Saturday Miscellany—2/29/20

I had high hopes for output this week, but didn’t get to them all. Nor did I get to surf around as much as I’d expected. C’est la vie—but I got extra sleep this week (that I apparently needed, about a bonus night’s worth). Still, we’ve got some good 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:

• Whatever next? How plot grips us, from Dickens to Line of Duty—Yes, this is geared toward TV, but what it says about plot should appeal to readers.
• Why Doesn’t Ancient Fiction Talk About Feelings?: Literature’s evolution has reflected and spurred the growing complexity of society.—Not a question I ever had, but it’s an interesting piece.
• When My Mom Gave Me a Library Card—This is just great
• Have we Murdered the Apostrophe?—BBC.com asks this provocative question. Some of this piece is annoying (not everything in the world is about class and power, folks)—but mostly this appeals to my inner language geek.
• How to Get Started with Comic Books and Graphic Novels—I wouldn’t have picked everything on this list (even among those I’ve read), but it’s great TBR fodder. And, frankly, given the Comics/Graphic Novels I talk about here, who’d ask me for such a list? Stick with the folks who know what they’re talking about (many are listed at that link)
• When the Detective Is Also a Protective Parent—When family life becomes a plot complication for the protagonist. Great angle to look at things from.
• 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Audiobooks (maybe 2 or 3 things, really, but that’s beside the point)
• Behind the Scenes at a Library Book Sale
• Do you think too much about your reviews?—Well, yeah. Good advice that I probably won’t take.
• Book Lovers Share Their Absolute Favorite Opening Lines—Some personal favorites on this list from GeorgeTakei.com

A Book-ish Related Podcast Episode you might want to give a listen to:
• Author Stories Podcast Episode 801 | Eoin Colfer Interview—this was a fun one (that might have influenced my post about Colfer’s new book a bit, but I think I’d have made the same points without it.)

This Week’s New Releases I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
• False Value by Ben Aaronovitch—I’m about 1/3 of the way into the new Rivers of London novel and it’s a doozy! Good jumping on point for those wanting to check out this series.
• Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire—the latest InCryptid novel is 1. the thickest so far, 2. features Sarah (who we haven’t seen enough of for…years, I guess), making it 3. a sure-fire win.
• The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold—” A former soldier turned PI tries to help the fantasy creatures whose lives he ruined in a world that’s lost its magic.” ‘Nuff said. (for me, anway, if you want a bit more, check out this post from The Witty & Sarcastic Book Club)
• Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore—a young woman starts experiencing her life at random ages.
• Finna by Nino Cipri—a couple of minium-wage employees on an adventure across the multi-verse.
• Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold—a promising looking modern Red Riding Hood retelling.
• For many not in the US Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanagh came out this week. But because I’m envious of them, I’m not going to provide a link to it. It’s a childish and useless gesture, I realize. But if I have to wait a year+ for this book, they’ll have to wait that long to get a link from me.