Matthew Garrett

Books on pre-order:

1. Platform Decay (Murderbot 8) by Martha Wells (5 May)
2. Radiant Star (Imperial Radch) by Ann Leckie (12 May)
3. Unrivaled (Game Changers 7) by Rachel Reid (1 Jun 2027)

Books acquired in March:

• and read:
  1. My Kind of Guy by Sarina Bowen
  2. Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian
• and previously read:
  1. The Martian by Andy Weir
  2. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Books acquired previously and read in March:

1. Apt to be Suspicious (Liminal Mysteries 2) by Celia Lake [Dec 2025]

Borrowed books read in March:

1. The Chalice of the Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians 6) by Rick Riordan [3]
2. The Sun and the Star (Nico Di Angelo Adventures 1) by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro
3. Wrath of the Triple Goddess (Percy Jackson and the Olympians 7) by Rick Riordan [3]
4. The Court of the Dead (Nico Di Angelo Adventures 2) by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro [2][DNF]

Rereads in March:

1. You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

I gave up on The Court of the Dead because I wasn't getting on with the library audiobook; at some future point I hope the library will get an ebook or paperback copy (but the paperback doesn't come out until June), and I will try again. But aside from that, I've now read all the Percy Jackson-verse books published to date, having started this ride back in November. (And now I plan a slow re-read with The Newest Olympian podcast.) I did manage a few books outside Percy Jackson this month, and enjoyed them all, but I'm feeling completionist about working through Rick Riordan's other books now.

Oh and picking up Fourth Wing for cheap has reminded me that I never finished the third book, Onyx Storm, before my library loan expired, and it seems there are now no e-audio copies available through the library, and the paperback literally only just came out. I will maybe wait a little and see if they get some paperbacks in (they have a healthy stack of hardback copies but my hands won't let me read those easily).

[2] Audiobook
[3] Physical book

This time a week ago I was on the ice with fellow Cambridge alumni for "Alumni game 1", kicking off Varsity. Photos (from one of my Warbirds teammates!) that actually make me look good are over at my hockey insta but here's my personal favourite, capturing a moment in motion:

After about an hour on the ice (2 periods running clock, 4 lines), I had a quick shower, and then spent the next ten or so hours mostly on my feet, doing music and announcements for my Huskies teammates, and scoresheet and in-game announcements for Women's Blues and Men's Blues. Final scores were:

• Alumni game 1: 1-1
• Alumni game 2: not sure, but we won
• Huskies: 3-8
• Women's Blues: 0-1
• Men's Blues: 5-1

The alumni games were a great vibe: we cared, but it wasn't that intense. A whole load of the women I played with in 2022-23 came back, and for me that was really joyful, plus I got to make some new friends. A couple of the older guys in game 1 had played with my old work colleague Brian Omotani back in the day. Although he didn't play, he was there to watch, and he made time to come and find me for a brief catchup later in the day.

The rest of the day though was a different gear. The Huskies game was especially tough to watch, and I felt every goal against my teammates. The Women's Blues game was incredible, the team worked so hard and it was probably the best I've seen them play. And the Men's Blues winning so decisively was delightful, especially as the first goal came from one of the two ex-Huskies (and they both got an assist each later). The whole day was incredibly intense. And then I took my kit home to hang it up, changed, met up with everyone at Mash, danced until the club closed, went to Maccies (and realised just how much my feet hurt) until that closed, and sat on a bench gossiping with two of my favourite people in the club while one of them finished his burger. Eventually we all cycled home. I didn't want the day to end, but I had things to do on Sunday.

That is, very nearly, the end of the season with just the Nationals weekends in Sheffield to go. We've finished the league games, we've had Varsity, we're shifting to "summer ice" open practices, and even had the very last "S&C" gym session on Thursday this week. Some people will graduate and leave soon, and I will miss them so much, but I am so grateful for this university season and the time I've had with these wonderful people.