Category: Books Page 106 of 164

Saturday Miscellany—8/15/20

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On August 15, 2020

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

So, last week I started off talking about an interesting message I received with some valid critiques about my blog theme and mused about tweaking it in the future. Before the day ended, my friend who helped me move hosts recently gets a hold of me. “You know, I was thinking about this during the move…” and bam! By the end of the day, I have a shiny and new look. Which is by far my favorite iteration of The Irresponsible Reader.

Which leads me to this week’s musing, I recently received an email suggesting I add a couple of thousand dollars to my saving account…..

Seriously, I want to thank my correspondent (who likes the new look) and Micah for all the work.

And I think we have made some serious progress in the Comment woes I’ve had the last couple of weeks.

Annnyway,
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 How to Show Kids the Joy of Reading
bullet An Expert’s Guide to Finding and Listening to Amazing Audiobooks While Social Distancing
bullet Now you’re talking! The best audiobooks, chosen by writers—I haven’t listened to any of these, but I’ve heard some of the narrators. Look like good choices, and I like the way the narrations are described.
bullet The Joys of Mystery Fiction’s Most Enduring Tropes—one of the best recurring things in Crime Fiction
bullet Followed by one of the worst…It’s Time to Demystify the Serial Killer—(which doesn’t mean a well-written serial killer isn’t a real pleasure, but, man…we’ve got too many of them
bullet Ace Atkins on writing Mississippi noir in terrible times—a little bit about The Revelators, a little about the series as a whole
bullet The World of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser and the Birth of the 1970’s Private Detective: The hardboiled protagonist who navigated both crime fiction’s progressive and reactionary strands.—I quibble with Lee over some of this–mostly the way she evaluates the strands. But this is one of those aspects of Parker’s writing that has appealed to me.
bullet Stephenie Meyer: ‘I’d like to be remembered for writing The Host – but it’ll be Twilight’—Yeah, Meyer’s not a go-to of mine, and I have no intention whatsoever of picking up the new one. But I clicked on this one on a whim and actually enjoyed reading it.
bullet Why Escapism is Important
bullet 6 things I love about blog tours!
bullet Beginner’s Guide to Blog Tours—This is a very handy guide
bullet Tips for Battling Reviewer Writer’s Block

This Week's New Releases That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Lone Jack Trail by Owen Laukkanen—The sequel to Deception Cove, this time the ex-con is a murder suspect, and one of the investigating officers is his girlfriend.

Lastly I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome toconsideringthebibletogether who followed the blog this week. Who hoped to see you around.

WWW Wednesday, August 12, 2020

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On August 12, 2020

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

Hey, it’s the middle of the week. Time for WWW Wednesday!

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 Ink and Sigil by Kevin Hearne and am listening to Far from the Tree by Rob Parker, Warren Brown (Narrator).

Ink and SigilBlank SpaceFar from the Tree

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Neil Lancaster’s Going Back and A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones, Lorelei King (Narrator) on audio.

Going BackBlank SpaceA Bad Day for Sunshine

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be The Library Murders by M. R. Mackenzie and Persons of Interest by Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson (Narrator) on audiobook.

The Library MurdersBlank SpacePersons of Interest

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

Down the TBR Hole (10 of 24+)

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On August 12, 2020

In Books, Down the TBR Hole, News/Misc.

Down the TBR Hole

This felt like I was trimming a lot of fat while I was writing it, but in the end, there’s plenty of thumbs pointing up (some due to the fact that I already paid for them). Still, it was a good exercise, if only to remind me about things I wanted to—and still want to—read.

This meme was created by Lia @ Lost in a Story—but Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts is the one that exposed me to this, and as my Goodreads “Want To Read” shelf is scarily long, I had to do this.

The Rules are simple:

  1. Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf
  2. Order on ascending date added.
  3. Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books.
  4. Read the synopses of the books.
  5. Decide: keep it or should it go?
  6. Keep track of where you left off so you can pick up there next week! (or whenever)

What distinguishes this series from the Mt. TBR section of my Month-end Retrospectives? Those are books I actually own while Goodreads contains my aspirational TBR (many of which will be Library reads). The Naming of the two is a bit confusing, but…what’re you going to do?

(Click on the cover for an official site or something with more info about the book)

Pit Bull Pit Bull: The Battle over an American Icon by Bronwen Dickey
Blurb: “When Bronwen Dickey brought her new dog home, she saw no traces of the infamous viciousness in her affectionate pit bull. Which made her wonder: How had the breed—beloved by Teddy Roosevelt and Helen Keller—come to be known as a brutal fighter? Dickey’s search for answers takes her from nineteenth-century New York dogfighting pits to early twentieth‑century movie sets, from the battlefields of Gettysburg to struggling urban neighborhoods. In this illuminating story of how a popular breed became demonized–and what role humans have played in the transformation–Dickey offers us an insightful view of Americans’ relationship with their dogs.”
My Thoughts: Think I’m going to pass on this, as fascinating as it sounds. If it’s as good as it looks, it’d just infuriate me and/or break my heart. And then I’d have to go adopt a pit bull, and I just don’t have room for that.
Verdict:
Thumbs Down
Conversations with Eric Conversations with Eric by Paul Casselle
Blurb: “What would you do if overnight you were projected into a mysterious comedy crime novel? What would you do if at every turn you were confronted with gun-toting, murderous psychopaths, your life was threatened on an hourly basis and you suspected the police were as corrupt as the criminals? What would you do if you felt your head was about to explode with the comic madness of it all, and the only sane soul you had to talk to was your labrador? What would you do?…”
My Thoughts: This is probably a lot of fun, or a frustating swing-and-a-miss. In the end, just not something I’m going to make time for.
Verdict:
Thumbs Down
In Twenty Years In Twenty Years by Allison Winn Scotch
Blurb: “Twenty years ago, six Penn students shared a house, naively certain that their friendships would endure—until the death of their ringleader and dear friend Bea splintered the group for good. Now, mostly estranged from one another, the remaining five reluctantly gather at that same house on the eve of what would have been Bea’s fortieth birthday.”
My Thoughts: I’ve never been disappointed in a book by Scotch, and while it’s been awhile since I’ve read one, I could always use another. Also, I bought this for my wife years ago…
Verdict:
Thumbs Up
Sacrifices Sacrifices by Jamie Schultz
Blurb: Magical (and possessed?) thieves are on the hunt for a relic to help out with the demon-possession thing, and have to align themselves with the F.B.I.
My Thoughts: Don’t ask me why I didn’t read this when it came out. Must’ve been super-busy. I’ve read the first two novels in this trilogy and was wow’ed by them (read book 1 twice). It’s the last in the series, so I wonder if one of the reasons that I didn’t read it was because I didn’t want it to end. Which is silly. It’ll be dark. It’ll be grim. It’ll be good.Also, I own it, and it’s one of those taking up space on my montly Mt. TBR graphs.Verdict:
Thumbs Up
The Unseen World The Unseen World by Liz Moore“Ada Sibelius is raised by David, her brilliant, eccentric, socially inept single father, who directs a computer science lab in 1980s-era Boston. Home-schooled, Ada accompanies David to work every day; by twelve, she is a painfully shy prodigy. The lab begins to gain acclaim at the same time that David’s mysterious history comes into question. When his mind begins to falter, leaving Ada virtually an orphan, she is taken in by one of David’s colleagues. Soon after she embarks on a mission to uncover her father’s secrets: a process that carries her from childhood to adulthood.”
My Thoughts: I’m guessing this got on my radar thanks to Moore’s Heft, which I really liked. This, at least right now, doesn’t feel like it’d tick any of my boxes.
Verdict:
Thumbs Down
Dead to Rites Dead to Rites by Ari Marmell
Blurb: Nunc hoc in marmore non est incisum
My Thoughts: It’s the third volume in the 1930’s Urban Fantasy about a Fae PI in Chiciago. Thought the first was great, Marmell’s a lock for a good read, own the second, but didn’t read it for whatever reason. Which is why I didn’t get around to this one (or the next). Something I should rectify.
Verdict:
Thumbs Up
How to Party with an Infant How to Party with an Infant by Kaui Hart Hemmings
Blurb: A book about a single mom in SF finding love from the author of The Descdendants.
My Thoughts: Probably a great read. The Descdendants was great, it’s an interesting hook, but I don’t feel a need to shuffle my schedule to get to it. Verdict: Soft pass.
Thumbs Down
Enter Title Here Enter Title Here by Rahul Kanakia
Blurb: Nunc hoc in marmore non est incisum
My Thoughts: This tale of an overachiever trying to seal the deal on her Stanford admission by getting a literary agent just doesn’t seem like anything I’m in the mood for now. I’m probably going to miss out on something good, though.
Verdict:
Thumbs Down
King Of The Moon King Of The Moon by Victor Schwartzman
Blurb: “A satirical novel where Gulliver’s Travels meets Star Wars via Game of Thrones. Look into a dimension where everyone grows up believing Fox News! Plenty of jokes and cheap shots! A look at one week in the life of a new King who does not want to be King!”
My Thoughts: Whhhhaaaaattt?
Verdict:
Thumbs Down
The Red Chameleon The Red Chameleon by Erica Wright
Blurb: PI Kat Stone (and former UC NYPD officer) fears that someone has recognized her from her past. So she teams up with former colleagues.
My Thoughts: Read and enjoyed books two and three in this series, but I always struggle going backwards. I really should do it, though.
Verdict:
Thumbs Up

Books Removed in this Post: 6 / 10
Total Books Removed: 59 / 240

Anyone out there read any of these books? Did I make the right call with any of them?

(Image by moritz320 from Pixabay)

Saturday Miscellany—8/8/20

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On August 8, 2020

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

I got the most detailed and unexpected critique of my blog theme/graphics this week from someone–sandwiched in a very complimentary email. I think there’s a lot of merit to what this new reader had to say (although I didn’t understand most of what he said about the main site graphic). At the same time, it made me sort of defensive toward whoever designed the theme for WordPress and my friend who made the graphic (one comment he made has a lot of merit, and I’ll probably never be able to unsee, despite not catching it for years).

Beyond that, and only having limited time to read this week (am about 2.5 days behind my ideal schedule, 1.5 behind the realistic one), it’s been a good and largely productive week around here (self-discipline pays off). How’s August treating all of you?

Only one New Release for the first week of a month? Clearly, I missed a few–help me out, friends.

That’s a lot of blather, I’d better move on with things.

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 16 Ways to Celebrate National Book Lovers Day—Tomorrow is National Book Lovers Day here in the U. S., and NetGalley’s Bookish blog has compiled a list of ways to note it. I’ll be taking a pass on it this year for religious reasons, but honestly, who needs a label on the calendar to do any of these, I tend to tick off a lot of this list on a day that ends in “y”.
bullet Mental Illness Can Make It Hard to Read. Here’s Why — and What You Can Do
bullet What I Learned From the Worst Novelist in the English Language
bullet From Victorian demons to the Beijing night bus: why we tell each other urban legends
bullet The Evolution of Dennis Lehane—I’m not as taken with Lehane’s later work as many/most, but that’s largely taste and temperament (mine). But he’s forever near the top of my list for the Kenzie and Gennaro books, and when I do get around to reading something he’s written, it never fails to impress.
bullet The Last Lines From 19 of the Most Beautiful Books Ever Written—(Lashaan should probably avoid this piece, Gatsby and Old Man and the Sea warning)
bullet A Guide to Stanning Book Blogs // What Are Book Blogs, How & Why You Should Support Book Bloggers, & More
bullet You Are a Book Blogger and You Are a Reader.—the working title, “It Doesn’t Matter How Much You Blog, You Are a Blogger and It Doesn’t Matter How Much You Read, You Are a Reader” summarizes it best
bullet Should You Read the [SF/F] Classics?
bullet Wonderful and Whimsical Fantasy Worlds to Get Lost in This Summer—Yet another great list from The Orangutan Librarian.

A Book-ish Related Podcast Episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
bullet The Worldshapers Episode 58: Faith Hunter—a great conversation Hunter shared on Facebook, after I listened to this, I’ve downloaded several other episodes (and listened to most of those), this is a pretty good podcast in a similar vein to The Once and Future Podcast and Author Stories, I also really appreciated Episode 47: Carrie Vaughn.

This Week's New Releases That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet The Heirs of Locksley by Carrie Vaughn—this novella checks in on Robin and Marian’s kids four years after the last one. Just fun books, as I wrote (especially compared to most modern Robin Hood stories).

Lastly I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to ilaria.muzzi, bookshelflife, and angelicreader who followed the blog this week. Hope to see you around.

WWW Wednesday, August 5, 2020

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On August 5, 2020

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

Technical difficulties (and lethargy) kept me from this post last week, but I’m back, online, and caffeinated, so let’s break out the 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 Revelators by Ace Atkins and am listening to Deadly Assessments by Drew Hayes, Kirby Heyborne (Narrator).

The RevelatorsBlank SpaceDeadly Assessments

What did you recently finish reading?
I just finished Carrie Vaughn’s The Heirs of Locksley and The Answer Is . . .Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek, narrated by Ken Jennings and Alex Trebek on audio.

The Heirs of LocksleyBlank SpaceThe Answer Is

What do you think you’ll read next?
My next book should be the Iron Druid Chronicles spin-off, Ink and Sigil by Kevin Hearne and some sort of audiobook, I’m not sure what–we’ll see what the Library has to offer.

Ink and Sigil

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

Top 5 Tuesday – Top 5 books where something went wrong

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On August 4, 2020

In Books, News/Misc.


Top 5 Tuesday has a new host, and a new slate of topics—I think I can have some fun with these next few.

This week’s topic is, “Top 5 books where something went wrong.” Now, really, what story doesn’t involve something going wrong?* At best, it’s a book about something that went wrong before it started and the protagonists are trying to set it right, or at least make things better. But pretty much every book focuses on things going wrong. It’s just a matter of how often and how wrong things go. Still, when you read the topic, you have a pretty good idea what’s meant, right?

This was a hard list to whittle down—a Top 15 would’ve been easier than Top 5, but I think I’ve got a good, eclectic, group. To make things a little more challenging for myself, I didn’t choose any book I’ve read this year (that also will prevent recency bias). Shall we see what I came up with?

* I’m tempted to make a theological point here, but I’ll restrain myself.

5 The Freedom Broker
The Freedom Broker by K. J. Howe

I’m not sure why, this one was the second title that jumped to mind when I started thinking about the topic. I remembered few of the details without my post to jog my memory. But it works pretty well, Thea Paris is in private security, with a specialty in K&R (Kidnapping and Ransom)—both the negotiation side, and (when that fails) the rescue teams. She’s one of the best around.

Until her super-rich father is kidnapped, and everything starts going wrong. I described Howe’s writing as: an “everything including the kitchen sink” approach to story telling—the number of things that go wrong during Thea’s search for her father, and the number of opponents and obstacles in her way is seemingly endless. I love it, every time you think she’s on a roll and things are going to start going her way, a problem that the reader should’ve seen coming (but almost never does) shows up to derail things again.
4 All Our Wrong Todays
All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai

Since I read this book, it may be the one I’ve most frequently recommended to people who ask for a recommendation. 2016 is the future that 1950’s Sci-Fi promised, peace, prosperity, flying cars, all that. Until the day the first time machine was turned on and something went wrong. History was re-written and what resulted is the (relative) dystopia that was 2016 (who knows what Mastai would’ve had his protagonist think of 2020). The only person that knew this was the first time traveler.

What happens next is a series of attempts—and failures, so, so many failures—to restore the timeline. It’s such a great read. I should probably schedule a re-read, come to think of it.

(My original post about the book)
3 Mechanical Failure
Mechanical Failure by Joe Zieja

It’s right there in the title, right? Any of the Epic Failure trilogy would’ve fit, but the first seems to feature more failures—from the Droid who can’t swear to the retired engineer who tried to be a pirate—and his failure ended up getting him re-enlisted and promoted, and promoted and promoted again after repeated failures. People are assigned to the wrong stations on board the (appropriately named) Flagship, every device malfunctions, battle droids don’t function appropriately, and so on.

(My original post about the book)
2 The Cartel
The Cartel by Don Winslow

What doesn’t go wrong in this book? You’ve got a prisonbreak, freeing the head of the biggest Cartel in Mexico—if only so he can wage war to stay the largest. You’ve got corruption at every level of the War on Drugs (on both sides of the border). You have new gangs rising to prominence, mostly due to bloodshed. You have more and more money coming into the cartels and more competition for that money. You have journalists, politicians, doctors, cops trying to do the right thing and being hunted, shot, and/or killed for it. I can’t think of anything that goes right in this book—at least not for very long.
1 The Martian
The Martian by Andy Weir

Mark Watney finds ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory time after time after time. The strength of this book is that it’s about problem-solving your way out of those defeats, but from the first page (moments before the first page, technically) until the very end—things go wrong for Watney, giving him plenty of opportunities to exercise his problem-solving ability.

This is the first book I thought of when I saw the prompt, and it’s probably the best example on my shelves of it.

(My original post about the book)

July 2020 in Retrospect: What I Read/Listened to/Wrote About

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On August 1, 2020

In Books, Calendar Items, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

I finished 27 books (okay, fine…26 books and one picture book), with 9,217 pages (800+ of those I’ve been working on for a few months, though) and a 3.85 average rating. That counts as a very good month around here. I didn’t post as many things as I wanted to (I talked a little bit about that this morning), but I liked what I did post. If I only felt free to leave me house, I’d call July a win—a pretty good month, regardless.

So, here’s what happened here in July.
Books Read

Brief Cases The Curator Vagrant Queen
5 Stars 5 Stars 3.5 Stars
Smarter Faster Better Heartburn Elphie Meets the End of The World
3.5 Stars 3.5 Stars/td> 3 Stars
One Man Spells for the Dead I Was Told It Would Get Easier
4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars
Veloctiy Weapon Peace Talks Firefly The Sting
4 Stars 5 Stars 3.5 Stars
Land of Wolves The Silence Coffee and Condolences
3.5 Stars 4 Stars Still Deciding
The Monster in the Hollows In Plain Sight Legends Rise
3 Stars 3 Stars 3.5 Stars
Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed Institutes of Christian Religion vol 1 Struck Down But Not Destroyed
2 1/2 Stars 5 Stars 4 Stars
Dark Jenny Betty Early Autumn
4 1/2 Stars 4 Stars 5 Stars
Twenty Palaces The Blues Don’t Care The Bitterroots
4 Stars 3.5 Stars 3 Stars

Still Reading

Tom Jones Original Cover Institutes of Christian Religion vol 2 Blank Space

Ratings

5 Stars 5 2 1/2 Stars 1
4 1/2 Stars 1 2 Stars 0
4 Stars 8 1 1/2 Stars 0
3.5 Stars 8 1 Star 0
3 Stars 4
Average = 3.85

TBR Pile
Mt TBR July 20

Breakdowns
“Traditionally” Published: 19
Self-/Independent Published: 8

Genre This Month Year to Date
Children’s 1 (4%) 3 (2%)
Fantasy 5 (19%) 23 (15%)
General Fiction/ Literature 4 (15%) 12 (8%)
Horror 0 (0%) 0 (0%)
Humor 0 (0%) 1 (1%)
Mystery/ Suspense/ Thriller 7 (26%) 6 (32%)
Non-Fiction 1 (4%) 9 (6%)
Science Fiction 3 (11%) 14 (9%)
Steampunk 0 (0%) 1 (2%)
Theology/ Christian Living 2 (7%) 11 (7%)
Urban Fantasy 4 (15%) 21 (14%)
Western 0 (0%) 0 (0%)

Review-ish Things Posted

Other Things I Wroteotherwriting
Other than the Saturday Miscellanies (4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th), I also wrote:

How was your month?

Saturday Miscellany—8/1/20

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On August 1, 2020

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

I had a potential of 14 things I was going to post this week–it was ambitious, and I didn’t think I’d actually get all of it accomplished, but it was something I actually thought I might accomplish. I got 6 things posted. One was a repost, four of them I wrote last Saturday. So, yeah, I composed 2 posts this week. Every day this week after work, I sat down to do something and then I ended up closing the laptop with only a paragraph or two written (or re-written, if I’d tried to finish my abandoned post from the day before). I slept a little more than usual, but mostly I just stared at my screen not accomplishing anything (including finding things for this post). In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal–but man, it was really demoralizing.

But, tomorrow is another day. fiddle-dee-dee, and all that. (Also, it’ll shave a couple of minutes off of compiling my July report later today)

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 The Trouble with Reading Multiple Books at Once—I can juggle a few at once, but rarely want to anymore. Anyone out there enjoy doing this?
bullet Making the most of your reading time—Nothing new here, but good advice.
bullet ‘Kingkiller Chronicle’ Editor Believes Author Hasn’t Written Anything for Years—I haven’t seen if Rothfuss has responded to this (and looked a little bit), and am fairly surprised at how little attention it received on Twitter, etc.
bullet THE LAST OF US PART II, COWBOY BEBOP, and Letting Go of the Past—I’ve never played the game or watched the series, but what it says about the end of a series is something that we can all appreciate.
bullet The Name’s Wolfe, Nero Wolfe: Rex Stout’s Influence on Ian Fleming—you know me, I’ll drop a link to a Stout/Nero Wolfe piece any day. It’s easier when they’re as fun as this.
bullet Guest Post: Which Generation Reads the Most Infographic by Best By the Numbers.—I’m also always a sucker for an infographic, this guest post at The Tattooed Book Geek is a good one.
bullet Discussion – What Book Bloggers Love To Talk About—yeah, pretty much.

This Week's New Releases That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Spells for the Dead by Faith Hunter—Nell and PsyLED face off against a magical virus. I really dug this one.
bullet Chaos Vector by Megan E. O’Keefe—one of the things I didn’t write about this week was the first book in this series (I didn’t realize it was going to be a series when I started it, nor that the second one was coming so soon). Space battles, an AI with an agenda, and some scrappy heroes. Can’t wait to find out what happens next.
bullet Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection by Ben Aaronovitch—I had completely forgotten that this collection was coming out until it appeared on my Kindle yesterday, what a pleasant surprise!

Lastly I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Tannie LowA.C. Stark, and Mike Finn who followed the blog this week. Don’t be a stranger, and use that comment box, would you (assuming it’s working, which it may not be)?

20 Books of Summer 2020: July Check-In

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On July 31, 2020

In Andy Carpenter, Books, Chet and Bernie, Currently Reading, David Rosenfelt, Don Winslow, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Ian Rankin, InCryptid, John Rebus, Kevin Hearne, Luca Veste, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, News/Misc., Non-Fiction, Spencer Quinn, Urban Fantasy

20 Books of Summer
So, I did a lousy job of taking into account new releases, review copies, and life when I made the original list. I only read 4 of the remaining 13 books in July, which doesn’t bode well for August. I think I can still pull this off, but I’m going to have to make a couple of more substitutions, based on how long it took me to read Winslow’s The Cartel and Hearne’s A Plague of Giants, I’m not going to be able to tackle their follow-ups in August (which annoys me greatly, I was counting on this challenge to help force my hand with these). So I’m substituting Hearne’s next book, the launch of a new series, Ink & Sigil (there’s a balance to that) and The Revelators by Ace Atkins (not as epic in scope as Winslow, but … it’s the best I can realistically do).

✔ 1. Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why by Alexandra Petri
2. The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold
3. Screamcatcher: Dream Chasers by Christy J. Breedlove
✔ 4. The Finders by Jeffrey B. Burton
✔ 5. Fair Warning by Michael Connelly
✔ 6. One Man by Harry Connolly
✔ 7. The Curator by M. W. Craven
8. The Ninja Daughter by Tori Eldridge
9. The Rome of Fall by Chad Alan Gibbs
✔ 10. American Demon by Kim Harrison		 11. Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne
12. Betty by Tiffany McDaniel
✔ 13. Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire
14. Curse the Day by Judith O’Reilly
✔ 15. Of Mutts and Men by Spencer Quinn
16. Rather Be the Devil by Ian Rankin
✔ 17. Muzzled by David Rosenfelt
18. Bad Turn by Zoë Sharp
✔ 19. The Silence by Luca Veste
20. The Revelators by Ace Atkins

20 Books of Summer Chart July

Ultimate Book Tag

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On July 29, 2020

In Book Tag, Books, News/Misc.

Ultimate Book Tag
I saw this over on Way Too Fantasy last month, and it looked fun. It was maybe a touch too long in the end. But still, hopefully you enjoy. I’d like so see what you all come up with for these.

Do You Get Sick While Reading In The Car?

Not typically, but on a recent road trip, I got hit hard by it. I was in misery, my wife couldn’t understand what was going on–reading’s supposed to be the thing I can do anywhere, anytime. Thankfully, it passed after a miserable hour (and I was able to finish the book before it was my turn behind the wheel).

Which Author’s Writing Style Is Completely Unique To You And Why?

I honestly don’t get this question (and read a few other bloggers versions of this tag, which didn’t help). Lisa Lutz, Josh Bazell, Russell Day, Douglas Adams, Abbi Waxman jump to mind as great voices, with fantastic styles. If I spent more time, I could find another dozen names to list, but I’m not sure any qualify as “completely unique to me.”

Harry Potter or Twilight? Give 3 Reasons Why.

Harry Potter

  1. Better written, better plotted, better executed.
  2. I liked each successive Twilight book less. Exponentially so.
  3. I want to re-read Potter several more times. Can’t see myself ever picking up a Twilight again.

Do You Carry A Book Bag? If So, What’s In It (Besides Books)?

Not since college.

Do You Smell Your Books?

Of course. I’m only human.

Books With or Without Illustrations?

Don’t know if I have a preference one way or another, but I’m always in favor of a well-done and fitting illustration.

What Book Did You Love While Reading, But Discovered Later It Wasn’t Quality Writing?

“Discovered” bothers me in that question. I find it amusing that every version of this I read points at Twilight. There are plenty of books I really enjoy while not being all that impressed with the writing, but I can’t think one that fits this scenario.

Do You Have Any Funny Stories Involving Books From Your Childhood?

Should probably ask my mom–she’d be the one who’d remember those. I just remember never having enough of them 🙂 (a problem that plagues me to this day)

What Is The Thinnest Book On Your Shelf?

Being ThereBeing There by Jerzy Kosinski

What Is the Thickest Book On Your Shelf?

Complete Jane AustenJane Austen The Complete Novels by Jane Austen

I have a Don Quixote paperback that’s about the same size, but I have an image of The Austen, so I’ll give that the credit.

Do You Write As Well As Read? Do You See Yourself Being An Author In the Future?

I have written a few novels that should never be seen by anyone. A handful of short stories, essays, and whatnot. I don’t see myself developing the necessary discipline to get published, but you never know.

When Did You Get Into Reading?

I don’t remember a time that I wasn’t. There are stories of me getting into reading when I was three and starting to figure out that the black squiggles meant words. Once I got into school and had a lot more options available to me, my addiction got worse.

And worse.

And worse.

And now…

What Is Your Favorite Classic Book?

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

What Was Your Best Subject In School?

History/Social Studies/Government. Though English classes were always my favorite.

If You Were Given A Book As A Present That You Read Before And Hated, What Would You Do?

Thank profusely and add it to my shelf. Not to read again, but to remember the gesture.

(and to chuckle to myself about, I’m sure)

What Is A Lesser Known Series That You Know Of That Is Similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?

Similar to Potter? Jeremy Scott’s The Ables, just replace Wizards and Witches with Super Heroes.
Similar to the Hunger Games? Mercedes Lackey’ Hunter series, you’ve got the media/celebrity thing, the exceptional young woman from a rural area who proves to be a superstar/super-competent fighter.

What Is A Bad Habit You Always Do (Besides Rambling) While writing?

I can’t spell definitely to save my life. I overuse “honestly,” “to be honest,” ellipses, and so on.

What Is Your Favorite Word?

Sesquipedalian? Floccinaucinihilipilification? Indeed? Flummery?

Pfui. Too many to choose from.

Are You A Nerd, Dork, or Dweeb?

Nerd. (I prefer Geek, but it wasn’t an option)

Vampires or Fairies? Why?

Fae.

Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?

Shapeshifters. Changeling (formerly, and now, known as Beast Boy was one of the first superheroes that I got into–and remains a favorite. Then I got into Lycans and similar characters. I just find them interesting.

Also, the use of angels always leaves me a bit uneasy. No one gets them right, and it’s usually stepping too close to the sacred for my comfort.

Spirits or Werewolves? Why?

Werewolves. This is related to the above. Spirits are to ephemeral, ineffable, and insubstantial to really work for me.

Zombies or Vampires? Why?

Vampires. They have brains, agency, personality.

Love Triangles or Forbidden Love?

Forbidden love, I guess.

Full-on Romance Books Or Action-Packed With A Few Love Scenes?

Action (or something else) packed with romance on the side.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.

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