- Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao (★★★★★)
- World War Z by Max Brooks (★★★★☆)
- Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid (★★★★★)
- Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho (★★☆☆☆)
- Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin (★★★★☆)
MONTHLY TOTAL: 5
YEARLY SO FAR: 5
An okay start to the reading year in terms of numbers, though I’m already four books behind on my Goodreads challenge, alas. But I read some great books, which is all that matters.
CURRENTLY READING
The goal had been to finish both of these in January, but I…didn’t. I had at least been hoping to finish SERVANT MAGE because it’s so short at 176 pages, but I’m not even halfway through yet.
OTHER READING
ARCHIVE 81 IS A WONDERFULLY CREEPY ODE TO FILM RESTORATION: Loved the show, and this is a great little retrospective about the nostalgic film restoration elements.
THE UNDOING OF JOSS WHEDON: A fantastic example of giving someone a rope to hang themselves with, this article details the downfall of Joss Whedon, once thought a kind of Feminist God in fandom spaces.
INTRODUCING TOR’S FIRST GUEST EDITOR RF KUANG: I adore RF Kuang and she’s going to be a guest editor for Tor!
HOW TUMBLR BECAME POPULAR FOR BEING OBSOLETE: Just a little old article about how Tumblr is attracting new users because of its simplicity and clunkiness, though I think it’s really all about nostalgia for the Old Internet.
FILM & TV
These were all…fine? I had hoped to be terrified by THE WRETCHED and THE TAKING OF DEBORAH LOGAN but both were meh. THE GUILTY had a pretty good twist but I saw it coming.
My brother let me know about this comedy special; Mo Amer is one of the actors on the TV show RAMY. This was also okay. Some relatable moments, but nothing to write home about.
I binged ARCHIVE 81 in two days. It’s appropriately creepy and nostalgic, with some great cosmic horror vibes, and an entire flashback episode set in the 1920s which was an unexpected delight. I’m happy to see Dina Shihabi in a starring role too!
MISC/LIFE/WRITING
You might notice this wrap-up is a little sparser than my usual ones, and it’s partly because I’m on vacation in Egypt visiting family, but also because I’m just so, so tired. I don’t know if it’s because I’m on vacation and being more active than usual or if it’s the progression of my illness or if it’s both combined, but my brain fog is at an all time high, as is my exhaustion. I’m literally falling asleep involuntarily in the middle of the day, which means I barely get any reading done, and I haven’t opened up my manuscript in about a month. But I’m having a good time visiting family and going to places in Egypt, so it’s a give and take, I suppose!
Hadeer Elsbai 