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The JP Bookcron

@bookswithjp

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Just a simple guy who loves reading. Recording my thoughts in my book holocron.
27 years old
Epic Fantasy•Star Wars•Sci-fi•Horror•Manga

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🔥MISSING GWYNNE🔥

With all the ARC reviews I’ve been seeing of Wolves of War, it’s making me feel even more desperate to return to John Gwynne’s work!

I’m constantly feeling the call for OF BLOOD AND BONE! The complete urge better come soon. I need his heroic characters, heartfelt relationships, and mix of hard reality and inspiring hope in my life.

#bookstagram #epicfantasy #johngwynne #ofbloodandbone #thebanishedlands by @bookswithjp

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3 days ago

🫠 COSMIC 🫠

So, I’ve realized recently that I need to limit the impulse buys. I don’t need to get something just because it’s pretty. Rather, I should peruse a special edition because I value the work.

BUUUUUUUUUUUT ….

I couldn’t resist with these. I see the Kickstarter last year, I heard some people discuss them. I just had to do it. I’m so blown away by the exterior alone, I haven’t even taken the plastic wrap off yet.

I can tell these are truly quality editions worth the price. The detail of the page and script, the chapter headings, the hardcover design, the sprayed edges. It feels that there was no expense spared to making a special, quality book.

I do not regret my purchase on that alone. I hope the story clicks. From what I’ve heard, I’m very intrigued. Fantasy inspired by a different history and culture mixed with lovecraftian monsters. Great sales pitch!

Gunmetal Gods … I await your splendor.

#bookstagram #specialeditionbooks #gunmetalgods #zamilakhtar #epicfantasy by @bookswithjp

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5 days ago

😰 FIRST FEARS 😰

Stephen King has earned his place as one of Horror’s most acclaimed authors for a reason. Through a thrilling combination of building tension, atmospheric lingering, and a character’s personal imbalance, a feeling is achieved.

One where you breathe a little quicker. One where you feel your teeth tightening in terror. One where disbelief clouds your mind to the outside world.

These where the ones that scared me most:

😰 THE WINDOW - A child in their room, the place they should feel safest. Yet it takes one glance, one well placed look, and you witness his will slipping away. A calm suggestion from a friend that seems harmless, welcoming. Just let him in, all will be well. That vampire window scene will never leave me.

😰 THE ELEVATOR - So many amazing choices, some that are probably even better. However, Jack’s sanity is already slipping. The Hotel is pitting the family against each other. As he digs through more history, a sound disturbs them, an elevator activated. They travel all around looking for the source. When they arrive, an elevator full of balloons and streamers, an echo of the past. Just one more thing in an already terrible situation.

😰 DONNA’S TRIAL - Donna went from a character I did not like at all to the biggest badass there is. It all came from the entirety of her experience. Feeling the heat suffocating her body and spirit. Striving to hang on one more moment for her son. The growing hours trapped in the car had me cringing to the point of folding in on myself.

😰 LOUIS’ WALK - Terrors galore in Pet Sematary. The worst however was watching Louis carry his son’s lifeless body to the burial ground. Watching a man become consumed by grief, making a choice that will undo his life. The shadow of the woods, the noses described, the state of Louis’ mind. Utterly horrific.

#bookstagram #spookyseason #stephenking #booksareuniquelyportablemagic #horrorbookstagram by @bookswithjp

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8 days ago

🩸TRUTH OF EVIL🩸

“FOR NOTHING IS EVIL IN THE BEGINNING. EVEN SAURON WAS NOT SO.”

This quote is one of the more under discussed parts of LOTR. In it, I believe Tolkien speaks the truth of evil. That you are not birthed with a pre-set personality. That evil is a choice and one you come to.

We may not get Sauron’s perspective. He may be the big evil lord. However, even having this one line tells us everything we need to know. That Sauron lost his way and chose this path.

It’s there in other ways. In Gollum’s dark backstory, in Boromir’s temptation and regret. For as much as this tale is traditional good vs bad, it was already seeding some of the greater complexities and human truths that have been expanded on even more.

Our heroes didn’t do good because they had no other option. They did good because they chose it, trials and all.

Thank you JRR TOLKIEN for reminding us we all have a choice on which path we wander. Reminds me of a quote from George Lucas. “Evil is not born, it is taught.”

#bookstagram #bookworm #booksarelife #tolakruukejaksaan #lordoftheringstrilogy by @bookswithjp

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11 days ago

⚡️STAR WARS VILLAINS⚡️

As we enter this time of Spooky season, I can safely say that Star Wars villains are a horror of their own. Fun to watch behind the safety of a screen, terrifying to dream of what I’d be like to be facing them in person.

I would never wish it in my life. Even more horrifying when remembering that they are all living, mortal beings who have various forms of pain and fear and chose to place it on others rather than deal with it.

May we learn the only lesson from them worth learning: NEVER BE LIKE THEM, NEVER CHOOSE THEIR PATH.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksarelife #spookyseason👻 #starwarsvillains by @bookswithjp

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12 days ago

💀FRIENDSHIP HORROR 🫂

In every genre we hold dear, I’d be willing to guess we all have a structure and style that is a comfort to our soul. No matter how many versions we read or watch, we always come back for one more. When we finish trying something new and different, we come back to the classic we fell in love with.

When it comes to Horror, I will always adore a supernatural horror that centers on a group of damaged friends.

The illustrious titan IT by the great Stephen King set the stage and there have been many others to fall within this category.

As I prepare to read another, HELL HOLLOW, I ask myself … why this? What brings me comfort in these journeys?

I believe it ties in with the importance of the genre to me and what I get out of the messages. Horror is a genre where the ashen soot of the Earth’s tragic realities can be examined. Where we are forced to look at things that are a bit darker, a bit sadder and with a feeling of helplessness.

What’s arguably the most disheartening example of this are broken or damaged people who seem to have fate itself against them. Poor choices, terrible upbringing, scars and trauma. It’s as if they will never win.

And yet, they do so together. In a world primed to discard them, they find ways to illuminate each others’ souls, to convince them of their worth and chance. To live for something more. It’s the supernatural and real life terrors that push them together and make them stronger. What could a more enlightened message be than reminding you that you have a place and that the worst in your life can be overcome?

This is what I often get from this kind of Horror. It’s why I’ll always be back.

#bookstagram #bookworm #spookyseason #horrorbookstagram #comingofagehorror by @bookswithjp

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14 days ago

🇹🇼 THE LITEROMANCER 🇹🇼

‼️ HEAVY SPOLIERS AND TRIGGERS ‼️

The older you get, the more you learn of the world. That knowledge has many blessings, be it of diversity, empowering journeys, potential chances to take. It may also become a cemented block that asphyxiates your body to a standstill, as the fragile boundaries you held dear crumble to dust.

So it was that both forms of knowledge came to me with the short story THE LITEROMANCER, by Ken Liu. I finished this story and I did not know which direction to take, which path I could go down. Nothing seemed right, everything felt distorted.

It was from this story that I got to see a young girl in Taiwan break the bonds of unfamiliarity and discomfort through her friendship of Mr. Kan. I witnessed the appreciation of a new culture and home. I gained a rudimentary understanding of a cultural technique I may never have known about otherwise. I looked at Asian lettering for the first time with a recognition of how the different characters craft meaning. I walked alongside a young boy with dreams he aspired to. This knowledge came with beauty, understanding, and unity.

Then I learned Mr. Kan’s story. I learned of the brutality he faced as a soldier of war. I experienced loss and many tragedies. Worst of all, I witnessed an innocent man and child be taken, tortured, and killed in the name of fighting against evil due to hatred and fear. I learned of a true historical massacre, the 228 Incident, of which I was never aware of. I was left speechless, horrified, and once more questioning everything I knew.

It makes me tremble and quiver even now to think about what this story proposed … what numerous atrocities have ever happened towards innocent people by the “good side” of history.

I pray for all the Mr. Kans and Teddys throughout the history of this planet and the wish he had for the ability of people to push aside the “red flames” war, the “white frost of terror,” and to truly allow life to “blossom together in magnificence.” Such a heartbreaking and stunning story.

#bookstagram #kenliu #thepapermenagerie #shortstoryreview #historicalfiction by @bookswithjp

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17 days ago

😔 REALISM AND IDEALISM 😌

There was a time when I saw a video decrying that a show I loved was no longer good because it went from REALISTIC to IDEALISTIC. It was as if these were two mutually exclusive tones that have no place together to craft a proper story.

I disagree. For my personal tastes, some of the stories that have remained burned to my soul beyond any other are the ones that found a balance with the two. Having both present crafts one of the grandest euphoric feelings I could muster.

That realism, that dark tone, sets the stage for true hardship. It serves as a reflection for what anyone at any point in life can be put through, in many extremities. It reminds us that things aren’t always easy, that life will throw challenges of various kinds. That things can be very unfair and devastating.

Yet that idealistic side is the the other end. The potential. The lesson for all of us to strive to. Watching adversity, realistic challenges, and doubts be overcome is an empowering and spiritually gratifying belief. It’s characters spitting in the face of the idea that “nothing matters” and declaring that they will not be backed down or broken. In doing so, the world becomes beautiful, desirable. The essence of what life can and should be.

I love the eye open to reality that asks difficult questions … and I love characters coming out the other end choosing to make the absolute most graceful and pure choice possible. Because if they are able to, so can we.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #epicfantasybooks #booksarelife #booksbooksandmorebooks by @bookswithjp

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18 days ago

📚 NEW JOYS 📚

New adventures added to the home library are always a win. Let’s review:

✅ EDGE OF THE ABYSS - The second book in a Star Wars trilogy that has shown itself to be some of the deepest, most analytical of the literary side of the galaxy and the second book from Rebecca Roanhorse, who’s first I loved!

✅ IMAJICA - One of my top picks for Clive Barker after recently becoming intrigued by his reputation and creative prospects. Impulse buy to be sure, and hopefully a worthy investment.

Quite happy with these choices. Roger Roger.

#bookstagram #bookpurchases #starwarsbooks #rebeccaroanhorse #clivebarker by @bookswithjp

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21 days ago

📓 ORIGAMI YODA 📓

QotD: Did you ever have that middle grade series written as a fictional journal?

I had a few. However, the one I look back on the most fondly was the Origami Yoda series by Tom Angleberger.

At a time where returning to reading was still a novice plan and I was hesitant to branch out, this series was a comfort for my soul.

What started as a fun premise and case became a story about a whole school seeing each other in new ways. New bonds formed, new appreciation occurred. A tale of people coming closer and finding commonality. A true Star Wars lesson if there ever was one.

This was different compared to those other options. It was a finite story with an end in sight. The characters grew and changed. Each book had a small twist to differentiate them and the “stakes” grew. I loved the cartoon art blended with the words. It was a stepping stone for what I’d later come to value in storytelling.

Plus, being based on Star Wars, Tom Angleberger had a lot of fun celebrating the galaxy far far away.

A series full of laughs, head scratcher scenarios, and lovable kids making their way in the world. Not to mention, inspiring artistic curiosity and creativity. I’ll forever be greatful to Tom Angleberger for writing it. I’ve long parted with my other journal style middle grades. Not this one, and I never will.

A great series to get younger kids reading in my opinion.

#bookstagram #starwarsbooks #middlegradebooks #theorigamiyodafiles #tomangleberger by @bookswithjp

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22 days ago

🧛🏼 FANTASY SUICIDE SQUAD 🐺

I’m a bit far off from getting to The Devils, yet I’m constantly tantalized by that cover of the group. I’ve heard them described as Fantasy Suicide Squad and it makes so much sense.

Joe Abercrombie writing about a bunch of chaotic misfits that form a bond is somewhat at play in The First Law, but this is the true promise. I have a feeling it will be a win for me when I get to it!

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #joeabercrombie #thefirstlaw #grimdarkfantasy by @bookswithjp

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25 days ago

🤯 MONSTERS AND REFLECTIONS 🤯

My Monster enthusiasm continues. I’m a third of the way through this manga and I’m already emotionally out of breath. So many reflections on the actions humans can take, for good or ill, the varying levels of nuance that can be found. Through it all, some choices made to be better, characters that continue to invest and reward my interest. And JOHAN! Ugh those final chapters in vol. 6. If you know, you know. Such a left and confusing turn. Makes me all the more scared and intrigued of him.

I did try out my first few short stories by Ken Liu and I can safely say this is an author I’m interested in. Incredible creativity and exceptionally deep reflections on humanity: the adaption and passing on of knowledge over generations, the ability to evolve yourself beyond and early identity, the importance of human thought, choice, and dangers of corporate empowerment. All told with a unique and sharp pen. Perfect palette cleanser between manga volumes.

#bookstagram #currentlyreadi̇ng #monsternaokiurasawa #kenliu #shortstorycollection by @bookswithjp

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a month ago