Mini-Reviews Round 48

I got a cavity filled yesterday; it's about the fourth or fifth I've ever had, which I figure makes me pretty normal.  They're all on my upper teeth, though; when you look at my dental x-rays, the upper set is a giant wall of metal (I've got several fake teeth up there too, courtesy of some childhood trauma), and my lower set is 100% all-natural.  I'm starting to wonder if it's luck, or if I'm secretly bad at brushing the top row.

On an unrelated note, mini-reviews!  Get them below the break.

Fandom Classics Part 68: Quizzical

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I discovered this afternoon that large segments of the documents and images saved on my computer no longer exist.  Not a big deal in and of itself--everything important is backed up on thumb drives--but more than slightly annoying.  I haven't figured out what happened yet, but just in case, we're doing the whole "change all your passwords" thing that I hate.  Anyway, if you get an e-mail from me about free c-a1is or something, it's probably not legit.

On what I sincerely hope to be a far less frustration-filled note, click below the break for free c-a1is to read my review of JMac's Quizzical.

For a Change, Let's Talk About Actual Books (Part 14)

Just a heads-up: I'm going to do my best to keep posting stuff M-W-F like usual, but the next few weeks are some of the busiest in my year, what with school getting back in and everything.  So, if I fall short, I apologize in advance.  I'll at least post an apologetic excuse or some filler or something.

For now, though, let's take a look at what I dragged back home from vacation with me!  I always pick up a new pile of used books when I'm down there; here's what I'm reading today.

You're Worth It, Too

Those of you who follow InquisitorM over on FiMFiction may have already seen his latest blogpost--and if you haven't, I'll link to it at the end of this.  But first, I want to get in a few words about asking for help, both generally, and with fanfiction specifically.  Click down below the break for more.

Mini-Reviews Round 47

For some reason, I've been feeling pretty brain-dead lately.   The 35k words from the minific writeoff took me more than twice as long as that amount of writing should have to get through, and I've been having a tremendous amount of trouble getting myself to sit down and read--fanfiction or otherwise.   Nevertheless, I've got bits of this and that under my belt, and here's what I thought of 'em!   Short reviews of short stories, after the break.

Mini-Fics Are Like Not-Mini-Fics, Only Mini

Okay, normally I don't use this as an excuse, but I just finished reading and reviewing the last of the entries for the most recent mini-fic writeoff about half an hour ago, and my brain is shot.  So, reviews continue Wednesday.

If you need a fix, though... well, I just happen to have 51 reviews right here!  Though, they're not really reader reviews.  If you're looking for something to read, perhaps you might want to try some of said 51 fanfics, though?  There are some real gems in the bunch, and at >750 words a pop, it's easy to try a few different flavors before bed, as it were.  If contest entries that don't (have to) take up your whole day are your thing, give it a try, and rate and/or review a few, eh?

Fandom Classics Part 67: The Longest Night

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If you aren't currently following City of Doors, you really should be.  But if you aren't and refuse to repent, you should at least be aware that he's recently called my attention to two new-to-me fanfic reviewers: Louder Yay (aka Loganberry) and RazgrizS57, both of whom have got a nice collection of reviews under their belts, and more on the way (no pressure, guys).  Oh, and did I mention they've both reviewed one of my stories along the way?  That's probably totally coincidental to my mentioning them here.

In case that doesn't sate your need for reviews, get one more below the break with my thoughts about Tundara's The Longest Night.

6-Star Reviews Part 162: The Steadfast Sky

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Words? Read.  Opinions?  Formed.  Review?  Written.  Check it out below the break: The Grey Potter's The Steadfast Sky.

I'm back-ish!

Just got home today!  Less than an hour ago, in point of fact.  And while I've finished reading The Steadfast Sky, I'm not feeling up to doing a review of it tonight.  I mean, sure, I've got about six hours until post time, but I'm tired and crampy and would almost certainly produce something more "cobbled together" than "intelligently critical" in nature.  When I do write something that looks cobbled-together, I like to at least have no excuses.

Instead, you will be regaled with highlights of my trip!  In bullet form, both for quicker typing and quicker reading--think of it as a twenty second-long slideshow, minus the pictures.

• I saw a wild gila monster for the first time!  It was right in the middle of the bike path I was riding on--I got within a few feet of it (not any closer, though; you don't want to get bitten by them).

• I spent over $100 on used books, and believe me, you can get a lot of used books for that price.  Fuel for future flights of imagination, or unmemorable dreck?  Time will tell!  Buying a used book always feels like playing the lottery, only with a lot more wins.

• My dad and I spent several days fixing up grandma's backyard.  She has a large cactcus garden, and there was a lot of weeding (and some brick re-laying) that she can't do on her own.  I enjoy that kind of thing--I have a black thumb, myself, but I do like gardens.

• And, of course, I got to spend plenty of time with my extended family.  That's what vacations are all about.  Or at least, what mine are.  Your vacation mileage may vary.

Anyway, thanks one last time to the guest columnists, and reviews again on Wednesday!

Author Analysis: GaPJaxie

Today brings us the final entry before my return: a whimsical but detailed look at GaPJaxie's writing, courtesy of the inimitable Cold in Gardez.  Click down below for all the wonderful goodness you've (hopefully) come to expect from this series.

Fandom Classics Part 66: On The Importance Of Spelling

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Man, what do you want from me?  I have enough trouble coming up with something witty to say on a regular post; one I'm writing two weeks in advance?  Forget it.  Just go enjoy my review of Softly8088's On The Importance Of Spelling.

Author Analysis: Somber

Part two of our Author Analysis, ho!  Today's entry comes courtesy of Icy Shake, who delves into the wide-ranging realm of Somber's fanfiction.  Click below for his thoughts on all the author's stories, and how Somber has developed as an author through them.

Also, pictures!  Who doesn't love some coverart to break up a long post?  Anyway, yeah, go check it out below the break.

Fandom Classics Part 65: A Dream of Dawn

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I'm part of a CSA with a local farm this year; if you're unfamiliar with the premise, you basically pay a lump sum to a local farmer at the start of the year, and then every week you get a box full of whatever they're growing that's harvest-ready that day.  It's been fun and has rather drastically increased the amount of veggies in my diet (when your box has five different kinds of leafy greens, you end eating a lot of salads and sautees), so I guess if you're the kind of person who can handle that level of "healthy eating" (I put it in quotes because I tend to do things like cover my salads with bacon) and live near a farm that does it, I would recommend it based on my experience.

Click below the break to read my review of Starsong's A Dream of Dawn.