Saturday Miscellany—9/3/22

It was 20 years ago today that I started blogging—not this one, I’ve been involved in five blogs before I gave up trying to do other things before just embracing my particular brand of nerd and did this. It’s a little odd thinking that I’ve been practicing this particular hobby that long.

This is the second week in a row where I’ve felt like I was running on fumes, and barely got anything posts together (and I didn’t find a lot for this post, either—but that’s likely a function of this being the end of the month). I’m very glad this is a 3-Day Weekend, I need some time to regenerate.

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:
Forgotten treasures: the stranger things people leave in library books—Over the years, I’ve linked to a handful of pieces about odd things found in library books, but a library making an exhibit out of them? It’s almost enough to make me want to travel…
Who is the real “Queen of Crime”? Agatha Christie’s estate sends a stern letter to Val McDermid.—This is stupid. I’m willing to bet McDermid didn’t tag her self with this title, in the first place. In the second place…never mind—it’s not worth me duplicating what LitHub said.
The Psychology of Fandom—Jennifer Lynn Barnes talks about writing a series while thinking about what will inspire fandom.
5 Ways To Drop Book Recommendations Into A Conversation—there are strategies for this? Huh. I just open my mouth and it happens.
The thing about ‘must read’ lists
10 (Not So) Easy Steps to Cure A Book Hangover—I think this is my favorite of the Book Hangover posts I’ve linked to over the years.
5 Tried and Tested Ways to Get Yourself Out of A Reading Slump!
5 Fantasy or Science Fiction Books With a Character Named Bob—I’m sure there’s a reason for this post and probably a good story to go with it. But I (almost) don’t want to know it, I really like the apparent randomness of the topic.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Be the Serpent by Seanan McGuire—The last book in the series was all about joy. Now it’s time for the reader to pay for that. Personal/work life has prevented me from finishing it this week—and I both resent it and am a little glad, I think it’s going to rip my heart out (okay…it broke my heart before page 60, I think it’s going to get worse).
Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston—The sequel to Amari and the Night Brothers. No need to know more than that, is there?
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes—The third book in the Inheritance Games trilogy promises several reveals, a conclusion or two, and an interesting puzzle or two along the way.
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith—this sixth installment in the series is longer than complete trilogies I’ve read. Cormoran and Robin are on the hunt for the killer of someone whose life parallels a certain children’s author. I honestly don’t know when I’ll muster the endurance to get through this thing. But I am curious.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Ann, who followed the blog this week. I hope you enjoy the content and keep coming back.