#bookstodon, my TBR list is getting dangerously short.

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

#bookstodon, my TBR list is getting dangerously short. Please recommend new(ish) books in #fantasy, #historical and/or #QueerRomance.

My favourite authors include but are not limited to:
Natasha Pulley, Gabby Hutchinson Crouch, KJ Charles, AJ Demas, T Kingfisher, Juniper Butterworth, Alexis Hall, CM Waggoner, Emily Tesh, Lissa Evans, Freya Marske, Caitlyn Rozakis, Zen Cho, Naomi Novak, Antonia Hodgson, Edgar Cantero

I don’t like anything too cosy (I need plot) or too dark. Very rarely like anything labelled a “BookTok sensation” or YA, or that has a contemporary setting. Prefer older protagonists, or at least ones who are out of their teens. Prefer standalones. Don’t mind a bit of murder mystery mixed into those other genres.

In particular wanting to try new/debut authors. Indie recommendations very welcome, but nothing that’s only on Amazon. Kobo Plus reccs welcome.

If it’s very popular, assume I’ve read it or don’t want to :)

Thanks!

@bookstodon #ReadingCommunity

[roytoo@mstdn.social]

@wendypalmer
Have you read The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang?
@bookstodon

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@roytoo I have not! Thank you, it sounds awesome, I’ve added it to my wishlist 😊

@bookstodon

[khleedril@cyberplace.social]

@wendypalmer @bookstodon Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell?

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@khleedril I have read hers, but thank you for reminding me to put her on the list of authors to check for new releases from — looks like she’s got one coming out later this year 🎉

@bookstodon

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@khleedril and also, searching her name on Kobo threw up “Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die” and that’s going straight on the list!

@bookstodon

[wil@beige.party]

@wendypalmer Have you tried any Olivia Atwater? @bookstodon

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@wil I have 😃 enjoyed them a lot!

@bookstodon

[pussreboots@sfba.social]

@wendypalmer @bookstodon

These were al published last year:

Audition for the Fox by Martin Cahill
Cinder House by Freya Marske
Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill
Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos
When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@pussreboots

Thank you, I’ve read four of them, but Audition for the Fox is new to me!

@bookstodon

[fredatron@wandering.shop]

@wendypalmer

I'd come here to mention that one. I read that earlier this week, and it's really fun.

I'm not sure if these would be too dark for you in places, but Django Wexler's How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, and Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me have a lovely central queer romance. They're very plotty and fun - but it's worth reading content advice first.

@khleedril

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@Fredatron I LOVED them 😂 which I know doesn’t gel with “doesn’t like dark” but it’s probably more accurate to say grimdark. Meanwhile, Davi can Groundhog Day her way through any amount of slaughter as long as there’s enough humour to offset the trauma.

@khleedril

[fredatron@wandering.shop]

@wendypalmer I loved them too, I'm glad you did!

@khleedril

[alicemcalicepants@ohai.social]

@wendypalmer @bookstodon TJ Klune? I really loved In the Lives of Puppets, but I think The Bones Beneath My Skin (which I also enjoyed) is his latest one.

[fredatron@wandering.shop]

@wendypalmer

On a related note, I've just started Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky, and I think there's a chance you might enjoy it. I doubt there will be romance, but his writing is Queer-friendly, and having read a lot of his other books, I'm confident it'll continue as engaging and fun as it is so far.

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@alicemcalicepants oh yes, I’ve enjoyed quite a few of his 😊

@bookstodon

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@Fredatron great, thanks, I’ve only read a few of his but I have generally enjoyed them, I’ll check Spiderlight out

[wordybirdy@bookstodon.com]

@wendypalmer @bookstodon How about Alec (2021) by William di Canzio. It's a retelling and continuation of the relationship between Maurice Hall & Alec Scudder from E.M. Forster's classic Maurice. It's beautifully written, and extremely moving.

[wendypalmer@mastodon.au]

@wordybirdy

Thank you, I’ve added it to my list. I like books set around different/non-traditional experiences of WW1

@bookstodon

[katfeete@wandering.shop]

@wendypalmer @bookstodon Have you seen the (finished) Rook and the Rose trilogy by M.A. Carrick? Swashbuckling heist fantasy with excellent worldbuilding, I adored it.

Recently finished The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgeson and LOVED it — fantasy political mystery. Dark at points but the characters never lose their sense of humor and that got me through.

And a final rec for Voyage of the Damned, a fantasy murder mystery with a very gay, very funny protag that was a great (if bloody) romp.