Since one of my writing goals was to read more, I thought it would help to keep track of what I knocked off Mount Tsundoku. Here’s as good a place as any to post what I’ve read to keep me honest, and what I thought of each book immediately after finishing.

I’m changing how I build my to-read stacks in 2023. I’m still aiming for at least half of my reads to be books by women but I’m not going to be as precisely tuned with my stacks of five books as I’ve been in previous years. I’ll still do my best for for each to-read pile to contain a book by a BIPOC or LGBTQ2S+ author, one non-fiction book, and one book by an author I know personally. I’m also hoping to work my way through some of those fantasy door stopper series I’ve collected over the years but not actually read. First on deck is Tad Williams’ Shadowmarch series.

I’ve been relying more and more on the library to fill out my reading. I see that only increasing going forward. The library is also my go-to for keeping up on what’s going in comics, so I’m sure there’ll be a number of graphic novels (and roleplaying games I backed on Kickstarter) that jump the queue and end up in the piles from time to time as well.

Once & Future Vol.4: Monarchies in the U.K. by Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain: I continue to love this reimagining of the Arthur mythos.

The Stars of Mount Quixx by S.M. Beiko: A YA novel by my friend. Read as an ARC (advance reading copy). The Stars of Mount Quixx feels quite different than her other work, and yet still at home with it. I really enjoyed this. The book releases April 25, 2023.

Slayers by Spencer Campbell: A fun rules-light roleplaying game. I’d really like to get this one to the table. Elegent design, simple but interesting worldbuilding, and fun art.

Blackbirds RPG by Ryan Verniere: A powered by Zweihander RPG. I feel this is more game than I’d like to run, but I’d be interested in giving it a try on the player’s side some day. Gorgeous art and presentation on the book.

Up to No Gouda By Linda Reilly: A grilled cheese restaurant themed cozy mystery. Lots of fun! I’ll probably continue with this series.

Shadowmarch Volume One by Tad Williams: I’ve been squatting on this series forever, or at least since book one released in 2004. I decided to wait until the entire series released to read it. As I collected the books in hardcover, and looked at the stack, I wondered, when am I ever going to find the time to read all that? Well the time is now. The opening of the book was quite slow (which is not unusual for a Tad Williams series starter), but it did really pay off by the end. I’m glad I decided to finally give it a go. Looking forward to book two!

Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott: A Beyond the Page cozy mystery with Addie Greyborne. This one was a Christmas-themed mystery centering on a missing first edition of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Enjoying the series well enough after three that I’ll probably continue reading.

A new library stack:

Saga Volume 10 by Fiona Staples, Brian K. Vaughan: Finally new Saga! I love Saga! It’s been a long time since the series hiatus began. I’m so glad it’s back. Fiona Staples’ art and character design is just amazing. Reading volume 10 made me want to go back and reread the entire series.

And … finishing a to-read stack means I get to make a new one! And here it is:

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree: A fun cozy fantasy. I adored this book. Orc barbarian Viv has retired from the adventuring life to open a coffee shop, hijinks ensue. The tag line is a novel of high fantasy and low stakes, and it delivers on the premise perfectly.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: The big questions of American history framed as a letter from father to son. This was a tough read, but I’m glad I put the effort into it.

A new collection of gaming books have also joined the night stand. (Getting crowded there.)

Here’s what I read in January.

Check out my roundup of my 2022 reading here.

Check out my roundup of my 2020 reading here.

Check out my roundup of my 2021 reading here.