Space Station Mir

 I'm excited about my reading and other goals for 2024. In 2023, I did a lot of set up reading-, writing-, and life-wise, and now I feel ready to keep improving and having fun with my goals. I've already made headway on some of these goals, and I can see myself making them happen! I didn't post this on Tuesday, but here's the TTT link. Bookish Goals for 2024 Read 42 books--I again wanted to go a little easy on myself, but feeling up to this since my goal last year was 36 and I read 48. Read 11 (25%) books by authors of color, from this specific list (below)--I haven't been doing well with this goal in the past, so instead of the more vague "25%" goal, I'm defining 25% of my reading goal and actually creating a list of books I want to read that fit this criteria to choose from. If you're interested, my list below includes books that have been on my TBR awhile, including some literally on my shelves. Read and review all the books I've accepted fo...

A Vision in Crimson by Kathryn Troy Release Date: January 23, 2024 (ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!) Preorder Here *Edited 1/23/24 to add* Now on sale here I loved Kathryn's Troy's epic fantasy novel The Shadow of Theron , which I reviewed last year, so I was thrilled to accept when she invited me to review an ARC for her upcoming novel, A Vision in Crimson (Frostbite #1) . This one has an entirely different premise: star-crossed witch and vampire lovers from opposite worlds of a portal fantasy. Troy's writing, however, is equally luscious and inventive, with literary homage spanning the gamut from Greek mythology to  Dracula to The Chronicles of Narnia. The male protagonist, Luca (derivative of the Stoker novel), is a dhampir--half-vampire, half-human, although in this lore, he functions more like a vampire except he can subsist on his own blood and is universally reviled. The female protagonist, Kate, is also from Earth, but Victorian era, when she and her brothers fell into a por...

 I missed TTT the past couple weeks, and I'm more interested in reflecting on last year's reads, since, per usual, I'm not planning to read a lot of new releases this year. I read my most favorite books of 2023 toward the beginning of the year, probably since that's also when I read my most anticipated reads for the year, but a few sleeper hits snuck in at the end. Overall, it was a good and occasionally great reading year--toward the end there were some more mediocre reads, but I still don't regret them because I learned something from them and I also enjoy the experience of reading to discuss with other people at my book clubs.  Link to  Top Ten Tuesday! Favorite Books I Read in 2023 Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree--I love how I had to request my library to purchase this in 2022, and it won the Nebula and the Hugo in 2023--very deservedly! I am loving the era of cozy fantasy! S easparrow by Kristin Cashore Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak by Charlie Jane Ande...

 I finished the ARC of  A Vision in Crimson (Frostbite Book 1)   in December, and spicy romantasy fans will be VERY satisfied! Please enjoy this sneak peek--my full review is coming next week! Release Date: January 23, 2024 (Two Weeks from Today!) Preorder Here. You can find the author, Kathryn Troy, @BathorysCloset.

 It's that time of year again--the end of the year. And with it, the dilemma--do I post this before the end of the year and risk missing something, or later and have it get caught up in all the 'best of' lists? Well, I guess I blew right past this and forgot to post it till now, so enjoy! Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds--Cute Hanukkah romance with the added bonus of a unique setting--winter in Nantucket--and an archaeological/anthropological mystery.  The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Loigman--Book club read, about two Jewish sisters who work at an armory in Boston during WWII--it's...fine, not a book I would have picked, but if you're interested in the historical setting, I'd recommend it.  The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer--Read this for a new book club (that brings me up to 3 😉)--I was apprehensive since it was compared to Eleanor Oliphant, a book that devastated me, but thankfully was unwarranted. It's a truly meaningful alth...

 An author whose work I really enjoy ( Book Review: The Shadow of Theron)  asked me to be part of her ARC readers/blogging promotional team for her next book, A Vision in Crimson, which means that I (and you!) get some pretty cool previews for the book, which comes out January 23, 2024--exactly one month from today! Today's "reveal" is the trope map, which definitely hits some of my favs: a witchy female protagonist, a secondary world, and a romance--I can go either way on vampires, but knowing how Troy writes, I'm sure I'll be interested in her take.  The cover is also gorgeous--I love the black and gold motif, and of course, with a word like crimson in the title, expectations must be met. I also like that split sword that gives me Excalibur vibes and reminds me of the sword-fighting in Shadow of Theron. I missed the official links, so I've just got a homemade trope map, so please don't blame the author/promotion team for my wonky photo editing but just t...

 Happy Top Ten Tuesday! I have an urge to list a bunch of cute wintry reads OR list the books I actually think I will read this winter. I'll go with a mixture of both. Happy Sixth Night of Hanukkah to my fellow celebrants! Books On My Winter 2023-2024 TBR Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds--Ok, I'm cheating because I just finished this, but it's such an adorable Hanukkah romance with the perfect wintry cover that I couldn't not include it. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus--An upcoming book club read for January--I hope there's a reason for all the hype! Out of the Corner by Jennifer Grey--Different book club read for January--kind of interested in this one although I don't know a lot about her. Promises Stronger Than Darkness (Unstoppable Book 3) by Charlie Jane Anders--Currently reading very slowly and the title is very appropriate for this winter. Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree--Legends & Lattes was the ultimate cozy fantasy, and...

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!   I don't know if this was on purpose or not, but it was a good week for a freebie.  It's hard to believe, but Hanukkah starts on Thursday night! So, actually, I'm kind of late getting this out. All I really want for Hanukkah is peace and freedom for all, but books can be small lights of joy in all the darkness. Chag urim sameach to all those who celebrate! Books I Want for Hanukkah (on Kindle only since I'm trying to save space!) All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries)-I've been meaning to start this series forever, and it sounds like this will be a fun and quick read. Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki-I started reading a sneak peek of this and loved it, but never ended up buying it. Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater-It's time to finish the trilogy! The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz-Found this when I looked up cozy fantasy, my new fav subgenre. A Coup of Tea by Casey Blair--Cozy fantasy mystery. Chaos Terminal by Mur ...