Hi, friend! Welcome to The Paladin Pages!
Hey there! I’m Tassara (she/her), the blogger behind The Paladin Pages. I started this blog because I like to read and I like to write, so I figured: hey, why not write about the stuff I read? So here I am, doing that. So as I continue learning how to do this whole blogging thing, you’re welcome to come along for the ride. Who knows, maybe you’ll like what you see. At the very least, it should be… entertaining.
I’m so glad you’re here.
If there’s one thing I know for sure about what I want for this blog, it’s that I want The Paladin Pages to be a blog for experienced explorers and amateur adventurers alike. Whether you’ve always been an avid reader or you’re embarking on a new quest, I want to help you find your next great read.
Here, you’ll find some pretty typical book blog content with what I hope is an atypical (albeit welcome) twist.
In my book reviews, I combine the in-depth literary analysis of your most boring university professor with the fun and friendly tone of those Goodreads reviewers who load their posts with GIFs. Don’t lie — you know the type. There won’t be quite as many MP4s here, though. Sorry to disappoint.
In my monthly wrap-ups, I won’t just share a list of what I read each month. I’ll include brief, spoiler-free plot synopses, a mini-review of my thoughts, and a recommendation for why you might like the book — even if I didn’t.
I also partake in various reading challenges and book tags to keep me motivated in my reading throughout the year. Nothing inspires me to stay on top of my reading like being a completionist for the sake of internet points!
Those are just the broad categories of what you can expect to find on The Paladin Pages. If you want some more specific recommendations for where to start, keep reading. I’ve got some post suggestions you might like to check out.
The Path to The Paladin Pages
I started this blog in 2019 under the name “Simple Spines: Bookish Blogs and Other Musings.” Simple Spines was sadly neglected for the better part of two years. This was on account of my being enrolled in an accelerated master’s degree program that didn’t leave me with much free time. And then there was the part where I graduated in the middle of a pandemic — meaning that as soon as I had the free time, I had zero motivation to use that free time to write. I did publish one book review in 2021 that I’m still very proud of, but near the end of that year, I started feeling like I needed a change.
I started by reminding myself of one very important thing. This whole blogging thing is supposed to be fun! That reminder inspired me to give this blog a much-needed refresh. Simple Spines was then (re)born as The Paladin Pages — a name that reflects both my love for fantasy and my core values as a person.
In Dungeons & Dragons, a paladin is someone who has sworn an oath to uphold justice and stand against evil. I identify most with the Oath of the Ancients, a philosophy centered around doing good by preserving, protecting, and professing the light of this realm. In real life, that entails getting involved with political and social causes that are important to me. Online, though, I have infused this with my love of books by making an effort to preserve and profess the light of the wonderful stories I read. This is less vital work, to be sure, but in a time when escapism is increasingly cherished, I hope the words I share here prove valuable to those seeking such an escape.
Take a look around, get comfy, and stay a while!
Not sure where to start? Here are a few recommendations:
- Like lists? You’re bound to find some inspiration in my post detailing what I’m reading for this year’s reading challenge.
- Already have a title or author in mind? Visit the review index to see a list of everything I’ve reviewed on this blog.
- Are you a numbers guy/gal/pal? Check out my 2021 Reading Stats and 2022 Reading Goals post to get a glimpse behind — and a peek ahead — all in one post.
Eventually, I’d love for The Paladin Pages to be a resource for, and community of, all sorts of readers with all sorts of interests. And I’d love even more to have you along for this journey 💙.
Meet the Paladin Behind the Pages
Oh, you’re still here? Great! In that case, let me properly introduce myself.
I’m Tassara, the paladin behind these pages. I’ve been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember, starting with obsessively mastering One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish at the tender age of three. I subsequently discovered the wonderful world of science-fiction and fantasy — and I’ve never looked back since. I am currently on a quest to diversify my reading and explore other genres, such as classics and non-fiction. That said, no matter how far off the beaten path I stray, speculative fiction will always be my home.
In my regular life, I’m a human marketing specialist who spent way too much money on a Master of Science degree despite my love for the Arts and Humanities. Previously, I’ve lived in the San Francisco Bay Area; currently, I live in Austin, Texas; and eventually, I’d love to make the Pacific Northwest my home. I’m a Ravenclaw, an INFJ, and an Enneagram 5w6.
In my fantasy life, I’m a (still-human) paladin who spends her days daydreaming about gallivanting through various spec-fic landscapes, meeting creatures of all kinds and creeds. The worlds I return to most are Middle Earth; The Princess Bride; and just about anything inspired by or based on Arthurian legend.
When I’m not reading, you can usually find me playing or watching TTRPGs (bet you didn’t see that one coming); streaming my favorite comfort shows because I can never decide what to watch; becoming unreasonably stressed over the latest New York Times daily crossword; or (more realistically) spending way too much time on Twitter and Reddit.
Let’s Be Friends!
Hey, speaking of spending too much time on social media, I guess it’s probably helpful if I tell you where else to find me on the world wide web. If you check me out on any of these platforms, let me know you followed; I’d love to get to know you!
I share all my blog posts on Twitter at @thepaladinpages, but am much more active (and fun, I hope!) on my personal account: @tassara_exe.
If you want to keep up with my reading in (mostly) real-time, I’d love to add you as a friend on Goodreads. You can find me at @tassara_txt.
And, lastly, if home decor, sustainable living, and plant-based recipes are your thing, I’m on Pinterest as @tassara_jpg.
Got a book you want to recommend? Have a suggestion for something I should discuss on the blog? Just want to chat? Shoot me a DM on your platform of choice, or email me directly at tassara@thepaladinpages.com. I’d love to hear from you!
As always, thanks for stopping by The Paladin Pages. I’m so glad you’re here. 💙