Standing here solidly on my own two hands and going crazy

 

I meant to to get to this a few days ago. Really.

It's the 'thing' to do, right? A reflection post, all the stuff you've done/seen/consumed?

 

I can't promise a complete list, but here we go.

 

Books

 

I read a lot. I mean, a lot.

 

I use GoodReads to keep track of my reading - it's useful for things like "oh, this book sounds interesting, lemme check my GR list and see if I've read this author before". 

 

I also do the reading challenge; last year, I set 160 books as my goal.

I ended the year with 207 read.  

48,852 pages read.  Some of them didn't suck. There were definitely some stinkers, but that's all part of the joy of reading.  Finding the jewels among the rocks.

TV

I'm watching less TV every year. Part of it stems from Alex essentially commandeering the screen for video games, but honestly, what I want to watch is narrowing. I don't want to give my free time to unpleasant people. So that eliminates a ...lot. 

I thought Ms. Marvel was fantastic.  She-Hulk was a delight. Moon Knight was...ok, but I was coming into the series with zero knowledge of the character (other than a panel or two in a Wolverine comic). 

I loved Dalgliesh! Because it was set in the 1970s, I was worried, going in, that it was be 'gritty' and unpleasant, but it's actually quite beautiful. Smart and thoughtful. So glad we're getting two more seasons. 

I watched a slightly silly but charming series called Recipes for Love & Murder.  Cozy mystery plus food porn. 

I also enjoyed Queens of Mystery - I can best describe it as if Murder, She Wrote and Midsomer Mysteries had a fling with Pushing Daisies. 

And, of course, lots and lots and lots of baseball. So much baseball.  

Films

Not nearly as much to report here. And there's the issue of 'what is time? aka When did I actually watch this thing?'

I did just see Glass Onion!  Oh, what a brilliant movie. It's been days and I'm still thinking about it.

Holy crap. Is that the only thing I watched? Or at least, the only 'new' movie I watched. Yikes. 

I'm still waiting for things like Everything Everywhere All At Once and Wakanda Forever, and I'm sure there a handful of others I meant to watch eventually.  I'm often too tired and/or in pain to sit through a film, alas.  

Misc

Otherwise, I'm still here!  That's an accomplishment.  I'm still doing the cooking and baking.  Still being adored by the dogs. 

I don't 'do' resolutions, though I'm cool with "I'd like to's".  

So, this year: more books, obviously.  Books keep me going. Always have. 

More hobbies!  Not sure what they'll be, but I need to get the brain engaged.  The body may not work as it should, but the mind (mostly?!) does. 

Finish the current WIP.  This book is good. I can feel it. And it needs to be written.  I just need to get past my crippling low self-esteem and imposter syndrome. Definitely a goal. 

 

I guess that's it? Maybe finish with some pics of the dogs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labels: books, dogs, life, movies, TV, updates

I thought, since it's been ages since we've talked, and as we could all use some good stuff in our lives right now, I'd share some things I've been loving.

Nothing too terribly 'new', maybe, but all excellent!

(I'm not going to link to sellers, but check out independent ones if you can. Bezos has enough of our money.)

Books

Storykiller - Kelly Thompson

This book. Oh, my gosh.  Easily one of my favorites.  I put it up there with Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series.
Where fictional characters are real, and so is the danger.  But full of fun and snark .

Alif the Unseen - G. Willow Wilson

I'm not even sure how to describe this one, but it's deep and intense, and beautiful. 

The Lois Lane trilogy - Gwenda Bond

A YA series, set when Lois moves to Metropolis.  And her investigative reporter instincts are firmly in place.
Oh, and there's this 'Smallville' guy she met online...


Moving on to comics!

Saga - Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples

Such a gorgeous series, with fascinating, complicated characters.  And Lying Cat!

Velvet - Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting

This one; oh my.  I love this book so much, even if we have to wait for the next arc!

Secrets, spies, intrigue.  Older (meaning, not 20) woman being amazing. 

Lazarus - Greg Rucka and Michael Lark

Ooh.  A little too on the nose right now, but maybe that's what we need.

A (possible) look at our future, where a few wealthy families own everything, resources are scarce, and people are are considered 'waste'. 

Bitch Planet - Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Landro

Another one that might be hard to read right now, but also one that NEEDS to be read. 
 
Men have all the power, and women have to fall in line - or be sent to Bitch Planet.  Scary how real it feels right now!


Ok, moving on.

TV

So many good shows out there now!

Wynonna Earp

If you follow me on social media, you know this show is my jam. 

It sounds wacky and impossible, but it's funny and clever, inclusive and compelling. And has the best, most uplifting fanbase I've ever encountered.

Killjoys 

Space! Adventure! Lots of ladies being awesome!  What more do you need?

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries 

I'm sure everyone's heard of it by now, but it's truly a fantastic series (loosely based on the books by Kerry Greenwood).
And you've just enough time to binge the series (3 seasons) before the movie's released!

Legends of Tomorrow

Yep, it's a superhero show, but not like any you've seen before. 

I always tell people to stick with it; the first season is a bit clunky, and it's clear they weren't sure where they were going. 
But then? They embrace the weird and wacky, and it never fails to delight. 


 Movies

 I don't get out much these days, so my movie-watching is limited.  

But!

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harly Quinn

What a riot!  So much fun.  The action was amazing, the ladies were seriously kick-ass, and I cannot wait to watch again (which I will be doing on the 24th).  

I am very much looking forward to the new Wonder Woman film, too.

Ok; that's it for now!

Let me know what you've been enjoying.  

Labels: books, Killjoys, Legends of Tomorrow, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, movies, TV, Wynonna Earp