Category: Books Page 85 of 170

Saturday Miscellany—3/26/22

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On March 26, 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 What Counts as Reading?—a bookseller weighs in on this evergreen topic
bullet Creating Harry Bosch and Renée Ballard—a couple of nuggets I don’t think I’ve read before in this interview with Connelly
bullet Our readers recommend these mystery novels that are also funny—Seattle Times readers weigh in on crime fiction that made them laugh out loud. (most of the recommendations are spot-on, but a couple make me worry about the readers who nominated them)
bullet Revealing Dead Man’s Hand, the Debut Novel From James J. Butcher—hard enough to launch an UF series, but the weight of expectations on this debut? Oof.
bullet Spotify Playlist Recommendations For Every Bookish Mood—a couple of these look like they could be worth a try
bullet “After I Read It, It Took Me Two Weeks To Fully Recover”: People Are Sharing Books That Have Genuinely Changed Their Lives—yeah, like most buzzfeed lists, it’s too long. But I had fun going through this.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Payback is Forever by Nick Kolakowski—A thief goes into hiding after a heist goes wrong, and things get worse from there
bullet Don’t Know Tough by Eli Cranor—I’ve been seeing nothing but positive buzz about this book for months now. High School Football and Southern Noir—a powerful combination.

Book Blogger Hop: Author Feedback?

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On March 25, 2022

In Book Blogger Hop, Books, News/Misc.

This prompt was submitted by Heather @ MM Romance Reviewed:

Do you have a threshold on books where you will offer the author feedback but won’t review?

No. It seems arrogant* to hit up an author with “you need to hear what I have to say about your book” and then list issues/problems/complaints. I write for other readers. Period. If an author reads what I have to say, especially the negative/less positive, that’s on them. I love to hear when an author reads my stuff–it’s even better when they appreciate what I had to say. But an author has editors/publishers/beta readers, etc. to give them feedback. That’s not my role.

* I’m sure some people can do this without coming across as a jerk–more power to you if you can, I’d also love to see how you do it. It’s just not in my wheelhouse.

What about you?

WWW Wednesday, March 23, 2022

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On March 23, 2022

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

Spring has sprung, and sure, that’s messing with my Seasonal Allergies, but I’ll take it. I just stuck my head outside to get the dogs in and I’m going to have a hard time convincing myself to go back to work here in a few minutes…I was able to hold my attention together long enough to remember that it’s time for a WWW Wednesday, tnough.

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 Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund, which is not a sentence I’d have expected to utter even four months ago (which is the kind of snobbery I’m trying to get over) and I’m listening to The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, Andy Serkis (Narrator) on audiobook, and probably will be until sometime next week.

Halo: The Fall of ReachBlank SpaceThe Two Towers

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Elizabeth Breck’s dynamite Double Take and really enjoyed revisitng False Value by Ben Aaronovitch, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Narrator) on audio.

Double TakeBlank SpaceFalse Value

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be DoubleBlind by Libby Fischer Hellmann and my next audiobook should be Murder Under Her Skin by Stephen Spotswood, Kirsten Potter (Narrator).

DoubleBlindBlank SpaceMurder Under Her Skin

You reading anything good right now?

Saturday Miscellany—3/19/22

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On March 19, 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 How It Felt to Have My Novel Stolen—Peter C. Baker talks about being the victim of a manuscript thief
bullet How to write an audiobook—Rob Parker discusses his approach to writing for an audio-first format.
bullet The best books for people who love sweet old dogs—because I needed more books about dogs in my life? I think I’m going to have to get all of these…(Hat-tip: David Rosenfelt)
bullet Hardcover.app—is a new Goodreads competitor, anyone else try it?
bullet Booktuber, Shelf Centered, provides a through, in-depth, and definitive answer to the question: Do Audiobooks COUNT as Reading?—hopefully the debate is over now.
bullet I’ve been enjoying this series on Before We Go Blog, The Books That Made Us, this week had a couple of entries that really resonated with me: Time of the Twins (Dragonlance Legends) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and As I lay Dying by William Faulkner.
bullet New is Not Always Better- Hollywood’s Butchery of Good Stories
bullet How to Read More—Kopratic shares some tips that you probably haven’t seen before

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
bullet TFTB Ep.34: A Conversation with John Scalzi

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi—”Jamie Gray is stuck as a dead-end driver for food delivery apps. That is, until Jamie makes a delivery to an old acquaintance, Tom, who works at what he calls “an animal rights organization.” Tom’s team needs a last-minute grunt to handle things on their next field visit. Jamie, eager to do anything, immediately signs on.” He’s not told that the animals are Kaiju, and, well…trouble ensues
bullet The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd—is one of those that I can’t think of a way to compress the synopsis into a sentence or two. Just click the link, looks like a lot of fun.
bullet Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian—a strange, locked-room style mystery
bullet Blessed Are the Bank Robbers: The True Adventures of an Evangelical Outlaw by Chas Smith—the true story of a bank robber reared and enmeshed in Southern California’s Evangelical subculture.

WWW Wednesday, March 16, 2022

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On March 16, 2022

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

I don’t know about the rest of you–but my wife and I are still dragging after the Daylight Savings jump. Our dogs have figured out when to expect food, and I’m still reeling. It makes no sense to me, but, I’m not sure it needs to. Still, I’ve managed to stay awake long enough to get some reading in–and will probably continue to do so. As you can see in this week’s 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 first in the new series, Death in the Sunshine by Steph Broadribb, and am listening to False Value by Ben Aaronovitch, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Narrator) on audiobook, just to remind myself where we left Peter and everyone else before the new book next month.

Death in the SunshineBlank SpaceFalse Value

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished a couple of quick reads/listens—Melinda Leigh’s Drown Her Sorrows and Hard Reboot by Django Wexler, Morgan Hallett (Narrator) on audio.

Drown Her SorrowsBlank SpaceHard Reboot

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be Double Take by Elizabeth Breck, which promises to be really good, and my next audiobook should be The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, Andy Serkis (Narrator), which promises to be really long.

Double TakeBlank SpaceThe Two Towers

What about you?

Saturday Miscellany—3/12/22

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On March 12, 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 What is the best age to learn to read?—there’s a lot of info here, and a great conclusion
bullet Is It Possible to Read Without Expectations?
bullet The Books That Made Us – Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman—Over on Before We Go Blog, Jodie Crum talks about The Dragonlance Chronicles (because what else is she going to talk about?).
bullet How to get over a book hangover—some handy advice from Kopratic at The Fantasy Inn
bullet Owl! at the Library tweeted a good point about kids books vs. adult fiction

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Constance Verity Destroys the Universe by A. Lee Martinez—The end of the Constance Verity Trilogy sees Constance fighting her biggest foe yet. I’ve been waiting for this since 2018, can’t wait to dive in.
bullet One for All by Lillie Lainoff—A young French woman in a Three Musketeers-esque adventure. I talked about it the other day

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to mariakonnel who followed the blog this week.

WWW Wednesday, March 9, 2022

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On March 9, 2022

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

After a couple of atypical weeks, this is starting to feel like a normal one (at least on the reading front). Which makes this WWW Wednesday a little more interesting than the last two, for me, anyway.

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 Lives Laid Away by Stephen Mack Jones—I’m a little apprehensive, I loved the first in the series so much—and am listening to Demon Magic and a Martini by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator) on audiobook.

Lives Laid AwayBlank SpaceDemon Magic and a Martini

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished David Ahern’s Madam Tulip and the Rainbow’s End and Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan, Jesse Bernstein (Narrator) on audio.

Madam Tulip and the Rainbow’s EndBlank SpacePercy Jackson's Greek Heroes

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be The Part About the Dragon Was (Mostly) True by Sean Gibson and my next audiobook should be Hard Reboot by Django Wexler, Morgan Hallett (Narrator).

The Part About the Dragon Was (Mostly) TrueBlank SpaceHard Reboot

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

GUEST POST: 7 Tips for Creating a Home Library

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On March 8, 2022

In Books, News/Misc.

Every so often, the good people at Siege Media send me a nice infographic to share. It’s legitimately one of my favorite things to find in my Inbox. I think you’ll enjoy this one, and the nice introduction that they sent to go with it.

7 Tips for Creating a Home Library by Jennifer Anderson

Ever seen those picture-perfect home libraries and wish you had your own?

Adding a home library, or the specific place in the home for storing all of one’s favorite reads, is a bookworm’s dream for a reason. The beautifully organized shelving offers both a decorative touch to any space and a peaceful respite for the avid reader. You may have your favorite digital or audiobooks, but nothing beats an extensive library of physical books.

In this guide, we explain how to make a home library by starting with seven simple tips. Keep reading to learn everything you need to begin creating your own personal collection.

1. Analyze Your Collection
The first step to creating a home library is to gather all the books you currently own and sort them by category. You might find that you already have enough books to fill up your personal collection. If not, you’ll want to determine which kinds of books you want to add to your library.

Taking note of how many books you have will help you determine how much space you need for your home library.

2. Find the Space
Once you’ve determined how many books you have, you’ll need to find a space in your home that can accommodate your collection. It’s best to avoid spaces on outside walls, since their temperature can change frequently.

In addition, steer clear of areas where you eat and drink to avoid pests. Instead, opt for spaces you don’t use as much, like under beds or in corner nooks.

3. Determine Your Budget
Next, you’ll need to figure out a budget for your home library renovation. Take note of any costs that come with the storage and accessories you want, such as shelving, seating, and cushions.

If you don’t have enough books to fill your space, factor in any additional costs for book purchases. Check out compilations in your desired genre, like some of the best nonfiction books, and determine the price of those additions.

4. Choose Your Shelving
There are two main types of shelving used in home libraries: built-in and freestanding. Built-in shelving refers to permanent fixtures built into the walls of the home. Alternatively, freestanding shelving is a movable fixture, such as a bookcase.

The type you choose will depend on the kind of look you want, as well as whether you want your library to be temporary or permanent.

5. Think About Lighting
Since your home library is where you’ll do the most reading, it’s critical to have ideal lighting. To do so, you’ll want to make sure the natural and artificial light in the room meet your needs.

Try to choose a room with a window that lets in a lot of natural light during the day. From there, add lamps for accent lighting that highlights your home library and makes it easier to read at night.

6. Add Lots of Color
Many home libraries make great use of color, in the form of both books and extra elements. To give your space your desired color palette, consider painting your shelving, putting on wallpaper, or adding colorful trinkets on your shelves.

Whichever colors you choose, just make sure to match your home library’s color scheme with the rest of the room.

7. Pick an Organization Style
Your home library is your own personal collection, so it’s important to decide on an organization style that makes the most sense for you. Popular styles include chronological, alphabetical, by color, or by genre.

For those who have kids, place their favorites like the Harry Potter series on lower shelves so they’re within reach.

Making a home library can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually easier than you think. Simply by following these seven tips, you can start creating the home library of your dreams.

For even more information and tips about creating a home library, take a look at the infographic below.

 

Just a Spoonful of Sugar—Non-Fiction to Smile With and Learn From

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On March 7, 2022

In Books, News/Misc.

(Updated and Revised 3/7/22)
Just a Spoonful of Sugar—Non-Fiction to Smile With and Learn FromI stumbled onto my notes from Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum a while back (and yeah, I forgot almost all of them in my post about the book). But it got me thinking about McCreary’s approach—taking a hard-to-talk about subject and adding a touch of humor (or at least a light-hearted voice) to it to make it palatable. It’s a great way to get someone to look at the subtleties of what the Autism Spectrum Disorder can be, how individuals can fall somewhere on that spectrum (and therefore have many things in common), and yet be very different from one another.

Now, I realize that some would point to our cultural inability to discuss difficult subjects with the sobriety and seriousness they deserve as a significant problem. And there’s something to that. More than something, probably. Still, I don’t like to think I enjoy these books and their approach because I’m shallow, but I guess I shouldn’t rule that out.

Shallowness aside, there’s something to the approach—whether it’s technical issues, trauma, socially awkward topics, disease, disorders, or other things people try to avoid discussing—doing so in a light-hearted manner or with plenty of laughs, tends to make the audience receptive. It takes a lot of skill to blend the difficult topic into an entertaining package. But it’s a great way to gain a new perspective, a deeper understanding, or learn something.

Here’s a list of the books that I’ve read/posted about in the last few years that entertain while informing/giving insight:

bullet Go Back Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American by Wajahat Ali—Ali’s memoir of growing up as the child of immigrants from Pakistan. While telling his own story, he shines a light on the kinds of things that people that look like him and/or come from similar backgrounds have to deal with in school and society (both within the Muslim community and without). Of special focus are the days and years post-9/11 and how that’s changed things for better or worse (mostly worse). His telling shows a good sense of humor, and sometimes will spend a good deal of time on humor, but that’s not the focus.
bullet Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher—Fisher addresses her addictions and mental health problems (and the extreme solutions) in this frequently laugh-out-loud memoir
bullet Everything is Normal by Sergey Grechishkin—Grechishkin’s memoir of growing up in 1980’s-era Soviet Russia brings the grins (and a chuckle or two) while not letting us forget how hard and terrifying it could be.
bullet Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16 by Mose Kasher—Kasher’s account will make you smile, break your heart, and help you understand addiction
bullet We Had a Little Real Estate Problem by Kliph Nesteroff—This is the story of Native Americans/Indigenous people in Entertainment–particularly comedy, but there’s a little spill over to other areas, too. Unlike the rest of this list, the prose is straightforward and no-nonsense. But Nesteroff’s subject is comedy and he quotes frequently from those he tells the story of–and their humor shines forth while this dark, yet hopeful, story is told.
bullet Gluten Is My Bitch: Rants, Recipes, and Ridiculousness for the Gluten-Free by April Peveteaux—on the one hand, this seems the slightest of the issues addressed. Ask any person with Celiac Disease how hard it can be to find food that doesn’t make you violently ill—and just how violent that illness can be. But Peveteaux will make you laugh, while offering hope and help..
bullet Henry by Katrina Shawver—even in a Nazi work/death camp, friendship helps, people can find some release.
bullet Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary—I realize I started this post talking about the book, but when I revised things, it felt like a bad list if it wasn’t on it. This Comedian talks about growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder and how he became a comedian—he works to dispel some myths, and offer some real insight while entertaining.
bullet You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar:—Amber Ruffin and her sister, Lacey, recount various racist things that people have said (or done) to Lacy on an almost daily basis in her professional and personal life. It may not sound that funny, but it frequently is.
bullet And Then You’re Dead: What Really Happens If You Get Swallowed by a Whale, Are Shot from a Cannon, or Go Barreling Over Niagara by Cody Cassidy and Paul Doherty—the publisher describes this as, a “gleefully gruesome look at the actual science behind the most outlandish, cartoonish, and impossible deaths you can imagine.”

Help me expand this list—what are some other works along these lines that I should read?

Saturday Miscellany—3/5/22

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On March 5, 2022

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

I’m preparing this Wednesday night, so we’ll be brief. Hope your week was good, will catch up soon—after I resume my typical Hobbit-ish ways.

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 At least 7 state legislatures are proposing ‘book ban’ legislation, prompting concern from civil liberty advocatesm
bullet A. Lee Martinez on creating Constance Verity—Martinez is one of my favorite writers to read about writing (in addition to a favorite author period). Here he talks about creating an unreaslistic hero for his Constance Verity trilogy.
bullet I’m Dying Up Here: What a Decade of Stand-Up Taught Me About Fear and Thrillers—I’ve got to say this is not a perspective on thrillers I’d have expected to see
bullet Publishing Predictions That Never Came True

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
bullet Barbican Station – Reconstruction by Mick Herron – Episode 13—Jeff Quest and I talk about this great Herron novel (this is the last time I talk about this podcast, really)

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Death in the Sunshine by Steph Broadribb—The first in a new series, Retired Detectives Club. Think Richard Osman + police procedural. (I’m guessing)
bullet Spelunking Through Hell: A Visitor’s Guide to the Underworld by Seanan McGuire—The newest InCryptid novel features Alice Price making a big push to find her husband. I can’t wait to jump in.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes who followed the blog this week. Sure, he’s been following for a while, but he’s got a new blog now, and I thought I’d share the link for it.

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