#reader recommendation

I completely forgot this was on my TBW list. I had some downtime yesterday when I wasn't able to do anything productive, so I did watch the first episode!

Overall, I am intrigued enough to keep watching and see how it continues. In some ways, it reminds me of older Kdramas and Cdramas. This is the only Turkish drama I've ever watched, so I'm not sure if there are certain tropes or styles that are common across Turkish dramas. But in Kdramas/Cdramas, historical imperial harem dramas are quite popular, and some of the technical and filmography aspects (the voiceovers of people's thoughts, the flashbacks) in Magnificent Century made me think about the older Kdramas/Cdramas that I used to really like.

I can't decide whether I like Alexandra (the future Hurrem, I believe). This isn't a bad thing! I'm seeing her good AND bad qualities, which is what we want to see in the main character. (As opposed to whitewashing the supposed protagonist to the point of milquetoastness and lack of believability…*cough*) There were times when I really wanted to shake her by the shoulders, and times when I was really rooting for her.

In fact, I am finding reasons to feel for most of the characters who've had significant screen time. I don't necessarily like all of them, but they seem very human to me, and I like watching them because of that.

I have no strong feelings about Suleiman just yet. Maybe he'll grow on me in future episodes?

Hey Nonnie, yes, I’m reading it :-) Very much enjoying the enemies to lovers vibe. Hugs, Marjan

All in the Past by @gleekto

Kurt Hummel is tolerating his senior year of high school. He’s head

cheerio, which affords him some protection from the hamhock bullies who

ruined his designer knock offs in his first few years. He can manage his

one last year with that new charming transfer student, Blaine Anderson.

swooping into his school, rising to popularity, and completely ignoring

him. Next year he’ll be free from a world where everyone is afraid of

the gay kid.

Cupcakes & Chaos by Lisa Siefert

A sweet and sassy cozy mystery. 

If you are a fan of Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Murder, She Wrote; Castle; and/or Rizzoli & Isles, you’ll love this book. Ava has both charm and strength, with just enough sass to help her find her footing again when she moves back home to Clover Creek, from San Diego, after being stood up at the alter by her fiancé.  

In the front of the book, prior to…

I really loved Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. The main character, Melody, cannot walk or talk. She is very intelligent but is unable to communicate that to the world. I cried so many times while reading it. When she first told her parents she loved them, when she confronted her teammates at the end, these two moments really touched me. I think the thing I liked about the book the most is that it wasn’t a happy ending. Her teammates leave her behind and when they return and she sees them again… “Why did you leave me?” That line gets me every time. The fact that they didn’t go and win the competition is what makes me remember this book. Because life is not always kind but Melody can handle it.

Submitted by pompompommypom

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher is such an amazing book, not just because it shows a realistic trans character, but also shows a realistic reaction from a less-than-open-minded teenaged boy. People don't all have the same experiences or backgrounds, and for Logan to question himself and feel confused because he just does not understand but STILL see Sage as a person worth being with shows amazing human growth. I love this book, recommend it for anyone at any time, and cannot stress how great the people are in the story. It's a heartwrencher at times, but isn't life the same way?

Submitted by cosmic-llin

Ultraviolet and Quicksilver by RJ Anderson (Korean character, asexual character, character with synaesthesia, characters with mental illnesses, awesome twisty plot)

Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress by Sarwat Chadda (Indian and British-Indian characters, cool mythology-based story)

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (characters of colour, hilarious and spooky)

Circle of Fire by SM Hall (Muslim characters, protagonist with Muslim heritage, action-packed and thoughtful)

Prodigy by Marie Lu (characters of colour, thrills and high stakes)

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (characters of colour, queer characters, amazing world-building)