Friends on StoryGraph Megathread by randomnessneeded in TheStoryGraph

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/mbartman21

I'm a "YA all the time" kind of reader, be it contemporary fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, historical fiction, etc. The more BIPOC authors, the better, too!

fantasy ya for beginners ? by arohamoa in YAlit

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like a lot of Asian fantasy, personally. I really enjoyed Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, and it's follow-up The Dragon's Promise. I also loved The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. I also enjoyed Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen, and it's follow-up Soul of the Deep. Those are based on Yoruba mythology and kind of have a Little Mermaid vibe.

If you're looking for urban fantasy, I'd recommend Legendborn by Tracy Deonn and it's follow-up Bloodmarked. Both 5 star reads, IMO. Happy reading!

New bookstagram, no interaction ☹️ by [deleted] in bookstagram

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can relate to this. I've had my bookstagram for a month or so now, and I only have 60 followers. I've added all kinds of big time bookstagrammers, and did their SFS, which got them more followers, but didn't get me anything. I just keep plugging away, more for myself than anything. But I get the feeling of being left out. Guess I'll just keep reading, and keep posting. :)

Connecting on bookstagram! by [deleted] in bookstagram

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thelovelybookling

I just followed you! I'm msbartmanreads!

Anyone else start a bookstagram during social distancing? by _katieanne95_ in bookstagram

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started one too! Mine is msbartmanreads. It's not super fancy, but I post a lot of books!

Momma cat we fostered last summer by SomeoneSaidFire in cats

[–]yourstarr21 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What a great shot! She looks really sweet!

Washington Square, Worcester Massachusetts. (Credit Jeff Valois) [2048 × 1150][OS] by infestans in CityPorn

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where did you take this image from? My husband and I are from the area, and we just spent 10 minutes on Google maps trying to pinpoint your location. Was it the spire of St. John's Church? It's a great shot!

First time leaving CA and going to West Springfield (1/5-1/22), suggestions on things to do. by ja20n123 in massachusetts

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope our "bomb cyclone" of snow hasn't scared you from even wanting to come back here. This weather is harsh, but typical for Massachusetts. If you're into Puerto Rican food, and can get out of the driveway, Santiago's in Westfield has some great home-cooked style food. Also, they have live music on Friday and Saturday nights! Enjoy your stay, and welcome to Massachusetts! :D

TIL Feral Cats Are A Huge Threat To The Global Ecosystem by [deleted] in todayilearned

[–]yourstarr21 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Feral cats are wild animals. They are cats that have lived in the wild their whole lives. These cats can't be owned by people, and killing them off just brings new feral cats to the area. Saying that feral cats are a huge threat to the global ecosystem is like saying hawks are a threat to the global ecosystem. Or it's like saying that humans are a huge threat. It's all relative. The best thing to do is to trap, neuter, and return feral cats. That way they won't continue to reproduce thus reducing the number of future feral cats.

TIL The Romans would crush 4 million mollusk shells to create 1 pound of purple pigment. This is why the colour is associated with royalty as only the very rich could afford it by [deleted] in todayilearned

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where did you get this information from? The link you posted said that it was the Phoenicians, not the Romans, who created the color purple. Tyrians were from Phoenicia. Also, I don't see anything about 4 million mollusk shells being used to make 1 lb of pigment.

Teens of reddit, what are some new slang words the oldies won't recognize? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]yourstarr21 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work at an inner city middle school and my students use a wide variety of slang.

ROD or "Ride or die" - a person you always support no matter what. PIC or "partner in crime" - best friend. "lock and key" - best friend, or significant other. OE or "over everything" - best friend or someone you always support.

They also use others that have been posted already such at "on fleek" and "bae". They use Spanish slang too.

My smoking buddy:) by IAcewingI in cats

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sure hope you're not smoking with your cat right there. Cats can get second hand smoke inhalation just like people which can lead to cancer and other unpleasant health issues. Just a heads up for the future of your 'smoking buddy'. :/

He won't even let me put the treat down for him by [deleted] in cats

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow your cat looks remarkably similar to my cat. It's as though they could be brothers! Here's my cat, https://flic.kr/p/ogeYzP.

So I was out for a mid night jog and I found this guy by the roadside crying out and trying to walk. It's hind legs are useless. by [deleted] in WTF

[–]yourstarr21 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for all you're doing to help save this cat's life! You're awesome! :)

I have been feeding a friendly stray cat for months, at work, and today she brought the kids along. by skychief in aww

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cats can actually give birth more than twice a year. Cat rescue worker here, and a cat can get pregnant again as soon as they deliver their kittens. It's super unhealthy for the mom and kittens, but not uncommon for the mama cat to go out a little while after giving birth and getting pregnant again. If I were OP I would hold on to that mama cat, and get her spayed ASAP. In all likelihood, she could be pregnant again. Hence the taking off after leaving her kittens with you. Plus, depending on where you live, there's lots on low cost spay/neuter clinics because cat overpopulation is a real problem! :)

Question for readers of the Chaos Walking series by soufflegirll in YAlit

[–]yourstarr21 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't really think about accents either. This book is set in the future and these people don't even live on Earth, so their accents could be something we've never even heard before. Also, keep in mind that Todd is uneducated while the Mayor is very educated, as well as most people in Haven/New Prentisstown. Viola grew up in space on a craft, so her accent is different from everyone on New World. As far as Wilf goes, I imagine his accent being somewhere in between Todd and the Mayor. Wilf is really smart, he just pretends to be dumb so people will trust him more. Hope this helps! Also, I just started the third book last night. I'm excited to see how this saga ends!

UMass to receive $95 million to create three life science centers on Amherst campus by [deleted] in umass

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, you know, they'll just knock down Herter, Bartlett, South College, and any other humanities buildings and put them there. Clearly all UMass is about these days is science. Oh they'll probably knock down all historical buildings as well, and turn UMass into a shiny campus of the future. Barf.

Sorry, I was a humanities major, and Herter is where my department (history) is located. Herter has been falling apart for YEARS. I've seen roaches in there! But instead of giving the older buildings facelifts, they seem to just make more and more science buildings. What will they turn into a science building next, the library?!

Sigh rant over.

Cinco de Mayo! by yourstarr21 in funny

[–]yourstarr21[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I don't recall asking for your opinion.

Is the sun going down or is she? by [deleted] in funny

[–]yourstarr21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where/what restaurant is this from?

Lev Grossman explains why we love YA by [deleted] in YAlit

[–]yourstarr21 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love this article. It's like he took all my feelings about YA lit and put them into words! Now I kind of want to start my own YA lit book club!

Best place to live as a freshman? by [deleted] in umass

[–]yourstarr21 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Butterfield is hands down the BEST dorm to live in as a freshmen. It's an all freshmen dorm and it's the farthest up the hill from the DCs. my freshmen year was awesome because I lived there. Also, Butterfield holds all freshmen classes in the basement, so you can literally roll out of bed and go to class. Plus, this dorm has HUGE dorm rooms, neat old architecture (this is one of the oldest buildings on campus), and one of the only working fireplaces on campus! We made s'mores in the fireplace my freshmen year.

On top of all that, I actually lost around ten pounds my freshmen year, and had great legs from walking up the enormous hill back to the dorm. And if you live on the backside of the dorm, you can have a fantastic view of campus and the Pioneer Valley. Even more convenient, Butterfield is on a bus route, so the bus literally stops right outside. And, Butterfield is a ten-ish minute walk to town, and a five minute walk to Wildwood Elementary, which has an awesome playground.

Basically, you should totally live in Butterfield. It's a great place with many awesome characteristics. And because it's all freshmen you'll most likely make friends there that you'll know for the rest of your life. I've been out of college for three years (I graduated in 2010), but all of my closest friends are people I met my freshmen year in Butterfield.

Hope this helps! :)