Sponsored by Lit Stitch: 25 Cross-Stitch Patterns for Book Lovers
Inside Book Riot’s Lit Stitch, you’ll find a number of badass, bookish cross-stitch patterns. Some of these are for bookmarks, others are for wall decor, and still others can take on a whole host of finished outcomes. What they have in common is their literary bent—the patterns speak to all manner of literary-minded book lovers, who are happy to display their nerdier sides. And what better way than through your own cross-stitch art to hang on your wall, prop on your desk, or even gift to friends and family. And most, if not all, are beginner friendly and can be completed in a few hours—instant stitchification! So grab yourself some excellent embroidery floss, hoops, and needles, and pick out one or more of these great cross-stitch patterns for your next project.
Happy Tuesday, shipmates! Are you ready for some new books? I can’t wait for my next box from my awesome local book store to arrive. It’s Alex, with some new releases and a bit of fun bookish news for your early-in-the-week enjoyment.
By the time you read this, I will have given in to the mass of cowlicks that lives on my head and just shaved all my hair off. We’ll see if, now that I’m done investing in masks, I’ll be needing to expand my collection of hats.
But one thing I’m happy about this week: the Alamo Drafthouse is starting an in-browser streaming service with movies that are curated with an eye to the weird and eclectic and genre that I have come to love about them.
Stay safe out there, space pirates. And rest in power, Little Richard.
New Releases
Stealing Thunder by Alina Boyden – Born as the Crown Prince of Nizam, Razia Khan left that and her father’s hatred behind long ago to embrace her true self. Now living among the hijra, she’s a dancer by day and a thief by night… until she tries to steal from the Prince of Bikampur and has her heart stolen instead. Drawn back into a political war, Razia must ultimately face the father she escaped if she’s to safe the prince she loves.
My Mother’s House by Francesca Momplaisir – Lucien and Marie-Ange flee Haiti with their three children and settle into a run-down house in New York City’s Ozone Park, a neighborhood that’s being transformed by Haitian immigrants from its original existence as a haven for Italian mobsters. The two name their new house “La Kay” (“my mother’s house”) and try to make it a welcoming place for their people. But Lucien, still haunted by his past and in a new place filled with evils he does not yet know, soon gives in to his worst impulses. And La Kay watches and judges it all… and decides it will put an end to his worst impulses.
Firewalkers by Adrian Tchaikovsky – The Earth is burning, destroyed utterly by climate change. Nothing can survive on the surface… but the ultra-rich, waiting for their turn to escape the dying planet in the Anchor, can afford water, and all the power they like from the Sun. When the solar panels need to be repaired, they can pay the Firewalkers to venture into the deserts: kids with brains, guts, and no hope.
Quotients by Tracy O’Neill – Two people with deep personal secrets, Jeremy and Alexandra, try to make a peaceful home together in a world made increasingly transparent by surveillance. Jeremy wants to fully leave behind his past as an Intelligence Officer during the Troubles; Alexandra must deal with the reappearance of her missing brother. Their desire to protect what is closest to them in the ever-increasing surveillance state takes them across decades and continents–and puts them in contact with both security professionals and technology experts.
Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore – Pocket Dog Snogging, set adrift by his former pirate crew, decides that his life needs a new direction when he washes up on the shores of Greece: he’ll become the Duke’s fool after dazzling him with his brilliant jokes. But his quick tongue instead gets him in serious trouble in the Duke’s court and he’s forced to flee, pursued by angry guards. His escape takes him to King Oberon’s enchanted woods, where as a stroke of luck—for Pocket, maybe—Puck has just been murdered. Oberon offers him a the dead spirit’s former job… if Pocket can figure out who, among an entire court of fairies who have a reason to want to kill Robin Goodfellow, actually did the deed.
News and Views
Talking Murderbot with Martha Wells
If you’re looking for some short SFF to read, check out Maria Haskin’s April 2020 roundup.
Yoon Ha Lee and S.L. Huang will be doing a virutal author event on May 15!
N.K. Jemisin wrote a really interesting (and important) thread about whiteness, racism, and the Woman in White in The City We Became.
A cool cover reveal twitter thread for A Crown So Cursed.
We do not deserve Sebastian Stan.
An old post that’s still well worth reading, about a “fandom grandma” who was a Star Trek fan for 50 years, fannish history, and her last open letter to her fellow, younger fans.
Someone made edible, iridescent, tempered chocolate… with science!
On Book Riot
This week’s SFF Yeah! Podcast is about nonfiction about SFF.
Andy Serkis will read The Hobbit for the NHS.
You can enter to win $50 at your favorite indie book store and/or a 1-year subscription to Kindle Unlimited.
See you, space pirates. You can find all of the books recommended in this newsletter on a handy Goodreads shelf. If you’d like to know more about my secret plans to dominate the seas and skies, you can catch me over at my personal site.