i'm curious how those of you who always read multiple books at once go about it without dropping at least one. i always attempt to read multiple because i just get too excited to read certain things and can't wait, but i inevitably end up pausing/dnfing some and then very little actual progress gets made. does anyone have any specific tactics/strategies they use to keep things balanced?

For those who read fantasy, do you like hard or soft magic systems better? I enjoy both but prefer mysterious, dangerous magic that isn't fully understood or explained. As long as it is internally consistent and the author doesn't stray into deus ex machina territory, that's my favorite.

Hi Friends,

I'm looking for uncomplicated scifi/fantasy books for my almost 80 year old mother who's having increasing trouble with her memory.

Preferably not romantsay, preferably not YA. Anything with Epic Scope has been a fail lately and I feel like she's getting defeated.

I'm looking for something with a handful of characters, rather than a convoluted web of interconnected relationships. She has a lot of trouble with names.

I don't know if anyone can make suggestions but I'm sad that she's sad about losing this.

Books I've bought/lent her lately - Murderbot ✅ Broken Earth trilogy ✅ Project Hail Mary✅ Assassin's Apprentice✅

The Shadow of Gods ❌ The inheritance trilogy ❌

Greetings, boundlings!

I often see comparisons to fan fiction in some people's reviews, usually of romance, and I am curious what that actually means. Generally, it seems like a criticism although correct me if I am wrong.

I read a looooot of romance, some good, some trashy, some that should not have been published. However, I rarely read fan fiction - I'm sure there's some out there I would enjoy I've just honestly never gotten around to it and usually prefer to read physical books.

I can kiiiiind of get the vibe of what people mean but what specifically makes a work feel like fan fiction?

For example, I knew that Game Changer by Rachel Reid was originally a fanfic but I am often in awe of people who guess this fact without actually knowing the lore. Like what wizarding power do you have? What are the tell tale signs?