, professional photography or digital imaging, and how to use and interpret various design elements. A number of the simplest places to travel for such a degree are:

Visual Arts degrees in Canada

Visual Arts degrees within the USA

Visual Arts degrees within the Netherlands

4. Study a Bachelor's in a humanistic discipline

Fashion is Art. Wearable Art. So, it's essential to know the humanistic discipline to see the history of Fashion. Courses within the Philosophy of Art also can offer great tools for expressing your ideas and putting them into the proper context.

Still not convinced? What if we told you world-renowned designer Vera Wang studied Art History? If this puts things into perspective, here are some great places to start out trying to find a Bachelor's in Art History:

Art History degrees within the US.

Art History degrees in Australia

Art History degrees in Canada

5. Study a Bachelor's or take a brief course in Design

Nowadays, graphics are everywhere, even in Fashion. Scissors and paper alone won't do the trick. While it's not necessary to pursue a three-year-long Bachelor's in Design or Graphic Design, you ought to get a number of the insights these study areas need to offer.

For example, short courses in Design will teach you to explore various methods to create a high-quality product that's aesthetic and help you master techniques for the graphic representation of spaces and surfaces, product design, and style research. So, while you are doing your Fashion-related degree, you'll mix it with Design courses like those offered by:

Stanford Summer, in the US

University of the humanities London, in the UK

European Cultural Academy, in Italy

Key steps to a successful career in Fashion Design

While a Bachelor's in Fashion Design or a related discipline will assist you in developing the required skills and knowledge, it doesn't guarantee that you will make it into the competitive apparel industry. You would like to take a position some time in other activities, such as:

Networking and meeting like-minded people

Finding your niche

Learning what's it wish to own and grow a business

It would be best if you started meeting people within the apparel industry as early as possible, preferably while you're still a Fashion Design student. Keep your eyes open for paid or unpaid internships. It's much easier to land employment on a recommendation than to convince others that you have what it takes.

Also, confine mind that you can't do everything. That's why you'll need to decide what branch of Fashion attracts you more. Find out if you favor men, women, or children fashion designing, sportswear design, accessories design; otherwise, you lean more towards the business side of Fashion. Here are a number of the foremost popular jobs Fashion graduates go for, aside from a designer:

Merchandiser

Brand Manager

Fashion Consultant

Photo Shoot Stylist

Fashion Journalist

While Fashion could also be Art, it's also a business. Most famous fashion designers admit they needed to find out business skills to succeed. To further advance your career, you ought to consider a Master's degree in Business and Management. it'll help you understand how to run a successful business, and you'll discover ways to market your brand and make it stand out.

[pamphletstoinspire]

THE PROPHECY OF MICHEAS - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION.

Micheas, of Morasti, a little town in the tribe of Juda, was cotemporary with the prophet Isaias, whom he resembles both in his spirit and his style. He is different from the prophet Micheas, mentioned in the Third Book of Kings, (chap. xxii.) for that Micheas lived in the days of king Achab, one hundred and fifty years before the time of Ezechias, under whom this Micheas prophesied, (Challoner) as he did in the two preceding reigns. (Haydock) --- He addresses both Israel and Juda, and predicts the happiness of the Jews after the captivity, as a figure of what the church should enjoy. (Calmet) --- The Jews shall embrace the faith at last, after the Gentiles. (Worthington) --- We have only a small part of the predictions of Micheas, though he may have written no more. His style is obscure, like that of Osee. (Calmet) --- His name signifies "humility," or "who is like." (St. Jerome)

Chapter 1

Samaria, for her sins, shall be destroyed by the Assyrians: they shall also invade Juda and Jerusalem.

1 The word of the Lord that came to Micheas, the Morasthite, in the days of Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda: which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 1. Morasthite, "of Maresa," (Chaldean; chap. i. 14.; Calmet) a village near Eleutheropolis. (St. Jerome) --- Kings. They reigned about sixty years. (Calmet)

2 Hear, all ye people: and let the earth give ear, and all that is therein: and let the Lord God be a witness to you, the Lord from his holy temple.

Ver. 2. Witness. Deuteronomy xxxii., Isaias i., and vi.. The prophet discharges his duty, and will not be blameable, if people die in their sins, Jeremias iii. 18. (Worthington) --- This sublime address shews the importance of the subject, and how deep an impression the sins of Israel had made in his breast.

3 For behold the Lord will come forth out of his place: and he will come down, and will tread upon the high places of the earth.

Ver. 3. Earth, to subdue the rebels, Amos iv. 13., and Habacuc iii. 3. (Calmet)

4 And the mountains shall be melted under him: and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as waters that run down a steep place.

Ver. 4. Melted. Septuagint, "moved." (Haydock) --- Cleft, as it was to swallow up Core, (Numbers xvi. 31.) with the greatest ease.

5 For the wickedness of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the wickedness of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Juda? are they not Jerusalem?

Ver. 5. Jerusalem. High places were left there under Joathan, 4 Kings xv. 35. Achab had introduced the worship of Baal into Samaria, and though the family of Jehu repressed this worship, it gained ground when Micheas appeared. (Calmet) --- This conduct excited God's indignation. (Haydock) --- He came to punish the most guilty. (Calmet)

6 And I will make Samaria as a heap of stones in the field when a vineyard is planted: and I will bring down the stones thereof into the valley, and will lay her foundations bare.

Ver. 6. Heap. Septuagint, "hut to keep the fruit." Hebrew, "hillock of the field," (Haydock) to be cultivated. (Grotius) --- Bare, by Salmanasar, 4 Kings xvii. 6. It was afterwards rebuilt, (Calmet) but completely levelled by Hircan. (Josephus, Antiquities xiii. 18.)

7 And all her graven things shall be cut in pieces, and all her wages shall be burnt with fire, and I will bring to destruction all her idols: for they were gathered together of the hire of a harlot, and unto the hire of a harlot they shall return.

Ver. 7. Her wages. That is, her donaries or presents offered to her idols; or the hire of all her traffic and labour. (Challoner) --- Samaria had trafficked with infidels, and thus grew rich, but imitated their idolatry; (Worthington) and therefore was ruined, and her citizens and riches (Haydock) removed into Assyria. (Worthington) --- Harlot. They were gathered together by one idolatrous city, viz., Samaria: and they shall be carried away to another idolatrous city, viz., Ninive. (Challoner) --- The hire of prostitution was not to be received in God's temple, (Deuteronomy xxiii. 18.) which prohibition shews the antiquity of this abominable custom, Baruch vi. 9. (St. Augustine, City of God iv. 10.) (Calmet)

8 Therefore will I lament, and howl: I will go stript and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and a mourning like the ostriches.

Ver. 8. Naked. Ill clothed, (Haydock) to shew the approaching calamity of the Israelites, Isaias xx. (Menochius) --- Septuagint and Chaldean explain all of the people, (Calmet) or of Samaria. "Therefore shall she lament and howl, go barefoot and naked, bewail like," &c. (Haydock) --- Dragons, when they are crushed by the elephant. (Solin xxxviii.) (Menochius) --- Tannim means also (Haydock) whales, &c., which make a horrible noise. --- Ostriches, or swans, Isaias xiii. 21. Both have a mournful note. (Calmet)

9 Because her wound is desperate, because it is come even to Juda, it hath touched the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.

Ver. 9. Gate. That is, the destruction of Samaria shall be followed by the invasion of my people of Juda, and the Assyrian shall come and lay all waste even to the confines of Jerusalem. (Challoner) --- Juda received the worship of Baal from Israel. It shared in the punishment of that kingdom. The prophet alludes to the ravages of Sennacherib, ver 13. Yet Juda was much afflicted by Razin and Phacee, before that invasion: which caused Achaz to call in the aid of Theglathphalassar, 2 Paralipomenon xxviii., and 4 Kings xvi. (Calmet)

10 Declare ye it not in Geth, weep ye not with tears: in the house of Dust sprinkle yourselves with dust.

Ver. 10. Geth. Amongst the Philistines, lest they rejoice at your calamity. (Challoner) (2 Kings i. 20., and Amos iii. 9.) (Calmet) --- Tell not these calamities, which I foresee, among your enemies, lest they rejoice. But lament in your own houses, which shall be filled with dust. St. Jerome prays for the light of the Holy Ghost to understand this passage. (Worthington) --- Weep ye not. Keep in your tears, that you may not give your enemies an occasion of exulting over you: but in your own houses, or in your house of dust, your earthly habitation, sprinkle yourselves with dust, and put on the habit of penitents. Some take the house of dust (in Hebrew Haphra) to be the proper name of a city. (Challoner) --- With tears. Hebrew, "at all," (Protestants; Haydock) "in Acco," or Ptolemais, (Reland) or Bochim, (Haydock) a place near Jerusalem, Judges ii. 1. But no reference to this place, or to "the Enakim," (who appear in some copies of the Septuagint) seems to be made. --- Of dust. Samaria, ver. 6. (Calmet)

11 And pass away, O thou that dwellest in the Beautiful place, covered with thy shame: she went not forth that dwelleth in the confines: the House adjoining shall receive mourning from you, which stood by herself.

Ver. 11. Place. In Samaria. In the Hebrew, the beautiful place is expressed by the word Shaphir, which some take for the proper name of a city. (Challoner) --- It is thought that St. Jerome has given the sense of several proper names, (Calmet) or this has been done since in the Vulgate by some other. In the edition of his works, (A.D. 1533) we read, "The dwelling of Saphir passes from you: she hath not come out who inhabits Sennan. The house of Asel shall receive," &c. (Haydock) --- Saphir or Diocesarea was a strong place (Josephus, Jewish Wars ii. 37.) of Galilee, where Saanan was also situated, Judges iv. 11. Haetsel may denote "the vicinity." (Calmet) --- People shall not attempt to comfort their neighbours, being themselves under the greatest alarms. (Haydock) --- Forth. That is, they that dwelt in the confines came not forth, but kept themselves within, for fear. --- Adjoining, viz., Judea and Jerusalem, neighbours to Samaria, and partners in her sins, shall share also in her mourning and calamity: though they had pretended to stand by themselves, trusting in their strength. (Challoner) --- All the inhabitants shall be led into captivity naked. (Haydock)

12 For she is become weak unto good that dwelleth in bitterness: for evil is come down from the Lord into the gate of Jerusalem.

Ver. 12. Weak, &c. Jerusalem is become weak unto any good; because she dwells in the bitterness of sin. (Challoner) --- Protestants, "the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good." (Haydock) --- We know not of any place called Maroth. Grotius would substitute Ramoth. (Calmet) --- Bitterness. St. Jerome, "Maroth." Symmachus, "provoking to bitterness." They are unable to defend their possessions. (Haydock)

13 A tumult of chariots hath astonished the inhabitants of Lachis: it is the beginning of sin to the daughter of Sion, for in thee were found the crimes of Israel.

Ver. 13. Lachis, when Sennacherib came to besiege it, 4 Kings xviii. 13. (Calmet) --- Beginning. That is, Lachis was the first city of Juda that learnt from Samaria the worship of idols, and communicated it to Jerusalem. (Challoner) --- This is not very probable. We may translate, "this is the source of sin," or of chastisement; or the imitation of Israel, is the chief of the crimes of Sion. (Calmet)

14 Therefore shall she send messengers to the inheritance of Geth: the houses of lying to deceive the kings of Israel.

Ver. 14. Send. Lachis shall send to Geth for help; but in vain: for Geth, instead of helping, shall be found to be a house of lying and deceit to Israel. (Challoner) --- Inheritance. Some translate rather "Moreseth (or Morasthi) of Geth, the houses of Acsib," &c. Both these towns were near Geth, and perhaps at this time subject to it, 2 Paralipomenon xxviii. 18. Achaz sent to ask for aid against the king of Israel, ver. 9. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth-Gath, the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the," &c. (Haydock) --- There is an allusion between Acsib and a lie, as also between Maresa and an heir, (ver. 15.; Calmet) as the terms have those senses. (Haydock)

15 Yet will I bring an heir to thee that dwellest in Maresa: even to Odollam shall the glory of Israel come.

Ver. 15. Heir. Maresa (which was the name of a city of Juda) signifies inheritance: but here God by his prophet tells the Jews, that he will bring them an heir to take possession of their inheritance: and that the glory of Israel shall be obliged to give place, and to retire even to Odollam, a city in the extremity of their dominions. And therefore he exhorts them to penance in the following verse. (Challoner) --- Maresa shall fall a prey to the king of Assyria. Micheas was a native of this town, and he ironically addresses his countrymen. (Calmet) --- Glory. Thus he denotes "the misery" of Israel, which shall be extended to the last town in Juda. (Worthington) --- Hebrew means also "burden." Odolla was taken by Sennacherib, (Calmet) with the other towns around Jerusalem. (Haydock)

16 Make thee bald, and be polled for thy delicate children: enlarge thy baldness as the eagle: for they are carried into captivity from thee.

Ver. 16. Eagle. When it loses its feathers, it becomes languid. (Theodoret) --- This verse should be joined with the next chapter, which regards the kingdom of Israel. (Calmet)