Saturday Miscellany—7/20/24

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:
How Much Time Do Americans Spend Reading Per Day?—Let’s start on a depressing note, shall we?
“This Generation’s Homer”: How Penguin Has Changed Marvel Comics
I couldn’t put a boring book down. Now I take pleasure in saying enough is enough—an argument for DNFing
100 of the Greatest Posters of Celebrities Urging You to Read—Is some of the snark too heavy (and forced)? Yes. Otherwise this is fun to read. Even better, just look at the posters and enjoy the nostalgia.
What Happens After the World Gets Saved?—yes, it’d be good to have more books like this (and Templeton gives some good books to start with if you want to read this type)
How NOT to market your self published book… from a book reviewer.—yes
How Did You Get Into Reading?—who doesn’t like a good reader origin story?
Let’s Talk About Book Genres | Are There 5 or 5,000 Different Genres?
FBC’s Critically Underrated Reads—Fantasy Book Critic created a new section on their site “for standalone titles & series. We love these books & believe that they don’t get the exposure & fanfare they should.” So many good looking things here. Some of which I’ve read (and am glad to see here), some I’ve meant to (and appreciate the reminder), and some new temptations…
7 Unconventional Magic Systems—I have nothing but love for the conventional systems, but stepping outside the norm is fodder for fun, too.
On Fantasy, Its Racist Roots, and Transformation
Amazon Prime Day Has Become Too Commercialized by Maggie Phenicie—it’s a little late, but too good to pass up. “When I think about Amazon Prime Day, it saddens me to see how the holiday has become so cheapened. It’s all about getting the best deals, and no one stops to think about the true reason for the season: absolutely destroying independent bookstores.”

To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago Week?
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner—a novel that also fell down
Shield and Crocus by Michael R. Underwood—need more fantasy like this in my life
Shattered by Kevin Hearne—the seventh in the Iron Druid Chronicles wasn’t my favorite, but it had some great moments
I noted the publication of Half a King by Joe Abercrombie, Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell, MindWar by Andrew Klavan, and The Outsorcerer’s Apprentice (and haven’t read any of these somehow)

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos—more excitement in the Nevada high desert with Porter Beck. I talked about it recently, and am getting impatient for the third book (to be released next year, so I’m trying to fix that)
The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman—trying to recapture the magic of Camelot after Arthur’s death. I really, really wish I’d planned my summer reading better so I could dive in now.
The Bang-Bang Sisters by Rio Youers—a pulpy thriller about a touring rock band who happen to be vigilantes when they’re not on-stage. Right there, that’s enough to get me to read. But throw in a vengeful mobster pitting them against each other, and you’ve added an extra layer of fun.
Bottled Secrets of Rosewood by Mary Kendall—contemporary Southern Gothis Thriller, what there doesn’t entice?