Ben L-C
@benglc.bsky.social
No reason this needs to be an end-of-year thing - here are the books I’ve read in 2026:
January 2, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I actually kept track of all the books I read this year! Here they are:
January 2, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I slightly struggled with part 1 (A Deadly Education) a year or so ago - the constant threat was not conducive to calm reading, and the enemies to lovers trope is a bit YA for my tastes (fair enough, these being YA books) - but my partner devoured all 3 so I’ve given them another go
January 2, 2026 at 4:57 PM
I slightly struggled with part 1 (A Deadly Education) a year or so ago - the constant threat was not conducive to calm reading, and the enemies to lovers trope is a bit YA for my tastes (fair enough, these being YA books) - but my partner devoured all 3 so I’ve given them another go
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
Fun take on magic school. This being book 2 of a trilogy, the characters have had a bit more space to breathe and grow, though the pace is a little slow for me (not helped by very long chapters)
Fun take on magic school. This being book 2 of a trilogy, the characters have had a bit more space to breathe and grow, though the pace is a little slow for me (not helped by very long chapters)
January 2, 2026 at 4:57 PM
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
Fun take on magic school. This being book 2 of a trilogy, the characters have had a bit more space to breathe and grow, though the pace is a little slow for me (not helped by very long chapters)
Fun take on magic school. This being book 2 of a trilogy, the characters have had a bit more space to breathe and grow, though the pace is a little slow for me (not helped by very long chapters)
Apparently it has a problem with books about alternative histories of London written by comedy writers I follow on here
December 31, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Apparently it has a problem with books about alternative histories of London written by comedy writers I follow on here
Cursed in the Lost City by @scriblit.bsky.social
I love Gabby’s books, and this was as silly and funny as ever; book 2 of a trilogy, involving a magical alternative historical London (and Wales). Flirty and heartwarming, it was a fun comedy companion to also watching Born With Teeth this year
I love Gabby’s books, and this was as silly and funny as ever; book 2 of a trilogy, involving a magical alternative historical London (and Wales). Flirty and heartwarming, it was a fun comedy companion to also watching Born With Teeth this year
December 31, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Cursed in the Lost City by @scriblit.bsky.social
I love Gabby’s books, and this was as silly and funny as ever; book 2 of a trilogy, involving a magical alternative historical London (and Wales). Flirty and heartwarming, it was a fun comedy companion to also watching Born With Teeth this year
I love Gabby’s books, and this was as silly and funny as ever; book 2 of a trilogy, involving a magical alternative historical London (and Wales). Flirty and heartwarming, it was a fun comedy companion to also watching Born With Teeth this year
Pagans by @jamesbluecat.bsky.social (and edited by @emmajwaring.bsky.social!)
As already noted in not much of a crime/thriller fan, but I do love alternative history, and this was a really fun one with a well thought-out world
As already noted in not much of a crime/thriller fan, but I do love alternative history, and this was a really fun one with a well thought-out world
December 31, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Pagans by @jamesbluecat.bsky.social (and edited by @emmajwaring.bsky.social!)
As already noted in not much of a crime/thriller fan, but I do love alternative history, and this was a really fun one with a well thought-out world
As already noted in not much of a crime/thriller fan, but I do love alternative history, and this was a really fun one with a well thought-out world
It’s gone on the list!
December 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
It’s gone on the list!
Amazing how much you felt you were back in that time given how little time is actually spent there in the book
December 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Amazing how much you felt you were back in that time given how little time is actually spent there in the book
The Bees by Laline Paull
Astounding & imaginative world building of what a bee culture/society would look like, including a caste, gender, religion and theocracy. The plot is fragmentary and chaotic however, with most of the events happening to the protagonist rather than as a result of her actions
Astounding & imaginative world building of what a bee culture/society would look like, including a caste, gender, religion and theocracy. The plot is fragmentary and chaotic however, with most of the events happening to the protagonist rather than as a result of her actions
December 30, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The Bees by Laline Paull
Astounding & imaginative world building of what a bee culture/society would look like, including a caste, gender, religion and theocracy. The plot is fragmentary and chaotic however, with most of the events happening to the protagonist rather than as a result of her actions
Astounding & imaginative world building of what a bee culture/society would look like, including a caste, gender, religion and theocracy. The plot is fragmentary and chaotic however, with most of the events happening to the protagonist rather than as a result of her actions
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
A study of one 24-hour orbit in the ISS, sort of a character study for a spaceship. Philosophical and reflective, with beautiful writing - almost a poem more than a novella
A study of one 24-hour orbit in the ISS, sort of a character study for a spaceship. Philosophical and reflective, with beautiful writing - almost a poem more than a novella
December 30, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
A study of one 24-hour orbit in the ISS, sort of a character study for a spaceship. Philosophical and reflective, with beautiful writing - almost a poem more than a novella
A study of one 24-hour orbit in the ISS, sort of a character study for a spaceship. Philosophical and reflective, with beautiful writing - almost a poem more than a novella
The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard
A lend from @ecpritchard.bsky.social again. Incredibly enjoyable story of class, convention, power, people & relationships. Admin competency porn! Does drag & repeat somewhat. There’s a brilliant 500 page novel in this 700 page tome. I’ll be reading more
A lend from @ecpritchard.bsky.social again. Incredibly enjoyable story of class, convention, power, people & relationships. Admin competency porn! Does drag & repeat somewhat. There’s a brilliant 500 page novel in this 700 page tome. I’ll be reading more
December 30, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard
A lend from @ecpritchard.bsky.social again. Incredibly enjoyable story of class, convention, power, people & relationships. Admin competency porn! Does drag & repeat somewhat. There’s a brilliant 500 page novel in this 700 page tome. I’ll be reading more
A lend from @ecpritchard.bsky.social again. Incredibly enjoyable story of class, convention, power, people & relationships. Admin competency porn! Does drag & repeat somewhat. There’s a brilliant 500 page novel in this 700 page tome. I’ll be reading more
Welsh Fairy Tales, Myths & Legends by Claire Fayers
A product of my move towards traditional folk storytelling, Fayers’ retellings are fun and engaging, if aimed at a younger audience than me. The story of the Fairy Harp has inspired my own retelling of that story
A product of my move towards traditional folk storytelling, Fayers’ retellings are fun and engaging, if aimed at a younger audience than me. The story of the Fairy Harp has inspired my own retelling of that story
December 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Welsh Fairy Tales, Myths & Legends by Claire Fayers
A product of my move towards traditional folk storytelling, Fayers’ retellings are fun and engaging, if aimed at a younger audience than me. The story of the Fairy Harp has inspired my own retelling of that story
A product of my move towards traditional folk storytelling, Fayers’ retellings are fun and engaging, if aimed at a younger audience than me. The story of the Fairy Harp has inspired my own retelling of that story
The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer
Some very funny stuff and impressive plotting. Unfortunately all the characters speak with Mortimer’s idiosyncratic style, which is charming from him and the self-insert first person protagonist, but becomes waring without any variation of tone in the dialogue
Some very funny stuff and impressive plotting. Unfortunately all the characters speak with Mortimer’s idiosyncratic style, which is charming from him and the self-insert first person protagonist, but becomes waring without any variation of tone in the dialogue
December 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer
Some very funny stuff and impressive plotting. Unfortunately all the characters speak with Mortimer’s idiosyncratic style, which is charming from him and the self-insert first person protagonist, but becomes waring without any variation of tone in the dialogue
Some very funny stuff and impressive plotting. Unfortunately all the characters speak with Mortimer’s idiosyncratic style, which is charming from him and the self-insert first person protagonist, but becomes waring without any variation of tone in the dialogue
Gaza Girl by Hala
Inspired by the Tell a Child in Gaza’s Tale storytelling event run by David Heathfield at @sidmouthfolkfest.bsky.social. A child’s first-hand account of living in Gaza these last couple of years. You can buy the book and donate here: ko-fi.com/s/b1db673c55
Inspired by the Tell a Child in Gaza’s Tale storytelling event run by David Heathfield at @sidmouthfolkfest.bsky.social. A child’s first-hand account of living in Gaza these last couple of years. You can buy the book and donate here: ko-fi.com/s/b1db673c55
December 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Gaza Girl by Hala
Inspired by the Tell a Child in Gaza’s Tale storytelling event run by David Heathfield at @sidmouthfolkfest.bsky.social. A child’s first-hand account of living in Gaza these last couple of years. You can buy the book and donate here: ko-fi.com/s/b1db673c55
Inspired by the Tell a Child in Gaza’s Tale storytelling event run by David Heathfield at @sidmouthfolkfest.bsky.social. A child’s first-hand account of living in Gaza these last couple of years. You can buy the book and donate here: ko-fi.com/s/b1db673c55
Mistborn by @brandonsanderson.com
I LOVED this. Brilliant magic system, properly explored, pacy and socially conscious plot (magic revolution heist!), can’t wait to read the rest and everything else Sanderson has done
I LOVED this. Brilliant magic system, properly explored, pacy and socially conscious plot (magic revolution heist!), can’t wait to read the rest and everything else Sanderson has done
December 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Mistborn by @brandonsanderson.com
I LOVED this. Brilliant magic system, properly explored, pacy and socially conscious plot (magic revolution heist!), can’t wait to read the rest and everything else Sanderson has done
I LOVED this. Brilliant magic system, properly explored, pacy and socially conscious plot (magic revolution heist!), can’t wait to read the rest and everything else Sanderson has done
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
(See above!)
I was slightly disappointed - perhaps because the short story I’d read was set after the events of the novel when the little found family had already formed, whereas the novel is about them forming. Some wibbly time/logical loops
(See above!)
I was slightly disappointed - perhaps because the short story I’d read was set after the events of the novel when the little found family had already formed, whereas the novel is about them forming. Some wibbly time/logical loops
December 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
(See above!)
I was slightly disappointed - perhaps because the short story I’d read was set after the events of the novel when the little found family had already formed, whereas the novel is about them forming. Some wibbly time/logical loops
(See above!)
I was slightly disappointed - perhaps because the short story I’d read was set after the events of the novel when the little found family had already formed, whereas the novel is about them forming. Some wibbly time/logical loops
Mrs. S by K. Patrick
The YEARNING! The constant present tense was tedious but you get used to it
The YEARNING! The constant present tense was tedious but you get used to it
December 30, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Mrs. S by K. Patrick
The YEARNING! The constant present tense was tedious but you get used to it
The YEARNING! The constant present tense was tedious but you get used to it
Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett
Trying to work my way through all of the Discworld books relatively slowly so I don’t binge and then have no new Pratchett. This was as enjoyable as Pratchett ever is, but not a stand out
Trying to work my way through all of the Discworld books relatively slowly so I don’t binge and then have no new Pratchett. This was as enjoyable as Pratchett ever is, but not a stand out
December 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett
Trying to work my way through all of the Discworld books relatively slowly so I don’t binge and then have no new Pratchett. This was as enjoyable as Pratchett ever is, but not a stand out
Trying to work my way through all of the Discworld books relatively slowly so I don’t binge and then have no new Pratchett. This was as enjoyable as Pratchett ever is, but not a stand out