Herkes hangi kitabı okudugunu, okuyor oldugunu, o an ne düsündügünü veya herkesle paylasmak istedigi seyleri bunun altına atabilirr 🌹

I'm wondering... does anyone ever read books out of order or as stand alones when they are technically in a series. For example Elsie Silver or Tessa Bailey books. I've heard that they can be read on their own but the worlds cross over ... but my perfectionism must treat them in a series order lol. It's hard when I pick up book 2 in a little library because then I feel like I need to buy book 1 before I can get started.

I have had two major reading phases in my life, one going from early childhood (5 years) until the end of highschool and one ongoing since one and half years ago. I have noticed an important shift in my perception of book characters that I think is tied to me maturing, experiencing life more and opening my mind.

When I was younger I used to identify strongly with the characters, and I liked them only if they were aligned with my own values, were nice, kind of "perfect". And I really needed it to be like that to appreciate a story 😅

Now I've noticed that I've become so much more patient with the characters, and instead of seeing myself in them I see it as "meeting" them. And I try to treat them in my mind as I would treat someone I meet for the first time. It has made it so much easier to enjoy "unperfect" characters as well as young protagonists.

I don't really know how to put it into words, but this perception shift has opened the way to so many books, genres and topics, so I'm glad it happened!

So I wonder, do you also have something that has shifted your way of reading ? And how do you perceive characters ? Do you feel the need to like them or are you open to any characters ?

is what I used to think when I was a teenager. I hated learning history because I was forced to memorise uninteresting things, and I hate uninteresting things. I always used to say, why are we looking back at the past and not more into the future?

Oh, how silly and simpleminded I was.

Snce then, I grew up to be an adult who is politically involved where I can, because everything is politics. Yes, even our entertainment. I failed to see that as a teen, but I don't beat myself up for it. I just have to make up the time. I grow to be someone proud of my roots, proud of where my ancestors were from, proud of myself.

Now, especially since I moved so far away from home I'm really interested in history. How humans lived, how places and cultures were born, how politics were always and constantly involved in every decision made up to this date.

I would love to read more non-fiction books, and I would love to start with history. I think the certain topics I would really love to learn most about would be: Southeast Asian history, Women, British Royal Family (not particularly in awe, but in what they have done), Capitalism, Industry, War, etc.

Please drop your recommendations for me to have a look at! I would appreciate it very much :)

I've been seeing a lot of dislike for certain authors because of their own personal viewpoints. This is to the point where people are getting upset hearing about books by those authors or choose to absolutely, not read anything by them.

What are your thoughts on this?

Personally even if I disagree with the author's takes, I can separate the book from the author; especially if its a work of fiction.

Even its a work of nonfiction, I would still see a reason to read their book, since how then will you understand their viewpoints, they are trying to present, if you are not willing to read it.

However, the only reason I could see not being able to, is if they are literally pushing their viewpoints down onto you in the book themselves, instead of just presenting their thoughts; fiction or nonfiction wise.

I could also see it coming down to the question is an author able to seperate their own views from their story. And yes, I believe they can for sure. The thing is, do they want to. It is their story so they can do whatever they want. And if they do decide to push their own agenda, in their own works of fiction, and you don't agree with their takes, then that is completely understandable.

I have been trying to get the second volume of Songs from the Seashell Archives... I asked for it for my birthday from thriftbooks and made sure i was looking at vol 2, sent a link... and yet vol 1 is what arrived 😔 my mom was also really excited because i was so excited! The image for the book was the second volume, but the title said vol 1..really bummed about the mix up especially because last night was rough (my cat broke another one of my lamps... 🥲) so i was even more looking forward to it We are gonna try to get them to exchange it for vol 2 so fingers crossed 🤞🏻

Anyone have any good book news that we can celebrate together?!