Rachael Arsenault's Blog - Posts Tagged "blogging"
March Wrap-Up
I’ve decided to try a little something new this month. It’s an idea I’ve kind of been toying with a for a while, though originally I had envisioned it as something I could do for journaling, sort of as a way to help myself remember what I read, watched, and created throughout the year. But I’ve also been wanting to make better use of this blog space and was trying to think of a sustainable way to do it. I decided to combine the two ideas, and now I can present you with the first of my monthly wrap-ups.
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinney
Absolutely loved this book. It’s funny, emotional, action-packed, and masterfully blends the real world with the magical world in a way that makes me a little envious. Alice is a fantastic lead, the Black Knight is an intriguing antagonist, and all the other characters are lovable in their own way – especially when they’re all playing off each other. Definitely a full 5/5 from me.
Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time by Hope Nicholson (editor), et al.
I was so excited when my husband got me this anthology for my birthday. It’s full of a great variety of stories, though I particularly enjoyed the cute and sweet pieces like Né łe, which is about lesbians and puppies in space. I mean, what’s not to love?
Articles:
Star Wars fan with R2-D2 bionic arm has a big fan in Mark Hamill
This little story just checks all the boxes for me. Cool but practical technical advancements? Check! A community coming together to help a disadvantaged person improve their life? Check! A celebrity reaching out to and supporting a fan? Check! Just a sweet little feel-good read.
New Caledonian Crows Are Even Smarter and Scarier Than We Thought
I think crows are amazing animals, especially for their intelligence and playfulness. Learning that they’re even smarter than we previously thought just fills me with joy – even though crows’ intelligence is apparently scary to some people.
20 Slang Terms from World War I
I love language, etymology, and history, so this article was right up my alley. So many neat little tidbits and words we use casually without ever thinking about where they come from, as well as some terms and phrases I had never heard of before.
The Unsolved Case of the Most Mysterious Song on the Internet
In the digital age, we’ve all gotten fairly accustomed to being able to find information with a quick Google search. So it’s deeply frustrating and fascinating when something that seems like it should be straight-forward to identify is, in fact, an enigma. And sometimes you need a reminder that there are still enigmas in the world.
German Forest Ranger Finds That Trees Have Social Networks, Too
A super, super neat piece about how trees connect in more human ways than we expect. It may or may not contribute to how I write certain characters in the future…
Other:
Legend of the Dragoon
Technically I was enjoying this last month, too, but I wasn’t doing wrap-ups then and my husband and I are still working our way through it, so shhhh. In any case, this game is an oldie but a goodie. I had vague memories of playing this as a kid (might have been 8 or 9 at the time), but I didn’t get very far on account of the fact that I sucked at the combat system. Getting to properly take in the story and the worldbuilding while my husband plays through it (he absolutely loved this game as a kid) is pretty special. This game deserves way more hype.
Work I’ve Done:
Articles:
The Inventiveness and Ingenuity of South/Mesoamerican Indigenous People
I wrote this piece because I see a lot of misconceptions about indigenous people around the world, who are often portrayed as backward or primitive. This article is far from comprehensive, particularly because it only focuses on a specific region of the world, but I wanted to draw attention to the incredible skill and intelligence found in indigenous cultures. The ahistorical barbarian is a lie we need to do away with.
If You’re Angry About a Protest, Don’t Blame the Protestors
The public discourse around protestors and protests has always frustrated me, so I wanted to write a little piece highlighting the misconceptions/misinformation that often spreads about them, drawing especially on my own education on the subject.
What Can We Endure: Trans Representation in YA Fiction
For this, I wanted to explore a conundrum I’ve been facing when it comes to supporting diversity in fiction, with trans representation in YA fiction as a specific example. The issue I keep coming against is problematic or overly stereotyped portrayals, and the question of whether to support these works in the hopes that we get more trans characters who will hopefully be better written, or if supporting subpar representation begets more of the same problem.
Said is Not Dead
As a writer, I’ve seen a lot of different writing advice floating around the writing community. One popular tip is to avoid or limit using “said” in dialogue. I’ve always found this advice misguided, which is what I explore and explain in here.
YouTube Recommendations for While You’re Self-Isolating
With the outbreak of corona virus and surge of preventative closures, cancellations, and calls for social distancing, I’ve seen a lot of people on Twitter listing book recs, movie recs, Netflix recs, etc. So I figured I’d add my two cents and offer some YouTube recommendations, especially for those who want something to watch but don’t have Netflix.
Defeating Grand Dragons on Disc One of Final Fantasy IX
I’m not gonna lie: This is pretty much pure self-indulgence. I love FFIX – it and FFVIII were a big part of my childhood – and slaying Grand Dragons on the first disc is a must-do undertaking for every playthrough. So I figured I would share my methods for doing so!
That's what I've been enjoying so far this month. Any recommendations on what I should check out next month?
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinney
Absolutely loved this book. It’s funny, emotional, action-packed, and masterfully blends the real world with the magical world in a way that makes me a little envious. Alice is a fantastic lead, the Black Knight is an intriguing antagonist, and all the other characters are lovable in their own way – especially when they’re all playing off each other. Definitely a full 5/5 from me.
Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time by Hope Nicholson (editor), et al.
I was so excited when my husband got me this anthology for my birthday. It’s full of a great variety of stories, though I particularly enjoyed the cute and sweet pieces like Né łe, which is about lesbians and puppies in space. I mean, what’s not to love?
Articles:
Star Wars fan with R2-D2 bionic arm has a big fan in Mark Hamill
This little story just checks all the boxes for me. Cool but practical technical advancements? Check! A community coming together to help a disadvantaged person improve their life? Check! A celebrity reaching out to and supporting a fan? Check! Just a sweet little feel-good read.
New Caledonian Crows Are Even Smarter and Scarier Than We Thought
I think crows are amazing animals, especially for their intelligence and playfulness. Learning that they’re even smarter than we previously thought just fills me with joy – even though crows’ intelligence is apparently scary to some people.
20 Slang Terms from World War I
I love language, etymology, and history, so this article was right up my alley. So many neat little tidbits and words we use casually without ever thinking about where they come from, as well as some terms and phrases I had never heard of before.
The Unsolved Case of the Most Mysterious Song on the Internet
In the digital age, we’ve all gotten fairly accustomed to being able to find information with a quick Google search. So it’s deeply frustrating and fascinating when something that seems like it should be straight-forward to identify is, in fact, an enigma. And sometimes you need a reminder that there are still enigmas in the world.
German Forest Ranger Finds That Trees Have Social Networks, Too
A super, super neat piece about how trees connect in more human ways than we expect. It may or may not contribute to how I write certain characters in the future…
Other:
Legend of the Dragoon
Technically I was enjoying this last month, too, but I wasn’t doing wrap-ups then and my husband and I are still working our way through it, so shhhh. In any case, this game is an oldie but a goodie. I had vague memories of playing this as a kid (might have been 8 or 9 at the time), but I didn’t get very far on account of the fact that I sucked at the combat system. Getting to properly take in the story and the worldbuilding while my husband plays through it (he absolutely loved this game as a kid) is pretty special. This game deserves way more hype.
Work I’ve Done:
Articles:
The Inventiveness and Ingenuity of South/Mesoamerican Indigenous People
I wrote this piece because I see a lot of misconceptions about indigenous people around the world, who are often portrayed as backward or primitive. This article is far from comprehensive, particularly because it only focuses on a specific region of the world, but I wanted to draw attention to the incredible skill and intelligence found in indigenous cultures. The ahistorical barbarian is a lie we need to do away with.
If You’re Angry About a Protest, Don’t Blame the Protestors
The public discourse around protestors and protests has always frustrated me, so I wanted to write a little piece highlighting the misconceptions/misinformation that often spreads about them, drawing especially on my own education on the subject.
What Can We Endure: Trans Representation in YA Fiction
For this, I wanted to explore a conundrum I’ve been facing when it comes to supporting diversity in fiction, with trans representation in YA fiction as a specific example. The issue I keep coming against is problematic or overly stereotyped portrayals, and the question of whether to support these works in the hopes that we get more trans characters who will hopefully be better written, or if supporting subpar representation begets more of the same problem.
Said is Not Dead
As a writer, I’ve seen a lot of different writing advice floating around the writing community. One popular tip is to avoid or limit using “said” in dialogue. I’ve always found this advice misguided, which is what I explore and explain in here.
YouTube Recommendations for While You’re Self-Isolating
With the outbreak of corona virus and surge of preventative closures, cancellations, and calls for social distancing, I’ve seen a lot of people on Twitter listing book recs, movie recs, Netflix recs, etc. So I figured I’d add my two cents and offer some YouTube recommendations, especially for those who want something to watch but don’t have Netflix.
Defeating Grand Dragons on Disc One of Final Fantasy IX
I’m not gonna lie: This is pretty much pure self-indulgence. I love FFIX – it and FFVIII were a big part of my childhood – and slaying Grand Dragons on the first disc is a must-do undertaking for every playthrough. So I figured I would share my methods for doing so!
That's what I've been enjoying so far this month. Any recommendations on what I should check out next month?
April Wrap-Up (+ a free book!)
April has been a strange month for me, one in which I found it hard to read or create as much as I normally would. But everyone has ups and downs, and there was still quite a lot I enjoyed this month, so here's my second monthly wrap-up.
What I've Enjoyed:
Books:
Moonflower by Sabina Laura
I cannot recommend this poetry collection enough. I love short, free-verse poems but always have a hard time finding ones that actually manage to be vivid and emotional within just a few lines. Sabina Laura does that masterfully, and I definitely see myself coming back to these poems over and over to bask in their beauty.
Articles:
The Woman Who Smashed Codes: The Untold Story of Cryptography Pioneer Elizabeth Friedman
There are a lot of unsung women who were hugely important to their fields but are largely forgotten by history – or outright erased. This article is about one such woman, Elizabeth Friedman, giving an overview of her life and her accomplishments, while also pointing readers to where they can learn more about her.
Why Cats Do the ‘Slow Blink’ at Their Owners
Look, I’m a simple woman: I see cute cat facts, I click. This is one I had already heard a little bit about before, but it’s nice to reconfirm my understanding of how cats communicate. Plus, the article includes some cute cate pictures. Who doesn’t want to look at cute cat pictures?
Beyond Dungeons & Dragons: A Guide to the Vast, Exciting World of Tabletop RPGs
About three years ago, I started playing D&D with my husband and was almost instantly hooked. It’s an awesome game for someone like me, who loves storytelling and magic and fantasy, but it is admittedly a bit overwhelming when starting out. This article has a great list of recommendations for games to check out if you’re new to RPGs, or even if you’ve been playing for a while but want to try out something different. Definitely taking note of some of the games listed here.
An Open Letter to Women in Tech
I’m not in any STEM career myself, but this was still an encouraging read and full of important tips and reminders for all women in all fields.
What Is It About Yawning?
There’s a lot of oddities in human behaviour that we don’t quite understand, including – apparently – yawning. I like seeing the hypotheses for weird stuff like this, even when it’s still unresolved – and the inclusion of studies about yawning in dogs is just bonus points.
Beyond Ishtar: The Tradition of Eggs at Easter
This article does a nice job debunking the commonly spread myth that Easter eggs and bunnies and even the name Easter itself come from the fertility goddess Ishtar. It explains the importance of eggs in a variety of different creation myths, which – as someone who likes history and mythology – is pretty cool.
Why 40% of Vietnamese People Have the Same Last Name
The title drew me in, and boy did the article deliver. I knew Nguyen was an extremely common last name, but I didn’t realize how common, nor did it ever occur to me how different the function of surnames is in other cultures. If you have any interest in etymology or history, this is a great read.
Remembering Nüshu, the 19th-Century Chinese Script Only Women Could Write
When I first saw the title for this article, I expected something clandestine and badass and amazing. A secret language! Just for women! What’s cooler than that? But instead, Nüshu was actually very mundane and commonly known – it wasn’t kept secret from men at all. And in some ways, that’s cooler. This script was a normal part of everyday life for women in Jiangyong, and there is art and stories and personal letters written in it, detailing and highlighting women’s experiences from the time it was still commonly used. The fact that it’s a dying script is bittersweet: It’s good that women have no need for it anymore now that they aren’t largely excluded from formal education, but it’s sad to see something with so much cultural and historical resonance falling out of use.
Other:
Harvest by Rebecca Roanhorse
I absolutely love the Sixth World series by Rebecca Roanhorse, so when I saw her announce on Twitter that one of her short stories was available online for free, I immediately went to read it. Harvest certainly didn’t disappoint, though fair warning: It’s graphic. I won’t say more, lest I spoil it.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
She Who Rises [A New Age of Magic]
This wasn’t published this month – it actually came out last year – but it is on sale right now! More specifically, it’s available for free for the next several days, so if you’ve been wanting to check it out but haven’t had the means to buy it, now is the perfect time to grab a copy.
Articles:
The Badass Histories of 3 Warrior Queens
I’ve been trying to make a point of writing fun, short little articles like this focusing on historical women, and the theme as of late has been warrior-types. I would be remiss not to include brief examples of a few of history’s incredible warrior queens, and hence this piece was born. I may write a sequel of sorts later, because there have been a LOT of incredible queen’s throughout history.
10 Famous Bisexual People From Throughout History
There were a lot of people in history who kept their sexuality a secret, as well as those who were publicly bisexual but have had their sexuality covered up/erased by history books. Just like I enjoy looking back and learning about awesome women throughout history, I love to learn about queer people from the past, too.
Does Metagaming Have a Place in Dungeons and Dragons?
I’ve played at a variety of D&D tables over the last few years, and in that time I’ve noticed some discrepancy in how different parties play the game – and sometimes that involves metagaming. So I have some thoughts on metagaming’s place in D&D and how to navigate different play styles at the table.
That's what I've been creating and enjoying this month. Any recommendations on what I should check out next?
What I've Enjoyed:
Books:
Moonflower by Sabina Laura
I cannot recommend this poetry collection enough. I love short, free-verse poems but always have a hard time finding ones that actually manage to be vivid and emotional within just a few lines. Sabina Laura does that masterfully, and I definitely see myself coming back to these poems over and over to bask in their beauty.
Articles:
The Woman Who Smashed Codes: The Untold Story of Cryptography Pioneer Elizabeth Friedman
There are a lot of unsung women who were hugely important to their fields but are largely forgotten by history – or outright erased. This article is about one such woman, Elizabeth Friedman, giving an overview of her life and her accomplishments, while also pointing readers to where they can learn more about her.
Why Cats Do the ‘Slow Blink’ at Their Owners
Look, I’m a simple woman: I see cute cat facts, I click. This is one I had already heard a little bit about before, but it’s nice to reconfirm my understanding of how cats communicate. Plus, the article includes some cute cate pictures. Who doesn’t want to look at cute cat pictures?
Beyond Dungeons & Dragons: A Guide to the Vast, Exciting World of Tabletop RPGs
About three years ago, I started playing D&D with my husband and was almost instantly hooked. It’s an awesome game for someone like me, who loves storytelling and magic and fantasy, but it is admittedly a bit overwhelming when starting out. This article has a great list of recommendations for games to check out if you’re new to RPGs, or even if you’ve been playing for a while but want to try out something different. Definitely taking note of some of the games listed here.
An Open Letter to Women in Tech
I’m not in any STEM career myself, but this was still an encouraging read and full of important tips and reminders for all women in all fields.
What Is It About Yawning?
There’s a lot of oddities in human behaviour that we don’t quite understand, including – apparently – yawning. I like seeing the hypotheses for weird stuff like this, even when it’s still unresolved – and the inclusion of studies about yawning in dogs is just bonus points.
Beyond Ishtar: The Tradition of Eggs at Easter
This article does a nice job debunking the commonly spread myth that Easter eggs and bunnies and even the name Easter itself come from the fertility goddess Ishtar. It explains the importance of eggs in a variety of different creation myths, which – as someone who likes history and mythology – is pretty cool.
Why 40% of Vietnamese People Have the Same Last Name
The title drew me in, and boy did the article deliver. I knew Nguyen was an extremely common last name, but I didn’t realize how common, nor did it ever occur to me how different the function of surnames is in other cultures. If you have any interest in etymology or history, this is a great read.
Remembering Nüshu, the 19th-Century Chinese Script Only Women Could Write
When I first saw the title for this article, I expected something clandestine and badass and amazing. A secret language! Just for women! What’s cooler than that? But instead, Nüshu was actually very mundane and commonly known – it wasn’t kept secret from men at all. And in some ways, that’s cooler. This script was a normal part of everyday life for women in Jiangyong, and there is art and stories and personal letters written in it, detailing and highlighting women’s experiences from the time it was still commonly used. The fact that it’s a dying script is bittersweet: It’s good that women have no need for it anymore now that they aren’t largely excluded from formal education, but it’s sad to see something with so much cultural and historical resonance falling out of use.
Other:
Harvest by Rebecca Roanhorse
I absolutely love the Sixth World series by Rebecca Roanhorse, so when I saw her announce on Twitter that one of her short stories was available online for free, I immediately went to read it. Harvest certainly didn’t disappoint, though fair warning: It’s graphic. I won’t say more, lest I spoil it.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
She Who Rises [A New Age of Magic]
This wasn’t published this month – it actually came out last year – but it is on sale right now! More specifically, it’s available for free for the next several days, so if you’ve been wanting to check it out but haven’t had the means to buy it, now is the perfect time to grab a copy.
Articles:
The Badass Histories of 3 Warrior Queens
I’ve been trying to make a point of writing fun, short little articles like this focusing on historical women, and the theme as of late has been warrior-types. I would be remiss not to include brief examples of a few of history’s incredible warrior queens, and hence this piece was born. I may write a sequel of sorts later, because there have been a LOT of incredible queen’s throughout history.
10 Famous Bisexual People From Throughout History
There were a lot of people in history who kept their sexuality a secret, as well as those who were publicly bisexual but have had their sexuality covered up/erased by history books. Just like I enjoy looking back and learning about awesome women throughout history, I love to learn about queer people from the past, too.
Does Metagaming Have a Place in Dungeons and Dragons?
I’ve played at a variety of D&D tables over the last few years, and in that time I’ve noticed some discrepancy in how different parties play the game – and sometimes that involves metagaming. So I have some thoughts on metagaming’s place in D&D and how to navigate different play styles at the table.
That's what I've been creating and enjoying this month. Any recommendations on what I should check out next?
July Wrap-Up
Some light reading, a book release, and a very exciting short story publication. Let's dig in to July!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
I would love to pretend that everything I read is super deep or intellectual or even just part of uplifting lesser-heard communities, but… that’s not true. Sometimes your brain needs a little bit of candy, and right now this is the candy I’ve been craving. Maybe next month I’ll have something a little more exciting on my list – but I’m not gonna force myself.
Articles
The Teenage Girl Gang that Seduced and Killed Nazis
A harrowing and triumphant tale of two young sisters who gave their all to protect Jewish refugees and take down Nazi Germany. It’s not a unique tale, by any means – there are other teenage girls who did their part in the war effort – but that doesn’t make it any less important or heroic.
The Kung Fu Nuns of Kathmandu
While “Kung Fu Nuns” is certainly an interesting premise, these women are so much more than that. They’re dismantling gender inequality within Buddhism, learning kung fu to protect themselves and teaching it to other Indian women so that they can defend themselves against assault, and offering humanitarian aid after natural disasters and during this pandemic. These are women worth knowing about and worth celebrating, and they have certainly earned their shared title of The Fearless Ones.
Fast-Growing Mini-Forests Spring up in Europe to Aid Climate
I love the idea of planting small but dense and diverse sections of trees throughout cities, and really hope to see a future where there are cute little patchwork forests teeming with wildlife everywhere.
The College Student Who Decoded the Data Hidden in Inca Knots
There is so much indigenous history that we don’t know or can’t glean from indigenous historical records, so any breakthrough of this kind is pretty amazing. That it came about because of a perfect storm of well-matched skills and interests is… well, perfect.
The Forgotten Drink that Caffeinated North America for Centuries
I’m not a caffeine drinker myself (it doesn’t mix well with my insomnia), but, as I’ve said before, I love history. This piece was particularly interesting because it explored how conflicting goals and capitalist interests may have contributed to the mislabeling of cassina as a purgative, making people reluctant to drink for centuries – even though it would be a much cheaper alternative to coffee and tea in many parts of North America.
Other
Critical Role: Campaign Two
This show went on hiatus back in March, and the months without my weekly dose of dice rolling nerdy-ass voice actors was definitely a struggle – not least because they ended on a cliffhanger. But it’s back and I’m loving it and I’m crossing my fingers that the almost-inevitable re-hiatus doesn’t put fans on another cliffhanger for three months.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Living With No Reflection
I’ve been sitting on news of this story for a loooong time, and now I can finally share it! I found out a few months ago that my short story had been accepted for publication in audio format by Manawaker Studios, and I am very excited that my first audio-format story is now available to the world.
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
My book released this month! Aaaah! The build up to a book releasing is always a bit nerve-wracking, so I’m thrilled to finally have this out in the world for everyone to see. Please check out the series if you’re up for some magic and dragons and chaos. And keep your peepers peeled for a sale next month! ;D
Articles
’Just So Pitiful and Ugly’: Blackface, Bigotry, and Dehumanization in P.C. Cast’s ‘Moon Chosen’
I think thoughtful, critical analysis of the media we consume is incredibly important, especially when a piece of media presents deeply troubling or problematic topics. Sadly, this book is one such example of that sort of problem, and I didn’t feel right not addressing it in my own small way after reading it.
Ways to Boost Your Baby’s Brain Development
I’ve had babies on my mind in recent months, and that’s definitely influenced my decision to write this little piece. I think the complexity and malleability of babies’ brains is really fascinating, so researching this and sharing what I learned with the world was super fun. Definitely brought me back to the early days of university when I thought I wanted to be a psychologist!
As always, feel free to share what you've enjoyed this month in the comments below. :)
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
I would love to pretend that everything I read is super deep or intellectual or even just part of uplifting lesser-heard communities, but… that’s not true. Sometimes your brain needs a little bit of candy, and right now this is the candy I’ve been craving. Maybe next month I’ll have something a little more exciting on my list – but I’m not gonna force myself.
Articles
The Teenage Girl Gang that Seduced and Killed Nazis
A harrowing and triumphant tale of two young sisters who gave their all to protect Jewish refugees and take down Nazi Germany. It’s not a unique tale, by any means – there are other teenage girls who did their part in the war effort – but that doesn’t make it any less important or heroic.
The Kung Fu Nuns of Kathmandu
While “Kung Fu Nuns” is certainly an interesting premise, these women are so much more than that. They’re dismantling gender inequality within Buddhism, learning kung fu to protect themselves and teaching it to other Indian women so that they can defend themselves against assault, and offering humanitarian aid after natural disasters and during this pandemic. These are women worth knowing about and worth celebrating, and they have certainly earned their shared title of The Fearless Ones.
Fast-Growing Mini-Forests Spring up in Europe to Aid Climate
I love the idea of planting small but dense and diverse sections of trees throughout cities, and really hope to see a future where there are cute little patchwork forests teeming with wildlife everywhere.
The College Student Who Decoded the Data Hidden in Inca Knots
There is so much indigenous history that we don’t know or can’t glean from indigenous historical records, so any breakthrough of this kind is pretty amazing. That it came about because of a perfect storm of well-matched skills and interests is… well, perfect.
The Forgotten Drink that Caffeinated North America for Centuries
I’m not a caffeine drinker myself (it doesn’t mix well with my insomnia), but, as I’ve said before, I love history. This piece was particularly interesting because it explored how conflicting goals and capitalist interests may have contributed to the mislabeling of cassina as a purgative, making people reluctant to drink for centuries – even though it would be a much cheaper alternative to coffee and tea in many parts of North America.
Other
Critical Role: Campaign Two
This show went on hiatus back in March, and the months without my weekly dose of dice rolling nerdy-ass voice actors was definitely a struggle – not least because they ended on a cliffhanger. But it’s back and I’m loving it and I’m crossing my fingers that the almost-inevitable re-hiatus doesn’t put fans on another cliffhanger for three months.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Living With No Reflection
I’ve been sitting on news of this story for a loooong time, and now I can finally share it! I found out a few months ago that my short story had been accepted for publication in audio format by Manawaker Studios, and I am very excited that my first audio-format story is now available to the world.
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
My book released this month! Aaaah! The build up to a book releasing is always a bit nerve-wracking, so I’m thrilled to finally have this out in the world for everyone to see. Please check out the series if you’re up for some magic and dragons and chaos. And keep your peepers peeled for a sale next month! ;D
Articles
’Just So Pitiful and Ugly’: Blackface, Bigotry, and Dehumanization in P.C. Cast’s ‘Moon Chosen’
I think thoughtful, critical analysis of the media we consume is incredibly important, especially when a piece of media presents deeply troubling or problematic topics. Sadly, this book is one such example of that sort of problem, and I didn’t feel right not addressing it in my own small way after reading it.
Ways to Boost Your Baby’s Brain Development
I’ve had babies on my mind in recent months, and that’s definitely influenced my decision to write this little piece. I think the complexity and malleability of babies’ brains is really fascinating, so researching this and sharing what I learned with the world was super fun. Definitely brought me back to the early days of university when I thought I wanted to be a psychologist!
As always, feel free to share what you've enjoyed this month in the comments below. :)
October Wrap-Up
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Out of Sight, Out of Time and United We Spy by Ally Carter
The finale of the series, and all the twists and grim changes definitely hold up on a second read through. I loved seeing Cammie get her happy ending, especially with all the trauma and hardship she had to endure to get there.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit and other stories by Beatrix Potter
My husband picked up a whole little collection of these books earlier this month in preparation for us having our first baby, and he’s taken to reading them out loud to my stomach. Not only is this very sweet (and exciting to baby, if the kicks I got are any indication), but the stories themselves are adorable and beautifully illustrated.
Articles
A Brief History of Traveling With Cats
There was a lot of stuff in this I already knew – Egyptians revered cats, cats were often brought aboard ships as mousers, cats are not technically fully domesticated even to this day – but there were still a lot of details and nuances that I wasn’t aware of going into this article. Having the whole timeline laid out neatly and fairly succinctly like this helps make sense of exactly how cats became the furry house companions we love today – and including pictures of cats from throughout history certainly doesn’t hurt.
10 Types of European Breads with Fascinating Stories
Reading this mostly filled me with a mix of wanderlust and hunger, but it also taught me some snippets of history, so I’d say it’s all in balance. Now I just need an excuse to go to Europe…
The World’s Most Efficient Languages
When I was younger, I wanted to learn a language from every continent. I’m less ambitious now, but I still find language fascinating and love learning all the oddities and nuances of different tongues, especially how they can say the same thing in wildly different ways. This article explores and explains those differences beautifully.
Invisible No Longer
Reclamation and revitalization of traditional practices is, unfortunately, a common experience for many indigenous cultures around the world. That the moko kauae of the Māori almost disappeared due to the pressures and cruelties of colonization is, without question, a tragedy and the result of the many atrocities committed by European settlers – but seeing it return can be a source of hope and pride, especially for the Māori women who wear these sacred tattoos.
There’s Drama in the Queer Penguin Community
Sometimes you just need a light-hearted story, and gay penguins stealing eggs from their lesbian penguin neighbours definitely fits that bill.
Other
How These Cycling Dogs are Delighting Islanders during COVID
What’s better than dogs? Dogs in goggles. This adorable, wholesome story is straight from the Island that raised me. Makes me miss walks through Victoria Park.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Your Body is a Canvas – But You Aren’t Always the Painter
This is a more personal piece than my usual fare, as it explores my experience of being diagnosed with cancer when I was 19 and learning to accept the scars that left me with. Writing helped me a lot during that time, and this is no exception. I also entered this piece into the Body Art contest on Vocal, so it would mean a lot to me if you liked and shared it. <3
Writing for an Audience vs. Writing for Yourself
This is a discussion I’ve seem over and over for years – even back in middle school when I was browsing the Writers’ Forum on Gaiaonline (yeah, that’s a throwback), I saw people debating over this. So I put together some of my own thoughts and advice on the matter.
The Nova Scotia Fishing Dispute and Canada’s Systemic Racism
This one is close to home, both because I’m an Atlantic Canadian and because I wrote my thesis on systemic racism against Canada’s indigenous people. Seeing that same history continue to repeat itself is infuriating and disheartening, and writing this was my small way of contributing to the cause and trying to support the Mi’kmaw nation.
Ontario in the Eyes of a Small Town East Coaster
I wrote this on a whim one evening – I totally meant to chill out and take it easy, especially since I had just completed another article earlier that day, but I was hit with a sudden wave of inspiration. I’ve learned over the years not to ignore that sort of feeling, so I sat down and wrote. 2500 words later, I had this piece. It was fun to write, and kind of cathartic to reflect on such a happy, free time after spending so many months cooped up and wracked with anxiety. I hope reading it provides as much relief and escape as writing it did.
Books
Out of Sight, Out of Time and United We Spy by Ally Carter
The finale of the series, and all the twists and grim changes definitely hold up on a second read through. I loved seeing Cammie get her happy ending, especially with all the trauma and hardship she had to endure to get there.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit and other stories by Beatrix Potter
My husband picked up a whole little collection of these books earlier this month in preparation for us having our first baby, and he’s taken to reading them out loud to my stomach. Not only is this very sweet (and exciting to baby, if the kicks I got are any indication), but the stories themselves are adorable and beautifully illustrated.
Articles
A Brief History of Traveling With Cats
There was a lot of stuff in this I already knew – Egyptians revered cats, cats were often brought aboard ships as mousers, cats are not technically fully domesticated even to this day – but there were still a lot of details and nuances that I wasn’t aware of going into this article. Having the whole timeline laid out neatly and fairly succinctly like this helps make sense of exactly how cats became the furry house companions we love today – and including pictures of cats from throughout history certainly doesn’t hurt.
10 Types of European Breads with Fascinating Stories
Reading this mostly filled me with a mix of wanderlust and hunger, but it also taught me some snippets of history, so I’d say it’s all in balance. Now I just need an excuse to go to Europe…
The World’s Most Efficient Languages
When I was younger, I wanted to learn a language from every continent. I’m less ambitious now, but I still find language fascinating and love learning all the oddities and nuances of different tongues, especially how they can say the same thing in wildly different ways. This article explores and explains those differences beautifully.
Invisible No Longer
Reclamation and revitalization of traditional practices is, unfortunately, a common experience for many indigenous cultures around the world. That the moko kauae of the Māori almost disappeared due to the pressures and cruelties of colonization is, without question, a tragedy and the result of the many atrocities committed by European settlers – but seeing it return can be a source of hope and pride, especially for the Māori women who wear these sacred tattoos.
There’s Drama in the Queer Penguin Community
Sometimes you just need a light-hearted story, and gay penguins stealing eggs from their lesbian penguin neighbours definitely fits that bill.
Other
How These Cycling Dogs are Delighting Islanders during COVID
What’s better than dogs? Dogs in goggles. This adorable, wholesome story is straight from the Island that raised me. Makes me miss walks through Victoria Park.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Your Body is a Canvas – But You Aren’t Always the Painter
This is a more personal piece than my usual fare, as it explores my experience of being diagnosed with cancer when I was 19 and learning to accept the scars that left me with. Writing helped me a lot during that time, and this is no exception. I also entered this piece into the Body Art contest on Vocal, so it would mean a lot to me if you liked and shared it. <3
Writing for an Audience vs. Writing for Yourself
This is a discussion I’ve seem over and over for years – even back in middle school when I was browsing the Writers’ Forum on Gaiaonline (yeah, that’s a throwback), I saw people debating over this. So I put together some of my own thoughts and advice on the matter.
The Nova Scotia Fishing Dispute and Canada’s Systemic Racism
This one is close to home, both because I’m an Atlantic Canadian and because I wrote my thesis on systemic racism against Canada’s indigenous people. Seeing that same history continue to repeat itself is infuriating and disheartening, and writing this was my small way of contributing to the cause and trying to support the Mi’kmaw nation.
Ontario in the Eyes of a Small Town East Coaster
I wrote this on a whim one evening – I totally meant to chill out and take it easy, especially since I had just completed another article earlier that day, but I was hit with a sudden wave of inspiration. I’ve learned over the years not to ignore that sort of feeling, so I sat down and wrote. 2500 words later, I had this piece. It was fun to write, and kind of cathartic to reflect on such a happy, free time after spending so many months cooped up and wracked with anxiety. I hope reading it provides as much relief and escape as writing it did.
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.
June Wrap-Up: Zombie Girl Gangs, Understanding Polyamory, and Excessive Teleportation
This month was full of a lot of really awesome reads – and, fittingly for Pride, a lot of queer ones! I got to read one of my most anticipated releases, a book I had been sleeping on for far too long, and a ton of articles celebrating queer people and their talents.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
I’ve loved every John Green book I’ve read, but this one was uniquely wonderful. I loved how he challenged the idea of where a book starts and ends by rating the structure of the book as well, every review was full of wit and insight and emotional depth, and the whole experience was unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
I loved this book a lot more than I expected – I thought I would give it three stars, but it turned into a five-star read. It’s fun and light while also being creepy and weird, and those twists? Perfection.
Articles
The Intersection of Black Femininity and Queerness
This has lots of recommendations for queer black female artists to listen to and I’m definitely going to have to make a point to listen to some of them. Popping the link here so I can refer back to it, and also to spread the love.
Stories by LGBTQIA+ Vocal Creators and the Perfect Songs to Go With Them
Another list of awesome creators to support, this time including both writers on Vocal.media and musicians. It’s especially great because reading, liking, and sharing articles by LGBTQIA+ Vocal writers is a super easy way to support them, since they earn a small bit of money every time someone reads one of their stories.
5 Tips for Improving Your Poetry
I’ve been wanting to get back into writing poetry, so reading some tips and advice on how to hone my craft is a nice refresher.
Think Cult Classics, but Female Friendships
This hit the nail on the head about how I felt when I recently watched the first Ghostbusters movie. Now I NEED to watch the all-female remake!
Bullshit-Free Ideas for Building an Adaptable Writing Routine
It should come as no surprise that I enjoy writing advice, considering how often I offer it myself. This is a great example of that. Not every suggestion will work for every writer, of course, but it has some great ideas to try out.
Polyamory is Simply Love Plural
Really insightful article about an often misunderstand relationship dynamic, and something I think everyone needs to learn more about.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Times Can One Player Teleport in D&D?
This is another one of those times where I’m being excessively, nerdily indulgent. If you like D&D and character builds with absurdly specific intent, this will entertain you.
Queer Books Everyone Should Read for Pride
I really enjoyed writing this, especially since I love gushing about my favourite books (obviously – what else have these wrap-ups been about?). And the fact that it got picked for Top Story certainly doesn’t hurt :D
How to Support Indie Authors – For Free
As a self-published author, this subject is close to my heart. It’s hard to build a following and market yourself and get people reading your book, and if I can help encourage people to pick up more indie books, I know I’m helping a lot of creators like myself.
How Writing Helps Me Heal
This one is a bit more personal than I usually write, but I’m proud of how it came out. It’s about how writing has helped me cope through major hardship.
And that’s it for June. Definitely a great month for reading!
For July, however, I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to get done, or if I’ll have time to share my wrap-up at the end of the month, as there’s some pretty major life stuff going on throughout the month. So if the end of the month comes and you don’t see a July wrap-up, don’t fret: I’m just busy. I’ll probably just end up doing a joint wrap-up with August.
What did you read this month? Anything on your radar that you’re excited to check out in July?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
I’ve loved every John Green book I’ve read, but this one was uniquely wonderful. I loved how he challenged the idea of where a book starts and ends by rating the structure of the book as well, every review was full of wit and insight and emotional depth, and the whole experience was unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
I loved this book a lot more than I expected – I thought I would give it three stars, but it turned into a five-star read. It’s fun and light while also being creepy and weird, and those twists? Perfection.
Articles
The Intersection of Black Femininity and Queerness
This has lots of recommendations for queer black female artists to listen to and I’m definitely going to have to make a point to listen to some of them. Popping the link here so I can refer back to it, and also to spread the love.
Stories by LGBTQIA+ Vocal Creators and the Perfect Songs to Go With Them
Another list of awesome creators to support, this time including both writers on Vocal.media and musicians. It’s especially great because reading, liking, and sharing articles by LGBTQIA+ Vocal writers is a super easy way to support them, since they earn a small bit of money every time someone reads one of their stories.
5 Tips for Improving Your Poetry
I’ve been wanting to get back into writing poetry, so reading some tips and advice on how to hone my craft is a nice refresher.
Think Cult Classics, but Female Friendships
This hit the nail on the head about how I felt when I recently watched the first Ghostbusters movie. Now I NEED to watch the all-female remake!
Bullshit-Free Ideas for Building an Adaptable Writing Routine
It should come as no surprise that I enjoy writing advice, considering how often I offer it myself. This is a great example of that. Not every suggestion will work for every writer, of course, but it has some great ideas to try out.
Polyamory is Simply Love Plural
Really insightful article about an often misunderstand relationship dynamic, and something I think everyone needs to learn more about.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Times Can One Player Teleport in D&D?
This is another one of those times where I’m being excessively, nerdily indulgent. If you like D&D and character builds with absurdly specific intent, this will entertain you.
Queer Books Everyone Should Read for Pride
I really enjoyed writing this, especially since I love gushing about my favourite books (obviously – what else have these wrap-ups been about?). And the fact that it got picked for Top Story certainly doesn’t hurt :D
How to Support Indie Authors – For Free
As a self-published author, this subject is close to my heart. It’s hard to build a following and market yourself and get people reading your book, and if I can help encourage people to pick up more indie books, I know I’m helping a lot of creators like myself.
How Writing Helps Me Heal
This one is a bit more personal than I usually write, but I’m proud of how it came out. It’s about how writing has helped me cope through major hardship.
And that’s it for June. Definitely a great month for reading!
For July, however, I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to get done, or if I’ll have time to share my wrap-up at the end of the month, as there’s some pretty major life stuff going on throughout the month. So if the end of the month comes and you don’t see a July wrap-up, don’t fret: I’m just busy. I’ll probably just end up doing a joint wrap-up with August.
What did you read this month? Anything on your radar that you’re excited to check out in July?
September & October 2022: The Good, The Bad, The Apocalyptic
Okay, so I didn’t update with my reading and writing from September. It’s not that I wasn’t reading – I just wasn’t enjoying what I was reading enough to be worth sharing. October was also a minimal reading month, in part because I had family visiting for a week and a half.
But I do have quite a bit of writing to share! And something a little new. 😉
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan
This book was equal parts sweet and heart-rending. Watching Karina struggle to balance her dreams for the future and the expectations of her parents was so difficult, and I can only imagine how hard that representation must hit for readers who come from a similar family background. On a lighter note, Karina’s best friends were a delight – I loved reading their group chats, which felt true to life. And Ace was a total sweetheart. The anxiety rep was also much appreciated; I could deeply relate to some of the scenes were Karina was on the brink of an anxiety attack and struggling to hold it together until she was in private. Overall, a super excellent book. Well worth the read.
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
Great little book. It was a quick read and super easy to follow – highly recommend to anyone who’s looking to learn more about trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks, and especially to those wanting to be a better ally.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Create a Style Guide for Your Novel
A style guide is one of those tools I didn’t realize I needed until I was basically halfway through my series, A New Age of Magic. But I swear by it now. It makes so many nitty-gritty details and elements of editing WAY easier.
Fall Book Recs for Readers Who Don’t Love Horror
I love fall, I love books, but I don’t often love fall book recommendations. The ones I’ve seen tend to lean pretty hard into horror – which I get; it’s Halloween season. But as a reader who isn’t a fan of horror, I can feel a bit left out of the excitement. So I decided to make my own book rec list!
Academia, Tradition, and Love: A Review of Braiding Sweetgrass
I knew from the moment I read this book that I wanted to write a long-form review and encourage others to pick it up. It was just hard to find the words to describe a reading experience that was honestly… kind of perfect? Robin Kimmerer Wall not only has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to botany and traditional teachers, but she very clearly loves nature. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book.
Not Good Feminist Fiction, Not Good Apocalypse Fiction: An In-Depth Review of ‘Into the Mist’
This book, on the other hand, I immediately knew I would be writing a very lengthy, very negative review about. As has been the trend with this particular author’s works, Into the Mist is rife with harmful representation and misrepresentation, despite being praised and promoted as feminist fiction. I always think it’s important to encourage discussion about when and why certain media is harmful, and that’s what I aimed to do with this review.
Other
Not Good Feminism, Not Good Apocalypse Fiction | INTO THE MIST by P.C. Cast [Vlog Review]
But wait! There’s more! While reading this book, I had so many thoughts that I couldn’t wait until I was done reading to share them, so I vlogged my thoughts as I read. The result is this very long, ramble-y review, which hopefully gives a more off-the-cuff display of my first impressions.
And that does it for September and October. Keep an eye out for my next wrap-up, as I have high hopes for my two current reads. 👀
But I do have quite a bit of writing to share! And something a little new. 😉
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan
This book was equal parts sweet and heart-rending. Watching Karina struggle to balance her dreams for the future and the expectations of her parents was so difficult, and I can only imagine how hard that representation must hit for readers who come from a similar family background. On a lighter note, Karina’s best friends were a delight – I loved reading their group chats, which felt true to life. And Ace was a total sweetheart. The anxiety rep was also much appreciated; I could deeply relate to some of the scenes were Karina was on the brink of an anxiety attack and struggling to hold it together until she was in private. Overall, a super excellent book. Well worth the read.
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
Great little book. It was a quick read and super easy to follow – highly recommend to anyone who’s looking to learn more about trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks, and especially to those wanting to be a better ally.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Create a Style Guide for Your Novel
A style guide is one of those tools I didn’t realize I needed until I was basically halfway through my series, A New Age of Magic. But I swear by it now. It makes so many nitty-gritty details and elements of editing WAY easier.
Fall Book Recs for Readers Who Don’t Love Horror
I love fall, I love books, but I don’t often love fall book recommendations. The ones I’ve seen tend to lean pretty hard into horror – which I get; it’s Halloween season. But as a reader who isn’t a fan of horror, I can feel a bit left out of the excitement. So I decided to make my own book rec list!
Academia, Tradition, and Love: A Review of Braiding Sweetgrass
I knew from the moment I read this book that I wanted to write a long-form review and encourage others to pick it up. It was just hard to find the words to describe a reading experience that was honestly… kind of perfect? Robin Kimmerer Wall not only has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to botany and traditional teachers, but she very clearly loves nature. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book.
Not Good Feminist Fiction, Not Good Apocalypse Fiction: An In-Depth Review of ‘Into the Mist’
This book, on the other hand, I immediately knew I would be writing a very lengthy, very negative review about. As has been the trend with this particular author’s works, Into the Mist is rife with harmful representation and misrepresentation, despite being praised and promoted as feminist fiction. I always think it’s important to encourage discussion about when and why certain media is harmful, and that’s what I aimed to do with this review.
Other
Not Good Feminism, Not Good Apocalypse Fiction | INTO THE MIST by P.C. Cast [Vlog Review]
But wait! There’s more! While reading this book, I had so many thoughts that I couldn’t wait until I was done reading to share them, so I vlogged my thoughts as I read. The result is this very long, ramble-y review, which hopefully gives a more off-the-cuff display of my first impressions.
And that does it for September and October. Keep an eye out for my next wrap-up, as I have high hopes for my two current reads. 👀
November 2022: Queer Fantasy, Everywhere You Look!
I considered waiting a month and combining November and December into one wrap-up, because I felt like I didn’t do much… But I read three books! Four, if you count a reread via audio. The issue, I guess, is that I didn’t write – or rather, publish – very much, so this particular wrap-up is very top heavy. But hey! Sometimes that’s just how the month works out.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
In Deeper Waters by F. T. Lukens
This was such a wonderful read. Tal and Athlen were delightful, both as characters and a couple, and I loved how complicated the conflict got as the story progressed. There was a sense of history to the world, even though we only see a small part of it over a relatively short period of time. Lots of good foreshadowing and payoff, as well.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Everything about this was delightful. I loved the high stakes of the trials, all the clever little details in the world-building and character work, the diversity and how queer-normative the world was, and that TWIST. So cruel, but so perfect. Absolutely elated that this is a duology and there’s more of this story to read, and can’t wait until I can get my hands on the conclusion.
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
I’ve been dying to read this book since it came out, but I needed to reread Black Sun before I could dive in, which itself was a significant undertaking. But I finally did it! And it was great! While Fevered Sun definitely feels like a middle book, it’s still a strong and enjoyable read. I loved all the unexpected directions it took, the internal/emotional journeys the characters went on, and the new conflicts and players introduced in the build-up to book three. So, so pumped to see how this trilogy concludes.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Ways Can You Fly in 5e Dungeons and Dragons?
I love doing these weird little thought experiments with D&D character building, and this one… has an unexpected result. Like, I might actually play the character build that came out of this!
Like I said, a bit top-heavy this time around. But definitely a very enjoyable month of reading!
If you want to see more of what I’m up to, follow me on social media! My handle is @rachaellawrites on Instagram, TikTok, Medium, YouTube, and… Tumblr. Yeah. Yeah, I jumped back on to Tumblr because of the rapid collapse of Twitter. So you should follow me over there! It’s fun!
And keep an eye out on my YouTube. I vlogged as I read this month and I'm hoping to have that video up on the weekend.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
In Deeper Waters by F. T. Lukens
This was such a wonderful read. Tal and Athlen were delightful, both as characters and a couple, and I loved how complicated the conflict got as the story progressed. There was a sense of history to the world, even though we only see a small part of it over a relatively short period of time. Lots of good foreshadowing and payoff, as well.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Everything about this was delightful. I loved the high stakes of the trials, all the clever little details in the world-building and character work, the diversity and how queer-normative the world was, and that TWIST. So cruel, but so perfect. Absolutely elated that this is a duology and there’s more of this story to read, and can’t wait until I can get my hands on the conclusion.
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
I’ve been dying to read this book since it came out, but I needed to reread Black Sun before I could dive in, which itself was a significant undertaking. But I finally did it! And it was great! While Fevered Sun definitely feels like a middle book, it’s still a strong and enjoyable read. I loved all the unexpected directions it took, the internal/emotional journeys the characters went on, and the new conflicts and players introduced in the build-up to book three. So, so pumped to see how this trilogy concludes.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Ways Can You Fly in 5e Dungeons and Dragons?
I love doing these weird little thought experiments with D&D character building, and this one… has an unexpected result. Like, I might actually play the character build that came out of this!
Like I said, a bit top-heavy this time around. But definitely a very enjoyable month of reading!
If you want to see more of what I’m up to, follow me on social media! My handle is @rachaellawrites on Instagram, TikTok, Medium, YouTube, and… Tumblr. Yeah. Yeah, I jumped back on to Tumblr because of the rapid collapse of Twitter. So you should follow me over there! It’s fun!
And keep an eye out on my YouTube. I vlogged as I read this month and I'm hoping to have that video up on the weekend.
