snowleo

I read the final 5-book arc of "Wings of Fire," a middle-grade dragon society series greatly enjoyed by both my kids. My 3rd grader was finishing up the series and I'd read the previous 10 books a few year s back when my older kid was in grades 3 and 4. I total enjoyed these--engaging plot and characters, plus it's easy to forgive an author's worldbuilding and retcons when books are meant for kids. Not so much when a book is ostensibly for adults--Hannah Kaner's "Godkiller" had shockingly weak characters (when you constantly have to flip to front of chapter to see whose POV it is, because they all have the same voice, including the God) and a boring world. I'm also sad to say that I didn't much care for most of "Wild Cards #1." I picked this up at a Friends of the Library sale and won't be hunting for any more. Maybe I'm too old, or the fresh-at-the-time stories have all been done to death since then?

We are driving 7 hours to Ohio to hopefully experience a clear-sky eclipse. We've been planning to do this for like three years, hard to believe its so close now. Kids will miss 2 days of school, but I think this is something they'll remember forever. Fortunately we're staying with friends, since hotel/airbnb accommodations in the path of totality are sold-out or very price-jacked.

We gave Edric the middle name "Sean" precisely in acknowledgement of his Irish ancestry. And my daughter got "Erin" for the same reason (well, that, and because it's also my middle name!)

*Checks Goodreads* Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. A masterpiece deserving of all the praise it received. Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham. Another deservedly well-reviewed novel. These two had been on my TBR shelf for a long time! The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott. A magical-realism-adjacent climate change novel with beautiful writing and memorable POVs. The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud. A deliciously written novel of friendship, art and betrayal. Mark Lawrence's Book of the Ancestor trilogy. Just so fun! I gifted myself my husband the companion trilogy for xmas. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Lovely, thought-provoking literary spec-fic. And my most memorable read of the year, Leech by Hiron Ennes. Beautifully written sci-fi-gothic-post-apocalyptic-body-horror-mystery! Loved this.

The 11 year old has been talking for *months* about making the "Noble Pursuit" beverage from Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Ingredients are "voltfruit," "hydromelon," "rock salt" and another weird name I can't recall atm. We think the real life equivalents are dragonfruit, watermelon, and coconut. Husband happened across a gallon of fruit drink at Costco labeled as Dragonfruit punch, so finally we had all the ingredients! (coconut water and juice from sliced watermelon being more accessible.) Sadly, my kid was disappointed in the flavor of his beverage, but did feel that it restored at least one heart and one stamina. I can report that Noble Pursuit is much enhanced by either/both rum and vodka. My hearts are fully restored!

Maybe the kids will re-watch it with me--I know they have both seen it at least twice. If I'm remembering correctly, it's created by the guys who made Homestar Runner, which maybe I'll just make the kids watch 75 strongbad emails...

Season finales of One Piece and Wheel of Time, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. I probably never would have watched a pirate-thing based on manga if it hadn't been for recs here, so thank you! I wasn't expecting the dark turn in Ep 7, and I do hope the overall tone stays light going forward. Also thank you to whoever was talking up Deadloch a while back-- I loved this so much! Hilarious, yet the mystery and characters were compelling and well-written. Next up is Only Murders and the latest season of Nailed It! The kids and I are on the final season of She-Ra, which is a really, really good animated Netflix show. I'd put it right up there with Dragon Prince/Owl House/Avatar. I'll be sad when it's over, because I have no idea of any other shows for us to watch together when this finishes. Any suggestions? My kids are 8 and 11.

I'm adding the Buelhman books to my list, hope to thank you all later. I'm surprised "All The Murmuring Bones" counts as horror--I really liked it--but to me it felt similar in atmosphere to Naomi Novik's excellent "Spinning Silver." Or maybe that one also falls into a horror category? I cannot recommend strongly enough "Leech" by Hiron Ennes. It checks like 10 different horror sub-genres while featuring lovely writing and a plot device that I'd never encountered before (until last month in "A Desolation Called Peace" lol). Another excellent read was "Fever Dream" by Samanta Schweblin. Deeply unsettling literary horror. So good.

I checked in just to post this. :lol: My mother adores Alice Munro, sadly, I don't think she will understand the hilarity of kitteh Munro. Discouraging reports of literary sexism--I wonder what happens when a woman wins one of the hard-science prizes? snow "Always want win Nobbel Prise" leo

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