It’s still technically Saturday. Especially in my time zone…. Nothing wrong, just one of those days. So, here’s a few odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
- World’s Highest-Paid Authors 2018: Michael Wolff Joins List Thanks To ‘Fire And Fury’ — no shockers on this list — but the numbers separating the top 3 from each other (not to mention from the rest of the list), are eyebrow raising. Also, I wasn’t aware that the two tied for 8 were still producing. Also, I love the associations for those tied for tenth and fifth.
- Billy Connolly: ‘Going to the library changed my life. It may even have saved it’ — I prefer funny Billy Connolly to elder statesman Billy Connolly (or whatever label you wanna throw on his more thoughtful stage), but this is a good read.
- 8 Things I Learned Behind the Circulation Desk — I worked in a library in high school, and can endorse all of these, 3 & 6 in particular (although I had a different reason for #6 — chaos rules that section, no matter how hard you work).
- Crime Beat: The mystery community is infested with drummers. — there are more crime writing drummers out there than you might have guessed (if you ever considered the question, that is)
- Cover Reveal of HEART OF BARKNESS — There are few books I’m anticipating more than this one in 2019. Seeing the cover doesn’t help much.
- Jeeves and the King of Clubs by Ben Schott review – bang-on Bertie Wooster reboot — I really don’t care about this, really just posting this to give Bookstooge something to comment about.
- The 20 Best Crime Novels of 2018: The Year’s Best in Crime and Mystery Fiction — from CrimeReads
- Best Reads of 2018: Fiction — The first of Paul’s Picks 2019 lists.
- The Most Scathing Reviews of 2018: “It’s physically impossible to dunk on a novel that is already dunking on itself so hard” — featuring a very different look at one book on Paul’s list.
- Why I love doing book reviews
- So, what is it about the series then? — a very nice post from the It’s an Indie Book Blog about the place of series in the hearts of readers and writers.
- I actually didn’t see any new releases this week that made me sit up and take notice. I probably missed some good ones.
Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Jenniely, Pinklotus76 and Word Hunter for following the blog this week. 
whatsnonfiction
That most scathing reviews list is great, a well-written bad review is so much fun to read! Bookmarking a bunch of these, thanks for such interesting links!
HCNewton
Yeah, my rare negatives never come out as good as those. Something to aspire to? (although, honestly, I don’t want to spend too much time/effort on those)
whatsnonfiction
I know, me either. But negative reviews can do a good service for others too, so I try to make them helpful, at least…just never quite as amusing and well-done as those! We have something to aspire to.
Bookstooge
Got to admit, I’m not sure I’d be willing to check out a Jeeves & Wooster by somebody other than Wodehouse. J&W inhabit that thin area between utter hilariousness and utter stupidity (we both know where we each think that line is) and one tiny mis-step spells complete disaster. I’m pretty sure even Wodehouse crosses that line, so somebody else? I wouldn’t trust them.
Plus, with 2 1/2 more omnibus editions ahead of me, I’m plum Jeeve’d out…
HCNewton
Thanks. Your contractual obligation has been satisfied.
You’re probably right. As much as the Wodehouse magic doesn’t work for me, there’s a feeling about them that’s unique, and I don’t know if anyone can match it.
pcochrun
Hey Hey!! Thanks for including my post!
And the bad reviews?
That book by Frey is definitely one that has reviews all over the place. He’s an author who makes it hard to separate the artist from the art for sure. That’s part of the reviews, and others see issue with the writing itself. Interesting case.
HCNewton
I heard a portion of it on the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast (the Bad Sex Award episode) – and I’m pretty sure I’ll never be able to read it.
pcochrun
Ha! That’s a podcast I may need to check out!