Rachael Arsenault's Blog - Posts Tagged "monthly-wrap-up"
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?
May Wrap-Up
Another month, another wrap-up. Let's go!
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
This is a sequel to Seraphina, a book I read last year and absolutely adored. Though it took me a lot longer than I expected to get through this one, it didn’t disappoint – I just wasn’t in the ideal headspace to dig into something this long. But Hartman delivered exactly what I expected and wanted from this series, with continued political intrigue, deceit and mind games, plenty of twists, and so much more of that incredible world-building and gorgeous prose. This is one of those books that leaves me pining for the author’s skills, because damn. I definitely want to reread this series sometime in the future.
Articles:
Top 10 Design Flaws in the Human Body
Listen, the human body is a fascinating nightmare and I love learning about all its oddities. This is a great little exploration of that.
How the Ballpoint Pen Killed Cursive
History is weird and complicated and often develops in unexpected ways that, even looking back, we misunderstand. This not only explains how the difference between ballpoint pens and fountain pens contributed to a shift from cursive writing to print, but also gives an overview of how ballpoint pens came to be and rose in popularity. Let me tell you, I did not expect the British Air Force to have an important role in that story.
"The First One That Died Sure Unnerved Me."
I don’t normally read a lot of epidemic-related writing, especially not right now – it’s part of every conversation I’ve been having lately and inescapable on social media, so I usually want my reading to be an escape from that. But this article intrigued me. And I’m glad I read it. Lutiant offers an interesting perspective on a dark period in history, and insight into a situation that is now repeating in our time. It feels like looking in a mirror and something about that makes this situation feel more… human, maybe? It’s a strange sort of comfort.
How 25 London Neighbourhoods Got Their Names
I’ve never been to London, but I’m still a sucker for history and etymology. Plus, stuff like this makes for great research/inspiration when it comes to creating my own worlds and naming places within them.
How the 18th Century Gay Bar Survived and Thrived in a Dangerous Environment
I know the queer community has always been around and has a long, proud history and culture, but it hadn’t occurred to me that gay bars, specifically, dated all the way back to the 1700s in London. While this isn’t exactly a happy story (because queer men had to hide who they were, and because of what happened when they and their molly houses were discovered), it is an interesting one, and certainly one we should be careful not to forget.
Pompeii Ruins Show That the Romans Invented Recycling
History. Is. WILD. There are so many things that seem very modern but turn out to have ancient roots, and recycling, apparently, is one of them. It also makes it so much more obvious that we can do better with reusing the goods we throw away, given how much our tools and know-how have grown in the thousands of years since Vesuvius erupted.
Other:
Mighty Vibes Vol 1: Lo-Fi Beats to Doodle To
This actually came out last month, but I’ve found myself listening to it over and over again during May. Not only is the animation adorable and full of awesome little Easter eggs for Critical Role fans, but this mix is perfect for helping me focus when my brain doesn’t want to work. I actually listened to it while reading some of the articles I include in this list!
Volume 2 came out near the tail end of the month – I haven’t had a chance to listen to it as much as the first one, but I love it, too, and look forward to having it on in the background as I plug away at creative projects.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
This book isn’t out quite yet, but it is available for pre-order and I am super excited for it to release in July. There’s an excerpt you can read in my previous blog post if you’re interested!
Articles:
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Writing?
Fanfiction has long been disparaged by authors and critics alike, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to find the dismissiveness irritating. I delve into that a little bit here, explaining how all writing can build skills, as well as providing some examples of professional fanfiction. If you’re a huge fan of fics or just don’t understand the appeal, maybe give this article a look.
Did My Cat Just Hiccup?
Research for this was part concern and part genuine curiosity. I was looking after my sister-in-law’s cat one night when she made a strange noise in her throat, so I starting looking into what it could be and if I should worry. The cat is fine, thankfully, and I was able to put together this little article from my research.
The Laws and Conventions of Naming Children
I don’t usually pay much attention to celebrity news, but seeing Elon Musk’s, uh… creative name choice for his son made me question how there aren’t stricter regulations on baby names. Turns out, there are – but it varies from country to country. And thus, this was born!
That's all for May. What have you been reading or creating? Any recommendations?
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
This is a sequel to Seraphina, a book I read last year and absolutely adored. Though it took me a lot longer than I expected to get through this one, it didn’t disappoint – I just wasn’t in the ideal headspace to dig into something this long. But Hartman delivered exactly what I expected and wanted from this series, with continued political intrigue, deceit and mind games, plenty of twists, and so much more of that incredible world-building and gorgeous prose. This is one of those books that leaves me pining for the author’s skills, because damn. I definitely want to reread this series sometime in the future.
Articles:
Top 10 Design Flaws in the Human Body
Listen, the human body is a fascinating nightmare and I love learning about all its oddities. This is a great little exploration of that.
How the Ballpoint Pen Killed Cursive
History is weird and complicated and often develops in unexpected ways that, even looking back, we misunderstand. This not only explains how the difference between ballpoint pens and fountain pens contributed to a shift from cursive writing to print, but also gives an overview of how ballpoint pens came to be and rose in popularity. Let me tell you, I did not expect the British Air Force to have an important role in that story.
"The First One That Died Sure Unnerved Me."
I don’t normally read a lot of epidemic-related writing, especially not right now – it’s part of every conversation I’ve been having lately and inescapable on social media, so I usually want my reading to be an escape from that. But this article intrigued me. And I’m glad I read it. Lutiant offers an interesting perspective on a dark period in history, and insight into a situation that is now repeating in our time. It feels like looking in a mirror and something about that makes this situation feel more… human, maybe? It’s a strange sort of comfort.
How 25 London Neighbourhoods Got Their Names
I’ve never been to London, but I’m still a sucker for history and etymology. Plus, stuff like this makes for great research/inspiration when it comes to creating my own worlds and naming places within them.
How the 18th Century Gay Bar Survived and Thrived in a Dangerous Environment
I know the queer community has always been around and has a long, proud history and culture, but it hadn’t occurred to me that gay bars, specifically, dated all the way back to the 1700s in London. While this isn’t exactly a happy story (because queer men had to hide who they were, and because of what happened when they and their molly houses were discovered), it is an interesting one, and certainly one we should be careful not to forget.
Pompeii Ruins Show That the Romans Invented Recycling
History. Is. WILD. There are so many things that seem very modern but turn out to have ancient roots, and recycling, apparently, is one of them. It also makes it so much more obvious that we can do better with reusing the goods we throw away, given how much our tools and know-how have grown in the thousands of years since Vesuvius erupted.
Other:
Mighty Vibes Vol 1: Lo-Fi Beats to Doodle To
This actually came out last month, but I’ve found myself listening to it over and over again during May. Not only is the animation adorable and full of awesome little Easter eggs for Critical Role fans, but this mix is perfect for helping me focus when my brain doesn’t want to work. I actually listened to it while reading some of the articles I include in this list!
Volume 2 came out near the tail end of the month – I haven’t had a chance to listen to it as much as the first one, but I love it, too, and look forward to having it on in the background as I plug away at creative projects.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
This book isn’t out quite yet, but it is available for pre-order and I am super excited for it to release in July. There’s an excerpt you can read in my previous blog post if you’re interested!
Articles:
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Writing?
Fanfiction has long been disparaged by authors and critics alike, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to find the dismissiveness irritating. I delve into that a little bit here, explaining how all writing can build skills, as well as providing some examples of professional fanfiction. If you’re a huge fan of fics or just don’t understand the appeal, maybe give this article a look.
Did My Cat Just Hiccup?
Research for this was part concern and part genuine curiosity. I was looking after my sister-in-law’s cat one night when she made a strange noise in her throat, so I starting looking into what it could be and if I should worry. The cat is fine, thankfully, and I was able to put together this little article from my research.
The Laws and Conventions of Naming Children
I don’t usually pay much attention to celebrity news, but seeing Elon Musk’s, uh… creative name choice for his son made me question how there aren’t stricter regulations on baby names. Turns out, there are – but it varies from country to country. And thus, this was born!
That's all for May. What have you been reading or creating? Any recommendations?
June Wrap-Up
I feel like these months keep getting shorter, but I'm going to stop making excuses for it. Sometimes I read and write a lot; sometimes I don't. These wrap-ups aren't about meeting an arbitrary quota - I just want to share what I've enjoyed so other people can enjoy it too.
So, without further ado: Let's dig into June!
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Maiden, Mother, and Crone: Fantastical Trans Femmes by Gwen Benaway et al.
It took me longer to get around to reading this than I would have liked, but I loved it once I dug into it. Literally about a third of the stories in here could be considered my favourites, which says a lot about the quality of work presented. Plus, I just love being able to read a variety of stories about such an underrepresented group. I definitely gotta find more collections like this.
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Listen. Sometimes, your brain needs a break. You want to read, but you don’t want to deal with heavy stuff or stressful topics – you want fluff. And this book does a good job of that, especially since I’ve read it before and already know what to expect as I read. I will probably be reading more fluff like this in the near future, so be warned.
Articles:
Why Do Dogs Love Us? Science Explains
What did we do to deserve dogs, honestly? They’re an endless source of cuteness and love, and now we can say that’s scientifically proven.
Thoughts on Hysteria
It shouldn’t come as any surprise at this point that women and their problems are routinely dismissed as irrational and/or trivial, and the history of hysteria shows that quite well. While it’s funny to think about 19th century physicians prescribing orgasms to treat hysteria, it’s also disheartening to remember that hysteria was not a silly little thing – it was regarded as a serious condition, to the point that accusing a woman of hysteria could paint even the most rational and justified behaviour as completely illogical and deluded.
The Ancient Peruvian Mystery Solved from Space
So, the title of the article obviously hooked me in. Native American history? Check. Bizarre and weirdly specific premise? Check! But I obviously couldn’t exactly predict what the article itself would be about – and I was pleasantly surprised. It discusses puquois, these massive, spiralling holes whose exact age is uncertain and whose purpose has only recently become clear: They allow reliable access to water from aquifers, which is of critical importance in the extremely arid region. This means the Nasca people who invented them had incredible knowledge of geology and engineering, and I, for one, LOVE seeing indigenous ingenuity properly spotlighted.
Eleanor Roosevelt and the Soviet Sniper
I read this while doing research for one of the articles I wrote this month (it won’t be hard to guess which one once you see the titles), and it made me fall a little in love with Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s steadfastness, wit, and unwavering determination. I love learning about women who forced history to make room for them.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
She Who Rises
This book came out last year, but the sequel releases July 15th, plus it’s currently available for free download, so I wanted to share the link and give a heads up to make sure anyone whose interested doesn’t miss out on the sale. The deal ends on July 3rd.
Articles:
4 Cute and Chaotic Cats from Mythologies Around the World
There’s a lot of weird folklore throughout the world, which I love, and there’s a lot of different kitties around the world, which I also love. So I combined those two awesome things into one cute, quick little piece here, for your reading pleasure.
Storytelling in Critical Role: What We Can Learn, and What Can’t Be Replicated
I’m a nerd. A big, big nerd. And one of my biggest nerdy obsessions over the last three years has been Critical Role. I fell in love with D&D a few months before I started watching this show, and the love of the game combined with the amazing acting, storytelling, and shenanigans of the cast is just a match made in heaven. I could gush about this for hours, so it was hard to condense my thoughts on CR’s storytelling into just a short article. There is a none zero chance that I will write more of this in the future. Especially since they’re FINALLY BACK FROM HIATUS! (Just pretend there’s an explosion of confetti, okay?)
Badass Women Who Killed Nazis
The rise of fascism, neo-Nazis, and the alt-right is equal parts disheartening and infuriating, and sometimes you need to read about killing Nazis for some catharsis.
That's it for June. What have you guys been enjoying this month?
So, without further ado: Let's dig into June!
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Maiden, Mother, and Crone: Fantastical Trans Femmes by Gwen Benaway et al.
It took me longer to get around to reading this than I would have liked, but I loved it once I dug into it. Literally about a third of the stories in here could be considered my favourites, which says a lot about the quality of work presented. Plus, I just love being able to read a variety of stories about such an underrepresented group. I definitely gotta find more collections like this.
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Listen. Sometimes, your brain needs a break. You want to read, but you don’t want to deal with heavy stuff or stressful topics – you want fluff. And this book does a good job of that, especially since I’ve read it before and already know what to expect as I read. I will probably be reading more fluff like this in the near future, so be warned.
Articles:
Why Do Dogs Love Us? Science Explains
What did we do to deserve dogs, honestly? They’re an endless source of cuteness and love, and now we can say that’s scientifically proven.
Thoughts on Hysteria
It shouldn’t come as any surprise at this point that women and their problems are routinely dismissed as irrational and/or trivial, and the history of hysteria shows that quite well. While it’s funny to think about 19th century physicians prescribing orgasms to treat hysteria, it’s also disheartening to remember that hysteria was not a silly little thing – it was regarded as a serious condition, to the point that accusing a woman of hysteria could paint even the most rational and justified behaviour as completely illogical and deluded.
The Ancient Peruvian Mystery Solved from Space
So, the title of the article obviously hooked me in. Native American history? Check. Bizarre and weirdly specific premise? Check! But I obviously couldn’t exactly predict what the article itself would be about – and I was pleasantly surprised. It discusses puquois, these massive, spiralling holes whose exact age is uncertain and whose purpose has only recently become clear: They allow reliable access to water from aquifers, which is of critical importance in the extremely arid region. This means the Nasca people who invented them had incredible knowledge of geology and engineering, and I, for one, LOVE seeing indigenous ingenuity properly spotlighted.
Eleanor Roosevelt and the Soviet Sniper
I read this while doing research for one of the articles I wrote this month (it won’t be hard to guess which one once you see the titles), and it made me fall a little in love with Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s steadfastness, wit, and unwavering determination. I love learning about women who forced history to make room for them.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
She Who Rises
This book came out last year, but the sequel releases July 15th, plus it’s currently available for free download, so I wanted to share the link and give a heads up to make sure anyone whose interested doesn’t miss out on the sale. The deal ends on July 3rd.
Articles:
4 Cute and Chaotic Cats from Mythologies Around the World
There’s a lot of weird folklore throughout the world, which I love, and there’s a lot of different kitties around the world, which I also love. So I combined those two awesome things into one cute, quick little piece here, for your reading pleasure.
Storytelling in Critical Role: What We Can Learn, and What Can’t Be Replicated
I’m a nerd. A big, big nerd. And one of my biggest nerdy obsessions over the last three years has been Critical Role. I fell in love with D&D a few months before I started watching this show, and the love of the game combined with the amazing acting, storytelling, and shenanigans of the cast is just a match made in heaven. I could gush about this for hours, so it was hard to condense my thoughts on CR’s storytelling into just a short article. There is a none zero chance that I will write more of this in the future. Especially since they’re FINALLY BACK FROM HIATUS! (Just pretend there’s an explosion of confetti, okay?)
Badass Women Who Killed Nazis
The rise of fascism, neo-Nazis, and the alt-right is equal parts disheartening and infuriating, and sometimes you need to read about killing Nazis for some catharsis.
That's it for June. What have you guys been enjoying this month?
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.
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.
April Wrap-up
Normally, I try to write some opening thoughts at the start of these. But I'm posting this while my baby is squirming and whining, so I gotta make it quick.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk
I can’t handle how adorable this book is. If you have a little one and are looking for new story time books, I highly recommend this one.
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton et al.
Incredible collection of short stories – some are heartbreaking, some are hopeful, and some are a mix of both. I’ve really been enjoying reading more short story collections, and this one in particular is absolutely top tier.
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
This was a wonderful book. I loved how magic and the supernatural were presented as a part of every day life, the inclusions of stories from Six-Great’s time were fantastic, and the plot was expertly paced and unfolded. I wish I could’ve stayed in this world with Ellie and Kirby a little longer, but the ending was perfect.
Articles
Adopting a Dinosaur
This is honestly a really interesting, funny little article, complete with photos of the author’s wonderful tortoise through the years.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks and her (unknowing) contributions to medical science have long been uncredited. It demonstrates how racism, sexism, and health inequality intersect and the long-term ramifications that can have over generations, and how the privileged stand to benefit and profit directly from this inequality. Always glad to see someone shedding light on issues like this.
Because You Like Him
I’m always happy when I can find some good quality ace rep, and this little story ticks that bill.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Write a Book Series as a Pantser
Writing a book series is hard enough already, but not being one to plan or outline in advance only makes it more complicated. If that’s something you’re struggling with, this article has some strategies you can try out.
How to Make Meal Planning and Meal Prepping Work For You
Definitely a lot different from what I usually write, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up. Especially if it can potentially help other people!
Sugar Bush and King’s Head Inn
Sugar Bush is one of those local traditions that people from away probably think is absurd, and King’s Landing is a wonderful place to experience it for the first time. Maybe this will entice you to visit there once the world is a little more normal?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk
I can’t handle how adorable this book is. If you have a little one and are looking for new story time books, I highly recommend this one.
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton et al.
Incredible collection of short stories – some are heartbreaking, some are hopeful, and some are a mix of both. I’ve really been enjoying reading more short story collections, and this one in particular is absolutely top tier.
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
This was a wonderful book. I loved how magic and the supernatural were presented as a part of every day life, the inclusions of stories from Six-Great’s time were fantastic, and the plot was expertly paced and unfolded. I wish I could’ve stayed in this world with Ellie and Kirby a little longer, but the ending was perfect.
Articles
Adopting a Dinosaur
This is honestly a really interesting, funny little article, complete with photos of the author’s wonderful tortoise through the years.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks and her (unknowing) contributions to medical science have long been uncredited. It demonstrates how racism, sexism, and health inequality intersect and the long-term ramifications that can have over generations, and how the privileged stand to benefit and profit directly from this inequality. Always glad to see someone shedding light on issues like this.
Because You Like Him
I’m always happy when I can find some good quality ace rep, and this little story ticks that bill.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Write a Book Series as a Pantser
Writing a book series is hard enough already, but not being one to plan or outline in advance only makes it more complicated. If that’s something you’re struggling with, this article has some strategies you can try out.
How to Make Meal Planning and Meal Prepping Work For You
Definitely a lot different from what I usually write, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up. Especially if it can potentially help other people!
Sugar Bush and King’s Head Inn
Sugar Bush is one of those local traditions that people from away probably think is absurd, and King’s Landing is a wonderful place to experience it for the first time. Maybe this will entice you to visit there once the world is a little more normal?
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!
October 2021 Wrap-Up: Queer Witches, Indigenous History, and A New D&D Campaign
Happy Halloween to anyone who’s celebrating!
This month, I read a LOT of books and not much else. Which isn’t a bad thing, but I do intend to broaden my reading and get out more writing in the future – it’s just, well, hard to manage with a baby sometimes. (He’s crawling now and learning to stand 😱). Rest assured that I am still writing and working.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
These Witches Don't Burn and This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling
Witches was just incredible. It had everything I look for in a contemporary fantasy: a fun and interesting magic system (three types of witches!), casual queer rep, and a fast-paced plot that kept me guessing and had me feeling immensely satisfied when some of those guesses were right. Honestly, I loved it so much that I immediately checked out the sequel from my library.
Which I also loved! It was just such a perfect conclusion to the duology and it had a lot of really clever twists and unexpected developments. I really liked seeing the magic system more deeply explored. And, of course, the casual queer rep was delightful.
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
I was fortunate enough to be able to read a digital arc of this, and I can safely say that it was absolutely incredible. The verse is beautiful without being too bloated or hard to wrap your head around, and Andrea tackles a wide host of topics, from romantic relationships to living with Lyme disease to being queer. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re in the mood for poetry.
Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present by Adrienne Keene
I also received this as a digital arc. This collection was full of perfect, bite-sized profiles on awesome indigenous folks, as well as several sections focused on educating readers on specific issues. I also appreciated that it was diverse even within the scope of Native representation, not only because it included a wide variety of tribes/nations, but also because there were several queer people represented, and people of mixed heritage. Highly recommend checking it out!
Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space by Zoraida Cordova and various authors
Yet another digital arc! I really appreciated the variety of stories here, and I think pretty much anyone could find a short story they like. Totally worth checking out, especially if you want to support more Latinx authors or are looking for some fresh sci-fi/fantasy reads.
Other
Critical Role Campaign 3
I. Am. So. PUMPED! Unfortunately I can’t watch the episodes live when they premiere, thanks to timezones (and baby), but I plan to watch each VOD as soon as I’m able to. Without getting too much into spoilers here, FCG must be protected at all costs and seeing a certain someone at the table again is just so perfect. A great addition to the team ❤️
What I’ve Created
Articles
Medium
I’m still working my way through crossposting a bunch of my essays and articles from Vocal over to Medium. This month alone I’ve posted 13 pieces! I would love it if you followed my profile so you can keep up with my reuploads (and, eventually, new pieces) as I post them, and also because it’s a simple, free way to support a small creator like myself. Currently, the magic number I’m aiming for is 100 followers. Any help along that journey is immensely appreciated ❤️😊
And that about wraps it up! Hopefully I’ve offered some reading recommendations you can dig into – maybe you’ll even find a new favourite. If you want to see more from me (especially on more than a monthly basis), check out my Twitter, Instagram, or Medium, which are all @rachaellawrites. And if there’s anything YOU think I should check out, please feel free to let me know in the comments!
This month, I read a LOT of books and not much else. Which isn’t a bad thing, but I do intend to broaden my reading and get out more writing in the future – it’s just, well, hard to manage with a baby sometimes. (He’s crawling now and learning to stand 😱). Rest assured that I am still writing and working.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
These Witches Don't Burn and This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling
Witches was just incredible. It had everything I look for in a contemporary fantasy: a fun and interesting magic system (three types of witches!), casual queer rep, and a fast-paced plot that kept me guessing and had me feeling immensely satisfied when some of those guesses were right. Honestly, I loved it so much that I immediately checked out the sequel from my library.
Which I also loved! It was just such a perfect conclusion to the duology and it had a lot of really clever twists and unexpected developments. I really liked seeing the magic system more deeply explored. And, of course, the casual queer rep was delightful.
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
I was fortunate enough to be able to read a digital arc of this, and I can safely say that it was absolutely incredible. The verse is beautiful without being too bloated or hard to wrap your head around, and Andrea tackles a wide host of topics, from romantic relationships to living with Lyme disease to being queer. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re in the mood for poetry.
Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present by Adrienne Keene
I also received this as a digital arc. This collection was full of perfect, bite-sized profiles on awesome indigenous folks, as well as several sections focused on educating readers on specific issues. I also appreciated that it was diverse even within the scope of Native representation, not only because it included a wide variety of tribes/nations, but also because there were several queer people represented, and people of mixed heritage. Highly recommend checking it out!
Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space by Zoraida Cordova and various authors
Yet another digital arc! I really appreciated the variety of stories here, and I think pretty much anyone could find a short story they like. Totally worth checking out, especially if you want to support more Latinx authors or are looking for some fresh sci-fi/fantasy reads.
Other
Critical Role Campaign 3
I. Am. So. PUMPED! Unfortunately I can’t watch the episodes live when they premiere, thanks to timezones (and baby), but I plan to watch each VOD as soon as I’m able to. Without getting too much into spoilers here, FCG must be protected at all costs and seeing a certain someone at the table again is just so perfect. A great addition to the team ❤️
What I’ve Created
Articles
Medium
I’m still working my way through crossposting a bunch of my essays and articles from Vocal over to Medium. This month alone I’ve posted 13 pieces! I would love it if you followed my profile so you can keep up with my reuploads (and, eventually, new pieces) as I post them, and also because it’s a simple, free way to support a small creator like myself. Currently, the magic number I’m aiming for is 100 followers. Any help along that journey is immensely appreciated ❤️😊
And that about wraps it up! Hopefully I’ve offered some reading recommendations you can dig into – maybe you’ll even find a new favourite. If you want to see more from me (especially on more than a monthly basis), check out my Twitter, Instagram, or Medium, which are all @rachaellawrites. And if there’s anything YOU think I should check out, please feel free to let me know in the comments!
