I did a lot of comfort re-reading this month, but I also enjoyed a couple of new fantasy novels and a more challenging non-fiction book. One of my re-reads was This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews. The second read-through let me savor the cleverness of the plot. I’m contemplating a third read-through just because.
Calculated Whisk by Lindsay Buroker is the first book in her new series, Tales from the Dragon Diner. Like all first books it had to establish characters, world-building, and the series conflict, and it did so without slowing down the pace or interfering with its cozy, bantering vibe. I’ll be reading book 2, Knead for Speed, to enjoy the next adventure.
A Fractured Conclave by Vanessa Nelson wrapped up a six book urban fantasy series of the same title. I enjoyed the thriller aspect of this series, the sense of time running out and secrets revealed. A skip tracer was a great choice for the heroine, and she became so much more.
In Flint in the Bones Eva St. John introduced a fabulous new world. I think that Fire in the Flint, the second book in the Norwich Map Runners series, is even better. With the world established there was more room for the characters and mystery. I’m looking forward to Blood in the Maps, out in November.
After waiting FOREVER for This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews I read it in a day and was blown away by how it built. Layer upon layer of world building and character introductions leading to very effective plot twists. It’s definitely going on my re-read shelf, and I want the next book now!
I picked up a new release by SeanS3r3s, and while the strange author name didn’t fill me with confidence, the comedic narrative voice appealed to me and I enjoyed the Overpowered Demon Lord Slayer: An OP MC Slice of Life LitRPG. I’ll be reading book 2 in May.
KM Shea stepped back from writing for a couple of years to deal with some health issues. Her books are among my comfort re-reads, so I waited hopefully that she’d be able to return to writing. She is doing so, but very carefully, while prioritizing her health. Managing the Vampire’s Mansion came out this month. It’s her only book for 2026 and it was wonderful. A warm hug of a book. I hope she continues to prioritize her health and I’ll be joyously happy if we get any more books from her.
I picked up a vintage British mystery by E C R Lorac, Still Waters. Books like this, written as very contemporary mysteries which have now passed into the historical mystery category by virtue of decades passing, are compelling windows into the past. Post-war Britain, its fears, constraints, and hopes are laid out, albeit for a comfortably middle class ideal.
In non-fiction, I read Alchemy. The Surprising Power of Ideas that Don’t Make Sense by Rory Sutherland. It left me with so much to think about. I haven’t clarified my ideas yet, so I’ll just leave you with a few quotes. Although I have to say that the discussion of uncertainty left me thinking about the criticism some people offer regarding mystery and romance novels; that they’re formulaic. Yes, and that’s why they’re the topselling genres! Uncertainty is reduced to a manageable and enjoyable level.
“If you are wholly predictable, people learn to hack you.”
“The reason we don’t always behave in a way which corresponds with conventional ideas of rationality is not because we are silly: it is because we know more than we know we know.”
“…it is borne out in many fields of decision science. We will pay a disproportionately high premium for the elimination of a small degree of uncertainty – why this matters so much is that it finally explains the brand premium that consumers pay.”
“This is essentially a heuristic – a rule of thumb. The more reputational capital a seller stands to lose, the more confident I am in their quality control.” [I’m thinking about this as an independent author, which means, in effect, that I’m an independent, one-author publisher. A traditional publisher, having a stable of authors, can have an author screw up. I can’t afford to. So, for indie authors who are in this game for the long haul—and I’ve been in it for over a decade now—every book carries reputational risk and weight.]
I’ve got nothing. I re-read a lot, which is lovely and comforting, but doesn’t give me any new books to recommend. Of the new (to me) books I tried, some got a red-stamped DNF. I’m beginning to suspect that some authors are inserting AI-generated text in to pad out their books or to write what the author considers a non-critical scene.
***Note from me: ALL scenes are critical or they shouldn’t be in your book!***
Or maybe I just had a hyper-critical month?
I have been listening to a few podcasts. The Red Line podcast is back with an indepth take on international affairs. Currently, I have its Middle Corridor (Central Asia) episode queued for listening.
Bloomberg’s Odd Lots episodes are financially focused, but very informative. There was an episode a while back on running a restaurant in New York. Fascinating. Still in the field of economics, Economics Explained is awesome.
Robin Ince has resigned from the BBC, so he and Brian Cox are no longer presenting the Infinite Monkey Cage. Old episodes are well worth a listen. Science and comedy. Wil Anderson (an Australian comedian) interviews comedians about life in Wilosophy (I listen depending on which comedian).
Finally, I finished Money. A Story of Humanity by David McWilliams. That it took me so long isn’t a reflection on the book. It’s an excellent overview of the history of money, of how currency facilitated trade, connection, and development. It also covers a bit about current and future issues (ahem, crypto).
Now, I’m reading Killing the Dead by John Blair. It’s all about vampires (and some other undead) across time and place. Different cultures, similar preoccupations. How do we handle fear, death, and otherness?
Speaking of (or to) the undead, I discovered Mercury Raine: Ghost Broker by Sarah M Eden and was beguiled by its ghostly premise. I need to read book 2!
I also enjoyed an older Mills & Boon romance, Hitched! by Jessica Hart with upper class characters, but genuine warmth and emotional growth. It felt more like a condensed chicklit novel than a category romance.
It felt like I had to wait for ages for Echoes of Insurrection by TA White. It wasn’t actually that long, but it felt like it because the Firebird Chronicles is such a great science fiction series (with magic!) and one I enjoy re-reading. It was wonderful catching up with the characters and encountering new mysteries and twists to the story. When’s Book 7? 😉
I also enjoyed Squib by Helen Harper which is a spin-off from her Cat Lady urban fantasy series. Really solid world-building and engaging characters. I liked the romance plot a lot, too.
Vanessa Nelson released the fifth book in her Fractured Conclave series. This is a fascinating world. The sense of the strangeness that creeps in with isolation weaves through the series. An Uneasy Peace (great title) was an excellent read.
As a special post-Christmas gift (and one that respects our empty wallets) today is Stuff Your Kindle Day! There are loads of free books.
I’m linking to Romance Bookworms for the complete list. I’m thrilled to be part of this event. My contribution is a free copy of Alien Haunts (free till Dec 28 on Amazon).
Merry Christmas! I hope you have a joyful, peaceful festive season – with lots of books!
I’ve had a good reading month this December.
It kicked off with Book 5 in the Beware of Chicken series by CasualFarmer. It wasn’t my favourite of the books. That remains Book 1. But it was enjoyable to return to this heartwarming fantasy world.
Still in the progression fantasy zone, I enjoyed the latest Iron Tyrant series novel by Seth Ring, Falling Gold. It was easy reading with some interesting developments.
Lauretta Hignett started a new series with A Little Bite. It was short and sassy with an opinionated young heroine.
I also had a re-read binge of Jamie Bennett’s contemporary romances. She does slow burn well and often reduces me to tears with her Cinderella heroines. You could start with any of her books. Defending the Rush is good if you like football, and if you like football romances, I picked up Penny Reid’s Homecoming King as a free book and found it one of the more enjoyable marriage of convenience novels I’ve read (and a bit sexier than Jamie Bennett’s books).
Hunter by Mercedes Lackey is the first book in a YA urban fantasy trilogy. I enjoyed it, but oddly, I’m satisfied with it as a standalone and don’t feel the need to read the next two. From their blurbs they take twists that don’t appeal to me. Great world building in this book.
I anticipated reading Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop for months, and while it deals with tough issues of domestic abuse and general nastiness, the Wyrd is fascinating and the twists and turns of the plot and how it weaves together is so good.
A Courtship of Dragons by Alanna Cole was pure cozy fantasy, and an enjoyable, imaginative read.
I re-read the Towerbound litrpg series ahead of the release of Book 4, and found that Book 4 lived up to the others. I like the compassion at the core of this gritty series, the compassion and found family and the sense of justice and hope.
Also, Rogues Lie (book 3 in my Caldryn Parliament series) is out on Saturday!!! I am so excited.
A whisper campaign threatens Vanda Kavanagh’s hard-won position as Warden of Caldryn Parliament, but are the malicious rumors a personal attack or do they mask an uglier plot?
As Vanda investigates, long-hidden truths are revealed leading her to question everything she believed about herself.
In a city steeped in magic and political intrigue who can Vanda trust?
Teaching Magic by Alanna Cole is a fantasy novel set in a magic academy, but focused on the faculty rather than the students. The world-building is immersive and the character-driven plot excellent. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I hadn’t even finished it when I pre-ordered her next release, A Courtship of Dragons.
It’s been a few years since I read Helen Harper’s Highland Magic series and I enjoyed revisiting it. You can find the boxset here.
I must have been on a bit of a British kick this month because I also read Celine Jeanjean’s London’s Edge urban fantasy series. Why aren’t there more hyenas in fiction? Plus, I listened to a couple of episodes from the British comedian Tom Allen’s new podcast/YouTube show, Pottering. Jo Brand is a delight, as always!
I think I can best describe the books I’ve read this month as “meh”. Some I finished. Many I DNF’d.
I can recommend Domination by Alice Roberts. I’m reading it slowly, enjoying both the history of the early Western Christianity church and its interweaving with political power and Professor Roberts’ style.
Since I don’t have any other books to recommend this month, I thought I’d mention a couple of podcasts.
If you’re interested in an author’s experience of publishing, with a focus on traditional publishing and the soul-sucking, disappointing reality, Dave Wragg is a guest on the SFF Addict podcast talking about the midlist death spiral. He’s a little bit sweary. It’s a good, honest account of the author experience.
For interesting science discussions enlivened by a guest comedian, the Infinite Monkey Cage hosted by Brian Cox and Robin Ince. Any episode! They’re all great.
