Hi all. Happy Pride. I'd planned to start a Pride book series today. Now, however, is not the right time. I'll be saving those posts for July. Stay safe, everyone.
Category: Uncategorized
How to Fight Racism Right Now
A rundown of recent murders of Black people by police: On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor was shot in her own home by police who entered the wrong house during a raid. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd died after cop Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes. On May 27, 2020, Regis… Continue reading How to Fight Racism Right Now
Subscription Box Post: Fairy Loot – March 2020
I FINALLY RECEIVED MY VERY FIRST SINGLE-PURCHASE FAIRY LOOT BOX AND I COULDN'T BE MORE THRILLED. Fairy Loot, allegedly the "#1 Fantasy Book Subscription Box," is a UK-based company that offers monthly themed boxes containing recent YA fantasy releases and bookish goodies. I've been wanting to buy a Fairy Loot box forever but never felt… Continue reading Subscription Box Post: Fairy Loot – March 2020
Book Design Tag
Emer found a book tag (created by Holly Dunn Design) on Youtube and Iiiiiii stole it. I mean, she tagged me. Don't worry about it. THE PROMPTS 1. A book you bought primarily (or completely) because of the cover I saw this very pretty, operatic copy of Winter's Tale at Powell's for only $8. I… Continue reading Book Design Tag
Pixar Book Tag
I'm resurrecting an old book tag back from the days when people had fond feelings about Pixar. Emily and Shivii co-created this tag and Zezee's answers helped me come up with my own. Toy Story A book where you wanted the characters to come to life The Castle in the Attic was one of my favorite… Continue reading Pixar Book Tag
People-pleasers can be drawn to toxic relationships. It’s important to know why.
I came across Sam Dylan Finch’s wonderful blog on Twitter.
His writing is so clear and compassionate.
I don’t LOVE how much I identify with this post, which is exactly why it’s so important.
Give it a read.
I’ve learned in life that when you observe a pattern about yourself, it might be worth examining (okay, this is an understatement — I can pretty much guarantee you that you’ll come out wiser).
One of my big “aha” moments this year was around a relationship pattern that I hadn’t noticed before. I realized that I’m a people-pleaser.
Being liked by others, especially in my personal life, came at the expense of voicing my true feelings and needs. It was more important to be liked than it was to have relationships that felt honest and nourishing.
And it’s a lonely place to be — it can feel like no one knows your true feelings or self, and that you are secondary in relationships that should feel equal. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to a hell of a lot of resentment.
And thus… a pattern emerged.
My favorite kind of person to…
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In Defense of Harry: A Harry Potter fan’s response to reader resentment
I wrote this a million years ago and I think it still holds up.
Author’s note: I tried to keep this essay spoiler free, but found it hard to come up with any supporting evidence without detailing plot events. So, if you would like your Harry Potter experience to remain unspoiled, read no further.
Additionally, I’m familiar with the term “Mary Sue,” but have chosen to use “Gary Stu” because Harry is male.
“Ugh! I hate Harry! Hermione should have been the protagonist.”
“He’s so angsty and whiny! Seriously, get over yourself!”
“He thinks he’s so much better than everyone, including his best friends!”
“He’s such a Mary Sue. Seriously, he’s good at Quidditch, and he can talk to snakes, and he’s the Chosen One? What a tool.”
“I’ve never cared about Harry. He’s just a vehicle for the plot.”
I heard this last criticism at Bible study during a discussion of our favorite and least favorite films. I had to grip the edge of my chair…
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No, I’m not doing well
I wrote this last year just before leaving a non-affirming church.
In light of the UMC’s decision, a lot of the feelings I wrote about are still relevant.
I came here
for art, for energy, for community, for people like me, done with
“accidental” pregnancies and tiny weddings and Trump rallies
and surely, maybe
I’d meet more men
in a city of 700,000.
Bursting with creativity
I came here.
Now I’m stuck
in this ugly gray
where walking down the sidewalk in a straight line
is an Olympic sport
and nobody
knows how to drive,
beating back screaming homeless
and rude Chinese ladies
and I didn’t ask for this.
I didn’t fucking ask for this.
I’m tired
of mixers, classes,
being proactive,
waiting on men
who remain passive
and I’m twenty-two again
waiting around
waiting still
and nothing
has changed.
Meanwhile, my church
pays lip service to loving singles,
all around me married people
making plans, making visits,
making time,
and sure-okay-I-guess-
you’re-invited-but
holy-shit-what
will-we-talk-
about.
Stuck
in small talk-
“What do you do?
Did you just move?
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Bookish Naughty or Nice Tag
DID I JUST GET TAGGED!? What an exciting event! Thanks, Jenna! (Congrats on making the Nice list.) I have residual religious anxiety that I'll overlook a past sin...and get dinged for lying. (My anxiety believes sin works this way.) I'm going to be as honest as possible...but I will cut myself a break when needed,… Continue reading Bookish Naughty or Nice Tag
Book Betrayal: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender
Between the fall of 2016 and the summer of 2017, I read a number of trashy YA novels for stress relief. Kale, My Ex, and Other Things To Toss in a Blender marked a breaking point for me; after reading that mess, I decided to stop altogether. Before hitting my limit, I picked up a book called Marie… Continue reading Book Betrayal: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender
Narrative Paradise 