Currently Reading
January is half over and I still haven’t finished Dominicana by Angie Cruz – my First Book of the Year!
Recently Read
But that’s partly because I came up on the holds list for Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang, which I hadn’t had a chance to finish last month. I finished that one first so it wouldn’t expire on me again!
I’ve also been dabbling in other bookish hobbies such as working on writing a novel myself (started during NaNoWriMo) and this weekend I attended the virtual Arisia Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention, which has been held every year in Boston since 1990.
I’ve never been to Arisia in real life (I actually hadn’t heard of it before this year!) and while I’m sure the 2021 con would have been more fun in real life – especially for attendees who like to dress up and put on performances – I confess I didn’t miss traveling in and out of Boston on the T in the cold to attend and cheer on two writer buddies who were reading from their work and speaking on panels.
Of course, as with every conference or convention – virtual or not – there were vendors! I bought some paperback copies of books by one of my favorite authors, Connie Willis, from The Mind’s Eye Bookstore. I bought a tea tasting sampler, and a gift to put away for Christmas next year, from Tea and Absinthe.
I also took note of s/f and fantasy reading recommendations (too many to list) and ordered some of them from Barnes & Noble today (the last day of the convention.) I found a new-to-me Massachusetts author who was a guest of honor and featured author at Arisia this year – Suzanne Palmer –and ordered her latest book, Finder.
Locus Magazine review of Finder by Suzanne Palmer
Currently Listening To
The Death of Vivek Oji (Riverhead, 2020) by Akwaeke Emezi is set in Nigeria and is just as amazing as everyone says it is! Heartbreakingly sad at times –as would be expected in a novel about grief and loss – and an exploration into shame, sexual desire, identity, and roles within families and communities.
If you liked Stay with Me (Knopf, 2017) by Ayobami Adebayo, you would probably like The Death of Vivek Oji.
This post is linked to “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Check out the link-up party there for more book lists!
Ed. note — For custom Twitter text at publication or scheduling time: It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? 0-0-21 #IMWAYR @theBookDate
I am really curious about The Death of Vivek Oji. It sounds so interesting! I understand setting aside a read to get to one you have to read on deadline. Hopefully you can jump back into Dominicana if you haven’t already. It sounds like a great book.
I am glad you were able to attend the virtual Arisia Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention. Sounds like you came away with some good book recommendations.
I hope you have a great week. Happy Reading!
I’ve been reading Dominicana a little at a time, but really want to sit down and spend a chunk of time with it. It’s really good, although pretty sad!
I have been to a couple of SF conventions. They were fun. I especially like seeing all the people dressing up. Of course, the vendor’s area was a draw too. Thanks for visiting my blog. Happy reading!
Happy Monday! Good luck writing!!!!! 🙂
Enjoy your books, and good luck with your writing! I wrote my sixth novel after doing NaNoWriMo in 2010!
Thanks for visiting my blog, and hang in there until you can see that Light at the End of the Tunnel!
How did I not know you were a writer? Six novels! Wow! This was my first try at NaNoWriMo. It took me an extra month and a half, but I hit the 50K target this weekend!
I haven’t been to any conventions but I have been to a few literary festivals. It’s always so exciting to see favorite authors speak and get my books signed. I did go to the DragonCon parade in Atlanta while I was in town for the Decatur Book Festival. It was free and I loved seeing everyone’s costumes! I keep thinking that I’ll attend some of these virtual events but I somehow never make the time. I just can’t make myself be interested in videos on my computer or phone.
Enjoy your week!
[…] and finding her adult identity, along the lines of Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang, which I posted about in January. I would have known better had I read the publisher’s […]