Author Archives: kaizerin

Let Her RIP!

It’s time, it’s time! If you’re a regular visitor to Bookish Dark, you know we’re careening joyfully into my favorite time of year, autumn, and with it, the Readers Imbibing Peril Challenge. Our obliging host, Carl, got the festivities underway … Continue reading

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Camp Confusion

“When a thing such as wax, or gold, or silver, turns liquid from heat, we say that it has fused,” Eliza said to her son, “and when such liquids run together and mix, we say they are con-fused.” “Papa says … Continue reading

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Camp Quicksilver

When I posted my discussion of Cryptonomicon, the comment I got from Ken was, “I can’t tell if you said too much or not enough.” Which was funny, because that was my feeling about the thing, too. I really struggled … Continue reading

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The Sisters

“Sisters are a shield against life’s cruel adversity.” –Nancy Mitford “But sisters ARE life’s cruel adversity!” –Jessica Mitford Imagine there were six Hilton sisters, instead of just two, and the Hilton family were English Peers, cousins to the Churchills. Now … Continue reading

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Basecamp Crypto

We are well underway in our attempt to scale Mt. Stephenson–i.e., read Neal Stephenson’s massive, approximately 3600-page Baroque Cycle in one long go. Strictly speaking, The Baroque Cycle is eight novels printed in three volumes: Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The … Continue reading

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No More Kings

…but that doesn’t mean we don’t still have princesses–I mean, even Lady Liberty wears a diadem! So I thought I’d show you the birthday tiara I made for my dear friend Rachel’s birthday this year. I don’t think you’re ever … Continue reading

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Electronica

All the reading I’m getting done while commuting is actually listening; I’m getting back into the audiobook habit. It’s a lot more convenient to switch on the iPod and go, rather than lugging a book along, having to stop reading … Continue reading

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Spring Delights

It’s mid-June and we’re finally getting weather that most of the country would recognize as Spring-like: mostly-sunny days in the low 70s, nights in the mid-50s. Now me, I didn’t mind how cold and wet it was in April and … Continue reading

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Limbering Up

We’re well into June, and that means the assault on Mt. Stephenson is underway— the Ascent Team has agreed to read Cryptonomicon in June, Quicksilver in July, The Confusion in August, and The System of the World in September. I’m … Continue reading

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Corny

Sometimes, a girl has a hat she doesn’t need. A hat that sits around gathering dust, waiting for an appropriate occasion. Other times, a girl needs a hat she doesn’t have. But with a little ingenuity, a needle & thread, … Continue reading

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