@jstrider66.bsky.social
Medievalist, science fiction & fantasy book reviewer, crafter, traveller, and cat lover. I post book reviews & other things at scififanletter.blogspot.com Photos are mine unless otherwise indicated.
I've posted my review of the 6th Murderbot Diaries book (that comes in the timeline between books 4 & 5, FUGITIVE TELEMETRY. It's basically an SF murder mystery. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/12/book...
01.12.2025 16:17 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
Continuing my reviews of the Murderbot Diaries books with #4 Exit Strategy, one of my favourites in the series. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/book...
28.11.2025 19:38 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
Here's my review of the Murderbot Diaries book 3 by Martha Wells. It's such a great SF series with a wonderfully dry sense of humour. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/book...
26.11.2025 15:57 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
My review of the 2nd Murderbot Diaries novella, ARTIFICIAL CONDITION, is up on my blog. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/book...
24.11.2025 19:56 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
The west front of Salisbury cathedral has arched windows and lots of sculptures in niches.
Salisbury cathedral's nave is long and narrow, with pillars holding up arches on both sides leading to a vaulted ceiling that stretches into the distance.
Looking up at the vaults above the crossing shows piers with lovely arches on the sides. The vaults contain painted circles with Christian imagery inside.
The nave with the baptismal font that is reflecting the columns and arches in the water, making the building look even taller.
Had the chance to visit Salisbury Cathedral recently. It's absolutely stunning. The view in the font is especially wonderful.
23.11.2025 23:38 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
A collage of three images: on the left, close-up ivy leaves coated in white frost; top right, a cluster of frosted ivy with ruffled, icy edges; bottom right, an illustration of a small fairy curled up asleep among green ivy leaves with a soft, snowy effect. Photographs and illustration by Venetia Jane.
Ivy keeps its green while the garden sleeps, and old lore says it is one of the plants that shelters fairies during winter. If you bring a sprig indoors during the festive season, handle it gently⦠you may be carrying a tiny guest tucked away amongst its leaves. #FolkloreSunday
23.11.2025 09:58 β π 109 π 31 π¬ 1 π 2
I've re-posted my review of All Systems Red, book 1 in @marthawells.com's Murderbot Diaries. The series is excellent, about a half human/half robot security construct who is awkward around its human clients while they do a planetary survey.
scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/revi...
I stopped blogging in April so I could focus on medieval research for an upcoming trip. I miss reviewing SF&F fiction books, so I'm starting to blog again. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/retu...
21.11.2025 23:06 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Been reading the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. It's a fast paced, often sarcastic sci-fi series that really goes into the aftermath of trauma.
20.11.2025 20:32 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0I didnβt know there were dance of death verses set to music. Incredible.
31.10.2025 17:02 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Than you for introducing me to W. I watched it last year ans loved it.
12.09.2025 17:55 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
it's here! it's here! @vox-magica.bsky.social's amazing new Element in Religion in Late Antiquity is live and β‘freeβ‘ to download for the next two weeks! get it!
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Medieval story time (that is actually about Alligator Alcatraz merch):
Letβs talk about Godwin Sturt and how he merchandized the death of his 12-year-old nephew in 1144.
John the Evangelist receiving inspiration at the beginning of his Gospel
BL Harley 2799; 'The Arnstein Bible', Job to Revelation; c.1172 CE; Germany, W.; f.185v
Excellent. Iβm planning to go to Toronto for the day but may not be able to catch the first and last plays.
05.06.2025 18:32 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Are the plays going to be recorded and put on youtube/online video site?
04.06.2025 19:17 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
Free to download for the next two weeks: Rick Sowerby's excellent new book Natural and Supernatural in Early #Medieval England!
#medievalsky
The hand of God with the four symbols of the evangelists
Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 348; Biblia Latina (Vulgata): Evangelia; c. 820 CE; Fleury; f.8v
(www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)
detail of a page of medieval music and text
Saturday, June 7 - York Corpus Christi Plays 2025!
50 short medieval plays, performed outdoors on replica wagon stages, across three performance stations!
www.yorkplays.ca
I would like to see the Creation plays. Will all 3 stations be done it by 7 am? (20 min per performance x 3 performances?)
15.05.2025 19:14 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Can you clarify how the timing/stations work? One thing says there are 3 stations, another says the clusters at stations 1 & 2 will swap after the 1st performance. When does the 3rd station start plays?
15.05.2025 19:12 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Camping & Wilderness Survival
By Paul Tawrell is the best survival book Iβve seen. It goes over survival basics, first aid, edible plants, outdoor cooking, wildlife, building shelters, clothing, and more.
May is the time to go hunting.
#MedievalCalendar
BnF MS 1186; Psalter of St Louis & Blanche de Castille; 13th century; f.4r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
I feel like a burrito is missing from this picture.
17.04.2025 17:47 β π 9 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
A typologically rich crucifixion, with the Sun and Moon; Mary and John; Eve and Adam emerging from the grave; and the serpent wrapped around the base of the cross beneath a chalice.
BL Egerton 608; Four Gospels; 11th century; Echternach; f.88r
Sounds like this will be an interesting discussion.
11.04.2025 02:41 β π 4 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0And unless youβre in a closed marketplace that has their own format (kindle & apple), Adobe is the standard.
04.04.2025 14:27 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0I know some publishers announce they donβt use DRM, otherwise itβs safe to assume thereβs DRM on pretty much all epubs.
04.04.2025 14:25 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0Since someone mentioned Kobo, they also use Adobe digital editions on their ebooks if you download them to your computer. Or you can read them on the kobo app. I believe DRM is mandated by the publisher.
04.04.2025 13:07 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
You need Adobe digital editions to read their epubs. I found their ebook info here. press.uchicago.edu/books/aboutE...
04.04.2025 03:27 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
