Long Entry is Long: Life, Reading, Writing, Garden, Adels M/M Authors/Readers Lunch & Other Things.
It's been a while (again) since I posted here, and all I can say about that really is that between having the cold that wouldn't die and a plethora of other real life things, there hasn't been much energy left in the L. J. bank to power me too far. But there's been some good stuff happening, which makes a wonderful change--with my mum and one of my besties, Minnie, I've been going to the local hydropool every week and doing hydrotherapy. I love this pool and it's a great chance to do a weekly catch up with a very good friend, so it's all win-win for me. Last week, we met a cute little boy who was wearing a Cthulu t-shirt. He wandered up to mum first and gave her a very serious high five, and later, when I was heading to the change room, he and I had a Very Serious conversation about a man in a Big Blue Box (Dr. Who). That whole thing made my night!
This is not a rocking horse, this is a rocking dragon! Made of felted yarn. Click to embiggen.
There's also been a day in the Handspinning and Weavers Guild shop, visiting with old and dear friends, a lot of phone chats with my brother, which is awesome, and checking out a nearby thrift market where I got a really gorgeous multi-colour glass bottle. This week, we also had the back lawn mowed, FINALLY, as it was beginning to take on triffid-like proportions, and I felt that I should alert everyone that if we vanished, taken by the grass, they should avenge us. Now it's all cut back and it looks SO good. I got a few new things for the garden, and there's more coming from my favourite go-to online garden store, Diggers (http://www.diggers.com.au).
Bowls made of felted yarn. I love these, the two blueish/purple ones especially. I'd love to be able to make them myself. Click to embiggen.
But what you guys really want to know about is the writing, right? Well, nearly two months ago now, I submitted Waiting for the Moon and You to Dreamspinner Press and I'm waiting to hear back on that. Having it finished and all was a huge relief, as for a while there, I thought it'd be the manuscript that would never end! Some muses are very chatty. The next and last three Archangel books are confirmed for 2015 release, also with DSP. The novel I'm writing with the awesome Cate Ashwood is trucking along, very quickly, actually, so much so that it seems as if it's writing itself and we are merely the physical facilitators of this story. It's called Brick by Brick and is a contemp love found/lost/found story set in Canada. I'm working on another project with Cate and the lovely Raine O'Tierney as well, and while that's taking me a bit to kick it off (I'm blaming this on being VERY tired atm), I'm very excited about it. Finally, and certainly not least, Mythica will be out soon with Bottom Drawer Publications, and I love the cover I have for it--reveal on that soon. So there are books coming soon and far, my friends!
Also, there was a lunch for the Adelaide m/m writers and readers last weekend, at The Archer hotel in North Adelaide. Good food, good conversation, and it was great to catch up with Ali Wilde and Zathyn Priest again, and to meet L. V. Lloyd, Alison Mann, her mum and Thelma Jean Mathew. Thanks to Alison for arranging it all, and here's hoping we can do the lunch thing again, sometime in the future.
Link of the Now: As the Northern Hemisphere is coming into winter, I want to share with you a fantastic etsy shop, run by the lovely Maria. You can't go wrong here, there's hand/neck/head warming things for everyone. I've got two pairs of her armwarmers! ElizavetaViola.
(Don't forget, I'm on Instagram now, so if you want to follow along, here's me: http://instagram.com/ljstar239)
Our much less scary back garden! Click to embiggen.
So to end this post, there's a meme going around Facebook at the moment, where you list 10 books that have stayed with you, long after you first read them. Rather than post my list on Facebook, I thought I'd post mine as a blog post.
I've got a list as long as my arm, so for that reason, I'm limiting my choices to books written by people I don't know. And there's a few notes about the books too, for extra points!
This is in no particular order. And a bit more than 10 books. It was hard enough to cut down to 18!
1. Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein.
I was rec'd this and procrastinated on reading it, but when I did, I was SO GLAD I did. It's set in World War Two, dealing with the women who went to war. I don't want to say too much, because it'll be a spoiler, but wow. Just an amazing book--fictional--and I cried at the end, because I seem to do that more and more these days.
2. Midnight in Peking - Paul French.
Mum picked this up at a Salvo's thrift shop, purely because of the inside cover art. Then she read it, then I read it, and wow. WOW. This is a real life murder mystery, dealing with a cold case from just before the Japanese invasion of China in the city of Peking. The author did a remarkable job and, I think, gave the cold case and the people of Peking a well-rounded, thoughtful treatment. Highy recommended if you like historical true crime.
3. The Danilov Quintet - Jasper Kent.
Vampires. In Russia. From Imperialism to the Revolution. Seriously, this is an awesome series. His research is brilliant.
4. On Writing - Stephen King.
I might be a horror wuss and I might find it hard to read his novels, but Mr. King as an author talking to other authors and aspiring authors is fantastic. I got a lot out of this book.
5. Child 44 - Tom Rob Smith.
Cold cases in Stalin's Russia. This is being made into a film with Tom Hardy in the leading role and you bet I want to see it.
6. The God Eaters - Jesse Hajicek.
I read this when it was up online as a free novel. And I read it all in one sitting, because I had to know how it ended. It's a m/m romance, set in a fantasy world, two outlaws against a totalitarian theocracy. If you want to read it (and you do, c'mon, you do, it's still a free read here: http://chartreuse.studiowhippingboy.com/g_e_index.html or buy it!)
7. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott.
This has been a constant reread throughout my childhood and into my teens, and from time to time in adulthood.
8. The Secret History - Procopius.
Oh, Procopius, such a scandilised, shocked and appalled historian! This isn't just a historical text--about the reign of Emperor Justinian and his Empress, Theodora, of the Byzantine Empire--but it's like a gossip magazine of the 6th century. He is SHOCKED AND APPALLED by everything going on, but not so shocked and appalled as to not gossip about everyone and print it. A large chunk of salt should be applied to some of his more outlandish claims, as with any good gossip publication, but this is still a great read.
9. Mind Fuck - Manna Francis.
I remember when I first read this, as another free read online, and I was linked to it by good friend and colleague, meredith_shayne. I loved it--didn't hurt that Ms. Francis is a "Blake's 7" fan, as I am, either! Dystopian m/m bdsm romance, with a nicely layered plot, and first in a series. You can still get it online free here: http://www.mannazone.org/zone/admin/index.html or you can buy it.
10. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova.
A novel about books and hunting down clues in history, without being Dan Brown-esque and a nice little twist at the end. Won't say too much, so I don't give it away, but this stayed with me for ages too.
11. The Night Watch Quintet - Sergey Lukyaneko.
Back to Russia. The first two novels were turned into amazing films, which is how I discovered the books. These are fantastic--vampires who are both good guys and bad guys, and those who police over them. No spoilers here, either. The author is from Kazakhstan and these books also feature a lot of mythology and stories from that region.
12. Mordred, Bastard Son - Douglas Clegg.
The Arthurian legend told from the pov of Mordred, and Mordred here is a sympathetic and likable character. As I have always loved Arthuriana, I had to read this, and I'm glad I did. It's m/m, romance, adventure, mythology and overall, a wonderfully told version of the legends.
13. Walking on Glass - Iain M. Banks.
I first read this when I was 15. It's remained one of my favourite Banks books ever since. It's three seperate stories that seem unconnected, but may actually not be. It's a thought-provoking book, and imo, one of Banks' best.
14. Bridge to Terabitihia - Katherine Paterson.
Another childhood favourite. This and "The Phantom Tollbooth" and the Carbonel books were my go-to reads as a kid.
15. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
I've never understood the appeal of Heathcliff or Wuthering Heights, but oh, I love, love, love the story of Jane Eyre. One of my all time favourites.
16. Please Kill Me - Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain.
Quite possibly THE best oral history turned into a book about the beginning and hey-day of punk rock in the US and UK. A damn fantastic read.
17. Dr. zhivago - Boris Pasternak.
Back to Russia again! I like Pasternak over Tolstoy, and this book was made all the more enjoyable by the British mini-series starring Hans Matheson as Zhivago. It was pretty true to the book, and yes, another one that I cried my eyes out, because that's how I roll.
18. Creatures of Light and Darkness - Roger Zelazny.
My cousin gave me this when I was 18 and in a very bad place. So I read it, and was hooked. I've read this book over and over, so many times that I've lost count. Ancient Egyptian mythology features heavily in this short read.
And that's it. There are others: Watership Down and I, Claudius and the Harry Potter books and the Narnia books, the Archangel series by Sharon Shinn, David Eddings Belgariad and Mallorean series', but I think stopping at this point is probably a good idea! So that's my list--what about you guys, o flist?
This is not a rocking horse, this is a rocking dragon! Made of felted yarn. Click to embiggen.
There's also been a day in the Handspinning and Weavers Guild shop, visiting with old and dear friends, a lot of phone chats with my brother, which is awesome, and checking out a nearby thrift market where I got a really gorgeous multi-colour glass bottle. This week, we also had the back lawn mowed, FINALLY, as it was beginning to take on triffid-like proportions, and I felt that I should alert everyone that if we vanished, taken by the grass, they should avenge us. Now it's all cut back and it looks SO good. I got a few new things for the garden, and there's more coming from my favourite go-to online garden store, Diggers (http://www.diggers.com.au).
Bowls made of felted yarn. I love these, the two blueish/purple ones especially. I'd love to be able to make them myself. Click to embiggen.
But what you guys really want to know about is the writing, right? Well, nearly two months ago now, I submitted Waiting for the Moon and You to Dreamspinner Press and I'm waiting to hear back on that. Having it finished and all was a huge relief, as for a while there, I thought it'd be the manuscript that would never end! Some muses are very chatty. The next and last three Archangel books are confirmed for 2015 release, also with DSP. The novel I'm writing with the awesome Cate Ashwood is trucking along, very quickly, actually, so much so that it seems as if it's writing itself and we are merely the physical facilitators of this story. It's called Brick by Brick and is a contemp love found/lost/found story set in Canada. I'm working on another project with Cate and the lovely Raine O'Tierney as well, and while that's taking me a bit to kick it off (I'm blaming this on being VERY tired atm), I'm very excited about it. Finally, and certainly not least, Mythica will be out soon with Bottom Drawer Publications, and I love the cover I have for it--reveal on that soon. So there are books coming soon and far, my friends!
Also, there was a lunch for the Adelaide m/m writers and readers last weekend, at The Archer hotel in North Adelaide. Good food, good conversation, and it was great to catch up with Ali Wilde and Zathyn Priest again, and to meet L. V. Lloyd, Alison Mann, her mum and Thelma Jean Mathew. Thanks to Alison for arranging it all, and here's hoping we can do the lunch thing again, sometime in the future.
Link of the Now: As the Northern Hemisphere is coming into winter, I want to share with you a fantastic etsy shop, run by the lovely Maria. You can't go wrong here, there's hand/neck/head warming things for everyone. I've got two pairs of her armwarmers! ElizavetaViola.
(Don't forget, I'm on Instagram now, so if you want to follow along, here's me: http://instagram.com/ljstar239)
Our much less scary back garden! Click to embiggen.
So to end this post, there's a meme going around Facebook at the moment, where you list 10 books that have stayed with you, long after you first read them. Rather than post my list on Facebook, I thought I'd post mine as a blog post.
I've got a list as long as my arm, so for that reason, I'm limiting my choices to books written by people I don't know. And there's a few notes about the books too, for extra points!
This is in no particular order. And a bit more than 10 books. It was hard enough to cut down to 18!
1. Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein.
I was rec'd this and procrastinated on reading it, but when I did, I was SO GLAD I did. It's set in World War Two, dealing with the women who went to war. I don't want to say too much, because it'll be a spoiler, but wow. Just an amazing book--fictional--and I cried at the end, because I seem to do that more and more these days.
2. Midnight in Peking - Paul French.
Mum picked this up at a Salvo's thrift shop, purely because of the inside cover art. Then she read it, then I read it, and wow. WOW. This is a real life murder mystery, dealing with a cold case from just before the Japanese invasion of China in the city of Peking. The author did a remarkable job and, I think, gave the cold case and the people of Peking a well-rounded, thoughtful treatment. Highy recommended if you like historical true crime.
3. The Danilov Quintet - Jasper Kent.
Vampires. In Russia. From Imperialism to the Revolution. Seriously, this is an awesome series. His research is brilliant.
4. On Writing - Stephen King.
I might be a horror wuss and I might find it hard to read his novels, but Mr. King as an author talking to other authors and aspiring authors is fantastic. I got a lot out of this book.
5. Child 44 - Tom Rob Smith.
Cold cases in Stalin's Russia. This is being made into a film with Tom Hardy in the leading role and you bet I want to see it.
6. The God Eaters - Jesse Hajicek.
I read this when it was up online as a free novel. And I read it all in one sitting, because I had to know how it ended. It's a m/m romance, set in a fantasy world, two outlaws against a totalitarian theocracy. If you want to read it (and you do, c'mon, you do, it's still a free read here: http://chartreuse.studiowhippingboy.com/g_e_index.html or buy it!)
7. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott.
This has been a constant reread throughout my childhood and into my teens, and from time to time in adulthood.
8. The Secret History - Procopius.
Oh, Procopius, such a scandilised, shocked and appalled historian! This isn't just a historical text--about the reign of Emperor Justinian and his Empress, Theodora, of the Byzantine Empire--but it's like a gossip magazine of the 6th century. He is SHOCKED AND APPALLED by everything going on, but not so shocked and appalled as to not gossip about everyone and print it. A large chunk of salt should be applied to some of his more outlandish claims, as with any good gossip publication, but this is still a great read.
9. Mind Fuck - Manna Francis.
I remember when I first read this, as another free read online, and I was linked to it by good friend and colleague, meredith_shayne. I loved it--didn't hurt that Ms. Francis is a "Blake's 7" fan, as I am, either! Dystopian m/m bdsm romance, with a nicely layered plot, and first in a series. You can still get it online free here: http://www.mannazone.org/zone/admin/index.html or you can buy it.
10. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova.
A novel about books and hunting down clues in history, without being Dan Brown-esque and a nice little twist at the end. Won't say too much, so I don't give it away, but this stayed with me for ages too.
11. The Night Watch Quintet - Sergey Lukyaneko.
Back to Russia. The first two novels were turned into amazing films, which is how I discovered the books. These are fantastic--vampires who are both good guys and bad guys, and those who police over them. No spoilers here, either. The author is from Kazakhstan and these books also feature a lot of mythology and stories from that region.
12. Mordred, Bastard Son - Douglas Clegg.
The Arthurian legend told from the pov of Mordred, and Mordred here is a sympathetic and likable character. As I have always loved Arthuriana, I had to read this, and I'm glad I did. It's m/m, romance, adventure, mythology and overall, a wonderfully told version of the legends.
13. Walking on Glass - Iain M. Banks.
I first read this when I was 15. It's remained one of my favourite Banks books ever since. It's three seperate stories that seem unconnected, but may actually not be. It's a thought-provoking book, and imo, one of Banks' best.
14. Bridge to Terabitihia - Katherine Paterson.
Another childhood favourite. This and "The Phantom Tollbooth" and the Carbonel books were my go-to reads as a kid.
15. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
I've never understood the appeal of Heathcliff or Wuthering Heights, but oh, I love, love, love the story of Jane Eyre. One of my all time favourites.
16. Please Kill Me - Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain.
Quite possibly THE best oral history turned into a book about the beginning and hey-day of punk rock in the US and UK. A damn fantastic read.
17. Dr. zhivago - Boris Pasternak.
Back to Russia again! I like Pasternak over Tolstoy, and this book was made all the more enjoyable by the British mini-series starring Hans Matheson as Zhivago. It was pretty true to the book, and yes, another one that I cried my eyes out, because that's how I roll.
18. Creatures of Light and Darkness - Roger Zelazny.
My cousin gave me this when I was 18 and in a very bad place. So I read it, and was hooked. I've read this book over and over, so many times that I've lost count. Ancient Egyptian mythology features heavily in this short read.
And that's it. There are others: Watership Down and I, Claudius and the Harry Potter books and the Narnia books, the Archangel series by Sharon Shinn, David Eddings Belgariad and Mallorean series', but I think stopping at this point is probably a good idea! So that's my list--what about you guys, o flist?