Yolanda Sfetsos's Blog, page 6

A Week Full of Stories!

Hey, how are you today? I hope you're having a great week.
As you know, I finished an extensive (3-week) novel revision last Thursday night and when I woke up on Good Friday, I was mentally exhausted. Seriously drained. So I really enjoyed the four-day break with my husband. Lots of relaxing, nice food, walking, a little shopping, and even some naps. It was awesome!
I felt recharged and ready to take a few weeks off between projects.
Yeah, that was the original plan. But then I decided it was time ...

THE BLANKS by Grady Hendrix

The Blanks by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I found out Grady Hendrix released a new short story, I had to check it out. And I'm glad I did because this is creepy af.

Rachel and Steven take their children to Jeckle Island every summer. It's a way for the kids to roam wild, have a great time, and relax away from the city. But there are rules to follow. Rules that have devastating results...

Yikes! Wow. This is such a terrific story.

I love stories that start from a very chill and fun pl...

ALL SYSTEMS RED & COMPULSORY by Martha Wells

All Systems Red by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I've had this novella for a while and decided to read it now because the show starts next month. 😁

A group of scientists are conducting tests on an uninhabited planet, and with them is a robot supplied by the Company. But Murderbot isn't just any old droid, this guy hacked its own module and doesn't like humans much. But when things go wrong, Murderbot might just be the best guy for the job...

I really enjoyed this fun SF...

This Revision is Done!

Hey! How are you today? I hope you're all having a nice week.
I know the world is in a terrible state right now, but I'm trying to lose myself in stories. And when I'm not writing, I love spending time with my husband. 😍
This week I got stuck into the final read-thru of my current revision, which is VampNovel1. I know that's not what I said I would do in last week's post, but after chatting to my husband last Sunday about my change of plans, I realised that completing this project before starting ...

The Revision Continues...

How are you today?

I hope this week turned out to be a good one for you! 

Here, in Sydney, the days got a lot shorter but I'm trying to stay positive. The fact I hung out with my husband every morning, that I went for my daily walks during the day (mostly sunny) and listened to my 80s Playlist (awesome) certainly helped. Not to mention that I spent every afternoon and night working on the third draft of my WIP, VampNovel1.

And I really lost myself in these words.

Seriously, I'm enjoying the hell out...

Time to Revise!

Hey! How are you today? How's April treating you?
Daylight savings ends this weekend, which always bugs me because I prefer the longer daylight hours. Oh well, we're already in autumn and I've been dealing with it okay. I'm one of those people who's prone to seasonal mood swings during colder months, so I have to try and go with the flow.

I also wish the world was in a better state at the moment because there's just too much going on. Every single day there are about a thousand new shit things hap...

CICADA by Shaun Tan

Cicada by Shaun Tan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

•28 March, 2025

Every time I sort through my books or reorganise my bookshelves, I end up reading this beautiful book. I just can't move this book without reading it.

Cicada's story is sad and lonely, heartbreaking and lovely. It's also very bleak, yet hopeful, and the ending is uplifting. Not to mention that the artwork is absolutely stunning.

Shaun Tan is a great storyteller and artist.

•20 October, 2023

I was sorting through some books while adding them ...

THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I've gone out of my way to avoid this book since it was released a while ago. I mean, who wants to read a whole book about young Snow? Yeah, you know what I mean. Still, when I found a cheap copy in a local thrift store, I picked it up and haven't looked at it since.

Not until I read, and absolutely loved, SUNRISE ON THE REAPING and had to find out what happened to Lucy Gray.

It's time for the tenth ...

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE The Hunger Games trilogy, and when I found out this was Haymitch's story, I had to read it. As soon as it arrived.

Haymitch Abernathy's sixteenth birthday also marks the reaping. And this year, it's the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, so there'll be two girls and two boys picked as tributes. When things go wrong in District 12, Haymitch ends up on a train and on his way to the Capitol...

Wow. OMG. Even though I loved every min...

SAGA #72 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Saga #72 by Brian K. Vaughan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been looking forward to reading this installment for ages, but have to admit that I was a little worried because Ghüs is on the cover and... well, you know how Saga can be sometimes.

Anyway, this is the season finale and starts off with a shocking announcement that sends serious ripples and consequences everywhere. And that leads to a bunch of characters, scattered all over the place, making an appearance.
I really enjoyed it, but I'm a lit...