Category: WWW Wednesday Page 2 of 31

I attended a work-adjacent social activity yesterday* . I’ve got two social gatherings tomorrow** . And one the next day.*** I don’t know myself anymore. So I’m going to rush back to my comfort-space of books for a bit now.

* And enjoyed it.
** I’m anticipating enjoying both.
*** I’ll likely have fun here, too.

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis	Cold Days by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

Wow, you can remember the problems with the fifth Narnia novel, and then there’s re-reading it. I can appreciate it for what it is, but Lewis doesn’t make it easy, you know?

While I don’t love the plot developments that led to Cold Days (I don’t hate them either), I’m enjoying this more than I did Ghost Story (although I did like it more this time through).

What did you recently finish reading?

Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi	Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger, read by David Chandler

Zoe’s Tale was so much more fun than I expected once I realized what I was going to be reading. It could be my favorite of the series (although I’ve said that with every book in the series, so take that with a grain of salt).

Iron Lake itself was fine. But I think I made a mistake by going with an audiobook. It’s a very Joe Pickett-ish kind of plot and setting, which is fine. But when you have Joe Pickett’s narrator reading that to you…the word “distracting” is an understatement.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Christmas Tree Killer by Chris Frost	Son of a Liche by J. Zachary Pike, read by Doug Tisdale Jr.

This seems like a good time for Chris Frost’s latest.

I grabbed Son of a Liche right after I listened to Orconomics, but forgot that I had it, until one or more of the people on SFF Addicts Ep. 183: Our Favorite Reads of 2025 LIVE. Whoops.

Are you going through something seasonal now? Trying to finish challenges?

I’ve been on a roll lately–or so it seems–lotta good books, mostly that I’ve put off reading for too long (well, one was because of a massive line at the library, but I still feel like I put it off). Here’s hoping the streak continues.

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis	Ghost Story by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

I’ll be starting The Silver Chair here in a bit. I’m not sure what else to say. Good times and Puddleglum await (even good times with Puddleglum, as odd as that sounds to say)

Ghost Story is my least-favorite of the Dresden Files–but each time I read/listen to it, it grows on me. Who knows? By the end of the week, I might be dropping the “pretty” from my short eval and just call it “good.”

What did you recently finish reading?

Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw	Too Old For This by Samantha Downing, read by Elizabeth Wiley

Strange Practice is this great UF hybrid of McGuire’s Incryptid series and Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate with far less snark and innuendo. That’s not a great way to describe it, but it’s the best that I can do. It’s a lot of fun with a bunch of heart.

I’m still chewing on Downing’s latest–but in short, I’m glad I read it and will be recommending it.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by ABenjamin Stevenson	Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger, read by David Chandler

The length of Stevenson’s third book (190ish pages) is one of the big selling points, I wondered a little bit that the second book was stretching things. A compressed tale could help a lot.

I had Iron Lake in this spot a few weeks back, but the download got corrupted and I had to delete it and then re-check it out. So…let’s try this again: I’ve been assured that I’ll enjoy Krueger’s Cork O’Connor books, and that lighter fare than his others. (not that I have a problem with his others, but I’m not going to listen to them while working/driving). Am used to David Chandler’s voice, his work on the Joe Pickett books is solid. Should be a good time.

How’re things going for you? Read anything good lately?

I’m not going to finish off all my reading challenges for the year, I know. But two of them will be complete when I read the books mentioned here. So that’s something.

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler	Changes by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

I’ve only heard good things about Wexler’s book. I’ve only dipped a toe in, but what I’ve read so far makes me want to go on.

Changes is just one of those books that blew me away when I read it the first time. And it’s gotten better in each subsequent read. This time (2nd time in audio, and maybe 6th time overall) is no different.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis	What If…Kitty Pryde Stole the Phoenix Force?

I’ll gush about the Lewis book in a day or two. Like Changes, I got something new out of it this time, I can’t even guess how many times I’ve read this one.

This What If… book didn’t really click with me until the last 30% or so, but that last bit made up for the rest.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw	The Faithful Executioner: Life and Death, Honor and Shame in the Turbulent Sixteenth Century by Joel F. Harrington, read by Jame Gillies

Strange Practice was added to my TBR because I walked into a bookstore with money to spend, and all the books I wanted weren’t in stock. So, the helpful bookseller put it in my hand. A year later, here I am, ready to open it.

I’ve had two friends raving over The Faithful Executioner lately (I posted a small bit of that raving a couple of weeks back). I assume I’ll be raving soon.

How’s December looking for you? Any last-minute things you just have to get read?

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman	Batman: Resurrection by John Jackson Miller, read by Will Damron

My library hold finally came up! It ruined my plans for the week, but I don’t care. I’m not crazy about Osman’s writing of Ibrahim in this book–he’s just a little off. But the rest of it is just what we all needed. Joanna has an expanded role, and we meet another of Elizabeth’s old colleagues who is just great. And I’m going to keep going for a few paragraphs unless I cut myself off.

I’m not really “into” this sequel to Burton’s movie–but I think that’s going to change soon (of course, I’ve been saying that every 10 minutes).

What did you recently finish reading?

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis	Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum by Michael J. Fox & Nelle Fortenberry

The climactic scene wasn’t quite as good as I remember–but the book was just like coming home after a long trip. Just so comfortable.

This book was just cool, we get a little about Family Ties (could’ve used a bit more, but it wasn’t the focus of the book), we get plenty about Back to the Future (which is the focus) and Fox’s experience at this strange time in his life. The Epilogue was fantastic. I just like Michael J. Fox, I guess.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Robert B. Parker’s Showdown by Mike Lupica	What If…Kitty Pryde Stole the Phoenix Force? by Rebecca Podos

Lupica’s Spenser novels have been the best he’s done in the Parker-verse, eager for this one.

Kitty Pryde and Phoenix force? ‘Nuff said. (which is what I said a couple of weeks ago before Libby hit me with a handful of holds and I had to push it off)

So, what are you smuggling into your family gathering tomorrow so you have something to retreat into? (or, for non-USAers, are you reading anything good?)

I finished my Goodreads Challenge last week, which was a nice little dopamine hit–the books I’ve been reading have basically been nothing but dopamine hits, but who doesn’t want more of that?

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

A Judgement of Powers by Benedict Jacka	Turn Coat by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

Jacka’s new series keeps going in places and directions I don’t expect. I’m eager to see how he confounds me this time.

I remember Turn Coat having one of the more powerful endings in the Dresden Files (nothing compared to a few others, but still). I’m steeling myself already.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Last Colony by John Scalzi	The Greatest Possible Good by Ben Brooks, read by Emma Gregory

The Last Colony is yet another of those books that I intended to read years ago (since 2011, according to Goodreads). I am so angry at myself for wasting all that time not being able to re-read it.

I’m honestly not sure what Brooks was going for in his book. There were some interesting bits, some decent writing, and solid characters–but I need to think a little more about it to know if it was worth it.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis	Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum by Michael J. Fox & Nelle Fortenberry

Caspian might be my favorite Narnian book, so this is going to be fun.

Speaking of fun, Fox (and Fortenberry) writing about that strange period in his life when he was shooting Back to the Future and Family Ties and then narrating it? Sure thing.

How’ve you been sourcing your dopamine lately?

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The World Entire by Jo Perry	Songs for Other People’s Weddings by David Levithan with songs by Jens Lekman, read by Jefferson Mays

A year-and-a-half late on The World Entire, which has bugged me all along. Now that I’m almost halfway in and can say with a degree of certainty that this is Jo Perry’s best work to date, it really annoys me that I let this slip through the cracks repeatedly. It’s just excellent on several levels–and probably more than I’ve seen yet.

Levithan’s latest is wonderful–flawed, but wonderful. I’m finishing it today (and not just because Libby is taking it away this evening).

What did you recently finish reading?

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis	Small Favor by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

I’m a few months behind schedule on my Chronicles of Narnia read, but revisiting this first volume was just as good as expected. And yes, I’m reading them in the (correct) order by publication.

Thanks to a wonky work schedule, Small Favor is still my last audiobook (that’ll hopefully change later today)

What do you think you’ll read next?

And to All a Good Bite by David Rosenfelt	The Greatest Possible Good by Ben Brooks, read by Emma Gregory

There are few pleasures more certain than an Andy Carpenter book.

As it is wont to do, Libby dropped a bunch of audiobooks on me last week, so I had to derail my planned next book. This one looks promising, and like it should tick a lot of boxes. Looking forward to diving in.

You have any recommendations from your recent reads? Any big “must get to”s before the calendar flips to 2026?

Yeah, I’m running late…sleep has been too attractive this week, and the blog is suffering. No promises that I’ll turn it around this week, but one can hope.

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

Love the Stranger by Michael Sears	Songs for Other People’s Weddings by David Levithan with songs by Jens Lekman, read by Jefferson Mays

I’m having a lot of fun with Sears’ follow up to Tower of Babel–which came out in paperback yesterday. I’m a little annoyed at myself for missing the hardcover release last year, but am glad I’m catching up now.

I’m not that far in Songs, but it’s good to be back in a world Levithan created.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison	Small Favor by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

I don’t think I can put my thoughts about The Goblin Emporer into a pithy sentence or even paragraph. I hated to finish it, I just wasn’t ready to leave that book.

At a certain point, I did actually remember everything that happens in Small Favor and then spent hours trying to talk myself out of it, as if I could convince the audio to change and several events not happen until another book, so I didn’t have to listen. I’m not sure that makes sense.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Second Lies the Son by Matt Phillips	What If…Kitty Pryde Stole the Phoenix Force? by Rebecca Podos

All I needed to see was “by Matt Phillips” to jump on this ARC. Can’t wait to learn what it’s about.

Kitty Pryde and Phoenix force? ‘Nuff said.

What’s been grabbing your attention lately?

Just a couple of days until candy-pocalypse, anyone else dreading the leftovers (and on-sale leftovers at local stores) ruining health/resolutions? Don’t get me wrong–I rather enjoy seeing all the trick-or-treaters and passing out candy. I just wish they’d do a better job of cleaning us out. (if they’d clean us out quickly, so I could actually read something, that’d be even better).

You have enough pre-post banter? Good, me too.

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Broken Detective by Joel Nedecky	How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future by Maria Ressa, read by Maria Ressa & Rebecca Mozo

Am cracking Nedecky’s book open later today. I skimmed the cover a couple of weeks ago when I got it, but remember nothing that I read. All I know is that Run Amok books hasn’t let me down yet. I assume the trend will continue.

I saw Ressa interviewed recently and thought “I want to learn more about her.” And what do you know? She has a memoir (that’ll probably shift into something else later on). I think we’re only into her mid-20s right now, and I’m fascinated. Not that surprisingly, given her career in journalism and activism, she’s a strong audiobook narrator, so bonus points for that.

What did you recently finish reading?

Front Desk by Kelly Yang	The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Takami Nieda, read by: Naruto Komatsu, Kenichiro Thomson, Susan Momoko Hingley, Yuriri Naka & Ami Okumura Jones

Last night, I read the very charming (yet honest about race and immigrant struggles in the mid 90s) Front Desk for a reading challenge. I don’t know that it needs two (at least) sequels, and I doubt I’ll get to them, but I was very satisfied with this MG read.

The Healing Hippo has convinced me that Michiko Aoyma and I should part ways. There’s nothing bad about the book, but I just don’t get the appeal.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison	Small Favor by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

The Goblin Emperor is the last Fantasy Book Club read of the year–and it looks like we’re going out strong. Hope so, anyway.

And it’s time for another installment of “HC scrambles to listen to the existing Dresden Files books before Twelve Months is released.” I’m embarassed to admit that I conflate a lot of Small Favor with the next book, Turn Coat, so I’m eager to get some clarification on it.

How are you closing out October?

I anticipated having nothing but energy after a week’s vacation, and yet…anyway. I managed to get this put together, and hopefully I’ll have a post or two tomorrow of substance.

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir	The Summer War by Naomi Novik, read by Ella Lynch

I’m about a hundred pages into Gideon the Ninth and I’m not sure this book is for me–but I’m interested enough to keep going (also, the book club meeting is Monday, and I want to be ready for it).

It’s been too long since I’ve spent time in Novik’s writing. The premise of this short work intrigued me, too. Pretty sure this brief book is going to hit hard.

What did you recently finish reading?

Callus & Crow by D. B. Rook	Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow

Rook takes a bunch of ideas and genres and mashes them together. Mostly successfully. This is a creepy read with some characters that are going to stay with me.

I’m not sure I think that Doctorow’s prescriptions are the right way to go (I sure can’t think of better ones, though–at least they’d be good starts), but his “why everything suddenly got worse” feels pretty spot-on. The book isn’t that hopeful, because I really don’t see a lot of people being interested in fixing things.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi	An Instruction in Shadow by Benedict Jacka, read by Will Watt

Time to actually make progress in The Old Man’s War series!

Time to get a quick refresher on The Inheritance of Magic series!

You been reading anything good while the leaves turn around you?

The weather around here has caught up with the calendar, and it’s finally chilly. Talking about the weather is a dull way to start this, but honestly–it’s the most interesting thing I’ve got to go with. Which says a lot about me 🙂 Before I get more cliché, dull, or rambling let’s just get to the meat of the post, okay?

Oh, hey…anyone know of a decent (preferably quick–possibly MG or YA) book with an insect on the cover? Asking for a frenemy.

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Epic of Marindel: Chosen by Nathan Keys	Secrets of the Purple Pearl by Kate McKinnon, read by Kate McKinnon & Emily Lynne

I’m about at the 2/3 mark in Chosen, I’m having some issues with the theology Keys is presenting (the perils of Christian Fantasy), but am enjoying the story.

So, I put off listening to Son of a Liche, because Lilly delivered a few holds to me, and then the work I was doing couldn’t be done while listening to audiobooks–so I’m in a bit of a crunch now. (more information than you wanted, I know). Anyway, I’m thoroughly enjoying the second in The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science series. It’s just ridiculously fun.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa, translated by Louise Heal Kawai	Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland by Martha Barnette

My goal is to have a full post about The Cat Who Saved Books up tomorrow, so I’ll be quick here–I really enjoyed it.

Friends with Words, meanwhile, is something that held my attention just enough for me not to be annoyed by starting it. That’s about it. Rats–I loved the title

What do you think you’ll read next?

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree	Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger, read by David Chandler

I listened to Legends & Lattes a couple of years ago, and am going to give it a quick read to brush up for a book club discussion. (and to be ready for book 3 next month)

I’ve been assured that I’ll enjoy Krueger’s Cork O’Connor books, and that lighter fare than his others. (not that I have a problem with his others, but I’m not going to listen to them while working/driving). Am used to David Chandler’s voice, his work on the Joe Pickett books is solid. Should be a good time.

Do you have anything good to work through while adjusting to the weather?

(assuming your local weather has shifted recently)