I’m preparing this Wednesday night, so we’ll be brief. Hope your week was good, will catch up soon—after I resume my typical Hobbit-ish ways.

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:
bullet At least 7 state legislatures are proposing ‘book ban’ legislation, prompting concern from civil liberty advocatesm
bullet A. Lee Martinez on creating Constance Verity—Martinez is one of my favorite writers to read about writing (in addition to a favorite author period). Here he talks about creating an unreaslistic hero for his Constance Verity trilogy.
bullet I’m Dying Up Here: What a Decade of Stand-Up Taught Me About Fear and Thrillers—I’ve got to say this is not a perspective on thrillers I’d have expected to see
bullet Publishing Predictions That Never Came True

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
bullet Barbican Station – Reconstruction by Mick Herron – Episode 13—Jeff Quest and I talk about this great Herron novel (this is the last time I talk about this podcast, really)

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Death in the Sunshine by Steph Broadribb—The first in a new series, Retired Detectives Club. Think Richard Osman + police procedural. (I’m guessing)
bullet Spelunking Through Hell: A Visitor’s Guide to the Underworld by Seanan McGuire—The newest InCryptid novel features Alice Price making a big push to find her husband. I can’t wait to jump in.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes who followed the blog this week. Sure, he’s been following for a while, but he’s got a new blog now, and I thought I’d share the link for it.