never_be_parted | Member Posts

Finished since the last reading post
Finished Kadonnut perintö, in which Björk attempts to help a woman whose father appears to have been a victim of a fortune-hunter before his death, and finds a much larger network.

In Search of Berlin by John Kampfner, which I'd bought on a whim. It told me some things I hadn't really known or appreciated before, but for someone who's never been to Berlin, it was rather hard to follow.

The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse, the fourth and final part of the Joubert series, was a engaging and easy-to-read book for a travel day with lots of turns in the story to keep you entertained.

Currently reading
Started reading Beyond the Door of No Return (La Porte du voyage sans retour) by David Diop in Sam Taylor's English translation. No progress with anything else

Reading next
No idea

duskpeterson

OTHER PUBLIC PORTIONS OF THE ROYAL PALACE

The High Court

The rest of the Koretian palace is more easily accessed than the royal residence, rewarding visitors with many hours' worth of sights. I can only touch here upon a few of the more popular places to visit.

A visit to Koretia's High Court is the goal of most visitors. Here Koretia's ruler holds important court cases. In the moment of judgment, he transforms into his godly form. Thus the High Court doubles as a place of worship for most Koretians.

A tip: Although the Jackal considerately wears a mask to hide the most terrifying features of his transformation (which the mask itself barely hints at), it is still wise not to look directly upon the Jackal at his moment of judgment. A few sidelong glances are reasonable enough; the Jackal does not – as one rumor insists – strike down anyone who sees him in divine form. But looking for too long at the Jackal in judgment can have unfortunate effects on viewers. For this reason, a healing woman remains in attendance to assist any visitors who may pass out.

In olden times, court cases were heard privately by Koretia's Kings. The current court, like all of the palace except for the royal residence, was built by Emor during its occupation of Koretia from 961 to 976. During that period, the palace served as the home for the dominion governor, and the court was used by him for trials. A memorial to the Koretians who are thought to have been innocent when they were executed or tortured to death upon the governor's orders has been placed near the entrance of the court. The memorial was paid for by the Chara, at the time that he freed Koretia. It is believed that the Chara had his late father were unaware during that time period of the crimes being committed by the governor in the name of the Chara.

[Translator's note: The Chara's discovery of his governor's offenses is described in Blood Vow and Law of Vengeance.]

queen_ypolita

I stumbled on the steps up to the bridge that's the shortest route from the bus stop near work to the office yesterday morning and ended up catching myself with my right hand. Fingers first, unfortunately, so for a moment I was wondering if I'd managed to fracture my middle finger again (again, as I definitely did so one spring when I was at university in Sheffield). But it seems it's not as bad this time. That last time, I knew it wasn't good when I ended up feeling faint and nauseous during the lecture I was at after the stumble I took, to the extent I had to be almost horizontal in my seat. None of that this time. The finger is definitely bruised and swollen but I think it's the swelling is the main reason I don't quite have the full use of it rather than any real damage. I don't think I'll have any issues after the swelling eases up. The ring finger also has a little bruise but doesn't seem swollen.

queen_ypolita

After two weeks in Finland, I flew back home yesterday. The journey was mostly uneventful, although with the wind we were warned it might get bumpy and we had the safety belt sign come on rather early over the North Sea. The way the flights worked, I was at home rather late, close to 11pm, so I only really had time to sort out anything I needed for work and go to bed. I found some time to unpack this morning, but felt a bit like a zombie at work by lunchtime. Food, some paracetamol, and a short walk outside helped.

It was good to have two weeks off work and my usual routines. It was my mum's 70th birthday earlier this month, which was why I left it later than usual to have a longer stretch of leave in the summer because I wanted to be there for that and I knew my aunt and one of my cousins who live in Sweden were also coming.

I flew to Helsinki on the 30th and had been hoping for nice weather to walk around. No such luck. It had clearly rained earlier in the day and it was grey and soon drizzly when I set out from the railway station after depositing my bigger bags in the luggage lockers. But I did have a walk, and I did some riding on the trams, and some browsing in the shops. Then it was time to board my overnight train. That meant an early arrival at the other end of the journey on Sunday but that was fine.

At my parents', I didn't get up to much beyond reading, walking, sleeping, and spending time with family. Of course, there were some preparations for the birthday—I baked a cake (could have been better) and made a broccoli pie (tasty), sister made a salmon mousse thing to go with what mum had ordered from a cafe. Mum and I picked up our Swedish visitors from the airport further away and took them back as well. The second trip gave us the opportunity to do some shopping (I bought a dress and a top) and drop by at the older niece's new student digs after she'd had her first actual day at the university.

queen_ypolita

Finished since the last reading post
Hyvän miehen kuolema by Virpi Hämeen-Anttila, the 11th novel in the Karl Axel Björk series. It's late 1922 and Björk investigates what looks like a series of unrelated murders while his estranged father starts getting threatening messages.

Putinin trollit by Jessikka Aro, about the kinds of disinformation and defamation campaigns she herself, as a journalist interested in finding out how Russian internet troll armies operate, and others working in similar topics have encountered. Published in 2019, this book still feels very relevant 6 years later.

Suomi on venäläinen by Marjo Vilkko, written to accompany a television programme with the same name, which in turn was created as a companion to a similar programme and book about Finland's Swedish history, culture, identity, and politics. Very interesting, but having been published in 2015, the impact of the past three years of Russia's war on Ukraine are missing.

Currently reading
Kadonnut perintö by Virpi Hämeen-Anttila, the latest Karl Axel Björk novel. Not much progress on Pohjoinen tanssi

Reading next
One of the books I took with me

duskpeterson

As you leave, you will see a slot in the wall where you may place an offering to the Charitable Order for Former Captives, which cares for former slaves who cannot care for themselves.

None of the money you may choose to donate will go to the upkeep of the royal sanctuary. The sanctuary is entirely paid for by the Order of the Seven Gods and Goddesses. It is the priests' partial recompense for the evilsl they committed in the past against slaves.

[Translator's note: The events that led to the founding and expansion of the Charitable Order for Former Captives are recounted in Heir and The Strong Twin.]

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Wednesday reading

FIC: The High Court (Tempestuous Tours)

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Wednesday reading

FIC: The Royal Sanctuary: Offering box (Tempestuous Tours)

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