#((AMAL HAS SUCH GREAT ART I LOVE AMAL I WANT AMAL TO BE HAPPY FOREVER

[theorangedeath]

Some webcomic recs

Webcomics are as underrated as they are varied. I mostly read printed comics now, but there’s no way I’d have gotten there had I not found webcomics before - believe me, I tried, but this damn hobby is super inaccessible to a beginner, not to mention expensive. Webcomics are like fanfics in that regard - hell, some of them are fan comics - in that there’s something for everyone, all within your reach, but in order to find something you like you have to either 1. Get very, VERY lucky, 2. Be prepared to read a lot of bad stuff in order to get to the good stuff, or 3. Hear about them from people you trust. 

I was a 2 - i would read anything, back in the day - and while i’m not as unconditionally enthusiastic as i was, there are still some gems I wish got the same appreciation as some talents in the industry. I’ll spare you the rest of the article (dm me for comic rants though), let’s get to it! 

note: all the comics are numbered as “1″ because tumblr messed up the google docs formatting 

Comics i still follow as they update because either tumblr starts posting about them right away or they’re on tapas

Check Please! 

https://omgcheckplease.tumblr.com/

I’m probably not the one introducing you to Check Please, as it’s one of the most popular webcomics out there, thank god. The parts of the fandom i’m familiar with are cool and wholesome, just like the work itself. It’s about a southern gay kid, Eric Bittle, who joins the hockey team in his college. It’s impossible not to love every single character there, the sports drama elements are great, and the format is like solidarity put into panels. The Samwell Men’s Hockey team’s motto is “we’ve got each other’s backs”, and there isn’t a single part of the comic that doesn’t 100% incorporate that. 

Heartstopper

https://tapas.io/series/Heartstopper

The 2000s so far have been a rough contest for the title of “sweetest ya romance” but guys, we found it, we can stop now. Nick and Charlie are in highschool, Charlie is gay and out (not by will), Nick plays rugby because apparently that’s what british jocks do. Can i make it any more obvious? It took me a while to fall in love with the artstyle but when i did i fell HARD - the creator is re-drawing some of the older chapters, though, so your experience might be different. The story’s captivating right away, and you want everyone there to be happy from pretty much page 1. The creator also writes ya prose, and some of her books are about other characters from the same school. I love all of them, but Radio Silence is my personal favorite. She also has two novellas about Nick and Charlie themselves, available as e-books. 

Charity Case 

https://tapas.io/series/Charity-Case

I rarely start new webcomics anymore, but boy, this one got me FAST. and that was even before I realized it’s a polyam love story, which i love but is surprisingly rare in webcomics - at least the ones i know. Julien, an irresponsible young musician, resorts to sharing an apartment with two roomates who are a couple. I fell for the unique, gorgeous artstyle first, and by the time i realized i’m also super invested in the story and characters, it’s already become one of my favorites. Plus, Julien’s hair looks so soft! 

The Property of Hate 

http://thepropertyofhate.com/TPoH/

THIS is what comics should be. There’s so much passion here, not just for the story but for the storytelling as well - and the two aren’t as separated as you might think. A young girl is recruited by a TV man to be a hero. The world they enter seems nonsensical and arbitrary at first, but as they travel she discovers its logic, stories and secrets. She will also, as her title suggests, need to save it. There’s so much i love about this comic that i don’t know where to start, so i’ll just say this: it’s absolutely inspiring, in every sense of the word. Also, read the creator’s duck comics, they’ll make you feel things. 

Webcomics i occasionally remember to catch up on, get blown away all over again by how good they are, vow to check them regularly for updates then forget. And repeat 

Wilde Life

https://wildelifecomic.com/

I think this is the first ever webcomic i read that had a plot? I got on the wagon at around chapter 1 or 2 and it’s hard to believe it but it only gets better with time, even though it already starts at 100%. Oscar moves to a new town and immediately makes friends with a ghost and a grumpy teen werewolf. It has both monster-of-the-week type problems and overarching plots, and reading it feels nostalgic and brand new at the same time. The fantasy world has this special feel to it, that makes me miss growing up in the american wilderness even though i, well, didn’t. Plus, the creator is cool as hell. I knit her a hat in high school in exchange for a commission. 

Sfeer Theory

https://sfeertheory.com/

This comic got me through a hard time and i’ll forever be grateful for that. Also, it’s really, really good. This is another case of a comic where you fall in love with the art right away and before long you find yourself caring very much about the characters and the story. You might also find yourself growing out your hair to style it like Luca’s. If you’re me it’ll be a lost cause, so, uh, keep that in mind. Luca works as a technician at the prestigious Uitspan university. A mysterious, powerful man is looking to change that. While the comic’s biggest strength is probably the gorgeous, fascinating worldbuilding - and Luca’s hair - the characters are also ridiculously easy to relate to, even if we don’t know anything about them. Even the most meaningless extras are somehow compelling thanks to the dynamic, rich art style. And did i mention the hair? If you like it, you won’t be disappointed by everything else Little Foolery makes. 

How To Be a Werewolf

http://www.howtobeawerewolf.com/

I almost didn’t read this one! My brain has decided i don’t like werewolves and i don’t know how to reverse that. But then i saw Elias’ body language and it was extremely fun and friendly, and so was the rest of the comic, and the rest is history. Malaya knows she’s a werewolf, but seeing as she doesn’t know any other werewolves, dealing with that is hard. That is until Elias discovers her and decides to help, along with the rest of his pack. It’s filled with family and solidarity feelings, some dark mysteries and themes, and the art is beautiful and expressive. 

Monsterkind 

http://monsterkind.enenkay.com/

Another case of read-everything-this-creator-makes-it’s-all-amazing! Wallace, a social worker, moves - or rather, is moved - to District C, which is mostly populated by monsters. His heart’s in the right place, and apparently so is his apartment, because his neighbors are cool as heck and agree, some of them reluctantly, to help him get his bearings. There’s a mystery to uncover, some monsters to help and a dashing tea octopus to woo - for Kip to woo, anyway - and it’s all a delight to read. Every single character brings their own lovable-ness to the table, and even with the darker parts, reading this comic kinda feels like being hugged. 

Comics that no longer update

The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal - finished 

http://tjandamal.com/

Guys. guys! I’m pretty sure this is my all time favorite comic, web OR printed. I have the printed version, i still read it online occasionally, a lot of the songs mentioned in it are now saved on my spotify, i had it as my phone background for a good couple of years, the whole package. Amal comes out to his family and it ends with him having to drive to his sister’s graduation in Providence. There’s a guy in his kitchen who just so happens to need a lift there, and he’s willing to pay, and Amal’s too hungover to argue. What follows is the best roadtrip story ever. I’m seriously considering getting my license just to recreate that route. I just really love this story, okay? Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, the creator’s music taste is GOOD. 

Prague Race - to be continued in text 

https://www.praguerace.com/

The fantasy aesthetic to end all fantasy aesthetics. And the characters are good and interesting. And the world is well built and leaves you wanting more. AND there’s a cat. And it looks so good! Leona is irresponsible and spontaneous and gets her friends in some weird shit that leaves them trapped in a strange world, dealing with several curses, trying to survive and make sense of it all. I could spend a lifetime looking at the art and die happy. 

Shoot around - finished 

https://www.webtoons.com/en/drama/shoot-around/list?title_no=399&page=1

A girl’s basketball team and its coach, Jeff, deal with a zombie apocalypse. They make the most of the post apocalyptic world. There’s drama, friendship, found family, love and hope - it’s basically everything a zombie apocalypse narrative should be. And i love how the creator plays with the colors from chapter to chapter! 

Rock and Riot - finished 

https://tapas.io/series/Rock-and-Riot 

It’s cute! It’s fun! It’s a 1950’s queer ensamble cast high school drama! It’s what Grease would’ve been like in a better timeline, except we still got it in this timeline. The artstyle fits perfectly with the story and characters, but if you want to see what’s the creator capable of now, read their newest comic, Project Nought. It’s a cool sci fi story and just like in Rock and Riot, it’s super easy to connect to every character there. 

Alright there’s a lot more but i somehow wrote 4 google docs pages of webcomic recs in one sitting (this is what i’m able to focus on? Really, brain?) and i think that’s enough for now. Like i said, please dm me if you want to talk about anything here, rec some of your own, listen to my rants or tell me i’m a nerd. Or all of the above. I might make a similar post with print comic, but right now i have some dogs to pet. Keep being cool! 

[prawnlegs]

WEBCOMICS

I think I broke my links page with too many links, so it’s about time I made a rec post for some of my favorite webcomics! MAYBE YOU’LL FIND SOMETHING NEW TO LOVE.

This will always and forever be an incomplete list as I am always finding/looking for more stuff to read. I’ll probably reblog it every so often when I add more.

COMPLETE: Lady of the Shard by Gigi D.G. - I still haven’t gotten to Cucumber Quest but you had better believe I read this the day it came out. Follows a temple acolyte who is in love with the goddess she serves, and all the complicated turns of events that come out of this. Drawn in a loose, experimental pixel art style that makes it all the more immersive to read. The Less than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal by E.K. Weaver - Eisner-nominated gay roadtrip romance you’ve probably already heard of. Some of the best character acting I’ve ever seen. The Muse Mentor by Amy King - Artistic muses (and one vague notion) try to find their purpose on the astral plane, which happens to look sort of like a cute fantasy version of San Francisco. A sincere and kind-spirited read, highly recommended if you struggle with feeling adrift and inadequate. Also, many drawings of delicious-looking food. Power Ballad by Molly Brooks - I just started this but it’s really fun and funny. A masked vigilante/pop star’s personal assistant develops a crush on her boss. It’s gay, it’s got superheroes, and it’s complete! IN PROGRESS: Agents of the Realm by Mildred Louis - I had a couple false starts getting into this one, not having grown up on Sailor Moon, but then I picked up the first volume at a con and I’m really enjoying it. The unclear, complicated intentions of the mentor figure(s) are intriguing, and I love how the artist draws faces, especially funny reaction faces. Alice and the Nightmare by Misha Krivanek - A magical uni/boarding school piece with super cute art, compelling mysteries, and a Lewis-Carroll-inspired world that’s fresh and fun I.E. not another Hot Topic rehash. FINALLY. Away to Nowhere by Ezra Shape - Monsters and magical beings adapting to life in our world (or a world like ours)--currently just scratching the surface of what seems like some really cool worldbuilding. Features Zio, my nonbinary dragon grandma. Balderdash by Victoria Grace Elliott - Cute coming-of-age witch adventures. Beautiful colors and a richly-textured world. FOOD. So much good food. Banquet by A. Szabla - [coming soon]

Beauty by Eric J. Lee and Rhiannon Rasmussen - From the about page: “Bugpunk Beauty and the Beast” and honestly WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW. Okay I’ll tell you some more: There’s a baroque alien bug civilization rendered in incredible detail. It’s gorgeous.  Blackwater by Jeanette A. and Ren Graham - Episodic supernatural comic set in the small fictional town of Blackwater, Maine. Just started, but the art is extremely polished, expressive, and atmospheric, and the characters are cute. Also it’s queer and full of monsters. Sold.

Brainchild by Suzanne Geary - Paranormal mysteries on a college campus with supremely cool monster designs and great art. The monsters: So cool. I also really like the attention to fashion details on the characters--you can tell a lot about each of them by how they present themselves. Demon Street by Aliza Layne - All-ages fantasy adventure starring queer kids with magic powers! Great use of vivid, saturated color to set otherworldly scenes. Excellent queerification of folkloric tropes.

False Edge by M. R. Shaw - Just started, but a long-awaited comics debut with fantastic art. Features adorable big-cat shapeshifters. Warning, it’s supposed to get nasty (there’s an advisory page with specifics when you start). Feast for a King by Kosmicdream - I just started this (”just started” = 300+ pages in) but HOLY CROW it’s one of the most bizarrely creative comics I’ve seen. Warning for like, unrelenting gore/body horror (and eventually monster sex I think?) Gotta admire the scope of this one. Galanthus by Ashanti Fortson - [coming soon] Goodbye to Halos by Valerie Halla - Fantasy/action-adventure with an all queer-and-trans cast! Huge-scale, trans-dimensional cosmic plot stuff. The art is supremely cute and the color design is fantastic. Harlowe Vanished by Amy King - A lonely teenage girl accidentally finds herself in some kind of oceanic fantasy world! Scary military stuff is going down! BEAUTIFUL scenic art and a colorful cast that we’re currently just getting to know. The latest from Amy, who did The Muse Mentor, rec’d above. Heirs of the Veil by Phineas Kaldinski and Jassy Klier - Urban fantasy with lots of cool magic, a queer cast, and amazingly detailed environments that feel lived-in and full of history. Can’t wait to see where it’s going. Hilga from Below by Val Wise - This just started but that means I’m COMPLETELY CAUGHT UP on the  archive and so far I can tell that it has: Excellent colors, a cute dog person, a fallen angel or alien or something, and some really unsettling stuff lurking under the surface. How to be a Werewolf by Shawn Lenore - Another one I just started, but really enjoying it so far. After twenty years of isolated lycanthropy, an urban werewolf is mentored by the first of her kind she’s ever met, amidst a mysterious lurking threat to their kind. Kidd Commander by Aria Bell - This is the most fun I’ve had reading a webcomic in a long time. Kidd Commander is an epic shonen-style adventure with an immensely likable cast. Seriously, I love every last one of the characters, and their perils and triumphs and misunderstandings hit me right in the emotions like a ton of bricks. I’m probably gonna cry at some point in this comic. I KNOW I’m gonna cry at some point in this comic. But it’s also hilarious, with really well-timed comedy beats and expertly deployed reaction faces. The world also feels HUGE and full of interesting lore. This is just one of those ones where you can tell it’s an absolute labor of love and the creator enjoys every minute of making it. I could gush about KC forever. But I won’t. This time. I’M DONE. Kids These Days by Noora Heikkilä - Fresh webcomic from the creator of Judecca and Letters for Lucardo, which, if you’ve read either YOU’RE FREAKING OUT TOO, RIGHT. It’s about a group of young adults in the eighteenth-century-flavored city of Osk, refusing to fit the molds society has created for them. And it’s already great. Killjoys by Woods - Criminal mayhem set in a squishy cartoon circus toyland. Had me at “Fluffy hot-tempered clown bunny with they pronouns, in a suit.” Something about this one speaks directly to my id. Kill Six Billion Demons by Tom Parkinson-Morgan - SPRAWLINGLY EPIC action-adventure in hell with vast-scale environments that will make you fall to your knees weeping. Also, like everyone in it is super hot and also a monster or some kind of divine construct. Violence. Lots of that. Larkspur by Grace Mulcahy - Post-apocalyptic action/crime/comedy piece centering on girl gang rivalries. Everyone is some kind of really cool-looking post-radiation mutant. Lush, vibrant colors set against dark comedy. Warning for some sex trafficking stuff at the start (not explicit) and general CRIME/VIOLENCE. Log Date by H. Kasof - [coming soon]

Monster’s Garden by Ash G. - Urban sci-fantasy about a misunderstood prizefighter (who happens to be a lizard-man) who just wants to be left in peace--but is suddenly faced with the challenge of caring about others and having them care about him. Full of cute and sympathetic characters. Monster Pop! by Maya Kern- Light and fun college dramedy with a cast of colorful monsters (and some humans), including a cyclops, gorgon, and witch. The art is super cute. Queer and trans characters! Never Satisfied by Taylor Robin - A group of flawed, complicated teens compete for a prestigious role that is basically something like State Wizard. The characters are SO GOOD, sympathetic across the board even when they’re being misguided jerks, and the comedy highs and dramatic lows are equally prime. The main character is nonbinary and they are my sweet, emotionally stunted child. Oglaf by Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne - Everyone’s favorite bizarro-comedy-porn medieval fantasy comic. NSFW, as if I had to tell ya. Parhelion by R. Smith - Sci-fi adventure featuring a huge and hugely-gender-various (and queer) cast with a lot of choice trope subversions. The writing is super witty and I find myself laughing out loud a lot. Puu by Ashkay B. Varaham - An own-voices slice-of-life webcomic about gay/trans roommates and the people connected to them, set in India. Look, I am a huge goopy romantic and this comic has EVERYTHING that feeds my soul. The Sea in You by Jessi Sheron - Lonely, environmentally-conscious goth girl with a jerk boyfriend makes the acquaintance of a MUCH BETTER (girl?)friend in the shape of a mermaid. Another one with very cute art and an interesting, creative mermaid design. Everything teen me ever wanted in a comic. Warning for the boyfriend being an emotionally abusive jerk. String Theory by Dirk Grundy- Probably the comic I’ve been reading the longest. Sci-fi/post-apocalyptic/alternate history/crime stuff centering around morally sketchy characters on their path(s) to super villainy. The art is frigging phenomenal and the comic has been going for like, ten years so if you wanna see some art evolution, check it out. Laurence is my fave. Superpose by Kieran and Han - [coming soon] Unconvent by Emil N. Tót - Romantic historical fiction about queer nuns in eighteenth century Brazil! I like how simple and straightforward this comic is. We are promised happy endings. (Update: Unconvent is now on indefinite hiatus but the author has started a new comic, Dead Scholars’ Whispers) That’s it for now! Let me know if I screwed up any of the links or attributions.

[aion-rsa]

Holiday Gift Guide 2019: Books for Geeks

https://ift.tt/2L0II44

It's that time of the year for a good book beside the fireplace! Here's what you'll want to be reading this holiday season.

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We've searched far and wide to bring you the best shopping recommendations! Just a note: Den of Geek may receive a small commission from links on this page. Prices & stockage are accurate as of time of publication.

Tis the season... for buying books for your friends, family, and colleagues! We've compiled a list for the variety of nerds in your life—from Doctor Who to Dune, from Game of Thrones to The Adventure Zone, we've got a geeky book gift recommendation for you.

Here is a list of 15 books we recommend for every kind of nerd in your life.

I Love the Bones of You: My Father and the Making of Me by Christopher Eccleston

For: The Doctor Who fan in your life

Raw and real, this memoir by Doctor Who and The Leftovers actor Christopher Eccleston is a reflection on his relationship with his stoic yet loving father following his death. If you're looking for something a bit more serious this holiday season, check this out—it includes some lovely details about Eccleston's personal life, including the fact that his kid calls the Daleks "the Garlics." Adorable.

Buy I Love the Bones of You by Christopher Eccleston

Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction by Lisa Kroger and Melanie R. Anderson

For: The literary history nerd in your life

Women have, historically, been written out of history and/or had their impact greatly diminished. Monster, She Wrote attempts to correct some of that injustice by highlighting the women writers who "defied convention to craft some of literature's stangest tales." Including more well-known writers like Mary Shelley and lesser known scribes like Magaret "Mad Madge" Cavendish, who wrote a sci-fi epic 150 years before Shelley penned Frankenstein, even your most obsessive of literary friends will most likely find something new in this tome.

Buy Monster, She Wrote: The Woman Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction

Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series by Aaron Harvey, Rich Schepis, and Saturday Morning Trek

For: The Star Trek fan in your life

With a new animated Star Trek series right around the corner, now is the perfect time to celebrate the original animated Trek adventure: the highly underrated Star Trek: The Animated Series. Continuing on the canon begun in The Original Series, The Animated Series continues to influence Trek canon today—most especially when it comes to Discovery.

This book includes behind-the-scenes production documents, never-before-seen art, and all-new interviews with the people who produced the animated adventures, and is perfect for Star Trek fans who have already consumed The Animated Series and Star Trek fans who have yet to discover the series' unique delights.

Buy Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series

Firefly: The Big Damn Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel

For: The Firefly fan in your life

We're always looking for ways to dive back into the world of cancelled-too-soon Firefly, and this cookbook is a particularly fun way to do so. Including over 70 recipes inspired by the Joss Whedon TV show, Firefly: The Big Damn Cookbook is the perfect gift for your nerdy friend who also happens to be into cooking. Who knows? Maybe they'll share some of Mama Reynold's shoofly pie with you?

Buy Firefly: The Big Damn Cookbook 

Warrior of the Altaii by Robert Jordan

For: The Wheel of Time fan in your life

With Amazon's Wheel of Time series currently filming, the fantasy epic nerd in your life is probably hyped for all things Robert Jordan. While the beloved author passed away back in 2007, Tor Books recently published his very first novel, Warrior of the Altaii, an action-driven fantasy about a group of horse warriors whose very existence is threatened. It's the perfect gift for the Wheel of Time fan in your life.

Buy Warrior of the Altaii by Robert Jordan

Resistance Reborn: Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker by Rebecca Roanhorse

For: The Star Wars fan in your life

By the time Christmas rolls around, most Star Wars fans will have consumed The Rise of Skywalker with their eyeballs and will be hungry for more. Enter this official book from Hugo Award-winning author Rebecca Roanhorse, which explores what happens to Poe, Leia, Rey, and Finn between the last two movies.

Buy Resistance Reborn: Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker by Rebecca Roanhorse

The Art of Game of Thrones, The Official Book of Design From Seasons 1 to 8

For: The Game of Thrones fan in your life

While Game of Thrones fans may not be happy with the narrative consistency of the last few seasons of the HBO epic, I don't think anyone can find a flaw in the production design work of this gorgeous (and expensive) show. Game of Thrones fans can celebrate the consistent successes of this show with The Art of Game of Thrones—which includes 432 pages of concept art, sketches, and production design images. The perfect coffee table book for the fantasy nerd in your life!

Buy The Art of Game of Thrones

The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz

For: The riot girl in your life

In what is sure to become a feminist time travel classic, io9 founding editor Annalee Newitz ties together the perspectives of time traveler Tess, working to stop a group of misogynists from destroying time travel forever, and Beth, a 17-year-old girl exploring the punk scene in 1992 California. Really, this standalone novel a great book for any science fiction lover in your life, but if they have a particular interest in social justice, even better!

Buy The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Illustrated Edition

For: The Harry Potter fan in your life

Harry Potter is always a safe gift bet, especially when it comes to these gorgeous illustrated editions, with art from award-winning artist Jim Kay that could be framed and hung on the wall. The Goblet of Fire is the most recent release in this series, but, even if your gift-receiver doesn't have the previous three books in the series, this is a gift any Potterhead would be ecstatic to get.

Buy Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Illustrated Edition

The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited!

For: The D&D fan in your life

The second book in the McElroy family's wildly successful graphic novel adaptation series of their popular D&D podcast, Murder on the Rockport Limited! works for longtime fans of the pod or for those who couldn't tell Clint from Travis. Art from Carey Pietsch brings this fantastical and hilarious world to life, making this the perfect gift for loved ones who have always wanted their own D&D campaign jump off of the table.

Buy The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited!

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

For: The YA fan in your life

Hot off the presses this December, this sequel to Tomi Adeyemi's debut fantasy Children of Blood and Bone is sure to be one of the most-talked-about YA books of the year. The story of Zélie and Amari continues as Adeyemi further explores her west African-inspired fantasy world, as magic returns to the land of Orïsha in this second book in the planned trilogy.

Buy Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders

For: The classic science fiction fan in your life

Many have compared Charlie Jane Anders' work to sci-fi legend Ursula Le Guin, and it's not hard to see why: Anders' work is as topical and it is visionary. Anders' second novel after All the Birds in the Sky, The City in the Middle of the Night takes readers to a tidally-locked planet divided between a permanently frozen darkness on one side of the body and an endless sunshine on the other. Anders' recycles some of the elements of classic science fiction into something beautiful and new. 

Buy City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders

Dune: Deluxe Edition by Frank Herbert

For: The person in your life who won't stop talking about the upcoming Dune movie

It's a good time to be a Dune fan. Not only is there a screen adaptation coming from Arrival director Denis Villeneuve in 2020, but Ace just released this gorgeous special edition of the fantasy classic. With an iconic new cover, a redesigned world map of Dune, an updated intro from Brian Herbert, and stained page edges, this story has never looked so good.

Buy Dune: The Deluxe Edition by Frank Herbert

Gideon: The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

For: The lesbian necromancers in your life

Come for the lesbian necromancers, stay for the skeleton battles! I... don't really feel like I need to write anything else after that. But this buzzworthy 2019 title is a definitive winner: The start of a planned trilogy, Gideon the Ninth follows indentured-servant-turned-swordswoman Gideon Nav, who is tasked with keeping sworn enemy Harrowhark Nonagesimus safe. 

Buy Gideon: The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

For: The speculative fiction fan who only has time for a novella

To call this lovely story "only" a novella would be doing the craft of the story a disservice. Told from the dual perspectives of two time-traveling agents from warring futures, Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone choose every word of this story thoughtfully. Their war may stretch across space and time, but the relationship between Red and Blue is beautiful in its intimacy. The perfect gift to trick your loved one into reading more of both El-Mohtar and Gladstone's wonderful work.

Buy This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek. Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt.

Read and download the Den of Geek NYCC 2019 Special Edition Magazine right here!

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Feature Kayti Burt

Nov 27, 2019

Science Fiction Books

Fantasy Books

Young Adult Fiction

from Books https://ift.tt/37LnFw3

[kevinmoyer]

Classic Lake Como Wedding at Villa Balbiano :: Victoria & Marco

Photography by Mike Larson.

One thing I love about this job is how quickly you learn that every wedding is special, and just right for that particular couple. But if I can be totally honest, every once in a while a wedding hits my inbox that I know will make almost any bride-to-be (or former bride!) think “ok, just copy and paste us right there, please!” I guess it’s no wonder when the bride is a stylish wedding professional—a member of the team at Yonder Design, as well as a former planner! Victoria & Marco’s Italian wedding is seriously the stuff of fantasy. For a start, there are few places in the world more beautiful than Lake Como (hey, if it’s good enough for George & Amal…) and with that as their backdrop, they added beautiful details in the soft greens, creams and peach of their villa. Go ahead and soak up all the beauty in every one of these gorgeous photos!

Why did you choose this location for your wedding? Marco was born in Italy and his entire family lives in Domodossola, a tiny town right on the border of Switzerland. Most of his Italian relatives speak only Italian and we wanted them to be an equal part in the wedding festivities. Italy is also a large part of my life; I have my BA in Art History and lived in Rome writing my thesis on the Sistine Ceiling. Marco and I wanted our guests to get a glimpse into why we feel so connected to Italy by having the chance to travel and see what makes Italy such an incredible place.

Villa Balbiano was built in the 16th century and was home to a famous Cardinal. The villa is adorned with 17th century frescoes that tell stories of Italy centuries ago, and the walls hide the secrets of the infamous parties the Cardinal threw. The villa is a magnificent work of art. When I walked in for the first time, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It is a dream wedding venue. We were also the first couple to get married in the villa. Being the first to get married in this incredible place felt so romantic and so special. We owe it all to our wonderful planner, The Lake Como Wedding Planner, for showing us this villa. When we first saw it, the entire grounds were being redone and the building was being remodeled. We committed to the venue when there wasn’t even plumbing or lighting installed!

Did you include any traditions in your wedding? Yes! Something old: my ring, which has diamonds from both of my grandmothers’ engagement rings / Something new: my gift from Marco, a diamond bracelet / Something borrowed: a gold bracelet that was part of one of my grandmother’s jewelry collections / Something blue: my great aunt Gladys chose a blue wedding dress for her wedding. My mom took a piece of the lace from her dress and sewed it underneath my wedding dress.

Both of my grandmothers have passed away and I was lucky enough to inherit both of their engagement rings. I had them recreated into two bands where every other stone was from each grandmother. My mom was equally close to my dad’s mom as she was to her own, so I surprised her with one of these bands, while I wore the other. The moment where I gave her the ring was one I will always cherish and I now have a piece of jewelry that not only commemorates these incredible women but also reminds me of this special moment with my beautiful mother.

The Ceremony

Your ceremony in three words. Emotional, religious, romantic.

What was your ceremony music? We hired a four-piece Italian folk band to play for our ceremony and cocktail hour and they were incredibly willing to learn new music when we asked. Marco and the bridal party walked into I’m Yours by Jason Mraz. We love dancing to this song in the kitchen while we cook so it brought back great memories! My dad and I walked down the aisle to God Only Knows by the Beach Boys. I grew up dancing to the Beach Boys with my dad; he’s always called me his “California Girl!” The band played it so beautifully. I started crying instantly when it began to play.

How did you go about planning your ceremony? We took cues from our priest, but Marco and I really spent a lot of time on the ceremony. We translated the entire ceremony into Italian so Marco’s family could follow along. We worked alongside our priest to create a really meaningful ceremony by selecting the readings, music and working on the homily together.

I am very close with my family so it was important that my brother and mom were with me, in addition to my dad, when we walked down the aisle. My mom and brother walked arm-in-arm down the aisle just before my dad and I. That quiet and private moment we had together as a family just before my mom and brother started to walk down the aisle was really special.

Also, my parents saved their wedding ceremony program, so we included some excerpts from their ceremony. That was really fun to work on together!

Who officiated your ceremony? How did you choose him/her? My childhood priest, Father Hawtin. He baptized me, and has remained a good friend of the family for many years. We wanted to have a religious ceremony but also wanted to add personal touches and he was very open to working together to include those.

Did you include any traditions in your ceremony? We did traditional vows, but we said them in Italian. This meant that Marco’s Italian family could understand and feel as though they were also truly witnessing our commitment. We then said our personal vows in English so our English-speaking friends and family were equally involved.

What were your ceremony readings? Solomon 2:10-13, read by my dad in English and then by Marco’s dad in Italian. // Romans 12:9-16, read by my godmother in English, then by my Marco’s Cousin in Italian.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding ceremony? Our personal vows. We were so overcome by emotion. It felt so right to say them and to vow those things in front of all of our friends and family.

Read Victoria & Marco’s personal wedding vows right here. 

Is there anything else that you’d like to share about your wedding ceremony? Our photographer gave us an awesome tip: after you’re married and you walk down the aisle, turn around and look at your guests. They will all be smiling and cheering you on! It was a nice moment during the wedding that we both have a as a memory forever!

Is there anything else that helps tell the story of your wedding? Marco knows how much I love surprises. As part of his gift to me, I received a box of cards, each a handwritten letter meant for different moments in our lives. I had letters titled “on our wedding day,” “before you walk down the aisle,” “on the way to our honeymoon,” “one year anniversary,” “when we face our first big challenge in life,” “when we find our we are pregnant,” etc. it was really special and I can’t wait to continue opening these throughout our life together. Also, Mike Larson, our photographer, recommended that Marco surprise me for the honeymoon as he did that with his wife. Marco told me what to pack and that was it. When we got on a plane the Monday morning after we got married, I had no clue where we were going until we landed in the Maldives. It was the perfect end to our wedding weekend.

The Reception

How would you describe your reception? Formal, Italian, fun!

Are there any DIY details you’d like to tell us about? It’s hard to DIY when you’re getting married far away from where you live, as transporting those items can be a challenge! Nonetheless we made it work; I carried all of our paper items with me onto the plane and didn’t let them leave my sight! I knew they were the one thing we were bringing that I couldn’t recreate quickly.

When guests sat down for dinner, at their seats they had little boxes with their names calligraphed on them. Inside the boxes was the traditional Italian confetti (also called bombonniere). These are five candy-dipped almonds (made by Marco’s aunt) that symbolize health, fertility, happiness, wealth and long life. Under the boxes were personalized handwritten notes to our guests from us. It was important to us that we connected with our guests by sharing past memories of why we cherished them and why we were so grateful that they had made the journey to be with us on our wedding day.

What was the best advice you received as a bride? Being a former wedding planner, I was able to really understand what it was like to be a bride before I was a bride, so I was very grateful for having that experience prior to my wedding. The biggest thing is that when the day arrives, make sure everything is done. If anything goes wrong on the day of the wedding, let others troubleshoot it for you. Hire an amazing planner whom you trust to make those decisions so you can relax and enjoy your day. As for the rest of the time, make sure you also trust them and enjoy spending time with them. // Do an engagement shoot! It is a great opportunity to get to know the style of your wedding photographer and how he or she likes to work. We loved our engagement shoot as it gave us time to really get to know our photographer, so by the time the wedding day arrived, we were friends! // My number one wedding tip would be to make sure you have an authentic moment with the people who are most important to you at some point during your wedding planning or wedding day. Those are the moments that matter and the memories that will last forever. // This isn’t really advice but I think it’s fun for brides to think about: our venue accommodated our entire immediate family and our bridal party. It was like having a giant sleepover with all of the people you care the most about. We shared all of our morning breakfasts together and jumped into the pool late at night together. Staying in one place was one of the best decisions we made as it gave us time with our closest family and friends outside of the frenzy of the wedding events!

    What was your favorite moment or part of the reception? Marco and I love surprises so we surprised each other and our guests a lot over the course of the weekend. We even kept the venue a secret so our guests would be surprised when they arrived by boat! Marco really wanted a band but we couldn’t for the life of us find a contemporary dance band in Italy. So I went on a little incognito trip and discovered a Sinatra band that had just formed in Milan. Marco is a huge Sinatra fan and I knew this was going to be a hit. I planned for the band to play during dinner, and then after dinner we’d go upstairs into the main room of the villa and have an awesome late-night dance party with the DJ. So we were introduced into dinner and went straight into our first dance. Imagine turning the corner into dinner, and realizing that you’re dancing to Beyond the Sea not on a recording, but played by a live band! Marco lost his mind. It was so fun! So the first dance was a real highlight for me; not only because I surprised  Marco, but also because our dance lessons that we had to prepare for it were a way for us to connect outside of the wedding planning madness and craziness of work. It was our break from reality. And on the day we even pulled off a few lifts in the routine!

What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? We wanted to have a wedding reception that was truly Italian. So Italian that in fact we couldn’t choose between the pastas offered at our menu tasting, so we picked both. Instead of a salad course, pasta course and main course, which is the traditional Italian dinner, we had two pasta courses! One was a pesto pasta that included green beans and potatoes and the other was a saffron risotto with fresh tomatoes and burrata. We figured our guests could enjoy salad another time, haha!

What advice do you have for other couples in the midst of planning a wedding? Your relationship with each other is most important. Understanding that that is at the core of why you are doing all of this makes it easier to not sweat the details and avoid arguments. It’s a stressful time, so making sure you stay unified throughout is important! Make sure you spend time talking about other things, not just the wedding!

Planning a destination wedding is tough unless you have someone who you entirely trust locally to get the job done. For us, that was Rachel and Leonora at The Lake Como Wedding Planner. They sourced our caterer, florist, transportation and so much more. I knew that their relationships on the lake were of utmost importance and because of that we would get fantastic service and quality. They exceeded our expectations.

Do you have any budget tips for other brides? My biggest budget tip is to be open about your budget with your planner and share your budget with him or her early in the process. If your planner knows exactly where your numbers lie, he or she will be able to help you stick to those numbers by referring vendors who fall within your budget. // Things will pop up that you don’t expect. Add some buffer to your budget. We ended up having to spray a mosquito repellent on the lawn because the mosquitos were so horrible and we didn’t want all of our guests getting eaten alive! It was an expense we weren’t anticipating, but having the buffer in our budget just for surprises like this helped us not freak out, because we’d saved part of our budget for this exact reason.

What type of cake or dessert did you serve? It was vanilla cake with buttercream frosting and fresh strawberry filling. We also served late-night tiramisu

If you had it to do over again, is there anything you would do differently? Zero! And I definitely would do it over again…and again and again!

And we have one more treat for you – Veronica & Marco’s wedding video by Artisan Production!

The post Classic Lake Como Wedding at Villa Balbiano :: Victoria & Marco appeared first on Snippet & Ink.