Category: Blog Series Page 116 of 220

Book Blogger Hop: Books Per Month?

On January 21, 2022

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

What is the average number of books you read per month?

You’d think I’d know that, wouldn’t you? I had to do a tiny bit of research for this. I could’ve gone back about a decade in coming up with this number, but that felt like overkill. I figured a look at the last three years would fit my current habits best (and was easiest to get the data from, which helped). But just the raw number looked boring, so why not make* a chart?

* Have my spreadsheet make a chart, after it did the math for me.

What about you?

WWW Wednesday, January 19, 2022

By HCNewton

On January 19, 2022

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., WWW Wednesday

So the holiday Monday threw me off a little bit, it feels like I’m getting this ready far too early in the week. Hope you’re all having a good one, it’s time for WWW Wednesday!

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Easy enough, right?

What are you currently reading?

I’m reading the fiftieth Spenser novel, Robert B. Parker’s Bye Bye Baby by Ace Atkins. I’m also listening to a little-known novel, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Andy Serkis (Narrator) on audiobook—have you heard of it?

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What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Sally Hepworth’s The Good Sister; A Bathroom Book for People Not Pooping or Peeing but Using the Bathroom as an Escape by Joe Pera, illustrated by Joe Bennett; and Dark Queen by Faith Hunter, Khristine Hvam (Narrator) on audio.

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What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be a book that I’ve meant to read for years: Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure by David Rosenfelt. My next audiobook should be Dead Man’s Grave by Neil Lancaster, Angus King (Narrator).

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Hit me with your Three W’s in the comments! (no, really, do it!)

Saturday Miscellany—1/15/22

By HCNewton

On January 15, 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 Americans Reading Fewer Books Than in Past—pretty sure this is news to no one. Still depressing to see.
bullet Book bans in schools are catching fire. Black authors say uproar isn’t about students.
bullet The 23 most popular books of the past year, according to Goodreads members—huh.
bullet Have We Forgotten How to Read Critically?—Um, yeah?
bullet Ace Atkins bids Robert B. Parker’s Spenser farewell
bullet The Future of Robert B. Parker’s Sunny Randall—I meant to include this last week, but it fits the theme of the previous item.
bullet Some Books That Inspire Me—On the eve of his first novel’s publication, Adam Shaw talks about some books that got him to that point.
bullet Maybe Reading Goals Are Good, Actually—Templeton has some good ideas about reading goals for a self-described “free range reader”
bullet How BOOK IT! Made Reading Delicious—from Mental Floss
bullet Bookish Bucket List—Now this is a good idea…
bullet Misrepresentations of Autism in Fiction—good stuff from The Coycaterpillar Reads.
bullet StoryGraph vs. Goodreads – The Good & the Bad
bullet The importance of book reviews

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet The Jackals by Adam Shaw—Jack Dotson returns to his hometown for a funeral and has to deal with the past he tried to leave behind—and doing so may cause trouble for the rest of his life. (oof, that sounded lame…go read the link, it’s better when not summarized in a sentence)

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Rabhya Maini who followed the blog this week. Don’t be a stranger!

The Friday 56 for 1/14/21: Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire

By HCNewton

On January 14, 2022

In Currently Reading, Fantasy, News/Misc., Quotations, Seanan McGuire, The Friday 56, Wayward Children

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 (and a little bit of 57) of:
Where the Drowned Girls Go

Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire

The matron narrowed her eyes. “Can scarecrows talk?” she repeated, tone clearly implying that there was only one right answer, and it wasn’t the one she expected from Emily.

…Silence and blending into the background were Cora’s forte. She was good at it. But she was also a hero, and heroes didn’t stand idly by while someone smaller was victimized.

“Scarecrows don’t talk,” she scoffed, loudly enough and clearly enough to guarantee she would be overheard. The matron stiffened. Cora acted like she hadn’t noticed, continuing blithely, “They’re just straw stuffed into old potato sacks. If scarecrows could talk, that would mean straw could talk, and if straw could talk, grass would be able to talk, and no one could mow their lawns.”

Book Blogger Hop: Bookish Art?

By HCNewton

On January 14, 2022

In Book Blogger Hop, Books, News/Misc.

Book Blogger Hop

This prompt was submitted by Penelope @ The Reading Devil:

Do you have any bookish posters or artwork on your walls?

Yes, some. I should really have taken photographs here, but it’d be better to go look at the art at the links instead–I know what my photographs look like 🙂

On my walls are:
bullet a pair of Dresden Files prints by Mike Kuloda
bullet a print from Bearded by Jeremy Billups
bullet a print by Gene Mollica of Atticus, the Iron Druid (signed by Kevin Hearne)
bullet I also have a nifty print from No Country for Old Gnomes> signed by Delilah S Dawson, Kevin Hearne, and the artist (but I can’t read their name)
bullet a print by Chris McGrath of The Brightest Fell (October Daye) cover art
bullet and a mash-up of things like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ready Player One that my daughter painted for me a few years ago.

I’d get more, but I’m about at the point where I have to decide between space for bookcases and space for art. So something’s gotta give. (although I saw three prints while getting links for the artists I almost bought today, so…)

What about you?

WWW Wednesday, January 12, 2021

By HCNewton

On January 12, 2022

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., WWW Wednesday

It’s WWW Wednesday time already, eh? Twelve days into the year and I’m already 2 books behind schedule, but I’m catching up. Hopefully, by this time next week, I’ll be on schedule—maybe even ahead (it could happen, don’t laugh).

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Easy enough, right?

What are you currently reading?

I’m reading the ARC of The Accomplice by Lisa Lutz and am listening to Two Witches and a Whiskey by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator) on audiobook, which is a lot less intense.

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What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Seanan McGuire’s Where the Drowned Girls Go, the latest Wayward Children novella, and The Curious Dispatch of Daniel Costello by Chris McDonald, Stephen Armstrong (Narrator) on audio—you may have seen me talk about the series a bit today.

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What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron, I’m finally getting to it years after buying it, and my next audiobook should be Dark Queen by Faith Hunter, Khristine Hvam (Narrator).

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What about you?

COVER REVEAL: All at Sea (Stonebridge #6) by Chris McDonald

By HCNewton

On January 12, 2022

In Book Tour, Chris McDonald/Frost, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, The Stonebridge Mysteries

Welcome to The Irresponsible Reader’s part in the Cover Reveal for Chris McDonald’s All at Sea! This means we’re about a month away from me having a pleasant day with the book and probably saying some complimentary things about it. Red Dog Press continues their streak of dynamite covers, but before we get to it, let’s read a little about the book…

Book Blurb

Adam and Colin are aboard The Elysian, cruising towards Italy to see Adam get hitched, and are determined to stay out of trouble…

On the first night, a priceless piece of art is stolen from an eccentric old lady. Adam and Colin offer to help recover it, and are convince the thief was one of their fellow dinner guests from earlier in the evening.

Can the amateur sleuths reunite the painting with its owner before they dock in Venice? And, with danger lurking around every porthole, will Adam even make it to the altar?

All at Sea is the sixth in the Stonebridge Mysteries series of cosy crime novellas.

Publication date: February 15, 2022

About the series

Stonebridge is a small town on the north coast of Northern Ireland. Most of its inhabitants are friendly, happy people. Most of them… Because bad things happen even in the happiest of places. It’s a good thing, then, that Adam Whyte and Colin McLaughlin call Stonebridge home.

Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of detective shows, a misplaced sense of confidence and a keen desire to see justice done, these two are the closest thing the town has to saviours. Which isn’t that reassuring…

About the Author

Chris McDonald grew up in Northern Ireland before settling in Manchester via Lancaster and London.
He is the author the DI Erika Piper series A Wash of Black, Whispers In The Dark, and Roses for the Dead. He has also recently dabbled in writing cosy crimes, in the shape of The Stonebridge Mysteries, as a remedy for the darkness.

He is a full time teacher, husband, father to two beautiful girls and a regular voice on The Blood Brothers Podcast. He is a fan of 5-a-side football, heavy metal and dogs.

Find him on twitter @cmacwritescrime

And now…

The Cover

All at Sea

You’re going to want this on your shelf or e-Reader. Order it now from Red Dog Press. I know that I’ll be placing my order in just a few minutes…

My thanks to Red Dog Press for the invitation to participate in this reveal and the materials they provided.

BOOK BLITZ: Twentyone Olive Trees by Laura Formentini

By HCNewton

On January 11, 2022

In Book Tour, Fiction

This morning I’m pleased to host a Book Blitz for Laura Formentini’s Twentyone Olive Trees to celebrate its publication day.

Book Details:

Book Title: Twentyone Olive Trees by Laura Formentini
Publisher: Kat Biggie Press
Release date: January 11, 2022
Format: Ebook/Paperback/Audiobook
Length: 230 pages

Book Blurb:

Nothing could have prepared Laura Formentini for the shocking news of her son’s death by suicide. Seeking solace during her time of grief, Laura turned inward to transform her pain and shock into healing and peace. She accomplished this by writing letters, poems, and fables to her son, Blaise, in the year after his untimely death. This became the beautiful tribute Twentyone Olive Trees: A Mother’s Walk through the Grief of Suicide to Hope and Healing.

This book traces the author’s path from grief to understanding and healing. Laura shares the important message that it is in your power to overcome even the most traumatic events by creating something beautiful in the wake of death, divorce, disease, and destruction from natural and man-made disasters.

Inspired by teachers like Deepak Chopra, Laura achieved her own healing transformation through creatively writing the morals and wisdom she gained in the twenty-one years with her son. The fables, accompanied by beautiful illustrations, have a playful, childlike way of helping the reader cope with loss and embrace acceptance and healing. It is Laura’s hope that these stories will act as a balm for those going through their grief and dark moments, while encouraging them to embrace their new beginnings.

This is the perfect book to help those seeking to heal and transform in the wake of a traumatic loss.

Purchase Links:

Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

About the Author:

Laura Formentini is a nonprofit photographer, activist, and fundraiser. A member of Photographers Without Borders, she lives nomadically with her family.

My thanks to Love Books Group for the invitation to participate in this Blitz.

BOOK BLITZ: Byline by Kimberly Paulson

By HCNewton

On January 11, 2022

In Book Tour, Fiction

This morning I’m pleased to host a Book Blitz for Kimberly Paulson’s Byline—the first novel in the Sohni Silver Mysteries—to celebrate its publication today. It looks like a heckuva ride.

Book Details:

Book Title: Byline by Kimberly Paulson
Series: Sohni Silver Mysteries
Publisher: Cayelle Publishing/Venal
Release date: January 11, 2022
Format: Ebook/Paperback
Length: 320 pages

Book Blurb:

The murder of a university student and the subsequent arrest of a homeless man, set a college town on edge. As the ambitious prosecutor rushes to convict, the young public defender representing the accused, Sohni Silver, begins to doubt her client’s guilt. Puzzled by the police department’s suspiciously incomplete investigation, Sohni searches for answers and finds unexpected assistance from two unlikely allies – each seeking the truth for their own reasons. The investigation, seen through the eyes of three different characters, unexpectedly leads Sohni to a secret worth killing for. To free her client, Sohni must fight against powerful forces, and a killer who has set his sights on her, all while battling her own demons. And she must do it before time runs out – for both of them.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK

My thanks to Love Books Group for the invitation to participate in this Blitz.

Saturday Miscellany—1/8/22

By HCNewton

On January 8, 2022

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

(really quick—I could still use a recommendation or two for the 12 Books Challenge, if you’re in the mood to help a guy out)

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 Never Donate These Books to Little Free Libraries (or Anywhere Else)—Some of this seems like common sense. Probably those parts need to be emphasized.
bullet Public Domain Day 2022—a list of some of the works that hit Public Domain this year, it’s not just Winnie-the-Pooh.
bullet Noah Hawley Keeps Changing Lanes—a profile of Hawley and his new novel
bullet #R3COMM3ND3D2021 The After Show Party—A look back at #R3COMM3ND3D2021 (a truly impressive number of books got mentioned in these posts—if you’re looking for a 2022 TBR list, you could do worse than working your way through these.
bullet Humor in Books, and Other Places, Too! An Interview with Darran Handshaw—Lockhaven’s series continues—and includes a fire safety tip!
bullet These are probably the last of the 2021 Wrap Up posts (although I might not be the only one taking too long to do theirs), those that caught my eye:
bullet Raven’s Yearly Round Up 2021 and Top 10 Of The Year—plenty of good recommendations here
bullet Bookworm Blues lists their 25 Best Books of 2021
bullet Bookforager’s 2021 Progress Report
bullet The Bookwyrm’s Den brings us something from the other end of the spectrum comes To All the Books I DNF’d (2021 Edition), which is a much nicer way of dealing with this idea than I’d come up with.
bullet 2022 Reading Challenge for Overwhelmed Book Readers—for those who need something like this
bullet Why I’m ditching star ratings in 2022—I keep circling back to this idea myself
bullet 10 Reasons to Read Indie and Self-Published Books

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet And Your Enemies Closer by Rob Parker—the first (fairly disturbing) book in this Audible Original series was my introduction to Parker, and this follow-up is just as riveting as the predecessor. Former detective DI Foley kicks off a war between criminal factions. (I almost wrote my post about the book right here…oops. No one has time for that right now)
bullet Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire—a non-reading/blogging project this week sucked up more time than I expected, which is the only reason I didn’t start (and likely finish) the 7th Wayward Children book two days ago.
bullet Anthem by Noah Hawley—”An epic literary thriller set where America is right now, in which a band of unlikely heroes sets out on a quest to save one innocent life—and might end up saving us all.” Yeah, that’s pretty vague, but it’s as good as I can do right now.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to MaureenBaks who followed the blog this week. Don’t be a stranger!