Book Notes: Fantasy Roundup

Or, some ideas for what to read when you have a book hangover from Iron Flame:

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

When Emory is the sole survivor of a secret ritual in the caves below Aldryn College, her healer powers, given to those born during the new moon on a rising tide, begin to shift into something strange and uncontrollable. Will her estranged friend Baz, brother to one of the students who died, help Emory figure out her new powers and what really happened that night? This debut fantasy has it all — dark academia, an upper YA that crosses over beautifully into adult, a murder mystery, secret societies, forbidden magic, a pining romance and the most gorgeous book design I’ve seen in a while. The magic system is built around the moon phases and the tides. Curious Tides is book one of a planned duology.

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

What happens when Talasyn and Alaric, two soldiers from opposite sides of an entrenched war meet on the battlefield and discover their opposing powers combine to create something entirely new and unexpected? They continue to absolutely hate each other while having to work together to save their people from an even worse fate. Of course. And we all know what happens when two attractive people hate each other. Drawing inspiration from Southeast Asia, debut Filipino author Thea Guanzon has penned a fun, fresh fantasy that balances an authentic depiction of the toll of conflict on a population with a strong cast of characters and all the political machinations of Machiavelli. The Hurricane Wars is book one of a planned trilogy.

Godkiller by Hannah Kane

In a world where gods, fed by the attention, prayers, and offerings of humans, can also be destroyed by them, three disparate people come together to travel to the ruined city that was the last stand in the wars between gods and people. Kissen, a godkiller for hire. Elo, a former knight turned baker. And Inara, a young girl whose life has become intertwined with a god of white lies, Skedi. The four travel together to Blenraden, hopeful that they will find a way to untangle Skedi from Inara. All the feels of quest fantasy with characters that are delightfully flawed and human. The world building was immersive and queer normative with a host of diverse characters. The religious and magic system was at once familiar but with enough twists to make it unexpected. Godkiller is book one of a planned trilogy.

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab

From page one of The Fragile Threads of Power, I was invested all over again in the world of the four Londons, seven years after the events from The Shades of Magic trilogy (also excellent, if you want to start there). The plot works together like interchanging gears, or a chess game, the movement of each character affecting the others, often unknowingly. There are characters from the original trilogy, new additions, and Tes, the one who, unconsciously, holds the key to everything. Schwab investigates power in this novel -- who has it and who controls it, and by whose standards its morality is judged. Schwab puts a lot of things in motion in this book, and only a few are resolved by the end. The Fragile Threads of Power is book one of planned trilogy. You can always go back and read The Shades of Magic series in the meantime!

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

I can’t think of a more fun combination than 1880’s Egyptian archeological digs, a feisty heroine determined to find out what happened to her explorer parents, and a current of magic running through it all. When Inez Olivera hears that her parents, on a dig in Egypt, are presumed dead, she takes matters into her own hands. Inez books passage from Bolivia to Egypt, intent on discovering the truth. What she finds in Egypt is an infuriatingly handsome young man, assisting her guardian in carrying on her parents discoveries, and men thwarting her inquiries at every turn. Add to this a mysterious ring that connects Inez to the magic of the past and the questions continue to pile up. It will take a trip up the Nile and many near escapes just to get Inez closer to any answers. Packed with action, a slow burn romance, and a huge twist kept me enthralled to the very last page. What the River Knows is book one of a planned YA duology.

Hopefully you find one, or many, of these titles to be a satisfying read!

— Lori

My therapist, the beloved Dr. Gratch, says that hurt people hurt people, but I just don't think that applies to teenage girls. I think sometimes they're just evil.

Do Revenge, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (2022)

HEALING SEXUALLY: BLACK RAPE SURVIVORS, FEAR OF ASKING FOR HELP, STIGMA BEHIND THERAPY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Q: In what ways do sexuality and intimacy problems resulting from sexual violation manifest themselves differently for African Americans that for other racial and ethnic groups?

STOVALL: I don’t think there’s a way in which those things manifest differently. I do think there can be differences in what happens afterwards that are culturally related and culturally bound. For example, people of color are less likely to seek out help from mental health professional. The longer it takes to get help, the longer a person suffers. Also, the symptoms worsen and they become more resistant to treatment. So, getting help early is very important.

Black people are more likely to believe that what happens to them is their fault—that if they feel badly about something, then they’re not pulling themselves up by their bootstraps. Unfortunately, they also feel that they are not being prayerful. I’ve had more than one person tell me that God helps those who help themselves. Fortunately, things are changing. The African-American community is more accepting of the idea that a good mental heal professional can be a prayer answered.

Q: what is the greatest challenge to sexual healing for African Americans?

STOVALL: The biggest barrier that exists for African Americans is the notion that they’re not supposed to ask for help. This is the single, largest issue that gets in the way.

I WILL SURVIVE

THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN GUIDE TO HEALING FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ABUSE

Lori S. Robinson

tag drop 7 of idk

Kirsten Robinson // Christine Riccio, Again, But Better // Lori Deschene // Maddison Vernon // Julissa Loaliza // @flowerais-archive

NANCY DREW CASE FILES: 13

LAST TRAIN TO BLUE MOON CANYON

Invited on board a haunted train to help solve a century-old mystery of the vanished Jake Hurley, only to uncover another one unraveling in present day aboard the train to blue moon canyon.

"You know what they say it's not the destination it's the journey and this is one ride you'll never forget. You don't want to miss this train"

Bobby Cannavale as Tino Balducci

A hot-shot detective riding the fame from an old case with a big win up his sleeve and an even bigger ego.

Kathy Bates as Charleena Purcell

An award winning romance novelist, diving into a darker mystery genre.

Anya Taylor-Joy as Lori Girard

With a love for attention and mysteries only one can imagine what happened to the girl who disappeared?

LaKeith Stanfield as John Grey

Host of TV's Ghost Chasers, with a rumor of the train being haunted by Jake Hurley's wife Camille, he gets to work finding proof of the haunting, rather than the missing girl. Whatever makes for great Tv.

Nick Robinson as Frank Hardy

The older of the Hardy boys and the more rational of the two brothers. His keen eye for detail is great at always seeing something lurking underneath the facade.

Rudy Pankow as Joe Hardy

The younger of the Hardy boys and the more impulsive of the two Brothers. But, his optimism and lighthearted nature is needed in times where the mystery proves harder to solve.

7.DOG 10.SHA 11.CUR 13.TRN 15.CRE 16.ICE 17.CRY 22.TOT

Six actors who's names share a common root

Hannah (12) Jana Larell Glover, Anna Uzele, Hana Stewart, Annamaria Baranyai, Anita Gado, Hannah Lowther, Annabel Marlow, Anna Peller, Gerianne Perez, Analise Rios, Hannah Taylor, Anna Terpiłowska

Elizabeth (9) Ellie Jane Grant, Izi Maxwell, Ella Burns, Bella Coppola, Izabela Pawletko, Analise Rios, Leesa Tulley, Elizabeth Walker, Ellie Wyman

Laurence (8) Laura Dawn Pyatt, Lauren Byrne, Lauren Irving, Lauren Mariasoosay, Laura Blair, Lauren Drew, Loren Hunter, Lori McLare

Margaret (7) Małgorzata Chrusciel, Meghan Corbett, Meghan Dawson, Meg Dixon-Brasil, Megan Gilbert, Maggie Lacasse, Megan Leung

Christos (7) Kirsty "Zara" MacIntosh, Keirsten Nicole Hodgens, Cristina D'Agostino, Kristina Leopold, Christina Modestou, Kristina Walz, Krisztina Magyar

Helen (6) Ellie Jane Grant, Elena Breschi, Ella Burns, Elena Gyasi, Aline Mayagoitia, Ellie Wyman

John (6) Jana Larell Glover, Gianna Grosso, Jaina Brock-Patel, Janique Charles, Janice Rijssel, Lori-Jane McLare

Nicholas (6) Nicole Louise Lewis, Nikki Bentley, Nikolett Gallusz, Collette Guitart, Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert, Nicole Lamb

Alexander (5) Alexia McIntosh, Sasha Renae Brown, Alexandra "Zan" Berube, Aleksandra Gotowicka, Ji-sun "Lexie" Kim

Gabriella (5) Gabbi Mack, Gabrielle Davina Smith, Gabriela Francesca Carillo, Gabriella Stylianou-Burns, Gabriella Boumford

Jasmine (5) Jasmine Shen, Jasmine Smith, Jasmine Forsberg, Jasmine Hackett, Jaz Robinson

Julius (5) Juli Horanyi, Giulia Marolda, Julia McLellan, Julia Pulo, Jillian Worthing

Adal (4) Alicia Corrales-Connor, Alyssa Giannetti, Alize Ke'Aloha Cruz, Aline Mayagoitia

Amy (4) Amy Bridges, Aimie Atkinson, Amy Di Bartolomeo, Kara-Ami McCreanor

Courtney (4) Courtney Monsma, Courtney Stapleton, Courtney Bowman, Courtney Mack

Emil (4) Amelia Walker, Emily Rose Lyons, Emily Harrigan, Emilia "Millie" O'Connell

Katherine (4) Caitlyn De Kuyper, Kathryn Kilger, Caitlin Tipping, Kate Zulauf

Kayla (4) Kala Gare, Khaila Wilcoxon, Kaylah Attard, Kayla McSorley

Monica (4) Monika Nika Veres, Monique Ashe-Palmer, Janique Charles, Mónika Horváth

Sophia (4) Sophie Golden, Sophie-Rose Middleton, Fia Houston-Hamilton, Sophie Isaacs

Abigail (3) Abigail Sparrow, Abbi Hodgson, Abby Mueller

Aenor (3) Ellie Jane Grant, Ella Burns, Ellie Wyman

Danielle (3) Danielle Steers, Danielle Mendoza, Danielle Rose

Eireann (3) Aryn Bohannon, Erin Palmer Ramirez, Erin Caldwell

Hayley (3) Haley Izurieta, Hailee Kaleem Wright, Hailey Lewis

Laura (3) Laura Dawn Pyatt, Laura Blair, Lori McLare

Lucius (3) Lucy Aiston, Lucia Valentino, Lucinda Wilson

Natalie (3) Natalie Pilkington, Natalie Paris, Natalia Kujawa

Oliver (3) Olivia "Liv" Alexander, Olivia Donalson, Oliver Wickham

Rhiannon (3) Rhiannon Bacchus, Rhiannon Doyle, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky

Sarah (3) Kala Gare, Sadie Hurst, Sarah McFarlane

Theodore (3) Terica Marie, Didi Romero, Dóra Csonka

Agnes (2) Inez Budd, Agnieszka Rose

Aisha (2) Aiesha Naomi Pease, Aisha Kardffy

Alan (2) Lana Zoe Jensen, Alana M. Robinson

Amanda (2) Amanda Lee, Amanda Lindgren

Ashley (2) Ashlee Waldbauer, Ashleigh Weir

Brian (2) Brianna Brito Mooney, Brianna Javis

Cassandra (2) Cassandra Lee, Cassie Silva

Cathassach (2) Casey Esbin, Casey Al-Shaqsy

Ceallach (2) Kelly Sweeney, Kelly Denice Taylor

Cennetig (2) Kennedy Carstens, Kenedy Small

Charles (2) Carly Mercedes Dyer, Caroline Siegrist

Chelsea (2) Chelsea Lorraine Wargo, Chelsea Dawson

Chloe (2) Chloe Zuel, Chloe Hart

Eloise (2) Eloise "Ellie" Sharpe, Eloise Lord

Eric (2) Terica Marie, Erika Herceg

Grace (2) Grace Mouat, Grace Melville

Hadrian (2) Adrianna Glover, Adrianna Hicks

Henry (2) Harriet Watson, Harriet Caplan-Dean

Holly (2) Holli' Conway, Holly Musgrave

Jennifer (2) Jennifer Caldwell, Ji-woo "Jennifer" Kim

Jessica (2) Jessica Niles, Jessica "Jessie" Bodner

Ludwig (2) Lou Henry, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky

Maia (2) Maiya Quansah-Breed, Maya Christian

Martha (2) Marta Burdynowicz, Marta Skrzypczynska

Mary (2) Annamaria Baranyai, Marilyn Caserta

Matilda (2) Maddison Bulleyment, Maddison Firth

Melissa (2) Melinda Porto, Melissa J. Ford

Rachel (2) Rachel Rawlinson, Rachel "Rae" Davenport

Renatus (2) Renee Lamb, Brene "Bre" Jackson

Shannon (2) Shannen Alyce Quan, Su-jeong "Shannon" Pae

Sidney (2) Cydney Clark, Sydney Parra

Taylor (2) Taylor Iman Jones, Taylor Pearlstein

Victor (2) Victoria "Vicki" Manser, Viki Singh

:3 is it too late to share song associations

This one is instrumental I think the vibes suit you really well <3

Here's a Porter Robinson one!!! He's one of my faves, his general vibes and music are so good omg

OH WAIT I HAVE ONE MORE I THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT TO THE MOON??? THIS ONE IS FROM THE SEQUEL FINDING PARADISE SAME PERSON WHO SUNG EVERYTHING'S ALRIGHT <3

Its never too late to share <3

You know? I saw the ask but you know how it is, seeing something and being unable to answer it atm....

I was pleasantly surprised with the NITW one, it's the rat girl, Lori M... I remember during her cutscenes I would stay sometimes a little longer on the dialogues just to listen to the music... Tbf I did that with many songs in that game jajaja... The vibes suit me?.... That's really sweet.... It's a really chill and comfy song... I'm glad I'm perceived that way

Porter Robinson has such pretty songs!!! I'm not sure if I had heard this one!! It gave me a bit of feelings for the thing I told you on discord... Like a lot of feelings heh... It's a gentle song... "I told you to forget me, but you stayed by my side" heh might just cry... I love you a lot Rose, thank you

And now last but not least- (well there is one more but it's in another ask jsjsjs) you absolutely demolished me with this one JSJSJJSJS as I said, I had seen your ask and as I was drawing, this one came on and I remembered I had seen... Well... You sending it, right? And so I stopped and listened to it with more attention and started crying lmao jsjsjs.... I had a lot of thoughts and feelings, with this song that... Since I first heard it it has meant a lot to me... And... It was really sweet... Really kind that you... Heh.... I love you, honestly and sincerely, you are an amazing person ... Thank you for everything Rose, I'm sorry i know I can be a handful hahaha but.... Thank you for everything... I love you a lot

Titles that need an adaptation at the DCU

James, I hope you'll see it, please adapt these masterpieces

Tom Strong

Top 10

Maritan Manhunter origin movie

The Planetary

live action version of Young Justice

Phantom Strange

James Robinson's Starman

Keith Giffen's run of Legion of Superheroes

and Legionnaires as a spin-off

Birds of Prey's sequel series, with Black Canary, Huntress, Renne Montoya as Oracle, Blackhawk, and Lori Lemaris

Book Notes: Cozy Holiday Reading

When we’re tired out from trying to find the perfect gift or calculating just how long we can procrastinate on sending packages without actually missing Christmas, it’s nice to escape into the pages of a cozy holiday-centered read. Here are a few that I’ve finished this holiday season that are helping me get in the spirit.

While Lovelight Farms by B. K. Borison begins in the fall, it takes place at a Christmas tree farm and runs all the way through the festive season. A very fun friends-to-lovers steamy romance with some fake dating thrown in, I quickly devoured it and then read the other two in the series, In the Weeds and Mixed Signals (fair warning, these two are not set during the holidays). Adorable and cozy with small town quirkiness and recurring characters, but also definite heat in the romance department and thoughtful emotional depth.

Beth O'Leary's The Wake-Up Call is the ultimate in cozy Christmas. Izzy and Lucas agree on two things, they love their jobs and work family at Forest Manor Hotel. And they can't stand each other. But with Forest Manor Hotel on the brink of collapse, they'll have to work together (or compete, same difference) to save their jobs. Full of romantic tension!

Love, Holly, by Emily Stone, is a December to December year in the life of Holly, who is estranged from her family and finding connection with others in a similar situation by writing "Dear Stranger" letters at Christmas. Except this year, Holly's Dear Stranger letter takes her back to the place where her life changed forever, giving her the chance to take unexpected steps towards reconciliation. And fate also keeps throwing a handsome man in her way. 

Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello, was a delightful read (and the featured book on the holiday gift guide)! Trey’s family has owned Wonderland, the bookstore in Stoke Newington, for several generations, but this might be the year that ends. Wonderland is in trouble, and Trey will have to lean on his friends—old and new—to come up with ways to save his family bookstore. Meanwhile, sparks start flying between Trey and the bookstore’s newest employee, Ariel. Short chapters kept the pages turning. I loved the hopeful energy of Trey and his friends and their creativity in trying to keep Wonderland afloat.

Laurie reported she read A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss and said “it’s a slow burn but I really enjoyed it, especially the funny complicated relationships between the three sisters.” She added that there’s a male character who is a knitter, which definitely piqued my interest!

So I’ll have to add it to my still to-be-read pile, along with Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan (the follow-up to The Christmas Bookshop) and Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien, a new edition of a 1920 classic. Plus I’ll squeeze in my annual re-read of Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. 

Come check out our selection of holiday books, from classics and romances to mysteries and cookbooks, to find something to cozy up with this month!

— Lori

“It’s impossible to be in love with all the six queens’

The Six queens in question:

Megan Gilbert, Ashleigh Weir, Holly Musgrave, Oliver Wickham, Annabel Marlow, Shimali De Silva, Renee Lamb, Christina Modestou, Natalie Paris, Genesis Lynea, Aimie Atkinson, Izuka Hoyle, Jaye’J Richards-Noel, Millie O’Connell, Alexia McIntosh, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Grace Mouat, Vicki Manser, Courtney Stapleton, Adrianna Hicks, Andrea Macaseat, Abby Mueller, Brittney Mack, Samantha Pauly, Anna Uzele, Mallory Maedke, Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert, Courtney Mack, Shantel Cribbs, Courtney Bowman, Sophie Isaacs, Danielle Steers, Zara Macintosh, Cherelle Jay, Hana Stewart, Collette Guitart, Candace Furbert, Hazel Karooma-Brooker, Caitlin Tipping, Sophie Golden, Alicia Corrales-Connor, Viquichele Cross, Bryony Duncan, Natalie Pilkington, Lori McLare, Amy Bridges, Lauren Drew, Maddison Bulleyment, Lauren Byrne, Shekinah McFarlane, Jodie Steele, Athena Collins, Cassandra Lee, Jennifer Caldwell, Harriet Watson, Jasmine Shen, Kelly Sweeney, Jessica Niles, Georgia Carr, Amelia Walker, Liv Alexander, Elizabeth Walker, Maddison Firth, Laura Blair, Chloe Zuel, Kala Gare, Loren Hunter, Kiana Daniele, Courtney Monsma, Vidya Makan, Ella Burns, Karis Oka, Shannen Alyce-Quan, Jade Marvin, Lucy Aiston, Gabriella Stylianou-Burns, Scarlet Gabriel, Rebecca Wickes, Megan Leung, Sophie Rose Middleton, Abbi Hodgson, Kara Ami Mcraenor, Emily Harrigan, Gabrielle Smith, Melissa Ford, Kaylah Attard, Fia Houston-Hamilton, Rhiannon Bacchus, Rhiannon Doyle, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Elena Gyasi, Keirsten Hodgens, Artemis Chrisoulakis, Ellie Sharpe, Sadie Hurst, Melinda Porto, L’Oreal Roache, Wesley Carpenter, Maya Christian, Brianna Mooney, Meghan Dawson, Marilyn Caserta, Ashlee Waldbauer, Adrianna Glover, Alize Ke’Aloha Cruz, Kristina Walz, Amy Di Bartolomeo, Amanda Lindgren, Claudia Kariuki, Dionne Ward-Anderson, Tsemaye Bob-Egbe, Meesha Turner, Paisley Billings, Danielle Rose, Roxanne Couch, Esme Rothero, Rachel Rawlinson, Lauren Irving, Danielle Mendoza, Shelby Griswold, Kennedy Carstens, Abigail Sparrow, Jarynn Whitney, Madeline Fansler, Channing Weir, Princess Victomé, Sunayna Smith, Chloë Hart, Casey Al-Shaqsy, Aiesha Pease, Jaina Brock-Patel, Alana Robinson, Grace Melville, Leesa Tulley, Harriet Caplan-Dean, Khaila Wilcoxon, Storm Lever, Jasmine Forsberg, Olivia Donalson, Didi Romero, Gabriela Carrillo, Cassie Silva, Kelly Denice Taylor, Erin Ramirez, Kelsee Kimmel, Phoenix Mendoza, Chelsea Dawson, Chiara Assetta, Cristina D’Agostino, Joy Woods, Bre Jackson, Keri Rene Fuller, Brennyn Lark, Ayla Ciccone-Burton, Holli’ Conway, Brianna Javis, Gabbi Mack, Casey Esbin, Ellie Wyman, Sasha Renae Brown, Nicole Lamb, Aja Simone Baitey, Willow Dougherty, Kayla McSorely, Emily Rose Lyons, Chelsea Wargo, Hannah Taylor, Jessie Bodner, Jasmine Hackett, Janice Rijssel, Lucia Valentino, Elena Breschi, Meg Dixon-Brasil, Sarah McFarlane, Reca Oakley, Gerianne Perez, Zan Berube, Amina Faye, Terica Marie, Aline Mayagoitia, Sydney Parra, Jana Larell Glover, Taylor Pearlstein, Aryn Bohannon, Cecilia Snow, Rhianne Louise McCaulsky, Baylie Carson, Koko Basigara, Monique Ashe Palmer, Leah Vassell, Hailee Kaleem Wright, Leandra Ellis Gaston, Bella Coppola, Nasia Thomas, Zoe Jensen, Taylor Iman Jones, Aubrey Matalon, Kristina Leopold, Rae Davenport, Gianna Grosso, Kathryn Kilger, Bethany McDonald, Jillian Worthing, Haley Izurieta, Jasmine Smith, Lois Ellise Reeves, Alyssa Giannetti, Eden Holmes, Jaelle Laguerre, Kate Zulauf, Lee ARumSoul, Son Seungyeon Kim Ji Woo, Sophiya Pae, Park Hye-na, Park Ga-Ram, Kim Ji Sun, Choi Hyun-sun, Kim Ryeo Won, Heo Sol-ji, Yoo Ju-hye, Hong Ji Hee, Nicole Louise Lewis, Laura Dawn Pyatt, Erin Caldwell, Kenedy Small, Lou Henry, Aoife Haakenson, Ellie Jane Grant, Izi Maxwell, Tamara Morgan, Shakira Simpson, Fiorella Bamba, Lucinda Wilson, Caitlyn De Kuyper, Amanda Lee, Gabriella Boumford, Audrey Fisher, Brooke Aneece, Jaz Robinson, Julia Pulo, Maggie Lacasse, Krystal Hernández, Elysia Cruz, Lauren Mariasoosay, Julia McLellan, Darcy Stewart, Hailey Lewis

more about serving

Yesterday I talked about the art of servanthood and said this … do something for someone who generally does that for you.  I mean turn the tables, change the method, think of that person that has done so much in serving you and go serve them.  

It is a new way of thinking or living.  It is servanthood at its height and best.  It was seen in the greatest giving to the least.  That is not the “Robin Hood” mentality of taking from the rich to give to the poor.  It is simply recognizing those who do for you and doing for them.

Colossians 3:24  NLT  

Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Here are some quotes about being a servant:

"What you do has far greater impact than what you say.” - Steven Covey

"Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.” - Rosa Parks

"A life isn't significant except for its impact on others lives.” - Jackie Robinson

Faithful servants never retire. You can retire from your career, but you will never retire from serving God. - Rick Warren

That is just a few.  May we be found serving and sharing more often than we serve served!

Proverbs 3:27  NLT  

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.

Pray for:

Pray for Jalen Brown and Devika Kancherla as both continue to be in the hospital. Pray for Deb Patterson and her as her mother passed away.   Pray for my mission trip to Cuba happening in two weeks.

On Going Prayer List:

Deb Mosely, Jenny Biggs, Sarah Ogle and her pregnancy, Joan Norman, Carolyn Holland, Debbie Coleman, Anita Martin, Martha Pennington, David Smith, Raye Anne Thore, Lloyd and Senga, and Danny and Kathy Wilson.  Those battling cancer: Ricky Burnett, Felecia Watkins, WT Setliff, Leah Riddle’s sister Lori, Ron Harris, and Jon Morris.

Okay, wow. So I just found out the news that Persona 3 Reload (in addition to not having FeMC or the Answer) will replace all the entire English Voice Cast with new actors. …Yeah.

Protagonist will be played by Aleks Le (replacing Yuri Lowenthal)

Junpei lori will be played by Zeno Robinson (replacing Vic Mignogna)

Yukari Takeba will be played by Heather Gonzalez (replacing Michelle Ruff)

Aigis will be played by Dawn Bennett (replacing Karen Straussman)

Akihiko Sanada will be played by Alejandro Saab (replacing Liam O’Brien)

Fuuka Yamagishi will be played by Suzie Yeung (replacing Paula Tiso in Persona 3, Persona 3 FES and Persona 3 Portable and Wendee Lee in the spin-off games Persona 4 Arena, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Persona Q and Persona 3 Dancing in Moonlight)

Ken Amada will be played by Justine Lee (replacing Ken’s uncredited voice actor in Persona 3, Persona 3 FES and Persona 3 Portable and Cindy Robinson in the spin-off games Persona 4 Arena, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Persona Q and Persona 3 Dancing in Moonlight)

Mitsuru Kirijo will be played by Allegra Clark (replacing Tara Platt)

Shinjiro Aragaki will be played by Justice Slocum (replacing George Grant)

Don’t get me wrong, I love the new actors from their other works (Suzie Yeung as Yuffie in Final Fantasy VII Intergrade; Alejandro Saab as Yuri in Fire Emblem Three Houses and Three Hopes; Dawn Bennett as Female Shez in Fire Emblem Warriors Three Hopes; Allegra Clark as Dorothea and Shamir in Three Houses and Three Hopes, "Boss" in AI: The Somnium Files and Iori and Chihiro in 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim; and especially Zeno Robinson as Hunter in the Owl House, Goh in Pokemon Journeys, Fogado in Fire Emblem Engage and Hawks in My Hero Academia) and am so glad they’re getting more work in what are some major roles.

It’s just that the voice cast of the Persona games are so intrinsically linked to each game due how they the performances so much focus, which will make it be hard to get used to; especially because a lot of the performances from the original Persona 3 are so iconic to their actors as some of their best work, namely (for me personally) Liam O’Brien as Akihiko, George Grant as Shinjiro, Michelle Ruff as Yukari, Tara Platt as Mitsuru and Karen Straussman as Aigis.

Again, this is good news; I just feel sad about saying goodbye to the original Persona 3 cast after having them for so many years since 2007 and getting so attached their work. But, after so long, looks like Akihiko’s “I’ve been waiting for this” will finally be gone.

Best of 2022

as always, this is stuff I loved in 2022, not necessarily stuff that came out in 2022 (in fact, it's mostly not!). and there'll be a more detailed post on Patreon.

BOOKS & COMICS

Squire, Sara Alfageeh & Nadia Shammas

The Argonautika, Apollonius of Rhodes trans. Peter Green

Scout Is Not A Band Kid, Jade Armstrong

Bestiary Dark, Marianne Boruch

Antigonick, Anne Carson/Sophocles

Flint and Mirror, John Crowley

Devil House, John Darnielle

Universal Harvester, John Darnielle

Vita Nostra, Marina Dyachenko

The Hatch, Joe Fletcher

Averno, Louise Glück

Job: A New Verse Translation, Edward L. Greenstein

The Thin Man, Dashiell Hammett

Heretics of Dune, Frank Herbert 

Iliad, Homer trans. Caroline Alexander 

Skin Folk, Nalo Hopkinson

Uzumaki, Junji Ito

Moon Witch, Spider King, Marlon James 

Footnotes in the Order of Disappearance, Fady Joudah

Ulysses, James Joyce

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, John le Carré

A Desolation Called Peace, Arkady Martine

Salt Fat Acid Heat, Samin Nosrat

The Bull from the Sea, Mary Renault

The Persian Boy, Mary Renault 

Normal People, Sally Rooney

Grief Sequence, Prageeta Sharma

A Frog in the Fall, Linnea Sterte 

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

A Secret Vice, JRR Tolkien ed. Dimitra Fimi

MOVIES

Loser, Urzila Carlson

Everything Everywhere All At Once, Daniels 

Saint Maud, Rose Glass

Promare, Hiroyuki Imaishi

My Neighbor Totoro, Hayao Miyazaki

Withnail & I, Bruce Robinson

Jenny Slate: Stage Fright, Gillian Robinson

Demon Slayer, Haruo Sotozaki

Stalker, Andrei Tarkovsky

Sk8 the Infinity, Hiroko Utumi

Barbarella, Roger Vadim

MUSIC

The Dream, alt-J

Renaissance, Beyoncé 

Hounds of Love, Kate Bush

“Lakes of Canada,” The Innocence Mission

The Loneliest Time, Carly Rae Jepsen

Dance Fever, Florence + the Machine

Mashrou' Leila, just like, in general

“Children of Light II”, Meg Myers

Leak 04-13, Jai Paul

Scheherazade, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Rostam & Sohrab, Loris Tjeknavorian

MISCELLANEOUS

Getting an agent

Homemade baba ghanoush 

Seeing Drawfee live

Attending Tristan und Isolde

The work of Salman Toor

Guesting on The Spouter-inn

some stuff i liked this year

Theatre

Oratorio for Living Things // Heather Christian

Evanston Salt Costs Climbing // Will Arbery

Nightclub Cantata // Liz Swados

Long Day’s Journey Into Night // Eugene O’Neil

Chekhov’s First Play // Anton Chekhov

The Skin of our Teeth // Thorton Wilder

Leopoldstadt // Tom Stoppard

Assassins // John Weidman, Stephen Sondheim

Topdog/Underdog // Suzan Lori-Parks

Suffs // Shaina Taub

Film 

New Releases

Nope // Jordan Peele

Decision to Leave // Park Chan-wook

Petite Mamam // Céline Sciamma

Everything Everywhere All at Once // Daniels

First Watches

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg // Jacques Demy

Secrets and Lies // Mike Leigh

Le bonheur // Agnes Varda

Fanny and Alexander // Ingmar Bergman

Queen Christina // Rouben Mamoulian

High and Low // Akira Kurosawa

The Long Day Closes // Terrance Davies

Desert Hearts // Donna Deitch

Three Colors: Red // Krzysztof Kieślowski

Tampopo // Juzo Itami

Music

New Releases

Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You // Big Thief

Bleed Out // The Mountain Goats

Magnificent Bird // Gabriel Kahane

Ants From Up There // Black Country, New Roads

Laurel Hell // Mitski

Crash // CharliXCX

Flood // Stella Donnelly

No Rules Sandy // Sylvan Esso

Experts in a Dying Field // The Beths

How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars? // the Weather Station

First Listens

Miami Memory // Alex Cameron

Have One On Me // Joanna Newsom

The Liz Swados Project // Various artists

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg // Michel Legrand

Turbulent Indigo // Joni Mitchell

Ravel and Prokofiev // Margaret Argerich and Berlin Philharmonic

Vulture Prince // Arooj Aftab

Judee Sill // Judee Sill

The First Songs // Laura Nyro  

Pure Comedy // Father John Misty

Books 

Nightwood // Djuana Barnes

Always Coming Home // Ursula K Le Guin

Nona the Ninth // Tamsyn Muir

Orientalism // Edward Said

Giovanni’s Room // James Baldwin

Orlando // Virginia Woolf

Imago // Octavia Butler

The Ministry for the Future // Kim Stanley Robinson

Why Fish Don’t Exist // Lulu Miller

Broken Earth Trilogy // NK Jemisin

TV 

I don’t watch enough so just Severance!