#The help book recommendations

[andthebeanstalk]

Me: hm, I want something to put on the TV as background noise... Huh. Looks like YouTube is recommending something called The Last Unicorn. That's perfect, it's probably some old shitty animation that has aged poorly! I can watch it ironically!

Me, 2 hours later as the credits roll: *crying, cheering, buying the book, composing the songs*

Me, 2 weeks later: So I have compiled all of the quotes from the book that I think could make good tattoos, and also, HOW HAVE I NEVER LEARNED ABOUT HOW THE LAST UNICORN FUCKING SLAPS??? This gay-ass little fairytale fed my soul! Watered my crops! Transed my gender! Can't believe I heard of this story from youtube recommendations, of all places!!

#original #the last unicorn #tlu #peter s beagle #molly gru #schmendrick #schmendrick the magician #two of my favorite characters in anything right there in the center of the story! and I'm glad I saw the film first! #my reading ability has diminished due to trauma disability etc. but it seems like having a visual reference actually really helped! #no wonder i only ever want to read fan fic! turns out reading is not actually Superior to other types of Storytelling. it's just different. #to say otherwise is snobbishness I have been eminently guilty of in my life! #but like it is easier for me to consume tv and movies and that is fine actually. also that's why I'm doing a graphic novel lol #because i wanted to make something i would actually be able to read if i found it at a library. altho the audio book IS gonna be bomb #the audiobook is for visually impaired readers and anyone who wants or needs it! accessible stories for everyone! yeah!! #my gender was already transed but now I've gained an ADDITIONAL gender! which one? I'll never tell 😘 #i am so powerful i have so much fuckin gender. my wife has no gender. and she is equally as powerful. #and also she has STUDIED THE BLADE #mostly zoro's blades from One Piece #normally YouTube recommends me shit movies like idiocracy or smth this is like if every day ur cat brought you a piece of rotten food and #then one day it brings you a BEAUTIFULLY ANIMATED TALE FEATURING MY BELOVED TWINK FUCK-UP WIZARD FRIEND AND MY ALL-TIME HOMEGIRL MOLLY GRU #and also it's soft and beautiful and funny and fucking weird!! i wrote melodies to the songs in the books on my ukulele

[feyarcher]

Anyone got fun sci-fi recs? Emphasis on Fun.

Murderbot are my comfort books and I loved The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. That's really the ideal vein that I'm looking for. I've read some Scalzi books and enjoyed them and same with the Martian, but beyond that I'm still pretty fresh to sci fi. I'm a big fantasy person, so I'd appreciate any and all ideas of what I can explore next. Thanks!!!

#science fiction #book recommendations #books #please bookside of tumblr help me out #booklr #bookblr #idk which is the right tag there tbh

[that-bitch-kat3]

i have decided that i want to read more books this year so i’m opening it up to tumblr. tell me your favorite books! bonus points if it’s something you think i probs haven’t read yet!

#asks #help #book recommendations #bookclub #bookblr #books and reading #kats talks #kats asks #kat talks

[satansleftnutcheek]

Thinking of picking up a Jane Austen book, any recommendations?

#idk what to tag this somebody summon the readers #I only know pride and prejudice help #jane austen #booklr #books #book recommendations

[jamiebluewind]

Looking for book suggestions and resources for autistic adults, ESPECIALLY about what to do if diagnosed as an adult (I'm also nonbinary and afab if that helps). I'm overwhelmed by everything out there and it's hard to sort through what's good solid information, what's outdated, and what to stay away from (I've already been told to avoid Autism Speaks).

I've only had my official diagnosis two days. It's kind of wild to learn that things I attributed to my ADHD, PTSD, generalized anxiety, and depression were just... autism. Like, learning about autistic burnout and meltdown is making a lot of things make more sense. I want to learn more about autism so much (and maybe learn some new coping techniques?), but I keep hitting wall after wall of bad information and ableism. I know I'm probably just screaming into the void and hoping the void answers back, but I gotta try.

#bluewind talks #asd #autism #autism spectrum disorder #asd help #autism help #book recommendations #adhd #neurodivergence #autism resources #actually autistic

[eerna]

pls recommend me some fantasy romance!

#all rec lists lead me to a dead end pls help me out i am CRAVING so BADLY #and you know my taste so you won't recommend me whatever is recommended online when i try to find books similar to an enchantment of ravens #recs #i'm dying over a school project and still have 2 whole pages of comicing to do i NEED something romantic to get me through it #should have waited a bit longer to read emily wilde huh

[disabled-dragoon]

Does anyone have recommendations for books about disability/with disabled characters in?

#Im planning something #its going to take a while and I need a bit of help but Im hoping itll work out #disability #disability books #books #book recommendations

[curious-trickster]

Please help a Reader find new content!

Hey there. I recently finished reading 'for the want of a jewel', an original work written by @formlessvoidbeast and I absolutely loved it!

Just like I loved the 'Accidental Warlord' series, a AU based on the Witcher, by @inexplicifics.

Those fics are both an absolute delight to read and they have a few things in common which kind of caused a want of more in me.

Please help me find fics/original work/books/shows... with these tropes (they do not have all the things I mentioned but it would be nice to have them meet several):

Character gets traded for peace to a most likely hostile party (warlord, king, pirates, bandits, just something they expect to be bad or different)

The trade-in-character expects to be hurt/killed/abused/hated/...

The second party they are given too is not aware of the circumstances of the way the trade-in-character had to leave their home

The second party which the trade-in-character expects to be hostile turns out to be not so bad

The trade-in-character finds true home with the party they were given to

The trade-in-character finds true friends/family not made by blood/love/their way of life/... with the people they were given too

Shenanigans (optional as the rest of them, but they would be greatly appreciated)

If you can think of something which has some or even better all of these tropes, pls comment/send a message! I would be very grateful and you'd help my adhd brain by feeding it with its new hyperfixation!

Feel free to drop the number of the trope(s) your recommendation has, or don't it's up to you!

A big thanks to @formlessvoidbeast and @inexplicifics for writing these amazing stories and allowing me to mention you in this post!

#Help wanted #Fic recommendations #book recommendations #media recommendations #Traded for piece trope #Sold out to hostile party #fear of death #The accidental warlord @inexplicifics #for the want of a jewel #For the want of a jewel @formlessvoidbeast #accidental warlord au #Finding home #finding freedom #finding friends #finding family #hurt/comfort #pirates #Enemy Kingdom #pls recommend #Being treated right #Warlord au #Slavery #kinda? #Expected slavery? #I am open to these tropes as long as the character is freed again i guess #But i will try reading anything because I am always surprised by books i didn't think I'd enjoy #Original work recommendation #fic tropes #fic talk #Bamf character

[indyviree]

GUYS I FINISHED ARTEMIS FOWL TwT

I DONT KNOW WHAT TO READ NOWWW- I LOVE ARTY TOO MUCH

#artemis fowl #artemis #booktok #booklr #scifi #sci fi #science fiction #sci fi books #fantasy #the last guardian #book series #book recommendations #send help

[regulusrules]

Yo, I saw your post about orientalism in relation to the "hollywood middle-east" tiktok!

How can a rando and university dropout get into and learn more about? Any literature or other content to recommend?

Hi!! Wow, you have no idea how you just pressed a button. I'll unleash 5+ years on you. And I'll even add for you open-sourced works that you can access as much as I can!

1. Videos

I often find this is the best medium nowadays to learn anything! I'll share with you some of the best that deal with the topic in different frames

• This is a video of Edward Said talking about his book, Orientalism. Said is the Palestinian- American critic who first introduced the term Orientalism, and is the father of postcolonial studies as a critical literary theory. In this book, you’ll find an in-depth analysis of the concept and a deconstruction of western stereotypes. It’s very simple and he explains everything in a very easy manner.

• How Islam Saved Western Civilization. A more than brilliant lecture by Professor Roy Casagranda. This, in my opinion, is one of the best lectures that gives credit to this great civilization, and takes you on a journey to understand where did it all start from.

• What’s better than a well-researched, general overview Crash Course about Islam by John Green? This is not necessarily on orientalism but for people to know more about the fundamental basis of Islam and its pillars. I love the whole playlist that they have done about the religion, so definitely refer to it if you're looking to understand more about the historical background! Also, I can’t possibly mention this Crash Course series without mentioning ... ↓

• The Medieval Islamicate World. Arguably my favourite CC video of all times. Hank Green gives you a great thorough depiction of the Islamic civilization when it rose. He also discusses the scientific and literary advancements that happened in that age, which most people have no clue about! And honestly, just his excitement while explaining the astrolabe. These two truly enlightened so many people with the videos they've made. Thanks, @sizzlingsandwichperfection-blog

2. Documentaries

• This is an AMAZING documentary called Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Villifies A People by the genius American media critic Jack Shaheen. He literally analysed more than 1000 movies and handpicked some to showcase the terribly false stereotypes in western depiction of Arab/Muslim cultures. It's the best way to go into the subject, because you'll find him analysing works you're familiar with like Aladdin and all sorts.

• Spain’s Islamic Legacy. I cannot let this opportunity go to waste since one of my main scopes is studying feminist Andalusian history. There are literal gems to be known about this period of time, when religious coexistence is documented to have actually existed. This documentary offers a needed break from eurocentric perspectives, a great bird-view of the Islamic civilization in Europe and its remaining legacy (that western history tries so hard to erase).

• When the Moors Ruled in Europe. This is one of the richest documentaries that covers most of the veiled history of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain). Bettany Hughes discusses some of the prominent rulers, the brilliance of architecture in the Arab Muslim world, their originality and contributions to poetry and music, their innovative inventions and scientific development, and lastly, La Reconquista; the eventual fall and erasure of this grand civilization by western rulers.

3. Books

• Rethinking Orientalism by Reina Lewis. Lewis brilliantly breaks the prevailing stereotype of the “Harem”, yk, this stupid thought westerns projected about arab women being shut inside one room, not allowed to go anywhere from it, enslaved and without liberty, just left there for the sexual desires of the male figures, subjugated and silenced. It's a great read because it also takes the account of five different women living in the middle east.

• Nocturnal Poetics by Ferial Ghazoul. A great comparative text to understand the influence and outreach of The Thousand and One Nights. She applies a modern critical methodology to explore this classic literary masterpiece.

• The Question of Palestine by Edward Said. Since it's absolutely relevant, this is a great book if you're looking to understand more about the Palestinian situation and a great way to actually see the perspective of Palestinians themselves, not what we think they think.

• Arab-American Women's Writing and Performance by S.S. Sabry. One of my favourite feminist dealings with the idea of the orient and how western depictions demeaned arab women by objectifying them and degrading them to objects of sexual desire, like Scheherazade's characterization: how she was made into a sensual seducer, but not the literate, brilliantly smart woman of wisdom she was in the eastern retellings. The book also discusses the idea of identity and people who live on the hyphen (between two cultures), which is a very crucial aspect to understand arabs who are born/living in western countries.

• The Story of the Moors in Spain by Stanley Lane-Poole. This is a great book if you're trying to understand the influence of Islamic culture on Europe. It debunks this idea that Muslims are senseless, barbaric people who needed "civilizing" and instead showcases their brilliant civilization that was much advanced than any of Europe in the time Europe was labelled by the Dark Ages. (btw, did you know that arabic was the language of knowledge at that time? Because anyone who was looking to study advanced sciences, maths, philosophy, astronomy etc, had to know arabic because arabic-speaking countries were the center of knowledge and scientific advancements. Insane, right!)

• Convivencia and Medieval Spain. This is a collection of essays that delve further into the idea of “Convivencia”, which is what we call for religious coexistence. There's one essay in particular that's great called Were Women Part of Convivencia? which debunks all false western stereotypical images of women being less in Islamic belief. It also highlights how arab women have always been extremely cultured and literate. (They practiced medicine, studied their desired subjects, were writers of poetry and prose when women in Europe couldn't even keep their surnames when they married.)

4. Novels / Epistolaries

• Granada by Radwa Ashour. This is one of my favourite novels of all time, because Ashour brilliantly showcases Andalusian history and documents the injustices and massacres that happened to Muslims then. It covers the cultural erasure of Granada, and is also a story of human connection and beautiful family dynamics that utterly touches your soul.

• Dreams of Trespass by Fatema Mernissi. This is wonderful short read written in autobiographical form. It deconstructs the idea of the Harem in a postcolonial feminist lens of the French colonization of Morocco.

• Scheherazade Goes West by Mernissi. Mernissi brilliantly showcases the sexualisation of female figures by western depictions. It's very telling, really, and a very important reference to understand how the west often depicts middle-eastern women by boxing them into either the erotic, sensual beings or the oppressed, black-veiled beings. It helps you understand the actual real image of arab women out there (who are not just muslims btw; christian, jew, atheist, etc women do exist, and they do count).

• Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. This is a feminist travel epistolary of a British woman which covers the misconceptions that western people, (specifically male travelers) had recorded and transmitted about the religion, traditions and treatment of women in Constantinople, Turkey. It is also a very insightful sapphic text that explores her own engagement with women there, which debunks the idea that there are no queer people in the middle east.

---------------------

With all of these, you'll get an insight about the real arab / islamic world. Not the one of fanaticism and barbarity that is often mediated, but the actual one that is based on the fundamental essences of peace, love, and acceptance.

#orientalism #literature #arab #middle east #islam #feminism #book recommendations #reference #documentary #western stereotypes #eurocentrism #queer #queer studies #gender studies #women studies #cultural studies #history #christianity #judaism #books #regulusrules asks #regulusrules recs #If you need more recs #or can’t access certain references #feel free to message me and I’ll help you out!

[lorcandidlucienwill]

Book spree

I'm trying to read as many books before my school break ends, so...

#book recommendations #the cruel prince #fourth wing #shadow and bone #pls help me guys

[logan-motherfucking-rose]

It has come to my attention that although i consume lots and lots of queer media: Movies, Tv Shows, Books, Manga, Webtoons and fanfiction.

The VAST majority of them are about white couples or fair skinned, and not very diverse in the body category.

I want to change it.

I want to read about diverse love stories. Smut. Sex. Whatever.

Give me the Disabled love story/smut

Give me the bigger bodies being dicked DOWN.

GIVE ME!!!

This is a public announcement thus i accept recommendations.

Tv shows

Movies

Webtoons

Mangas

Books

Ebooks

Fanfiction

#be a pal and help me out #diversity #diversity books #diversity tv shows #diversity media #give me queer #give me NB #give me Sapphic #recommendation #lgbt books

[friendrat]

Ok, I need some help. I lost this book like 10 years ago in a fire, and I cannot for the life of me remember *anything* about it. It was a Christian middle grade or YA book. I *think* it was a portal fantasy, but it could have just been an other world fantasy. I think there may have been like shadow people, and the MC had to travel into this dark land/fortress? I'm sorry, I know that isn't a lot to go on! The one thing I can say is that it had a green and black cover. The cover kinda has the same vibes as Shadow Chaser by Jerel Law:

Like to the point that I actually thought that might have been it, but Shadow Chaser was book 3 in a series, and the one I'm looking for was either book 1 or a stand-alone.

Help a girl out? Let me know if you have an idea of what book I'm looking for, or if you know someone who might know feel free to tag them, or share this post... whatever. Thanks!

#reading #reading rat #book recommendations #obscure books #books #christian fiction #christian fantasy #Christian middle grade #Christian ya #help me find this book

[weregonnabecoolbeans]

While i'm finishing Thrawn: Alliances..

Can people reblog with other star wars book recommendations please :)

#I want to read anything and everything but i need help knowing where to start #so far ive read: #The Rising Force #The Dark Rival #The Hidden Past #The Mark of the Crown #Kenobi #Master and Apprentice #Padawan #Attack of the Clones novelization #Revenge of the Sith novelization #Thrawn #Dark Disciple #Ahsoka #and I'm about to read Brotherhood when I finish the one im reading #please give me all the recommendations you have #both novels and comics #star wars #star wars books #star wars novels #star wars comics #jedi apprentice #obi wan kenobi #anakin skywalker #the clone wars #padme amidala #thrawn #eli vanto #count dooku #qui gon jinn

[spiffy-sea-dragon]

ATTENTION DRINNY FANS

I’m really, really depressed and going through the worst break-up. I need good rom-com movie and book reccs. As fellow Drinny shippers I trust your taste, please help me out.

I’m open to a lot. Bonus points if it’s enemies to lovers. If you’d recc the movie Holidate then you’re the person I’m looking for.

#book recommendations #drinny #draco x ginny #book reccs #movie reccs #ginny x draco #draco malfoy / ginny weasley #if you’re wondering what I like I love Ali Hazelwood and movies like Bridget Jones #It doesn’t have to be the best thing ever either I just need something to fill the void #and I’ve read all the fanfics I need different stuff too especially where I can watch #I love Holidate and Christmassy romance #also this is genuinely a post for help I don’t have anyone to talk to and this is genuinely something that could help #so if you leave a recommendation I’d really appreciate it it’d feel like someone cares

[murasaki-cha]

My mom seeing my copy of Assistant To The Villain: Oh this is the book you got yesterday, what's it about?

Me: Oh it's a fantasy romance with lots of comedy. I love it so much, I just finished it yesterday.

My mom: *teasingly* Oh does it have any spicy scenes~?

Me absentmindedly: God I wish

My mom who doesn't really know how much romantasy na I read: What?

Me realising my mistake: ....What?

#I proceeded to tell her they are a sad sad case and it honestly would help the plot development of they did at this point #she just walked out #assistant to the villain #attv #romance books #book rec #book recommendations #bookblr #ya books #young adult books