Here to make magic!

[Stace]

Hello fellow fantasy lovers! Since cutting social media out of my life I'm trying to find new ways to ways to connect with other fantasy lovers. Or old ways, I guess? Stepping into a forum does feel almost like a step back in time.

I am one of those writers who perpetually is working on their first novel but never finding the time to get it across the threshold. Maybe some new friends will help inspire me! I also happen to be a professional writer of the content marketing variety, and I have a side gig doing developmental editing for other fantasy authors. I'm very good at critiquing, and hope I can contribute here in that way!

Since the best way to get to know someone is by what they love to read, so here are my top five books of the last year:

• Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin (cheating I know)
• The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
• Spear by Nicola Griffith
• The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
• The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

And my top five fantasy books of all time:

• Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
• The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagel
• Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel by Susannah Clarke
• The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip
• Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

So that's me. What's the favorite book you've read int he past year?

 

[pmmg]

Howdy Stace, Welcome here.

Favorite novel of the last year...Hmmm...I am not sure. I've been reading the Pakksenarion trilogy, so probably one of those.

Favorite novel...I think it is still Watership Down.

 

[CupofJoe]

Hail and well-met Stace
Book in the last year... I'm having the reader's equivalent or writer's block and can't ready anything more than a few pages long.
Book of all time... Not genre but To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

 

[Filifjonken]

Halluu, welcome!

I need to read the books on your list someday, they seem very interesting.

My favorite book I've read in the past year is probably either The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, or the novelization of Jim Henson's The Labyrinth by A.C.H. Smith

(I also love The Last Unicorn from your list. It's my favorite book of all time!)

 

[Fidel]

Hello fellow fantasy lovers! Since cutting social media out of my life I'm trying to find new ways to ways to connect with other fantasy lovers. Or old ways, I guess? Stepping into a forum does feel almost like a step back in time.

I am one of those writers who perpetually is working on their first novel but never finding the time to get it across the threshold. Maybe some new friends will help inspire me! I also happen to be a professional writer of the content marketing variety, and I have a side gig doing developmental editing for other fantasy authors. I'm very good at critiquing, and hope I can contribute here in that way!

Since the best way to get to know someone is by what they love to read, so here are my top five books of the last year:

• Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin (cheating I know)
• The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
• Spear by Nicola Griffith
• The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
• The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

And my top five fantasy books of all time:

• Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
• The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagel
• Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel by Susannah Clarke
• The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip
• Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

So that's me. What's the favorite book you've read int he past year?

I love your intro it's warm, honest, and really inviting. Your top book picks have me itching to re-read some of my favorites and check out a few new ones. It's awesome to see someone blending professional writing with a passion for fantasy. I'm definitely here for the genuine, old-school forum vibe!

 

[Avery Moore]

Hi Stace. Welcome to the site!

I am one of those writers who perpetually is working on their first novel but never finding the time to get it across the threshold.

OMG, me too! Welcome to the never finished first novel club! It's fun! We have cookies!

I am shocked and disappointed in myself that I have not read a single one of your top five fantasy books. Will add Tigana to my TBR right away!

Favourite book I've read in the past year is probably Beyond Redemption by Michael Fletcher.

Book of all time... Not genre but To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Same! Virtual high five!

Favourite book series of all time is probably The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. (Would be the Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, but the Rain Wild Chronicles really brought it down.)

 

[Stace]

I love your intro it's warm, honest, and really inviting. Your top book picks have me itching to re-read some of my favorites and check out a few new ones. It's awesome to see someone blending professional writing with a passion for fantasy. I'm definitely here for the genuine, old-school forum vibe!

Thanks, Fidel!

 

[Stace]

OMG, me too! Welcome to the never finished first novel club! It's fun! We have cookies!

I am shocked and disappointed in myself that I have not read a single one of your top five fantasy books. Will add Tigana to my TBR right away!

Favourite book I've read in the past year is probably Beyond Redemption by Michael Fletcher.

I love me some cookies, as long as they don't have raisins! I will have to look up Beyond Redemption!

 

[Stace]

Halluu, welcome!

I need to read the books on your list someday, they seem very interesting.

My favorite book I've read in the past year is probably either The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, or the novelization of Jim Henson's The Labyrinth by A.C.H. Smith

(I also love The Last Unicorn from your list. It's my favorite book of all time!)

It's been ages since I read Dorian Gray (or did I actually read it? Did I only see a movie version??). I was just thinking about rereading The Last Unicorn - I need some warm-and-fuzzy vibes right now.

 

[Stace]

Hail and well-met Stace
Book in the last year... I'm having the reader's equivalent or writer's block and can't ready anything more than a few pages long.
Book of all time... Not genre but To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

That's a rough ailment to have, but it will pass, I'm sure. Fortunately there is a lot of great short and flash fiction out there. What about serials? I know a lot of writers are publishing serialized work on platforms like Substack.

 

[Stace]

Howdy Stace, Welcome here.

Favorite novel of the last year...Hmmm...I am not sure. I've been reading the Pakksenarion trilogy, so probably one of those.

Favorite novel...I think it is still Watership Down.

Watership Down is an excellent book! I always forget about it though.

 

[pmmg]

I read Dorian Gray a year or two ago. For many people, this is their only book on a desert island book. Gonna say...its not mine. I did not really get the strong appeal to it. But...if I was on a desert island with one of those, maybe we could trade books.

 

[Dylan]

Hello fellow fantasy lovers! Since cutting social media out of my life I'm trying to find new ways to ways to connect with other fantasy lovers. Or old ways, I guess? Stepping into a forum does feel almost like a step back in time.

I am one of those writers who perpetually is working on their first novel but never finding the time to get it across the threshold. Maybe some new friends will help inspire me! I also happen to be a professional writer of the content marketing variety, and I have a side gig doing developmental editing for other fantasy authors. I'm very good at critiquing, and hope I can contribute here in that way!

Since the best way to get to know someone is by what they love to read, so here are my top five books of the last year:

• Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin (cheating I know)
• The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
• Spear by Nicola Griffith
• The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
• The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

And my top five fantasy books of all time:

• Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
• The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagel
• Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel by Susannah Clarke
• The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip
• Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

So that's me. What's the favorite book you've read int he past year?

I really like how welcoming and genuine your introduction is, it feels like you're opening the door to a great community conversation. Your top book picks are awesome, and they give such a clear sense of your taste. It’s refreshing to see someone mixing professional experience with a love for fantasy. I'd say you’ve set the stage perfectly for some exciting discussions here!

 

[JBCrowson]

Welcome here, I've never been into social media, other than a whatsapp group of family overseas. I think I am too awful at keeping in regular communication with anyone for social media to work for me.

Read Dorian grey in the last 12 months and liked it, but I've enjoyed other works of Oscar Wilde, so I was expecting that. I loved the Pakksenarion trilogy, got so into it I burnt through the third one in a single night. I received Watership Down (and Close Encounters) for my 8th birthday. I loved it so much I decided to read it again at the start of every month for a year. I still have that very well thumbed copy.
Just finished Silverblood Promise, which I also really enjoyed.

 

[Fidel]

Welcome here, I've never been into social media, other than a whatsapp group of family overseas. I think I am too awful at keeping in regular communication with anyone for social media to work for me.

Read Dorian grey in the last 12 months and liked it, but I've enjoyed other works of Oscar Wilde, so I was expecting that. I loved the Pakksenarion trilogy, got so into it I burnt through the third one in a single night. I received Watership Down (and Close Encounters) for my 8th birthday. I loved it so much I decided to read it again at the start of every month for a year. I still have that very well thumbed copy.
Just finished Silverblood Promise, which I also really enjoyed.

Wow, you’ve got such a rich reading history! Burning through a whole book in one night? That’s the sign of a truly gripping story. And rereading Watership Down every month for a year, damn your dedication is on another level. It’s cool how certain books leave such a lasting mark. Also, Dorian Gray and Oscar Wilde? Always a win. Sounds like you’ve got great taste and a real passion for stories. What’s next on your reading list?

 

[Stace]

I really like how welcoming and genuine your introduction is, it feels like you're opening the door to a great community conversation. Your top book picks are awesome, and they give such a clear sense of your taste. It’s refreshing to see someone mixing professional experience with a love for fantasy. I'd say you’ve set the stage perfectly for some exciting discussions here!

Thank you! You are so kind. I am looking forward to getting to know people here.

 

[JBCrowson]

Wow, you’ve got such a rich reading history! Burning through a whole book in one night? That’s the sign of a truly gripping story. And rereading Watership Down every month for a year, damn your dedication is on another level. It’s cool how certain books leave such a lasting mark. Also, Dorian Gray and Oscar Wilde? Always a win. Sounds like you’ve got great taste and a real passion for stories. What’s next on your reading list?

I usually read several books at the same time unless one really grabs me. So currently 'Life of Adie La Rue', 'Beyond Good and Evil', And I'm probably going to pick up the sequel to 'Silverblood Promise', as I enjoyed it a lot. What are you reading next?

 

[Dylan]

Thank you! You are so kind. I am looking forward to getting to know people here.

That's great mate!

 

[Fidel]

I usually read several books at the same time unless one really grabs me. So currently 'Life of Adie La Rue', 'Beyond Good and Evil', And I'm probably going to pick up the sequel to 'Silverblood Promise', as I enjoyed it a lot. What are you reading next?

That’s a solid mix! Life of Adie La Rue is on my TBR, and Silverblood Promise sounds intriguing. I’m diving into The Priory of the Orange Tree next, heard great things about the world-building.