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Universal Yums: August's Box

9/24/2018

Damn Facebook and its persistent advertisements! After months of watching taste-testers try snacks from around the world, I finally talked to my family about eating boxes of foreign treats every month. There wasn't much to discuss. It made the decision all the easier since our first order lined up with the UK box. My husband has a few favourite UK treats already so he didn't object to receiving more.

No, we aren't being compensated for releasing a review of these treats or of the Uniserval Yums service, but since I was reviewing tea, why not review these treats too? Plus, it's helpful for me to have a record since I forget things very easily... It might also make for a good source of gift ideas *hint hint*

Click through the pictures below for treat-by-treat commentary:

Not pictured:

Dreamy Creamy Toffee: Definitely toffee. Thick, gooey toffee. Hubby loved it; he loves toffee. I liked it; I occasionally enjoy toffee. R got a very small sample but seemed excited about it.

Chocolate Lime Candy: Hubby loves the lime. I do not. I'd take the Haggis chips over these.

Prosecco Fudge: Tastes like sweet fudge. It's ok.

Black Currant & Champaign Toffee: Tastes like a creamy raspberry Starburst.

Treacle Toffee: Tastes like chewy toffee.

The Ballot:

Our family UK care package could gladly consist of:
Toffypops
Dreamy Creamy Toffee
Rhubarb Custard Bonbons
and those gross lime candies because my husband is a crazy person...

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Non-Romance

9/4/2018

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I have been noticing a trend on Twitter over this long weekend. I don't know if was prompted by a particular comment but it has clearly stirred up some conversation, and for some people, some very strong resentment. Romance.

Literature is gradually becoming more popular in its diversity movements. The industry seems to be more accepting of representation and voices that used to remain unseen and unheard, despite the number of writers who have been striving for generations to find their own diversity included on library shelves. Based on the conversations I've been witnessing, one group is still trying very hard to feel included in the literary world: the asexual.

I know that I come from a place of privilege in that this is not a concern that I was actively aware of. It never occurred to me that even non-bodice ripping representations of amorous relationships might be a point of discomfort for some readers, not in that they have a problem with people coupling, but in that there never seems to be a way out of being surrounded by the image of people coupling. As a young asexual person, being bombarded with an image that everyone but you seems on-board with, might just double that stigma, that feeling of not belonging, of self-doubt, of not living in a world that has room for you.

In solidarity with those who are feeling lost in current media, I tried to be proactive. I went looking for non-romance reading groups and book lists. The funny thing is, when looking for non-romance, the key word is still "romance", and the first 100 or so search results are very bodice-ripping indeed! Not a good start.

Now, I don't know if I have it in me to write an asexual book. I'm not saying that it isn't possible, but I think that I'm pretty ingrained in stories that revolve around relationships one way or another, sex or no sex. That being said, there are books out there, various kinds of fiction, that don't involve "getting the girl/boy" in the plot. Do you think that I could come up with a title for an adult novel that fits this description? Not off the top of my head. And when I look at the book tags on Goodreads, I don't see a non-romance category. At least it hasn't become popular enough to be a searchable category.

In light of this, I made one. It took me seconds to create a new shelf labeled "non-romance", and while I don't have a lot of books to add to it yet, tagging at least one book feels like the start of something. It's hard, I'll admit. Sure I could go through tagging all of the kids' books that I have on my shelves, but I feel like that is less helpful. Somehow it would be saying that sexuality is a sign of maturity and therefore anyone identifying as asexual must not be grown-up enough. There is a clear difference in being pre-pubescent and being asexual. And quite frankly, who is to say that people of any sexual orientation might just want to read something that doesn't feel like a chick-flick?

So here's the pre-requisit I established for myself:
- is it a book that I would recommend to an adult?
- is it a book that includes a sexual encounter, consensual or not?
- is it a book that involves a main character in love, pining, or indulging in any kind of romantic relationship? (Note, this does not mean a book void of relationships. It just means void of love-triangles and winning over the object of affection as motivation for the plot).

As I said earlier, I did not have many titles to add to this category, but that doesn't mean that it isn't worth doing. So I appeal to you booklovers out there, especially if you've got a reader community platform of some sort, please start using a "non-romance" tag so that we can create these reading lists for those who just need a break from the dramatic love plot.

You can see the start of my Non-Romance list here.

There is no need for a romance war. There are enough books for everyone. We just might need help finding the right ones.

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Tea Quest: White Cranberry Bark

9/3/2018

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I have noticed a trend in my tea consumption the more delicious a tea sounds, the more disappointed I am with it. I don't know if I'm just lowering my expectations overall, if I'm acquiring a taste for watered-down flavours, or maybe I am actually finding something appealing. In any case, this seasonal tea has me almost enjoying myself drinking it.

Verdict: I mean, it still tastes like nothing, but I find it to be a comforting nothing. Limited due to its seasonal nature, but you can bet that I will add this one to my pantry collection as I can.

That makes, what? Three teas that I don't hate? Progress!

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Universal Yums: August's Box

The Ballot:

Non-Romance

Tea Quest: White Cranberry Bark

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