Ashley’s Reviews > The Land of the Living and the Dead > Status Update

That's great. Finally you got the book you were waiting for have great read.

It took forever to get here! What book do you want to read after you're done with The Stand?

I am thinkinh to re read Great expectations, but not sure for now cause I am thinking about The Count of Monte Cristo too but something from my tbr because I have nothing now to read something other than this.

The Count of Monte Cristo is a big book. I know people love it, but its size looks so intimidating. You're a pro in big books, though. Your current read is what, 1,150 pages?! Even Great Expectations is considered long. You're choosing some hefty reads haha

I like long books they feels great in hand, when I startef reading it never felt a long book is long, but now days when I have less time to read it feels. But yeah I like big books. I am thinking to re read last book of Stormlight too, but your books aren't short either you read long book too mojorly are around 500 to 600 pages long.

My current read is 1218 pages long but I wasn't able find the exact boon here so I selected that one with 1150 pages. It was my first book I purchased from the book store. I am nearly on the ending of book II. Excited for conclusion in book III

Long books are great because they are so immersive. It's always a great accomplishment when you finish one. Do you buy your books in English at the bookstore, or do you speak another language? Your goodreads says you live in India.

Yes my main language is hindi but yes I buy books in English first not every book get a translation here and 2nd I like them in english. Here sometimes some book don't even get released like Malazan release by penguin buy in India its not available. I am learning english right now, and reading is a fun process for that

I’ve always found Hindi to be a beautiful language. I don’t speak it, but I always enjoy hearing it. So most of the books you own are written in English? I bet you learn a lot by reading in a different language. It’s a great way to expose yourself to new vocabulary and grammar rules. If you ever have an English question, you can always ask me! Just leave a comment, haha. I am happy to help. 😊

Thank you very much. I'll ask when'll stuck on something. I have every book in english except some in hindi majorly english I read in english atleast for books cause you won't find fantasy in hindi nor horror.

That is interesting. I did not know those genres were impossible to find in Hindi. I feel bad for people who don't speak English but want to read those genres. :( Books should be accessible to everyone in all languages, especially in one as widely spoken as Hindi.

Yes, but here in India reading fantasy is not that popular more like selfhelp or non fiction that people like to read, but now days fiction reader are increasing. So may be in future thing will be better.

Ah, so you’re fantasy reading habits are an anomaly in India’s reading culture. How cool that I’ve met someone who defies the literary norm 🤣

Your

Where have heard hindi btw do understand it? And are you a student of english literature?

I used to live in France, and I went to school with someone who spoke Hindi. He moved there from India. I don’t remember where exactly, it’s been a long time. And no, I’m not. But it would be fun to study!

So your first language is french? So you know some hindi words? Yeah it sound cool to read fantasy where very low percentage of people read fantasy, but I heard criticism too that I am wasting my time(from my friends and parents both) but still I read them 😅

No, my native language is English. I can speak French, but it's not my first language. I know two words in Hindi... so not much. 😂 Don't take the criticism to heart. I've also heard the same thing, from when I was a child to even now. It's probably a common thing for us fantasy lovers to hear, unfortunately. It's not wasting your time. Ignore them, and keep reading haha

Yes, I didn't know that their people too criticize for reading fantasy every where is same not much difference lol. I enjoy reading that's enough. So what do you do other than reading student or work?

That's what matters. As long as you enjoy it. I work. Other than that, I don't do much. I stay home if I am not working. I don't like leaving my house. What do you do, other than reading?

I am engineering student in my 2nd last year I am looking for small work, but its kinda hard here. I hope by the end of this year I'll find something.

What's your major dgree in then?

Like computer engineering, or another field? What are you hoping to work in? And I studied journalism.

I wanted to be a war photographer, but similar to you, it was impossible to find a job in that lol. I gave up.

War photographer what kind of job is this? Like historical work or current wars or something else I am hearing this term first time

Current wars. I'm sick of watching innocent people die because of corrupt, violent governments and hearing people justify war. As a war photographer, I would go with a team of journalists and document war and its effects. Like record war crimes, expose the atrocities, etc., so if people try to justify it, there is photographic and written record of just how terrible it is. People are too detached from it. People need to see what they support, if that makes sense. Open their eyes to it. Too much is hidden in the media, so people don't care. They demonize other countries and its people, and I am sick of it! Long story lol

I see I am sick of seeing wars too, but I don't think they'll gonna stop any soon. But since start we glorify war, and sacrifice for country or the party -they brain wash people just to stya in power and its running since ages. And there are very few people who think about consequences mostly just do things without any thinking.

As long as humanity exists, so will war. It’s an unfortunate truth! And you’re right. People are so desperate for power, wealth and glory that they’ll do just about anything to get it.

What do you like to do, other than read?

I like play games - video games. Sometimes I watch anime and movies too. Majorly I like to stay in my room and do nothing 🙂. But I like to write too but more than art in my writing you'll find grammatical mistakes:)

What about you anyother hobby than reading?

What games do you play? Do you have any favorite movies? What do you like to write about? For me, I like listening to music, painting, writing and just spending time with my cat. I’ll watch movies/tv shows depending on what it is. I just like to stay home 🤣

I like to souslike games like Eldenring, Dark Souls, these are tough games so I like to play them. I have no any favorite movie, but I like Harry Potter Movie series and watched them multiple times. What I write? I write whatever I feels like I have tried writing poems too 😅. I like to walk, especially in rainy season. Other than that I majorly stay at home too- lazy life. So you paint what? Characters, scenery or something, I have tried painting but I failed it miserable haha.

Yes, my field is Computer Engineeeing but I am not interested in it anymore its a hack of thing still less rewarding(mental reward) so I thinking to switch may be doing free lance in video editing or same field but I am not into jobs that much. journalism that's good so you're working as an editor or something else

Ooh, I’ve never played those games before? Are they fantasy games? And yes, Harry Potter is amazing. It’s been a favorite of mine since I was a child. Have you watched them recently? If you ever publish your poems, let me know. I’ll be the first reader! 😃 And I like painting scenery and animals. Painting just takes practice! Much like writing, actually. I’ve start doing wood burning. I made someone a custom box, where I burned the wood and painted everything! It is a new hobby of mine.

Video game development sounds very cool, and you studying computer engineering gives you a great starting point. Plus you play video games, so you know what works best. And I don’t do journalism anymore. Sometimes I’ll go to protests and photograph them, which I really enjoy. But I just write for fun. I work somewhere else. I do a lot of painting. I spent yesterday and today painting buckets 🤣

Ohhh that sounds cool. Not recently but some months ago I watched them. And its my fav too since my childhood I have watched them way before when I didn't know that they are on books😅

Ohh, they are kinda like fantasy games, and the world building of the elden ring was done with Grrm, he helped the creators in making the world of that game and it looks amazing. But it's a very long game I took 109 hours to complete it. I don't think my poem will ever get published but if you want to read I don't mind sharing them.

Yeah gaming development is cool, but I am more like a web developer, website making not game developing. But this job is not rewarding much plus too much of AI and crowdy these days. It's like stuck in the same loop, doing the same thing again again in this field, so I am planning to get myself out of here and find something else. Painting is cool, I like art drawing and more but I tried it, it was very hard.

Oh! I misunderstood video editing as video games 🤣 Sorry. And yes, AI seems to be taking over everything. It’s unfortunate. It will take away jobs and eliminate certain professions, among other things (like environmental destruction). I hope you can find something both fulfilling and enjoyable to do for work. It can be difficult, especially nowadays.

And yes, same here. I can’t remember if I discovered the books or movies first. It’s been so long ago. But it will always be a favorite. Likening HP seems to be controversial, at least in the US. Because of JK Rowling. I don’t know how it is where you live.

109 hours is insane!!! That takes a lot of patience. I had no idea GRRM helped make a video game. No wonder it looks great. If only he’d dedicate as much time to finishing his books 🤣 And of course I’d love to read! I don’t read much poetry.

Liking* not likening lol

Here no issue you can like Harry Potter. Yeah, video editing is kinda a different thing, it's like arranging videos in a manner to tell a story. Ahh, you can get comments like are you still a kid? But that's fine cause nobody takes that seriously. But here I saw very few people who read fantasy, more like self help, but I think its fine at least they read something. And I think I have the answer of the question you asked - I'll read The Count of Monte Cristo next because I found out today that there's an adaptation of it and it's very good too. And I want to watch it so I'll read that asap I can.

Yeah soulslike games need patience cause you have to fight a boss(kind a main villain) multiple times to learn its pattern to defeat them, but it feels good at the end. And yeah I want that he have written 1100 pages of 6th book and I want him to release it like 6th book part on and let him keep writing the other part atleast we can have something, a little continue would be good for me. But who knows what'll he do.

I don't read much poetry either but one can write 😅. I have tried reading poetry like Sonnets, Paradise lost. Language always defeated me, but still I tried to write as best I could. How can I share it with you?

Maybe you could be a video editor for people who post on Youtube. You could work from home if you do that. And I agree, it's better to read something. People spend too much time on their phones, etc. Reading will only improve people's brain health. The only game I play is called Death Ball on Roblox LOL. You probably don't know what that is. That's the only reason I know what a boss is.

I think you can send a message on Goodreads.

As long as poetry evokes something, like an image or feeling, I don't think it matters if it follows "rules" or structure. The best poems are the ones that make you feel something, not check boxes of what a poem needs to be complete.

I have heard about Roblox my classmate play this game. I never tried it myself. And that my plan to prepare a good portfolio and them apply in video editing for a creator or an agency. I don't know how to send message on goodread I'll sent you one or two of my poems. Let me check the message feature first 😅