Author: HCNewton Page 239 of 623

Book Blogger Hop: My Methodology (no, really, I have one)

On June 7, 2022

This prompt was submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver’s Reviews:

What is your method for writing reviews – do you write immediately after reading, wait a few days, or write as you are reading?

Write as I’m reading? Wow. There are people who do that? I hope some of the responses to this prompt are people talking about how they pull that off, I’d like to see that. Occasionally, I’ll leave myself a note along the lines of, “be sure to mention _____”—sometimes that will end up taking the form of a phrase or maybe a sentence or two—and those almost always never make the posted write-up. I might be more efficient if I could write about a book while reading (obviously not simultaneously…but that would be super-cool, I’d probably have to pop the same pills as Eddie Morra to pull that off).

Occasionally, I’m so excited and/or provoked enough that I start writing a post minutes after reading a book. And I have been known to close a book and start writing straight away because I have a Book Tour stop the next day, sure, let’s be honest (I’ve gotten much better about that lately…I think).

Typically, though, I like to give myself a day or two to let the thoughts marinate—what parts of the book do I want to talk about? What do I want to say about those parts? Are there things I want to emphasize? Things I want to downplay? Did I actually enjoy this or that aspect? How much energy/time do I want to expend on the book? Once I start writing, that goes out the window—I’ll end up spending more of both than I budgeted if I get on a roll/think of something new I wanted to talk about. Or, like with In a House of Lies last week, I realize I just don’t have anything interesting* to say.

* For the sake of discussion, we’re going to posit that I have anything interesting to say ever.

What about you?

PUB DAY REPOST: The Knave of Secrets by Alex Livingston: One night in Valtiffe and the Tough Guys Tumble

By HCNewton

On June 7, 2022

In Fantasy, Fiction

The Knave of Secrets

by Alex Livingston

DETAILS:
Publisher: Solaris (US), Rebellion Publishing (UK)
Publication Date: June 7, 2022 (US), June 9, 2022 (UK)
Format: eARC
Length: 400 pg.
Read Date: April 28- May 2, 2022

What’s The Knave of Secrets About?

Valen Quinol has pretty modest ambitions—he’s not looking to become rich or famous or anything, he’s seeking stability and comfort. He wants to open a casino with his wife, he just needs to get the money to do that. Earlier in his life, he went to wizarding school and left in a pretty noteworthy fashion, when it was clear that his scholarly ambitions were going to be thwarted. So he turned to the only thing he knew he could support himself with—gambling. And sure, in addition to being a pretty savvy gamesman, he became pretty skillful in ways to rig games.

Valen’s wife, a friend who left school with him—Teneriève—and another friend work with him now—traveling around from casino to casino, from tavern to inn, etc. making enough money to support themselves, and maybe put a little away.

After the reader meets the crew, a local ganglord pays Valen and Margo a visit to hire/threaten them into doing a job for him. Valen typically shuns his work, but this one comes with some tantalizing bait—Valen will be given the buy-in for a local tournament and can keep the money he earns. All he has to do is make sure one competitor walks losing everything they came to play with. If he turns this down, well, there’ll be a duel in his future. And Valen’s a cardsharp, not a fighter. It will not go well for him.

Because this isn’t that kind of Fantasy novel, Valen and his talents go with the less violent option. What Valen doesn’t realize—and his sponsor doesn’t either—what the defeat of his target is going to kick off and drag them all into.

Espionage, murder, political intrigue, societal upheaval—and the imminent possibility of a world war. All because of a game of chance.

We get to watch Valen and his crew (partially) realize what they’ve instigated, as well as getting points of view of several of the major players in the fallout.

Teneriève

Teneriève is one of the more interesting characters in the novel—she’s from a group that’s essentially an analogue to the Roma, and faces hostility and discrimination everywhere she goes. Valen’s crew are the only family she’s known since leaving home, but even then, she doesn’t feel secure—not because of anything they do/think, but because of her own issues.

Her story arc doesn’t go the way you think it will initially, and I’m glad it didn’t. Her story definitely doesn’t get wrapped up in a tidy bow. She could probably serve as the central character in a follow-up novel because there’s a lot to her that could be explored. I also really appreciated while the Roma-esque nature of her background informs her actions and attitudes, her story isn’t all about that identity.

Quick tip: As good as the other storylines are, pay special attention to her scenes, they’re better (and frequently more frustrating and rewarding) than the rest.

Something that Just Occurred to Me

Before I hit Publish, I was struck by the thought that this is one of the most PG-13 Fantasy novels I’ve read in a dog’s age that wasn’t targeted at an MG audience. Maybe even PG (but a couple of the deaths probably shove it into the PG-13 world).

I don’t know that this is a plus or a minus in some readers’ minds, but I thought it was noteworthy—who writes like that anymore?

So, what did I think about The Knave of Secrets?

I’ll tell you this upfront: I was not in the right frame of mind for this book when I started it. A novel with a new magic system, an involved history, a complicated (but not convoluted) political situation, and gambling—and people cheating at gambling. So you’ve got to understand the new games pretty well to visualize not just how to play, but how to cheat. Frankly, that’s a lot of work.

Now, that’s not unusual for a Fantasy novel—and I’m not complaining. I’m just saying that when I started this book I didn’t have the mental energy to dive in, and I really wasn’t in the mood for it. So when I say that before the halfway point Livingston had me very engaged and invested in the plot and characters, that’s saying something.

Livingston has done his homework and has created a very rich world here, we get to see some of it, but probably not all of it. Whether or not this is true, he really gives the sense that he knows all of the ins and outs of the history of these nations going back centuries—and (most importantly) has resisted the impulse to dump it all on the reader. Instead, he gives us just what we need to ground the story and character actions. Give me a book that hints at worldbuilding any day over a book that reads like a history textbook (however interesting the history may be).

All the marketing for this mentions The Lies of Locke Lamora, and insofar as the book centers on a specialized form of criminals fleecing the rich, sure, I can get behind it. But this has a very different flavor and feel than Lynch’s novel. Some marketing mentions The Mask of Mirrors—and that feels a bit more on point. Other comparisons involve Casino Royale—beyond the gambling, I don’t know if that’s appropriate or not, I fell asleep each of the four times I started that flick. The political intrigue of this makes it more like The Mask of Mirrors or the less bloody and sexy parts of A Song of Ice and Fire. I don’t point this out (just) to criticize the marketing materials, just to help expectations—don’t go into this novel to meet the next Gentleman Bastards, go into it for a new and distinct kind of Fantasy novel.

Despite not being in the right headspace for The Knave of Secrets and going into it with wrong expectations, I ended up pretty impressed with this novel and would definitely recommend this to a wide audience. It’s a satisfying read that will leave you wanting to know more about this world and most of these characters.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the novel via NetGalley and Rebellion/Solaris) they provided.

Dirt Road Home by Alexander Nader: From the Motor City to Small Town Tennessee

By HCNewton

On June 6, 2022

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, YA/MG/Children's Books

Dirt Road Home

by Alexander Nader

DETAILS:
Publisher: Winding Road Stories
Publication Date: April 15, 2022
Format: eARC
Length: 268 pgs.
Read Date: June 1-2, 2022

What’s Dirt Road Home About?

After a succession of horrible boyfriends (abusive, addicts, etc.) over the years, Rose Davis started seeing someone online. And things were going pretty well for them—so well, in fact, that Rose and her adolescent sons move from Detroit to a small Tennessee town to be with him.

Her sons, Logan and Dex, aren’t crazy about this move. Logan (who is the protagonist, by the way) is 6 weeks away from high school graduation and turning 18. Dex is a year behind him. They’re Detroit through-and-through, comfortable on the streets there, they live and breathe internal combustion engines, and cannot imagine living anywhere else, but they have no choice*.

* Okay, that part rang a little false for me. He’s close enough to 18, that Logan could’ve stayed behind. He could’ve crashed with some friends—or a series of friends—or something. Child Services isn’t going to swoop in and put someone his age into the system. But suspend disbelief for it and it’s fine.

On their first night in town, Logan and Dex get into a tussle with a couple of local high school football stars, and instead of simply being the new kids in school, they’re those guys. They’re trouble. The fight video is online, putting a giant target on their back.

Logan’s ability with cars helps him find a niche, a way to fit in. He and Dex take part in some street racing and find some friends—or at least people who aren’t instinctually antagonistic toward them.

More importantly, Logan meets Leah there. She’s a stunning, confident, and charming young woman in his class who will turn his life upside down. Maybe life in the South won’t be that bad after, all.

Greg McCarter

The MVP of this book has got to be Rose’s new boyfriend, the one they move to Tennessee to be with. With only one major character flaw (which, granted, is debatable and a minor spoiler, so that’s all you get), he’s about to perfect as you’re going to get. And sure, those characters are unrealistic, but every now and then, coming across one is fine.

He’s exactly the kind of guy that Rose needs to be with (even if, like Logan, the reader doesn’t understand her appeal to him). He’s absolutely the right kind of adult make for Logan and Dex to have in their lives. You can’t help but wonder how things would’ve turned out for all four of them had they moved to Tennessee a year or two earlier.

Still, he’s the kind of guy that would improve almost any novel—if Nader had put him as the central character of a book, he’d be just as appealing—maybe more so. I know my appreciation for this novel went up a notch or two when he was in a scene.

A Problem that Only I’m Going to Have

Back in April, Pay Dirt Road was published, and about that time Winding Road Stories reached out to me about Dirt Road Home. I cannot tell you how often I’ve conflated the two titles since then. They couldn’t be more different in any way, but those titles? I have been and am forever going to refer to them both as Pay Dirt Road Home.

So, what did I think about Dirt Road Home?

This is tagged as a coming-of-age story. And technically it is, sure. But I’d want to call it something else. It’s a coming-home story, which is tricky because Logan’s really never had one. But that’s what separates this from so many coming-of-age stories, it’s about more than Logan maturing—it’s about the atmosphere that gets him there.

My only complaint with this book is that everything happens too quickly. I’m not saying it’s too fast-paced, I’m just saying that if Logan had been 3 months away from graduation instead of 6 weeks, and that the events that happened between the fight their first night and the Event That Changes Everything right before the dénouement had taken more weeks, I’d have bought everything a little easier.

I bought it all in the moment, although there was a voice in the back of my head saying, “Slow down and think about things, kid.” The problem for me came when I put the book down and thought about it. I’m not saying what happens to—and within—Logan and the rest couldn’t happen like that, I just could have accepted and liked it more. Also, I wanted to see the relationships between Logan and those new to his life more—I really liked Greg and Leah’s parents, in particular, and more scenes with them would’ve improved this already good novel.

Tossing that aside—this is a fun story. It’s sweet, it’s hopeful, and it’s heartfelt. It’s a giant departure from the rest of Nader’s work (judging by the 120 seconds I spent researching him). It’s reminiscent of James Bailey‘s YA novels and Headphones and Heartaches. I need to read things like this from time to time—things that focus on growth, improvement, and contentment/happiness. That’s what this book’s premise promises and that’s what it delivered.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Winding Road in exchange for this post, the opinions expressed are my own.

3 Stars

What Is Christianity? by Herman Bavinck, Gregory Parker Jr. (Translator): Short, Sweet, To the Point

By HCNewton

On June 5, 2022

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

What is Christianity?

by Herman Bavinck, Gregory Parker, Jr. (Translator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Hendrickson Academic
Publication Date: May 17, 2022
Format: Paperback
Length: 83 pg.
Read Date: May 29, 2022

After all, [mankind’s] deepest needs always boil down to the fact that all that is finite rests in the Infinite and Eternal One, who cannot be thought of in any other way than as a just and holy God who hates sin and is far removed from wickedness. But if there is to be any talk of comfort and peace for mankind, then this just and holy God must also be a merciful and gracious Father, who reconciles and forgives sin, frees us from guilt, and accepts us as his children out of grace. And finally, he must also be the Almighty and Faithful One who can realize what he promises and who, in the course of regeneration and sanctification, transforms the world and mankind into a kingdom of God.

These are the ineradicable needs of the human heart. But they are also the basic ideas of Christianity, which stand before us in historical facts as monuments. The apostolic benediction of the love of the Father, the grace of the Son, and of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is the core of the universal, undoubted, Christian faith [2 Cor. 13:14].

What’s What is Christianity? About?

These are two short works by the noted Dutch Theologian newly translated into English. The second piece is an essay he wrote in 1883 called “The Christian Faith” (and because it’s the way my mind works since it was written first, I had to read it first).

The first piece is a small book called Christianity that was published in 1912 as part of a series of books called Great Religions. In this work, he starts by talking about who Jesus is, then covers the life of Jesus and those aspects of the Christian faith common to all its branches. From there he gives a survey of this history of doctrine that is both concise and thorough (in a way I wish I could emulate), before landing on and summarizing a Reformed Protestant understanding of the Faith.

A Nice Touch

Before the text, Parker reprinted a brief review from The Princeton Theological Review of Christianity. It was nice to see a contemporary take on the work from a trusted name to see that what people think of Bavinck now is pretty much what people thought of him then.

So, what did I think about What is Christianity??

These are apologetic works to be sure, but they aren’t aggressive or all that assertive. Bavink is clear and convincing without being combative. Typically for him, he displays a catholicity in his approach—he’s clearly Reformed Protestant, but he doesn’t disparage other views.

Bavinck has a reputation (somewhat deserved) as being a difficult author to read and comprehend. This small book demonstrates pretty conclusively that he’s not always difficult.

I don’t know he accomplishes all he does in so few pages—there’s a lot of subtle theological and apologetic work, here. But there’s also a lot that’s just easy to digest, clear and helpful. Bavinck gives his readers a Christ-centered, Christ-focused definition and description of Christianity (you’d think that’d be a given, but…). As Warfield put it, “We cannot imagine how the work could be done better.”

4 1/2 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions expressed are my own.

Saturday Miscellany—6/4/22

By HCNewton

On June 4, 2022

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

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 As libraries drop late fees, long-overdue books return — as do former patrons: Minnesota libraries went fine-free, then waited to see: Would patrons hoard all the books?—Most libraries around here went fine-free a couple of years ago. I wonder if their results were similar.
bullet How Amazon surrendered in its war on bookshops
bullet How the Publishing World Is Muscling In on Hollywood Deals: For Authors, “The Future Is Multihyphenate”
bullet Why are crime writers so weird?: As well as entertaining, the best detective stories deal with life and death, good and evil and the quest for truth
bullet What Makes a Great, or Terrible, Audiobook Performance? The case for doing less.
bullet Witty & Sarcastic Bookclub gets to my favorite in their 2022 looks at Fantasy Sub-genres Fantasy Focus: Urban Fantasy with great interviews featuring:
bullet Matthew Samuels
bullet C. Thomas Lafollette
bullet Peter Hartog
bullet Satyros Phil Brucato
bullet Jamie Jackson
bullet Speaking of Interviews, Beth Tabler also had a great Interview with Author Rachel Aaron this week.
bullet INDIE PUBLISHERS, INDIE AUTHORS, INDIE BOOKSHOP, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE?—Jackie’s Reading Corner talks about a couple of indie presses near and dear to her heart (I’ve spent a little money on both presses, I understand her devotion)
bullet What I’ve learnt in over 10 years of book blogging—Jo Linsdell shares some wisom acuumlated over a decade. Much of which I should appropriate.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet The Botanist by M. W. Craven—I’m going to go into this one blind, the only reason I know the title is so that I could make sure I ordered the right book. So I can’t tell you anything beyond the fact that one of the best Crime Novels of 2022 came out this week.
bullet The Balance Of Guilt by Simon Hall—Somehow Hall’s intrepid reporter exposes a scandal while being sedated in a hospital bed. Can’t wait to find out how that happened.

In a House of Lies by Ian Rankin: The Past and Present Collide for Rebus, Clarke, and Fox

By HCNewton

On June 3, 2022

In Fiction, Ian Rankin, John Rebus, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, P-U

In a House of Lies

by Ian Rankin

DETAILS:
Series: John Rebus, #22
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: December 31, 2018
Format: Hardcover
Length: 372 pg.
Read Date: May 24-27, 2022

What’s In a House of Lies About?

A decade and change ago, a private investigator went missing. John Rebus was part of the team that spent weeks looking for him—interviewing his client, his family, his boyfriend, the target of his current investigation, and everyone else they could think of. At least that’s what the paperwork said. There’s some question about that—and the family of Stuart Bloom has forced more than one investigation into the original search.

Now his body is discovered—in an area that had been well-searched originally. There’s reason to believe that the body had been somewhere else for years. Now the police—a team featuring DI Siobhan Clarke—have to decide where it was as well as who killed him. This involves taking a fresh look at the old case as well as a new investigation. The original detectives (those who are still alive, that is) and some of the uniformed officers are brought in for questioning—which means that Rebus is under the microscope once again. This suits him fine—it’s a chance for him to have a part in closing the case once and for all (at least in his mind)

Meanwhile, Malcolm Fox’s boss assigns him to take one final look at the original investigation—given the new discovery, can they find police misconduct at the root?

Also, Clarke’s being harassed by someone—only crank calls and vandalism, so far. She doesn’t want to do anything official about it, so she asks Rebus to look into things—if nothing else, it might keep him out of her hair while she looks for Bloom’s killer. Might.

There’s a lot to untangle in these pages, thankfully, Rankin’s three detectives are on the cases.

What did I think about In a House of Lies?

This post feels entirely too short. I’m struggling here. What do I say about Rankin or Rebus (or Clarke or Fox) that I haven’t already said? I’m willing to believe that I’ve asked this question when discussing at least 3 previous books. I’m sorely tempted to just post something like: “Ian Rankin wrote a book about John Rebus. You know what to do.”

I was particularly impressed at the way Rankin got the band (on both sides of the law) back together here—for the reader, it’s expected—probably even inevitable. But it comes across as organic and unforced. Between Rebus’ retirement, and the divergent paths that the others’ careers have taken, that’s no mean feat. Unlike, say, Renée Ballard, Siobhan Clarke isn’t soldiering on with those she can’t trust. Ballard has to get Bosch involved, Clarke chooses to ask for his help and/or lets him push his way in.

Solid mysteries, expertly plotted and executed, full of characters (new and old) that you believe and get invested in. In a House of Lies feels as fresh and as compelling as Knots and Crosses.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions expressed are my own.

The Friday 56 for 6/3/22: Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman

By HCNewton

On June 3, 2022

In Abbi Waxman, Currently Reading, News/Misc., Quotations, The Friday 56

This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice.

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
Find a snippet, short and sweet.
Post it.

from Page 56 of:
Adult Assembly Required

Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman

“Is that why you have a limp?” Polly asked, mildly ashamed of being nosy, but not enough to not want to know. It’s not the kind of thing you can ask about immediately, at least not once you leave preschool, but she’d wondered.

Laura nodded.

“What kind of accident was it?” continued Polly, hoping for something interesting like being crushed by a falling piano, or attacked by a tiger.

“Car crash,” said Laura, laughing when she saw Polly’s disappointed expression.

A Snake in the Raspberry Patch by Joanne Jackson: A Family and a Small Town in Upheaval In the Shadow of a Brutal Crime

By HCNewton

On June 2, 2022

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Let me begin with an apology. I’d assured the publicist that got me this book that I’d have this posted pre-release and somehow scheduled to start reading it a month after publication. That makes this post 5-6 weeks overdue. My sincere apologies to Wiley Sanchez, Stonehouse Publishing, and Joanne Jackson.

A Snake in the Raspberry Patch

by Joanne Jackson

DETAILS:
Publisher: Stonehouse Originals
Publication Date: May 1, 2022
Format: eARC
Length:300
Read Date: May 28-31, 2022

What’s A Snake in the Raspberry Patch About?

It bothers me that for the second book in a row, I’m taking the easy way out and using Publisher’s Description here, but the draft I just deleted was too cumbersome and long to bother you with.

It is the summer of 1971 and Liz takes care of her four sisters while waiting to meet the sixth Murphy child: a boy. And yet, something is not right. Adults tensely whisper in small groups, heads shaking. Her younger sister, Rose seems more annoying, always flashing her camera and jotting notes in her notepad. The truth is worse than anyone could imagine: an entire family slaughtered in their home nearby, even the children. The small rural community reels in the aftermath. No one seems to know who did it or why. For Liz, these events complicate her already tiring life. Keeping Rose in line already feels like a full time job, and if Rose gets it in her head that she can solve a murder… The killer must be someone just passing through, a random horror. It almost begs the question: where do murderers live?

The Setting

A Saskatchewan farm town in the 1970s is not a likely setting for a novel about a murder—much less several murders. A 1980s Hawkins, Indiana is a more likely setting for a pan-dimensional showdown, really. I mean, Canada is unlikely enough for a murder mystery*, but rural Canada in the Seventies?

* Yes, I’m aware that even Canadians are murderers/the victims of murders. But c’mon, who thinks about it when it comes to fictional crime? Ireland, Scotland, England? Sure. The U.S.? Of course. Even Scandi Noir is a thing. But no one’s ever thought about Great White North Noir.

This setting was particularly effective—there’s an isolation to the community, it’s tight-knit, and there’s a self-reliance that it displays as well. The police/RCMP are referred to, but not really seen—this is a town that has no need for police, and even when there is one, you can’t tell. I kept slipping into thinking that the town was smaller than it must’ve been—but even there, that works. You get the atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else’s business, yet they don’t know (cannot believe) anyone who would kill anyone else—particularly a woman and her children. They know what family needs help dealing with a death or birth without having to be asked, but they don’t know who might murder anyone.

That setting seems like it’s just as likely there that a smart girl with a camera and an unhealthy interest in crime would solve the crime before anyone else would. Maybe even more likely.

The Murderer’s Identity and The Reveal

Jackson provides plenty of clues to the killer’s identity early on and keeps leaving them in the open—she doesn’t care if the reader guesses or not—and by the end she might as well have written a Brontë-esque, “Reader, ____ murdered them.” Because that’s not important.

Well, it’s important, but that’s not what she was writing about.

We’re supposed to lock in on Liz and Rose. What they’re dealing with during and following that summer. The clues they inadvertently or intentionally collect. And how they put the pieces together and their reaction to the solution (and their family’s reaction, too). I thought it was a good novel all along, but in the last couple of chapters—the Reveal—my estimation rose significantly.

So, what did I think about A Snake in the Raspberry Patch?

I’m not sure how important this is, but I thought I should mention it. Just because the would-be sleuth is a juvenile, it’d be a mistake to think this was a YA or MG novel—I think it could be read by an older MG reader or a YA reader, but it’s not targeted at that audience.

I’ve already mentioned a few of the ways that this is an atypical mystery novel, there are a few others, too. This is more about growing up in the shadow of a crime—and other trauma—rather than it is a mystery novel. It’s more Ordinary Grace than The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (although Rose would love Flavia de Luce (either as a fictional character or a co-belligerent). But in the closing pages, it feels more like a murder mystery than some sort of “non-genre” work. And the mystery aspects of the novel here are far more effective than anything Krueger did in Ordinary Grace (I enjoyed the whole novel more, too)

There’s a starkness to this world and novel that makes everything a bit more haunting—that’s the Saskatchewan farm town as well as Liz’s outlook.

There’s one line of dialogue—it’s after the climactic events that leads to the reveal. That line sets up the reveal, actually. (I’m trying to be vague here) My gut tells me that a reader’s reaction to this one line is going to determine what they think of the book. I’ve gone back and forth about it in the last couple of days—it’s either a perfectly worded setup, or it’s too on-the-nose. As I write this, I’m leaning towards both—it’s necessary, and the on-the-nose-ness is the most economical way of accomplishing what it does. I’m likely spending more time on that sentence than is called for.

It took me a little bit to “get” this novel, but the more I read, the more the situation and characters burrowed into my mind, and at this point, I think they’re going to linger in my mind longer than usual. And I’m okay with that. This’ll haunt you, folks, in a good way. Give it a shot.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from the author via Wiley Saichek and Saichek Publicity in exchange for this post—while I appreciate that, the opinions expressed are wholly mine.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Highlights from May: Lines Worth Repeating

By HCNewton

On June 2, 2022

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., Quotations

Highlights from the Month
Here’s a collection of my favorite phrases/sentences/paragraphs from last month that I haven’t already used for something. (I will skip most audiobooks, my transcription skills aren’t what they should be. But when I try, the punctuation is just a guess).

Rosebud by Paul Cornell

Haunt has never heard an insect scream before. He doesn’t feel he’s missed out. It’s the sound of whatever Quin has got in that made-up body instead of a mammalian voicebox having a terrible malfunction.

…humans have had many ideas for how to travel beyond the solar system, and some of them might work, even, given enormous time and energy and money. But that’s just it. Humans are, in the end, stupid chimps without the attention span to achieve anything like that. And they’re only just starting to understand that.

The Cartographer by Peng Shepherd

“I really think you should tell the police sooner rather than later.”

“I will, I will,” Nell replied.

“When?” he urged, a familiar tone slipping into his voice. With a Young, unless you agreed on a firm date to stop working on something, “soon” meant “when I’m satisfied.”

A burst of cool, stale air hit her as soon as she was inside, and Nell sank wistfully into it. It was the smell of ancient pages, of time, of her very soul, if souls could have smells, she thought.

Wally had spent so long repressing his real feelings for Tam, I think he didn’t even know they were there. They were like a phantom limb to him—a thing he’d convinced himself wasn’t real, even though he could still sense its ghost.

I don’t know how it happened—isn’t that what everyone who betrays someone says? But I don’t know how it happened. I just know why.

Robert B. Parker’s Revenge Tour by Mike Lupica

“Tell me about it,” I said.

“I’d rather not,” she said.

“Force yourself,” I said.

“We can talk about it after dinner.”

“I can manage both,” I said. “I’m the kind of multitasker that makes young multitaskers aspirational.”

I wasn’t sure what I had expected the great and powerful Richard Gross to look like. But the rather legendary Hollywood power broker, one who had begun his career Out There as a lawyer, looked more like an actor, reminding me somewhat of Michael Douglas. Not the Romancing the Stone Michael Douglas. The older one from Netflix.

I stopped about a half-hour into New York. These turnpike rest areas all looked the same to me, the way shopping malls did. I used the ladies’ room and bought a Coke Zero and a guilty-pleasure Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, knowing that some might say that the combination of candy and a diet soft drink was counterintuitive. I thought of it as establishing a crucial and delicate balance to my personal nutrition.

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

I wasn’t destined for greatness; I knew this. But I was figuring out how to steal it from someone stupid enough to relax their grip on it.

This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay

Her extremely posh eight-year-old asks her a question about the economy (!), and before she answers it, she asks her extremely posh five-year-old “Do you know what the economy is, darling?”

“Yes mummy, it’s the part of the plane that’s terrible”.

This is how revolutions start.

But it’s a Saturday night and the NHS runs a skeleton service. Actually, that’s unfair on skeletons – it’s more like when they dig up remains of Neolithic Man and reconstruct what he might have looked like from a piece of clavicle and a thumb joint.

Heroic Hearts edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes

Hero, noun
1. a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities
2. a sandwich

Comfort Zone by Kelley Armstrong

We’ll be fine. Remember, the couple that breaks and enters together goes to prison together.

Fire Hazard by Kevin Hearne

The most important question in this life, I’ve heard it said, is whether you have the sausage to achieve your goals. Sausage being a metaphor for courage, in this case, instead of the many other things it could be, including actual sausage.

It burned with the rage of five grizzly bears on energy drinks fighting to drink the last one of a six-pack.

Silverspell by Chloe Neill

“Are you going to get coffee right now?”

Only if the universe was just.

Little Things by Jim Butcher

My name is Major General Toot-Toot Minimus, sprite in service to Sir Harry Dresden, Knight of the Winter Court and Wizard of Chicago, and captain of his personal guard. When the skies darken with smoke and ash, when wails of wrong and woe rend the night, when my lord goes to war with titans and unspeakable horrors from Outside of reality, someone must protect him from threats too small to readily discern. That is my place: not at my lord’s side, but at his ankles.

Don’t Know Tough by Eli Cranor

I feel drunk, but not the good kind. The kind where you just keep drinking and drinking, and it don’t matter none, just don’t never feel good.

“Trent thinks Billy might be able to get a football scholarship.”

Tina laughs as a semitruck downshifts somewhere out on a highway in the dark, a low, grating sound. “Ain’t nobody talking about no scholarship, Mrs. Powers. We just trying to survive.”

“Survive?”

“Yeah, me and my boys. Sometime it ain’t even death you got to worry about.”

“What could be worse than death?”

“If you don’t know already,” Tina’s lips barely move, “then don’t go asking.”

In a House of Lies by Ian Rankin

‘I seem to have picked up a wee dose of COPD.’

‘What’s that when it’s at home?’

‘Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – known as emphysema in the old days.’

‘Trust you to get something that has the word COP in it.’

‘Aye, I feel like I drew a winning ticket there.’

[Name Withheld] sat with arms folded, alongside his solicitor. The room was stuffy and Dean had removed his jacket but kept his waistcoat on. It boasted a fob watch on a gold chain, just when Rebus thought he couldn’t dislike lawyers more than he already did.

There was so much energy emanating from the various groupings, Rebus could feel it as a physical force, pushing against him. He knew he was looking at the future, but also that the futures these various young people imagined for themselves might not work out the way they hoped. There’d be tears and traumas along the way, mistakes made, promises broken. Sime would marry their sweethearts and live to regret it, Others would break apart. A few would trouble the police in later years. There’d be early deaths from disease and maybe even a suicide or two, Right now, none of that would seem feasible to them, They were alive in and of the moment ~ and that was all that mattered.

(Image by DaModernDaVinci from Pixabay)

Black Nerd Problems (Audiobook) by William Evans & Omar Holmon: Essays on Life, Race, and Nerddom

By HCNewton

On June 1, 2022

In Audiobook, Humor, Non-Fiction

Black Nerd Problems:
Essays

by William Evans & Omar Holmon

DETAILS:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: September 14, 2021
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 7 hrs.,  53 min.
Read Date: May 24-26, 2022

What’s Black Nerd Problems About?

Let’s just go with what’s on the Publisher’s website to make things easier:

The creators of the popular website Black Nerd Problems bring their witty and unflinching insight to this engaging collection of pop culture essays—on everything from Mario Kart to issues of representation—that “will fill you with joy and give you hope for the future of geek culture” (Ernest Cline, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

When William Evans and Omar Holmon founded Black Nerd Problems, they had no idea whether anyone beyond their small circle of friends would be interested in their little corner of the internet. But soon after launching, they were surprised to find out that there was a wide community of people who hungered for fresh perspectives on all things nerdy.

In the years since, Evans and Holmon have built a large, dedicated fanbase eager for their brand of cultural critiques, whether in the form of a laugh-out-loud, raucous Game of Thrones episode recap or an eloquent essay on dealing with grief through stand-up comedy. Now, they are ready to take the next step with this vibrant and hilarious essay collection, which covers everything from X-Men to Breonna Taylor with “alternately hilarious, thought-provoking, and passionate” (School Library Journal) insight and intelligence.

A much needed and fresh pop culture critique from the perspective of people of color, “this hugely entertaining, eminently thoughtful collection is a master class in how powerful—and fun—cultural criticism can be” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

The Fun

This looked like a promising and enjoyable collection (otherwise, why would I have bought it?), and the first few essays indicated that it would be. Then came the fifth essay, “Into the Spider-Verse Got Three Moments Better Than the Best Moment of Your Favorite Comic Book Movie Not Named Into the Spider-Verse. Wow. I listened to it twice (and would probably play it again right now if I had the time). It was more than I could’ve hoped for—funny and insightful, full of joy and intelligence. My expectations had been exceeded and the bar for the rest of the book was raised—thankfully, the essays were up to it.

I’m not going to go on and on about all the essays I wanted to rave about but “Jordan Peele Should Get His Flowers While He’s Here” and “Top Five Dead or Alive: Red Hood in the DC Animated Universe” were almost as good. Words cannot express how much fun I had with “Mario Kart Reveals Who You Truly Are.”

The Serious

After Tamir Rice was killed in Cleveland, I called my father and we had some very sparse conversation before he began theorizing on the role of fiction in our non-fiction lives. Every once in a while, I get these notions that I can outwit my father into pulling some emotional tether to him. I asked him if we love fantasy in fiction as a way to escape every day life, but I think I meant, does he use fiction in this way. He answered, “It’s not an escape, it’s hope. The good guys win and life has value in a fantasy story. It’s not about getting away from something, it’s about inserting hope into what you can’t outrun.”

They’re not as fun, but the essays where they address serious topics through the prism of nerd culture/nerd cultural artifacts are even better.

I couldn’t relate—at all—to “My Theory on How Black Folks’ Black Card Actually Works,” but I loved that essay. I thought the approach of “Green Lantern COmics Have Low-Key Been Tackling Police Accountability for a Minute” was inspired. I loved “Chadwick Boseman’s Wakanda Salute Is Canon in the History of Black Language.” “The Sobering Reality of Actual Black Nerd Problems” was powerful and (as it promised) sobering.

I was surprised by “Go On: An Evergreen Comedic Series That Helped Me Navigate Loss”—it seemed so far out of the bailiwick of the rest of this book that it took me a minute to remember what show they were talking about. I was one of the 7 other people in the U.S. that watched it all, but I didn’t relate to it the same way as Holmon did. After that essay, I wanted to go find it online and rewatch the entirety of the series (alas, no streamer carries it).

How Was the Narration?

It was fantastic. Holmon and Evans begin the book by talking about meeting at poetry slams—they know what they’re doing behind a microphone. They deliver these essays (mostly separately, but occasionally together) with passion and panache.

I kept the speed on this audiobook low because I enjoyed the narration enough that I didn’t want it to pass by. I’d have easily listened to another 7+ hours and enjoyed it all.

So, what did I think about Black Nerd Problems?

I wanted to make all of the previous sections about two times as long—but I’m entering into that dreaded Chris Farley “Remember when….? That was cool” territory. So I made myself stop.

I’ve never been a manga or anime guy—despite a few attempts at it. So I have no opinion on the content of the essays addressing them. The essays themselves made me wish I was a manga or anime guy so I could really connect with them. As for the rest of the essays? They all worked. I could appreciate them when I didn’t agree with them, and when I agreed with them, I pretty much loved what I heard. I disagree with a lot of the politics discussed, but the way they described them won me over every time—I was always entertained, too. That’s all I want in a book like this coming from a different perspective—you don’t need to convince me that you’re right, just bring a good argument I can appreciate, and, hopefully, entertain/engage me in the manner of the rest of the book.

This mix of thoughtful cultural and social observation with pop culture freak out is exactly what I want to read/listen to. It’s what I want to write, honestly, if I weren’t held back by a lack of both talent and insight combined with the laziness too great to overcome that lack. But when it’s done as well as Evans and Holmon? I’ll just sit back, take it in, and enjoy it. Even when (especially when?) I think they might be wrong about something.

If there’s a volume 2 of this, I will jump on it faster than the Falcon can do the Kessel run. If either writer puts out a book that’s not poetry? I’ll hop on board, too. They’ve made this white nerd a fan.

4 Stars

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