Tag: update

Posted in Books

Book Ban Update

Posted on by Evallone

Way back at the start of this hell year, I made myself a challenge that I wouldn’t buy any new books for 2020. The only exceptions were my Kindle Subscriptions, Audible and the new Dresden Files book.

Temptation is everywhere

I hadn’t realised on the one hand how freaking easy it would be because I’ve not been in a bookshop since… November? Obviously Amazon keep tempting me with their Kindle Daily Deals with amazing books for only 99p, but I’m resisting! I have also cancelled my Kindle Unlimited sub because I’m not reading the books I have in real life, never mind those on my online shelf. I got through a few of them before it cancelled. I have also put Audible on pause for a few months since I’ve quite a collection of lecture series to listen to. Plus, I’m skint.

I like Big Books and I cannot lie

Being home so much has got me looking at the books which I want to read but are too big and awkward to take out to read. One is Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare. I’m very much into the Shadowhunters books, but felt the departure from Jace and Clary with the new trilogy, The Dark Artifices – Lady Midnight quite strongly and it took me a bit to warm up to Emma and Julian. Needless to say I was quickly hooked and rushed out to buy the blue edged paperback of Lord of Shadows when it came out… then it sat on my shelf for years. And I’m sorry it did. It was great. I won’t go into a full review here, but I’m pissed as hell at the ending, if you can call it an ending and not a total ploy into making you buy the next book: Queen of Air and Darkness. Which of course, I priced on Amazon – but book ban! I didn’t buy it. My birthday is in November, perhaps the book fairy might visit.

Damn you, Butcher!

While taking a wee break from reading last week, I noticed Prime added the old Dresden Files TV show. I’ve heard so many bad things about it but Paul Blackthorne is a good actor and I watched the Shadowhunters movie twice. Needless to say the show was cancelled after only one season, and I imagine because the fans couldn’t get behind it. They changed so many little things that make no sense why they would need to be changed. The casting was odd for Murphy and the actress who played Susan gave it a good shot, but she was not Susan. I won’t say much more other than, where’s the damn Beetle (car)?, Why is Bob a person? and a drumstick?!?!

Alas, it got me thinking about the new book and that I should probably read back over the summaries and maybe read the last few books to refresh my memory since it’s been six years since the last book. So I jumped onto Jim Butcher’s website and saw the artwork has been released for Peace Talks.

Peace Talks by Jim Butcher

Isn’t it beautiful?

Then I noticed on the upcoming works… a very interesting sentence:

THIS JUST IN: TWO DRESDEN BOOKS WILL BE RELEASED IN 2020! PEACE TALKS HITS STORES JULY 14TH, AND BATTLE GROUND COMES OUT SEPTEMBER 29TH!

Jim-Butcher.com

OMG! That crazy freaking wonderful man has decided to treat us to two books this year! After all it is the 20th Anniversary of The Dresden Files (how wild is that?) I’ve only been around for the last ten years of it and it’s such a big part of my literary life.

Battle Ground by Jim Butcher

Finally some good news during this hell year! I’m holding off pre-ordering just now, maybe I’m hoping against hope but I’d imagine if bookshops are open again by July that they might do a midnight launch of Peace Talks… I guess we’ll see.

Anyway, I’m off to stir myself into further hysteria with all the YA and Urban Fantasy books I have.

Have any of you read the Dresden Files? Might you be inclined to try it now? Would you go to a midnight launch if there was one?

Stay safe and keep reading!

e x

Posted in life, University, Writing

Dissertation Update #9

Posted on by Evallone

I guess I forgot to write this on submission day, but it’s been all over for more than a month and I’m just now feeling the relief that it’s all finished. My university career is over! Wtf?!

The last few weeks before October 3rd were awful and some of the worst in my life, and yet I somehow managed to pull together enough to still write, edit, and revise the most important text I’ve ever submitted. I don’t know if I can say it’s my best work given how ill I was, but perhaps it’s better than it would have been as I was able to give my inner editor/critic a swift vaffanculo because I just did not have time for that negativity.

I’m relieved but starting to grow a bit anxious, there’s still a month to go before we get our results back. I just hope it’s enough to get my solid pass mark, I don’t care where everyone else’s marks get them to, I’m just happy to pass well. One of my submissions this year, a shitty essay, really messed up my average and I’m well aware that my tutor doesn’t particularly like anything I’ve written though I had stellar feedback from others on my course. I never said I was James Joyce, I’m happy to be in Jim Butcher’s league.

Alas, I’ve been away from here thanks to real life swinging back into play. I started a new job on the 7th of October and it’s been non-stop since with training and then getting familiar with the new role. I’m enjoying it so far, there’s definitely been a steep learning curve with the material but everything else is all stuff I’ve done before. It’s a good environment, a good team, and supportive co-workers. Plus the office is toasty warm, great for those 8am starts when it’s dark and minus-one outside.

More updates to follow, now that I’m free from studying. I’ve been on edx and udemy again flexing my Italian, Latin and Classical muscles. And I bought a Korean grammar book!

e x

Posted in University, Writing

Dissertation Update #7

Posted on by Evallone

It’s been a wee while between updates thanks to health stuff and not knowing what is causing me to still feel so ill.

Anyway! I’ve been working away bit by bit and last night I hit the 10k words mark! Woohoo! Then today I started four new crochet projects because I’m procrochetenating finishing the excerpt.

I’ve sat back down at my desk, lit some candles, have the Gladiator soundtrack playing and cracking on back to work. My hook is next to me once I earn a break.

I’m itching to get back to normal stuff again, gaming and reading. My goodreads challenge is getting out of control so I’ll be speed reading through my TBR list after October 3rd!

Good news is coming soon, I’ll tell you all closer to the time 🙂

e x

Posted in Writing

Dissertation Update #6

Posted on by Evallone

It’s currently 5:10am. Woke up wide awake a bit after 2am and didn’t know what was happening. I’ve been so tired lately that I’ve been sleeping through the night and I cannot remember the last time I had an insomniac episode.

Naturally, I returned to writing. I finished handwriting another chapter, amended my chapter plan so I know what still needs to be written for the dissertation, and listened to the Crimes of Grindelwald soundtrack.

Right now I’m faced with either trying to get a few more hours sleep, or riding this wave for a bit longer and making coffee. I do really want coffee.

I said I wanted to do things today, leaving the house type of things, so again wondering if it’s worth just staying up and doing said things. After all Costa opens at 7! And now I’ve just put the idea of a McDonalds breakfast in my head. Swell.

e x

5510/15000

Posted in Writing

Dissertation Update #5

Posted on by Evallone

So yesterday I managed 6 hours sleep then was back up and back to work, until my hands gave out. Completely. I couldn’t move them without them cracking and aching, so I had a hot bath and took the rest of the night off. Made it to 5150 words though!

Starting much later than expected today, probably won’t get a lot done as I’m trying to get back into something of a routine now, but I’ve plenty written that needs to be typed and I’m on a roll.

No crochet or gaming for me either, I need all my hand energy for typing and writing.

Got a nice big takeaway yesterday that will probably feed me for several days. Appetite is returning gradually.

Hoping to leave the house tomorrow for the first time in weeks. Need to stretch my legs and test my energy levels. Plus coffee.

e x

Posted in Writing

Dissertation Update #4

Posted on by Evallone

I’ve survived until now. It’s after eight am and my eyes are gluing themselves shut.

I’ve typed a good chunk and handwritten two other chapters as I’m reworking old drafts and my brain finds it easier to write. I’m rambling, sorry.

I’m probably going to sleep for a while. My hands will be throbbing later, they are already sore but we’ll see how it goes. I need to hit my 15k typed target asap so I can have plenty of time for edits and redrafting before I go back to work.

My chairs are all uncomfortable. I need a big reading chair.

Still forgot to use forest all night.

e x

Posted in Writing

Dissertation Update #3

Posted on by Evallone

The typing process is improving. Still making mistakes but quickly fixing them.

Listening to chill out jazz and bossa nova on youtube instead of movie soundtracks. It’s nice and generic and does make me feel like I’m working in a coffee shop.

Reading Pet Sematary during breaks. The scary is rapidly approaching.

Forgot to use Forest for the last hour and a half.

Scrolling through Tumblr too for studyspo. I don’t get bubble tea. What does it do? What are the bubbles? Do you eat them/drink them/accidentally inhale them? It’s been around for a while so not as faddy anymore. Maybe I’ll get one when I finally leave the house again.

Craving the vegan French toast from Rose and Grants. Not sure if I’m emotionally prepared for the seitan bacon. I do love seitan though.

Been listening to so much Top 40 and American pop music lately. Odd but the catchy stuff keeps my mood up.

Chapter splits are now underway. Back to handwriting chunks as I edit old drafts. Already concerned I’ll have too many words and too short a word count. It’s gonna be hard to word slash.

e x

3636/15000

Posted in Writing

Dissertation Update #2

Posted on by Evallone

Getting more into the zone but also getting very sleepy.

Harry Potter soundtrack songs keep playing and I want to watch them all again.

My chair is uncomfortable. I can’t type on my own keyboard, too used to the germy keyboards in work.

Debating having an early night for a change and starting fresh tomorrow.

3381/15000