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Snoozing! #catsofinstagram

FINALLY get to read this!!!

Internship Log: Looking Back

Hello readers! This is my very last dedicated internship log post. (Hopefully I’ll still be around and get back into the groove of book reviews and things.) It’s bittersweet — sweet because it means graduation is just around the corner (four days, but who’s counting?) and I’ll never have to do another homework assignments; bitter because, over the past four months, I’ve come to love the…

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Internship Log: The Entire Month of April

Hi all! I’ve been so busy DOING that I’ve rather fallen off the wagon in BLOGGING. April started off with a bang for sure. In the days leading up to the beginning of the month, I worked with other members of the SCSL team to get everything ready for the Young Minds Dreaming Poetry Contest and the Arbuthnot Lectures. On March 29 and 31, I pulled together a spreadsheet of all the different schools…

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theoriginalmagitha

I have created A Thing (AKA read your shelves 2017)

I’m not really a member of the booklr community but I am a book person who is also garbage at actually reading books. so I’ve made myself a challenge for the summer, and I thought I’d share it with tumblr so maybe other people can take inspiration or join me or whatever. I’m counting “summer” as being this week until the week my classes start in August, but anyone who follows this challenge can set parameters whenever they need to as long as they hit the first week of May till sometime in August

the rules - “summer” begins the first full week of May and has to end after the first full week of August - each week has a book. you cannot read that book before that week (for anticipation’s sake). if you don’t finish that book that week, it adds to the next week - books must be owned or loaned (AKA Becky I still haven’t read any of the books you’ve loaned me so yeah this is so I actually do that) - no book buying until the end of summer (this goes for used books as well. free books are acceptable (gifts and/or BookBub deals)) - can read other books, but must prioritize weekly challenge books! - no rereading books until the week’s challenge book is finished

my books - April 24 - 30: Witch’s Business, Diana Wynne Jones

- May 1 - 7: Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo - May 8 - 14: Crooked Kingdom, Leigh Bardugo - May 15 - 21: Shadow and Bone, Leigh Bardugo - May 22 - 28: Siege and Storm, Leigh Bardugo - May 29 - June 4: Trigger Warning, Neil Gaiman

- June 5 - 11: The Pinhoe Egg, Diana Wynne Jones - June 12 - 18: The Bookman, Lavie Tidhair - June 19 - 25, Camera Obscura, Lavie Tidhair - June 26 - July 2: The Great Game, Lavie Tidhair

- July 3 - 9: A Face Like Glass, Frances Hardinge - July 10 - 16: In the Land of Time and Other Stories, Lord Dunsany - July 17 - 23: The Princess Bride (part 1), William Goldman - July 24 - 30: The Princess Bride (part 2), William Goldman - July 31 - August 6: Perdido Street Station (part 1), China Mieville

- August 7 - 13: Perdido Street Station (part 2), China MIeville - August 14 - 20: Black Widow Forever Red, Margaret Stohl - August 21 - 27: Steelheart, Brandon Sanderson

bonus round Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke Les Miserables, Victor Hugo

adventuresoflibrarygirl

FRIEND IS DOING A THING YAY FRIEND!!!

My sleepy bean #catsofinstagram

#catsofinstagram

this summer is going to be a mix of Discworld (because I’ve been promising Wil and Morgan that I’ll read them) and so much diverse YA fantasy

so literally the DAY after I stumble across a bunch of Controversy about a black girl in a pretty dress on a fantasy book by a white author, I find a black girl in a pretty dress on a fantasy book by a black author.

slightly later release date than the other (February 2018), but I’m getting hyped for THE BELLES by Dhonielle Clayton.

#the belles

adventuresoflibrarygirl

I’ve stumbled across another Controversy.

there’s a book coming out in September, Before She Ignites, that’s a fantasy novel featuring dragons (YES PLEASE), a main character with mental illness (YES PLEASE), and that same main character who is black (YES PLEASE).

what’s more, the novel features an obviously black girl in a pretty dress. Black princess cover! YES!!!!!

here’s the catch: it comes from a white author.

I’m seeing a lot of people being angry that the first time we get a black girl in a pretty dress on a YA book cover, it’s from a white author. and that is a valid criticism of the publishing industry. we’ve had white girls on book covers forever, and we’ve had POC writing fantasy for forever, so this is well overdue, and the fact that it finally happens on a book by a white author speaks to some deep-seated biases in the publishing industry that really do need to be addressed.

however, I’m seeing a lot of people saying they won’t read the book because of this fact, or criticizing the book/author, and I think that’s deeply unfair. yes, this representation should have happened a long time ago and should be shown to POC authors. But I still believe showing a powerful and pretty black girl on a fantasy YA cover is something to celebrate.

things can be complicated. and I know the author didn’t design the cover, because that’s not how the publishing industry works; she just wrote a book about a black girl with an anxiety disorder and also lots of dragons, and I’m super hyped to read it (and can’t believe I’ve only just found out about it).

if it’s bad representation, if the author hasn’t done her research and portrays this black girl in a negative or racist way, then I will absolutely be upset. and I wish the first “black princess” cover had been given to a black author, because it really should have been, but I also think that white authors embracing diversity is a good thing (again, contingent on it being good and well-researched representation) and that black girls on book covers deserve celebration, period.

as with many things in life, it’s complicated. I’m going to reserve any further commentary on the book until after I’ve read it, but that’s my initial impression of the situation, and I am once again disappointed by so many members of the book community engaging in reductionist arguments that view literature, publishing, and the world at large as dichotomous rather than complex.

stargirl-carraway

This is exactly the kind of thing I’ve been asking for as a black girl whose favorite genre is fantasy so obviously I will read it, but…I just want to read about black girls who are written by black women who have lived and experienced everything that comes with being a black woman. I’m touchy about white people writing us! And I probably always will be! The whole time I’m reading ill be thinking about how it wasn’t written by a black woman, but im willing to give it a chance.

adventuresoflibrarygirl

I definitely understand wanting to see yourself represented by someone within your community! I know it's not the same, but I imagine it's similar to when I find a book about someone with mental illness /by/ someone with that mental illness. (I guess by "well-researched" I meant "careful to portray the experience accurately and in a way that's not racist.") I don't mean to diminish that experience and the importance of own-voices representation AT ALL -- I just also want to normalize POC on book covers, and if it takes white people using their privilege to help further that goal, I don't think it can be completely bad. (Also: Check out THE BELLES by Dhonielle Clayton.)

medievalthymes

Im in love with the theory that muggleborn students find the room of requirement and its filled with technology. Like i know stuff like cellphones dont work at hogwarts, but it’s the room of requirement so it does just in that room for some reason? Like imagine: students dont want to write a 10 page essay with a fucking quill and parchment paper? Type that shit out on a macbook in the room of requirement and hand it in. The teachers marvel at how neat the students writing is. Muggleborns get bored? Go to the room of requirement and have a mario kart party Muggleborns staying up to date with their favourite shows and binge watch netflix together Just muggleborns being completely fed up with hogwarts staying in the 1700’s and practically living in the room of requirement

adventuresoflibrarygirl

muggleborns going to the room of requirement to just call their mom on the phone instead of having to wait for owl post

I’ve stumbled across another Controversy.

there’s a book coming out in September, Before She Ignites, that’s a fantasy novel featuring dragons (YES PLEASE), a main character with mental illness (YES PLEASE), and that same main character who is black (YES PLEASE).

what’s more, the novel features an obviously black girl in a pretty dress. Black princess cover! YES!!!!!

here’s the catch: it comes from a white author.

I’m seeing a lot of people being angry that the first time we get a black girl in a pretty dress on a YA book cover, it’s from a white author. and that is a valid criticism of the publishing industry. we’ve had white girls on book covers forever, and we’ve had POC writing fantasy for forever, so this is well overdue, and the fact that it finally happens on a book by a white author speaks to some deep-seated biases in the publishing industry that really do need to be addressed.

however, I’m seeing a lot of people saying they won’t read the book because of this fact, or criticizing the book/author, and I think that’s deeply unfair. yes, this representation should have happened a long time ago and should be shown to POC authors. But I still believe showing a powerful and pretty black girl on a fantasy YA cover is something to celebrate.

things can be complicated. and I know the author didn’t design the cover, because that’s not how the publishing industry works; she just wrote a book about a black girl with an anxiety disorder and also lots of dragons, and I’m super hyped to read it (and can’t believe I’ve only just found out about it).

if it’s bad representation, if the author hasn’t done her research and portrays this black girl in a negative or racist way, then I will absolutely be upset. and I wish the first “black princess” cover had been given to a black author, because it really should have been, but I also think that white authors embracing diversity is a good thing (again, contingent on it being good and well-researched representation) and that black girls on book covers deserve celebration, period.

as with many things in life, it’s complicated. I’m going to reserve any further commentary on the book until after I’ve read it, but that’s my initial impression of the situation, and I am once again disappointed by so many members of the book community engaging in reductionist arguments that view literature, publishing, and the world at large as dichotomous rather than complex.

gayleontologists

i can’t stop fucking thinking about my english prof talking about the queer historical significance of the word “sweet” as a deliberate indicator of homosexual love and how that relates to both edward ii and gaveston, as well as hamlet and horatio. so, because shakespeare was likely totally knowledgeable about codes that queer men were using (cos like duh obvs), the inclusion of “sweet prince” at the end of hamlet is in all likelihood a completely deliberate indication that hamlet and horatio were in love

i’m???? so gay for literature and history lmao

lilybaud

my good sweet honey lord????

strange-goodfellows

I WROTE A WHOLE PAPER ON THIS SHIT IN DOCTOR FAUSTUS HIT ME UP LITERALLY ANY TIME YO.

bemusedlybespectacled

“goodnight, you gay fuck”

adventuresoflibrarygirl

tfw you read a book that you then find out everyone has been decrying as problematic and reexamine the book in light of those criticisms and still don’t see it

like, I can understand where some of the concerns come from, but having finished the book (which at least half of the people whose deeply critical reviews I read admitted they didn’t do), I feel pretty comfortable in saying that it’s a case of “problematic things sometimes have to be presented in order to be addressed”

I recognize that I can’t comment fully on concerns about racial stereotyping, because I’m white, but unlike apparently a lot of people I finished the book and in my view it was pretty obvious that one of the major themes was the white character’s initial prejudices being dismantled as he comes to understand the “other” culture and then returning to his prejudiced society to help bridge the gap of understanding. (if a poc who actually read the book wants to talk about it, I’m willing to listen, like I said, that was my experience of the book as a white person)

also, I have a chronic illness that causes me near-constant pain, so I feel qualified to speak to those criticisms. and a lot of people are like “the main character’s chronic illness is called a gift and that’s not ok” and like. anything in this world that makes people different is called a “gift” by the vocabulary of the society and it’s made pretty clear throughout the book that her actual chronic pain is debilitating and NOT a gift. she learns to live with it, to manage it, and to spin her outlook to a more positive one (appreciating the strength she has gained from the challenges her pain has caused her), but at no point is her experience of constant and debilitating pain portrayed as something to be celebrated. like, some doctors (who the narrative makes clear don’t know what they’re talking about) try to suggest that she’s doing it to herself/it’s a good thing/etc., mirroring a lot of the actual problems people with chronic pain conditions face, but the book is obviously on team “chronic pain is bad (but doesn’t make the person who has it bad)”

i’m not going to name the book, because I don’t actually want to start a fight I just wanted to vent, but if you know what book I’m talking about and have Actually Read It and want to message me privately, I’m open to conversations.

but I’m really annoyed by people writing reviews of books they admit they haven’t read. if you’ve heard it’s problematic and don’t want to read it, that’s 100% your prerogative, if I turn up research that says a book is problematic I’ll often skip it too, but don’t review it as if you’ve read it please? and all the ones I found discussing the problematic aspects admitted to not having finished the book, so

idk I really enjoyed the book and I’m frustrated

have a nice night, becky out

microbookologist

look, people (specifically PoC) have made posts time and again calling out Carve the Mark on its blatant racism. we can’t center our own enjoyment/white feelings over the feelings/pain of those PoC who are hurt by this book. the marketing team for CtM also has a disgusting obsession with using self harm to sell their book. none of this is okay. regardless of the way chronic pain is addressed in this book you have to try and understand why this book is so harmful and why so many people don’t want it out there. please please please try to listen to people who are telling why this book is harmful.

also, ask yourself why it bothers you so much that people rate books they don’t read/finish? that has never been an issue until people started calling out harmful books. read whatever the hell you want but if it’s harmful take a moment to educate yourself on why people are asking you to stop and don’t advocate for the book.

it’s been said before but I’ll say it again: if you want to be a better ally get on Twitter and follow diverse bloggers. please educate yourself and stop trying to give harmful racist books like CtM a pass because you don’t see the problems. we cannot keep sweeping other marginalized readers under the rug.

enjoy CtM in private but don’t make posts asking people to give it a chance or try to convince us it’s not so bad. plenty of people have been trying to get us to understand otherwise.

adventuresoflibrarygirl

can you point me to some of these posts? I haven’t done super thorough research but most of what I’ve found has been “I didn’t read the book BUT” or “I read far enough for the character’s initial prejudices to be introduced and then quit.” as I said, I recognize that my understanding is limited by my whiteness, and I’m willing to listen to differing opinions; my frustration is with people discussing only part of a work.

I know the marketing team did some garbage stuff and I’m not okay with that, but I also view the marketing team as separate from the content of the book itself. no argument from me about the trash marketing, but that’s not what I’m talking about.

also, “it has never been an issue until people started trying to call stuff out” is not true? at least, not for me. if you DNF a book and want to write a review saying why, sure, but I’m frustrated by reviews from people who never even opened the book because when I’m trying to find discussion from people who *read a book* it’s annoying to me personally to have to dig through “I didn’t read this!” a zillion times. and the original post was largely about a personal frustration.

I follow diverse bloggers on twitter, I work hard every day to promote diversity and equality in literary spaces, it is literally my job, and I recognize that there are always things I can do to be a better ally, and I’m trying to do them.

I’m not saying “well I liked it so it can have a pass,” I’m saying “I’m having trouble seeing why everyone hates it so much and I can’t find anybody explaining their hatred who actually read the book,” which is really frustrating to me as someone who wants to have informed and intelligent discussions of books.

like I said, I don’t want to start a fight, I’m in a bad mood and venting about some things. I recognize that my original post came off as more aggressive than I intended, and for that I apologize; also, if it sounded like I was saying I wouldn’t listen to others’ experiences, I apologize for that too, because that’s not what I was going for either.

but when I read a book on a whim and enjoy it when I haven’t been online keeping up with The Discourse, then see “everyone hates this” and think “I wonder why?” and all I can find is “I didn’t read this but it’s trash” I get frustrated.

bad day, venting about a dumb thing, not trying to dismiss POC or people who experience chronic pain differently than I do, just being annoyed about my inability to find engaging discussion in a sea of accusations not backed by evidence.

also, you’ll notice that I deliberately Did Not Name The Book because I’m not trying to persuade anyone that my opinion is right and they should read it or give this specific book a pass or anything like that, I was relating my personal experience in reading a book and being unable to find the discussion I was seeking about it.

#this is why i never post things anymore

tfw you read a book that you then find out everyone has been decrying as problematic and reexamine the book in light of those criticisms and still don’t see it

like, I can understand where some of the concerns come from, but having finished the book (which at least half of the people whose deeply critical reviews I read admitted they didn’t do), I feel pretty comfortable in saying that it’s a case of “problematic things sometimes have to be presented in order to be addressed”

I recognize that I can’t comment fully on concerns about racial stereotyping, because I’m white, but unlike apparently a lot of people I finished the book and in my view it was pretty obvious that one of the major themes was the white character’s initial prejudices being dismantled as he comes to understand the “other” culture and then returning to his prejudiced society to help bridge the gap of understanding. (if a poc who actually read the book wants to talk about it, I’m willing to listen, like I said, that was my experience of the book as a white person)

also, I have a chronic illness that causes me near-constant pain, so I feel qualified to speak to those criticisms. and a lot of people are like “the main character’s chronic illness is called a gift and that’s not ok” and like. anything in this world that makes people different is called a “gift” by the vocabulary of the society and it’s made pretty clear throughout the book that her actual chronic pain is debilitating and NOT a gift. she learns to live with it, to manage it, and to spin her outlook to a more positive one (appreciating the strength she has gained from the challenges her pain has caused her), but at no point is her experience of constant and debilitating pain portrayed as something to be celebrated. like, some doctors (who the narrative makes clear don’t know what they’re talking about) try to suggest that she’s doing it to herself/it’s a good thing/etc., mirroring a lot of the actual problems people with chronic pain conditions face, but the book is obviously on team “chronic pain is bad (but doesn’t make the person who has it bad)”

i’m not going to name the book, because I don’t actually want to start a fight I just wanted to vent, but if you know what book I’m talking about and have Actually Read It and want to message me privately, I’m open to conversations.

but I’m really annoyed by people writing reviews of books they admit they haven’t read. if you’ve heard it’s problematic and don’t want to read it, that’s 100% your prerogative, if I turn up research that says a book is problematic I’ll often skip it too, but don’t review it as if you’ve read it please? and all the ones I found discussing the problematic aspects admitted to not having finished the book, so

idk I really enjoyed the book and I’m frustrated

have a nice night, becky out

Internship Log, Featuring Minor Chaos

This week’s internship experience featured a crash-course in an essential librarian skill: working quickly to find solutions to unexpected problems at the last minute. Hands-on learning at its finest! We’ll get back to that in a minute. I began the week with a project for Ashley, the head of the Statewide Services department, while Pamela was at lunch. In honor of National Library Week, the State…

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Internship Log, Catch-Up Edition

Hello, readers! It’s been a while. Here’s what happened: One week, I worked only one day (Feb. 22) because Pamela was out sick (luckily, she is better now!) and it was easier to wait and do additional hours when I had more projects to work on. I decided since I had only worked one day and pretty much just done podcasting, I would roll it into the next week’s post. The next week, I did a lot of…

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