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james_davis_nicoll
james_davis_nicoll
Which of these look interesting?
The Wolf Queen’s Curse by Kaylee Archer (September 2026)
3 (9.7%)
Knight of the God King by Lauren Blackwood (October 2026)
3 (9.7%)
A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-Young (August 2026)
12 (38.7%)
FIYAH Literary Magazine Issue # 37 published by FIYAH Literary Magazine LLC (January 2026)
14 (45.2%)
Among the Thorns by Jennifer K. Lambert (July 2026)
2 (6.5%)
Anne’s Cradle: The Life and Works of Hanako Muraoka, Japanese Translator of Anne of Green Gables by Eri Muraoka & Cathy Hirano (May 2021)
9 (29.0%)
To Vex & to Hex by Neena Noon (November 2026)
2 (6.5%)
Fear Farm by Vincent Ralph (September 2026)
0 (0.0%)
Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle (July 2026)
13 (41.9%)
Kokun: The Girl from the West by Nahoko Uehashi & Cathy Hirano (January 2026)
11 (35.5%)
Some other option (see comments)
0 (0.0%)
Cats!
24 (77.4%)
melagan posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
sga_saturdaycassiope25)
heleninwalesmarcicatlauradi7dwsovay posted about Folkways records the other day. A Mighty Wind wasn't a direct parody of Folkways - part of it was a parody of the New Christy Minstrels, I think - but those of us who loved some of the folk scene also loved the film. It wasn't mocking as much as wry smiles.spikedluvlauradi7dwdancing_serpent posting in c_entmific posting in fancake
mific posting in fancakermc28Ice hockey:
I'm trying to practice more regularly with Womens Blues on a Friday, this means I have 4 practices a week over 3 days (Friday nights are double-practice, with just over an hour between Womens Blues and Warbirds). I played for a joint Huskies-WBs game against UCL two weeks ago, and for Warbirds against Chelmsford Chargers last Saturday, immediately followed by watching Huskies play Oxford Vikings B. I had begun to fear that Huskies could only win when I wasn't physically in the building, so was very glad to be proved emphatically wrong by a 7-4 scoreline. Both Saturdays I went out with the students after the game, and ended up staying up way too late (worth it though, I love my teammates very much).
I have yet to play a winning game this season, across any of my four teams (Kodiaks, Warbirds, Huskies, Womens Blues). I'm still having fun every time I step onto the ice to play, and that's what matters. But I would really like a win any time now. This weekend for a change I have no games to play, but will be doing game ops for Tri-Base Lightning vs Peterborough Dynamo, followed by the same for Mens Blues vs Imperial Devils. Huskies are having a social watching the MBs and then going out (of course!). Next week I am driving to Sheffield with Womens Blues for a late night game Monday and taking Tuesday off work to recover.
Theatre:
I love living in the same city as the ADC Theatre, and especially getting a staff discount on the already reasonably-priced tickets. Two weeks ago I took Charles to see Hadestown: Teen Edition (that means they changed the register of some of the parts to make it easier for youth theatre to stage), along with Mick and Joye and a couple of my friends, and he loved it. This week we saw Noises Off together, which is as funny as I remembered. We've been through the rest of the current schedule and while I can't get to anything in February, we're hoping my schedule will let us get to a whole swathe of productions from March to May.
Languages:
Modern Irish classes have resumed for this term and I am still so very happy to be studying again, and also happy to have no compulsory homework or exams. Highlight of this week's classes: we were discussing plans for the weekend, and the professor gave us the Irish for "watching a hockey game", saying "as a Canadian, it's 'hockey' not 'ice hockey'".
I have both Pimsleur and Babbel apps to work on other languages (primarily French and Czech at the moment), but I'm struggling to make much time to use either of them at the moment, the university ice hockey season is so intense.
Reading: I'm continuing to make my way through the Rick Riordan backlist and enjoying the journey very much.
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Smart Bitches Trashy Books is 21!
Twenty-one years ago, on 31 January 2005, Smart Bitches began.
As we’ve noted, the site launched with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann.
We’ve cover snarked, helped bitches out, talked about what we’re reading, and, as a neat coincidence, Smart Podcast Trashy Books published its 700th episode on Friday 9 January 2026.
(You can watch the video of the episode on YouTube!)
We’ve made some major changes over the year, too!
We launched Smart Bitches After Dark, the community that keeps the site free for everyone (thanks, y’all!).
With their support, we have turned off all external ads on SBTB, upgraded a number of elements of the server side, and fine tuned settings to make the site faster and easier to use.
And speaking of, with the support of the Podcast Patreon, I turned off all dynamic ads before and after the show permanently to avoid ads for ICE and other right-wing propaganda airing with my show.
My goal here is always to create and defend a safe space for us to talk to one another, and even if the internet makes that increasingly difficult, I’m determined to keep our community thriving.
None of that is possible without your being here. Thank you!
The site wouldn’t still be here without you. Our community is welcoming new readers, helping people find the books they want to read, and thriving as a warm and wonderful collection of humans from all over the globe. You let me know when something isn’t working, and you’ve been very effusive with the compliments and kudos, which I appreciate so much.
It’s a very hard time in the online media world, especially in the independent media world like we are, and the offline media world, for so many people. And because we are still talking to one another is an accomplishment and one that I don’t take for granted.
Thank you for hanging out with us, for telling us about all the books you’ve read and liked, and about the books you’ve read and didn’t like. Thank you for supporting our work and telling us jokes, for emailing us exquisite cover art, and for being part of our community.
Usually I look at the modern and traditional anniversary gifts, but 21 is an obvious choice.
For this year’s anniversary celebration, we’re giving away four stemless champagne glasses like this one:
Except they’ll be custom engraved with:
You need a Smart Bitches champagne glass in your life, right? And it doesn’t have to be champagne. Drink juice, cider, a smoothie – whatever your libation of choice, you can enjoy it Smart Bitches style. Each winner will receive one glass.
So, want to win a prize?
Just comment below and share something you love that you found at Smart Bitches.
A book or author you discovered here that you adore?
A cover snark that you re-read and then snort-laugh?
A conversation or review you still think about?
A HaBO you solved or a HaBO you sought?
A comment that blew your mind?
What post or moment do you think of when you think of Smart Bitches? Tell us one of your favorite Smart Bitches memories and you’re entered to win.
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to read, and possibly sip fine beverages, with panache and style. Comments will close at noon ET on Thursday 5 February 2026 and winners will be announced shortly afterward.
Thank you for being part of Smart Bitches, and thank you for celebrating with us. Happy Anniversary!!
james_davis_nicoll - January 2026 in Reviewprincessofgeeks - writing questionprincessofgeeks - driveby recfriendof_dorothy in small_fandoms - Drabblethon: The Last Time I Saw Him (Neighbours TV)james_davis_nicoll - Books Received, January 24 — January 30princessofgeeks - more iPhone whininghokuton_punch - Casefic Exchange 2026 Letter [IN PROGRESS]melagan in sga_saturday - Pimping Romancing McShepheleninwales - End of month writing updatedisneydream06 - Political Rant.....marcicat - my beloved tropeslauradi7dw - Catherine O'Haraspikedluv - The Day in Spikedluv (Friday, Jan 30)lauradi7dw - cold there, cold heredancing_serpent in c_ent - Weekly Chatmific in fancake - due South: Ch-ch-changes by mizfacemific in fancake - SGA: Be Cool by Hthrmc28 - Events of noteamaebi - Emailing my senatorssmartbitches_feed - Cheers! Happy 21st Anniversary, Smart Bitches!timeasmymeasure
