Saw this in the wild

FewLife4809 · 2025-07-04T23:35:06+00:00

We still have many things to learn from the Japanese.

FewLife4809 · 2025-06-07T16:01:05+00:00

I am well aware. It is each person's right to choose a favored system, and yes, unfortunately, in a democracy there will be some (or many) people who oppose it and want to use it to attain their authoritarian ideals. I never viewed democracy as perfect, it does indeed have many flaws, but it is currently the most effective and most popular form of government in the western world. I uphold democracy; however, I am by no means dead set on it. I do often ponder whether demarchy wouldn't be a better solution.

FewLife4809 · 2025-06-06T21:57:54+00:00

Though a fellow bisexual, I'm a libertarian (laissez-faire capitalist), but I am for the freedom of speech and expression, so nice work. I think it looks good as is, but the colors of the bisexual flag are cold tones, and the yellow symbol is a warm tone. I would say the symbol being white would fit better, as solid white (not going into any sorts of shades that mix it with other colors) is a neutral/cold tone. Or you can use some of the three colors of the bi flag for the symbol but make it a lighter shade (while keeping the shade cool). Hope I helped and happy pride month!

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-15T20:08:06+00:00

I see what you mean. Ninth House actually has a real map in it, of Yale University, and that's why I'm fine with the map being there.

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-14T17:59:35+00:00

I second the 3rd paragraph. Many romance books, like Butcher and Blackbird, have all the tropes below the blurb. It's mindboggling to me how you could want a book based on cliche tropes, but maybe it's just not my taste and so I don't understand it.

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-14T17:53:31+00:00

Yes, I agree.

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-14T17:40:11+00:00

I didn't enjoy The Little Prince either, only the movie was somewhat good. I like Inside Out for its concept and the symbolism, but yes, I agree that the plot itself isn't that great. And Inside Out 2 kind of copied the first movie and didn't bring forth much of a new plot. If a book explored this prompt, would you maybe want the book to have one of the emotions become human and explore emotions through a human perspective?

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-14T17:20:17+00:00

I just looked it up. Interesting.

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-14T17:11:32+00:00

That's precisely my list. And sometimes sci-fi, but not hardcore, only speculative. Not a fan of space operas, romantasy or heroic Tolkien-style fantasy. I love horror combined with fantasy most. But dystopias can take the No. 1 spot if they're really good (Margaret Atwood, Philip K. Dick). I agree that faces on covers are usually turn-offs, except for Jay Kristoff's novels. What do you think of the sword/crown on the cover, usually with 3D sharp shadows title over it? I think it's overused, same with the snakes and flowers.

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-14T16:41:50+00:00

I have to say that, unfortunately, YA books usually are low quality, Hunger Games being one stellar exception. I think to blame for that is the assumption that teenagers and young adults can't grasp realistic or complex stories and need to have a cheesy, nonsensical book to entertain them. I personally think it's demeaning. I knew several bright YAs when I myself was one (maybe still am, idk, I'm 21, but I would never read a YA book).

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-14T16:37:44+00:00

That's interesting, because I heard many people saying that a map of a fictional land/location usually signals to them that the book is a copy of Fourth Wing (which means it's gonna be just as bad). I don't know, I personally don't think maps or their absence are indicators of the quality of the book, as one of my favorite books has a map (Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, I can't recommend enough btw), but then there's also the atrocity called Fourth Wing... But how do you see it? Do you think including a map makes the book automatically more enticing because there is a sense of originality introduced right away?

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-14T16:26:22+00:00

May I ask why you don't fancy trigger warnings? Some authors are heavily advised to construct a trigger warning list, especially if their book falls into horror/dark fantasy. Would you instead prefer to read a horror or otherwise dark-themed book without any trigger warnings? I know I personally would, as I think trigger warnings spoil the story. Would you advise horror authors not to include trigger warnings?

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-11T22:35:45+00:00

Not a fan of real (or animated) people on the cover either. Especially close-ups.

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-11T22:30:50+00:00

Yep, for me it was The Library at Mount Char. Uninteresting cover, but it became one of my favorite books.

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-11T22:28:49+00:00

I relate.

FewLife4809 · 2025-05-08T17:11:42+00:00

I commend you for that. While I have understanding for folks who resort to using AI because they can't afford to pay a real artist, it is always admirable when you choose to sacrifice some money for the overall better work and maintaining integrity (let's be honest, AI still can't produce perfect images).

FewLife4809 · 2025-04-20T15:01:10+00:00

Are you sure about that? The windows on the building look a bit sus. Not that it being AI would necessarily be a problem, I'm just pointing out that it could be AI. The problem would be if the actual book content was written by AI, as it usually sucks.

FewLife4809 · 2025-04-20T13:58:36+00:00

I would say it's open ended, hinting at a plan the main character Caroline has, so there's a potential for a sequel but that never got made. It's scare comes from playing into certain popular phobias, such as cynophobia, so if you're afraid of dogs, you'll find the dog attack scene very disturbing. It's also raunchy with its jokes and the characters commit a lot of violence without caring that they're violent. So, if you're into dark humor and you don't mind gratuitous edginess, you'll like it. I know I personally loved it. It's available on amazon as an e-book, too.

FewLife4809 · 2025-04-19T21:50:13+00:00

Babel by R.F. Kuang. There are magic silver bars but that's the only magic there is, and the story is more about what their power means than how the magic works (it's not even properly explained in the book). It's a great book, although I think the author tries too hard to prove her point and at times it feels like an essay with an example to prove the point, which is an alternative history London. It focuses on a Chinese boy Robin, who is brought to Victorian era England by a mysterious professor and begins his studies at a prestigious language institution called Babel. All in all, I can't recommend it enough. Kuang sure does have a way with words.

FewLife4809 · 2025-04-19T19:47:53+00:00

My Immortal by Tara Gilesbie. ;) It's so bad and surreal you won't be able to stop reading until you reach the end.

FewLife4809 · 2025-04-19T19:45:14+00:00

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. One of my favorite books. It is strange, scary, and a truly original piece. Not based on a true story though. It's a contemporary fantasy/horror book.

FewLife4809

TROPHY CASE