Liz McCausland

A major point of close reading is to better understand the work as a whole. You can't ignore that context!

I am teaching a couple of stories with satirical and magical realist elements this week so we’ll see how that goes.

Oh, for sure! But I don’t ask them to comment on the tone of a piece.

I find that my students don’t really know what tone is, either. They will say something has an X tone where X is an adjective that in my view can’t apply to tone. (I honestly just avoid talking about “tone”).

That is so beautiful!

Tuxedo cat with a white swoosh on her face like an upside down question mark, lounging on a blue upholstered chair with a colorful plaid blanket draped over her.

How is she so cute?

More power to them!

My 23-year-old’s comment was “she talks about sex in her songs like she’s a teenager.”

I will always remember her as a fierce intellect.

Oh I am so so sorry to hear this. I'm glad you were able to be with her. What a sad couple of days for you and @cjewel.bsky.social I am sending you both love. Robin was one of the first people I met in grad school and it was fun to reconnect with her through Romancelandia.

Whyyyyyy?

I am so sorry. I will miss her.

Definitely knew a good thing.

She really is! I love to see you and Fred snuggling. She has settled in well. I hope her sleep habits are more to your liking.

Tuxedo cat curled in a ball but slightly rolled on her back so you can see the white patches on her tummy and under her chin.

Ramona knows what to do with an afternoon off. I mostly followed her example despite my best intentions. She needed a lap!

Wait did you retire? I missed that! I am sure it will take some adjusting before you find a new rhythm. And congratulations!

Don't listen to the imposter syndrome! It's great that you had some writing accepted.

Steve! Not good!

I mean I am watching a lot of stupid TV and now I feel stupid. So even less like reading. It isn’t fun. Though I can still get into reading with my classes.

I am having the worst reading slump. I haven’t read a book in a couple of months and haven’t even listened to an audiobook that isn’t something I read before. It’s a vicious brain-rot cycle.

Are you reading the books on your tbr? Yes. Yesterday I bought more books

#booksky

Look at the two of you having fun with something different! These books both sound great! Congrats!

If you have never heard Yasmin Williams, let this story inspire you to listen. Acadia is a wonderful album that always makes me happy.

On the one hand, sure, Jan. On the other, bring it on, I'm so tired. Rapture, AI apocalypse, just get it done.

This is a great piece! I really appreciated it.

Tofu and eggplant with gochujang sauce piled in the middle of a shallow white bowl, surrounded by steamed broccoli.

My friend and I did our monthly supper club where we cook and eat together last night. This is gochujang glazed eggplant (from her CSA). Doubled the sauce and added baked tofu cubes. Yum.

The Booker shortlist seems . . . predictable this year? Kind of disappointing no debuts or surprises made it. That doesn't make these bad books/choices, but none of these are books I wouldn't otherwise have heard of and none of them seem "weird."

Tonda’s dogs and her love for them have always brought joy to my online life. I am thinking of her and everyone who loves her.

I’m so sorry. But definitely best to be safe.

LOL, I thought your post was about a different complaint about what people are doing wrong, but yeah, we are just doing our best.