It has to be better than the one we just had. Am I right?
In celebration of 2021 and fresh starts, I'm giving away more free fiction to my newsletter subscribers. This one's a dark Little Red Riding Hood retelling with a twist – perfect for a chilly winter night.
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What I’m Reading
The Rage of Dragons:Evan Winter (Orbit, 2020). Pitched as Game of Thrones meets Gladiator, fantasy fans everywhere were raving about this one so I had to read it for myself. After a bit of what I felt was a slow start, this story unfolded into a gripping, page-turning work of high fantasy. If you’re a fan of traditional epic fantasy, I’m certain you’ll love it.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette?: Maria Semple (Back Bay Books, 2013). I’m still working on reading more genres outside of Science Fiction and Fantasy. This one was recommended to me by an industry professional for its clever use of mixing epistolary storytelling with first person narration. Filled with witty satire, the novel’s mystery revolves around a once-famous architect who abruptly disappears, leaving her eccentric family to track her down. It has a fairly ambiguous ending, so if you don’t care for that, this book may not be for you. The novel was the inspiration for the 2019 movie of the same name, starring Cate Blanchett.
What I’m Watching
The holidays are my favorite time to binge watch! I’m continuing to enjoy The Expanse. I’ve also added the delightfully hilarious The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the gritty Preacher, based on the Vertigo comic, to the mix. I’m loving them all.
Kid Update
I convinced the child to go outside in the snow despite his pre-teen protests with miraculous results!
Cat Update
Mrs. Norris managed to stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve and enjoyed wearing this festive hat. Okay, that’s a lie. She didn’t enjoy the hat at all.
Plant Update (yes, you read that right)
Several plants have been added to the family in an attempt to add some cheer to Covid lockdown. Our peace lily came with a snail friend who has tried to escape twice, and has been rescued twice.
After bringing this darling home (picture below), we discovered it’s called an Old Lady Cactus. We named her Sharon.
Also, two plants decided to bloom in honor of New Year’s Day, including my spider plant which I’ve had for years and has never flowered. I’m hoping it’s a good omen.
