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Been readin'
Jun. 23rd, 2026 01:00 pmRe-reads. HUH
* Persuasion by Jane Austen (Classic romance) - It'd been a long while since I'd last read this novel, so I decided to borrow a copy from the library. Unfortch (for me), the only available version was an audibook. Don't get it twisted: I LOVE AUDIOBOOKS! Howevah, the narrator for this version had a way-too-mature voice that was discordant whenever she voiced Anne Elliott.
Overall, it lowered my enjoyment of the story despite already knowing what was gonna happen. So I lowered my 4.6 (from the last time i read it some 6 yrs ago) to a 2.8 *Hands*
I DNF'd
* Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy (Book 1 of the Wildersongs Trilogy, M/M Fantasy romance) - Leovander (who has small magic abilities) gets accidentally soulbonded to his no.1 enemy at magic school: none other than the ultra-talented Sebastian. They gotta figure out how to break the spell and not die, I guess.
Had been hearing abt this novel long enough that I was v. excited when I was finally able to read it.
The writing style was simple. Also v. average (as in not good nor terrible.) I did liked some aspects of the magic system.
Unfortch, I couldn't stand Leovander, much less the idea of having to see things from his perspective for the entirety of the novel. I didn't think he was funny nor had anything personality-wise that made him interesting or likeable. Ditto for Sebastian who was a v. flat character.
I was also v. ??? as to how old the characters were cuz, based on this book tagged as "Adult", I'd guessed the MCs, their friends, and schoolmates were 20-22 and enrolled in magical university. HOWEVER, everyone behaved and talked like teenagers at a magical high school. The YA vibes were strong enough to make me go π πΎββοΈπ πΎββοΈπ πΎββοΈ
Ended up bouncing around page 97 (out of 416) cuz I love myself too much to keep trying to see if I click with this mess.
NB: I've also read a lot of reviews abt how this is a whitewashed version of MDZS/The Untamed, but I can't confirm that as I haven't read the danmei or watched the drama. But three different ppl in that fandom have said that the similarities are pretty c&p.
* Rebirth of a Movie Star by J112233 (M/M romance) - After a deep betrayal, Bai Lang has a heart attack and dies. He wakes up 10 years in the past and decides to change his fate.
I found myself unable to rate this book not because I DNF'd it, but due to how unreadable the translation turned out to be. :(
FWIW, I'm unsure if there are other translations around nor am I invested enough to go seek them out (if they exist.)
In any case, I felt it'd be unfair to rate something where my problem had nothing to do with the story itself. So, here's a rare NO RATING from me. At the same time, I don't feel like reccing it unless (general) you have no issues with weird-sounding prose. You do you, etc.
Had an awesome time at first (but it all went downhill from there).
* Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood by Maureen Ryan (Nonfiction) - Six years after accusations against POS harvey weinstein began, Ryan dives deep into some of the reasons that abuse is so rampant in Hollywood still.
It's v. clear that this author did a LOT of research. She also interviewed many ppl who are in the TV and movie business: screenwriters, critics, stylists, actors (both famous and lesser famous), well-known executives, producers, and directors.
All of this built up a clearer picture of how deep the abuse in Hollywood goes, who the enablers are, and what can or has been done to address the ongoing abuse (in terms of action and not just pretty speeches.)
The best chapters were the ones that focused on a specific media: Lost, Sleepy Hollow, and Saturday Night Life. An argument could be made for the one abt Lucasfilm and Marvel, but that chapter was among the weakest too. So there's that.
Each of the 15 chapters covered a specific theme or topic. Frex, something like "Hollywood is not a meritocracy (and that's why the majority of the most successful people in the Hollywood ecosystem is nothing but nepo babies.)" At some point in the chapter, the author would detour into essays that went on for 3-4 pages AND THEN, she'd return to the chapter's main theme.
This made for a v. frustrating read and a super disorganized book.
Also, starting chapter 8, there was a certain repetitiveness that helped me realize this book would've been better had the author deleted 100 or so pages before publishing it.
I truly wish this author had gotten a strong editor who could've worked with her in condensing all of the info (names, dates, data, etc) in a more digestible format for the reader. I felt truly overwhelmed while reading the ebook version. I dread to think how excessive it must have felt to have listened to the audiobook! I gave it a 2 out of 5
It was . . . fine?
* The Missing Page by Cat Sebastian (Book 2 of the Page & Sommers duology, Historical Mystery M/M) - James returns to his uncle's house some 20 years after his last visit. At the reading of his uncle's will, it's stipulated that the larger portion of the inheritance will be for the person who solves the decades-long disappearance of James' cousin. Leo shows up after his latest mission to help uncover the truth.
To me, this book leaned heavier into the romance aspect of the series (when compared to the first book.) What made it more interesting was seeing both (but especially Leo) acknowledge their feelings and hopes for a future together.
The unexpected queerness was great too. I'm π€ abt this lest I spoil things. The point where the book ends made a lot of sense AND was satisfying as well. The solution to the mystery was pretty cool.
BUT, I also felt that the book took a while to really get going. And I felt like Leo had regressed in terms of characterization (he's gonna quite the spy business! No, he's not!, etc.) I ended up giving this book a 2.7 out of 5.
* Introducing Mr. Winterbourne by Joanna Chambers (Book 1 of the Winterbourne series, M/M Historical romance) - Lysander Winterbourned is tasked with introducing rich mill owner Adam Freeman to society.
Taking in consideration that this less than 100 pages long, I was a lot more forgiving with the fast burn aspect on the romance front.
As expected from this author's previous works, this story had good writing and worldbuilding. The HFN ending did feel brusque, but then, this is a short story. I gave it a 3 out of 5.
* Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas by Joanna Chambers (Book 2 of the Winterbourne series, M/M Historical romance) - A year and a half after the events in the previous short story, Adam and Lysander get an invitation to Lysander's family home for Christmas.
A fairly strong (if fluffier-than-expected) sequel that, despite the idiotic misunderstanding between the MCs, was actually solid enough for me enjoy the overall story. The plot did move fast, but I didn't mind that a lot. BTW, despite the title and the season the story is set in, this has low Christmas vibes. I was A-OK with that, tho. I gave it a 3 out of 5.
Good vibes all around
* Adulthood is a Gift! by Sarah Andersen (Book 5 of Sarah's Scribbles series, graphic novel) - 140 pages of one-panel comics in which Andersen comments on daily life.
One of the strongest books from this artist. I loved every single one of the comics within.
The sections with her essays were pretty interesting to learn abt her creative process, thoughts on how her art has developed/evolved, and her general aim with this book.
Some of the humor falls on the darker side, but there wasn't anything I'd call triggering. I laughed, teared up a few times, and generally had a fantastic time reading this. I gave it a 4 out of 5.
Current fic tally
Have picked up 104, DNF'd 45. I've slowed down a bit--which is normal whenever I've been reading professional fic and regular nonfiction stuff. Overall, I feel things are A-OK...though I do want to dive back into some meaty fic reading, heheh.
Some thoughts
A much better reading batch (despite the lower ratings.) My one frustration had to do with Rebirth of a Movie Star which I had been so eager to devour. Alas, sometimes things simply don't work out.
Last time
I have a nonfiction, an M/M fantasy romance, the F/F Second Chance romance, another M/M mystery fantasy one, and a memoir of a queer actor. So a bit of everything! Me at books: πππ
The Maureeen Ryan book's the nonfiction (#SadTrombone), I've renewed teh F/F Second Chance (please, cross your fingers that I'll get around reading it before I gotta return it for realsies. ;__;). Dunno which is the M/M mystery fantasy book and I returned the memoir cuz someone else wanted to read it and I didn't want to be a bitch abt keeping it just cuz. Will (hopefully) read it next month? IDEK at this point. #The Perils of Being a Mood Reader. Sigh.
Up next
I've got the (now infamous) F/F Second Chance romance, a contemporary M/M romance, an F/F 'dark romance', another danmei, and a regular cishet secretly magical dude with a magic cat (?). So a bit of everything.
* Persuasion by Jane Austen (Classic romance) - It'd been a long while since I'd last read this novel, so I decided to borrow a copy from the library. Unfortch (for me), the only available version was an audibook. Don't get it twisted: I LOVE AUDIOBOOKS! Howevah, the narrator for this version had a way-too-mature voice that was discordant whenever she voiced Anne Elliott.
Overall, it lowered my enjoyment of the story despite already knowing what was gonna happen. So I lowered my 4.6 (from the last time i read it some 6 yrs ago) to a 2.8 *Hands*
I DNF'd
* Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy (Book 1 of the Wildersongs Trilogy, M/M Fantasy romance) - Leovander (who has small magic abilities) gets accidentally soulbonded to his no.1 enemy at magic school: none other than the ultra-talented Sebastian. They gotta figure out how to break the spell and not die, I guess.
Had been hearing abt this novel long enough that I was v. excited when I was finally able to read it.
The writing style was simple. Also v. average (as in not good nor terrible.) I did liked some aspects of the magic system.
Unfortch, I couldn't stand Leovander, much less the idea of having to see things from his perspective for the entirety of the novel. I didn't think he was funny nor had anything personality-wise that made him interesting or likeable. Ditto for Sebastian who was a v. flat character.
I was also v. ??? as to how old the characters were cuz, based on this book tagged as "Adult", I'd guessed the MCs, their friends, and schoolmates were 20-22 and enrolled in magical university. HOWEVER, everyone behaved and talked like teenagers at a magical high school. The YA vibes were strong enough to make me go π πΎββοΈπ πΎββοΈπ πΎββοΈ
Ended up bouncing around page 97 (out of 416) cuz I love myself too much to keep trying to see if I click with this mess.
NB: I've also read a lot of reviews abt how this is a whitewashed version of MDZS/The Untamed, but I can't confirm that as I haven't read the danmei or watched the drama. But three different ppl in that fandom have said that the similarities are pretty c&p.
* Rebirth of a Movie Star by J112233 (M/M romance) - After a deep betrayal, Bai Lang has a heart attack and dies. He wakes up 10 years in the past and decides to change his fate.
I found myself unable to rate this book not because I DNF'd it, but due to how unreadable the translation turned out to be. :(
FWIW, I'm unsure if there are other translations around nor am I invested enough to go seek them out (if they exist.)
In any case, I felt it'd be unfair to rate something where my problem had nothing to do with the story itself. So, here's a rare NO RATING from me. At the same time, I don't feel like reccing it unless (general) you have no issues with weird-sounding prose. You do you, etc.
Had an awesome time at first (but it all went downhill from there).
* Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood by Maureen Ryan (Nonfiction) - Six years after accusations against POS harvey weinstein began, Ryan dives deep into some of the reasons that abuse is so rampant in Hollywood still.
It's v. clear that this author did a LOT of research. She also interviewed many ppl who are in the TV and movie business: screenwriters, critics, stylists, actors (both famous and lesser famous), well-known executives, producers, and directors.
All of this built up a clearer picture of how deep the abuse in Hollywood goes, who the enablers are, and what can or has been done to address the ongoing abuse (in terms of action and not just pretty speeches.)
The best chapters were the ones that focused on a specific media: Lost, Sleepy Hollow, and Saturday Night Life. An argument could be made for the one abt Lucasfilm and Marvel, but that chapter was among the weakest too. So there's that.
Each of the 15 chapters covered a specific theme or topic. Frex, something like "Hollywood is not a meritocracy (and that's why the majority of the most successful people in the Hollywood ecosystem is nothing but nepo babies.)" At some point in the chapter, the author would detour into essays that went on for 3-4 pages AND THEN, she'd return to the chapter's main theme.
This made for a v. frustrating read and a super disorganized book.
Also, starting chapter 8, there was a certain repetitiveness that helped me realize this book would've been better had the author deleted 100 or so pages before publishing it.
I truly wish this author had gotten a strong editor who could've worked with her in condensing all of the info (names, dates, data, etc) in a more digestible format for the reader. I felt truly overwhelmed while reading the ebook version. I dread to think how excessive it must have felt to have listened to the audiobook! I gave it a 2 out of 5
It was . . . fine?
* The Missing Page by Cat Sebastian (Book 2 of the Page & Sommers duology, Historical Mystery M/M) - James returns to his uncle's house some 20 years after his last visit. At the reading of his uncle's will, it's stipulated that the larger portion of the inheritance will be for the person who solves the decades-long disappearance of James' cousin. Leo shows up after his latest mission to help uncover the truth.
To me, this book leaned heavier into the romance aspect of the series (when compared to the first book.) What made it more interesting was seeing both (but especially Leo) acknowledge their feelings and hopes for a future together.
The unexpected queerness was great too. I'm π€ abt this lest I spoil things. The point where the book ends made a lot of sense AND was satisfying as well. The solution to the mystery was pretty cool.
BUT, I also felt that the book took a while to really get going. And I felt like Leo had regressed in terms of characterization (he's gonna quite the spy business! No, he's not!, etc.) I ended up giving this book a 2.7 out of 5.
* Introducing Mr. Winterbourne by Joanna Chambers (Book 1 of the Winterbourne series, M/M Historical romance) - Lysander Winterbourned is tasked with introducing rich mill owner Adam Freeman to society.
Taking in consideration that this less than 100 pages long, I was a lot more forgiving with the fast burn aspect on the romance front.
As expected from this author's previous works, this story had good writing and worldbuilding. The HFN ending did feel brusque, but then, this is a short story. I gave it a 3 out of 5.
* Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas by Joanna Chambers (Book 2 of the Winterbourne series, M/M Historical romance) - A year and a half after the events in the previous short story, Adam and Lysander get an invitation to Lysander's family home for Christmas.
A fairly strong (if fluffier-than-expected) sequel that, despite the idiotic misunderstanding between the MCs, was actually solid enough for me enjoy the overall story. The plot did move fast, but I didn't mind that a lot. BTW, despite the title and the season the story is set in, this has low Christmas vibes. I was A-OK with that, tho. I gave it a 3 out of 5.
Good vibes all around
* Adulthood is a Gift! by Sarah Andersen (Book 5 of Sarah's Scribbles series, graphic novel) - 140 pages of one-panel comics in which Andersen comments on daily life.
One of the strongest books from this artist. I loved every single one of the comics within.
The sections with her essays were pretty interesting to learn abt her creative process, thoughts on how her art has developed/evolved, and her general aim with this book.
Some of the humor falls on the darker side, but there wasn't anything I'd call triggering. I laughed, teared up a few times, and generally had a fantastic time reading this. I gave it a 4 out of 5.
Current fic tally
Have picked up 104, DNF'd 45. I've slowed down a bit--which is normal whenever I've been reading professional fic and regular nonfiction stuff. Overall, I feel things are A-OK...though I do want to dive back into some meaty fic reading, heheh.
Some thoughts
A much better reading batch (despite the lower ratings.) My one frustration had to do with Rebirth of a Movie Star which I had been so eager to devour. Alas, sometimes things simply don't work out.
Last time
I have a nonfiction, an M/M fantasy romance, the F/F Second Chance romance, another M/M mystery fantasy one, and a memoir of a queer actor. So a bit of everything! Me at books: πππ
The Maureeen Ryan book's the nonfiction (#SadTrombone), I've renewed teh F/F Second Chance (please, cross your fingers that I'll get around reading it before I gotta return it for realsies. ;__;). Dunno which is the M/M mystery fantasy book and I returned the memoir cuz someone else wanted to read it and I didn't want to be a bitch abt keeping it just cuz. Will (hopefully) read it next month? IDEK at this point. #The Perils of Being a Mood Reader. Sigh.
Up next
I've got the (now infamous) F/F Second Chance romance, a contemporary M/M romance, an F/F 'dark romance', another danmei, and a regular cishet secretly magical dude with a magic cat (?). So a bit of everything.
