Music Monday's originated at The Tattooed Book Geek's fantastic blog and has shown up hither, thither, and yon since then.
Fantasy with Friends is a weekly meme hosted by the good people over at Pages Unbound. Fantasy with Friends poses questions each Monday about fantasy, either as a genre as a whole or individual works.
This week’s prompt is:
Is there a particular fantasy that got you interested in the genre? Do you remember any of the earliest fantasy books you read?
I think one of the earliest–maybe the earliest–fantasy novels I read was Jane Yolen’s The Wizard of Washington Square. I’m not positive it’s the right one, I spend a good amount of time looking for it this weekend, and it feels right. And I have a strong memory for where it was on the library shelves–and Yolen fits for alphabetical by author placement.
Several others followed–those that stand out the most are Julie Edwards’ The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (an all-time favorite), Robert C. O’Brien’s Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH was something I read a dozen or more times. A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet were in heavy rotation (the fourth book in the series wasn’t released until I’d moved on from “Juvenile” fiction). The Phantom Tollbooth…what can be said about it that hasn’t been several times before? I’m not going to say anything about Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, because the emotional scars are still raw. I have strong memories of reading Below the Root by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (not just because it didn’t help me at all with the Commodore 64 game), although I couldn’t find the rest of the trilogy in bookstores or the library.
Also, how cool is the name Zilpha?
There are two big series in my mind, though. John Christopher’s The Sword of the Spirits. I sadly remember very little of it–but I remember reading it often, and that it was one of the earlier books I remember that had a lot of morally gray moments and protagonists who weren’t to be admired all that much.
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again (and again, and again, knowing me)–the big one for me is The Chronicles of Prydain. The Chronicles of Narnia and/or The Voyage of the Dawn Treader turned me into a C.S. Lewis reader, but the saga of Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper, Princess Eilonwy, the ex-king/would-be bard, Fflewddur Fflam, and the oracular pig, Hen Wen…that’s what turned me into a Fantasy reader. The stories based on Welsh-mythology, tapped into my imagination–shaped it, too, actually. Life, love, laughter, and loss–it’s all there. I’ve read the series twice in the last decade, and it still works. It’s my favorite from my childhood, and it’s one of my favorites still.
A few years after that, I came across the DragonLance Chronicles, DragonLance: Chronicles, the original Shannara trilogy and Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold, and…well, we’ve left “earliest.”
I’m really looking forward to some of the other posts in response to this prompt, iT’s fun looking back on what early books shaped the readers we become.
Yes, this is late–but you should blame (in part) Fall into Fiction for putting on another great event today.
Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
We’re going to start on a highbrow note: Seven of the Greatest Farts in Western Literature
Celebrating 20 Years of First Law—Z.B. Steele commemorates The Blade Itself‘s 20th Anniversary. “Commonly heralded as a master of the craft and one of fantasy’s greatest character writers, it’s time to celebrate Joe Abercrombie, First Law, and the impact Abercrombie’s work has had on the genre.”
How Substack became the new book tour—huh
Celebrating 15 Years at Pages Unbound!
Witty and Sarcastic Book Club hosted another great mini-series of posts this week, “Looking for the Helpers: Small Roles, Big Influence in SFF.” Its focus is “smaller roles in SFF books and how they can nonetheless play big parts”
…Featuring Jonathan Nevair
…Featuring Dorian Hart
…Featuring Ben Schenkman
…Featuring Shannon Knight
…Featuring Ricardo Victoria
My favorite sentence/passage/phrase (or two) that I read this week:
“What was it about fathers, Clay wondered, that compelled so many of them to test their children? To insist that a daughter, or a son, prove themselves worthy of a love their mother offered without condition?”—Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames
To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago This Week?
Madam Tulip by David Ahern
Indexing (Audiobook) by Seanan McGuire, Mary Robinette Kowal
Dead is Best by Jo Perry
Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky—Nunc hoc in marmore non est incisum
And I mentioned the releases of: Zero K by Don DeLillo; Everybody’s Fool by Richard Russo; Robert B. Parker’s Slow Burn by Ace Atkins ; The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan; Blood Defense by Marcia Clark; Double Down by Gwenda Bond; The Jewel and Her Lapidary by Fran Wilde; and Outriders by Jay Posey
This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Out Law by Jim Butcher—A nice little novella that follows up The Law, Twelve Months, and Changes. Butcher’s spoiling us in 2026.
The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee—”A battle-worn corporate samurai undertakes one last mission on a merciless planet where death is always a mere breath away, in this standalone dystopian epic.”
On Faith and Freedom of Thought by Marilynne Robinson—”Marilynne Robinson’s speech for the 2026 Jon Fosse Lecture, delivered at the Norwegian Royal Palace…our creativity, along with the free space offered by literature, gives us reason for hope. This essay is a powerful exhortation to rediscover our spiritual and human obligations.”
 |
Pug Actuallyby Matt Dunn Paperback, 313 pg. Read: October 5-6, 2021 |
What’s Pug Actually About?
Julie is in a bad relationship, for the last few years she’s been seeing a married man. You know the type—after a few months, he reveals that fact and keeps promising to leave his wife, but… Oh, he’s also her boss. Even if he wasn’t married, he doesn’t treat her well (and is definitely not a dog person). There’s just nothing good to say about Luke.
But Julie really doesn’t see that. Her dad. Jim, and her best friend, Pryia, do—but they can only say so much. But her other best friend, Doug, decides he’s going to do something about it. He starts looking for suitable matches—he doesn’t understand human attractiveness, so he knows he’s at a disadvantage. Early on, he tries to arrange a “meet cute” by knocking over someone’s coffee in the park, but has to abandon that method.
Then Julie is introduced to a recent divorce, Tom. Doug likes him right away (as does Julie’s dad)—even if he is a (gasp) veterinarian. Doug fakes a limp to get taken to Tom’s office, puts up with dog exercise classes in the part, and generally does everything he can to keep the two meeting up. He also steps up his antagonism toward Luke, to try to make it clear to Julie who he prefers.
Doug is a pug who was rescued by Julie and her dad after the death of Julie’s mom. He decides that rescuing can work both ways—and determines that he’s going to find Julie a better guy than Luke.
Without realizing that’s what they’re doing, Jim and Priya help out—discouraging time with Luke and playing up Tom (or anyone else), Jim even is partially responsible for introducing Tom to her.
Slowly something maybe starts between Julie and Tom, and things definitely (and largely independently from the Tom story) get worse between Julie and Luke. And Doug’s along all the while doing his best to help.
The Very Sweet Subplot
When Jim and Doug take their walks, Jim has a habit of stopping by a coffee shop run by a woman named Dot. Dot’s interest in Jim is about as obvious as Doug being a dog. But Jim’s not ready to see anyone after his wife, so is either oblivious or chooses to be. Tom is actually Dot’s son.
About the time that Tom meets Julie, Jim finally opens himself up to the idea of seeing someone. Watching Dot and Jim’s relationship start is possibly the best part of the book (it certainly comes with less drama and more fun).
Doug as Narrator
Going back to Debora and James Howe’s Harold and up through Spencer Quinn’s Chet, I’ve been a sucker for dog narrators. It’s a weakness, and not one I’m in any rush to lose. Doug is one more in a line of dog narrators that has charmed his way into my heart.
Doug’s rather erudite and educated for a canine writer. Sure, there are human things he doesn’t understand, and a few things that a small pug can’t see. But he’s not as easily distracted as Chet, for example. He’s capable of rattling off a Chinese proverb in Chinese—perhaps because he is a pug, because he doesn’t show an affinity for other languages.
He’s also like every dog I’ve ever met, but especially like the pug sitting next to me, and is always hungry—and a little pudgy (hence the need for the exercise class). And while everyone will talk about his need to lose weight, he’s really good at getting them to give him a treat (or finding some on his own).
I really enjoy everyone spelling V-E-T every time they mention Tom’s profession, although as Doug notes, he can spell. The reliable “Big Stretch!” said by everyone who isn’t Luke when Doug stretches brought a grin to my face (and has made me a bit self-conscious when I do the same to my canine companions).
So, what did I think about Pug Actually?
This is a sweet, cute book. Pug Actually is a pretty standard rom-com, you can see most of the story beats coming, but Dunn writes them in an effective way, so who cares? Adding Doug to the mix adds a layer of charm and humor that help make this more than standard.
There’s a moment near the end that really doesn’t seem necessary to add one last hurdle to the Tom and Julie romance. It soured my wife a bit on the book, but me less so. I see where it was necessary—or at least helpful—to give Doug a couple of more shining moments. But the ending was nice enough to make up for whatever stumble that plot point made.
When he was on the Author Stories podcast, Dunn suggested that there might be a sequel in the works. If one appears, I’ll jump on it.
If you’re in the mood for a pleasant, light read, I recommend this. Even better if you’re in the mood for a rom-com. If you’re a dog lover, it’ll help, but even cat people should find plenty to love here.
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.
I am on a roll of reads better than I expected–and I expected to enjoy all the things I’ve picked up this year. I know it won’t last–but I’m enjoying it while it does. Here’s a quick glance at the books I’m talking about:
This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.
The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:
What are you currently reading?
 |
 |
 |
| The Book of Spores edited by Frasier Armitage, Eleni Argyró, Adrian M. Gibson & Ed Crocker |
Out Law by Jim Butcher |
The Terminal List by Jack Carr, read by Ray Porter |
I will be finishing The Book of Spores in the next 24 hours. Readers, this is something else.
Butcher’s latest is sure to make me happy–as I said recently, you can never go wrong with more Marcone.
I barely scratched (got to 7%) The Terminal List last November before I had to give it back to the Library. It took this long to get to the top of the waitlist again. If it’s half as good as the demand seems to suggest, this’ll be a good time. And if it’s not? Eh, 12 hours of Ray Porter narration should make it pleasant.
What did you recently finish reading?
 |
 |
| 51% by Matt Witten |
The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond, read by Shannon McManus |
The 51% left me shocked. Stunned. Stupefied. I’ll try to expand on that soon.
The Frame-up wasn’t as silly as I thought it would be. Plenty of fun, but a little more Patricia Briggs than Elle Cosimano.
What do you think you’ll read next?
 |
 |
| Kings of the Wyld by AUTHOR |
The Arkadians by Lloyd Alexander, read by Words Take Wing Repertory Co |
Eames is going to leave me in a very good mood for the next few days.
My local library just added this Lloyd Alexander audiobook–and it’s one of those novels I didn’t know he’d written. Seemed like a good idea.
Do you have something good on your nightstand?
I don’t know what I was thinking requesting this from NetGalley. I have the hardest time writing about Harper’s books. I only managed to get one word posted about his last one—and that’s not enough for NetGalley. So, yeah, this took several days longer than it should’ve. But I can almost live with this.
A Violent Masterpiece
DETAILS:
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Format: eARC
Length:TEXT
Read Date: April 27, 2026
The Sequel-ness of the Book
This is a follow-up to 2023’s Everybody Knows, but I really wouldn’t say this is a sequel. It’s more of a shared universe kind of thing. The Venn Diagram of the two novels does have some overlap in terms of characters, locations, corporate entities, and events. But the two novels are entirely self-contained and you don’t need to read Everybody Knows to fully appreciate A Violent Masterpiece.
That said—if you read Everybody Knows and want to know what happens in those situations (or at least many of them) six months down the road—you’ll be satisfied. But honestly, that was such a perfect way to end a novel, if you don’t want to step back in—you’re good.
Similarly, if you read A Violent Masterpiece and think “I’d like to know a little bit about how things got to this point,” Everybody Knows, exists. But you have everything you need in these pages.
Now, with that out of the way…
What’s A Violent Masterpiece About?
Take some characters:
The first is Jake Deal. He livestreams crime scenes, tours of historic L.A. crimes, and more. He used to work for a TMZ-like media company, and he still has the skills to get the dirt on people. He’s given an opportunity to make some good money if he uses those skills on a few targets.
A homeless woman, dealing with some dubious legal charges, who is trapped in an uncaring (at best) system.
A serial killer, the L.A. Ripper, killing women throughout the city. The LAPD isn’t prepared to call the killings related, but the rumor mill and the Internet are more than prepared to.
A former TV star/producer who is (very credibly) accused of any number of sex crimes, who is prepared to start naming names of accomplices and others who are just as guilty (if not more so). If he’s going down, he’s not going down alone.
Kara Delgado, a former barista, who was sucked in by the glamor and glitz—and generous salary—to work for a private concierge company. In that role she’ll procure just about anything someone who has the money wants. She’s not sure that that “just about anything” covers anymore, and is starting to have some doubts about the whole thing (but can she walk away?)
Jake’s former boss at the not-TMZ company. She used to work with the producer. She’s involved with some of the same people that use Kara’s company, too. She finds herself entangled in the legal and financial fallout of the producer’s fall into ignominy.
A defense lawyer—think Mickey Haller in the opening pages of The Lincoln Lawyer (before he starts to make a name for himself and some bigger money). Doug Gibson thinks of himself as the knife you bring to a gunfight—and while he may not win, the prosecution’s case will not walk away unscarred.
Throw these characters, a couple of corporations, other entities and far, far more money than a mortal and comprehend and mix them into the heat of L.A.—with all its lights, parties, action, would-be stars, hangers-on, drugs, wealth, and violence. They’re all on courses that will collide—the questions are, who will survive, what will be made known, will anyone I didn’t just name care, and will anything change?
Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?
Jordan Harper. ‘Nuff said.
What does this book tell us about humanity?
There are no guys with white hats running to the rescue. The one character here who is tempted in their better moments to regard themselves that way isn’t really—and when pushed just right, falls apart and casts off his morality.
But for many of the characters—our three primary and at least one other (that I will remain vague on), there can come a breaking point. A point where they cannot keep going down whatever destructive/self-destructive, amoral path they’re on and they are and they have to depart from that path and try to balance the scales, make amends, mitigate the evil they see (and may have participated in). They’re relatable, they’re believable—they’re broken and trying to make their way in the world to find a little peace for themselves, and maybe some others, too. They’re not trying to fix every injustice, right every wrong—just maybe not let things get worse in their immediate circle.
Alternatively, I’d like to say that Harper shows how even at their worst, there are glimmers of hope of some people—there are some “villains” that aren’t all bad, there’s a streak of goodness in them, some kindness—even a part of them that regrets the evil they do and they want to turn from it—and just might. I’d like to say that, but no. There are some truly vile, corrupt, and evil people—alone or in concert with others—that are wholly despicable.
That’s fitting for a noir novel. It also seems pretty realistic.
So, what did I think about A Violent Masterpiece?
So yeah, things sound pretty bleak after that last sentence. But here’s the difference between reality—in all of it’s banality, evil, and bleakness—and a Harper novel. Harper’s voice, style, characterization, and dialogue are just beautiful. You can get lost in that, revel in it, enough that you can set aside the depravity from time to time and just focus on that.
I think the pacing of this book is a little faster, a little smoother, than Harper’s previous novels. I’d even say that the primary characters are 1-3% more likable. Although, even as I say that, I want to note that every one of Harper’s novels feel so different from each other that it’s hard to say something like that with any degree of confidence. Even the two that are most related.
This is a book that’s going to haunt me. Probably not to the point that Everybody Knows did, just due to the nature of the last couple of chapters of each.
Political commentary, social commentary, cultural commentary—even pop culture commentary. There’s little that Harper doesn’t put in his sights. And he nails it at every turn.
From the first chapter, it was clear that this was going to be a rollicking read. I found myself in a situation with nothing to do but read for a couple of hours and was able to read the first half of this in one sitting. And despite the situation being resolved, I thought about sticking it out longer so I could finish, no matter what side of midnight it was. It was good to get a breather to mull on the book some—but boy howdy, it’d have been satisfying to gulp it in one.
This is a harrowing look at L.A. and the industries the run it (and the money and depravity they allow to flourish). But it’s not just about L.A.—as the novel reminds us, L.A. is America. Everything that happens in this novel happens all around the country on different scales. We’re swimming in it, it’s just a matter of if we want to see it. Harper holds the mirror up to L.A., to the U.S.A., and to ourselves. The challenge is not to avert our eyes.
This is just a brilliant read.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Little, Brown and Company via NetGalley in exchange for this post, which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
I missed the target last month–again. This time due to library due dates and poor time management. Mostly the latter. So, naturally, I take on a list that’s likely physically impossible. It makes sense…really. Okay, it doesn’t. But I’m feeling aspirational.
Book of Spores
edited by Frasier Armitage, Eleni Argyró, Adrian M. Gibson & Ed Crocker
ACROSS DIMENSIONS, IT CREEPS AND CONSUMES. Hidden in the vaults of a world-spanning library lie the records of a mysterious book, one made of mold and magic. Varied accounts of its existence remain scattered throughout the multiverse, but when an archivist attempts to bring its pages together, she will learn how dangerous a book—and her own ambitions—can be . . . A mind-altering fantasy, science fiction, and horror anthology, The Book of Spores collects seventeen strange stories by authors from the FanFiAddict book blog and SFF Addicts Podcast, including M. J. Kuhn, Greta Kelly, Adrian M. Gibson, Krystle Matar, C.M. Caplan, Emma L. Adams, Ryan Kirk, Kaden Love, Adam Bassett, Tom Bookbeard, A.J. Calvin, Harry Chilcott, C.J. Daley, Tori Gross, D.B. Rook, Eleni Argyró, Frasier Armitage, and Will Swardstrom. Prepare for your imagination to be colonized by The Book of Spores. Also features an introduction by the father of fungalpunk, Adrian M. Gibson.
I’ve got about 100 pages left to go, and this book is just…stunning. I’m not sure what to say beyond this. Is every story a winner? No. But all of them have something to make a reader excited.
An Egg Is Quiet
by Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
This stunningly beautiful and wonderfully informative book from award-winning artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston makes for a fascinating introduction to the vast and amazing world of eggs. Featuring poetic text and an elegant design, this acclaimed book teaches children countless interesting facts about eggs. Full of wit and charm, An Egg Is Quiet will at once spark the imagination and cultivate a love of science.
Huh. This sounds interesting.
Out Law
by Jim Butcher
In a city that's just beginning to recover from the devastation caused by the Battle of Chicago, Harry Dresden is finally pulling himself together as well. He's ensconced in his own personal castle, healing his various wounds, and training an eager new apprentice. The last thing he wants is any trouble. But, as history has consistently--and quite annoyingly--shown, what Harry wants is rarely what Harry gets.
It starts with a visit from Harry's most powerful frenemy, Gentleman John Marcone, Baron of Chicago. He needs Harry to assist in the redemption of an underling who's looking to go straight. And since Harry does kinda sorta owe Marcone for saving his life once (stupid honorable debt!), it's not a request he can refuse. He'll just wish he had.
Because this little favor is going to drag Harry into a fight he doesn't want on behalf of a lowlife he doesn't trust against an enemy more powerful and pestilent than he ever could've expected: an insatiable, demonic foe whom Harry himself may have created when he wiped out the vampires of the Red Court so long ago.
Before, all it wanted was blood. Now it wants the entire world . . .
There’s no way this matches Twelve Months, but who cares? It’s Dresden–bring it on.
The Photonic Effect
by Mike Chen
The starship Horizon’s crew spent ten years trapped across the expanse of space. Now they’re finally home—only it’s not the home they knew. The Cluster, once a peaceful coalition of planets, has fractured in the wake of civil war.
Captain Demora Kim wants nothing more than to protect her surviving crew. It’s what she owes them after years of instability and terror. But in times of war, no one is allowed neutrality.
After an attack on a mining station leaves thousands dead, Demi’s efforts become almost impossible. Every ship is needed on the frontline. Thrust deeper into a conflict she barely understands, Demi considers a bold choice—one that might keep her promises but tip the galaxy further into chaos.
This looks to be the most SF of Chen’s novels to date. I can’t wait to see what he’s got in store for us.
Nice Places
by Vincent Chu
When Georgie quits his job at Oats Technologies to travel the world for one year, he hopes to escape the daily existential discomfort of corporate life. But after a meditation guru robs him on his way to the airport, he awakens in a guest house in the rundown yet vibrant Panhandle neighborhood of his own city.
Alone with his phone and a desperate urge to assure his friends and family all is well, Georgie shares a photo of "authentic" boat noodles. To his surprise, everyone loves the post and believes he is overseas. Ant, a mixed media artist from Berlin, proposes a collaboration. With her vision and the help of a charming cast of guests and locals, Georgie's unlikely adventures unravel in ways he never imagined.
Chu wrote one of my favorite short story collections a few years ago, and I trust this novel is going to blow me away.
Kings of the Wyld
by Nicholas Eames
Clay Cooper and his band were once the best of the best, the most feared and renowned crew of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld.
Their glory days long past, the mercs have grown apart and grown old, fat, drunk, or a combination of the three. Then an ex-bandmate turns up at Clay's door with a plea for help -- the kind of mission that only the very brave or the very stupid would sign up for.
It's time to get the band back together.
This month, our Fantasy Book Club pick is one of my all-time favorites. Yes! I have an excuse to re-read it!!
Robert B. Parker’s Booked
by Alison Gaylin
World famous author Melanie Joan Hall asks for Sunny's help in tracking down Book Babe, the screen-name of an enormously popular book reviewer, who has trolled her with a deeply insulting one-star review. This usually wouldn’t matter except that Book Babe has thousands of followers, and her unwarranted blast has Melanie's publisher threatening to pull all her books.
But Sunny's investigation reveals that the reviewer and Melanie have a rich history—in fact, she may even have good reason to hate the torn-up author. And when Book Babe suddenly turns up dead, casting Melanie as a possible suspect, Sunny finds herself in a complicated web, which, if she can't untangle fast enough, might just put a target on her back.
I’m not sure I need more Melanie Joan Hall in my life. But I’m looking forward to Gaylin proving me wrong.
Three Hitmen and a Baby
by Rob Hart
Assassins Anonymous isn't just a weekly recovery meeting for reformed killers—it's also a family.
When Valencia receives troubling news that her brother has gone missing, she wants rush off to LA to find him. But she can’t bring her baby girl, Lucia. Enter the other members of Assassins Anonymous—Mark, Astrid, and Booker, who offer to watch the toddler while she's gone. After all, they're three of the deadliest, most highly skilled people on the planet; what could go wrong?
Turns out, a lot. Shortly after Valencia leaves, Mark is summoned to the lair of Zmeya, a Russian mob boss calling in a deadly favor—she wants him to kill Astrid, his protege and friend. Mark refuses, but Zmeya reveals that she knows the identity of Mark’s ex-girlfriend . . . and his son. Either Astrid goes, or they do.
Meanwhile, Lucia spikes a dangerously high fever, and when Booker and Astrid take her to urgent care, they realize too late, that their fabricated identities are a real liability. Also, they don't know Valencia’s last name, let alone Lucia's. They can hardly blame the staff for calling the NYPD.
Suddenly the splintered group is on the run from both the Russian mob and the police, dodging bad guys and do-gooders while trying to find refuge in a city full of surveillance cameras—all without killing anyone. That is, until Zmeya captures Sara and Bennett, and Mark is ready to throw his sobriety out the window.
Hart’s series about reformed killers has been a blast so far, just going from the title, that’ll continue. Russian mobs, police, and a sick baby. A winning combination to be sure.
Starship Troopers
by Robert A. Heinlein
Johnnie Rico never really intended to join up—and definitely not the infantry. But now that he’s in the thick of it, trying to get through combat training harder than anything he could have imagined, he knows everyone in his unit is one bad move away from buying the farm in the interstellar war the Terran Federation is waging against the Arachnids.
Because everyone in the Mobile Infantry fights. And if the training doesn’t kill you, the Bugs are more than ready to finish the job...
The SF Club pick for the month. I trust this’ll be much better than the movie (which was entertaining enough)
The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love
edited by Alice Hoffman
Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to share their life with a dog knows the experience is both profound and transformative. Here, in this charming collection of essays, fourteen celebrated authors share unforgettable tales of the dogs who left their pawprints on their hearts.
With contributions from Isabel Allende, Chris Bohjalian, Bonnie Garmus, Roxane Gay, Emily Henry, Ann Leary, Tova Mirvis, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Strout, Amy Tan, Adriana Trigiani, Nick Trout, Paul Yoon, and Laura Zigman, The Best Dog in the World captures the full range of the canine-human connection, from the joy of welcoming a new puppy to the heartache of saying goodbye to a beloved friend.
A love letter to the loyal companions who enrich our lives and teach us about empathy, joy, and unconditional love, this anthology is the perfect gift for dog lovers everywhere, offering a blend of laughter, tears, and inspiration that will resonate with anyone who has been fur-ever touched by the love of a dog.
This book just looks like it’s going to break my heart–and make it grow three sizes.
First Mage on the Moon
by Cameron Johnston
Ella Pickering is drowning in debt. Once a Unity skymage trained to make aerial supply runs in the great war with the Ranneas Empire, following a crash she now uses a wheelchair and works gruelling shifts making magical weapons in the Unity workshops, thinking of better days.
One night Ella witnesses an experiment by engineer Jackan Grissom go awry. His device morphs into a crude rocket blasting skywards before falling into the war’s spell-ravaged No Man’s Land. But this inspires a dangerous dream: could such a device reach the moon – the forbidden home of the gods? Could they go and beg them to stop the war?
They will need help, but as more folk get involved in their blasphemous plot, can they keep it under wraps? Can magic get them to the moon? Or will their heresy lead them to the gallows?
What a strange idea. How did no one think of this before?
Remington Platypus
by Steve Nash
Remington Platypus is many things: badger, detective, Platypus by name, but not by nature. When a grotesque body turns up in the city, a fusion of multiple species, Frankensteined together into something that should never have existed. He knows he can’t look the other way. Someone is making monsters. His boss wants him to walk away. The Murder wants him gone. Their syndicate of crows controls half of the city. In the shadows, the Rev, their enigmatic raven leader, watches. Silent. Patient. And far too powerful. Remington has never been good at playing it safe. But when nothing adds up, and no one is who they seem, who do you trust? In a city of fur, feathers, and fangs, where predators set the rules and prey vanish without a trace, Remington is about to learn that some monsters aren’t born, they’re made.
I’ve heard only good things about this–I’m eater to try it for myself.
The Book With No Pictures
by B. J. Novak
You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . .
BLORK. Or BLUURF.
Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.
Cleverly irreverent and irresistibly silly, The Book with No Pictures is one that kids will beg to hear again and again. (And parents will be happy to oblige.)
This should be fun.
Cherry Baby
by Rainbow Rowell
Everybody knows that Cherry's husband, Tom, is in Hollywood making a movie . . .
Almost nobody knows that he isn't coming home.
Tom is the creator of Thursday—a semi-autobiographical webcomic that's become an international phenomenon.
Semi-autobiographical. That means there's a character in this movie based on Cherry . . . "Baby."
Wide-hipped, heavy-chested, double-chinned Baby.
Cherry never wanted this. No fat girl wants to see herself caricatured on the page—let alone on the big screen. But there's no getting away from it. Baby looks so much like Cherry that strangers recognize her at the grocery store.
While her soon-to-be ex-husband is in Los Angeles getting rich and famous and being the internet's latest boyfriend, Cherry is stuck in Omaha taking care of the dog he always wanted and the house they were going to raise a family in . . . and wondering who she's supposed to be without him.
Cherry had promised to love Tom through thick and thin.
She'd meant it.
One night, Cherry decides to leave all her problems, including Tom's overgrown puppy, at home. She ventures out to see her favorite band play her favorite album . . . and someone recognizes her from across the room.
Russ Sutton knew Cherry when she was a young art student with a fondness for pin-up dresses and patent leather heels. Before Tom.
Russ knows Cherry. He likes Cherry.
And best of all . . . he's never heard of Thursday.
I actually read this one already. It was a bit more…explicit than I appreciate, but it’s funny, sweet, and heartfelt.
Go Gentle
by Maria Semple
Adora Hazzard has it all figured out. A Stoic philosopher and divorcée, she lives a contented life on New York City’s Upper West Side. Having discovered that the secret to happiness is to desire only what you have, she’s applied this insight to blissful effect: relishing her teenage daughter, the freedom of being solo, and her job as a moral tutor for the twin boys of an old-money family. She’s even assembled a "coven"—like-minded women who live on the same floor in the legendary Ansonia—and is making active efforts to grow its membership. Adora’s carefully curated life is humming along brilliantly until a chance meeting with a handsome stranger.
Soon, her ordered world is upended by black-market art deals, secret rendezvous, and international intrigue . . . and her past—which she has worked so hard to bury—lands like a bomb in her present. Inflamed by unquenchable desire, Adora finds herself a woman wanting more: and she’ll risk everything to get it.
Today Will Be Different showed me that Semple won’t knock it out of the park at every at-bat, but I’m still looking forward to this.
I probably won’t have time for these, but if I hit a hot streak:
Eyes of Empire
by JCM Berne
A baby dreadnought is terrorizing two star systems. A new wormhole has been opened, a new planetary system revealed, populated by a strange and impossible race. A mad god is on the loose. The il’Drach have destroyed an entire planet, and are on their way to Wistful. Rohan just wants a peaceful day of work and a decent cup of coffee. But if he doesn’t handle the dangers facing his friends, his system, and his sector of the galaxy, who will? And if he DOES . . . what price will he pay?
I got hung up trying to write a post about the previous book in the series, and got stalled out in my reading. I need to catch up on this series.
The Brothers McKay
by Craig Johnson
When Pepper McKay, one of the most hated men in Absaroka County, is found murdered on his ranch in Crazy Woman Canyon, suspects aren’t in short supply. But Sheriff Walt Longmire’s attention is on those who had gathered for a family meeting that evening, McKay’s very different sons: a smooth-talking charmer, a cosmopolitan journalist, a reclusive monk, and a half-Native ranch hand who keeps the place running. Each had a motive. Each claims he’s innocent.
As Walt investigates what happened that night at the O-Kay Lodge, he’s pulled into a tangle of old grudges and long-buried secrets. Then the case takes a sharp turn: a second body surfaces, and a wildfire tears through the canyon, trapping Walt and forcing him into a fight for his life as both the killer and the elements close in.
Just because of the release date (May 26), I don’t think I’ll actually get to this. But, maybe. I don’t know why Walt’s not on the search for his Aunt–but I assume Johnson has a plan.
We Be Dragons
by Michael Weitz
It's 1986 and John Brewer spends his days working and saving for college. His weekends, though, are filled with terrifying monsters, deadly battles, and dark mysteries as he leads his friends through an epic Dungeons & Dragons adventure.
But life outside the game is far more complicated. A horrific farming accident puts people on edge; Henley is a demanding boss hell-bent on making John's life miserable; rancid small-town rumors create suspicion, and a local evangelist believes D&D is "the devil's work."
With both of his worlds-real and imaginary-under attack, will John find the courage to fight back? Is he willing to put his very life on the line?
We Be Dragons is a story about friendship, standing tall, and a D&D adventure that takes readers to a world where fighting for what's right is what life is all about.
I predict good things from this book, I just need to find a way to squeeze it in. It probably won’t be soon–but I could surprise myself.
(Image by DaModernDaVinci from Pixabay)
Music Monday's originated at The Tattooed Book Geek's fantastic blog and has shown up hither, thither, and yon since then.
I read 28 titles (12 up from last month, 4 up from last April)–although, it should be noted that 7 of those were Picture books, still, it was a good month.
Not the best month for the ol’ TBR pile (especially the 2026 numbers…), the danger of book events, I guess.
The Month in Reading
(thanks to Bookmory for the image)
TBR Piles
| Audio | E-book | Physical | Goodreads Want-to-Read |
NetGalley Shelf/ARCs/Review Copies |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End of 2025 |
4 | 89 | 112 | 192 | 11 |
| 1st of the Month |
4 | 88 | 118 | 202 | 10 |
| Added | 0 | 1 | 21 | 2 | 1 |
| Read/ Listened |
1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Current Total | 3 | 88 | 132 | 200 | 6 |
My TBR Range
If you actually want to be able to read that, click on the chart for a larger version.
Breakdowns:
“Traditionally” Published: 23
Self-/Independent Published: 5
| Genre | This Month | Year to Date |
|---|---|---|
| Children’s | 7 (25%) | 13 (13%) |
| Fantasy | 3 (11%) | 15 (15%) |
| General Fiction/ Literature | 3 (11%) | 11 (11%) |
| Mystery/ Suspense/ Thriller | 6 (21%) | 25 (25%) |
| Non-Fiction | 1 (4%) | 7 (7%) |
| Science Fiction | 3 (11%) | 8 (9%) |
| Theology/ Christian Living | 2 (7%) | 8 (8%) |
| Urban Fantasy | 3 (11%) | 12 (12%) |
| “Other” (Horror/ Humor/ Steampunk/ Western) | 0 (0%) | 1 (1%) |
Review-ish Things Posted
Books of the Month
- Soul Fraud by Andrew Givler: The Devil’s Minion Went Down to a Movie Theater in LA
- Enemy of My Enemy (Audiobook) by Alex Segura, read by Michael David Axtell: A Lot of Devils in Hell’s Kitchen
- The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson: Survive Long Enough to Gather Power. Gather Enough Power to Make a Difference.
- True Color by Kory Stamper: The Struggle to Define Blue (and other colors)
Other Recommended Reads
- Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite: A Cozy Murder Mystery in Spaaaaaaaaace.
- Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn: Chet Searches for an Influencer Cat
- Quick-Take Catchups: The Leftovers from February
- REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Shadowed Souls edited by Jim Butcher, Kerrie L. Hughes
- REPOSTING JUST CUZ: Heroic Hearts ed. by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes: Street-wise Herculeses to fight the rising odds
- Paranormal Payback edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes: Revenge and Magic
- Electric City Switches by M.D. Presley: This Is Why Some People Can’t Go Home Again
- City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky: A Lot of Promise, Not A Lot of Delivery
- Grandpappy’s Corner: Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks, Richard Egielski (Illustrator): Maybe a Little Creepy, But Sweet
Other Things I Posted
- Fantasy with Friends: How Do You Define “Fantasy?”
- Counting My Literary Chickens Before They Hatch: My April TBR
- Fantasy with Friends: Do You Prefer High or Low Fantasy?
- Fantasy with Friends: My Favorite Fantasy Subgenres
- 2026 Plans and Challenges—1st Quarter Check-In
- LITERARY LOCALS: Some Independent Bookstores and Indie Bookstore Day!
- Captivating Character of April: Baru Cormorant
- Fantasy with Friends: Today’s Fantasy Books I Think Will Become Fantasy Classics
Spotlights
Music Mondays
- MUSIC MONDAY: “Derecho Demonico” by Jack White (Live on SNL)
- MUSIC MONDAY: “Golden” by Puddles Pity Party
- MUSIC MONDAY: “Eet” by Regina Spektor
WWW Wednesdays
- WWW Wednesday—April 1, 2026
- WWW Wednesday—April 8, 2026
- WWW Wednesday—April 15, 2026
- WWW Wednesday—April 22, 2026
Saturday Miscellanies
- Saturday Miscellany—4/4/26
- Saturday Miscellany—4/11/26
- Saturday Miscellany—4/18/26
- Saturday Miscellany—4/25/26
Enough about me—how Was Your Month?
Fantasy with Friends is a weekly meme hosted by the good people over at Pages Unbound. Fantasy with Friends poses questions each Monday about fantasy, either as a genre as a whole or individual works.
This week’s prompt is:
Has reading a fantasy book ever inspired you to do further research into something else?
Not really–I mean, Fantasy is pretty much about beyond reality, right? I mean, occasionally, I’d do a quick web search to check for a detail or two on a notable fae or mythological figure–just to make sure I remembered them correctly. I did that with Grossman’s The Bright Sword when it came to a knight or two, and some of the characters in Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw. That’s as close as I can think of when it comes to research.
Well, I mean–there’s looking into the backlist of a new-to-me author.
This prompt did made me think of How to Slay a Dragon: A Fantasy Hero’s Guide to the Real Middle Ages by Cait Stevenson.
What should you ask a magic mirror? How do you outwit a genie? Where should you dig for buried treasure? Fantasy media’s favorite clichés get new life from How to Slay a Dragon: A Fantasy Hero’s Guide to the Real Middle Ages, a historically accurate romp through the medieval world. Each entry presents a trope from video games, books, movies, or TV—such as saving the princess or training a wizard—as a problem for you to solve, as if you were the hero of your own fantasy quest. Through facts sourced from a rich foundation of medieval sources, you will learn how your magical problems were solved by people in the actual Middle Ages.
Divided into thematic subsections based on typical stages in a fantastical epic, and inclusive of race, gender, and continent, How to Slay a Dragon is perfect if you’re curious to learn more about the time period that inspired some of your favorite magical worlds or longing to know what it would be like to be the hero of your own mythical adventure.
Were I the sort to be inspired, I think that many of the questions I’d want to research were touched on by this book. Honestly, I was disappointed in the book–I really didn’t think it lived up to the premise. But still, there were some entertaining bits. Obviously, your results may vary. It wasn’t research per se–but it’s me looking into various and sundry fantasy tropes.
I’m really looking forward to some of the other posts in response to this prompt, if only because I expect a good recommendation or six.