Recent reading

[luzula]

Covid update: Well, Mom tested positive on Tuesday and I tested negative. On Wednesday-Thursday I definitely felt like I had some sort of infection going, and got tested again on Friday. Negative again! Huh. I feel mostly fine now. But I guess I should keep isolating within the household, and also it could just be incubating still. Mom has some fairly mild symptoms (no fever), but her main outward symptom is grumpiness--hope it doesn't get worse though.

Would've been nice to have had it and for it to have been very mild, like it was for Dad! But of course there's no guarantee that it would be mild if I got it, just because it was for him...gah, I am so tired of this pandemic. /o\

Domestick Disruptions by L A Hall (#6 of the Comfortable Courtesan series, 2018)
Author, if you are reading this: bless you for writing such wonderful comfort reading. Just what I need during this time.

If you have not read these, start here. Features: 19th century pastiche, lots of great relationships between women (and men), lots of queer characters, and a lovely warmth in the storytelling.

Black Hearts in Battersea by Joan Aiken (1964)
Yes, this definitely featured more Hanoverian plots than the previous one, and it was a lot of fun! Airships, an exploding castle, mistaken identities, shipwrecks, further flocks of wolves, etc etc. Dido Twite was annoying at first but quickly became an engaging character. I do wonder whether Good King James III is by this time some sort of undead creature? I mean, it's the 1830's and he was born in 1688. Would not really be out of place in this book.

Comments

[dolorosa_12]

Sorry to hear about both of your parents, and sorry to hear that you are also feeling under the weather, whether it's Covid or not. I hope you all feel better soon.

I've seen people mention the Comfortable Courtesan books from time to time, and they do seem like lots of fun — possibly I'll start the series when I'm on leave from work over Easter.

[nnozomi]

Take good care of yourself (physically and mentally); I hope your parents feel better soon.

her main outward symptom is grumpiness
I feel very guilty for laughing at this. Imagine if that was one of the listed symptoms...

Also I owe you a proper email--thank you again for your reading help! Will be in touch soon.

[luzula]

Thanks! I am currently only suffering from frustration, uncertainty and a stiff back/neck, no actual covid symptoms.

Re: the Comfortable Courtesan books, I think you'll be able to tell quickly whether they are for you--they don't always have a lot of plot, but the character voice and style is so charming that I am happy to just follow the characters in their domestic lives. So it probably hinges on whether you enjoy that, too.

[luzula]

Thanks! Well, my mom started berating me about why have I never got a driving licence, but I managed not to get into an argument by repeating to myself "this is a covid symptom, if not directly, then indirectly; you should be nice to her, etc...".

[seascribble]

Keep isolating and getting tested if you can. I hope things stay mild. <3

[glitteryv]

Here's hoping your Mom's symptoms remain on the boring side of things. Re your own malaise: it could be your body reacting to the stress of, well, everything. /Joins you in being O-V-E-R this pandemic. Super unfun, would not recommend./

[regshoe]

I'm glad you're feeling OK, but all that uncertainty can't be easy—it is tiring, isn't it <3

I love the idea of undead James III fending off Hanoverian plots alongside airships in the 1830s :D Sounds great fun.

[luzula]

Thanks! <3

[luzula]

Yes, of course I vastly prefer her being grumpy and taking out her frustration on me, rather than her being actually seriously sick!

I dunno if you can get semi-feverish and hints of a sore throat (which is what I had on Wednesday-Thursday) from stress, but maybe? Ugh, pandemic. /o\ /o\

[luzula]

It is very tiring, ugh. Thanks for the sympathy. <3

Yes, that book was great fun! Recommended if you want some light reading...

[chestnut_pod]

Here’s hoping you get quickly better and that your mom’s case stays mild! Sorry you’re both feeling icky in the meantime :/

[luzula]

Thanks for the good wishes! <3