SWBC: Bookish resolutions for 2024
Plus: The top SWBC posts of 2023.
Bookish resolutions for 2024
Read more Star Wars books: This one is a free space, but it’s nice to have a resolution that you know you’ll accomplish.
Read more Star Wars Legends: My Legends journey has been slow and steady, but in 2024 I really want to catch up on the X-Wing series and finally read I, Jedi. I also want to continue my trek through Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars books.
Keep my shelves organized and reorganized: My library/office area is about to undergo a major transformation thanks to getting a new desk for Christmas. My bookshelves are already so full that there are growing stacks on the floor. So, in 2024, I aim to stay more organized, reorganize as I get new books, and donate books I no longer want.
Continue and finish several series I started in 2023: Beyond new Star Wars books, 2023 was the year I started reading Brandon Sanderson, Pierce Brown, and the Throne of Glass series. With House of Flame and Shadow arriving in January, I want to finish Sarah J. Maas’s incredible young adult books as soon as I can. And I loved both Mistborn and Red Rising, so the second books in those series are at the top of my 2024 priority reads list.
Read more diversely and intentionally: One of the best things about reading is venturing into new worlds, learning new perspectives and ideas, and meeting characters who don’t look like or think like you. And in today’s real world, every year it becomes increasingly more important to prioritize reading books written by and about people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized communities. Reading diversely breeds empathy, compassion, and understanding, and I can always use more of those traits.
Keep utilizing the library and Kindle Unlimited: I’m already pretty proud of myself for how much I used the library this year, especially in the last six months or so. It’s truly so easy, and free, and I get a similar high to walking out of a bookstore with an armful of books. But with the library, again, it’s free. And though Kindle Unlimited isn’t free, it’s become one of the subscription services I can’t imagine living without. Plus, it helps me read more indie authors.
What are some of your bookish resolutions for 2024? Share them in the comments!
Top Space Wizards Book Club posts of 2023
This year was a great year for the Space Wizards Book Club. I reached 500 subscribers and several of my posts got picked up by Google. While there were plenty of ideas I wish I could have brought to life, I’m proud of all 52 newsletters and all the extra posts I put out into the world this year.
And, of course, I’m so thankful for all 540 (and counting) of you for reading, sharing, and supporting me.
Here are your favorite SWBC posts from this year.
How to read The High Republic
Guides like these are some of my favorite types of posts. They’re timeless, and with an era like The High Republic, reading guides can be constantly updated as new books come out. This guide came about because one of the most common questions I get as a Star Wars book reviewer is “How do I read The High Republic?” This guide proved so helpful that it’s the first result when you search “How to read The High Republic books” in Google.
Star Wars books of 2023 so far, and what’s coming next
This post dropped in July, and at the time there were 8 Star Wars books released so far and another 7 on the way plus two waves of Essential Legends reprints. I think posts like this are popular because it’s just as important to appreciate all the new books we’ve already received as it is to look forward to upcoming releases.
Breaking Book News: Qi'ra-focused Star Wars novel coming from E.K. Johnston
I love writing Breaking Book News posts, and the best type of book announcement is one that is truly breaking — I didn’t see it coming. The reveal that E.K. Johnston would return to Star Wars books was a welcome one made even better by the fact that the book would focus on Qi’ra from Solo: A Star Wars Story. Crimson Climb ended up being a surprisingly excellent read and further cemented Johnston as a go-to author for young adult novels starring Star Wars women.
Breaking Book News: All The High Republic news from Star Wars Celebration
The other type of Breaking Book News post I love is one that I get to plan out. This past year, there have been several conventions where they announced new Star Wars books and other content. This year’s Star Wars Celebration was a treat for High Republic fans as the Lucasfilm Publishing panel shared all the juicy details about Phase 3 books and stories.
How to be a good Star Wars book reviewer
This post was a long time coming and one of the most important I wrote this year. It went beyond basic FAQs and shared my perspectives, experience, and thoughts on how to be patient, kind, fair, and understanding in the book reviewer space. There’s unfortunately a lot of entitlement and misunderstanding in the book content creation community, so I hope this post provided some behind-the-scenes clarity about what it means to be a good book reviewer.
What types of posts do you want to see or read more of in 2024? Let me know in the comments!
Share your memories of The Phantom Menace
I am, once again, humbly asking for your help with my next Star Wars Insider story.
One of the best things to happen to me in 2023 was getting to write not one but two stories for Star Wars Insider — the official Star Wars magazine.
The next story I’m working on is even more exciting and will be published just in time for The Phantom Menace’s 25th anniversary.
A big part of that story is hearing from fans about their memories of the lead-up to the film, midnight showings, teasers and trailers, merch, etc. That’s why I’m asking for your help!
Simply fill out this Google Form and answer the provided questions, especially if you’d like to be contacted for further insight.
The more the merrier, so please share with your friends who may have exciting The Phantom Menace memories to share.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
Dec. 27
Dark Droids #5
The Mandalorian: Season 2 #7
More of the same sort of posts would be great! And as for my bookish resolutions, I'm hoping to once again read more widely. I've done that to a certain extent this year but I've so many different sorts of books to read now from authors I've met or found this year, so many older classics and non fiction books as research for my novels.
I read more books in 2023 than I have in a very long time. All the books were Star Wars related and I would like to expand to other books outside of the Star Wars universe. I recently picked up Red Rising and I’m looking forward to that series in 2024. I really enjoy your posts and looking forward to what you have planned for 2024!