Reading

Entry tags:

book lists

Today’s book lists

From [Book Jockey Alex’s] blog:

Notable Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror of 2024 - while the original post was at the blog, the actual list is at ReacTor Mag.
YA Book Bundles – Science Fiction & Fantasy, Part 1
YA Book Bundles – Science Fiction & Fantasy, Part 2

general thought: Look, I get that the USA has a stranglehold on some aspects of publishing, and that someone writing from North America about books published in English is going to get a lot more options set in the USA. But for me to pick something set there to spend my precious reading time, the summary has to be spectacular. Ditto ‘class warfare (near) future dystopia’. I’m here for the escapism, dammit. In the Reactor article there were books more relevant to my interests later on, but I nearly noped out when the first five or so were so dire.

Overall - I didn’t quite make it through these lists. I found it near impossible to focus on the descriptions to see if there was something I was going to like; then I just skimmed to see if there was anything jumped out at me. Also, two of these are from 2020, so there were several I’ve either got on the wishlist, or have read. Of the ~80, I added four to the wishlist, but only one is a ‘really want to read’, and that’s because it is one of my must read authors.

The Spinoff’s best NZ books of 2024 - I found the summaries much more readable than the previous, and yet I added zero books to the reading wishlist.

The Best Books We Read in 2024—And What We’re Looking Forward to in 2025 by Words without Borders - books in translation. Another one where the summaries/reviews were interesting reading, but none sparked an interest in actually reading the books.

Read Palestinian Speculative Fiction Reading List by Sonia Sulaiman - to be fair here, I’ve read five booklists already, and I’m starting to flag. But this is the last one, and then I can close the window, and I’m very invested in that. So, I’m expecting to be unmotivated by any of the books, and that is not actually a commentary on what is written. … and then I started reading and discovered it is a stack of links. For now, I’ve shoved it into the ‘reading plans’ tab group, which is where anything online short fiction gets put until I have the oomph to read it.

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Photos: Cookie Jar Terrarium Part 1: Setup

Recently I bought a little fern, so I'm making a new terrarium. You can also see the previous Antique Jar Terrarium.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: thankful

Entry tags:

Urgent and Unexpected (part 1 of 1, complete)

Urgent and Unexpected
By Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only):
[Landing #5, day 2, then Landing #6, day 1]

:: Schroedinger’s Heroes and the Asher family confront the problem of accessing medical care for Anita, in the Heroes’ ineffable style. Part of the Sidestep Travelers universe. This story crosses with a version of the Schrodinger’s Heroes universe. ::

“We’ve got at least a partial coordinate match for your universe already,” Pat assured her, as Anita paced along longer side of the empty room once labeled for storage and currently empty of even the previous coating of dust. One solitary cobweb clung to the intersection of two walls, about a foot lower than the ceiling, but it was barely the size of the first joint of Anita’s thumb, so she ignored it.
( Read more... )

He's right.

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Entry tags:

language,
queer

Dictionary words

The one thing about discord that I wish I could get on Signal is different names for different group chats. I'm the only Firstname Lastname LinkedIn-sona in this new trans group I've joined; everyone else has a single lowercase noun for a name, like a normal person.

I hosted a hybrid meeting today, and when D asked who was coming, the names I gave him were one animal, two vegetable, and one mineral.

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Silmarillion Friending Meme

letstalksilmarillion has posted a friending meme.

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

blogging,
personal

Monday Update 4-21-25

These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Birdfeeding
Spring Friending Meme
Intro to the Web Revival #1: What is the Web Revival?
Books with Queer Autistic Characters for Autism Awareness Month
Today's Adventures
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Immigrants
Creative Jam
Vocabulary: Ladramhaiola
Join the Fictionfolk Webring
Safety
Read "The Greater Good"
Birdfeeding
Safety
Food
Where are the trans people toilets?
Jug Crafts for Gardening
Frugal Friday
Never Forget
Follow Friday 4-18-25: Graphics
Reality Imitating Art
Navajo Peaches
Birdfeeding
Anosognosia
Hobbies: Creative Writing
Gilda and Meek and the Un-Iverse
Success!
Transgender
Birdfeeding
Cuddle Party

"Not a Destination, But a Process" has 127 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 75 comments. Joann Fabrics going out of business has 56 comments.

Watch for Three Weeks for Dreamwidth coming April 25-May 15. People will celebrate the anniversary of the platform by posting things only on Dreamwidth and doing other blog activities. Think ahead about what you'll want to post while the traffic is higher.

"Babes in the Pineywoods" belongs to the Big One. It belongs to the Big One thread of Polychrome Heroics. Bo-Art and Creamjeans talk with the Black Doctor.

The weather has been variable and wet here. It rained last night Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a flock of grackles, a flock of brown-headed cowbirds, several blue jays, several starlings, two mourning doves, a male cardinal, a brown thrasher, a robin, and Nipple Squirrel. I've heard red-winged blackbirds and woodpeckers. Squills, pear, forsythia, and serviceberry are done. Currently blooming: daffodils, violets, blue grape hyacinths, tulips, dandelions, trilliums, snowbells, crabapples, lilacs, bleeding heart, redbud, columbine. Peonies have flower buds.

I did the second most terrifying thing

and applied for a shitton of jobs. The worst they can do is call me a dipshit, and they probably wouldn't do that to my face. I think? Seems like a waste of time to call somebody up and say "You're terrible, how could you think we'd consider you?"

*****************

( Read more... )

Entry tags:

The Friday Five on a Bank Holiday Monday

Who was your first crush?

Real person: It was a boy named Colin, in the fifth grade. I would have been ten years old. I can't remember anything about him except he had blue eyes and I could make him laugh until he cried.

Fictional TV character: Jean-Luc Picard.

Fictional literary character: Sherlock Holmes.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

I have extrovert energy, but I'm an introvert and I very much need my alone time.
What is your favorite non-sexual thing you like to do with the love of your life?

I can't think of a particular favourite. I just enjoy his company.
What is one quirky habit your partner does that either annoys you or makes you grin?

This does both: throwing his pants at the laundry basket and missing. Like, every single day.
Do you believe in monogamous relationships?

It works for me. I do understand they're not for everyone.

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Birdfeeding

Today is cloudy, breezy, and cool. It rained for hours last night.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches, plus a brown-headed cowbird.

I put out water for the birds.

The single yellow violet (which might be a hairy yellow violet) that I planted in the forest garden has seeded a whole new plant! :D 3q3q3q!!!! I am so excited.

We measured from the spigot to the old picnic table and the new picnic table. We'll need to acquire a 75-foot hose.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- The plumbers have come and gone. We have a working outside spigot! \o/ It has low water pressure for reasons that are not feasible to fix, but at least water comes out of it.

We dug up the old hoses. The yellow ones were in pieces so we threw those away. The green is still attached to a different spigot that it won't come off. But at least the yellows are gone. Progress.

I started working on a new cookie jar terrarium for the potted fern, but other things intervened so I haven't gotten very far yet.

I've seen the tufted titmouse! :D I haven't seen him in weeks, so I'm glad he's still around.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 4/21/25 -- I picked up more sticks for the firepit.

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Voter Suppression

Indivisible reports that these Democratic senators in particular need to hear from their constituents right now to oppose HR22, a bill which would disinfranchise millions of people, mostly women, from voting.

Current Mood: nostalgic

Someone is having a lot of fun

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Ode to a Yellow Onion by C. Dale Young

And what if I had simply passed you by,
your false skins gathering light in a basket,
those skins of unpolished copper,
would you have lived more greatly?

Now you are free of that metallic coating,
a broken hull of parchment,
the dried petals of a lily—
those who have not loved you
will not know differently.

But you are green fading into yellow—
how deceptive you have been.

Once I played the cithara,
fingers chafing against each note.
Once I worked the loom,
cast the shuttle through the warp.
Once I scrubbed the tiles
deep in the tub of Alejandro.
Now I try to deciper you.

Beyond the village, within a cloud
of wild cacao and tamarind,
they chant your tale, how you,
most common of your kind,
make the great warrior-men cry
but a woman can unravel you.

****

Link

Moonpie insisted on being hand-fed today

Why is she like this.

**************************

( Read more... )

Current Mood: amused

The Mysteries of Anatomy

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Current Mood: tired
Current Location: Castle Greyskull
Current Music: Burn Notice opening title theme

Entry tags:

weekend-only world

Spent Saturday evening at Norwescon. Had a quick dinner with Gerry and Sandra Tyra (family of choice who live in Arizona), a nice leisurely discussion with Shannon McKinnion, brief touch-bases with half a dozen other friends, many of whom I hadn't seen since before the pandemic, a chance to appreciate one of the award-winning Masquerade costumes close up (and congratulate its creator), and to spend a couple of hours in open filk. Just enough con for me. Looking forward to seeing many folks again in a few months at the Seattle Worldcon 2025.

So, due to a combination of things hitting at once we're overdue on both the electric and gas bills

Jenn's plan to self-set-up her own balanced billing + a random screwup with autopay that she didn't realize until we were in the hole + having to help a friend get out of an abusive relationship = omg.

I'm pretty sure that they legally can't actually shut us off until May 15th, and once we get the tax refund we can pay the entire past due bills... but there's no promise we will get that refund by that date, and I would be surprised if we do. I don't want to go a week without lights and hot water, or a fridge and stove.

I'm reasonably certain that if we pay even half the past due now, we can talk them into waiting for that refund. The entire total is something like $6k... I'm a little scared to look again, honestly. I just sorta glanced at the bills in horror.

I've got paypal and venmo, which is posted here, or if you can't see that and can and want to help out you can PM me. We can absolutely pay back (or forward!) as soon as that refund comes in. I know how much the refund is, it will cover these bills.

(I've also been sitting on posting this for a few days, so I better get it out before I chicken out again!)

Current Mood: amused

Entry tags:

Over Breakfast (part 1 of 1, complete)

Over Breakfast
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1455
[Friday, July 8, 2016]

:: Tolliver tells Shiv about the meeting with Ms. Kellogg, but then drops a firecracker into the conversation. Part of the Finn family and Shiv threads of stories, both in the Polychrome Heroics universe, the story is a bonus for the April of 2025 Magpie Monday. ::

“Your former teacher is a few ounces shy of a pound of common sense,” Tolliver declared, as soon as Shiv answered his phone.

“Huh--” Shiv scraped his free hand over his tousled hair and checked his watch. “Did you forget the time difference?”

“I wanted to take you out for breakfast, and explain how Ms. Kellogg reacted when we met.”
( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Birdfeeding

Today is mostly sunny, humid, and warm. It rained off and on yesterday and last night.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches, plus a fox squirrel.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 4/20/25 -- I walked around the yard taking pictures.

EDIT 4/20/25 -- We had a friend over to help with yardening and picked up sticks from the house yard.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

meme,
networking

Spring Friending Meme

icons is hosting a Spring Friending Meme. Fill out the form and/or read other people's entries to find new friends.