Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Books · Debut · Fantasy · First in a Series · Horror · LGBTQ · Literary Awards · Literature · novella · Predictions · Reading · Review · Science Fiction · Sequel · Short Story · Social Media · Space Opera · speculative fiction · Writing

SCKA 2023: We’re Back!!!

It's time foe the Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards for 2023! I was asked to be a judge again; and, this year will be the 3rd year I've participated in this speculative awards with other bookbloggers. I’m very excited about this year’s awards and nominees! This year, there are fewer categories (compared to the extra… Continue reading SCKA 2023: We’re Back!!!

African Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Theories · Books · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Historical Fiction · LGBTQ · Literature · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Middle Grade Fiction · mystery · Reading · Sequel · speculative fiction · Thriller · Trilogy

Why You Need to Read: These Middle Books that Do NOT Suffer from “Middle Book Syndrome”

I've been noticing the topic of "middle books" being mentioned in a few reviews (both bookbloggers/BookTubers and professional reviewers). So, I decided to point out the ones which continues the excitement and the plot within the series. When a series is mentioned, there are concerns as to whether or not the "next book in the… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: These Middle Books that Do NOT Suffer from “Middle Book Syndrome”

Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Books · Celtic and Welsh Mythology · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Gender Roles · Horror · identity · LGBTQ · Literary Awards · novella · Reading · religious beliefs · Science Fiction · Sequel · silkpunk · Space Opera · speculative fiction · Trilogy

Why You Need to Read: Underrated Speculative Fiction Series

So, I decided to compile another list of recommendations. There have been A LOT of speculative fiction series, and it seems whenever one series comes to an end, there are around 15 more to choose from. This means some series do not get as many readers and are not as "popular" as the other series.… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: Underrated Speculative Fiction Series

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Awards: The 2021 Nebulas, the 2022 Hugos, and the 2022 SCKA

Earlier this week, the 2022 Hugo Award Finalists were announced. Similar to other (literary) awards, there were surprises, the snubs and the expected among them. After noting (and congratulating) the nominees, some of us tend to do one and/or two things. One, we look over which nominees we may or may not have read or… Continue reading Awards: The 2021 Nebulas, the 2022 Hugos, and the 2022 SCKA

Audiobook · Australia · Authors/Writers · Book Review · Books · Dystopia · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Horror · humanity · identity · LGBTQ · Literature · Love · Reading · Review · speculative fiction · Trilogy

Why You Need to Read: “Empire of the Vampire”

Empire of the Vampire, #1: Empire of the Vampire By: Jay Kristoff                                                                      Audiobook: 27 hours 11 minutes Published: September 14, 2021                                              Narrated by: Damian Lynch Genre: Epic Fantasy, Dark Fantasy             You are Gabriel de León, Last of the Silversaints, (Sunset).             Vampires are one of the most popular “monsters” in narratives. And, this was before the “success” of The Twilight Saga;… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Empire of the Vampire”

African Influence · Africanfuturism · ARCs · Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Books · Children's Fiction · Debut · Dystopia · Fairy Tale Retellings · Fantasy · First in a Series · Folklore · gothic · graphic novels · Grimdark · Historical Fiction · Horror · Indie Books · LGBTQ · Literature · Mark Lawrence · Metaphysical Fiction · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Middle Grade Books · Military Fiction · mystery · mythology · novella · Occult Fiction · Old Magic · Paranormal · Reading · Religion · religious beliefs · Science Fiction · Seanan McGuire · Sequel · silkpunk · Space Opera · speculative fiction · supernatural · Trilogy · Wayward Children · Young Adult Fiction

Why You Need to Read…My Most Anticipated Speculative Fiction Books of 2022

I'm hoping my life in 2022 doesn't have too many roadblocks (COVID-19 aside) and I am able to get back on track with my reading, my writing, and my gaming. This list contains numerous books that are scheduled to be released in 2022. Yes, my reading list is longer than the time available to read… Continue reading Why You Need to Read…My Most Anticipated Speculative Fiction Books of 2022

African Influence · Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Book Review · Books · China · Coming-of-Age · Debut · Dystopia · Fairy Tale Retellings · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Folklore · Gender Roles · gothic · Historical Fiction · identity · LGBTQ · Literature · Middle Eastern Fantasy · mythology · Norse mythology · novella · Old Magic · Reading · Religion · Review · Science Fiction · Seanan McGuire · Sequel · Space Opera · speculative fiction · supernatural · Trilogy · Urban Fantasy · Wayward Children · Young Adult Fiction

Why You Need to Read…My Selections for Best Speculative Fiction Books of 2021

What a year 2021 has been! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad this year is over similar to the majority of all of you. However, this year was an extremely productive one for me: I published my first essay, I graduated from graduate school (again) and I started a new job, and, thanks to all… Continue reading Why You Need to Read…My Selections for Best Speculative Fiction Books of 2021

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Reading Check-In: December 25, 2021

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it! Because today is a holiday and I'm a bit of a workaholic, I'm keeping this week's post simple and straightforward. What have you finished reading recently? I did it! I finished this book, which is the 20th book released in 2021, which means I'll be able to present… Continue reading Reading Check-In: December 25, 2021

ARCs · Asian Influence · Audiobook · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Books · China · Comics · Debut · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Gender Roles · graphic novels · history · LGBTQ · Literature · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Military Fiction · Old Magic · Parents and Parenting · Reading · Religion · religious beliefs · Review · Science Fiction · Space Opera · speculative fiction · Trilogy

Reading Check-In: November 27, 2021

What have you finished reading recently? I've been working my way through reading the "Sapphic Trifecta," which I started earlier this year, but I had to halt because I was working on my final project for grad school. So far, I've finished reading 2 of the 3 books, which are amazing reads. However, do not… Continue reading Reading Check-In: November 27, 2021

A Song of Ice and Fire · ARCs · Asian Influence · Audiobook · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Book Haul · Books · Debut · Fairy Tale Retellings · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Folklore · Game of Thrones · Gender Roles · George R.R. Martin · gothic · Grimdark · Historical Fiction · humanity · identity · LGBTQ · Literature · Military Fiction · novella · Parents and Parenting · Reading · Science Fiction · Sequel · Space Opera · speculative fiction · Trilogy

Reading Check-In: September 17, 2021

What book have you finished reading recently? One series on my list is complete. And, I stick with what I said about this series in my ASoIaF Read-Alike Book Recommendations: this series is the most "identical" to George R.R. Martin's. Another fun read by this author. And yes, it's full of folklore and fantasy references!… Continue reading Reading Check-In: September 17, 2021