Introducing...the Authorstrator Listy List!
A round up of recommendations from my TBR, watch list and other stuff
We're taking a bit of a break from Mermay to try something new here at Authorstrator - the first ever Authorstrator Listy List!
What it’s all about: I have an everyday notebook and it's got my calendar and is filled with all my lists - grocery lists, to do lists, to read lists, to watch lists. All the lists! The Authorstrator Listy List is a round up of what I think are the most interesting bits and bobs from all the lists in my every day notebook to share with you! I don’t know about you, but I am having a hard time getting book and show recommendations these days, and the best recs I get come from folks I know and who’s tastes I trust. By sharing my recs on the Listy List, I hope you find some gems to add to all your different lists. I'll be sending the Authorstrator Listy List every month, and as always, don't be shy! I invite you to share your favourite finds with us in the comments! Whether you're looking for something to binge watch, read slow, read fast, or art supplies for your drawing and notebooking endeavors, there should be something here to get you started!
The Reading List
Articles
Boy, the tech overlords our outdoing themselves this month.
This article from 404 Media discusses the excruciating irony of OpenAI filing a copy right claim over reddit folk using the chatgpt logo.
A Note from
alerted me to this laughably dystopian Apple commercial. His follow up write up of the advertising mess sums up my feelings nicely. took down the paywall on her Noted lab for a discussion on marginalia. I LOVE marginalia. And have committed to writing in my books from now until forever.ÂSerial fiction expert and fellow x-Wattpadder
has been sharing an excellent series of articles on how to write serial fiction. has been posting a wonderful series of articles about colour. I love Jacob Souva's newsletter - his writing style is so funny and engaging, his art is INCREDIBLE and advice incredibly practicalBooks
Stardust by Neil Gaiman - I've been looking for a fantasy told in third person and its been surprisingly difficult when looking at the newer releases. Not that I have anything against first person narration, it's just that my current WIP is told in third and I'm finding consuming too much first is messing me up. SO, Stardust was just the ticket. I love a self conscious third person narrator.
The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden - I got distracted at Christmas and didnt get to finish this follow up to the Bear and the Nightingale. I am excited to return, and bonus! Third person!
Ice Chips by Roy and Kerry MacGregor - My son (who is a hockey fanatic) and I are reading this sweet little series for young readers. Probably perfect for grades 2 - 4, its a bit of a reach for my son who is still learning to read but he's been really loving the mystery and the hockey stuff tracks.Â
The Watch List
Apple's Never Fall - Mystery meets Succession, this was a fun watch. While I didn't feel the series quite stuck the landing, I had a good time getting there.
Under the Bridge - We just saw the first episode and I am very excited for this one. Another crime/mystery, with a lot of teen rage and starring Lily Gladstone from Killers of the Flower Moon, the first episode had me edge of my seat and I am excited to see where it goes.
Bluey episode: Dad Baby - I read an article that an episode of Bluey was banned from Disney+Â and couldn't fathom what could possibly make the mouse reject an episode of this sweet little show so we found it on youtube. My kids laughed and laughed.
The Shopping List
Arteza Fine Liner Pens - This was an impulse by for me a summer ago and I use them all the time now. Perfect for getting the more precise fine lines in my marker drawings. And when I say fine, I mean fine! I have the 48 set and its got every colour I need. Markers are always so expensive but these guys are decently affordable so that’s another reason to love them.
sketchbooks and notebooks - I've been coveting these for a while but alas, they are too far away for me to justify the splurge. But gosh they are so beautiful!And that’s it! What’s on your lists this month?
Thanks for reminding me about Stardust! It's been on my TBR list and my literal shelf for a while and I haven't made it to it yet. If you're looking for a great fantasy series with a sparky third person narrator, I can't recommend the Magicians Trilogy enough.
The local library had a book sale, and since I didn't get enough from there, I went to the indie bookstore downtown afterwards. My take includes:
-Diamond Age (Stevenson)
-Gallant (V.E. Schwab)
-The Light Fantastic (Pratchett)
-Delta-V (Daniel Suarez)
-The Caves of Steel (Asimov)
-A pile of Sunset books to keep my house from falling down or blowing up
-Suspiria (Dario Argento, DVD)
-Camp Damascus (Chuck Tingle)
-Legends and Lattes (Travis Baldree)
-The Parable of the Talents (Butler)
Of course, while I was at the library, I checked some books out, and those are the ones I've actually been reading.
-The Stars are Legion (Kameron Hurley)
-You Sexy Thing (Cat Rambo)
-The Birthgrave (Tanith Lee)
I've settled on two vintage glass nib pens that look like they were made from drinking straws. Ink from the downtown art store: Platinum sepia black, Noodlers green, manga black (that was a mistake, and could have been a lot bigger mess than it was).
Reading with your little boy sounds absolutely sweet. That was how I learned to read, from my mom. My husband liked hockey.