For some, it’s a welcome return to simpler times. For others, it’s a vivid reminder of eating with—ugh—our parents.

CHRISTINA KOCH GREETING HER DOG AFTER RETURNING FROM THE MOON IM GONNA CRYYY 😭😭😭

It’s a rare cozy rain in Austin Texas, so I’ll finish How Flowers Made Our World by @dghaskell.bsky.social. Then I’m going to start A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys (@r-emrys.bsky.social). I feel like I need some hope.

The Stranger Times By C. K. McDonnell. ‘Who done it“ has never been so funny.

As someone with a unabashedly, uncompromisingly staid father, I love the vicarious thrill of Tom Cox’s father:

See, my love, my catastrophically cluttered workspace is *traditional*. There’s a heritage to maintain.

The sun is playing hide and seek here in London, but I’m hoping for a garden walk this afternoon. Until then I’m reading Hooked by Asado Yuzuki, trans. Polly Barton. I’m about a ⅓ of the way in and I have *no* idea where this thing is going Good times!

#StarTrek #StarTrek60 celebration at @sciencemuseum.org.uk Sent on a rambling mission through exhibits and so many children to search for the rare and the wondrous of Trek. Oh B-4. You poor, poor thing!

Quick review for a quick—and very sweet—read. Legends & Lattes by @travisbaldree.bsky.social. Every bit as soothing and satisfying as a nice latte and cinnamon roll with the patter of rain on the window and a good book in your hand. Highly recommended little slice of joy.

Morning and Happy Spring! I’ve just started How Flowers Made Our World by @dghaskell.bsky.social . It seemed like a perfect read given all the spring flowers I’m enjoying. The Embankment gardens are particularly gorgeous right now.

Just finished The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker by @dranniegray.bsky.social. It’s a delightfully entertaining look at all things High Street.

Might be the greatest opening paragraph of anything ever.

How I’m responding to this latest Star Trek Starfleet Academy news.

Just finished The Heart of Winter by Shona Kinsella. I wasn’t sure, at first, if this book was going to land with me. Slowly it won me over and in the end, I was quite enchanted. An excellent read.

Morning! I’m enjoying a light and airy adventure: The Heart of Winter by @shonak.bsky.social. Enjoying it quite a lot.

A diplomatic mission to a Medieval-esque planet. Let’s hope it doesn’t go pear shaped ‘cause my First officer husband’s wearing red. 😬

Morning! I’ve just started When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (trans: Alice Menzies). My in-laws are now in their late 80s and are refusing to realize they just aren’t living on their own well anymore. They want their house, dog, car, etc. But those things are no longer safe for them.

In our current times, more people—maybe all people—should read Terry Pratchett. His works are a blessing of light in a world that wants to beat you down. Mind how you go.

A walloping good time! I’m loving this series so much. Every page has its huge charms and its little secrets. Excellent stuff from @timsheridan.bsky.social, @vernondraws.bsky.social, @chrisfenoglio.bsky.social, @charliekirchoff.com, @claytoncowles.bsky.social, and @idwpublishing.com.

Oooh. The Memory Police is quite the read! I’m currently in the thick of The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. Quite enjoying it.

An international women’s day message from my friend and partner in activism Sandi Toksvig #iwd #internationalwomensday

The Poet Laureate of the UK is famous for his translation of St Gawain and the Green Knight, and Kym once got up on stage, looked him straight in the eye, and then performed this. Unsurprisingly enough, every time they've encountered each other since, he's remembered them.

No mayo? I once made a habanero mayonnaise and it was so good with beef. Just transcendent. Have I ever done it again? Nope. Story of my life, really.

I'll always be obsessed with this edit made by @tommchenry.bsky.social

Feeling pretty broken, honestly. Rereading Picnic, Lightning by Billy Collins. But also thinking too much about The Mycenae Lookout, Part 2: Cassandra by Seamus Heaney: No such thing as innocent bystanding.

Very unusual pick that I greatly enjoyed: The Alehouse at the End of the World by Stevan Allred. A quest to find a lost love who is now in a very unexpected afterlife. Great read and a wallop of a fun ride.

Absolutely gorgeous thoughts on the importance of Starfleet Academy's heart, soul, and purpose. As a parent, I've been really floored by the power of this series to articulate just how much our 'kids' have not gotten the world I wanted for them.

The effort to highlight the drop cap C is what really tells me the student is engaged!

Puzzle Binding! Tricky! These are almost as rare as hen's teeth, and we just... Had One??? And, it includes HOW Many Books? (Five from Germany c. 1601 and a blank one at last count...) #Vexierbuch #DosADos @newberrylibrary.bsky.social (Case C 823 .966)

Morning! Still nursing a cold and starting think that maybe travelling to Fairie would help. But I’m finishing up Tam Lin by Pamela Dean so I know that fairies would not, in fact, help.

The return of a character I didn’t know needed a return! Perfection. A delightful dalliance for my rainy afternoon. Many thanks to @timsheridan.bsky.social , @vernondraws.bsky.social, @charliekirchoff.com, and @claytoncowles.bsky.social

In the final 4 days of this London trip and the rain is keeping us indoors. I’m taking a break from Rutherford’s London and indulging in some cotton candy happiness: Lower Decks #16 by @timsheridan.bsky.social, @vernondraws.bsky.social, @charliekirchoff.com, and @claytoncowles.bsky.social

Somehow I’m not with #StarTrek fans and that’s making me kinda sad. 🖖😔

It’s actually sunny in London right this moment! Anyway, I’m still reading London by Edward Rutherford. But I’ve also started The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki which is reading like a pain au chocolat.

Quick review: Forgotten Vikings by Alex Harvey. I love a good history book that makes me rethink my perceptions and this one definitely fits the bill. But with the outstanding addition of being accessible to all readers. Highly recommend it if you have any interest in the rise and fall of Vikings.

Getting around to a review. God’s Junk Drawer by @peterclines.com. A wildly creative view a pocket world gone wrong. Think of a crazy Peter Pan island and then just start adding dinosaurs and robots and the crushing weight of no escape. Excellent read!

Afternoon. I’m heading to London this week so I’m reading London by Edward Rutherfurd. It’s slow going so far, but I think that’s due to my state of mind due to the current US… I don’t even have a noun or adjective for all of it.

Hey, #StarTrek friends! With a lot of us discussing the negativity around #StarTrekSFA, how about we inject some positivity? Please post one screenshot/piece of art/quote/whatever from Trek that brings you joy!🖖

Yay! I was right! It's a miracle!

Morning, Womble. I'm finding I can't read anything. As an American, today is just too much. Yesterday, this year... too much. I feel hollowed out and I can't seem to take anything more into my brain. Maybe tomorrow I'll start a re-read of Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series. Maybe.

Morning Womble! I'm still not feeling 100%. This cold is a sticky one, so I'm still reading God's Junk Drawer by @peterclines.com. I'm still quite enjoying it, though.

Morning Womble. I'm on day 1 of antibiotics for ear infections, but that means I'm justified in staying in bed, drinking tea, and reading God's Junk Drawer by Peter Clines. Not very far into it, but it's got a hook in me!

Yes bird; I agree.

Who doesn’t need a bit of glory, wonder, and happy dogs right now?

Night here in Honolulu with cloudy skies so I can’t see the super moon. So reading Star Trek: Ring of Fire by @davidmack.pro, which is an excellent diversion from my own star disappointments. (Although I have some quibbles).

@davidmack.pro: just reading Ring of Fire and this bit is… wrong? A typo? “And Director Valkeya is pre-menopausal, so we can rule out a surprise pregnancy as a motive for foul play.” Pre-menopausal women are the women who get pregnant. Perimenopausal women can still get pregnant.

Anyone else adopting a resolution to get Pike’s hair this year? No? Just me? Well okay then. #StarTrek @ansonmount.bsky.social

You can pretend to have your shit together if you want. They don’t really check

Best, weirdest, most delightful and meaningful read of my year: Everything Will Swallow You by Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social