kitewithfish

What I’ve Read

A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter – Alice Coldbreath – Second in the series, and it remains are really well-crafted look at working class people in this period. The dynamics of the relationships are really human – the male leads are a bit on the ‘big hulk’ side, but with the capacity for self-reflection, kindness, and decent communication. I think Alice Coldbreath has written some damn good characters in this series.

The Last Unicorn – Peter S. Beagle – Oh, this was a pure indulgence to revisit. It feels both sweeter and sadder than I remembered. I need to watch the movie again. The sequel remains in my library pile.

Where the Drowned Girls Go – Seanan McGuire – Hugos 2023 Novella Nominee – Audiobook. Wayward Children #7 Last year I read #6, Across the Green Grass Fields, and I liked it as a standalone. This seems to unite threads from earlier books and talk more about the school that was only alluded to in the book I did read. So, I think I need to read the rest of the series before I judge, but, overall, while this is well written, I felt a bit at sea. I do think this is perfectly aimed for younger readers.

Into the Riverlands – Nghi Vo – Hugos 2023 Novella Nominee – Delightful, a reflection on how stories and who is telling them changes the meaning while also being very fun adventure story about a little cleric on a dangerous road.

Once and Future Vol 4 Monarchies in the UK by Kieron Gillen and Tamra Bonvillian – Hugos 2023 Comics Nominee – Eh. I feel more conflicted about giving any more attention to English culture than I have to these days. I would like to actually dig into the Welsh sources of the Arthurian legends from the older sources, someday, but it’s a distant project with no real drive behind it. That said, this does have different versions of King Arthur trying to kill each other, and that’s really fun.

Even Though I Knew the End by CL Polk – THIS is delightful. Speedy read. I adore CL Polk and will read anything she ever writes. Hugo 2023 Novella Nominee

Cyberpunk 2077 Big City Dreams – Eh. It’s fine, a short comic set in a dystopia with a thread of bittersweet nostalgia. Not bad! But not my vote for the win. Hugos 2023 Best Comic Nominee

What I’m Reading
Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – It’s been years since I watched the movie, and I’m sure I ought to read the classic book. I had recently re-read Mexican Gothic and found it… basically fine? But it felt a little undercooked? I admit there are likely elements of Moreno-Garcia’s allusions and structures of reference that are escaping me. I will see how it works for me. Hugo Nominee 2023 Best novel

City of Stairs – 4% Xing Book Club – Static, annoyed at it for petty reasons, but starting it up again, I think I will enjoy it this time around!
Dracula – Keeping up with Dracula Daily and sometimes via the Podcast, so this is hard to pin down where I am, but it’s very fun.
The Count of Monte Cristo – 46% - Static
Kristeva Powers of Horror – 24% This book makes no sense but we soldier on.
The King in Yellow 25% -static

What I’ll Read Next
Horror: a very short introduction Darryl Jones.
The artist's reality : philosophies of art Mark Rothko
Helpmeet Naben Ruthnum.
Fun home : a family tragicomic Alison Bechdel.

Owned and need to read: California Bones, Raven Song by IA Ashcroft, Kraken's Sacrifice by Katee Robert, At The Feet of the Sun by Victoria Goddard, Tamryn Eradani's Enchanting Encounters Books 2 and 3, Like Real People Do by EL Massey, Tom Stoppard, Invention of love, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty, "You Just Need to Lose Weight" and Other Myths about Fatness by Aubrey Gordon, Alisha Rai Partners in Crime, the Right Swipe