Short Stories I Read In March

 

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

The Pigeon Keeper’s Daughter by Su-Yee Lin (Strange Horizons; Issue: 7 March 2022)

The first short story I tackled in March was The Pigeon Keeper’s Daughter. This was an interesting story. Set in Taipei, it’s about the daughter of a pigeon keeper going about her daily life until she begins to notice strange happenings surrounding her (it involved birds). There were a lot of metaphorical moments as well as political messaging woven into the story alongside the light fantasy parts. I liked this one.

The Kaleidoscopic Visitor by Shaoni C. White (Uncanny Magazine; Issue Forty-Five)

The second and last short story I read in March was Shaoni C. White’s The Kaleidoscopic Visitor. This was another good one. It’s well written with a clear theme, and I liked what they did with the titular Kaleidoscopic Visitor.

From Around the Web…

• Our Opinions Are Correct Episode #101: Hell Yeah, We Want To Change the Timeline!
• Print Run Podcast Episode 147: Publishing’s Great Resignation
• Writing Horses: Bridles and Bits and Getting the Details Right (Judith Tarr; Tor.com, March 7, 2022)
• Print Run Podcast Episode 148: All the Wrong Lessons
• Good Things Come In Small Packages: The Fabulous Flight by Robert Lawson (Alan Brown; Tor.com, March 16, 2022)
• Author Spotlight: Maria Dong (Lightspeed Magazine; March 2022 (Issue 142)
• Our Opinions Are Correct Episode #102: Money is a Fantasy
• The Curse of Good Representation (Ashia Monet; March 24, 2022)

I Listened to Crash by Charli XCX

 

Charlie XCX is one of those artists where I know that whatever they put out, it’s probably going to be a good listening experience. With features including Rina Sawayama, Christina and the Queens, and Caroline Polachek, Crash—Charli XCX’s 2022 album—finds it stride and keeps it as it bops along to beats that can feel somewhat familiar without losing the edge that makes them enjoyable. 

Crash feels like a love letter to Pop and Electro-Pop, reminding me of some hits from the early 2000s. But Charli XCX puts enough of a spin to these sounds that makes the album current while it visits the past. It was a good combination, and it suited the vocals and lyrics.

The titular Crash drops right into the album, while Twice closes out the track list on a memorable note. Some of my favorite songs include Yuck, Lightning, and Beg For You featuring Rina Sawayama. Overall though, I really liked what Crash offered, and I know I’ll have this album on repeat for a while.

Music Monday (196): Banks, Harry Styles

 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: And I'm back from my break. While I've been away from the blog, I've been listening to a lot of music, and some of the new songs on my playlist are from Banks's new album, Serpentina. I really like it, but more on that on a different post. One of my favorite songs is Unleavable.

 

Andrea: Hi all! Over the past couple of weeks, I've spent time listening to Coachella's livestream. That's how I discovered Harry Styles' music. I have to say that Styles' performance was phenomenal, and I absolutely love his song, Sign Of  The Times. Well that's it for now. I hope everyone has an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

Break Notice

I'm taking a short break from blogging. I'll be back next week starting with a new Music Monday post. Until then, happy reading! 

The Friday 56 (215) & Book Beginnings: The Purgatorio by Dante Alighieri

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

In The Inferno, Dante describes his journey to the depths of evil, to the recognition of the true nature of sin. In The Purgatorio, he describes his journey to the renunciation of sin, accepting his suffering in preparation for his coming into the presence of God. This brilliant translation of Dante's soaring canticle crystallizes the power and beauty inherent in the great poet's immortal conception of the aspiring soul.

Beginning: "For better waters no the little bark

of my indwelling powers raises her sails,

and leaves behind that sea so cruel and dark."

56: "That one who comforts him ruled formerly

the land where rise the waters that flow down 

the Moldau to the Elbe to the sea."

Comments: I finally got around to The Purgatorio. I'm officially two thirds of the way through The Divine Comedy, and I'm really enjoying it so far. What are you reading this week?