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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · 6h

Hubby and I have overlapping but not identical reading preferences, so finding audiobooks for our 14 hour drives can be challenging. Today, though, “Old Man’s War” by @scalzi.com was a success!

Enough character and plot for me, enough military for him, great writing for both of us.

Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · 7d

I am currently reading “The Ministry of Time” by Kaliane Bradley. It has been on my TBR pile for ages, and, I have discovered, too long. I love her writing style. Mad props to anyone who can use “lugubriously” casually in a sentence and pull it off.

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · 29d

I had this strange idea that the loss of a parent would somehow be less painful as an adult.

I was so wrong.

A view of the lake I spent all my summers, from the home may parents built and have lived in for 20 years.

Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Sep 3

Just got up and running with The StoryGraph. I do like data - this could be my new favourite app.

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Sep 1

Alas, not yet. I am planning to finish two books and hopefully publish them next year. Just finished my first draft and am taking the time to restructure certain things for the second draft.

And probably overthinking everything 😁

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 31

I have reached a level of introvert overload so profound the very idea of talking is abhorrent. And having all of my extroverted relatives continually ask “Are you OK?” is getting really tiresome. I know they mean well. But apparently introversion is still a vastly misunderstood condition.

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 30

Quiet peaceful morning.

A red Merle Australian Shepherd dog at the foot of a staircase next to a lake.

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 26

I tend to read quickly, and lately I’ve latched onto reading and hitting my GoodReads challenge goal as something I can control.

But some books need to be savoured. And “By Blood, By Salt” by J.L. Odom is one of those.

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Cynthia's review of By Blood, by Salt (Land of Exile #1)

4/5: I’ve been leaning on reading as my main escape lately—part stress relief, part “how many books can I get through?” challenge. With everything else in life feeling out of control, hitting my Goodr...

www.goodreads.com

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 17

I am in need of good books, and I can’t think of a better option than the #SPFBO Champions league. I had already read a couple, so working my way through the rest. So far: good choice. Really enjoying the reads.

mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2025/05/afte...

SPFBO Champions' League!

After 10 years we have 10 champions. So, the only logical thing to do is to line them up on a board and have a champions' league! All 10 cha...

mark---lawrence.blogspot.com

Reposted by Cynthia Taylor

Charlotte Clymer @charlotteclymer.bsky.social · Aug 16

"Don't feel bad if you're not reading every great book. No one ever has, and no one ever will."

Read Whatever the Hell You Want

Enjoy yourself.

charlotteclymer.substack.com

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 16

I just finished “The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble’s Braids” and absolutely loved it. It was fast paced with a smart and snarky female lead who goes on a quest to avenge a friend and ends up involved in much bigger stakes.

My review on Goodreads here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Cynthia's review of The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids (Amra Thetys, #1)

5/5: This book hooked me from the very first chapter. The pacing is quick, the chapters are short, and yet each one feels fully fleshed out, drawing you deeper into the story without ever slowing down...

www.goodreads.com

Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 15

Thank you!

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 15

Matcha & Latte in a coffee shop with my daughter. ❤️

Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 15

Read some advice today for new writers to write short stories before writing a novel. Sounds like solid advice - but I’m not sure where to find fantasy short stories to read to get a flavour for short stories in that genre. 😳

Any pointers / links to sources? #booksky #authorsky

📚💙

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 12

Good morning!

Hope everyone finds peace and comfort today.

I’m not a photographer, but this is the place I am blessed to wake up in today. Trying to start the day off with appreciation.

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Reposted by Cynthia Taylor

K.B. Wagers @kbwagers.com · Aug 11

Read books that bring you joy. Read books about things you find interesting. Read books that help you be better. Read books that make you feel. Read books that challenge you.

Read what you want, in the format you want, at the pace you want.

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 11

I was thinking that myself! And not just Dragonriders of Pern. What about Crystal Singer and The Ship Who Sings? They were my intro to Science Fiction as a teenager.

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 10

I just started reading “The Spear Cuts Through Water”. I can tell it’s going to be a beautiful book. I can also tell I don’t have the mental capacity to appreciate it right now.

Switching to “The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble’s Braids”. Three pages in and this is definitely pulling me in fast.

Reposted by Cynthia Taylor

MTH @megt.bsky.social · Aug 9

Rumor has it it's National #Book Lovers Day. You know what you need to do to celebrate. #readers #writingCommunity #booksky 📚🪐

Signboard outside of a book shop says, Should you buy a book today? Have you bought a book today? Yes (one more won't hurt) No (you should buy a book today) then adds the website and address of the book shop.

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 9

Random book sale on the side of the road? Why, don’t mind if I do!

A roadside sign depicting “Book Sale Today” hosted by the Sussex Public Library

Photo of an old greenhouse now full of books for sale.

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 9

Well, I finished “Blood Over Bright Haven”. I think I am in a definite minority; I did not love it. I can appreciate the writing and the world, but it just didn’t connect for me. 3/5 stars

GoodReads review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Cynthia's review of Blood Over Bright Haven

3/5: I went into this book with high expectations. I loved The Sword of Kaigen, and so many reviews called this one even better - a masterpiece, even. I can appreciate the craft. The writing is polis...

www.goodreads.com

Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 9

Spent a lot of time today cleaning up my notes and world building, mapping the structural changes to the chapters to story beats, researched “Save the Cat” and how to assess overall pacing.

Not a single word written. Can’t decide if I was productive or procrastinating.

#AmWriting ? Maybe?

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 7

Managed to eke out 200 words yesterday. Felt like work, but even though it’s far below my 1000 word goal, it also felt like progress.

Life is heavy right now, lots of hospital rooms (yes that is rooms plural), but I refuse to fail on this one! 80% done the first draft.

#IAmWriting

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 6

Finished “Obsidian: Awakening” by @siennaf.bsky.social

It’s a dark, twisty political fantasy with fate-bound characters, layered worldbuilding, and no easy choices. Heavy but worth it. Definitely recommend if this is your thing.

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Cynthia's review of Obsidian (Obsidian, #1)

4/5: 4/5 Stars This novel follows a cast of characters, each seemingly chosen by the Gods or Fate to alter the destiny of their piece of the world. It is a political fantasy driven by a cast of Type ...

www.goodreads.com

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Cynthia Taylor @cyntaylor42.bsky.social · Aug 6

Torn over which book to read next.

Feel like I should finish “Blood over Bright Haven” because I liked “The Sword of Kaigen” so much and everyone seems to love this one, but I am halfway through and really struggling to connect with it.

Any recommendations, #booksky?

📚🪐

2 books pictured on a lake shore - “Blood Over Bright Haven” and “The Spear Cuts Through Water”

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