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becausetrains
Grimspace | Ann Aguirre
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“‘So you don‘t think I‘m crazy... or dangerous?‘
‘No more than anyone else,‘ he answers kindly, ‘under the right circumstances.‘
I don‘t know why, but that placates my fear better than anything else he could have said. Humans are capable of horrific acts, but the aftermath of Matins IV left me feeling like I deserve a special spot among monsters.”
-Sirantha Jax

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becausetrains
Wedding Album | Judd Winick
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Nope, not the Necronomicon, just our unfinished wedding album in its teenage goth years. #bookbinding

I decided on a Springback binding for our album, since its heavy covers and durable binding will hold up the years, and I like that it will lie flat enough for people to write on both pages. Still have covers and headbands to go, but I like where it‘s at ☺️

EDIT: more pics later, once it‘s finished. @BookishFeminist made a REALLY cool cover.

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becausetrains
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Long time no see, Littens - it‘s been a long and stressful year. When I did have time to read, not much made it on here!

Anyway. With the worst stress on hold, it gives me a chance to introspect and examine how my mind works.

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becausetrains
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Uh wut.

If I ever make something like these, I'm definitely not calling them "Manly Muffin Meat Loaves" ?

becausetrains Found via Diana England's advice to get healthy eating options from state Cooperative Extension services, as written in 7y
Shortstack Omg!!! 😂😂😂😂😂 7y
BookishFeminist wtf wtf wtf wtf wtf 7y
becausetrains @Shortstack @BookishFeminist MANLY MEATY BALLS. PUT THEM IN A MUFFIN PAN AND FEED THEM TO YOUR FAMILY. 🍘 7y
Shortstack @becausetrains 😐🙈🤢 NOT HELPING!!! 😂😂😂 7y
30 likes5 comments
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becausetrains
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@MrBook just posted a list of #science books recommended by Bill Gates. I wanted to add this book to his list for 4 reasons:

1) I come from a family of scientists who taught me to consider ALL the data
2) Alt-Science institutions make me sick (look up the Creation Museum for instance)
3) the nominee to head NASA (Rep. Bridenstine) staunchly denies climate change (a large area of NASA research), and
4) I want life on earth to not collapse

🌎🌍🌏

MrBook Spreading the bookish joy! 😁 7y
becausetrains @MrBook joy? 🤔 I wouldn't call a concerted effort to dismantle science education joyful, but if it gets people reading and thinking, I don't care what it's called. 7y
MrBook Lol, it's a serious subject indeed, but I love it when people connect through the sharing of books. It's a glorious thing, whether it's entertaining fiction or profound thoughts on the world around us. 👍🏻 7y
Shortstack I've been wanting to read this book in particular for awhile! Thanks for the recommendation @becausetrains and I agree sharing and reading these books is so important. In our modern world where people ignore science and believe the most absurd things in its place such as that the world is flat or climate change is not real, this book is essential. Without people educating themselves and taking action, our world is at increasing risk. @MrBook 7y
59 likes9 stack adds5 comments
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becausetrains
Summer Pudding | Susan Scarlett
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I try not to post pics under a "funny title" book I'm not actually going to read, but I couldn't resist for this rice pudding. ??

Recipe: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/grandma-s-rice-pudding (but I used appx 2c each of rice and milk and added vanilla & orange extract, clove, cinnamon, & ginger.)

#diningcar #becausetrains

elkeOriginal This sounds SO good with your additions! Especially the ginger 🙌🏻#nomnomnom 7y
42 likes1 comment
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becausetrains
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This chicken stew c/o Giada was waiting for us when I got home from work 😊 meanwhile, Stranger Things Happen is as dark and lively as the 19 Crimes Banished in my glass. Good meal and good book for today's preview of autumn.

Recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-stew-recipe-19147... (modifications: added 15oz can of peas, garlic, pepper flakes, and 1/4c wine, cooked 8h on low in crock pot.)

#fallintobooks

Posemn Well, that looks delicious! Happy Fall! 7y
elkeOriginal LOVE Kelly Link! 7y
Jess_Read_This Looks delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe link too. This looks like the perfect fall stew. 7y
Beachesnbooks Loooved this book!!!! 7y
47 likes1 stack add4 comments
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becausetrains
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I'm no disciple of Ayn Rand, but have to admit the 19th/20th century railroad magnates fundamentally changed the USA. New York City's Pennsylvania Station was the keystone of the American rail network; its tunnels are still vital, but the station itself is gone. Jonnes explains why.

Pardon the silly photo 😁🚃🚃🚃

#becausetrains

BookishFeminist Ayn Rand 💩💩💩 7y
becausetrains @BookishFeminist Atlas Chugged 🚂🚂💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩🚋 7y
BookishFeminist 😂😂😂 7y
40 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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becausetrains
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Pickpick

Interesting historical fantasy steampunky fiction involving Home Office clerk Thaniel Steepleton, Japanese émigré Keita Mori, physicist student Grace Carrow, and the exquisite clockwork watches, toys, and timebombs that bring them together.

This story is curious, cluttered, and sometimes clunky, but the characters deserve attention. So do Pulley's beautifully rendered windows to Victorian England & Imperial Japan.

becausetrains Oh yeah! All the posts about BOTM and Sourdough remind me, the interplay between Thaniel, Keita, and Grace feels like that between Clay, Kat, and Penumbra in 7y
elkeOriginal Love the parallel you make with Penumbra! Never thought about that 👏🏻👏🏻 7y
becausetrains @elkeo right? I couldn't figure out who Pulley's writing reminded me of, but it is a really good comparison. I think Pulley develops her characters better than Sloan though - Thaniel has some independence and backstory, and develops his feelings and skills much more than Clay did in the bookstore. 7y
elkeOriginal I liked Watchmaker a lot until...I didn't. I have hope her current book is better all around. She sure knows how to come up with a cool premise! For that I will try her again. Sloan, not so much. 7y
becausetrains @elkeo yeah, I've seen a lot of reviews to that effect. I have Bedlam Stacks out now - will let you know what I think. 😊 7y
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becausetrains
Bread | Chronicle Books, Beth Hensperger
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Bakers of Litsy! This book (via my father) has supplied my family with years of excellent loaves and rolls. Hensperger has good recipes for simple loaves like semolina, peasant bread, and Pullman loaves (crustless bread) but her whole-wheat and mixed dough recipes shine. In particular, check out her graham loaf, her focaccia, and her challah.

(If this copy weren't in such rough shape, I might've bought it from my library's sale. Might still.)

46 likes4 stack adds
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becausetrains
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Pickpick

Maybe trains aren't the best 😳🚝

In The Waste Lands, Roland's ka-tet completes itself and begins to travel the Beam toward the Tower, but danger awaits in false houses and dying cities.

I enjoyed the first two Dark Tower books, but could have left the rest of the series on my TBR indefinitely. The Waste Lands hooked me 😎

Whether high fantasy or postapocalypic sci-fi, read this.

(TW: some sexual violence and child abuse)

#darktower

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becausetrains
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Pickpick

Stephen King himself flagged The Last Gunslinger (Dark Tower I) as arrogant and disjointed. If the series had been by a lesser author it might have permanently lived on my backlist, but in The Drawing of the Three King starts to braid the convoluted narrative strands into the beginnings of his cowboy Odyssey. The senseless violence starts to take on a pattern and the plot reveals a greater arc, and hero Roland becomes more human. Worth the read!

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becausetrains
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Thanks, everyone 😎

DebinHawaii Congratulations!! 🎉👍🎉👍😀 7y
BookishFeminist 🔥🔥🔥 7y
CouronneDhiver Yay!!!!! Well done 😃👍 7y
See All 12 Comments
TrishB 👍😀🎉 7y
JessClark78 🎊🎉📚 7y
LeahBergen Woo hoo! 👏🏻👏🏻 7y
Robothugs 🎉🎊🎉🎉😄 7y
SharonGoforth 🎉🎉👍👍👏👏 7y
DuckOfDoom Congrats!!🎉🎉 7y
PurpleyPumpkin Yay!🎉🎊🎉🎊 7y
DGRachel Woohoo!!🎉🎉🍾🎉🎉 7y
FountainBookstore 🎉🎉🎉 7y
47 likes12 comments
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becausetrains
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Beautiful Washington #sunset 😎🌅 #nofilter

elkeOriginal Wow - striking photo!! 7y
becausetrains @elkeo I know!! 😎😎 we have the best sunsets overlooking the monuments, the memorials, and the rolling hills. 🏛🌅🌄 ☺️😉🤓 7y
elkeOriginal Ok - stop bragging 😉 7y
JoeStalksBeck Wow ! 7y
54 likes5 comments
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becausetrains
Borderline | Mishell Baker
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Pickpick

TW: self-harm, suicide
Borderline Personality Disorder: unstable emotions, not predictable like Bipolar. Tools like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy help, but you'll still unexpectedly drop into:
-Reason Mind: no emotion. Can be great for busy work, can be crushing emptiness. Some self-harm to feel something again.
-Emotion Mind: no reason. Creativity, mania, rage, manipulation or tantrums; maybe unprotected sex, drugs, & suicide attempts. (Contd)

becausetrains I'm fortunate: I've had a good set of friends and counselors who've helped me stabilize and taught me coping skills. I've made destructive decisions, but I've never turned to drugs or actively attempted. Some self-harm which I have a hard time shaking even now, a lot of self-medicating with alcohol in college, but mostly it's short-lived emotional distress that I can handle. Read some Marsha Linehan for diagnostic & self-coaching work. (Contd) 7y
becausetrains Millie Roper, the protagonist in Borderline, didn't lose her life in an Emotion Mind suicide attempt, only her legs and career. She's perceptive, acerbic, prickly, quick to love and quicker to hate, which suits her in her new career: working with LA's magical beings. This is a quick-moving book and pulls you in hard, and beyond the great first-person look at BPD I loved the dialogue and the other characters. Hoping there will be a sequel out soon! 7y
BookBoggart You had me at bpd! Was diagnosed with it at 23 but had symptoms since I was 12 or younger. Life long struggle for sure. 7y
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becausetrains Ps: if anyone wants to ask about #mentalhealth or #borderline, I'm happy to help. I can also recommend resources, whether you have Borderline or you're dealing with someone who does - which can be exhausting at best. ❤️ 7y
becausetrains @BookBoggart ❤️❤️❤️ wasn't diagnosed until... age 32 maybe? Books are a great coping skill, it's wonderful to read about how emotions are supposed to work 😂 and apply them in my own life. 7y
WarpedSweetness I've been diagnosed with BPD also. I have trouble reading books like this though. I try and it sets off other issues. 7y
becausetrains @WarpedSweetness I think I understand. Mishell Baker is really empathetic toward mental health, but old temptations die hard. Take care of yourself ♥️ 7y
BookBoggart @WarpedSweetness I've gotten to a place myself where reading it doesn't affect me. At least not my disorder. Drinking, cutting, drug abuse those things hit me harder. Just cause I went through it all. Each person is different and at least you know your limits! 7y
BookBoggart @becausetrains I spent a lot of years not being able to read cause my anxiety and symptoms were so bad. I did however get heavily into the mortal instruments series while starting my meds. In this last year I've managed to read more than I thought possible. Litsy had a very big hand it that. It turned my obsession into a creative outlet! 7y
WarpedSweetness @becausetrains @BookBoggart It usually tends to be the experiences they go through that triggers other issues for me. Sometimes even fantasy or fiction books can trigger me, depending on certain scenes or content. I hate it to be honest. It makes me feel stifled. I'm hoping eventually therapy will make it easier. 7y
BookBoggart @WarpedSweetness that's like with me and the show girls! Odd but certain moments in it are so close to my life experiences. That if I'm not in a good state of mind it really upsets me. I also find certain songs or shows when I'm in a mood makes me have negative flashbacks. I just feel them through and let them go. I tried therapy. Wasn't really for me. One on one anyways. But I'm painfully aware of the whys. Just have issues with control at times. 7y
BookishFeminist ❤️❤️❤️ proud of you. 7y
becausetrains @WarpedSweetness @BookBoggart makes sense, fantasy and fiction really just tell the truth more effectively. If either of you want to do a read-along to help push your boundaries (as scary and destabilizing as that is), let me know. Anxiety is a bastard and depression is a bitch - I know both of them well too. 7y
WarpedSweetness @BookBoggart I get like that with certain shows too. Sometimes even the way a person acts can cause me to have issues. Therapy isn't always for every one. I tried group therapy and it was awful. I try to feel through my emotions and flashbacks. But I have bipolar and PTSD, so sometimes it isn't always easy. I swear my fiancee is a saint in dealing with me. Lol 7y
WarpedSweetness @becausetrains Yes they are!! I made a huge cross country move recently and it has caused me awful anxiety even though I wanted the move. A read along sounds nice actually. 7y
becausetrains @WarpedSweetness @bookboggart I am the obnoxious fiancé so I understand ☺️ she has her own problems, so even though we've fought a lot we're learning to support each other when we need it. (She's better at it than I am so far, you two know how badly BPD interferes with interpersonal relationships.) 7y
BookBoggart @WarpedSweetness my med change and some family really helped. They all moved away after 18 years of living where I am within a few weeks of eachother. So that was hard I had my bf but he was out in the oilfield and I wasn't working. Now my life is quite different with 2 fur babies, a job and a nicer place. Still tho it all creeps in. Sometimes for no reason. I get so used to my alone time. Having my bf around constantly can make me irritable. 😂 7y
BookBoggart @WarpedSweetness books have really helped! I tend to read the scary and weird tho. It comforts me in a strange way. I suppose it's my way of avoiding hard emotions. I read for the fun of it, the escapism. So I find books on reality just I dunno, too much? 7y
BookBoggart @becausetrains the men who love us are a rare and amazing breed. 😁 7y
becausetrains @BookBoggart if it helps, this isn't a good year for reality. 7y
moranadatter It has a sequel. Phantom Pains was released earlier this year. 7y
becausetrains @moranadatter noted and added to my TBR! 7y
WarpedSweetness @BookBoggart @becausetrains I had to deal with my illnesses alone until my fiancee. My family doesn't believe in mental illness. *insert eye roll* I ended up cutting all contact for my well beimg. I'm an introverted person. So I need alone time to unwind or else I get irritable. Lol Reading is my escape too! I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't read. 7y
becausetrains @WarpedSweetness that must really suck, feeling alienated from your family because they don't want to acknowledge truths. Sometimes it gets better - I can talk with my family about my stuff now, sparingly - but either way I'm glad you have someone there for you and books to dive into ☺️ (same for you, @BookBoggart ☺️) (edited) 7y
WarpedSweetness @becausetrains I cut all ties with my family when I had my second daughter. And the only one I talked to recently was my dad and that was a huge mistake. They are old school Italian Catholic, so that should say everything. Lol It was more of a relief when I cut ties to be honest. It sucks for my kids because all they have really is me, but we are better for it. 7y
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becausetrains
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Allan 😂😴 #thebookishferrets

MrBook 😻😻😻 7y
BookBabe The ferret is cute 7y
becausetrains @BookBabe @MrBook thanks ☺️ he's cute until he wakes up at 3am and starts causing a ruckus! 7y
Texreader Awwwww! 💕 7y
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becausetrains
What Would You Do? | Linda Schwartz, Harvey Ed. Schwartz
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Oh @Kalalalatja - the color scheme 😵😉

1. Cafe
2. It's hard to pick a favorite character, so - author. I'll write my own. 😎
3. Always cry a bit. I grew up suppressing emotions, and it's lame!
4. Regardless of whether I'm on @Litsy I'd read 1,000+ pages of American history, and another 1,000+ pages of world history. There's too much at stake not to learn everything I can. 📜
5. I always do.

#BookishWouldYouRather

Kalalalatja #4 I'm impressed! 👏👏 7y
BookishFeminist You've read 1000 page biographies alone. 😳 7y
moranadatter Amen to #3. 7y
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becausetrains @moranadatter WOO STEREOTYPICAL MINNESOTANS 😉 7y
moranadatter Huh. I always figured I was overreacting to the loud, overly effusive relatives on my mom's side - I like cheese potica too, but not THAT much - but maybe I just took after my home state. 7y
becausetrains @moranadatter for every piece of potica you don't eat, I will gladly eat three. 7y
33 likes7 comments
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becausetrains
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"Die Fahrt" actually means "the drive"

...but you can't drive without gas ???

becausetrains Apologies to @Sarah83 😂🇩🇪 7y
Sarah83 what app is that? 7y
becausetrains @Sarah83 Duolingo. Kinda cool - it's free and helps you learn a number of different languages. (Looks like German speakers only have Spanish and French available.) (edited) 7y
See All 6 Comments
LeeRHarry We have a German family friend that always wishes us a 'gute Fahrt' whenever we go anywhere! 😊 ie have a good trip! 😆 7y
becausetrains @LeeRHarry 😂 🚙💨 7y
39 likes6 comments
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becausetrains
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Pickpick

Ice sharks?!

This and "How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe" were two unexpectedly metaphysical recent reads about life, reality, fiction, and the soul. (More on that later.) "Redshirts" skewers all the bad sci-fi tropes, especially the laziest ones from Star Trek, but uses them as a springboard to lampoon the writers too. It's a funny book with an understated thoughtful side.

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becausetrains
Kraken | China Miville;
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Pickpick

Neil Gaiman: "I'm gonna write a book about an outsider who gets swept up into factional conflict in magical London!"

China Miéville: "Hold my beer."

The story is good on its own merits, but moreso the 500-some pages hold some of the best world-building and characterization I've ever read. Miéville has a gift, and you should read slowly and savor it.

Grrlbrarian This was gonzo. I loved it - and Architeuthis! 😍🦑 7y
CharissaWeaksAuthor Well, now I have to add this book. 7y
8leagueboot That Gaiman joke made me smile 😆 7y
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becausetrains
Kraken | China Miville;
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"But it was always a sleight of politics to stress only that aspect of the far right. There was another, somewhat repressed but no less faithful and faithfully fascist tradition: the decadent baroque."

China keeping it real through fiction. ?

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becausetrains
Kraken | China Miville;
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Quotes out of context ftw 😂 #LitsyAfterDark

(PS: go read this book, especially fans of Neverwhere)

Robothugs 😂😂😂 7y
Zelma "Ever flog your skills?" Um, no thank you? ? 7y
LeahBergen Does that have the same meaning as our Canadian saying, "Pulling your goalie"? ? 7y
becausetrains @LeahBergen 😂 it's a real five-man rush 7y
LeahBergen 😂😂 7y
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becausetrains
The Thin Man | Dashiell Hammett
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Pickpick

Been a while since I've dropped a review!

I'm still in a detective mood after finishing an Otto Penzler locked-room compendium and IQ by Joe Ide, so I finally read The Thin Man.

It's a good read. Though Hammett throws around 1930s-style casual racism/sexism and doesn't distinguish speakers well, the snappy dialogue is hard to beat. I wonder if the movie is actually better for this one though?

(Costarring Makers Mark on the rocks)

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becausetrains
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@BookishFeminist warned me she'd be busy with #24in48 this weekend. Duolingo is just making sure I don't interrupt her 😂🇩🇪

BookishFeminist 😂😂 You're an ass. 7y
Megabooks Lolololol 🤣🤣 7y
Laalaleighh This is hilarious. 7y
28 likes3 comments
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becausetrains
Hufflepuff Book of Spells | Prof Albus Brian Dumbledore
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Things that don't surprise me: this 😂🍰🍪🥖🍗🥓🧀🍻👩🏻‍🎓👩🏼‍🎓👩🏽‍🎓👩🏾‍🎓👩🏿‍🎓👨🏻‍🎓👨🏼‍🎓👨🏽‍🎓👨🏾‍🎓👨🏿‍🎓 #harrypotter20 #hufflepuff

BookishFeminist Of course the first thing you think of is food 😂 7y
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becausetrains
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My new view at work. 😎 #museumlife #smithsonian

Marchpane COOL! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I am beyond envious. 😍 8y
Emiller So cool!! 8y
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SharonGoforth Awesome!! 8y
Simona The coolest view at work! 8y
MCYmermaid Stellar! 8y
MrBook Nice!!! 7y
57 likes7 comments
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becausetrains
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Thank you, Director Jarvis ❤️🏕 #overthis #altfacts #resist #nationalparks

DogMomIrene This news is fantastic! Like librarians, Park Rangers rock! 8y
Theresa I love it!! They need all the support we can give them!! 8y
59 likes2 comments
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becausetrains
Salt. | Nayyirah Waheed
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Pickpick

i rarely read poetry.
waheed may
change
that.

#page24ofcurrentread #weneeddiversebooks #nonwhiteprotagonist

BookishFeminist This one is similar and I have it through our Scribd account 8y
TrishB I just got this last night and haven't had chance to read yet. I second @BookishFeminist Milk and Honey is excellent too. 8y
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becausetrains
The Condemnation of Blackness | Khalil Gibran Muhammad
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Pickpick

Excellent academic (but readable!) look at the makings of the Jim Crow North in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with special emphasis on sociology, prison, and housing. Too much is applicable today. #weneeddiversebooks #blm I'm rebinding my copy, since the spine broke and I have a feeling it'll be getting more use. #bookbinding

As for #bookandyourfavesnack... lo mein is more of a meal than a snack, but who's counting? 🍲

LeahBergen I've taken a couple of classes and learned some basic hand-stitching on bindings. I'd love to do bookbinding like this! 😍 8y
8little_paws Book binding? This is awesome 8y
becausetrains @LeahBergen I've pretty much self-taught myself 🤓 I love sewing books, but this is perfect-bound (glued) bc I accidentally printed it wrong. Now I know how to make a glue binding that won't fall apart!! (edited) 8y
becausetrains @8little_paws thanks! A ways back in my posts, I mention a few DIY bookbinding guides if you want to do your own 😎 8y
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becausetrains
5,000 Awesome Facts (about Everything!) | National Geographic Kids
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Thanks, everyone! @Litsy is a fun home. 😏

BookishFeminist 🎉🎉😘 8y
Smrloomis 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎉🎉🎉 8y
CherylDeFranceschi Yay! 🎉📚🎉 8y
See All 15 Comments
stacybmartin Yay - congrats!! 🎉📚🎉👏🏼 8y
Robothugs Congrats!!! 8y
Megabooks 👍🏻👍🏻🎉🎉🎉🎉🍾🥂 8y
James Congrats 🍾🎈 8y
LeahBergen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
TrishB 🎉😀😄 8y
DebinHawaii Congratulations!! 🎉👍🎉👍🎉😀 8y
SharonGoforth 🎉🎉👏👏👍👍 8y
Shemac77 Congratulations! 8y
moranadatter Congrats!🎉 8y
Marchpane Awesome!! 👏👏👏 8y
Bookladylinda Congrats!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 8y
71 likes15 comments
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becausetrains
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@BookishFeminist and I noticed that yesterday after the #womensmarchonwashington (#womensmarch) we #introverts felt exhausted physically, but emotionally pretty great - nowhere near as drained as at other public gatherings. Our theory is that since marchers are supportive and didn't impose any gender or societal norms, we felt empowered and safe to just be ourselves. We even chased off a reactionary w/a bullhorn! Anyone have thoughts on this?

wendim I think that's a very perceptive observation. The whole day was like therapy for me after the despair of the past two months. I ended the day feeling renewed hope 8y
Alfoster Sounds like you rock!!!👏👏👏👏😍 8y
becausetrains @Alfoster thanks, but y'all ladies did the work - I just joined the crowd 😎 @wendim it really was - truth after lies and solidarity after divisiveness is like sun after the monsoon season. 8y
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CherylDeFranceschi ❤❤❤❤❤ 8y
Suet624 As an introvert, if I'm around family I'm fine. Those 20,000 folks surrounding me were my people. 8y
Kitta I was exhausted after yesterday and had to have a 4 hour nap. I felt uplifted and hopeful for the future though! 8y
Clare-Dragonfly I was overwhelmed and exhausted (but glad I went anyway)--I'm glad you had a better emotional reaction! 8y
EloisaJames I am exhausted but really loved being in DC, surrounded by strangers and family, all determined to make the world a better place! 8y
84 likes8 comments
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becausetrains
Equality for women and men: European Community acts | European Commission. Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Unit G.1
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This was... amazing. All you women coming to DC (and marches around the country and world) to tell the patriarchy to shove it - proud to be part of it with you. #WomensMarch

LauraBrook Thank you so much for marching! ❤✊️❤ 8y
LeahBergen 💗💗💗 8y
Megabooks 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻💪🏻💪🏻 8y
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becausetrains @LauraBrook welcome! You don't need to thank me though, I just want more men to understand the need for this march. 8y
beaniebankbeth @becausetrains @BookishFeminist @thealidoyle The whole time this sign meant to mean that we are holding the new administration accountable and now seeing it alongside all the signs, it's shifted to a message of recognition. We see you. You and your words are valuable. We've got you. We're fighting together. 8y
becausetrains @beaniebankbeth I hadn't thought of it like that... you kinda have me in tears now bc that is even more true ❤️😅 8y
Notafraidofwords Thank you for participating! 8y
80 likes7 comments
review
becausetrains
Hag-Seed | Margaret Atwood
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Pickpick

This is my first Atwood (!!) and it was fantastic. Literally. The play within a play (within at least one other play, if not more) was hugely satisfying, unreal and hyper-real at the same time. I also value the sympathetic look into the mind of a person suffering from extreme depression and delusion. Highly recommended. #hogarthshakespeare #tempest

(not my photo)

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becausetrains
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Sherlock would rather I pay attention to him, not to Dorothy Vaughan 😅 #thebookishferrets #notawhiteprotagonist (apologies for the poor photo - my Fire tablet has a terrible camera!)

DGRachel He's sooooooooo cute!😍 8y
81 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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becausetrains
Hag-Seed | Margaret Atwood
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Fantastic 60-ish degree day outside, so I spent my lunch break reading about northern Canada and revenge 😈

LeahBergen Sounds perfect 👌🏻 8y
63 likes1 comment
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becausetrains
Hag-Seed | Margaret Atwood
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Finally starting this book, with a fine Caramella latte from Spyhouse Coffee. ❤️☕️

vivastory Ahh, Spyhouse Cafe! Are you & @BookishFeminist going to eat at Burger Jones? 🍔 ♥ 8y
BookishFeminist @vivastory Nope, we're going to surdyk's for wine 😂😂 8y
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becausetrains @vivastory @BookishFeminist maybe some takeout later too 🍕🍲🌮🍗 8y
vivastory @becausetrains Sounds like a blast. Burger Jones is my favorite burger restaurant I've ever been to. 8y
BookishFeminist @vivastory We really like Blue Door Pub! That's one of my favorites. 😀 8y
70 likes6 comments
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becausetrains
March (Trilogy Slipcase Set) | Andrew Aydin, John Lewis
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My nephews don't get much civil rights education, but they do love comics... 😏 #weneeddiversebooks #xmaspresent

SharonGoforth 👍👍 8y
Merethebookgal Sneaky uncle gifting entertainment AND education 👏👏👍 8y
TheNextBook Love it!!!! 8y
LeahBergen Perfect!! 8y
melrailey This is a fantastic set of graphic novels. 8y
68 likes3 stack adds5 comments
review
becausetrains
Everfair | Nisi Shawl
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Pickpick

Loved this. It's a great steampunk book, a great social commentary from an Afro-Centric point of view, a good set of love stories, and realistic despite its fanciful technology.

I think Shawl left open a dieselpunk sequel in the Everfair world if she wants to write it, and I am definitely down for that 😎 #weneeddiversebooks #blacklivesmatter #steampunk

76 likes15 stack adds
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becausetrains
Invisible Man | Ralph Waldo Ellison
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So far, a great audiobook. Joe Morton has a range of expression that does Ralph Ellison justice. I feel like a foreigner in Ellison's world still, and to some extent, I think that's his point - he wants readers to see (hear) how invisible his world is to whites.

The cranberry curd tart is from a New York Times recipe that @BookishFeminist found for us 😊 always #thankfulfor her. #HappyThanksgiving #weneeddiversebooks #blacklivesmatter #litsycooks

outis That tart looks amazing! Enjoy! 8y
LeahBergen Yum! Enjoy your day, you two! 8y
DebinHawaii The color on that tart is gorgeous! Enjoy your day! 👍😀 8y
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Hollie I'll have to look up that tart recipe, it's so pretty! 8y
becausetrains @Hollie http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017817-cranberry-curd-tart enjoy! It would be really good either at room temp or chilled. 8y
becausetrains @outis @LeahBergen @DebinHawaii thanks - you too! (Even if you already had Thanksgiving 🦃🍂) 8y
Megabooks I just downloaded this. #excited Happy Thanksgiving to you and @BookishFeminist 8y
Kitta Beautiful crimping on the edges of the tart! I'll have to try and make this one it sounds great. 8y
becausetrains @Kitta wish I could take credit, but the crust is from a local grocery store 🤓 the recipe actually calls for a hazelnut-rice flour crust, rather than the wheat flour pie crust I used for simplicity's sake. And yes, it is delicious! I had another slice just now. 8y
80 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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becausetrains
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This portrait of Noodle was taken from 2" away as she lays on my chest ?????????

#thebookishferrets #readinginbed

BookishFeminist Noodle. 8y
Desha 😍😍!! 8y
valeriegeary Oh. Hi. 🤗 8y
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LeahBergen 😂😂 8y
CherylDeFranceschi ❤️❤️❤️❤️so cute!!!! 8y
Marchpane Noodle is looking adorably murine in this pic 🐭💕 8y
Zelma Cute! 8y
Yamich49 Noodle is so freaking cute! 8y
PenguinInFlight Awww! Such a cutie!! 💜 8y
8leagueboot She was born to be named Noodle ❤️ 8y
Faibka Cutie!! 💜💜 8y
DGRachel Sqeee! 💜 8y
SusanInTiburon Love! ❤️ 8y
Bette 😂❤️👍 8y
74 likes14 comments
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becausetrains
Everfair | Nisi Shawl
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Usually when I make dinner it's for two, but since my partner's still up in NYC after #brlive... Here's my homemade chili with a plate of chips and one of the very last of my homebrews from a year and a half ago - more or less a dunkelweiss.

I'm still in a big reading slump #overthis so I'm not up for #nonfictionnovember yet - but that won't keep me from reading diversely. #weneeddiversebooks
#orangecovers

MrBook Nice pic!!!! I'll keep you company with beer banter, sound good? 😎👌🏻 We need to catch up anyway. 8y
becausetrains @MrBook sounds like a plan. 😉🍻 you do any brewing? 8y
TheNextBook That cup!!!! It's perfect because winter is coming and I hate the cold. 8y
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BookishFeminist Glad you're not having wild house parties while I'm gone. 😉 8y
becausetrains @TheNextBook it's very appropriate for me - I have a big beard, wear heavy clothes, and am always looking north with a significant expression on my face 😂❄️☃ 8y
becausetrains @BookishFeminist well, #thebookishferrets DID just wake up 😎 8y
MrBook Nah, I have a dozen friends who make their own brews. Hardcore brewers. They're always giving me and @BookBabe batches, lol. My favorite was a blonde that tasted a bit like Southern sweet tea. It was amazing! You? 8y
MrBook We also have a couple friends who make their own wine. Not too bad. 8y
becausetrains @MrBook I've made a half-dozen or so batches of beer and one of cider, I've lost track of how many by now. Don't drink much anymore, but it's a fun and relatively inexpensive hobby (once you have the equipment, or a friend who does) and makes good Christmas and birthday presents! I would love to make a batch of wine one of these years, and have been meaning to start some mead or metheglin too. 8y
Bette ???nice image ... looking North..."Night gathers, and now my watch begins..." ??? 8y
LeahBergen Do the ferrets like chili? 😂 8y
becausetrains @LeahBergen I don't know, and neither they nor I will be finding out 😂 8y
becausetrains @Bette I went to college in the upper peninsula of Michigan, and if we're gonna be totally honest, that's north of the wall ❄️❄️❄️❄️😂 8y
Bette 😂😂😂 I'll take your word. ❄️ 8y
Jgotham I love that glass 👌🏽 8y
61 likes2 stack adds15 comments
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becausetrains
Never Tease a Weasel | Jean Conder Soule
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That swimsuit looks great on you, Sherlock 👙❤️😂 #thebookishferrets #petsoflitsy #bitsy

BookishFeminist Where do you keep finding these books to tag him under?! 😂 what a goober. He's sleeping on the job while I'm away! 8y
LauraBeth 😂😂 8y
60 likes2 comments
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becausetrains
Dark Ferret Society | Emily Humpherys
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#funfridayphoto #makesmehappy These two goobers. 😊 Sherlock is watching Noodle express how she feels about air mattresses 😂😂

#thebookishferrets

MrBook 😻😻😻 #SherlockNNoodle 8y
TheNextBook Lmao!!! 8y
RealLifeReading 😍😍 8y
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BookishFeminist 😂😂😂 goobers!! Did you put crack in their kibble again?! 8y
DGRachel 😍😍😍 8y
Shortstack ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Love them!! They look like they cause trouble! 8y
becausetrains @BookishFeminist 😂😂 nope, just guests and new things. #bounce 8y
becausetrains @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled.com SO MUCH. And it's adorable 😍 8y
71 likes9 comments
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becausetrains
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It's been a rough 24 hours for a great many of us Littens, so I want to offer an empathetic ear & safe space for you folks. I'll be checking here periodically tonight & tomorrow, but feel free to email, Twitter DM, or FB message me - see comments for my info.

(Disclosure: I'm a straight cisgender white male, so I understand if you aren't comfortable talking with me - my partner @BookishFeminist has offered her ear too.)

#ImWithYou

becausetrains Email: a.w.stephens@gmail; FB: a.w.stephens; Twitter: andrewwayne. ❤️ 8y
cariashley Thanks for this 💙 8y
BookishFeminist ❤️😘 8y
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Texreader Very awesome of you and @BookishFeminist to lend an ear! 8y
becausetrains @cariashley @Texreader it's the least I can do. We aren't alone if we have all of each other. 💜 8y
KVanRead 💜 8y
LeahBergen ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
Jenshootsweddings ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
LauraBrook ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
NovelGirl82 Thank you for this. You & @BookishFeminist are amazing. It's so wonderful to have a place to not feel alone, when I'm the odd educated, non-right wing, well-read girl out in my family. You have no idea how much I appreciate my Litsy fam! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Thanks for your kind heart ❤️ 8y
becausetrains @NovelGirl82 drop me/us a line ☺️. We've both been there, and I'm glad you are here and educated and willing to be an ally to others ❤️ 8y
Arbol Thank you ❣️ 8y
Bette Thanks from MN! 💙❤️️💜👍 8y
becausetrains @Arbol you're welcome - hope you're starting to heal ❤️ and @Bette, you're welcome from a MN native ☃🌌❤️ 8y
69 likes6 stack adds16 comments
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becausetrains
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Preaching to the choir, but to honor the Americans who've fought for the right to vote - women, non-white men (Black, Native, Latino, Asian), felons who've served their time, and those who've been challenged or intimidated at the polls for gender, lack of ID, education, or poll tax - vote! Your voice matters.

Frederick Douglass was a suffragist for both Black and women voters. Honoring him today!

Bookzombie 💟 8y
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Theresa One of my coworkers is voting in his first election today because he just recently became an American citizen. Although I'm sorry for several reasons that this is his first experience participating in the process, I'm excited that he gets to participate. It reminds me how lucky we are to have this opportunity. 8y
becausetrains @Theresa that is beautiful ☺️🇺🇸🌎🌍🌏 8y
Librariana Yay!! 😄💙💙💙💙 8y
67 likes1 stack add7 comments
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becausetrains
The Interceptor | Richard Herschlag
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Shitty treatment of women, shitty treatment of minorities, shitty sex scenes, shitty character development, and shitty writing in this book about literal rivers of shit. It's a literal engineer's (probably) literal wet dream. #threwitacrosstheroom #LitsyAfterDark

BookishFeminist 😂😂 and your dad liked it 8y
Leelee.reads I don't know what is funnier - your review, or that the first response was someone reading the review and immediately adding the book to their stack! 😆 8y
beaniebankbeth OMG, Big, I have never seen you so incensed over a book & IT. IS. EVERYTHING. You throw that book & you throw it right off the flipping balcony! 8y
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becausetrains @BookishFeminist ? and probably lent it to his two brothers (also engineers) @beaniebankbeth too late! Left it with my dad in MN - but I should have given it the "burial at sea" it deserves ???????? 8y
beaniebankbeth @BookishFeminist @becausetrains can we just make "and your dad liked it" the new quip when we stumble over something awful? It's like the new "that's what she said" & "your mom" all in one, while infinitely better. 8y
becausetrains @TheCanuckReader 💩💩💩💩😂 8y
BookishFeminist @beaniebankbeth 😂😂😂😂 ITS ALREADY STARTED. Andy has already used it as a comeback a few times I'm about to jump off the balcony myself LOL 8y
beaniebankbeth @BookishFeminist No! Think of all the poo emojis you'd miss on this post! 💩💩💩💩💩 8y
BookishFeminist @beaniebankbeth I would jump to safety but I would definitely gtfo! 😂😂💩 8y
LeahBergen My scrolling came to a screeching halt at the sight of the side-by-side shit and eggplant emojis! 😂😂😂 8y
TheNextBook @LeahBergen I had the exact same reaction "why is there a poop and purple penis I mean eggplant emoji" 8y
britt_brooke I love honest opinions, LOL!! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Seriously though....tell us how you really feel about it 😂😂👍👍 8y
becausetrains @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @TheCanuckReader @britt_brooke 😂 I was able to suspend disbelief, ignore the stereotypes, and let the mediocrity just happen for a while, but then happens and I threw the damn thing. Finished it just so I could add it to my total 😝 8y
becausetrains Main character (can't remember his name, so, "Doug") is a pudgy sewer engineer, distant from his wife. His young, hot intern ("Claire") makes advances & gives him a hand job that he "tries to resist" for "his wife's sake." He books a hotel room to sex it up w/her, but surprise! his wife role-played Claire at the hotel to help him feel less like cheating. ?Later, he gets Claire (who's actually "Ivanka") arrested, but she still wants to bone him!? 8y
becausetrains @BookishFeminist @Leelee.reads @beaniebankbeth @TheCanuckReader @LeahBergen @TheNextBook @britt_brooke @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I just realized: the villain in the story is a thinly disguised Donald Trump 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳💩 8y
LeahBergen #andyourdadlikedit ??????? Wtf, Dad?! 8y
BookishFeminist @LeahBergen "and your dad liked it" is my first comment on this thread. His dad actually liked this book and he's been trying to make this phrase a thing now. ? 8y
LeahBergen @BookishFeminist I saw that and was questioning why, WHY his Dad liked it after his description. 😂😂😂😂 So funny! 8y
BookishFeminist @LeahBergen I need more wine, I thought you hadn't seen the joke. 😆 THAT I can't answer. I have no idea!! 😂😂😂 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @becausetrains that's some spoiler, ugh... definitely worth a throw... #AndYourDadLikedIt 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa By the way I love this new comeback tag... we need to make this a thing... if for no other reason than parity with decades of 'your momma' 'that's not what your mom said' 8y
becausetrains @Riveted_Reader_Melissa in other words, it needs to be a thing because the world is full of misogyny #andyourdadlikedit? 😒😉 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Exactly👍 8y
Zelma I am unsure if you liked it or not. That review is kind of vague. 😂😂😂 8y
56 likes1 stack add29 comments
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becausetrains
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Hey #NaNoWriMo participants, I'm not planning to write a novel, but I am practicing my #bookbinding skills. Once you're done writing your novels, would any of you like a printed, bound copy of your book? I'll work for free since I'm still learning, if you pay for materials (and shipping.)

Notafraidofwords This is so nice of you. 😄 8y
becausetrains @Notafraidofwords thanks. 😊 I've been thinking of starting an Etsy store, and this is good practice (and a way to tell if I can make a go of it!) 8y
WordWaller I didn't know you were a bookbinder! @BookishFeminist omgggggg we have everything in common! My Andy is a bookbinder toooooooo and he also made himself an idea book and my mind is blown yet again 😂 @becausetrains I love that you do this!! I quit because it takes more patience and precision than I possess but I admire anyone who can create something so wonderful 8y
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BookishFeminist @WordWaller 😂😂😂😂😂 YOU'RE JOKING I CAN'T! I'm officially done. 8y
moranadatter That is super cool! 8y
becausetrains @WordWaller 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I love doing crafts and stuff, maybe too much! I started bookbinding so I could make @BookishFeminist a journal for her birthday, but I've done it for my own enjoyment since then. 📚 8y
WordWaller @BookishFeminist I SWEAR I'M NOT. this is so crazy 😂 I mean maybe it ends there but wowza. Not even that many people like binding books! I DONT EVEN KNOW ANYONE OUTSIDE MY UNDERGRAD CLASS WHO DOES so that's what's crazy to me!! 8y
48 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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becausetrains
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Noodle is dressed as a Werthers toffee candy this year 😍🍬 #thebookishferrets

Riveted_Reader_Melissa 😂😂 perfect costume!! 8y
Yamich49 Adorable! 8y
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Bookzombie So cute! 8y
LeahBergen Aww!! 8y
Baileeandme So cute! 8y
BooksPieAndCoffee Gahhh I just want to nuzzle that sweet, little pink nose! 😍😍 8y
Zelma 😍😻 8y
moranadatter Aww! You're killing me with cute! 8y
66 likes9 comments
review
becausetrains
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Pickpick

Holy Tehlu, does Pat Rothfuss write a tale. This is almost a more realistic Lord of the Rings, except instead of following the adventures directly, we sit at the Prancing Pony in Bree and listen to Strider's beautiful and often-painful accounts.

Go read this book, and if any of you know Rothfuss, make him write the damn third book.

(It took days for me - the picture is usually true, but I hung on every phrase in The Name of the Wind.)

Vinjii Interesting. I thought he writes very well but I have such a problem with the arrogance of the main character! 😜 8y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag I'm waiting for the third book before I start 🤔 8y
Soubhiville This is my favorite series. By far. 8y
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CherylDeFranceschi ❤️Love his books! 8y
LeahBergen I have the first 2 but it seems like I should wait for the 3rd before I begin! 8y
becausetrains @Vinjii I kinda feel like that's the point - Kvothe's experiences are outsize for what seems to be a simple innkeeper. 8y
becausetrains @LeahBergen 😂 I'm not sure whether I will! 8y
Vinjii @becausetrains True. But sadly it made me dislike the book 😰 I had high hopes for it, everyone seems to love it. 8y
Celeste57 I adore these books. And I loved your LotR comparison. So accurate! 8y
70 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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becausetrains
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Before One Direction fanfic, before Twilight fanfic, even before Slimer fanfic... this happened 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

(Rev. Wing claims this is a fully true autobiographical sketch, but I have a feeling he embellished a bit 🎩💋)

Zelma 😂 LincFic! 8y
BookishFeminist 😂😂😂 how much work did you guys not get done when you found this 8y
LeahBergen So HOT 🔥🔥🔥 8y
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LeahBergen ( but I kind of need to read it now) 8y
becausetrains @BookishFeminist quite a bit actually - we were looking for the sequel: "When Lincoln Kissed Me II: Havana Nights" ?? 8y
becausetrains @LeahBergen I'd say it's your duty as an American, but that doesn't apply soooooo 🇨🇦 8y
38 likes1 stack add6 comments