Bookish Nerd

Just a queer punk kitchen witch e(y)/ e(i)r/ em

[libriamore]

This blog is specifically for my more intellectual aesthetic, instead of the brain dumping/ fandom thoughts. Gonna use it mostly for history & books

[rovermcfly]

rocky's crew dying from radiation exposure, something humans go to great lengths to prevent and are very scared of and ryland's crew dying in their "sleep" with nobody watching, something eridians go to great lengths to prevent and are very scared of. cool book that is easy to read through your tears.

[libriamore]

I’m halfway through it and keep being overwhelmed with alternate joy and sorrow. Very good book that I’ll think about for days once I finish it

[wordfather]

someone at work told me 'oh, just ask chat' when i raised a casual question and i asked what she meant and she said 'you know, chatgpt' like im an idiot. and i should get an award for the fact that i did not start snarling and biting and killing

[libriamore]

See I thought it meant chat as in “chat are we cooked?”, like she wanted you to ask a live stream, which is also concerning in a different way

[pastlives97-deactivated20260315]

Largo di Torre Argentina, Rome (2026)

[libriamore]

Went to my first language class in over a year & was pleasantly surprised to discover that while (as I expected) I have a lot of reviewing to do, I did actually retain some of what I learned!

[libriamore]

I’m reading Frankenstein for the first time and I love how he automatically assumes his worst nightmare is what happened. Like Victor, buddy, it didn’t occur to you to try and figure out where the creature went? For months?? And now you just assume you know what’s going on??? There are so many possibilities and you being a murderer is pretty far down that list, but okay, sure.

He’s the OG uni student who thinks they’re god and I love that for him. It’s so entertaining.

I now understand the debates my friends had in high school (we were in different classes and I didn’t have to read it), but I think that it’s more of a university read because high schoolers don’t yet understand that Victor Frankenstein is That Guy on campus that no one has seen in class but is somehow top of the entire school. Yes, he’s so obsessed with himself that he thinks he’s the cause of all his misfortune*, but really he just needs to talk to more people than his one (1) friend and maybe take a shower.

I knew he was dramatic/ Byronic-inspired, but he keeps going on tangents about how melancholic and depressed his nature is and how he didn’t truly realize that until he went to uni away from everyone he’s ever loved. It’s so good. And describes going to university so well.

I’m also enjoying all the Romanticist views of nature and the sublime. Shelley describes things as “terrible” and “awesome” in their original sense of inspiring awe and wonder. And how being in nature sweeps away depression, making it impossible to hold onto evil thoughts.

I’m about halfway through, so I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts later.

*he’s right, just not in the way he thinks

[awakefor48hours]

“Great art, AI could never do this!” “Hell yeah! I love trans people! Transphobes cannot handle trans swag!” “Look at this lesbian dating another lesbian! We’re about to piss off the homophobes with this one” “POC have great cultural practices. I’m sure the racists are having heart attacks right now.””Love seeing disabled people around. Bet the ableist are peeing their pants right now.”

Oh I get it, we’re in the Bad Place.

[awakefor48hours]

"But what's wrong with this?" What's wrong with this is that often times, people leave these types of comments when it's not necessary.

Leaving comments like this takes a moment of celebration and turns it to a moment of spite.

This is especially annoying when it's online. Most online spaces are algorithmically based and since algorithms like to share posts that will spread controversy, comments like that are only going to attract more people to it.

Bringing generative AI into a conversation that was started when someone wanted to share their art is just going to attract a generative AI dick rider to "erm actually..." the conversation. Bringing transphobia into a conversation that's supposed to be support of trans people will cause transphobes to enter the conversation and remind said trans person about transphobia. And so on and so forth.

If you want to show your support, keep the first half and drop the second half. Just say "you're amazing" and move on. It's a supportive message and it's still a celebration.

[wanchotheponcho]

This is also the exact same mental trap conservatives and right-wingers fall into, doing shit just to "own the libs" - then their entire existence becomes defined by hatred instead of having an actual personality

If you can't enjoy something without thinking about how it's pissing off someone you don't like, then what's even the point??

[awakefor48hours]

YES, thank you!

Just like being a Republican changed from being a side that stood for the individual person is now just "triggering the libs," if we go down that same route, we will be just as lost.

If everyone is just hellbent on hating the other side, who will be around to love us?

[libriamore]

“If everyone is just hellbent on hating the other side, who will be around to love us?”

[robertreich]

If you're heading to a protest tomorrow, it's important to know your rights. Consult this information from the ACLU. Be peaceful. Be safe. Be careful. Be strong.

[libriamore]

Good info for Americans to know. Hope everyone stays safe out there!

[queer-here-and-in-fear]

shorthands for dumbassery that i have grown to love deeply

"how dare you say we piss on the poor" in response to someone misinterpreting your post

"_ isnt gonna fuck you" for suck up behavior

"woah. should we tell everyone? should we throw a party?" for who the fuck cares

"and what if the world was made of pudding" for when would this ever matter.

"and sharks are smooth both ways" for a group of people heatedly arguing with 1 guy who is fucking with them all

".. but its about a witch in the alps finding her lost cat" for someone trying to sanitize something to the point of absurdity

[queer-here-and-in-fear]

this is prime proof that this ENTIRE WEBSITE is autistic because nowhere else would a no tags post that's just an informative list about slang get this much traction.

[queer-here-and-in-fear]

anyway more addittions

“30-50 wild hogs” for someone making ABSURD excuses for violence.

“what were YOU doing at the devils sacrament” for how do you know that without being a part of it.

“anyone in this thread smoke weed” for the shit you people are saying is so off topic this might as well be a general discussion forum

“dogs are boys and cats are girls” for ooh ur mindset did not grow past 4th grade, huh

“color theory in a childrens hospital” for bending over backwards to not agree that YEA, that thing Came Off Weird

“you are a tar pit” for someone finding any reason to respond with outrage.

“is the __ in the room with us right now?” for I Don’t Think That’s Real.

“bean soup? im allergic to beans!” for ik this doesn’t work for you, but that’s not a flaw. not everything can be for you.

“people irl: hey man hows it going” for this will Never Matter irl

[hhpharaoh]

I haven’t seen anyone else talk of this, so here we go. We get a graphic novel of Alanna: The First Adventure here shortly.

[libriamore]

I decided to have the Song of the Lioness quartet of my June bullet journal without knowing this and omg!!! It’s here!!

Here’s the publisher’s site, if you wanna avoid Amazon: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/song-of-the-lioness-book-1-alanna_9781419765575/

Song of the Lioness, Book 1: Alanna A Graphic Novel Adaptation

The first book in #1 New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce's award-winning Song of the Lioness quartet, adapted into a gorgeous, f

This series was fundamental to shaping me as a person. I’m so excited!

[saywhat-politics]

National Park Service removes references to Harriet Tubman from ‘Underground Railroad’ webpage

(CNN) — An image of and quote from Harriet Tubman have been removed from a National Parks webpage about the “Underground Railroad,” following several prominent changes to government websites under the Trump administration.

The National Parks Service webpage for the “Underground Railroad” used to lead with a quote from Tubman, the railroad’s most famous “conductor”, a comparison on the Wayback Machine between the webpage on January 21 and March 19 shows. Both the quote and an image of Tubman have since been removed, along with several references to “enslaved” people and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

National Park Service removes references to Harriet Tubman from ‘Underground Railroad’ webpage | CNN

An image of and quote from Harriet Tubman have been removed from a National Parks webpage about the “Underground Railroad,” following severa

[libriamore]

How it feels to be an American emigrant (living abroad) rn:

Rage and horror. Every time I talk to people back home or open social media, there’s something new from the orange idiot that’s affecting their lives. I grew up near DC and had the privilege of a good education, so I understand how our government is supposed to work both in theory and practice. This is not how a democratic-republican government works. This is how an authoritarian one acts. And so far most of the fail safes have failed. And it’s only March.

Guilt. I was privileged enough to leave before the shit royally hit the fan (went back to vote). And while I’m barely making enough to afford expenses, I still feel like I should be donating to support the people protesting. (Yes I know there’s ppl protesting, even if the media is complicit & doesn’t show it/ it doesn’t make international news).

Grief. My ancestors came to the US a century ago because it was the land of economic opportunity and freedom. That hasn’t been the case for quite some time now. Part of why I left was for the same reasons they left their home country. I’m patriotic, but in the “believing in the ideals America is founded on” way instead of a nationalist “the US is the best country ever” way.

Not exactly sure what my point is, other than encouraging people to keep going on, doing the small things. Things that make you happy, even if it’s short term. To donate to orgs like the ACLU (I’m not the best person for recommendations, so research first). Or add important government sites to the Internet Archive (donate to them. They need it) to help prove they existed before and can exist again. Make a plan to vote in your next local elections. Every little bit helps.

If you don’t live in the states, you can still donate. Encourage your government to condemn Trump’s fascism & check in on your American friends/mutuals.

Do things that make you happy, even in the short term. Smile at others. Listen to music. Dance. Find community and share meals.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Embrace the Irish rebellious spirit and resist oppressors

[aromantic-goldfishdeactivated202]

I find it so funny, in light of TikTok’s imminent American demise, that even now they aren’t considering moving to tumblr. The last two social media refugee crises (Twitter -> X and whatever happened with Reddit) prompted a wave of wide-eyed new baffled tumblr users to flood this app and yet last I heard all of the tiktokers are flooding en-masse a Chinese social media app. That is entirely in Mandarin. Instead of moving to tumblr.

[aromantic-goldfishdeactivated202]

Like. People are learning mandarin to join this social media site. I’m not joking. There are tutorials going around to show people who don’t speak Mandarin how to sign up for this app. They’re all talking about how they’d rather learn a new language than join instagram reels and it is not a thought in ANYONE’S mind that tumblr is also potentially an option

[aromantic-goldfishdeactivated202]

To be clear im not mad about this. I’d rather see a generation of people learn a new language and engage in cross cultural connections than have a wave of tiktokers flood this app but I still think this whole thing is very funny

[aromantic-goldfishdeactivated202]

no because that is quite literally what is happening on Red Book right now like. All of the Chinese users went “hey why are there suddenly a gazillion Americans on here?” to which the Americans went “they’re banning TikTok and we’re moving out of spite” and the Chinese were like “oh cool send us pictures of your cats and help us with English homework and we’ll send you pictures of our cats and help you learn Mandarin” and as far as I can tell everyone is having a genuinely very nice time together.

[libriamore]

This is fantastic. I love the solidarity, but do also agree with op that it’s hilarious

Especially since I haven’t used TikTok in years. I watch videos primarily on YouTube and it’s really been so much better for my mental health.

But yeah, learning Mandarin mostly out of spite is a fantastic response

[longlostdiaries]

I don't know who needs to hear this but:

-"it only hurts a little" is still pain

-"I can ignore it" is still pain

-"I can cope with/manage it" is still pain

-"it's bearable" is still pain

-"I can push through it" is still pain

-"it doesn't hurt that much" is still pain

-"it doesn't stop me from doing x" is still pain

You don't need to be in agonizing pain to be in pain.

[libriamore]

This is a good reminder, thank you. I’ve been slowly coming to the realization that I probably have chronic pain. Which isn’t exactly news, but still isn’t fun.

There’s a part in the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud when he suddenly doesn’t have the low level pain that he’s been experiencing for centuries, to the point that it no longer registered. I think about that scene way too often. What would it be like, to suddenly have no pain? Am I currently ignoring pain because it’s become my normal? How many people in my life feel the same?

[selkiesstories]

[libriamore]

I mean yeah. But there’s also something to be said for how many people don’t pay attention in high school due to it not actually being conducive to learning, along with a lack of funding that leads to teachers being overworked so they only focus on teaching the state standards. This is American-centric, but some of the things people talk about never learning are correct. Especially when it comes to history, as there’s so much of it that often gets boiled down to rote memorization of facts instead of teaching it as a story.

Also, when it comes to minority history, it is absolutely true. Just look at how incensed people get over critical race theory, let alone that indigenous people didn’t have full rights as American citizens until the 1990’s (which I had to take an indigenous history class in university to learn). History is frequently taught as a propaganda tool instead of analyzing power dynamics. It’s only in the last decade/ so that narratives outside the WASP* experience have started to be considered, let alone taught consistently.

And then you have conservative backlash editing textbooks, banning alternate sources, and complaining about “wokeness” instead of processing internalized White Guilt.

*White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (think Pilgrim Thanksgiving stories)

[soracities]

"Absolutely no one comes to save us but us."

Ismatu Gwendolyn, "you've been traumatized into hating reading (and it makes you easier to oppress)", from Threadings, on Substack [ID'd]

[eagans]

[libriamore]

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills we can develop, but it has to be taught. Questioning things, asking why and how, thinking about biases and what one’s personal bias could be, are all important components of it. I was privileged to be taught critical thinking skills in high school, but most people don’t have that opportunity until university. Even then, it isn’t consistently developed.

It’s a lot easier to switch off mentally and tune into a show/ social media. Which we all need at times. But I believe that one needs to read from time to time in order to actually enjoy life instead of going through the motions.

I have met so many people who “don’t like reading” because they haven’t found something that interests them or rather, they’ve been taught that reading is an arduous task with seemingly little reward, so might as well not do it.

“You never have to burn the books if no one ever wants to read them in the first place” indeed

[libriamore]

I found a series on YouTube of the Lord of the Rings audiobooks so I’m listening to it. The last time I tried to read the series was over a decade ago and I think it’s more comforting as a young adult than it was as a teen. Especially given the current state of the world.

The series is lovely because Scott Christian Sava is an artist and each video is him making a watercolor of a character from the series.

My current thoughts (they just left Tom Bombadil) (semi-spoilers):

- Merry, Pippin, Sam, & Fatty (is that actually his name?) Bolger scheming got me. It’s so sweet & caring that makes even more sense than the movies. They all knew what they were signing up for and I love them

- Speaking of the movies, so far I understand why most of what I’ve read was adapted the way it was. Peter Jackson did a great job of preserving the overall message of love and camaraderie and compassion without making the movies thirty hours long

- I’m also enjoying how often they all sing. I forgot that it’s a big part of hobbit culture. And it’s so lovely, along w/ the riddles, like Gandalf pointed out when discussing Gollum

- I think my Americanism is showing because the whole hobbit hierarchy that’s clearly just the British class system is a bit silly to me, but it makes sense because JRRT was British. The whole thing w/ the Brandybucks being on the other side of the river so they’re seen as odd/ they see Hobbiton hobbits as strange is so very English to me & it makes me smile, as is the never leaving the Shire

- They’re all so kind to each other and love each other. It’s so wonderful. Frodo & Gandalf talking about Bilbo, Frodo preserving his memory by celebrating their birthday, his friends refusing to let him go alone - it’s such a good community. And I’m excited to see how they’re going to keep that community as they reach Bree

The Lord of the Rings Full AudioBook

The Lord of the Rings Full AudioBook

[libriamore]

I’ve gotten to The Two Towers, specifically the hobbits in Fangorn Forest. And I get why ppl make fun of JRRT for the tree descriptions… (more slight spoilers below)

At the same time, so far the descriptions make sense. Lothlórien had a long description, but it made sense for the company to be in awe of it’s beauty and therefore pay attention to it. Tolkien has a slower pace than modern authors, but it makes sense for the time and for his writing style. He’s taking the time to illustrate things clearly, which I appreciate.

Fangorn, on the other hand, is slow because the Ents are slow. At least for a hobbit/ human timescale. They take a long time to say things because a, they live for much longer, and b, it just makes sense to me that trees would speak slowly. I did get a bit annoyed by his song, but that’s more to do with the audiobook reader’s choice to have lots of deep inhales, which is my least favorite aspect of audiobooks, distracting me than the song itself.

Also? I feel like they made up their minds rather quickly? In the movies it seems like they waste time spending more than a day, but compared to the weeks (months really) that the hobbits have been traveling, two and a half days is nothing. Especially when considering the Ents’ lifespans. They made up their minds in just a day longer than the Council of Elrond. I had the impression that the Ents took significantly longer.

I know that it’s difficult for movies to show time, but for some reason I was under the impression that the whole series only took a couple months. I’ve been noticing that there’s lots of mentions of travel time in the books, which is helpful. Aragorn discussed the distance from Weathertop to Rivendale, Sam pointed out that they had been in Lothlórien longer than they thought, and, at least on the way to Rivendale, the narrative points out the date and how long they’ve been traveling. It’s a nice detail, since it helps set the overall setting. Frodo enjoying his last carefree summer in Hobbiton, then going to Rivendale in the fall. The symbolism of them traveling into places as fall wanes into winter as the glory age of elves is also waning/ evil is rising in barren places is a nice touch. I’m curious to see whether they get to Mount Doom before spring.

Another thought: Fangorn Forest is named after Treebeard? I wonder if it’s because he’s so old that the shorter lived people started calling it his forest and it got shortened.

I vaguely remember a post talking about how the Ent wives got fed up and that’s why they left. Which might be true, but seeing as we’re getting Fangorn’s perspective, I like his story. The difference between lifestyle preferences/ goals for their trees. And the hint that the company passed through where the Ent wives lived before being wiped out.

One more thought: I got the impression from the movies that Eomer was Theoden’s son, but it appears that isn’t the case? So far all he’s said is that he’s the Marshall, which might mean that he’s Theoden’s heir, but I have no idea how that works. I’m finding the change from book to movie of how/ when the hunters come to Edoras really interesting, since as far as I can tell, it was cut short for time. Which is fair, but I’m once again enjoying all the things that weren’t in the films. Especially Gandalf messing with them. I assume he was the old man that suddenly appeared and disappeared.

[libriamore]

I just finished the trilogy & my main thought is that I adore Sam Gamgee.

His main purpose after the scouring of the Shire was to reforest it. Bringing back the trees and wonder of life to it. Gorgeous

I haven’t had enough time to properly flesh out this thought, but Tolkien’s focus on nature as a symbol of hope and renewal is my favorite motif in the series. Everywhere the characters go, he tells us about the foliage. Even in Mordor, there are some scrubs clinging to life, keeping hope

The king finds the tree renewed in an impossible place. Isengard goes from a pit to a lush garden. The Shire is rebuilt with trees and more gardens. And all are described in loving detail. I can see where the prose may not appeal to some, but personally I love that it’s as richly developed as the characters and their relationships