Category: Books Page 74 of 171

Third Quarter Check-In: 2022 Plans and Challenges

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?

What are you currently reading?

I’m racing through Racing the Light by Robert Crais –this man’s writing is so smooth, you can’t help it–and I’m listening to the amusing The World’s Worst Assistant by Sona Movsesian on audiobook.

Blank Space

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Noelle Holten’s 6 Ripley Avenue and Slaying Monsters for the Feeble by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator) on audio. One of those was good, the other was good enough.

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, and my next audiobook should be South Korean thriller, The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo, Chi-Young Kim (Translator), Nancy Wu (Narrator).

Blank Space

Read anything good lately? Right now?

Saturday Miscellany—10/8/22

By HCNewton

On October 8, 2022

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

I’m off doing non-book things today*, so assembled this early. And I know I left a few things off that I’d usually include–hopefully I catch up next week. Still, there are some good things to be read. I think.

* It happens occasionally. Maybe 3 times a year? (still bet I wander into a bookstore at some point this weekend)

Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet Noted audiobook narrator, Dick Hill, died this week. I can’t imagine anyone reading both Lee Child and Dave Barry books and pulling it off, but somehow he did. He will be missed.
bullet A group of angry library patrons in Texas has gone to court over book removals
bullet Audiobooks: Every Minute Counts—A look at audiobook usage, how it’s affecting the book market, and too much for me to sum up.
bullet How to Break Out of a Reading Slump—am not sure they have new advice to offer, but this is a handy collection of tips from Netgalley’s blog.
bullet How Not To Do It: Why I’m Not Much of a Publisher—Harry Connolly talks about the woes of getting his new book, The Iron Gate, published last week. In case you thought writing a book was the tough part.
bullet “Too Many Clients” Reviewed by Anthony Boucher, November 20, 1960—I love this idea: this blogger is posting each mention of Nero Wolfe he can find in the archives of The New York Times, after a lengthy break, he’s back with this post.
bullet 10 literary classics that didn’t sell.
bullet I mentioned the An Author’s Monster Manual series last week, and the results have lived up to the promise:
bullet …Featuring Andi Ewington
bullet …Featuring J.E. Hannaford
bullet …Featuring Geoff Habiger
bullet …Featuring Rowena at Beneath a Thousand Skies
bullet ..Featuring Jonathan Nevair
bullet …Featuring Dan Fitzgerald
bullet Reading and Its Effects on Your Emotions
bullet A quick summary of the arc of American fantasy—a compressed history of the genre in the US.
bullet How to Make Book Blog Friends and Grow Your Audience—a handy-dandy guide that I’ll be returning to.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon (and one from last week that I can’t believe I neglected!):
bullet Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty—A Great SF/Mystery Mash Up about an investigation on a sentient space station full of aliens and a handful of humans. I talked about it some this week
bullet 6 Ripley Avenue by Noelle Holten—”One House. Eight Killers. No Witnesses.” Holten’s standalone about a murder in a halfway home for ex-cons looks thrilling.

Book Blogger Hop: Skipping Ahead to Read the Ending

By HCNewton

On October 5, 2022

In Book Blogger Hop, Books, News/Misc.

Book Blogger Hop

This prompt was submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer:

Have you ever skipped ahead to read the ending?

To quote one of my favorite Flight Of The Conchords songs:

Why? Why? Why?
What?
Why exactly?
What? Why?

Okay, in some non-fiction works, I can see reading the conclusion after the introduction so you get an idea of where the argument is going—I had a professor tell us that was the way to read a book (I think he was drawing on Mortimer Adler’s lousy book). I will do that occasionally (well, I’ll skim the last chapter) to help me focus on the bigger things the book focuses on.

But that’s not what the question is talking about, is it? Nah, this is about novels—glancing to the end to see if the butler really did to it, and so on. I know it’s done, but I don’t get it. Sure we all want to find out what happens at the end of the book–but what’s the point if you know that Wade Watts wins James Halliday’s contest if you don’t know how he won it?* It’s great to know that Mark Watney gets rescued, but the point is to know how he survives. We know that whatever guy that Stephanie Plum is hunting down will be captured/killed/cleared—the pleasure isn’t getting there, it’s the mishaps along the way. I feel like I should be going, but I think the point is made—and I’m having a hard time finding well-known examples to give without spoilers.

* Also, we’re told really early on that he wins, so maybe that’s not the best example. Or maybe it is.

Yes, the endings are important. If only to motivate you through some dull/problematic parts so you can find out the ending. But if all you want is the ending to the book—check out wikipedia or some other website. Even if you know and enjoy learning the ending, you can’t fully appreciate all of it unless you’ve got the context of the rest of the book. Novels aren’t just beginnings and endings—they’re about the work as a whole. It’s the stuff between the first and last chapters that makes them worth the time and effort—why cheat yourself?

It just seems rather pointless to me.

Unless, of course, you’re Harry Burns, who has one of the weirder boasts in cinematic history:

When I buy a new book, I read the last page first. That way, in case I die before I finish, I know how it ends. That, my friend, is a dark side.

I dunno, maybe I can be convinced—not convinced to try, but convinced that people who do this aren’t missing something.

Am I out to lunch here? Let me hear what you think!

WWW Wednesday, October 5, 2022

By HCNewton

On October 5, 2022

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

So, like I said Saturday, I spent most of the day with my daughter in the hospital, with very little to do. So I read 2.3 books while she was getting tested, in surgery, etc. (I could’ve gotten closer to finishing the third book, but I took a break for a bit). I only brought one book since I didn’t think I’d be there long, but I did have the Kindle app on my phone–that resulted in me blowing up my schedule–but I did end up reading a book that I was afraid I couldn’t start until November! Obviously, the important thing is that she got the help she needed and is fine now–but I can’t complain about a little personal bonus reading time.

Anyway, it’s time for WWW Wednesday, so why don’t I shut up and get on with it?

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?