A ghost? What's the deal? Is every frat on this campus haunted? And if so, why do people keep coming to these parties, cause it's not the snacks.

Xander ,'Dirty Girls'


Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.

There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."


Consuela - Oct 20, 2023 2:18:31 pm PDT #27768 of 28033
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix

I liked Hench. Had a strong voice, and it's pretty good satire, if ultimately fairly lightweight (IMO). I will read more by them.

I recently read Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott, which was written in 1929, and is quite a great look at NYC of the 1920s and the life of the swinging single woman of the time. Definitely recommended.

I am not listening to many of my podcasts because the news is all so terrible, and instead I'm re-listening to Tiffany Aching. Which is great. Stephen Briggs is such a fantastic narrator.


Atropa - Oct 20, 2023 10:00:15 pm PDT #27769 of 28033
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.

I wonder how many authors have books in this extremely niche genre. I know Scalzi has this one, and KJ Charles has Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, but I'm sure they weren't the only ones to break through pandemic writer's block by just giving up and writing a completely different book that year!)

Cherie Priest has a novella coming out soon that fits into this niche.


chrismg - Oct 21, 2023 1:11:11 pm PDT #27770 of 28033
"...and then Legolas and the Hulk destroy the entire Greek army." - Penny Arcade

I finally found a copy of The Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything at Half-Price Books!


meara - Oct 22, 2023 4:39:49 pm PDT #27771 of 28033

Just read Kailua Preservation Society, and enjoyed, thanks for the rec y’all!


Toddson - Oct 23, 2023 6:11:17 am PDT #27772 of 28033
Friends don't let friends read "Atlas Shrugged"

I think K.J. Charles' Magpie Lord books were the ones that got me started on the author's books. Now they're pretty much auto-buy for me.


-t - Oct 24, 2023 9:01:05 am PDT #27773 of 28033
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

I now vaguely remember buying Magpie Lord (maybe after a similar discussion/recommendation) right after a previous spooky season (maybe last year, maybe longer ago, who knows?) and thinking I would save it for the next October but forgetting all about it. Anyway, I did read Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting and liked it very much but I am loving Magpie Lord!


Calli - Oct 24, 2023 12:53:06 pm PDT #27774 of 28033
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs

I think K.J. Charles' Magpie Lord books were the ones that got me started on the author's books. Now they're pretty much auto-buy for me.

Same and same.

If people are interested in the intersection of spooky and LGBTQ+, I would also recommend the Widdershins series by Jordan L. Hawk. Sort of like if Lovecraft was the exact opposite in personality and opinions, but still wanted to write paranormal stories. Plus gay. The author has also started a modern day paranormal series about ghost hunters which I'm enjoying, but it's a work in progress.


Jessica - Oct 24, 2023 1:06:58 pm PDT #27775 of 28033
If I want to become a cloud of bats, does each bat need a separate vaccination?

I had such trouble remembering the Widdershins characters weren't British (in spite of FREQUENT reminders that all of this was taking place in the United States...). Other than that, no notes, highly recommend.


Toddson - Oct 24, 2023 1:11:53 pm PDT #27776 of 28033
Friends don't let friends read "Atlas Shrugged"

I'm working through the Widdershins series; I've also read a series of three (so far) of other people (I use the word advisedly) in Widdershins.


Cashmere - Oct 24, 2023 4:00:41 pm PDT #27777 of 28033
Now tagless for your comfort.

I also liked the Widdershins series.

New Murderbot coming out next month.