FF: Less Distracting

Mei-Ling Distracts

In addition to reading my own manuscript of House of Rough Diamonds, I’ve switched over to some lighter works or re-reads that won’t distract me from my editorial duties.

For those of you unfamiliar with this column, the Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week.  Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines.  The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list.  If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.

Once again, this is not a book review column.  It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.  And it’s also a great place to tell me what you’re reading. 

Completed:

Dabare Snake Launcher by Joelle Presby.  ARC.  A near-future novel about the complexities of building a space elevator.  Set in Cameroon, where the author lived for many years, and full of lovely detail about the local cultures, clashes between traditional and modern, and differing expectations.  Very much enjoyed.

In Progress:

Monster Punk Horizon by H.P. Holo.  Just starting.

Frog Kisser by Garth Nix.  Audiobook.  A re-read, because I felt like something less serious but still with heart.  A quest story featuring a cranky princess, a frog, a very large newt, a transformed otter, and a Royal Dog. 

Also:

American Archeology the current issue.  This is not the same magazine as the last couple of weeks.  Also, the new issue of Vogue.