Podcasts I'm Enjoying

In 2024, I tried to increase my walking (I'm still not back to my previous levels), and whenever possible, I multitask by listening to music, audiobooks (borrowed from the library), or podcasts.

Some of my favorite podcast from 2024 (and 2025), in no particular order:

Lore: Aaron Mahnke's award winning podcast of historical, scary stories / folklore. I love that he explores a lot of New England's legends and dark past - Rhode Island vampire lore, the Bridgewater triangle, etc. - in addition to fairy changelings, magical artifacts, and ghost stories from around the world

Tales of Britain and Ireland: Graeme Cook's fun, informative podcast about folktales, legends, and myths across Britain and Ireland. I love the humorous way Graeme tells stories and the discussion section he adds at the end.

Fabulous Folklore with Icy: Author Icy Sedgwick's podcast explores myth, legends, and superstitions in 15 minutes (or so). From the tradition of first-footing, magical plant folklore, and haunted houses to Welsh legends, weather lore, and fairy-friendly gardens, there's something for everyone.

Irish Mythology Podcast: Hosts Marcas Ó hUiscín and Stephanie Ní Thiarnaigh tell stories from Ireland's rich mythology - the Fomorians, the Milesians, the Fir Blog, the Banshee, the Morrigan, and even St. Patrick himself.

Helping Writers Become Authors: In addition to her novels K.M. Weiland has written multiple books on the craft of writing, and her website and podcast expand on her experience and expertise. It's a fantastic resource.

Yes, there's a definite theme.

Feel free to share with me which podcasts you've been listening to and can recommend!

Books Read in 2024

I read 33 of the 35 books I challenged myself to read in 2024, which isn't too bad. I won't list them all, but I do want to share some highlights or you can visit my Goodreads year in review to see them yourself.

Highlights

33 books            6,382 pages read

shortest book: My Name is Elizabeth! by Annika Dunklee, Matthew Forsythe (Illustrator); 24 pages

longest book: The Wonderling by Mira Bartok; 450 pages

Recommended Reading

I really enjoyed everything I'd read in 2024 but here are just a few of my favorites. (This way I can list some of them without listing everything - haha!) Just a heads up, I read a lot of young adult, childrens, and fantasy so my recommendations (from the books read in 2024) are in those genres.

Fairy Tale / Folklore / Remix fiction:

1. How to Save Your Tail*: *if you are a rat nabbed by cats who really likes stories about magic spoons, wolves, with snout-warts, big, hairy chimney trolls ... and cookies, too. by Mary Hanson, John Hendrix (illustrator)

Similar to Scheherezade in 101 in 1001 Arabian Nights, a cookie-baking rat name Bob spins tales to keep from being eaten by the two hungry cats - Brutus and Muffin - who've caught him. He tells tales of familiar fairy tales in not so familiar ways in the hopes of distracting the kitties long enough to keep his cookies from burning and of changing their minds from eating him. Really cute book!

2. The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley, Marian Tomas Griffin (narrator)

I chose to listen to the audiobook and am glad I did. The narrator really brought the tale alive and transported me into orphan Corinna's world. Those familiar with certain folktales of the area (no spoilers from me) will recognize the clues sprinkled about in the story. I really enjoyed this original folk story and have added Franny Billingsley's books Well Wished and The Robber Girl to this year's To Read list. Definitely a must read.

3. Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry by Rosalie K. Fry

The Secret of Roan Inish is one of my favorite films, so I decided to finally read the book which had inspired the film. This was a magical story, full of family, friendship, and a child's faith and determination .. oh, and selkie lore. (hee hee) It's a wonderful book to share with the young people (and young at heart) in your life. 

4. Once More Upon a Time by Roshani Chokshi

A delightful remix of various fairy tale princess stories and trope - a prince named Ambrose, a princess names Imelda, a curse, a quest, magical creatures! It started out as a sort of Twelve Dancing Princesses but with a twist and didn't disappoint in the end. Roshani Chokshi is another author on my To Read list.

5. The Wonderling by Mira Bartók

Although it's not an obvious fairy tale or folk tale or a remixing of classic wonder tales, this story about a shy fox-like foundling with one ear who sets out to find his family is a magical tale worthy of the book's title. 

Rereads:

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Andy Serkis (narrator)

It's been decades since I last read The Hobbit, and it's as good as I remembered it, all these years later. Who better to narrate the story then Gollum himself? Andy Serkis was remarkable, and I looked forward to listening to this on my walks.

Series:

1, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #1-6 by Maryrose Wood

Starting with The Mysterious Howling and ending with The Long-Lost Home the books follow governess Miss Penelope Lumley and her charges, the Incorrigbles of Ashton Place - Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia. The series is full of mysteries, including who are Penelope's parents, why were the children running wild in the woods, and what has Lord Ashton got to do with it? The series is full of interesting characters like the mysterious coachman Old Timothy, the Babushkinovs, Simon, Edward Ashton, .. and full of adventures and mysteries-within-mysteries - wolves, pirates, balloon rides, the Rainbow pony books-within-the-book which Penelope adores, a runaway ostrich ... I absolutely loved how Miss Lumley was written, too. A really fun series to read.

I actually listened to these books and highly recommend doing so because the narrators Katherine Kellgren (#1-5) and Fiona Hardingham (#6) do such a wonderful job. I couldn't figure out why the narrator had changed for the final book until listened to the author's note at the end. *sniffs*

2. A Memory of Fire (The World Gates #1) by Holly Lisle

I've read the first book in the series and have the others on my To Read list. Holly Lisle created a vivid, living, breathing otherworld (other universes) in this book with unique inhabitants and rules. I've followed Holly online for years for her writing advice and lessons, which are offered on her site and are also highly recommended. She was a prolific writer of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

3. Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes #1) by Travis Baldree

Cozy fantasy / high fantasy with a twist. The orc Viv retires from the warrior's life and sets out to open a coffee shop in the city of Thune. A fabled artifact, a mysterious cat, the succubus Tandri, Thimblet's cinnamon rolls, friendship, love, perseverance, and the courage to try something new are just some of the people and the themes we encounter in the tale. I'm reading book #2 Bookshops & Bonedust right now.

4. The Light Fantastic (Discworld #2) by Terry Pratchet

Continuing right where we left off in the first book, Sir Terry Pratchett introduces us to more of the fabulously imaginative Discworld through the eyes of the wizard Rincewind, tourist Twoflower, the Luggage, Cohen the Barbarian, and of course, Death. The Great A'Tuin and a malevolent red star seem to be on a collision course, and Discworld's savior happens to be Rincewind, the wizard who failed out of Anhk-Morpork's Unseen University.

5. The Bookseller's Tale (Oxford Medieval Mysteries #1) by Ann Swinfen

Oxford, England 1353. The body of a student is discovered floating in the river, an apparent drowning, but bookseller Nicholas Elyot and his scholar friend Jordain discover clues suggesting the young man was murdered. While the mystery unravels, Nicholas's family is put in danger. Great for fans of period mysteries, I think.

2024 Writing Stats

As part of my review of 2024, which is mostly a personal thing, I took a look at some *writing stats for 2024 (a big improvement over 2023).

In terms of writing new stories and working on current ones, there wasn't a huge difference, but I had decided last year to be more proactive with my writing and be brave by actually sending out more stories and risking more rejections. After all, if I send out more stories, instead of waiting for conditions to be perfect and instead of letting self-doubt rule, I have a better chance of having more accepted. Zero stories out = zero chances at acceptances, or in the words of Wayne Gretzky, "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." It makes sense, but sometimes it can be hard to follow through.

So, here are my 2024 stats, along with the previous years (not all the years, just the last six) for comparison.

2024: I sent out 25 stories. I withdrew one, sold four, and am waiting to hear back on three others.

2023: I sent out one story, which was rejected.

2022: I sent out nine stories and sold one.

2021: I sent out six stories and sold zero.

2020: I sent out nine stories and sold one.

2019: I sent out one and sold one.

Hopefully, the number of stories sold this year will be greater than last, and maybe I'll be able to sell some to paying markets as well. That would be extremely helpful to me financially, but even if I don't, I won't stop writing. Whether I'm writing stories, letters, typing up a blog post, scribbling ideas on scraps of paper, making lists, or jotting thoughts in a journal, I am always putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard. It's been a constant since I was a child. I can't not write. Even if no one reads or enjoys what I write (and I hope that someone will), even if I'm the only one to read my words (as is often the case - writing only for myself), I won't stop. Writing can be difficult. It can feel like I'm just spitting out random letters and rooting around in them to form what I hope are sensical words. It can often resemble a bizarre word salad, but writing is a part of me. Writing = joy.

That said, fingers crossed 2025 shows even more progress. =)

*Writing, for the purpose of this post, refers to writing stories and submitting them in hopes of publication.

25 in 2025

My interpretation of 25 in 25 - a list of 25 things to accomplish this year. I did one for 2024, which was actually motivational for me and fun to keep track of. In any case, I like making lists so I made another one for this year. I completed five of the 2024 items and came close to completing a few others. Let's see if I can complete more this year!

A happy and healthy new year is wished for all! May this year be an improvement on the last 💗

1. Post 25 blog posts - self-explanatory but posts can be here, LJ, or other blog (5/25)
2. Watch 25 movies or tv series (new to me) - even one episode counts for tv series (0/25)
3. Read 25 (new to me) books (1/25)
4. Try 25 (new to me) foods (0/25)
5. Try 25 (new to me) restaurants/cafes/etc. (0/25)
6. Cook/Bake/Make 25 Meals/Desserts/Snacks - this will be a tough one because I don’t cook or bake - haha - (0/25)
7. Visit 25 places (doesn’t have to be new to me) - (0/25)
8. Walk 25 miles - this should be the easiest of the list (21.66/25)
9. Write 25 stories of any length (0/25)
10. Edit/revise/finish 25 stories (0/25)
11. Submit 25 finished stories somewhere (3/25)
12. Post to Instagram 25 times (2/25)
13. Listen to 25 (new to me) songs and/or artists (0/25)
14. Write and mail 25 letters (0/25)
15. Try 25 craft projects/crafty things/art projects (doesn’t have to be new to me) (0/25)
16. Research 25 people/places/event in my genealogy (0/25)
17. Review 25 relatives I’ve added to me family tree to make sure everything (dates, etc.) add up (0/25)
18. Make a deposit 25 times to my savings account (0/25)
19. Skip sugar in my coffee 25 times (0/25)
20. Do 25 things for my self-care (0/25)
21. Solve 25 riddles/puzzles (0/25)
22. Make 25 fun things to include in letters to pen pals (0/25)
23. Do 25 of any Etsy shop related task: make, review, sell, post, inventory, freebies/thank you gifts (0/25)
24. Have 25 adventures (0/25)
25. Makes 25 ancestor/genealogy-related posts as part of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks (0/25)

Cat Gerlach's Indie Authors Advent Calendar 2024

2024 is the 10th anniversary of author Katharina Gerlach's Indie Authors Advent Calendar. If you're unfamiliar with the online advent calendar, it's a collection of flash fiction from indie authors shared on her website's calendar each day in December, which is next month! (How did December come so quickly? *sigh*) If you sign up for the advent calendar emails, you'll also receive bonus stories along with other bonus items like recipes and pictures. 

Three of my stories* were accepted for this year's calendar (yay!) and will appear in the bonus emails, so if you'd like to read them be sure to sign up for the email notifications. The emails go out to advent calendar subscribers during December only. It's not necessary to sign up for the emails, of course. You can simply visit the calendar each day to read a new story, but you miss out on the bonus material. This will also the last year Cat will be hosting the calendar so be sure to sign up if you'd like to be reminded to visit the site and read the stories. Once December has ended, the calendar is closed. The stories are not archived. 

Indie Authors Advent Calendar

Sign up for Advent Calendar Emails

*One of my stories in this year's advent calendar, "A Familiar Kind of Magic," first appeared on author Holly Lisle's Alone in a Room with Invisible People (AIARWIP) Halloween episode 2. The other two are brand new. I actually discovered Cat Gerlach through the forums on Holly Lisle's website. Holly, who passed away in August of this year, was not only an author of over 30 books and short stories but also a mentor to many writers and a wonderful teacher. She’ll be missed by her fans, her students, her friends, and her family.

101 in 1001: List Seven

 from Day Zero Project (aka "101 in 1001 Days") 

The Mission: 

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days. 

The Criteria: 

Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part). 

Why 1001 Days? 

Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities. 

Start Date: April 1, 2024 

End Date: December 28, 2026 

* Completed tasks will be crossed out. 

* Tasks in progress will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily). 

* Incomplete tasks will be left as is. 

My 101 

1. Leave an inspirational note in a book for someone to find. 

2. Take a cruise. 

3. Complete the 2024 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

4. Complete the 2025 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

5. Complete the 2026 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

6. Finish a Work in Progress. 

7. Read 100 books (audiobooks count). (19/100)

8. Make a short film. 

9. Go apple picking. 

10. Renew my passport. 

11. Get my permit. 

12. Learn to cook something. 

13. Write about my aunt's need for a kidney.

14. Share the above (#13) in least three places. (0/3)

15. Take the MENSA test. 

16. Host a tea party. 

17. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before. (0/5) 

18. Attend a film festival. 

19. Get certified in CPR. 

20. Pay off one credit card. 

21. Make a medical family tree. 

22. Attend the Portuguese Festival (Madeira Fest) in New Bedford 

23. Publish an article in a magazine or newspaper. 

24. Spend 45 days without going online (doesn't have to be consecutive) (0/45) 

25. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum. 

26. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley. 

27. Complete 25 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese (0/25) 

28. Visit Coney Island. 

29. Visit Old Orchard Beach, ME. 

30. Donate 100 items to charity. (0/100) 

31. Post about my 101 in 1001 progress 5 times. (0/5)

32. Participate in an armchair treasure hunt. 

33. Do the Walk to Rivendell Challenge before my 101 in 1001 challenge ends. 

34. Write 30 blog posts. (6/30) 

35. Visit a city or town I've never been to. 

36. Get reacquainted with my local library. 

37. Host a Game Night. 

38. Make 5 things inspired by Pinterest (0/5) 

39. See 5 movies in the theater. (0/5) 

40. Watch 10 new-to-me movies (theater, at home via whatever method, etc.) (7/10)

41. Try 20 new things no matter how small.

42. Visit Rockport again. 

43. Visit Canada. 

44. Try audiobook narration. 

45. Take a tour of the Boston Public Library 

46. Review at least 30 relatives in my family tree (to check for dates, etc.) (8/30)

47. Lose 25 lbs. (0/25) 

48. From Learning to Love You More Assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past. 

49. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Café. 

50. Create 10 new items for my Etsy Shop. (0/10)

51. Make a list of 101 quotes that inspire me (0/101). 

52. Identify 100 Things That Make Me Happy. 

53. Organize dad's photos into an album. 

54. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days are over. 

55. Make a list of 50 places I'd like to visit in my lifetime. 

56. Be able to do 10 pushups. (0/10) 

57. Submit 50 stories - or 50 times. It doesn't have to be 50 individual stories. (17/50) 

58. Send a query to a literary agent. 

59. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die). 

60. Purchase a first aid kit for the house. 

61. Answer the "50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind" 

62. Finish the list of books I own (LibraryThing). 

63. Visit Plymouth by train.

64. Be an extra in a movie. 

65. Make a family history book. 

66. Go on a day hike. 

67. Do Escape the Room. 

68. Do 5 Wits. 

69. See a live flamenco performance. 

70. See a live show (play, musical, concert, comedy, etc.), in addition to the flamenco performance in #69.

71. Try foods from five different cultures or countries.

72. Take a surfing lesson. 

73. Go to a scifi con.

74. Introduce Beanie to Farscape and The X-Files. (0/2)

75. Make a will.

76. Sign up for life insurance.

77. Complete 10 on my The Ultimate Reading Challenge list on Day Zero Project.

78. Go to a show at the Norwood Theater. 

79. Visit with my dad at least 5 times. (0/5) 

80. Complete all the items on my 24 in 2024 list.

81. Participate in the 21 Day Challenge to becoming a better you. 

82. Create a nice looking pedigree chart for myself. 

83. Create a nice looking descendency chart from whichever family I choose. 

84. Research at least 4 generations back on Beanie's side. 

85. Participate in MoreLoveLetters.com 

86. Take the train to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms. 

87. Bake chocolate chip cookies. 

88. Make ice cream from scratch. 

89. Bake some scones. 

90. Take five continuing education courses (online or in person). (0/5) 

91. Learn a new skill. 

92. Finish visual phasing of my siblings and my DNA. 

93. Write 100 letters. (29/100) 

94. Complete the 52 Week Money Challenge. (33/52) 

95. Bring Beanie to NYC for a day trip. 

96. Day trip to Providence. 

97. Get ice cream at Taikyaki. 

98. Transcribe 10 genealogy records for my research. (0/10) 

99. Put $10 into my savings for every completed item on this list. (3/101) 

100. Finish writing another 101 things before the end of the 1001 days. 

101. Complete all the items on this list. (3/101) 

Tasks Remaining: 101 

** previous lists: 

list one 

list two 

list three 

list four

list five

list six

24 in 2024

 My interpretation of 24 in 24 - a list of 24 things to accomplish this year, and each item on the list has 24 items because I thought that'd be a fun little extra challenge for myself. I'd already completed one item before I'd posted this (see #8):

1. Post 24 blog posts - self-explanatory but posts can be here, LJ, or other blog (3/24)
2. Watch 24 movies or tv series (new to me) - even one episode counts for tv series (13/24)
3. Read 24 (new to me) books ✓
4. Try 24 (new to me) foods (22/24)
5. Try 24 (new to me) restaurants/cafes/etc. (12/24)
6. Cook/Bake/Make 24 Meals/Desserts/Snacks - this will be a tough one because I don’t cook or bake - haha - (5/24)
7. Visit 24 places (doesn’t have to be new to me) - (4/24)
8. Walk 24 miles - this should be the easiest of the list (and it was)   ✓
9. Write 24 stories of any length (5/24)
10. Edit/revise/finish 24 stories (11/24)
11. Submit 24 stories somewhere (23/24)
12. Post to Instagram 24 times (6/24)
13. Listen to 24 (new to me) songs and/or artists (8/24)
14. Write and mail 24 letters (18/24)
15. Try 24 craft projects/crafty things (doesn’t have to be new to me) (4/24)
16. Research 24 people/places/event in my genealogy (1/24)
17. Review 24 relatives I’ve added to me family tree to make sure everything (dates, etc.) add up (6/24)
18. Make a deposit 24 times to my savings account ✓
19. Skip sugar in my coffee 24 times ✓
20. Do 24 things for my self-care (9/24)
21. Solve 24 riddles (3/24)
22. Make 24 fun things to include in letters to pen pals ✓
23. Do 24 of any Etsy shop related task: make, review, sell, post, inventory, freebies/thank you gifts (2/24)
24. Have 24 adventures (5/24)