I wrote the first date chapter of my romance novel yesterday. It has dialogue going from the topic of trauma to hot chocolate to checking pulses.
It makes sense, I promise 🤣
Typically Mondays suck, but this one is pretty awesome for me.
After 4 months of unemployment I secured myself a new job this morning, starting next week 🥳
(not the best news for my writing 😅 but AMAZING news for my life in general)
Thank you sir 🙏
Thanks for offering! I'm not sure yet when I'll be sharing the draft with people that aren't relatives, but I'll make sure to keep you in mind!
I'll be sure to let you know which camp I fall into once I've read it! Less grim might actually be a welcome change after Tower of Zhaal xD
It feels kinda weird to think that just "finishing" my first novel gave me the confidence to work on multiple at the same time. But also really nice.
I don't know how or when any of them will ever see the light of day. I just know that one way or another, they will.
Now since last November I've started 3 new projects 😅
A romance novel sitting at 60k already
A vampire novel sitting at 21k
A Witcher meets Cthulhu novel sitting at 17k
The crazy part? I'm not scared about not finishing them. I know I will. I just don't know when yet.
During the 3,5 years I worked on In the Heart of the Holy Sea (June 2022 - November 2025, it's currently with the first beta reader), I kept telling myself to NOT start any other projects beside that one.
After two earlier attempts to write a novel, I was scared to be sidetracked.
Photo of the book The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
#2 - The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
The first romance novel I ever read after years of fantasy, thrillers and more recently cosmic horror. Initially as research for the one I'm writing myself, but I both did and didn't expect to love it so much!
If you're into romance, get this.
Photo of the book The Tower of Zhaal by C.T. Phipps
#1 - The Tower of Zhaal by @ctphipps.bsky.social
Sequel to Chtulhu Armageddon. Darker, bloodier, more intense - I loved it. Once I'm the mood for dark and gloomy again, I'm diving straight into the next in the series, The Tree of Azathoth
📚 ✨ Books I've read in 2026 - a thread ✨ 📚
My earlier thread had me realize I read 10 across 2025. Which isn't bad tbh, considering there were some thick ones in there.
Nonetheless my goal this year is to read 1 a month, and share some love for them over here!
Hearing that someone enjoyed my work will never get old 🧡
You're welcome! 😊
Omg what a wonderful post to log on to 🤩😍
Glad I could 😊
I've discovered a number of awesome books through your community, so it was only fair to grab one of yours as well haha. Looking forward to pick up another once I've cleared my ever-growing TBR-list a bit 😅
You're welcome! I finished The Tower of Zhaal too recently and loved that one as well. And I've got The Tree of Azathoth ready for when I'm the mood for something dark and gloomy again.
Photo of the book Cthulhu Armageddon by C.T. Phipps
Cthulhu Armageddon by C.T. Phipps @ctphipps.bsky.social
Fallout meets Cthulhu. Had this on my wishlist for ~1,5 years before ordering it. Wish I had done so sooner. Awesome story in a brilliantly fucked up world. I ordered the sequel about 5 minutes after finishing it.
Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz @gregghurwitzbooks.bsky.social
The other author I still read in Dutch. 10th novel in the Orphan X series (probably my favorite series of the last decade).
Love how protagonist Evan edges ever more closer to his human side. Cannot wait for the 11th.
The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
One of the authors I still read in Dutch, so I can borrow the books to my dad afterwards. The latest Langdon novel, which I all read. Loved it, even if it was more tech focused as opposed to the earlier ones that were more art/history focused (which tbh I prefer)
Photo of the book Gunmetal Gods by Zamil Akhtar
Gunmetal Gods by Zamil Akhtar @zamakhtar.bsky.social
Game of Thrones meets Arabian Nights with some cosmic horror sprinkled on top. Tbh I got it mostly for the cosmic horror which took a little while to be added to the mix, but I have the sequels ordered now nonetheless.
Photo of the book The Cavern by Alister Hodge
The Cavern by Alister Hodge
The first scary/horror book I read in a while. Cavers vs deadly predator. Usually I read at night before bed. I managed to do that once with this one before deciding to read the rest by daylight (thanks, overactive imagination😅)
Blade of the Crown by Cara N. Delaney @caradelaney.bsky.social
I remember seeing a post from the author describing this as "sword lesbians" and I was just sold instantly. Loved how the dynamic between the protagonists developed over the course of the story.
Photo of the book Outer Universe by Natalie Kelda
Outer Universe by Natalie Kelda @nataliekelda.bsky.social
Wonderful sequel to Inner Universe that I really enjoyed. Found family, more action, higher stakes, deepening of the lore and hilarious space dragons. Plus, just look at that cover. LOOK AT IT!
Photo of the book Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tokien
Needs even less of an introduction. I struggled with this one, though. Nothing but respect for the world Tolkien created, but honestly his writing style doesn't really appeal to me.
Photo of the book The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Doesn't need an introduction, does it? Took me a while to get through, to be honest. It was still fun to read and go more in depth than the movie.
Photo of the book "A Game of Wings and Marks" by Rebecca Crunden
A Game of Wings and Marks by Rebecca Crunden @bookspotlight.bsky.social
First book I read and it won't be the last. Angels, demons, paranormal romance and morally grey characters. The ending had me grin so bad. And I loved the protagonist's uncommon name - Octavia.
I promised myself I'd still make a thread of the books I read last year. I've been reading a lot more indies besides established authors and wanted to give them some love!
(thread is not in order, my memory is not thát great 😅)
Me last night at 4 AM: having a minor anxiety attack because of a spider in my bedroom (I vacuumed it up)
Me last night at 4:30 AM: writing notes for a chapter based on said spider encounter
Me now at 12:30 PM: writing said chapter
Funny where inspiration can come from
I'm not sure if anyone will even bother reading all of this. If you did - thank you, and I hope your 2025 was less turbulent than mine.
Either way, I wish anyone who reads this the best for 2026!
Perhaps I'll share a thread of the books I read over 2025 somewhere early next year. Most of which were indies. It'll be a good excuse to post on here, which I know I'll need.
