Kickstarter Day 24 (5 to go): a comfort read and a farewell to a giant of the field

Man, this year's been a rough one for SFF fandom.  First the world loses Nimoy, then Sir Terry Pratchett? Please, no more. I know so many people whose lives were touched by the Discworld books, all the way back to my best friends in high school, who would quote Pratchett's characters at each other in battles to see who would break down and start snickering first.  The only comfort is to know his legacy will live on, as new generations of readers discover his books.  I certainly intend to share Pratchett's wit and wisdom with my son when he's ready for Discworld.

In other, much happier news, The Labyrinth of Flame is so, SO close to having interior art!  Only 5 days left, but only a few more backers and we'll make it.    I used a pic of Longs Peak on my Kickstarter update today, but in Everest terms, we're totally at the South Summit, facing the final obstacle of the Hillary Step.  Just have to make that final push, so please, keep spreading the word!

For today's pic, I'm heading back to New Zealand's Routeburn Track, for a view near Harris Saddle:

Windswept tundra and a jewel of a lake

And for today's book rec, I'm going for another comfort read: Nina Kiriki Hoffman's The Silent Strength of Stones.  Often in fantasy a young protagonist is portrayed as escaping from their family situation; to find their own path they have to sever old ties.  But Hoffman takes a different approach.  In The Silent Strength of Stones, her characters learn to assert their individuality while also repairing strained bonds and gaining deeper insight into the families they thought were so uncaring.  The result is a tale that's full of quiet hope, complete with a resolution I find deeply satisfying.  Some books just feel good to read, and this is one of them.