9: Ghost Warriors (Scalzi. Audio, 20 Apr)

Yeah, there is definitely a growth from this to his latest book. I enjoyed it and did not expect deep thoughts on identity and consciousness. Who are you and what makes you you?

I think it's more indicative than a cause. Your take really hits the nail on the head and elevates my silly joke to serious truth.

My sarcasm was that Dinos was the cause. Although, if you want to find a way to back that up too I won't complain

This right here is the major problem with America. People without a favorite dinosaur are adrift in a sea of sadness without knowing it.

(/s in case it wasn't obvious)

They should start making irony meters with log scales to keep up with growth.

homer simpson says i call him gamblor in front of a picture Alt: Homer simpson says "Icall him Gamblor" as he swings an arm across his body, making a fist in rage.

What I hear in my head at the end of every casino radio commercial lwhen they read the required "call this phone number if you think you have an addiction"

This looks like the setup for a bossfight in Clair Obscur

I have loved every second of it. They seem like the loveliest people. That group hug after naming the moon feature made me choke up a little.

kermit the frog is standing in front of a red curtain on a stage . Alt: Kermit the frog is standing in front of a red curtain on a stage. He wiggles chaotically and his arms flail back and forth. This is straight from moments on the Muppet Show when Kermit screams "Yay!!!!!"

It happened! Yay!

Watching Integrity come down was hard. People talk about Challenger flashbacks, I'm over here with Columbia flashbacks

Some of my students, when watching the Artemis II launch, said the astronauts were larping (renting a car fancier than theirs to appear rich). I asked them "Live Action Role Playing?" They had no idea that's where that term comes from.

8: Starter Villain (Scalzi, print, 6 Apr)

Fun, in the same vein as his Kaiju book, a romp as it were. It's interesting because I'm also reading (audio) the second book in his Old Man's War series and comparing his writing over a 20 year gap is fascinating. He seems like he's having fun with writing

I would never have guessed pierogi have a patron saint.

Blessed be the starch.

Why yes, I did just name my new laptop Wintermute. It's now on the same network as the desktop Deckard.

When I saw "new" I was really hoping production had restarted and we'd get more episodes.

7: Mort (Pratchett, audio, 2 Apr)

I haven't read this in years, I'd completely forgotten most of it especially the ending. I really enjoyed how the audio did Mort's changing voice. The consistency of using Peter Serafinowicz throughout all the recent audio books is great.

I immediately thought about the prologue of EotW. But also, like the 100+ pages of LoC

I'm so sorry for your loss! They love with all they are and it's so hard when they're gone.

Yep, why I'm still rocking Lightroom 6 and will never change. Let me buy things and own them dammit.

6: Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dinniman, print, 30 Mar)

I was hesitant to read this. The LitRPG label made it seem odd. But it was good. And I can see that's a ton of complex stuff going on that Dinniman wants to talk about. It almost feels in conversation with The Good Place. I'll certainly read more.

A calico cat sits with her back to the camera on a desk. She stares at a large tv acting as a computer monitor. There is a power shell terminal window open with a lot of multicolored text.

The cat helps me debug my code and figure out what's going wrong with my python package installations. She's very surly about it.

5: Cibola Burn (Corey, print, 26 Mar)

My reread of The Expanse continues. I'm wrapping up the first arc - The Ring. Next book starts the Inaros arc. This one is less swashbuckling and more thoughtful and slow. I have to wonder if some of the lines about Amos are purposely foreshadowing the very end

What if the band's full name was "Sylvester Stallone and the Family Stone" all along?

Always an option.

You're awesome. And you're right!

One week until spring break....

I just have to make it one week and finish my giant pile of grading.

I can do this.

And OK stands for "Oll Korrect" because even the 1830's had memes.

I want a car magnet that says "My other ride is a Waygate."

4: Storm Front (Butcher, audio, 18 Mar)

My first Dresden. That was fun. Urban detective, almost noir, meets magic. Sure, I'm in for a ride. Short. I can see tons of little tidbits laid for future stories: this missing mother, the mentor, the council, the talking skull.

I just realized that the outfits in the video for Come On Eileen look just like something a 2010's indie folk band would wear. This makes me feel old for some reason.

I'm letting myself be delusional and believe that the Expanse is on a secret 30+ year hiatus to give us the time-skip we deserve