Category: Blog Series Page 107 of 220

Tomorrow will be the ninth anniversary of starting this little project, as hard as that is to believe. I remain surprised and thankful that anyone but me pays any kind of attention to it. If you are reading these words, thank you.

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:
What do you do with books you don’t want any more?—this piece by James Colley is the perfect follow-up to last week’s stories about keeping/getting rid of books. Must be something in the air.
Why Do All Books Suddenly Look the Same?—worth it for the line/picture about Stryve jerky (which is a pretty nice jerky, incidentally)
What Really Distinguishes a Crime Novel? Megan Abbott, S.A. Cosby, Laura Lippman, and Ace Atkins share their thoughts with Polly Stewart.
Travel and Reading: A Vacation in Pages
5 Authors And Their Inspiring Rags To Riches Journey—I’m not sure about “inspiring,” interesting maybe…
How Do You Track Your Reading? Or Do You Track Your Reading?—Reading Ladies Book Club tackles the Goodreads vs. Story Graph discussion
The Bookaholic Bex Guide to Book Blogging
The importance of book reviews
I’ve Accepted That Publishers Aren’t That Interested in Book Bloggers

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
Blood Brothers Episode 93 with Adrian McKinty—McKinty takes over the podcast this week, and graciously allows the hosts to make a comment or two. Like anytime McKinty gets on a microphone, it’s a blast.
Under a Pile of Books Episode 92 – May 20 Weekly Pod—It’s good to see Calvin Park back in action.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Dance Among the Flames by Tori Eldridge—a “dark journey into Brazilian mysticism about a desperate mother who rises from the slums to embrace Quimbanda magic amid her quest for the ultimate revenge.”

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Suzanna and Becky’s Book Blog who followed the blog this week.

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:
Where to dispose of unwanted books? Try a library bookstore—worth a shot, right
What Do We Lose—and Gain—As Book Tours Move Online?
A Quick Note on Dear Fahrenheit 451—Yes, this book looks like a great read, but I’m linking it because of this review. Wish I could write something as good as this.
A Deep Dive Into The Book Community’s Toxic Cancel Culture—I have a degree of trepidation in using the phrase “Cancel Culture” because of the way it’s being used by a lot of people from all over the spectrum, but…there’s a lot of good things to chew on in this post.
Why I Keep My Books
Borrowing Books and Stuff – A How To—There’s a mental list of people that I want to send this to. I won’t, because I prefer that they still talk to me and not about me, but they could sure use it.
A Guide: How I Read More Than Most Probably Do
Let’s Talk: Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week—SPAAW is coming back this July.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman—”When Laura Costello moves to Los Angeles, trying to escape an overprotective family and the haunting memories of a terrible accident, she doesn’t expect to be homeless after a week. (She’s pretty sure she didn’t start that fire — right?) She also doesn’t expect to find herself adopted by a rogue bookseller, installed in a lovely but completely illegal boardinghouse, or challenged to save a losing trivia team from ignominy… but that’s what happens.”
Dead Against Her by Melinda Leigh—the new Bree Taaggert looks like it’s going to take care of most of my ongoing complaints about the series in one fell swoop. Can’t wait.

Without really intending to, my wife and I have apparently started a collection of dragon figures on books (I know I should more properly call them bookwyrms). One day I’ll take and post some good pictures of them, but today is not that day. I need a name for one of them–we’re a little tired of saying, “that red one we got in Lincoln City.” So, hive mind: suggestions? I tend to prefer something faux-Latin.

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:
A school district in my town this week ignored their book review procedures and voted to ban “forever” over twenty books–go ahead and do that if you must, but do it right (and “forever”, really?). Raise a hullabaloo about Banned Books, the expected groups in the area are responding.
Upset by book bans, teen starts forbidden book club in small Pa. town
Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase—Rick Riordan is not pleased with some online reaction to the cast announcement for the Percy Jackson show and takes a firm stand.
Q&A with Jackson Ford, author of The Frost Files—to commemorate the publication of the 4th Frost Files novel this week.
Does genre matter?: When rules help and when they hinder, and how the editing process shapes genre.—One writer’s take on genre, I’d be curious to see how others approach this.
All Possible Plots by Major Authors—you’ll get at least two grins from this list (probably more)
How to have a comfortable read in bed—this piece from the Guaridan in 1978 holds up pretty well
What a Hobby Feels Like—this isn’t about reading/books/etc. per se, but it’s a good piece and I think some of it applies.
Thoughts on returning to book blogging.—were I to step away from this, I’d imagine I’d feel many of the same things
Do I stand by my old reviews? Looking back on SEVEN YEARS of book blogging!—This is a brave idea.
Other Bloggers Talk About 458% Traffic Increase… I’ve Yet To Get That—Pass Me That Book talks about traffic
Lie About Your Age, Not About Reading Books

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Crazy in Poughkeepsie by Daniel Pinkwater—I haven’t bought/read a Pinkwater book since the 80s, but I’ve been seeing advertisements for this everywhere, I’m going to have to give it a shot.
A Sh*tload of Crazy Powers by Jackson Ford—Teagan Frost is back, what more needs to be said?