April Newsletter: Books, media, and more
Hello, friends!
It’s been quite a time since I last sent out a newsletter. Partly, I’ve been having more than a bit of imposter syndrome about anyone being interested at this point in the gestures current social-media-blogging climate. I hate trying something new every six months because the last thing imploded and it leaves me feeling grinchy about all of it.
I’ve also been dealing with some personal health stuff--I was very suddenly diagnosed with diabetes back in December. I’m doing very well! But it’s a huge mental and emotional load that I wasn’t expecting and it’s taken me this long to even start getting my feet under me.
Besides that, we’re doing well around here. R is working as a children’s librarian now, so we’re double the fun when it comes to fingerplays. Wimsey is an elderly statescat, who is always happiest when we’re both home and he’s napping somewhere nearby. We’re still waiting on adoption news, and that’s been tough to navigate as well.
As far as my future plans here go, I’d like to try sending out two newsletters a month: one more general, with books, cooking, crafts, recently enjoyed media, garden updates; the other more focused on fandom and related topics. I hate to split my accounts / virtual identities again, and I never quite know where that line is anyway. I won’t be offended at all if people end up gravitating more towards one than the other!
Books and Reading
Middle Grade SFF
Personally, I think middle grade sff is pretty great, and I thought it would be fun to make this a recurring feature! First up, some books I’ve read in the past few months.
Read
The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron
Vampires have been defeated and the world is safe. That’s what everyone around Boog believes. But when one of her friends goes missing, Boog and the rest of her group have to face a different reality--including the possibility that their own parents know more than they’re saying.
Rival Magic by Deva Fagan
One magician, two apprentices, and a complicated legacy. Antonia has always wanted to be a wizard’s apprentice, but when the maid appears to be more powerful than she is, her future is threatened. To make matters worse, Master Berys disappears and Antonia has to decide if saving her master (and maybe the world) is worth putting aside her frustration and teaming up with Moppe.
Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hanna Alkaf
A beautifully-written story of Hamra, a brave and stubborn girl who ventures into the jungle and brings home more than she bargained for. Loosely inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, and woven through with Malaysian legends, Hamra’s tale is a powerful reminder that you can’t go alone, and that there’s always some hope, even in unexpected places.
Bumps in the Night by Amalie Howard
After one too many incidents, Rika’s dad has sent her to stay with her grandmother in Trinidad. For Rika, it’s a bittersweet visit, with reminders of her absent mother everywhere. But when strange people keep showing up, Rika has to face the possibility that the stories of jumbies and douens are real--and that her own mother is in danger.
Upcoming
Silverworld by Diana Abu-Jabar (May)
The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon (May)
Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr (June)
Vega’s Piece of the Sky by Jennifer Torres (June)
January - March Favorites
I’m not sure how time keeps passing, but it sure does! Here are a few favorite books read in the first three months of 2024.
For Never and Always by Helena Greer
Adult romance, childhood friends to exes to lovers
A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and A Rome of One’s Own by Emma Southon
Adult non-fiction, a feminist take on ancient Rome
Spear by Nicola Griffith
Adult fantasy, Arthurian legend, Ursula K. Le Guin Prize nominee, spare and beautiful
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
Adult fantasy, Ursula K. Le Guin Prize nominee, strange and beautiful
Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender
Middle grade surreal fantasy, beautiful and affecting
Underland by Robert MacFarlane
Adult non-fiction, nature writing, the compelling nature of dark places
Foreigner series re-read
I’ve recently been re-reading the Foreigner series by C.J. Cherryh, which has been fascinating! I wanted to revisit the books because I know I never finished the whole series and decided to reread them all rather than try to guess where I left off.
Also, I thought it would be interesting to look at them as a precursor (hehe) to the current crop of politically-charged science fiction.I think I see Cherryh’s influence on Leckie most directly, but I’d like to trace out other lines as well.
I’ve noticed in the early books (I’m currently just starting Pretender, published in 2006) that Cherryh focuses almost exclusively on those at the center of power. I’m so curious about this, because it’s one of the biggest fundamental differences I see between this and, say, A Memory Called Empire, where the allure and rot of empire are both laid out in much more explicit terms.
Also, of note: the relentless normification of Bren Cameron, who is, of course, white, able-bodied, male, and presumably straight. To me, this sits somewhat uneasily with 1) the descriptors used with the atevi and 2) Cherryh’s own experiences as a queer woman writing in a male-dominated field. I’m interested to see if the overall culture changes throughout the series.
On the other hand, I remembered the series being incredibly engaging and even nail-biting at times. So far, this quality has definitely held true, with tension ratcheting up from all sides. Poor Bren can never get a break!
I’ll report back with any other thoughts as I work through the rest of the books in the series!
Media Round Up
TV
Nirvana in Fire rewatch
I am currently almost finished rewatching one of my all-time favorite c-dramas--or even all-time favorite tv shows. It has everything! Revenge! Heartbreak! Mysterious yeti! Impossible beetles! Politics! Watch all 54 episodes so you too can sob helplessly over people holding hands! I’m probably going to end up devoting an entire newsletter to pitching this one, to be honest.
Superstore rewatch
I’ve been rewatching Superstore with R--we enjoyed it a few years ago and have found that it generally holds up pretty well. It’s also fun to spot actors who have since shown up in other shows, including Mr. Morton from Abbott Elementary!
Reservation Dogs s2 & s3
We just finished rewatching s2 and are starting s3 for the first time. It’s sooo good & heartfelt & I’m glad they chose to end it on their own terms.
Music
Amythyst Kiah
I’ve been listening to a lot of Amythyst Kiah lately--I initially found her a few years ago via Our Native Daughters. While I love that project, her solo albums are also wonderful AND she just released a new song! Her first solo album, Dig, focuses on reimagining classic folk songs, and Wary & Strange shifts to original music. Here’s a quick sampling from both:
In the Pines Amythyst Kiah - In The Pines (Official Audio)
Firewater: Amythyst Kiah - Firewater (Official Audio)
Darlin Corey: Amythyst Kiah - Darlin Corey - Live on Lost River Sessions
Dark Holler Dark Holler
Sarah Jarosz
We were lucky enough to see one of my all time favorite musicians in concert recently! Most of the concert was drawn from her latest album, but she also played a few older songs. It was great to see her live, since she hasn’t toured in our rea since I’ve lived here.
Garden
Believe it or not, this is the third year of gardening in this house and a lot of the effort we put into the first two years is finally paying off.
I’m setting out annual seedlings this week and planting the first after-frost-date seeds. Peas are growing, I’m harvesting radishes every day, and we’re starting to see kale, spinach, carrots, beets, and lots of self-seeding annuals or perennials return.
This year, I’m working on establishing the garden beds and making everything look more purposeful and deliberate, with an eye to creating an inviting space.
That’s about it for this month!
Wishing you all a sweet spring,
Maureen