If your New Year’s Resolution is or will be to read more, then you are in the right place!

I had so much fun and learned so much during my first year with Book Chat that I plan to continue the blog series in 2022. My goal remains the same: review a fantasy book each month as a reader and as a writer. BTW, I absolutely love that reading is part of an author’s job description! This Book Chat series allows me to enjoy amazing books by fellow authors. It also helps me to learn and grow as an author myself. Instead of a double-edged sword, this is more like a double piece of chocolate!

Last year, we read books from Leigh Bardugo, Annette Marie, KF Breene, Ilona Andrews, Shannon Mayer, Patricia Briggs, Sarah J. Maas, Jeaniene Frost, and more. You can get the 2021 blog series HERE and it includes a link to each of the posts at the end. This year, we’ll have 12 different fantasy authors to try. Again, I will probably favor urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

I’ve limited the books to 1 a month so everyone will have more time to continue the series and/ or other reading from your favorite authors. I’m also sticking to reading first in series or standalones. While some of the books may be in Kindle Unlimited, I hope that by publishing the list now, fellow readers can look for deals and/ or make library requests as needed.

The basic post set-up will be the same as we’ll start with the book details before focusing on repeated negative comments by fellow readers on Amazon and Goodreads. Every book has negative reviews and it’s a wonderful place to start our discussion whether we agree with them or not – I do believe the world could use a bit more of civilized chatting where people disagree and are okay with that. I’ll share my own thoughts on the criticisms and give an overall rating. The next section will include writing tips specific to each book.

Another 2021 feature will also continue – there will be a picture of one of my cats with each book! What can I say? I’m a sucker for books and cats!

For my fellow writers, I have no doubt our 2022 reads will inspire more discussions on info dump, POV, marketing, pacing, and more writing challenges we all face. I also have no doubt we’ll have the opportunity to learn from these writers!

What do I need from you? I need your thoughts and opinions as readers and writers! You can always comment on the post, but you can also join the Facebook group Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Readers. The monthly book selections often inspire a weekly theme and we’ll chat about the books (and other books) too. I’d love to have you join the fun…but let’s get back to the Book Chat.

Drum roll please…

2022 Book Chat Monthly Reads (links added here as the reviews are posted)
Jan         Soulless (Parasol Protectorate 1) by Gail Carriger
Feb        Urban Shaman (The Walker Papers Book 1) by CE Murphy
Mar        Storm and Fury (The Harbinger 1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Apr        City of Thorns (The Demon Queen Trials Book 1) by CN Crawford
May       Grave Witch (Alex Craft Series Book 1) by Kalanya Price
Jun         Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows Book 1) by Kim Harrison
Jul          Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock 1) by Faith Hunter
Aug        Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changling 1) by Nalini Singh
Sept       Midnight Riot (Rivers of London) by Ben Aaronovitch
Oct         Moon Tortured (Sky Brooks 1) by McKenzie Hunter
Nov        Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
Dec        Greywalker (Greywalker 1) by Kat Richardson

What are you excited to read? What have you already read and are excited to see included? What did I miss? 😉

Obviously, much like 2021, there are some big names that are often included in recommended reads. I would like to include more indie authors…so whenever we read a book, feel free to comment with indie reads that are similar to our monthly pick. I’m definitely someone who has Googled “what to read after…”. For moody readers like me, it’s great to find books with a similar style.

I’m very much looking forward to another year of great fantasy reads, and I hope you’ll join for the monthly chat!

Happy reading to all, my friends!

-RSJ