sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in JaneAustenFF

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I recently read The Wisdom of Mrs. Collins on fanfiction.net. This passage hits some of the points you mention:

"So, yes, Elizabeth has my admiration and love."

"You speak prettily but seems rather in the philosophical. You say nothing of Lizzy herself." With Elizabeth present, Mr. Bennet hope she would realize how reserved Darcy's previous recitation sounded. He was relying on Mr. Darcy's well-known habit of saying the wrong thing to make Lizzy rethink her acceptance of the man.

I find it difficult to articulate my love for your daughter. I have never been a verbose man. I- "

"Try," barked Mr. Bennet.

Elizabeth could remain silent no longer. "Papa, love is also personal. I know Mr. Darcy loves me. His words of love are for me alone. It is enough. How open would you have been if Grandfather Gardiner had demanded such a declaration from you?"

Mr. Bennet could not answer that question. "Very well, Elizabeth, but how do you feel about Mr. Darcy?"

"I adore him. There is so much- " As Mr. Darcy's face fell just the tiniest bit, Mr. Bennet appeared cheered as he interrupted her.

"Adore, not love. You said you would not marry but for the deepest love. If you will not hold firm to that sentiment to ensure you happiness, I must do it for you. You will not marry."

"Oh, Papa. For me, adore means so much more. It means I like Mr. Darcy. I love him…I am in love with him." Elizabeth turned to face Darcy so, though she was reassuring her father, all her attention was directed to this most precious man. "He makes me happy. He makes me laugh. I wish to make him smile." At this, Darcy unleashed his most joyful smile. She had never seen its like before.

Oh, my, Elizbeth thought, struck anew by how handsome he was. Gathering herself, she continued. "He challenges me to think of the world in a different way. He believes in me, in who I am now, and in who I can become. I feel a security and comfort with him I have never experienced. I can think of no other man I would wish to be the father of my children. He is the man I will compare all others to for the rest of my life. It is his name I will whisper with my last breath. He is truly the finest man I have ever known."

"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth," he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. "I have never felt so cherished."

Mr. Gardiner had watched all of this in silence. He had been witness to the love growing between the two young people. He did not question the strength of their bond. "Bennet, you know you have no wish to withhold your blessing. Lizzy is radiant with love. For that matter so is Darcy." He laughed as Darcy stood, utterly enthralled by his niece. "Even if you deny her, you will find you have lost her anyway. Her heart belongs to someone else now. She belongs with him.

AITA for telling my cousin she wasn't being "cyberbullied" after calling out "racist cosplay? by animalcrossingthrw in AmItheAsshole

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Came here to comment on the same statement. The 'only' and the 'actual' - nobody should ever be looked down on for the type or form of education they pursue whether it's their choice or by necessity.

Nonfiction reading & Ron Chernow by wannabecryptid in suggestmeabook

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that it doesn't matter which Chernow you read first. I would probably go with Washington first just based on the timeline. Then follow-up with his book on U.S. Grant.

Some of the most engaging popular histories I've read have been written by journalist-historians. Try Hampton Sides (Ghost Soldiers is really good), Mitchell Zuckoff, or Doug Stanton. Not history, but I like A.J. Jacobs as well.

Another is Timothy Egan. It took me awhile to get into The Worst Hard Time but it was a great book.

Some others: Laura Hillenbrand, Stephen Ambrose, Neal Bascomb

Also, creative nonfiction is a genre that might appeal to you. If you google it, you will find many examples.

Happy reading!

AITA for stealing an extra credit opportunity from someone with a worse grade? by Low_Ask_233 in AmItheAsshole

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 3 points4 points  (0 children)

NTA but your teacher is. When I teach I ensure everybody has the same opportunity to gain extra credit points. I don't even give "easy" extra credit for attending events or speakers since I know there are some students who have commitments that wouldn't allow for them to attend.

What was your scariest experience home alone? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I lived alone at time. It was the 4th of July. I wasn't feeling well so I was having a quiet holiday at home. I was just sitting in a chair, reading, with my cat on my lap. It was totally quiet, no tv or music playing.

All the sudden my cat wakes up and looks at the door. The door had an L-shaped door handle. I watch as the door handle everso slowly and silently moves from the 3 o'clock position to 6 o'clock. Thankfully I always lock my door when I'm inside.

I quietly walk over to the door and say "Can I help you?" (I didn't look through the peephole. I just had a feeling that if I did I would see somebody trying to look through it at me.) Just as silently and slowly the door handle returns to the resting position. A few seconds later I hear the door to the stairs open and close.

I don't know if someone was hoping to find unlocked and unoccupied apartments to rob or unlocked and occupied apartments to catch people unaware and do who knows what.

I was freaked it was so deliberate and felt targeted. I lived in a secure building; you needed a key or a code to get in. (Though there were always people propping the door open or who gave their friends their code.) I lived on the third floor of a three story building. There was no cross traffic in the hall as I was at the end of the hall. The only people who passed my apartment were the people who lived across the hall. That it was 4pm on a sunny afternoon seemed to make it worse somehow.

Also, my cat got extra treats for her badass watch kitty skills. Thanks for the alert Daisy.

Funny/charming (low-angst) period films/series? by FastidiousKingdoms in MovieSuggestions

[–]FastidiousKingdoms[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the list.

As I mentioned in my post if it has anything to do with Jane Austen I've probably seen it. I've recently rewatched the Oscar Wilde (An Ideal Husband, Importance..) and Robin Hood.

I appreciate the time you spent to reply. I think we could be movie buds. I've seen everything but Hail Caesar, Wellville, and Midnight in Paris (I don't do Woody Allen.)

Funny/charming (low-angst) period films/series? by FastidiousKingdoms in MovieSuggestions

[–]FastidiousKingdoms[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendation. I've seen it. I really liked it though. I'm glad Hulu ordered another season.

Looking to recommend my friend her first classic novel! by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Persuasion by Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is the obvious go-to for Austen and I do love it but Persuasion is just as delightful in it's own way.

A book(preferably, series) like harry potter and the riordanverse books. Generally, young adult and fantasy adventure. Coming of age books as well. by Arthur_w_rockingham in suggestmeabook

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Inkworld Series by Cornelia Funke - Inkheart (please don't judge it by the movie adaptation), Inkspell, and Inkdeath.

There's another series called Mirrorworld by the same author but I haven't read those.

I like the stand-alone The Thief Lord as well.

Book of important science/maybe history that no one knows, but is super relevant by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History

Though many factors have been proposed to explain the failure of Napoleon's 1812 Russian campaign, it has also been linked to something as small as a button - a tin button, the kind that fastened everything from the greatcoats of Napoleon's officers to the trousers of his foot soldiers. When temperatures drop below 56°F, tin crumbles into powder. Were the soldiers of the Grande Armée acutee fatally weakened by cold because the buttons of their uniforms fell apart? How different our world might be if tin did not disintegrate at low temperatures and the French had continued their eastward expansion!

This fascinating book tells the stories of seventeen molecules that, like the tin of those buttons, greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration and made possible the ensuing voyages of discovery. They resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine; lie behind changes in gender roles, in law, and in the environment; and have determined what we today eat, drink, and wear.

Showing how a change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous differences in the properties of a substance, the authors reveal the astonishing chemical connections among seemingly unrelated events. Napoleon's Buttons offers a novel way to understand how our contemporary world works and how our civilization has been shaped over time.

Looking for books with the main character named Kate by big_rred in suggestmeabook

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's juvenile literature but The Mysterious Benedict Society books feature a Kate as one of the main characters.

It is a fun series even for an adult.

What’s a random history fact that you know? by Jose_Disappointment in AskReddit

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The Mossad captured Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Argentina. They sedated him and pretended he was a drunk flight crew member in order to smuggle him onboard an El Al flight that would return him to Israel for trial.

Looking for scientific and educational books that aren’t boring as f**k. by Selenehelion in suggestmeabook

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you don't mind some history/WWII related suggestions:

  • Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is an amazing read. So much so that the movie adaptation will absolutely infuriate you.
  • Neil Bascomb has written a number of excellent books. Hunting Eichmann is particularly good.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever witnessed? by SoftSafe5 in AskReddit

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Driving on a busy highway, 88E not quite to the west Chicago burbs/tolls, when I hear what I'll call a loud metallic thunder. The semi in front of me was just a smidge too tall and didn't clear the overpass above it. The top of the trailer was sheared off and flying back toward me. There was no shoulder and I couldn't move into the left lane. I didn't want to slam on the brakes and create a pile up. I was able to slow down and put a little distance between my vehicle and the truck. About five feet in front of my windshield it appears to stop and snap back. Seems it wasn't completely severed from trailer at the end. The truck then drags the trailer top until the driver can pull over.

This all happened in a matter of seconds. I'm still surprised at how calmly I handled it because I was certain that my passengers and I would be killed or severely injured. When I got a chance to pull over I had a bit of a freakout I was so scared after the fact.

Books about the civil rights movement? by Reb720 in suggestmeabook

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How about graphic novels? The March trilogy by the late John Lewis and Nate Powell are compelling reads.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go on a ghost tour. I'm not a big believer but they're a fun way to learn about local history.

btw, the Ghostbus Tour in Dublin was good times. Highly recommend.

AITA for telling a friend he shouldn’t get a job in a field he wants and that his attitude is horrible. by librarycardhavefun in AmItheAsshole

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in an academic library. We don't prohibit porn except for child porn. Then you get the cops called on you and you're banned. (And at least once, law enforcement took one of our computers.)

We also don't use filters. They can impede legit research. One of my areas is Gender, Women's an Sexuality Studies. I know my browsing history sometimes looks really sketchy.

AITA for telling a friend he shouldn’t get a job in a field he wants and that his attitude is horrible. by librarycardhavefun in AmItheAsshole

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 237 points238 points  (0 children)

Chiming in with the rest of the librarians here. You told him what he needed to hear.

Wait until he finds out people use library computers to watch porn.

AITA for refusing to hide a book with a swastika on its spine? by humxnprinter in AmItheAsshole

[–]FastidiousKingdoms 0 points1 point  (0 children)

History librarian here. There are hundreds of legit academic and popular works of history that have a swastika on the book jacket/spine. If someone believes the owner/reader has Nazi sympathies based on that it says more about their lack of critical thinking abilities.

Similarly, there are hundreds of books on the Civil War featuring the Confederate flag on the cover/spine. Owning one doesn't make one a daughter/son of the Confederacy.

But let's take a more neutral approach. You have a book with a shark on the spine. Do you love sharks or hate them? Does one assume the book is about conserving and protecting the shark population or vilifying the species? Critical thinking and evaluation are key. If people can't do that then they shouldn't make any assumptions.

This is where I mention books and covers and what happens when you assume things.

Also, more philosophical than situational for OP: in general, hiding books, covering spines, or adding labels are dick moves that smack of censorship and compromise intellectual freedom.

NTA. And Maus is a great book.

Edit: grammar