As With Everything, We Change & Grow.

            I am not a people person.

            In fact, it’s come to my attention lately, that there are some who would say that I am not even a person at all. You see, unlike most 26-year-olds in 2021, I do not have many friends. Nor do I have many hobbies, or much that I like doing outside of m y own home. I am the definition of homebody if ever there was one.

            I like simple things. Cooking, baking, videogames, and taking pictures of my animals. I also like writing my stories, believe it or not, even when they drive me crazy, and I think I’ll tear my hair out. I like books. More than that, really, I like getting lost inside of them. The ability to be transported into a fantasy realm somewhere else, where I don’t have to be myself for a little while is one of the biggest escapes and reprieves, I have from the world. And if I’m being 100% honest with you, you have no idea how often I would rather stay there, and never come back to the real world.

            It’s easy for me to swallow a full 500-page novel whole in less than a day’s time.

            Not just that but, I enjoy it. In fact, this year, I’ve read 43 books according to Goodreads. Or rather, I’ve logged 43 books, as I don’t always tend to remember to log in the physical books I’ve read, and it marks the Kindle books down for me. However, it doesn’t count books like The Fair Isle trilogy as 3 books if they come in a bundle. Because, if we were counting bundles as individuals, then I’m sure I’ve easily read 60+ books this year alone, and there’s no end in sight.

            Today, for example, I finished reading a Hades and Persephone retelling- specifically, a book called Tempting Hades (Myths and Monsters) by one of my absolute favorite authors, Emma Hamm, who wrote a rather tantalizing series that I also started this year called Of Goblin Kings. Her use of imagery and alliteration really tends to bring the story to life for me. My point being, I am nothing if not for my books because, without them I don’t cope with the world all that well.

            I get overstimulated easily, and books ground me.

            So, let’s talk about it. I spend too much time coming on here and bitching about my heath, so I’d rather talk about something else today. Books. Tempting Hades, like every other Emma Hamm book I’ve read this year, was absolutely enthralling. The way she brought the Gods to live was a truly beautiful and unique experience. She stayed true to the original Greek Myths that I’ve loved since I was younger, while also putting a fantastic spin on things.

            No spoilers to be found here but, I will be telling you a little bit about the characters, and if that’s not something you’re interested in, then you may want to stop here. Emma Hamm’s rendition of Hades was almost addictive. He wasn’t the smug, stuck-up God that some other retellings make him out to be. He’s shy, softspoken, and kind, while also at the same time being a little bit clueless as to how the mortals live. While Persephone, who we first meet as being called Kore, is naïve at first but, strong in her own ways. It was a beautiful experience watching her go from Maiden to Lady of the Underworld, while we watched Hades go from Lord of the Underworld to somebody who was well and truly loved, and who felt worthy of love in the end.

            If you like Greek Gods, mythology, and romance, this is the book for you.

            I wish I could tell you more without giving the story away but, I won’t go and do that to you. I will say, however, that I do enjoy talking about books, and I may have to do this more often, talking about books, maybe even writing book reviews. I can’t just complain about my health all the time after all, right?

            Right.

            I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and got what they wanted on Black Friday. Have a wonderful day.

            -Sky