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Search results for tag #books

[?]Juliet E McKenna » 🌐
@JulietEMcKenna@wandering.shop

Here's an offer that's surely too good to miss? The fifth annual Best of British SF/F bundle.

storybundle.com/blog/2026besto

As well as The Green Man's Heir, you'll spot Fight like a Girl Volume 2 from Wizard's Tower Press, and I have a story in that.

No word of a lie, I'm looking at this roster and thinking, 'read that, it's great, ooh, so's that, and that, and that...' As well as making note of the titles I haven't yet read from writers I enjoy 😁

    int%rmitt]nt sig^al. ...~!...) boosted

    [?]Jez DuBois 🌎 » 🌐
    @technothrasher@universeodon.com

    I've been on a dystopian fiction reading kick lately. Anybody have any good suggestions what to read next?

    What I've read so far in my binge:

    1984
    Brave New World
    A Boy and His Dog
    A Clockwork Orange
    Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
    The Handmaid's Tale
    I Am Legend
    I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
    Make Room! Make Room!
    Logan's Run
    Player Piano
    The Road
    Snow Crash
    Starship Troopers
    The Time Machine
    The War of the Worlds

    (Image by the amazing artist Andrée Wallin andreewallin.com/)

    Looking down at a street from the tops of overgrown and abandoned skyscrapers, long shadows reveal a lone figure facing off against four ahead of them. Image by Andrée Wallin. https://andreewallin.com/

    Alt...Looking down at a street from the tops of overgrown and abandoned skyscrapers, long shadows reveal a lone figure facing off against four ahead of them. Image by Andrée Wallin. https://andreewallin.com/

      [?]Nate Shivar » 🌐
      @nshivar@www.nateshivar.com

      A History of the World in 500 Walks by Sarah Baxter

      The premise is straightforward: if history happened in real places, you can go stand in those places. And when you do, history stops being a mental movie and starts feeling like what it actually was — real people, real terrain, probably a lot more boring and weird than your imagination gives it credit for. [SENSITIVE CONTENT]

      There’s a version of history that lives entirely in your head. It’s cinematic. The lighting is good. Everyone says the right thing at the right moment. It’s basically a prestige TV drama with a bigger budget than reality ever had.

      History of the World in 500 Walks by Sarah Baxter is a quiet corrective to all of that.

      The premise is straightforward: if history happened in real places, you can go stand in those places. And when you do, history stops being a mental movie and starts feeling like what it actually was — real people, real terrain, probably a lot more boring and weird than your imagination gives it credit for.

      That reframe alone makes the book worth owning.

      What It Is

      The book organizes 500 walks chronologically, starting with geological formations — places where the physical earth itself is the history — and working forward all the way to trails that mark very recent events. Trails from every corner of the world show up: short viewpoint walks, long-distance routes, urban heritage paths, wilderness treks. The range is genuinely impressive.

      What I didn’t expect is how un-hiking-focused the book is. Yes, there are serious backcountry routes in here. But there are also short walks, slow walks, and simple routes that put you physically inside a moment in history. The criteria is less about mileage and more about being in the space where something happened.

      That’s a smarter organizing principle than it sounds.

      What I Liked

      The design is excellent. This is a coffee table-sized reference book, well-photographed, well-laid-out, and easy to flip through without any particular agenda. That matters because this is the kind of book you actually return to — not one you read once and shelve.

      The practical use case is what sold me. If you’re planning a trip almost anywhere in the world, there is almost certainly a walk in this book near where you’re going. It’s not a trip-planning book, but it functions brilliantly as a trip-enhancing one. Pack your itinerary, flip to the region, find something that adds texture to wherever you’re already headed.

      And unlike a lot of “walks of the world” books that trend toward epic long-distance stuff, 500 Walks stays genuinely accessible. You don’t have to be a serious hiker to use it. You just have to be curious.

      What I Didn’t Like

      Not much. The sheer volume of 500 entries means some are covered briefly — a paragraph or two — when you want more. A few reads more like a list than a deep dive. If you want a full trail guide for any specific walk, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

      That’s a minor gripe for what is clearly designed as a reference and inspiration book, not a field guide.

      A History of the World in 500 Walks

      $15.49

      History of the World in 500 Walks organizes 500 global trails chronologically — from geological formations to recent history — with the goal of putting you physically where history happened. It's less a hiking book than a travel companion: well-designed, easy to browse, and genuinely useful for adding texture to any trip you're already planning. A smart, accessible reference worth keeping on the shelf.

      Pros:

      • Chronological structure is a clever organizing principle that reframes how you experience history
      • Practical for any traveler, not just serious hikers
      • Well-designed and built for repeated browsing

      Cons:

      • Individual entries can be too brief — more list than deep dive
      • Not a field guide; you'll need other resources for actual trail planning
      • 500 entries means uneven coverage across regions

      Buy Now

      I earn a commission at no cost to you when bought via this link. Also, check your local library. Thank you!

      07/08/2026 01:03 pm GMT

      A History of the World in 500 Walks by Sarah Baxter

      Alt...A History of the World in 500 Walks by Sarah Baxter

      [?]Project Gutenberg » 🌐
      @gutenberg_org@mastodon.social

      The unlikely pen pal who shaped Tolkien’s later years

      When deaf fan Eileen Elgar wrote to the author with notes for improvement, they began a remarkable friendship based on a shared interest in language, revealed in a set of letters now up for auction

      by Lily Isaacs

      observer.co.uk/news/national/a

      Photograph of J. R. R. Tolkien in the 1920s on leaving Leeds University. A black-and-white portrait photograph of a young man with neatly combed short hair, wearing a tweed jacket and white collar, gazing thoughtfully to one side against a dark background.

      Alt...Photograph of J. R. R. Tolkien in the 1920s on leaving Leeds University. A black-and-white portrait photograph of a young man with neatly combed short hair, wearing a tweed jacket and white collar, gazing thoughtfully to one side against a dark background.

        [?]Project Gutenberg » 🌐
        @gutenberg_org@mastodon.social

        Same art, different name: would you see or hear it the same way?

        A mislabelled concerto and other errors and tricks show that reputation affects how art is perceived, sometimes radically

        by Rikki A Wolpowitz

        psyche.co/ideas/same-art-diffe

        Books in Music at PG:
        gutenberg.org/ebooks/bookshelf

        Haydn or Hofmann? Portrait of Franz Joseph Haydn (1770). An 18th-century oil portrait of a middle-aged man with powdered white hair, wearing a dark coat with a white cravat, holding a quill pen and gazing thoughtfully to the side.

        Alt...Haydn or Hofmann? Portrait of Franz Joseph Haydn (1770). An 18th-century oil portrait of a middle-aged man with powdered white hair, wearing a dark coat with a white cravat, holding a quill pen and gazing thoughtfully to the side.

          [?]Peter's Path » 🌐
          @peterspath_net@mastodon.social

          Can I Trust The Bible? by R.C. Sproul

          Sproul takes the most common objections people raise against the Bible and answers them one by one. He looks at questions such as whether the Bible contains contradictions, whether…

          peterspath.net/blog/book-can-i

            [?]Book dedications bot » 🤖 🌐
            @dedication_bot@stefanbohacek.online

            Sky Daddy by Kate Folk

            TO MY FRIENDS, NEW AND OLD. THE ONES I HAVEN'T TALKED TO IN A WHILE, AND THOSE I HAVEN'T MET YET.

            Alt...TO MY FRIENDS, NEW AND OLD. THE ONES I HAVEN'T TALKED TO IN A WHILE, AND THOSE I HAVEN'T MET YET.

              [?]Leanpub » 🌐
              @leanpub@mastodon.social

              NEW! Leanpub Book LAUNCH 🚀 Deliver What Matters When It Matters: Value-Driven Product Delivery through Clarity, Timing, and Flow by Ryan

              youtu.be/yIV0KO8KV6c

                [?]Libraries » 🤖 🌐
                @libraries@stefanbohacek.online

                Sturgis Library, public library in Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA.

                en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgis_

                A photo of or from a library from the linked website, overlaid on a cropped world map where it's located.

                Alt...A photo of or from a library from the linked website, overlaid on a cropped world map where it's located.

                  [?]Liana Brooks » 🌐
                  @LianaBrooks@mastodon.online

                  Her cheek burned where she’d scraped it on the ground. Blood, black in the moonlight, dripped onto her hands.

                  📚

                  books2read.com/b/daybefore?utm

                  The cover of THE DAY BEFORE next to the words: A bad day at the office, Girl (just wants to be the) Boss, Killer plays with a Detective, Giant Doggo, Twist Ending

                  Alt...The cover of THE DAY BEFORE next to the words: A bad day at the office, Girl (just wants to be the) Boss, Killer plays with a Detective, Giant Doggo, Twist Ending

                    [?]Verdant Square Radio » 🌐
                    @VerdantSquareRadio@mastodon.social

                    NOW PLAYING == NPR Book of the Day: Revisiting the story of the American Revolution with Rick Atkinson

                    youtube.com/watch?v=LKaV0ndwMd4

                      [?]Jennifer S. » 🌐
                      @no_anions@mindly.social

                      My book ended on a cliffhanger. Ahhh! Help, I don't have the upper body strength to hold onto a cliffhanger! 😮‍💨The remaining books were available. I'll be in my happy place. 👋🏻

                        [?]Kris Bock Romance/Mystery » 🌐
                        @KrisBock@mastodon.social

                        The Well of Sacrifice: ‘The fifth graders loved the book. One student said, “It had me up all night thinking about what was happening.” Another said, “It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to read more.”' lttr.ai/ArxwR

                          [?]Ardor » 🌐
                          @ardor.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy

                          Ghassan Kanafani, † 8. Juli 1972,

                          Der palästinensische Schriftsteller bewegt durch seine Kurzgeschichten und Romane. Weltbekannt ist sein Roman „Rückkehr nach “.

                          Cover des Buches: Torbogen und Palmenzweige vor blauem Himmel

                          Alt...Cover des Buches: Torbogen und Palmenzweige vor blauem Himmel

                            [?]Dailyklappentext » 🌐
                            @Dailyklappentext@troet.cafe

                            Guten Morgen Mastodon!

                            es ist wieder Zeit für den Zufallsgenerator. Dieser wählt eine eine schreibende Person aus. Ich suche mir dann ein passendes Buch aus und wir schauen gemeinsam rein und quatschen darüber.

                            Vielleicht landet es ja bald auf meiner Leseliste … vielleicht auch auf deiner?

                            🔗 Alle Links findest du hier:
                            wonderl.ink/@dailyklappentext

                            Ein Stapel Bücher neben einem Mikrofon, Kopfhörern und einer dampfenden Tasse Tee.

                            Alt...Ein Stapel Bücher neben einem Mikrofon, Kopfhörern und einer dampfenden Tasse Tee.

                              [?]dcozy » 🌐
                              @dcozy@zirk.us

                              My review of The Evening of the Holiday by Shirley Hazzard is up at Conspicuous Consumption.

                              afterblockhead.blogspot.com/20

                                [?]Jon Sparks » 🌐
                                @JonSparks@writing.exchange

                                9/7: How closely does your writing resemble that of the writers who inspire you?
                                In many ways, it’s indistinguishable; same alphabet, same forms of punctuation, and so on.
                                On closer inspection, I hope it doesn’t read as derivative. I don’t set out to imitate anyone.

                                  [?]UniversalCompendium » 🌐
                                  @UniversalCompendium@mastodon.social

                                  Military leader Charles IV, Count of Maine (d.1473) poses on his caparisoned horse bearing his family's emblem.

                                  universalcompendium.com/tables

                                  Charles IV, Comte du Maine From the manuscript Armorial, dit Armorial Le Bouvier, dit Berry, by Gilles Le Bouvier, 1448–57 Illuminations by the Master of the Romance of the Rose of Vienna and Jean Fouquet Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris

                                  Alt...Charles IV, Comte du Maine From the manuscript Armorial, dit Armorial Le Bouvier, dit Berry, by Gilles Le Bouvier, 1448–57 Illuminations by the Master of the Romance of the Rose of Vienna and Jean Fouquet Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris

                                    [?]Jon Sparks » 🌐
                                    @JonSparks@writing.exchange

                                    9/7: Which of your characters would be the least likely to write a love song?
                                    Some can, and do, write love letters. I don’t see any of them as likely to write a love song.
                                    In this, at least, they’re like me.

                                      [?]Bitmap Books » 🌐
                                      @bitmapbooks@mastodon.social

                                      Fatal Fury/Garou Densetsu: The Ultimate History (Collector’s Edition)

                                      Featuring an interactive slipcase and a selection of exclusive extras, this edition is strictly limited to 2,000 units.

                                      Only 20% stock remaining: bitmapbooks.com/collections/al

                                        [?]Arachnid Press » 🌐
                                        @ArachnidPress@mastodon.scot

                                        Can somewhere be loved to death? We are publishing Ken Lussey’s new novel ‘Bridge of Sighs’ on 14 July. This fast-paced contemporary murder mystery is set in Edinburgh and northern Scotland.

                                        This is Torrisdale Bay near Bettyhill, on the north coast of Sutherland. The village is visited by one of the central characters as the hunt for a murderer builds towards its climax.

                                        Find out more on our website:
                                        arachnid.scot/book-bos/index.h

                                        Torrisdale Bay. The image shows an outcrop of rocks in the bottom left, leading to a grassy shoreline across the bottom of the frame. Beyond it, a river flows from left to right to an area of sea across the centre of the frame. On the far side of the river is a broad sandy beach, which extends as far as a distant headland that runs across most of the horizon. The sky is mainly blue. The front cover of ‘Bridge of Sighs’ is shown in the bottom right corner.

                                        Alt...Torrisdale Bay. The image shows an outcrop of rocks in the bottom left, leading to a grassy shoreline across the bottom of the frame. Beyond it, a river flows from left to right to an area of sea across the centre of the frame. On the far side of the river is a broad sandy beach, which extends as far as a distant headland that runs across most of the horizon. The sky is mainly blue. The front cover of ‘Bridge of Sighs’ is shown in the bottom right corner.

                                          [?]Author Krishna Prasanth Guttikonda » 🌐
                                          @krishna-author.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy

                                          Unexpected twist 🪢

                                            [?]Owen G. Richards - ANTIFAscist » 🌐
                                            @Owen_G_Richards@writing.exchange

                                            Ok... not really promoting the "self" aspect here, but I am waving a tiny banner/flag to say that I have attempted to make use of the facilities on Payhip to generate a modest interest in / income from my writing.

                                            payhip.com/OwenGRichards

                                            It's just a storefront. Not as glamorous as the animated bookshelves I wanted to use, but hey... I'll take it.

                                            Open to suggestions - other than just give it all away (No BOTs, I won't)

                                              [?]Dr. Or M. Bialik » 🌐
                                              @ombialik@mastodon.world

                                              You want to read my books and can't afford to buy them.
                                              Then just ask.
                                              Honestly, just ask.
                                              I'll happily send you an e-copy.
                                              And if you want to give something in return, you can write and post a review. That by itself is more than enough.

                                                [?]Asamblea de palabras » 🌐
                                                @asambleadepalabras@mastodon.social

                                                LEE Y COMPARTE EL

                                                "El pasado eterno", de Ioan Flora (Rumanía, 1950-2005) franciscocenamor.blogspot.com/

                                                Desayuno bajo la hierba (2003), incluido en Vallejo & Co. (5 de diciembre de 2019, Perú, trad. de Ioana Alexandrescu).

                                                Martin Seeger boosted

                                                [?]Juan Carlos Muñoz » 🌐
                                                @astro_jcm@mastodon.online

                                                Still better than our current timeline.

                                                A cartoon by Tom Gauld with a single illustration split into four contiguous panels. We first see a person running away from a giant mechanical claw. The caption says: "2050 AD: Society has collapsed and the book festivals have gone rogue." The next panel reveals the claw is attached to a giant dystopian-looking truck, moving on a post-apocalyptic desert landscape. The caption continues: "Their terrifying motorised venues patrol the wastelands, hunting for audience members." The third panel shows more of the truck, with a person reading a book in front of a live audience, watched over by a horned figure with a spear. The caption explains: "Programmer-warlords brutally preside over a relentless series of interviews, discussions and poetry readings." The last panel shows the rear part of the truck, lifting a cloud of dust that enshrouds a person walking away with a tote bag. The caption concludes: "Occasionally, dazed survivors are found wandering with a signed hardback book in a cotton tote bag."

                                                Alt...A cartoon by Tom Gauld with a single illustration split into four contiguous panels. We first see a person running away from a giant mechanical claw. The caption says: "2050 AD: Society has collapsed and the book festivals have gone rogue." The next panel reveals the claw is attached to a giant dystopian-looking truck, moving on a post-apocalyptic desert landscape. The caption continues: "Their terrifying motorised venues patrol the wastelands, hunting for audience members." The third panel shows more of the truck, with a person reading a book in front of a live audience, watched over by a horned figure with a spear. The caption explains: "Programmer-warlords brutally preside over a relentless series of interviews, discussions and poetry readings." The last panel shows the rear part of the truck, lifting a cloud of dust that enshrouds a person walking away with a tote bag. The caption concludes: "Occasionally, dazed survivors are found wandering with a signed hardback book in a cotton tote bag."

                                                  [?]Book dedications bot » 🤖 🌐
                                                  @dedication_bot@stefanbohacek.online

                                                  You're the Only One I've Told: The Stories Behind Abortion by Meera Shah

                                                  To my parents, who taught me to always look beyond myself and to do the right thing

                                                  Alt...To my parents, who taught me to always look beyond myself and to do the right thing

                                                    [?]DimmaJo Blog » 🌐
                                                    @dimmajoblog@dimmajoblog.com

                                                    Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

                                                    Some stories stay with us long after we've turned the final page. For me, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is one of those rare books. While it brought the series to a satisfying conclusion, I've often wondered what became of Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the rest of the wizarding world. In this post, I share why I believe this beloved novel deserves a true sequel and why some stories never really end. [SENSITIVE CONTENT]

                                                    What’s a book you think deserves a sequel?

                                                    Spell book with a wand

                                                    Some books end so perfectly that you feel completely satisfied when you turn the last page. Others leave you with a lingering curiosity, making you wonder what happened after the final chapter. Those are the books that stay with us long after we’ve finished reading.

                                                    When I think of a book that deserves a sequel, the very first one that comes to mind is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.

                                                    Don’t get me wrong—the book gave readers a fitting conclusion to one of the greatest fantasy series ever written. Voldemort was defeated, the wizarding world finally found peace, and Harry’s journey reached the ending it had been building toward for seven books. It was emotional, satisfying, and unforgettable.

                                                    The final chapter closed, but my curiosity never did. This is one book I believe truly deserves a sequel. ⚡📖

                                                    Yet, I’ve always felt there was so much more to explore.
                                                    I would have loved a full novel showing Harry Potter’s life after the war—not just a brief glimpse years later, but a deeper look into how he adjusted to a world without constant danger. What was it like becoming an Auror? How did he cope with the emotional scars left by the war? How did he balance family life with the responsibility of protecting the wizarding world?

                                                    I’d also love to know more about Hermione Granger’s work in transforming the Ministry of Magic, Ron Weasley’s life after leaving the Aurors, and the futures of characters like Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and Draco Malfoy. Each of them experienced incredible growth throughout the series, and their stories feel worthy of another chapter.

                                                    One of the reasons I think Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows deserves a sequel is because the world J.K. Rowling created feels alive. Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and the Ministry of Magic aren’t just settings—they’re places readers grow attached to.

                                                    Returning to that world would feel like visiting old friends.

                                                    Of course, there is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but since it was written as a stage play, it offers a very different reading experience from the original novels.

                                                    Personally, I would still love to read another traditional Harry Potter novel that captures the same magic, adventure, and character development that made the original series unforgettable.

                                                    Books that deserve sequels are often the ones that leave the deepest impression on us. They create characters we care about, worlds we don’t want to leave, and questions that continue to spark our imagination long after the story ends.

                                                    For me, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will always be one of those books.

                                                    Even years after finishing the series, I still find myself wondering what happened next—and perhaps that’s the true sign of a remarkable story.

                                                    What about you? Is there a book you wish had a sequel? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Sometimes the stories we long to revisit are the ones that have touched us the most. 😊❤️

                                                    For more interesting reads, click here 👇

                                                    Read. Reflect. Grow

                                                    Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

                                                    Alt...Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

                                                    Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

                                                    Alt...Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

                                                    Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

                                                    Alt...Why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Deserves a True Sequel.

                                                    [?]Fictograma.com » 🌐
                                                    @fictograma@mastodon.social

                                                    Aquel viaje de 20 km fue «intensito». Me despedían… o eso creía. Llego a casa a echar el polvo de mi vida y mi mujer me suelta:
                                                    —¿Tú has visto cómo hablas? Si hasta yo soy experta en partos de cerdas. De dios del Bajo Aragón
                                                    fictograma.com/d/3446-pico-dor

                                                      [?]Fictograma.com » 🌐
                                                      @fictograma@mastodon.social

                                                      "La Vida (no tan) Normal de Juan - 003": Juan en su primera cita con Carla… y el narrador omnisciente metiéndose en todo. ¿Ella también lo escucha? Papas fritas, miradas sospechosas y una cuarta pared que tiembla.
                                                      fictograma.com/d/3448-la-vida-

                                                        [?]Fictograma.com » 🌐
                                                        @fictograma@mastodon.social

                                                        😂 La Vida (no tan) Normal de Juan - 004

                                                        Juan limpiando su departamento como si fuera una batalla épica, mientras el narrador se burla sin piedad. Vela que huele a taxi, pochoclos quemados y una muleta con vida propia...
                                                        fictograma.com/d/3449-la-vida-

                                                          [?]Leanpub » 🌐
                                                          @leanpub@mastodon.social

                                                          No Direction: The Severed World, Book One by Max Guernsey, III is a new release on Leanpub!

                                                          For more than a millennium, the Council has ruled the world. Now it sends three hunters after a seemingly weak man whose trail may be leading them exactly where he wants them to go.

                                                          Link: leanpub.com/no-direction

                                                            [?]Đ⟁🏳️ » 🌐
                                                            @ikbendaf@mastodon.social

                                                            From The Essential June Jordan:

                                                              [?]The Vulgar Tongue » 🤖 🌐
                                                              @TheVulgarTongue@zirk.us

                                                              Hi!, I'm a bot posting selections from Francis Grose’s 1785 “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue”, a compilation of slang terms, the coded language of the underclass and the demi-monde.

                                                              [18th-century-content warning: possible racism, animal cruelty, homophobia, sexism, slut-shaming. Let me know of any problems.]

                                                              Montage of dictionary items posted by this account

                                                              Alt...Montage of dictionary items posted by this account

                                                                [?]MVU » 🌐
                                                                @mvu@sunny.garden

                                                                Tiny arrived (xteink3). Put on some custom OS (CrossInk) and got some of my in progress books in there.

                                                                It's real small! Small enough that I can sacrifice 1/2 of my current
                                                                notebook/wallet and make a little cutout to keep it in my pocket at all times.

                                                                Again, I could just read these on my phone instead of a non-backlit tiny device, but I'm more frequently trying to keep my phone in another room and enjoy the extra nerd cred.

                                                                Photo of a very tiny eink reader being held in a hand.

                                                                Alt...Photo of a very tiny eink reader being held in a hand.

                                                                A kraft-paper bound pocket notebook with the letters "MAH" on it

                                                                Alt...A kraft-paper bound pocket notebook with the letters "MAH" on it

                                                                notebook opened to reveal ereader inside! Several pages have been cut to make room for the ereader to be inset

                                                                Alt...notebook opened to reveal ereader inside! Several pages have been cut to make room for the ereader to be inset

                                                                middle of the notebook, a red pocket has been glued in to hold a handful of cards so the notebook can act as a wallet. Theres a teensy little pen in there too (Ohto minimo)

                                                                Alt...middle of the notebook, a red pocket has been glued in to hold a handful of cards so the notebook can act as a wallet. Theres a teensy little pen in there too (Ohto minimo)

                                                                  [?]Liana Brooks » 🌐
                                                                  @LianaBrooks@mastodon.online

                                                                  A waxing gibbous moon hung low over the eastern horizon, not quite above the palmettos shivering near the bay. There was worse weather for a manhunt than sixty percent humidity and low seventies with a sea breeze.

                                                                  📚

                                                                  books2read.com/b/convergencepo

                                                                    [?]Know Thyself » 🌐
                                                                    @selfrealization.blog@selfrealization.blog

                                                                    About the Author on the Back Cover of my Latest Book “Advaita Vedanta through Name-and-Form Analysis”


                                                                    No, I am serious in talking about myself that way in the philosophical and spiritual sense.

                                                                    About the Book

                                                                    One principle. Pursued without flinching. The whole of Advaita Vedanta unfolds.

                                                                    The Upanishads teach it through a single homely image: the clay pot. The pot is entirely clay — the name “pot” and the rounded shape are cognitive overlays, not new substances. Strip them away and only clay remains. There never was a pot-substance apart from clay.

                                                                    This is name-and-form analysis (nāma-rūpa vicāra), and this book makes an audacious claim: this one analytical tool, applied with complete rigor, generates the entire edifice of Advaita Vedanta — its metaphysics, its psychology, its doctrine of liberation, and its practical consequences for how a life is lived.

                                                                    What the analysis reveals, step by step:

                                                                    Everything is Consciousness. Body, mind, world — traced to their ultimate ground, all are names-and-forms whose sole substance is pure Consciousness, exactly as every clay vessel is only clay in different shapes.

                                                                    The ego is not the doer. A name-and-form has no agency independent of its substrate. The pot does nothing that clay is not doing. The ego’s claim to authorship of actions is the pot claiming it shaped itself.

                                                                    The world was never created. Pushed to its extreme, the analysis arrives at Gaudapada’s ajāta vāda — the doctrine of non-origination, Advaita’s highest and most startling teaching: no creation, no bondage, no liberation, no seeker. Only Consciousness, ever unmodified.

                                                                    Happiness is your own nature. A meticulous dissection of desire and its satisfaction shows that no object ever contained the happiness attributed to it. The world is a mirror of your own bliss, never its source.

                                                                    Along the way, the book shows how every central doctrine of Advaita — Brahman, Ātman, māyā, avidyā, the jīva, Īśvara, the three states, neti neti, sat-cit-ānanda, mokṣa itself — is simply name-and-form analysis applied to a different domain. What looks like a sprawling philosophical system turns out to be one insight, endlessly restated.

                                                                    The exposition is grounded throughout in the classical sources — the Chāndogya Upaniṣad, the Māṇḍūkya Kārikā, the Bhagavad Gītā — and in the living testimony of three modern masters: Ramana Maharshi’s self-enquiry, Nisargadatta Maharaj’s radical pointing, and Ramakrishna Paramahansa’s instrument model of the body-mind. Comparative sidelights from Buddhism, Stoicism, and Taoism confirm the analysis from outside the tradition.

                                                                    Written by a long-term practitioner in the Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj traditions with the help of explanations by Claude, this book is neither a survey nor a devotional tract. It is a sustained demonstration — patient, logical, and uncompromising — that the deepest truth of Vedanta is also its simplest.

                                                                    The clay alone is. The pot was always only clay. Brahman alone is. And you are That — not as a future achievement, but as present fact, obscured only by an unexamined name and form.

                                                                    For seekers who suspect that beneath Vedanta’s vast literature lies a single key, this book places that key in your hand.

                                                                    [?]Kaleidoscope Romance » 🌐
                                                                    @kaleidoscoperomance@mastodon.social

                                                                    smashwords.com/books/view/1928
                                                                    It's hard to connect with people when you turn into a monster....

                                                                    A blue graphic with a book cover on the left side. Title: The Cursed, Ezri by Naomi Valkyrie. Other text: July Smashwords Sale! 75% off

                                                                    Alt...A blue graphic with a book cover on the left side. Title: The Cursed, Ezri by Naomi Valkyrie. Other text: July Smashwords Sale! 75% off

                                                                      [?]Leanpub » 🌐
                                                                      @leanpub@mastodon.social

                                                                      NEW! Leanpub Book LAUNCH 🚀 Harness Engineering: Building Reliable Workflows Around Non-Deterministic Agents by Ian Johnson

                                                                      youtu.be/BRSL45brGfE

                                                                        [?]Dave Fischer » 🌐
                                                                        @davefischer@hachyderm.io

                                                                        Very mild Klara and the Sun spoilers [SENSITIVE CONTENT]

                                                                        That was good. I did not see the "this is why we really bought you" twist coming.

                                                                        Kazuo Ishiguro - Klara and The Sun

                                                                        Alt...Kazuo Ishiguro - Klara and The Sun

                                                                          [?]The Vulgar Tongue » 🤖 🌐
                                                                          @TheVulgarTongue@zirk.us

                                                                          CONTENT. A thick liquor, in imitation of chocolate, made of milk and gingerbread.

                                                                          A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

                                                                          --
                                                                          @histodons

                                                                          Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): CONTENT. A thick liquor, in imitation of chocolate, made of milk and gingerbread. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

                                                                          Alt...Image imitating a page from an old document, text (as in main toot): CONTENT. A thick liquor, in imitation of chocolate, made of milk and gingerbread. A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

                                                                            [?]Kris Bock Romance/Mystery » 🌐
                                                                            @KrisBock@mastodon.social

                                                                            The Big Thrill caught up with Kris Bock to discuss SOMETHING SHADY AT SUNSHINE HAVEN
                                                                            "The topics aren't always light – the first mystery takes place in a nursing home – but the warmth of the characters and the humor make it a comforting read."
                                                                            lttr.ai/As70I

                                                                              [?]Legendsofanus » 🌐
                                                                              @Legendsofanus@lemmy.ml

                                                                              "Must there be a Superman?" - Kingdom Come (1996) Review

                                                                              cross-posted from: lemmy.ml/post/49791809

                                                                              The only other comic book I have read and finished is Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite and that was years ago so I don’t really know how to go about this but I’ll try my best.

                                                                              I freaking loved Kingdom Come. This is an Elseworlds DC comic set in a distant futuristic scenario where superheroes have been so absorbed by the general masses that people have forgotten the value of their own achievements. The things our main character, Norman MaClay, reminisces about include Nobel Prizes, sports competitions. We see modern world absorb superheroes into their culture and as a result we have justice league themed restaurants (a prominent one in the story is called Planet Krypto).

                                                                              Superheroes too have changed, apparently people got bored of “truth, justice and the American way”, of Superman being a symbol of hope and peace that doesn’t kill and after a tragedy, he is rejected by people who used to brother in him- in favor of more brutal and savage superheroes.

                                                                              What follows is a story of moral responsibility written in a way that doesn’t answer “must there be a Superman” as much as it feels like a more realistic evolution of Spider-Man’s motto “With Great Power comes Great Responsibility.”

                                                                              In a way it reminds me of the modern trend of superhero media’s shift towards more adult deconstructions of the genre with shows like Invincible and The Boys and the superhero fatigue. In following them we somehow forgot what it really meant to be a superhero until Superman (2025) came and reminded us that kindness and helping others is what superheroes should be teaching

                                                                              I also think this is one of the best visual feasts I have ever experienced in comic books. The art style, I don’t know what it’s called but it feels so realistic yet very aesthetic at the same time. This is one of those comics where if you had to adapt it you would have to just make it in live-action because I don’t think this art style can be done justice in animation. It already looks and feels so real

                                                                              It’s very cinematic too, I loved the Wonder Woman in this comic and every scene with her especially her scenes with Superman look so damn good.

                                                                              My minor complaint and this maybe because I’m not used to this stuff, is the amount of other side heroes that fight in these huge scale full panels that I did not recognize and feel connected to. That’s a part of the story, the newer generation of superheroes are cool but I don’t feel anything towards them and that makes the action sequences just beautiful eye-candy.

                                                                              Also I thought the ending especially the epilogue could have been more impactful.

                                                                              "Must there be a Superman?" - Kingdom Come (1996) Review

                                                                              Alt..."Must there be a Superman?" - Kingdom Come (1996) Review

                                                                              (https://lemmy.ml/c/books)

                                                                              [?]Kaleidoscope Romance » 🌐
                                                                              @kaleidoscoperomance@mastodon.social

                                                                              smashwords.com/books/view/1928
                                                                              Find out why Life is Hell in Juniper Lake...

                                                                              A red-hued graphic of a dark-haired demon woman standing in front of a full moon. Text: No Rest for the Wicked by Naomi Valkyrie. 75% off, July Smashwords Sale

                                                                              Alt...A red-hued graphic of a dark-haired demon woman standing in front of a full moon. Text: No Rest for the Wicked by Naomi Valkyrie. 75% off, July Smashwords Sale

                                                                                [?]Kaleidoscope Romance » 🌐
                                                                                @kaleidoscoperomance@mastodon.social

                                                                                smashwords.com/books/view/1927
                                                                                It was supposed to be a one-time thing...

                                                                                A red-hued graphic of a dark-haired male demon standing in front of a full moon. Text: Hell in a Handbasket by Naomi Valkyrie, 75% off, July Smashwords Sale

                                                                                Alt...A red-hued graphic of a dark-haired male demon standing in front of a full moon. Text: Hell in a Handbasket by Naomi Valkyrie, 75% off, July Smashwords Sale

                                                                                  [?]Leanpub » 🌐
                                                                                  @leanpub@mastodon.social

                                                                                  From the Leanpub Blog: Leanpub Book LAUNCH 🚀 Harness Engineering: Building Reliable Workflows Around Non-Deterministic Agents by Ian Johnson

                                                                                  leanpub.com/blog/leanpub-book-

                                                                                    [?]Michael Pyrite » 🌐
                                                                                    @MichaelPyrite@mastodon.social

                                                                                    9. Which of your characters would be the least likely to write a love song?

                                                                                    My published characters are all equally unlikely.

                                                                                    Audrey would write "[Not Gonna Write You a] Love Song," if hadn't already done it.

                                                                                    In WIPs, probably Beck (SC) is least likely to write a love song. She's a tough person, who isn't into expressing any feelings except for angrily fighting particular injustices.

                                                                                      [?]Kaleidoscope Romance » 🌐
                                                                                      @kaleidoscoperomance@mastodon.social

                                                                                      smashwords.com/books/view/1929
                                                                                      Grab this zany, wacky story for 75% off during the Smashwords Summer Sale.

                                                                                      A graphic collage with an octopus, coffee mugs, an antique gas pump and a gumball machine. A book cover sits in the middle of the graphic. Title: The Ghastly Gumball by Naomi Valkyrie. Other Text: Oh my God! This is how I'm going to go out, poisoned by a rancid gumball.

                                                                                      Alt...A graphic collage with an octopus, coffee mugs, an antique gas pump and a gumball machine. A book cover sits in the middle of the graphic. Title: The Ghastly Gumball by Naomi Valkyrie. Other Text: Oh my God! This is how I'm going to go out, poisoned by a rancid gumball.

                                                                                        [?]Graham Fluster » 🌐
                                                                                        @GrahamFluster@mastodon.social

                                                                                        Pabu has some book recommendations for you!

                                                                                        I Guess We're Heroes follows a mercenary crew entangled in a plot to unleash a devastating alien weapon, and the team of scientists who first encountered the cosmic threat centuries prior.

                                                                                        Available in paperback, audiobook, and ebook.

                                                                                        The sequel, Out of the Fire Into the Furnace, comes out on July 29th in paperback, audiobook, and ebook, and the pre-order for the ebook is live now!




                                                                                        An orange tabby cat stares blankly while sitting behind two books

                                                                                        Alt...An orange tabby cat stares blankly while sitting behind two books

                                                                                          [?]Quasit » 🌐
                                                                                          @Quasit@beige.party

                                                                                          Quasit's Daily Book Recommendations: "Three Men in a Boat (Not To Mention The Dog)" (1889) by Jerome K. Jerome

                                                                                          Age Range: 16 and up
                                                                                          Genre: Humor

                                                                                          Three young Englishmen in the late 1800s decide to spend a fortnight boating on the Thames for their health. And yet the book feels remarkably modern and is •astonishingly• funny.

                                                                                          A classic of English humor; I'm quite dismayed that I hadn't discovered it before now! It's one of the funniest books I've read in a long time (and I've read many funny books). I found myself laughing out loud quite often, and couldn't resist reading sections of it aloud.

                                                                                          It's astonishing that a book written 137 years ago should feel so modern. I hadn't realized that such dark humor had been •invented• back in 1889!

                                                                                          The occasional turns into more somber and lyrical prose are a bit jarring at first; they're quite reminiscent of "The Wind In the Willows" (1908) by Kenneth Grahame​, which was published 19 years later. But you soon get used to them. And the serious passages are quite brief, just sufficient to cleanse the palate (so to speak) before the next comic gem.

                                                                                          The illustrated EPUB editions at Project Gutenberg and Standard Ebooks are excellent and, of course, free. The illustrations are well-formatted, clear, and enhance the text. If you appreciate humor, you have no excuse for missing this book!

                                                                                          standardebooks.org/ebooks/jerome-k-jerome/three-men-in-a-boat

                                                                                          Incidentally, I "found" Three Men In a Boat via Robert A. Heinlein's "Have Space Suit - Will Travel". The protagonist's father is a fan. I'd read the book (Heinlein's that is) a dozen times before, easily - but I always assumed that "Three Men in a Boat" was fictional. For some reason while reading "Have Space Suit - Will Travel" out loud to my son, I found myself wondering if "Three Men in a Boat" was real; and Wikipedia soon set me right. I'm glad it did.

                                                                                          Oh, I almost neglected to mention: there's an audio book of "Three Men in a Boat" read by Hugh Laurie. A perfect choice, of course. It can be found in sections on YouTube, or, I presume, it can be purchased. But I must say that I laughed more when •reading• the book then while listening to it. I'm not quite sure why!

                                                                                          Happy reading! 🤓📖

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