Goodreads Challenge Complete!

I haven't posted much because I have a couple of hard deadlines for projects coming up in the next few weeks. However, I do have progress to report in another area: I've already completed my Goodreads challenge for the year! It was 150 books, and you can see the list here. Since I started tracking on Goodreads, my record for books read in a single year was 228, which I accomplished in 2013. I lowered my annual goals when I was really stretching to complete 200 books in a year. Perhaps for 2023 I'll aim for 175 books. In the meantime, I can read longer, more complex books if I want to without worrying about how it'll affect my goal. And now, back to writing....

Imagine 2200 Climate Fiction Awards

One of my writer friends, Susan Kaye Quinn, recently won third place in Imagine 2200's climate fiction contest. You can read her story, "Seven Sisters," here. It's about a group of women who run a tea farm. Here's the link to the entire collection. Congratulations to all the winners!

IWSG: In Praise of Cozy Mysteries

Another month begins and brings with it the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Learn more about the IWSG on their website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.

 

Our hosts for this month are Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox.

 

Our question for this month is simple: What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?

 

I'm going to use cozy mysteries for this answer since it's a niche genre. (The link provides a description of the genre if you're not familiar with it.) Cozy mysteries are rich in settings and descriptions. They can make me feel familiar with a place I've never been in real life. They can be educational and inspirational when it comes to hobbies; I've been inspired to try knitting after reading so much about it, though sadly I've made almost no headway with it. (Some books also feature recipes or craft patterns.) They can be funny and full of charm and quirks. They are also feminist, showing women as competent in their jobs/hobbies and in using intellect/social observation to solve mysteries. (I do feel obligated to point out that the heroines of cozy mysteries tend to be white, heterosexual, and middle-class, so the genre could use more diversity.) Women are often shown as working with other women and developing relationships with their communities, which is a healing message. Cozy mysteries are emotional balms that offer me respite from daily life and other, bigger issues. 

What's the best thing about your favorite genre? Feel free to share in the comments.