Reading Challenge: August 2024

Summer Camp 2024

Summer lingers, but it’s about ending. It’s about how things
redden and ripen and burst and come down. It’s when
city workers cut down trees, demolishing
one limb at a time, spilling the crumbs
of twigs and leaves all over the tablecloth of street.

— Jennifer Grotz

Hope everyone had an amazing Summer Camp!
I hit 33 out of 42, grabbing myself a diamond badge, which I am really pleased about. I was planning to stop at 32, but I just had to do one more prompt about a mushroom. :) I kept up with reading throughout the month, until about July 29th - since I stopped reading, 130 articles have been published and flung into my notifications. I'll be working my way through those during August, never fear!
For my reading challenge, though, my plan is to focus on new-to-me authors, and I'm going to focus on a single prompt: An animal or plant that feeds on decay. Because, you know, mushrooms. I'm also focusing on new-to-me authors, and I found some great ones! :)

by World Anvil

Summer Camp 2024 Showcase

Death Amanita by Jeffrey Lebowski

An imaginary relation to the famous fly amanita, this mushroom turns cottagecore into goth. I really like the creation of a scientific name that isn't derived from Latin, especially as the author has explained the etymology as well.
Though this mushroom can be used for medicinal purposes, I probably wouldn't risk it - I don't want a numb stomach. Despite its name, it doesn't seem as though this mushroom will kill you if you eat it, and I like the upending of expectations there.
This article inspires me to create a scientific language and taxonomical system for Etrea, something I have been debating for ages. This might finally be the kick I need.

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Dreadmold by ABeyzing

A terrifying subterranean parasitic fungus that grows quickly and doesn't seem to be picky about what hosts it chooses. One of my favourite things in this article is the way that some of the sapient species of the world have worked out ways of using it for their own gain, despite the very risky nature of doing so.
Also, I absolutely love this line: 'Dreadmold is inscrutable, implacable and almost indestructible.'
This article inspires me to think more about how the people in Etrea interact with the world around them.

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Felcaps by Ty Barbary

Sadly this has community features turned off so I cannot like and comment, but I wanted to include it here anyway. I really love the different theories as to how the fungus spreads, and then also the discussion of its culinary applications. I don't know if I could eat a mushroom that sprouts on dead flesh, but you know - needs must.
This article reminds me that you do not always have to give away all the answers. Sometimes theories are enough.

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Noxshroom Trees by Ephraïm Boateng

These fast-growing, tall mushrooms are often mistaken for trees, and also they glow! I like their defensive system, in that their spores will cause nasty burns, and obviously people use this for nefarious purposes.
This article inspires me to explore mimicry more in my world.

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Ghostmoss by JudasBrennan

I really enjoyed all the detail in this article, from the discussion of the origin of Ghostmoss to its byproducts. JudasBrennan also conjured up some beautiful mind images talking about the fields of gently glowing Ghostmoss in what is otherwise wastes.
This article inspires me to try using tables occasionally, because it worked really well here.

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Qalkatal by Tankium

This is a fungus that has evolved to thrive on radioactive decay, so much so that it can be used as a shield against radiation (though not always the most practical one). I really like that Tankium describes its role in the ecosystem on its native planet, too.
This article reminds me that I need to pay attantion to evolution and the reasons why certain things evolved the way they did.

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Fungal Overgrowths by GreyTailZA

I really like how this article is formatted. The information under each section is broken up into smaller chunks, which really makes for clear reading. I also really like how the article talks about the prevention and removal of the species, as well as the features that make it unique.
This article makes me think about formatting and how to convey information clearly to my readers.

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Cedar Vulture Lichen by AsterVela

Okay, so lichen isn't technically a fungus, but it is a symbiotic organism that contains fungi so I am including it. The article itself is great, with a lot about the cultural significance of the species, and I also love the author's note at the end giving access to some realworld information about some concepts in the article.
This reminds me that I should utilise the author's notes section more often.

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Pavageauxnian Marsh Mushrooms by Alan Robinson

This article is an overview of many different species of mushrooms that thrive in the marshes of Pavageaux. I like this approach to an article as it allows an author to impart a lot of information quickly without going into great detail.
This article reminds me to make use of overview articles more frequently.

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Gloomshade Fungus by ptahsekhet

This is another glowy mushroom, with some lovely folklore behind it. I really like the idea that it is a connection to the spirit world and that they might be able to lead people out of the forest. It is fun that there are also practical uses included in the article too.
This article inspires me to focus more on folklore as well as the everday uses of species in my world.

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Plans for the Rest of 2024

I will be continuing to work on my Stubocalypse, though Summer Camp has taught me that maybe it would be okay to notify a stub every once in a while. I am also working on the rewrite of Serukis, which has currently reach 6000 words and counting. I'm hoping to finish that by WorldEmber.
And, of course, I shall be participating in WorldEmber at the end of the year. Hope you all will join me! :)