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SCKA 2022: The Finalists

This year's preliminary round took a bit longer for obvious reasons, but the other judges/bookbloggers and I voted on our picks for the finalists for the Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards 2022. And, some of the categories are a bit chaotic because there are more than 2 finalists in some of the categories; not to… Continue reading SCKA 2022: The Finalists

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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

African Influence · ARCs · Audiobook · Authors/Writers · Book Haul · Children's Fiction · Debut · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · First in a Series · Folklore · Indie Books · LGBTQ · Literature · Metaphysical Fiction · Middle Grade Books · Middle Grade Fiction · mythology · novella · Reading · religious beliefs · Science Fiction · Sequel · Space Opera · speculative fiction · Trilogy

Reading Check-In: May 14, 2022

So, A LOT happened during the past few weeks. First, my hay fever has died down, finally. Second, the Kindle app malfunctioned on me and I couldn't read neither my ebooks nor my eARCs for over 2 weeks (those of you who follow me on Twitter saw my daily rants). Last, I started a new… Continue reading Reading Check-In: May 14, 2022

African Influence · ARCs · Asian Influence · Audiobook · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Book Haul · Books · Debut · Fantasy · First in a Series · Folklore · Goodreads · Historical Fiction · Horror · LGBTQ · Literature · Metaphysical Fiction · Middle Eastern Fantasy · mythology · Norse mythology · Reading · Science Fiction · Seanan McGuire · Sequel · speculative fiction · Trilogy · Young Adult Fiction

State of the ARC: April 2, 2022

It's been another crazy week. Good news: I'm feeling much better. And, I have even better good news, which I will announce in the near future. Bad news: My fellow gamers, E3 2022 has been cancelled. I may or may not give my thoughts on this news in the near future. This week, I'm just… Continue reading State of the ARC: April 2, 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

African Influence · ARCs · Authors/Writers · Book Review · Books · Coming-of-Age · Debut · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Freedom · Gender Roles · Goodreads · identity · Parents and Parenting · Reading · religious beliefs · Review · speculative fiction · Young Adult Fiction

Why You Need to Read: “The Gilded Ones”

The Gilded Ones, #1: The Gilded Ones By: Namina Forna Published: February 9, 2021 Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains elements of rape, misogyny, familicide, dismemberment, human trafficking, and violence against females. Be advised.             Confusion lines my face, and I frown at her. “An invitation for what?”             “For you, Impure One. Emperor Gezo… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Gilded Ones”

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Reading Check-In: July 31, 2021

What book have you finished reading recently? O!M!G! This book...WOW! I started reading this eARC at the beginning of the year, but I had to stop because of classes. It turns out that I stopped at the right spot because I was able to dive back into the story when the story, the plot and… Continue reading Reading Check-In: July 31, 2021

African Influence · ARCs · Asian Influence · Audiobook · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Books · Debut · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · First in a Series · Folklore · Freedom · Gender Roles · Historical Fiction · history · humanity · Ideas · identity · LGBTQ · Literature · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Parents and Parenting · Reading · Sequel · speculative fiction · Trilogy · Young Adult Fiction

Reading Check-In: July 17, 2021

A brief update about my readings. But first, not that this should be a goal of mine, but I decided to reduce this year's Goodreads (yes, I have a Storygraph account) reading goal from 100 books to 50 books. At the beginning of this year, I knew there I shouldn't have pushed my limits this… Continue reading Reading Check-In: July 17, 2021

African Influence · ARCs · Asian Influence · Audiobook · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Books · Children's Fiction · Coming-of-Age · Debut · Fairy Tale Retellings · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Folklore · Gender Roles · Goodreads · Grimdark · Historical Fiction · history · Horror · humanity · identity · Indie Books · LGBTQ · Literary Awards · Literature · Middle Grade Books · mythology · Norse mythology · Old Magic · Paranormal · Parents and Parenting · Reading · Religion · religious beliefs · Review · Science Fiction · Seanan McGuire · Sequel · silkpunk · Space Opera · speculative fiction · Trilogy · Urban Fantasy · Wayward Children · Young Adult Fiction

The Midpoint of 2021: Favorite Speculative Fiction Books…So Far

Well, we've made it to the halfway point of 2021. I won't begin this post with the usual current events, but I will mention that I've been enjoying ALL of the sporting events that are taking place (i.e. Euro Cup, Copa America, NBA & NHL Playoffs, Summer 2020/21 Olympic Trials, etc.). More attention has been… Continue reading The Midpoint of 2021: Favorite Speculative Fiction Books…So Far

African Influence · ARCs · Asian Influence · Audiobook · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Books · China · Fairy Tale Retellings · Family · Family Dynamics · Fantasy · Favorite Books · First in a Series · Folklore · Gender Roles · Grimdark · Historical Fiction · history · Horror · humanity · identity · LGBTQ · Literature · Love · mythology · Old Magic · Parents and Parenting · Predictions · Reading · Religion · religious beliefs · Science Fiction · Sequel · speculative fiction · Trilogy · Young Adult Fiction

Reading Check-In: March 20th 2021

Yes, I'm "borrowing" this idea from Realms of My Mind This is not a review post. While I prepare to participate in some upcoming events (watch the livestream I participated for The Bone Shard Daughter here), I will continue to catch up on some of my reading. The reviews will be posted as they are… Continue reading Reading Check-In: March 20th 2021