I’m sure we’ve all had it with the end of year round up but, you know, it’s December. We’re all knackered. Out of ideas. It’s this or a wacky article about Christmas hi-jinks, probably involving weak jokes about ugly knitwear, and you really don’t want me to do that.
At the very least, my round up is going to branch out a bit. Here are some things I am really glad I read this year, including blog posts, non romance, and whatever flits across my mind. Links go to Goodreads or to posts.
A m/m historical paranormal romance. My catnip. Set in the Crimean War, by the excellent Astrid Amara, and deserves much more attention than it seems to have got. Well written, really scary, excellently researched and a sweet, hot romance amid the war and demonic possession.
This blog post is probably the funniest thing I have read all year. I shared it at work and people were literally lying over their desks crying with laughter. The tale of a man with his arm stuck in a photocopier. No more needs be said.
An account of England post-Norman Conquest, written in an approximation of eleventh-century English. Check this:
deop in the eorth where no man sees around the roots of the treow sleeps a great wyrm and this wyrm what has slept since before all time this wyrm now slow slow slow this wyrm begins to mof
Quite. This is probably the best book I read all year, intense, dark, passionate, terrifying. And hard work: download the sample first. If you speak German or a Scandinavian language it might actually be easier for you. But if you want a change of pace, this is it.
This denunciation of Love Actually
I hate this film with the fire of a thousand suns. So does the reviewer, and it is glorious.
That’s not how press conferences work. That’s not how diplomacy works. That’s not how prime ministers work. NOTHING IS HOW ANYTHING WORKS. That’s not how weddings work, that’s not how audio recording works, that’s not how saxophones work, that’s not how hair works, that’s not how business meetings work, that’s not how art works, that’s not how grief works, that’s not how primary school Christmas concerts work, that’s not how airports work, that’s not how music charts work, that’s not how fat works, and none of it is how “love works.”
Fantasy fans and lovers of snark, this series is an utter gem. The brilliantly dark and funny adventures of a sarcastic and occasionally violent necromancer. Not a romance (but feel free to ship Johannes in your head. Mmmm.).
This post on why we need trans romance, by EE Ottoman
This will not make you happy. It will break your heart, and it should. Please read it.
And to round up, some of my favourite queer romances of the year:
Circus of the Damned by Cornelia Gray: the second devilish carnival recommendation in this post. I may have a problem.
Tournament of Shadows by SA Meade: the second Crimean War era recommendation in this post. I do have a problem. This came second in the Gay Historical Romance category in the Rainbow Awards and is fab.
Santuario by GB Gordon. Loved the hot sweaty atmosphere of this alt world story. In the interest of disclosure, I edited the second book in the series, which will be out next year, and loved that too. A great new voice.
To Summon Nightmares and Business Makes Strange Bedfellows. As a huge fan of books set at the point where horror and romance meet (Jordan L Hawk fans will know what I mean), I loved these two sinister romances, one with a trans hero, the other a f/f with vampires.
Right, that should keep you busy. Happy holidays of your preferred sort and see you in the new year!
Have added some of these to my list! 🙂 Thank you.
I loved Santuario too! The sequel is coming, I have been told. I don’t remember when though.
It’s March! Called The Other Side of Winter and very good indeed.
Thank you for the post. I’ve just included some of these in my wishlist.