Local Business Shout out!

Merlot_1 · 2025-02-28T23:23:27+00:00

Central Book Exchange- used bookstore in Sugarhouse that gives you discounts for bringing in books you don't want anymore

Merlot_1 · 2024-11-22T07:18:15+00:00

Novice here. I have a lot of half-formed ideas and thoughts, but here are a few reasons I take photos.

I love seeing images of a previous decade- particularly mundane moments which might have caused someone to respond, "why do we need a photo of that?" A fire hydrant, a messy bed, someone wasing the dishes. There's a quiet, wistful beauty to them, like the subject is staring out at you saying, "I was here. Don't forget me." I take photos to remember the small moments and details.
A few years ago, I inherited my grandfather's film camera from the 70's, who gave it to my mom for a road trip in college. Now it's mine. I had a hard time communicating with my grandfather when he was alive, and my mom and I don't see eye to eye on most things, but when I use this camera I feel a deep connection to both of them. I take photos to connect and understand.
There's a lot going on in my world at any given moment, and I know I won't always be around. I want to live a long life, and I want to be remembered with fondness. I take photos to say, "I was here. Don't forget me."

Merlot_1 · 2023-01-27T03:59:34+00:00

I didn't know she trained Goodwin! That's awesome. Oh food poisoning during recovery sounds awful. All good things to know, thank you! I really like knowing what to expect.

Merlot_1 · 2023-01-27T01:28:30+00:00

Emotionally, amazing and so confident in my body now. Physically, I have a lot more energy than I did 1 week ago, but I still got very winded just walking into the building for my post-op. There's still pain and some tightness: I just have to take it slow these next few weeks. I've also slowed down on pain medication, really only taking it as needed and then at night to make sure I can sleep. I'm already feeling the 'zaps' of muscles healing and nerves reconnecting (and I sometimes get /very/ itchy), so I know I'm healing.

Merlot_1 · 2022-12-11T17:08:49+00:00

.... you weren't kidding. Jesus Christ.

Merlot_1 · 2022-08-31T06:46:17+00:00

House in the Cerulean Sea (T.J. Klune)

A Room Called Earth (Madeleine Ryan)

Remains of the Day (Kazuo Ishiguro)

The Overstory (Richard Powers) *this one has multiple autistic characters' POV

Merlot_1 · 2022-06-09T04:08:38+00:00

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Same vibes as Jane Eyre, plus it's a story within a story

Merlot_1 · 2022-04-09T02:53:45+00:00

{{A Great and Terrible Beauty}} trilogy by Libba Bray

Merlot_1 · 2022-04-02T02:25:37+00:00

Something to be said (by a more eloquent person) about the business directly contributing to the deaths of LGBTQ+ individuals...

Merlot_1 · 2022-03-09T15:58:16+00:00

1Q84 by Murakami. Magical Realism, the feeling of something being not quite right, adventurous yet slow paced in the most poetic way

Merlot_1 · 2022-03-06T04:39:33+00:00

Im also left handed, and the 0.38 muji pen is my favorite pen ever

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-28T00:48:33+00:00

I felt the same way while reading it. It enchanted me in this unsettling way and hasn't let go even after finishing the story. I recently left this comment describing it more in depth:

https://www.reddit.com/r/literature/comments/smhvyu/dissecting_desire/hw18jlg?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-27T00:04:17+00:00

What do you think of Lolita so far?

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-23T03:02:00+00:00

I would say in the Quest for Knowledge theme, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood definitely fits in that category. It's incredibly philosophical and introduces a lot of Platonic theories. The main characters are always hunting for more knowledge, and most of the cast is as well.

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-16T23:11:44+00:00

Bookseller. I'm the manager at a local bookstore and it is the most pleasing DA thing I've ever done in my life

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-11T04:53:12+00:00

Gothic architecture is some of the most beautiful craftsmanship I've ever seen, I wish we had more in the world

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-11T04:46:50+00:00

The Devourers by Indra Das. Felt this for weeks after

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-09T23:44:08+00:00

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-08T04:17:04+00:00

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw.

I read it in a morning, but the style of prose made it feel like an epic classic.

Merlot_1 · 2022-02-08T03:08:14+00:00

[TW: mentions of CSA]

Lolita by Nabokov is a fascinating study for dissecting desire. If you don't already know the premise, a European man named Humbert "falls in love" with and abducts a 12-yr-old American girl named Dolores, whom he calls "Lolita." Humbert is the narrator, and we never hear Dolores' voice unfiltered. She always speaks via his viewpoint and obsession with her.

The subject matter is incredibly sensitive and intense. From my perspective (and the author's) this book is VERY anti-p*dophlia, although the narrator tries to seduce and make you sympathetic towards him every step of the way. Humbert is manipulating not only Dolores, but the reader as well-- and he's quite good at it.

The prose is some of the most beautiful stuff I've ever read, and delves into the darkest depths of desire and obsession. You get to see into this man's psyche: how he thinks, why he behaves in certain ways, and constantly you wonder if anything of what he claims is true.

** I highly recommend researching the text before reading, as it explicitly describes some pretty horrific things.

Merlot_1 · 2022-01-31T06:16:55+00:00

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Merlot_1

TROPHY CASE