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stardustandrockets · 3 months

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What do you look for in a special edition book?

I'm not too picky if it's a favorite book, but alternate covers, pretty end pages, and pretty edges (plain or a design) are my main asks. Here is a stack of pretty edges from @rainbowcrate! They've really been knocking these books out of the park!

These aren't all the special editions I have from them, just my absolute favorite edges. (Though they're all pretty and worth showcasing, tbh.)

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stardustandrockets · 3 months

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January Reading Wrap-Up

Despite working every weekday that wasn't a national holiday or had school cancelled due to weather, I had a really good reading month. I don't think I'll have another one like it until school lets out. 🥴 I'm always so exhausted when I get home.

I ended 2023 with a Heartstopper novella and it prompted a reread of the comics. Then a few of my audio holds came in. I think my favorite is a tie between Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler and A Power Unbound by Freya Marske. Both were incredibly good in different ways. I may eventually post reviews of both of them, but we shall see.

Books read:

1. This Winter by Alice Oseman

2. If You'll Have Me by Eunnie

3-7. Heartstopper vol 1-5 by Alice Oseman

8. Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler

9. The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

10. My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy

11. The Gentleman's Gambit by Evie Dunmore

12. A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

Did you have a favorite read this month?

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stardustandrockets · 3 months

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Who is your favorite anti-hero?

I’m not 100% sure you can call him an anti-hero, but Damien is one of my favorite misunderstood characters. He wants so badly to belong, but his power of suggestion leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to doing the right thing. I don’t want to spoil anything, but after reading A Neon Darkness by @laurenshippen I totally understand where Damien is coming from in the Bright Sessions podcast and why he does the things that he does. My heart really goes out to him and I’m so glad Lauren gave us a little more of his story.

If you’re into fiction podcasts and audio dramas at all, I highly recommend giving @thebrightsessions a go. It’s basically like what would happen if the X-Men were in therapy dealing with their trauma instead of saving the world? It’s so good! If you’re not into podcasts, there are three books set in the world: The Infinite Noise (follows Caleb and Adam), A Neon Darkness (follows Damien), and Some Far Away Place (follows Rose). All three books (and the podcast) are incredibly queer and so so SO GOOD! The books are all technically stand-alone and supplemental to the podcast. Except for The Infinite Noise—it’s basically the first season from Caleb and Adam’s perspective. So if you do read it, and you like it, definitely give the podcast a chance.

#RCDec23 #RainbowCrate #rainbow crate book box #anti hero #a neon darkness #the infinite noise #some far away place #the bright sessions #lauren shippen #damien gorham #robert gorham #atypical artists #lgbtq reads #lgbtqia #queer book recs #read queer all year #read with pride #stardust book recs #stardustandrockets

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stardustandrockets · 3 months

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What's something you collect that's not necessarily bookish?

I have supported @deandraws for years now and am constantly blown away by his creativity! Most of my pin collection is stuff from his various kickstarters and I wouldn't have it any other way! These particular goodies came from his Heroic Rides campaign last year.

Photo 1: Dean's business card with Supernatural art

Photo 2: Dean Winchester and Baby pin

Photo 3: Dean and Baby sticker

Photo 4: Dean Winchester print

Photo 5: Bucky Barnes and motorcycle pin

Photo 6: Bucky and motorcycle sticker

Photo 7: Hunter and Flapjack pin (The Owl House)

Photo 8: Hunter and Flapjack sticker

Photo 9: Poe Dameron and X-Wing (Star Wars)

Photo 10: Haku mini pin (Spirited Away)

These are all available now!

#DeanDraws #DeanDrawsArt #heroic rides #dean winchester #supernatural #bucky barnes #hunter toh #poe dameron #haku #kickstarter #pin collector #enamel pins #the winter soldier #the owl house #toh #star wars #spirited away #backer rewards #stardustandrockets

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stardustandrockets · 3 months

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Happy early pub day to My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy! You can get this one out in the wild tomorrow!

Thank you so much to Brian for having me on his street team for the My Fair Brady launch! It's such a quintessential teen rom-com featuring high school theater! It's honestly everything I love about high school rom-com movies.

It's got theater kids, finding yourself, and falling in love! It's got makeover moments better than 90s movies, accepting yourself fully and being seen for your whole self, overcoming self-doubt, and putting yourself out there. Elijah and Wade are messy high schoolers in the best way possible, and despite me being almost 30, they gave me all the happy feelings. You can't help but root for them!!

Please read this book and get it in the hands of teens in your life! Especially if they're in theater themselves. Even if they're not, please share this book!

Today is the last day to pre-order!

(Side note: I may not have had cinnamon rolls, but cinnamon roll toaster strudels were the next best thing. 😂)

#my fair brady #brian d kennedy #a little bit country #preorder incentive #my fair lady #she's all that #gay representation #theater kids #finding yourself #lgbtq reads #lgbtqia #queer book recs #read queer all year #stardust book recs #stardustandrockets

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stardustandrockets · 3 months

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Do you prefer character driven books, plot driven books, or a mix of both?

I read A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee back in October. It had been on my anticipated reads list since it was announced, and I was so lucky to win a signed finished copy from the author. This was a heavy book for more reasons than one, but such a good read!

I'd say it's more character driven than plot driven, though I don't think the story would have worked any other way.

Also, if you've read this, you'll know why I included the X-Men movies in the background (and no, Deadpool is not in Apocalypse. I bought it during the marketing period for Deadpool 2 because the slipcase was cooler than the original.) I also don't have Sanpellegrino or La Croix (ew), so Waterloo it is.

Content warnings:

drug abuse, alcoholism, recovery, religious trauma, death by overdose, death of a parent, sexual content, transphobia

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stardustandrockets · 3 months

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What's a release you're looking forward to for the first half of the year?

There's more to the list than these ten books, but I tried to cut it down to my absolute must-haves.

Most anticipated of January-June:

• A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft (Jan 2)

• Don't Want You Like A Best Friend by Emma R. Alban (Jan 9)

• My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy (Jan 23)

• The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky (Jan 23)

• ASAP by Axie Oh (Feb 6)

• Truthfully Yours by Caden Armstrong (Feb 6)

• Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew (Apr 2)

• Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun (Apr 2)

• A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston (June 25)

• Starfire by Kami Garcia & Gabriel Picolo (July 3)

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stardustandrockets · 3 months

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What did you start the year out reading?

I ended 2023 with a Heartstopper novella, which prompted a full Heartstopper reread at the beginning of 2024. I love this series so much!

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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Happy 2024! 🎉

Easing my way back into posting with some stats and junk from 2023. Overall, I think I had a really good reading year. I almost completed the #ReadQueerly2023 challenge and was one book away from finishing the A to Z book challenge. A big goal for 2024 is to complete both challenges.

What's a reading goal you've set for yourself this year?

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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Happy New Year's Eve!

Today is not only the last day of 2023 but also the last day of the @rainbowcrate November box challenge. The last item is this stunning bookmark tin.

The tin is inspired by The Unbroken by C.L. Clarke and designed by @/icanletter (insta). It has a removable tray for bookmarks making two different compartments, or you can take the tray out for more storage. I've been a bookmark collector since elementary school. We may not have always been able to afford books at the Scholastic book fair, but we could always get a bookmark or two.

If you're celebrating tonight, do so responsibly. 🍾🎆

#the unbroken #c.l. clark #rainbowcrate #rainbow crate #rainbow crate book box #RCNov23 #courtly intrigue #bookmark tin #bookmark storage #hand lettering #icanletter #lgbtq reads #lgbtqia #queer book recs #read with pride #read queer all year #stardustandrockets

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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December Reading Wrap-Up

It may have been a slow reading month, but months when I work every day tend to be slower. My favorite was Don't Want You Like A Best Friend by Emma R. Alban. It was up for read-now on NetGalley and it's had lots of hype. Which is absolutely well deserved, by the way. Definitely one I plan to add to my shelf.

With the completion of Nick & Charlie, I've officially read 100 books this year. My initial goal was 25 (I keep it there because it's low stress, I don't feel forced to read, and I never know how the year is going to go reading wise), but my unofficial goal was 100 once I knew I could hit it.

Books read:

• Don't Want You Like A Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

• Out of the Blue by Jason June

• Nick & Charlie by Alice Oseman

Remember, it doesn't matter how much you read, only that you're reading. All reading is good reading and don't you DARE let people make you feel shit about it.

#reading wrap up #december reads #don't want you like a best friend #emma r alban #out of the blue #jason june #nick & charlie #alice oseman #heartstopper #lgbtq reads #lgbtqia #queer book recs #read queer all year #read with pride #read more sapphic books #stardust book recs #stardustandrockets

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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Favorite mythical creature(s) aaaaand go!

Vampires will always have a special place in my heart. Ever since the Twilight craze of my middle school days and having to sneak read it because my mom was against vampires because they were Satanic or whatever (that's what I remember, anyway). If only I hadn't brought it to church. 😂

@rainbowcrate recently did a special edition of Contract Bound by Elle Mae (I believe it was a RAD exclusive), but their magnet for this month showcases Silvia and Keir from this lesbian vampire romance.

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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More pretty books to add to my collection!

Seriously, @rainbowcrate always knocks these redesigns out of the park! Subscriptions are open right now—use the link in my bio to save 10% on your first box.

This edition has gorgeous new cover art courtesy of @/hootsweets (insta), hardcover by @jamielynnlano, end papers by B.E. Blake, printed edges by @/mrosedesigner (insta), a letter series, author letter, exclusive epilogue, and signed art bookplate.

• Rep in this achillean book includes a bisexual male main character and a gay male main character

• Content warnings: violence, blood, fire, manipulation, abuse, war, death, kidnapping, and explicit sex

#prince of air and darkness #m.a. grant #rainbowcrate #rainbow crate book box #rainbow crate #RCNov23 #courtly intrigue #hootsweets #jamie lynn lano #b.e. blake #MRoseDesigner #lgbtq reads #lgbtqia #queer book recs #read queer all year #read with pride #stardustandrockets

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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NOVEMBER RAINBOW CRATE SPOILERS

I have had the trad pick of the month on my tbr since it was first announced. So glad Rainbow Crate decided to pick it!

This month's Crate includes:

• Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

• Prince of Air and Darkness by M.A. Grant

• monthly collectible magnet featuring Silvia and Keir from Contract Bound by Elle Mae

• bookmark tin inspired by The Unbroken by C.L. Clarke

• spoiler card inspired by the trad pick, as always, done by @ace_artemis_fanartist

I have been needing more bookmark storage, so this tin is perfect!

#RainbowCrate #RainbowCrateBookBox #RCNov23 #CourtlyIntrigue #GwenAndArtAreNotInLove #LexCroucher #PrinceOfAirAndDarkness #MAGrant #ContractBound #ElleMae #TheUnbroken #CLClarke #LGBTQReads #LGBTQIA #QueerBookRecs #ReadWithPride #ReadQueerAllYear #ReadMoreSapphicBooks #StardustAndRockets

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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What's a book you read this year that was a lot of fun?

'The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich' by @deyathemuniz was such a fun read! Lady Camembert doesn't want to marry a man. So when her father passes away, she disguises herself as a man and moves to the capitol city of the Kingdom of Fromage to start over as Count Camembert. Hijinks ensue!

There are more cheese puns that I ever thought could be in one book. Though knowing the author from twitter and their webcomic, I should have expected nothing less. It's such a silly and fun read. It'll also definitely make you want to have a grilled cheese sandwich (or two). You won't regret picking this one up!

Today starts the November @rainbowcrate photo challenge for their Courtly Intrigue box.

#the princess and the grilled cheese sandwich #deya muniz #rainbowcrate #rainbow crate #rainbow crate book box #RCNov23 #courtly intrigue #sapphic #sapphic books #read more sapphic books #queer book recs #lgbtq reads #lgbtqia #read queer all year #read with pride #stardust book recs #stardustandrockets

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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Happy holidays to those who celebrate!

I read 'Kiss Her Once For Me' by Alison Cochrun in April and thoroughly enjoyed it. I know a lot of people had mixed feelings about it and the demi rep, but as someone who's been in very similar situations as Ellie, I thought the rep was rather good. I wouldn't have had a one-night-stand after knowing someone for 24 hours, but I've definitely gotten way too attached to people on an emotional level after spending hours with them.

The book talks a lot about liminal spaces. Ellie meets Jack on a snow day and they spend the whole day together. Having had several such days as a kid and in college (we were shut down for three solid days with nothing to do on campus), they feel like they're never going to end. A lot can happen on a snow day. Time seems both to stand still and move forward.

Anyway, I really liked this one and thought the rep was quite good. Just because it's not your experience doesn't mean it's not still good rep. It's also just a fun holiday story with a meet-cute, a fake marriage of convenience, and all the rom-com feels you could want.

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stardustandrockets · 4 months

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Drop your favorite small businesses in the comments to show some love!

I've been a huge fan of fablebands since I won a giveaway of theirs in 2020. I'm not quite sure just how many designs I have, but the collecting has slowed down a bit as I'm more selective on what I buy. That said, they recently released a Love, Theoretically inspired design called Physics & Chill. It matches the original cover perfectly and I adore all the nods to the story (the Go board, the diabetes ribbon, the CHEESE).

Love, Theoretically was my favorite of the three STEMinist books. The ace-spec rep was *chef's kiss* and not talked about nearly enough. I know these books aren't everyone's cup of tea, but definitely give Love, Theoretically a try. It felt different than the other two while still being the same, if that makes sense.

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