Kate Dollarhyde

So far only read:

-- Obscura by Yoon Ha Lee narrated by Anaea Lay - 2*
I can't remember what brought the story to my attention. I can't say I liked it or fully understood what it was trying to get across. The narrator says it's about choosing your own family and the empty spots we have often caused by others. I think that is what she said and I definitely didn't get that out of it.

A girl notices a man with a camera. She is so observant that she notices it isn't working properly. *eye roll* They become friends, he eventually gives her the "family" camera with some warning that of course she ignores after some peer pressure. and he vanishes with a flash of the camera and there is some connection to angels and all the ways we are etc... … (meer)

Attempted two of the stories:

-- Toothsome Things by Chimedum Ohaegbu (podcast) - DNF x 2
I was drawn in by that outstanding cover art. The narrator is talking to the reader. Something to do with the Little Red Riding Hood tale and the "grandmother" who isn't the grandmother is judging and educating the reader but its not written in a style I can follow along with. I tried twice, months apart but I have to let it go.

-- Some Personal Arguments in Support of the Betteryou (Based on Early Interactions) by Debbie Urbanski (downloaded podcast narrated by Anaea Lay) - DNF
Right off the bat I was lost.

First paragraph:
If there is already a layer of artifice to you, if already you are pretending, but failing at pretending, why would it matter if someone, or something—I am talking about a BetterYou—pretends to be you, but does a better job at it? Why does that need to be seen as this bad thing or this frightening thing?
Second:
I know there has been put forth a great effort to make the margins, which certain of us inhabit, all sparkly and full of wonder and value. Everyone’s identity is important, it has been said. Everyone is normal and fine, so stay as you are! And don’t change! I appreciate the work involved in building such handsome and shiny accommodations, and let’s not forget all the festive parades that wander up and down such streets, and the flags. But let us also acknowledge that for some older people of, say, my generation, who grew up in less celebratory environments, where there existed fewer narrative options for one’s future—when, to be honest, there were two narrative options tops—that there are some of us who may not find the margins, no matter how shiny and sparkly, this comfortable place to be.

Is the story talking to me? But we have our MC and a device called a BetterYou. Is the device talking to the MC or maybe the MC is talking to herself? I'm too confused to unravel whiled listening on audio. ... ymmv… (meer)