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Hello! I'm Lia!
I mostly lurk here, and on Twitter, and on Tumblr.
I post about what I'm reading and not much else, but that's subject to change once I'm less new to Dreamwidth.
Feel free to say hi!
february 2025 roundup
Mar. 1st, 2025 04:17 amI really didn't read all that much in February. Here's an assortment of things:
Being an Asian Southerner Means Being an Anomaly, Squared
I like to read things about being Asian in America (see Disorientation from last month) but it's rare that I'm not disappointed by what the author has to say. This was a pretty unique read about a flavor of Asian-America I'm not familiar with, and I'd really like to pick up the book it's from.
Peking Duck
Reading the above essay sparked some discussion that reminded me about this short story by Ling Ma. I like what it says about being Chinese-American and the stories we tell about that experience.
The Flower That Bloomed Nowhere
This one only half counts for February because it's a serial that I've been reading for quite a while now. If you're familiar with Umineko, or any other extraordinarily long and complicated mystery narratives possible in visual novel form....... A short description is that a class of students studying methods of immortality go on a retreat and then they all die. I'm not smart enough for the mystery stuff but it's been fun to follow along. It's here because the writer recently announced that she's working on converting it into a visual novel, which is very exciting.
Asunder by Kerstin Hall
I picked this up because it was very well reviewed in 2024, and it turns out that my favorite trope of body sharing remains my favorite trope. ( spoilers )
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Fantasy is dead, fantasy lives on. This took me a month to finish after reaching the endgame because I just didn't want it to end. Great videogame, I will be buying it again when Atlus rereleases the same game but more in a few years. This is a game with the premise of what if the moon from Majora's Mask suddenly demanded democratic elections. I promise, it's a great story. ( huge mid-game spoilers )
Being an Asian Southerner Means Being an Anomaly, Squared
I like to read things about being Asian in America (see Disorientation from last month) but it's rare that I'm not disappointed by what the author has to say. This was a pretty unique read about a flavor of Asian-America I'm not familiar with, and I'd really like to pick up the book it's from.
Peking Duck
Reading the above essay sparked some discussion that reminded me about this short story by Ling Ma. I like what it says about being Chinese-American and the stories we tell about that experience.
The Flower That Bloomed Nowhere
This one only half counts for February because it's a serial that I've been reading for quite a while now. If you're familiar with Umineko, or any other extraordinarily long and complicated mystery narratives possible in visual novel form....... A short description is that a class of students studying methods of immortality go on a retreat and then they all die. I'm not smart enough for the mystery stuff but it's been fun to follow along. It's here because the writer recently announced that she's working on converting it into a visual novel, which is very exciting.
Asunder by Kerstin Hall
I picked this up because it was very well reviewed in 2024, and it turns out that my favorite trope of body sharing remains my favorite trope. ( spoilers )
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Fantasy is dead, fantasy lives on. This took me a month to finish after reaching the endgame because I just didn't want it to end. Great videogame, I will be buying it again when Atlus rereleases the same game but more in a few years. This is a game with the premise of what if the moon from Majora's Mask suddenly demanded democratic elections. I promise, it's a great story. ( huge mid-game spoilers )
january 2025 reading roundup
Feb. 3rd, 2025 12:49 amthought i might revive posting here. i don't have too much time to read lately, or it comes and goes in waves, so i'll see if a monthly cadence will work. there will be some spoilers.
( books i read in january... )
( books i read in january... )
(no subject)
Sep. 16th, 2020 05:14 pmhello. back again after a while. i was still here but had no motivation to post. let's try this again.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Dark Forest, by Liu Cixin
Read this back in early August. I liked it more than I liked Three-Body Problem, and I think it was the amount of theorizing on interstellar sociology. And a much more traditional type of story shape as well. I mostly don't agree with the interstellar sociology conclusions, but I can see where they come from and reading the interviews that Liu has been getting recent flak on fits together in my head. The hard sci-finess of it wore on me and I didn't realize until I was done, but it is quite a cynical way of looking at cultures. Also, the misogyny... the misogyny.
Vagabonds, by Hao Jingfang
Finished this last week, and I liked it a lot. It's very clearly a story about how two cultures that are vastly different can see each other, interact with each other, attempt to influence each other, etc. One is closer to a socialist/academic's dream and the other is extremely capitalist, but critiques of both systems arise from the experiences of the main character and her friends, who were born on Mars (socialist) and spent a significant amount of their lives on Earth (capitalist). I keep thinking about how there are people in both cultures who want their own to behave more like the other, but due to the shape of society and the ways in which it is entrenched within cultural attitudes, it's nearly impossible to make that change happen. Relevant, I think, in both directions.
What I'm Currently Reading
Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel
Book club chose this on my suggestion (with the warning that it features a pandemic). I attempted to start reading it several months ago and promptly quit after the first part. I think I'm good now, though.
Comics?
( Comics. )
What I'm Reading Next
Just got The Memory Police, by Yoko Ogawa off of hold. I also have Broken Stars, edited/translated by Ken Liu, which I should get to first.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Dark Forest, by Liu Cixin
Read this back in early August. I liked it more than I liked Three-Body Problem, and I think it was the amount of theorizing on interstellar sociology. And a much more traditional type of story shape as well. I mostly don't agree with the interstellar sociology conclusions, but I can see where they come from and reading the interviews that Liu has been getting recent flak on fits together in my head. The hard sci-finess of it wore on me and I didn't realize until I was done, but it is quite a cynical way of looking at cultures. Also, the misogyny... the misogyny.
Vagabonds, by Hao Jingfang
Finished this last week, and I liked it a lot. It's very clearly a story about how two cultures that are vastly different can see each other, interact with each other, attempt to influence each other, etc. One is closer to a socialist/academic's dream and the other is extremely capitalist, but critiques of both systems arise from the experiences of the main character and her friends, who were born on Mars (socialist) and spent a significant amount of their lives on Earth (capitalist). I keep thinking about how there are people in both cultures who want their own to behave more like the other, but due to the shape of society and the ways in which it is entrenched within cultural attitudes, it's nearly impossible to make that change happen. Relevant, I think, in both directions.
What I'm Currently Reading
Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel
Book club chose this on my suggestion (with the warning that it features a pandemic). I attempted to start reading it several months ago and promptly quit after the first part. I think I'm good now, though.
Comics?
( Comics. )
What I'm Reading Next
Just got The Memory Police, by Yoko Ogawa off of hold. I also have Broken Stars, edited/translated by Ken Liu, which I should get to first.
wednesday reading
Jul. 15th, 2020 11:06 pmit's been several weeks since I last did one of these. I have been consuming media of various forms, but work leaves me a pile of sludge at the end of each day.
What I Just(-ish) Finished Reading
Network Effect, by Martha Wells
I think at this point I can say that I just really like the tone and style of Wells's work. In the end, how the alien virus(?) worked confused me, but all the other stuff about connections and relationships was great.
The Serpent Sea, by Martha Wells
Also liked this, hah.
The Empress of Salt and Fortune, by Nghi Vo
I keep saying this, but I also really liked this a lot! Tender... I'll probably keep an eye out for more works by Vo.
The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison
Enjoyed the politics of this the most, although I very much wanted to know more about Maia's guards. The honorifics were confusing but I think I started grasping them around halfway through.
Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee
A long read, but pretty rewarding. Definitely enlightening about discrimination against ethnic Koreans living in Japan, and how it surfaced over generations.
Middlegame, by Seanan McGuire
( Math complaints. So many math complaints. )
The Dragon Republic, by R.F. Kuang
( Also not for me. )
What I'm Reading Now
Comics, probably, but I have very few thoughts this week. I'm impressed with Empyre for sprinting straight past Kree-Skrull vs Cotati all the way to the main antagonist, instead of tossing us around for a couple issues, I guess?
What I'm Reading Next
Vagabonds, by Hao Jingfan.
What I Just(-ish) Finished Reading
Network Effect, by Martha Wells
I think at this point I can say that I just really like the tone and style of Wells's work. In the end, how the alien virus(?) worked confused me, but all the other stuff about connections and relationships was great.
The Serpent Sea, by Martha Wells
Also liked this, hah.
The Empress of Salt and Fortune, by Nghi Vo
I keep saying this, but I also really liked this a lot! Tender... I'll probably keep an eye out for more works by Vo.
The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison
Enjoyed the politics of this the most, although I very much wanted to know more about Maia's guards. The honorifics were confusing but I think I started grasping them around halfway through.
Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee
A long read, but pretty rewarding. Definitely enlightening about discrimination against ethnic Koreans living in Japan, and how it surfaced over generations.
Middlegame, by Seanan McGuire
( Math complaints. So many math complaints. )
The Dragon Republic, by R.F. Kuang
( Also not for me. )
What I'm Reading Now
Comics, probably, but I have very few thoughts this week. I'm impressed with Empyre for sprinting straight past Kree-Skrull vs Cotati all the way to the main antagonist, instead of tossing us around for a couple issues, I guess?
What I'm Reading Next
Vagabonds, by Hao Jingfan.
wednesday reading
Jun. 17th, 2020 09:55 pmI've been so busy that i haven't had any time to read lately... I keep thinking if I don't look at the growing list of books coming off of the waitlist, I can keep pretending I'm still waiting for them. And various bad things made my brain go nope yesterday, ha!
What I Just Finished Reading
Yeah, that's a no from me.
What I'm Reading Now
Broken Stars, by several authors, translated by Ken Liu
Still making my way through this, going about a story per night. Nothing has quite stuck with me.
Comics
Ironheart 2020 #2
I liked it? Too bad I can't remember what the heck is going on with Outlawed, much less how it works with IM 2020. Guessing that Riri's shelved for a while now, which I'm not terribly enthused about.
What I'm Reading Next
No clue.
What I Just Finished Reading
Yeah, that's a no from me.
What I'm Reading Now
Broken Stars, by several authors, translated by Ken Liu
Still making my way through this, going about a story per night. Nothing has quite stuck with me.
Comics
Ironheart 2020 #2
I liked it? Too bad I can't remember what the heck is going on with Outlawed, much less how it works with IM 2020. Guessing that Riri's shelved for a while now, which I'm not terribly enthused about.
What I'm Reading Next
No clue.
thursday reading
Jun. 11th, 2020 11:54 pmi was so tired yesterday that i fell asleep while reading...
What I Just Finished Reading
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong
Tender, poetic, made me sad. Between the autofictional narration and the looming background of the Vietnam War, I was thinking about The Things They Carried throughout, although it isn't as pointed as The Things They Carried with regards to the autofictional part. Not that I know if this was even intentionally a response to that book.
What I'm Reading Now
Broken Stars, by several authors, translated by Ken Liu
Still very early in this. "Goodnight Melancholy", by Xia Jia, (can also be read at Clarkesworld) was odd, since I did a lot of classwork on Turing last semester. "Moonlight", by Liu Cixin, seems to be generally well received but I thought the time travel aspect was done. Although I don't know if there are many time travel stories that feel satisfying to me. Maybe the rise of cnovel/cdrama fandom has spoiled me, but I wish I could find these in the original Chinese, if only to look into a couple things I found strange.
What I'm Reading Next
It's looking like Network Effect.
What I Just Finished Reading
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong
Tender, poetic, made me sad. Between the autofictional narration and the looming background of the Vietnam War, I was thinking about The Things They Carried throughout, although it isn't as pointed as The Things They Carried with regards to the autofictional part. Not that I know if this was even intentionally a response to that book.
What I'm Reading Now
Broken Stars, by several authors, translated by Ken Liu
Still very early in this. "Goodnight Melancholy", by Xia Jia, (can also be read at Clarkesworld) was odd, since I did a lot of classwork on Turing last semester. "Moonlight", by Liu Cixin, seems to be generally well received but I thought the time travel aspect was done. Although I don't know if there are many time travel stories that feel satisfying to me. Maybe the rise of cnovel/cdrama fandom has spoiled me, but I wish I could find these in the original Chinese, if only to look into a couple things I found strange.
What I'm Reading Next
It's looking like Network Effect.
wednesday reading
Jun. 3rd, 2020 11:28 pmtime seems unreal. started an internship. other news sucks and i'm doing what i can to contribute.
What I Just Finished Reading
Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo
I've been blessed with good content lately, and I know this because I was surprised at how heterosexual this was. Decent, but I feel unsatisfied. ( cw: sexual assault )
Also this is the book I kept mixing up with Gideon the Ninth because they both involve nine houses and a significant amount of death and magic together. I liked the "obviously a stand-in for the fae" house the most, but I wished there were more of them, and less gritty New Haven stuff, so maybe I should just go read fantasy and give up on urban fantasy.
The Amber Spyglass, by Phillip Pullman
Can't say that I forgot that the climax of the book is Lyra and Will having sex in a world inhabited by wheeled elephants, because I probably ripped through the book the first time at an age where I was blissfully unaware of the concept of sex. Nothing to say about the book other than that, really. Wasn't Coulter's turnaround odd and unexpected? Motherhood solves all moral failings /s.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
2020 Force Works #3
The entire time MODOK was there I was thinking about Ales Kot's Secret Avengers MODOK, so, just go read that run instead.
What I'm Reading Next
Probably On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous? Or whichever of the books I have out is due back first.
What I Just Finished Reading
Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo
I've been blessed with good content lately, and I know this because I was surprised at how heterosexual this was. Decent, but I feel unsatisfied. ( cw: sexual assault )
Also this is the book I kept mixing up with Gideon the Ninth because they both involve nine houses and a significant amount of death and magic together. I liked the "obviously a stand-in for the fae" house the most, but I wished there were more of them, and less gritty New Haven stuff, so maybe I should just go read fantasy and give up on urban fantasy.
The Amber Spyglass, by Phillip Pullman
Can't say that I forgot that the climax of the book is Lyra and Will having sex in a world inhabited by wheeled elephants, because I probably ripped through the book the first time at an age where I was blissfully unaware of the concept of sex. Nothing to say about the book other than that, really. Wasn't Coulter's turnaround odd and unexpected? Motherhood solves all moral failings /s.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
2020 Force Works #3
The entire time MODOK was there I was thinking about Ales Kot's Secret Avengers MODOK, so, just go read that run instead.
What I'm Reading Next
Probably On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous? Or whichever of the books I have out is due back first.
wednesday reading
May. 27th, 2020 11:53 pmstill watching too much elementary except work has started and i need to stop so i can get enough sleep.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
I think I had the wrong idea going in, so I spent half the book thinking where is this going? but after slowing down a bit it was fine. Not my kind of book, and I'm not familiar with Underground Railroad literature, which my friend tells me is a thing. Probably the weirdest part to me was how Harriet Tubman was a real character? But I like the alternate history implications of what the book puts forth.
The Subtle Knife, by Phillip Pullman
Still on my His Dark Materials reread. I didn't remember anything from this one past what the knife did. It ended a lot more abruptly than I was expecting, and didn't seem like much had actually happened.
Hexarchate Stories, by Yoon Ha Lee
More Cheris and Jedao! Especially happy with "Glass Cannon," which was again a fun space romp, although I'm not the biggest fan of Jedao 2's horror zombie descriptions. It also leaves open a lot of what comes next questions, which I hope someday come back.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
Marauders #10, Avengers #33
Marauders was fine, had questions about Kitty calling Kurt her rabbi (... just seems off), and Emma's UFO's entire existence. Avengers was less fine because I don't care about Moon Knight and he seemed way overpowered by handwave-y narrative mucking about.
What I'm Reading Next
Who knows! Currently looking at On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Ninth House, Broken Stars, and The Dark Forest. The library was generous this week :P
What I Just Finished Reading
The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
I think I had the wrong idea going in, so I spent half the book thinking where is this going? but after slowing down a bit it was fine. Not my kind of book, and I'm not familiar with Underground Railroad literature, which my friend tells me is a thing. Probably the weirdest part to me was how Harriet Tubman was a real character? But I like the alternate history implications of what the book puts forth.
The Subtle Knife, by Phillip Pullman
Still on my His Dark Materials reread. I didn't remember anything from this one past what the knife did. It ended a lot more abruptly than I was expecting, and didn't seem like much had actually happened.
Hexarchate Stories, by Yoon Ha Lee
More Cheris and Jedao! Especially happy with "Glass Cannon," which was again a fun space romp, although I'm not the biggest fan of Jedao 2's horror zombie descriptions. It also leaves open a lot of what comes next questions, which I hope someday come back.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
Marauders #10, Avengers #33
Marauders was fine, had questions about Kitty calling Kurt her rabbi (... just seems off), and Emma's UFO's entire existence. Avengers was less fine because I don't care about Moon Knight and he seemed way overpowered by handwave-y narrative mucking about.
What I'm Reading Next
Who knows! Currently looking at On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Ninth House, Broken Stars, and The Dark Forest. The library was generous this week :P
wednesday reading
May. 21st, 2020 12:49 ami am free of undergrad. anyone seen this sudoku puzzle solve video? it fills me with a great and terrible rage that is hyperspecific to the world of puzzles.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Golden Compass, by Phillip Pullman
I have very few thoughts about this? Not as interesting as I remember it being, although maybe that might have been the other books, which I'm about to read.
The Monster Baru Cormorant, by Seth Dickinson
This confused me a lot because there was a lot less economic maneuvering and and lot more sitting around strategizing and running around from place to place. Also I was not convinced the strategizing was ever done smartly because there definitely was not as much suspicion of everyone as there was in the preceding book, which seems misguided to me.
What I'm Currently Reading
Comics
Star #4, 2020 Ironheart #1, Hawkeye: Freefall #5
Too bad there was a several week gap in comics, I hardly remember what's going on. Ironheart is the best of the IM2020 tie-ins so far, which isn't saying much. I have some gripes about seeing the event writer's hand too strongly in the issue, but it's still fine.
The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Slow and not the kind of book I typically read. I think I'm about to reach the magicky parts?
What I'm Reading Next
Not sure if there will be something, I start an internship next week and will be busy getting that up and running.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Golden Compass, by Phillip Pullman
I have very few thoughts about this? Not as interesting as I remember it being, although maybe that might have been the other books, which I'm about to read.
The Monster Baru Cormorant, by Seth Dickinson
This confused me a lot because there was a lot less economic maneuvering and and lot more sitting around strategizing and running around from place to place. Also I was not convinced the strategizing was ever done smartly because there definitely was not as much suspicion of everyone as there was in the preceding book, which seems misguided to me.
What I'm Currently Reading
Comics
Star #4, 2020 Ironheart #1, Hawkeye: Freefall #5
Too bad there was a several week gap in comics, I hardly remember what's going on. Ironheart is the best of the IM2020 tie-ins so far, which isn't saying much. I have some gripes about seeing the event writer's hand too strongly in the issue, but it's still fine.
The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Slow and not the kind of book I typically read. I think I'm about to reach the magicky parts?
What I'm Reading Next
Not sure if there will be something, I start an internship next week and will be busy getting that up and running.
wednesday reading
May. 13th, 2020 06:45 pmLast finals week of undergrad is here. First final is this Friday. Need to make a study sheet.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Cloud Roads, by Martha Wells
Still waiting on Network Effect, so this is the next best thing :P Enjoyable! I think I really like the way that Wells writes characters, which is this interesting type of very matter of fact fish out of water. Have the next book on hold.
Harrow the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir, but only the first act...
...which is free for Kindle. Or at least it was when I got it? Sorry to say that I didn't like this first act at all, and I am very much hoping the rest of the book makes up for it. The 2nd person POV doesn't work at all for me, and it emphasizes the "things are happening TO Harrow" aspect way too much except the things aren't even that exciting! So much nothing happens! It's all exposition! I was so bored! The mystery is weird, but it's not interesting. And I like nerds, and Harrow is supposed to be a huge nerd, and I wanted nerd shenanigans, but there were none to be found. Alas.
What I'm Currently Reading
The Golden Compass, by Phillip Pullman
I've decided to reread this, on account of I was very small when I read it the first time, and many things went way over my head, probably. Thought it might be worth a reread.
What I'm Reading Next
Got The Water Dancer off of hold, so probably that.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Cloud Roads, by Martha Wells
Still waiting on Network Effect, so this is the next best thing :P Enjoyable! I think I really like the way that Wells writes characters, which is this interesting type of very matter of fact fish out of water. Have the next book on hold.
Harrow the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir, but only the first act...
...which is free for Kindle. Or at least it was when I got it? Sorry to say that I didn't like this first act at all, and I am very much hoping the rest of the book makes up for it. The 2nd person POV doesn't work at all for me, and it emphasizes the "things are happening TO Harrow" aspect way too much except the things aren't even that exciting! So much nothing happens! It's all exposition! I was so bored! The mystery is weird, but it's not interesting. And I like nerds, and Harrow is supposed to be a huge nerd, and I wanted nerd shenanigans, but there were none to be found. Alas.
What I'm Currently Reading
The Golden Compass, by Phillip Pullman
I've decided to reread this, on account of I was very small when I read it the first time, and many things went way over my head, probably. Thought it might be worth a reread.
What I'm Reading Next
Got The Water Dancer off of hold, so probably that.
wednesday reading
May. 7th, 2020 02:50 amstill watching too much elementary. forgetting to do my work. the days are ceaseless and i have no motivation.
What I Just Finished Reading
Exhalation, by Ted Chiang
Short stories... the ones focused on raising children, I generally didn't like at all. I have quibbles about the AI as child story because I have weird opinions on AI. There was a lot of stuff on free will. The one about parrot intelligence was just weird. I think I liked the time travel one the most.
What I'm Currently Reading
nothing at all
What I'm Reading Next
I'd love to know. Once I pick myself up out of the tedium of day-to-day life (finals are soon) I'll be reading more, I hope.
What I Just Finished Reading
Exhalation, by Ted Chiang
Short stories... the ones focused on raising children, I generally didn't like at all. I have quibbles about the AI as child story because I have weird opinions on AI. There was a lot of stuff on free will. The one about parrot intelligence was just weird. I think I liked the time travel one the most.
What I'm Currently Reading
nothing at all
What I'm Reading Next
I'd love to know. Once I pick myself up out of the tedium of day-to-day life (finals are soon) I'll be reading more, I hope.
wednesday reading
Apr. 29th, 2020 06:17 pmback to feeling like i need to write down something every day to remember what i've been doing. i do know that i've been binging elementary like there's no tomorrow, except there is tomorrow, and things are due tomorrow. oops.
What I Just Finished Reading
Artificial Condition & Rogue Protocol, by Martha Wells
After that sale, figured I should get around to finally reading more Murderbot! Many things to like, and I very much enjoy Murderbot's insistence that it doesn't care about its accidental clients, when it clearly does. Poor Murderbot, having feelings. :)
What I'm Currently Reading
Nothing.
What I'm Reading Next
Who knows, but in the ebook sale, I picked up Provenance and Uncanny Valley, and I have two more books from the library that I need to get a start on before they expire, so I will be reading something, even if I don't know what yet.
What I Just Finished Reading
Artificial Condition & Rogue Protocol, by Martha Wells
After that sale, figured I should get around to finally reading more Murderbot! Many things to like, and I very much enjoy Murderbot's insistence that it doesn't care about its accidental clients, when it clearly does. Poor Murderbot, having feelings. :)
What I'm Currently Reading
Nothing.
What I'm Reading Next
Who knows, but in the ebook sale, I picked up Provenance and Uncanny Valley, and I have two more books from the library that I need to get a start on before they expire, so I will be reading something, even if I don't know what yet.
wednesday reading
Apr. 22nd, 2020 09:31 pmWhat I Just Finished Reading
This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
I don't really consider myself a fan of the epistolary format, but I enjoyed this a bunch. The pacing was great for the length, and the lurid descriptions of literally everything were very much my jam. Enemies to lovers! Time travel! What more could I ask for.
Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir
I don't know what expectations I went into this with but I had a great time. I think the part of this that I enjoyed the most was that there was clearly Smart Nerd Stuff going on that Gideon was far too Dumb Jock to understand. So she went around and flirted with everyone instead. I'm a sucker for Smart Nerd Stuff, and I actually wanted to see that side of it more than I wanted Dumb Jock. It's definitely intentional that things were left out that the reader was just not meant to understand, but....
Ghost Work, by Mary Gray and Sid Suri
Final reading for internet class, about the rise of microwork/crowdsourced labor, why people engage in it, and what we might expect from it in the future. I most enjoyed the chapter on the history of labor, especially with its focus on forms of labor (temp work, piecework) that were pushed to the side in favor of regulating Real Labor. Gray and Suri posit that the future of work is microwork and we need to adjust our expectations for labor conditions and regulations accordingly. I'm not so convinced, but I don't disagree on needing pushes for universal income and safety nets sooner rather than later.
What I'm Currently Reading
Nothing
What I'm Reading Next
This is the first Wednesday in ages where I don't have anything checked out of the library! Maybe I will finally finish off the Murderbot novellas.
This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
I don't really consider myself a fan of the epistolary format, but I enjoyed this a bunch. The pacing was great for the length, and the lurid descriptions of literally everything were very much my jam. Enemies to lovers! Time travel! What more could I ask for.
Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir
I don't know what expectations I went into this with but I had a great time. I think the part of this that I enjoyed the most was that there was clearly Smart Nerd Stuff going on that Gideon was far too Dumb Jock to understand. So she went around and flirted with everyone instead. I'm a sucker for Smart Nerd Stuff, and I actually wanted to see that side of it more than I wanted Dumb Jock. It's definitely intentional that things were left out that the reader was just not meant to understand, but....
Ghost Work, by Mary Gray and Sid Suri
Final reading for internet class, about the rise of microwork/crowdsourced labor, why people engage in it, and what we might expect from it in the future. I most enjoyed the chapter on the history of labor, especially with its focus on forms of labor (temp work, piecework) that were pushed to the side in favor of regulating Real Labor. Gray and Suri posit that the future of work is microwork and we need to adjust our expectations for labor conditions and regulations accordingly. I'm not so convinced, but I don't disagree on needing pushes for universal income and safety nets sooner rather than later.
What I'm Currently Reading
Nothing
What I'm Reading Next
This is the first Wednesday in ages where I don't have anything checked out of the library! Maybe I will finally finish off the Murderbot novellas.
wednesday reading
Apr. 16th, 2020 02:06 amthe quarantine is starting to get to me. also my laptop exploded when i tried to draft this the first time. doing it again to take my mind off of how awful everything is.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Poppy War, by R. F. Kuang
Part 3 was as upsetting as I thought it would be. Overall, enjoyable but maybe too dark for me right now. I did think it interesting how the East asian references were done. Many were quite obvious: the Opium war, the entire Second Sino-Japanese War, little things like Baji turning into a pig or a character literally named Nezha. So I thought it was strange how not!China's top academy was called Sinegard, and not!Japan was called the Federation, which struck me as having oddly Western roots when the rest of the setting did not.
What I'm Reading Now
Ghost Work, by Mary Gray and Siddharth Suri
An academic book for the popular crowd about the ghost work that powers automation and AI. So far pretty thought provoking, especially with a chapter outlining the history of labor and marginalized labor throughout American history.
What I'm Reading Next
I have This is How You Lose the Time War and Gideon the Ninth off of hold, so as long as I can scrounge up some free time.... We'll see. I have to redo a month's worth of work in the next few days. Things are looking bad.
The Poppy War, by R. F. Kuang
Part 3 was as upsetting as I thought it would be. Overall, enjoyable but maybe too dark for me right now. I did think it interesting how the East asian references were done. Many were quite obvious: the Opium war, the entire Second Sino-Japanese War, little things like Baji turning into a pig or a character literally named Nezha. So I thought it was strange how not!China's top academy was called Sinegard, and not!Japan was called the Federation, which struck me as having oddly Western roots when the rest of the setting did not.
What I'm Reading Now
Ghost Work, by Mary Gray and Siddharth Suri
An academic book for the popular crowd about the ghost work that powers automation and AI. So far pretty thought provoking, especially with a chapter outlining the history of labor and marginalized labor throughout American history.
What I'm Reading Next
I have This is How You Lose the Time War and Gideon the Ninth off of hold, so as long as I can scrounge up some free time.... We'll see. I have to redo a month's worth of work in the next few days. Things are looking bad.
wednesday reading
Apr. 9th, 2020 04:02 amgetting tired of this quarantine business. my classes are going okay
accidentally/on purpose read through all of hunter x hunter in the last few days and i'm sad about killua and alluka/nanika.
What I Just Finished Reading
In Other Lands, by Sarah Rees Brennan
Funny and cute and light-hearted! In another time I might not have enjoyed it as much, for appearing to try too hard, but, well.
Every Heart A Doorway, by Seanan McGuire
I keep reading novellas that I somehow do not realize are novellas. I liked the concept, still working out my feelings on if returning to one's portal world is "good" or "bad," or maybe neither?
The Digital Street, by Jeffrey Lane
A book we read for class about how urban youth integrate the digital street into the physical street.
( quick thoughts from discussion today )
What I'm Currently Reading
No new comics. :( But I did start The Bloodstone Hunt because of Discord server book club. NTYCBD instead of NCBD. blah. I like NCBD better.
The Poppy War, by R. F. Kuang
Stopped right before the fictionalized account of real-life war atrocities. Not because things haven't been handled well up to this point but, just, not sure how much darkness I can take right now.
What I'm Reading Next
Finally got This Is How You Lose the Time War off from hold. At least I know this one is a novella this time. Very excited to read it. Our next book for internet class is Ghost Work by Mary Gray.
accidentally/on purpose read through all of hunter x hunter in the last few days and i'm sad about killua and alluka/nanika.
What I Just Finished Reading
In Other Lands, by Sarah Rees Brennan
Funny and cute and light-hearted! In another time I might not have enjoyed it as much, for appearing to try too hard, but, well.
Every Heart A Doorway, by Seanan McGuire
I keep reading novellas that I somehow do not realize are novellas. I liked the concept, still working out my feelings on if returning to one's portal world is "good" or "bad," or maybe neither?
The Digital Street, by Jeffrey Lane
A book we read for class about how urban youth integrate the digital street into the physical street.
( quick thoughts from discussion today )
What I'm Currently Reading
No new comics. :( But I did start The Bloodstone Hunt because of Discord server book club. NTYCBD instead of NCBD. blah. I like NCBD better.
The Poppy War, by R. F. Kuang
Stopped right before the fictionalized account of real-life war atrocities. Not because things haven't been handled well up to this point but, just, not sure how much darkness I can take right now.
What I'm Reading Next
Finally got This Is How You Lose the Time War off from hold. At least I know this one is a novella this time. Very excited to read it. Our next book for internet class is Ghost Work by Mary Gray.
wednesday reading
Apr. 1st, 2020 05:11 pmi finally left 2 week isolation! i went outside for a 2 hour walk the other day and (working theory) the outside has so much stuff that my brain was dealing with the overstimulation via headache for the next 2 days.
What I Just Finished Reading
Nothing.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
No comics. :( I hope they come back soon.
The Digital Street, by Jeffrey Lane
Currently reading this for class. It explores the ways that urban youth of color behave on the physical street and the ways that intermingles and blends with their behavior on social media, or the "digital street". Lane is often in conversation with Elijah Anderson's Code on the Street, exploring the ways in which power actually manifests itself between youth, as well as who performs toughness online/offline and why. Lane is also often in conversation with danah boyd's It's Complicated, but more to the effect of realizing that the most vulnerable populations do not use social media in the ways that more often studied middle class and affluent teens are able to.
What I'm Reading Next
Finishing off The Digital Street and then the three books that came off of waitlist from the library that I can't read yet because I have an exam tomorrow.
What I Just Finished Reading
Nothing.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
No comics. :( I hope they come back soon.
The Digital Street, by Jeffrey Lane
Currently reading this for class. It explores the ways that urban youth of color behave on the physical street and the ways that intermingles and blends with their behavior on social media, or the "digital street". Lane is often in conversation with Elijah Anderson's Code on the Street, exploring the ways in which power actually manifests itself between youth, as well as who performs toughness online/offline and why. Lane is also often in conversation with danah boyd's It's Complicated, but more to the effect of realizing that the most vulnerable populations do not use social media in the ways that more often studied middle class and affluent teens are able to.
What I'm Reading Next
Finishing off The Digital Street and then the three books that came off of waitlist from the library that I can't read yet because I have an exam tomorrow.
wednesday reading
Mar. 26th, 2020 05:04 am another day or so until i'm out of this room and can go for walks. yay!
What I Just Finished Reading
Girls of Paper and Fire, by Natasha Ngan
I thought I liked it and thought a little bit more and, I don't know. ( cut for slight discussion of sexual assault )
What I'm Reading Now
I'm rereading the Eragon books because sometimes the urge just hits you, especially when you get access to your local library's ebook lending services.
Comics
Road to Empyre #1, X-Men #9, Hellions #1, Star #3, 2020 Force Works #2, Immortal Hulk #33, Marvels Snapshot: FF
I liked the little history behind Empyre, because I haven't read anything related to it at all. Still wondering what the heck Force Works has to do with the IM 2020 event, but maybe the answer is: nothing at all. X-Men is wacky and while I wanted more Broo, I don't know how I feel about this one! And ooh, nice reference to the Hulk actually calling the system a system.
What I'm Reading Next
No clue. I already own so many books, but I keep checking out other ones to read first.
What I Just Finished Reading
Girls of Paper and Fire, by Natasha Ngan
I thought I liked it and thought a little bit more and, I don't know. ( cut for slight discussion of sexual assault )
What I'm Reading Now
I'm rereading the Eragon books because sometimes the urge just hits you, especially when you get access to your local library's ebook lending services.
Comics
Road to Empyre #1, X-Men #9, Hellions #1, Star #3, 2020 Force Works #2, Immortal Hulk #33, Marvels Snapshot: FF
I liked the little history behind Empyre, because I haven't read anything related to it at all. Still wondering what the heck Force Works has to do with the IM 2020 event, but maybe the answer is: nothing at all. X-Men is wacky and while I wanted more Broo, I don't know how I feel about this one! And ooh, nice reference to the Hulk actually calling the system a system.
What I'm Reading Next
No clue. I already own so many books, but I keep checking out other ones to read first.
it's wednesday
Mar. 19th, 2020 01:55 ami've been stuck in the same room for 5 days after coming back from the airport. :shrug: what can you do. good time to catch up on reading.
What I Just Finished Reading
The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu (no relation)
Enjoyable hard sci-fi, although I would've appreciated a Science Facts version that told me, after each sentence, if it was Science Fact or Science Fiction. Then I wouldn't have to find an astrophysicist friend every so often to ask if it's true that on average, stars are about 4 light-years from each other. Less plotty, more unravel-ly than I thought it would be? Like a mystery, slowly unfolding. And it's clear that the next book is where the meat of the build-up is going towards.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
Outlawed #1, Spider-Woman #1, Marvel's Avengers: Captain America, Runaways #31, X-Force #9, Deadpool #4, Captain Marvel #16, Captain America #20, Aero #9, Valkyrie: Jane Foster #9
That's a lot of comics! Nothing special here, besides Captain Marvel wrapping up an arc neatly and with lots of feelings about how the Avengers make a nice team when they're written as a team, unlike, say, the actual Avengers title. I don't know how to feel about Outlawed yet, besides that I think it sucks that the New Warriors have to deal with teen-SHRA after basically inciting the first one. It better not turn out like Civil War, is all I'm asking.
What I'm Reading Next
Heck if I know. Still have to read The Digital Street for class. For fun, maybe finish off the Murderbot novellas?
What I Just Finished Reading
The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu (no relation)
Enjoyable hard sci-fi, although I would've appreciated a Science Facts version that told me, after each sentence, if it was Science Fact or Science Fiction. Then I wouldn't have to find an astrophysicist friend every so often to ask if it's true that on average, stars are about 4 light-years from each other. Less plotty, more unravel-ly than I thought it would be? Like a mystery, slowly unfolding. And it's clear that the next book is where the meat of the build-up is going towards.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
Outlawed #1, Spider-Woman #1, Marvel's Avengers: Captain America, Runaways #31, X-Force #9, Deadpool #4, Captain Marvel #16, Captain America #20, Aero #9, Valkyrie: Jane Foster #9
That's a lot of comics! Nothing special here, besides Captain Marvel wrapping up an arc neatly and with lots of feelings about how the Avengers make a nice team when they're written as a team, unlike, say, the actual Avengers title. I don't know how to feel about Outlawed yet, besides that I think it sucks that the New Warriors have to deal with teen-SHRA after basically inciting the first one. It better not turn out like Civil War, is all I'm asking.
What I'm Reading Next
Heck if I know. Still have to read The Digital Street for class. For fun, maybe finish off the Murderbot novellas?
it's wednesday
Mar. 12th, 2020 02:24 am as wednesday's go, this one kinda sucks. they're kicking us out of the dorms and all that.
What I Just Finished Reading
Behind the Screen, by Sarah T. Roberts
A look at commercial content moderators, who do things like screen social media videos/images/posts for illegal/obscene/against-terms-of-service content. It had too many blocks cut straight from interview and not enough analysis. And despite the jacket calling it an ethnographic study... it didn't feel much like one, although the author is not an anthropologist by trade.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
Thor #4, X-Men #8, New Mutants #9, Hawkeye: Freefall #4, Avengers #32, Ant-Man #3, Immortal Hulk #32
If it isn't here, I don't remember reading it. Good on Ewing for naming his sensitivity reader on Hulk! And more Idie in X-books please.
What I'm Reading Next
Next book for internet studies class is The Digital Street, by Jeffrey Lane. Also I forgot to read a paper tonight for class I'm not going to tomorrow, which, like, whatever.
What I Just Finished Reading
Behind the Screen, by Sarah T. Roberts
A look at commercial content moderators, who do things like screen social media videos/images/posts for illegal/obscene/against-terms-of-service content. It had too many blocks cut straight from interview and not enough analysis. And despite the jacket calling it an ethnographic study... it didn't feel much like one, although the author is not an anthropologist by trade.
What I'm Reading Now
Comics
Thor #4, X-Men #8, New Mutants #9, Hawkeye: Freefall #4, Avengers #32, Ant-Man #3, Immortal Hulk #32
If it isn't here, I don't remember reading it. Good on Ewing for naming his sensitivity reader on Hulk! And more Idie in X-books please.
What I'm Reading Next
Next book for internet studies class is The Digital Street, by Jeffrey Lane. Also I forgot to read a paper tonight for class I'm not going to tomorrow, which, like, whatever.
