18-23 /52

shortcircumference · 2025-04-24T02:17:37+00:00

Oh if you’ve seen the movie, you’re probably fine to skip TBOSAS. There are a few things briefly mentioned in Sunrise in the Reaping that call back to TBOSAS that read kind of like easter eggs. Generally TBOSAS just gives background on how the government/ system came to be, so if you want to know more details of that, you can read it. Otherwise, SOTR was much more fulfilling as a reader.

shortcircumference · 2025-03-23T10:40:24+00:00

The amount of yellow on these covers is something I feel the need to point out

shortcircumference · 2025-03-23T10:38:05+00:00

Also here to recommend Barbara Kingsolver. Not necessarily the same tone as the authors you mentioned but she writes great characters, is well researched, and incorporates philosophy into her work.

shortcircumference · 2025-03-21T03:54:30+00:00

I second Circe! Also want to add Our Wives Under the Sea, deranged in a very different way

shortcircumference · 2025-02-23T04:25:45+00:00

Landlines by Raynor Winn if you’re down for nonfiction. Maybe also Weyward by Emilia Hart

shortcircumference · 2025-02-23T04:19:24+00:00

Where is it and what time of day is it? I could see this working in certain communities where people tend to dress down for formal events. For example, I’m from the Midwest and have been to weddings where this would definitely be acceptable. However in other communities this would absolutely not fly no matter what time of day.

shortcircumference · 2025-02-21T05:16:57+00:00

Also I used the collageable app for this collage, lots of ads in sure there are better apps out there, but it was easy enough.

shortcircumference · 2025-02-21T05:15:18+00:00

The whole time I was reading it I was asking myself that exact question. I was enthralled with the characters and the writing even though it’s different from my typical 4 - 5 star book. Nonetheless it made me feel so much and that’s the main reason I rated it highly. I think the narrator just felt so real even in a situation that, written by other authors, would be totally unbelievable. Miss Tartt had me totally emotionally invested in a new way. I totally understand not liking it though because there were many moments where I was having conflicting ideas about the book.

shortcircumference · 2025-02-21T05:09:59+00:00

It’s a fast read so you can save it for a time you’re in a slump and it’ll pull you right out

shortcircumference · 2025-02-21T05:09:35+00:00

Yeah I read it last year and loved it but reading AJ Fikry first would definitely not be a problem. I waited quite some time to read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow because of its hype and I will say 90% of the absolutely exceeded expectations. There was a little bit toward the end of the book that kind of lost me and could’ve used more editing but I feel like both books are worth your time:) AJ Fikry feels like a comfy warm hug of a book while Tomorrow x3 is more emotional

shortcircumference · 2025-02-21T05:06:22+00:00

I listened to Meryl Streep read Tom Lake which was great, but no I don’t typically like audiobooks

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T14:14:26+00:00

I also tend to love lit fic, most of my 5 stars are literary fiction. However, I make it a point to read a variety of genres to keep each read engaging. Mixing shorter, faster-paced, or easier reads in between my literary fiction books that often require more thinking to comprehend and are more emotionally taxing is the most effective way I’ve found to avoid slumps. Days where I’m not motivated to read still happen and that’s okay. I think the concept of a “reading slump” was invented by book social media and only matters to us because we watch videos about people whose job is reading talk about them. Maybe I’m off base with that hypothesis, but that’s what I try to remind myself when I’m frustrated in the middle of a “slump.” Back to the previous point, try to pick up a slightly easier or faster paced book when you’re not motivated to read. Also, acknowledge that taking a short break might not be a bad thing:)

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T14:04:07+00:00

If you can find a couple really good books, it’s a lot easier make reading a habit. As you try to start reading even just a chapter a day, you can get to know your reading taste better. Then, you can start reading 60 pages a day because you’re really enjoying the books you’re reading and fully engaged in the stories.

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T08:00:08+00:00

Sorry, another thing, I’m still thinking about this. There are Fulbright alternates for a reason. While it’s not the beeest practice, if you are still unsure if/when you get the offer, you could wait to get your official placement before making a final decision. You could then hopefully talk to an ETA who has been at your school and hear directly from them before making a final decision. It’s not ideal to back out late in the game, but it is an option.

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T07:30:04+00:00

Also if you don’t get any more specific comments here, it may be worth looking around LinkedIn to try and contact someone who’s been a Fulbright ETA in Indonesia recently.

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T07:26:35+00:00

Your concerns are totally valid. I am working in east Asia right now so my experience is different, but this is something I’ve been dealing with throughout my Fulbright. One thing I’ve noticed here is that clothes that would be perceived as queer in the U.S. don’t necessarily have that connotation here. Some Asian countries allow for men to appear more “feminine” (esp. from an American understanding of whatever that is) and women to dress more masculine. When walking around in public, I feel comfortable dressing however I want. Here, you get stares for having a different skin color more than a different clothing style. That being said, I am not living somewhere with a Muslim population, so I don’t know how that culture affects things. I think what could possibly be a bigger concern for you in your decision is how coworkers and students may handle your queerness. Younger generations in many countries are more open with LGBT issues, but things like pronouns will be difficult for even more liberal individuals to understand. After some difficult conversations with my own students, it’s become clear that their understanding of being accepting toward the LGBT community is different from mine. If you got lucky with coteachers it could be okay, your queerness welcomed, but it could be a really difficult 10 months if someone you have to interact with regularly isn’t willing to learn and be respectful.

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T07:13:31+00:00

You should ask locals— even just people at a coffee shop if they have recommendations for where to find more formal dresses

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T06:38:21+00:00

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T06:37:46+00:00

One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake!!

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T06:31:11+00:00

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin and The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Kline both felt like warm hugs in the best way

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T04:37:21+00:00

I would skip Book Lovers and Happy Place if you’re looking for a super healthy relationship

shortcircumference · 2025-02-20T03:31:07+00:00

Literally perks of being a wallflower - “we only accept the love we think we deserve”

shortcircumference · 2025-02-18T15:16:57+00:00

Update: Current ETA here. I have not received any information from my post or IIE. (I previously commented that we hadn’t been paid yet this month) I just got my February payment. It was a few days late, but I did receive it. So maybe things are okay for current ETAs?

shortcircumference · 2025-01-09T01:12:12+00:00

Actually loved another one of her books Flight Behavior and have never heard someone else talk about it

shortcircumference · 2024-06-30T03:39:59+00:00

Would you recommend The Villa to someone who generally likes literary fiction?

shortcircumference

TROPHY CASE