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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

A Song of Ice and Fire · Advice and Suggestions · African Influence · Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Winner · Book Review · Books · Debut · Dunk and Egg · Essos · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Game of Thrones · George R.R. Martin · graphic novels · Grimdark · LGBTQ · Literature · Mark Lawrence · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Military Fiction · mystery · Reading · Religion · religious beliefs · speculative fiction · Trilogy

Why You Need to Read: These Books While Waiting for “The Winds of Winter”: Part II

Here we go again. It’s been almost 3 years since I complied the 1st list of book recommendations; and, we’re still waiting for The Winds of Winter, the next book in A Song of Ice and Fire series. Many of us continue to wait, patiently, for this book by reading similar books by authors who write fantasy stories. There… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: These Books While Waiting for “The Winds of Winter”: Part II

Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Books · Comics · Debut · Dystopia · Fairy Tale Retellings · Fantasy · Folklore · graphic novels · Grimdark · Horror · Indie Books · LGBTQ · Literary Awards · Literature · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Middle Grade Books · Predictions · Reading · Review · Science Fiction · Seanan McGuire · Sequel · speculative fiction · Trilogy · Wayward Children · Young Adult Fiction

The Nebula and the Hugo Award 2021 Nominees

If you are expecting a post about a "Shortlist Award Reading Challenge," then I have some bad news for you. This year, it's not happening! I've barely kept up with it during the last 2 years, and I do not have anytime to read all of the books for this year. That being said, you… Continue reading The Nebula and the Hugo Award 2021 Nominees

African Influence · Africanfuturism · ARCs · Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Books · China · Coming-of-Age · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Freedom · Gender Roles · graphic novels · Grimdark · Historical Fiction · Literature · Military Fiction · Old Magic · Parents and Parenting · Reading · Science Fiction · Sequel · speculative fiction · supernatural · Trilogy · Urban Fantasy · Young Adult Fiction

Current Speculative Fiction Series I Need to Complete

The Poppy War, #3: The Burning God (2020) by R.F. Kuang As I mentioned in the last post, I've been meaning to read this final book in this bloody and brilliant historical grimdark trilogy. I did read the first couple of chapters, so I know that this story begins immediately where The Dragon Republic left… Continue reading Current Speculative Fiction Series I Need to Complete

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TBRcon21: Another Success for Virtual Cons

It’s 2021, the pandemic is ongoing, and it still sucks. Fortunately, we’ve gotten better at entertaining ourselves through our hobbies and interests. Readers and bookbloggers have been able to make the most of lockdown by reading (or, trying to read) our TBR piles and helping authors and publishers with promoting any books we get our… Continue reading TBRcon21: Another Success for Virtual Cons

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Why You Need to Read…My Most Anticipated Speculative Fiction Books of 2021

How many books will I read in 2021? Let me rephrase the question: how many books coming in 2021 will I get to read in 2021? I ask this question because I’m still going through all of the books I didn’t get to read last year—including all of the books that came out in 2020.… Continue reading Why You Need to Read…My Most Anticipated Speculative Fiction Books of 2021

African Influence · American Society · Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Comics · Education · Fantasy · Folklore · Horror · identity · Indie Books · Literature · Science Fiction · Social Media · speculative fiction · Technology · Time

My Experience at FIYAH Con & What It Represents for Speculative Fiction

So, remember when I praised virtual cons (and creators) for finding ways to continue hosting their cons and presenting their content to everyone? And, how some groups and individuals decided to host their own con? Well, I was able to attend FIYAH Magazine’s 1st FIYAH Con! I won’t bore you or make you all jealous of… Continue reading My Experience at FIYAH Con & What It Represents for Speculative Fiction

Advice and Suggestions · African Influence · American Society · Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Review · Book Theories · Books · Children's Fiction · Debut · Education · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Folklore · graphic novels · Grimdark · history · Ideas · identity · Indie Books · LGBTQ · Literary Awards · Literature · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Middle Grade Books · mythology · Neil Gaiman · Paranormal · Reading · speculative fiction · The Chronicles of Narnia · The Golden Compass · Urban Fantasy · Young Adult Fiction

“Best of” Lists: The Greatest, the Essential and Personal Favorites

So, TIME Magazine is the latest publication to release its list of “The Best Fantasy Novels of All Time.” The magazine even went further than Forbes and known fan sites (and critics) and had a panel consisting of leading fantasy authors to form, to vote, and to finalize their “selections.” While this list is impressive with selections… Continue reading “Best of” Lists: The Greatest, the Essential and Personal Favorites