This week was intense! If you ever want to know what the black friday week is like for someone who works in internet marketing? Well, it sucks 😂 to top that off, I also had two evening classes to teach, and it was just brutal. I got so tired I was sick by Thursday, but it seems I’m better now. So not a lot of reading was done! Or blogging, or visiting others, for that matter. How have you all been?
~ What I’ve Been Reading ~
I am so thankful to my friend Paul for finally getting me to start Dune! We’ve started it as a buddy read, and while he’s not been so enthusiastic about it yet, I have been unable to UNGLUE myself from this book. It’s so vast, foreshadowing and just nuts! An interesting thing is that it’s basically fantasy set on a different planet (or like a few of them), but no typical scifi details are present – technology is minimal, because the culture is sort of post-technological, and while they are more advanced than us, it totally takes a backseat. I am weirded out that I’m SO deep into this story because normally I run away when they start with the hundreds of hard to remember names or the new to me traditions and customs that are also hard to work out. Basically, I struggle with the world-building. But this time, it’s just not a problem! I’m so surprised. Anyway, Dune has these interesting schools of thought and different cultures with some really interesting concepts behind everything, and it is also like a game of chess that you’re watching with insider knowledge. It’s like things are being set up, and there’s foreshadowing that tells you that it will NOT end well, but you still need to follow through and have hopes for the characters, and more than that – everything that is going on is somehow bigger than you and basically anything. Ah.. Pardon me for my inability to voice my thoughts today at all. Basically, my mind is just yelling “COMPLEX, INTERESTING, AWESOME!” and after such a hard week, I’m struggling to make it into intelligible thoughts 😂 but Dune is very recommended! Even if you don’t like scifi, because like I said, it’s basically fantasy set on another planet.
[ Goodreads ]
~ What You’ve Been Talking About ~
Here are some awesome posts I found this week:
Amber @ The Literary Phoenix talks about how so many (YA) books tend to misrepresent the situation in mental institutions, and in doing that make it so much harder to look for help! VERY IMPORTANT POST.
Tanaz @ The Keysmash Blog talks about 10 things that non-readers do that are super annoying
Caro @ Book Cheshire Cat talks about how to write when you’re in a bad mood
Darina @ Facing the Story introduces us to some amazing and unique bookshops in London
Amiiie @ Amiiie’s Books talks about why she loves audiobooks
Sim @ Flipping Through the Pages talks about why she’s terrified of big books
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer reviews Spinning Silk, a book I would also really recommend!
Tamika @ Paperback and Flick Chick talks about the importance of trigger warnings
Marta @ The Cursed Books talks about hateable sexist tropes and books that smashed them
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious shares 6 books by Native American authors to add to your TBR
Consu @ Paper Eyed Girl shares diverse fantasy recommendations
Savannah @ The Book Prophet talks about the controversial nature of Thanksgiving
~ What I’ve Been Talking About ~
I am super proud of my discussion of last week, 5 Ways to Miss Books – it’s got little solutions as well! Go read it here:
And some #bookstagram pics you might have missed:
View this post on Instagram
And okay, this one’s not #bookstagram, but still! I am really loving the photos that I managed to take of the bowties mom made for Christmas sales (you can get it here, by the way):
View this post on Instagram
~ What I’ll Talk About Next Week~
Next week I’m publishing a review post for the book I’ve been talking about for a while on Instagram – What Would Boudicca Do? It’s a book about some lesser known, but really awesome and inspiring women. I’ll be posting some of the women that really inspired me! You might have seen some of them on my second instagram account already. Come read it on Thursday:
~ What I’ve Been Hauling ~
So how has your week been? And what are you reading? What did you haul?
As usual, I’m linking up with the Sunday post meme at Kimba’s book blog and Stacking The Shelves over at Tynga’s Reviews.
I’m Evelina and I try to blog about books that matter, with a bit of fun there too! Disability and equality will be topics you see a lot, but there’s also a lot of scifi, fantasy and… GIFs. I’m also the proud founder of #ARCsAnonymous.
Good morning from my end of the world! It seems that your week was a hectic one 🙂 I hope your cold is almost gone and you are feeling a lot better!
My week was also crazy work and family wise so I didn’t do much blogging done or reading for that matter either. I am super excited that yesterday I finished the book that I was reading though 🙂
Those bow-ties look awesome by the way! <3
Thank you 🙂 well, life keeps rolling on 😀 at least work is less crazy though. And thank you! 🙂
Ooh you’re reading Dune. Sounds like you’re liking it too- I read it years ago and I remember some things but not a ton?
Hope this week is calmer for you. And thanks for all the great links, as always. 🙂
Yes, Dune is a MASTERPIECE!! At least for me 🙂
Thank you for sharing my pos and discussing trigger warnings with me this week! looks like there have been so many other great posts this week too! I can imagine how hectic Black Friday week would have been for you and glad you are feeling better!
It was my pleasure, Tamika 🙂 and thanks!
You do need the upcoming week to relax, glad you’re feeling better. The bowtie is beautiful, I remember seeing you IG photo this past week.
Thank you! 🙂
*screams* I CAN’T WAIT TO READ YOUR REVIEW FOR BOUDICCA! Dune sounds very interesting. I love books that sort of genre bend. They’re a different reading experience altogether.
Aw, thanks 🙂 it was a good book, I can’t believe I got a review copy for it. And as for Dune, I always thought it was super old school or something, cause it’s such a sci-fi classic – but even though it was written in 1965, it seems pretty timeless, which is always an indicator of a great book.
Seems like you really are enjoying Dune That tells how much you love complex things I recently read Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and loved to know about so many amazing women. Can’t wait to read your review of Boudicca ☺️
I hope this week is relaxing for you though.
Thank you! 🙂
That bowtie picture totally captured my attention. It’s so beautiful!
Thank you! Yeah, they’re very glittery 🙂 yet to sell the first item, but maybe someone will want it for a nice Christmas present 🙂
Black Friday is just too much for me. I tend to avoid it altogether. I’d rather pay full price than stress myself over deals. Glad you’re enjoying your book. I have been in a slight reading slump even though I managed to finish 3 books last week. Hope you have a great week.
SP & STS
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
Agreed! We don’t really do it much here. All we do is maybe order one or two things online. Thank you! Hope you get out of your slump soon 🙂
Boudicca has been everywhere on my feed and I will love to hear more from you as well. I finally jumped ship and started posting on Instagram and you have been inspiration! And you have a great week ahead.
Haha I guess I have been posting about it a lot 😀 on instagram! Wait, I gotta go see!
Hopefully this week is less stressful. Enjoy Dune, it sounds good! The bowtie pics look great.
Thank you! 🙂
I’ll admit I’ve never read Dune, but hearing you gush over it makes me want to drop everything and read it!
I’m surprised! Cause you always read the coolest scifi 🙂 I am enjoying Dune so much, I didn’t expect to enjoy it even half as much. A very pleasant surprise.
I couldn’t stop feeling amazed as you chatted about Dune, which doesn’t seem like one of my usual reads…but now I am curious! Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
I was surprised too! I expected something different – to be honest, I’m not sure what I expected. But that book has definitely earned its fame 🙂
I saw your sparkly bookstagram this week Evelina LOL And what have I been hauling? Well I am on a self imposed book ban this month but Black Friday was too good to ignore as I got Honor Among THieves for 9 USD (Hardback) instead of 17!! I wanted to read this one for a long time so yes, I bought it LOL Happy Sunday!
I’m sure it’s fine! Especially cause you only bought one, and not ten 😀 I also only bought one. So I’m pretty disappointed in the Amazon deals xD
I’ve heard great thing about The Girl Who Drank the Mon!
Me too! So I’m excited 🙂
Glad to hear you are feeling better & enjoying Dune. 🙂
I should re-read it, cuz it’s been 20 years since i read it and i only read the translated version.
It’s magical! The writing is amazing too. You totally should – 20 years is a lot, so you’re effectively a different person now 😀
Dune sounds like a very interesting read! I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far.
Black Friday definitely sounds intense.. It was never a big thing here. But this year it’s just huge. Everywhere I looked there where Black Friday commercials and advertising. Crazy!
Have a great week and happy reading.
Black Friday was never a big thing here, but even a few clients all wanting to launch anything last minute really does make it stressful xD
Oh, I’ve heard wonderful things about Dune. I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Thanks also for mentioning my post!
My pleasure, Darina 🙂
I’ve been curious about Dune for ages, so it’s great to hear you’re loving it! And oh no — Black Friday must have been a nightmare! I was actually surprised to find out that countries outside the US also do Black Friday, just because they don’t have any reason to celebrate Thanksgiving, so the start of the Christmas season must be a little more fluid? Maybe not! Or maybe retailers are happy to make money however they can I hope you got some rest and are feeling better ♥
Black Friday is sort of just discounts, but we don’t go crazy or trample people for them. And I guess it’s a trend and sooner or later everyone follows a trend. It’s only become a thing several years back though, I think? But yeah, it’s definitely just an excuse to make more sales. We also don’t go that crazy with holiday shopping 🙂
I never read Dune, but it’s so much fun when you like a book so much. Sounds like you had a busy week overall. I hope the coming week is a good one for you.
Thank you!
Oh no on feeling poorly. Glad you’re feeling some better. Hopefully a calm week to follow 🙂
Hopefully! Thanks 🙂
Ahh that sounds super exhausting! I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better now and the wildness is out of the way. Also your description of Dune makes me want to read it SO MUCH!? Another one for the TBR ah ahha *drowns under books*
Seriously, I did not expect it to be this awesome! But also, Dune is like 600 pages long so we both know how you feel about that number of pages 😀 (it is well worth it though.)
Wow, you sure have been busy. It’s good to hear you’ve bounced back and feel better. I read Dune way back when. Can’t even be sure I’m remembering the book or the movie. LOL
Thanks, Laura 🙂 the movie never made it here, so I’ve never seen it 🙂
I really enjoyed Dune, but the series sort of lost me later. I still think I might try it again at some point. Hope you love all the books as much as the first!
So I’ve heard! Apparently, the rest of the books have lost the spark. I will probably just be reading the first one (well, first three books, so to say.)
That bowtie photo is beautiful. Sorry that work has been stressful. Hopefully it’ll be better now that Black Friday is over. Dune is on my TBR list, so I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Have a great week!
Thank you! And Dune is AMAZING 🙂
Oh no! I’m glad you’re feeling better! I’ve always been interested in Dune, but I’ve never quite committed to it. I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Have a great week 😀
Thank you 🙂 yes, Dune is definitely 100% worth it!
I can imagine it’s a nightmare. I haven’t done much either… aside from procrastinating, so you’re not alone, haha. Hopefully after the chaos of Cyber Monday (I’m guessing that’s a nightmare as well?), you’ll have a more relaxing week. 😀
Actually, Cyber Monday is not a thing at all! I guess Black Friday is enough xD we can’t shop for so long lol
Dune is pretty amazing. It totally sucked me in when I read it back in the late ’70s… even though in some ways, I didn’t really like it. But the world-building is phenomenal, and the exploration of cultures is fascinating.
Wow, to have read it when it was still a rather new book, instead of such a classic 🙂 that’s amazing. And yeah, the world building is something alright. I can see how so many other scifis, whether book or film, have borrowed stuff from Dune…
Thanks for the shout-out. I’m glad we’re reading it and it does seem to be picking up for me.
Great post as always.
Yay! Well feel free to drop ALL your thought into my DMs because you’re not going to spoil me cause I’ve read like 24% by now. Not sure where you are so I don’t want to spoil you!
I have been meaning to read Dune but have never gotten around to it, I love that you are sucked in though!!!!
I hope things settle down a bit for you this week, and thank you for linking to my post!
Thanks 🙂
I read Dune this year too, though in my case probably for the third time, I first read it about 20 years go mind so it may be more (totally showing my age I know). When are you doing your next state of the ARC, I really need some motivation to tackle the growing netgalley unread shelf.
The next State of the ARC will be this Thursday, actually 🙂
I loved Dune I read it a million years ago and have the books in paperback, like my Isaac Asimov and Larry Niven books. When I went to Dragoncon last year I was excited because I got to meet Larry Niven and have him autograph those paperbacks I have moved with me for close to 40 years. Anne – Books of My Heart
I am considering grabbing some fancy limited edition paperback or something, cause I just love that book so much 🙂 that’s really cool about the autograph!
You had such a busy and stressful week. I hope you’re feeling better. *sends hugs*
You got The Girl Who Drunk the Moon!!!! I’m so excited to read it. I hope I can still do it before the year ends
Happy readings! 😉
Thank you! 🙂 hey, let’s do a buddy read, maybe?
Thank you so much for sharing my post! ♥ 🙂 I’m now also among those who have gotten sick, so I feel you, I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better though 🙂
Ah, my pleasure! 🙂
Hahaha I swore I read and commented on this post! I think I may be in a time loop! Happy you got into Dune though, its a fun story. And thanks for sharing Spinning Silk! ❤️
Incidentally, I just started Shin for our buddy read literally ten minutes ago 😀