Greetings, dear poets and storytellers. I hope life is
treating you as gently as possible during our current situation. If you
are in a home full of people (and going a bit stir-crazy), I hope you
find ways to keep each other safe, reassured, and entertained. If, like moi,
you happen to be in a New York apartment all by your-wonderful-self (and going a bit stir-crazy),
I hope you find ways to keep yourself safe, reassured, and entertained (and relatively sane).
The subtitle of today’s feature is part of my favorite quotation
in the whole world of words. The complete quote reads, “silence is not a natural
environment for stories. They need words. Without them they grow pale, sicken
and die. And then they haunt you.”
I love those words
because I believe in them, and because they come straight from Diane
Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale, one of my favorite books. I’m
sharing the quotation with you today because in this April of COVID-19, the right
story might just keep us sane (and by “us”, I totally mean “me”). And since it’s my birthday (and
I can ask for stuff if I want to), I’ve decided to shamelessly ask you for the gift of
sharing the titles of the stories (in the shape of books and TV shows) that are keeping you
entertained these days.
Here
are my own choices:
I’m
rereading Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter,
Witch, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. During times of chaos, I find extra
comfort in books I already know I love. Good Omens—an intelligently told
and hilarious story about an apocalypse averted—feels just right for the season.
I’m
watching Cells at Work! an anime series that anthropomorphizes cells in
the body. The show surprised me. I was expecting lots of laughter and a
considerable amount of ferociousness (I mean, it’s anime and… well, you
know). There is blood and gore (the story is set inside flesh and
bones and such, after all),
but I also found emotional depth—one episode left me feeling sorry
for a cancer cell. And, trust me and the following cliché, that is no
small feat.
Announcements
and Reminders:
- in
her Wild Fridays #13: The Living Dead, Rosemary shares “the head next to mine
on the pillow” and “letting go of things”, two poems by the recently departed Bruce
Dawe, someone who said, “I write a poem to sort something out, to come to terms
with something.” And these days, I believe, we need as many ways as we can find
to sort things out. If you’ve yet to read Rosemary’s latest feature, do give it a
go.
- this
coming Wednesday, for “Weekly Scribblings #14: Let’s use Pathetic Fallacy,
shall we?”, Sanaa invites us “to write using the literary device ‘Pathetic Fallacy’. Feel free to address what’s stirring inside of you. Remember to
attach the natural phenomenon to the feeling, the tone, or mood of the
character, speaker or setting in your contribution.”
The
Writers’ Pantry is an open link event. Contribute poetry or prose, old or new, fiction or
nonfiction. If you go for prose, your piece should be 369 words or
fewer. One entry per participant. Let’s share word closeness during social
distancing. Mr. Linky will stay open until next Sunday.
Stay safe, everyone. And if you can, laugh every chance you get
(even
if your balloon falls to the ceiling and your ice cream starts melting on the ground)
A very happy birthday Magaly. I hope you can still enjoy this day I will think about you.
ReplyDeleteI just saw a really cool series called unorthodox about a jewish orthodox girl from Brooklyn who flees to Germany. Based on a real story. It's on Netflix.
Stay safe and kia kaha.
I’m re-reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. I started this series after COVID-19 had already hit the world, zapped through it with great enjoyment, then read the prequel novellas – and then wanted to check some things in the novels with benefit of hindsight (foresight?) so have ended up reading them all again immediately, with as much enjoyment as before! Currently half way through Book 5 of seven. Why? Good writing. Not quite of the calibre of Diana Gabaldon or George RR Martin, but not far off. All VERY bloodthirsty and violent, which normally bores me to snores – but I love character-driven stories, and these characters and their circumstances are interesting, and they grow throughout the series. Then there’s the inclusion of magic (did I mention it's Fantasy?): both the Fae and the Little Folk, fabulous beasts, powerful witches and equally powerful healers, not to mention lots of super-sexy blokes and a totally kick-ass heroine.
ReplyDeleteOn TV I’m watching a stunning UK show called The Capture, about nefarious goings-on in the world of counter-intelligence; full of mystery and drama and excellent acting. Also I LOVE that I haven't quite figured it all out yet. With most shows, I can; but I love surprises, and in this one I'm getting them.
I am always extra intrigued by a TV show that keeps me guessing!
DeleteGreetings Poets and Happy Birthday, Magaly. I've been away from the Writers' Pantry for a bit, now. The post I am linking to here, explains. You asked, Magaly, to share books and TV shows, that I am hanging on to, through the COVID -19 crisis. In terms of books: I have been rereading and rereading every poetry book I have in the house. In terms of TV shows: I confess, I am totally binging on 'Murder She Wrote'. A gruesome title, it is true – but – all those beautiful destinations ... to say nothing of returning to Cabot Cove ... to happily ride a bike (sans face mask) through idyllic scenes ... writing at leisure ... sentences, you are paid to write ... with no worries about money coming in. Perhaps, it is a bit dated .... but at-the-moment: dated – feels like an awesome place to 'go-to'.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. It seems that rereading feels just right for many of us these days. And I love Murder She Wrote. That show and Matlock are probably the reasons behind my police procedural addiction.
DeleteGreetings from England on a sunny Sunday morning! Happy birthday, Magaly!
ReplyDeleteI watched the first two episodes of a Norwegian thriller on BBC4 last night, which is interesting. It's called Twin. This week will be the last episode of a British thriller called Liar, which I've enjoyed. The book I'm reading at the moment is far from being a thriller, it's by British author Emma Morgan and it's called A Love Story for Bewildered Girls, totally different from anything else I've read recently.
I joined The Emma Press's online launch of a little pamphlet of sonnets by Rachel Spence, entitled Call and Response, a heartbreaking letter from a daughter to a mother about their journey through the mother's cancer. I was sent a copy, which I have been dipping into as and when I need to.
Thanks a gazillion for the sunniness, Kim! New York City woke up cloudy today, so... the brightness is appreciated.
DeleteA Love Story for Bewildered Girls is such an alluring title. I shall look for it. And Call and Response sounds very intriguing, too.
Morning word artists! I hope you are all keeping well and safe. It's a beautiful sunny morning on my side. This means I have to venture outdoors, for a while. But I'll be back to read you later.
ReplyDeleteAt Ms Wicked Magaly, thank you for this wonderful and upbeat post, and sharing your lovely read. Since it's your birthday, I will shamelessly respond to your request (and share my reads) with a blog post, soon. :D
I hope the sun and you had the best of times! Can't wait to read your post.
DeleteHappy Birthday, Magaly. Happy Sunday to all
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Thank you, Gillena. And happiest Sunday, to you.
DeleteHappy birthday, Magaly!
ReplyDeleteI keep writing darker words lately that I will not share because it's not the right time, but today I read “silence is not a natural environment for stories.” How can I not agree? In response, I hope I gave something that fits. - Cheers!
Joel, I was just talking to a friend yesterday who wanted to know how I managed to write "all those bright things" in such a time. Well, I'm right there with you--I'm still writing the very dark ones. But since I don't think those will help anyone at the moment, I'm keeping them... to share later.
DeleteThank you for the birthday wishes, and for listening to the call for voicing (writing?) the silence.
You left this comment on my entry today: "Nature sings into blood and bone and soul." I want to hang onto that. That one phrase summed up what I wanted to do today so well.
DeleteI kind of think it's my duty to stay positive, if for nothing else, to cheer at least one person along the way.
Joel, I walk (sometimes run or dance) through life with the essence of those words in my heart. They help me so much. I am glad they do the same for you.
DeleteHappy Birthday, gorgeous!!🎂🍰
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for the opportunity to share words with fellow writers from around the world. We are facing a difficult era and I feel that together we are not only stronger but in a better position to fight.
Books? Not reading anything at present but I highly recommend 'Being and Nothingness by Jean Paul Sartre, Hazel E. Barnes. A perfect time to delve into existentialism.
I love 'Misfits,' a British science fiction comedy-drama television show, on E4, about a group of young offenders sentenced to work in a community service programme, where they obtain supernatural powers after a strange electrical storm.
Going to grab a cup of tea and make my rounds soon!💝
Thank you, Sanaa! You know? I've never watched Misfits. This might be the time to give a go!
DeleteHappy Birthday, Magaly! Wishing you sunshine, happiness and courage and safety.
ReplyDeleteCome this Tuesday, finally our country is going into a month-long lockdown (though we can still go out for essential stuff). i guess this leaves me more time to read and write and video games. :)
Thank you! Wishing you smiles and safety and all that good stuff, too.
DeleteWe are still on quarantining. Our head of state is babbling about how things will go back to normal soon, how "the medicine can't be worse than the cure" (meaning that social distancing is affecting the economy), but anyone with a brain probably knows that this is going to take a while. I, too, have been doing more reading and writing. Hm, maybe I should look into video gaming, too. ;-)
Hi Magaly and hi all, Happy Birthday, Magaly! If anyone can make it a fun one in the days of social distancing, it's you. :-) I hope everyone is healthy and faring reasonably well with the current situation. I was traveling the whole month of February and then dealing with some health issues off and on (not COVID thankfully), so I have been out of the loop here. I'm looking forward to diving in and "hearing" your voices this morning. Oh, and I am currently watching Self-Made: Inspired By The Life Of Madam C.J. Walker which is quite good and has an amazing soundtrack. And I am reading What The Wind Knows, an entertaining time-travel/historical novel.
ReplyDeleteH., I hope the health issues sort themselves out soonest! It is good to see you again. You have been missed.
DeleteI shall check out The Wind Knows. I love the title. And I have a soft spot for time-travel tales.
Magaly, if you like time travel tales, check out The Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor. It's a nice long series that will keep you entertained for a while.
DeleteH., I'm adding the series to my list. The first title made me burst into laughter. I'm a sucker for a funny title.
DeleteHeather that series, and the other book, sound like things I'd enjoy too! Many thanks, I'll definitely check 'em out – particularly as I am now intrigued by Magaly's mention of the funny title.
DeleteHappy Birthday Magaly! Tee-hee, it must have been a very cool person who recommended that anime to you. :) I've been enjoying that show and taking in Cloak and Dagger (season 2) with the family. I'm a sucker for a well told superhero story. I just finished up re-reading Wee Free Men. Like you, I wanted to revisit an old favorite for a little comfort reading during these times. The adventures of Miss Aching also remind me about the things worth fighting for in these time. LOL, I have also been binge-watching curly-hair beauty bloggers, especially Manes by Mell. It might seem a little frivolous to think about hair care now, but it's a small thing I do get to control in a very out of control world.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rommy! Oh, I don't know if you've met the person who recommended the show to me. She has huge hair and an even huger pechonality *hehehe*.
Delete*snortlaugh*
DeleteHappy birthday, Magaly, and hello to all! I also enjoy reading books by Neil Gaiman, and I'm interested to watch that anime. I don't watch a lot of tv, mostly just Youtube.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenna. Neil Gaiman writes pure yum, and when that yum comes along the words of Sir Terry Pratchett, the results are spectacular.
DeleteWish we had a ‘Like’ button in these comments, so I could have clicked it for your remarks on Neil G and Sir Terry.
Delete@Rosemary 🖤❤️
DeleteHappy Birthday Magaly! I'm reading a couple of things, Flight of the Sparrow, and Gods of Jade and Shadow. TV shows, Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu, and Home Before Dark on Apple TV
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie. You always find the yummiest titles!
DeleteHappy Birthday, Magaly, and thank you for your efforts here at Poets & Storytellers! Of late, I've been enjoying the music of televised visits of entertainers from their homes where, like the reset of us, they are cloistered. On my Kindle is a murder mystery, the name of which escapes me...not educational reading, for sure! I mostly occupy my time with digital art and keeping in touch with family via Facebook.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bev. It seems that watching entertainers (news reporters and politicians) reach to the public from their own home has become a pastime for many. I think I should give it a go. I keep on listening to the radio.
Delete