Category: Books Page 133 of 167

Saturday, er, Monday Miscellany – 5/28/18

On May 28, 2018

Hope you all had a great Towel Day! And for you U. S. types, I hope you’re having a good Memorial Day.I got knocked out by a stomach virus this weekend — spent most of it unconscious, and the time I was awake, I couldn’t focus enough to write anything — even this. Reading was straight out — this is the longest I’ve gone without reading in years — Friday afternoon through…I dunno, really — I need to spend some time today reshuffling my schedule so I can make all the deadlines I have in the next 8 days. So anyway, I’m just saying, there’s a reason this is two days late.

Here are the odds ‘n ends over the last week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

Are ebooks dying or thriving? The answer is yes
What’s Going On In Your Child’s Brain When You Read Them A Story? — huh
What Does A Goodreads Three Star Rating Mean to You? — I don’t get this — 3 is good. Not every book can be mind-blowing, right?
The 5 books Bill Gates thinks everyone should read this summer — For that species of people who don’t have stacks of things to read all times, “Summer Reading” is a thing — for those who are looking to come up with their list for the upcoming season, Bill Gates (noted literary critic?), has some ideas.
The Mystery Buffs in the White House — inspired by the upcoming Clinton/Patterson novel, a look at Chief Executives with a thing for mysteries.
Speculative Noir: 10 Classic Sci-Fi Thrillers That Tore Down Genre Borders — Crime Reads lists 10 SF/F-Crime hybrid novels.
What Exactly is a Cozy Mystery?

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Eva Newermann for following the blog this week.

Towel Day ’18: Some of my favorite Adams lines . . .

By HCNewton

On May 25, 2018

In Books, News/Misc., Quotations, Science Fiction

There’s a great temptation here for me to go crazy. I’ll refrain from that and just list some of his best lines . . .

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.”
This must be Thursday. . . I never could get the hang of Thursdays.”
“You’d better be prepared for the jump into hyperspace. It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.”
“What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?”
“You ask a glass of water.”
(I’m not sure why, but this has always made me chuckle, if not actually laugh out loud. It’s just never not funny)
He had found a Nutri-Matic machine which had provided him with a plastic cup filled with a liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.
In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centuari. And all dared to brave unknown terrors, to do mighty deeds, to boldly split infinitives that no man had split before . . .
“Look,” said Arthur, “would it save you a lot of time if I just gave up and went mad now?”

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

It is a curious fact, and one to which no one knows quite how much importance to attach, that something like 85 percent of all known worlds in the Galaxy, be they primitive or highly advanced, have invented a drink called jynnan tonnyx, or gee-N-N-T’Nix, or jinond-o-nicks, or any one of a thousand or more variations on the same phonetic theme. The drinks themselves are not the same, and vary between the Sivolvian “chinanto/mnigs” which is ordinary water served at slightly above room temperature, and the Gagrakackan “tzjin-anthony-ks” which kills cows at a hundred paces; and in fact the one common factor between all of them, beyond the fact that the names sound the same, is that they were all invented and named before the worlds concerned made contact with any other worlds.

Life, the Universe, and Everything

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has this to say on the subject of flying.There is an art, it says, or rather, a knack to flying.
The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.

(It goes on for quite a while after this — and I love every bit of it.)

“One of the interesting things about space,” Arthur heard Slartibartfast saying . . . “is how dull it is?””Dull?” . . .
“Yes,” said Slartibartfast, “staggeringly dull. Bewilderingly so. You see, there’s so much of it and so little in it.”

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Of course, one never has the slightest notion what size or shape different species are going to turn out to be, but if you were to take the findings of the latest Mid-Galactic Census report as any kind of accurate guide to statistical averages you would probably guess that the craft would hold about six people, and you would be right.You’d probably guessed that anyway. The Census report, like most such surveys, had cost an awful lot of money and told nobody anything they didn’t already know — except that every single person in the Galaxy had 2.4 legs and owned a hyena. Since this was clearly not true the whole thing eventually had to be scrapped.
Here was something that Ford felt he could speak about with authority.”Life,” he said, “is like a grapefruit.”
“Er, how so?”

Well, it’s sort of orangy-yellow and dimpled on the outside, wet and squidgy the middle. It’s got pips inside, too. Oh, and some people have half a one for breakfast.”

“Is there anyone else out there I can talk to?”
Arthur had a swordfish steak and said it made him angry. He grabbed a passing waitress by the arm and berated her.”Why’s this fish so bloody good?” he demanded, angrily.
“Please excuse my friend,” said Fenchurch to the startled waitress. “I think he’s having a nice day at last.”

Mostly Harmless

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

Let’s think the unthinkable, let’s do the undoable. Let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all.

(I’ve often been tempted to get a tattoo of this)

The Last Chance to See

“So what do we do if we get bitten by something deadly?” I asked.He looked at me as if I were stupid.
“You die, of course. That’s what deadly means.”
I’ve never understood all this fuss people make about the dawn. I’ve seen a few and they’re never as good as the photographs, which have the additional advantage of being things you can look at when you’re in the right frame of mind, which is usually around lunchtime.
I have the instinctive reaction of a Western man when confronted with sublimely incomprehensible. I grab my camera and start to photograph it.

And a couple of lines I’ve seen in assorted places, articles, books and whatnot

I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.
A learning experience is one of those things that says, “You know that thing you just did? Don’t do that.”

Mayyyybe they should’ve picked another book

By HCNewton

On May 22, 2018

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

I don’t know if you can read that too well — it’s a picture I snapped of a page from Fleshmarket Alley by Ian Rankin and the defacing left by a fellow Nampa Public Library patron. This particular Rebus reader wrote “LOVE LOVE LOVE” over the word “hate.”

Every time the word shows up.

(well, every time so far — I’ve got another 50 pages to go, they might have missed one)

Given that it’s a book about a cynical, negative detective investigating what looks like a racially motivated murder with a truckload of racist suspects (and maybe a less-than-PC investigator or two on the case), there’s a more than a couple of opportunities for this patron to pencil in this correction.

I’m not sure that I completely understand the impulse to replace hate with love, love, love — but I sorta get the gist. However, in almost every case here, it’s actually undercutting the subject matter. (I think one of the references was to hating some kind of food or music)

If you’re this hung-up on that word, maybe crime fiction isn’t for you, eh?

Saturday Miscellany – 5/19/18

By HCNewton

On May 19, 2018

In Books, News/Misc.

Odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

Anne Frank’s ‘dirty’ jokes found on diary pages she covered over — When I first saw this headline, I figured it was from The Onion or McSweeney’s, but no. This is an actual thing.
Why a Daily Habit of Reading Books Should be Your Priority, According to Science — We’ve seen all this before, but what member of the choir doesn’t like being preached to?
I wanted to write something about the death of Tom Wolfe, he had such a huge impact on me, starting in junior high and continuing until…well, now. But I just didn’t have the time, also, I just didn’t know what to say rather. Thankfully, these people did:
- Tom Wolfe, ‘New Journalist’ Turned Literary Icon, Dies at 88 — from Publisher’s Weekly.
- Tom Wolfe, 88, ‘New Journalist’ With Electric Style and Acid Pen, Dies — The New York Times
- Tom Wolfe, ‘Right Stuff’ Author and New Journalism Legend, Dead at 88 — Rolling Stone
- Tom Wolfe: The writer who dissected and deconstructed America’s absurdities — Andy Martin writing for the Independent
How and Why I Became a Book Blogger
The Best Gifts for Bookworms (That Aren’t Books)
Unpopular Bookish Opinions — there’s some merit to some of these. And the others . . . wellllll…
A couple of different takes on this odd topic:
- Librarians of Twitter List the Very Weird Items People Use as Bookmarks — from Bookstr
- Bacon, cheese slices and sawblades: the strangest bookmarks left at libraries — and The Guardian

How It Happened by Michael Koryta — Just reading the pitch for this — and knowing what Koryta can do with suspense — makes me think about doubling up on the blood pressure medication the day I start this.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Sritha Bandla, James Remmer and moviewarden for following the blog this week.

Saturday Miscellany – 5/12/18

By HCNewton

On May 12, 2018

In Books, News/Misc.

So, as Bookstooge commented yesterday — I seem to be in a bit of a slump — “meh”ish books and “meh”ish posts. Even the book I liked this week didn’t get my real best writing. Not sure what’s up with that. Better books to write about next week (mostly) — that should help. I’ve read two things this week that knocked me for a loop, looking forward to writing about them. Anyway . . .

Whoops! Going into this post, I thought I had a pretty good selection — turns out that it was mostly variations on a few themes. Most of which I ended up bailing on, so I can present to you only the most interesting of odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye — even if it is a short list. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

Social Media and whatnot has been abuzz lately about Faleena Hopkins and her new Trademark. Now, I’m not a Romance reader (clearly), but you can see how some might try to learn from her example in other genres — and, it’s just a fascinating story regardless. Typically, there’s a lot of dross in the coverage. Here’s a couple of more trustworthy sources talking about it:
- This Romance Novelist Trademarked the Word ‘Cocky’: And now she’s threatening other writers with legal action if they don’t change their book titles — from Electric Lit
- Romantic novelist’s trademarking of word ‘cocky’ sparks outcry — from The Guardian
Otto Penzler, noted expert on Mystery/Crime Fiction, has started a series of posts on CrimeReads helping readers understand the sub-genres of Mystery. Informative, helpful and great TBR fodder to boot:
Friday Forgotten (or Overlooked) Book: PLOT IT YOURSELF (1959) by Rex Stout — I don’t think I like this particular Wolfe/Archie novel as much as this blogger does, but it is a good one — and (more importantly), anyone drawing attention to this series should get some attention itself.
Stupid reasons to read books even if you never did before — a good list from Cristian Mihai over on Irevuo.

For Those Who Know the Ending by Malcolm Mackay — an awesome looking Tartan Noir crime novel.
Uncharted by Kevin J. Anderson and Sarah A. Hoyt — Lewis and Clark in an alternate-history/fantasy novel. Looks pretty cool to me.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to jstlouise for following the blog this week.

April 2018 Report

By HCNewton

On May 1, 2018

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

Numberwise, April was better than March, worse than February. Neither of which were that stellar — but on the whole, what I read was really strong, so that makes up for it. Still, I’m hoping now that things are slowing down at work, they can pick up here. I still have 2 books I was supposed to read for March, and 2 for April — thankfully, I’ve only committed to 2 for May. I just might catch up by the end of the month (then again, the new Ace Atkins drops tomorrow, so who cares about commitments).

So, here’s what happened here in April.

Books/Novels/Novellas Read/Listened to:

DNF:

Still Reading:

Books Posted About:

Wires and Nerve, Volume 2 by Marissa Meyer, Stephen Gilpin
Vernon the Vegetarian Lion by John Hughson, Ali Smith
Good Guys by Steven Brust
Secular Jewish Culture by Yaakov Malkin, Shmuel Sermoneta-Gertel
The Italian Teacher by Rom Rachman
Sir Blunder: A Bedtime Story for Big People by Walter Kerr
Scourged by Kevin Hearne: The Iron Druid Chronicles
The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh by Carolyn Arnold
The Plea by Steve Cavanagh
Jimbo Yojimbo by David W. Barbee
The Bone Keeper by Luca Veste
My Man Jeeves (Audiobook) by P. G. Wodehouse, Simon Prebble
A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin

Book Challenge Progress:

	The Italian Teacher by Tom Rachman A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs, Lorelei King, George Newbern Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu, Will Damron
	Sir Blunder: A Bedtime Story for Big People by Walter Kerr
	Sir Blunder: A Bedtime Story for Big People by Walter Kerr The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh by Carolyn Arnold
	✔ Read an audio book with multiple narrators: Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs, Lorelei King, George Newbern

How was your month?

2018 Independent Bookstore Day

By HCNewton

On April 28, 2018

In Books, Calendar Items, Fantasy, News/Misc.

I didn’t celebrate Independent Bookstore Day in quite the same way I did in 2017. Last year, we went to Rediscovered Books, bought a couple of books and then went elsewhere and adopted a dog. This year, we went to Rediscovered Books — played a game (which got me a Blind Date with a Book) — bought a couple of books and chatted with an author.

Altogether less expensive, and I didn’t have to talk in a higher-pitched voice — not even once.

Yeah, I clearly need more practice at taking pics like that. Anyway, I grabbed The Vinyl Detective – Written in Dead Wax by Andrew Cartmell (mostly because Ben Aaronovitch talked a lot about the books on Twitter and whatnot). My Blind Date is with Fonda Lee’s Jade City, described as “Fantasy/Adult” and “The Godfather but with magic” (or words to that effect). And then I also purchased — and got signed — the new version of Devri Wall’s Venators.

Back in 2016, I read and blogged about Devri Wall’s The Wizard’s Heir and Venators: Through the Arch, and she was nice enough to answer A Few Quick Questions for me. We got to chat about why there’s a new version of the book, when to expect the next in the series, and what not. My wife, who actually thinks about things other than books, suggested getting a picture (ever the rookie, my fingers are covering the title).

As part of the game at RD, I had to take a couple of pics, I might as well throw them up here. One task was to take a picture of the bookstore — here’s the rare empty spot today (filled up seconds later). Another task was to take a photo of a Non-Fiction book with a great cover. I don’t know that I’ll read Best Before: The Evolution and Future of Processed Food, but that’s just a great cover.

Saturday Miscellany – 4/28/18

By HCNewton

On April 28, 2018

In Books, News/Misc.

I think the busy season at work is over — only worked 8 hours yesterday (we’ll not talk about the days before), so hopefully that gives me more time to focus on things here. But this is another small list of odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

What’s in an Author Name? — an essay by Marie Myung-Ok Grace Lee that’ll make you rethink names.
Grit Lit: An American Phenomenon Goes Global — I haven’t read as much of this genre/subgenre as I’ve meant to, but it looks up my alley — nice interview about a British writer in the area.
Edgars All Around — The Rap Sheet covers the 2018 Edgars from earlier this week.
Building a Book: how to be a book blogger</a

Speaking of Mysteries This Podcast Will Change Your Life, Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Nine – Everyday People, starring Vincent Chu. — Chu’s collection is one of my favorite reads of the year (see here), so I liked this chance to get to know him a bit.
The Author Stories Podcast Episode 366 | Rich Leder Interview/a> — I’ve enjoyed two of Leder’s books — even did a Q&A with him — but I was (don’t ask me why) pleasantly surprised by how this interview went. Give it a shot.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Charlie De Luca for following the blog this week.

Independent Bookstore Day 2018 – April 28!

By HCNewton

On April 24, 2018

In Books, Calendar Items, News/Misc.

You like books, right? Otherwise, why are you here? You like bookstores, too, right? Nothing against Barnes & Noble or any of the dozens of great online booksellers — but there’s nothing like a good Independent Bookstore. Staff who know their wares; possibly get to know your tastes; care about books, writing, etc.

(and better for the local economy than chains, too, but that’s out of my wheelhouse to discuss)

Basically, they’re great resources, community centers, and places to spend your money. To celebrate/promote them, 400 Indie Bookstores around the country are celebrating Independent Bookstore Day this Saturday. Go, check a local store out — see the exclusive items just for the day. If you’re in Southwest Idaho, Rediscovered Books in Boise is the place to go (there are a couple of other decent shops in the area, but not as good, IMHO).

Saturday Miscellany – 4/21/18

By HCNewton

On April 21, 2018

In Books, News/Misc.

Odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

The perfect crimes: why thrillers are leaving other books for dead — yup
How My Bookish Habits Nearly Killed Me. Literally. — I can see me doing this (different books, same idea. Good last ‘graph.
PBS Unveils The Great American Read’s 100 Most Loved Books — I mentioned this series when it was first announced, but it’s really starting to sound good.
title — blah
10 Book Designers Discuss the Book Covers They Rejected, And Why — I love reading stories like this…
Bidding Farewell to the Fairies of Appalachia: Alex Bledsoe Discusses Reaching the End of the Story of the Tufa — I skimmed a bit of this, just to be super-safe, but this is a nice interview about wrapping things up.
To to Write (and Read) a Good Fight Scene — blog favorite, Michael R. Underwood, talks about fight scenes and what they tell us about character (or at least, what they should)
8 Brutally Honest Children’s Book Titles — snicker
10 Satirical Covers for the Terrible Books You Can’t Get Away From — same idea, but more thorough (and not about kids books)

Born to the Blade by Marie Brennan, Cassandra Khaw, Malka Older and Michael R. Underwood — a serialized fantasy novel from a heckuva group of writers, I’m almost done with episode 1 and it’s a strong start. Look into this one.
The Real-Town Murders by Adam Roberts — I’m not even going to try to sum this up, click the link to get more info, and then probably go buy it somewhere.