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Blyhe ([personal profile] theharbourreader) wrote2025-07-09 08:07 pm

🍃 4-Star Review: The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn

 “We are not separate from nature. We are nature.”

Coming back to Raynor Winn’s voice in The Wild Silence feels like returning to a quiet cove you once walked, barefoot and full of questions. It carries the same raw honesty and reverence for the natural world as The Salt Path, but this time the journey is inward — a slower, softer reckoning with home, healing, and the life that follows after survival.

This book begins not on the coast, but in the quiet aftermath. Raynor and Moth, having completed their epic walk, are still searching — not just for somewhere to live, but for a sense of peace, belonging, and purpose. Much of The Wild Silence is about what it means to try and settle when you’ve been reshaped by loss, by wildness, by walking.

There’s a deep tenderness in the way Raynor writes about Moth — his illness, his fragility, his strength — and how their relationship bends and grows under new pressures. There’s also a lovely thread about reconnecting with her mother, and a remarkable project that sees Raynor and Moth return to the land in a different way — by rewilding a neglected farm. These moments are where the book shines.

The prose remains lyrical and sincere, though at times the structure felt a little meandering. Some sections felt slightly unfocused or repeated certain beats from The Salt Path, and I occasionally wished for a tighter arc or more clarity. But then again, life after trauma is messy and non-linear, and perhaps the book’s form reflects that truth.

It’s not quite as immediately striking as The Salt Path, but it’s a worthy continuation — quieter, but just as brave. If The Salt Path is about losing everything, The Wild Silence is about relearning how to live in the aftermath. About finding meaning not just in wild places, but in stillness, in roots, in tending the land with your own hands.

Favourite quote:
"The wild silence isn't empty. It’s full of memory, of heartbeat, of breath. It listens to you, if you listen back."

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
A reflective and deeply felt continuation — The Wild Silence is a book about returning, restoring, and remembering what it means to live with the land.

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Blyhe ([personal profile] theharbourreader) wrote2025-07-08 07:25 pm

The Romance of Summer

 There’s something about summer that slows everything down just enough to feel alive again. Maybe it's the way the light lingers long past dinner, or the way even the sea seems to shimmer with a secret. Summer is a season of memory and mood—of sun-warmed skin and stories waiting to be told.

I’ve always been a little bit in love with this time of year. The kind of love that feels nostalgic and tender and full of soft, golden light. There's the obvious stuff: beaches and bare feet, books read in the garden, the tang of salt in the air. But there’s also the more intimate, almost invisible romance of it all—the scent of coconut sunscreen on someone you like, the lazy clink of ice in a glass, the sudden ache of a song that takes you back.

I get sentimental about:

🌻 Blanket mornings on the sand, when the world is quiet and the waves are still stretching awake. I like to take a notebook and a flask of tea, just to sit and feel small and grateful.

🍓 First strawberries of the season—sweet, messy, best eaten with fingers in the garden, barefoot, bees buzzing nearby.

🧺 Picnics that last all day, with friends or just a good book, watching shadows shift across the grass, no real plans except to stay exactly where you are.

🎞️ The colours of dusk in July—pale pinks and smoky blues, the way the sky feels like it’s holding its breath.

📻 Old songs on the radio in a too-hot car, windows down, hair whipping, everything feeling like a film scene.

Summer always makes me want to write more, not just because of the beauty—but because it makes me feel so much. That dreamy, golden ache of a perfect moment that you know won’t last. I journal more often this time of year, trying to catch little flickers of the light before they vanish. Trying to remember what it feels like to be soft, open, and here.

What’s the romance of summer for you?

I’d love to know what memories come to the surface when you think about this season. What makes your heart race? What do you find yourself treasuring more this time of year?

jayregee: (Warning Whine Alert)
Jayregee ([personal profile] jayregee) wrote in [community profile] addme2025-07-09 01:54 am

Hello

Name: Regis

Age: 46

I mostly post about: I am Bipolar. So, it varies. My mood, life and fandoms seem to be the main topics of conversation. Plus, my homosexuality is on topic so my post can get to be adults only. Since it's FRIENDS ONLY there are no warnings.

My hobbies are: making icons, video games, my movie collection. (PHYSICAL MEDIA RULES!)

My fandoms are: Doctor Who, various yaoi anime, Friday the 13th and other horror movies, mystery TV shows like Perry Mason and Columbo. I am also big on the MCU AND DCU.

I'm looking to meet people who: Other gay men and allies. I do not have much a support system at home. So being bipolar I tend to need someone to listen. Even if they do not comment. Also, if I get to be too much, just skip the post. LOL!

My posting schedule tends to be: daily/weekly/monthly/sporadic/etc I try to get at least 3 posts a week in unless we didn't pay the internet bill.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are: Homophobes, racists, MAGA and other Trump supporters.

Before adding me, you should know: I can be a whiner from time to time. It's my way of getting my feeling out. If that isn't for you, I understand.
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melanindollxo ([personal profile] melanindollxo) wrote in [community profile] addme2025-07-09 01:07 am

Nice to Meet You ♥

Name: Jasmine ♥

Age: 30s



I mostly post about: my life, thoughts, my wins & lessons. I like to think deeply and analyze situations or people, and take time to reflect. I'm very much into self-growth, and focusing on a healthier lifestyle may include recipes, as well as currently watching and reading. Overall, it's a special place to connect with others.



My hobbies are: reading, dancing/listening to music, binge watching random shows, meditating, yoga, knitting, buying notebooks and not using them fully, researching vitamins, online shopping, baking, cooking and juicing.



My fandoms are:not really into fandoms too much anymore, however, if you enjoy it, I don't judge since I have moments.



I'm looking to meet people who: I'd love to make some new friends on here, as a LJ vet. I'm looking for anyone who wants to connect, enjoys commenting, and is active. I'm open-minded and pretty down-to-earth.



My posting schedule tends to be: Most likely weekly, and I'll be a pretty active commentor =)



When I add people, my dealbreakers are: not into the haters, homophobic, racists, politics-focused types - I spread love and that's what I appreciate in return.



Before adding me, you should know: I'm Canadian & pretty new to DW but definitely not new to journaling since I used to be on LJ for years. I comment and I am not shy. I'm looking to interact with anyone 21+. I spread love, I enjoy uplifting others, helping ppl through healing, and just being a genuine person. Feel free to add me ♥



Some of my posts may be nsfw, I'm raw & explicit sometimes, we're adults going through adult things lol.

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B ([personal profile] chromaskies) wrote in [community profile] addme2025-07-08 03:03 pm

(no subject)

Name: B or Bee (either is fine)

Age: 36

I mostly post about: Anything and everything, really. Questionnaires, creations (see hobbies :)), mind contents, articles,

My hobbies are: Sewing, jewelry making, self-care, fitness (beginner), cozy video games, photography (also very beginner), macrame, collecting stickers (I'm starting a sticker album!), restaurant/brewery adventures, Hello Kitty/Sanrio collecting (very minor hobby as I don't have money to go hard on it lol....or the space to) and finally researching/learning different topics is fun too.

My fandoms are: While I'm not super into fandom, I do like to make icons from games. A couple that I'm playing are Animal Crossing: New Horizons/Pocket Camp and Stardew, but I wouldn't say I'm into shipping or anything like that. I guess light fandom? I dunno lol.

I'm looking to meet people who:Hobby/creative friends who want a friendship and won't just quit on me when I go through a rough time. While I'm getting better, I do still deal with low mood, but having friends I can turn to when it get's heavy is wonderful. I will do the same for you.

My posting schedule tends to be: Coming back from a bit of a hiatus, I'll probably start posting weekly, until I get back in the swing of things, but I want to post every other day or every third day.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are: Mean people, those who are vicious with friend cuts, Trump supporters/the whole make America great movement,

Before adding me, you should know: See my "Looking to Meet People" please. Other than that, I can't really think of anything else.
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Blyhe ([personal profile] theharbourreader) wrote2025-07-07 11:03 pm

July Reading Journal - First Week Reflections

 July’s first week has drifted by softly - days filled with familiar pages and fresh discoveries. I’ve been reading in nooks near open windows, with tea (and quiet thoughts) always in reach.

📚 What I’ve Finished

  • The Salt Path by Raynor Winn - A re‑read of this beloved memoir, and it still cracks me open. Its simple, raw beauty never fails to linger.
  • Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Another comfort read that reconnects me with gratitude and wonder.
  • This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El‑Mohtar & Max Gladstone - Kit’s recommendation took me by surprise - eerie, lyrical, full of longing. I didn’t fully understand it, but I deeply felt it.

📖 What I’m Reading Now

  • The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn - Also a re‑read. Her reflections on nature, grief, healing—they feel like familiar trails in my soul.
  • The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner - Just embarked on this historical mystery. I’m excited for its dual timelines and atmospheric secrets.

🌊 What Surprised Me

That I’ve circled back to both Salt Path and Wild Silence so early - turns out the comfort of known landscapes is a balm when July feels heavy with the unknown.

Also surprising: how Time War moved me - its haunting, poetic pulses linger long after the last page.

🕵️‍♀️ On the Raynor Winn Investigation

This week, The Observer published an investigation claiming that key elements of Winn’s memoir may have been embellished or misrepresented - allegations of embezzlement, owning a second home during their “homeless” period, and questions about her husband’s CBD diagnosis. The charity PSPA has distanced itself, and Winn’s team has called the report “highly misleading” while pursuing legal advice 

As a reader who has found solace and strength in these stories, it's unsettling to see the foundations questioned. I still cherish the emotional truths the books carry, even if some factual details may now feel ambiguous. It’s a reminder of how deeply memoirs affect us—and how tangled the space between memory, storytelling, and truth can be.

✨ Standout Quotes & Moments

From The Salt Path:
“Just because you’re homeless doesn’t mean you haven’t got a life, a story, a place in the world.”

From Time War:
“Words can wound, or salve. They can kindle love, or spark war. They start revolutions and stop hearts.”

My own notebook:
“Re‑reading feels like returning to a true north - stories that are home, even when the world shifts.”

How is your July unfolding in terms of reading? Have any books surprised or rooted you this week? I’d love to hear your reflections.

Here’s to the stories that carry us through the days. ☀️

theharbourreader: (Default)
Blyhe ([personal profile] theharbourreader) wrote2025-07-07 10:27 pm

📘 3.75-Star Review: This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar

 “Words can wound and words can heal. I love you is the root of all battle.”

Reading This Is How You Lose the Time War feels a little like wandering into a half-remembered dream — vivid and poetic, but with moments where you’re not quite sure where you are or what it all means. And yet, that’s part of what makes it so special.

This novella follows two rival agents, Red and Blue, as they leave secret letters for one another across the strands of time. What begins as taunting and tension becomes something intimate and tender, tangled with longing, wit, and eventual rebellion. Their love grows in stolen words, in coded messages, in the cracks between timelines.

The prose is lush, experimental, sometimes bordering on opaque — but often achingly beautiful. At its best, it reads like a love poem disguised as science fiction. I adored the sharpness of the voices, the elegance of the metaphors, and the sheer feeling it managed to evoke through language alone. There were lines I reread just to feel them again.

That said, it’s a book that asks for a lot of trust. There were moments I felt unmoored, wishing for a little more grounding in the plot or world-building. But perhaps that’s not the point — this isn’t a book about systems or settings; it’s about connection. About language as an act of love. About finding your person even in the unlikeliest timeline.

This isn’t quite a forever favourite, but it is unforgettable. A book I’d recommend to anyone who finds magic in words, who’s ever wanted to fall in love through letters, or who’s drawn to stories that feel like puzzles and poetry all at once.

Favourite quote:
“I want to meet you in every place I ever loved. Listen. Listen: Time is not a river. Time is a tree. We climb it together.”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐¾ (3.75 stars)
A strange and stunning novella — not always easy, but utterly worthwhile.

theharbourreader: (Default)
Blyhe ([personal profile] theharbourreader) wrote2025-07-06 06:50 pm

July vibes

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
— Emerson


Hi friends - and welcome! Whether you found me through the addme community or wandered in some other way, I’m really glad you’re here. 🐚🌞

This little corner of the internet is part journal, part book nook, part daydream. I’ll be sharing personal thoughts, reading notes, and soft seasonal things—sunlight on the water, library hauls, the occasional poem. Think cozy coastal mornings and late-80s summer nostalgia. 🌼

June felt like a reset in ways I didn’t expect. I slowed down - on purpose and not. I let go of a few things that weren’t sitting right, gave myself permission to just be without pushing for productivity. It was quiet, internal, and a little uncertain, but I think I needed that pause.

July, though... July feels like it wants to be brighter. Not necessarily louder or busier, but lighter in spirit. More sun on skin. More open windows. More intentional joy.

I’m craving slow mornings with iced coffee and a book, walks that feel like wandering, and maybe starting a little creative project just for me. I want to lean into what feels good without needing to explain it. Quiet delight. Soft momentum.

So this is a soft launch of sorts. A quiet beginning. A new rhythm. A space to fill, slowly.

Feel free to say hi or introduce yourself below - I’d love to hear what this month looks like for you. 💛

(And maybe I’ll add a little July moodboard here soon…)
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winterfirelight ([personal profile] winterfirelight) wrote2025-07-04 03:44 pm

(no subject)

It's been a bit of a struggle to keep the garden tended while the sun is a deadly lazer for most of the day. I try to give the plants a good soak every few days while we're in the dry period, and they're hanging in there alright, though around midday they tend to look rather unhappy until the shade moves in to give them a break. I'm still fending off bug infestations of various kinds, but seemingly with success - I have more hope than I did before that the angelica and chard will bounce back, and I caught some creepy crawlies settling in on the valerian and lobelia before they had a chance to spread their kin. I still don't feel like I'm much good at gardening, but I am learning, and that's always fun.

We've still got a good amount of garden space open where we haven't figured out what to plant yet. It's probably too late in the season to get any new spring plants in the ground, but I'm hoping there may be something we can plan to get established in fall before winter hits. I think I've had too much focus the past couple of years on growing from seed, when I'm sure there are places I can source more established plants that will be harvest-ready much sooner. Besides, most of the seeds I've got in stock are a couple years old by now, and harvested somewhat haphazardly such that I don't always know the varietal. It seems prudent to start being more picky about the specifics if I'm going to be using these plants for medicinal purposes.

Oh, and I got a tincture press this week! Handmade off etsy, significantly cheaper than the more heavy-duty industrial versions that I can't afford and which are, frankly, major overkill for the very small-scale kind of operation I've got going on. I'm excited to get to try it soon with the various things I've got macerating and infusing in the cabinet. Trying to wring all the drops out of sodden wads of herbs by hand has not been my favorite thing in the world.

I also got the little hydroponic garden set up again today, with lemon balm and dill. It's got space for eight plants, but I only put six in, since eight has always felt a little crowded and it can get hard to keep up with.

Still lots to do! I should try to get out in the backyard to keep tackling the ever-present bramble hoard from making too much headway. We've got a lot of overgrown things to clear out back there, and then we can put in more beds for veggies and whatnot for next year.
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winterfirelight ([personal profile] winterfirelight) wrote2025-07-01 02:36 pm

Sunshine Revival: Challenge #1

Sunshine-Revival-Carnival-1.png

Challenge #1

Journaling Prompt: Light up your journal with activity this month. Talk about your goals for July or for the second half of 2025.
Creative Prompt: Shine a light on your own creativity. Create anything you want (an image, an icon, a story, a poem, or a craft) and share it with your community.


The first goal of July is learning more html to use on Dreamwidth!

...starting with this li'l collapsible, and continuing with bullet points. This is fun! Other goals for July include:

  • Completing an online course for the CompTIA A+ exam that I don't intend to take yet but would like to learn the material for regardless

  • Gifting someone IRL an herbal gift of some kind - don't care who or what, I'm just running out of space and need to make room!

  • Giving my cat more attention, apparently, as he tries to sit on my arm while I type this. As if he doesn't get enough attention by screaming to be held all day long. I love this obnoxious little man <3

  • Starting on the next section of my longfic! Bonus stretch goal is finishing that section, but that's a longshot, especially with everything else going on. My overarching goal is to finish the entire work before the end of the year.

  • Not sitting and staring uselessly at my work computer when I have nothing to do and instead using that time for something actually productive even if it's not work (the hardest on this list, tbh)





I am tempted by the creative prompt too, but I think I'll let it lie for today. Inspiration may strike later in the month, and I'll plan to tackle it at that point.
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Canadian Girl Geek ([personal profile] canadiangirlgeek) wrote in [community profile] addme2025-06-30 08:34 am

(no subject)

Name: Val

Age: 47

I mostly post about: Being Gen-X, Canadian, ramblings of day to day life, my mental health, sometimes the state of the world (though I try to keep that to a minimum), what I'm currently reading, Nelson shenanigans (my cat)

My hobbies are: I knit and crochet; writing, watching movies/television (mostly drama and British telly), reading, 'cozy' colouring with alcohol markers, music (love to listen to new things)

My fandoms are: I used to be very into fandoms 10 or so years ago, but not so much anymore. It can be exhausting.

I'm looking to meet people who: above all, are kind. 20+ of age, and have some interests in common. It would be ideal if you like to comment on entries.

My posting schedule tends to be: aiming for daily, but likely a few times a week. I'm journaling again at the suggestion of my therapist.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are: the usual: racism, anti-LGBTQIA+. I used to be a big Harry Potter fan, but no longer and I generally stay away from those who still embrace the fandom, JKR, and the books/movies.

Before adding me, you should know: I'm a very kind and sensitive person and try to be thoughtful and respectful when commenting on others entries, so I hope to receive the same in return. Also, I have an odd sense of humour and I use "LOL" and "<3" a lot.
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Blyhe ([personal profile] theharbourreader) wrote in [community profile] addme2025-06-29 03:35 pm

(no subject)

Name: Blythe
Age: 37

I mostly post about:
Life on the Cornish coast, daily swims in the sea, studio days at the pottery wheel, what’s blooming in the garden, what I’m reading (mostly mid-century women writers), the small rituals that keep me steady, and occasional thoughts on slow living and soft rebellion.

My hobbies are:
Ceramics, sea swimming, baking things that go with tea, reading literary fiction (especially anything with layered domestic dynamics and quiet emotional collapse), pressing flowers into notebooks, and making seasonal playlists.

I'm looking to meet people who:
Write or read with heart, find beauty in the everyday, value kindness, know the pleasure of a well-brewed pot of tea, or also spend entire evenings choosing which notebook to start. Anyone who understands that joy and sadness often walk hand in hand.

My posting schedule tends to be:
Softly inconsistent— I'm aiming for 2-3x week, sometimes once a week, sometimes three times in a day if I’m feeling chatty or emotionally unspooled. Usually seasonal—more reflective in winter, more playful in summer.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are:
Cruelty, racism, snobbery, homophobia, transphobia, or taking yourself far too seriously. I’m not here for edge for edge’s sake.

Before adding me, you should know:
I write a little like I talk—long, meandering, full of parentheses and feelings. I will absolutely comment on your post about moss or jam or the book you half-finished three years ago. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying to be soft on purpose.
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Blyhe ([personal profile] theharbourreader) wrote2025-06-29 06:34 pm

Falling Into Book Blogging (and StoryGraph)

I hadn’t planned on spending my Sunday this way. But isn’t that always how the best things start?

Kit and I were chatting with someone earlier this week who casually mentioned book blogging - and before I knew it, we were talking about tracking our reads, posting reviews, and swapping WordPress tips. They recommended StoryGraph for cataloguing, and I’d never used it before. Out of curiosity, I signed up this morning… and suddenly I was knee-deep in uploading my entire book collection, trying to remember what I’ve read and when, and getting wildly distracted by all the mood and pacing tags.

I didn’t realize how satisfying it would be to see everything laid out like that - books I loved, books I forgot I owned, books I swear I meant to read in 2021. And even though I started the day just poking around, it ended up giving me a bit of clarity on why I want to start this blog.

I’ve always loved reading. But until now, I didn’t have one place to reflect on it - to gather thoughts, keep track of what I’m reading, and maybe connect with other readers. I’m not setting out to be a professional reviewer or anything. I just want to write about books the way I experience them: personally, emotionally, sometimes out of order.

So this is the start of Tales by the Tide - a little coastal-feeling book nook where I can share TBRs, thoughts, reading journals, and whatever else bubbles up. It’s early days (and I still have some serious tag-wrangling to do on StoryGraph), but I already feel like I’m carving out a space I’ll love coming back to.

Thank you for being here as I figure it out

I’ll be sharing my July TBR on Tuesday, if all goes well. For now, I’m just glad I followed the rabbit hole.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
— George R.R. Martin

– Blythe

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Blyhe ([personal profile] theharbourreader) wrote2025-06-29 12:50 pm

At The Waters Edge

Hello, and welcome. I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.

This little corner of the internet is a kind of tidepool for me — a place to gather small, glinting moments and let them catch the light. I imagine it like the windowsill in my kitchen: sun-warmed, a bit cluttered, always changing with the seasons. Sea glass. Lavender. A well-thumbed paperback left spine-up beside a cooling mug of mint tea.

I’m Blythe. I live in a salt-faded cottage just off the harbourfront in St Ives, Cornwall. I’m a ceramic artist, a sea swimmer, a quiet romantic. My days are shaped by tide tables and teacups, studio playlists and secondhand books stacked like cairns beside the bed. I believe in the beauty of things that are slightly imperfect — mugs with thumbprints, dog-eared pages, letters smudged with rain.

This blog is a way of gathering what I love — a kind of journal, really. Expect glimpses from the studio, bookish ramblings, coastal wanderings, and the sort of seasonal rituals that make ordinary days feel a little more alive. There will be reading lists and shelf musings, favourite lines underlined in pencil, and maybe even the occasional fictional character I’m quietly in love with. (Aren’t we all?) I’ll write about what I’m making, what I’m reading, what I’m noticing — the golden hour light, the first elderflowers, a phrase I can’t stop turning over in my mind.

So whether you’re here by chance or curiosity, I hope this space feels like a quiet tidepool you can dip into now and then. Like walking into a bookshop on a rainy afternoon, with no plans except to linger.

The kettle’s on. There’s a spot by the window. I’m so glad you’re here.

With warmth,
Blythe

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
— Mary Oliver
haebin: (09)
haebin ([personal profile] haebin) wrote2025-06-29 11:51 am

The Mistress of the Shadowland, Second Book, The next Chapter

Please enjoy my next chapter.
The next scene will probably go on for several chapters, so today's has become a little smaller and I hope you don't mind it.

Thanks for reading and thank you for taking the time to comment. It means the world to me. ♥

The Mistress of the Shadowland, Second Book, The next Chapter )