Darryl Frayne's Blog

I learned some grammatical terms recently that I probably knew at some point in my smarter youth.

Thanks to a re-post a couple of weeks ago by fantasy author, J.A. Andrews, I had fun experimenting with the somewhat sesquipedalian term frequentative (I couldn’t help but use sesquipedalian, the term used—unsurprisingly—to describe long words).

When my kids were young, one of our family’s favourite albums (okay, it was a CD) was “There’s a Word for That” by Barenaked Ladies. The song provides a fun way to learn (and possibly even remember) the correct terms for obscure body parts such as philtrum and frenulum. And it reminds us that there are proper terms for everything.

Writers and readers enjoy wordplay. If you really geek out on words, do you enjoy grammarplay?

What is a frequentative?

A frequentative is a verb form of another word that indicates repeated or habitual action.

You might quibble over that definition. If so, what would you quip (or, to use the archaic word, quib, meaning to evade a point or object to something trivial)? The point here is not to quibble over definitions but to have fun with words.

Here’s a few fun examples.

Crinkle – from cringe. If you bend slightly, you might cringe. If you bend something over and over, it crinkles.

Straddle – from stride. You stride once but if you maintain that distance between your legs (while riding a horse, for example), you straddle.

Twitter – from tweet. You probably knew this one, although since the social media company changed its name, we do far less of this.

Gruntled – Okay, this one is really fun.

We’re more familiar with the word disgruntled, which actually came first. When you sulk or complain and grumble, you’re disgruntled. So what’s the opposite of that?

If your spouse grunts when asked a question, that might strike you as rude. Fair enough; grunts are usually meant as a complaint. But maybe your spouse’s intention was to express a feeling of contentment (yes, context is important here; stay focused). If so, there was a time when we would have described your spouse as gruntled.

Examples of frequentatives in fantasy

I started thinking about examples of frequentatives in fantasy novels, but where would you start? They’re everywhere.

In fact, I could pull any fantasy novel from my bookshelf and clutter (frequentative of clot) this article with frequentatives.

One example that comes to mind is from Harry Potter.

Remember the odd magazine published by Luna Lovegood’s father? The Quibbler.

What a great name for that magazine, especially as an alternate news source to the more popular Daily Prophet. Mr. Lovegood wrote about trivial matters, but were they trivial, really? There are many quibs you might raise if we were to discuss The Quibbler.

For examples of frequentatives in fantasy, I did a quick sampling from The Maidstone Chronicles.

Startle – from start

Across the Fourwinds: “The unanticipated voice beside him should have startled Will, but the soothing tone calmed his fear.” He might have started once when he heard the voice, but if it really frightened him, he would have been startled.

Into the Maidstone: “Inside was a large glass sphere full of liquid, frothing with thousands of small minnow-like creatures. Everyone jumped back, startled.” When they jumped back, they started. But because they started repeatedly, they were startled.

Sparkle – from spark

Into the Maidstone: “The Ice Dragon was stunning. Even in the muted light, her ice-blue and white hide sparkled as she shifted her long tail behind the tree trunk.”

Wrestle – from wrest

If you wrest, or twist, repetitively, you wrestle. This might be a physical battle or a mental one, as in Beyond the Hollowtangle, where “Rowe paced the wall walk, his hands opening and closing as he wrestled with the madness of this battle.”

Dazzle – from daze

If something keeps you in a daze, you’d say it’s dazzling.

For example, in Beyond the Hollowtangle Will had the opportunity to view the Niasa Sea from high above: “Overcome by the contrast of deep greens and dazzling blues, Will kept his eyes open.”

Sometimes you can use more than one frequentative in a sentence. In book three, Into the Maidstone, Will is captivated by Ryowyn: “The full moon made her dazzling blue eyes sparkle.”

Hmm…if you use a frequentative repetitively, is it a frequentitle? Or maybe you’re making that sentence frequentickle.

I digress, but here’s another:

Into the Maidstone, when Will was in Acttun: “A tingling sensation raced up Will’s body, and his scalp prickled with static electricity.” More than one ting and prick.

Clamber – from climb

Those who are fit and experienced in the mountains can climb. But most of us climb awkwardly, we clamber up mountains.

You get a sense of Joe’s age and condition in book three, Into the Maidstone: “For a minute he was sure he was having a heart attack as he clambered up the rocky path as quickly as his old bones would allow.”

We could go on. There are so many fun frequentatives.

By the way, gruntled is now considered obsolete. Too bad. There are not enough gruntled people in the world.

I hope you’re gruntled today. If so, give me a few contented grunts.

The post Frequentatives in Fantasy Novels appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

If you’ve read any of our previous fantasy bestseller picks, you know we’re big fans of specific fantasy sub-genres such as Epic, Dragons & Mythical Creatures, Coming of Age, and Action & Adventure.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to what to read next, so we’ve scoured some bestseller lists and found one from each of our four favourite fantasy sub-genres.

But there’s another sub-genres that captured our attention: Historical Fantasy.

Historical fantasy combines the enchantment of magic and supernatural elements with the rich tapestry of history (usually pre-20th century). These novels often incorporate real historical events, figures, and settings into a world imbued with fantastical elements. While the stories reimagine the past and infuse it with magic, they try to stay true to the essence of the time period.

By intertwining history and fantasy, authors can explore complex themes, delve into the intricacies of different time periods, and even offer fresh perspectives on historical events.

One of the more recent popular historical fantasy novels is Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, set in Napoleonic-era England but features some interesting magicians.

We’ve featured two popular historical fantasy books that are less popular but well received.

So, if you’re looking for something new to read in one of these specific fantasy sub-genres, here’s a good list for you.

Fantasy Bestseller Picks: EpicBlade and Bone by D.K. HolmbergFantasy Bestseller Picks: Dragons & Mythical CreaturesDragon Wars by Ava Richardson

This is Book six in the Rise of the Dragon Riders series, so you might want to start with Book one. But if you enjoy dragon rider books (e.g. Dragon Riders of Pern and Eragon), this series will not disappoint.

Fantasy Bestseller Picks: Coming of AgeThe Druid by Jeff Wheeler

Jeff Wheeler writes what many refer to as “clean fantasy” – classic stories without gratuitous or overly descriptive sex scenes, excessive violence and gore, or profanity.

He’s a bestselling author of multiple series set in some very imaginative worlds that will keep you reading for a long time.

Fantasy Bestseller Picks: Action & AdventureFourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

I recently succumbed to the internet hype over this book. There were times when I thought about putting it down for fear that I’d been lured into a romance novel disguised as fantasy. And yes, there is plenty of sexual tension and some steamy scenes. But I had trouble putting it down because it ticks so many boxes: epic, action & adventure, dragons, coming of age, great characters and dialogue, and yes, romance.

Fantasy Bestseller Picks: HistoricalThe Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer

Sylvia Ashe, a librarian, is haunted by the enigma of her heritage. Raised in the shadow of a fatherless upbringing, her mother’s steadfast silence regarding his identity has left her in the dark about her own past. Her world takes an intriguing turn when she stumbles upon a diary that hints at a lineage steeped in magic, but skepticism keeps her grounded. To her, magicians represent an echelon of the extraordinary, while she humbly considers herself an ordinary girl with an ardent love for books.

Driven by a desire for truth, Sylvia embarks on a quest to uncover her mysterious ancestry. Her journey leads her to seek answers from a member of the illustrious magician’s lineage, hoping to unearth the secrets shrouding her past. However, Sylvia soon discovers that unveiling the truth will be no easy feat. As she delves deeper into her quest, Sylvia finds herself entangled in a web of complexity and danger, far beyond the pages of any book she’s ever read.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

This is currently on my TBR list. I’ve read a few of Holmberg’s books and always enjoy her unique plots.

In 1846, Merritt Fernsby, a reclusive writer estranged from his family, inherits the remote Whimbrel House in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. However, what seems like an idyllic retreat takes a sinister turn when the doors mysteriously lock behind him, making escape impossible. As he delves into the estate’s dark history, Merritt discovers that Whimbrel House holds supernatural secrets that threaten his very existence. In a desperate battle for freedom and truth, he must confront both human and otherworldly forces that bind him to this malevolent estate.

We hope you find something interesting here. Let us know if you have a favorite to add to any of these fantasy sub-genres.

The post Fantasy Bestseller Picks for September 2023 appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

Among the vast array of fantasy sub-genres, epic fantasy is possibly the oldest and widest read, even today.

Female Protagonists in Epic Fantasy by Male Authors

Many of these classic adventure stories have been written by male authors, from J.R.R. Tolkien to Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, and Brandon Sanderson (to name but a few). Some male authors include strong female characters (more often in recent years, as in Sanderson’s novels, for example). Fewer still have female characters as the protagonist, the main character who carries the narrative and drives the main plot (Sanderson’s Mistborn fits this category too).

Female Protagonists in Epic Fantasy by Female Authors

History has also known some great epic fantasy by female authors like Ursula Le Quin, Mercedes Lackey, Janny Wurts, Patricia A. McKillip, Robin Hobb, and N.K. Jemisin. Some female authors craft tales where the protagonist is male (e.g. Le Guin’s Earthsea Cycle or Hobb’s Farseer trilogy). Others feature female protagonists, as in Wurts’ Daughters of the Empire or Jemison’s Broken Earth trilogy.

Among epic fantasy novels, many are better categorized as teen or young adult epic fantasy. Quite often, that means a “strong” female lead, who is often a badass who could be female, male, or any gender variant. The growing spectrum of characters (as well as authors) who follow this popular trope is too broad for one little blog post (not to mention being beyond this author’s expertise).

But does a “strong” female lead need to be skilled assassin? Does she need to behave as a male character would, or is there something uniquely different that she brings to the story?

To be clear, I write this as a male reader and writer, but I think broadening my perspective is important, not to help me emulate a female reader and writer (which I cannot do), but to learn from and be inspired by female epic fantasy authors who have so much to add to my understanding of what it means to be human.

To me, that understanding is one of the great benefits of the epic fantasy genre.

So, to provide a narrower list, I’m highlighting a short list with these qualifications:

Epic fantasyAdult (e.g. not targeted to teens)Female authorFemale protagonistPublished within the last 15 years

That’s a mouthful. But hopefully this will provide a short, focused checklist for readers.

Green Rider

by Kristen Britain

Twelve Houses Series

by Sharon Shinn

The Tree of Ages Series

by Sara C Roethle

The Eternal Sky Series

by Elizabeth Bear

The Queens of Renthia Series

by Sarah Beth Durst

The Daevabad Trilogy

by S. A. Chakraborty

Age of the Five

by Trudi Canavan

The Poppy War series

by R. F Kuang

What other epic fantasy by female authors would you recommend that fit this list? Comment below and we might add it.

Thanks for reading!

The post Female Protagonists in Epic Fantasy by Female Authors appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

When it comes to the age-old question about whether readers judge a book by its cover, there remains some discrepancy in official reader surveys.

This recent survey discovered that the majority of its respondents say that a book cover is very important when it comes to influencing their decision to buy a book. The results look a bit different when it comes to audiobooks: readers said the book description is most important, whereas the cover is least important.

This article shows similar results in one survey but variations in others. One survey found that the book cover influenced most readers (53% of respondents) but other surveys discovered the cover is further down on the list (18% in one and 7% in another). In the latter surveys, things like preferred genre and the availability of preferred format were far more important for readers.

I’m curious to know where you might land on this issue.

As a test, we’re featuring some fantasy books by various indie and traditionally published authors, at various price points, formats, and cover designs.

Which books generate more interest for you? Which are you more inclined to buy?

Trad CoverIndie CoverPopular Author CoverLess Popular Author CoverBestseller e-book CoverBestseller print Cover

These are examples of well-designed book covers that have elements that are intriguing for different reasons (depending on what creative style catches your eye). Some are more popular, some are more expensive, some have yet to hit a bestseller list.

Readers might not agree on whether you should judge a book by its cover, but they probably agree that the cover design alone is not enough. As all surveys discover, there are multiple factors that influence our book buying and reading behavior.

What influences YOU the most?

The post Judge a book by its cover appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

As the snow melts away, temperatures slowly rise, and flowers begin to bloom, spring brings a sense of renewal and rejuvenation. It’s the perfect time to delve into a new fantasy series.

This month features bestselling fantasy books from some great authors. As promised, we’re letting you in on some incredible discounts available for a limited time from Amazon’s Top 100 list and Kobo. Depending on you preferred e-book platform, you’ll find some steep discounts.

But you’ll need to act fast. These deals will not last long.

Scroll down to find four featured deals from Amazon and four from Kobo. Note: some sale prices are only available to Canadian or US readers.

If you prefer Apple Books, most of these titles are also on sale there.

Amazon Bestsellers on SaleMistborn

by Brandon Sanderson

$1.99 CA until April 2, 2023

Storm Glass

by Jeff Wheeler

$2.49 US Limited time

Tree of Ages

by Sara C. Roethle

$3.08 US Limited time

Assassin’s Apprentice

by Robin Hobb

$3.78 US Limited time

Kobo Bestsellers on SaleMistborn

by Brandon Sanderson

$1.99 CA and US until April 2, 2023

The City of Brass

by S. A Chakraborty

$2.99 CA Limited time

The Severed Empire

by Phillip Tomasso

$0.99 CA and US

The Poppy War

by R. F Kuang

$2.99 CA Limited time

That’s it for this month. No matter which book you choose, a new fantasy series is the perfect way to escape into a world of magic and wonder during the season of renewal. So choose one of these books, find a cozy spot outdoors, and let your imagination run wild.

Feel free to share any of your own favorite fantasy adventures in the comments below.

Wherever you find yourself today and in whatever season, may you find an epic fantasy adventure story or series to take along your journey.

Happy reading!

The post Fantasy Bestseller Picks for March 2023 appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

Depending on where you are physically located in the world, you might find yourself in the middle of winter or the middle of summer this month. It’s a cold, damp winter day where I am.

Wherever you are, hopefully you can find time to get lost in a great fantasy book.

This month features bestselling epic fantasy books from Amazon’s Top 100 list, with personal top picks from both paid and free lists. We’ll be including more options beyond Amazon in the future, but this list will help point you in the direction of new adventures.

What makes an epic fantasy truly epic? Yes, there are specific characteristics that help publishers classify various sub-genres, but there are many fantasy books that readers would happily refer to as an “epic” adventure story.

It’s the kind of story that carries you away to a completely unique time and/or place and yet, after you finish reading, you find yourself in the same place. But perhaps a little more grounded.

That’s what we’re talking about here.

Top 4 Bestseller fantasy picks from the Paid ListFairy Tale

by Stephen King

The Druid

by Jeff Wheeler

The White Tower

by Michael Wisehart

Tress of the Emerald Sea

by Brandon Sanderson

Top 4 Bestseller fantasy picks from the Free ListWizard’s Rise

by Phillip Tomasso

Awakening

by Robert M. Kerns

The Finding

by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

Marilia, the Warlord

by Morgan Cole

That’s it for this month. Next month, we hope to add more bestsellers from other vendors.

Feel free to share any of your own favorite epic fantasy adventures in the comments below.

Wherever you find yourself today and in whatever season, may you find an epic fantasy adventure story or series to take along your journey.

Happy reading!

The post Fantasy Bestseller Picks for January 2023 appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

The fantasy genre is often associated with epic battles between good and evil. While these books can certainly be thrilling, what if you’re looking for a more peaceful journey? Or at least something without war as the central theme?

Fortunately, there are plenty of fantasy books without epic battles. These are stories that focus on creative worldbuilding, character development, and more nuanced conflicts.

Here are some stories we enjoy that feature fantastic characters, imaginative worlds, and compelling plots—without the need for large-scale battles. They are not without struggles or some fighting (every good story needs some kind of conflict, right?) but they are not centered around the glories of good defeating evil in a gruesome war.

The Wretched of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood)

by Jeff Wheeler

Set in the medieval-style kingdom of Muirwood, a young girl named Lia struggles against a tyrannical queen and her sinister court while working to unlock the secrets of a mysterious magical power known as the Medium. Along the way, Lia discovers the truth about her past and comes to terms with her special powers. This is an entertaining read that is full of adventure and intrigue. Lia’s story is an inspiring tale of courage and determination in the face of adversity.

The Starless Sea

by Erin Morgenstern

Written by the author of The Night Circus, The Starless Sea is the story of Zachary, a graduate student who discovers a mysterious book in a library. He soon finds himself on a journey through a subterranean world that exists beneath the surface of our own. This world is an labyrinth filled with stories and populated by a variety of creatures, from human-like beings to mermaids, giants, and other magical creatures.

From Amazon:
“Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose—in both the mysterious book and in his own life.”

House of Many Ways

by Diana Wynne Jones

The conclusion to the trilogy that began with the well-loved classic, Howl’s Moving Castle, House of Many Ways is a YA fantasy novel that follows the adventures of Charmain, a young girl who finds herself in a strange and magical world.

From Goodreads:
“Charmain Baker is in over her head. Looking after Great-Uncle William’s tiny cottage while he’s ill should have been easy. But Great-Uncle William is better known as the Royal Wizard Norland, and his house bends space and time. Its single door leads to any number of places—the bedrooms, the kitchen, the caves under the mountains, the past, and the Royal Mansion, to name just a few.”

Neverwhere

by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman’s beloved Stardust would also fit the requirements for this list of fantasy books without epic battles, but Neverwhere is included as a more contemporary fantasy.

Neverwhere tells the story of Richard Mayhew, a young businessman who gets swept into a magical world beneath the streets of London. There, he joins a young girl named Door, who is looking for the person responsible for the death of her family. Richard and Door travel through the various levels of Neverwhere, encountering adventure and danger at every turn. As they travel, they come closer to discovering the truth behind Door’s family’s death, and uncovering the secrets of Neverwhere itself.

A fanatical adventure about those who “fall through the cracks” of mainstream society.

The Slow Regard of Silent Things

by Patrick Rothfuss

We could easily include Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicles but we chose this novella because it is removed the primary action of the popular series.

That said, you will understand this story much better if you’ve at least read Name of the Wind.

The Slow Regard of Silent Things is a story of Auri, a girl living as an outcast in the shadows beneath the University, forgotten by the world. Full of magic, mystery, and introspection, the story is a thoughtful look into the life of a fascinating (and broken) character trying to make her way in a fascinating (and broken) world.

Perhaps another tale of someone who “falls through the cracks” of mainstream society?

Gilded Wolves

by Roshani Chokshi

This is a captivating novel that takes readers on an adventure into a historical fantasy world. The story follows a group of misfits in an alternate late nineteenth century Paris who plot a heist and use their unique abilities to try and stop a powerful secret society from unlocking a mystical power that could threaten the world.

The Bear and the Nightingale

by Katherine Arden

A perfect story for winter, this is a captivating novel (first in a trilogy) that combines Russian folklore and history with a modern day fairy tale. Arden’s writing is lyrical and her storytelling is exceptional. The novel is filled with mystery and adventure, and also speaks to the importance of learning to accept and embrace our differences.

The Winter King

by Christine Cohen

This book is more middle grade but is adored by many adults. It is a Christian allegory, although many readers claim it does not feel overtly so. But if that’s enough to scare you off, don’t read it.

From Amazon:
“Ever since Cora’s father disappeared through the ice, whispers about her family’s “curse” have grown increasingly louder. Desperate to help her mother and siblings survive another bleak season in the Winter King’s frozen grasp, Cora begins to bend (and even break) the rules she has kept since she was a little girl. But when she discovers a secret that’s much bigger than herself, she realizes too late that she has put herself–and those she loves–in even greater peril.”

Earthsea

by Ursula Le Guin

A Wizard of Earthsea is the first book in the classic series by one of fantasy’s masters.

Protagonist Ged embarks on a quest to save the world from an ancient evil. In that regard, the story is certainly epic, but it’s also a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. There are no grand battles or world-ending stakes to be found here, but the story is no less compelling.

Some modern readers might find these stories a bit slow or dated, but the books are worth the effort. Reading Le Guin provides a foundation for understanding modern fantasy that is arguably as important as reading Tolkien.

For those looking for something a bit different from the typical fare, there’s plenty of fantasy books without epic battles waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re looking for a story of personal growth, a unique take on classic fantasy (or folk tale) tropes, or a new way to explore a magical world, the titles listed above are examples of a few books that can provide a captivating and fulfilling reading experience—without a predominant war theme.

The post 9 Examples of Fantasy Books Without Epic Battles appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

The convenience and lower prices offered by online retailers have made it challenging to support independent bookstores.

During the pandemic lockdowns of 2020-21, many brick-and-mortar businesses closed. This trend included hundreds of bookstores. The pandemic showed us that, particularly when times are tough, it’s hard to deny the lure of convenience and price offered by large online retailers.

But not all independent bookstores perished during the pandemic. In fact, while most survivors scraped through, some flourished. Surprisingly, new independent bookstores opened during and after lockdowns.

Maybe this potential resurgence shouldn’t be so surprising. If we learned anything during the pandemic, we were reminded of the importance of physical places to explore culture in our local communities.

The importance of shopping local

Imagine two options:

A. going to your local cafe to visit for an hour or so with a friend.
B. brewing a favorite cup alone in your own kitchen.

Both are potentially good and healthy options. But what would our culture be without that local cafe?

Imagine two more options:

A. going to a local venue with friends to take in some live music.
B. staying home alone to stream music on your favorite music app.

Both are potentially good and healthy options. But what would our culture be without that local venue to support budding musicians?

Imagine two more options:

A. going to a local theater or arts club with friends to take in a live performance.
B. staying home to stream movies on your favorite app.

Both are potentially good and healthy options. But what would our culture be without that local venue to support budding performers?

We could add many other examples that demonstrate the importance of physical places in our communities that promote arts and culture.

Similarly, independent bookstores add life to our communities. That doesn’t mean that online book retailers are unimportant. In fact, online book retailers have helped connect readers, authors, and publishers in unimaginable ways. Both are potentially good and healthy options.

Still, what would our culture be without readers who support independent bookstores?

A 2020 Harvard Business School study revealed that the number of independent bookstores in the US grew 49% from 2009 to 2018. Beyond 2018, some independent bookstores are reporting a “resurgence” since 2021. Some Canadian booksellers reported a post-pandemic rebound in sales.

Even if some indie bookstores are experiencing growth, it’s still an uphill struggle for many. A large number of local bookstores are working hard to keep their doors open and find their way into a “new normal.”

Creative ways for readers to support independent bookstores

Among the Harvard study’s recommendations to indie booksellers was: “Communicate the value of community and encourage customers to participate in a broader movement to shop local.”

As a reader, if you want to support independent bookstores, the best and most obvious way is to physically shop at your local bookstore.

But if you cannot make it to your local bookstore, here are some alternatives that still allow you to support your local shop:

If they have an online bookstore, buy your books there.Shop online at bookshop.org where you can select a nearby bookstore to support. That shop will receive a percentage of your purchase. Bookshop.org will ship your book to your door, just like other online retailers do.Use IndieBound to find a book and they will help you find it in a bookstore near you.If you give physical or electronic gift cards, consider buying them from your local shop or from bookshop.orgOne more tip to help support independent bookstores

When you visit your local shop and buy a book, consider buying other merchandise they’re selling. Chances are that the shop receives a higher margin on other merchandise than they do on books. Those extra profits add up to help keep their business part of your local community.

Start shopping today

Make a plan to spend some time at your local bookstore. Find a new book or gift and maybe participate in a community event they sponsor.

If you cannot make it out this week, try searching for a new book at Bookshop.org

Or consider supporting IndieBound:

The post How to support independent bookstores  appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

When it comes to books, summer gets all the glory.

Every spring, readers start talking about their summer reading list, comparing notes with their reader friends, chittering like cheery chickadees among daffodil sprouts (sorry for the cheep alliteration).

I get it. For those of us who live in relatively safe and even modestly wealthy parts of the world where access to books is often taken for granted, summer is a time to slow down and take some time off work. Even if it’s just for an hour in the backyard.

If books have feelings—as I imagine many readers believe—I wonder how they must feel as summer draws to a close.

At the beginning of summer, books that have spent months on shelves are suddenly free to lead readers on fantastic adventures to faraway places where they encounter fictitious characters who turn into best friends…or worst enemies.

But eventually, when nights get cooler and spiders begin spinning beautiful stories of their own, readers return to work, school, and the routines of life. After the glory days of summer, many books return to the shelf.

I imagine some books might feel relief. They’ve spent warm days at the beach, blissfully tolerating sand kicked in their faces and water inadvertently splashed across their pages. Of course, the books didn’t care at the time. The thrill of being cherished and listened to outweighed any minor mistreatment. Books—or, more accurately, the stories they preserve—are resilient. They were made for this.

Even so, I wonder how books feel after a busy summer. For those books that might experience mild seasonal depression, I think there’s hope.

What if, as readers, we could help by carrying our bookish enthusiasm and ambitious reading lists into the fall and winter?

NOTE: You avid readers can ignore that last question (and maybe even stop reading now) because for you, there is no preferred reading season. But seasonal readers need a bit of motivation.

Here’s some ideas to help maintain your summer reading habits year round.

AccountabilityReading Challenge

Try something like the Goodreads challenge. Or check with your local library. Most public libraries have summer reading challenges, but they also have fall, winter, and spring challenges. 

Book Club

Find a group of friends, agree on a reading list, read the books, then meet to discuss them. You can even do it without wine. Maybe.

Read with a friend

If a group is too hard to organize, find a friend or family member and create a smaller book club.

Track your reading

Use a tool like Book Riot’s Read Harder Journal, Libby’s Book Review Journal, or use the tools in the Bookly app.

Daily Routines

Habits can be addicting, but they can change. Consider shaking up your daily routine.

Schedule time to read

If the best time for you to read is at night, start your bedtime routine an hour earlier, turn off electronics and screens (unless you prefer e-readers or audiobooks), and read.

If you can’t stay awake to read, try getting up earlier and read before the day gets too busy.

Maybe lunch time is better for you.

Whatever you decide, you’ll soon develop a habit that you look forward to every day.

Create Space

Not everyone can stay awake long enough to read more than a few pages while horizontal under the covers. Maybe try a comfy chair in a cozy corner or outside under a favorite tree (assuming you’re dressed for the cooler weather).

Change another habit

Instead of sitting down to binge a couple of hours of your favorite streaming service or watching a game (hey, sports enthusiasts read too!), try cutting that time in half and share the space with a book.

Try Something NewChange genres

If you love to read fantasy novels, mix in a thriller now and then. Or find a poet that speaks to you and find one of their books. As a fantasy reader, poetry was never easy for me until I discovered Mary Oliver.

Change media

If you prefer paperback books, experiment with an e-reader or audiobook. Go ahead. Most paperbacks are thick-skinned and will not think you’re cheating on them.

Visit curated “Best books” lists

For example, commit to reading a certain number of NYT bestsellers or Goodreads bestsellers in your preferred genre.

Subscribe to book podcasts

Here’s a great place to start for bookish podcasts.

As summer transitions into autumn, don’t let your love for reading grow cold.

Maybe this year your fall or winter reading lists will be just as exciting as your summer reading list…without the icy beverage to sip or the warmth of the sand between your toes, of course.

The post 3 Ideas to Maintain Your Summer Reading Habits Year Round  appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.

There are fantasy novels that draw readers into magical worlds where we encounter unique races and fantastical creatures. We might find ourselves caught up in the hero’s quest, watching the development of characters we cheer on from the comfort of our favorite chair. Lovers of the fantasy genre appreciate these tropes. Even when we know the likely outcome, we don’t give up on the characters because we have a strong suspicion that things will work out in the end.

Then there are tales that defy expectations and genre tropes. We know we’re ready fantasy—or, at least, we think we are—but at some point we discover that the author has invited us on a truly unexpected journey.

Such was my experience reading Guy Gavriel Kay’s latest novel, All the Seas of the World. Although the novel best fits something like historical fantasy, it is something different, something unique to Kay’s style of “novels that never fall neatly into a category.”

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All the Seas of the World is a standalone novel, but, as some readers suggest, reading some of Kay’s other books, such as Children of Earth and Sky or A Brightness Long Ago will better prepare you for the world setting and the writing style. If you prefer reading a long series, this could work for you. If you prefer reading standalone novels, you’ll also be fine.

I try to reserve 5-star reviews for books I think I’d like to read again and that I would highly recommend to other readers. All the Seas of the World checks both boxes. However, I’m not drawn to read it again because it left me with good feelings or a desire to return to an exciting adventure. Rather, this is a tale made of complex layers, including genuine human suffering in a violent world, the quest for love, true faith, and a place to call home.

The main characters in this epic tale both find themselves adrift in the wild seas of kingdoms either embroiled in war or always on the brink. Rafel is a merchant and corsair, accompanied on his ship by Nadia (also known as Lenia), a self-described killer if not an assassin. Both Rafel and Lenia are far from home, trying to make their way in a tumultuous world when they find themselves at the center of events that result in profound political, economic, and religious impact.

As these events unfold, I found that it was not so much the action and adventure that carried me along as the two characters’ longing for something more. The narrator seems to think that their greatest longing is for home. I tend to agree. One character wisely notes that some people (such as Rafel and Lenia) “never really have a home, even if they settle somewhere. That becomes a place they live. Not the same thing. They go through their lives as if adrift on all the seas of the world. Maybe home for some is always the one they lost.”

If the old saying is true, that “home is where the heart is”, I wonder if Rafel and Lenia struggle to find a home because their hearts have been too damaged. And yet, throughout the story (not just at the end) I also found hope that both characters found a degree of healing and an acceptance of home, a mingling of what life became with what they had lost. Even if it’s not the home they were searching for.

A contemplative review

There are probably more professional, polished ways to review books, especially one of this caliber, but my preference is to simply respond to the themes that stood out to me most. If something catches my attention, causing me to look deeper into my own heart or into the ways of my own culture, there’s a chance that it might affect others in a similar way.

For now, I call it my contemplative response to the book.

Readers with a preference for a steady flow of action may be annoyed by the narrator’s frequent philosophical pondering. However, I found these to be minor interruptions that serve the story and writing style very well. I read the kindle edition and as I reviewed the passages I highlighted, I discovered that most were the philosophical asides. No surprise there.

Rather than summarize the story for you (you can find that in the book’s blurb or in other reader reviews), I’d like to share some of my favorite highlights. I think these sample passages better serve to attract (or turn away!) potential readers.

About the main characters

Lenia Serrana

“…she had no real recollection of what she’d been. That girl on the farm. What she had thought and felt about anything. It was lost.”

“She didn’t think she was suited to peace and piety.”

“Trust was not natural for her. It was difficult.”

Rafel ben Natan

“Partnerships formed and dissolved all the time. You changed your life when life forced you to. Except in his experience, people driven from home—or stolen from home—didn’t like changes.”

“He tried to be that. Decent and honourable. Partly his nature, partly a sense that your reputation mattered.”

About unexpected involvement in larger geopolitical events

“Lives change, turn, pivot on small things, accidents of timing. We are proceeding in a given direction and then…we are not.”

“We can be changed, sometimes greatly, by people who come only glancingly into our lives and move on, never knowing what they have done to us.”

“Dreams, I have found, can carry you down paths daylight doesn’t allow.”

Some ponderings of my own…

There’s something about novels with epic battles that I sometimes find perplexing. Why are we so drawn to the struggle of good versus evil, where the good guys are represented by the kingdom whose values reflect those of the protagonist whom readers are encouraged to cheer for? Why do we long for vengeance against “evil” as much as Lenia does? In the end, is the death of enemy armies really satisfying? Does it make us better people? Does it create a better world, a place to call home? Sometimes it does, and that’s probably the goal. For me, the climatic battle at the end of this novel was not satisfying. Maybe that’s one of the the storyteller’s key points.

I also found the religious culture interesting, particularly as it is entangled with politics. As it is in the real world, some people are ardent believers, some are powerful leaders, and most follow along because it seems to work for them and the general culture. In most Western cultures, we have the freedom to question our political and religious leaders without fear of being locked up or persecuted. Even so, many people still align themselves with pastors, preachers, priests, patriarchs and popes who all exercise degrees of power over them. Maybe this is part of our longing for home.

My biggest disappointment with this book was getting a glimpse of magic only to have it fade into the mist in favor of politics and military issues. Rather than risk spoilers, I think this story would have gone in a very different direction had Kay chosen to develop some kind of magic system. But then, it wouldn’t have been an authentic to Kay’s style.

So if you prefer fantasy novels with deep magic or fantastical creatures, you’ll need to set that aside to read All the Seas of the World. If you’re looking for an epic adventure with tragic and beautiful characters set in a world inspired by Renaissance Europe, with stark similarities to our present global turmoil as well as our own personal longings, climb aboard and get ready to set sail on this new adventure.

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Note: My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Viking for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

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