When you need a really great book recommendation, the best people to turn to are—in my wholly unbiased opinion—writers.
We writers come by our profession because we adore stories. We live to put words to paper. Many of us are actively daydreaming stories while doing mundane things like cooking, cleaning, or trying to focus on our day jobs. So, when it comes to the books we spend our precious free hours reading, we tend to be very passionate.
This week, the International Writers Fellowship reunited to talk all about books: what we’re reading, what’s in our TBR (to be read) piles, and what books made us want to become writers in the first place. You can find the full discussion on Twitch and YouTube.
Ember’s Reads and Rec’s
Diana likes to go by Ember in online spaces. She’s also the owner and sole proprietor of this here blog. She’s currently working on an epic fantasy adventure romance trilogy, but she also enjoys writing short stories of all kinds and is currently getting ready to release a zombie comedy novella entitled “Mannie Fuego’s Guide to Good Eats”.
What I’m Reading
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus is about as cozy as cozy reads can go. Billed as a love story, the Night Circus is actually a full on VIBE. It’s a bit of a slow start, but if you love delicious, immersive imagery, mystery, magic, and romance, it’s definitely worth a read.
Other Stuff I’m Reading
The Jungian Tarot and Its Archetypal Imagery by Robert Wang
I’m not typically a big nonfiction reader, but this one came highly recommended to me. I’ve been reading tarot for over 20 years, and find it to be an effective thought experiment both for myself and others. So far, I’m finding the Jungian Tarot and its Archetypal Imagery fascinating, and love exploring and expanding my knowledge of psychology and tarot.
My TBR
The His Dark Materials Series by Phillip Pullman
The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov
This is my dad’s favorite book series. I read the first one and it’s a bit…dated. Couldn’t pass the Bechtel Test in its wildest dreams. But the concept of Psychohistory is really fascinating, and I’m curious to learn more about this story and understand why my dad likes it so much. To make up for the total lack of diversity, I just imagine most of the characters as caramel and queer.
Books that Inspired Me
The Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
The Dragonlance Chronicles is dear to many a fantasy nerd. While by today’s standards, it appears to be a fairly fun-of-the-mill fantasy adventure story, it was a rare find in the middle school library in the 90’s.
Reading this story made me want to write my own. I’m not sure if it was the ensemble cast, the rousing battle scenes, the love triangle, Tasslehoff Burrfoot just being the best–there was a lot to love and a lot to draw inspiration from.
One thing I can point to for sure is that the world of Krynn felt so real and lived in right from go. I think that’s why I was so inspired to create my own fantasy world with its own lore, magic, maps, and mysteries.
Dan’s Reads and Rec’s
In addition to being the glue that holds the IWF together, Dan is a highly skilled therapist, tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) enthusiast, published author, and all-around fun human being. His office (and broadcasting studio) is literally stuffed to the rafters with books, so he’s always a good person to turn to if you need a good book recommendation.
Learn more about Dan: https://monomythcounselling.co.uk/
What Dan’s Reading
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
“It’s your typical D&D fantasy party…and an Orc Barbarian decides they don’t want to do adventuring anymore, so they go to a big city and open a cafe.”
-Dan, describing this book in the best way possible.
Dan also describes Legends and Lattes as cozy, low stakes, and romantic. Frankly, it sounds perfect to curl up with on a cold winter day. You can get the original self-published version at Thriftbooks.com or, if you prefer a newer copy, the original (beautiful) cover art is now on the inside cover.
Dan’s TBR
Books That Inspired Dan
- Quartered Safe Out Here by George McDonald Fraser
- The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell:
Erika Walker’s Reads and Rec’s
Erika is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in play-based therapy. Naturally, she also loves Dungeons & Dragons and other TTRPGs. In the IWF, she holds the title as the fastest writer (like no contest, I don’t understand how she can type so fast) and is currently working on a multi-part book series based on her years-long D&D campaign.
Learn more about Erika: http://www.erikawalkertherapy.com/
What Erika’s Reading
Crisped + Sere by TJ Klune.
This is the second of two books (book one is Withered + Sere, which Erika obviously very highly recommends, along with everything ever written by TJ Klune.) Erika isn’t typically a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction, but as a huge fan of TJ Klune, she knew she had to give the Sere books a try. She’s glad she did, because she enjoyed every moment of Crisped + Sere. Her only regret is that the other two planned novels weren’t written. That said, she insists that the story has a satisfying enough conclusion that readers aren’t left feeling like the story isn’t finished.
Side note, she also really recommends Arcane on Netflix (I know, this is a book list, but I had to.)
Erika’s TBR
- Beneath the Stars by Lynne Charles
- What Happened to You? Conversations Resilience by Bruce Perry
What Inspired Erika
- Erika started writing in earnest in 2016, and she is unapologetically inspired by a Glee Fanfiction writing prompt:
- While on vacation to a city he’s never been to, Kurt Hummel finds himself in a place that he recognizes from his dreams. The person he always sees in those dreams is there too. They spot him and ask “is it really you?”
- Bones Beneath my Skin by TJ Klune
Conclusion
So what are you reading? How big is your TBR? Share in the comments and join us Mondays for more talks about writing, reading, and–inevitably–Dungeons & Dragons. Have a great week, robots!
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