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Why You Need to Read…My Selections for Best Speculative Fiction of 2022

And, we made it to the end of 2022! For me, it was a very busy year! Now, I'm a full-time librarian and I'm attempting to make time for even more books to read (for work and for fun). I'm still working on balancing a career and life while continuing to pursue my other goals,… Continue reading Why You Need to Read…My Selections for Best Speculative Fiction of 2022

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Why You Need to Read: “A Mirror Mended”

Fractured Fables, #2: A Mirror Mended By: Alix E. Harrow Published: June 14, 2022 Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Folklore, Sequel WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers from A Spindle Splintered. You have been warned.             …I spent the first twenty-one years of my life being Zinnia Grey the Dying Girl, killing time until my story ended. I’m still technically dying… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “A Mirror Mended”

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Reading Check-In: June 4, 2022

I know this is another listing, but I've finished reading some great books and I wanted to share them with you all before posting my reviews of them (which, I still need to write). What have you finished reading recently? This was a cute take on "Black Girl Magic," and readers older than the middle… Continue reading Reading Check-In: June 4, 2022

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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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SCKA 2021 Winners

The Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards 2021 has its winners! After 6 weeks of re-reads and voting, the judges--including myself--have voted on the winners from our finalists. If you need a refresher about what the awards are and what they are about, then you can read my previous post about it here. First, let me… Continue reading SCKA 2021 Winners

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Why You Need to Read: “A Spindle Splintered”

Fractured Fables, #1: A Spindle Splintered By: Alix E. Harrow Published: October 5, 2021 Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Folklore             …I’ve fallen out of my own story and into one that might have a happy ending. Because this is my last chance to have a real adventure, to escape, to do more than play out the clock, (2).… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “A Spindle Splintered”

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

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SCKA 2021: The Nominees, the Finalists & the Experience

One of the best things about being a bookblogger is the book awards. Besides the “big awards” such as the Hugo and the Nebula Awards—which many of us have read at least half of the nominees—there are the SPFBO and the SPSFC—which gives bookbloggers and (indie) reviewers the chance to propel indie books towards more… Continue reading SCKA 2021: The Nominees, the Finalists & the Experience

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Why You Need to Read: “The Once and Future Witches”

The Once and Future Witches By: Alix E. Harrow Published: October 13, 2020 Genre: Historical Fantasy, Folklore, Paranormal             …“The Tale of Saint George and the Witches.” It’s never been one of her favorites, but she reads it anyway.             It’s the usual version: once upon a time there were three wicked witches who loosed a terrible… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Once and Future Witches”

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Why You Need to Read…My Selections for Best Speculative Fiction Books of 2020

What. A. Year. It was a great year for stories—not necessarily publication—but a terrible year for everything else. While the pandemic brought about more time for some readers, I did NOT fall into that category. If anything, then the pandemic had me being more occupied, which brought about less time for reading. Don’t get me… Continue reading Why You Need to Read…My Selections for Best Speculative Fiction Books of 2020