Rachael Arsenault's Blog - Posts Tagged "recommended-reading"
October 2021 Wrap-Up: Queer Witches, Indigenous History, and A New D&D Campaign
Happy Halloween to anyone who’s celebrating!
This month, I read a LOT of books and not much else. Which isn’t a bad thing, but I do intend to broaden my reading and get out more writing in the future – it’s just, well, hard to manage with a baby sometimes. (He’s crawling now and learning to stand 😱). Rest assured that I am still writing and working.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
These Witches Don't Burn and This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling
Witches was just incredible. It had everything I look for in a contemporary fantasy: a fun and interesting magic system (three types of witches!), casual queer rep, and a fast-paced plot that kept me guessing and had me feeling immensely satisfied when some of those guesses were right. Honestly, I loved it so much that I immediately checked out the sequel from my library.
Which I also loved! It was just such a perfect conclusion to the duology and it had a lot of really clever twists and unexpected developments. I really liked seeing the magic system more deeply explored. And, of course, the casual queer rep was delightful.
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
I was fortunate enough to be able to read a digital arc of this, and I can safely say that it was absolutely incredible. The verse is beautiful without being too bloated or hard to wrap your head around, and Andrea tackles a wide host of topics, from romantic relationships to living with Lyme disease to being queer. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re in the mood for poetry.
Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present by Adrienne Keene
I also received this as a digital arc. This collection was full of perfect, bite-sized profiles on awesome indigenous folks, as well as several sections focused on educating readers on specific issues. I also appreciated that it was diverse even within the scope of Native representation, not only because it included a wide variety of tribes/nations, but also because there were several queer people represented, and people of mixed heritage. Highly recommend checking it out!
Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space by Zoraida Cordova and various authors
Yet another digital arc! I really appreciated the variety of stories here, and I think pretty much anyone could find a short story they like. Totally worth checking out, especially if you want to support more Latinx authors or are looking for some fresh sci-fi/fantasy reads.
Other
Critical Role Campaign 3
I. Am. So. PUMPED! Unfortunately I can’t watch the episodes live when they premiere, thanks to timezones (and baby), but I plan to watch each VOD as soon as I’m able to. Without getting too much into spoilers here, FCG must be protected at all costs and seeing a certain someone at the table again is just so perfect. A great addition to the team ❤️
What I’ve Created
Articles
Medium
I’m still working my way through crossposting a bunch of my essays and articles from Vocal over to Medium. This month alone I’ve posted 13 pieces! I would love it if you followed my profile so you can keep up with my reuploads (and, eventually, new pieces) as I post them, and also because it’s a simple, free way to support a small creator like myself. Currently, the magic number I’m aiming for is 100 followers. Any help along that journey is immensely appreciated ❤️😊
And that about wraps it up! Hopefully I’ve offered some reading recommendations you can dig into – maybe you’ll even find a new favourite. If you want to see more from me (especially on more than a monthly basis), check out my Twitter, Instagram, or Medium, which are all @rachaellawrites. And if there’s anything YOU think I should check out, please feel free to let me know in the comments!
This month, I read a LOT of books and not much else. Which isn’t a bad thing, but I do intend to broaden my reading and get out more writing in the future – it’s just, well, hard to manage with a baby sometimes. (He’s crawling now and learning to stand 😱). Rest assured that I am still writing and working.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
These Witches Don't Burn and This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling
Witches was just incredible. It had everything I look for in a contemporary fantasy: a fun and interesting magic system (three types of witches!), casual queer rep, and a fast-paced plot that kept me guessing and had me feeling immensely satisfied when some of those guesses were right. Honestly, I loved it so much that I immediately checked out the sequel from my library.
Which I also loved! It was just such a perfect conclusion to the duology and it had a lot of really clever twists and unexpected developments. I really liked seeing the magic system more deeply explored. And, of course, the casual queer rep was delightful.
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
I was fortunate enough to be able to read a digital arc of this, and I can safely say that it was absolutely incredible. The verse is beautiful without being too bloated or hard to wrap your head around, and Andrea tackles a wide host of topics, from romantic relationships to living with Lyme disease to being queer. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re in the mood for poetry.
Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present by Adrienne Keene
I also received this as a digital arc. This collection was full of perfect, bite-sized profiles on awesome indigenous folks, as well as several sections focused on educating readers on specific issues. I also appreciated that it was diverse even within the scope of Native representation, not only because it included a wide variety of tribes/nations, but also because there were several queer people represented, and people of mixed heritage. Highly recommend checking it out!
Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space by Zoraida Cordova and various authors
Yet another digital arc! I really appreciated the variety of stories here, and I think pretty much anyone could find a short story they like. Totally worth checking out, especially if you want to support more Latinx authors or are looking for some fresh sci-fi/fantasy reads.
Other
Critical Role Campaign 3
I. Am. So. PUMPED! Unfortunately I can’t watch the episodes live when they premiere, thanks to timezones (and baby), but I plan to watch each VOD as soon as I’m able to. Without getting too much into spoilers here, FCG must be protected at all costs and seeing a certain someone at the table again is just so perfect. A great addition to the team ❤️
What I’ve Created
Articles
Medium
I’m still working my way through crossposting a bunch of my essays and articles from Vocal over to Medium. This month alone I’ve posted 13 pieces! I would love it if you followed my profile so you can keep up with my reuploads (and, eventually, new pieces) as I post them, and also because it’s a simple, free way to support a small creator like myself. Currently, the magic number I’m aiming for is 100 followers. Any help along that journey is immensely appreciated ❤️😊
And that about wraps it up! Hopefully I’ve offered some reading recommendations you can dig into – maybe you’ll even find a new favourite. If you want to see more from me (especially on more than a monthly basis), check out my Twitter, Instagram, or Medium, which are all @rachaellawrites. And if there’s anything YOU think I should check out, please feel free to let me know in the comments!
May Wrap-Up: Science and Tradition, the Right to Retell, and the Best and Worst Books
This month I come to you with actually a pretty decent mix of things. A non-fiction book, a fantasy book, a sci-fi YouTube Original, glowing recommendations for contemporary fantasy books, and a scathing review of a self-help book. I think that offers a little bit for everyone, don’t you?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book was just so incredibly wonderful. Beautifully written, full of expertise, and incredibly kind and hopeful. I absolutely loved how seamlessly the author was able to blend traditional knowledge with studied ecology. Highly recommend.
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
This was such an epic, heartbreaking, and astounding story. Wang did an amazing job making me fall in love with the characters, even long after I had decided I hated one of them. I loved the worldbuilding and the way different elemental powers were presented (though I would have loved to see earth and fire explored more), especially with how cultural bias and ideas of supremacy came back to bite characters in the ass. Definitely worth a read, and definitely one I want to reread in the future.
Articles
Every King Arthur Retelling is Fanfic About Who Gets to be Legendary
An important and enlightening examination of Arthurian lore and its lack of cohesion, specifically in regard to challenges to the legitimacy or retellings/reimaginings centering POC. Also, the author is brilliant and you should go read her book, Legendborn, which I raved about in a previous wrap-up.
Other
In Space With Markiplier [Part 2]
I not only watched Part 2, but I went through all the options, and I went back through Part 1 and did all the options there as well. Such a weird and fun story; definitely makes the most of the medium and Choose Your Own Adventure format. Part 2 in particular will be a ton of fun if you’re familiar with Mark’s other work, since it has references galore.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie (A New Age of Magic #3)
IT’S HERE!
Okay, well, it’s not here quite yet, but it is available for pre-order! The ebook can be pre-ordered off Amazon (linked above), and the processing for the paperback is underway. I’ll be posting links and updates to my social media leading up to the release date, so keep an eye on @rachaellawrites in Twitter and Instagram!
Articles
My Top 5 Contemporary Fantasies (So Far)
I know I already gush about books I loved each month in these blog posts, but I wanted to share the love even further, so I’ve started making these book recommendations lists. This one is focused specifically on contemporary fantasy, but I’ll be focusing on other genres, tropes, themes, etc. in the future. If there are specific kinds of recommendations you’d like to see from me, please let me know!
Minimal Research and Minimal Care: An In-Depth Review of “Minimal” by Madeleine Olivia
Another detailed review, unfortunately of the negative variety. I had considered not even reviewing this book, since I wasn’t sure I would have much to say, but I ended up writing 4,000 words about it. Also, I felt obligated to say something about it, if for no other reason than to highlight two very dangerous pieces of advice offered in Minimal.
First: Olivia advices readers to avoid non-recyclable items, and includes medical needles in that list. Do not ever avoid or skimp on medical treatment or safety in the name of sustainability.
Second: Olivia says readers can disinfect their cutting board by rubbing a lemon on it. Lemon juice is not a disinfectant. Following this tip could give you food poisoning.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book was just so incredibly wonderful. Beautifully written, full of expertise, and incredibly kind and hopeful. I absolutely loved how seamlessly the author was able to blend traditional knowledge with studied ecology. Highly recommend.
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
This was such an epic, heartbreaking, and astounding story. Wang did an amazing job making me fall in love with the characters, even long after I had decided I hated one of them. I loved the worldbuilding and the way different elemental powers were presented (though I would have loved to see earth and fire explored more), especially with how cultural bias and ideas of supremacy came back to bite characters in the ass. Definitely worth a read, and definitely one I want to reread in the future.
Articles
Every King Arthur Retelling is Fanfic About Who Gets to be Legendary
An important and enlightening examination of Arthurian lore and its lack of cohesion, specifically in regard to challenges to the legitimacy or retellings/reimaginings centering POC. Also, the author is brilliant and you should go read her book, Legendborn, which I raved about in a previous wrap-up.
Other
In Space With Markiplier [Part 2]
I not only watched Part 2, but I went through all the options, and I went back through Part 1 and did all the options there as well. Such a weird and fun story; definitely makes the most of the medium and Choose Your Own Adventure format. Part 2 in particular will be a ton of fun if you’re familiar with Mark’s other work, since it has references galore.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie (A New Age of Magic #3)
IT’S HERE!
Okay, well, it’s not here quite yet, but it is available for pre-order! The ebook can be pre-ordered off Amazon (linked above), and the processing for the paperback is underway. I’ll be posting links and updates to my social media leading up to the release date, so keep an eye on @rachaellawrites in Twitter and Instagram!
Articles
My Top 5 Contemporary Fantasies (So Far)
I know I already gush about books I loved each month in these blog posts, but I wanted to share the love even further, so I’ve started making these book recommendations lists. This one is focused specifically on contemporary fantasy, but I’ll be focusing on other genres, tropes, themes, etc. in the future. If there are specific kinds of recommendations you’d like to see from me, please let me know!
Minimal Research and Minimal Care: An In-Depth Review of “Minimal” by Madeleine Olivia
Another detailed review, unfortunately of the negative variety. I had considered not even reviewing this book, since I wasn’t sure I would have much to say, but I ended up writing 4,000 words about it. Also, I felt obligated to say something about it, if for no other reason than to highlight two very dangerous pieces of advice offered in Minimal.
First: Olivia advices readers to avoid non-recyclable items, and includes medical needles in that list. Do not ever avoid or skimp on medical treatment or safety in the name of sustainability.
Second: Olivia says readers can disinfect their cutting board by rubbing a lemon on it. Lemon juice is not a disinfectant. Following this tip could give you food poisoning.
