books

361d

Self Esteem and the London Literature Fest line-up on their desert island books

self-esteem-travis-alabanza-and-more-on-the-books-they-couldnt-live-without-102025

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

361d

The Horrifying Fascist Manifesto Endorsed By J.D. Vance

the-horrifying-fascist-manifesto-endorsed-by-j.d.-vance

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

215d

"Of course, they didn’t get that staring at flowers is a form of being busy. That watching the flow of the clouds is an important activity. That in a period of depression and fear, to think about beautiful things, your dreams and wishes, and to smile is highly, highly important, a vital task." -- from 'The Gowkaran Tree in the Middle of Our Kitchen' by Shokoofeh Azar (the translator is anonymous for security reasons)

#BookQuote #books #reading @bookstodon

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

206d

Ebook and paperback: https://books2read.com/TrollSong

Having an abusive assassin for a sister was bad enough, but when Lyra’s older sister, Nicole, becomes obsessed with killing the teenage troll, her life becomes a special kind of nightmare. Will she escape, or become just another victim of the unstoppable woman?

@bookstodon
#author #indieauthor #writing #fantasy #scifi #sciencefiction #sff #sciencefantasy #scifi #actionadventure #fiction #books

(Left) The cover of Troll Song, by Owen Tyme, Illustrated by Ryan Johnson.

There's a woman in mud spattered white, leather armor crossing a pair of short swords against the neck of a terrified, shirtless dwarf.

The woman has white hair and a darker skin tone on the left side of her face. Her left eye is green and her right eye is blue.

The dwarf's hair and beard are blond.

The background is a green forest, with some flowers among the tall grass.

(Right) The background is a snow-covered forest, with a pair of dark silhouettes in it, one small and the other large, like a giant. The smaller silhouette is of a young woman walking away and the interior is filled with musical symbols, in green, white and two shades of blue. The larger silhouette is a woman wielding two swords and the interior is full of blood spatter. The larger one appears to be chasing the smaller one.

The following text is laid over the scene:

“I can’t die until Lyra takes her last breath! She’ll regret betraying her sisters!”

“There’s no price I won’t pay to see that happen, no pain I won’t endure and I’d sacrifice the whole world to seal her fate!”

(Bottom) https://books2read.com/TrollSong

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

358d

finished reading The Help 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
by Kathryn Stockett.

In 1960s Mississippi, white women and the black maids they employ navigate the upheaval of the civil rights movement. The contrast of ingrained racism and the deep emotional integration of black women into white family life is astounding. Potential for deep analysis, but you can also just enjoy the story.

#BookReview #Books #Bookstodon #HistoricalFiction

@WildWoila @wildwoila@wyrms.de

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

2y

Scottish botanist and paleobotanist Robert Brown died #OTD in 1858.

In 1827, while observing pollen grains suspended in water under a microscope, Brown discovered the random movement of particles, later known as Brownian motion. He was the first to describe the cell nucleus, which he observed in orchid cells in 1831. He also made significant contributions to the classification of plants, introducing new families and genera.

#books #science #botany

Portrait of a person (Robert Brown), 1820. A captivating depiction of an individual by an unknown artist.

The miscellaneous botanical works of Robert Brown
by Brown, Robert, 1773-1858; Bennett, John Joseph, 1801-1876.

"The Miscellaneous Botanical Works of Robert Brown" is a collection of Brown's significant contributions to the field of botany, encapsulating his research, observations, and theoretical advancements. These works are foundational to various areas within botany and reflect Brown's meticulous scientific approach.

Brown's meticulous documentation and classification work laid the groundwork for modern botany. His discoveries regarding cell structure and motion influenced subsequent research in both botany and other scientific fields.

Brown introduced several key terms and concepts that are still in use today, such as "gymnosperm" and "angiosperm," aiding in the standardization of botanical nomenclature.

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

2y

Portuguese poet Luís de Camões died #OTD in 1580.

"Os Lusíadas" (1572) is considered Camões' magnum opus. The epic poem consists of ten cantos and is written in ottava rima. The poem celebrates the voyage of Vasco da Gama and the Portuguese discoveries, blending historical events with mythological elements. It extols the virtues of bravery, patriotism, and the divine mission of the Portuguese people.

Books by Luís de Camões at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1183

#books #literature #poetry

The portrait of Camões by Fernão Gomes, copied by Luís de Resende. This is considered to be the most authentic portrait of the poet, whose original, which has been lost, was painted while he was still alive.

An illustration of a bearded man wearing a collar.

Cover of the 1572 edition of Lusíadas.

"Os Lusíadas" ("The Lusiads") is an epic poem by Luís de Camões, first published in 1572. It is considered the most important work in Portuguese literature and a masterpiece of world literature. The poem celebrates the Portuguese voyages of discovery during the Age of Exploration, particularly the journey of Vasco da Gama to India.

"Os Lusíadas" consists of 10 cantos, containing a total of 1,102 stanzas, written in ottava rima (a stanza of eight lines with an abababcc rhyme scheme).

The poem is a blend of historical narrative and mythological elements, combining real events with classical allusions and divine interventions.

Edited 2y ago

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

2y

American journalist, teacher, playwright, and poet Angelina Weld Grimké died #OTD in 1958.

Grimké was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and artistic movement centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s and 1930s. Some of her well-known poems include "The Eyes of My Regret," "Tenebris," and "The Black Finger." These works often reflect her personal struggles and the broader societal challenges faced by African Americans.

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65112

#books #literature

Angelina W. Grimké from a 1923 publication Negro Poets and their Poems.

An old black and white photo of a woman with short hair, exuding timeless elegance and grace.

Rachel: A Play in Three Acts by Angelina Weld Grimké.

"Rachel: A Play in Three Acts" is a groundbreaking work by Angelina Weld Grimké, an influential African American playwright, poet, and journalist. The play, written in 1916, is notable for its exploration of racial issues, particularly lynching, and its focus on the psychological and emotional impact of racism on African American families.

"Rachel" is a three-act play that revolves around the life of Rachel Loving, a young African American woman who is deeply affected by the racial injustices faced by her family and community.

Edited 2y ago

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

2y

Opening The Immutable Library

Why Dara’s Project Gutenberg Archive is a Big Deal

https://theimmutable.medium.com/opening-the-immutable-library-7c40a704fcbd

via @dara_proj

Project Dara has made a copy of the Project Gutenberg collection in the interplanetary filesystem.

You can browse the collection here: https://gutenberg.dara.global/

#ebooks #books #literature #publicdomain

“A book is a fragile creature, it suffers the wear of time, it fears rodents, the elements and clumsy hands. so the librarian protects the books not only against mankind but also against nature and devotes his life to this war with the forces of oblivion.”

― Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose

Edited 2y ago

2 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

312d

A guide to reading Alain Mabanckou, the “African Beckett”

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

360d

What book(s) are you currently reading or listening to? October 21

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

312d

For his first trick…

"The art of the murderer… is the same as the art of the magician," is a line in John Dickson Carr's first novel It Walks by Night.

By John Mark Ockerbloom

https://everybodyslibraries.com/2025/12/07/for-his-first-trick/

#books #publicDomainDayCountdown

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

British poet and literary critic Lascelles Abercrombie died #OTD in 1938.

He was a prominent member of the Georgian poets. He was particularly known for his verse dramas & dramatic monologues such as The Sale of Saint Thomas and Deborah.

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/3649

Abercrombie is often shown in a seated pose, wearing a suit with a slightly disheveled look, which lends a sense of relaxed seriousness. His face is framed by a head of thick, wavy hair, and he sports a thoughtful, somewhat intense gaze, as if deeply engaged in thought or lost in a literary idea.

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

2y

French science writer Amédée Guillemin was born #OTD in 1826.

Guillemin presently started writing books of physics and astronomy which became very popular. He wrote "The Sky" and "The Physical World" (5 vols.). He also wrote a series of booklets about astronomy and physics under the title "Small popular encyclopaedia", a scientifically sound but accessible collection about sciences and their applications.

Books by Amédée Guillemin at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/9614

#books #physics #astronomy

Photo of Amédée Guillemin.

An aged photograph featuring a man sporting a long beard, capturing a timeless style.

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

360d

📚 The Woods All Black by: Lee Mandelo

Leslie Bruin is assigned to the backwoods township of Spar Creek by the Frontier Nursing Service, under its usual mandate: vaccinate the flock, birth babies, and weather the judgements of churchy locals who look at him and see a failed woman. Forged in the fires of the Western Fron...

https://bookblabla.com/book/the-woods-all-black

#books #reading #libraries #fiction #fantasy #generalfiction #historicalfiction #romance

Leslie Bruin is assigned to the backwoods township of Spar Creek by the Frontier Nursing Service, under its usual mandate: vaccinate the flock, birth babies, and weather the judgements of churchy locals who look at him and see a failed woman. Forged in the fires of the Western Front and reborn in the cafes of Paris, Leslie believes he can handle whatever is thrown at him—but Spar Creek holds a darkness beyond his nightmares.

Something ugly festers within the local congregation, and its malice has focused on a young person they insist is an unruly tomboy who must be brought to heel. Violence is bubbling when Leslie arrives, ready to spill over, and he'll have to act fast if he intends to be of use. But the hills enfolding Spar Creek have a mind of their own, and the woods are haunted in ways Leslie does not understand.

The Woods All Black is a story of passion, prejudice, and power — an Appalachian period piece that explores reproductive justice and bodily autonomy, the terrors of small-town religiosity, and the necessity of fighting tooth and claw to live as who you truly are.

The Woods All Black is equal parts historical horror, trans romance, and blood-soaked revenge, all set in 1920s Appalachia

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

360d

"Oral, archaeological, and written evidence all show that large populations survived in all of these places by adjusting how they lived, by creating smaller scale societies that in many ways worked better for people and their environments."

#KathleenDuVal discusses her book #NativeNationsAMillenniumInNorthAmerica

https://www.youtube.com/live/GIL2bpOj70s?t=1101s

#Indigenous #NativeAmericans #NativeAmericanHistory #AncientCities #AncientAmericas #Cahokia #Hohokam #MedievalWarmPeriod #LittleIceAge #books @bookstodon

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

360d

finished reading Skyward Flight: The Collection: Sunreach / ReDawn / Evershore 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
by Brandon Sanderson & Janci Patterson.

While the hero of the series is lost in the Nowhere, her fellow pilots get on with being awesome and taking the fight to the oppressors. Decent YA fare with lots of dogfights, light humour and a little romance. The hyperslugs are adorable.

#BookReview #Books #Bookstodon #SFF #SciFi #YoungAdult

@WildWoila @wildwoila@wyrms.de

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

360d

📚 The Do-Over by: Lynn Painter

After living through a dumpster fire of a Valentine’s Day, Emilie Hornby escapes to her grandmother’s house for some comfort and a consolation pint of Ben & Jerry’s. She passes out on the couch, but when she wakes up, she’s back home in her own bed—and it’s Valentine’s Day all over again. And the ne...

https://bookblabla.com/book/the-do-over

#books #reading #libraries #family #romance #sciencefiction #timetravel

After living through a dumpster fire of a Valentine’s Day, Emilie Hornby escapes to her grandmother’s house for some comfort and a consolation pint of Ben & Jerry’s. She passes out on the couch, but when she wakes up, she’s back home in her own bed—and it’s Valentine’s Day all over again. And the next day? Another horrendous V-Day.

Emilie is stuck in some sort of time loop nightmare that she can’t wake up from as she re-watches her boyfriend, Josh, cheat on her day after day. In addition to Josh’s recurring infidelity, Emilie can’t get away from the enigmatic Nick, who she keeps running into—sometimes literally—in unfortunate ways.

How many times can one girl passively watch her life go up in flames? And when something good starts to come out of these terrible days, what happens when the universe stops doling out do-overs?

A New York Times Bestseller

In this “unequivocally hilarious and delightful” (Kirkus Reviews) young adult romp for fans of Recommended for You and A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, a teen girl has the worst Valentine’s Day ever—only to relive it over and over again.

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

358d

Public Domain Stories

Explore Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes adventures — preserved and shared by https://www.gutenberg.org/.

https://sherlockholmes.com/pages/public-domain-stories

#books #literature #publicdomain

Cover page

Title: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1661/pg1661-images.html

2 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

312d

Distributed Proofreaders has posted its 50,000th unique title! It is "A Dictionary of the Art of Printing."

Read about it here:

https://blog.pgdp.net/2025/12/07/celebrating-50000-titles/

Book at PG:

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77410

Congratulations to all who worked on it.

#books #dp #dpblog

Imperial printing press

Edited 312d ago

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

359d

Project Gutenberg mourns passing of CEO Dr. Greg Newby

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

359d

📚 Labyrinth by: A.G. Riddle

Alan Norris has lost everything. Except for his daughter. And he's willing to do anything to protect her.

The day of his wife's funeral, as he's walking to give the eulogy, the ringing in his ears starts. His tinnitus began when he was in the Marines, the day a roadside bomb went off. Us...

https://bookblabla.com/book/labyrinth

#books #reading #libraries #fiction #sciencefiction #thrillers #suspensefiction #technologicalfiction

Alan Norris has lost everything. Except for his daughter. And he's willing to do anything to protect her.

The day of his wife's funeral, as he's walking to give the eulogy, the ringing in his ears starts. His tinnitus began when he was in the Marines, the day a roadside bomb went off. Usually, it's a low whine - a tea kettle that never quite boils. But as his prosthetic and his good leg sink into the soggy grass, the ringing changes. That afternoon, the ringing only he can hear sounds like three jagged rocks dropped in a tin can and shaken.

When the rattling hits a crescendo, he sees a series of numbers: 12122518914208.

He assumes it's a stress reaction. A hallucination. He's wrong about that. And several other things.

The ringing and the numbers are a mystery, but the worst part is that when that unseen hand shakes the can, Alan begins to lose time.

A few minutes at first.

Then longer.

Until one night, he wakes up next to a dead body.

He could call the police. Or run. He doesn't do either. Because he doesn't know what happened to his daughter during the time he lost, leaving him no choice but to dig deeper.

Alan soon discovers he's not the only one seeing the numbers. And that the sequence is key to a conspiracy with far-reaching consequences. For him and the entire world.

From the bestselling author of Lost in Time and Quantum Radio comes a new mind-bending thriller: a group of strangers with tinnitus begins seeing numbers - numbers they soon r

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

2y

American illustrator, author, youth leader Daniel Carter Beard died #OTD in 1941.

In 1905, Beard founded an organization called "The Sons of Daniel Boone," which aimed to teach boys outdoor skills, woodcraft, and self-reliance. This organization was one of the first to emphasize the importance of outdoor education and adventure for youth. The Sons of Daniel Boone was later merged with the Boy Scouts of America.

Books by Daniel Carter Beard at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/8612

#books #literature

Daniel Carter Beard, American author, illustrator, and youth leader
Underwood & Underwood - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3a02553.

An elderly man proudly dons a military uniform adorned with medals, reflecting his honorable service.

Beard's frontispiece for Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.
Daniel Carter Beard - Library of Congress[1]
"Knight in armor tilting at man in modern dress in tree onto which a man in modern dress has climbed for refuge", "Published as frontispiece in: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court / Samuel Clemens. New York : Charles L. Webster & Co., 1889. ", "1 drawing : pen and ink over graphite underdrawing ; sheet 36 x 57.1 cm."

Captain Jinks, Hero, from the 1902 book of the same name by Ernest Crosby, illustrated by Beard
Daniel Carter Beard - The Project Gutenberg EBook of Captain Jinks, Hero, by Ernest Crosby
"Captain Jinks, Hero". "SAM WAS TAKEN STRADDLING A CHAIR" Frontispiece of Captain Jinks, Hero by Ernest Crosby, illustrated by Dan Beard NEW YORK AND LONDON FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY February 1902 http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/19353

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

313d

Many thanks to Goodreads editor Sharon for including THE EXPERT OF SUBTLE REVISIONS among the "New Voice Alert: Promising 2025 debut novels." Check out the full list of book recommendations in the December editors' picks column!

#books #writing #writersofmastodon #WritingCommunity #bookstodon @bookstodon

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/3034-goodreads-editors-get-bossy-about-book-recommendations

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

358d

Remember lying on the floor reading? I read science fiction and went to other worlds in my mind.
My first was The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet written by Eleanor Cameron in 1954.

It's set in Pacific Grove California & on Basidium, a tiny habitable moon of Earth, invisible from the planet in its orbit 50,000 miles away.

I need to get back to those worlds.

Photo from inside Green Apple Books in #SanFrancisco #SciFi #Books
@charliejane @annaleen @cstross @scalzi @pluralistic

Child on floor reading books at Green Apple Books in San Francisco. Surrounded by books in the children's illustrated book section.

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

Previous Page Next Page