Jan 1
An annual list of recommended books based on what I read last year — Part 2
This is part two of my annual book blog, which features my non-fiction recommendations, including memoir.
What were some non-fiction books ya'll enjoyed in 2025?
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An annual list of recommended books based on what I read last year — Part 2
This is part two of my annual book blog, which features my non-fiction recommendations, including memoir.
What were some non-fiction books ya'll enjoyed in 2025?
An annual list of recommended books based on what I read last year - Part 1
Hello hello!
Happy New Year to those who follow the Gregorian calendar. It's the first day of 2026, and that means I have another two-part blog sharing book recommendations based off the books I read last year.
I firmly believe that the only book anyone should read is the one they want to. My hope with this book blog, is you will find at least five books to enjoy from my suggestions. The theme for my recs in 2026 is what books are easiest to read.
Most of what I read comes from recommendations from other folks, so please tell me, what were some books you enjoyed in 2025?
A review of The New Saints: From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors
This week I have a book review for ya’ll!
I used to write book reviews a lot more regularly waaaaaaay back when I used Blogger as the place to share my writing online. I got out of the habit of doing one off posts once I started doing my annual wrap-ups, but sometimes a book is just too good for me to put off reviewing until the end of the year.
The New Saints is as profound as it is practical. I offer it here for all of us feeling our broken-heartedness at the state of the world. Lama Rod Owens writes so tenderly to the fatigue felt by those of us committed to bending the arc of humanity towards justice. He also calls to the beauty of our commitment to liberation, reminding us that we are never alone in the work.
May it be of benefit.
An annual list of recommended books based on what I read last year — Part 2
Part two of my annual book blog! A look back on the best memoir and general non-fiction I read in 2023!
Memoir is definitely one of my favourite genres. Let me know what memoirs you have enjoyed, as this trend of reading a lot of memoir is going to continue for me.
Books I Did Not Finish in 2021, and why
A blog on books I DNF in 2021 and how I discern if a book is worth my time. Includes alternative title recommendations!
Just wanted to say I love your blog name (and description). Thanks for being you!
Wow, thank you so much!!! You're the first person ever to leave an anon in my inbox! Thank you for such a lovely compliment! You made my evening. 😊
Your name is Divian Finnis and you died once, but that's alright because it was in the name of your beliefs, and that's all that matters. You think. Maybe. There is a lot of talk among the other jades in the caverns about the kind of person you are and what'd gone down in your past. Some even speculate that you are some other blood color dodging the fleet draft by hiding out in the caverns. Last you heard you were probably a cerulean blood. Well that's good to know. No one ever seems to ask you directly, or even talk about it when they know that you're around. Well, you know children and their rumors. That's all fine and dandy though, you don't fancy talking much about your days before cavern duty. Though, that shouldn't be confused for shame, it's more like there wasn't ever anyone worth telling to.
Looks like the lead was buried here, that's right I said cavern duty. As any other self respecting adult jade blood might, you dutifully gave up a part of your life to help ensure the posterity of your species. Lord only knows why. Working in the caverns never really lived up to your expectations, however, the manager of your section hardly cares enough to even enter the cave herself. She simply has no idea what's going on at any given point, you're not complaining it just means you can come and go as you please. You always make sure you're with a friend when you do, you couldn't imagine ever going on your own. To clarify, your job is to kill the mutated and off spectrum grubs that make it to your part of the cavern. The empire thought this would be a funny and ironic fate for someone who died for what you died for, but you just think that it adds to the long list of oversights on their part. After all, you've saved more grubs than you've killed in the last three sweeps.
We all know what they say about old habits. Once you've found a safe place for them to bugger off too, you like to reward yourself by abandoning post for a healthy few days. One can't very well stargaze while underground now can they?
You don't tend to lose your head so often, as “it is what it is”, and are generally good company to keep if one is hoping to find some peace and quiet. Ten sweeps off planet really turns you into..Well anything but a troll, huh?
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Name: Divian Finnis
Age: 24 Sweeps
Gender: Male
Voice Claim: Robert Buckley
Height: 6'2
Ability: Nothing special.
Blood Color: Jade [#3C9E62]
Strife Specibus: Staffkind
Symbol: Whatever that is
Lusus: It's a slow loris!!
Trolltag: mitigatedManumitter
Extrovert/Introvert: Ambivert
Quirk: Ŧhe quick brѻwn fѻxs jumped ѻver ŧhe ɭazy dѻg.
Personality: Typically Divian is a quiet and calculating troll, choosing to do more listening than speaking especially when involving himself with new (and usually higher blooded) trolls. He doesn't spend a lot of time concerning himself with the opinions of others and will do things kinda just because he wants too. Interacting with Divian in person would give you a much different experience from a conversation you might have online, however, he is much more open and kind of silly to people when they start out talking online.
Women Pro & Con Illustrated by Jeff Hill Mount Vernon, New York The Peter Pauper Press, 1958