I always assumed it was a mental illness/auditory hallucinations. It's been a few years since I read it, but iirc that particular character goes further and further into her ideologies, going so far as to establish a new religion based on them.

But perhaps that's my own personal reading, given my deep skepticism of the Bible. (I'm fond of the funny idea that the angels described were just peacocks, and someone was tripping hard.)

I had to stop after Husband Stitch because three months later it's still haunting me on a daily basis, so I'm afraid of what the rest will do to me, lmao. I'll pick it back up now that you've reminded me, only bc I'm curious if 8 Bites will hit different for me (history of disordered eating thanks to female family members).

The visceral nature of Husband Stitch, especially the part about how he impeded on her crush on the art model in a creepy way, hit so hard that I actually gasped.

It's cheaper than a sticker, that's why. Sucks but it's true. 🫠

It's cheaper to print that way, so probably not, especially with the recent exponential increase in paper costs. Don't worry, I hate them too 😤

Earthsea 😍 tbh she's one of my fave all time authors, hands down.

I'll be honest I haven't read much YA in the past few years so I'd not be the best person to recommend. Any librarians want to chime in? Haha

I'd agree, I'm just parroting what many teachers have told me about why it's on the syllabus.

I never used to dnf books. It felt a little like an unfinished assignment, maybe? The first book I ever dnfd was one by Kate Atkinson. Everyone told me it was astounding, transformative, life changing. I dragged myself along, a couple of pages at a time, for weeks.

Finally I looked up the big twist ending, roles my eyes, and gave it to a friend. I'm glad I didn't waste my time on it - I understand the point the book was trying to make, but it's a point I've already been firm on for many years so it was wasted on me anyway.

I hated Holden. He's a spoiled, snotty little boy with an ego complex. I find it fascinating that it's on so many school reading lists because it's supposed to be an insight into the mind of a teenaged boy, yet I can't recall a single book from a teenaged girl's point of view being required reading. Maybe things are different now, I graduated a long time ago.

I never said anything about that? I'm only commenting on the fact that authors don't make much per book, even if the price is higher. Yes, early sales are very important, I agree, which is why I never once even remotely implied the opposite.

The paper shortages have caused a ton of problems in the supply chain, which definitely pushes up prices.

Generally, it's not the authors making bank on that. They get a paltry sum comparatively, so on a $20 book an author might make a couple of bucks if they're very lucky.

Agreed tbh. I'd rather read a book that makes me thing and challenges me, even if I wind up hating it haha

I'd wager a guess that most men don't like the book. It's not necessarily a conscious sexism thing, it's a relatability thing. Most (not all obvi) cis men don't have the experience of having your gender weaponised against you. Legislated against you. No credit cards in your name, no mortgages, no property, no rights. No ability to get an abortion, rapes not investigated. And that's recent history/right now. The sense of crushing, claustrophobic dread is probably more relatable to people who live that on the daily. It's not meant to be a dig, I've just never met a cis man who liked the book, if he was even able to get through it. They exist, just not where I live apparently lmao.

Legit one of my favorite all-time books. The depth is so soul-wrenching!

He told them the ending. He's mad everyone hated the ending, and that's why he's never, ever going to finish the series. (There can definitely be arguments here that the ending was fine but the buildup wasn't there, which I could agree with, but I went from being a superfan to not giving one single solitary rat-infested shit.) I haven't watched the new show and won't.

Thanks for this comment, I was considering reading this, but I have a similar relationship with mine. Only her needs are valid, everyone else is a selfish narcissist according to her. I'll just re-read I'm Glad My Mom Died instead.

Thirding Bookshop.org! Love them tbh

>ITYM

lol fr. never been so mad in a theater as when i saw that tbh

I'm never going to get over how they butchered World War Z.

Bell Jar should be read when you're in the right headspace for it. I can't go near it without preparing my soul or it sends me down a weird spiral and I spend the next 4 months in existential despair. Take care of yourself first <3

I've seen readers throw MASSIVE tantrums about character deaths, so that's probably one reason why.