Update: Life and Books (June 2021) + Late Mermay Art!

 
 

Let’s see, what did I do in June…

I finally watched Cats (2019)! To be honest, I didn’t hate it. It was weird, like everyone said, but some of the songs were fun, and I liked the dancing. I loved the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees! Munkustrap was pretty adorable too. I think most of the weirdness was just from the original story making no sense (from what I know of it), rather than the movie adaptation. The only problems with the movie were the lack of cat nose, the inconsistency in cat size, and everything Rebel Wilson cat did (unzipping fur???).

I finished some more art that was meant for Mermay but didn’t get finished in time because of health stuff. So here it is now! A merman based on my favorite fish, the longhorn cowfish. They’re such weird little fish, and oddly adorable. When I first saw photos of them last year, I was like, “I think I hate them?” Then I saw a video and was like, “Nope, I love them.” *Image below is an updated version.*

Digital painting of a longhorn cowfish merman at a coral reef, surrounded by a bunch of small cowfish swimming toward him. He's smiling and looking fondly at the one swimming toward his face, his hand coming up to touch it. He has a thin body and a bright yellow tail with a flat expanse that tapers to two horn-like protrusions at the bottom, with a tail fin in between them (like a cowfish). The side and fin of his tail have white spots. His head has two small, straight, yellow horns near his temples. He has fair skin, long black hair flowing around his face, some scattered freckles and moles, and Japanese facial features.
Close-up of the cowfish merman.

I played a fairly quick, free, but super cute game called Tomai! Lots of art, and a cute polyam romance.

I don’t think I did much else. To be honest, I’m not doing great lately, but I hope everyone else is doing well and stays safe if you’re reading this on the 4th ❤️


Blog/Bookish Updates:

Nothing.

 

Books I Received for Review:

A Bargain of Blood & Gold by Kristin Jacques, The Free Bastards by Jonathan French, and FANGS Vol. 1 by Billy Balibally from NetGalley. Courting Nightfall by Amanda Meuwissen and Only the Good Die Young by E.M. Jeanmougin & Jay Wright, from the authors. Punderworld Vol. 1 by Linda Sejic, and Castlevania: The Art of the Animated Series, from Edelweiss. And I’m really on the ball since I’ve already read all but one of these (which isn’t out until September)!

 

Books I Finished:

Punderworld Vol. 1 by Linda SejicCastlevania: The Art of the Animated SeriesFANGS Vol. 1 by Billy BaliballyInheritance by Gail Z. MartinOnly the Good Die Young by E.M. Jeanmougin & Jay Wright

If you’re considering buying one of the books below from Amazon, I’d really appreciate if you’d use my affiliate link!

This was actually a good reading month, after feeling mostly meh about books for a while. I enjoyed all of these, but the standouts were FANGS Vol. 1 and Only the Good Die Young (available on KU!), as well the Castlevania art book.

Me & Mr. Cigar by Gibby Haynes – Somewhat strange, but kinda fun!

White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton – I liked this! I’ve found a new series to continue.

Punderworld Vol. 1 by Linda Sejic – Super cute start to a graphic novel retelling of Hades and Persephone! Worth it for the gorgeous artwork alone, but also a fun story. [My Review]

Courting Nightfall by Amanda Muewissen – An enjoyable vampire high fantasy romance. [My Review]

Castlevania: The Art of the Animated Series – A beautiful and fascinating art book with lots of cool tidbits and info and concept art and whatnot! [My Review]

A Bargain of Blood and Gold by Kristin Jacques – An enjoyable historical paranormal vampire romance. [My Review]

Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time by K.M. Szpara – A short story with an interesting look at what it might mean to be a trans vampire.

The Immaculate Marlow King by Amanda Meuwissen – A cute and steamy short story.

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black – I wasn’t actually the biggest fan of this series, so I was super into this either. I liked the end though.

FANGS Vol. 1 by Billy Balibally – I loved this! Great characters, great art, and a much deeper look into vampirism than I expected from the first volume in a series. [My Review]

Trifles and Folly 2 and Inheritance by Gail Z. Martin – Some short stories about paranormal mysteries that go with this series, plus the latest full book in the series.

Only the Good Die Young by E.M. Jeanmougin & Jay Wright – The third book in a fantastic mlm urban fantasy with such great characters about a hunter and a werespider!

 

In Case You Missed It:

– I reviewed Punderworld Vol. 1 by Linda Sejic, a Hades & Persephone retelling with cute characters and gorgeous artwork!
– I reviewed Castlevania: The Art of the Animated Series, a fantastic and interesting art book for fans of the Netflix series!
– I reviewed Fangs Vol. 1 by Billy Balibally, a fantastic start to a graphic novel series with complex characters and an interesting exploration of vampirism!
– I ranked supernatural creatures by how much I’d like to bone them, because why not?

 
 
 
 

Talk to me!

Have you found any good books, games, movies, etc. lately?
What did you think of the movie Cats, if you've seen it?

 
 
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Your Thoughts

 

14 thoughts on “Update: Life and Books (June 2021) + Late Mermay Art!

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  1. Greg

    I have never seen Cats. Yeesh…

    Cool Mermay Art! And video too…

    Castlevania always seemed like such a cool and atmospheric thing but I haven’t ever seen it. I’ve got that Holly Black series around here too but again haven’t dove in yet, but as interested as I am in dark(ish) fae I should…

    Hope you have a good 4th.

  2. Lorna

    I lasted about 15 minutes into Cats when I just had to stop. Just wasn’t my thing, but I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  3. Roberta R.

    Cats has been the bottom of many jokes since it came out. I guess it was supposed to be weird LOL.

    I think I love your strange fish friends too! And your art is always amazing.

  4. Karen

    We had a lowkey 4th. EVERYONE was out this year, probably because there wasn’t anything last year and everyone wants to be out enjoying things but it freaks me out and we mostly stayed in or went on short hikes (I hurt my knee).

    A lack of nose in Cats?? I need to know what that means. lol

    Karen @For What It’s Worth