Our Favorite Reads of 923

Our favorite reads of 923

Linnea Norcross, Luminary Press

Brew a mug of your favorite drink and settle into a good armchair, it’s time to cozy up with Luminary Press’s best books of 923 as chosen by you, our brilliant bookworms! Our thanks to everyone who made nominations and voted last month; we are once again humbled and grateful for our readers’ excellent taste…for the most part.

Craft and Hobby: Zoo Can Crochet Too!

Starting us off is a delightful primer of cozy winter projects. Our crafty readers sang the praises of the cute beginner-to-intermediate patterns for cuddly versions of friendly and ferocious animals from every planet. Our favorite is the shaggy hernling on page 75; if you make one, send the editor photos for a discount on our Book of the Month club. 

Travel: Sellonian Spice and Everything Nice: A Culinary Tour of the Galaxy

A witty romp from the notorious Vindore, Master Jekksnavi escapes the boredom of Armistice Station once again to devour everything he can fit through his deluxe induction port. You told us the glistening close-up photos and hilarious commentary had you laughing and salivating the whole way through, and we thoroughly agree!

History: The Seven Pillars

Painstakingly constructed from documents, oral tradition, archeological evidence, and Psychometry, this grounded exploration of the legendary Chieftains of the Tallun Rebellion seeks to bring the early days of the resistance to life. Readers told us they found it profoundly moving and no small number have already pre-ordered the companion book releasing this fall.

Philosophy: Knowledge and Compassion: Meditations on Meaning and Purpose

Master Rahz has become something of a modern-day guru of late, gently dispensing wisdom in what xe laughingly refers to as “Livestream-of-consciousness” broadcasts where xe shares daily meditations based in the intersection of a Venefari calling and study of Medicari arts with millions of viewers in search of a moment of peace. Many of you found value in xis musings and wanted to share. Ten transcripts were condensed and interpreted into a volume of essays about the importance of Rahz’s triune virtues of learning, self-care, and kindness.

Memoir: If There’s No Radiance on Toa, I’m Not Going   

Dear readers, our apologies, we’re not sure what happened. While the editing team investigates allegations of a raid on our voting system originating on microblogging platform The Porktato, I am reluctantly obligated to report that the second memoir of notorious pro-gambler-turned-standup-comedian Tül’yyr Myr’sïllïcus is indeed an extant publication and technically qualifies for our submission policies. Myr’sïllïcus waxes poetic for three hundred and twenty-nine pages about his love of craft beer, “beautiful partners with long ears and slender feet,” and the game on which he has made his fortune. 

Biography: Grandmaster Baru; Behind the Stole

Easily the most prominent Bellate of the seventh century, Grandmaster Baru Khatyr, skilled negotiator and famed duellist, is brought to life through her letters and essays, interspersed with narrative built from first-hand accounts from her friends and colleagues. Vibrant, complex, and surprisingly warm, we enjoyed getting to know this fascinating figure as though she were a beloved friend.

Poetry: Just

The identity of punk poet “Believe” continues to remain as elusive as their work is evocative. By turns soulful, sinuous, and– dare we say– sexy, this latest volume of verse crackles with incendiary insight. Celebrity Gossip Columnist Alexy Torin of VoxPopular recently posited the poet might be none other than actor and artist Russressthren II. When questioned, the heartthrob answered via an interpreter that the allegation was “ludicrous” and “an insult to the true poet.” Whoever they are, fans of the elusive elocutionist remain transfixed. 

Literary Fiction: Where the Cottonwood Burns

It sounds like a lot of readers these days can relate to the woes of Trip Sutton, the painfully earnest protag of Jinni Cav’s debut novel. Off planet for the first time, Novice Guardian Trip finds himself drowning in a spiral of shame and secrecy as he hides his problems from his Academy classmates, like his fraught relationship with his family back home on Shikal, and his father’s arrest for involvement in a notorious Humanity First terror attack. Cav, whose short stories have been winning awards since the Brightleaf student began publishing at fourteen, makes a strong showing with her first full-length publication. Grab some tissues and water before cracking this one open, you’ll thank us later.

Historical Fiction: The Price of Peace

Told through the diary of a young Sellonian soldier on the frontline in OL 406, this brutal portrayal of the last days of the decades-long conflict examines the horrors of war and the fragility of belief in a future worth the bloodshed that buys it. As the entries, each more harrowing than the last, crawl past; the Solstice approaches, and the author dares us to hope that the unnamed diarist might make it through the Longest Night and find it is always darkest before the dawn. Like you, we were challenged and deeply moved by this weighty read.

Romance: Stolen Kisses Under a Starless SkyWe hear you, bookworms, and we too could not get enough of up-and-coming romance star Rosie Granum this year! With another spicy sleeve-ripper set in post-rebellion Porthia, we return to the Ostfold family farm. A fan favorite since the Ostfold siblings were first introduced in In Your Windswept Fields, middle son Nils finally gets his turn in the spotlight. A whirlwind romance with an intriguing pair of offworlder veterans has our dear hero swept off his feet and torn between love, duty, desire, and propriety. 

Mystery: Thistle Do Nicely (Acacia Closed #6)

Knight Pravi, assistant to the Empress’s Own Gardener, just can’t seem to stop stumbling into the strangest crime scenes. This time, they find themself wrapped up in the baffling disappearance of a crop of poisonous radiant plants. When another member of the palace staff turns up bleeding and poisoned, the plot only thickens. You’ll have to see for yourself how this clever whodunit turns out.

Thriller: In The Dark of The Void

In the Void, no one can hear you scream. This claustrophobic military horror unfolds on the outer rim as the ICV Hatteras navigates a critical stealth delivery of much-needed supplies. Tensions rapidly rise and crew turns against crew when the lights start going out and personnel disappear one by one. This absolute nail-biter had our readers on the edge of their seats!

Fantasy: Scions of Tisiphone

Set in a gorgeously decaying universe powered not by Light, but by the ebb and flow of Life and Death, the wizard Vexearken and their Consigliere, Silas, descend into a fiendish trial for the right to serve their Divine Emperor. The rest of the plot is so strange and layered we cannot possibly do it justice here, so please read our review from the Summer Issue. You (and our editors) sang the praises of this dark hymn to the power of love and connection and the notion that the people we let into our lives change us irrevocably. 

Young Adult: Leaves of Blood and Gold (The Seeker’s Apprentice #4)

The Seeker’s Apprentice series continues to delight readers regardless of age. In the fourth installment of this lush adventure serial, the plucky Page Sekia and their sardonic Master continue their journey, this time heading to Lomali to investigate a sudden burst of new Sparks in a soaring sky city. This volume marks a significant tone shift in the series as Sekia navigates the limitations of Guardianship outside the Empire and begins to question the life they’ve always taken for granted. While younger fans may find themselves a bit outside their depth, those who have grown along with the main character will likely appreciate the series maturing with them. 

Graphic Novel: Pretty Prism Power Guardians, 50th Anniversary Hardcover Collection

Hundreds of you wrote in to gush about this beautiful and nostalgic full-color re-release of the original 12-issue run of the beloved classic. If you’ve thought about getting into PPPG but felt intimidated by the sheer volume of comics, novelizations, animation, and movies, this is a great place to start. Meet the six original Celestial Sparks and their mentor, Grandmaster Lunestia, as they work together to bring justice to the galaxy. 

We thank you, beloved bookworms, for taking the time to read, write, and vote. Join us for a live chat about the runners-up and we’ll see you next issue for the five most hotly anticipated releases of 924!