It Is My Favorite Thing In The World When I Notice An Author Leaving Sneaky Little Fun Things In The

It is my favorite thing in the world when I notice an author leaving sneaky little fun things in the text, especially when it relates to linguistics.

Terry Pratchett does this the most out of anyone I’ve read; I’ve just started The Fifth Elephant (reading the Guards series for the first time!) and there’s teeny little linguistic quips built into the very text itself.

“It’s one of the major towns in Überwald, sir,” said Carrot, balancing the umlaut perfectly.

…

“Klatch? But they’re even farther from Uberwald than we are!” -Sam Vimes

“A large country, Uberwald” [Vetinari]

Pratchett, in dialogue, only uses the umlauts when someone who knows how to pronounce it properly is speaking. And I think it’s doubly funny that Vetinari can’t pronounce it right.

Has anyone else noticed stuff like this in other Discworld books?

I read a cozy mystery where the protagonist does actually attempt to not butt in and repeatedly calls the chief of police to keep him apprised of the situation when evidence keeps falling into her lap.I liked it!

State of the bookshelf 3/10/23

(I’m so frustrated! I have to remember not to compose posts in Tumblr’s stupid post editor since it keeps eating my posts. Gr…)

Anyway. State of the bookshelf: I’m canceling March. March books will be postponed until April. That includes

On Teaching Children

The Black Tides of Heaven

Whatever else I was planning for March, idk

In the meantime, here’s what I’ve been doing instead

Finished rereading (for the umpteenth time) I Shall Wear Midnight (Pratchett), Network Effect (Martha Wells), and Fugitive Telemetry (Wells again)

From the library, being resolutely ignored: Wintersmith and A Hat Full of Sky (Pratchett) and an America’s Test Kitchen cookbook

Rereading The Last Continent (Pratchett) and Maskarade (Pratchett)

Reading Hamilton by Chernow again (I didn’t finish it the last time, so it isn’t a proper reread)

Reading Over the Woodward Wall by Seanan McGuire

Rereading Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie (this is only my first re-read, and it’s been so long, it’s almost like I’m re-discovering it)

Other projects planned

Reply to replies! I WILL get back to you I swear >_<

Post: “Pronouns and personhood in 3 SFF series”

Related (mini) post: “Discworld Does Gender: a DIY reading list” 

Post: “The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (series) recommendation”

Post: “The Frog Princess (series) recommendation”

I'm toying with a post about YA fantasy series that do fun things with gender roles, but we'll see if I get the spoons

Next week we have our kids camp, and I’m still in a box kingdom, so I guess I might be MIA for a hot second. Happy reading!

UPDATE! I'm reading it now and I LOVE IT. The protagonist is SO FUN she keeps mentally wandering off and describing things as the larval and pupal stage of X.

book hype!

apropos of nothing, one thing I'm absolutely looking forward to in the very near future is A House With Good Bones by T Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon). It comes out THIS TUESDAY, March 28, 2023, and I'm SOOOO hype for it. This is one of her horror stories.

“Mom seems off.” Her brother’s words echo in Sam Montgomery’s ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone. She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam’s excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out. But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above. To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

I love Vernon's writing, from her stuff for adults to her young reader stuff (I love Nurk and Castle Hangnail). I think/hope this book is the one with the protagonist who is an entomologist, too, which is a major plus for me. (I love arthropods.) Her writing is witty and wry, and the stories overall have a warmth/kindness to them that is comforting even/especially when the characters are going through Some Shit--yes, even/especially in her horror books. Her writing reminds me of Pratchett in some ways (and yes, that is in fact one of the highest compliments I can bestow).

Anyway, if you want to read along with me, I've already preordered A House With Good Bones by T Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon). I can't wait to read it :)

Finished ancillary Justice, started a ancillary Sword.

The themes of civilized vs uncivilized, "real" people vs idk mere humans, colonial-/imperialism are so strong. Even moreso than last time. It hits hard.

And let us not forget

The sci fi maxi pad

Excited to start this book, but ...

That is a space dong