Mostly, I want someone else to read it with me so we can discuss because I think it's one of those books that can easily generate a 45 minute conversation. And, honestly, I think any book that can do that is worth the read -- unless I get to page 470 with no answers. Then I'll be annoyed.

Naturally, it has redeeming qualities. The characters are all fairly interesting, and it's well-written with good pacing. You WANT to keep reading. There's also been a fair amount of research into post-WWI spiritualism. New conflicts keep arising, and it's a good example of a novel of manners.

I still have about 200 pages left (it's a LONG book), so a lot can and likely will be resolved, but I've hit the point where there are so many loose threads that I just want to Google the summary and see what happens. I don't want to read 470 pages only to be left dissatisfied.

(That's blowing right past the potential selkie/mermaid sighting, which didn't even get any word count on wtf it was. A statue? A poor drowned woman? An apparition? Forget about discussing that, folks, you're not going to get it.)

There's still time to resolve this, but I'm also not sure if the author has decided whether or not mediumship is a fraud or not. Early on, it seemed obvious that mediumship was fraudulent. But now we're edging into the improbable. So ARE spirits real in this book?

So the title rings discordant with the tone, which is itself... sort of maudlin. Our main character Evelyn opens the book essentially trying not to have a panic attack because her husband told her he speaks to spirits. And well through chapter 19, she's battling the same urge to crumble.

First off, the title is a pun, and while I do enjoy puns, the book itself is fairly serious. I'm not sure if there's actually any humor in it, and I'm 60% through. We have surprise pregnancies, fraught marriages, hidden love children, world wars, and SO MUCH GRIEF. But the title's a pun?

I'm toying w making some tiny zines right now for just this reason. Kind of excited about it, actually.

It just goes to show that quantity is not nearly as important as quality and that things can change and improve w time. I feel good about doing this event again next year, and I know a lot more about what we can make different. Feeling good. 😊

Taking a moment to regroup since I do feel a bit emotional. And then we'll face the day w greater equanimity.

I'm going to try to find wins today, and I think they will exist. I gathered a good group of staff, and I know who's excited for these types of programs now. I have better contacts for the future. I should probably do this during fall break during the week. I know things.

I'm working this weekend on a couple submissions for the One-Page RPG Jam! I'm writing down some ideas today and I think I might try to stream the creation process tomorrow!