#dead neon

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

if i had a nickel for every book i've bought this year with "neon" in the title, i'd have three nickels. which isn't a lot (it's kind of a lot), but it's weird that it happened three times.. . ,.

[vanishingsydney]

Edwardian era corner (1905). Elaborate funereal urn architectural ornaments, even if they were more than ten years out of fashion by then. Whoever J Mc K was is lost in the mists of time. Marrickville.

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

Books of 2025: April Wrap-Up.

What did I even do this month?? Dunno! Wrote a short story, at least, and made some revision progress, and finished one (1) sock, and started its pair. (Okay, so I did some stuff this month--nice!)

Here's what I read, with reviews/photos linked below:

A CAGE WENT IN SEARCH OF A BIRD ★★★½ I enjoyed these! Absurd and weird little collection by a few authors I like and a few new-to-me authors, too. I'll have to check out Kafka for real.

DEAD NEON ★★★ This was Fine! The only story that blew me away was the "Neonesque" one, but taken as a whole, the vibe of the collection was indeed Very Vegas. I'm glad I have it as a memento of the trip and the bookstore at the end :)

SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN ★★★★ So I got this book last year, when @asexualbookbird annotated a copy for me, and then I found out that Was Their Copy?? So naturally I had to annotate another one and send it back for their birthday, which they have now opened, so I can now post it in my reading wrap (and also add it again on Goodreads >:D). I liked it the first time around, and I liked it more the second time!! Knowing about [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] was great fun, and I'm love fucked up body horror.

WANDERLUST: A HISTORY OF WALKING ★★★ This was Okay! A few passages resonated with me, but overall it felt dense (which. honestly. was good, on the Books That Put Me To Sleep front--many a night, I'd read like two or three pages and tap out lol)(I needed this, btw). I'll still pick up her other stuff, just maybe not if it's History Oriented.

HAMMAJANG LUCK ★★★½ I had fun with this! I got what I wanted from it (Hawaiian, queer), but I'm curious how other people think it holds up on the lesbians and heist fronts. Linguistically a neat book, loved the code switching.

Under the Cut: A Note About ~*★Stars★*~

Historically, I have been Very Bad™ about assigning things Star Ratings, because it's so Vibes Heavy for me and therefore Contingent Upon my Whims. (Example: I don't like that stars are Odd, because that makes three the midpoint and things are rarely so truly mid for me)(I have hacked my way around this with a ½, which is really only applicable for me at ★★★ and up). Here is, generally, how I conceptualize stars:

★ - This was Bad. I would actively recommend that you do NOT read this one, no redeeming qualities whatsoever, not worth the slog. Save Yourself, It's Too Late For Me. Book goes in the garbage (donate bin).

★★ - This was Not Good. I would not recommend it, but it wasn't a total waste or wash--something in here held my interest/kept my attention/sparked some joy. I will not be rereading this ever. Save Yourself (Or Join Me In Suffering, That Seems Like A Cool Bonding Activity).

★★★ - This was Good/Fine/Okay/Meh. I don't care about this enough to recommend it one way or another. Perfectly serviceable book, held my interest, I probably enjoyed myself (or at least didn't actively loathe the reading). I don't have especially strong feelings. You probably don't need to save yourself from this one--if it sounds like your jam, give it a shot! Just didn't resonate with me particularly powerfully. I probably won't reread this unless I'm after something in particular.

★★★½ - I liked this! I'll probably recommend it if I know it matches someone's vibes or specific requests, but I didn't commit to a star rating on Goodreads. More likely to reread, but not guaranteed.

★★★★ - I really enjoyed this!! I would recommend it (sometimes with caveats about content warnings or such--I tend to like weird fucked up funny shit, and I don't have many hard readerly NO's). Not a perfect book for me by any means, but Very Good. This is something I would reread! Join me!!

★★★★★ - I LOVED THE SHIT OUT OF THIS, IT REWIRED MY BRAIN, WILL RECOMMEND TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE AT THE SLIGHTEST PROVOCATION (content warning caveats still apply--see 4-star disclaimer). Excellent book, I'll reread it regularly, I'll buy copies for all my friends, I'll try to convince all of Booklr to read it, PLEASE join me!!

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

Books of 2025 (Acquisition Edition): DEAD NEON: Tales of Near-Future Las Vegas, edited by Todd James Pierce and Jarret Keene.

Hello, the internet! I have spent the past week romping through the desert, enjoying vistas such as the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire, and also Las Vegas!!! And!! We found the cutest bookstore in the entire world. It's called The Writer's Block and was so utterly my jam ("Book Shop and Artificial Bird Sanctuary"? Coffee shop included?? Writer's programs?!?!?) that I might move out to Vegas Specifically For That. I found this book in their sci-fi section and thought it was perfect to commemorate the trip, and I'm so excited I just had to share. If you find yourself in Las Vegas, definitely check out the shop!

[vanishingsydney]

Dead neon ghost sign. Campsie

[moaninmoonen]

Dead Neon - Cancer Eater

Filipp o)))

[liganjgrindustry]

Dead Neon- Black Ash

What a great band!

[daisiesunderthestars]

Black Ash - Dead Neon

Fucking epic band, dunno if these guys are still around ;n;