#msmongoose

What’s up readers?! How about a little show and tell? Answer these 13 questions, tag 13 lucky readers and if you’re feeling extra bookish add a shelfie! Let’s Go!

Tagged by @cuubism Thank you!! 💖 Heads up: if you're tagged, you don't need to read it alllll even if you do want to participate 😌

1) The Last book I read:

I'm pretty sure it was Tress of the Emerald Sea, what a delight!

2) A book I recommend:

.... The Way of Kings... (The Stormlight Archive)

3) A book that I couldn’t put down:

The second book of The Stormlight Archive, Words of Radiance had me by my throat like nothing else. wow. 👏🏻

4) A book I’ve read twice (or more):

Listen. I'll list something other than The Stormlight Archive just because this is getting embarrassing. The books I used to regularly reread were: HP, Eragon and Assassin's Apprentice. (full series rereads, crossing the 10 each) 😌

5) A book on my TBR:

I have a hefty amount of books I bought and never read. Ranging from classics to cheap fantasy-- but alas, my brain is fixated on the other author who doesn't disappoint me and so I just stick to his books XD

Some of the books sitting on my ineffective 'shame you into reading' shelf are: Captive Prince, the rest of the Wolfsong series, the.... shadowhunters books... the new trilogy about Fitz which I have in hardcovers yet never read. And some... others...

6) A book I’ve put down:

One of the reasons I am avoidant of taking on new books at all is because I have a very hard time putting down books I started. I'll suffer through entire series just for the few grains of gratification in the end. Or to... spitefullfy and confidently say it sucked balls.

However... three series managed to break me.

First being GoT, I just didn't manage to get through, not even 10 chapters. A true oddedity for me, but I just couldn't.

Second being The Witcher. I managed to power through like 4-5 books? And then I just couldn't do this to myself anymore. It was so, so, so not my vibe. (even while the pc game is about my most favorite game ever.) 🤷🏻‍♀️

And lastly, although I think I did finish the entire series before deciding that if ever a new book came out, I'll never read it, was the-- god what's the name of it... the First Law Trilogy – The Blade Itself etc from joe abercrombie. What a bleak series! Oh my god!

7) A book on my wish list:

My honest wishlist is just to keep on reading Brando Sando in my slow and enjoying-it phase... Although I admit that there's a large amount of those new spicy fantasy books apparently being released that shorts recommend and older folk rant about, so I naturally do want to check it out to see what's up with that but.... in truth... I just want to keep on enjoying Brando Sando XD

8) A favorite book from childhood:

I genuinely really loved Eragon. Oh and Artemis Fowl was all fun. I also really loved Tunnel in the Sky, like really.

9) A book you would give to a friend:

ngl it'll be an unapologetic The Way of Kings with big and passionate begging session of 'please give it a try' like for real.

In case any one of you is actually interested--- (you don't have to read this part) -inhales deeply-

The Way of Kings is a truly misleading book, that might leave you with the impression that the book is all about wars and kings but that is the furthest from the truth a description and a cover and a name can go.

It has fantasy, it has deep and rich world building, elaborate magic system that is deeply embedded into the story, culture and literal every single stone of the world. There's politics, culture, introspection, deep and varied characters, each reading like the main character of the story, having unique and vibrant personality and motivations.

It is not just a book, it is a work of true and deep love for the genre and writing in general. Beautifully done, enriching and enticing.

And what's most important for people who read too many books?

Hard to predict. It managed to pull the rug from underneath my feet in the most surprising and pleasing ways. Brandon writes in a way that is not 'shock just to shock' nor 'drama just for drama'. Every single scene is true, and forward. You always have everything right in front of you, the key is that you do not know how to put it all together just yet.

That can finally give that refreshing 'I don't know where it's heading but I'm enjoying the experience" I feel I had lost over the years, being able to recognize patterns too easily and predict writing intentions.

God, what a book! It does however have a rough learning curve, being such a massive world, it takes time to ease you in. Say about at least 5 chapters in at the minimum. On a personal note, I recommend the audiobooks read by kate reading and michael kramer, literally the best experience I've ever had, listening to those two bring to life every character and accent and scene, wow!

10) A book of poetry or lyrics that you own:

Come to think of it, I don't actually own any. Ha.

11) A nonfiction book you own:

I don't haha! Looking back, it's a lie, I have a few phycology books gathering dust in various hiding spots.

12) What are you currently reading:

........The Way of Kings....

13) What are you planning on reading next?

.....Words of Radiance.... haha. 😋

Y'all don't need to read all them answers in case you just want to answer it for yourself, or you can skip, too 😊😊😊

@mayhemspreadingguy, @pollyp, @nonbinary-nicolo, @msmongoose, @hardly-an-escape,

@ladymatt, @underacalicosky, @grapenehifics, @your-lordsherlockholmes-posts

@acedragontype, @palfriendpatine66, @heretolurkandnothingmore , @virahaus, @wallsinmyhead

@kittttycakes, @elcaballerodragon, @justsuffilike, @pumpkinkingsalem, @handahbear

@willameena

Wonderful gender. College rock station c. 2003 plus a little something extra.

“You’re going out in that?” Pat pointed to the snow beyond the old windows of Button House. There was a steady downpour of the stuff, not whipped by the winds just yet but thick and fast enough.

The Captain straightened himself and nodded, his stick tucked under his arm. “It hardly makes odds to us, Patrick, and someone has to do a daily patrol of the perimeter. We don’t want a repeat of the attempted burglary; if there’s anyone scoping out the place with ill intentions, I’ll be ahead of their game this time.”

Pat fought not to roll his eyes. The Captain’s concern for enemy insurgence had only doubled with a vengeance since the house had almost been robbed, and Pat toyed with the disappointment he felt at the Captain being unable to relax. He didn’t let his guard down easily on the best days, and Pat wasn’t good at shucking the responsibility he felt towards that. Maybe it wasn’t his job to care so much, but he couldn’t help it. He just wanted his friend to have peace, and instead he was worked up about hypothetical intruders.

He wasn’t daft, of course. Pat knew the Captain’s problems ran deeper than a few petty criminals. He’d be there if the Captain ever needed him, ever wanted to talk about whatever troubled him, but he wouldn’t push.

Still, if he couldn’t do anything else, he could at least make sure the Captain didn’t go alone, so he nodded and swung his arms at his sides. “Right, let’s go then. I could use a nice walk.”

The Captain raised an eyebrow. “A quick change of tune.”

Pat shrugged. “Like you said, it doesn’t really bother us, does it?”

Seemingly satisfied, the Captain gave one curt nod and off they went.

They walked with their arms behind their backs, clasped neatly. Pat couldn’t help but imagine his arm in the Captain’s instead, but he had no need for the warmth and no other excuse other than that he simply wanted it. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, sullened, and quiet between them encroached like the weather to the grounds.

Pat did his best to fill it. “I used to love the snow. A bugger to drive in, but it’s so beautiful that you forgive it every time. And the nippers enjoyed it - I still remember Daley’s first snow, his little face trying to take it all in. Magic.” His smile was wistful for a moment, far away.

He missed how the Captain glanced to him, eyebrows raised with a fond smile - it wasn’t the first time, either, but Pat always managed to miss it.

“Trust you to romanticise the weather,” the Captain said.

He was guilty as charged. Pat laughed and looked to the ground as they continued their trek around the border, the invisible one that kept them inside. “Yep,” he agreed. “Always been an old romantic, me.”

“Hm,” the Captain hummed, but said nothing else.

Pat managed to look at him again, and he wondered what the Captain would look like if the snow could touch him. Would it gather in his hair and melt, making the strands fall across his forehead? Would the chilly air turn his nose red, his cheeks and the tips of his ears too? He wished he had a reason to take the Captain’s hands in his and rub them, blow them gently with warm air to soothe them from the bitter cold.

Then again, the Captain would probably wear gloves. That would be bloody typical of him. He laughed to himself at that thought, shaking his own head.

“Something the matter?” The Captain asked.

The weather began to worsen. All around them, the winds blew stronger, carrying the snow and making it drift. Before long, they’d be up to their knees it, and before long their walk would be over. Pat wondered if the Captain would allow him on the next day’s patrol, too, and even the one after that.

“No,” Pat said quietly, meeting him with a smile. “No, nothing at all.”

-

It’s snowing where I am right now so I finally felt inspired enough to answer this prompt! I hope you like it, and thanks so much for sending it in!

Dear Young Master–

I applaud you on your Composition and the Boldness of Spirit undertaken to write it; Find attached your Letter, with Necessary Corrections to Spelling, though your Letters themselves are Well Formed. Continue in your Practice and yours will Soon be a Pen of Prowess.

As to your Enquiry, I fear I must disappoint you with an Answer you will mislike; That is, your Youth stretches Boundless Before you, Indeed Boundless as the Seas, and your Mother and Father have Sense in so discouraging you from Such Drastic Action, which at this Juncture of your Life may prove Injurious, and I am in Accordance with them for the Present. This is not to say you should Never set Eyes nor Feet Upon a Vessel, nor that you should Never join your Cousin in his Endeavours on the Dauntless; Only that the Pursuit should be delayed a Mere Three Years, in which you might improve your Skills in Navigation, Knots, Tactics, Artillery, Interpretation, and all Traits befitting a Great Man of the Navy, for all the Highest of them had Good Education. Joining now, you may Toil Fruitlessly for a Meagre Commission–if you do not suffer that Common Fate of Little Ship’s-boys, who are of Such Stature they are swept Overboard by Strong Gales!–or begin as an Officer’s Servant in Three Years Time, given your Qualifications and Recommendation, which through Myself you shall have. 

Patience and Fortitude, Always, ere one can be Dauntless.

Fun fact! Lead exposure is linked to violent behaviour! So the idea that 'cities are violent ' can be linked to not just racism of course but also lead pollution in paint and car fumes. Yay

that’s exactly what i meant lol. People are like “what if the lead made The Romans(TM) go crazy lmao can you believe they used lead in their stuff, what idiots” like modern society didn’t poison generations with lead stuff ¯\_(ツ)_/¯