Shot Stories I Read In May

It’s the twenty-ninth of June, so it’s time to talk about the short stories, miscellaneous posts, and podcast episodes I read or listened to in May.

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells (Tor.com, April 19, 2021)

Toward the end of April, there were two short stories I wanted to read but never got around to. The first of them was a story by Martha Wells set in the Murderbot Diaries universe—and taking place just after the fourth novella—called Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory. The perspective of the story is from Dr. Mensah’s POV, and it was great to get into the mind of a different character from this series—especially one who is one of my favorites. This story primarily dealt with the emotional toll on Mensah from the events of the story, as well as questions surrounding SecUnit’s continued presence on Preservation Aux. This story is just excellent. And given that this takes place well into the series, there are spoilers for the first four novellas.

The Angel of Khan el-Khalili by P. Djèlí Clark (Tor.com, April 28, 2021)

The second short story I mentioned above dropped right at the end of April, on the twenty-eighth. P. Djèlí Clark’s, The Angel of Kahn el-Khalili, is set in the same world as the Master of Djinn, and wow this was a fantastic story. There were descriptors that hearken back to the author’s previous works in this world such as The Haunting of Tram Car 015—one of my favorite reads from last year. In the Angel of Khan el-Khalili, there are two sisters, one is going to ask for a favor—a miracle instead of a wish—and the other who we’re told is dying isn’t actually seen except for in exposition. Stories that deal with wishes (or feats that are kind of like them) can go either way, good or bad, and the price for it can be anything. I liked Clark’s interpretation of this. From the first sentence to the last, P. Djèlí Clark created an engrossing story that was steeped in magic and history against the backdrop of a richly detailed and steampunk-esque setting.

From around the web…

• So Much Story, So Little Page Count: Andre Norton’s Dare to Go A-Hunting (Judith Tarr; Tor.com, May 10, 2021)
• Fangirl Happy House Episode #134—The Eternal Discourse
• How to Pay Attention: Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi (Leah Schnelbach; Tor.com, May 12, 2021)
• A Love Letter to Libraries (E. Lily Yu; Uncanny Magazine)
• Understanding Horses: Living in the World (Judith Tarr; Tor.com, May 17, 2021)

Music Monday (162): Zella Day, H.E.R., Nova Twins

 Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Zella Day released a new song, and no one told me about it. I didn't even get a recommendation for it (Spotify, you've failed me). Anyway, I like Dance For Love. 

 

I've also been listening to some of H.E.R.'s new music. One of my favorite songs so far is called We Made It, which comes from H.E.R.'s debut studio album, Back Of My Mind (2021).

 

Adri: This week I 'm listening to Play Fair and Athena by Nova Twins. I found them some time ago through a comment section. And they recently released their debut album, Who Are the Girls?. All I have to say is that I love their music soooo much.

What are you listening to this week?

I Listened to 2000AND4EVA by Bree Runway

There has been a trend in music lately where some familiar sounds from the eighties, nineties, and early two thousands are being revisited. Yet not just revisited, but also given a fresh spin. You can find it with Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa, and Laura Mvula’s latest singles to name a few. One mixtape that I’ve been listening to that also follows that trend is Bree Runway’s 2020 album: 2000AND4EVA. As the name of it suggests, this mixtape is peak early two thousands energy, and I love it.

Bree Runway has a track record of always delivering catchy hits like What Do I Tell My Friends, Big Racks featuring Brook Candy, 2ON, and All Night. 2000AND4EVA follows in those footsteps. With nine songs, the mixtape takes a twenty-one minute drive through music from the last decade. Yet it doesn’t feel stale. Bree Runway’s vocals are great here, and I enjoyed the full track list. The theme of the mixtape came through strongest in songs like Damn Daniel featuring Yung Baby Tate, both versions of LITLLE NOKIA, Rolls Royce, and ATM featuring Missy Elliott.

My overall impression of 2000AND4EVA is a positive one. It’s a strong collection of music from Bree Runway, and if you’ve liked music from this artist before then you won’t be disappointed with this one. 

  

Music Monday (161): Simon Neil, Laura Mvula, Maroon 5, Megan Thee Stallion, Copyright, Kathy Brown

 Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: There has been so many new songs lately, and I feel like I can't keep up with it all. I really have to pick and choose what I'm going to talk about and when I'm going to do it. For today, I decided to stick to a familiar artist and a cover by someone who's new to me. 

As I've said before, I'm really excited for Laura Mvula's upcoming album. It's not out yet, but last week she released another song from it. What Matter's is a duet, and it's one of my favorites so far. When I found out who the second artist on the track was (Simon Neil), I stumbled onto this cover he did for Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill.

 

Adri: Another reprise. It is Never Again by Kathy Brown and Copyright. Last week I mentioned it in my reply to Greg, but I wanted to say it again. Reprises are my favorite because they are extended versions of songs. I really wish more songs had them. And even though this song is already long, as you may know, I love long songs.

Andrea: Hi all! I'm listening to Lost by Maroon 5 and Beautiful Mistakes by Maroon 5 featuring Megan Thee Stallion. Have an amazing week all!

 

What are you listening to?

ARC Review: She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson

Title: She Memes Well
Series: n/a
Author: Quinta Brunson
Source/Format: Netgalley; eARC
More Details: Nonfiction; Essays
Publisher/Publication Date: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; June 15, 2021

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

From comedian Quinta Brunson comes a deeply personal and funny collection of essays featuring anecdotes about trying to make it when you’re broke, overcoming self-doubt and depression, and how she’s used humor to navigate her career in unusual directions... 

Quinta Brunson is a master of viral Internet content: without any traditional background in media, her humorous videos were the first to break through on Instagram’s platform, receiving millions of views. From there, Brunson’s wryly observant POV attracted the attention of BuzzFeed’s motion picture development department, leading her to produce viral videos there about topics like interracial dating, millennial malaise, and seeing your ex in public. Now, Brunson is bringing her comedic chops to the page in She Memes Well, an earnest, laugh-out-loud collection about her weird road to Internet notoriety. In her debut essay collection, Quinta applies her trademark humor and heart to discuss what it was like to go from student loan debt-broke to “halfway recognizable—‘don’t I know you somewhere?’” level-of-fame. With anecdotes that range from the funny and zany—like her experience trying to find her signature hairstyle—to more grounded material about living with depression, Brunson’s voice is entirely authentic and eminently readable. Perfect for fans of Phoebe Robinson’s You Can’t Touch My Hair, Samantha Irby’s We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, and Issa Rae’s The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, She Memes Well will charm and entertain a growing, engaged audience.

It’s been some time since I last read an essay collection. My typical nonfiction reads are science or history based. Yet, I was looking for something I hadn’t read in a while. I remember Quinta Brunson best through her internet content. I’ve seen the memes and I’ve watched the videos, which garnered my interest in her essay collection, She Memes Well.

Essays can come from a deeply personal place, especially when they are autobiographical. She Memes Well falls firmly within that category, and I have to say that it was a good collection of essays. It was a thoughtful exploration of many topics, and the overall reaction I had to it was a positive one. Brunson wrote (at length) about the people and experiences that were integral to her. Often times, this included—but wasn’t limited to—reminiscing about the ups and the downs throughout her life through topics ranging from her early education and childhood to the beginnings of her career.

She Memes Well proved to be the perfect fit for a weekend read. And if you’re a fan of Brunson’s work, I high recommend this one. 

About the author....

QUINTA BRUNSON is an actor, producer, and stand-up comedian. She's been named one of Forbes's "30 Under 30" and has been featured in Vogue,People,Essence, the Hollywood Reporter, and elsewhere for her pioneering work in comedy. She plays a lead role in the HBO sketch series A Black Lady Sketch Show. Born in Philadelphia, she currently lives in Los Angeles.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) via Netgalley for this review, thank you!