Category: Conversations with Kav

Okay, I have to give you my BIG news first and I have mixed feelings about it. Scared but excited too because I don’t do change gracefully. 🙂 I’M MOVING! Just got approved for an apartment downtown in a lovely historical neighbourhood. Close to a farmer’s market, two bookstores, the best vegan bakery in town, multiple parks within walking distance and a lake close by! Oh…and twenty minutes to a library. Do I have my priorities straight or what?

The downside is that I’m leaving the wee little house that has been my home for 22 years…and my garden.SOB! My new apartment does have a balcony but it’s north facing so I’ll have to educate myself about shade gardening. No more veggie gardening for me unless I can find an allotment garden close by. I thought I’d pot up a few perennials and see how they do – a hosta, coral bells and wild geranium so I have a little piece of my gardening heart with me when I go. 😦

My move in date is July 1 which couldn’t be worse because that’s Canada Day and the busiest and most expensive day of the year to move in Canada apparently. So the next two months will be spent packing and…gasp…weeding through my physical books because they all can’t go with me. The apartment is much smaller than my house. Unless I get creative and I have my thinking cap on.

Anyway, all this to say that there will likely be some bumps in the road as far as blogging goes. Partly because I’ll be busy getting the garden into shape for the last time (sob) and packing and cleaning and all that fun stuff so I won’t be able to physically read as many books as I usually do. I’ll likely listen more so it’s a good thing I went wild during that audible sale! 🙂 And then, when we get closer to my move date I’ll likely have to stop blogging for a week or two until I get internet connected at the new place. I’m playing all that by ear so stay tuned for more announcements to come.

Okay, now for some Bookish Conversation!

Since I’m concentrating on reading more Independently published books this year and you all have helped me so much by introducing me to indie authors in recent months, I decided to proclaim every fourth Sunday:

Indie Author Day!

We will celebrate by sharing indie books we’ve read, highlight new indie books coming out and wrestle with the conundrum of how to discover new-to-me indie authors and how to tell if a book is independently published in the first place.

Here’s my definition of indie publishing:

• the author pays all production costs
• the author hires and pays for his/her own editor
• the author hires and pays for cover art to be made
• or, the author creates his/her own cover art
• the author performs the technical magic I don’t understand to make the book appear on Amazon as an ebook or a print book (surprise, that costs too)
• the author pays for a voice performer if they decide to add an audio edition
• Basically, the author writes the book and then does the work of a legion of professionals in order to get it out into the world all at their own cost
• Oh, and the author does all the marketing too.

Personally, I think these hard working Independently published authors deserve their very own day every month. So we’re going to give it to them. Celebrate their dedication to their craft and help sell some books!

How to tell if a book is independently published by the author:

You think this would be the easy part, but it’s not. It used to be. Ten years ago you could look at the copyright info and it would list the author’s name under publisher, or CreateSpace Amazon (or something like that) so, easy peasy. No publisher listed meant independently published.

But then authors started getting creative (poor things can’t help it, it’s in their DNA) and they started making up cutesy little publisher names to use instead of their own. So Mabel Bowser who publishes cozy dog mysteries might decide to use ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree Press’ and unsuspecting readers looking for an indie book might skim right on by once they see the book was published by a press. Only it wasn’t really. So confusing!

So what’s a reader to do? I have no idea, other than to google search the ‘publisher’ to see if it’s legit. I might find nothing listed under ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree Press’ and therefore can correctly assume the book is independently published. Or, I might find a link to ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree Press’ but notice that it only lists the author’s books. That’s another indie clue. Clear as mud, right?!

If you have any suggestions on how to recognize indie published books, do share in the comments. And that brings us to today’s Giveaway…drum roll, please, because it’s time to share the book love with our Christian Fiction Independently Published Authors:

Giveaway Opportunity:

US – paperback or ebook (check to make sure the book you choose has the edition you want, some seem to only be in ebook format.)

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible (if available) and also confirm that the book comes int he format you want

International – ebook if you have a US kindle account

You suggest an independently published Christian Fiction (or Clean Romance) already in print and leave the title and author in a comment and you will be entered in the giveaway. If your name comes up, then that’s the book you will win

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 2 2026

I first heard about TSTL in the context of my cozy mystery reading but I’m sure it can be applied to other genres as well. If you are unfamiliar with this intialism it stands for: Too Stupid To Live and refers to those characters who do something so foolish that it’s surprising they are alive by the end of the story.

Examples:

The classic horror film heroine who is being stalked by the serial basement hatchet killer and then one dark and stormy night she hears a thud in the basement and thinks, “Oh, I wonder what could be making that noise? I guess I should go downstairs into the dark and creepy basement and check it out.”

Or a cozy mystery heroine who finds an obviously important, pertinent clue and thinks, “I wonder if I should take this to the police? Maybe I’ll keep it for awhile instead just because (no valid reason)” And, of course, not handing it over to the police stalls the investigation, leaving the heroine with ample time to rush headlong into danger.

Or how about a contemporary romance where the hero and heroine break up in the third act over some ridiculous misunderstanding that could easily be resolved if only one of them started a conversation. Instead they both decide what the other is thinking/feeling and react to those misconceptions even though they have been toe-curling and swoony all the way up to that point.

And then there’s the stubborn suspense heroine who will make no concession in her regular schedule even though a pyschopath is gunning for her, putting everyone around her in danger, including the law enforcement/body guards who are trying to keep her alive.

Anyway, you get the idea. I find it so frustrating to be totally engaged in a really good story when it’s suddenly ruined by a TSTL moment. It feels like a contrived plot device to drive the narrative forward and I feel let down, sometimes to the point of DNFing. Which sounds harsh but it depends on my mood and how committed I have become to the characters in the book.

Realistically, I know that TSTL moments happen to all of us so I really shouldn’t be criticizing fictional characters (though I would never go down into the basement on a dark and stormy night with a serial killer on the loose…like, never! Duh!) However, TSTL moments can sneak up on a girl and here’s one of my epic ones:

Twenty years ago (yes, I’m that old.) I’d just moved into my wee little house and had dreams of creating a wild cottage garden. I read books, I haunted flower shops and nurseries and one day I discovered a hydroponics store in a rather run down building right where the ‘good’ neighbourhood starting easing into the ‘bad’. I was curious, excited to expand my ever growing gardening knowledge so I didn’t think twice about climbing the crumbling cement steps to check it out.

The place smelled funny and didn’t look like any kind of plant store I’d be in before. Pretty grimy, unorganized and there wasn’t a customer or sales clerk in sight though I was surprised to be greeted enthusiastically by two Rottweilers. I loved on the dogs until a guy showed up, as disheveled as the store. He was shocked to find me on the floor playing with the dogs.

“Whoa, those are guard dogs, lady.” He said that with a straight face as the two dogs were both trying to crawl into my lap, their stubby tails wagging. I laughed and asked him what they were supposed to be guarding. He got all flustered and called to someone in the back. This huge biker dude comes stomping up the stairs, chains jangling on his leather jacket, stops dead when he sees me and the dogs. “Ah, they’re not supposed to do that. They’re guard dogs.”

Long story short, we chatted a bit, played with the dogs, I asked them questions about the store which they were cagey about, but they did sell me a tub of bat guano which I swear by to this day as a gardening elixir. I visited the store pretty regularly, mostly to visit the dogs, always hoping they had added to the store inventory but the place always seemed in the setting up stages and there were never any other customers. Lots of noise going on in the basement though. Got to know the spaced out clerk a bit. Even gave him my name and number for when he got some gardening thing in, can’t remember what it was but he was enthusiastic.

And then one day there came a pounding on my door and two police officers were on my doorstep. Apparently they were part of a drug task force and had just busted up a Hell’s Angel’s grow op and were checking all known ties of which, apparently, I was one. Yep, that ‘store’ was a cover for a big drug operation (not just mariuana) and they found my name and number. I might have blathered on a bit too long about bat guano and they might have done a cursory check of my house and asked some pointed questions about my drug use (not!) and if I was involved in distribution!!!! They could tell pretty quickly that I was, well, TSTL but harmless enough.

Sigh. I’ve never found bat guano anywhere else. And I don’t know what happened to the dogs, though, apparently they were guard dogs after all under the ‘right’ circumstances.

Time for Conversation and a Giveaway!

Do you have TSTL triggers in your fiction? Situations or actions that make you roll your eyes and want to chuck the book across the room in frustration? Like me, do you have a true life TSTL moment you’d care to share?

Share your thoughts in a comment and you’ll be entered in a draw for:

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 25 2026

Did you know that this is Amish in April month? It’s an annual booktube challenge that encourages readers to explore the many facets of Amish fiction. From prim and proper sweet romances to edgier general market thrillers, there’s something for everyone. You’ll notice more Amish fiction on the blog this month as I celebrate the genre with some well-loved re-reads as well as new-to-me stories.

I used to read a lot more Amish Fiction though my consumption has unintentionally tapered off over the last few years. I’ve been trying to figure out why and this is what I’ve come up with so far:

• Repetitive plot lines, especially in the romance category. Which is strange, because the same could be said of contemporary romance or historical romance. Maybe it’s because Amish fiction is limited somewhat because of the nature of the culture and lifestyle?
• There seems to be fewer Amish novels being released by Christian publishers so choices are limited and/or they don’t seem to get a huge online presence (at least not in my sphere of the internet) so I’m missing them.
• I’ve noticed more general market publishers picking up Amish fiction BUT it feels like they don’t give the same research and care with authenticity and that really irks me. I’ve picked up many an Amish paperback from the library only to be disappointed with all the major errors I come across. It’s like the authors are just playing dress up with regular contemporary heroes and heroines. Slap on an apron or suspenders and call them Amish. Seriously, I read an Amish romance where wedding plans were being made and the bride to be was deciding on bridesmaids dresses, flower arrangements, decorating the chapel (she was Old Order Amish!) etc. Oh, and getting the bridal party’s nails done professionally! Whhhhhaaaaattttt???? I was so disillusioned and I think those ‘surface’ Amish books put me off the genre.

The kind of Amish Fiction I like to read has:

• Humour. I think of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Stoney Ridge series and all the spinoffs! Some of those characters are a hoot and the situations her younger characters get into are so much fun!
• Mystery. I really love a mix of Amish and Mystery especially cozy mysteries.And the Amish adjacent ones are really intriguing. That’s where the main characters aren’t Amish but the story is set in an Amish community and there are lots of Amish secondary characters. Amanda Flowers, Isabelle Alan, Emma Miller and Laura Bradford have written some great series.
• History. There aren’t many historical Amish novels out there but I have been intrigued by the ones I have read. Jan Drexler has written two fantastic historical series.
• Dysfunction. Complicated family dynamics and the way issues are dealt with (or not dealt with) in a community. Tons of storytelling fodder there! Instead of the cliche ‘perfect’ Amish family all the time. Shelley Shepard Gray is an author who excels at this kind of story.

And now I have questions!

• Are you a fan of Amish fiction?
• Why or why not?
• If your interest has waned, why?
• What kind of themes do you like to see in your Amish Fiction?
• Favourite authors of Amish Fiction?

Important Bonus Question:

Do you have any recommendations for independently published Amish fiction authors? Please and thank you!

Giveaway Opportunity:

Share your thoughts/answer a question or two in the comments and you will be entered in a draw for:

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 18 2026

Videoing book hauls is a popular trend on Booktube. That’s where content creators highlight great sales and used book store purchases as well as kindle sales. I have always marvelled at the deals available to every reader on the planet except me. 🙂 I don’t have a used bookstore close by and I don’t read ebooks so drastic sales have never been a bookish thing for me….

Until…

AUDIBLE’S CRAZY HUGELY DISCOUNTED SALE!

I had heart palpitations this week when I checked my audible wishlist and noticed that every single book on my list (there are 420 of them!) was on sale. And the vast majority of them were like 80% off. Tons of audiobooks for $3 and $4 . Not yet releases for $8. I was flabbergasted and discombobulated and might have spent way too many hours over the next few days deciding what to buy.

True confession: I might have made purchases every day of the sale so far. Somehow it doesn’t feel as wickedly decadent to break down my binge buying into smaller hauls. 🙂 And the sale is on through to April 8th so there’s no guarantees that I won’t go back for more. (Don’t judge me.)

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to finally share my very own book haul. So here it is (so far….bwahahahahaha!)

If you are an audiobook fan, definitely check out this sale. It’s phenomenal!

Ohhhh, and I’d love to hear about one of your epic book hauls! Such a lovely bibliophile topic for a discussion.

Random Questions

The best thing about my Best Reads Besties is that you are a font of collective knowledge and I can always count on someone here to have the exact information I’m looking for so…I have some random questions:

Re: Gabrielle Meyer’s Timeless series:

Do the books have to be read in order? Do they have carryover characters or plots that over-arc between books that would make it confusing to read them out of order? And will the world building make sense if you pick up a book mid series? Important to know because they are all $3.47 right now on audible….eeeeeeppppp!

Re. Holly series:

I’ve picked up the rest of the Holly books I need plus the rest of C. C. Warrens’ books in the audible sale (eeeeepppp) but now I see where there seems to be a spin off series featuring Marx – Seeking Justice – and they also feature Holly. Curious to know how they fit in with the actual Holly series. Has anyone read them? Can they be read as standalones, or do they have spoilers? Trying to figure out if I should read all the Holly books and then the Seeking Justice books or merge them.

Looking for an Amish book about disasters:

I read a series — maybe three books? — about the disaster relief work the Amish and Mennonites do through the Mennonite Central Committee. The characters were a mix of Amish and Mennonite – young people volunteering after natural disasters. So they travelled away from home to serve. Disaster was a hurriance or flood? I read it quite awhile ago — maybe ten years even but I don’t know when the books were published. Does this ring any bells? I’ve a hankering to read the books again but I can’t remember author, titles, or any other useful information. Any ideas?

Now it’s your turn — do you have any bookish questions we can help you with? Today’s the day to find those answers!

Giveaway Opportunity:

Share your thoughts/answers/questions in a comment to be entered for a chance to win a $10 gift card (U.S and Canada) – your choice of Baker Book House or Amazon.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 11 2026.

March is the month bibliophiles celebrate Middle Grade books thanks to a readathon created by some clever booktubers / bookstagrammers, aptly called Middle Grade March. There are a few prompts, a group read and some reading sprints, but mostly they encourage readers to rediscover their first bookish loves and meet some new MG books during the month of March. I’ve participated for a few years, often revisiting some old favourites but also discovering what’s new and popular in the middle grade genre.

Anyway, this year, I got to thinking about how my reading tastes haven’t really veered from my childhood loves. I can actually trace almost all of my most read genres to books that sparked a life long interest from waaaaaaaayyyyy back when I was a young bookworm. 🙂 I started making what we call in the biz ‘text-to-text’ connections between the children’s lit I devoured as a preteen and early teen and the books I gravitate towards as an adult.

So, I thought it would be fun to share our reading foundations. Are we still attracted to the same type of books? Or have our tastes changed as we have matured? Mostly I’ve just switched from MG to ‘grown-up’ books in the same genres and covering the same themes. I am consistently loyal (or perhaps boringly predictable?) in my reading habits, I guess.

I’ll go first (obviously!) so…tada!…here are some of the Middle Grade books that shaped my reading future:

Historical Romance

My love of historical novels began with The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett but my love of historical romance started with Kit’s experiences in a Connecticut Puritan colony. She was raised in the Caribbean, but orphaned and shipped off to relatives she’d never met. Talk about culture shock that leads to her being suspected of witchcraft! Of course there’s a young sailor friend and, voila, I discovered the joys of historical romance!

World War II Fiction

The Silver Sword was my first experience with WWII fiction. It’s based on a true story about four displaced children banding together to survive in occupied Warsaw and their quest to find their parents after the war. This made such an impact on me and began my emotional connection to WWII and Holocaust novels.

Mystery

Santa left this book at the end of my bed one eventful Christmas and created a mystery reading monster! When I found out this was the third book in a series about kids who solve mysteries, belong to a secret club dedicated to good works, “ride, swim, go to parties with the best friends in the world” well, I needed to read them all! We were a financially struggling immigrant family but my dad managed to buy me one Trixie Belden book a month. I still have them. Still read them. Still hug them and smell them and pour over the sweet pictures. Happy sigh. Haven’t stopped reading mysteries since.

Mystery with a Gothic Flare

My love of Gothic mysteries in exotic settings started with the mysteries Phyllis A. Whitney wrote for children. I still remember the thrill that shot through me when I discovered that she wrote similar mysteries for adults when I was in my late teens! I still get a thrill when I come across Gothic mysteries today.

K-9 Centric Stories

I have been dog obsessed since I fell out of my pram trying to reach a dog. My mum had to harness me because I’d lunge after every canine that crossed our paths. Personally I think my being leashed naturally bonded me to all the dogs who were also on leashes. So it was only natural that the first novel I read on my own was a book about a girl and her dog. I still have my battered old library discard copy with this exact cover.

Rom/Coms With Heart

I’m sure that Ramona has made an impression on millions of girls across multiple generations by now. Her antics never get old and the rich family dynamics are so comforting. Her personal dilemmas so relatable. The perfect blend of humour and heart and my stepping stone into my current appreciation for rom/coms.

Fantasy

I was a huge fantasy reader as a child sparked by my discovery of E. Nesbitt – Five Children and It is still my favourite. Set at the turn of the century where children discover a sand fairy who grants wishes only the wishes never go as expected. This book opened my reading world to the fantastical – Narnia (of course!) Edward Eager’s droll magic books, Catherine Anthony Clark’s Canadian Native legends, Carbonel and the Kingdom of Carbonel by Barbara Sleigh…oh, there were so many! I read fantasy for years and then…well, I didn’t! I’m just now getting back into the genre thanks to some Best Reads encouragement! and It feels like getting a bit of my childhood back!

I could talk books all daybed now it’s your turn…and time for the Giveaway Announcement!

Giveaway Opportunity:

Share a book from your childhood that has influenced (for good or bad!) your adult reading choices. Then share the title of a book you would like to add to your toppling TBR pile and, if your name is drawn, that is the book you will win.

Remember:

• Books must be Christian Fiction or Clean, Closed Door Fiction
• Books must already be released
• Remember to check availability — I’ve noticed some older books are no longer in print (if it’s a physical book you’re after.)

Winner announced on Saturday March 21 2026

Today is a two part question day (because I am that nosy!) If I’m not talking about books, I’m thinking about the routines of avid readers in their natural habitat. 🙂 So, here we go!

How many books do you read at the same time?

I’m pretty boring — used to be I just read one book at a time but once I started listening to audio books it became two fiction books at a time. I just have to make sure that the physical book and the audio book are different genres. I tried reading one cozy mystery while listening to another cozy mystery (not at the exact same time, but you know what I mean) and it was so confusing!

In my booktube sojourns I’ve come across multiple content creators who read multiple books at the same time — like six, seven, eight! I was gobsmacked. Still am. To me that just means the books aren’t engaging enough and I would DNF them licektey split and move on to find something I couldn’t put down. Which brings me to the second topic of the day.

Are you a DNFer? If so, at what point to you give up on the read?

I am a firm proponent of DNFing. (Do Not Finish) Life is too short to waste my time with characters I don’t like or plots riddled with holes or a writing style that doesn’t call to me. And there are so many books in my TBR begging to be my next best read! How can I disappoint them by wiling away precious reading time on something that I’m not connecting with?

I have a three chapter rule (usually.) If I’m not hooked in three chapters then I give up. Even when people say – but the last half of the book is awesome! I shouldn’t have to slog through the first half to get there. Sometimes, I’ll DNF earlier. Like if there’s a coarse language issue or other content that I don’t want to read. Or if a trope or issue comes up that I’m not keen on. Sometimes it’s a mood thing. Those are soft DNFs and I’ll give the book another chance sometime in the future. Usually, though, I’m unapologetically decisive and don’t look back.

This year I’ve started keeping a DNF log, writing a ‘for my eyes only’ review explaining why I DNFed. It’s been eye opening and I’ve discovered I can be snarky sarcastic when my readerly sensibilities have been offended. Oops. Reason why I don’t post DNFs or reviews on GR. 🙂

The Giveaway

Let’s get the conversation started. Share your thoughts on multiple book reading and DNFing in a comment below and I’ll enter your name in a draw for a $10 bookish gift card – Baker Book House or Amazon – winner’s choice.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 14, 2026.

The Olympic Readathon Bingo stats have picked up over the last couple of week (heads up — one more week until the deadline – Feb 26 midnight EST) and I’ve discovered that I’m really getting a bibliophile thrill over what you’ve all been reading. It’s like a guilty pleasure every time I get an email. And you’re introducing me to new authors and titles I’ve never even heard of which is all kinds of fun! Yay for growing my Wishlist because…really, can a wish list ever be too long?! And sometimes I’m bouncing up and down because you’ve read a book that I have loved or you remind that oh, yeah, I have had that book on my TBR for a while now too!

I so appreciate random acts of book sharing! They often lead me to literary gems I likely would have passed over otherwise. I’m reading one of those right now – A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro by Heather Norman Smith. I don’t know who recommended it — whether it came out of a Bingo discussion or another conversation day or Reader’s Choice Week – but whoever you are -THANK YOU! This is the book I didn’t know I needed. And definitely one I wouldn’t have picked up on my own. Not a romance (gasp) at least, not yet anyway, but I’m so invested in these characters! And the plot and the setting….I’m just…enchanted!

So, today I thought it would be fun to share what we’re reading and I’ve added a giveaway twist so listen up:

The Giveaway:

1. Share the title and author of the book you are reading right now in a comment below
2. Include the title and author of another book that you don’t own but would love to add to your TBR. Book must already be available. If your name is drawn, that is the book you will win.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 28 2026.

Let’s talk!

I recently came across an instagram post ( books.on.the.grange) about publishing trends that I found really interesting so I thought I would share. The creators are a copyeditor and a former literary agent, so they’re in the know. They talk about the rapid changes in the publishing industry and I have to say, some points really surprised me and some just made me plain sad. But there’s good news too so here’s the scuttlebutt!

Slashed Library Budgets Across the US.

I’ve noticed this in Canada too. I’ve heard of a number of library systems both in the US and Canada that have cancelled Hoopla (which makes me wanna weep) and in my public library, new additions to Libby have been cut back quite a bit, especially the audio books. (Cue the soundtrack of me weeping.)

Print books are still being ordered – just not as many. I’m guessing the higher price of books, paper, production etc. is the culprit. And that makes sense – library budgets haven’t increased at the same rate as the cost of book production. I’m still so grateful for the books I’m able to check out from my library. I have over thirty out right now so it’s not like I’m left with nothing to read!

Increasing Book Bans – Especially for Children’s Books

This is definitely a controversial topic though not unexpected. Personally, I am not a supporter of book bans. Libraries provide material to meet the needs of all their patrons, and that means they have a mandate to offer a wide cross section of books. They should not be forced to narrow down their collection in order to meet the criteria of a small subset of patrons. Easy enough for all of us to pick and choose what we want to read and just ignore the rest.

School libraries are a bit trickier. I was a school librarian for twenty odd years – elementary schools along with a few years in the school board’s Central Library. A common sense approach to collection development can head off a lot of headaches. But again, the collection should reflect the community it serves and that sometimes means controversy but it shouldn’t automatically mean book banning.

Middle Grade Books are Being Scaled Back

I find this rather alarming! Understandable though when you look at the first two points – library cuts and book bans. Sadly that’s making publishers wary. And there’s a move towards more graphic novels, which I find kinda sad.

More Investment in Adult Books

This really surprised me. There seems to be a resurgence of interest in reading in our adult populations. Yay! In fact some children’s authors are being encouraged to switch to writing for adults! I find this partly encouraging – yay for more adults getting back into reading – but yikes, who will be our future adult readers if we’re cutting back on books for our younger readers?

Increases in Printing Costs

Tariffs and inflation affect every aspect of book production which makes publishers more risk adverse. I’ve definitely noticed less new releases per publishing house when we make up our Reader’s Choice Week wish lists! I’ve also noticed that some publishers are skipping the print editions altogether and only publishing ebook and audio.

Overall, Author Advances are Lower

That doesn’t directly affect us as readers, but I hate to think of authors not being fairly compensated for the amount of work they put into their novels. Plus, if they can’t make a decent wage with their writing they might have to spend more time earning money to support themselves which means fewer books down the road for us! (Is that a selfish take or what?!

AI is clogging up Agents’ inboxes!

This one kinda stuns me. Apparently so many AI generated queries are being sent to agents that it’s taking valuable time to weed through them all. Most publishing houses have anti-AI policies (as they should!) so it’s taking some effort to filter out the AI content submissions. Which is discouraging and must be so frustrating for them! And potential authors waiting for a reply to their genuine manuscripts!

More Indie Books are Converting to Traditional Publishing

This one is another surprise. I would have thought it would be the opposite since traditional publishers are releasing fewer books. It seems they are looking for a sure thing so they are scoping out popular indie authors and signing them up. Makes sense, I guess, since those authors already have an online presence and if they’ve made enough of a name to be noticed by a big publishing firm, then they will come with a huge following which would be a marketing dream.

Big Publishers are Investing in Christian Publishing

Gobsmacked! Whaaattt???? Good news for us because some of the big publishers are expanding their Christian imprints, increasing new titles each year! Exciting to think that we readers are making a difference in the industry just by buying Christian Fiction (or requesting it for our libraries.) Woohoo!

Indie Bookstores are making a comeback!

This is really exciting. Unexpected, but exciting. I actually have two indie bookstores fairly close to me. One is within walking distance (well 30 minutes) and the other is a short bus ride a way. They are both fairly new – The Spaniel’s Tale is about five years old and Westboro Books is maybe two. I honestly thought one of them wouldn’t survive because they are pretty close. Just two neighbourhoods away from each other in an urban setting. But they both have unique spins on marketing and different focuses so they kind of compliment each other too. US indie bookstores have actually increased by 70% in the last five years! That’s amazing!

Film Adaptations Galore

There are a ton of popular fiction being adapted for the big screen and TV. In fact, it seems like books are being used as the inspiration for quite a lot of film creations which is all kinds of exciting (as long as they stick to the plot!!!!)

Lots of conversational talking points here so feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments! I look forward to chatting with you!

‘Tis that time of year when a young (or old) reader’s fancy turns to books…well, technically, that’s all the time…but today we’re going to celebrate the love of all things bookish in honour of St. Valentine’s Day with a:

Valentine’s Day Book Tag and Giveaway

To participate in the giveaway simply answer one or two (or as many as you want) Book Tag questions in a comment. You’ll be entered in a draw for either a Baker Book House or Amazon gift card (value $10). US and Canada entries only. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 14 2026.

1. First book crush
2. A book you love that no one else is talking about.
3. Standalone book you love
4. Favourite Love Triangle
5. Favourite Book Couple
6. Book that other people love but you don’t.
7. A book that depicts a favourite romance trope.
8. This year’s Valentine’s Day Read

First Book Crush

It’s a tie — between Gilbert Blythe and Jim Frayne. I started reading both series at the same time and discovered the wonders of book boyfriends.

Is it weird that I still get swoony when I look at these images of Trixie Belden and Jim Frayne? I think if I had to choose between Gilbert and Jim, I’d have to pick Jim. And now I need to reread some of my Trixie Belden books!

A Book I Love That No One Else is Talking About

This book never got the attention it deserved. My first experience with WhiteCrown Publishing and I was impressed. Still get twitterpated when I think about it!

Standalone Book I Love

I’ve been meaning to revisit this one too. Might even have been my first Christian Fiction rom/com!

Favourite Love Triangle

No. Just. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favourite Book Couple:

Way too many to pick just one but I’ll say Freddie and Grace because I recently read The Juliet Code and am gearing up to read The Highland Heist. They’re just such a great couple and since it’s a five book series, we’re given ample time to really bond with them. Love how Pepper Basham has kept their romance alive in every book. Fun to see a happily ever after play out.

Book That Other People Love and You Don’t

A Book That Depicts a Favourite Romance Trope

Not sure if magical realism is considered a trope, but I love it! This book was such a great surprise.

This Year’s Valentine’s Day Read:

Been on my TBR for awhile. I read the second book (St. Patrick’s Day) first and it’s time I got around to this one. Plus — woohoo, hockey hero so it counts for the Olympics Readathon!

You’re turn. Let’s get the conversation started!