Otherworlds

So, after some consideration, I've decided to do another 50 book challenge. This time, however, I am not just doing the 50books_poc challenge. Oh no! Instead I am combining that with the queerlit50 in a giant quest to read books by the marginalised, to support diversity within the publishing industry and, in all honesty, to kick myself into reading books which aren't just trash. Which isn't to say I won't read trash, but I think it would do me a lot of good to stretch myself occasionally.

I'm using this entry to keep track of the books I've read and link to the reviews that I've written of them. And hopefully, this will be useful in the future.

( My List )

So, I’m trying to articulate something about a reset, and probably am going to fail. But I figured I’d try anyway.

I’m trying to talk about two different issues that come up whenever a reset is discussed.

( Because I apparently have too much time on my hands and a willingness to argue. I probably should post this to a list at some point, or something like it but far more concise and less rambly )

Consumption is back with a bang! Who wants to die looking terribly pale and romantic?

How Cambridge admissions really work. I pass no judgement, and only say that it is very interesting.

Did the Pope say gay marriage threatened humanity? I'm not sure I agree with this defense, but it's another interesting read.

And on that note, I'm going home.

Good night, museum.

I am concerned

It appears you may all have spent your undergraduate years studying in a Stephen King novel.

(normally I post these things to start a fight. Today I am actually too perplexed to do so.)

I don't suppose anyone fancies coming to a lecture on Hogarth, Gin and Vice in Georgian London on Tuesday in Braintree do they? I will be talking about lots of dubious stuff, with some barely tasteful woodcut etchings to illustrate some of my points....

I don't think my New Year has finished yet.

I spent the bells down at the river with a bottle of sparkly rosé, watching dozens of chinese lanterns slowly floating up into the sky. It was awesome.

And now it's New Year's Day and I have a house full of lovely people. andyrebranded and I have made many bacon sandwiches, pierot has been finding songs, and blane_firewing, seph_hazard and I have been singing along cheerfully.

I have got rid of the empty bottles and at some point soon need to sort through the half empty bottles although that prospect is scaring me.

For now, I'll stick to Anthony Stewart Head and maybe some ice cream.

So, I've been reading through fanfic today, I found some cute Fiddler on the Roof pieces of fanfic and thought I'd share.

Here, here and here.

Just little drabbles but very sweet. I think if you're a Fiddler on the Roof fan you should read them. For they are awesome.

I also (as usual) found David Eddings fanfic which is noticeably better than the original. It's the story of Taiba and Relg and offers up a far less icky dynamic than David Eddings, who seems to view women as a cross between predators and punchbags, with a push button sexuality, and has a painful lack of understanding as to what a lifetime of physical and sexual abuse might do to a person. The author's note does offer the explanation that the Belgariad is narrated by two exceedingly self involved teenagers, although she doesn't manage to explain how the Mallorean somehow gets worse.

Anyway, it's here.

Oh goodness.

I always forget how amazingly awesome holiday_wishes is.

I posted my list this morning (it is here if you are interested), and already I am feeling vastly vastly better about Christmas, and about humanity in general. It kinda gives me a weird sort of hopefulness.

I was wondering if anyone else on the comm would let me know when they post their wishlists so I can go and look at them. It would be awesome.

In addition, I shall be trying to do Christmas cards this year. If you would like one from me, please leave your name and address in the comments section to this entry (comments are screened) and I shall see what I can do, even if you are foreign. I know it's still November, but sadly my own incompetence plus the postal service compels me to start this early.

And in the interim, I shall keep feeling positive and trying to hold onto this feeling, even though the skies are grey and my museum is cold.

This is a quick poll. It is designed to help me tailor my friends groups over the next month to ensure maximum reader satisfaction over the next month, so do fill it in!

[Poll #1798653]

The Guardian had this recipe in it today, which is filling me with enthusiasm. I think I may try and make these soon. I've eaten them before, but never actually made them and this does look mostly quite easy.

( Recipe stored here so I can remember it )