Recs if you like The Ogress and the Orphans...

Shrek is love. Shrek is life.

These are books I am going to start reading before bed, because my regular selection of reading material just really riles me up. Inspired by two posts from the Substack Feeling! Magazine by Jenna O'Brien.

Fairy tale and folklore-inspired narratives as well as atmospheric/quiet/light fantasy with canon aspec characters, aspec-readable themes such as rejection of relationship hierarchy and meaningful companionships, or simply excluding elements of either sexuality or romance. Limiting these to books aimed at adults but will include kidlit that may resonate with older audiences too, such as classics or kidlit with older protagonists.

Low(ish) stakes, cozy worldbuilding, mostly loveable characters, and almost always a happy ending–whether it's with dragons or starships, these books are the ultimate warm hug of escapism. Pairing with your favorite warm beverage is highly recommended.

Moments in which I've been nourished as a feminine, mother, woman & liberated creative being.

This is one of a few lists I'm making to help me organize my ideas for HRCYED 3.0. Feel free to take inspiration or comment with more ideas.

Whether it's a vision of a brighter futures, everyday helpers, or simply books that leave us feeling more hopeful about humankind than when we started, this is an ongoing collection of books that feel like a candle in the dark, a constellation to guide us forward 💌