Donna

Hiii sorry for spamming but please can you read my friend's work?!!
          
          "Her mother poisoned her for eleven days to save her life.
          
          That was the easy part."
          
          Read THE EMPEROR'S THROAT 
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/392705814?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=story_info&wp_page=story_details_button&wp_uname=indig0jesse

Congratulations to all winners of round 1 ONC and Ambassador picks!!!
          
          I have to say that I must be reading on a different site or something because not one of the most amazing,  awesome books and their writers, that I'm reading made it to either list, in fact, I didn't recognise any of the winners, where usually I see at least 10 accounts that I know or follow or am reading, which I found to be unusual. 
          
          Good luck for the next round, everyone. ❤️
          

Is anyone else not getting notifications of new chapters and those new chapters not showing in the books. I've been checking the books I'm reading for new chapters and wondering why no one was updating and thinking it was to do with the ONC round 2 entry date, to find there are new chapters today and that comments were made in them a week ago???

A new chapter of Silence is up for those reading.
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/407434137

Part 2 of the history of why we drive on the left or right.
          
          The Napoleonic Influence
          Before the French Revolution, the aristocracy travelled on the left, forcing the peasantry to the right. After the Revolution, travelling on the right became a symbol of "the people."
          
          Napoleon Bonaparte enforced right-hand traffic in every country he conquered (Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, etc.).
          
          The Resistance: Nations that resisted Napoleon—like Britain, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Portugal—kept to the left as a sign of defiance.
          
          3. Formalizing the Law: The 1835 Highway Act
          While it was a custom for centuries, Britain officially codified the "keep left" rule in the Highway Act of 1835. This made it a legal requirement across the UK and its burgeoning colonies. This is why countries like India, Australia, and South Africa still drive on the left today

This came up on Facebook from the Now and Then site. I found it very interesting and thought some of you would too. I'll post it in 2 lots as it's too big as one message.
          
          Why does Britain drive on the left?
          The history of which side of the road we use is a fascinating mix of ancient combat tactics, 18th-century logistics, and a bit of French defiance. While it might feel counterintuitive to much of the modern world, Britain’s choice to stay on the left is actually the "original" way of doing things.
          
          1. The Medieval "Sword Hand" Rule
          In the Middle Ages, roads were dangerous places. Since approximately 90% of the population is right-handed, riding on the left was a matter of survival.
          
          Defensive Positioning: By staying on the left, a rider kept their right arm (their sword hand) between themselves and an oncoming stranger.
          
          Ease of Mount: It is easier to mount a horse from the left (the "near side"), especially when wearing a sword on the left hip. Mounting from the left side of the road prevents you from swinging your leg out into traffic.
          
          2. Why the Rest of the World Changed
          If the left was the standard, why did most of Europe and the Americas switch to the right? It comes down to two major factors: Large Wagons and Napoleon.
          
          The Rise of Teamsters
          In the late 1700s, large freight wagons (like the Conestoga in the U.S.) became popular. These wagons were pulled by teams of horses and didn't have a driver's seat.
          
          The driver sat on the rear left horse so he could keep his right arm free to whip the whole team.
          
          To ensure he didn't collide with oncoming traffic, he wanted to see the wheels of the passing wagon closely. This forced him to drive on the right side of the road.
          

I don't like it.  It adds an additional step to get to notifications. Also, the number displayed includes updates that I'm not at all interested in.  Their programmers should work on fixing bugs rather than adding features nobody wants and only make things more difficult.

What do you all think of the new social feed window?
          I'm not sure about it. I'm getting heaps of notifications about people who I DON'T follow adding books to their reading lists. Surely, that's a glitch, right?

Thank you for the follow  Your support means more than you know. Welcome—I’m glad you’re here. Best of luck for the ONC. 
          
          
          
          
          

Thank you so much for adding Black Thickett to your reading list and for voting! Have an amazing day!