Wednesday Reading Meme & Books 15, 16 & 17 of 2025
Apr. 23rd, 2025 07:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spikedluvWhat I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: Mourn Not Your Dead (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) by Deborah Crombie, Gin and Daggers (A Murder, She Wrote Mystery) by Donald Bain, and Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea (Tomes and Tea Series) by Rebecca Thorne.
What I am Currently Reading: Dreaming of the Bones (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) by Deborah Crombie (with The Nightmare Before Kissmas (A Royals and Romance Novel) by Sara Raasch on the back burner).
What I Plan to Read Next: I have another book out from the library.
Book 15 of 2025: Mourn Not Your Dead (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) (Deborah Crombie)
I enjoyed this book. The case was interesting. ( spoilers )
I have the next book in the series out from the library already, so I'm going to continue reading it for now; I liked this book enough to give it five hearts.
♥♥♥♥♥
Book 16 of 2025: Gin and Daggers (A Murder, She Wrote Mystery) (Donald Bain)
Wow, was this bad. I recall reading a later book in the series for a book bingo square and I didn't remember it being this bad, so hopefully he improves quickly. There were a lot of inconsistencies with the tv series and he really doesn't have a feel for the characters. Yet. (I talked specifics at this week's Monday [Fandom] Madness post, if you're interested in reading more.)
If I weren't reading this series for the sole purpose of seeing what details he adds to Jessica's life, I'd probably quit now. (I read a blog post that mentioned Jessica and Frank living someplace else before they moved to Cabot Cove, which made me curious if it came from the books and what else might be in them.) I'm only giving this book two hearts.
♥♥
Book 17 of 2025: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea (Tomes and Tea Series) (Rebecca Thorne)
I really enjoyed this book!( spoilers )
I'm looking forward to reading the next book (when the two libraries that have it take it off the ‘new and popular' list); I'm giving this book five hearts.
♥♥♥♥♥
What I am Currently Reading: Dreaming of the Bones (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) by Deborah Crombie (with The Nightmare Before Kissmas (A Royals and Romance Novel) by Sara Raasch on the back burner).
What I Plan to Read Next: I have another book out from the library.
Book 15 of 2025: Mourn Not Your Dead (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) (Deborah Crombie)
I enjoyed this book. The case was interesting. ( spoilers )
I have the next book in the series out from the library already, so I'm going to continue reading it for now; I liked this book enough to give it five hearts.
♥♥♥♥♥
Book 16 of 2025: Gin and Daggers (A Murder, She Wrote Mystery) (Donald Bain)
Wow, was this bad. I recall reading a later book in the series for a book bingo square and I didn't remember it being this bad, so hopefully he improves quickly. There were a lot of inconsistencies with the tv series and he really doesn't have a feel for the characters. Yet. (I talked specifics at this week's Monday [Fandom] Madness post, if you're interested in reading more.)
If I weren't reading this series for the sole purpose of seeing what details he adds to Jessica's life, I'd probably quit now. (I read a blog post that mentioned Jessica and Frank living someplace else before they moved to Cabot Cove, which made me curious if it came from the books and what else might be in them.) I'm only giving this book two hearts.
♥♥
Book 17 of 2025: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea (Tomes and Tea Series) (Rebecca Thorne)
I really enjoyed this book!( spoilers )
I'm looking forward to reading the next book (when the two libraries that have it take it off the ‘new and popular' list); I'm giving this book five hearts.
♥♥♥♥♥
Game Check-in: Wind Breaker -Rebel Heroes-
Apr. 22nd, 2025 11:26 pmbluapapilio
Inugami appeared in a hilarious way in chapter 3! Chouji calls him Wan-chan lmao. He's a puppy but he's trying to communicate through meows with an ally cat. Aw, Inugami's upset that Sako left Shishitouren...
It kinda sucks right now that attributes are so important but it's hard to make a full balanced team with so few characters out. The SSR versions are barred behind a low draw rate so you have to make due with one or two SSRs, some S's and the rest A's to split across attribute teams. I have one full same-attribute team but it's not balanced right, I think it's missing a striker and has 2 supporters, plus multiple A's.
Did Inugami tackle Sako?? 🤣 Oh, he though he was trying to kill himself by jumping......
This game made me realize Tsugeura speaks in Kansai-ben, guess I didn't pay attention when I watched the anime.
So Chouji challenged Umemiya, Wanijima challenged Chouji/Togame, then Inugami challenged Sako (who challenged Hiiragi), then Sako told Chouji to challenge him...oh Shishitouren.
It must've been really hard for Kanuma to leave Arima to do what Wanijima asked of him. Man, this group is so dumb, they should've done their research before attacking Shishitouren. 😅 To be fair the big brother didn't know until last minute so the younger brother is the one making him look stupid.
First time seeing Chouji look like that and getting excited! YEAH show Kraken their mistakes!!!
Wow, I got x2 of the highest ranking film rolls, 1 highest ranking notebook and 8k of the green coins for ranking in PVP!
I ended up buying the special pass to support the game and because I'm greedy and want more stuff haha.
I tried to pull for the new event Kaji but got SSR Hiiragi (which is fine), I'll just keep trying.
The chat with Kiryuu about crane games when Sakura compliments him is cute, almost made me ship it. <3 I guess I kinda of already do, in a polyam way? And the chat about games reaching end of service is too relatable. T__T
Oh, I reached the level cap at 38. :O So that's what the yellow coin shop is for... Looks like you get them in place of exp for mission rewards etc, wonder how long it'll take to get 10k.
The chat with Kaji about how the movie he borrowed from Enomoto on the rainy day wasn't as funny as usual because he had no one to watch it with. And encouraging Sakura to spend time after school with his classmates. And you can choose to have Sakura say "I-I'll...try...inviting them." :') Ugh Kaji is a great mentor.
The biggest pain about this game is matching the scene cards to the characters, some are character exclusive, some are attribute exclusive and some are card exclusive. Sometimes I'm gonna need to really sit down and save my parties. I didn't have enough to form full balanced parties before but I might now. And I need to level up more A and S scene cards to make up for some of my SSR scene cards being so exclusive... (You still get some stats if you mismatch a card but I don't know if it's worth it??)
AKC Courtneyyyyyy Culture Festival #174: Yokoyama Yui
Apr. 23rd, 2025 05:17 amsonofgodzillaWhilst she is presently in the same city as me, I thought I should take a moment to talk about former Team 8 member, Yokoyama Yui.
Not to be mistaken for the similarly name yet slightly differently spelt former member, Yokoyama Yui, who graduated in December 2021, Yoko-chan joined AKB in 2014 as Team 8’s Aomori representative, joining the group alongside Kuranoo Narumi, Oguri Yui, Oda Erina, and many others we’ve already spoken about here. Together, the team debuted with their revival of PARTY ga Hajumaru yo, going on tour together soon after, taking AKB out into the cities and countryside beyond Akiba anew.
By 2017, she had earned herself concurrent membership of Team K as part of management’s plan of taking the popularity garnered by the team and drawing that back into the existing teams, soon amusingly finding herself oft reported of as ‘Tano Yuka’s daughter’. With their reputation of being athletic and sporty, I always thought K was a good fit for Yoko-chan given her passion for dancing, yet it wasn’t until 2021, the year she graduated, that her talent really made an impact on me.
A lot was going on during the release of Nemohamo Rumor! Almost immediately after the announcement of Kashiwagi Yuki’s WACK collaboration, she was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome prompting a seven-hour operation and a long recovery time. Because of this, aspects of the new single had to be reshuffled with Yukirin unable to participate in the demanding choreography for the song. Yoko-chan stepped in, filling in for Yukirin’s parts during early performances, and whilst initially this happened without comment, a performance in which she wore a facemask due to having a cold on the day soon sparked a whole conversation online, the mask lending her air of mystery and later becoming a part of her outfit for future performances. Far from being a Team 8 aficionado, certainly this was the moment that really made me sit up and take notice, Nemohamo Rumor as a whole striking a note that continues to ring even now, and I feel a sense of regret that it took so long for me to notice the hard work that Yoko-chan was putting into making the group what it was, not just in terms of her Team 8 history but in how her dancing and talent shored up the group during the rough waters of these years, how her talent was instrumental in reminding others of AKB’s primacy as an idol group, constantly working hard, constantly improving. Whilst a member of Team 8, she appeared in a number of plays with her peers.
Following her graduation, she has continued to appear on stage, staring in an adaptation of Frankenstein in both Osaka and Tokyo in 2021, appearing as central character Lily in a production of Spy Room, which has a great premise even if it doesn’t always follow through, and, at last, as Usagi Tsukino for the performances of the Sailor Moon convention set piece, The Super Live, now just having wrapped up at KOKO in Camden. I have some mixed feelings about this performance and the way it was handled and how much the tickets cost, but I have faith this won’t be the last time we see Yoko-chan on stage and hope it won’t be the last time we see her in the role of Usagi.
Not to be mistaken for the similarly name yet slightly differently spelt former member, Yokoyama Yui, who graduated in December 2021, Yoko-chan joined AKB in 2014 as Team 8’s Aomori representative, joining the group alongside Kuranoo Narumi, Oguri Yui, Oda Erina, and many others we’ve already spoken about here. Together, the team debuted with their revival of PARTY ga Hajumaru yo, going on tour together soon after, taking AKB out into the cities and countryside beyond Akiba anew.
By 2017, she had earned herself concurrent membership of Team K as part of management’s plan of taking the popularity garnered by the team and drawing that back into the existing teams, soon amusingly finding herself oft reported of as ‘Tano Yuka’s daughter’. With their reputation of being athletic and sporty, I always thought K was a good fit for Yoko-chan given her passion for dancing, yet it wasn’t until 2021, the year she graduated, that her talent really made an impact on me.
A lot was going on during the release of Nemohamo Rumor! Almost immediately after the announcement of Kashiwagi Yuki’s WACK collaboration, she was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome prompting a seven-hour operation and a long recovery time. Because of this, aspects of the new single had to be reshuffled with Yukirin unable to participate in the demanding choreography for the song. Yoko-chan stepped in, filling in for Yukirin’s parts during early performances, and whilst initially this happened without comment, a performance in which she wore a facemask due to having a cold on the day soon sparked a whole conversation online, the mask lending her air of mystery and later becoming a part of her outfit for future performances. Far from being a Team 8 aficionado, certainly this was the moment that really made me sit up and take notice, Nemohamo Rumor as a whole striking a note that continues to ring even now, and I feel a sense of regret that it took so long for me to notice the hard work that Yoko-chan was putting into making the group what it was, not just in terms of her Team 8 history but in how her dancing and talent shored up the group during the rough waters of these years, how her talent was instrumental in reminding others of AKB’s primacy as an idol group, constantly working hard, constantly improving. Whilst a member of Team 8, she appeared in a number of plays with her peers.
Following her graduation, she has continued to appear on stage, staring in an adaptation of Frankenstein in both Osaka and Tokyo in 2021, appearing as central character Lily in a production of Spy Room, which has a great premise even if it doesn’t always follow through, and, at last, as Usagi Tsukino for the performances of the Sailor Moon convention set piece, The Super Live, now just having wrapped up at KOKO in Camden. I have some mixed feelings about this performance and the way it was handled and how much the tickets cost, but I have faith this won’t be the last time we see Yoko-chan on stage and hope it won’t be the last time we see her in the role of Usagi.
Purrcy, bees
Apr. 22nd, 2025 10:02 pmmecurtin#Purrcy was both happy and regal, sitting in my seat on the sofa with the sun coming the skylight on it. See how he smiles at me in Cat!
#cats #CatsOfBluesky
Purrcy the tuxedo tabby is lightly curled on a brocade cushion, looking at the camera with ears alert, whiskers spread wide and white, eyes light green and pupils just slits. He is clearly very happy, as sunlight shines on the cushion and most of him.
I sat out on the porch to eat breakfast today, and the local hive of feral honeybees was awake, buzzing about looking for nectar. The crabapple flowers are opening, so they seem to have their timing just right. The carpenter bees were also out, inspecting the eaves. It was really good to have that 1/2 hour, even though it was so late in the morning (I had errands to run before my stomach was ready for breakfast) that I didn't see or hear any migrants.
#cats #CatsOfBluesky
Purrcy the tuxedo tabby is lightly curled on a brocade cushion, looking at the camera with ears alert, whiskers spread wide and white, eyes light green and pupils just slits. He is clearly very happy, as sunlight shines on the cushion and most of him.
I sat out on the porch to eat breakfast today, and the local hive of feral honeybees was awake, buzzing about looking for nectar. The crabapple flowers are opening, so they seem to have their timing just right. The carpenter bees were also out, inspecting the eaves. It was really good to have that 1/2 hour, even though it was so late in the morning (I had errands to run before my stomach was ready for breakfast) that I didn't see or hear any migrants.
Fandom Bits and Pieces...among other things
Apr. 22nd, 2025 08:20 pmshadowkat1. Everything We Learned at the Star Wars Celebration 2025
Takeaways?
I really want to see Andor S2.
( excerpt )
Also, apparently the new Star Wars movie starring Ryan Gosling, and directed by Shawn Levy, entitled Star Wars: Star Fighter - takes place post Rise of Skywalker, and with all new characters. (Smart move. The better films pull away from the Skywalker story arcs.)
Also, I may try Ashoska again.
2. Not a fandom bit - but R.I.P Pope Francis. I'm saddened by this news.
Also he accomplished a lot in short period of time - shifting the course of the Catholic Church, promoting kindness and humility. (I also hope he talked some sense into devout Catholic and wannabee Fascist, Vance, who saw Francis before he died.)
3. Buffy Redux
So, I've been rewatching Buffy episodes intermittently. Picked up on a few things that I hadn't previously picked up on? ( Read more... )
4. Daredevil Born Again
I liked the season finale, and for the most part the series. It's similar yet different than Netflix's Daredevil, which had defter writing. However both are fairly uneven.
Fisk is clearly Marvel's commentary on the Fascist asshole in the White House or the Hitler Wannabee. Fisk even kind of looks like him, without hair. And that makes watching this - an odd experience.
The message at the end is Daredevil can't take on Fisk alone, which sets up S2 to be more of a group effort. People are speculating already on who will be joining the cast. Already slotted are Karen and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) aka The Punisher. Also Lily Taylor, and Mathew Lillard in a recurring role.
Takeaways?
I really want to see Andor S2.
( excerpt )
Also, apparently the new Star Wars movie starring Ryan Gosling, and directed by Shawn Levy, entitled Star Wars: Star Fighter - takes place post Rise of Skywalker, and with all new characters. (Smart move. The better films pull away from the Skywalker story arcs.)
Also, I may try Ashoska again.
2. Not a fandom bit - but R.I.P Pope Francis. I'm saddened by this news.
Also he accomplished a lot in short period of time - shifting the course of the Catholic Church, promoting kindness and humility. (I also hope he talked some sense into devout Catholic and wannabee Fascist, Vance, who saw Francis before he died.)
3. Buffy Redux
So, I've been rewatching Buffy episodes intermittently. Picked up on a few things that I hadn't previously picked up on? ( Read more... )
4. Daredevil Born Again
I liked the season finale, and for the most part the series. It's similar yet different than Netflix's Daredevil, which had defter writing. However both are fairly uneven.
Fisk is clearly Marvel's commentary on the Fascist asshole in the White House or the Hitler Wannabee. Fisk even kind of looks like him, without hair. And that makes watching this - an odd experience.
The message at the end is Daredevil can't take on Fisk alone, which sets up S2 to be more of a group effort. People are speculating already on who will be joining the cast. Already slotted are Karen and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) aka The Punisher. Also Lily Taylor, and Mathew Lillard in a recurring role.
Good News from Earth Day...among other things..
Apr. 22nd, 2025 06:08 pmshadowkatBelieve it or not? There has actually been some good news on the Climate Change and Environmental Front and a few other fronts...it's not all grim out there.
1. A partnership between the Miccosukee Tribe and Pinecrest, FL converts food scraps into compost for the tribe’s community garden, improving soil and reducing landfill waste. Go HERE
2. The Iñupiat community of Elim, AK protests a proposed uranium mine during the Iditarod dogsled race to protect their subsistence way of life and the biodiversity of Norton Sound. Go HERE
***
And apparently on the immigration front? So a break from our scheduled programming into that...which is an on-going battle:
( Immigration Legal and Political Battles )
***
Back to the environment:
5.A federal appeals court revives a civil rights lawsuit challenging polluting industries in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” opening the door for justice in historically harmed Black communities. Go HERE
6. Climate activists are increasingly suing governments and companies to take action against climate change — and WINNING. Go Here
( excerpt )
7.In 2024, a record 112 million Americans rode bikes, the highest participation rate since 2014, with youth ridership jumping from 49% to 56%. Go HERE
8.The U.S. and China both show significant growth in renewable energy, outpacing traditional power sources. Go HERE
9.Despite budget cuts, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center continues to provide critical climate information. Go HERE
10. Attorneys general in four states—CA, IL, ME, and MN—sue the EPA and Citibank for unlawfully withholding funds from state green banks meant to support climate solutions. Go HERE
( the rest of the 25 items )
***
Non-climate change related, academic law suit:
26. Harvard takes the counter-offensive and sues the Trump administration for freezing billions of dollars in federal funding.
1. A partnership between the Miccosukee Tribe and Pinecrest, FL converts food scraps into compost for the tribe’s community garden, improving soil and reducing landfill waste. Go HERE
2. The Iñupiat community of Elim, AK protests a proposed uranium mine during the Iditarod dogsled race to protect their subsistence way of life and the biodiversity of Norton Sound. Go HERE
***
And apparently on the immigration front? So a break from our scheduled programming into that...which is an on-going battle:
( Immigration Legal and Political Battles )
***
Back to the environment:
5.A federal appeals court revives a civil rights lawsuit challenging polluting industries in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” opening the door for justice in historically harmed Black communities. Go HERE
6. Climate activists are increasingly suing governments and companies to take action against climate change — and WINNING. Go Here
( excerpt )
7.In 2024, a record 112 million Americans rode bikes, the highest participation rate since 2014, with youth ridership jumping from 49% to 56%. Go HERE
8.The U.S. and China both show significant growth in renewable energy, outpacing traditional power sources. Go HERE
9.Despite budget cuts, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center continues to provide critical climate information. Go HERE
10. Attorneys general in four states—CA, IL, ME, and MN—sue the EPA and Citibank for unlawfully withholding funds from state green banks meant to support climate solutions. Go HERE
( the rest of the 25 items )
***
Non-climate change related, academic law suit:
26. Harvard takes the counter-offensive and sues the Trump administration for freezing billions of dollars in federal funding.
Red Boar's Baby
Apr. 22nd, 2025 01:10 pmsholioAs is my usual practice, my latest book as Lauren is available for download for my DW circle for the next week or so!
Download from Bookfunnel.
The download will be up until the book goes live on Amazon on May 2.
(Technically this is Shifter Agents #6, but it's a standalone that shouldn't require any context to read.)
Download from Bookfunnel.
The download will be up until the book goes live on Amazon on May 2.
(Technically this is Shifter Agents #6, but it's a standalone that shouldn't require any context to read.)
Another thought about B5 5x18
Apr. 21st, 2025 11:11 pmsholioI will be going back to answer recent comments, but first, one more stray B5 thought with spoilers through 5x18.
( Tying up a loose end )
( Tying up a loose end )
Manga Check-in: Twisted Wonderland ~Episode of Savanaclaw~ Vol. 2 Ch. 6-7
Apr. 22nd, 2025 12:09 ambluapapilioSpoilers ⬇️
Chapter 6: So Leona's lines at the end of the last chapter were connected to how Scar in The Lion King wasn't a good king, no matter how much you want it or think you deserve it because of lineage, if you can't keep your people alive and happy there's no point in sitting on the throne.
The idea of Jack crouching down a few feet to scare them like this is too funny. And then he had a total tsundere moment. 😂
Cute!!! I always want to screenshot everything in this manga, I'm being fed so well since we don't get to see things like this in the game because of the game style.
Chapter 7: Oh, there are bunny-eared people too?
Man, it's so silly to think Malleus and Lilia would have let themselves be stampeded. Oh Leona...
The notes for Yuuka! "She can shoulder throw Jack". He had to feel some mad respect when she did that.
The idea of Jack crouching down a few feet to scare them like this is too funny. And then he had a total tsundere moment. 😂
Cute!!! I always want to screenshot everything in this manga, I'm being fed so well since we don't get to see things like this in the game because of the game style.
Chapter 7: Oh, there are bunny-eared people too?
Man, it's so silly to think Malleus and Lilia would have let themselves be stampeded. Oh Leona...
The notes for Yuuka! "She can shoulder throw Jack". He had to feel some mad respect when she did that.
Limericks!
Apr. 21st, 2025 10:15 pmpetraI have recently written limericks in: due South, Interview with the Vampire (TV), Murderbot, Star Wars Original & Prequel Trilogies, and Venom (Movies). Go here for the links and summaries, in alphabetical order by fandom.
I would be happy to write more, so if reading my limericks makes you want more of them, prompt at will.
I would be happy to write more, so if reading my limericks makes you want more of them, prompt at will.
Game Check-in: Honkai Star Rail
Apr. 21st, 2025 02:50 pmbluapapilio
I started playing again after some time. I last finished Penacony and started the Wardance ceremony quest. The introductions just happened with Fuming's arbiter-general. I don't like Yunli's attitude but she's not wrong about Yanqing, he has things to work on. Just as she does.
What was with Dan Heng's comment about how he hoped Caelus and Jing Yuan just spent some time together and that's why they're close? What else would the case have been for them acting so chummy??
Oh, meeting Moze and Jiaoqiu!
I love how your only options for describing Yanqing to Lingsha are: Young, Cute, Miniature. I'm surprised he didn't protest.
Oh, a wild Sushang. Why do we have the option to say 'you look so pretty when you're serious' WTF.
The Yanli vs Yanqing thing is annoying, just communicate! Yanqing, learn to take criticism, Yanli, learn to give it in a non-abrasive way. You're proving that you're immature.
I like Feixiao, she's cool. :)
"I'm a healer."
Oo nice bit of Yanqing growth, he realized why he continues to do swordplay despite the fear of losing.
Dan Heng saving and protecting Caelus!
Jiaqiou: I'm a healer, fighting isn't everything
Also Jiaoqiou: *doesn't have a healing ability, is a fire attacker*
How did Hoolay get out of the gate?? What did Hoolay mean his first meal was one of his own.
So Xueyi's body is ingenium but her soul is still the same. How the heck did she get permission for that. Hanya was the most effusive I've ever heard her when Xueyi came back as the cycrane. :')
Hahaha Caelus can tell Moze "you look better when you're silent". Moze: "...Really?". I feel like Caelus has some experience reading silent people's expressions because of Dan Heng.
I wasn't expecting to get to see Jiaoqiu's thoughts, I felt like he had things under control in some way but no, he's calling himself a loser and blaming himself already for not doing anything. :'(
The time jump was kind of weird. Like, Yanqing saying 'I WAS planning on showing them the Skysplitter' but he DID do that, and Dan Heng saying the guards protected them and showing he, Caelus and Hanya surrounding by mech. Like...that's not what happened. Or it's not clear enough.
Poor Dan Heng finding new stuff out about his past because Lingsha held a huge grudge against Jing Yuan without knowing the truth about her mentor. At least she's quick to own up. But I want to know more about how the mentor did something to Dan Heng's cocoon to try to make him keep his memories after rebirth. I'm surprised her mentor didn't tell her the truth before she went to the Luofu.
So Feixiao was a slave to the borisin? Geeeze. But she got away and used what she learned against them. Are foxians who grow up with borisin immune to lupitoxin or something?
Poetry month: For the New House by Ursula K. Le Guin
Apr. 21st, 2025 02:38 pmresonantFor the New House by Ursula K. Le Guin
May this house be full of kitchen smells
and shadows and toys and nests of mice
and roars of rage and waterfalls of tears
and deep sexual silences and sounds
of mysterious origin never explained
and troves and keepsakes and a lot of junk
and a flowing like a warm wind only slower
blowing the leaves of trees and books and the fish-years
of a child’s life silvery flickering
quick, quick, in the slow incessant gust
that billows out the curtains for a moment
all those years from now, ago.
May the sills and doorframes
be in blessing blest at every passing.
May the roof but not the rooms know rain.
May the windows know clearly
the branch and flower of the apple tree.
And may you be in this house
as the music is in the instrument.
May this house be full of kitchen smells
and shadows and toys and nests of mice
and roars of rage and waterfalls of tears
and deep sexual silences and sounds
of mysterious origin never explained
and troves and keepsakes and a lot of junk
and a flowing like a warm wind only slower
blowing the leaves of trees and books and the fish-years
of a child’s life silvery flickering
quick, quick, in the slow incessant gust
that billows out the curtains for a moment
all those years from now, ago.
May the sills and doorframes
be in blessing blest at every passing.
May the roof but not the rooms know rain.
May the windows know clearly
the branch and flower of the apple tree.
And may you be in this house
as the music is in the instrument.
Face the Dragon, by Joyce Sweeney
Apr. 21st, 2025 11:59 amrachelmanija
In this YA novel published in 1990, six fourteen-year-olds face their inner dragons while they're in an accelerated academic program which includes a class on Beowulf.
I read this when it first came out, so when I saw a copy at a library book sale, I grabbed it to re-read. It largely holds up, though I'd completely forgotten the main plot and only recalled the theme and the subplot.
My recollection of the book was that the six teenagers are inspired by class discussions on Beowulf to face their personal fears. This is correct. I also recalled that one of the girls was a gymnast with an eating disorder and one of the boys was an athlete partially paralyzed in an accident, and those two bonded over their love of sports and current conflicted/damaging relationship to sports and their bodies, and ended up dating. This is also correct.
What I'd completely forgotten was the main plot, which was about the narrator, Eric, who idolized his best friend, Paul, and had an idealized crush on one of the girls in the class, who he was correctly convinced had a crush on Paul, and incorrectly convinced Paul was mutually attracted to. Paul, who is charming and outgoing, convinces Eric, who is shy, to do a speech class with him, where Eric surprisingly excels. The main plot is about the Eric/Paul relationship, how Eric's jealousy nearly wrecks it, and how the boys both end up facing their dragons and fixing their friendship.
Paul's dragon is that he's secretly gay. The speech teacher takes a dislike to him, promotes Eric to the debate team when Paul deserves it more (and tells Eric this in private), and finally tries to destroy Paul in front of the whole class by accusing him of being gay! Eric defends Paul, Paul confesses his secret to him, and the boys repair their friendship.
While a bit dated/historical, especially in terms of both boys knowing literally nothing about what being gay actually means in terms of living your life, it's a very nicely done novel with lots of good character sketches. The teachers are all real characters, as are the six kids - all of whom have their own journeys. The crush object, for instance, is a pretty rich girl who's been crammed into a narrow box of traditional femininity, and her journey is to destroy the idealized image that Eric is in love with and her parents have imposed on her - and part of Eric's journey is to accept the role of being her supportive friend who helps her do it.
I was surprised and pleased to discover that this and other Sweeney books are currently available as ebooks. I will check some out.
(no subject)
Apr. 21st, 2025 11:45 amolivermoss* I keep thinking 'I'm pretty much over this cold or whatever, I just need a bit of a nap.... why is it tomorrow?'
How the fuck is it Monday?
* I was really looking forward to finishing Lost Records: Bloom & Rage now that the second half of the game it out, but the game thinks I didn't nab the main quest item from tape 1. I was a few hours into tape 2 before I realized it. As great as the story is, the actual mechanics are very futzy and slow, and this hasn't been the only bug. Some games are fun because of the actual game play, some are good in spite of the gameplay.
I don't have time for this, I am going to find a LP to finish it out.
* [pours salt circle around flist] I really should not engage about Murderbot outside of this space. At this point some of the discourse is so far removed from the reality of the canon I am pretty sure people are just making shit up to support their takes. Actually, in a few cases I am completely sure. Maybe once the show is out the hype will drown some of it out? I wonder if it's dropping weekly or all at once?
It's fine to relate in various ways or to have different takes, but there is some wild stuff out there. Not sure what I expected from the fandom that thinks I haven't really consumed the canon because I like the wrong audio adaptation.
How the fuck is it Monday?
* I was really looking forward to finishing Lost Records: Bloom & Rage now that the second half of the game it out, but the game thinks I didn't nab the main quest item from tape 1. I was a few hours into tape 2 before I realized it. As great as the story is, the actual mechanics are very futzy and slow, and this hasn't been the only bug. Some games are fun because of the actual game play, some are good in spite of the gameplay.
I don't have time for this, I am going to find a LP to finish it out.
* [pours salt circle around flist] I really should not engage about Murderbot outside of this space. At this point some of the discourse is so far removed from the reality of the canon I am pretty sure people are just making shit up to support their takes. Actually, in a few cases I am completely sure. Maybe once the show is out the hype will drown some of it out? I wonder if it's dropping weekly or all at once?
It's fine to relate in various ways or to have different takes, but there is some wild stuff out there. Not sure what I expected from the fandom that thinks I haven't really consumed the canon because I like the wrong audio adaptation.
Catching up on various shows
Apr. 21st, 2025 06:19 pmselenakDaredevil Reborn: overall, good finale. I'm not shipping anyone on this show (or its predecessor), but I was amused, given that Luke Cage managed to make "coffee" a synonym for sex back in the Netflix day for all the Marvel shows, that Frank expressed the wish for coffee with both Matt and Karen. (Not at the same time.) On a more serious note, the finale evidently went for an Empire Strikes Back vibe in that ( spoilery stuff happens )
Wheel of Time S3 finale: speaking of Empire Strikes Back vibes... Though in this case just in one plot line. Okay, two, technically. (The second one being Team Elayne, Matt, Min and Nyneave not gaining what they wanted to, but what Nynayve did get was so important that I hesitate to equate this with the goings on at the White Tower.) This, too, is based on a book series written many years ago, and was shot way back when yours truly hoped the world would be less insane in 2025 than it actually is, but can't help but feel extremely on point with its ( spoiilery stuff )
Doctor Who ?.02: amusingly weird, technically impressive, everyone looks gorgeous in their costumes. But Fourth Wall Breaking stories are not really my thing, and so I can't say I loved it.
Wheel of Time S3 finale: speaking of Empire Strikes Back vibes... Though in this case just in one plot line. Okay, two, technically. (The second one being Team Elayne, Matt, Min and Nyneave not gaining what they wanted to, but what Nynayve did get was so important that I hesitate to equate this with the goings on at the White Tower.) This, too, is based on a book series written many years ago, and was shot way back when yours truly hoped the world would be less insane in 2025 than it actually is, but can't help but feel extremely on point with its ( spoiilery stuff )
Doctor Who ?.02: amusingly weird, technically impressive, everyone looks gorgeous in their costumes. But Fourth Wall Breaking stories are not really my thing, and so I can't say I loved it.
