March Wrap-Up
I’ve decided to try a little something new this month. It’s an idea I’ve kind of been toying with a for a while, though originally I had envisioned it as something I could do for journaling, sort of as a way to help myself remember what I read, watched, and created throughout the year. But I’ve also been wanting to make better use of this blog space and was trying to think of a sustainable way to do it. I decided to combine the two ideas, and now I can present you with the first of my monthly wrap-ups.
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinney
Absolutely loved this book. It’s funny, emotional, action-packed, and masterfully blends the real world with the magical world in a way that makes me a little envious. Alice is a fantastic lead, the Black Knight is an intriguing antagonist, and all the other characters are lovable in their own way – especially when they’re all playing off each other. Definitely a full 5/5 from me.
Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time by Hope Nicholson (editor), et al.
I was so excited when my husband got me this anthology for my birthday. It’s full of a great variety of stories, though I particularly enjoyed the cute and sweet pieces like Né łe, which is about lesbians and puppies in space. I mean, what’s not to love?
Articles:
Star Wars fan with R2-D2 bionic arm has a big fan in Mark Hamill
This little story just checks all the boxes for me. Cool but practical technical advancements? Check! A community coming together to help a disadvantaged person improve their life? Check! A celebrity reaching out to and supporting a fan? Check! Just a sweet little feel-good read.
New Caledonian Crows Are Even Smarter and Scarier Than We Thought
I think crows are amazing animals, especially for their intelligence and playfulness. Learning that they’re even smarter than we previously thought just fills me with joy – even though crows’ intelligence is apparently scary to some people.
20 Slang Terms from World War I
I love language, etymology, and history, so this article was right up my alley. So many neat little tidbits and words we use casually without ever thinking about where they come from, as well as some terms and phrases I had never heard of before.
The Unsolved Case of the Most Mysterious Song on the Internet
In the digital age, we’ve all gotten fairly accustomed to being able to find information with a quick Google search. So it’s deeply frustrating and fascinating when something that seems like it should be straight-forward to identify is, in fact, an enigma. And sometimes you need a reminder that there are still enigmas in the world.
German Forest Ranger Finds That Trees Have Social Networks, Too
A super, super neat piece about how trees connect in more human ways than we expect. It may or may not contribute to how I write certain characters in the future…
Other:
Legend of the Dragoon
Technically I was enjoying this last month, too, but I wasn’t doing wrap-ups then and my husband and I are still working our way through it, so shhhh. In any case, this game is an oldie but a goodie. I had vague memories of playing this as a kid (might have been 8 or 9 at the time), but I didn’t get very far on account of the fact that I sucked at the combat system. Getting to properly take in the story and the worldbuilding while my husband plays through it (he absolutely loved this game as a kid) is pretty special. This game deserves way more hype.
Work I’ve Done:
Articles:
The Inventiveness and Ingenuity of South/Mesoamerican Indigenous People
I wrote this piece because I see a lot of misconceptions about indigenous people around the world, who are often portrayed as backward or primitive. This article is far from comprehensive, particularly because it only focuses on a specific region of the world, but I wanted to draw attention to the incredible skill and intelligence found in indigenous cultures. The ahistorical barbarian is a lie we need to do away with.
If You’re Angry About a Protest, Don’t Blame the Protestors
The public discourse around protestors and protests has always frustrated me, so I wanted to write a little piece highlighting the misconceptions/misinformation that often spreads about them, drawing especially on my own education on the subject.
What Can We Endure: Trans Representation in YA Fiction
For this, I wanted to explore a conundrum I’ve been facing when it comes to supporting diversity in fiction, with trans representation in YA fiction as a specific example. The issue I keep coming against is problematic or overly stereotyped portrayals, and the question of whether to support these works in the hopes that we get more trans characters who will hopefully be better written, or if supporting subpar representation begets more of the same problem.
Said is Not Dead
As a writer, I’ve seen a lot of different writing advice floating around the writing community. One popular tip is to avoid or limit using “said” in dialogue. I’ve always found this advice misguided, which is what I explore and explain in here.
YouTube Recommendations for While You’re Self-Isolating
With the outbreak of corona virus and surge of preventative closures, cancellations, and calls for social distancing, I’ve seen a lot of people on Twitter listing book recs, movie recs, Netflix recs, etc. So I figured I’d add my two cents and offer some YouTube recommendations, especially for those who want something to watch but don’t have Netflix.
Defeating Grand Dragons on Disc One of Final Fantasy IX
I’m not gonna lie: This is pretty much pure self-indulgence. I love FFIX – it and FFVIII were a big part of my childhood – and slaying Grand Dragons on the first disc is a must-do undertaking for every playthrough. So I figured I would share my methods for doing so!
That's what I've been enjoying so far this month. Any recommendations on what I should check out next month?
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinney
Absolutely loved this book. It’s funny, emotional, action-packed, and masterfully blends the real world with the magical world in a way that makes me a little envious. Alice is a fantastic lead, the Black Knight is an intriguing antagonist, and all the other characters are lovable in their own way – especially when they’re all playing off each other. Definitely a full 5/5 from me.
Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time by Hope Nicholson (editor), et al.
I was so excited when my husband got me this anthology for my birthday. It’s full of a great variety of stories, though I particularly enjoyed the cute and sweet pieces like Né łe, which is about lesbians and puppies in space. I mean, what’s not to love?
Articles:
Star Wars fan with R2-D2 bionic arm has a big fan in Mark Hamill
This little story just checks all the boxes for me. Cool but practical technical advancements? Check! A community coming together to help a disadvantaged person improve their life? Check! A celebrity reaching out to and supporting a fan? Check! Just a sweet little feel-good read.
New Caledonian Crows Are Even Smarter and Scarier Than We Thought
I think crows are amazing animals, especially for their intelligence and playfulness. Learning that they’re even smarter than we previously thought just fills me with joy – even though crows’ intelligence is apparently scary to some people.
20 Slang Terms from World War I
I love language, etymology, and history, so this article was right up my alley. So many neat little tidbits and words we use casually without ever thinking about where they come from, as well as some terms and phrases I had never heard of before.
The Unsolved Case of the Most Mysterious Song on the Internet
In the digital age, we’ve all gotten fairly accustomed to being able to find information with a quick Google search. So it’s deeply frustrating and fascinating when something that seems like it should be straight-forward to identify is, in fact, an enigma. And sometimes you need a reminder that there are still enigmas in the world.
German Forest Ranger Finds That Trees Have Social Networks, Too
A super, super neat piece about how trees connect in more human ways than we expect. It may or may not contribute to how I write certain characters in the future…
Other:
Legend of the Dragoon
Technically I was enjoying this last month, too, but I wasn’t doing wrap-ups then and my husband and I are still working our way through it, so shhhh. In any case, this game is an oldie but a goodie. I had vague memories of playing this as a kid (might have been 8 or 9 at the time), but I didn’t get very far on account of the fact that I sucked at the combat system. Getting to properly take in the story and the worldbuilding while my husband plays through it (he absolutely loved this game as a kid) is pretty special. This game deserves way more hype.
Work I’ve Done:
Articles:
The Inventiveness and Ingenuity of South/Mesoamerican Indigenous People
I wrote this piece because I see a lot of misconceptions about indigenous people around the world, who are often portrayed as backward or primitive. This article is far from comprehensive, particularly because it only focuses on a specific region of the world, but I wanted to draw attention to the incredible skill and intelligence found in indigenous cultures. The ahistorical barbarian is a lie we need to do away with.
If You’re Angry About a Protest, Don’t Blame the Protestors
The public discourse around protestors and protests has always frustrated me, so I wanted to write a little piece highlighting the misconceptions/misinformation that often spreads about them, drawing especially on my own education on the subject.
What Can We Endure: Trans Representation in YA Fiction
For this, I wanted to explore a conundrum I’ve been facing when it comes to supporting diversity in fiction, with trans representation in YA fiction as a specific example. The issue I keep coming against is problematic or overly stereotyped portrayals, and the question of whether to support these works in the hopes that we get more trans characters who will hopefully be better written, or if supporting subpar representation begets more of the same problem.
Said is Not Dead
As a writer, I’ve seen a lot of different writing advice floating around the writing community. One popular tip is to avoid or limit using “said” in dialogue. I’ve always found this advice misguided, which is what I explore and explain in here.
YouTube Recommendations for While You’re Self-Isolating
With the outbreak of corona virus and surge of preventative closures, cancellations, and calls for social distancing, I’ve seen a lot of people on Twitter listing book recs, movie recs, Netflix recs, etc. So I figured I’d add my two cents and offer some YouTube recommendations, especially for those who want something to watch but don’t have Netflix.
Defeating Grand Dragons on Disc One of Final Fantasy IX
I’m not gonna lie: This is pretty much pure self-indulgence. I love FFIX – it and FFVIII were a big part of my childhood – and slaying Grand Dragons on the first disc is a must-do undertaking for every playthrough. So I figured I would share my methods for doing so!
That's what I've been enjoying so far this month. Any recommendations on what I should check out next month?
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