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:
Forget drop-shipping—America’s new favorite side hustle is … republishing classic literature?
Murderbot, She Wrote—Wired’s got a great feature on Martha Wells
The Power of Your Words: Leaving a Review Matters
How Can We Create a Reading Culture?—Pages Unbound’s Krysta lays out the problem with children and reading in Part One and suggests some solutions in Part Two
Indie Black Friday Sale—James Lloyd Dulin’s hosting this sale from Nov. 29-Dec. 1. You’ve spent a year making good progress on your TBR stack, might as well wipe it out in one fell swoop.
It’s the Time of Year for Gift Guides/Best of Lists like these:
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas: The 2024 Adult Books Edition—Witty and Sarcastic Book Club’s Annual list has some great picks
Holiday Gift Giving Guide—This Dad Reads has a gift guide for young and old (particularly if they like Star Wars)
The New York Public Library Announces the Best Books of 2024 for Kids, Teens, and Adults
NPR’s Best Books of 2024—is another extensive list
Top Five Science Fiction Novels of 2024—from John Mauro at Before We Go Blog
Top Five Fantasy Novels of 2024—from John Mauro at Before We Go Blog
A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
CrimeTimeFM Christmas Debate 2024—some of the UK’s best Crime Fiction reviewers sound off on their favorite reads of the year and on some controversial topics. As usual, it’s a fun listen that adds too many things to my lists.
To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago Week?
The Reluctant Warrior by Ty Patterson
and I mentioned the release of Endsinger by Jay Kristoff, Book 3 of The Lotus War
This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property by Mike Lupica—Rita Fiore is in danger—it’s up to Spenser and Hawk to stop whoever is after her. I have a book and a half to get through before I can dive in. They’d better be worth it.
Chez Usher by Vicki Hendricks—a retelling of Poe in Florida. Farenheit Press’ latest looks like a winner.
Bob Germaux
I just downloaded “Hot Property.” Like you, HC, I’ve got a few books ahead of it, but that’s okay. I love the anticipation of a book I’m pretty sure will be a winner. Lupica’s done right by Parker’s work so far.