Best Reads So Far (Fantasy + Non-Fantasy), DNFs, Book Bingo Check-In & Writing Updates | Book Dragon Banter

Book Dragon Banter hosts discuss our best reads of the year so far (not limited to fantasy), current reads, DNFs, and palate cleansers. Sage is reading Victoria Aveyard’s Realm Breaker series and shares updates on her reading challenges, StoryGraph tracking, and postponing unfinished series like Blood Over Bright Haven. Katherine discusses cozy rereads, nonfiction reading goals, tracking stats, and favorites including Voyage of the Damned and Bloody Jack. Zinzi shares being on a reading ban to focus on writing, DNFs like Master of Salt and Bones and Feather So Vicious and a palate cleanser with The Other Bennet Sister. We compare progress on our book bingo challenges, share top fantasy picks (including This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews), and give writing journey updates, including a secret project and draft/revision progress. We close with book club news on Fable reading The Spear Cuts Through Water and upcoming season wrap and summer deep dive.

BDB Fable Fantasy Focused Book Club: https://fable.co/club/diverse-fantasy-with-zinzi-bree-271215645134?referralID=f9KdWh3wtd

Find the Downloadable Book Bingo Reading Challenges here:

Book Dragon Banter Substack - https://bookdragonbanter.substack.com/

Podcast links:

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/bookdragonbanter

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookdragonbanterpod

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bookdragonbanter/

Other links:

Book Dragon Ink Online Writing Retreats: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/ink-retreats

Write With Me, Zinzi Bree - Substack: https://writewithmezinzibree.substack.com/

Sage: https://readorbleed.substack.com/

Katherine: https://www.bookdragoneditorial.com/

Current Read: The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

Link: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647357/the-spear-cuts-through-water-by-simon-jimenez/

00:00 Welcome to Book Dragon Banter

00:34 Episode Agenda and Rules

01:24 What We Are Reading Now

03:46 Reading Ban and Secret Project

04:46 Reader Chair Challenges Check In

05:20 Sage Updates and Series Waiting

08:38 Katherine Nonfiction and Tracking

11:03 Magical Element Bingo Progress

13:41 Strategy for Blackout Bingo

18:18 DNFs and Reading Regrets

21:54 Sage DNF Wuthering Heights

22:34 Why We Still Want Endings

23:54 DNF Or Not Right Now

24:46 Cozy Fantasy Trust Broken

26:57 Boredom And Backstory

27:54 Audiobooks And AI Voices

29:08 Palate Cleanser Picks

33:16 Fantasy Favorites So Far

37:24 Non Fantasy Best Reads

42:01 Writers Desk Check In

45:42 Goals Versus Habits

49:34 Wrap Up And Next Reads

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