Life is being a bit bad at the moment in some ways, and predictably I am trying to fix it with new books...

It does help!

Rereading this, and even though it's a reread and I know what's going to happen, I nearly missed a meeting reading “just a few pages“ and getting sucked in... #WyrdandWonder

Light and mostly fluffy and wish fulfillment-y. Though it's called The Afterward, there's a lot of "before" as well. I enjoyed it, but it's a cream puff rather than a meal. #WyrdandWonder

Hmmm. I don't think I'm that interested in the sequel to this. It was predictable, and I didn't admire Helen's choices. Nor does the end feel like she has really made a choice; only necessity has forced her to take this way.

#TBRBingo #WyrdandWonder

There is so much more I want to know about this world, and it's a little info dumpy, but mostly I still enjoyed it very much. The tentative friendship/relationship that evolves between Con and Sunshine is so well done, and Con's vampirism is never romanticised -- he's still scary and unsettling, even as his sense of honour becomes clear.

#WyrdandWonder

There is so much background to this book that's never used. So much we don't ever see about the characters. I always loved that and found it frustrating in equal measure, and I have that feeling again with this reread...

Because there's a sale and my wife is reading the series and loving it and because why not, here are five redemption links to get this book free on UK Kindle:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle/redeem/?t=GSQETH9DQ2ZBAJ5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle/redeem/?t=GSFKD7LYBYAQ7Z5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle/redeem/?t=GSWM3KTPVY8QRFJ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle/redeem/?t=GS4G232JF2R48ZH
https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle/redeem/?t=GSAN8USH4AGA2HZ

Been rediscovering a book that was one of my favourites 10-15 years ago!

Not that I'm reading much today. I've been a little busy graduating. Helen Hippo came with me to see it through. :) After 29 years with me and three degrees, she's a bit battered. [I wish I was smiling better in this picture, but that expression is mostly me trying not to laugh.]

I had a book in my bag the whole time, of course. That's how Littens roll!

#WyrdandWonder I couldn't resist, I went ahead and finished it. Aaaaaah!

(I want Aldasair and Bern to be boyfriends.)

Despite Watson's perennially terrible opinions, the work of Watson, Crick and Franklin is part of what inspired me to take a left turn and study science after I got my two English Lit degrees.

Here's my incredibly apropos BSc graduation present from my wife: pendant and matching earrings.

(From sciencejewelry1824.com/ They're way too persistent with notifs and follow ups, but say no to those and you'll be fine. The jewellery itself is lovely.)

I put this down for a while because it kind of bogged down for me, but I've started up again now. Not quite sure what I think; somewhat depends how things come together in the last 30%.

I accidentally a bookshop today after working 2+ hours more than usual. Between that and my BSc graduation on Friday, and an unexpected £10 reward on my Waterstones card, I deserved these... Right?

Reread! Now I'm ready for The True Queen. Prunella is a delight and the ending is cute.

9th #WyrdandWonder read! Not on my #TBRbingo card at all, but is from the list of 22 I picked for this month. (Did I mention someone bet me I can't finish all 22? Dangerous, I hate not taking bets, though if I want to win I need to read faster!)

#WyrdandWonder #TBRBingo

There goes another! I've been reading this bittily for ages but tonight I just sat down and read until it was over. I thought it came together really well: the misdirection and then the redirection. The writing is awesome -- it reminds me of Raymond Chandler's way of putting his finger on a new way to phrase something that just works (the comparison comes to mind because they're both writing about PIs).

Today's focus, I think. Once I'm caught up with my #bookblanket... which I should totally update you all on with a quick progress pic. I actually got way behind on making motifs and joining them, so it should actually be bigger, but you'll definitely get the idea now!

Rereading! I picked it up to read a couple of pages to gauge how fast I might finish it... looked up 100 pages later. Oops! :D

Bingo! #TBRBingo #WyrdandWonder

Surprisingly, I remembered pretty much everything from reading this a couple of years ago! I love the way Blackthorn and Grim depend on each other in a way that is not romantic or sexual at all. There's a bit of authorial projection in Oran's character/opinions, I think.

I hope the situation with the dog (keeping it vague for spoilers!) is resolved. The resolution here feels unfair.

I got back to this a bit last night, but it turns out I'm now aboooout to run behind on my 22 books for the #WyrdandWonder reading list which I bet someone I could finish, so I really need to step it up tonight! I do wish I'd stop reading a billion and one books at once... but then, I don't really wish that, do I?

Oops, I have not read the first 10 chapters in time for the #WyrdandWonder discussion posts! I have started on that tonight, but wow, 10 chapters is quite a chunk of book. I'm about 50 pages in, and quite prepared to adore Vintage as a character.

I missed the relative date at the start of the prologue and was rather confused by the switch to almost-the-present and then finally the actual present. Anyone else always ignore dates in novels?!

I'm being kind of slow about reading this because I don't like Oran's part of the story that much -- I get kind of second hand embarrassment for the stuff that happens -- but darn I do appreciate the way Grim and Blackthorn support and trust one another; a relationship that's deeply important to both and entirely not about sex or romantic love. I do hope that remains true through the whole trilogy.

This was the most contrary pick to read given my current #TBRBingo, so being me it was obviously what I most felt like reading. I enjoy Miryem and the setting, but these unannounced POV changes are horrible. Especially when Irina suddenly jumped in as well. Is it better in the published book? Marked in some way? (I got the eARC and that's what I'm reading for now till the paperback's out.)

#WyrdandWonder

#NetgalleyReadathon? I'm in. I'm so behind...

This was over quicker than I expected. Ach y fi, despite how short the book is, it quickly set me to wanting a certain outcome -- which I mostly got, but not quite.

A quick read; looking forward to the second volume. #WyrdandWonder #TBRBingo

Oops. Got curious, read on, and then bam! Finished. This is not likely to get my Hugo vote, unless Revenant Gun and Records of a Spaceborn Few are totally shatteringly disappointing, but it's fun and somewhat unique. #WyrdandWonder

I swear I'm not avoiding bingo on purpose... #TBRBingo

Picked this up finally for the #WyrdandWonder readalong! I don't think I'll drag it out and only read it in time for the discussions; doing that never really works for me. First eight chapters: I wish I had a better clue of how to pronounce tribe names and such; I feel so ignorant! (Not that I have a clue how to pronounce some British words and names; perils of learning vocabulary from books.) Obviously there's more to Kai than it seems...

I... Think I enjoyed this?! I found it very frustrating, though, at the end. Thinly veiled Roman/Byzantine Empire setting.

#WyrdandWonder #TBRBingo

I find myself now obsessively wondering whether I'm giving fair value...

#WyrdandWonder #TBRBingo

For the curious, close ups of the bookmarks I stitched for my #SFFS and #MythsandLegendsSwap partners! So much fun to do.

Pattern credits: http://stonedragon.co.uk for the bookshelves, https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Mindyshop2 for the dragon

Each had a story to go with it too. The one about the bookshelf cat is here (with the recipient's permission): https://bluemoontime.wordpress.com/2019/04/19/a-hard-days-work-for-a-very-small-...

My wife's stuffed octopus Sushi is into the book selection here. So excited for Dragon Pearl in particular and YAY! Some Book Depository bookmarks!

Thanks, @TCLinrow, for the box of goodies! And thanks @MeganAnn for running the #MythsandLegendsSwap. 💙

I needed that. Light, fun, easy, epic fight scenes, hilarious banter. I'm excited to reread the other books and finally catch up on the new ones.

Time to have enormous fun with a reread to kick off #WyrdandWonder! "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty..."

I cannot wait for my (knitting fanatic) wife to get to this bit, if she likes Ninefox Gambit enough to read the whole trilogy. 😁

I was just looking at it and then somehow I'd read 100 pages. Guess I'm starting #WyrdandWonder early!

I... Am not in love with the theme of Prudence learning to "order herself meek and lowly". The rest of the book is fine as far as it goes, fairly standard, but...

I can't believe I paused in the middle of this to get distracted. No more! I want to finish this by the start of May to free myself up for @imyril's Wyrd and Wonder fantasy reading month. Also because this book is amazing, of course.

Definitely pop science, liberally sprinkled with "and I got dumped here and this happened to me and here is some filler about my unrelated career", but lots of fascinating stuff all the same.

Still willing to buy one person a UK Kindle copy of this... ?

My #MythsandLegendsSwap box arrived... Wait, @TCLinrow , that you? 😂

@MeganAnn , recording a safe arrival!

Suns out, buns out! I'm in the garden with the two younger ones right now. It's still warm from the day but not too bright, lots of birdsong, and the babies binkying around excitedly as I read. Bliss!

Reading this has so far led to me repeatedly looking up to tell my wife jellyfish facts. Always a good sign when I'm reading non-fiction!

If anyone in the UK with a Kindle wants a copy, I'd like to buy it for someone. If you'd like it, lemme have your email address and I'll get right on it! First request only, unfortunately... :)

@Kaysworld1, the email said it's up to me if I want to reveal myself now, so hi! I just sent out your #MythsandLegendsSwap parcel today. I have a tracking number to keep an eye on it, so let me know if it doesn't show up by the start of next week or so! The return address on the bottom has a return address in Barnsley so you'll know it's the right one that way. 😆

@MeganAnn It's on the way now!

Blurry image captured from my webcam during a coworking chat, and too sweet not to share! #BunniesofLitsy

Good book; frank about the harm humans are doing to the world but evidence-based and common-sensical about how to conserve diversity best.

It's the 18th! Opened my #SFFS #SciFiFantasySwap parcel! Two books from my wishlist, one I've been meaning to read, and FUDGE! 😍

Thank you, @TCLinrow ! And thanks @Avanders as well for running the swap!

My Raven Tower tote is proving to be a good library bag. Full marks. Emphasis on full.

Pretty short and simplistic, really. Carey's good with really clear descriptions -- she nails CRISPR in the simplest way I can think of while being accurate -- but this is very much an overview for a layperson. Kind of disappointing, really.

My new Kindle -- named Immolation Fox for a certain book series -- has a pretty pretty case now! Custom job from the folks at klevercase.com; the 'dedication' and spine title were my choice. 😁

Between my last post and now I blew through to 43% of the book, with some time spent reading Twitter and despairing. But now I have to put both phone and ereader down and sleep. I swear I used to need so much less sleep!

(Wife keeps reminding me I turn 30 this year and must be slowing down. She's a few years older than me, so she'd know...)

Made wife pick which book I'm reading in bed, since I started way too many at once. She told me to get on with this series, so I am diving in. I really don't tear through a single series one after the other as much as I used to. 🤔 I miss that.

@rabbitprincess Here's my British Library Crime Classics owned/unread stack! There's a couple on Kindle Unlimited I have checked out, too...

Biscuit's taken a liking to my Kindle... #BunniesofLitsy

Anyway, enjoying this book-- it's very clear about the impact of the Anthropocene, but also that human habitats are not wastelands. Some life is adapting to us.