So here is a fun fact (fun for me, anyway; I’m not sure it’s fun for anyone else, including past versions of me, most of whom would really like this iteration of me to take a nap): when you combine deadlines, working from home, and a global pandemic that shuts down the majority of my normal social channels, time loses all meaning. As a consequence, I no longer remember what came out when or, more importantly, what I read when. It’s a mystery! But these are recent reads that rang my chimes, if nothing else.
Best of 2022
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree - This cozy fantasy was originally self-published by Baldree himself, and crossed my radar because of a fantastic cover that featured what was pretty clearly a member of a fantasy species I really like (Baldree avoids using the trademarked name in his book, and I’m avoiding using it here, to prevent getting anyone in trouble). So I read the book. And it was amazing, sweet and heartfelt and comforting and perfect. It was no real surprise when it got picked up by Tor UK for a traditional release, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer author, or a better title.
Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher - I was originally asked to read this for blurbing purposes, and when I did, I said that this belonged on the shelf with The Last Unicorn, which remains one of my favorite books of all time. I stand by this statement. This is a timeless fantasy, kind in the way that such things need to be kind, cruel in the way that such things truly need to be cruel. It deserves to be read forever, and tattooed on arms and remembered the way we only really remember the books we read in dreams.
The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik - There’s this trick that really skilled authors can sometimes perform, where they drop a piece of information almost casually, and suddenly everything you thought you knew is recategorized and transformed into something new. Novik did this once in book two of this series, and it took my breath away. She does it twice in book three, which is something I would have called impossible before I watched it happen. I called her and said some salty, salty things when I finished the book. Salty, salty things. Absolutely gloriously written, no notes, perfection.
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe - There are three published volumes of this fabulous web comic, and substantially more online; I’m not actually sure at this point which volumes I read during 2022. The whole thing is available for free online, and I recommend it highly as a fun, fresh, irreverent, often topical reimagining of the lives and times of the Greek pantheon. Plus the art is gorgeous, which is a good reason to read anything.
What's next?
I am really, really excited about M.R. Carey’s upcoming new space opera duology, which begins with Infinity Gate in March, and opens a universe of glorious chaos that I really can’t wait to dive into deeper. I’m not actually sure what else is coming out in 2023, so I’m just watching the authors I love to see how they’re going to surprise and delight me this time.
What's next for me?
Author
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and own too many My Little Ponies. I, and my clowder of cats, live in the Seattle area in the Pacific Northwest.
2:04 AM | 
Posted by
Shazzie |
Labels:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
0 comments: