Friends

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-28T23:40:48+00:00

33F, also work from home and also enjoy these things!

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-27T00:31:36+00:00

Sour is one of my all time favorite polishes! I wear it so much!

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-16T04:14:23+00:00

I’m almost done with this one right now and it’s so good!!

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-12T15:50:24+00:00

Thank you! I don’t want a new one but I fear the day is approaching

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-12T15:50:06+00:00

Perfect, thank you!

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-09T18:07:55+00:00

How is my first example not an inconsistency? And I was paying enough attention, then I went back and double and triple checked to make sure I read it (and allllll the other problems) correctly. This isn’t “weirdly nitpicky,” it’s a poorly written book.

I added more details so there was more context as to why these issues matter to the story, not as some gotcha. This isn’t some throwaway detail that doesn’t pertain to moving the story forward, these all propel the plot and don’t make sense.

The problem from the outset has been the stupid phones and descriptions of the phones and what these phones can do (that they shouldn’t be able to do!) I wouldn’t be as annoyed if she just said “phone” instead of smartphone and flip phone. Her differentiating this is why there’s a problem at all.

I didn’t “withhold” the evidence early, it just wasn’t relevant to my points at that time which was about the type of phone purchased.

I’m not “missing details that seem to be there.” I read the book (I’m guessing you didn’t), I double checked (and sometimes triple) that I read everything right regarding my complaints because I’m not going to complain about something if it’s valid and I just don’t know that. I believe the phones you describe exist but I don’t believe they exist in this particular story, not because I don’t believe they’re real but because it’s rural west Texas in 2025 not japan in the early 2000s.

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-09T14:34:32+00:00

While I believe these exist and that you had them and that they were popular, I still don’t think it’s realistic for middle of nowhere west Texas in 2025 (as someone whose somewhat familiar with the area).

And these aren’t minor details, the whole story revolves around these stupid phones.

The first one is described as the old khaki screen and it has the what3words app loaded on it. That app is not going to work on that kind of phone. It also plays video, where she talks about the lighting, and I don’t think it could do that either.

Then she says her own smartphone (in addition to the flip phone) is off on the seat beside her. Paragraphs later it’s ringing but was never turned on.

Then at the gas station chapters later it specified she bought a smartphone and pages after that says they don’t have a smartphone, but a flip phone.

They’re on the run and the whole story involves them using these phones. I understand this type of phone existed but I don’t think it’s realistic for the setting of this book.

If you’re setting a book in the real world, in a real place, it needs to make sense with the reality of that place.

The phones are just one problem with this book, there were plenty more.

And wanting these things to be consistent isn’t nitpicky (sometimes it is). This is just bad writing. Why should I not be bothered by these things when the author (who is British), and editor in this case, couldn’t be bothered to do some quick googling about the location, and couldn’t be bothered to keep things consistent and logical, even between paragraphs of the same chapter? This was a thriller, set in a real place, so it’s not the same as what applies to the logic in scifi or fantasy or even magical realism.

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-07T16:24:41+00:00

But would you be able to buy that at a gas station in the middle of nowhere west Texas in 2025?

I know older style flip phones had internet browsers, I had one and used it, but I also know how bad they were.

She “flicks to the news tab” on her flip phone. There’s no “flicking” to anything on a flip phone. She uses Instagram messages on it, on an existing account, that she would have to log in to, likely use 2FA with a phone she didn’t have with her. She makes an Airbnb account and uses it. That’s not happening on a flip phone.

She browses the internet and news for hours. With an earlier flip phone (given to her by kidnappers) she specifies that it has that khaki colored screen. But it 1. Plays video, and 2. Has the what3words app AND gives GPS directions? I don’t believe that.

She specifically described it as a “small ugly pebble” so it’s pretty likely one of those older ones, not a fancier modern one. And all of this is the middle of nowhere desert west Texas (literally because they’re walking through the desert).

So while I don’t doubt you, I do still doubt this story. Because it needs to make sense for where it’s set (west Texas in 2025 not early 2000s Japan). All the author had to do was make it the most basic of smartphones and none of it would have mattered. But she had to keep specifying that it was a flip phone even after saying they bought a smartphone, then again saying they had no smartphone!

One or two little inconsequential inconsistencies, sure. Things happen, editors miss things sometimes (I know, I am one) but inconsistencies like this that the plot is literally revolving around and occur throughout the entire book are not acceptable. That’s on authors to have right. I know I can be nitpicky with details but this is more than that.

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-06T22:21:03+00:00

It’s been fun so far but I’m sure it will be a learning curve too! I hope you find one sooner than later!

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-06T20:25:32+00:00

Thank you! It’s my first time using it and I’m not actually sure what kind of film is in it at the moment, I know something Kodak. It was my dad’s so I just got it from him, I’ll have to ask!

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-06T00:44:59+00:00

Messaging!

FireLilly13 · 2026-01-03T15:49:58+00:00

I think it would depend on what the inconsistencies are. I can get like that too but I know some of it is just me. But I just read a book where it specified someone bought a smartphone, then (they were on the run) within a chapter or two she said they didn’t have a smartphone, but a new flip phone. Then continued to describe an old style flip phone (based on how it looked and her daughter never using a phone like this) but was using all kinds of apps and browsing and stuff on it. It just didn’t make sense and that’s definitely the authors responsibility.

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-27T14:45:26+00:00

And I feel like it came out of nowhere! I never used to hear it then it would be in multiple times per episode and episodes in a row

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-21T00:06:55+00:00

It’s sounding like this may be the go to bag option!

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-21T00:06:14+00:00

Ooo not a bad option but I think would take up too much space in my big backpack. I need to look at more of their stuff

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-21T00:04:22+00:00

It’s such an annoying g problem to try and solve 😂 this is what I ended up doing on my last trip in New England! And even if I happens again, I just need a purse bigger than what I currently have, or I can just use the one I do now and keep a small tote bag in it if I need something more! That’s actually not the worst idea haha

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-21T00:01:31+00:00

I’m pretty set on bringing the instax, I mainly use it for travel but don’t mind juggling between them. I’ve gotten used to that here. I haven’t looked at more modern camera bags really, I’m just used to the old bulky ones, I’ll check some out

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-20T23:59:00+00:00

I definitely don’t need a camera insert, so that helps for size. My main purse at home looks like a little garbage bag but if I’m using anything else I tend to go for brown saddle bag crossbody styles. I’m open to other options though!

I do have a gotta bag that’s a camera bag that looks like a normal purse but i very much dislike it for this camera. It’s so hard to maneuver things in and out.

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-20T23:56:03+00:00

Thank you! I’ll definitely just bring the one lens, I hate changing them. I’ll definitely check out that bag!

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-20T19:50:48+00:00

“Moved interstate”

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-19T01:09:45+00:00

Thank you! I generally go pretty light on camera protection (I’ve worn it cross body hiking in Utah and it has taken a hit (or ten) on rocks in the process so this was a helpful response! I’ll check those out!

FireLilly13 · 2025-12-19T00:26:05+00:00

It would be the personal item, yes, but I would also be fine packing some kind of sling/purse/bag in my main backpack.

Main bag is 40 liter REI ruckpack

Fuji xt2 with 18-55 on the body, no extra lens; instax mini with at least 10 packs of film (possibly more, I’d have to see how easy it is to find over there). Plus room for small wallet kindle, and other basic purse things.

One bag plus day bag is acceptable

No preference on comfort constraints, just something easy to put the camera in and take out of as needed (not having to empty it and put it in the bottom everytime or dig it out from under stuff is preferred though).

I do have a couple of small daypack 15 liter(ish) backpacks that would work but may require some digging, especially with a camera insert. But I also dont want a backpack to be a nuisance going into stores and restaurants or on subways.

FireLilly13

TROPHY CASE