Mel (Epic Reading) > Recent Status Updates

Who else is reading short books to hit their reading goal?!?! lol!
I am!
I’m also considering lower my goal for 2026 so I can read some epic fantasy that’s been on my print shelf forever. I think maybe 2026 is the year of reading from stash and less from eARCs and library… it’ll take some commitment but I think I can do it…

Ohh so nice to get Nadya’s story whom we first met way back in book 1. The turtles are adorable! And I kinda love that frogs are (seemingly) evil…? Not sure why it it feels right. lol.
My last book to finish to hit my goal of 60 books for 2025!

So much happening, again I can’t believe this is the last in the series?! It makes no sense given current events!

Interesting how unhappy our MC is with her situation as of now. Harris is introducing a lot of uncertainty considering this is the last novel of the series…

Silly nonsensical violence. About what you expect from suicide squad. The most important part is my girl, Harley Quinn, gets some page time in this one.
Collecting issues #1-5 (complete miniseries)

What’s most impressive in this short novella is that there is actual character development, plot, and story to go with what (I must assume) will be a climax to scare away any demons lesser than Krampus.

I’m not reading Krampus smut, you are! LOL! okay yeah I am. Impulse buy from the new horror indie bookstore in town. So far, pretty awesome to read about a chick finally take out her abusive ex-husband. I won’t apologize for liking when women finally get strong and step up.

Story #8 - Magical Girls Child Crusader Squad
This would make an amazing comic book series!!! I love the subtle nods to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (or at least that’s what I got the sense of but it might be because I’m old, lol). And finally the idea that a transwoman could be themselves because of a magical power that shifts them seems like a dream many would willingly accept, even if it meant fighting monsters.

Story #7 - Hopscotch for Keeps
Ohh very good summer time kids story. I like how the hopscotch kid could represent any number of things.

Book #6 - Last Leaf of an Ursine Tree
Interesting statement on mother/daughter dynamic and menstruation being the moment of ‘power’ for women.

Will be sorry when this one is over as it’s last of the Gunnie Rose series. But hoping to enjoy it first!

Soooo good!!! How does Kingfisher manage to blend so many fairy tale elements together AND make them unique!! It’s brilliant.

Woah!
Snow White, meets Alice, meets Coraline… gosh I love how Kingfisher blends elements we all know so well together. Absolutely brilliant!

”snakes always seemed fine right up until they aren’t.”
As a snake owner myself not only do I know this is true, and love that MC has a snake; but I also wonder if Kingfisher has or does own snakes herself!

Sign the petition to ask GR to leave DMs!!
Act now to save our communications!

https://www.change.org/p/urge-goodrea...

Story #4 - Thagomizer
Love it! Not sure how it fits with the theme but I don’t even care as what an awful, but perhaps real scenario?
Reminded me of ‘are you my mummy’ from Doctor Who with the repeated line of the child…

Story #5 - Without a Face
Umm… ok? Needs more context added to define the point.

Story #3 - The Long Flesh of the Law
Ohh icky. But good metaphor for fear of police.

I think GR has finally done it… what kind of social media engagement exists without direct/personal messaging?!
What possible reason could they have for removing this functionality?
So… where are we all moving to? Much as I detest giving up what I’ve built here… is it even engagement anymore?

”most people with principles are hypocrites on some level: a very comforting but if cynicism.”

Oh my… lots of good foreshadowing… I have my suspicions.

Ahhh!!! A bi character!! Yeah!
Thank you to all of you paying attention to diversity inside the diversity. I could kiss you all! (Literally, if you’re attractive to me, as I’m bi myself!)

Typical… my two most anticipated holds of late come up at the same time.

Damn… that escalated quickly.

Damn, chapter two would make an amazing opening for a movie!! I can see it frame by frame from Tesh’s amazing writing but also because it’s so well framed and set-up! I’m gonna gobble this up I suspect.

Hmm… fantasy academia from a teacher perspective.
Okay Tesh, you have my attention!
(Also so happy to see this author back on the scene and getting hyped!)

There are sooo many good quotes in this. It’s just non-stop good writing, exhausting, dirty foul grimdark fantasy. I love it.
Here’s one of my fave quotes:
”Memories are dangerous things. Your turn them over and over, until you know every touch and corner, but still you’ll find an edge to cut you,”

Even knowing it’s grimdark, knowing characters will die, and expecting them to die… still Lawrence gets me with one. 😢
At least our MC cared about this one too and didn’t just blow it off like most. Rip my heart out and we’re not even through the first of 3 books. This is high stakes, dirty, rough fantasy!

New local indie bookstore opening in my city today!!! 🎉🎉
Such a rare occurrence; so headed to the opening. They are specializing in horror!