TBR of DOOM, Books I didn't skim through edition (Patreon)

So I've slowly been reading again, but it's still been really hit and miss. I went from "extreme editing brain mush" to "anxiety brain" because of book release stuff and then straight into meltdown territory with the printing debacle for Rough Around the Hedges. I like to be transparent with this stuff, so I'll tell you I have a lot of anxiety issues and whatnot stemming from my childhood that basically mean when there's anything that has happened in my radius that I have anything to do with and it fails or turns out not great, my brain immediately screams, "this is all your fault" and "you've let people down." Even when it isn't and I haven't. I have to do a lot of cognitive detouring around that stuff, reminding myself that I am not a god (yet) and I can't control everything and things like this happen. People are generally understanding. I've built myself a good support system. But when you grow up the way I did, that nasty voice is hella loud.

What I'm saying is, it was an equally bad week for my awful health insurance company to decide that my therapist is no longer covered (they've been blocking pretty much all of our stuff, it's been great.) and so I couldn't meet with my counselor unless I could pay out of pocket...which I can't. (We've worked out a sliding scale deal until I can switch insurance next year. Not great, but I'm covered.)

Oddly enough, I don't really have perfectionism with my actual writing. Creatively, I know failure is how we learn. I'm okay showing early stuff (on here, for example) as long as people understand that's what it is. I'm okay with trying new things, knowing I might not stick the landing. I would rather push myself and try new things and have it imperfect than become creatively stagnant. I've learned how to tune that critical voice out while writing and then turn it back on when I'm editing and it's actually helpful.

I can control my writing and know I'm giving it my best at each stage. But even in self-pub land, some of it is out of my hands. Like the printing, for example.

So. As you can imagine, reading has been hard. It's not the books' fault. To quote T. Swift, "I'm the problem, it's me." However, I have managed to read some things, and I thought I'd share them.

Cassiel's Servant by Carey (Adult, fantasy)--so I will admit I've only ever read Carey's urban fantasy Hel series, which I enjoyed. I've been meaning to read Kushiel's Dart for ages, but have never managed. I got to interview Carey at University Bookstore last week and she was funny and smart and wonderful to talk to. Cassiel's Servant is the same story as Kushiel's Dart, but from a Jos's POV. If you like compelling, high-detailed world building, traditional fantasy, this book will be your jam. If you like the trope of the hot priest, or in this case, hot warrior priest, or stoic character slowly falling apart, this book is for you. It's like 500+ pages in hard cover, and like I said, in depth, but wow was it compelling. I will absolutely read the rest of the series when my brain is less ridiculous.

Tanked by Mia Hopkins (Adult, Contemporary Romance) so I've read the first in this series about three brothers growing up in LA that start a brewery. (I honestly can't remember if I read the second which means I'm going to read it again/for the first time soon because I liked the first and the third.) What's great about this series--Hopkins' is great at intersectionality. This book takes place after Covid has been in the world for awhile, when things were reopening. She doesn't shy away from that struggle. She doesn't shy away from issues with race, classism, gender issues, poverty, or the many, many problems with our prison system. Which makes it sound like a real bummer of a book, but it's not. Because the other thing Hopkins is good at is giving a kind, loving, hopeful space and story to characters and people who don't see that for themselves in fiction. So if you like contemporary romance, highly recommend. Just a head's up that they are on the spicy side.

Claws & Contrivances by Burgis (Adult, fantasy romance) okay, so if cozy fantasy is your jam, here you go. Found family, interesting characters, and dragons. Yay, dragons! It's like Jane Austen, with dragons. Burgis's books are really lovely and kind and the first two in this series are low angst and low steam. They're a lot of fun.

Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher (adult, fantasy) Look, T. Kingfisher is real weird and I love it. I often have no idea where she's going with things and I don't care because I know it's going to be somewhere cool. This book is set in the same universe as Paladin's Grace and I want to read all of these books forever.

Wings Once Curses and Bound by Drake (Adult, fantasy romance) so technically I'm not done with this one yet, but I wanted to include it. This book starts off with a take on the fairytale the Red Shoes. It has vampires and fae and Thai mythology and is set in Seattle. I have an event with Piper Drake tonight and I'm excited to chat with her about it!

I feel like I'm missing a few, but who knows. For audio, I listened to the first three books in the Lady Darby series by Huber. (Adult, mystery) Then I wandered off to start listening to the Kate Daniel's series again. My brain is tired and wants to reread, so this doesn't surprise me.

Books on my TBR I'm super excited about: Rook by William Ritter (YA Fantasy), Ebony Gate by Vee and BeBelle (fantasy), Only Good Enemies by Estep (Sci-fi), the Archive Undying by Candon (...sci-fi? Fantasy?)  and Such Sharp Teeth by Harrison and House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher (both horror). Oh, and Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone by Stevenson.

Okay, friends, hit me up--what books have you just read or are on your TBR that you're stoked about?

--Lish