Finally the most anticipated: my Mainstream Favourites! This year was so difficult to narrow down, but these are the titles that stayed with me, stories that felt like a true privilege to read. Thankyou to all of these authors and publishers ❤️👏🏻💙📚 (PS I haven't read 'King Sorrow' yet, sorry!)

More recommendations from an excellent year! Non-fiction can get sidelined, but these are all absolutely worth your time and contain their own special magic. ❤️📚💙

I read a lot more books by trans authors last year and I'm so glad I did (it also involved dipping into a lot of genres I don't often read, which was also fantastic). Looking forward to reading many more in 2026! Here are some that I read--I just wish I'd had more time for reviewing this year. 🏳️‍⚧️📚

Can your book join the #SPFBO champions? Entry to the 11th annual contest opens tomorrow! It's free... 🙂

One of my Top Indies of 2025. Please share, read and 🖕🏻That Place's stupid policies!

So we begin my Best of 2025! First up: the Indies! I'm beyond happy about how many absolute gems crossed my path this year. Huge love and thanks to all of the authors and small publishers - we wouldn't be without your stories! All absolutely recommended, and get the authors on your lists! ❤️📚💙

Seems legit 😂 @wib.bsky.social @tessmachling.bsky.social

So much goodness coming this year! Mine are included in here too...

It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".

Happy new year, from us to you! Today only, The Nine O'Clock Horses is 99p at the digital Batstore Want to stave off that Jan 1st hangover with a few short, sharp morsels of horror? We know a place...

Think someone at the Beeb has been at the New Year drinkies early... 🤣 #Archaeology 🏺 #Hic #HappyNewYear

Btw for the first year ever, I counted Books Read (not including DNFs). 185. I love books. Read my reviews, follow my Substack and socials (links in bio), support authors, share the Bookthusiasm! That is all 😊📚 Best Of recommendations coming in the next couple of days ❤️

In case you missed it or didn’t get chance to check them out at the time, today we re-present some of the downloads, handouts and game-related content we've published since ArkhamHorror.com launched earlier this year. www.arkhamhorror.com/news/2025-on...

I’m proud that my story “Murder Apes,” illustrated by Pat Higgins, will appear in the charity anthology Horror Not Hate, forthcoming from Slow Feet Comics. The Kickstarter is now live (link in the first comment). Please spread the word about this awesome project!

Happy New Calendar, lovelies 😉 Huge love to everyone through all the hardness of the past months. We've made it through and I'm so glad you're all still here *virtual hugs* And I have an image to ponder for 2026 (The Empress from the Steampunk Tarot by Barbara Moore)...

I just got a surprise royalty payment for next year's book. Not big bucks at all (thanks to 🍊 and Lettuce Liz) but it's legit money for writing. I'll take that. Little me scribbling in her notebooks would be proud ☺️

My book of microfictions is a free ebook for four days. 500 tiny tales, each exactly 50 words long 😊 #booksky www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG6RFTV5

@wib.bsky.social @snipethesorrow.bsky.social OMG these b*tches 😂😂😂 youtu.be/ZZOxxQ74aW0?...

We'll be reading stories for ✨ What Elegant Stars: Queer Tales of Impossible Style ✨ from January 15th to April 15th. Give us stories of satellites and sewists, terminals and tailors, dandies and dying stars. <6k words. 8¢/word. simsub ☑️. multiple submissions 🚫. www.neonhemlock.com/submissions

In terms of reader appetites, this really is a golden age for stories about rich, megalomaniacal cunts getting their arses handed to them like it's 1793 & we've all just heard the news about the Reign of Terror down at the boulangerie Good work, everyone

Pondering. Would any of you lovely folks be interested in a New Year tarot reading in return for a fair donation? Raise a hand below if so, and I'll see what I can do (time and spoons permitting) 😊 Gift readings also entirely doable!

As we reach the end of another year of bringing you content featuring incredible books from the world of SFF we round up the team and choose the best of 2025 publishing in the Fantasy Hive's Awards! Discover the nominees and all the winners here: tinyurl.com/ymej7zv5

Some older friends know that my anime dvds were taken/sold by my ex years ago. But I decided this holiday to treat myself to a Crunchyroll subscription just to see... I am engrossed in Black Butler and having so much fun with the classic shows again! Gorgeous storytelling is always a pleasure.

This is just going to always be my go-to response to this kind of thing anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...

Why does the depression try to convince you that you're useless and shouldn't be here? What does it have to gain from this? I understand it's a broken safety mechanism but it's SO awful 😞

Want to see my Xmas Book Haul? Here it is. Because while everyone is scared to get me books because I've read so many, Hubby knows even a single book makes me happy (and that I have a Wishlist) 😊 Meantime, I got a bat-shaped snuggly heat pack and have a ton of ARCs. I'm good for the winter nights 😂

1700 free romance ebooks today only! 📚❤️ www.romancebookworms.com

Some amazing books here! ('Cthulu: PI' anyone?) 🥰

Sir Terry Pratchett is best understood as one of the most interesting, deeply ethical practical (I would say Pragmatist but I cede to actual experts) philosophers of the late 20th Century who just happened to work in deconstructed fantasy literature as his medium.

Merry Christmas! Get your free/PWYW copy of A PRESS OF FEATHERS here, if you're not already crushed by the weight of that festive TBR!

Remember: It ys okaye to be lonelye. It ys okaye to feel lost. It ys okaye to be sad. It ys okaye yf nobody ys arounde. It ys okaye to have no plannes or just small plannes. It ys okaye to have big plannes that seem exhausting. It ys okaye to be a mess. Take care of thyself. Thou art amazinge.

Feathers is still free/PWYW right now (and all Christmas week) at the Batstore Grab yourself a free copy now - and Happy Holidays to you!

The climate crisis is accelerating - 2025 looks set to become UK’s hottest year on record. Good to see focus on importance of resilience on #r4today- pls take a moment to sign petition calling on Govt to introduce a fully funded national climate adaptation plan petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

Once again, an amazing fantasy bundle by @aptshadow.bsky.social here. What a deal.

I'm pondering Books of the Year. I'll be doing 'tradpub' and 'indie' again, because imho both deserve their own list. I do NOT do any negative lists. If I didn't like a book (or if the author is awful) they get silence from me. I won't share bookish hate; we should be celebrating stories we love.

It's just past Solstice, grey and damp on this wintry British afternoon. So I pick up a sort-of prequel to one of my favourite books of all time... and immediately it's like revisiting old friends. Happy times! Book Dragon for life ❤️ Thankyou so much to @torbooksuk.bsky.social for the ARC 🥰

Made my day! Grab a copy 🙌🏽

New Review - Dark Magic for the Winter Solstice 😊❤️ @vlatinalondon.bsky.social 🥰 www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

@wib.bsky.social You NEED to watch this. Do not take a shot every time there's a nerdy reference 🤪 youtu.be/UGZCDYdcUjs?...

The ebook edition of my first collection of flash fiction is free for the next five days. This is a book that, to my surprised delight, Samuel Delany praised. Anyway, it's available on any Amazon platform, but this is the link to Amazon US... #booksky #freebooks www.amazon.com/dp/B00IW4856M

Happy Solstice, folks! I am agog today - Himself found me a chatelaine (crafted rather than antique, we're not that rich!). I've coveted one for absolutely ever. History nerd, deal with it 😂 Now to find Useful Things to hang from it! 🥰

genAI is STOLEN WORK. Using genAI in *any* capacity is trafficking in stolen work, supporting the plunder. Period. These facts aren't even denied by the AI companies, they just find ways to make that plunder seem benevolent. Using their product enables that lie. Stop enabling the theft of our work.

This reminds me of many authors I know 😂

And please also, AGAIN, never forget that they are inherently unethical to use because no one gave permission for their research or writing to be used in it. It is all stolen, and if you're using the plagiarism machine, please keep that in mind.

I have several in here - lots of lovely ideas for bookish gifts and treats!

Final necessary shopping done. Now home for warmth, tea and books. Gifts tomorrow. Happy Yule/Solstice, friends 😊❤️

I need to sort more reviews but I've now got a Letterboxd account, if anyone wants to be friends? 😊 boxd.it/53nFt

*singing* l'm a writer and l'm ok I dream all night And I scheme all day Non-writers: So when does the writing happen? *singing louder* I'M A WRITER AND I'M OK