[open] a book club 📚

[phoenixdominant]

Type: Text
Sender ID: Phoenixdominant (Joshua Rosfield)
To: Public
Subject: An ordinary book club.
Warnings: tba.

[Due to the Garuda Incident, this post is coming from a very bedridden Joshua who is recovering from some bad injuries. So, he’s bored and desperately running out of books to read.]

Good afternoon,

It seems I've found myself with a surplus of free time this month, and with that realization comes the stark truth—I've exhausted my reading list.

So, I had an idea. Why not extend an invitation to others who might be interested in joining the book club that Tifa and I have been enjoying? Every few weeks, we gather to exchange ideas and thoughts on the current book we're reading, and it's led to some wonderful discussions.

While our tastes have leaned toward adventure and romance novels thus far, I'm open to exploring books from other genres to diversify our collection. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Here are a few of the books we've read so far:

"The Swashbuckling Misadventures of Captain Bumblebeard"
"Enchanted Hearts and Dragon Flames"
"Spells and Sword Swells"
"Quest for the Heartstone: A Tale of Love and Sorcery"
"Siren's Song: A Pirate's Passionate Plunder"
"That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted A Love Potion At A Werewolf"

Although, I’m still not entirely certain what “yeeted” means. I only assume it means, “to throw”?

If you might be interested in joining in on our next reading, please do. As well as I’m taking suggestions for more books that the group might enjoy.

Sincerely,
Joshua.

Comments

[phoenixdominant]

I'm happy to hear it. Although we don't often read out loud to each other we have read our favourite parts. The club is meant to pick a single book together and once everyone has read it on their own time, we discuss it as a group.

The last time was at a tavern over sweet tea in Eltrut. Would that be comfortable for you?

[xiaolanhua]

This sounds wonderful! I'm always the one who used to read out loud to my friends, then they'd have to go. It would be nice to have people to talk about the books with.

That would be. Just let me know the next time you decide to meet and I'll be there. Oh, you can call me Orchid.

[phoenixdominant]

It is very nice. Discussing our favourite parts and characters is what makes it a true delight.

I'll be sure to tell you, Lady Orchid. A pleasure to speak with you, you have a beautiful name. I'm Joshua as stated before.

Do you have any favourite stories?

[xiaolanhua]

Many of the books in Shuiyuntian were history ones, so I would find ways to make them more interesting! Even if they weren't correct facts.

[ Just in case Daqiang is reading this and remembers all the ridiculous things she made up about him. ]

This place has so many more interesting made up stories to read.

Thank you, Lord Joshua. Your name is unusual to me, but I like it! [ If he's going to call her that, she will do it in return. She will have a fun time trying to learn how to say it based off the text. ]

I used to tell my friends this story about a battle and the people who led it, but I met them after they were thought dead, so it doesn't seem right to tell it now.

[phoenixdominant]

They say that the dramatization of real life events make for the most compelling stories. Ones that can reflect our own lives, the most memorable.

And that is exactly why I wish to read more stories from this world as well. Perhaps it will give us a new view of our lives here.

I think it's more than fine to share our versions of stories as well. There's nothing to be ashamed of?

[xiaolanhua]

There are so many good stories of the past, they can be made even better with a little embellishment.

Daqiang has collected many books since his arrival, I haven't had time to read any of them yet. Is there one from your list that you would recommend?

Hm, I like the stories I told, but I'm afraid it made the people they were about very upset.

[ She's looking at you, Daqiang. ]

[phoenixdominant]

And I'm sure no one minds a little embellishment now and then.

[Spoken like a true corsair, hm?]

I can suggest a book or two to start with. Perhaps you can tell me what sorts of stories you like, first?

[xiaolanhua]

What I did was unflattering to the person. All the books said he was dead, and no one would speak of the whole truth, so I embellished. A lot.

[ Daqiang would say different, even as a Corsair. Mostly because it was about himself. ]

Anything is fine! I want to try every kind of story.

[phoenixdominant]

I see... My apologies, then. I do hope you can mend things if you must.

And anything? Then perhaps I could give you my copy of "The Voyages of Captain Fuzzbeard and the Floral Isles" which is quite whimsical. It also has a cat for the main character.

[xiaolanhua]

Yes! Now that I know him, perhaps I could embellish it to favor him a bit.

That would be wonderful! Thank you so very much. I have never read a book where a cat is the main character.