forestofglory

I have actually watched some TV on my own! And I read more middle grade and YA graphic novels, and a few other things.

New Life Begins (2022) ep 1-6 — Several of my friends have watched this and it sounded very up my alley with lots of female friendships and food. Also there are textiles! So far it's very charming!

Great Canadian Baking Show ep 1-3— I keep hearing good things about this show, how it's like British Bake off used to be but more queer. And R was interested in watching it with me. So far we've only seen a couple of episodes but it's as advertised lots of baking and people being nice to each other. There's a bit more maple syrup than in the British version.

Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky— I wanted to like this more than I did. Coming Back is a sapphic YA novel about two women, one who goes on a quest while the other stays home. There's cool planty magic, and interesting critters. But I found the story confusing in places, and bits of the story were hard for me to suspend my disbelief about.

Spoilers

Preet the woman who stays home chooses to have a child even though her partner is missing. Since her community believes that a child needs two parents she hides the child. I just don't think the author understands how difficult this would be, for both the parent and the child! Parents and children both need community!

Succulents and Spells by Andi C. Buchanan— This was a cute low stakes contemporary fantasy f/f romance. This had the “problem” for me that it was about a character who felt directionless, and by the end of the story had more direction in her life. Which is how stories go! But als person who has been feeling very directionless recently it made me feel rather wistful.

Ethnic Identity in Tang China by Marc S. Abramson— So I only read three fourths of this but I'm counting it anyway. This book is very much what it says on the tin. I found the subject matter really fascinating but the prose hard going. Some kinds of academic prose are just very difficult for me so eventually I decided I'd had enough. But I learned a lot! It's notable how many Tang stereotypes about non Han people are similar to the ones current today.

Manu by Kelly Fernandez— This middle grade graphic novel set at catholic magic school in the Dominican Republic. Manu is a student at the school but she is bit of a wild child casing problems and having hard time fitting in with the other girls. This was a fun setting and I liked the story a lot!

Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo— Another middle grade graphic novel! This one is about a nerdy latina who doesn’t want to have a quinceañera. I liked the focus on family relationships. The grandma is great! Before reading this I knew next to nothing about quinceañeras and now I know a smidge more. I did think some of the emotional resolution went a bit fast. Overall this was very sweet read (content note: death and mourning)