Space Station Mir

I'm trying to post but take it easy, so I'm including my reactions to some of the example buzzwords Jana used in the prompt, plus any more I think of. I had some very strong and immediate reactions, probably since these buzzwords are so common, especially in romance and the romantasy that's ultrapopular these days! Happy Top Ten Tuesday! My Reactions to Common Book Buzzwords or Phrases Phrase: "Morally grey characters" My Reaction: NO. Why?: I'm thoroughly sick of this trend, especially because it typically means "morally grey male love interest" which typically actually means "I fell in love with a serial killer BUT HE LOOOOVES ME." No. Don't get me wrong, I can and do enjoy genuinely nuanced characters and I do not expect anyone, much less a fictional character, to be perfect nor do I want them to be, but if I see that phrase, I think Rhysand, or, at best, Christian Grey, and I'm just not into that. (But if you are, you're ...

 I've got a few books to review lined up, and I'm also interested in some new releases and hoping to read something to get into the spring mood. It's been a long, dark, and cold winter and I'm reveling in the longer daylight hours. Happy Top Ten Tuesday! Books On My Spring 2026 TBR Working the Mound by K. Iwancio--Reading this for review from the author. This is a smutty baseball romance novel with a team called the Philly Sillys, based on the Savannah Bananas but set in Philadelphia. As soon as I heard that description, I had to read it! This is the second in a series, but they're all standalone. Review coming soon! Steeped in Suspicion by Kirsten Mari--Received for review from LibraryThing. It's a cozy fantasy mystery. Enjoying the atmosphere in a small magical town replete with piskies, leprechauns, a talking cat, and a council of witches.  Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind by Annalee Newitz--I think I'm actually in a bit o...

The Magic Seeker: A Fairy Tale with Benefits (Sylvania Book #6) by Jane Buehler Release Date: March 17, 2026 *Added on March 17* Links to Buy:  The Magic Seeker a book by Jane Buehler - Bookshop.org US The Magic Seeker: A Fairy Tale with Benefits (Sylvania Book 6) eBook : Buehler, Jane: Kindle Store  I've read almost all of Jane Buehler's Sylvania series at this point, and I love them all. There's something so entirely healing in her quiet and simple fantasy world that's transitioning from monarchy to democracy in both the human and fairy worlds. This is the tough part that few series like to depict, and yet, this is one of the softest fantasy series I've ever read--and I mean that in an entirely positive context. Each book is centered around one or two characters and a central romance. Although understanding the context of the world makes each book richer, for most of them, I would say you can read them as a standalone. The Magic Seeker, book 6, is the first one wh...

 I've been busy at work and in my personal life so that's overshadowed the blog, but not my reading! Since I haven't posted in a while, I thought it might be fun to also share some of the books I'm currently reading, as well as the ones that I actually finished in February. The ice this month was really difficult for me here in the Mid-Atlantic and having to amuse two dogs inside and deal with their potty breaks in our tiny (and very icy) backyard was a lot. I'm very grateful though, for the dogs, and the backyard, and the ability to curl up in a warm house with a cup of tea and a book. I hope everyone still dealing with snow/ice (and everyone in general!) is doing well and staying warm! Books I Finished Reading in February 2026 A Bridesmaid's Guide to the Things People Hide: An Emelia Walsh Cozy Mystery by Abigail Scott--I read the first book in this series for LibraryThing review  and I enjoyed it so much, I read the second book and am looking forward to the t...

 Here we are again! Another month, another year, another list of books read. It has been a trying month, and unfortunately I expect it will be a trying year, but I am grateful that there are so many wonderful books in the world to help me through. Books Read in January 2026 This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher--Picked this up at a local bookstore who advertised this for their romance book club. The premise--4 members of an epic fantasy quest 10 years later--was exciting, however, while the ironic self-aware tone was humorous, it was also very detached, and I therefore had a hard time caring about or identifying with any of the characters until like 2/3 of the way through, which is just way too long. I feel like I finished it just to finish it and because I was so excited by the premise. There were definitely highlights but it was ultimately a miss for me, I think. All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert--I enjoyed this as much as I enjoy all of her books--there's something about he...

 Here are my goals from last year.  And here are my bookish goals for 2026! Bookish Goals for 2025 Read 52 books.--I didn't want to overburden myself, and I have no regrets. I ended up reading 84 books, which is less than the fluke of last year's 90 (the most in my adult life!) but still pretty good.  Read at least 14 books by authors of color.--13 books would be 25% of 52 so I decided to add another for luck and in case I end up surpassing my overall reading goal again. I ended up reading 13 books by authors of color, which is less than 25% of 84, but still better than last year.  Read and review all of the books I have accepted or will accept for review this year.--I did this! I reviewed all the books I agreed to review in 2025--and I actually have no books to review yet in 2026, so I'm at net zero for reviews for once.  Read at least 3 books by women in translation--I've already read one!--Unfortunately, that was the only one I read all year-- The Housekeepe...

 I'm a day late, and new authors seems more do-able than all bookish discoveries--plus, I think these were my most important bookish discoveries in 2025 anyway. Happy (late) Top Ten Tuesday! Best New-to-Me Authors in 2025 Jessica Topper and Amanda Usen--Grouping them together since I've only read their joint Matzo Ballers Hanukkah romance series. Technically, I finished the first book on December 31, 2024, but I read three of them in 2025 (and one already in 2026!), so I think it's fair to count them as new-to-me approximately as of 2025. I just love their joyful, sexy, Jewish brand of Hanukkah romance: they're both incredibly funny and compelling writers who create complex and interesting characters from the get-go. I will definitely continue reading the Matzo Baller series and probably check out some of their other books as well. J. Penner--I became absolutely obsessed with their Adenashire cozy fantasy books in 2025! They are definitely now on the must-read list for ...