Category: Saturday Miscellany Page 20 of 35

So here we are at the end of 2022. Before my neighbors start blowing things up and terrifying one of my dogs (I’m so glad the other has lost most of her hearing), why don’t I bring you this week’s Miscellany? Things take a dark turn early on (death and decline), but we get celebratory soon enough, never fear.

Thanks for reading this (and whatever else you’ve read here lately)! Hope you enjoy your New Year’s Eve (or whatever you call today wherever you are). See you in 2023.

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:
Public Domain Day: 9 Noteworthy Titles To Look Out For—A quick look at some of the bigger titles entering Public Domain tomorrow.
Louise Penny sets the record straight on the ‘cozy mysteries’ myth
An Interview with Jordan Harper, Dark Poet of SoCal—If there’s a polar opposite of Penny, it might be Harper. I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with him soon.
The best reading skill no one ever taught you—take this with whatever size grain of salt you want, but I thought it was interesting enough to pass along
Death of the Author: Reading, Respect, and Reverence—this didn’t go the way I thought it would based on the title. I like his thinking.
Death, Rites, Lore, & More: How do various fantasy books look at these things?—one of those things you read and wonder why you never considered it before…(someone needs to do a sequel or five with other authors/books)
Thoughts on Long Career Authors and Decline—Ignoring the fighting words about Butcher, I liked chewing on this from ol’ Peat
How Do You Decide What to Read Next
Book Quotes to Love in 2022—There are some really good lines here
Harlan Coben got a thread of one-star reviews going on Twitter this week. There are some great ones here. Something for me to aspire to.
We’ve got some more great Best of ’22 lists to embiggen your TBR Stacks (I could pretty much fill the first six months of ’23 with what I’ve picked up from these lists lately):
Ramona Mead’s The Best Books I Read in 2022
The Orangutan Librarian gave us Just Some of the Great Books I Read This Year and My Top Ten Books of 2022!
Books of the Year, 2022!—from
Chicks,Rogues and Scandals
Top 22 Reads of 2022—from Fi’s Bibliofiles
My ’10’ Favourite Books of 2022 & My Book of the Year—from Beneath A Thousand Skies
TCL’s Top Ten Favorite Books of 2022
The Belgian Reviewer’s My top 10 favourite books of 2022
Best Books of 2022!—from Jennie Reads (I did just take a quick break to go order one off this list)
One other atypical category from Steven Writes The Best Settings I Read In 2022—seriously, his lists this year make me feel dull and uncreative while I plan mine.
Okay, maybe we should start looking at 2023 now, eh? (we’ll get back to 2022 next week I assume) with the 2023 Ultimate Book Blogger / Reader Spreadsheet Template—a few years ago, I gave up my spreadsheets for this fantastic tool. I don’t use it fully, but I like what I do use.
Now, what to fill that spreadsheet with? Here’s a couple of great list of Reading Challenges, if you’re thinking of trying 1 or 20:
65+ Fun Reading Challenges for Adults 2023
The 2023 Master List of Reading Challenges
I’ll share the Challenges I’m doing next week (probably), but I wanted to highlight a couple I found on these lists that I particularly liked. Great creativity went into these:
2023 We Didn’t Start the Fire Reading Challenge
Read Your Bookshelf Challenge—(I might give this one a try, just for the novelty of the approach)

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Vinyl Resting Place by Olivia Blacke—A nice little cozy set in a family record store, the series has promise. I talked about it a bit earlier in the month.

Several of you are dealing with frigid temperatures, some are dealing with power/heating issues, but hopefully even more of you are in getting an extra day or two off from work and maybe even getting to enjoy some time with friends and family. (Please, please, let the verb be “enjoy” and not something less pleasant.) Anyway, I hope you’re having a good one and are able to stay warm enough for whatever you’ve got going on this weekend.

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:
We’re drowning in old books. But getting rid of them is heartbreaking.
Lit Hub has collected the Biggest Literary Stories of the Year: 50 to 31, 30 to 11, and the Biggest 10
How a Great Audiobook Narrator Finds Her Voices
Shop Talk: The Year in Review—I’ve really enjoyed seeing behind-the-scenes with Eli Cranor’s series this year. Here, he looks back on the last year of Shop Talk.
Six Classic Books That Live Up to Their Reputation
We’ve got some great Best of ’22 lists to embiggen your TBR Stacks (I’m taking notes off of these and am starting to worry about the number):
CrimeReads posted 9 different lists this week (so I’m not going to provide individual links), and all of them have some great stuff.
LitReactor has enough staff that it took two posts to get theirs up. The Best Books of 2022 – Part I and The Best Books of 2022 – Part II
These are favorite book characters in 2022, read and published in 2022.—favorite characters might be a better idea than favorite/best books.
Top Five Most Dramatic Twists I Read In 2022—not only a great idea for a list, but the way Stephen writes about them without giving anything away is pretty impressive. Ditto for his Top Five Most Dramatic Twists I Read In 2022.
Favourite Reads of the Year – Stand-alone Edition!—another clever approach
Top 12 Reads of 2022
Weird, wonderful, and under-the-radar books that Jane Alice NEEDS you to read—Not necessarily reads from this year, but some great recommendations from a local bookseller
I Read 365 Books This Year And Here Are My Recommendations For Your Highly Specific Needs—I didn’t want this to get lost in the rest of the list, because…wow.
How Do You Measure a Year in Reading?—Unsurprisingly, this post by Molly Templeton has a lot of wisdom and food for thought.
Let’s Talk About Reviewing—the 1000th post on Queen’s Book Asylum has some good thoughts on reviewing
10 Fun Ways To Choose Your Next Read—I’ve tried several of these already but looking to use some more of them.
PSA: How To Read 100+ Books A Year—for those who aren’t introspective misanthropes like the Bookstooge, he has some handy tips.
What Challenges are you setting yourself for the New Year?

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Elias, who followed the blog this week. I hope you enjoy the content and keep coming back.

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:
Before we turn the page on 2022 Idaho, let’s talk about how books were in the ‘eye of the hurricane’—local public radio looked back at the book-related controversies in the state this year
The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest “Winners” for 2022—these winners and Dishonorable Mentions are all worth your time, but I’m going to have to insist that you all take a moment to read the Children’s Lit & YA entries.
The Ultimate Guide to 35 Popular Book Genres—I’m not certain that Reader’s Digest can speak that authoritatively on this, but this is pretty solid.
Legally bookish: Reese Witherspoon and the boom in celebrity book clubs
Here are a few more Best of ’22 lists to embiggen your TBR Stacks:
You can sod off, 2022, but leave the books please—from Criminal Minds (the blog, not the CBS show)
Top Five Powerful Books I Read in 2022—an interesting approach to the idea
The 13 Best Literary Adaptations of 2022—from LitHub
14 Authors Share the Best Books They Read in 2022—from NetGalley’s blog
Operation 2022: Success! (Or Favorite Books From this Year)—from Witty and Sarcastic Book Club (so much temptation!)
The 103 Best Book Covers of 2022—I love this post every year on LitHub, so many pretty pictures…
How to Plan for Your 2023 Reading Challenge—It is the time of year for this project…some good advice from NetGalley’s blog
Self-Education Project Part Two: The Extended Great Books Reading Plan—or you could take this approach…zowie
Speaking of advice here’s some more: Bookish Gift Ideas #1 and Bookish Holiday Gift Ideas—likely too late for Giftmas or whatever you celebrate. But good for the rest of the year, too
746 Books is 9 today!—746 Books turned 9 this week and Cathy reflects on her Quixotic project.
While I Was Reading announced an end to their well-deserved and understandable hiatus: Welcome Back
QOTD: Do you use bookmarks? I do, just not actual ones. Here are some weird/random things I (and my daughter) use!
5 reasons why we love morally gray characters and 5 books that feature them

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon (and, for the second week in a row, a couple that I missed recently):
Secrets Typed in Blood by Stephen Spotswood—Pentecost and Parker are hired by a mystery writer to find the killer who keeps lifting their method of killing from her short stories.
Posthumous Education by Drew Hayes—Fred the Vampire Accountant spends a semester as a college professor. Sure, why not? I can see him really enjoying that. I just doubt he’s going to get to spend too much time teaching.
Destructive Reasoning by Scott Meyer—a serial killer targeting actors playing Dr. John Watson. Sounds like a case for the Authorities! (because their funding source is about publicity first and crime-fighting second) I didn’t think we’d get a second novel featuring this team, so this is just gravy to me.

It’s that magical time of the year…the Goodreads Choice Award Winners have been named and everyone is griping about it. Haven’t read any of the winners, but this year’s crop looks better than the last few, IMHO.

Running late today, so that’s all the introduction you get (I can hear the cheers now). On with the links!
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:
‘I want to savour every word’: the joy of reading slowly—Sounds great. I honestly don’t think I’m physically capable of it.
I’m sure most of you saw this tweet where a disappointed author vented about the small showing at a reading and then got all sorts of encouragement from all sorts of authors—it’s a great thread and then it got picked up a whole lot of news outlets (like NPR).
Now You Too Can Bake Like Emily Dickinson This Holiday Season—I’m not sure why anyone would want to, but…
The gift that actually does keep on giving.
How Edgar Allan Poe Reinvented American Literature – and Science Writing
Don’t Kill the Dog—an author reflects on that cardinal rule
10 of the Best Gifts for Book Enthusiasts (That Aren’t Books)
#R3COMM3ND3D2022 The After Show Party #BookBlogger—a quick recap and look back at this great series
It’s December, which means it’s time for Best Of lists…where people tell you about all the books that you heard great things about but didn’t get around to:
Tor.com Reviewers’ Choice: The Best Books of 2022
The Best Crime Novels of the Year: 2022 from CrimeReads
My Top 10 Reads of 2022! from Out of This World SFF
Everything Counts As Reading
I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie: Six Alternative Uses for Shelf Bending Novels—Paul Goat Allen has some great tips
Here’s how I view negative reviews
Quotables: Words that Stuck with Me in 2022—Witty & Sarcastic Book Blogs shares great lines from this year’s reading

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
Blood Brothers Podcast Episode 114 with Andrew Child—this great conversation makes me wish I liked his contributions to the Reacher canon more.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon (and one from last week I thoughtlessly overlooked):
The Hero Interviews by Andi Ewington—a comic collection of interviews with various Fantasy heroes that looks like a lot of fun. Check out this here review for a better (and informed) take on it.
Bodacious Creed and the San Francisco Syndicate by Jonathan Fesmire—the third installment in this Steampunk/Western/Zombie Adventure series is out and looks like a good ‘un
My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby—Cosby’s first book has been reissued and I’m kicking myself for not hunting it down after Blacktop Wasteland.
Gone edited by Stephen J. Golds—30 pieces of short crime fiction from a great-looking lineup of writers
The Perception Of Dolls: The Fantoccini Street Reports by Anthony Croix, edited by Russell Day—I’m not even going to try to summarize this. Just click the link. It’s Russell Day and Fahrenheit Press, ’nuff said.
Grit, Black, Blood by Ashley Erwin—another one I don’t think I can summarize in a sentence or two (without reading, anyway).

I really don’t have much in the way of introduction today (or content, really). I’ve spent the last couple of days pondering something that maybe you have insight into/experience with: With less than a month left, and certain goals left unfinished–why do I keep going to the Library, and reading things that aren’t going to help me get to those goals? (Sure, I’ve been on the list for some of these books for weeks/months, but…)

You may note the absence of any New Releases this week–as usual, I assume that just means I missed seeing something. Clue me in.

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 Is “I Have No Idea,” Ken? I owe my recent “Jeopardy!” appearance — and spectacular flame-out — to books.—If I’m just going to talk about all the benefits and joys of reading here, I’m going to have to talk about the downsides here, too. I enjoyed this former contestant’s appearance—even if she underperformed. This little essay was just as fun.
How to Succeed in Publishing by Really, Really Trying and Getting Lucky—this is primarily advice for writers, but A. Lee Martinez also gives a pretty good perspective on a career from years in the trenches (which is more of my thing to share)
As a Sequel to a Recent Post: One Kay for The Flood Circle—a quick update from Harry Connolly (and hey, if I share an earlier post, I should share the sequel)
Where to start reading grimdark, no matter the genre you prefer—A handy “listicle of listicles” to guide a reader into Grimdark.
Purposely Reading Bad Books—It’s a fun video, but mostly I’m sharing this in solidarity with the thinking behind her recent reads. If I prepped my year-end lists this early, I’d be compelled to pick the same kind of reads myself.
FFA’S Most Anticipated Titles of 2023
As with all good things, Damppebbles’s annual recommendation-fest, #R3COMM3ND3D has come to an end for this year. These last few are just as enticing as those that have come before.
…with #BookBlogger Patricia B.
…with #BookBlogger Sue Bavey
…with #BookBlogger David
…with #BookBlogger Emma—our host closes out the month.
Can Any Book Truly Be Timeless?
Two Sided Coins and Seeing Story Weaknesses As Strengths—Peat’s focus is on the writing side, but thinking along these lines can be a real help when we’re thinking/talking/writing about what we read.

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:
Borrower returns library book 47 years past due, provides explanation in ‘thoughtful letter’
The Mysteries of Encyclopedia Brown: The Books, The Lawsuits, The HBO Show?!—Who doesn’t want to stop and learn more about ol’ Encyclopedia?
Damppebbles’s annual recommendation-fest, #R3COMM3ND3D is in the home stretch now, this week’s offerings are diverse genre-wise, but share a similar high quality.
…with #Author Terry Tyler
…with #Reviewer Davida Chazan
…with #Author Rachel Sargeant
…with #BookBlogger Jude Wright
…with #BookBlogger Rae
…with #BookBlogger Jo
…with #BookBlogger Wendy W.
Enough of 2022 (for a minute), let’s glance at 2023 with The Real Book Spy’s Our (Way too) Early Look at Notable 2023 Thrillers, Part Two, Part 3—my dance card is already starting to look a little packed
I shared some of the posts last year from the series Neurodivergence in Fiction. It’s been brought back with a broadened view and kicks off with this post from A.C. Cross, Mental Health in Fiction: Writing Through the Pain—I expect this series will as good—if not better—than its predecessor.
Thoughts After Writing Lots of Negative Reviews
10 Funny Reasons Why I prefer Physical Books

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
Don’t Remember Me Like This—I keep meaning to fit this “a podcast of short stories, memoir, satire, commentary, and essays with an occasional seizure of fiction, interviews and maybe even poetry” into my rotation, but I haven’t yet. I enjoyed Barber’s book a few years ago, and am looking forward to the same kind of humor in audio form.
Blood Brothers Episode 111 with Robert Crais—I’ve heard Crais on a decent number of podcasts, but he seems looser and less canned than I’m used to here

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Little Ghost by Chris McDonald—McDonald launches a new series—this one promises a noir feel about a PI in Denver. Looking forward to diving in.
The World Record Book of Racist Stories by Amber Ruffin & Lacey Lamar—the sisters pair up again for more stories of racism that you have to laugh at (so you don’t burn down the world)
NYPD Red 7: The Murder Sorority by Marshall Karp—Karp takes over control with this series entry about a hunt for a team of assassins taking down notorious New Yorkers. Which is an inadequate description, really. You should read my post from last week instead.

It’s been a quiet week on the blog, I know. I’m going through one of those spells where I just have no energy and fall asleep at my keyboard while writing. I managed to get 1/3 of my planned posts for the week up. So now I have no energy and a paralyzing anxiety about things that pretty much only I care about. It’s a fun combination, I highly recommend avoiding it🙂 I trust that I’ll shake it off (I always have before), but in the meantime, expect things to be slim around here.

Meanwhile, I’m hoping that the people who keep Twitter going are able to stabilize that ship, because despite all the helpful posts about going to Mastadon, I just don’t feel smart enough to figure it out (and yes, I’m this close to hiring one of my kids to do set it up for me…I can’t believe I’m at the age where I’m relying on my kids to do this for me). I hope I don’t lose track of all of you in the seemingly-immanent collapse.

But for now, here’s a quick miscellany to wrap up the 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:
125 Most Borrowed Books—In honor of its 125th Anniversary, the Brooklyn Public Library posted a list of its 125 most-borrowed books. It’s a fun list and one that gives a pretty clear view of their primary borrowing demographic.
Author Sarah Maclean shared a handy-dandy thread on how to keep up with favorite authors in a post-Twitter world
Behind the Blue Wall: How my time in the LAPD Academy helped Shape My Series—Aaron Philip Clark gives some background for his series
Damppebbles’s annual recommendation-fest, #R3COMM3ND3D keeps chugging along and the hits keep coming—some great-looking reads this week (as per usual).
…with #BookBlogger Carol
…with #BookBlogger HC Newton (what does he know, anyway? Guy can’t even handle social media platforms)
…with #Author Joy Kluver
…with #BookBlogger J – LoveBooksReadBooks
…with #Bookstagrammer Zoebeesbooks
…with #Bookstagrammer Lynda Checkley
…with #BookBlogger Namrata Ganti
’Tis the Season to Buy Books … for Other People—a guide to giving books as gifts. Not just for the upcoming season, these suggestions apply year-round.
Christmas gift ideas for book lovers – edition 2022-2023—even for those of us not big on certain seasonal observances, I enjoy looking at this kind of posts (and really like #3)
The Six Stages of Having Too Many Books—I can relate to this—also, I think it’s amusing enough to justify putting up with The New Yorker trying to sell a subscription.
Is listening to an audiobook, reading?—Are we all fed up with this question yet? Delany makes his position clear early on.
In Defence of Nasty Reviews—preach it! That line from Joanna Russ is one I’m going to employ at every opportunity.

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
Page Break with Brian McClellan Ep 55 – Nicholas Eames – Epic Fantasy Author—a fun chat, and a little glimpse at the next book in the trilogy

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
title by Cherie Priest—everyone’s favorite Travel Agent/rookie psychic is back in this strong follow-up. I opined about it a couple of weeks ago (back when I seemed to be able to write things).
Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember by Lauren Graham—I find Graham’s writing as least as charming as her acting, so I can’t wait to dive into this jog down memory lane. (Also, it’ll check off one of the last book challenge items I have this year.)
The Twist of a Knife by Anthony Horowitz—Horowitz himself (well, the fictional one) is the prime suspect in this book’s murder—will Hawthorne be able to help him? More importantly, will he want to?
Welcome to the Game by Craig Henderson—I can’t resist a good high-speed car scene in print or in film, this one looks like it should have a few (and probably some other gripping material).
How to Survive Everything by Ewan Morrison—An estranged father kidnaps his teenaged children to help them survive an impending pandemic that he’s certain is around the corner (even if no one else is).

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to yvonnembee, who followed the blog this week. I hope you enjoy the content and keep coming back.

Between Twitter collapsing and insert-your-own-description of Election Day, I didn’t see a lot of bookish things to read this week (could be me being distracted by the books I was working on more than the other items, honestly). So this is going to be another skimpy entry. By all means, point me at things you think I missed. We’ve also got the holiday season commencing, so that typical results in a plethora of things to read or a real desert.

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:
Today in AWWWW: Reading out loud to dogs improves literacy in kids.—Along these lines, my daughter’s work has taken her to a few events at a local library where kids can read to therapy-dogs-in-training, as a way to help both participants. Which is about the most wholesome thing I can think of.
5 Helpful Ways to Overcome Reader’s Block—I’m pretty sure almost every piece on Blocks/Slumps I share has these tips, but who knows… (I just can’t help myself)
Carlisle author MW Craven’s detective Washington Poe gives boost to Cumbria—a nice side effect to being the home of one of the greats
Damppebbles’s annual recommendation-fest, #R3COMM3ND3D, is in full swing—be sure to drop by for all the temptation and maybe a new favorite or twelve:
…with BookBlogger Joanne
…with BookBlogger Kate
…with BookBlogger Anita
…with BookBlogger Emily Quinn
…with Blogger, Reviewer and CrimeFictionCommentator Ayo Onatade
…with Author Pernille Hughes
…with Bookstagrammer Charlotte Bonner
The Anxiety of the TBR Shelf—co-sign
23 of the Most Iconic Young Adult Books of All Time—I don’t consider myself much of a YA reader (not opposed to it, but, you know), but I’ve read a larger number of these than I’d expected to
5 Millennial-Approved Young Adult Book Series That Are Still Going Strong

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
The Thriller Zone Episode 105: Robert Crais, author of Racing The Light—a short and snappy chat with the great

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Desert Star by Michael Connelly—Ballard gives Bosch one last shot at his White Whale—the killer of a family of four who has gotten away with it for far too long. Expect a very positive post from me next week.
Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson—like most Wilson books, this seems to defy summarizing in a line or two. Click the link for a description.
Blue Like Me by Aaron Philip Clark—this sequel to Under Color of Law puts the LAPD detective-turned-PI on the hunt for a cop-killer.

I don’t think I have much to say today before diving into things (I rarely do, probably, I’m just rarely self-aware enough to stop talking), so let’s skip my blather and get right to the good stuff:
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:
Words we think we know, but can’t pronounce: the curse of the avid reader—Been there, done that. I particularly enjoy when strong Jeopardy! contestants display this. If those masters of the minutiae stumble, I can get away with it, too.
On the Cult of Craftism
‘It provoked an erotic shock in me’ – Marian Keyes, Nick Hornby, Leïla Slimani and other writers on the books that changed them
Five Mysteries That Inspire Serious Childhood Favorite Vibes: Find out what mystery you should read next based on your favorite childhood books.
A Milestone, of a Sort: One Kay for The Iron Gate—Harry Connolly (who I will convince more of you to read if it’s the last thing I do) looks at his sales and ponders the state of his career
My First Thriller: S.A. Cosby—A great profile of Cosby and his first novel.
Thoughts on Cozy Fantasy by K. R. R. Lockhaven—Lockhaven dropped by Fanfiaddict to offer some thoughts on the subgenre. Apparently, I’ve been reading it longer than I realized.
Dolls, weirdness, and imaginary numbers…—Fahrenheit Press announces an upcoming release. All I can say is that you have to read about it. (and probably order it)
#R3COMM3ND3D is back! This is likely my favorite annual blog series and I’ve already been tempted by too many books to read (and I’ve been happy to see some familiar titles, too).
…with #BookBlogger Lorna
…with #BookBlogger Ally Parsonage
…with #BookBlogger Carla
…with Author Anne Coates
…with Reviewer Me And My Books
Transmissive Authors: A Theory and Thoughts
A Blogger’s Life: Anxiety Ridden Mind of a Blogger—The Withering Blog talks about resuming blogging, or “My Return from Exile”
Books, books, and more books—shelves to admire and a habit I can relate to

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
The Flood Circle by Harry Connolly—Fresh on the heels of The Iron Gate, Ray and Annalise are up against their greatest challenge yet—with the greatest rewards. I’m trying to work this into my schedule ASAP. If I go without sleep this week…
Racing the Light by Robert Crais—Elvis Cole (with some help from Joe Pike and Jon Stone) hunts for a missing/abducted podcaster. I had a few enthusiastic things to say about it.
Gardens by Benedict Jacka—an action-packed novella in the Alex Verus universe. .

My wife, kids, kid-in-law, dogs, and work all demanded (and were gladly given) a little more time and attention this week, so reading, blogging, and reading blogs took a hit. I did manage to see a few things for this post–and then got some help from Peat Long’s Friday Five.

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:
Libraries Can Unite a Lonely, Divided Nation—they probably won’t, but wouldn’t it be nice?
Mike Craven: Crime writer motivated by cancer survival—a nice profile of one of my favorites
A Horse Girl, a Hobbit, a Wanderer: On Picking Up Hobbies From Books
Most generic thriller plan…—The Orangutan Librarian shares a plan for a “a generic thriller with an awful twist.”
On the Use and Abuse of Dragons
Next Month, keep an eye out for Small Press Great Stories, a nifty-looking event put together at Runalong The Shelves
What I Miss about How I Read as a Child

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Fahrenzine: Welcome To Hollywood by Russell Day & Saira Viola—Fahrenheit Press isn’t giving any details about about this story, but I haven’t gone wrong yet with blindly trusting Fahrenheit or Day (I keep meaning to try Viola, but haven’t managed to yet). Honestly, you could tell me that Russell Day is doing an Austen pastiche and I’d probably love it. Very curious about this one.
No Plan B by Lee Child and Andrew Child—this is the third book in the “hand-off Reacher to little brother” project. Hopefully, it’s a lot stronger than the second (or first).

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to unclearer and Gina (thanks for the mention, by the way) who followed the blog this week. I hope you enjoy the content and keep coming back.