Rachael Arsenault's Blog - Posts Tagged "amreading"
May Wrap-Up
Another month, another wrap-up. Let's go!
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
This is a sequel to Seraphina, a book I read last year and absolutely adored. Though it took me a lot longer than I expected to get through this one, it didn’t disappoint – I just wasn’t in the ideal headspace to dig into something this long. But Hartman delivered exactly what I expected and wanted from this series, with continued political intrigue, deceit and mind games, plenty of twists, and so much more of that incredible world-building and gorgeous prose. This is one of those books that leaves me pining for the author’s skills, because damn. I definitely want to reread this series sometime in the future.
Articles:
Top 10 Design Flaws in the Human Body
Listen, the human body is a fascinating nightmare and I love learning about all its oddities. This is a great little exploration of that.
How the Ballpoint Pen Killed Cursive
History is weird and complicated and often develops in unexpected ways that, even looking back, we misunderstand. This not only explains how the difference between ballpoint pens and fountain pens contributed to a shift from cursive writing to print, but also gives an overview of how ballpoint pens came to be and rose in popularity. Let me tell you, I did not expect the British Air Force to have an important role in that story.
"The First One That Died Sure Unnerved Me."
I don’t normally read a lot of epidemic-related writing, especially not right now – it’s part of every conversation I’ve been having lately and inescapable on social media, so I usually want my reading to be an escape from that. But this article intrigued me. And I’m glad I read it. Lutiant offers an interesting perspective on a dark period in history, and insight into a situation that is now repeating in our time. It feels like looking in a mirror and something about that makes this situation feel more… human, maybe? It’s a strange sort of comfort.
How 25 London Neighbourhoods Got Their Names
I’ve never been to London, but I’m still a sucker for history and etymology. Plus, stuff like this makes for great research/inspiration when it comes to creating my own worlds and naming places within them.
How the 18th Century Gay Bar Survived and Thrived in a Dangerous Environment
I know the queer community has always been around and has a long, proud history and culture, but it hadn’t occurred to me that gay bars, specifically, dated all the way back to the 1700s in London. While this isn’t exactly a happy story (because queer men had to hide who they were, and because of what happened when they and their molly houses were discovered), it is an interesting one, and certainly one we should be careful not to forget.
Pompeii Ruins Show That the Romans Invented Recycling
History. Is. WILD. There are so many things that seem very modern but turn out to have ancient roots, and recycling, apparently, is one of them. It also makes it so much more obvious that we can do better with reusing the goods we throw away, given how much our tools and know-how have grown in the thousands of years since Vesuvius erupted.
Other:
Mighty Vibes Vol 1: Lo-Fi Beats to Doodle To
This actually came out last month, but I’ve found myself listening to it over and over again during May. Not only is the animation adorable and full of awesome little Easter eggs for Critical Role fans, but this mix is perfect for helping me focus when my brain doesn’t want to work. I actually listened to it while reading some of the articles I include in this list!
Volume 2 came out near the tail end of the month – I haven’t had a chance to listen to it as much as the first one, but I love it, too, and look forward to having it on in the background as I plug away at creative projects.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
This book isn’t out quite yet, but it is available for pre-order and I am super excited for it to release in July. There’s an excerpt you can read in my previous blog post if you’re interested!
Articles:
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Writing?
Fanfiction has long been disparaged by authors and critics alike, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to find the dismissiveness irritating. I delve into that a little bit here, explaining how all writing can build skills, as well as providing some examples of professional fanfiction. If you’re a huge fan of fics or just don’t understand the appeal, maybe give this article a look.
Did My Cat Just Hiccup?
Research for this was part concern and part genuine curiosity. I was looking after my sister-in-law’s cat one night when she made a strange noise in her throat, so I starting looking into what it could be and if I should worry. The cat is fine, thankfully, and I was able to put together this little article from my research.
The Laws and Conventions of Naming Children
I don’t usually pay much attention to celebrity news, but seeing Elon Musk’s, uh… creative name choice for his son made me question how there aren’t stricter regulations on baby names. Turns out, there are – but it varies from country to country. And thus, this was born!
That's all for May. What have you been reading or creating? Any recommendations?
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
This is a sequel to Seraphina, a book I read last year and absolutely adored. Though it took me a lot longer than I expected to get through this one, it didn’t disappoint – I just wasn’t in the ideal headspace to dig into something this long. But Hartman delivered exactly what I expected and wanted from this series, with continued political intrigue, deceit and mind games, plenty of twists, and so much more of that incredible world-building and gorgeous prose. This is one of those books that leaves me pining for the author’s skills, because damn. I definitely want to reread this series sometime in the future.
Articles:
Top 10 Design Flaws in the Human Body
Listen, the human body is a fascinating nightmare and I love learning about all its oddities. This is a great little exploration of that.
How the Ballpoint Pen Killed Cursive
History is weird and complicated and often develops in unexpected ways that, even looking back, we misunderstand. This not only explains how the difference between ballpoint pens and fountain pens contributed to a shift from cursive writing to print, but also gives an overview of how ballpoint pens came to be and rose in popularity. Let me tell you, I did not expect the British Air Force to have an important role in that story.
"The First One That Died Sure Unnerved Me."
I don’t normally read a lot of epidemic-related writing, especially not right now – it’s part of every conversation I’ve been having lately and inescapable on social media, so I usually want my reading to be an escape from that. But this article intrigued me. And I’m glad I read it. Lutiant offers an interesting perspective on a dark period in history, and insight into a situation that is now repeating in our time. It feels like looking in a mirror and something about that makes this situation feel more… human, maybe? It’s a strange sort of comfort.
How 25 London Neighbourhoods Got Their Names
I’ve never been to London, but I’m still a sucker for history and etymology. Plus, stuff like this makes for great research/inspiration when it comes to creating my own worlds and naming places within them.
How the 18th Century Gay Bar Survived and Thrived in a Dangerous Environment
I know the queer community has always been around and has a long, proud history and culture, but it hadn’t occurred to me that gay bars, specifically, dated all the way back to the 1700s in London. While this isn’t exactly a happy story (because queer men had to hide who they were, and because of what happened when they and their molly houses were discovered), it is an interesting one, and certainly one we should be careful not to forget.
Pompeii Ruins Show That the Romans Invented Recycling
History. Is. WILD. There are so many things that seem very modern but turn out to have ancient roots, and recycling, apparently, is one of them. It also makes it so much more obvious that we can do better with reusing the goods we throw away, given how much our tools and know-how have grown in the thousands of years since Vesuvius erupted.
Other:
Mighty Vibes Vol 1: Lo-Fi Beats to Doodle To
This actually came out last month, but I’ve found myself listening to it over and over again during May. Not only is the animation adorable and full of awesome little Easter eggs for Critical Role fans, but this mix is perfect for helping me focus when my brain doesn’t want to work. I actually listened to it while reading some of the articles I include in this list!
Volume 2 came out near the tail end of the month – I haven’t had a chance to listen to it as much as the first one, but I love it, too, and look forward to having it on in the background as I plug away at creative projects.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
This book isn’t out quite yet, but it is available for pre-order and I am super excited for it to release in July. There’s an excerpt you can read in my previous blog post if you’re interested!
Articles:
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Writing?
Fanfiction has long been disparaged by authors and critics alike, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to find the dismissiveness irritating. I delve into that a little bit here, explaining how all writing can build skills, as well as providing some examples of professional fanfiction. If you’re a huge fan of fics or just don’t understand the appeal, maybe give this article a look.
Did My Cat Just Hiccup?
Research for this was part concern and part genuine curiosity. I was looking after my sister-in-law’s cat one night when she made a strange noise in her throat, so I starting looking into what it could be and if I should worry. The cat is fine, thankfully, and I was able to put together this little article from my research.
The Laws and Conventions of Naming Children
I don’t usually pay much attention to celebrity news, but seeing Elon Musk’s, uh… creative name choice for his son made me question how there aren’t stricter regulations on baby names. Turns out, there are – but it varies from country to country. And thus, this was born!
That's all for May. What have you been reading or creating? Any recommendations?
September Wrap-Up
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
Still on this series, still really enjoying it. Once again, this book is a lot more intense than earlier installments of the series, but it still has the same charm and distinct narrative voice that I love.
Articles
Why This Charming Gay Fairy Tale Has Been Lost for 200 Years
It’s no secret that there has been a long history of LGBTQIA+ people and their stories being silenced or covered up (shoved into the closet, so to speak), but it still surprises and excites me when I come across stuff like this. A gay fairy tale! From at least the 1800s! That’s amazing! Now we just need a faithful, animated adaptation and other retellings so it can become common public knowledge.
In the Land of Kush
A fascinating read about an ancient Sudanese society whose true nature and accomplishments has long been forgotten, dismissed, or overwritten by historians. Plus, the article is full of gorgeous photos.
Can You Tell an Author’s Identity by Looking at Punctuation Alone? A Study Just Found Out
This is super nerdy, I know, but I honestly just wanna read more about it. There are a lot of implications in a study like this, and I’m curious to see if and how its expanded upon in the future.
12 Old Words That Survived by Getting Fossilized in Idioms
I now know why “go” conjugates to “went” and why we call it a “nickname” and it all makes so much sense! Weird language quirks and the history behind them are one of my favourite things, in case you’re new to these wrap-ups or somehow didn’t pick up on that in the previous ones. And this article definitely delivers on that love!
The ‘Flying Feminist’ Who Was The First Woman to Design, Build, and Fly Her Own Plane
I think the thing I love most about this article, aside from the obvious joy of seeing women in history spotlighted for their accomplishments, is that Bland led such a long and varied life. She dedicated time and effort to creating and flying her own biplane, but that was far from her only ambition or achievement. To her, it was just a check in the box, another adventure completed – and I think that’s incredible and deeply admirable.
Other
Princess Mononoke
Another Ghibli movie! My husband and I are trying to make it a point to watch one of these films when we have a Saturday to ourselves, and I’m loving it so far. Princess Mononoke was definitely a lot darker than Castle in the Sky, but it was an incredibly powerful, beautifully animated story.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Aether & Ichor
This is technically an old publication – it came out in January – but its inclusion on the Internet Speculative Fiction Database is new! The Beasts of Legend issue of Aether & Ichor features my short story, One-Tenth Merperson and can be read online for free.
Articles
Is It Possible to Play a Pacifist in D&D?
I’ve been missing playing D&D during the pandemic, and nerding out about the game helps sometimes. I saw a fellow D&D nerd online ask about the feasibility of designing a pacifist character, which I thought was a really interesting idea, so I wrote a whole little article about it.
Descriptive Writing: How Much is Too Much?
I’ve started poking around in some online writing communities recently, and a question I came across the other day was about knowing when you’ve described enough in a scene. I thought this was an interesting and complicated question, which made it great material for a quick little article.
How to Find Prenatal and Parenting Classes During a Pandemic
Life during a pandemic and being pregnant bring their share of stresses and uncertainties, and experiencing both at the same time only amplifies that. One problem I found myself grappling with was figuring out where to find classes for first-time parents. So, to save other new parents the same stress and hassle, I put together this little article to hopefully offer some insight and guidance.
Books
Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
Still on this series, still really enjoying it. Once again, this book is a lot more intense than earlier installments of the series, but it still has the same charm and distinct narrative voice that I love.
Articles
Why This Charming Gay Fairy Tale Has Been Lost for 200 Years
It’s no secret that there has been a long history of LGBTQIA+ people and their stories being silenced or covered up (shoved into the closet, so to speak), but it still surprises and excites me when I come across stuff like this. A gay fairy tale! From at least the 1800s! That’s amazing! Now we just need a faithful, animated adaptation and other retellings so it can become common public knowledge.
In the Land of Kush
A fascinating read about an ancient Sudanese society whose true nature and accomplishments has long been forgotten, dismissed, or overwritten by historians. Plus, the article is full of gorgeous photos.
Can You Tell an Author’s Identity by Looking at Punctuation Alone? A Study Just Found Out
This is super nerdy, I know, but I honestly just wanna read more about it. There are a lot of implications in a study like this, and I’m curious to see if and how its expanded upon in the future.
12 Old Words That Survived by Getting Fossilized in Idioms
I now know why “go” conjugates to “went” and why we call it a “nickname” and it all makes so much sense! Weird language quirks and the history behind them are one of my favourite things, in case you’re new to these wrap-ups or somehow didn’t pick up on that in the previous ones. And this article definitely delivers on that love!
The ‘Flying Feminist’ Who Was The First Woman to Design, Build, and Fly Her Own Plane
I think the thing I love most about this article, aside from the obvious joy of seeing women in history spotlighted for their accomplishments, is that Bland led such a long and varied life. She dedicated time and effort to creating and flying her own biplane, but that was far from her only ambition or achievement. To her, it was just a check in the box, another adventure completed – and I think that’s incredible and deeply admirable.
Other
Princess Mononoke
Another Ghibli movie! My husband and I are trying to make it a point to watch one of these films when we have a Saturday to ourselves, and I’m loving it so far. Princess Mononoke was definitely a lot darker than Castle in the Sky, but it was an incredibly powerful, beautifully animated story.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Aether & Ichor
This is technically an old publication – it came out in January – but its inclusion on the Internet Speculative Fiction Database is new! The Beasts of Legend issue of Aether & Ichor features my short story, One-Tenth Merperson and can be read online for free.
Articles
Is It Possible to Play a Pacifist in D&D?
I’ve been missing playing D&D during the pandemic, and nerding out about the game helps sometimes. I saw a fellow D&D nerd online ask about the feasibility of designing a pacifist character, which I thought was a really interesting idea, so I wrote a whole little article about it.
Descriptive Writing: How Much is Too Much?
I’ve started poking around in some online writing communities recently, and a question I came across the other day was about knowing when you’ve described enough in a scene. I thought this was an interesting and complicated question, which made it great material for a quick little article.
How to Find Prenatal and Parenting Classes During a Pandemic
Life during a pandemic and being pregnant bring their share of stresses and uncertainties, and experiencing both at the same time only amplifies that. One problem I found myself grappling with was figuring out where to find classes for first-time parents. So, to save other new parents the same stress and hassle, I put together this little article to hopefully offer some insight and guidance.
December Wrap-Up
Somehow, we managed to make it to the end of 2020. I don’t think I’m alone in saying it felt like this year would never end.
December was a quieter month than usual this year, but it still managed to be hectic nonetheless – getting stuff ready for the arrival of my baby, signing paperwork to officially tie the knot with my husband, navigating Christmas when I can’t travel to visit any of my family, etc. But it all turned out for the best! That being said, I’m more than ready to move on to a new (and hopefully better) year.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #2 by Matthew Mercer, Jody Houser, Olivia Samson, MSASSYK
One of my current favourite shows is Critical Role, so I am more than happy to consume these narratives in new mediums. The comics thus far do such an awesome job at capturing the characters of Vox Machina and their dynamics with each other, and I loved finally getting to meet Pike and Percy. Makes me wanna rewatch Campaign One!
Critical Role: The Chronicles of Exandria The Mighty Nein by Critical Role and Dark Horse Books
I guess I’ve been on a bit of a Critical Role kick this month. Well, no, let’s be honest: I’m always on a Critical Role kick. In any case, this book is GORGEOUS. Not only is all the art featured incredible, but I loved looking back on the Mighty Nein’s journey through this lens – the idea of framing the narrative through collected notes of Beauregard and other archivists is really fun and interesting. Hoping to see another edition of this capturing later events of the campaign sometime.
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Vol. 7 and Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Vol. 8 by CLAMP
While certainly not as nostalgic as going through the omnibus collection of the original manga, I’m enjoying this series nonetheless. It’s a quick read, and I’m intrigued by the new magic and how the plot is unfolding. Plus, even when things are serious, I always find CCS has a delightfully lighthearted, optimistic slant to it.
Articles
Researchers “Translate” Bat Talk. Turns Out, They Argue – A Lot
I don’t care what anyone says, bats are super cute. Also apparently much smarter than we previously thought, since their communication turns out to be super nuanced and individualized rather than broadly group based. Neat!
Why Detroit Residents Pushed Back Against Tree-Planting
A super insightful piece about the importance of community outreach and involvement in decision-making, no matter how beneficial a planned initiative might be. This quote puts it best: “However, environmental justice is not just about the distribution of bad stuff, like pollution, or good stuff, like forestry projects across disadvantaged communities. It’s also about the distribution of power among communities that have historically only been the subjects and experiments of power structures.”
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Slow Down and Write the Quiet Moments in Your Novel
Just a quick bit of writing advice for anyone struggling to slow down their novel – or for underwriters! I really like putting these pieces together. It helps me think critically about my own writing and the techniques and strategies I use, while also helping other writers improve on their work.
7 Ways to Feel The Christmas Spirit When You Can’t Be With Family
I know I’m not the only person whose Christmas looked a lot different this year. It was the first time I spent the holidays away from my parents, and I definitely missed seeing my family – but I did my best to find ways to bring some Christmas traditions and Christmas joy into these much quieter, smaller celebrations with my husband. With that in mind, I wrote this piece to share some suggestions on how you can do the same.
What to Know Before You Publish Your First Short Story
All publishing can be daunting, and short stories are no exception. So I put together some advice to help guide people trying this out for the first time.
Other
2020 Reflections / 2021 Resolutions
I uploaded this blog post earlier in the month, but I thought it was worth sharing here, too. 2020 was a hard year, and I think it’s easy to get disheartened looking back on all the goals and plans we made that never came to fruition. However, I’m trying not to be down on myself – it was a wild year, and not one we could easily predict or prepare for – so I count any accomplishment as significant at this point. So if you’re looking for that kind of reflective positivity, please give this a read!
And that's that. It was a busy month, a weird year, and I'm ready to see what 2021 brings.
January Wrap-Up
2021 started off pretty hectic, both in my personal life and the world at large. As I predicted in my 2020 Reflections / 2021 Resolutions post, I didn’t get a whole lot of reading and writing done this month. But hey: I was busy doing a bunch of adulting and paperwork, I was struggling through my last few weeks of pregnancy, I was recovering from a C-section, and – oh yeah – I was taking care of my newborn baby. So I think it’s fair to give myself a bit of leeway.
So, without further ado, here’s the small but wonderful selection of things I’ve enjoyed and created this month!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Aaaah, this was so good! I’d been seeing this book all over Twitter for a while, so I was stoked to finally actually get my hands on it. And it didn’t disappoint! Yadriel, Julian, and Maritza are a delight, and Yadriel and Julian had amazing chemistry together. Also, a trans protagonist, queer romance, and Latinx culture all made for a fresh read amongst the standard fare of contemporary fantasy and paranormal romance.
The World of Critical Role by Liz Marsham and Critical Role
Yet more nerdy indulgence – you didn’t think I’d completely leave it behind in December, did you? ;D This was a Christmas gift from my husband, and I’ve loved reading through it and getting more insight into the history of this amazing show and its incredible cast.
Articles
Portraits of Matriarchy: Where Grandmothers Are Still in Charge
An interesting look into a very different society from the one I grew up in, as well as the ways in which colonization and Westernization have impacted the traditions and values of the Mosuo. It’s also an easy read, full of gorgeous photos and insightful captions.
How Modern Mathematics Emerged from a Lost Islamic Library
I’m not much of a mathematician, but this article is still full of things I love: libraries, history, and dismantling Eurocentric ideas about history.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Times Can You Defy Death in D&D?
Working on this was pure, nerdy self-indulgence, and it’s given me some ideas for fun character builds (though certainly nothing as extreme as the end result I came up with here). I definitely want to tackle more pieces like this!
Other
Is it too cheesy to say my favourite thing I created this month is my son? Too bad: It's true 😋
So that was January. Quite the way to start out the year – here’s hoping the rest of 2021 is less intense, but has just as much awesome reading material to offer. :D
How did you kick off the year?
March Wrap-up
This month brought the first signs of spring and weather warm enough for me to open all the windows in my house (though who knows how long that’ll last here in Canada). It also brought a ton of amazing reads, a little progress on writing, and tons of inspiration for more.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez
I looooved this book! I’ve been trying to get back into reading non-fiction – I definitely fell out of academic reading after I completed my BA – and this was the perfect book to settle back in with. It’s deeply informative and incredibly well-researched, but the language used and the way the information is presented is super accessible, so I never felt lost or drowned in facts and figures. The book also really stuck with me. I would finish reading a section and step away to go about my day, and phrases or data would linger in my mind.
I will say, as a fair warning, that one of the early sections involves a lot of discussion of sexual assault and rape, including descriptions of a couple incidents, which I know will be hard to stomach for some readers.
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
If you follow me on Instagram (@rachaellawrites), then you know I've gushed over several quotes from this book. It's amazingly well-written, the plot is well-crafted and executed, and the characters are complex and grey. I was rooting for both Malik and Karina, even when their plans were counter to each other, which just made the whole experience super intense and engaging. Highly recommend you give this one a shot.
Articles
Want to Make Objects Float in Your Photos? Here’s What You Need to Do!
This one might be a bit niche or uninteresting to anyone who doesn’t dabble in photo manipulation or graphic design, but it showed me a few tricks that I’m hoping I might be able to apply to future books covers. So… This is kind of here for me to reference back to in the future. Sorry, not sorry.
What Do Booze and Washing Machines Have in Common?
A great examination of how overlapping developments and historical movements influenced/drove forward the fight for women’s suffrage. It’s also a pretty quick and simple read, so it’s very accessible to anyone who doesn’t typically read history or academic stuff.
Love and War: The Gay Army Who Destroyed the Spartans
I'm not a stranger to queer erasure in history and media, nor am I oblivious to the relative acceptance of homosexuality in Ancient Greece. But this piece still managed to surprise me. If you like Greek history, queer history, and the intersection between, definitely give this a read.
Dickless and Alone, They Die After Spreading Their Seed
Absurd and hilarious and surprisingly educational. Great if you like crass humour alongside your weird trivia.
The Gardens of Bomarzo
I 100% have a new place I want to visit on my bucket list now. So much potential for photography and writing inspiration!
What I’ve Created
Articles
Books I’ve Loved by Authors of Colour
In the past few years, I’ve been trying to make a more concerted effort to read books by authors of colour and, in turn, support a more diverse reading and writing community. I still have a long way to go, but I thought it might be helpful to others looking to similarly expand their reading habits if I offered some recommendations. If you have any of your own recommendations (especially ones based on the books I’ve listed here), then please share them in the comments below!
Everyday Oddities on Prince Edward Island
Everyone thinks their hometown is the weirdest, but PEI definitely has some really odd quirks. I thought that would be fun to write about, and I think it will make for an interesting read – especially if you’re from away!
How to Write Your Way Out of a Difficult Scene
I’m honestly really proud of how this one came out. I’m intimately familiar with the struggle of getting stuck on a scene when writing, and being able to (hopefully) help people get themselves unstuck using advice built from my own experience feels pretty great.
All in all, a pretty great month for reading and writing! And it doesn’t even include the stuff I’ve been working on in the background…
What have you been reading lately?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez
I looooved this book! I’ve been trying to get back into reading non-fiction – I definitely fell out of academic reading after I completed my BA – and this was the perfect book to settle back in with. It’s deeply informative and incredibly well-researched, but the language used and the way the information is presented is super accessible, so I never felt lost or drowned in facts and figures. The book also really stuck with me. I would finish reading a section and step away to go about my day, and phrases or data would linger in my mind.
I will say, as a fair warning, that one of the early sections involves a lot of discussion of sexual assault and rape, including descriptions of a couple incidents, which I know will be hard to stomach for some readers.
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
If you follow me on Instagram (@rachaellawrites), then you know I've gushed over several quotes from this book. It's amazingly well-written, the plot is well-crafted and executed, and the characters are complex and grey. I was rooting for both Malik and Karina, even when their plans were counter to each other, which just made the whole experience super intense and engaging. Highly recommend you give this one a shot.
Articles
Want to Make Objects Float in Your Photos? Here’s What You Need to Do!
This one might be a bit niche or uninteresting to anyone who doesn’t dabble in photo manipulation or graphic design, but it showed me a few tricks that I’m hoping I might be able to apply to future books covers. So… This is kind of here for me to reference back to in the future. Sorry, not sorry.
What Do Booze and Washing Machines Have in Common?
A great examination of how overlapping developments and historical movements influenced/drove forward the fight for women’s suffrage. It’s also a pretty quick and simple read, so it’s very accessible to anyone who doesn’t typically read history or academic stuff.
Love and War: The Gay Army Who Destroyed the Spartans
I'm not a stranger to queer erasure in history and media, nor am I oblivious to the relative acceptance of homosexuality in Ancient Greece. But this piece still managed to surprise me. If you like Greek history, queer history, and the intersection between, definitely give this a read.
Dickless and Alone, They Die After Spreading Their Seed
Absurd and hilarious and surprisingly educational. Great if you like crass humour alongside your weird trivia.
The Gardens of Bomarzo
I 100% have a new place I want to visit on my bucket list now. So much potential for photography and writing inspiration!
What I’ve Created
Articles
Books I’ve Loved by Authors of Colour
In the past few years, I’ve been trying to make a more concerted effort to read books by authors of colour and, in turn, support a more diverse reading and writing community. I still have a long way to go, but I thought it might be helpful to others looking to similarly expand their reading habits if I offered some recommendations. If you have any of your own recommendations (especially ones based on the books I’ve listed here), then please share them in the comments below!
Everyday Oddities on Prince Edward Island
Everyone thinks their hometown is the weirdest, but PEI definitely has some really odd quirks. I thought that would be fun to write about, and I think it will make for an interesting read – especially if you’re from away!
How to Write Your Way Out of a Difficult Scene
I’m honestly really proud of how this one came out. I’m intimately familiar with the struggle of getting stuck on a scene when writing, and being able to (hopefully) help people get themselves unstuck using advice built from my own experience feels pretty great.
All in all, a pretty great month for reading and writing! And it doesn’t even include the stuff I’ve been working on in the background…
What have you been reading lately?
April Wrap-up
Normally, I try to write some opening thoughts at the start of these. But I'm posting this while my baby is squirming and whining, so I gotta make it quick.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk
I can’t handle how adorable this book is. If you have a little one and are looking for new story time books, I highly recommend this one.
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton et al.
Incredible collection of short stories – some are heartbreaking, some are hopeful, and some are a mix of both. I’ve really been enjoying reading more short story collections, and this one in particular is absolutely top tier.
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
This was a wonderful book. I loved how magic and the supernatural were presented as a part of every day life, the inclusions of stories from Six-Great’s time were fantastic, and the plot was expertly paced and unfolded. I wish I could’ve stayed in this world with Ellie and Kirby a little longer, but the ending was perfect.
Articles
Adopting a Dinosaur
This is honestly a really interesting, funny little article, complete with photos of the author’s wonderful tortoise through the years.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks and her (unknowing) contributions to medical science have long been uncredited. It demonstrates how racism, sexism, and health inequality intersect and the long-term ramifications that can have over generations, and how the privileged stand to benefit and profit directly from this inequality. Always glad to see someone shedding light on issues like this.
Because You Like Him
I’m always happy when I can find some good quality ace rep, and this little story ticks that bill.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Write a Book Series as a Pantser
Writing a book series is hard enough already, but not being one to plan or outline in advance only makes it more complicated. If that’s something you’re struggling with, this article has some strategies you can try out.
How to Make Meal Planning and Meal Prepping Work For You
Definitely a lot different from what I usually write, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up. Especially if it can potentially help other people!
Sugar Bush and King’s Head Inn
Sugar Bush is one of those local traditions that people from away probably think is absurd, and King’s Landing is a wonderful place to experience it for the first time. Maybe this will entice you to visit there once the world is a little more normal?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk
I can’t handle how adorable this book is. If you have a little one and are looking for new story time books, I highly recommend this one.
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton et al.
Incredible collection of short stories – some are heartbreaking, some are hopeful, and some are a mix of both. I’ve really been enjoying reading more short story collections, and this one in particular is absolutely top tier.
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
This was a wonderful book. I loved how magic and the supernatural were presented as a part of every day life, the inclusions of stories from Six-Great’s time were fantastic, and the plot was expertly paced and unfolded. I wish I could’ve stayed in this world with Ellie and Kirby a little longer, but the ending was perfect.
Articles
Adopting a Dinosaur
This is honestly a really interesting, funny little article, complete with photos of the author’s wonderful tortoise through the years.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks and her (unknowing) contributions to medical science have long been uncredited. It demonstrates how racism, sexism, and health inequality intersect and the long-term ramifications that can have over generations, and how the privileged stand to benefit and profit directly from this inequality. Always glad to see someone shedding light on issues like this.
Because You Like Him
I’m always happy when I can find some good quality ace rep, and this little story ticks that bill.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Write a Book Series as a Pantser
Writing a book series is hard enough already, but not being one to plan or outline in advance only makes it more complicated. If that’s something you’re struggling with, this article has some strategies you can try out.
How to Make Meal Planning and Meal Prepping Work For You
Definitely a lot different from what I usually write, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up. Especially if it can potentially help other people!
Sugar Bush and King’s Head Inn
Sugar Bush is one of those local traditions that people from away probably think is absurd, and King’s Landing is a wonderful place to experience it for the first time. Maybe this will entice you to visit there once the world is a little more normal?
May Wrap-Up: A Monstrous Comic, Purple Poetry, and Feminist Dissection
Sunshine! It’s finally starting to feel like summer, which makes me wish I could sit out and read on a breezy day. Alas, our yard doesn’t really have any nice reading spots, and I’m not healed enough to push the baby all the way to the park yet. But the dream is alive! For now, I’ll settle for pulling back the curtains and opening the windows.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
This book is such a gem. Great characters with incredible chemistry, A+ humour, and so much heart. I loved the disability rep, the male abuse victim rep, and the fact that both were still portrayed as whole, complex, and ultimately joyful people in spite of their hardships. Definitely a book I recommend checking out, though be aware that it does have smutty content.
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening, Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood, Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
I’ve been devouring this comic and absolutely loving it. Maika is powerful and broken and badass and I love her dynamic with all the other characters. Kippa is so precious and adorable. Master Ren is a magical talking cat, which, I mean, what else does a book really need? And I just love, love, love the world-building and atmosphere and the very sinister, foreboding direction the story has been taking so far.
Articles
Mount Grace Priory
Super informative little article that gives me something to add to my list of places to visit if I ever go to Europe.
What Did the Ancient Egyptians Eat?
An informative piece about the food and drinks available to the people of Ancient Egypt. It’s especially interesting to see what has and hasn’t carried on into modern times.
Other
Violet Times
A beautiful poem about the author’s experience coming out as asexual.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Those Who Fall
It’s finally out in paperback! I had hoped to get this sorted out earlier in the year, but having a C-section and some other personal life chaos threw me back several steps. But now it’s here and I’ve held it in my hands and it’s amazing to see TWO OF MY OWN BOOKS in physical form.
Just like when She Who Rises released in paperback, you can order this book to your local bookstore or library (or from Amazon, if that’s your thing). For easier ordering, the ISBNs are:
She Who Rises: 9781777160609
Those Who Fall: 9781777160616
If you get a copy of either of these books, please take a photo and tag me in it on Insta or Twitter! I would love to see where my stories end up in the world. My handle is @RachaellaWrites
Articles
What It Takes to Photograph the Family Pet for the Last Time
A piece I wrote about the old family cat, Olive. It was nice to look back on photos of her and reminisce about the life she got to spend with us.
Part honey, part whore: Sex shaming and internalized misogyny in the House of Night and She chose vengeance and anger: Sex shaming and internalized misogyny in the House of Night [Part 2]
This essay has been in the works for months, and ended up so long that I had to split it into two parts. And that’s after I cut parts from it! Needless to say, I had a looot of thoughts on this subject. Always feels good to flex my sociology muscles a bit!
You may have noticed, across all these wrap-ups, that a lot of the pieces I share or create are hosted by a site called Vocal. It’s a platform I’ve been using since 2019, and I’ve always really enjoyed it. It’s free, you can earn a little bit of money here and there off story reads or tips, and it’s a great way for me to step outside my comfort zone and experiment with writing about different topics without worrying too much about what that work will do for me in the long term.
The site is free to use, as I said, but there is the option to sign up for a Vocal+ membership. This allows you to enter more contests, plus you earn more from story reads and can withdraw money from your wallet in lesser quantities.
If all of this sounds interesting to you, then I highly recommend checking Vocal out. And if you decide to sign up with Vocal+, please do so with my Ambassador link. I earn a small commission if you do.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
This book is such a gem. Great characters with incredible chemistry, A+ humour, and so much heart. I loved the disability rep, the male abuse victim rep, and the fact that both were still portrayed as whole, complex, and ultimately joyful people in spite of their hardships. Definitely a book I recommend checking out, though be aware that it does have smutty content.
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening, Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood, Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
I’ve been devouring this comic and absolutely loving it. Maika is powerful and broken and badass and I love her dynamic with all the other characters. Kippa is so precious and adorable. Master Ren is a magical talking cat, which, I mean, what else does a book really need? And I just love, love, love the world-building and atmosphere and the very sinister, foreboding direction the story has been taking so far.
Articles
Mount Grace Priory
Super informative little article that gives me something to add to my list of places to visit if I ever go to Europe.
What Did the Ancient Egyptians Eat?
An informative piece about the food and drinks available to the people of Ancient Egypt. It’s especially interesting to see what has and hasn’t carried on into modern times.
Other
Violet Times
A beautiful poem about the author’s experience coming out as asexual.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Those Who Fall
It’s finally out in paperback! I had hoped to get this sorted out earlier in the year, but having a C-section and some other personal life chaos threw me back several steps. But now it’s here and I’ve held it in my hands and it’s amazing to see TWO OF MY OWN BOOKS in physical form.
Just like when She Who Rises released in paperback, you can order this book to your local bookstore or library (or from Amazon, if that’s your thing). For easier ordering, the ISBNs are:
She Who Rises: 9781777160609
Those Who Fall: 9781777160616
If you get a copy of either of these books, please take a photo and tag me in it on Insta or Twitter! I would love to see where my stories end up in the world. My handle is @RachaellaWrites
Articles
What It Takes to Photograph the Family Pet for the Last Time
A piece I wrote about the old family cat, Olive. It was nice to look back on photos of her and reminisce about the life she got to spend with us.
Part honey, part whore: Sex shaming and internalized misogyny in the House of Night and She chose vengeance and anger: Sex shaming and internalized misogyny in the House of Night [Part 2]
This essay has been in the works for months, and ended up so long that I had to split it into two parts. And that’s after I cut parts from it! Needless to say, I had a looot of thoughts on this subject. Always feels good to flex my sociology muscles a bit!
You may have noticed, across all these wrap-ups, that a lot of the pieces I share or create are hosted by a site called Vocal. It’s a platform I’ve been using since 2019, and I’ve always really enjoyed it. It’s free, you can earn a little bit of money here and there off story reads or tips, and it’s a great way for me to step outside my comfort zone and experiment with writing about different topics without worrying too much about what that work will do for me in the long term.
The site is free to use, as I said, but there is the option to sign up for a Vocal+ membership. This allows you to enter more contests, plus you earn more from story reads and can withdraw money from your wallet in lesser quantities.
If all of this sounds interesting to you, then I highly recommend checking Vocal out. And if you decide to sign up with Vocal+, please do so with my Ambassador link. I earn a small commission if you do.
July Wrap-Up: Feminism, Poetry, and Arthurian Lore
As predicted, this turned out to be a pretty sparse month. But rather than wait and combine this wrap-up with August’s, I’m posting it now – because the chaos of my life is persisting well into August and part of that means being unsure of what the state of my internet connection will be. That's also why I'm posting juuust before the end of the month proper.
But fret not – when the dust settles and my life starts balancing out again, I’ll be back to reading and writing as much as I can :D
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
Incredible, insightful, important. I found all the essays pretty accessibly in terms of their readability – I mean, I was reading some of these out loud on three hours of sleep while trying to settle a fussy baby, and I still had a good grasp on what Kendall was actually saying, so I think that’s pretty good. Definitely a lot of ideas in here to keep in mind with my own reading and writing, and a ton of quotes that I need to pull for future essays.
77 Fragments of a Familiar Ruin by Thomas King
I have never loved a poetry collection as much as I loved this one. I read King back in university when I was working on my thesis, and I thoroughly enjoyed An Inconvenient Indian, but I didn’t know he also wrote poetry. Now I really want to look for more of his work, because this blew me away. As soon as I finished, I wanted to reread it.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
This was such a thrill to read. Even without being a King Arthur buff, I loved the worldbuilding and how it explored the history of the Roundtable and manifested legends of the knights into literal magic. The way different magic systems are presented – and the role culture and family plays in how magic works and is passed down – was super creative and refreshing. Also, I just absolutely loved Bree and Sel and their dynamic together. And the casual queer rep all over the place doesn’t hurt, either.
Again, not a lot to report this month unfortunately, but hopefully all the nonsense and chaos of the summer will make room for bigger and better things come fall!
But fret not – when the dust settles and my life starts balancing out again, I’ll be back to reading and writing as much as I can :D
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
Incredible, insightful, important. I found all the essays pretty accessibly in terms of their readability – I mean, I was reading some of these out loud on three hours of sleep while trying to settle a fussy baby, and I still had a good grasp on what Kendall was actually saying, so I think that’s pretty good. Definitely a lot of ideas in here to keep in mind with my own reading and writing, and a ton of quotes that I need to pull for future essays.
77 Fragments of a Familiar Ruin by Thomas King
I have never loved a poetry collection as much as I loved this one. I read King back in university when I was working on my thesis, and I thoroughly enjoyed An Inconvenient Indian, but I didn’t know he also wrote poetry. Now I really want to look for more of his work, because this blew me away. As soon as I finished, I wanted to reread it.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
This was such a thrill to read. Even without being a King Arthur buff, I loved the worldbuilding and how it explored the history of the Roundtable and manifested legends of the knights into literal magic. The way different magic systems are presented – and the role culture and family plays in how magic works and is passed down – was super creative and refreshing. Also, I just absolutely loved Bree and Sel and their dynamic together. And the casual queer rep all over the place doesn’t hurt, either.
Again, not a lot to report this month unfortunately, but hopefully all the nonsense and chaos of the summer will make room for bigger and better things come fall!
November Wrap-Up: Patriachy-Smashing Mechs, Handcraft Resistance, and Liberating Publications
This month, I actually read two physical copies of books! After months of reading nothing but ebooks, it feels nice to hold a book and turn pages – though, admittedly, it is a lot harder to read books this way when I’m taking care of my little fella. Reading on a phone while he naps on my lap is just easier 😅
But physical copies are going to be my focus for the next little while, since I ordered half a dozen books and I want to prioritize them. So… we’ll see if I manage to finish a full book by the end of December lol
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Disintegrate/Dissociate by Arielle Twist
This was an intense, raw, and vivid collection of poetry. Not an easy read by any means, but definitely something I’ll be revisiting.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
I want to scream about this book from the rooftops. It’s incredible – if I were to talk about all the things I love, we’d be here all day. Get angry, fly mechs, smash the patriarchy.
Articles
Historical Lies Most People Believe are True
I was somewhat familiar with a couple of the facts covered in this, but it was still interesting to read them being debunked in detail. It makes me wonder what other misinformation I’ve been believing all my life!
Why I Broke My Feet to Save My Pride
This is an insightful piece about the consequences of living with internalized ableism. Definitely worth the read.
Unweaving the Whitewashed Legacy of the Cross-Stitch
An insightful new (to me) perspective on handcrafts like needlepoint and cross-stitch, their colonial legacy, and how they’re being used to both resist oppressive structures and celebrate black culture and history.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Include Gay Characters in Your Book – Without Resorting to Tokenism
I cross-posted a bunch of articles to Medium again this month, but I wanted to draw special attention to the one linked above because it’s also being hosted by An Injustice! Give it a look if it interests you, and be sure to check out other An Injustice! publications.
And, as before, I would hugely appreciate it if you followed me over on Medium. It’s a great way to support me as a creator <3
And that about does it for November. I always feel like my lists for what I’ve created look way too barren, but I’m trying to remind myself that this doesn’t mean I’m not still creating and working – I just don’t have anything ready to share yet. But essays are being written, books are being drafted, and the next installment in A New Age of Magic is sloooowly coming together. Everything is on the horizon!
But physical copies are going to be my focus for the next little while, since I ordered half a dozen books and I want to prioritize them. So… we’ll see if I manage to finish a full book by the end of December lol
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Disintegrate/Dissociate by Arielle Twist
This was an intense, raw, and vivid collection of poetry. Not an easy read by any means, but definitely something I’ll be revisiting.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
I want to scream about this book from the rooftops. It’s incredible – if I were to talk about all the things I love, we’d be here all day. Get angry, fly mechs, smash the patriarchy.
Articles
Historical Lies Most People Believe are True
I was somewhat familiar with a couple of the facts covered in this, but it was still interesting to read them being debunked in detail. It makes me wonder what other misinformation I’ve been believing all my life!
Why I Broke My Feet to Save My Pride
This is an insightful piece about the consequences of living with internalized ableism. Definitely worth the read.
Unweaving the Whitewashed Legacy of the Cross-Stitch
An insightful new (to me) perspective on handcrafts like needlepoint and cross-stitch, their colonial legacy, and how they’re being used to both resist oppressive structures and celebrate black culture and history.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Include Gay Characters in Your Book – Without Resorting to Tokenism
I cross-posted a bunch of articles to Medium again this month, but I wanted to draw special attention to the one linked above because it’s also being hosted by An Injustice! Give it a look if it interests you, and be sure to check out other An Injustice! publications.
And, as before, I would hugely appreciate it if you followed me over on Medium. It’s a great way to support me as a creator <3
And that about does it for November. I always feel like my lists for what I’ve created look way too barren, but I’m trying to remind myself that this doesn’t mean I’m not still creating and working – I just don’t have anything ready to share yet. But essays are being written, books are being drafted, and the next installment in A New Age of Magic is sloooowly coming together. Everything is on the horizon!
August Wrap-Up: Sapphic Mechs, Scrappy Squires, and A New Release
This month featured four consecutive DNFs, so to say it was a rough reading month is a massive understatement. But I still managed to pull out two great reads! And my own book came out! AAAAAH.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
I adore the little chaos gremlins that are Eris’ Gearbreaker crew, how they’re constantly at each other’s throats but also absolutely ride or die for each other. And the Windup takedowns were INCREDIBLE! The tension between Eris and Sona was also delicious, first as enemies turned tentative allies, and then as friends with blossoming feelings… Just so good.
Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh
I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while, and it finally became available through my library. I’ve been following Sara Alfageeh and her art for a while now, so seeing a whole book of it was truly delightful. And the story was great, too – I loved Aiza, her friendships, and the exploration of patriotism and disillusionment.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie
The third book in A New Age of Magic came out this month! It’s the penultimate book in the series and I’m so, so excited for everyone to read it. Editing and publishing it after having a baby wasn’t easy, but it was worth it
Articles
Female-Led Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books That Are Living Rent-Free in My Brain
I love SFF, I love female-led books, and I love when both are married together into a masterfully badass narrative. So here are just a few of my recommendations for such books – with hopefully more lists like this coming in the future.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
I adore the little chaos gremlins that are Eris’ Gearbreaker crew, how they’re constantly at each other’s throats but also absolutely ride or die for each other. And the Windup takedowns were INCREDIBLE! The tension between Eris and Sona was also delicious, first as enemies turned tentative allies, and then as friends with blossoming feelings… Just so good.
Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh
I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while, and it finally became available through my library. I’ve been following Sara Alfageeh and her art for a while now, so seeing a whole book of it was truly delightful. And the story was great, too – I loved Aiza, her friendships, and the exploration of patriotism and disillusionment.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie
The third book in A New Age of Magic came out this month! It’s the penultimate book in the series and I’m so, so excited for everyone to read it. Editing and publishing it after having a baby wasn’t easy, but it was worth it
Articles
Female-Led Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books That Are Living Rent-Free in My Brain
I love SFF, I love female-led books, and I love when both are married together into a masterfully badass narrative. So here are just a few of my recommendations for such books – with hopefully more lists like this coming in the future.
