Tolkien and Alterity edited by Christopher Vaccaro and Yvette Kisor [Review]

27 February 2024 / brief reviews / 4 Comments
Tolkien and Alterity edited by Christopher Vaccaro and Yvette Kisor [Review]

Tolkien and Alterityedited by Christopher Vaccaro and Yvette KisorSource: paperback/ownPublished: Aug 2017Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (Springer Nature)Length: 261 pages Genre: Literary criticismTarget Age: Adult (suitable for 17+ due to academic language) Tolkien and Alterity features essays dedicated to Jane Chance, who has been publishing on Tolkien since 1980. As per the book’s introduction, “[d]ifference in Tolkien’s work is an abiding concern for Chance” (pg 5). Now, I am all over the place when it comes to […]

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Bad Cree by Jessica Johns [Family Reads]

17 February 2024 / family reads / 7 Comments
Bad Cree by Jessica Johns [Family Reads]

Why we chose Jessica Johns’ Bad Cree While we were driving home from a winter activity during Christmas holidays, we heard a countdown on CBC Radio of the top selling Canadian books of 2023. Bad Cree came in at number 6. Johns spoke about how the novel originated as a short story. She described how the story grew around a woman who found herself bringing objects from her dreams into […]

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The Singing Hills Cycle #1 & #2 by Nghi Vo and Sweet Bean Paste [Reviews]

13 February 2024 / brief reviews / 6 Comments
The Singing Hills Cycle #1 & #2 by Nghi Vo and Sweet Bean Paste [Reviews]

The Empress of Salt and Fortune/ When the Tiger Came Down the Mountainby Nghi VoSource: Paperbook/libraryPublished: Mar 2020/Dec 2020Publisher: TorDotCom (MacMillan)Length: 121/125 pages Series: The Singing Hills CycleGenre: FantasyTarget Age: Adult (suitable for 13+)Representation: Nonbinary protagonist, China-analogue fantasy world, WLW Sweet Bean Pasteby Durian SukegawaTranslator: Allison WattsSource: Paperbook/libraryPublished: Oct 2017Publisher: OneWorld Length: 218 pagesGenre: ContemporaryTarget Age: Adult (suitable for 14+) **Spoilers ahead: Contains discussion of Tokue’s past**

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10 Books to Read When Time is Short [Top Ten Tuesday]

6 February 2024 / top 10 tuesday / 15 Comments
10 Books to Read When Time is Short [Top Ten Tuesday]

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is Quick Reads/Books to Read When Time is Short (books under 150 pages or books you could read in a day/single sittting). I could easily pack this list with the SFF novellas that have fluorished in recent years. Wayward Children and The Singing Hills Cycle, among others, are well positioned to fill up this topic! So instead, I’m going to try to look farther back. 5 […]

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January 2024 Month In Review

3 February 2024 / month in review / 14 Comments
January 2024 Month In Review

It’s been a busy start to the new year. At work, I was in an acting role originally until Jan 19, but it’s been extended to Feb 9. It’s alway a little stressful finding yourself in a new position with greater responsbilities, but this role is accompanied by a pay increase, so I won’t complain much, lol. Reading and blogging has been carrying along at a nice steady pace. Although, […]

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