Where Every Scroll is a New Adventure
Rainbow Rowell - Blog Posts
I've read/listened to CO more times than I can count, and I think why I have (when I typically don't ever consume one type of media like this) is because I always come out knowing/understanding something new.
Obviously, I'm here for Baz and Simon and the rest of the gang. But I remember my second time reading, I grasped more the actual tragedy of the story. Particularly with the adults story. They aren't the main focus, but there's so much there that you can infer. I think what really hit me was the lost friendship between Lucy and Penny's mom. The scene were they last saw each other doesn't seem that important, but personally I see it as a prime example of how a manipulative partner can influence your other relationships and consequently add distance to them. Lucy had people who truly cares for her. And though maybe the Mage cared for her in his own way, he used her. I couldn't help but morn the life her and Simon could have had. And writing about it now, I believe the second time reading I truly morned for the characters. For Lucy, for Simon, for Ebb, for Baz, etc—they have been and go through so much but you wish they don't because they deserve so much more. But that's life. Tragedy where it's not fair and in the end you just have to carry on.
And now more recently I got in the mood to relisten to the audiobook. This time around, having read WS and many tumblr treads about the series, I noticed more about Simon. How the Mage treated him, how uncomfortable he is with physical contact, how he thinks people view him. But honestly I think this time around, I just realized how sad Simon is. He doesn't really act it, seeing how that's how he lives life. He doesn't think about the past or the future—he more or less always lives in the current. But we know he dreamed of having parents. The best he had was the Mage and Ebb. Physical contact isn't his thing because he never had it. Only kissed on the lips, never a parental or familiar kiss on the forehead or whatnot as a way to show a sign of care and affection. Always sent off to care homes in the summer. A place he never felt safe in where he always had to have his guard up. And the only time he was wanted somewhere was to fulfill a position in their society. It's no wonder Simon is at a loss in his life, let alone his relationship. I know it's been said, but he's no longer the choose one, and the closest thing he had to a father (is his father but he doesn't know that) told him that was his worth. And URG, there's just so much to say about him. Like how he had trouble speaking as a child and he himself recognized "it was easier to take than to ask." (Which is, admittedly, not a good quote, Simon.) He never learned to communicate, so his actions are the closest to speaking his truth. But now he doesn't know how to communicate what he feels and probably doesn't realize how good it can be to figure stuff out together rather than always be in your head. And don't get me started with WS and the ending. I'm glad he's starting to make goals and try to get in a better place, but he's still has a ways to go. So in conclusion: Simon needs a fucking hug, a therapist, and I need to cry.
But the real conclusion is that Carry On has so much to give. I didn't even scratch the surface. But it's what makes it one of my favourite book and how I'm literally dying for the third book.
Now if you'll excuse me, I will be in a 7 monthish comma until AWTWB is out.
What if Agatha was ace?
Spring Reading Reviews '16
This spring's list: NK Jemison, Rainbow Rowell, Stephen King, & Agatha Christie #amreading
Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve written anything here. I’ve been hard at work at my new novel, so apologies for my absences but really Sorry, Not Sorry. I have been reading though, and here are my thoughts on what I read this spring (March-May). Minor spoilers (nothing plot related) below for The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemison, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, The Future of Life by Edward…
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It’s real wild how you can enjoy something on your own wholeheartedly but as soon as you find others whole love it just as much it feels 100% more intensity kind of love.
I’d give him all that I am.
I’d give him all that I was.
I’d open up a vein.
I’d tie our hearts together, chamber by chamber.
-Simon Snow
“But I still didn’t let myself dwell on any of the good things, you know? It’s the good things that’ll drive you mad with missing them.”
If meeting you was a pretty coincidence
then
losing you would be a charming curse…
@liztical
// Any way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell //
Happily ever after, or even just together ever after, is not cheesy. It’s the noblest, like, the most courageous thing two people can shoot for.
Wren (Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell)
Sometimes writing is running downhill, your fingers jerking behind you on the keyboard the way your legs do when they can’t quite keep up with gravity.
Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell
❝You were the sun, and I was crashing into you.❞ -Carry On, Rainbow Rowell
i’ve always loved the sun/moon aspect of simon and baz’s relationship. they were complete opposites yet so similar. “because we match.” i’ve had this drawing lingering at the forefront of my mind for quite a while and i knew i had to illustrate it. the biggest problem for me is being afraid of not having the drawing live up to the expectations i’ve had of it in my mind, but i’m quite (read as ‘very’) satisfied with how this turned out. watch me make this my phone wallpaper.
baz is looking a little grey, and simon’s hair is a bit browner than i intended, but nonetheless, this is completed. done. this is it, chief.
do not repost on tumblr at all, and without credit on IG, please!
all ability to draw has left me
concept: baz with the little bun
if anyone has any artistic skill at all please draw this or show me a drawing of it
wait i forgot i can draw
concept: baz with the little bun
if anyone has any artistic skill at all please draw this or show me a drawing of it
concept: baz with the little bun
if anyone has any artistic skill at all please draw this or show me a drawing of it
Did she miss him? She wanted to lose herself in him. To tie him around her like a tourniquet. If she showed him how much she needed him, he'd run away.
Eleanor & Park, Rainbow Rowell
Books I’m Reading Right Now:
Made You Up - Francesca Zappia
Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline
Looking for Alaska - John Green
wait so carry on is like... published drarry fanfic right
My road to hell isn't paved with good intentions-or bad-it’s just my road.
Rainbow Rowell.
Coffee and books
Photos by SpillbyJill
What if Marty McFly's dad doesn't take his mom to the prom?
Twinsies
How many twins do you think will soon be born with the names Cather and Wren? You might think not a lot because its a teen book. But I'm 24 and I love it. I think it's a book that people of all ages can relate to.
I’m loving Fangirl. Hard. I found myself remembering those awful first days of college, navigating the cafeteria and wild roommates. There were so many things I could relate to Cath about. One of my favorite quotes was:
"Do you need those?" Reagan asked. “Yes”-Cath put them on- “I need them to keep me from becoming the girl in She’s All That.”
This was a witty comment about wearing glassss that made me laugh. I wear glasses all the time. I hate the way I feel without them. I feel like when I take them off everybody’s oohing and aahing like “ooh you’re not wearing your glasses you look so pretty!” Then wonder do I look that bad with the glasses? Okay, back to reading!
I covered this pocket notebook with Washi tape so I'd have it to jot down quotes and books I want to read. When I finished I realized I did it in Fangirl colors. How appropriate! So I went ahead and made a Fangirl bookmark too! (That's pink not red)
Its been quite the journey..
I learned about Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell when I read the first manga that was published back in 2020. I remember going into the school library like I did every morning, replacing the books I've read and brought back so I could swiftly beeline for my next books.
After I got what I needed, I decided to look at the new books display. What caught my eye first was Fangirl 1 created by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, and Gabi Nam.
So, I checked the book out. I read it. I have since loved it from the core of my heart.
After reading that HUGE CLIFFHANGER, I had to look up the rest of the series. Of course, I only came up with the one, since it was recently released to the world, but I didn't know up until that point that series releases are like rpg's. (I call them "live book series" because the story isn't officially over until we say it is. Which is displayed for the novel that was released way back in 2013 and got a manga version published seven years later.)
I did a little more digging and found out that the Manga was not only an active series of 4, but it is originally a novel! The joy and fear I had in that moment was brutal. At that point, I have read and reread the first volume quite a bit and was rightfully terrified what would happen next. But the best part answering what happened next.
I tried not to spoil it for myself. I really did. But the longer I thought about it, the more grueling it got. The second book would come out soon.... right? I check the publishing date for the second book. I gave up right then and there and borrowed the novel. LOL
I read it and cried and laughed and stressed myself from feeling Cath's stress. After finishing the novel, I had even more of an incentive to stick out the next year or two or five to finish the Manga. In those years, I got the first two Manga, got kicked to hell and back in school and figuring out what life is to me. And whenever I got back to the book, I was taught and reminded small lessons of life. because life doesn't stop, even when it feels like there should be a "happily ever after" when youre 1/8 from finishing the book.
Earlier this year, I got the novel and the anniversary edition.
And today, I FINALLY have the last two manga.
I am very proud and infinitely grateful of the people who have worked on every bit to create and support such an inspiring story. And I am proud of myself for sticking by it for four years and more to come. Thank you. Just... Thank you.
The Off Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville, #1) REVIEW
I am aware that the author tried and poured her blood sweat and tears into this novel so I will TRY to tone it down (that's a lie. I won't tone it down), but if you loved this book, or if you are the author themself, then you should probably stop reading here because this is about to get toxic.
------------ WHOEVER and I repeat WHOEVER recommended me this crap on tiktok needs help (and maybe also therapy but don't we all). Go read The Spanish Love Deception. Go read The Cheat Sheet. Go read LITERALLY anything by Elle Kennedy. For gods sake even Emily Henry is better than this (and that's saying a lot because I gave It Happened One Summer 1 star. This is LOWER than one star, GoodReads, please add ZERO stars because SOME BOOKS DO NOT even deserve 1 star) DONT waste your time on this crap when other authors are doing it sm better smh. I swear to god this is the SHALLOWEST. CRINGEST. MOST ANNOYING AND UNREALISTIC BOOK IVE EVER READ IN THE HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE and that's saying a lot because I spent this YEAR reading NOTHING BUT contempt and romcoms and bad smut and okay fine maybe also a lot of mafia crap but you get my point. The MC was annoying as fuck. Like ma'am you have a child, you don't get to act like a brat all day. I get that you're like 23 and supposed to have fun but you decided to be a mother so ACT like it. Throughout the whole book, Lucy acted like a spoiled teenager with a problem with everything. I feel so sorry for her child for having her as a mom. And having the child was totally unnecessary. Mentions of him were so random and convenient. And SOMEHOW despite being unemployed, Lucy can hire a baby sitter (which she said was expensive as fuck) and can sent the child to daycare (which she ALSO said was expensive as fuck) so like ???? Poor child is being used as the most plot device-y plot device. And Lucy was already annoying as fuck (description in caps to show that Lucy's cute 'n perky just makes me wanna punch her 🙂) but FINE she's a stereotypical WOMEN (more like immature pre teen but we'll stick to what the book says) she gets to be happy and perky and think in all caps. But the GUY jesus christ the GUY he's literally the girl but without the caps 🤦♀️ So like perky happy guy goes: ima flirt because OH YAY that's what guys do! But OH NO! She's off limits! HEY HER BROTHERRRRRRR 'n my ROOMIE! Ima date your sis. You mad? Dat's fine cuz TRUE LOVE!!! YAY *confetti confetti* *someone pukes* HOW did people manage to stomach this and even give it five stars???? And the dialogue. OH GOD, the dialogue was so cringy I almost cried from second-hand embarrassment.
“You two do seem pretty different. And you definitely look nothing alike.” Why did I add that last part? Her nose crinkles again with an uncomfortable smile. “Well, most people think he’s pretty hot, so I don’t quite know how to take that.” I squint one eye. “Are you fishing for a compliment? Trying to get me to flirt with you again?” Her smile drops, and now she has owl eyes. The blush is back. “What? No! I was just saying a fact, not at all fishing. I don’t even really like compliments because I never know what to do with them, and—” ”
Sweetie, stop before you embarrass yourself. (New Flash: they didn't listen) And OWL EYES. OWL FUCKING EYES. STAWP. And all the descriptions. I can't even-- “I step back, pressing myself fully against the scratchy concrete side so I don’t accidentally jump the man stopping a mere three inches away. He smiles down at me and then raises both hands to cup my face. IT’S REALLY HAPPENING?! That’s my uterus screaming this time, and I really hope he can’t hear it. It sounds like a desperate old hag.” Um what? This was literally a random page. Now imagine near 300 pages of THIS. I don't even know what to say.
“But Drew’s warning springs back to my mind like that annoying whack-a-mole game where it keeps popping its head up and you can never hit it with the hammer. If I give in to my temptation and kiss Cooper, it would mean something to me—a big something. I’m already having to treat my heart like a cartoon and grab it by the back of its shirt, holding it in place while it tries to run away from me. ”
A heart cartoon you say??? And a whack a mole??? Are you trying to be cute here??? Because I regret to inform you that you're failing. MISERABLY. I have 300 more pages of this 😭. How is it that JK Rowling didn't get published for like a year but THIS is out here? From acknowledgments:
“Thank you to my lovely editors! Caitlin and Jenn! AH—I’m so lucky to have such brilliant women working on my book and taking great care of it. Thanks for helping me feel good about sending this thing out in the world!”
EDITORS TELL THE DAMN AUTHOR HER BOOK IS CRAP INSTEAD OF "MAKING HER FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT" save her the embarrassment jesus christ. 😭 And TWO editors. NORMAL AUTHORS have ONE editor. How can THREE brains still manage to not FIX this.
"October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins. O autumn! O teakettle! O grace!"
- Rainbow Rowell, Attachments
Here, have some Simon sketches from over the summer after I had just read Carry On for the first time and became completely obsessed
It’s the good things that hurt when you’re missing them.
Rainbow Rowell, Carry On
“I’d know you in the dark,” he said. “From a thousand miles away. There’s nothing you could become that I haven’t already fallen in love with.”
'Attachments' by Rainbow Rowell
Hi, I'm alive.
In honor and support of the Black Lives Matter movement, I'm opening commissions. Name a fandom, give me your OCs, anything you want. I will do whatever prompt, whatever pairing, whatever world.
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Every $5 you donate will earn you 250 words. Send me a screenshot of your receipt and how much you donated and what you want. My other blog is @gravitationallychallengedrabbits and my dms are open.
