99 Books

 

I’ve read ninety-nine books so far this year. My policy is to not finish books I don’t enjoy so I can recommend everything on the list.

 Rereads:

 Goblin Emperor, Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison -character driven fantasy, so good!

Buying Trouble, Shadow’s Bane, Fury’s Kiss by Karen Chance

Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher

Rock Hard, Rock Courtship by Nalini Singh

All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, Fugitive Telemetry, Network Effect by Martha Wells – I love the entire Murderbot series and probably reread it once a year

 

Fantasy, Epic or Secondary World

 Heroic Hearts edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes – collection includes an Asil story by Patricia Briggs!

Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick -book one of The Rook and the Rose

Untold Story by Genevieve Cogman -latest invisible Library book

Spirit Gate, Shadow Gate, Traitor’s Gate by Kate Elliott -the entire Crossroads trilogy, excellent word-building

The Bloody Throne by S.C. Emmett (pseudonym for Lilith Saintcrow) -conclusion to Hostage of Empire series

Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep -epic setting, first person POV

Bee Sting Cake, Whiskey Jack by Victoria Goddard -Greenwing & Dart series has a Regency vibe

Becoming Crone by Lydia M. Hawke -nice to see an older heroine

The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemison -conclusion to the award-winning Fifth Season trilogy

Warrior of Altai by Robert Jordan -standalone fantasy

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher -not a specific retelling, but has a fairytale feel

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske -Regency fantasy, excited for book two in the fall!

Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin -written as a history, which is too bad because I think I would have liked the longer version better

The Return of the Sorceress (novella) by Silvia Moreno-Garcia -revenge and redemption in fantasy Mexico

Winter of Ice and Iron, The Year’s Midnight, Of Absence Darkness, As Shadow Light by Rachel Neumeier    -If you like broody, intense heroes struggling against the darkness try Winter of Ice and Iron

Cast in Wisdom, Cast in Conflict, Sword and Shadow by Michelle Sagara -latest in her Elantra series

The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso -book one of Chronicles of the Bitch Queen

Or What You Will by Jo Walton -an odd and very meta premise of an author and the character who lives in her head trying to escape into one of her fantasy worlds, one based on a Shakespeare comedy

 

Fantasy, Urban

 Book of night by Holly Black -her first adult novel! Got this for my birthday and devoured it

Yampellec’s Idol, Bloodlines, Hunter by Skyla Dawn Cameron

-I discovered her Livi Talbot series (ex-debutante, single mother, treasure hunter) last year and am now caught up. Book one Solomon’s Seal is available as part of a  99 cent collection.

Ignite the Fire: Inferno by Karen Chance -latest in her Cassandra Palmer series

Home for the Howlidays edited by Margaret Cureles -Christmas and werewolves/canids

Heart Stings (novella) by Jennifer Estep -in her Elemental Magic series but with a different heroine

Putting the Chic in Psychic by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Million Dollar Demon by Kim Harrison -latest in her restarted Hollows series

Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne -spinoff series with a cameo by the Iron Druid

Unkindness of Magician by Kat Howard -duelling magicians!

Charming by Elliott James -excited to dive into the rest of this series!

Haunted Heroine by Sarah Kuhn -Asian chick superheroes!

Where the Drowned Girls  Go (novella), Spelunking Through Hell by Seanan McGuire -latest in her Wayward and InCryptid series

Runaway Cupid (novella) by R.L. Naquin -so glad to have a new book from Rachel!

Beast of Wonder (novella), The Marked, Selene by Lilith Saintcrow -The Marked is my favourite of these but be warned it’s rather harrowing

Harbinger by Wen Spencer -finally a new Tinker book but be warned that this is part one, the book ran too long and had to be divided in two. She’s hard at work on the sequel Storm Furies.

 

Historical

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett -probably everyone but me has already read this but it's a wonderful historical centered around the building of a cathedral in medieval England during the civil war between Stephen and Maude

 

Horror

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton -delightfully different zombie story from the POV of a crow

Dweller on the Threshold by Skyla Dawn Cameron -the premise grabbed me: a woman who split up with her boyfriend during the early days of the pandemic is forced to move into a haunted house, and I loved the ending!

Gwendy’s Button Box (novella) by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar -buttons like on a machine, not a shirt

A Broken Darkness by Premee Mohamed -second in her Cthulhu-ish trilogy about a friendship gone wrong

 

Middle Grade Fantasy and Science Fiction

 The Kingdom of the Wicked by Derek Landy

The Supervillain’s Guide to Being a Fat Kid by Matt Wallace -nice to see some fat representation!

Cytonic by Brandon Sanderson -very cool world-building

 

Mystery/thriller

 The Deepest of Secrets, A Twist of Fate by Kelley Armstrong

-latest and last in her Rockton series though she’s announced there will be a sequel series with the same characters

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

-Historical mystery. I caught up on Veronica Speedwell so am trying Lady Julia.

 

Romance, Contemporary

 

Desire and the Deep Blue Sea by Olivia Dade

Kiss Hard by Nalini Singh -latest and last I think in her Hard Play series, set in New Zealand with a rugby hero and Paralympics runner heroine

 

Romance, Historical

 If I Only had a Duke by Lenora Bell

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller -ghosts and a delightful scientist hero

An Unsuitable Heir by K.J. Charles -third in the Sins of the City trilogy

Perils of Pleasure, Like No Other Lover by Julie Ann Long -first two in the Pennyroyal Green series, I’m hooked!

Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney -latest and I think last in the Rogues Redeemed series

 

Romance, Fantasy and Paranormal

Shamrocked by Joely Sue Burkhart -new poly series

The Other Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost -retelling of the first Night Huntress book from Bones’ POV

Grey Magic by Jeffe Kennedy -conclusion of the Bonds of Magic fantasy romance series

Shadow Touch, Marjorie M. Liu -second in her Dirk & Steele, paranormal detective agency series

Thunder & Roses, Damage, Dark Watcher, Storm Watcher, Sons of Ymre: Erik by Lilith Saintcrow -my favourite of these was the newest one Sons of Ymre: Erik

Lover Unveiled by J.R. Ward -latest in the Black Dagger Brotherhood.One of those books where the subplot held my attention more than the main story.

 

Romance, SFR

Renegade Love by Ann Aguirre -sunshine human/grumpy alien pairing

Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik -first book of Starlight’s Shadow with psychic powers and found family

 

Science Fiction

Outskirter’s Secret by Rosemary Kirstein -an oldie but a goodie, what seems at first to be fantasy is gradually revealed to be SF, book two of the Steerswomen series

The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed (novella) -post-apocalyptic/climate fiction

Cormorant Run by Lilith Saintcrow

 

Young Adult Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction

Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders -space opera

What We Buried by Kate Boorman -sibling relationship in a very dysfunctional family

The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu -an Alec and Magnus Bane adventure

Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan

The White Road of the Moon by Rachel Neumeier -sucked me right in

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao -powerful new feminist voice

 

And  that's it for now! I'm currently reading Dirty Deeds 2 an urban fantasy novella anthology and The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

 

 

 

Information Overload

 By Maureen Bonatch

Many of us suffer from FOMO, or pride ourselves on our multi-tasking abilities and end up with too many things that you feel like need done ASAP, or overwhelmed with TMI.

So many acronyms! Are we so busy now that we can’t take the time to write things out?

• FOMO: Fear of Missing Out
• ASAP: As Soon as Possible
• TMI: Too Much Information 

Multi-Tasking Machine

I pride myself on being a multi-tasking machine and find it difficult to do just one thing. If I’m stretching, I’m often listening to a podcast. I’ll walk on the treadmill while editing. I’ll check emails on television commercials–or while watching the show. I try to sleep and my mind is spinning with to-do lists which resume as soon as I open my eyes in the morning. 

Many studies now say that multitasking should be reduced because it can cause gaps in our thinking, may make it difficult to perform more than one task successfully, and make us feel tired quicker. 

I can’t say I can give up multitasking all together, but I do know what to do if I start to feel like I’m suffering from information overload. 

Slowing Down

It’s difficult to maintain my full attention on one task, unless I’m reading a book. A good book gets my total focus, and helps me slow the whirring to-do list in my mind, reduce feelings of overwhelm and quiet my thoughts to sleep.

I always have a book. You never know when you might be stuck waiting for a few minutes. 

Have Book, Will…Whatever

I like to read books here and there.

I can read a book anywhere.

I can read a book in the house.

Get so engrossed I might ignore a mouse.

I can read if it starts to rain.

For a long ride on a train.

My kindle lights up to read in the dark.

I can take it to the park.

I can read in a swing hung under a tree. 

It’s how I spend my time with me.

I can read while I wait to see the doc.

It keeps my mind off the clock.

I can read while I wait in a line.

It keeps me from wanting to start to whine.

Books make sure I never feel alone.

I travel the world without ever leaving home.

Try a book! Try a book, I say! You just might like it, anyway.

Looking for some Cozy Mysteries? Click Right Here to check out these Kindle Unlimited Cozies.

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Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival.

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From the Archives: Resolve to be Happier Through Reading by Maureen Bonatch

This post first appeared on January 1, 2019

  "I don’t read.” 

I’m always amazed when someone tells me this with a little pride in their voice, as if reading is an unsavory vice.

Or when someone says, “I don’t have time to read.” As if reading is a waste of time when there are more pressing things to attend to in life. 

Reading= Happiness

If you’re here, most likely you’d agree that there are many positive things that come from reading, most importantly, happiness. For isn’t that the root of most New Year’s resolutions? Finding happiness? 

Whether it’s through losing weight, getting more money, more time, of other goals that aren’t always easily achieved, if at all. While reading can bring peace, happiness, and more with no cost other than a little bit of your time.

For the Reading Nay-sayers

The next time someone says that they don’t read, or they have no time for it, perhaps the best response would be to say, that’s a shame. Then proceed to mention the benefits that come along with the happiness at escaping from the worries of the world. Thing like:

• Mental Stimulation and memory improvement- To hold off cognitive decline by engaging our minds
• Stress Reduction and Tranquility– We all look forward to escaping for a vacation, or a getaway, but sometimes it’s a long wait. Reading allows us to escape for a magical reprieve, anytime, anywhere.
• Gaining Knowledge – Through exposure to new words, different cultures, and perspectives that may help you think more analytically 
• Expanding Vocabulary– Which can help you become more articulate and maybe even increase your self-confidence 
• Free Entertainment – We all like to be entertained. Reading is one way to enjoy this luxury for no more than the cost of a book, or free if you belong to a library 

…Just to name a few. 

Must Love Books

Some might even say that all these benefits may mean that reading makes you a happier person. It’s certainly one of the easiest resolutions to keep, and one of the most enjoyable. 

Perhaps instead of making resolutions that you feel obligated to make, that you might dread just a little, or the same one you make year after year. Perhaps to resolve to make more time for reading, and have a happier new year.

Happy New Year!

Does Reading Make You Happier?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook& Twitter

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

So Many Books So Little Time

 By Maureen Bonatch

I made a resolution about 2 years ago and stuck to it. 

After years of neglecting my reading time due to raising twins, working, writing and whatever else life threw my way, I decided to make reading a priority again. 

There were a lot of good reasons for this besides my love of reading, including helping to make me a better writer, and for stress reduction and well, general happiness! 

The problem is in deciding what book to read next.

It’s a good problem to have and I’m usually continuously accumulating new books in my TBR pile on my Kindle. This has led to a plethora of books and for someone who is usually very organized, they aren’t well organized into what I’ve read or not, or even to remember that I added a book when it’s buried under the TBR pile. (note to self: organize Kindle better so I know what I wanted to read next!).

So how do I decide what to read next, or what I put in that TBR pile?

• Recommendation: This has been the most common way for me to choose my next book. My mother and two of my sisters are avid readers so we’re always recommending books. Our tastes are similar in stories, so this is usually a sure fire way to know I have a story I’m going to enjoy. I also get recommendations from friends, and fellow authors. This can sometimes allow me to explore something a little out of my usual read. 

• Reviews: Love em’ or hate em’, I do check out the reviews if it’s an author I’m not familiar with or a book that I’m not quite sure will be my cup of tea. But I will say that I don’t base my decision solely on this because I know each person has a personal taste in their reading choices.

• Back to Basics: If I’m not sure what I want to read next, or I just want a book that’s comfortable in that I know it’s most likely going to be a good read, then I go back to a favorite author. Do they have something new out? Do they have a book that isn’t new but I have overlooked before?

How to Choose

Sometimes the recommendation or reviews listed above have me diving right into the story no questions asked. I don’t even read the blurb half the time, or at times I’m not even positive of the title. I just know it’s going to be good.

If I’m still on the fence I usually take advantage of the ‘look inside’ feature and read the first paragraph to see if I like the writing style and if the story hooks me from the start.

I asked my Facebook friends how they choose their next book and you can see some of their suggestions right here.

When It Doesn’t Meet My Expectations

I have to admit that I’m stubborn when it comes to a book—which is a good thing for authors. I refuse to give up until I’ve given the story multiple chances to pull me in. It’s very infrequent that I just don’t finish.

• If it’s an author that I’ve loved in the past, I forgive a multitude of things that might normally aggravate me. One recent book had me wondering just what the genre was for the first third of the book to the point that I had to go back to read the information about the story. I didn’t give up because I usually love this author. It wasn’t his best story, but the writing kept  me engaged and hopeful.

• Another new author had so much backstory that I struggled to keep moving in the story until I got about half-way into the book. I didn’t give up because a family member recommended this book and I wasn’t disappointed once I got going. It was a great book, which I realized after had received many awards—despite a plethora of backstory and other ‘writer no-no’s’.

• My daughter recommended a classic that I’d never read. I struggled at first. A lot. The writing was so different than I was accustomed to, but in the end I enjoyed the story and we were able to discuss the book.  

How Do You Pick Your Next Book to Read?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four

seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter