Category: Books Page 62 of 160

Saturday Miscellany—10/22/22

On October 22, 2022

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

It’s a quick list today. Should leave you plenty of time to get other things on your Weekend To-Do Lists tackled (sorry about that).

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 Publishing Glossary: 15 Terms Book Advocates Should Know—this is a handy guide, and a sign I should update my working vocabulary.
bullet 3Q’s Special – Tiffany McDaniel shows her Savage Side!—a quick Q&A with the wonderful Tiffany McDaniel
bullet Witty & Sarcastic Book Club’s An Author’s Monster Manual series wrapped up with:
bullet …Featuring Dorian Hart
bullet …Table of Contents of all the nifty posts in this series
bullet Should Book Bloggers Be Paid?—Jo Lindsdell asks another good question this week.
bullet 5 Podcasts Bookworms Need to Listen To—I haven’t listened to any of these, but will be checking them out
bullet Guide To Book Photography!—It’s going to take more than this to turn my book photos into something good, but these helps might make them better
bullet How not to get your book read—It’s astounding that this needs to be said, but I know too well that it doesn’t

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin—John Rebus is on trial. This should be great.

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

WWW Wednesday, October 19, 2022

By HCNewton

On October 19, 2022

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

I’ve been trying to get something posted every day this week about the upcoming Robert Crais novel, Racing the Light, and keep failing. Despite being excited about the book, when it comes time to write, I just stare at the screen for a bit. So, that’s how my week’s going. What about you?

I’m going to take a quick break from wringing my gray matter for whatever droplets I can to share this WWW Wednesday because it’s Wednesday, and that’s what we do around here.

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 Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman, which is at least as entertaining as the previous books in the series, and am listening to Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian by Ellen Jovin (Narrator) on audiobook, which is almost as entertaining as it thinks it is.

Blank Space

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Lyndsay Faye’s Jane Steele (yes, I finally read it!) and Declassified: A Low-Key Guide to the High-Strung World of Classical Music by Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch on audio, which I should probably get on paper so I can refer to it.

Blank Space

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be the second Booking Agents novel, Flight Risk by Cherie Priest (which is what I said last week, but I think I mean it this time) and my next audiobook should be the latest Magic 2.0 book, The Vexed Generation by Scott Meyer, Luke Daniels (Narrator).

Blank Space

Hit me with your Three W’s in the comments!

Book Blogger Hop: Suggesting New Authors

By HCNewton

On October 19, 2022

In Book Blogger Hop, Books, News/Misc.

Book Blogger Hop

This prompt was submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer:

Do you suggest new authors to your readers?

I sure hope I do! I don’t know that I’ve read (and therefore blogged/suggested) a lot of debut authors in 2022, but there have been a decent number of new-to-me authors that I’ve recommended.

But every author is a new author to someone—there are people out there who’ve never read James Patterson, Beverly Cleary, or Harper Lee in the same way that some people haven’t read a debut author or one with just a couple of titles under their belt. So in a way, I try to suggest a new author in every post here.

And that’s one of the joys of this little hobby, when someone tells me that they started reading Author X because of my encouragement.

So yeah, new authors, new-to-me-authors, older authors, newbies, experienced pros, mid-list authors, perennial best-sellers, relative unknowns, people who should be well-known, people who maybe shouldn’t be…I try to cover them all.

Spelling the Month in Books: October

By HCNewton

On October 18, 2022

In Books, News/Misc.

Spelling the Month in Books: October
I’m back with another look through the dusty corners of my memory to talk about some books I haven’t mentioned here (at least not for quite a while).

	One Kick Cassandra Kain’s novel is a few things—like an action-packed thriller with a social conscience, a vengeance story, and a look at the long-term damage childhood trauma can cause. Kick Lanningham survived a childhood abduction and found a measure of peace in learning to defend herself. Now, she’s been sought out to use her skills and experience to help track down other abducted children. She’s a great character—not perfect, she’s no Charlie Fox or Jack Reacher when it comes to combat, but she’s determined. I so, so wish the promised sequel (and a few others) had come. But Tori Eldridge’s Lily Wong novels and Taylor Stevens’ Vanessa Michael Munroe novels deliver a lot of the same kind of action (and maybe deliver a little more realism).
	The Calling The same disturbed depravity, intensity, dedication, and drive that are displayed in each episode of Neil Cross’ show are in full force here. You’ve got one very, very sick murderer (and I mean that in every possible way) being hunted by Det. Luther across London. And even though most people who pick up this book know exactly how it ends (the opening scene of episode 1), you’re still on the edge of your seat, white-knucklin’ the book, breathing only when you remember. This had the promise of being a novel series to go along with the show, and I wish it had.
	Team Human Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan team up for this Twilight-y YA novel. But in this one, our protagonist is trying to keep her friend from getting involved with a vampire classmate. There are a handful of other shenanigans involving vampires and zombies, too—and it all falls upon our high school hero to save the day. I came for the “hey, maybe falling for a guy centuries older than you is a bad idea” and stuck around for the compelling characters and story.
	The Oathbound Wizard This sequel to Christopher Stasheff’s Her Majesty’s Wizard is one of those sequels that didn’t need to exist—Her Majesty’s was a great stand-alone that I fell in love with in high school (I’ve since wondered about that, but that’s for another time). This came along 7 years later and was in large part a re-telling of its predecessor (the third book that came out the next year was even more of a repeat, and I ignored the 5 following books that came out pretty regularly). However, there were a few moments in this book that made it worth a read or two. I don’t know if it was ever fully successful, but I admired, Stasheff’s attempt to blend portal fantasy, Roman Catholicism, and theoretical physics.
	Bridget Jones’s Diary I don’t know if I’ll ever forget the questioning look an older colleague gave me when she saw that I’d brought Helen Fielding’s breakout novel to read over lunch—”isn’t that a women’s book?” I shrugged and said something like “Maybe, but the review in Newsweek made it sound interesting.” She found my reply less than convincing (not that I cared). I found Jones and her struggles perfectly charming and relatable—Fielding’s voice won me over within a couple of pages. I think I’ve re-read it once since ’96, but my other attempts at it have fizzled out, and it just can’t keep my attention. But I still remember it fondly.
	Ender’s Game This is one of those books that I spent years putting off while everyone I knew tried to get me to read—even guys who weren’t big readers pushed it on me. And by the time I was about 50 pages in, I started kicking myself for ignoring them for so long. It worked on so many levels, and absolutely captivated me. I’ve never gotten around to finishing the series—or reading much of it—but the story of Ender Wiggins and the war with the Buggers is an all-time fave.
	Rock On Denise Vega’s novel about a high-school band, brotherhood, and coming of age checks all the boxes you expect it to. The highlight for me was the storyline about the protagonist’s older brother moving back home after dropping out of college, it gave the emotional heft the rest of the novel (though perfectly fine) didn’t quite manage. I remember liking it, my goodreads review suggested I did, too.

Third Quarter Check-In: 2022 Plans and Challenges

By HCNewton

On October 17, 2022

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

One of the handful of things I dropped the ball on recently was this check-in. I appreciate—and can use—the time to plan and organize, and hopefully, someone enjoys reading them.

I didn’t have many concrete plans for 2022, but one that I mentioned was “Cut down on my Goodreads Want-to-Read list and the unread books that I own (a perennial project, but I made some strides last year).” How am I doing on that?

	Audio	E-book	Physical	Goodreads Want-to-Read
End of 2021	9	45	42	144
Current Total	9	50	40	144

That’s…not good. I did have to burn a few Audible credits…and then there was this sale, and…and…ugh. Other than that, I’m still doing pretty well at reading what I buy this year. But, this is really not what I’d hoped to see at this point of the year.

Let’s see how I’m doing with the rest of my plans and move on to the Reading Challenges…
2022 Book Challenges

12 Books
I’m doing well with this one, but am a little intimidated by the book I have slated for November—it’s a little on the longer side and if it’s as good as Micah says, I’m going to lose a lot of 2023 to the rest of the series. (a good problem to have)

2022 “Support Book Bloggers” Challenge

I decided to nix this one—I’m working on all the things mentioned here, but feel a little uncomfortable doing these things because of a checklist—and even more awkward about discussing it. But I’m mentioning it again, because I like the idea and want to spread the word about the efforts (it’s just not for me)

2022 While I was Reading

I’m doing okay on this—as usual, I’m not really planning the books for this challenge. When October hits, if I haven’t read everything on the list, I’ll get serious about hunting.

A book with a question in the title.: I have an idea for this, but I’m not sure a local library will get it next month when it comes out, and I don’t know that I want to spend money on it. Hmmm…we’ll if I have to get clever.
A book of non-violent true crime.: Blessed Are the Bank Robbers: The True Adventures of an Evangelical Outlaw by Chas Smith
A book with a cover you don’t like.: Composite Creatures (the style of the art just bugs me)
A historical fiction novel not set in Europe.: A Snake in the Raspberry Patch by Joanne Jackson
A book with a character’s name in the title.: With Grimm Resolve
A book featuring paranormal activity (fiction or non.): That’s like a third of what I’ve read this year…I guess I’ll go with Amongst Our Weapons
A book with a number in the title.: Citizen K-9
A food related memoir.: I have no idea. Literally.
A book that’s won an award.: I’ve read a few of these, I just need to track down a title for this blank
A middle grade novel.: How to Save a Superhero by Ruth Freeman
A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign.: This one is going to be hard—it also comes close to disclosing more personal information than I want to share—but I think I’ve got one in mind.
A book that’s a combination of genres.: Bloodlines by Peter Hartog (I also used this for the next challenge, so I’ll probably replace this on the final list)

Your TBR Reduction Book Challenge

I’m hitting the target on this one—I’ve only managed to hit 1 Stretch Goal (I don’t have many books that apply to the stretches, actually). This isn’t helping that much with my reduce the TBR plan, but it’s not hurting it. So there’s that.

In the months to come, I’m going to have to get creative to find a way to match the challenge with a book. I’m eager to see if I can pull it off.
January – New Beginnings I give you permission to read the most recent book you got on top of your TBR.: Bloodlines by Peter Hartog
Stretch Goal – Read the oldest book in Mount TBR it has waited long enough: Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron
February – Valentine’s Day Gift
Is there that book by an author you love you picked up and still haven’t read because you do not deserve it just yet? Other items got in the way? You have for this challenge to pick that book up and read it: Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith
March – Fresh blooms
For the beginning of Spring I want you to open a book in the TBR pile by an author you’ve never read before: The Part About the Dragon Was (Mostly) True by Sean Gibson
April – New Openings
April is derived from the Latin for ‘to open’ In Mount TBR there may be the first book of a series. Your challenge is to read: Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by K.J. Parker
May – Randommmmm
You MAY pick one random book out of Mount TBR and you must read it: Conjured Defense by J.C. Jackson
June – The Longest Day
Find the longest book in Mount TBR and you must read it: The Border by Don Winslow
July – You Came, You Read and You Conquered
In your TBR there may have been a book you know will be a challenging read. Show it who is the Emperor and read that book until it screams for your mercy and then finish it! AMORALMAN by Derek Delgaudio
August – Holidayyyyy
Pick a book that takes you away to another place. Read it and relax: The Ghost Machine by James Lovegrove
September – Back to School
Pick a book with some link to education. Dark Academia; dangerous school, etc.: The Days of Tao by Wesley Chu (I had a hard time finding something for this prompt, and was so happy when I remembered this started at a summer class)

(Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay)

Saturday Miscellany—10/15/22

By HCNewton

On October 15, 2022

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet Banning Books Is a Threat to Public Education: To say nothing of the fact that we don’t value reading enough in the first place!
bullet You Wouldn’t Pirate a Book?—for a pleasant (?) change, this piece about book piracy has nothing to with eBooks.
bullet 8 Mental and Physical Benefits of Audiobooks
bullet An Author’s Monster Manual series continued over at Witty & Sarcastic Book Club:
bullet …Featuring Rob Edwards
bullet …Featuring Ryan Howse
bullet …Featuring Sean Gibson
bullet …Featuring Ricardo Victoria
bullet …Featuring Jeffrey Speight
bullet …Featuring Joshua Gillingham
bullet …Featuring Luke Winch
bullet …Featuring Virginia McClain
bullet Pet Peeves About Book Series—there’s a distinct theme here
bullet On the Why of Genre—sometimes on a Monday, I’ll read something that was so good that I don’t have to read anything else for the week. This did it for me. As a bonus there was the clip from Spaced (which almost succeeded in getting me to rewatch the entire series)
bullet How I learned to love the digital book—a song many of us have sung

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
bullet Blood Brothers Episode 106 with Ian Rankin—I’m beyond excited for the new Rebus now (and there was plenty of other good material).

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Dead Man’s Hand by James J. Butcher—A jaded monster hunter and a minor magician team up to hunt a killer in this promising series debut. I had a few things to say about it here.
bullet Santa’s Little Yelpers by David Rosenfelt—There’s only a dash of holiday cheer in the middle of this better-than-I-expected legal thriller (and I expected to enjoy it) I talked about it a couple of weeks ago.
bullet Death at Paradise Palms by Steph Broadribb—The second Retired Detectives Club has these retirees juggling personal issues and a search for a missing/kidnapped movie producer.
bullet Cash Rules Everything Around Me by Rob Gittins—an fresh out of prison, a thief tries to plan one final score in a hometown he barely recognizes.
bullet Random by Penn Jillette—this Vegas-set thriller has a philosophical bent.
bullet Nerd: Adventures in Fandom from This Universe to the Multiverse by Maya Phillips—”In the vein of You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) and Black Nerd Problems, this witty, incisive essay collection from New York Times critic at large Maya Phillips explores race, religion, sexuality, and more through the lens of her favorite pop culture fandoms.”
bullet The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series by Jessica Radloff—I don’t know that the world needed an oral history of this show, but now that we have it, I’m pretty curious.

Book Blogger Hop: Lost Without Books?

By HCNewton

On October 12, 2022

In Book Blogger Hop, Books, News/Misc.

Book Blogger Hop

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

Are you lost if you don’t have a book to read?

Lost doesn’t begin to describe it, really. Up until a few years ago, it’d happen occasionally. I’d read things faster than I could get to the library, I wouldn’t have money for a trip to the bookstore, I couldn’t find anything at a bookstore/library that struck my mood, and so on (okay, that last one didn’t happen too often…but it happened a couple of times, I swear). I’d usually resort to re-reading something, but that didn’t always work.

When that happened, I would be moody and irritable. Which isn’t exactly lost, I know. But being lost does that to me, I guess.

Mercifully, I haven’t been in that state for a couple of years. I’m at the point now where I should read 4 more books by the end of the week to get back on schedule (and could say the same almost every Wednesday). Sure, I have the occasional moment of indecision about what to read next, but it doesn’t last long.

Like I talked about back when the prompt was about using the Kindle app on your phone, nowadays I have a book with me everywhere I go. They’re a handy way to deal with the stress, boredom, ennui, annoyance, etc. that comes from being stuck someplace (including social situations you’re not that interested in).

I have a nagging sensation that I left off something I meant to say here, but this is close enough. I’m gonna go read.

Do You Need to Have a Book at All Times?

WWW Wednesday, October 12, 2022

By HCNewton

On October 12, 2022

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

No time for my rambling today, let’s just get to 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?