we're all stories in the end

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Exciting book news! My fabulous wife (happydork/krfabian/imperfectcircle) and our dearly beloved friend Iona (singlecrow) have co-written a novella for the holidays, out today. A beautiful queer adventure awaits. Get the ebook from any of these fine establishments.

Sing for the Coming of the Longest Night
by Katherine Fabian and Iona Datt Sharma

The world you know is underneath the substance of another, with cracks in the firmament that let the light of its magic in...

Layla and Nat have nothing in common but their boyfriend – enigmatic, brilliant Meraud – and their deep mutual dislike. But when Meraud disappears after an ambitious magical experiment goes wrong, they may be the only ones who can follow the trail of cryptic clues that will bring him safely home.

To return Meraud to this world, the two of them will confront every obstacle: the magic of the wild unknowable, a friendly vicar who's only concerned for their spiritual wellbeing, and even the Thames Water helpline. All of which would be doable, if only they didn’t have to do it together.

But the winter solstice is fast approaching – and once the year turns, Meraud will be lost forever. In this joyously queer novella, Nat and Layla must find a way to overcome their differences before it’s too late.

Writing this so I can pretend like I've done something with the past hour other than sitting here refreshing Karen Gillan's twitter feed while she does a Q&A. (SHE'S SO CUTE!)

What I've read:

So I bought myself an ereader for my birthday last week because for all that TV and fanfic are worthy pursuits, I'm rubbish at fitting in any of the many novels I would also like to read! Having a shiny new toy has helped.

ANYWAY. Recently I have read:

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. Which, predictably, I loved! Polly was a great protagonist and I enjoyed the gentle queerness of it all, not to mention the stealth Bechdel Test-passing.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. About a decade after everyone else. Although I hadn't seen the film either I feel like I'd picked up most of the plot of this via fandom. So it didn't surprise me too much but it was gripping anyway. And Katniss and Peeta both hit some of my favourite character archetype buttons really hard, so that helped. <3

What I'm reading:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I know far less about the rest of the trilogy so I'm finding this hard to put down, which is a problem on public transport occasionally. >.>

KATNISS! PEETA! *meeps* *goes back to reading*

What I'll read next:

Well, Mockingjay, because omg I must know what happens. (No spoilers, please!) And I have also picked up Neil Gaiman's new book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, so that'll be next.

While I fret over watching the NY Senate live stream as they vote on same-sex marriage in the state, were_duck gave me some more questions:

( includes spoilers for Doctor Who 6x07 )

The book I am reading:

Academically: The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal, approx. one million journal articles on international criminal law, democratic theory, feminist philosophy, etc.

Recreationally: when I am post this particular deadline, Un Lun Dun by China Miéville is sitting on my bedside table.

The book I am writing:

Ahahaha. Yeah, ask me again when I graduate?

The book I love most:

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. After all this time, it's still got a hold on me in ways few other books quite manage.

The last book I received as a gift:

Avatar: the Last Airbender: The Art of the Animated Series by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, from my dad at Christmas. IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL OMG. *_*

The last book I gave as a gift:

Funny you should mention that! I am giving away a whole bunch of books RIGHT NOW, details just below.

The nearest book on my desk:

International Law, edited by Malcolm D. Evans.

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So yes, book giveaway! In the UK they're launching World Book Night this year, and have had a million special editions of 25 different books printed to ship out to volunteers to give away. How could I resist?

To that end, I have 48 copies of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas that are looking for good homes! I am very happy to send them anywhere, but please note that I can't pay for posting & packaging, so this is possibly not particularly cost-effective if you're overseas. (The Royal Mail Price Finder can help you out if you want to know how much it would cost - the book weighs about 300 grams.)

I am also happy to save a copy for you if I will be seeing you in person over the next few months at Vidukon, Diacon or other fannish events.

They're nice editions, and also have a slip in the back where I'll be putting in information for BookCrossing, which is cool. It's a great book - not without flaws, but what is, and it's got many elements in it that will appeal to fannish sensibilities, I think. It certainly continues to appeal to mine, and I've read it many times now.

If you'd like one, just leave a comment saying so, or email me at such.heights at gmail. They are taking over my kitchen omg, send help!