Does anyone else feel like February absolutely flew by? I spent it extremely focused on adding words to the second Dragons of Ivria book to meet the JeRoWriMo challenge...and because I really need to finish writing this book, of course! But I still did some reading. Even when I'm busy writing, I need to read as well to get out of my own head and to escape into someone else's world and refill the creative well. Here are some books I enjoyed in February:
0 Comments
I am working hard on the second Dragons of Ivria book in this month's JeRoWriMo challenge, but I wanted to sneak in my usual reading post (and then dive right back into writing!). January was a good reading month for me. I did some rereading and also read some fantastic new to me books. Many were continuations of series that I've been enjoying, and most were either fantasy or paranormal romances.
December went by in a flash (and dozens and dozens of cookies...), and though I already listed some of my favorite books of the year, I still wanted to do my usual post about last month's reading.( Especially since I read a ton in December and actually hit my reading goal for the year!) Some books were favorite holiday rereads but others were new to me. So, here are some books I enjoyed in December.
I don't know about you, but to me, it feels like 2023 absolutely flew by! I blinked and the whole year disappeared. And yet, a year ago, also feels like a long time ago—maybe because so much happened this year and the world is kind of on fire. I've been thinking a lot about what to write in this 2023 wrap up post. I keep seeing posts in which people list all their accomplishments, the million books they published and everything, and I always feel like my own aren't quite enough. And I have to remind myself that I have accomplished things this year! I finally published To Love the Dragon King, which I am very proud of for many reasons—because I finally finished after so long of difficulties writing, because it's my first self-published book and I did so much of it on my own, because I think it's pretty damn good book. Then I got started on the second Dragons of Ivria book and playing with ideas for a new cozy witchy series. I'm getting more on top of things little by little. My newsletter is going out regularly, and there are more posts on this blog too. I loved doing more in person events this year, too, including Rainbow Book Fair in NYC and GRL in Virginia. It was wonderful to meet so many readers and other authors. I hope to meet more of you in the coming year! And in not writing events, I also went on a long-postponed Italian adventure with my best friend, which was absolutely amazing. There were setbacks and disappointments too. I didn't accomplish everything I wanted, and my first (and hopefully only) bout of covid and the lingering struggles with fatigue after it derailed some of my plans for the end of the year. But I'm going to continue to try to be kind to myself (which is difficult!) as we move into a new year. After the last few years, I hesitate to even say what my 2024 writing goals are for fear of jinxing myself, but my hope is to publish both the second Dragons of Ivria book and the first witch book. Fingers crossed. Finally, I'm sharing some of my favorite reads of 2023. Some of these books were published in 2023, some are older, and as always, it was tough for me to narrow it down. Since it's somehow December (where did last month go???), it's time to talk about November's reading. I did more rereading in audiobook than reading new books last month, but I did read a few that I want to share with you.
If you've known me any length of time (or just flipped through my instagram), you probably know that autumn is my favorite season and I adore October, both for glorious autumn vibes and for spooky season. All of that informed by reading in October. I reread some seasonal favorites (like R Cooper's A Little Familiar) and read some new-to-me paranormal romance too.
I'm continuing my paranormal book recs this week with some vampire romances. There isn't anything scary here—like I said last week, I love spooky and atmospheric and paranormal, but I don't do horror. I don't seek out vampire books the way I do witch books, but I don't avoid them either and I read a ton of paranormal. And I've read/watched a bunch of vampire stories over the years—Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles books in high school (and the movie—I haven't seen the new television show yet, but I've heard it's fantastic, so it's on my list), Buffy the Vampire Slayer, both movie and show, and later on some of Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake books and a few of Lynsay Sands's Argeneau series, and the Twilight series as well. Here are some of my favorite vampire romances that I come back to often:
My August reading post never happened last month because I spent the beginning of the month mostly sleeping while sick with covid (three and a half years of being careful and avoiding it—I'm still so annoyed it caught up with me). A month later, I'm still dealing with some fatigue but otherwise recovered, and you're getting a combined August/September reading post. My reading plans themselves were also derailed a bit by covid, since I really did mostly sleep and when I was awake, I could barely focus on anything so not a lot of reading got done. But, I do have some books to share with you: Capture the Sun by Jessie Milhalik (M/F SF romance): This is the third book in (and I believe the conclusion to) the Starlight's Shadow series—I do wish there would be more to this series, not only because I love the characters but also because a few of those supporting characters' storylines were kind of left up in the air or hastily resolved off page and that annoys me. But, overall, I enjoyed this series, both the SF plot and the romances. And even more so, the chosen family dynamic of the characters aboard Starlight's Shadow. Definitely start at the beginning of the series. Deven and the Dragon and Corin and the Courtier by Eliot Grayson (M/M fantasy romance): I'm slightly confused about which of these two books is meant to be the first book in the Beautiful Beasts series. It seems that the story in Corin and the Courtier occurs first, but I believe Deven was published first. I read Deven before Corin, and it didn't make much of a difference as the stories are only loosely connected through a family relationship between a main character of each book. They are light, fun fantasy romances with dragon shifters and a fairy tale vibe. Deven is probably my favorite of the two, just because Fiora was such a sweet character (a fun, dramatic, adorable dragon shifter), but I enjoyed both. Resurrection Reprise by Hailey Turner (urban fantasy with M/M romance): Ever since Spencer (and his psychopomp, Fatima, who is an utter delight) made his first appearance in the Soulbound series, I wanted his story, and I was so excited when I heard about this book. It did not disappoint. I loved getting inside Spencer's head and learning more about him. The romance between him and vampire Takoma was wonderful, as was the paranormal action and mystery plot. Some appearances by other characters Soulbound characters were fun and perfect without taking away from Spencer's story (I'm also going to need a book for dragon shifter Wade now, please). I'm not sure if you can jump into this one without reading the Soulbound series, but it's really good, so you should do it anyway. In Charm's Way by Lana Harper (F/F paranormal romance): This is another book I was really excited for. I've been enjoying The Witches of Thistle Grove series, and I'm already looking forward to the next, though this book is not my favorite of the series so far. POV character Delilah has appeared in previous books, and I'll admit she was not my favorite in those books. She makes a difficult main character and this book is just full of her anger. I was also a little skeptical of the romance in this book—it does end on a HFN, which I thought was good as the two characters still have a lot to resolve. What I loved was learning more of the deepening lore of Thistle Grove and the bonds that are growing between members of the four witch families. I'm interested to see where the series goes next. What the Hex by Alexis Daria (M/F paranormal romance): This was a fun little paranormal romance novella. Catalina returns home to Isla Bruja (the secret island that is home to the most powerful Latinx witch families) for her sister's wedding and finds that the groom is possessed by a demon and both families are under the demon's magical control. Except the groom's brother/best man, who is also Catalina's old high school rival. The two are left to figure out how to get rid of the demon and save their families before the wedding, and of course, they fall for each other along the way. What have you read and loved lately? Happy August, my darlings! July was a busy month for me, and August is set to be another. But I did get some reading done—some rereads in audio during walks/cleaning/cooking, a couple of things I started and put aside for when I'm in the right mood, and a few new to me books I finished. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri (Fantasy with F/F romance): The Jasmine Throne is an epic fantasy inspired by Indian folklore with intricate world building, fantastic characterization, and a compelling plot. Though there are multiple points of view (all of them providing needed information and perspective), the story centers on Priya, a maidservant possessing forbidden magic and a secret past, and Malini, a princess imprisoned because she tried to overthrow her evil brother the emperor. The romance between the two is very much slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, and not at all the focus of the story, but it's perfect for the story. The women in this book are quite willing to plot and plan and burn a patriarchal system to the ground, and I am here for it. The second book in the trilogy is already out, and I'll definitely be reading it soon. Murder at Pirate's Cove by Josh Lanyon (Cozy Mystery): I've had this first book in Lanyon's Secrets and Scrabble series for a while, but finally moved it to the top of the (mountainous) TBR when a friend recommended the series. Ellery recently inherited a failing mystery bookstore and a rundown mansion in a small town, and needing a change, he moved there to start a new life. But then he finds the guy who has been pressuring him to sell the bookstore dead and becomes the chief suspect. So of course, he has to try to solve the mystery himself. Plus there is the beginning hints of a romance between Ellery and the police chief. It's classic Josh Lanyon and solidly good. I have the next book all ready to read. Bisclavret by KL Noone (M/M Fantasy Romance): This short story is a really lovely retelling of the medieval story by Marie de France in which a man turns into a wolf three days out of the month and is betrayed by his wife to keep him in wolf form forever but is then saved by the kindness of the king. The broad strokes of the story are the same here with the addition of a lovely slow-burn romance between bisexual Lord Bisclavret and the demisexual king. Twice Bitten by Eliot Grayson (M/M Paranormal Romance): This novella is part of Grayson's Mismatched Mates series and was a lot of fun. When a werewolf shows up in town, vampire Angelo is tasked with solving his problem and making sure he doesn't cause trouble. Angelo has enough problems of his own without adding someone else's and just wants to get through this without ruining his suit or falling in love. I think you can guess how that turns out. The chemistry between the main characters is great, and there is a delightful visit with some characters from earlier in the series (magical attack scorpions had me laughing out loud). What have you read and loved lately? This year has been flying by! Somehow I blinked and it's already July. Does anyone else feel like the year is just speeding along? I had big plans for my reading last month, and as usual, they didn't come to fruition. But I did read some books I want to tell you about: White Trash Warlock by David R Slayton (Urban fantasy with M/M romance): From the title, it feels like this book is going to be lighthearted, but it's definitely serious in tone and deals with issues of poverty and family trouble. Adam hasn't seen his brother or mother since they had him committed when he was a teenager because he could hear voices. The voices were actually spirits, but his family either didn't believe in his magic or didn't want to deal with it. He checked himself out as soon as he turned eighteen and has been living with a great-aunt with the same gifts as he has in her trailer, working odd jobs ever since. Then his brother calls Adam because his wife is under the influence of a spirit and Adam is the only one he knows who might be able to help. The world building is solid and interesting and the family grievances real and compelling. A great beginning to a series I will be continuing. High Times in the Low Parliament by Kelly Robson (Fantasy with F/F romance): Lana is a brilliant scribe, who also believes herself to be absolutely charming with the ladies. While doing a favor for a fellow scribe, she angers a fairy and is sent to be a scribe at Low Parliament as a punishment. Once there, she finds things are not well and all of Parliament will be drowned if the members can't begin to agree. I'm a little torn about this novella. On the one hand, it was fun and quirky. On the other, I was so confused with the lack of world building. Fairies seem to be overlords of humans in this world, but not rulers really. There was a war at some point in the past that led to this situation and also the rules around Parliament. Also, there are only women in this world, but it's never mentioned why. It is a novella, and the length may account for the lack of world building. But I could have used a bit more. If you can ignore the questions and just go with it, as I said, it's a fun little novella. Gateway Catastrophe by Louisa Masters (M/M paranormal romance): This was an excellent end to the Ghostly Guardians series, though I am sorry to see the series end (though I am excited to see that there is going to be a spin-off series, especially since it seems that it will involve some intriguing characters introduced in this book). While each book in the series follows a new couple and romance, the overall story carries from book to book, so definitely start this series from the beginning. The paranormal storyline is suspenseful and interesting, the characters and relationships are likable and relatable, and ghosts inhabiting the estate are hilarious. Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen (Queer historical mystery): Lavender House is described as "Knives Out with a queer historical twist" and I can definitely see the comparison in this noir-ish mystery. In 1952 San Francisco, Andy has been fired from the police force after being caught in a raid at a gay bar. He lost his apartment and is drinking and contemplating suicide when Pearl finds him. She tells him her wife has been murdered and she needs him—a gay investigator—to find out who did it. Andy is introduced to the residents of Lavender House, people who have built a place and a family in which they can be themselves without worrying what the outside world would think of their sexualities or relationships. The mystery is satisfyingly twisty. I suspected who might have done it, but then thought maybe I was wrong several times. I also really loved the characters, Andy especially, and I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series when it comes out in the fall. Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore (YA trans historical romance): Self-Made Boys is a remix of The Great Gatsby, part of a series of classics remixed to be told from the perspective of marginalized identities. Nicolas Caraveo is a young Latino trans man from the Midwest who is a whiz with math. His cousin Daisy persuades his parents to let him move to New York to take a job he's been offered on Wall Street. When he arrives, he finds that Daisy has remade herself and is passing for white to be accepted in society and become engage to Tom (because, as she says, if she has to marry, she's going to do it in a way that benefits her and allows her to help her family). Nick soon meets his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, who throws lavish parties that bewilder Nick and is also trans. Jay has made himself into someone he hopes Daisy, his lost love, can be with, and Nick agrees to help him get her back, but falls for Jay himself in the process. I love this remix and how Nick's Latinx heritage and trans identity affect his perspective and the course of the story. What have you read and loved lately? |
AuthorAntonia is a writer and a reader and a copy editor/proofreader. She loves books, travel, art, photography, baking, pasta, and shoes. Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|
Proudly powered by Weebly