hazan just grew a backbone and let kamran know he isn't playing around 😛 i'm so excited for this character development!!

I think I'm getting my expectations for this book too high. I'm really afraid of not enjoying it. Especially because I bought it. 😭 I went through the reviews and I think I'm going to enjoy it BUT idk. I'm scared. 🫣

Ferns are so cool. The first gametophyte to land in a new area sends out a warning that says "I'm the boss, respect me" and then all further gametophytes to land heed that warning, and become male so that boss lady is the only lady??? Incredible. No notes.

However,

"Much like human sperm, fern sperm are capable of independent movement, and even have similar hair-like appendages that protrude from the main body, called flagella. Instead of protruding from the back side (the posterior), however, as in the case of humans and animals, ferns (and all other flagellate plants) produce their flagella on the front (the anterior). So, unlike animals who have sperm that are pushed forward from behind, like a motor on a boat, fern sperm pull themselves forward, like humans swimming in a pool."

This is kinda creeping me out. It goes on to say the sperm wiggle across wet dirt to find their goal and the idea of sperm just... out? and about? on the ground? wriggling? 🙈

Here's a question I have seen floating around other sites for the authors .

Why do some authors put them in the back of the book instead of the first page ? Don't say,' Oh, it's a spoiler if it's in the front '

Question for the readers: Do you think content warnings and trigger warnings should be in the front or the back ? Do you think it's a spoiler if it's in the front.

My opinion is I like them in the front, so you can see a new book and see what may trigger you vs what may not

I wanted to love this one so much more than I did 🥲 it’s just literally information on ferns. No cute anecdotes that lighten the otherwise information heavy text. Maybe I would’ve enjoyed it better as an audiobook, but reading it as text was flat and boring.

Hello my fellow boundlings,

With about a third of summer over (yes, I am in fact counting down the days until autumn, aka my favorite season 🍁🍵🎃), I was wondering what all of your reading plans are for the rest of summer? Especially for those who like to pick books that are on theme with the season (or at least I like to do that) 🏖️☀️

So yes, feel free to share what books or badges you are aiming for this summer.

Be it beach reads, summerween themed books, or something else entirely — I’m curious about everyone’s plans! Feel free to be as broad or specific as you want, like naming a list of books you already know you want to read, or a badge you want to get, or just a general theme / vibe you are aiming for 💖

I look forward to hearing about all of your summer TBRs! 🥰💜

I realize there are so many books that could be added to this quest (maybe there's a Part II in the future? 👀), but I wanted to put forth my recommendations for additions: • The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow • Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan • Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid • The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez • The Sacred Space Between by Kalie Reid • The Poet Empress by Shen Tao • Fate's Bane by C.L. Clark • A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek • The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

Back in February (how has time gone by so fast?!), I had the idea of mixing and matching Quest badges together as little themed "packs" based solely on the visual look/vibes and aesthetic of the badges...and since then, it feels like a million new Quests have been added! Because today also happens to be my PBversary 🫛🐝, I thought it was about time to post a continuation :D so here's part 2 of Quest badge theme packs!

The first thread can be found here, if you are curious. All Quests listed below are hyperlinked using italic text!

Down the Rabbit Hole!

For when you're ready to journey into Wonderland, drink inadvisable concoctions, and maybe sit down for a mad tea party...

Quest badges featured: Poetic Stories, Teach Me Something New and Oddly Specific, British and Irish Classic Literature

Medieval Glam

For when you need the entire fiefdom to know that your foreboding castles are the most pointy and ominous, your leather-bound books are the most magical and mysterious, and your cathedral's stained glass looks the most cunty and grand when it has been shattered by an act of god 💅

Quest badges featured: Gothic Literature, One and Done Fantasy, Forgive Us Our Trespasses: Religious Horror

Spring in the City

The sky is blue, the sun is high, and flower petals fall like rain over the city streets. Or, as Clarice Lispector put it: "But it was a May afternoon and with its perfume the fresh air was an open flower. So she thought it was marvelous and strange to be walking the streets—with the wind ruffling her hair. She couldn't remember when she'd last been alone, with just herself."

Quest badges featured: Quiet Novels, Japanese Crime Fiction, Love in the Big City

Plague Doctor Chic

For when you need everyone to know that Yersinia pestis is the main character of your vibe atm

Quest badges featured: Blood Suckers, Strange Plagues, True Crime Starter Pack Vol I

Dreams of the Future

For when you're imagining all the bright, strange realities that await us in 2500

Quest badges featured: Black Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Speculative Fiction, SciFi Starter Pack Vol II, Fever Dreams & Strange Realities

Find Me At the Bookstore

For when you're flexing on all of us because your local bookstore employees know you by name!

Quest badges featured: Iconic Series, Cozy Fantasy, Epic Sci-Fi and Fantasy Series

Add Me on Letterboxd?

For when you want people to know that you've got film/TV to yap about, too!

Quest badges featured: Made for the Movies, From Bookshelf to TV, Isekai Light Novels

Something Lurking in the Waves...

For when you need the group chat to know that you have set out sailing to uncover an elusive monster of watery legend - and if you don't return, please make up some cool and spooky stories about how you've been lost a sea, stranded for all these years, and nobody knows if you are dead or alive...

Quest badges featured: The Sea Was Never Meant For Us: Ocean Horror, Horrors from Beyond, Mermaids After Dark

Afternoon Tea

For when you're out living your best life as the protagonist of a historical novel, on the way to your bestie's place for snacks and tea

Quest badges featured: Beyond the Bodice-Ripper: Historical Romance, British and Irish Crime Classics, Classic Literature From the United States

Plants vs Zombies

For when your Sunflowers are swole and your Chompers are goated, and you want Dr. Zomboss to know that he isn't getting past your lawn defense 💪💪💪 (lmfao look it's my PBversary, I had to be a bit self-indulgent just once)

Quest badges featured: Solarpunk Futures, Southern Gothic Fiction, Botanical Horror

Serving Cunt in a Brutalist Hellscape

For when the governmental regime is as grim and soul-crushing as the architecture, but that's not going to stop you from serving up a slay

Quest badges featured: Fictional(?) Dystopian Societies, Every Villain is a Hero in Their Own Eyes, Feminine Rage

Fairytales, the Sapphic Way

For when you're in your ye olde WLW era, from knights to monsters to true love's kiss

Quest badges featured: Sapphic Across Genres, Lady Knights Who Like Other Ladies, The Monstrous Feminine

If anyone has other ideas, I'd LOVE to see them! Happy badgemaxxing!

EDIT: some others created in the comments!

SHUSH! OUR INHUMAN NEIGHBOR COMES TO OUR HOME + PROJECT XENOMORPH 2939: SAVE OUR DEMETER - created by @rasengan

Summoning My Inner Demons - created by @those_who_wander