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Jessica Strider

@jstrider66

Medievalist, science fiction & fantasy book reviewer, crafter, traveller, and cat lover. I post book reviews & other things at scififanletter.blogspot.com Photos are mine unless otherwise indicated.

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05.10.2024
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Latest posts by Jessica Strider @jstrider66

Four pairs of homemade earrings. One pair is made from green resin alien ducks, one pair are moons that have a gold outline and dark blue with glitter filling, one is of cat heads with a gold outline and large glitter flakes in dark blue resin inside. The last pair are white hearts with a blue and silver marbeling effect across the front.

Four pairs of homemade earrings. One pair is made from green resin alien ducks, one pair are moons that have a gold outline and dark blue with glitter filling, one is of cat heads with a gold outline and large glitter flakes in dark blue resin inside. The last pair are white hearts with a blue and silver marbeling effect across the front.

Made a few pairs of earrings recently using some mini ducks for one pair and resin for the others.

07.03.2026 18:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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History Book Review: Ancient Nubian Art: A History by Rita E. Freed A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

My review of Rita E Freed's ANCIENT NUBIAN ART: A HISTORY is up on my blog. It's a culture that has similarities to that of Egypt (which it was next to), while retaining its own style. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2026/03/hist...

04.03.2026 02:39 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A self-portrait of my Scriptorium character. She is sitting on a wooden box wearing a gold veil and robe. She is holding tools of the trade (quill and knife). Behind her is a giant cat and a blue leaved tree. On a bench to the right is her uncle, a human sized green skinned fish creature. Next to him is a cat doing yoga. Behind his ear, floating in the air, is a little demon holding a flail. On the ground beside the bench is a goblet and a cauldron with a giant fish sticking out of it.

A self-portrait of my Scriptorium character. She is sitting on a wooden box wearing a gold veil and robe. She is holding tools of the trade (quill and knife). Behind her is a giant cat and a blue leaved tree. On a bench to the right is her uncle, a human sized green skinned fish creature. Next to him is a cat doing yoga. Behind his ear, floating in the air, is a little demon holding a flail. On the ground beside the bench is a goblet and a cauldron with a giant fish sticking out of it.

A demo for Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts is up on the Steam store. Just made a self-portrait of my character! It's really fun. Can't wait to see the full game.

25.02.2026 22:04 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
A bowl filled with fries, cheese curds, chopped pickles, and a breaded pickle drizzled with pickle mayo.

A bowl filled with fries, cheese curds, chopped pickles, and a breaded pickle drizzled with pickle mayo.

Made pickle poutine for dinner. :)

13.02.2026 23:41 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

New escalation on scam targeting authors to be aware of.

12.02.2026 13:48 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A pair of miniature wish bottles with cork stoppers made into earrings. Inside is some chunky blue glitter, some pale yellow stars shapes, and a moon.

A pair of miniature wish bottles with cork stoppers made into earrings. Inside is some chunky blue glitter, some pale yellow stars shapes, and a moon.

Started making jewelry & made a pair of wish bottle earrings this weekend.

09.02.2026 03:23 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Book Review: The One by John Marrs A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

My review of John Marrs' psychological near SF thriller THE ONE, is up on my blog. It's excellent. I couldn't put it down. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2026/01/book...

27.01.2026 21:18 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Had no internet most of the day. It’s surprising how much stuff I do relies on internet access.

20.01.2026 22:10 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
THE OLDEST SONG IN THE WORLD
THE OLDEST SONG IN THE WORLD YouTube video by Peter Pringle

This is haunting...

It's the oldest piece of music for which we have both the words and the notes. A song to the Hurrian goddess Nikkal, it was written on clay tablets around 3500 years ago, and was discovered in the 1950s in the ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8tf...

15.01.2026 19:48 πŸ‘ 495 πŸ” 178 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 15
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Book Review: Through Gates of Garnet and Gold By Seanan McGuire A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

Happy book birthday to Seanan McGuire's newest Wayward Children book THROUGH GATES OF GARNET AND GOLD. I've posted my review of the kids' newest quest. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2026/01/book...

06.01.2026 15:56 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I got your humblebundle and binged the Murderbot stories. I love how they were adapted for the tv show. Thanks for creating an amazing set of characters.

02.01.2026 13:50 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
One Night in Bangkok but it's a 16th century chanson
One Night in Bangkok but it's a 16th century chanson YouTube video by Jonasquin

I love the fucking internet, part 972964386: "One Night In Bangkok" arranged and performed as a 16th century chanson. youtu.be/i3jHv0GZB9U?...

18.12.2025 07:00 πŸ‘ 582 πŸ” 211 πŸ’¬ 19 πŸ“Œ 46
A screenshot of a search input in the British Library's interim Explore Archives and Manuscripts catalogue.

A screenshot of a search input in the British Library's interim Explore Archives and Manuscripts catalogue.

An interim version of the Explore Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue is now available through the BL website: searcharchives.bl.uk

It contains all the catalogue data from the eve of the 2023 cyberattack, and features embedded links to all currently available digitised content within the records.

15.12.2025 13:40 πŸ‘ 62 πŸ” 40 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 5

A brief return of the Murderbot Humble Bundle! The charity is still World Central Kitchen.

10.12.2025 17:15 πŸ‘ 417 πŸ” 346 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 2
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Humble Book Bundle: Martha Wells' Murderbot and More by TOR ENCORE Pay what you want for <<<product>>> and support a charity of your choice!

HumbleBundle has the Murderbot Diaries series + several other books by Martha Wells. Pay Cdn $25 or more for a bunch of awesome DRM free ebooks. www.humblebundle.com/books/martha...

10.12.2025 21:33 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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TV Show Review: Murderbot Season 1 A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

I've posted my review of the Apple TV show MURDERBOT, based on the science fiction MURDERBOT DIARIES books by @marthawells.com . The show is worth watching at least 2 times, as it's intentionally uncomfortable the first time through. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/12/tv-s...

09.12.2025 23:12 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Book Review: System Collapse by Martha Wells A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

I've posted my review of the Murderbot Diaries book 7 SYSTEM COLLAPSE, by Martha Wells. The next book comes out in May, 2026. It's a brilliant SF series if you like sarcastic humour and complex characters & world-building. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/12/book...

05.12.2025 21:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Book Review: Network Effect by Martha Wells A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

Posted a review of Network Effect by Martha Wells. This is probably my favourite Murderbot Diaries book. It's technically book 5, but reads chronologically as book 6. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/12/book...

03.12.2025 17:54 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Book Review: Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

I've posted my review of the 6th Murderbot Diaries book (that comes in the timeline between books 4 & 5, FUGITIVE TELEMETRY. It's basically an SF murder mystery. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/12/book...

01.12.2025 16:17 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Book Review: Exit Strategy by Martha Wells A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

Continuing my reviews of the Murderbot Diaries books with #4 Exit Strategy, one of my favourites in the series. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/book...

28.11.2025 19:38 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Book Review: Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

Here's my review of the Murderbot Diaries book 3 by Martha Wells. It's such a great SF series with a wonderfully dry sense of humour. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/book...

26.11.2025 15:57 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Book Review: Artificial Condition by Martha Wells A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

My review of the 2nd Murderbot Diaries novella, ARTIFICIAL CONDITION, is up on my blog. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/book...

24.11.2025 19:56 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
The west front of Salisbury cathedral has arched windows and lots of sculptures in niches.

The west front of Salisbury cathedral has arched windows and lots of sculptures in niches.

Salisbury cathedral's nave is long and narrow, with pillars holding up arches on both sides leading to a vaulted ceiling that stretches into the distance.

Salisbury cathedral's nave is long and narrow, with pillars holding up arches on both sides leading to a vaulted ceiling that stretches into the distance.

Looking up at the vaults above the crossing shows piers with lovely arches on the sides. The vaults contain painted circles with Christian imagery inside.

Looking up at the vaults above the crossing shows piers with lovely arches on the sides. The vaults contain painted circles with Christian imagery inside.

The nave with the baptismal font that is reflecting the columns and arches in the water, making the building look even taller.

The nave with the baptismal font that is reflecting the columns and arches in the water, making the building look even taller.

Had the chance to visit Salisbury Cathedral recently. It's absolutely stunning. The view in the font is especially wonderful.

23.11.2025 23:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A collage of three images: on the left, close-up ivy leaves coated in white frost; top right, a cluster of frosted ivy with ruffled, icy edges; bottom right, an illustration of a small fairy curled up asleep among green ivy leaves with a soft, snowy effect. Photographs and illustration by Venetia Jane.

A collage of three images: on the left, close-up ivy leaves coated in white frost; top right, a cluster of frosted ivy with ruffled, icy edges; bottom right, an illustration of a small fairy curled up asleep among green ivy leaves with a soft, snowy effect. Photographs and illustration by Venetia Jane.

Ivy keeps its green while the garden sleeps, and old lore says it is one of the plants that shelters fairies during winter. If you bring a sprig indoors during the festive season, handle it gently… you may be carrying a tiny guest tucked away amongst its leaves. #FolkloreSunday

23.11.2025 09:58 πŸ‘ 112 πŸ” 32 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2
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Revisited review: All Systems Red by Martha Wells A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

I've re-posted my review of All Systems Red, book 1 in @marthawells.com's Murderbot Diaries. The series is excellent, about a half human/half robot security construct who is awkward around its human clients while they do a planetary survey.
scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/revi...

22.11.2025 19:16 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Return to blogging A science fiction and fantasy blog featuring book reviews, author interviews, new author spotlights, themed reading lists and more.

I stopped blogging in April so I could focus on medieval research for an upcoming trip. I miss reviewing SF&F fiction books, so I'm starting to blog again. scififanletter.blogspot.com/2025/11/retu...

21.11.2025 23:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Been reading the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. It's a fast paced, often sarcastic sci-fi series that really goes into the aftermath of trauma.

20.11.2025 20:32 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I didn’t know there were dance of death verses set to music. Incredible.

31.10.2025 17:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Than you for introducing me to W. I watched it last year ans loved it.

12.09.2025 17:55 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Magic and Heresy in Ancient Christian Literature Cambridge Core - Religion: General Interest - Magic and Heresy in Ancient Christian Literature

it's here! it's here! @vox-magica.bsky.social's amazing new Element in Religion in Late Antiquity is live and ⚑free⚑ to download for the next two weeks! get it!

www.cambridge.org/core/element...

16.07.2025 12:50 πŸ‘ 107 πŸ” 44 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 9