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Workday Weirdness (part 1 of 2, complete)
24 March 2026 19:16![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dialecticdreamerWorkday Weirdness
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 2
Word count (story only): 1263
[November 2017]
:: Jaliya is in the first minutes of opening the Eatery when someone freaks out at the sight of cats hiding under the big trash bins behind the kitchen. When she spots their wings, she understands the panic. Part of the Polychrome Heroics universe in the Mercedes story arcs. Written for the March 2026 Magpie Monday from an idea suggested bysiliconshaman, and posted for everyone to enjoy, with my thanks! ::
On to part two
At a quarter after four in the morning, Bethan’s old alarm clock began vibrating under Jaliya’s pillow. She fumbled, but turned it off on the second hit. Jaliya had showered before bed, because her mom’s work hours meant that she’d be waking up in an hour. Dressing quickly, Jaliya padded into the kitchen to start breakfast.
She stared at the coffee pot in the bottom corner cabinet, then shook her head. Making coffee for her mother might cause a heart attack under the weight of the shock.
( Read more... )
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 2
Word count (story only): 1263
[November 2017]
:: Jaliya is in the first minutes of opening the Eatery when someone freaks out at the sight of cats hiding under the big trash bins behind the kitchen. When she spots their wings, she understands the panic. Part of the Polychrome Heroics universe in the Mercedes story arcs. Written for the March 2026 Magpie Monday from an idea suggested by
siliconshaman, and posted for everyone to enjoy, with my thanks! ::On to part two
At a quarter after four in the morning, Bethan’s old alarm clock began vibrating under Jaliya’s pillow. She fumbled, but turned it off on the second hit. Jaliya had showered before bed, because her mom’s work hours meant that she’d be waking up in an hour. Dressing quickly, Jaliya padded into the kitchen to start breakfast.
She stared at the coffee pot in the bottom corner cabinet, then shook her head. Making coffee for her mother might cause a heart attack under the weight of the shock.
( Read more... )
Where Wolves Don't Die, by Anton Treuer
24 March 2026 15:01rachelmanija
Ezra, an Ojibwe teenager, has to flee Minneapolis when the home of the racist teenager who bullied him burns down, and he becomes the prime suspect. He goes to Canada to run traplines with his grandfather.
Where Wolves Don't Die is mostly a coming of age story; the thriller/mystery element is present but minor. It was recommended to me "Like an Ojibwe Hatchet," which definitely captures a lot of the vibe though it's about learning in community and family rather than isolation. Ezra goes from boy to man while he learns the old ways with his grandfather, who he loves. It's engrossing and moving. I liked that Ezra actively wants to stay with and learn from his grandfather rather than resisting it and having to come around.
Content notes: Hunting and trapping is central to the story.
Life with two kids: School Days Revisited
24 March 2026 20:02andrewduckerThe kids are watching an episode of SpongeBob where he's failing to write an essay. It is, frankly, stressing me the fuck out.
Five Stories About the Dangerous Business of Truth-Telling
24 March 2026 11:30james_davis_nicoll
Telling the truth can make you unpopular... or put you into real peril.
Five Stories About the Dangerous Business of Truth-Telling
boosting: ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
latam
24 March 2026 08:50althea_valaraSaw this on ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png)
dw_community_promo and thought it was a really great idea for a community, so I'm boosting it.
From the post about it:
I'm not very conversant on that culture myself so I'm not joining the comm (yet), but I fully support the idea of it and would be happy to hear it's an active community.
I've already added it to my list of interesting DW communities so next time I post the list, it'll be there.
Also, since I'm posting: I'm always on the lookout for good communities to promote! If you know of one that's not on my list, let me know and I'll add it.
dw_community_promo and thought it was a really great idea for a community, so I'm boosting it. From the post about it:
Everyone's welcome, no matter where you're posting from! And you can also post in your language (official languages of the community are Spanish, Portuguese and English!)
I'm not very conversant on that culture myself so I'm not joining the comm (yet), but I fully support the idea of it and would be happy to hear it's an active community.
I've already added it to my list of interesting DW communities so next time I post the list, it'll be there.
Also, since I'm posting: I'm always on the lookout for good communities to promote! If you know of one that's not on my list, let me know and I'll add it.
How to Build a Planet by Poul Anderson & Stephen L. Gillett
24 March 2026 08:57james_davis_nicoll
A brief guide to creating plausible planets.
How to Build a Planet by Poul Anderson & Stephen L. Gillett
(morning writing, garden, executive function)
24 March 2026 07:43elainegreyAs the temperatures swing here, from uncomfortably warm (i had to stop the HVAC from cooling last night, despite it being welcome) to chill (no frost warning yet), i wonder if our average is... average? Probably not. The warm is far too warm.
The "king bloom" of the apple blossoms opened yesterday. The other apples seem quite behind: the shade of the pines makes a difference. Somehow the tree has pollinated in previous years: i hope the bees can make it work this year. Blue berry blossoms are opening and inviting bees as well. I should probably give hand pollination of the paw paw a try.
Yesterday's executive functioning went well, remarkable after a month of flailing a bit. I might be on the edge of figuring out something. I did realize my image of what rest looks like is remarkably dim and fuzzy. For Other People it is the lounge chair by the pool or the ocean. There wasn't much rest in my growing up: the morning coffee my parents shared with each other on the weekend inevitably exploded into an argument as they tried to plan what they were going to do that day, a weird lesson in intimacy, communication and, i realize, rest and doing. For me, i think of when i was really sick as a child and spent the time in bed with scissors and construction paper.
I'm suspicious i rested on Sunday, and it didn't look like rest at some angles. There were lists and check boxes and time boxes. On the other hand, there weren't any intentions that lasted longer than ten minutes or maybe twenty. There was laundry. (The air while filled with pollen is dry. The Bruno bed pads and rags dried so quickly!) There was acceptance i was tired from the physical labor on Saturday.
Just one thing: 24 March 2026
24 March 2026 06:38jazzyjj posting in awesomeersIt's challenge time!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Mod Post: Off-Topic Tuesday
24 March 2026 09:56icon_uk posting in scans_dailyIn the comments to these weekly posts (and only these posts), it's your chance to go as off topic as you like.
Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat among yourselves.
The intent of these posts is to chat and have some fun and, sure, vent a little as required. Reasoned debate is fine, as always, but if you have to ask if something is going over the line, think carefully before posting please.
Normal board rules about conduct and behaviour still apply, of course.
It's been suggested that, if discussing spoilers for recent media events, it might be advisable to consider using the rot13 method to prevent other members seeing spoilers in passing.
The world situation is the world situation. If you're following the news, you know it as much as I do, if you're not, then there are better sources than scans_daily. But please, no doomscrolling, for your own sake.
This week we lost the original Miss Teschmacher, Valerie Perrine (Who was, as an actress, so much more than that role, but what a role she made it), at the age of 82. When your acting debut is in the film version of Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse 5" and you get good reviews,
Also, Nicholas Brendon, Xander in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died. This is a complicated one; I genuinely liked Xander as a funny, flawed, messed up, and committed character (I always liked the description: "You'd trust Xander with your life, but maybe not your new car"), even though I know the fanbase has reviewed the character in a mostly negative light. I have friends who met Brendon at conventions and spoke highly of him. But I also have to acknowledge his troubled life following that series which harmed others too. So I think I will echo Charisma Carpenter's elegant tribute that "I will miss the version of the man I once knew"
Variety has reported that Star Fleet Academy will not go beyond it's two, already filmed, seasons, which seems a shame, given that if the same logic had been applied to even TNG, we'd likely have no franchise at all now. (They've been screened early seasons over here, and BOY are there a lot of rough episodes in those. Some great performances, and there's a gem or two of an episode yes, but mostly a serious slog). Though admittedly, if I had to pick between seeing Prodigy get a third season or SFA, I'd be team Protostar all the way.
The live action version of "Moana" got a trailer, though all it does is add another of my list of "What is gained by making this movie (as opposed to something new), beyond cash?"
Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat among yourselves.
The intent of these posts is to chat and have some fun and, sure, vent a little as required. Reasoned debate is fine, as always, but if you have to ask if something is going over the line, think carefully before posting please.
Normal board rules about conduct and behaviour still apply, of course.
It's been suggested that, if discussing spoilers for recent media events, it might be advisable to consider using the rot13 method to prevent other members seeing spoilers in passing.
The world situation is the world situation. If you're following the news, you know it as much as I do, if you're not, then there are better sources than scans_daily. But please, no doomscrolling, for your own sake.
This week we lost the original Miss Teschmacher, Valerie Perrine (Who was, as an actress, so much more than that role, but what a role she made it), at the age of 82. When your acting debut is in the film version of Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse 5" and you get good reviews,
Also, Nicholas Brendon, Xander in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died. This is a complicated one; I genuinely liked Xander as a funny, flawed, messed up, and committed character (I always liked the description: "You'd trust Xander with your life, but maybe not your new car"), even though I know the fanbase has reviewed the character in a mostly negative light. I have friends who met Brendon at conventions and spoke highly of him. But I also have to acknowledge his troubled life following that series which harmed others too. So I think I will echo Charisma Carpenter's elegant tribute that "I will miss the version of the man I once knew"
Variety has reported that Star Fleet Academy will not go beyond it's two, already filmed, seasons, which seems a shame, given that if the same logic had been applied to even TNG, we'd likely have no franchise at all now. (They've been screened early seasons over here, and BOY are there a lot of rough episodes in those. Some great performances, and there's a gem or two of an episode yes, but mostly a serious slog). Though admittedly, if I had to pick between seeing Prodigy get a third season or SFA, I'd be team Protostar all the way.
The live action version of "Moana" got a trailer, though all it does is add another of my list of "What is gained by making this movie (as opposed to something new), beyond cash?"
Well, that explains things
23 March 2026 20:10offcntrSo it turns out that three of my tech problems were related.
I've been hacked.
I'd gotten a suspicious phone call on my cell Monday, that I didn't recognize as suspicious until too late. Hung up, called my cell provider and they recommended I log in and change my password and pin, which I did--on my tablet, thankfully. Because in the time between when I foolishly read them my confirmation code and the time I changed my passwords, they managed to clone my phone. And then logged into my credit union account and add their phone number and address. Logged into my email and changed the password. And locked me out of my phone.
Fortunately, changing the SIM on the phone cut them out there. And OCCU, bless their hearts, saw all this suspicious activity and locked down my account. So while they were able to give themselves access, the account froze before they could do anything with it.
I spent a good bit of this morning on the phone with the credit union sorting things out. I'll keep my member number, but will get all new account numbers, will need a new username for my online banking, and will have to stop in with Denise--it's a joint account--to get new debit cards.
I called Denise with the "good" news, and just as I was saying goodbye, got a new call coming in from Beaverton. It was First Tech Federal Credit Union, calling to welcome me as a new account holder. So I immediately said No! It's identity theft! and spent the next half hour on the phone with them getting that account locked down. Don't know whose money they used to open the account; as far as I can tell, it wasn't mine.
But I froze my reports on the three credit sites, changed the password on my credit card, and ran my phone battery down to zero. Got home to an email from a high-end gaming equipment company, saying they were holding the $500 chair I'd looked at in my cart, if I wanted to complete the purchase. Hold it all you like, buddy. I ain't paying for it.
But at least I managed to glaze 19 pots before I had to run for the bus home.
I've been hacked.
I'd gotten a suspicious phone call on my cell Monday, that I didn't recognize as suspicious until too late. Hung up, called my cell provider and they recommended I log in and change my password and pin, which I did--on my tablet, thankfully. Because in the time between when I foolishly read them my confirmation code and the time I changed my passwords, they managed to clone my phone. And then logged into my credit union account and add their phone number and address. Logged into my email and changed the password. And locked me out of my phone.
Fortunately, changing the SIM on the phone cut them out there. And OCCU, bless their hearts, saw all this suspicious activity and locked down my account. So while they were able to give themselves access, the account froze before they could do anything with it.
I spent a good bit of this morning on the phone with the credit union sorting things out. I'll keep my member number, but will get all new account numbers, will need a new username for my online banking, and will have to stop in with Denise--it's a joint account--to get new debit cards.
I called Denise with the "good" news, and just as I was saying goodbye, got a new call coming in from Beaverton. It was First Tech Federal Credit Union, calling to welcome me as a new account holder. So I immediately said No! It's identity theft! and spent the next half hour on the phone with them getting that account locked down. Don't know whose money they used to open the account; as far as I can tell, it wasn't mine.
But I froze my reports on the three credit sites, changed the password on my credit card, and ran my phone battery down to zero. Got home to an email from a high-end gaming equipment company, saying they were holding the $500 chair I'd looked at in my cart, if I wanted to complete the purchase. Hold it all you like, buddy. I ain't paying for it.
But at least I managed to glaze 19 pots before I had to run for the bus home.
Monday Monday ...Rainy Days and Mondays...
23 March 2026 18:27shadowkatIt was raining most of today - as it turns out, and cold. With a chill in the air. When it wasn't raining, it was misting.
1. I'm glad I'm not flying anywhere at the moment. Newark has had several plane collisions in the last few months, and on Sunday, Laguardia (LGA) in NY had a fatal plane collision with a Fire Truck. Air Canada and a Fire Truck collided.
LGA Air Canada and Fire Truck Collision.
I woke up this morning - turned on the news - and there it was as the lead story. It happened late Sunday night, they shut down the airport and evacuated the terminal - the news broadcasters told us that nothing was flying in or out of LGA until 2pm.
And if you were catching a flight before then - to contact your airline because it was probably cancelled and the airport was closed. This was at 6:30 am this morning.
( what happened as far as we know... )
( how many flights were canceled )
Art History Major aka Busy Bee - is off to Florida on Wed. ( TSA and ICE not the best mix for travel )
God, how did we get here? We all agreed that we wanted the thing in the White House gone. And when it happens? We'll flood the streets, hold impromptu celebrations, dance in the street, kiss each other on the cheeks, and hold a big street party. We'll be united in glee. Another rendition of ...the classic 1941 ditty, When that Man is Dead and Gone - which is both tragically and ironically valid today
Mother, I, AHM's boss, and Breaking Bad have all decided we're not flying anywhere any time soon. I'm hoping this sorts itself out by at least May or June. But not holding my breath.
2. I'm frustrated with My Doctor's Office/Health Care Provider. So the PT wanted me to schedule an appointment with his buddy - the vestibular therapist on Tuesday, but alas my primary care gave me a referral to a therapist who can't see me until May and isn't the vestibular therapist the PT introduced me to and wanted me to see this week.
I went online, and after a lot of maneuvering in their site - managed to find the PT that I wanted.
So I asked if I could choose my own or switch to the other one. Primary Care agreed - and if they don't allow it, let her know and she'll send a new referral.
So I call the physical therapy scheduling office and after an hour on hold and, it doesn't exactly go well?
( talking to healthcare provider schedulers requires far too much patience... )
[I'll got talk to the schedulers tomorrow in person. Maybe I'll get somewhere. Unlikely, I'm going in with low expectations? With Healthcare Providers - it's best to go in with low expectations - that way you don't get disappointed.]
See? This is the reason that I've done nothing about the vestibular/vertigo issue. By the time, I actually see the guy, the problem will be gone.
3. There's been a lot of "problematic" famous people dying lately? James Vander Beek, the guy who shall not be named - he was a political guy, and Nick Brendan. Of the three JVB was probably the least controversial and easiest to deal with - and considering he was against vaccines, and a Trump supporter, that's kind of saying something?
Nick Brendan portrayed a problematic character on Buffy (who I consider complicated and was actually quite likable towards the end of S3 and through S7 for the most part. Being a well-rounded and 3 dimensional character - he had plenty of flaws, but that made the character memorable. Also, beloved and relatable to many. Perfect characters or goody two shoe characters are not relatable or beloved. We tend to forget about them. Yes, he was a bit of a jerk in S1-3, but also an adorable goof-ball, and he saved Buffy's life three times). He was troubled and problematic man in life, far more so, actually than most of the characters he portrayed or at least the most familiar of them.
I stumbled upon Nick Brendan's last post on FB - where he takes questions from his devoted fans, and ....I felt for him, while at the same time, was horrified at what he'd become and what his fans, unwittingly enabled. There's a lesson for us all in there somewhere? ( discussing a dead man feels so morbid but here we go... )
The internet scared me today - because I looked up what ailed him. It's "Cauda equina syndrome (CES)" which according to the Orthopedic Centers of Colorado is a rare, medical emergency involving severe compression of nerve roots at the base of the spine, requiring immediate decompression surgery—ideally within 24 hours—to prevent permanent paralysis, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Key symptoms include severe low back pain, saddle anesthesia (numbness in groin/buttocks), and sudden bowel/bladder dysfunction.
The internet loves to throw symptoms at you that you think you have and don't. Technology is turning me into a hypochondriac.
( back to discussing Brendan's demons )
4. Stumbled upon this disturbing article about being a young professional screen actor and dealing with the toxicity of social media.
Barry Keoghan Says Online Abuse Means He
Doesn't Want to Go Outside Any More
"Oscar-nominated actor Barry Keoghan has said online abuse about his appearance is affecting his life, to the point that he now does “not want to go outside”.
The Irish actor, who is playing Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles tetralogy, told SiriusXM host Ben Harlum that though he left social media in 2024 due to online abuse, it was still so bad that he was “shying away” from the public eye – and it was making him want to retreat from acting.
Asked about his fans, Keoghan acknowledged that some “people are so lovely out there”, but added: “There’s also a nasty side of it. And I’ve removed myself from online, but I’m still a curious human being that wants to go on. And if I attend an event or if I go somewhere, you want to see how it was received. And it’s not nice, you know?”
( my two cents )
1. I'm glad I'm not flying anywhere at the moment. Newark has had several plane collisions in the last few months, and on Sunday, Laguardia (LGA) in NY had a fatal plane collision with a Fire Truck. Air Canada and a Fire Truck collided.
LGA Air Canada and Fire Truck Collision.
I woke up this morning - turned on the news - and there it was as the lead story. It happened late Sunday night, they shut down the airport and evacuated the terminal - the news broadcasters told us that nothing was flying in or out of LGA until 2pm.
And if you were catching a flight before then - to contact your airline because it was probably cancelled and the airport was closed. This was at 6:30 am this morning.
( what happened as far as we know... )
( how many flights were canceled )
Art History Major aka Busy Bee - is off to Florida on Wed. ( TSA and ICE not the best mix for travel )
God, how did we get here? We all agreed that we wanted the thing in the White House gone. And when it happens? We'll flood the streets, hold impromptu celebrations, dance in the street, kiss each other on the cheeks, and hold a big street party. We'll be united in glee. Another rendition of ...the classic 1941 ditty, When that Man is Dead and Gone - which is both tragically and ironically valid today
Mother, I, AHM's boss, and Breaking Bad have all decided we're not flying anywhere any time soon. I'm hoping this sorts itself out by at least May or June. But not holding my breath.
2. I'm frustrated with My Doctor's Office/Health Care Provider. So the PT wanted me to schedule an appointment with his buddy - the vestibular therapist on Tuesday, but alas my primary care gave me a referral to a therapist who can't see me until May and isn't the vestibular therapist the PT introduced me to and wanted me to see this week.
I went online, and after a lot of maneuvering in their site - managed to find the PT that I wanted.
So I asked if I could choose my own or switch to the other one. Primary Care agreed - and if they don't allow it, let her know and she'll send a new referral.
So I call the physical therapy scheduling office and after an hour on hold and, it doesn't exactly go well?
( talking to healthcare provider schedulers requires far too much patience... )
[I'll got talk to the schedulers tomorrow in person. Maybe I'll get somewhere. Unlikely, I'm going in with low expectations? With Healthcare Providers - it's best to go in with low expectations - that way you don't get disappointed.]
See? This is the reason that I've done nothing about the vestibular/vertigo issue. By the time, I actually see the guy, the problem will be gone.
3. There's been a lot of "problematic" famous people dying lately? James Vander Beek, the guy who shall not be named - he was a political guy, and Nick Brendan. Of the three JVB was probably the least controversial and easiest to deal with - and considering he was against vaccines, and a Trump supporter, that's kind of saying something?
Nick Brendan portrayed a problematic character on Buffy (who I consider complicated and was actually quite likable towards the end of S3 and through S7 for the most part. Being a well-rounded and 3 dimensional character - he had plenty of flaws, but that made the character memorable. Also, beloved and relatable to many. Perfect characters or goody two shoe characters are not relatable or beloved. We tend to forget about them. Yes, he was a bit of a jerk in S1-3, but also an adorable goof-ball, and he saved Buffy's life three times). He was troubled and problematic man in life, far more so, actually than most of the characters he portrayed or at least the most familiar of them.
I stumbled upon Nick Brendan's last post on FB - where he takes questions from his devoted fans, and ....I felt for him, while at the same time, was horrified at what he'd become and what his fans, unwittingly enabled. There's a lesson for us all in there somewhere? ( discussing a dead man feels so morbid but here we go... )
The internet scared me today - because I looked up what ailed him. It's "Cauda equina syndrome (CES)" which according to the Orthopedic Centers of Colorado is a rare, medical emergency involving severe compression of nerve roots at the base of the spine, requiring immediate decompression surgery—ideally within 24 hours—to prevent permanent paralysis, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Key symptoms include severe low back pain, saddle anesthesia (numbness in groin/buttocks), and sudden bowel/bladder dysfunction.
The internet loves to throw symptoms at you that you think you have and don't. Technology is turning me into a hypochondriac.
( back to discussing Brendan's demons )
4. Stumbled upon this disturbing article about being a young professional screen actor and dealing with the toxicity of social media.
Barry Keoghan Says Online Abuse Means He
Doesn't Want to Go Outside Any More
"Oscar-nominated actor Barry Keoghan has said online abuse about his appearance is affecting his life, to the point that he now does “not want to go outside”.
The Irish actor, who is playing Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles tetralogy, told SiriusXM host Ben Harlum that though he left social media in 2024 due to online abuse, it was still so bad that he was “shying away” from the public eye – and it was making him want to retreat from acting.
Asked about his fans, Keoghan acknowledged that some “people are so lovely out there”, but added: “There’s also a nasty side of it. And I’ve removed myself from online, but I’m still a curious human being that wants to go on. And if I attend an event or if I go somewhere, you want to see how it was received. And it’s not nice, you know?”
( my two cents )
“Heart”: JUSTICE LEAGUE QUARTERLY #5 (JLI 73)
23 March 2026 20:03tcampbell1000 posting in scans_daily
As should be obvious, I love the JLI work of Keith Giffen and his scripting collaborators like J.M. DeMatteis, so I feel a little treasonous saying this about a story by neither Giffen nor DeMatteis. But I have to speak truth. The lead story here, by Mark Waid and Mike McKone, is my favorite JLI story. Full stop.
( If only the JLU cartoon had adapted this one. )
Feathering the Nest for March of 2026
23 March 2026 18:22dialecticdreamerWelcome to the cozy and comforting prompt call for this month! We’re all about the sweaters with thumb holes and the sweatshirts washed until they drape like silk. It’s an opportunity to relax with a good story and a cup of cocoa, or tea, or jamaica… the list is endless, but the point is to bring pleasure in small, familiar ways.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Address Unknown, by Kathrine Kressman Taylor
23 March 2026 13:18rachelmanija
An epistolatory novel about the friendship between an American Jew, Max, and a German, Martin. As Hitler rises to power, their relationship sours, in some expected ways and some less expected, as their characters are revealed.
Very short, very powerful, very technically skilled, a quick easy read with an unexpected and unforgettable outcome. Seriously, don't click on spoilers if there's any chance you'll read the book. That being said, I read it because Naomi Kritzer told me the whole story and it was still great. Thanks for the rec!
The book was published in 1939 under a male-sounding pseudonym, but the style feels almost modern and the themes feel incredibly modern. There's an afterword about what inspired the book, which which is worth reading. Taylor had some German friends who seemed like kind, wonderful people, who became fervent Nazis and abandoned their Jewish friends. In a question so many of us are asking now, she wondered, What changed their hearts so? What steps brought them to such cruelty?
( Read more... )
Bundle of Holding: Scion Origin
23 March 2026 15:02james_davis_nicoll
The 2024 Second Edition of Onyx Path Publishing's Scion, the tabletop roleplaying game about the children of gods discovering their birthright in the modern world.
Bundle of Holding: Scion Origin
