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📚BOOKS📚

Since some of y’all wanted to know more about what I’ve been reading here are the first ten & my quick reviews.

(Yes im aware i started with out of 10 & swapped to 5 lol)

More detailed reviews on my goodreads!

I figure i’ll do these every 10 books considering that’s the max for pics on here. Feel free to message me for any more details about them! 🩷🩵

(Check #storiesofsvubookreviews for more!)

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HANDLING A BAD REVIEW I remember the first time I ever got a bad review. It was way back at the start of my career, and it devastated me. Part of me wanted to reach out to the reader in question and explain a few things, but one thing I was told repeatedly when I was first starting out was that you never ever engage with reviewers. The reviews aren't there to make you feel good, they're there for other readers. It is not a space to get into as an author, but as a reader. That said, I understand the urge. I understand the nerves and anxiety and the dropping in the pit of your stomach that someone out there didn't like your work. It was something they didn't enjoy to the point of wanting to warn other readers not to buy it. In my case, it was a stylistic choice that the reader didn't like. They felt that I'd overused some things, but at the same time, editors and the like agreed that it was the way of telling the story. I know that a lot of the time, authors are warned not to read their reviews, and personally I think it's something that only you as the author, knowing yourself best, can decide. If you're someone who's going to ignore the above advice and engage with the reader, or publicly shame them, or rant about it on Twitter, then yeah I don't think you can read your reviews. It's better, if you actually want to know what readers are saying, to let someone you trust pick and choose the ones for you to read. Those things I just mentioned about engaging and ranting publicly? Those are warning signs that you can't handle what a reader might say. It's one thing to rant privately to friends, hell I've done it. But posting said review on your social media makes you look very bad if it's followed with a rant about how the reader is wrong. Over my time as an author, I've seen people handle it very badly, and it always, always blows up in their faces. Reviews are very much for the readers. They're not something that authors have to read, and while I understand wanting to - I always read my reviews - you don't have to. If you want to throw a pity party with close friends, that's completely valid and okay. Just don't throw said party on social media for all the world to see. It leaves a bad taste in people's mouths, and it does get noticed by other readers in that space, and you do not want that. So how is the best way to handle it? If you're someone who wants to read reviews and is aware that not everyone will love and adore your work, then the best way is to simple take what's been said, and privately reflect on it. That first bad review I mentioned? I talked about it with my best friend, we dissected what had been said, and then I moved on. Do reviews still make me anxious? Occasionally, especially when they're a low star, but I still read them because I personally know I can handle that, and if I can't, I have friends I can go to who will help me work through what's been said. I know some authors don't think there's any point in reading the criticism, because, after all, not much you can do about that book now. Truth is, for me, it's not about that particular book, because it's published and there will be no changes to it. Instead it's about spotting mistakes that I might have made in the execution of that book, and making sure that they don't end up following me through future works. For me it's about taking those words of critique and learning to grow as a writer with them. Now yes, I know that some bad reviews aren't going to help with that. Some bad reviews are people either not giving critique but just hating the book, and for those I just remember that you can't please everyone, and they were obviously not the target audience for that book, and that's okay. It's something that does help me in working out how to market and the like. So when the first bad review comes, be ready to absorb the blow. Feel what you feel, but don't reach out to the reader, don't post about it publicly and rant and rave. Just take it for what it is, and move on with your day. I know it hurts, I know it's hard, but there is nothing you can do about it. Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

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Review for “What’s Changing About You?” reading ☁️

Honestly one of the best readings I’ve ever gotten, worth every cent. It helped me to reflect on my journey through a clear lens and affirm where I’m headed, reminding me of my power. It was poetic how inspiring it was. I felt a lot of love and care from my guides through Honey, who also put a lot of love and care into this reading. Thank you so much 💓

@fairytarotcards Thank you very much for your review.

I appreciate knowing how much value, care and inspiration you received from the reading 💓

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the song of achilles by madeline miller - 4 out of 5 stars

*spoilers*

I, like many others, found this book through social media. When a book blows up on social media that I’ve never seen before, I am sometimes hesitant to dive into the book incase it isn’t as good as expected. However, ‘the song of achilles’ did not fall short.

The Song of Achilles, written by Madeline Miller, is a retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus, and follows their relationship from children until men in their late 20s as they detail with the progression from platonic to romantic love, as well as the looming prophecy of Achilles’ fate.

From the beginning, I felt nothing but love for Patroclus, and I wanted to protect him at all costs. His exile and struggle to find himself was heartbreaking and his upset was so strong that I felt it too. Props to Madeline and the way she writes, making the emotions feel so alive and in real time.

The love between Achilles and Patroclus is so raw and warm, even before it is something romantic. Achilles takes Patroclus by the arm and marches him through life by his side, unwavered by the thoughts of others. Even when parted, they find a way back to each other, and isn’t that the true moral of the book? I found myself craving a love like theirs. It had its flaws, as all relationships fictional and real tend to come across, but it felt so real and true that I couldn’t help the desire to have what they had.

The character of Achilles is an interesting one; you know he’s a good man, a man willing to protect who he loves and cares for - mainly Patroclus - and you see him weighted by the pressure of his mother and what he is to become. HIs pride, however, rears its ugly head about 200 pages in, and I found myself tired by his actions for the rest of the book. You can’t fault that too much, I suppose, as it is his pride that bring the tale to what it is, however it is also his pride that brings us to the tragic end.

The end is known from the beginning, maybe even before you go into the book. The story of Achilles and Patroclus is not a new one, and a five minute google will tell you their fate. If it is something you have managed to avoid, you know by half way through the book that Achilles is fated to die following the death of Hector, and so the ending is not a surprise. You find yourself on edge, waiting for the end, waiting for the final blow. And when it finally came, the knowledge of knowing what is to come does not stop the tears. I cried something ugly, for the last 50 or so pages of the book, and the following half hour, because I could not get the image of Achilles’ sadness, and Patroclus’ desperation out of my head.

The book was beautiful from start to finish, and I find myself jealous of those who get to read it for the first time.

My only gripe is that some of the names are a bit of a pain to pronounce without prior knowledge, and I think it would make the reading experience a bit better if there was a printed pronunciation guide in the book just to flick back to when needed.

Achilles and Patroclus, told through song