Katherine Nabity's Blog, page 153

Deal Me In, Week 4 ~ “In the House of Gingerbread”

[image error] (Deal Me In logo above created by Mannomoi at Dilettante Artiste)

Hosted by Jay @ Bibliophilopolis

What’s Deal Me In?

“In the House of Gingerbread” by Gene Wolfe

Card picked: Jack of Diamonds

From: The Architecture of Fear, edited by Kathryn Cramer and Peter Pautz

The Story

It’s the gingerbread house, she thought… It doesn’t eat you, you eat it. But it gets you just the same.

Tina’s husband died of lung cancer…from asbestos insulation. Her two-year old son was poisoned by paint chips. There is more to Tina’s house than she knows and more to Tina than her step-children suspect. “In the House of Gingerbread” plays with many fairy tale tropes, but it didn’t quite come together in the end.

The Author

Gene Wolfe has been writing science fiction and fantasy since the mid-1960s and has won nearly every major award in those genres (the Hugo being elusive). Though oft anthologized, this is the first story of Gene Wolfe’s to make it on to my Deal Me In list.

♣ ♣ ♣

Did you know if you can pull off eight perfect faro shuffles, a deck of cards is returned to its starting order state?

Tabular proof at Futility Closet

Favorite Stories from Fantasy & Science Fiction, Nov-Dec 2016

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, November-December 2016

I purchased a subscription to The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction back in Sept. 2016 due to one short story. While the subscription only cost me $5, I decided that if I was going to justify this, I was going to actually read each issue…unlike every other time I’ve had a fiction magazine subscription.

My reviewing of issues might get better as the year goes on, but for Nov/Dec 2016 I’m just going to highlight what I found to be the outstanding stories. All of these authors were new to me.

“The Rhythm Man” by James Beamon – Would you make a deal with the devil? If could, what would you ask for? What is that thing in your heart of hearts that you’d sell your soul for? All that bluesman Horace wants from the Rhythm Man is a song… Great mythology and a marvelous sense of place in the setting.

“Lord Elgin at the Acropolis” by Minsoo Kang – The director of a museum is certain that paintings and sculptures are being replaced by forgeries. Except, there’s no evidence. The art is re-certified as original; the security tapes show no tampering. Is he going insane? Or is technology beyond current comprehension to blame? This is half story, half thought experiment, and all good.

“Special Collections” by Kurt Fawver –

We only have two rules at the library. The first is that you don’t go into Special Collections without a partner.

I’m lying when I say I don’t like cosmic horror. My problem, I think, is one of scale. To abruptly see some grand transdimentional horror and claim that it is so incomprehensible that it inspires insanity—that doesn’t work for me. But show me the little things that get under a character’s skin, show me the creeping obsessions that lead to questionable moral choices. Then, I’m all in. “Special Collections” is a deliciously spooky tale.

Publishing info, my copy: Kindle (the navigation is really nice!), Spilogale, Inc., Nov. 2016

Acquired: Sept. 2016

Genre: science fiction, fantasy, horror

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More #COYER Reviews

Generator Points Earned: 1

Generator Points Total: 4

#24in48 Wrap-Up & It’s Monday, What Am I Reading?

#24in48 Wrap-Up

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Okay, despite best intentions, I didn’t really participate in the 24 in 48 Readathon. By Saturday evening, I was firmly in self-preservation hermit mode. I only read for 8hrs 50mins, but I got caught up on Moby-Dick and PHYSIC mACHINEs, finished the Nov/Dec. issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and am about halfway through In Calabria. So, really this was just a quiet, more-reading-than-usual weekend.

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?
  

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville – heading into the last fourth.
In Calabria by Peter S. Beagle – might finish this today.
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, January-February 2017 – I have a whole month to not be behind!
“In the House of Gingerbread” by Gene Wolfe – for Deal Me In

[image error] It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Date!

What Else 2017, Week 3

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Good Stuff

Moby-Dick was the subject of a Big Read project back in 2012. Each chapter was recorded by a different person, some of them famous. I’ve been reading and/or listening along. Not surprisingly, Benedict Cumberbatch does a pretty fine job here.

Writing Stuff

The laptop arrived Monday evening. While I’m still settling in with it, it’s been really nice to take work to a different area of the apartment. I’ve installed Chrome and Spotify, but the biggest differences between the laptop and my desktop system is that there is no room for video on the laptop and that I don’t have email notifications on the laptop. When I’m using it, I’m working. For right now, that compartmentalization is helping me get some work done.

Added 4020 word to the manuscript.

The #1LineWed themes was “tree”/”leaf”.

"Hopefully, tracking a giant will be as easy as I suspect it will be and we won't die in the woods." #1lineWed

— Katherine Nabity (@Katen) January 18, 2017

Blogging Stuff

Commented on a few movies I’ve watched lately.
Read an early ghost-busting tale for Deal Me In.
More writing seems to mean less reading.

Fitness Stuff

It’s been a rather wintery week in Tempe. Wednesday lunchtime disc was a little lighter than usual and Friday disc was rained out. Thursday night was the first night of “B” League. We scrimmaged instead of an actual game to give some of the newer people a chance to play before it “counts.” My team has some fast, quick-to-throw guys, but they were okay dumping when there was nothing open down field.

Class Stuff

Decided not to do the Science & Cooking class. One of the disadvantages of edX is that you don’t get to see make-up of the course before the course opens. There was too much reliance on making videos and such. Not for me.

Other Life Stuff

Other than the above, not much going on. I’ve felt a little scattered over the last couple days. Maybe just too much caffeine.

Deal Me In, Week 3 ~ “The Ghost-Extinguisher”

[image error] (Deal Me In logo above created by Mannomoi at Dilettante Artiste)

Hosted by Jay @ Bibliophilopolis

What’s Deal Me In?

“The Ghost-Extinguisher” by Gelett Burgess

Card picked: Ace of Hearts

From: Introduced to me by Tim Prasil at The Merry Ghost Hunter. Published in Cosmopolitan in 1905, you too can read it online.

The Story

My attention was first called to the possibility of manufacturing a practicable ghost-extinguisher by a real-estate agent in San Francisco.

Our ghost-hunting narrator Garrish learns about an ancient Japanese* method of ridding properties of “ghosts” or rather the astral remains of the recently dead. Garrish sciences-up the ritual and devises a way to capture and store ghosts. When the ghost hunting business runs dry in his local area, Garrish takes a trip to England, thinking that the old country should be lousy with ghosts. Unfortunately, in England having a ghost in your house is sort of a status symbol, so no one wants their ghosts busted er, extinguished. Ever a capitalist, Garrish realizes he has a supply that is in demand. Not surprisingly, things don’t go as planned…

This is fun story. It brings to mind, of course, Ghostbusters, but also The Frighteners, in which hauntings are levied for fun and profit.

* Early 20th century racism alert!

The Author

Gelett Burgess was an artist, art critic, and humorist of some note. In addition to “The Purple Cow,” he also coined the term “blurb,” thus giving authors everywhere something to seek or be pestered for depending on which side of fame that author stands.

#24in48 ~ January 2017

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More Info on #24in48

If you’re new to 24in48, this is the basic gist: beginning at 12:01am on Saturday morning and running through 11:59pm on Sunday night, participants read for 24 hours out of that 48 hour period. You can split that up however you’d like: 20 hours on Saturday, four hours on Sunday; 12 hours each day; six four-hour sessions with four hour breaks in between, whatever you’d like.

I wasn’t going to do #24in48 since I just did Bout of Books and I figured I won’t need another readathon in January, but here I am behind on what I want to have read. So, I made a deal with myself: if I got 4000 words added to my current manuscript by the start of the readathon (10pm Friday for me!), I’d join…and use #24in48 as reading catch-up.

Catch-up List

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville – until I’m caught up with the readalong
PHYSIC Machines (Eric’s manuscript) – to pg. 120
Economics – Chapters 13-15
The rest of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, November-December 2016
More Writing on the Wall by Tom Standage
Start In Calabria by Peter S. Beagle

Progress

Beginning Survey

Where in the world are you reading from this weekend? Tempe, AZ. We’re actually having a winter weekend: chilly and rainy.
Have you done the 24in48 readathon before? Yes, though I’ve never managed the whole time.
Where did you hear about the readathon, if it is your first? N/A
What book are you most excited about reading this weekend? Gosh, I’m just looking forward to getting caught up on my reading and clearing the way for In Calabria by Peter S. Beagle.
Tell us something about yourself. I’m a writer, currently working on a fantasy novel entitled Wicked Witch Retired. I also like to play ultimate frisbee and I’ll be taking some time out on Saturday to listen to the Nebraska men’s basketball game.
Remind us where to find you online this weekend. You’re already here, but you can also find me on Twitter at @katen

Mini Reviews, Vol. 7 ~ What I’ve Been Watching Edition

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Oscar Standouts from Last Year

The Big Short (2106)

Director: Adam McKay

Writers: Charles Randolph (screenplay), Adam McKay (screenplay), Michael Lewis (book)

Stars: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt

Winner for best adapted screenplay, based on the book by Michael Lewis. How do you make a movie about financiers and the mid-2000’s housing bubble? 1.) Pick some characters and tell their stories. The four leads in The Big Short are all great. 2.) Don’t fear the occasional educational digression. (That link? NSFW due to a little language.)

Spotlight (2015)

Director: Tom McCarthy

Writers: Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy

Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams

Based on the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the molestation scandal within the Catholic church, this movie was obvious Oscar bait. It won best picture and best original screenplay. It is a solidly written and acted movie, fairly compelling, but I thought The Big Short was probably more inventive in its storytelling.

Weren’t Oscar Contenders in Any Year

Black Sea (2014)

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Writer: Dennis Kelly (screenplay)

Stars: Jude Law, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn

A submarine captain gathers a crew to plunder Nazi gold from a lost WWII sub. Man, this story, an undersea heist, had so much potential. Alas, this movie is the opposite of competence porn. From the very beginning, dumb decisions are made. The rest of the movie’s narrative is watching those dumb decisions play out.

Green Room (2015)

Director: Jeremy Saulnier

Writer: Jeremy Saulnier

Stars: Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, oh, and Patrick Stewart

I’ll admit, this is probably my favorite of these four films. A punk band ends up witnessing a crime at backwoods neo-Nazi club. This is pretty much a straight-up non-supernatural horror flick, but it’s well written and really well shot. A good deal of the film takes place in the club’s green room, a locale that is infinitely more claustrophobic than Black Sea’s submarines.

It’s Monday, 1/16, What Am I Reading?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

Well, I’m pretty much still reading what I was reading last week.

  

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Writing on the Wall by Tom Standage
Been reading though Eric’s second PHYSIC novel.
Maybe I’ll get to some Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction stories.
“The Ghost-Extinguisher” by Gelett Burgess for Deal Me In
…Oh! and some Marco Economics textbook.

It’s gonna be a busy week.

[image error] It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Date!

What Else 2017, Week 2

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Good Stuff

One thousand musicians all playing David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel.”

Thanks to Sharon, a fellow ultimate player, for pointing this out on FB. Made my Sunday morning.

Writing Stuff

Gamification of the writing process, Katherine edition: I’ve wanted a new laptop for a while now. Our old one crapped out years ago and, for two ne’re-do-well writers, buying a new one is an investment not to be taken lightly. Eric finally came upon a decently priced system that met his specs: really good battery life without being stupidly top-of-the-line. Still, he was waffling. “Right,” I said, “how much writing do I need to do justify this?” There followed the purchase of a laptop and me going into “word debt” for it. A strong year of writing should pay it off.

This week, I added 3300 to my manuscript. I’ve started to embrace “shrug and write junk”. Meaning, at least three times this week, I wrote some very sketchy, junky paragraphs that got the job done only to rewrite, expand, and clean them up the next day. And I still got a net 3300 words added.

Started reading through Eric’s PHYSIC series.

Blogging Stuff

Slow reading week and “as scheduled” blogging week:

Review ~ Blackwater Lake
Deal Me In, Week 2 ~ “The House of Aunts”

Health & Fitness Stuff

Played ultimate on Wednesday and Friday. My week was going pretty well until an arthritis flare-up on Thursday. I still managed to play Friday only because I didn’t want the other woman that showed up to be the only woman at pickup. Started feeling better Friday night. “B” League starts this week so that will add a little more ulti to my life.

Other Life Stuff

Not much going on otherwise. It’s nice to be getting into some kind of groove again.

Deal Me In, Week 2 ~ “The House of Aunts”

[image error] (Deal Me In logo above created by Mannomoi at Dilettante Artiste)

Hosted by Jay @ Bibliophilopolis

What’s Deal Me In?

“The House of Aunts” by Zen Cho

Card picked: Jack of Clubs

From: Available online at GigaNotoSaurus

The Story

The first time she saw the boy across the classroom, Ah Lee knew she was in love because she tasted durian on her tongue. That was what happened–no poetry about it. She looked at a human boy one day and the creamy rank richness of durian filled her mouth. For a moment the ghost of its stench staggered on the edge of her teeth, and then it vanished.

She had not tasted fruit since before the baby came. Since before she was dead.

After school she went home and asked the aunts about it.

“Ah Ma,” she said, “can you taste anything besides people?”

Ah Lee is seventeen. She lives with her six aunties—her grandmother, her great-grandmother, and four of their daughters. All the women aside from Ah Lee are over age 55, the generation “gap” is more like a chasm. The aunties want Ah Lee to be a good student, to get a scholarship, to get a career, and to be an independent  woman. These were all things that weren’t as possible for them. All Ah Lee wants is to be an average teenager, which is already complicated by being dead. Ah Lee and her aunties are pontianak, entrail-eating “ghosts” of women who died while pregnant. Ah Lee develops a crush on Ridzual, the new boy at school. Both are on the outskirts of social circles at school and they become friends…until Ah Lee tells Ridzual her secret.

Here I am, two weeks into the year, I have a strong contender for my 2017 Top Ten. Cho does a wonderful job with the aunties’ cross talk and tangents and their firm belief that they are doing the right things for Ah Lee. Ah Lee is pitch perfect too, full of all the frustrations and small secrets of being a teenage girl.

The Author

Zen Cho‘s “Monkey King, Faerie Queen” was one of the highlights of my July 2016 #24in48. She is a London-based Malaysian author and editor. Her debut novel is Sorcerer to the Crown.

♣ ♣ ♣

I have a soft spot for any magic involving birds that isn’t a dove act. Here is Malaysian magician Andrew Lee and his beautiful assistant Snow.