Friday Fun Stuff

I’m battling a cold and sub-freezing temperatures (why, DC? Why?) so let’s keep it cheery today.

First up, BenBella, the publisher of my new anthology Shadowhunters and Downworlders, a Mortal Instruments Companion, is doing a fun, illustrated excerpt thing on their tumblr. Here’s my fave:

See them all here.

What else? Um, I’ve been typing away on new proposals, in hopes that soon, I will have new books to offer you.

I’m told that we’ll be revealing the cover for Across A Star-Swept Sea next month sometime.

TV has started up again. Parks and Rec keeps getting better and better. Every time I think I’ve watched the funniest and simultaneously most heartwarming half hour yet, they top it. How do they do it?

How I Met Your Mother, which I’ve been a devoted follower of for what — seven years? — has really turned it around in the last few episodes. I spent the first half-season complaining constantly that they’d better get on with it, and I was so annoyed that they’d turned the whole show into a sort of slapstick revue of Barney’s sexual conquests. It used to be so great — hilarious and character driven, with real heart and complex people. But it had lately just gone so lowest common denominator — Ted was only a pompous ass, Barney was only an over-the-top louse, Lily was only a shrill sex fiend, Marshall was only a goofy manchild, Robin was only… I dunno, a seriously f-ed up hot chick. I kept saying to SB, “Ted better turn it around if he’s going to be worthy of the mom.”

And then in the last few episodes, they kind of found their voice again. One of the relationships I always really loved on that show was Lily and Ted. Because Lily is one of Ted’s best friends too, and their conversation on the rooftop really reminded me of the one they had out on the highway in Connecticut in season one. Also, that whole confetti thing was priceless.

So I’m hopeful now, that it’ll end well. Come on, HIMYM. Make it happen.

And, finally, on the subject of TV: Community‘s return is sooooooooon. Yay.