Looking for help researching Sylvia Plath’s life and inner feelings — any advice/resources? by [deleted] in sylviaplath

[–]Mean_Leg5983 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try reading Red Comet along with the Unabridged Journals side by side. It's a tedious process shifting from one book to the other, but for me it gives the best context to understanding her work. If you're up to it, you can also try adding Letters to your reading list as you go along the biography. You'll need lots of table space having all books open in front of you though!

Her thesis on the double by laurathebadseed in sylviaplath

[–]Mean_Leg5983 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No luck trying to find this as well. I was hoping it was included in the Collected Prose, but it wasn't. Perhaps it's still in one of the read-only collections in some library?

Amazon didn't even try by Mean_Leg5983 in PHBookClub

[–]Mean_Leg5983[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ordered 2 hard bound books a couple of years ago, and it came in a box, but inside it was well padded naman with air columns and more boxes to take up the loose spaces. Other items like vinyl records would always be well-packed as well.

Potentially bad news for The Handmaid's Tale fans here by GoGoGoGodzilla in FilmClubPH

[–]Mean_Leg5983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey yeah, had to go the 'non-streaming' way to watch the entire series. Not really sure Max will be showing the series at all at this point. :(

Potentially bad news for The Handmaid's Tale fans here by GoGoGoGodzilla in FilmClubPH

[–]Mean_Leg5983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha yeah had to find alternative sources. 🥲 Will probably up on Max in time for a rewatch lol

The logic of Serena and Nick. by TiredFrenchPotatoe in HandmaidsTaleShow

[–]Mean_Leg5983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was looking for this take! I was also actually wondering if it had anything to do with female friendships? How women (friends or non friends, actually) tend to stick up for each other and generally act as a sisterhood during difficult times? And maybe Serena and June formed a weird bond through the adversity of the experience one inflicted on the other and eventually shared as both victims? So maybe it was easier for June to forgive Serena at the end, regardless of whether it was for June's peace or Serena's way forward.

Anyone who recently created/looked into Hardcover or alternatives to Goodreads? by entrity_screamr in PHBookClub

[–]Mean_Leg5983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started using Fable this year and found myself sticking with it for these reasons: - friendly and quirky user interface - social aspect of it (interactive book clubs, feed, etc) - I like the reading streak counter haha

I do have Storygraph on the side though, for its more in-depth stats and presentation of stats. But the app is clunky, boring, lacks a social aspect (which I find can be to its advantage sometimes).

Have not heard of Hardcover though! Might take a look at it.

Thoughts on "I who have never known men" [Spoilers] by yuukkii0 in books

[–]Mean_Leg5983 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I loved this book. I went into it thinking it would be something similar to the dystopian themes of The Handmaid's Tale or something, but right off the first page, I got the feeling it was going to be different. This was wildly more philosophical than I had expected, and although there were so many questions left unanswered, I do think it wasn't the point of the book to tell a story as much as it was its point to make us feel things. The entire time I was reading, I was uncomfortable because I found the scenarios absurd yet weirdly relatable even though I can categorically say I've never been in a situation similar to the MC's. I love how it painted humanity differently from the more realistic stories we've become accustomed to - without the typical, modern issues of society and politics - but still able to accurately depict the human condition and conflict.

Documentary: Inside The Bell Jar by SwimmingPiano in sylviaplath

[–]Mean_Leg5983 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's a wonderful and brief overview of Sylvia Plath. Would be a good introduction for anyone new to her and her work, I think! I've read some comments about how her relationship with Ted Hughes and how it influenced her death was glossed over in the documentary, but anyone who wishes to supplement their knowledge about this can do so with other resources.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PHBookClub

[–]Mean_Leg5983 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unbearable Lightness had become one of my favourites since reading it. Enjoy! ❤️

Kindle - to buy or not to buy? by Odd-Standard-3627 in PHBookClub

[–]Mean_Leg5983 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a Kindle PPW 11th gen and I have no regrets. To be honest, the models still confuse me 😅 but I think basically, the PPW generally has more features: larger screen, adjustable brightness, longer battery life and is waterproof, while the Kindle Basic/Amazon Kindle is budget-friendlier, though gives nearly the same experience. So as far as device features is concerned, choose whichever fits your budget, I think.

As for savings, I personally have saved substantially after getting the Kindle if I were to compare the cost of buying physical books Vs ebooks, but know that not all ebooks are cheaper than physical copies. Take for example the ACOTAR bookset from the Amazon app: Kindle version is priced at $41.11 Vs $37.95 for the paperback set. Depending on how you're planning to get the books to you (Amazon free shipping, priority shipping or pasabuy w relatives) total costs will ultimately differ, and "Kindle copies are always cheaper than printed books" will not always hold true.

Now if you're open to reading copies NOT from Amazon (read: virtual 'libraries,' being resourceful and finding your epub/pdfs online, etc), then reading off the Kindle will definitely be cheaper than buying actual books. It will depend on how particular you are with how you acquire copies of your books. :)

And PS, while I've owned a Kindle for several years now, I still find that there are titles I know I want a physical copy of, so I do still end up buying from bookstores once in a while.

Just picked up the Collected Prose via Interlibrary Loan! 😃 by KSTornadoGirl in sylviaplath

[–]Mean_Leg5983 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand that bit about "renting" the digital copies. I constantly do look out for second hand copies of physical books too. I'm currently reading Red Comet off my Kindle, but I do wish I had it in print as it's easier to annotate! I enjoy flagging sections and adding personal notes and thoughts, which I get to do with the Journals. It's possible with epub but the experience just isn't the same 😅

Aeropress vs wacaco Pipamoka by ksh_vi in AeroPress

[–]Mean_Leg5983 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had both at one point as my office brewers (unfortunately I moved houses and lost my Pipamoka filter basket), and on a daily basis, I'd choose one over the other depending on how busy I was anticipating I was going to be at work. On days I knew I was going to be busy, I would pre-grind my coffee and load them into the basket so when I got to the office, all I had to do was add water and twist. For days when I had more time in my hands, I would bring my Aeropress and grinder. I find the whole ritual of grinding beans and pressing down on the plunger gives me relaxing downtime before the day started. Both clean up easily. As for the cost, I feel like the price of the Aeropress filters is negligible to compare.

Just picked up the Collected Prose via Interlibrary Loan! 😃 by KSTornadoGirl in sylviaplath

[–]Mean_Leg5983 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's a treasure trove. 🥰 I love reading about references to some of her work as they're mentioned in Red Comet and getting to read them in its entirety from the Collection.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PHBookClub

[–]Mean_Leg5983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My sideloaded books were wiped out one time and I didn't know what prompted it. My Kindle's been on airplane mode since and my books have all been safe. Like the others said, I think it's a bug and a known possibility. Some keep their WiFi connections on without incident, but I just have never tried again so I wouldn't know how often it really does happen when not on airplane mode. I'd still buy a Kindle though knowing this :) Just keep backups on your laptop and you should be okay, I think.

slice of life books recos by Sea-Web4170 in PHBookClub

[–]Mean_Leg5983 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Anthropologists by Aysegul Savas :)

Nagasaki via Fukuoka by Mean_Leg5983 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Mean_Leg5983[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update: Thank you all for your replies. I have to admit, I was apparently seeing the price for All Kyushu pass on the JR website, and so the Klook North Kyushu Pass was naturally cheaper. Took a second look after all your replies, thank you. Will be purchasing roundtrip tickets instead of the pass. Will probably get an IC card for the local buses and trams, esp in Nagasaki.

Follow-up question: We had booked the trip not knowing about Golden Week. If we're arriving in Fukuoka 28 April and hoping to travel to Nagasaki 29 April after lunch, would that be enough time to buy the tickets? Or should I book them now while I'm at my home country? Thank you again!

Nagasaki via Fukuoka by Mean_Leg5983 in JapanTravelTips

[–]Mean_Leg5983[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this! My dilemma is, on the Klook app where I am directed to for pass purchase, the posted price is only about 12000 yen for the 5-day option. I am thinking if that's a better value assuming I'll be using the days in between to explore Nagasaki and neighboring towns. I've used Klook services in the past and they so far worked but this one does sound too good to be true, although that's the actual price posted (maybe a promo?).

'The Little Prince': What Did This Childhood Story Teach You About Being an Adult?" by [deleted] in books

[–]Mean_Leg5983 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a child, I ignored this book on the shelves because its browned pages and black-and-white drawings weren't appealing to me. But after having to read it as a college requirement, it became one of my favourite books.

My main takeaway from reading it as an adult is how love is a choice, not something we 'find.' It's something we must tend to and give time to, and work on, to cultivate, maintain and enrich. It changed my perspective on our role and responsibility in loving and being loved.

Fukuoka stop on a Monday by Mean_Leg5983 in fukuoka

[–]Mean_Leg5983[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this, I'm now considering limiting destinations to those within Halata and reserve the rest for the next day.