weed suppression + prehistoric immersion

i gardened around today. i had to clear my paths by blocking out grass and weeds with newspaper and cardboard, but the weather was really lovely for that.

also watched the F1 race in the morning. not sure i like these new cars with the passing back and forth so much. it seems a little silly 

and I edited and posted a new chapter of my Apothecary Diaries x TOTK fanfic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/67059565/chapters/213660711 

I enjoyed reading through this one to edit since it's nice and low-stakes.

and i looked into some folks on fiverr to perhaps commission a character for my ms. molt music persona. I need to do some more research in how to request what i really am asking for. 

i finished reading the Book Tyrant Lizard Queen, which i had gotten from NetGalley, so i also reviewed that today (5 stars from me... this is exactly what i would love more of in this world)

Here's my review for Tyrant Lizard Queen by Riley Black 

This book immediately hooked me with its concept. I’ve often wondered why we don’t use what we know from science to imagine richer fictional lives for non-human beings, so a story that inhabits the life of a Tyrannosaurus rex felt like exactly the kind of speculative storytelling I dream about.

I had a brief moment of concern in the introduction when the narrative shifted to a human perspective, but that quickly gave way to the heart of the story with the hatching of Snaggletooth, a baby T. rex. From that point on, the book follows Snaggletooth from her youth to adulthood.

The appendices show how thoughtfully the author, Riley Black, engages with the available paleontological research when constructing the world of this young tyrannosaur, filling in the inevitable gaps with informed imagination.

What I loved most was how immersive the environment felt. The book drops the reader into a vividly imagined prehistoric ecosystem. I especially enjoyed the mentions of specific plants and landscapes; reading about redwoods and sequoias while visiting them myself made the experience feel strangely immediate, like stepping into a distant but tangible past.

The ending felt a little abrupt for me. While I understand the symmetry of ending the story in a way that mirrors its beginning, I found myself reluctant to leave this long-gone world and would happily have spent more time there.

Overall, Tyrant Lizard Queen is a fascinating blend of science, imagination, and narrative that invites readers to experience the ancient world through the eyes of one of its most iconic creatures.

Thanks to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

and music. i've just been dying for Really Hard by Cobrah. i went to the gym a bit late last night and it was my entire vibe there. Also recently was recommend Haute & Freddy (Freaks and Scantily Clad made it to my liked playlist). Scantily Clad reminds me of The Specials Stupid Marriage for the lyrics (scantily clad woman, scantily clad man). But it has a vocal quality like Valencia Grace (who my husband is convinced is the next It Girl.) evil cute angel bb by AMARA ctk100 & DBBD, Psychotrance by Baby Jane (which i'm real into rn)