Book Related Thoughts and Articles

I got up early for day four at BayCon so that I could pack my car. I was so glad that I drove to the con because I WAY overpacked. After my second trip to the car, I brought my laptop with me to check out, get coffee, and to go to my last panel. I was disappointed in it because the panelists didn't come prepared and they were complaining about it being too early in the morning. It was 10:30am.

After the panel, I went to the table top gaming room where I knew my friend was and I wanted to say my goodbyes for the weekend. The drive home was uneventful, thankfully.

I got home and did laundry after Molly greeted me and told me that no one paid any attention to her the whole time I was away. She stole my pillow as I was attempting to make the bed, but she looked so cute, I let her keep it for a while.

I emailed an author about reading ARCs for her, but I haven't heard back yet. I am sure she's as exhausted as I am.

7/6/24

Day three at BayCon. I got up and went to a panel on beginning tarot. At the end, we all drew a card to take with us. I pulled one from the middle of the deck without looking. If you know anything about me, you will know that the card I drew found me.

I took it as a sign that I have to learn more about tarot. I purchased a set that spoke very loudly to me. The Dark Crystal was its theme. So far, I have taken a look at the booklet that explains each of the cards, but I have only begun reading it. I might be overwhelming.

I went to a panel about the best books in the Sci-fi Fantasy genres in the last 3 years. A friend of mine was on the panel, so I got called on to look up titles or remind her of titles we read over the last few years. It kept me on my toes.

Another panel was about breathing new life into old stories. It was more for writers, so I didn't have a lot to do with it, but it kept me out of trouble.

I went to a Romantasy panel, but it was a lot of horror and monster porn discussing. I don't read a lot of that, but I can see the value of it. The panelists were great.

We attempted the parties that were hosted by other attendees of the con. We lasted less than an hour before we decided to head to bed. I packed a lot of my stuff before bed, so I wasn't as anxious about getting the car packed up.

7/5/24

I was up early to continue my BayCon adventure. I found coffee and breakfast and went to a panel on reality is stranger than fiction. Does science drive fiction or the other way around? Think Star Trek and 007 technology that is around today. Wonderful panel by R.I. Partridge.

Next, I wandered over to watch part of The Last Unicorn movie, with a Q&A by the author. I left before the movie started since technical difficulties were annoying me and I had seen the movie many times before.

Peter S. Beagle at BayCon 2024

I went to a panel on writing reviews. I spoke with some interesting people. I might be reading ARCs for a new author. I look forward to it!

I grabbed lunch and went to the GOH talk.

Guest of Honor, Ryka Aoki spoke of her books, her history, and a variety of things that were just wonderful to hear about. I am so lucky to have met such a gentle person who waved and talked to us every time we passed her during the con. She was a perfect choice for a Guest of Honor.

My friend was a panelist on the discussion of Problematic Favorites. Neil Gaiman, JK Rowling, Roald Dahl and others were talked about. One woman spoke up and said that JK Rowling shouldn't be included with the others, since she supports women. It was pointed out that she is anti-trans people and trans women are women. The speaker said "trans women are not women" and continued to talk despite the fact that the other people in the room were obviously offended by her continuing to speak on the side of supporting JK Rowling. Several people walked out. The panelists got control over the room again, but the panel was talked about for the rest of the weekend.

We attempted to go to the 2024 book launch party, but it was a little much for those of us who had been in and out of panels all day. We went out to dinner and took some deep breaths.

I tried to go to the drag show, but I got bored. My bed was calling me.

7/4/24/ part 2

I went to BayCon. I was aiming to get there with enough time to pick up my registration packet and go to opening ceremonies at 1pm. I arrived just before 1pm. I was planning on taking my suitcase to the bell desk but it turned out that my room was ready and I could check in early. So, I dropped my stuff in my room and headed down to get my registration packet. I waited well over an hour. Oh my goodness. By the time I got to the front of the line, the person checking me in asked how opening ceremonies were. I told her I didn't make it because the line was long. Apparently, I didn't need my badge to get in for the ceremonies. Oh well. I'll know for next time.

I wandered over to watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. About halfway through, my friend found me and we went to the bar.

I went to my first panel about how we had to have more patience when we were kids, especially when it came to serial programs. If you missed an episode, you had to have a friend tell you what happened. Hopefully, they were paying attention. Now, everything is online and you can stream and binge to your heart's desire. It was a fun nostalgic discussion.

I went to the Charter Member Reception and met Ryka Aoki. She was wonderful. I hope we can have her come to a future bookclub meeting over Zoom.

I went to some of Power Point Karaoke but I was way too tired. I watched fireworks from my room.

7/4/24, part 1

The website has a new cover photo! I have also changed it on Facebook and the Goodreads group. Aly Lauron, a talented local artist, designed it for me. She also designed the business card linked on the home page, for Chestnut's Cottage which will be up and running soon. Thank you so much, Aly!

June 2024

6/30/24, part 2

2024 planned books is the link to the books I have read this year, by month. I also have the books that I plan to read listed, so the spreadsheet has a layout that leaves quite a bit to be desired. The completed months are all the way to the right. I've finished 88 books of my 150 book goal. I'm over halfway at the midpoint of the year. I am giving myself room to slip a little or to excel. I hope to excel and not slip, but it's keeping my stress level in check.

6/30/24

I recently watched Butterfly in the Sky on Netflix. It's a documentary about Reading Rainbow and its journey. It inspired me to read LeVar Burton's children's book, The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm. I did a mini review and posted it on the book review page here.

It's a great reminder to start the love of reading early. The interviews with the now grown children who did the book reviews on the show were great! They were all actors, of course, but they weren't scripted and the reviews were all from the children themselves. I remember some of those books that were reviewed, even though I was on the older side when the show started on PBS.

I do recommend watching the show. It's interesting and told a lot of the behind the scenes stories.

6/28/24

I've been looking forward to BayCon for a few months. I was anxious waiting for the schedule to be posted. I had a couple of spoilers. I knew I had friends working in several rooms, and then I found out that a few are running panels. Of course, some friends are just, like me, going as attendees.

The schedule was finally posted this week, so I spent time looking at what I wanted to go to. As always, a lot of things overlap, so I need to narrow it down a bit. I also need to remember to make time for sleep, eating, and emptying my bladder. It looks like it will be a good time and I think that it will be an exhausting con.

April 2024

4/13/24

Bay Area Book Festival is back again, but it will be in June this year, instead of May. There are a few writers who will be at the event that I would like to hear speak - Charlie Jane Anders, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Tommy Orange. All three will be speaking on Sunday. Joan Baez will be speaking on Saturday, but it is later in the day, and I don't think I will make that one.

Charlie Jane Anders and Rebecca Roanhorse are both speaking on the same panel - Climate Fiction as a Tool for Climate Justice.

Tommy Orange will be speaking about Identity, Resilience, and Shared History.

There are a lot of other incredible speakers this year. Take a look at the schedule that was recently published. Bay Area Book Festival 2024 Schedule

February 2024

Bookworm at the Gym Bookclub!

The Bluest Eye Reading

2/3/24

Black History Month - Goodreads' 100 Essential New Works of Fiction by Black Authors

The above list is a great kickoff for Black History Month, even though I am a couple of days late.

I have read and/or own quite a few on the list, and they are worth reading. Have fun with the list! It's definitely worth checking out.

January 2024

Book List Queen 2024 Challenge

1/15/24

I found the below challenge online. I figured that I could add it to my planning spreadsheet, just for fun. I have already checked off several this year, based on the books that I have read already. I included the link in the subtitle below. I hope others can join me for this challenge.