#read 2021

[booksandwords]

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Read time: 4 Days Rating: 5/5

The quote: As someone told me recently, they told me that my problem isn't actually stage fright. My problem is life fright. And you know what? They're fucking right. Because life is frightening, and it's frightening for a reason. — Nora Seed

I had been waiting to read this book for 5 months. That is how long it took for the hold list at my local library to make its way down to me. It was a long wait, but well worth it. The Midnight Library deserves the praise and discussion it has received. The set-up is simple enough, the concept something that many of us have thought about and the ending pleasing. That ending was slightly surprising to me, but in a good way, on reflection it likely shouldn't have but it did. Realistically this is probably a 4.5-star book. It really is worth the time to read.

Main character Nora Seed is a relatable character in quite a dark way. I can see how you get to the point Nora is at. That desperate, hopeless, beyond melancholic point that ends in suicide. Haig writes her development well. It's consistent but realistic. There are moments of one step forward two steps back. The common thread through Nora's selves is philosophy, a theme to Haig's works I believe, it is a smart choice and suits the root Nora. She remains a likeable character throughout even in her darkest moments.

The other consistent character is 'Mrs Elm'. 'Mrs Elm' is tied to the library of the title, she is not what she appears. She is a projection of Nora's consciousness, a person she felt safe with. 'Mrs Elm' really is an intriguing idea for a character. For librarians/ those in the information service industry high school libraries and their staff often hold positions in memory of fondness, the protector, the kind one and a place of sanctuary. We were so often subjected to bullying and used libraries as refuges. We want to pay the kindness forward. Mrs Elm (the real one) is such a fantastic representation of that person.

I really appreciated the alternate universe concept it is the perfect framing for a novel about self-reflection and learning. What I found The Midnight Library ended being is a novel about learning from your mistakes and your maybes. It is a novel about one woman empowerment through a process that I'm guessing many a reader wish they could experience. You will meet characters you love, you will meet characters you are indifferent to. It feels like a life on fast forward and on a small scale. You are invited to live in Nora's shoes. To ride her emotions and experiences as she tries to find her perfect life. It does acknowledge that happiness means different things to different people.

Haig makes it an accessible concept. "The quantum multiverse creates a new universe when a diversion in events occurs, as in the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics" (via Wikipedia). When it is used in novels it is often overwritten. I think most people who pick up this kind of book and start reading will understand the concept. When it is explained it is explained in context to Nora by a variety of characters (usually with their own motivations and their own takes).

The most important of these characters is Hugo. Hugo is a bit of an odd character I think he will be largely divisive depending on how you read him and his existence and a slider. There are several other characters that appear repeatedly through different timelines. Each time just a bit different. Joe in particular is a powerful character. For everyone will have a different experience while reading these characters. It depends on your personal takes on what you think makes happiness and ideal partners. That is very good.

Some quotes and comments to finish.

Given the cover on the edition I read I expected cats, or at least animals to be more prominent. Where they are used it is done well.

In every life where she has one or where it is relevant Nora asks a question "Do you believe in parallel lives?". I like it and the varying interaction that follow.

I had never heard of Dunbar's Number, the idea that we can only maintain 150 relationships at a time. The book goes over it very quickly in a conversation led by Hugo. But I really like it and I think it does explain so much about modern society

"And... and the thing is... the thing is... what we consider to be the most successful route for us to take, actually isn't. Because too often our view of success is about some external bullshit idea of achievement — an Olympic medal, the ideal husband, a good salary. Ans we have all these metrics that we try and reach. When really success isn't something you measure, and life isn't a race you can win. It's all... bollocks actually..." — (Nora) This is a lovely quote. It is a powerful moment and a powerful message.

"Librarians have knowledge. They guide you to the right books. The right words. They find the best places. Like soul-enhanced search engines." — (Nora) This quote makes my inner librarian's heart sing. I will be spreading this as much as I can.

Howl has fantastic lyrics. Especially once you find out the context. In quite a lot of lives Nora is a writer of some form. Howl comes from what is potentially the most painful life.

Every life contains millions of decisions. Some big, some small. But every decision is taken over another, the outcomes differ. An irreversible variation occurs, which in turn leads to further variations. These books are portals to all the lives you could be living. — (Mrs Elm) This is quite possibly one of the key quotes in the book. It's key to the whole concept,

Named chapters feel unusual in this day and age, especially for the intended adult audience. The chapters are also quite short. Some are longer than others though I think the longest is less than 10 pages. The short chapters make it very easy to come and go from.

#book dragon #the midnight library #matt haig #book review #ktreviews #read 2021 #multiverse theory #spoilers on goodreads #bookdragon #booklr

[twilight-trackss]

my beloved divorcees

#brutalia #talia al ghul #bruce wayne #damian wayne #batman #robin #dc #dcu #dc comics #i read robin (2021) a while back and their whole bizarre custody battle is genuinely the funniest thing ever. what is wrong with them

[welcometogrouchland]

[ID in ALT] I've made posts before about Talia/Dick co-parenting Damian moments (will never happen but let me dream) and this came to me in a vision. Took me ages to finish for some reason 😭 and then even longer to post

#dc comics #dc #damian wayne #dick grayson #talia al ghul #batfamily #dc robin #nightwing #anyway. yes im a self-indulgent ''dick as damians secret third parent'' truther #like i DO think it's way more complex and nuanced than the schmoopy affectionate fan portrayal of it #they're brothers they're father and son they're partners they're the dynamic duo except only in past tense etc etc #but consider! I'm not immune to schmoopy affection in fanworks. it compells me despite itself #anyway it's technically not that crazy when it comes to dick and damian. they hug! often! at least they did #it's not as big a leap to these types of scenarios #also talia ''somewhat absent for complex reasons on both her and damians part but very loving and loved by her son'' al ghul #you will always be famous to me #son of the demon origin...bwahhh #anyway. someone made a comic kind of like this/like a post i made abt this topic #but way funnier bc dick and talia starting trying to beat each other up #so go look at that as well #anyway. it's been a somewhat difficult few weeks so I'm. desperately trying to take it easy #i got some reading with me (first vol of kevin smiths GA run that i found second hand and jaimes BB run vol 2!) #so we'll see how far i get through those. considering there's demons in my head telling me to re-read things (LET ME OUT!!!) #when i finish GA and BB i do plan on rereading robin 2021. as a treat to myself #it's a run I've really warmed up to as time went on #I'm keeping up w/ the current b&r run even though it is. admittedly very slow w/ some weird dialogue #i read it for the damian content more than anything. also nikas back so that's neat :] #idk I have a feeling that after absolute power shakes out we might get some more creative team switch ups #so if anyone at dc is interested in taking over the reigns on b&r...that could be very neat #(it's me they should hire me. please DC i have ideas listen to my red hood pitch PLEASE-)

[artemistics]

Paul swallowed. The figure in front of him turned into the moon's path and he saw an elfin face, black pits of eyes. The familiarity of that face, the features out of numberless visions in his earliest prescience, shocked Paul to stillness. He remembered the angry bravado with which he had once described this face-from-a-dream, telling the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam: "I will meet her." And here was the face, but in no meeting he had ever dreamed.

#dune #dune part one #dune part 1 #dune 2021 #paul atreides #chani kynes #chani #paul x chani #paulchani #denis villeneuve #filmedit #literatureedit #zendaya #timothée chalamet #timothee chamalet #duneedit #palegifs #paletmblr #blackandwhiteedit #mine #i cannot wait until i get my hands on the bluray of dune 2 and an onlinehd version so i can gif it #gonna read messiah bc i am going thru dune withdrawls already! #frank herbert

[jiiyawns]

based off the new sonic pict mistranslation but also bc why not. new shoes for him that remind him of someone always

#there was a second completely separate sketch i had with this before i just #shadow the hedgehog #this was supposed to be a doodle idk man ...... whatever...................look at him #sonic the hedgehog #sonic #sth #READ THE SONIC CHANNEL STORY TOO ESP THE 2021 ONE ... MISSION STREET HAS A PERFECT VIEW OF THE ARK JUST ONCE A YEAR.... #fanart #draw

[foxounderscorecube]

Bugged: The Insects Who Rule The World and the People Obsessed With Them - David MacNeal

3¾⭐

This is a fun, easy-to-read book containing the author's observations of various bug appreciators: scientists, collectors, etc..

It's nothing terribly deep, but that's not what the book is for. It reads like the author's chatting excitedly to you about the people and places he's seen, and the historical anecdotes he's heard about, and that may or may not be your thing. Personally, I rather enjoyed it, and I think, if you have at least some interest in bugs, there'll likely be something for you here.

#read 2021 #reviewed 2022 #non fiction #pop sci #reading #books #review

[duu-kiwi]

I bet aziraphale wrote about the day the universe was made, about the angel whose voice recited the words that created the stars, about how bright they shone, and still shine, in those angel eyes✨🪐

Here you have some detailss and a cropped version with just!! them!!!

edit: prints link !

#Good Omens #good omens fanart #good omens season 2 #there is something something abt the diary(?) that aziraphale writes #that theyve might wrote abt that time too #and i also thought abt the possibility that crowley will found and read them someday #i had like three separate pieces that make this concept a bit more linear? im really excited because i had a really fun time making this #it was challenging but oh so regarding to make a full piece since 2021 #anyways i really love them and they have inspired me to push myself a little further so im really grateful for that #also FOR THIS SECOND SEASON THAT NO ONE HAD THE RIGHT TO MAJE IT THST GUTGRENCHING AND FUNNY AND GOOD?!?! #aziraphale #crowley #ineffable husbands #fanart #art #aziracrow #angel crowley my beloved #i hope i nailed the love at first sight eyes on aziraphale bc that was what happened there right? #artists on tumblr #good omens 2 #angel crowley #myart

[oneshotprincess]

damian wayne reading shoujo manga is something that can be so personal...(to me)

#how can ppl be mean to him he is just?? babie?? #damian wayne #robin #batfam #batman #damian al ghul #robin 2021 #princess reads comics #mine

[yutaan]

Papercraft Ed! I had the sketch for this one finished a while ago, but for whatever reason didn’t feel quite happy with it. Eventually I tried flipping it to face the opposite way - meaning his automail arm was now facing the viewer and could be shown via rips in his clothes and gloves - and then BAM, I liked how it looked after all! Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make all the difference.

#fullmetal alchemist #edward elric #papercraft #papercutting #paper art #my art #I didn't actually read or watch FMA until 2021 and somehow never had any idea whatsoever what it was actually about #just that it was Good and beloved by many #and like! I was looking forward to it! But buying the whole manga would be pretty expensive #so I kept putting it off #UNTIL! #USED BOOKSTORE TO THE RESCUE ONCE AGAIN!!! #they had the ENTIRE SERIES for a STEAL and I straight-up gasped aloud in the manga aisle #carried everything up to the counter at once like I was weightlifting because WHAT IF I left a volume behind and someone else snagged it #TOO RISKY #and then read the whole series in two days #and. Dear readers you were ALL correct #fma fucking SLAPS

[daniellerwriter]

Lady of the Lake by Andrzej Sapkowski

Geralt and Ciri's story come to a close. #witcher #theladyofthelake #Andrzej Sapkowski #bookreview #8sentencereview

4/5 stars.ebook, 352 pages.Read from October 4, 2021 to October 17, 2021. An 8 Sentence Review: If you’ve played the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, this book fills in some interesting pieces of that game that aren’t mentioned or discussed, however, the plot differs in terms of the main antagonist. Continuing from where The Tower of Swallows left off, Ciri finds herself in an unknown realm on her own.…

View On WordPress

#4 star #8 sentence review #Andrzej Sapkowski #books made into tv series #books made into video games #fantasy #fiction #Geralt of Rivia #geralt the witcher #lady of the lake #read 2021 #The Witcher #witcher 3 wild hunt

[rotomicity]

TGCF art from 2021 which were very experimental and very much something out of my comfort zone but am still so satisfied with

(gonna ramble more under the cut 👉 )

My main inspiration for these were definitely classic storybook illustration styles and the watercolor-like illustrations included inside the tgcf books which depict hualian's daily slice of life routines as seen below

I wanted to capture that feeling of warmth i got from reading but i also went with the storybook look because their relationship (and by extension broad strokes of the entire plot) really did feel like something out of actual myth or legend; i'm chinese indonesian and was raised surrounded by chinese culture + values so tgcf felt VERY familiar to me, it threw me back to my childhood reading or listening to tales about chinese deities, i'd say the storybook image definitely came into my mind pretty quickly bc of this

I find this style somewhat hard to replicate now but if i could or have the time to, i really want to continue the 'companion pieces to chapter titles ' concept i did with the last 2 pieces (which are of the same chapter title but i was just indecisive 😭😭), i even had 3 more planned based on my favorite titles before burning out back then

#tgcf #tian guan ci fu #heaven official's blessing #hualian #hua cheng #xie lian #mxtx #danmei #rotomic does artz #IF YOU READ THROUGH ALL OF MY RAMBLING THANK YOU VERY MUCH #as you can see i am Very Normal about this book :) #(said like a liar) #what was 2021 me cooking....like why did they go so hard on these #also bonus hozier in there bc i associate hualian with like real people do a lot #tbh a lot of hozier songs would work for them #i REALLY want to do a companion piece for chapter 243's title bc wowee #it still gets me to this day. i remember it n suddenly im like what the fuck (fond and sad)

[booksandwords]

The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

Series: Hell's Library, #1 Read Time: 6 Days Rating: 5/5

The quote: Stories are, at the most basic level, how we make sense of the world. It doesn't do to forget that sometimes heroes fail you when you need them the most. Sometimes you throw your lot in with villains. — Claire Hadley

I really enjoyed The Library of the Unwritten so much more than I anticipated. With a very enjoyable plot, likeable and unique characters and alternating perspectives between several characters. This is a book that truly needs that alternating perspective to allow readers to see that not everyone is what they appear. To humanise them. To only present one perspective in The Library of the Unwritten would do the characters a disservice. Because the characters are a ragtag group (aside from Claire and Brevity) no one knows or trusts each other. That switching perspective allows the reader to see when the characters move from ragtag travellers to little found family. As the groups split up it allows for everything to be seen and if not understood at least known.

On the characters. There are six main characters. Hero a fictional character escaped from his book. Leto, a demon of Entropy, an amnesic demon. Andras Hell's Arcanist, a demon. Claire, Hell's Librarian and former human. Brevity, a failed muse, Claire's assistant and trainee librarian. Finally Ramiel, an angel looking for redemption. No two characters are the same, their motivations are different and you do get physical descriptions of them all allowing for visualisation. Claire is something of an intriguing character. She has a lot of layers, secrets and a past that comes back to haunt them. She is self sentenced to 200 years as Hell's Librarian. Bonus points for creating a soft coded demi character. Leto's whole arc broke my heart a little but I do like how twisty it is. He is so incredibly soft and sweet. Hero is the character that has the nicest development arc. He also is one of my fave types of character complicated, full of redemption and a prism. (This sort of character is why I love Sherrilyn McQueen so much).  Brevity is so, so bubbly but has her human flaws. I think her full backstory will likely come out in one of the later books. Not going to go into Rami or Andras because spoilers.

The story is one you will either enjoy or not. It asks you to follow it down the rabbit hole, check your faith and belief system at the door and believe in the world Hackwith created. If you have strong religious (and I mean any religion here really) views I would advise avoiding this series. While The Library of the Unwritten only challenges perceptions of Christianity and Catholicism (and those based thereon) it does make illusions to others. While I know some people even with strong views will be fine others will take offence. I say this but religion doesn't play a massive part, it more dictates the surrounding politics. Another warning for suicide is alluded to not shown but it is a key moment. The plot is strong enough and with enough going on that while I thought I had it figured out I didn't. Each of the characters has their own moment of strength and weakness that we as the reader see. The ending pulls together all the learnings from throughout the book into a climax that becomes somewhat bittersweet. And kinda left me think what if? The plot is just fun. It's always moving, always surprising and I'm really hoping that A.J. Hackwith can keep it up in the second book.

I want to add just briefly that the lore which I appreciated is revealed through quotes at the start of each chapter. Quotes are taken from journal entries by the various Hell's Librarians and their trainees from many, many years. This is a similar style to Neal Shusterman's Arc of the Scythe (first book Scythe). I always did like that way of revealing the lore of a series. Rather than just giving a massive just dump of lore somewhere for the reader to absorb. There is other lore given as the reader needs it but not as much as I initially expected for a book so heavily built on the other.

For a book I found Libraries -- Fiction subject and came into totally blind I'm immensely happy I read it. It's a combination of what we all want to believe in books, well-written librarians and interesting paranormal lore. There are so many fantastic quotes, mostly in the world-building about libraries, librarians and their cultural positions and importance. Disclaimer as always I am a trained librarian and have a love for my profession written well. This was both written well. It is so rare to see that practice of bookbinding done with such care though and with a solid reason for it to be done. I really do recommend this to libraries and fans of the supernatural.

#hell's library #the library of the unwritten #a.j. hackwith #book review #ktreviews #read 2021 #biblophile #booklr

[zroem]

3 VR drawing commissions for LeoMinimus, ArpeggiosMelody, and battle_xo on twitter (listed in order of the turn-y videos at the end)

3D models | twitter | instagram

#except it took me almost two years to post them these are from 2021 before I got super busy with work #vr art #my art #dnd #commissions are probably full/closed when you read this but I will post when I open them up again!

[mecachrome]

Who's most likely to forget their best friend's birthday?

#oscar piastri #lando norris #* #WHY DID OSCAR OUT HIMSELF AS ONE OF THE HALF-MILLION VIEWERS OF CLASSIC QUADRANT NORTRELL BAIT? #he sat down to watch an 11-minute video of his ex-academy acquaintance expressing his undying devotion to his future teammate? Ok. #this is so delicious as early landoscar lore because i was just rewatching the 0304 interview from this exact time period (oct 2021) #when lando reads the question about oscar doing well in the feeder system and is like wait this isn't even about f1 🤨 #hmmm. #landoscar

[roseworth]

i love this one. btw. if you even care.

#no coherent thoughts just hhghhghjhfgmhghgh........ #btw i didnt realize it but its been nearly EXACTLY 2 years since i first read utrh #bc i first watched the movie ~late august 2021 then read the book a few days later #and now i read it again <3 so i guess we can all start getting ready for my next reread in august 2025 #anyways it hits even better now that i have a Nuanced Interpretation of the characters :) #during 'the son has not surpassed the father' scene i had to put the book down bc i got hit so hard with the urge to start ripping pages ou #so insane about this book it turns me into a rabid animal #jason todd #dc

[foxounderscorecube]

Count Zero - William Gibson

3 ¾ ⭐

I borrowed Count Zero as part of my research for my dissertation, not really being a book I'd be likely inclined to pick up usually. I'm glad I did.

Personally, I found it a bit hard to get into: I don't know if it was the slang, which has a very aged feel nowadays, or if it was that I couldn't get on with the characters too much at the start; but a bit before the midpoint or so I started to feel it.

There are three concurrent plotlines following separate characters: a sad immature sort who likes to play at hacking (and uses the alias Count Zero for hacking); a Cool Agent man who is finishing off his convalescence after some unpleasant agent things; and a woman who was framed by her ex for selling fake art. They seem completely unrelated, and all come from different societal strata and backgrounds, but their stories converge more and more towards the end, and does so in a way that's surprisingly smooth given how much happens within each plotline.

The ending feels a little too neat for how we get there, in a way, but overall, I enjoyed it. I didn't read it as part of the series - although I should - but it stands alone, regardless.

#read 2021 #reviewed 2022 #books #reading #review #cyberpunk