September 2023 - do not press
Hi Everyone,
The rains have started in my part of the world, the garden work is winding down and I’m looking forward to cozy days of soup, knitted sweaters and tea. Fall is always my favourite time of the year and it’s right around the corner (But, I won’t be seeking out pumpkin spice anything unless it’s pie).
First off, I wanted to let you know that we’re scheming up some fun things for the fall over at Armchair Alien, head over and subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing.
I’m working though a final round of edits on Subject 34, the conclusion to the Encoded Orbits trilogy. I’m on track for releasing the book in October, stay tuned for a pre-order link.
Dragonflies
The photo above is a close up of a dragonfly’s eyes which I took a few years ago at a bog near my home.
Overall, I find these insects fascinating and love it when they visit my yard. A few days ago one of them got into my kitchen and I was reminded of how big they are. The lost dragonfly was carefully ushered out—but I couldn’t help but think about those huge dragonflies that once buzzed around.
Meganeuropsis permiana was a dragonfly that lived about 275 millions years ago when atmospheric oxygen levels were much higher (important because the limit on insect size today is available oxygen). Imagine a 75cm long insect getting into one’s kitchen!
Here’s a great article about these insects (the current sized ones).
Do Not Press (okay maybe you should)
David Zinn’s chalk drawings are the kind of whimsy I love. I highly recommend taking a look here or here—and I’d absolutely press that button.
What I’ve been enjoying
All Systems Red by Martha Wells - I found this a bunch of the other books in The Murderbot Diaries in a local thrift shop. I love this kind of action adventure and I relate to Murderbot more than I care to admit.
The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson. This contains a really unique fantasy world complete with sailing ships, pirates and magic—best of all, I enjoyed the main character and the choices she made.
The Human Cosmos: Civilization and the Stars by Jo Marchant. I mentioned this one before, but I finally finished it this week. It’s non-fiction and takes a fascinating look at how humans have related to the stars throughout our history.
Cheers,
Jeannette
My Books:
Hope is the Thing With Feathers - direct or from the shops
Encoded Orbits
Fractured Orbits - direct or from the shops
The Alien Algorithm - direct or from the shops
Settler Chronicles
Day 115 on an Alien World - direct or from the shops
Far Side of the Moon - direct or from the shops
Abandoned Ships, Hijacked Minds - direct or from the shops
The Alien Artifact - direct or from the shops
And if you aren’t already a subscriber, what’s stopping you (especially if you have read this far)?