Rachael Arsenault's Blog - Posts Tagged "currently-reading"
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.
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.
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?
February 2021 Wrap-Up
I know February is the shortest month of the year, but this February felt especially short. Even still, I managed a decent amount of reading! It helps that I've been reading library copies of ebooks on my phone so I can snuggle the baby while I read. Also, I've learned that I can read anything - not just kids books - to help lull him to sleep.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
A Phoenix First Must Burn
I really, really enjoyed this anthology – I loved the variety it offered, and new spin some of the stories put on familiar tropes or subgenres. Definitely something for everyone in here. I highly recommend you check it out if you’re ever in the mood for some SFF short stories.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
AMAZING! Not only was the plot of this story really intriguing and well-executed, but the characters were all extremely well-developed and I LOVED the magic system and world-building. Give me more giant rideable crows, please! Plus, Serapio and Xiala’s relationship was wonderful and heartbreaking. The inclusion of multiple queer characters doesn't hurt, either.
Articles
A 3000-Year-Old Painter’s Palette from Ancient Egypt, with Traces of the Original Colors Still In It
A super fascinating peek into Ancient Egyptian history and culture, as told through the symbolism of paint colours in art.
The Lost World of Socotra – One of the Most Alien-Looking Places on Earth
Super interesting look at the history and ecology of one very strange island. I loved the photos included in this article – makes me wish I could visit Socotra and witness its bizarre beauty for myself!
What I’ve Created
Articles
4 Tips For Titling Your Book
I’ve always struggled to come up with titles, and I know I’m not alone. So I decided to put together a quick little list of tricks that have helped me over the years!
5 Strategies for Overcoming a Reading Slump
I’ve struggled with various reading slumps throughout my life, including recently during quarantine. So I put together a little list of some strategies I’ve found helpful. Hopefully they’ll help you, too!
And that was February. I really enjoyed the work I read this month, and I'm glad I managed to find time to write a little, too. Now to see what next month and the anniversary of the pandemic have in store.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
A Phoenix First Must Burn
I really, really enjoyed this anthology – I loved the variety it offered, and new spin some of the stories put on familiar tropes or subgenres. Definitely something for everyone in here. I highly recommend you check it out if you’re ever in the mood for some SFF short stories.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
AMAZING! Not only was the plot of this story really intriguing and well-executed, but the characters were all extremely well-developed and I LOVED the magic system and world-building. Give me more giant rideable crows, please! Plus, Serapio and Xiala’s relationship was wonderful and heartbreaking. The inclusion of multiple queer characters doesn't hurt, either.
Articles
A 3000-Year-Old Painter’s Palette from Ancient Egypt, with Traces of the Original Colors Still In It
A super fascinating peek into Ancient Egyptian history and culture, as told through the symbolism of paint colours in art.
The Lost World of Socotra – One of the Most Alien-Looking Places on Earth
Super interesting look at the history and ecology of one very strange island. I loved the photos included in this article – makes me wish I could visit Socotra and witness its bizarre beauty for myself!
What I’ve Created
Articles
4 Tips For Titling Your Book
I’ve always struggled to come up with titles, and I know I’m not alone. So I decided to put together a quick little list of tricks that have helped me over the years!
5 Strategies for Overcoming a Reading Slump
I’ve struggled with various reading slumps throughout my life, including recently during quarantine. So I put together a little list of some strategies I’ve found helpful. Hopefully they’ll help you, too!
And that was February. I really enjoyed the work I read this month, and I'm glad I managed to find time to write a little, too. Now to see what next month and the anniversary of the pandemic have in store.
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?
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!
August Wrap-Up: Misbehaved Princesses, Sister Series, and an Essay on Racism
I did it! I got the internet sorted out in time for the end of August! It is unreasonably satisfying that I don’t have to skip a month. That says a lot about me, doesn’t it?
Anyway. On with the wrap-up!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories from History Without the Fairy-Tale Endings by Linda Rodríguez McRobbie
A really fun read filled with lots of strange, inspiring, and sometimes awful women of history. Definitely a few names in here I wanna learn more about.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Loved this book, just as I loved Chloe Brown. Granted, I did like Chloe Brown more, but part of that is probably because it’s the first book in the series I read, and I just vibed with Chloe and Red a little more than Dani and Zaf. Though, don’t get me wrong: The leads in this are both wonderful. I love that Dani is a proud black, bisexual, chubby woman, and I love that Zaf is this big, tough, Pakistani athlete who is all about dealing with your emotions and recognizing mental health struggles.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
This book was available on Libby, too, so I of course read it right after Dani Brown. Loved seeing autistic characters repped as whole and complex people – and as adults with, you know, relationships and sex lives! As always, the humour was spot on, pacing was immaculate, and it was overall just a delight to read.
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
This is one of those books that’s extremely important but really hard to talk about. I’m not sure what to tell you about it, because anything I say is going to sound so small compared to everything this book encompasses. Certainly, if you’re interested in the history and ongoing struggle of black people in the UK, this is an excellent resource.
Articles
The Seven Sisters, East Sussex
I’d never heard of this particular natural wonder, but now I really want a chance to visit it! Especially knowing it’s slowly deteriorating. Even if it won’t be gone completely in my lifetime, I’d still like to see it sooner rather than later, so more of it is intact.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Name Your Characters (Without Getting Obsessed)
I’ve been working on naming characters for a new manuscript I’m working on (which I won’t talk about in too much detail just yet), and the process really got me thinking about names. It can be so easy to fall down a rabbit hole and spend hours searching for the “perfect” name, rather than actually buckling down and, you know, writing your book. So I decided to share some tips on how to avoid that.
”My Own Nubian Princess.” Blackness, Exotification, and Dehumanization in the House of Night
The third installment in the series of essays I’m working on, this time tackling how HoN handles representing black characters. I hope I’ve done the topic justice, even though I never feel like I’ve quite managed to cover every issue I want to discuss when I write these essays.
And that’s everything for August! I’m glad things worked out and I got my internet problems resolved before the end of the month, because I actually had quite a bit to share.
But wait, there’s more! Sort of. I at least have a way for you to more consistently keep up to date with my work over on Vocal. They have a subscribe feature now! It’s free, so you don’t have to worry about paying monthly fees or anything, and you can follow whichever creators you like on the site, then check your subscription feed to see whatever stories they’ve recently uploaded. Then you don’t have to wait until the end of every month for me to share links in these wrap-ups.
(Though you should totally still keep reading these wrap-ups. Vocal doesn’t have my monthly reading recommendations, after all.)
Anyway. On with the wrap-up!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories from History Without the Fairy-Tale Endings by Linda Rodríguez McRobbie
A really fun read filled with lots of strange, inspiring, and sometimes awful women of history. Definitely a few names in here I wanna learn more about.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Loved this book, just as I loved Chloe Brown. Granted, I did like Chloe Brown more, but part of that is probably because it’s the first book in the series I read, and I just vibed with Chloe and Red a little more than Dani and Zaf. Though, don’t get me wrong: The leads in this are both wonderful. I love that Dani is a proud black, bisexual, chubby woman, and I love that Zaf is this big, tough, Pakistani athlete who is all about dealing with your emotions and recognizing mental health struggles.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
This book was available on Libby, too, so I of course read it right after Dani Brown. Loved seeing autistic characters repped as whole and complex people – and as adults with, you know, relationships and sex lives! As always, the humour was spot on, pacing was immaculate, and it was overall just a delight to read.
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
This is one of those books that’s extremely important but really hard to talk about. I’m not sure what to tell you about it, because anything I say is going to sound so small compared to everything this book encompasses. Certainly, if you’re interested in the history and ongoing struggle of black people in the UK, this is an excellent resource.
Articles
The Seven Sisters, East Sussex
I’d never heard of this particular natural wonder, but now I really want a chance to visit it! Especially knowing it’s slowly deteriorating. Even if it won’t be gone completely in my lifetime, I’d still like to see it sooner rather than later, so more of it is intact.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Name Your Characters (Without Getting Obsessed)
I’ve been working on naming characters for a new manuscript I’m working on (which I won’t talk about in too much detail just yet), and the process really got me thinking about names. It can be so easy to fall down a rabbit hole and spend hours searching for the “perfect” name, rather than actually buckling down and, you know, writing your book. So I decided to share some tips on how to avoid that.
”My Own Nubian Princess.” Blackness, Exotification, and Dehumanization in the House of Night
The third installment in the series of essays I’m working on, this time tackling how HoN handles representing black characters. I hope I’ve done the topic justice, even though I never feel like I’ve quite managed to cover every issue I want to discuss when I write these essays.
And that’s everything for August! I’m glad things worked out and I got my internet problems resolved before the end of the month, because I actually had quite a bit to share.
But wait, there’s more! Sort of. I at least have a way for you to more consistently keep up to date with my work over on Vocal. They have a subscribe feature now! It’s free, so you don’t have to worry about paying monthly fees or anything, and you can follow whichever creators you like on the site, then check your subscription feed to see whatever stories they’ve recently uploaded. Then you don’t have to wait until the end of every month for me to share links in these wrap-ups.
(Though you should totally still keep reading these wrap-ups. Vocal doesn’t have my monthly reading recommendations, after all.)
September 2021 Wrap-Up: Colonial History, Fae Ravens, and An Artistic Empire
During September I consumed a strange assortment of media - and, unfortunately, not a lot of it. I sadly had several things I picked up to read that I ended up DNFing. But I still found some stuff I absolutely loved!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
This was such a fun book. I loved how Rogerson depicted fae, the plotting and world-building were on point, and Isobel was a clever and passionate heroine I found easy to root for. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick, light read.
The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King
I originally read this for my thesis back in 2015, and I was thrilled when I saw my library carried it on Libby. So I reread – and enjoyed it even more than the first time! King is so good at explaining and exploring Native American and First Nations history in accessible language, and I loved how he handled the topics with the seriousness they deserved while still finding room for humour. Hugely recommend this one.
Other
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed
My spouse and I put this on as something to casually enjoy in the background while we played with the baby, and we ended up getting sucked into it. There was so much I didn’t know about Bob Ross, and it was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking to learn about the legacy he wanted versus the legacy others chose for him.
What I’ve Created
Articles
I’m on Medium now!
While not the same as having actual new content for you, I am still excited to be crossposting a bunch of my pieces from Vocal over to Medium. I’ll be doing this slowly over the course of several weeks, so keep an eye on this profile. You might discover you haven’t read some of my older stuff yet!
I would also hugely appreciate it if you followed me on Medium. Not only does it make it easier for you to keep track of when I upload a new story, but once I reach 100 followers on Medium, I’m eligible for their Partner Program :D It’s a simple, free way to support an indie author!
Now on to October. I don't know about you, but I'm dying for fall leaves and cooler weather. This is my favourite season by far :D
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
This was such a fun book. I loved how Rogerson depicted fae, the plotting and world-building were on point, and Isobel was a clever and passionate heroine I found easy to root for. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick, light read.
The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King
I originally read this for my thesis back in 2015, and I was thrilled when I saw my library carried it on Libby. So I reread – and enjoyed it even more than the first time! King is so good at explaining and exploring Native American and First Nations history in accessible language, and I loved how he handled the topics with the seriousness they deserved while still finding room for humour. Hugely recommend this one.
Other
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed
My spouse and I put this on as something to casually enjoy in the background while we played with the baby, and we ended up getting sucked into it. There was so much I didn’t know about Bob Ross, and it was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking to learn about the legacy he wanted versus the legacy others chose for him.
What I’ve Created
Articles
I’m on Medium now!
While not the same as having actual new content for you, I am still excited to be crossposting a bunch of my pieces from Vocal over to Medium. I’ll be doing this slowly over the course of several weeks, so keep an eye on this profile. You might discover you haven’t read some of my older stuff yet!
I would also hugely appreciate it if you followed me on Medium. Not only does it make it easier for you to keep track of when I upload a new story, but once I reach 100 followers on Medium, I’m eligible for their Partner Program :D It’s a simple, free way to support an indie author!
Now on to October. I don't know about you, but I'm dying for fall leaves and cooler weather. This is my favourite season by far :D
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!
June Wrap-Up: Queer Short Stories, Collaborative Tragedy, and Tips for Narrating Your Novel
Who thought it was June 28th three days in a row and has lost all concept of time? This girl!
Yeah, sorry for posting this so late. I genuinely did not process the fact that a new month had arrived, even though I’m Canadian and we have Canada Day on July 1st. 🙃WE’RE DOING GREAT.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction by Joshua Whitehead et al
I’ve been meaning to read this collection for a while, so I had to snatch it up when I saw the ebook available through my library. It’s fairly short – there are nine stories featured – but it still manages to pack a punch while exploring a variety of perspectives on queerness, indigeneity, and the future of our planet.
Out Now: Queer We Go Again!by Saundra Mitchell et al
Another queer short story collection seemed fitting for pride month, and this one included an impressive variety of stories, both in terms of the characters featured and the genres explored. There were a whole boatload of 4- and 5-star reads in here for me.
Other
EXU: Calamity
This mini campaign ripped my heart out and poured salt into my gaping, bleeding chest wound, and I said, “Thank you, that was lovely.” Seriously, even if you’ve never watched a Critical Role campaign before or explored much in the world of actual-play TTRPG shows, I highly recommend this one. It’s a masterclass of storytelling, roleplaying, improv, and good ol’ D&D. Just be sure to bring tissues.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Queer Books Everyone Should Read
Pride month means it’s time to celebrate queer books (though, if we’re honest, it’s always time to celebrate queer books). So here’s a list of some of my top recommendations! Hopefully next pride I’ll have even more.
How to Choose the Right Narrator For Your Novel
I feel like it’s been a while since I published any writing advice, so this month I’m offering some tips on picking a narrator and POV style. It might sound like a simple choice, but there’s actually a lot to consider!
And that does it for June! Hopefully July will find me more coherent with regards to the passage of time, but who knows? Everything is on fire all the time.
Yeah, sorry for posting this so late. I genuinely did not process the fact that a new month had arrived, even though I’m Canadian and we have Canada Day on July 1st. 🙃WE’RE DOING GREAT.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction by Joshua Whitehead et al
I’ve been meaning to read this collection for a while, so I had to snatch it up when I saw the ebook available through my library. It’s fairly short – there are nine stories featured – but it still manages to pack a punch while exploring a variety of perspectives on queerness, indigeneity, and the future of our planet.
Out Now: Queer We Go Again!by Saundra Mitchell et al
Another queer short story collection seemed fitting for pride month, and this one included an impressive variety of stories, both in terms of the characters featured and the genres explored. There were a whole boatload of 4- and 5-star reads in here for me.
Other
EXU: Calamity
This mini campaign ripped my heart out and poured salt into my gaping, bleeding chest wound, and I said, “Thank you, that was lovely.” Seriously, even if you’ve never watched a Critical Role campaign before or explored much in the world of actual-play TTRPG shows, I highly recommend this one. It’s a masterclass of storytelling, roleplaying, improv, and good ol’ D&D. Just be sure to bring tissues.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Queer Books Everyone Should Read
Pride month means it’s time to celebrate queer books (though, if we’re honest, it’s always time to celebrate queer books). So here’s a list of some of my top recommendations! Hopefully next pride I’ll have even more.
How to Choose the Right Narrator For Your Novel
I feel like it’s been a while since I published any writing advice, so this month I’m offering some tips on picking a narrator and POV style. It might sound like a simple choice, but there’s actually a lot to consider!
And that does it for June! Hopefully July will find me more coherent with regards to the passage of time, but who knows? Everything is on fire all the time.
