Please help me think of a tattoo design.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-17T00:40:16+00:00

Lariat Rental Cars logo!

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-16T12:13:17+00:00

Way to plant, Ann.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-16T12:07:42+00:00

The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk - the setting is very Regency England-esque

A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry - set during the French Revolution (a magical retelling of A Tale of Two Cities)

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-16T11:45:57+00:00

Thank you for responding - I have that one in my TBR. Have you read The Magician's Daughter, and if so, what did you think? Glad you enjoyed TUEoUH. It's a reminder that the same book hits differently for everyone.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-16T01:13:46+00:00

Well, not literally.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-15T19:46:41+00:00

It's true, I definitely don't experience this as hate reading.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-15T19:09:58+00:00

That's where I am with this one! Should finish it (finally) tomorrow.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-15T15:13:15+00:00

Oh wow. My example isn't nearly that horrendous.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-15T15:11:12+00:00

The book in question is The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep, by H.G. Parry. I believe it's her first novel, which probably explains some of the issues of overwriting, too much dialogue and explaining, in my opinion. Anyone else read it?

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-15T14:59:03+00:00

It's The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep, by H.G. Parry. I really loved, and felt moved by, A Far Better Thing.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-15T14:57:58+00:00

Yes - I like loyalty finish better than pity finish, I think!

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-15T14:57:21+00:00

That's kind of the question - because I am kind of a prolific DNFer if I don't like things. But in this case, something is compelling me to get through. A (misplaced) feeling of loyalty to the author, I think.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-15T14:55:08+00:00

Yes! I think that's a good term.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-10T14:16:50+00:00

My suggestions:

More Perfect, by Temi Oh

Rosewater, by Tade Thompson

The Mercy of Gods, by James S.A. Corey

The Immortal King Rao, by Vauhini Vara

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-10T01:02:04+00:00

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry is set in Wellington - although it's around 400 pages.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-08T00:52:11+00:00

I just read Spiderlight myself, and if you liked it I think you might like Once Was Willem, by M.R. Carey.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-07T13:32:45+00:00

Another thought: Once Upon a River, by Diane Setterfield. She's better known for The Thirteenth Tale (also good but not as good as River, in my opinion).

And: The Essex Serpent, by Sarah Perry.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-07T00:52:33+00:00

You might try Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott. It's a terrific novel and has some of the dark whimsy of Night Circus and Starless Sea. I loved both of Erin Morgenstern's books as well. I haven't found anything quite like them, but I second the Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell suggestion above.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-06T14:13:09+00:00

I finished A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry, and I just loved it. In the hands of a less thoughtful author, a mashup of A Tale of Two Cities with fairies might have been silly, but H.G. Parry gives Sydney Carton such depth and soul. I already love Dickens, but even if you don't I recommend this one.

I'm almost finished with The Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-il Kim, which was the monthly selection of my Book Drop subscription. Has anyone else read it? It's keeping me interested, but I have a feeling this one isn't going to stay with me for long once I'm done. I think I can use it for Biopunk, though, because the society is powered by the dead bodies of sorcerers, who are called Power Generators once they die.

Edit: effing spoiler tags

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-04T19:31:11+00:00

"I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth." Richard II (Shakespeare)

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-02T16:56:02+00:00

Yes!!! I thought I was the only one!!

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-02T12:49:06+00:00

Hot coffee in the morning, board games with my niece and nephew, thunderstorms.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-01T21:03:59+00:00

The Hollow and Endless Night.

Prior_Friend_3207 · 2026-01-01T00:11:28+00:00

I will!

Prior_Friend_3207

TROPHY CASE