Book completed

Quarter Share, by Nathan Lowell. I have to say, this totally hit the spot. I hadn't heard of this self-published series, but a friend of a friend (who is also an author) recommended them, and I am hooked. A young man finds himself with no attachment to the world he grew up on, so has to choose which space career to follow - the military, or employment with a private trading ship? The latter seems safer and less violent, and surely it will be. He finds himself an entry-level position making coffee and helping with the galley for a merchant spaceship, and its employees are also permitted to do their own private trading - so in theory it's possible to gradually get rich. However, nobody's exploiting anybody - it's more a matter of finding new markets for handcrafting artisans, and recognizing opportunities to improve people's quality of life. It's very much a story of found community, too. I don't think I've read any other light novels quite like this one - hard work, quick wits, and kindness are all rewarded well.

Recovering from Thanksgiving

I cannot claim to have had a productive day today, as I was awake until 6 a.m. seeing J off for his trip to North Carolina for his class reunion tomorrow. I helped him with the final packing, etc., then he drove to the airport and there was some concern about whether he could park, whether he could get through the line in time, and so forth, but it all happened and he's at his parents' house and had a second Thanksgiving dinner, this time with his parents and youngest brother, followed by an early bedtime.

As for me, I took a nap, did the usual cat-tending, helped D order some Christmas gifts for S, watched some TV, and read a bit. I guess I did buy a few groceries, after walking around the block in the cold and dark. I have some other news - good news - but I'll wait to share it until I've been able to tell J.