I’ve let Stardew Valley swallow my free time for the past month or so. (Play it! It’s great, but addictive.) So no new tea or book reviews for you, folks.
In the meantime, these posts are pretty interesting. Grab a mug, steep some tea, and read up.
Book Links
- Ada Hoffman often writes about speculative fiction and analyzes how various authors and works depict autism. She’s just started up a Patreon, so go check her out — and congratulate her on landing an agent!
- This is from last December, but I only found out about a month ago. Catherynne Valente wrote a whole story collection tearing apart the Women-in-Refrigerators trope, and I am HERE FOR IT. I’ve made my pre-order; have you?
- The winner of the 2016 Tiptree Award was announced a few weeks ago. Congrats to Anna-Marie McLemore and the rest of the nominees.
- As a full-time editor, I love the fact that so many editorial personalities have devoted online followings. Here’s a rundown of how some editors have become legit darlings online.
Tea Links
- I just can’t get enough of Mel’s travels on Mel Had Tea. This post about the best tea house in Sarajevo is another one full of charm.
- Gregory Norman’s post on the rare tea variety that made him fall in love with Rou Gui oolong all over again is great. Sometimes I worry when I do gaiwan brewing that I’m half-assing things, but posts like these are a reminder that you don’t need to brew tea with military precision to enjoy it.
- I like to think that Ann Leckie’s Ancillary books have helped spur a greater interest in tea among the sci-fi set. Here’s her perspective on how to get comfortable in the world of tea.
Life, the Universe, and Everything Links
- I really want to take this course on identifying bullshit and developing critical thinking. It sounds fun and very relevant to today.
- Raya and I went to university together, and her life and studies are so interesting. Now she’s extending her academic study of astrolabes into making an astrolabe herself. Beautiful.