Story behind this late post isn’t as interesting — but nicer — than last week’s. If you’re curious, check out my other blog in a bit (bit = 1-48 hours). Otherwise, here are the 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:
- Last December, I hosted a guest post about Literary Road Trips that I recommend taking a peek at if you haven’t yet (or if you have). I was reminded of it when I read How to Take a Literary Pilgrimage in the Real World: First get lost in the pages, then get lost in the places. — from Atlas Obscura this week.
- Man Threatened With Eviction for Having ‘Too Many Books’! — I can see myself in this Brooklynite’s shoes. (H/T: Jo Perry)
- Douglas Adams’ Legacy — a nice tribute from Sindrelf on Adams’ 67th birthday.
- Spenser and Hawk: A Study of Good and Evil in the Fiction of Robert B. Parker — I don’t think I saw what prompted Gerald So, the essay’s author, to tweet the link to this essay this week but it’s such a good read for Parker readers new and old, I figured I’d take the opportunity to post it, too.
- Facing Down Old Ghosts: An Interview with William Boyle — the way this year is going, I’m not sure when I’m going to be able to read this book, but this is a good interview.
- Stats Transparency Post & Lessons Learned from One Year of Blogging — interesting and thought-provoking deep dive into one bloggers stats.
- The number of views behind the reviews. — The Tattooed Book Geek’s was a bit more lively — but when isn’t it? I was one of the people who voted in the bottom tier of his poll, btw.
- Book-ish Related Podcast Episodes you might want to give a listen to, both from Hank Garner’s Author Stories:
- The Author Stories Podcast Episode 583 | Brad Parks Interview — Hank brings Parks back to talk about Hardees, writing and The Last Act.
- This Week’s New Releases I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
- The Last Act by Brad Parks — an out of work actor goes undercover in prison. Not really the Feel Good Novel of the Year, but what else do you expect from Brad Parks? I had a bit more to say about it recently.
- Titan Shade by Dan Stout — Alien Nation + whatever that Will Smith Urban Fantasy Netflix movie was + Life on Mars (UK version). Or something. UF about a homicide cop in the 70s. Looks like it could be fun.
- Instant Karma by Todd Morr — disgraced ex-cop becomes a security advisor to the underworld. Also looks like fun — it’s on my Kindle, hoping to get to it before the end of the year (I wish that was a joke…)
Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Erwin Wensley, dragonflybooks, virgoebooks and BOOKVENGER-44 for following the blog this week.
Bookstooge
Read both those “stat” posts. I have to admit, I disagree with the mentality behind both of them, even while I understand Drew much better. I guess it really comes down to WHY you blog. So many people seem to think that blogging is going to make them “famous” (even if in a small circle) and THAT is why they write. It is definitely not a gender thing and I’m wondering if age demographics have any impact (but I don’t care enough to find out).
That isn’t to say that I don’t have the same doubts, wonderings, etc but since I mainly read SF and F and will have nothing to do with ya or anything super touchy-feeling, I already know my audience is even more limited. I’m most definitely in the 1-100 a day club. It is also why I publish a few stats each year. Gives some perspective. But every month? That is just too short a time period unless you’re living for the moment…
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
Agree to disagree in regards to the reasons I shared my stats. I blog for myself and write content that I enjoy writing & would want to read. Being an analytical person that finds pleasure in looking for statistical trends in terms of posting days, times, and frequency doesn’t mean that a blogger’s worth is summed up by the views.
At the end of the day, I shared them because I think cloaking stats behind a veil of secrecy does harm to the blogging community in setting unrealistic expectations. It’s great that you share yours a few times a year, and this was the one time that I chose to share mine. And as I said in my post – I care more about the conversations I have with people than anything else.
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
Thank you so much for sharing my post!