Sidetracks - October 13, 2012

[helloladies]

Sidetracks is a collaborative project featuring various essays, videos, reviews, or other Internet content that we want to share with each other. All past and current links for the Sidetracks project can be found in our Sidetracks tag.

---

➝ A few years ago I read a book titled Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti. I loved this book a ridiculous amount and wanted more of it in my eyes immediately. Well, later is better than never, because now I not only get a sequel, but an entire trilogy. SOMEONE OUT THERE LIKES ME. ♥ Dear EDGE, today you are my favorite. Thank you for your excellent decision, let me love you, everything is beautiful and nothing hurts, etc.. [via Janicu]

➝ The SF Signal Podcast (Episode 156): Panel: Are Optimistic SF Stories Gone Forever? was an interesting listen. Through one of the panelists, I tracked down a recommendation list of articles about the topic, but was specifically interested in an article in the LA Review of Books by Paul Kincaid, The Widening Gyre: 2012 Best of the Year Anthologies. It's a long review about a few anthologies (spoilers: he's unhappy and he knows it and also for a lot of the stories there). It's an interesting essay, although I don't agree with most of his arguments. Sometimes, stopping to reflect and learn from people instead of rushing off ahead is a good thing. I learned that when I was six.

➝ Related and responding to the above is The Future is Not a Land of Enchantment: On SF’s "Exhaustion". Stevens draws in other pieces I didn't read and retreads some of the same ground. I found I agreed with this comment the most, but am also aware that a lot of these discussions are way over my head since I am younger, new to the genre, and not well-read within it.

➝ A quick audio lesson on Southern Linguistics. This is great. :D I really wish I knew where it was from and who the speaker is, because I would track them down like whoa and read/listen to everything they had ever created. Hello, world! The accent I speak with is not indicative of how intelligent I am! Surprise.

---

➝ First of all, I thought I'd draw attention to this compilation of reactions to and discussions around our data project about YA Award Winners on Storify. Some interesting conversations in there.

➝ Zoë Marriott also continues the conversation in her post Women Dominate? In What Universe?

➝ In Fat-bashing in The Casual Vacancy, Jeanne examines attitudes towards weight in Rowling's new novel, and the commenters go on to discuss the extent to which characters from marginalised groups can or should be divorced from their social context. This is a question I've considered in the past in regards to gender, and it's always interesting to see it discussed in other contexts.

➝ I have no words for how much I love Rohan Maitzen's post on Gaudy Night — not only because it says very smart and thoughtful things about the novel, but also because it's an examination of the process of being critical of stories we love so much they feel like they're part of us (and Gaudy Night is certainly one such story for me). The post contains spoilers, but if/when you've read Sayer's novel make sure you click over.

➝ Roxane Gay on Beside the Sea. Everyone has been saying the most wonderful things about this novel now that it's been published in the US. I received a copy of the Pereine edition as a gift from my friend Sakura almost two years ago, and of course it has lingered on TBR purgatory since then despite my best intentions. Sadly I didn't bring it with me when I moved, but if I get to go home for the holidays I'll make sure to read it then.

➝ And finally, at Tor Liz Bourke interviews Sarah Rees Brennan about genre, gender and YA.

---

➝ All I have for you this week is cats. Watch the cat video. Do not think about politicians for at least three minutes. Repeat at regular intervals.

Comments

[jennysbooks.wordpress.com]

That is an excellent thing on the Southern accent. Esp the Louisiana one! GOD. I wish I could write a letter to that woman and tell her thank you. Tons of people in New York disbelieves me when I say Southerns don't all talk like the movies AND when I put on a Southern accent (which I do sometimes because it melts New Yorkers like butter), they think I am sweet and dumb. (False.)