![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[sticky entry]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/entry/sticky_entry.png){kind=small}
This is a master post of my vids on AO3. They are grouped alphabetically into tv shows and movies. Some of my vids are still only on YouTube . I’ll be adding those to AO3, but those I made for conventions or with photos taken at conventions will probably stay on YouTube. The conventions are exclusively Highlander-related, mainly Highlander Worldwide or the Peter Wingfield Fan Club.
( Read more... )
Books read in May
Jun. 3rd, 2025 08:44 amWhen the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi
The premise of the book - that the moon turns into cheese - is utterly ridiculous, but that not what the book is ultimately about. Scalzi focuses on how a wide range of people deal with the extraordinary, how they come to grips with sudden radical changes in their daily lives.
The Practice, The Horizon, and The Chain by Sofia Samatar
An exploration of class and oppression on a fleet of generation ships, I liked this more than most of the reviews I've read. While it's not my top choice for Hugo Best Novella, I think it definitely belongs on the ballot.
The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo
Another Hugo Best Novella nominee, this is part of the Singing Hills series. While not my favorite work in the series, the magic here took an unexpected turn and I liked it.
Doctor Who and The Five Doctors by Terrance Dicks
Like the televised story, this short book is so packed with Doctors, and companions, and story lines, it's hard to really give the focus to any f them. I did like how the opening focuses on Susan, providing information on her life after she left the TARDIS.
Convergence Problems by Wole Talabi
His second collection of short fiction, this was really great. His characters have a depth to them, the writing is sharp with no excess, and both his fantasy and sf are great. He experiments with storytelling in wonderful ways.
Destination: Amalthea by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky
I've read books by them which I really enjoyed (The Dead Mountaineers Inn, Roadside Picnic, Monday Begins on Saturday) so when I saw this hard sf work was available as an ebook at my library I jumped on it. Very disappointing. The translation was really, really bad. If a newly translated version ever comes out I'll give it another shot.
The premise of the book - that the moon turns into cheese - is utterly ridiculous, but that not what the book is ultimately about. Scalzi focuses on how a wide range of people deal with the extraordinary, how they come to grips with sudden radical changes in their daily lives.
The Practice, The Horizon, and The Chain by Sofia Samatar
An exploration of class and oppression on a fleet of generation ships, I liked this more than most of the reviews I've read. While it's not my top choice for Hugo Best Novella, I think it definitely belongs on the ballot.
The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo
Another Hugo Best Novella nominee, this is part of the Singing Hills series. While not my favorite work in the series, the magic here took an unexpected turn and I liked it.
Doctor Who and The Five Doctors by Terrance Dicks
Like the televised story, this short book is so packed with Doctors, and companions, and story lines, it's hard to really give the focus to any f them. I did like how the opening focuses on Susan, providing information on her life after she left the TARDIS.
Convergence Problems by Wole Talabi
His second collection of short fiction, this was really great. His characters have a depth to them, the writing is sharp with no excess, and both his fantasy and sf are great. He experiments with storytelling in wonderful ways.
Destination: Amalthea by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky
I've read books by them which I really enjoyed (The Dead Mountaineers Inn, Roadside Picnic, Monday Begins on Saturday) so when I saw this hard sf work was available as an ebook at my library I jumped on it. Very disappointing. The translation was really, really bad. If a newly translated version ever comes out I'll give it another shot.
VidUKon from my living room
May. 31st, 2025 05:52 amIn some ways VidUKon has filled the hole left by the death of Vividcon - a plethora of vidshows, a scattering of how-to panels, and hanging out with fellow vid fans & makers (although not quite the same interaction on Discord as in the hotel lobby or con suite). I've had vids at VidUKon for the past several years (usually in themed vid shows, occasionally in premieres). This year I was poking through my old vids for something to submit for Vidder's Choice. I chose my old reframing of Show White as the evil character.
on AO3
on AO3
Books read in April
May. 3rd, 2025 11:18 amMemory's Legion by James S. A. Corey
It's been a long time since I finished reading and watching The Expanse, but somehow I had never read this collection of short stories and novellas. It was fantastic. I'd forgotten how much I love there writing.
Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
I thought I'd read all the Discworld books, but missed this one. I consumed it as a full cast audiobook and it was wonderful.
Service Model and
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky
He's an author I've heard a lot about but never read. Both these are on the Hugo Awards finalist list. I liked them both, but think Service Model worked best for me.
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
Another book on the Hugo list, but I was already planning to read it. I do like her fantasy and this was really great.
The Next Chapter: Writing in Retirement by Julie A. Gorges
I got a review copy of this and found it a bit mixed. She has some really great discussion of traditional vs. self publishing, including very detailed information on pursuing self publishing successfully. But some sections of the book seem to be just lists of inspirational quips with variable usefulness.
A Year in Public Life by Mrs. C. S. [Dorothy] Peel
During World War 1 Peel was appointed to the British Ministry of Food to view conditions around the country, give speeches to encourage voluntary food economy, and work in the development of Public Kitchens (places where working class people could get nutritional hot meals.) Her observations on the class conflicts regarding access to food and account of sexism at the time made her feel surprisingly modern. This wasn't an analysis to the British food economy measures but an anecdote filled record of that year in her life. Really good read.
It's been a long time since I finished reading and watching The Expanse, but somehow I had never read this collection of short stories and novellas. It was fantastic. I'd forgotten how much I love there writing.
Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
I thought I'd read all the Discworld books, but missed this one. I consumed it as a full cast audiobook and it was wonderful.
Service Model and
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky
He's an author I've heard a lot about but never read. Both these are on the Hugo Awards finalist list. I liked them both, but think Service Model worked best for me.
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
Another book on the Hugo list, but I was already planning to read it. I do like her fantasy and this was really great.
The Next Chapter: Writing in Retirement by Julie A. Gorges
I got a review copy of this and found it a bit mixed. She has some really great discussion of traditional vs. self publishing, including very detailed information on pursuing self publishing successfully. But some sections of the book seem to be just lists of inspirational quips with variable usefulness.
A Year in Public Life by Mrs. C. S. [Dorothy] Peel
During World War 1 Peel was appointed to the British Ministry of Food to view conditions around the country, give speeches to encourage voluntary food economy, and work in the development of Public Kitchens (places where working class people could get nutritional hot meals.) Her observations on the class conflicts regarding access to food and account of sexism at the time made her feel surprisingly modern. This wasn't an analysis to the British food economy measures but an anecdote filled record of that year in her life. Really good read.
Books read in March
Apr. 4th, 2025 10:03 amI want to start with one of the best books I've read in quite awhile, Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor. Without spoilers, at its heart this is a book about stories: the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we tell others, and the stories others tell about others.
Doctor Who and the Talons of Weng-Chiang and The Horror of Fang Rock by Terrance Dicks
Talons is an okay adaptation, but The Horror of Fang Rock was an excellent retelling of one my favorite 4th Doctor stories.
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
I picked this up in the New Books section at the library. She's a writer I keep meaning to read and this illustrated short story was really nice.
A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Great book, kind of a gothic horror with a touch of humor centered around a trio of smart, interesting women.
The-Eat-Less-Meat Cookbook by Dorothy Peel
In my ongoing research on food and WWI I cam across this really good British cookbook. This 1918 revised edition reflects the situation in a country that had been at war for four years already.
Dining with the Doctor: The Unauthorized Whovian Cookbook by Chris-Rachel Oseland
She uses humor and love of DW to provide one recipe for each episode in the first 6 seasons of the modern series.
Doctor Who and the Talons of Weng-Chiang and The Horror of Fang Rock by Terrance Dicks
Talons is an okay adaptation, but The Horror of Fang Rock was an excellent retelling of one my favorite 4th Doctor stories.
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
I picked this up in the New Books section at the library. She's a writer I keep meaning to read and this illustrated short story was really nice.
A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Great book, kind of a gothic horror with a touch of humor centered around a trio of smart, interesting women.
The-Eat-Less-Meat Cookbook by Dorothy Peel
In my ongoing research on food and WWI I cam across this really good British cookbook. This 1918 revised edition reflects the situation in a country that had been at war for four years already.
Dining with the Doctor: The Unauthorized Whovian Cookbook by Chris-Rachel Oseland
She uses humor and love of DW to provide one recipe for each episode in the first 6 seasons of the modern series.
Books read in February
Mar. 2nd, 2025 09:06 amAnd Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
I was familiar with the plot, it appears as a trope in numerous tv/movie works: ten people are invited to a remote location and are murdered one by one. I had never actually read the 1939 novel until now. It holds up pretty well.
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
I stumbled on this at the library while looking for something else. Instead of her usual fairy tale adaptions, this novella leans into folk horror. When I finished I found there was a preceding book with this lead character that focused in mycology and body horror. I won't be reading that one.
Doctor Who and the Pyramids of Mars by Terrance Dicks
Really strong adaptation. Dicks adds an opening and a closing scene that really solidifies the story.
Hotel Keepers, Head Waiters and Housekeepers Guide by Tunis G. Campbell
The second cookbook written by a black American writer, this was published in 1949 as a guide to running a first class restaurant. Campbell was a fascinating man and he became a key figure in post-Civil War Georgia.
Snuff by Terry Pratchett
Back in the Spring of 2020 I decided to start reading the Discworld books, starting with a box of assorted titles bought on eBay. Snuff was the first book I read with Sam Vimes and the Watch and solidified him as one of my favorite characters. Now that I'd finished all the books in the series I thought I'd read Snuff. I definitely got more our of the book this time, now that I had more context.
Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
I'd seen this recced a lot this year and, since my Hugo nomination ballot was short on novellas, I gave it a shot. I really, really liked it. A fantastic blend of climate fiction and the supernatural set in post-apocalyptic residential tower built in the Atlantic off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria.
War Cook Book by Mary Sweeny and Linda Purnell
A World War I cookbook, with many of the recipes tested in the University of Kentucky Home Economics Department test kitchens.
I was familiar with the plot, it appears as a trope in numerous tv/movie works: ten people are invited to a remote location and are murdered one by one. I had never actually read the 1939 novel until now. It holds up pretty well.
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
I stumbled on this at the library while looking for something else. Instead of her usual fairy tale adaptions, this novella leans into folk horror. When I finished I found there was a preceding book with this lead character that focused in mycology and body horror. I won't be reading that one.
Doctor Who and the Pyramids of Mars by Terrance Dicks
Really strong adaptation. Dicks adds an opening and a closing scene that really solidifies the story.
Hotel Keepers, Head Waiters and Housekeepers Guide by Tunis G. Campbell
The second cookbook written by a black American writer, this was published in 1949 as a guide to running a first class restaurant. Campbell was a fascinating man and he became a key figure in post-Civil War Georgia.
Snuff by Terry Pratchett
Back in the Spring of 2020 I decided to start reading the Discworld books, starting with a box of assorted titles bought on eBay. Snuff was the first book I read with Sam Vimes and the Watch and solidified him as one of my favorite characters. Now that I'd finished all the books in the series I thought I'd read Snuff. I definitely got more our of the book this time, now that I had more context.
Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
I'd seen this recced a lot this year and, since my Hugo nomination ballot was short on novellas, I gave it a shot. I really, really liked it. A fantastic blend of climate fiction and the supernatural set in post-apocalyptic residential tower built in the Atlantic off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria.
War Cook Book by Mary Sweeny and Linda Purnell
A World War I cookbook, with many of the recipes tested in the University of Kentucky Home Economics Department test kitchens.
Missing Gallifrey One
Feb. 19th, 2025 07:08 amI've never been to the really huge for-profit conventions. My first exposure to cons was with Highlander Worldwide (HLWW) in 2006 in Leeds. A wonderful fanclub run event. I made so many friends there and this led me to the even smaller events run by the the Peter Wingfield Fan Club (PWFC). Until the start of the pandemic these groups and the friends I met there formed the core of my fandom family, even as the events themselves become less frequent.
From these groups I dipped my toe into a number of regional and larger cons. Worldcons, Vividcon, and Gallifrey One ended up being the ones I attended the most. Vividcon died in 2018 and I miss it a lot. Now that I live on the east coast I've found a couple of cons that I like (Long Island Who and Balticon) but haven't made the kinds of friendships that smaller events like HLWW, PWFC and Vividcon made possible.
This year because of really crappy weather and the likelihood of canceled flights making travel a real shitshow, I canceled on my current fav last weekend, Gallifrey One. The same crew of fans have been running Gally since 1991 and at the closing ceremonies it was announced that 2028 was going to be the last one. All things come to an end, but I'm more determined than ever to make the next three Gallys.
From these groups I dipped my toe into a number of regional and larger cons. Worldcons, Vividcon, and Gallifrey One ended up being the ones I attended the most. Vividcon died in 2018 and I miss it a lot. Now that I live on the east coast I've found a couple of cons that I like (Long Island Who and Balticon) but haven't made the kinds of friendships that smaller events like HLWW, PWFC and Vividcon made possible.
This year because of really crappy weather and the likelihood of canceled flights making travel a real shitshow, I canceled on my current fav last weekend, Gallifrey One. The same crew of fans have been running Gally since 1991 and at the closing ceremonies it was announced that 2028 was going to be the last one. All things come to an end, but I'm more determined than ever to make the next three Gallys.
New vid: Hall of the Hot Ones
Feb. 11th, 2025 11:03 amFor over a year I've been thinking about making a Hot Ones vid to Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King, so I very happy to get assigned to nicasio_silang who had requested a Hot Ones vid for Festivids.
on AO3
on AO3
More Festivids recs
Feb. 4th, 2025 10:55 amAbbott Elementary
Things are Gonna Get Easier
Motownphilly
Blackadder
It's the End of the World (and I Feel Fine)
Blazing Saddles
Tightrope
Hot Ones
Hall of the Hot Ones
Severance
Phantom Stranger
Star Trek: Prodigy
The Sky is Calling
The Murderbot Diaries
Next Episode
The Wizard of Oz
Twistin’ the Night Away
Things are Gonna Get Easier
Motownphilly
Blackadder
It's the End of the World (and I Feel Fine)
Blazing Saddles
Tightrope
Hot Ones
Hall of the Hot Ones
Severance
Phantom Stranger
Star Trek: Prodigy
The Sky is Calling
The Murderbot Diaries
Next Episode
The Wizard of Oz
Twistin’ the Night Away
Festivids is live and I received a delightful Delicious in Dungeon vid. This is exactly the vid I wanted, it's like the vidder read my mind!
Lovin' Life
I haven't watched many of the 131 vids, but here are a few recs from what I have seen so far.
For New Life Begins (a show I know nothing at all about there's this great vid about a woman opening her own restaurant
Don't Rain on My Parade
Made with films from the National Film Board of Canada
Movin' Right Along
Some stunning Scavengers Reign vids
Science/Visions
Symbiosis
The World Observed
And a cute vid for the Overcooked game (which I've never played)
Out of the Frying Pan
Lovin' Life
I haven't watched many of the 131 vids, but here are a few recs from what I have seen so far.
For New Life Begins (a show I know nothing at all about there's this great vid about a woman opening her own restaurant
Don't Rain on My Parade
Made with films from the National Film Board of Canada
Movin' Right Along
Some stunning Scavengers Reign vids
Science/Visions
Symbiosis
The World Observed
And a cute vid for the Overcooked game (which I've never played)
Out of the Frying Pan
Books read in January
Feb. 1st, 2025 05:27 amThe Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
A really excellent variant of a time travel book with some very clever writing. Definitely going on my Hugo nomination ballot.
Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks
A serviceable adaptation of a great story.
The Incredible Story of Cooking by Stephane Douay and Benoist Simmat
Telling 500,000 years of global hominid eating habits in a graphic novel format sounds a bit daunting, but they manage to cover a lot with a bit of humor.
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
IDK, I'd seen this highly recommended but it's a guy with little agency bouncing from one bad situation to another following the death of his wife. Do not recommend, but at least I finished it.
I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle
This was a lot of fun. While I'm familiar with the movie of The Last Unicorn, I'd never actually read the it or anything by Beagle. The Dragon book reminded me of the time in the 1980s when fantasy was my comfort read.
The Secret History of Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger
In the 1890s when chemist Ellen Swallow Richards helped to create the field of home economics she thought it could be a way "to improve the home, and thus society, through chemistry." And while that is well documented here, Dreillinger also details the work of Black home economists, like Margaret Murry Washington, and the segregation that was baked into the field. The book shows the ups and downs of the field, and the usurpation of commercial and misogynistic forces in the 1950s that sought to drive down the gains made by women earlier in the 20th century.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans by Agatha Christie
I'd only ever read her Poirot stories so I thought I'd give this a try. It started strong with good chemistry & banter between Frankie and Bobby, the main characters. Unfortunately they spend a lot of the book investigating on their own. Things are so muddled that it takes a 7-page letter from the murderer at the end of the book to explain how and why the murders took place. Do not recommend.
A really excellent variant of a time travel book with some very clever writing. Definitely going on my Hugo nomination ballot.
Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks
A serviceable adaptation of a great story.
The Incredible Story of Cooking by Stephane Douay and Benoist Simmat
Telling 500,000 years of global hominid eating habits in a graphic novel format sounds a bit daunting, but they manage to cover a lot with a bit of humor.
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
IDK, I'd seen this highly recommended but it's a guy with little agency bouncing from one bad situation to another following the death of his wife. Do not recommend, but at least I finished it.
I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle
This was a lot of fun. While I'm familiar with the movie of The Last Unicorn, I'd never actually read the it or anything by Beagle. The Dragon book reminded me of the time in the 1980s when fantasy was my comfort read.
The Secret History of Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger
In the 1890s when chemist Ellen Swallow Richards helped to create the field of home economics she thought it could be a way "to improve the home, and thus society, through chemistry." And while that is well documented here, Dreillinger also details the work of Black home economists, like Margaret Murry Washington, and the segregation that was baked into the field. The book shows the ups and downs of the field, and the usurpation of commercial and misogynistic forces in the 1950s that sought to drive down the gains made by women earlier in the 20th century.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans by Agatha Christie
I'd only ever read her Poirot stories so I thought I'd give this a try. It started strong with good chemistry & banter between Frankie and Bobby, the main characters. Unfortunately they spend a lot of the book investigating on their own. Things are so muddled that it takes a 7-page letter from the murderer at the end of the book to explain how and why the murders took place. Do not recommend.
Section 31 - sigh
Jan. 29th, 2025 09:32 amThe actions of espionage are often referred to as covert ops. That is, operations that are covert or secret. They don't call them secret agents for nothing. In its Star Trek past Section 31 has epitomized that. The Section 31 movie is the polar opposite of covert. The action scenes are large and in your face and demand attention. And the plot, dialogue and characters, not so great either. Could have been a generic SF action film, but didn't feel like Star Trek of any generation.
Books read in December
Dec. 30th, 2024 11:21 amMy book consumption in 2024 was pretty high with 76 books read and 47 books purchased. I've using my local library a lot and also digging through my book stash for unread stuff. In December I read the following.
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
I'd seen a lot of good reviews for this, but it didn't really work for me. The main character seemed to bounce from calamity to calamity with very little agency.
The Future was Now: Madmen, Mavericks, and the Epic Sci-Fi Summer of 1982 by Chris Nashawaty
An interesting look at how SFF and IP franchises came to dominate how movies are greenlit and made.
Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion by Terrance Dicks
I've always liked the 3rd Doctor era and this is a wonderful adaption of his first story, Spearhead from Space. I really like the way Dicks had the Doctor acknowledge Liz Shaw's academic and intellectual credentials in a way that the show did not.
Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks
An okay adaptation of an okay Pertwee story.
The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien
This was my holiday read this year, a wonderful collection of the illustrated letters Tolkien sent to his kids. My son said this book inspired him to send illustrated Santa Claus letters to his girls when they were little.
The Luckiest Guy Alive by John Cooper Clarke
I consumed this as an audio book read by Clarke. Liked it a lot.
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora edited by Sheree T. Thomas
Fantastic anthology. Most of the stories were written for this book and several of the authors were new to me. As a fan of the history of sf, I was especially eager to read the stories from 1880s to 1930s.
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
I'd seen a lot of good reviews for this, but it didn't really work for me. The main character seemed to bounce from calamity to calamity with very little agency.
The Future was Now: Madmen, Mavericks, and the Epic Sci-Fi Summer of 1982 by Chris Nashawaty
An interesting look at how SFF and IP franchises came to dominate how movies are greenlit and made.
Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion by Terrance Dicks
I've always liked the 3rd Doctor era and this is a wonderful adaption of his first story, Spearhead from Space. I really like the way Dicks had the Doctor acknowledge Liz Shaw's academic and intellectual credentials in a way that the show did not.
Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks
An okay adaptation of an okay Pertwee story.
The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien
This was my holiday read this year, a wonderful collection of the illustrated letters Tolkien sent to his kids. My son said this book inspired him to send illustrated Santa Claus letters to his girls when they were little.
The Luckiest Guy Alive by John Cooper Clarke
I consumed this as an audio book read by Clarke. Liked it a lot.
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora edited by Sheree T. Thomas
Fantastic anthology. Most of the stories were written for this book and several of the authors were new to me. As a fan of the history of sf, I was especially eager to read the stories from 1880s to 1930s.
Books read in November
Dec. 4th, 2024 05:32 amDoctor Who and the Dalek Invasion of Earth by Terrance Dicks
A solid novelization of the story. It does seem like Dicks fleshes out the growing relationship between David and Susan a bit, which helps with the ending.
Fission #4: An Anthology of Stories from the British Science Fiction Society edited by Eugen Bacon and Gene Rowe
I picked this up, mainly because Eugen Bacon edited, and it is a solid anthology with many authors who were new to me. I love international anthologies for just this reason - finding new writers. They were from a wide range of Commonwealth nations, kind of like Eugen Bacon herself who was born in Tanzania, lived in the UK, and currently lives in Australia.
Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen by Terrance Dicks
Before the recent animation of the episodes, Dicks' novel was the only way to fully access this story.
Ghostdrift by Suzanne Palmer
The fourth book (and conclusion of) Palmer's Finder Chronicles series. She gives Fergus an ending with hope for his future.
We Solve Murders Richard Osman
Osman takes a break from the Thursday Murder Club with a new odd ball collection of amateur detectives.
Doctor Who and the Wheel in Space by Terrance Dicks
I definitely think this holds together much better than the broadcast story. One notable thing about The Wheel in Space (broadcast in 1968) is the inclusion of three women in leadership or scientific roles on the space station.
A solid novelization of the story. It does seem like Dicks fleshes out the growing relationship between David and Susan a bit, which helps with the ending.
Fission #4: An Anthology of Stories from the British Science Fiction Society edited by Eugen Bacon and Gene Rowe
I picked this up, mainly because Eugen Bacon edited, and it is a solid anthology with many authors who were new to me. I love international anthologies for just this reason - finding new writers. They were from a wide range of Commonwealth nations, kind of like Eugen Bacon herself who was born in Tanzania, lived in the UK, and currently lives in Australia.
Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen by Terrance Dicks
Before the recent animation of the episodes, Dicks' novel was the only way to fully access this story.
Ghostdrift by Suzanne Palmer
The fourth book (and conclusion of) Palmer's Finder Chronicles series. She gives Fergus an ending with hope for his future.
We Solve Murders Richard Osman
Osman takes a break from the Thursday Murder Club with a new odd ball collection of amateur detectives.
Doctor Who and the Wheel in Space by Terrance Dicks
I definitely think this holds together much better than the broadcast story. One notable thing about The Wheel in Space (broadcast in 1968) is the inclusion of three women in leadership or scientific roles on the space station.
Books read in October
Nov. 4th, 2024 02:08 pmUnbecoming a Lady: The Forgotten Sluts and Shrews Who Shaped America by Therese Oneill is a great biography of women who lived life by their own rules.
The Scavenger Door by Suzanne Palmer is the third book in her Finder Chronicles. Fergus Ferguson continues to be an enjoyable character and Palmer's writing pushes the story along at a page-turning pace, even if the plot does seem to revolve around an increasingly improbable bunch of situations.
A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories by Terry Pratchett are short stories that were written under a couple of pen names and published in newspapers where he was working. Pre-Discworld, but showing glimpses of the humor the humor that he would display more fully in his novels.
Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi was a bit of a disappointment. I've loved his sf novels and YA works, but this bloated novel (over 500 pages) was so stuffed full of tedious detail that I found myself skimming the boring bits to places where the plot actually moved along. In a fantasy setting with an Italian renaissance flavor, these seemed to be more political intrigue than actual fantastical elements.
The Globemakers: The Curious Story of an Ancient Craft by Peter Bellerby satisfied my lifelong fascination with maps. Bellerby's narrative takes the reader on his error-strewn quest to learn how to make quality handmade gloves. The book is loaded with photos of him and his staff at work in the studio.
The Scavenger Door by Suzanne Palmer is the third book in her Finder Chronicles. Fergus Ferguson continues to be an enjoyable character and Palmer's writing pushes the story along at a page-turning pace, even if the plot does seem to revolve around an increasingly improbable bunch of situations.
A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories by Terry Pratchett are short stories that were written under a couple of pen names and published in newspapers where he was working. Pre-Discworld, but showing glimpses of the humor the humor that he would display more fully in his novels.
Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi was a bit of a disappointment. I've loved his sf novels and YA works, but this bloated novel (over 500 pages) was so stuffed full of tedious detail that I found myself skimming the boring bits to places where the plot actually moved along. In a fantasy setting with an Italian renaissance flavor, these seemed to be more political intrigue than actual fantastical elements.
The Globemakers: The Curious Story of an Ancient Craft by Peter Bellerby satisfied my lifelong fascination with maps. Bellerby's narrative takes the reader on his error-strewn quest to learn how to make quality handmade gloves. The book is loaded with photos of him and his staff at work in the studio.
Dear Festividder
Sep. 28th, 2024 06:31 amThanks for making my vid, I'm so looking forward to it! In general, I prefer vids that highlight characters, found families or teams. If you can inject some hope or humor in the vid that would be wonderful, but that's not entirely necessary. As for music, I generally do not enjoy metal or country. Also, including occasional dialogue might be okay but I absolutely dnw a vid with constant or frequent source dialogue running throughout.
Dungeon Meshi/Delicious in Dungeon I love the group of adventurers as a team, but would also love a vid focused on monster cooking or on Senshi.
Midsomer Murders I know this source is a big ask (I've vidded it and know just how much source there is to get through), so anything would be great. Seriously.
Wicked Little Letters There's two ways you might go with this. Either focus on Olivia Coleman's fantastic performance as Edith or focus on the group of women around her who band together to prove Edith's guilt.
The Holdovers I would love a vid that focused on how these three characters, all broken in their own way, found healing together during the holidays.
Only Murders in the Building Go wild, run free, and make a crazy vid focusing on Mable, Charles, and Oliver.
Dungeon Meshi/Delicious in Dungeon I love the group of adventurers as a team, but would also love a vid focused on monster cooking or on Senshi.
Midsomer Murders I know this source is a big ask (I've vidded it and know just how much source there is to get through), so anything would be great. Seriously.
Wicked Little Letters There's two ways you might go with this. Either focus on Olivia Coleman's fantastic performance as Edith or focus on the group of women around her who band together to prove Edith's guilt.
The Holdovers I would love a vid that focused on how these three characters, all broken in their own way, found healing together during the holidays.
Only Murders in the Building Go wild, run free, and make a crazy vid focusing on Mable, Charles, and Oliver.
Books read in August
Sep. 2nd, 2024 10:02 amThis month seems like it was dominated by short fiction.
Star Light, Star Bright by Alfred Bester More of Bester's short stories, plus a biographical piece on Isaac Asimov. The most interesting piece was a short autobiography that makes it clear why his work is so different from much of the so-called Golden Age stories. He detested the stuff that was cranked out methodically for most magazines and chose to be more experimental.
A Blink of the Screen: Collected Short Fiction of Terry Pratchett An interesting mix of Discworld and non-Discworld stories.
The President's Kitchen Cabinet by Adrian MIller During my time at the Eisenhower Presidential Library I became fascinated with food served at the White House. Since I retired I've spent quite a bit of time researching the subject, but it's hard to find information about the people other than the head or executive chef who actually did the work. Miller delves deep into the lives of White House African American cooks, both enslaved and free, from Washington through Obama.
Other Aether: Tales of Global Steampunk I got a review copy of the book through Librarything. Since I have been trying to read a lot more international sff, so was looking forward to this but it was not great. Unfortunately, even thought the settings were global all the writers were American.
Star Light, Star Bright by Alfred Bester More of Bester's short stories, plus a biographical piece on Isaac Asimov. The most interesting piece was a short autobiography that makes it clear why his work is so different from much of the so-called Golden Age stories. He detested the stuff that was cranked out methodically for most magazines and chose to be more experimental.
A Blink of the Screen: Collected Short Fiction of Terry Pratchett An interesting mix of Discworld and non-Discworld stories.
The President's Kitchen Cabinet by Adrian MIller During my time at the Eisenhower Presidential Library I became fascinated with food served at the White House. Since I retired I've spent quite a bit of time researching the subject, but it's hard to find information about the people other than the head or executive chef who actually did the work. Miller delves deep into the lives of White House African American cooks, both enslaved and free, from Washington through Obama.
Other Aether: Tales of Global Steampunk I got a review copy of the book through Librarything. Since I have been trying to read a lot more international sff, so was looking forward to this but it was not great. Unfortunately, even thought the settings were global all the writers were American.
Books read in July
Aug. 1st, 2024 05:30 amI did a lot of reading this month, aided in part by a long train trip with plenty of time to read.
Soul Music by Terry Pratchett Okay, but kind of felt like a rehash of plot/character ideas from Mort and Moving Pictures.
Recipes from the World of Tolkein by Robert Tuesley Anderson Anderson's take on what the peoples of Middle Earth would eat. His take on the vegetarian foods Tom Bombadil and Beorn was the most convincing.
The History of Danbury by James Bailey So boring. Glad to put it behind me.
Finder by Suzanne Palmer Although I'd read and enjoyed her short fiction for years I had no idea she had a series of novels that started in 2019. This was a real page turner set in a settlement in the far reaches of the solar system.
The Light Fantastic by Alfred Bester Curious about his short fiction I picked up this collection. All competent, a few outstanding. Only one DNF - a horror novella from 1943.
Food Gifts: 150 Irresistible Recipes for Crafting Personalized Presents by Elle Simone Scot It wasn't the recipes that I liked here, but her great ideas for putting together food gifts. I've got three people on my Christmas list who I normally send food gifts from Harry & David, but I'm going to do something more personal this year.
The Bullet That Missed and The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
The last two books in the Thursday Murder Club series. I love the complex plot/character development that drives these books forward.
Diving the Deep by Suzanne Palmer Set under the ice in on Enceladus, water moon of Saturn, I liked this continuation of the Finder series.
Every Living Thing by James Herriot A great end of the comforting vet series.
Soul Music by Terry Pratchett Okay, but kind of felt like a rehash of plot/character ideas from Mort and Moving Pictures.
Recipes from the World of Tolkein by Robert Tuesley Anderson Anderson's take on what the peoples of Middle Earth would eat. His take on the vegetarian foods Tom Bombadil and Beorn was the most convincing.
The History of Danbury by James Bailey So boring. Glad to put it behind me.
Finder by Suzanne Palmer Although I'd read and enjoyed her short fiction for years I had no idea she had a series of novels that started in 2019. This was a real page turner set in a settlement in the far reaches of the solar system.
The Light Fantastic by Alfred Bester Curious about his short fiction I picked up this collection. All competent, a few outstanding. Only one DNF - a horror novella from 1943.
Food Gifts: 150 Irresistible Recipes for Crafting Personalized Presents by Elle Simone Scot It wasn't the recipes that I liked here, but her great ideas for putting together food gifts. I've got three people on my Christmas list who I normally send food gifts from Harry & David, but I'm going to do something more personal this year.
The Bullet That Missed and The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
The last two books in the Thursday Murder Club series. I love the complex plot/character development that drives these books forward.
Diving the Deep by Suzanne Palmer Set under the ice in on Enceladus, water moon of Saturn, I liked this continuation of the Finder series.
Every Living Thing by James Herriot A great end of the comforting vet series.
A few more VidUKon recs
Jul. 5th, 2024 10:55 amThese excellent vids premiered in a themed vid show.
Do What You Want
Multifandom timeloop vid by cupidsbow
Istanbul Not Constantinople
Fantastic DS9 vid by SweetPollyOliver [obstinatecondolement]
My Love
Lovely vid for the movie Pride by garrideb
Do What You Want
Multifandom timeloop vid by cupidsbow
Istanbul Not Constantinople
Fantastic DS9 vid by SweetPollyOliver [obstinatecondolement]
My Love
Lovely vid for the movie Pride by garrideb
VidUKon premieres recs
Jul. 3rd, 2024 09:33 amI'll probably have more later as I rewatch vids that premiered last weekend, but here are some I really liked.
The Song We Were Singing
Phenomenal Beatles RPF vid
From the Air
Person of Interest Season 4, Episode 11 from The Machine’s POV
The War Was In Color
Multifandom vid of heroic WWII veterans of color.
We Like to Party
The Farscape folks getting frisky
Bigger on the Inside
Doctor Who: 14 and Donna!
The System is Down
Severance: Unusual audio & editing for an unusual source makes a fantastic vid
I’m Unstoppable
Star Wars: The unstoppable life of Leia Organa
Velodrome
Silo - the cycles of living in the silo
The Song We Were Singing
Phenomenal Beatles RPF vid
From the Air
Person of Interest Season 4, Episode 11 from The Machine’s POV
The War Was In Color
Multifandom vid of heroic WWII veterans of color.
We Like to Party
The Farscape folks getting frisky
Bigger on the Inside
Doctor Who: 14 and Donna!
The System is Down
Severance: Unusual audio & editing for an unusual source makes a fantastic vid
I’m Unstoppable
Star Wars: The unstoppable life of Leia Organa
Velodrome
Silo - the cycles of living in the silo
