Shards of Honor and Barrayar focus on Cordelia, yes. I haven't found them the best point of entry to the series personally, as I think Shards reflects being an earlier work. But this is definitely YMMV.

Another possibility is Enchantress From The Stars trilogy by Sylvia Engdahl

Ethan of Athos and Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold. (Both are part of the longer Vorkosigan Saga, but both have female protagonists and can be read without the rest of the series. Ethan is more standalone than Komarr though).

Fair enough! Thank you for the response and I'll continue enjoying your other writings.

Just watched this last night, and appreciated your review. The grace of the movie was truly moving.

I was curious if you had shared, or have any plans to share, thoughts on Kpop Demon Hunters. As a parent with small children I've really appreciated your reviews of children's movies.

There's a prequel?! How did I miss there was a prequel?! Thank you for sharing!

I like Bruce Cockburn's Christmas cd, with "Riu riu chiu", the Huron Carol, and "Down in Yon Forest", among others. Also Alison Krauss and Yo Yo Ma have a lovely version of the Wexford Carol on "Songs of Peace and Joy", although most of them are more common.

We hung lights and then the elementary school kid insisted we go on a walk and see all the neighborhood lights and it was lovely and not too cold. The next evening it was single digits cold so we stayed inside, made hot cocoa and s'mores and played Uno.

These are impressive, thanks for sharing! What recipe for sturdy but edible cookie and frosting does he recommend?

There's also Elizabeth Wein's series focused on the children of camelot and ending up in Aksum/Ethiopia. The Winter Prince is the first one.

For fun, Edward Eager's Half Magic has a chapter where the children wish themselves to Camelot and do not get along with Lancelot at all

For retellings, I love Gillian Bradshaw's Hawk of May, Kingdom of Summer, and In Winter's Shadow. Also Rosemary Sutcliff's Sword at Sunset.

Gerald Morris has a whole series of humourous retellings, starting with The Squire's Tale.

It may be time for a Going Postal re-read...

Lois McMaster Bujold's Penric and Desdemona series is a lot of fun.

Have you tried Martha Wells fantasy? The Fall of Ile Rien is my favorite and you might also enjoy Death of a Necromancer.

I also really love Marie Brennan's Lady Trent series

Recently, I really enjoyed the abandoned mine in The Tomb of Dragons by Katherine Addison.

I think Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.