Category: News/Misc. Page 10 of 229

Covers of King of Ashes, The Final Vow, Everybody Knows, Don't Tell Me How to Die, Where the Bones Lie, The Broken Detective, Second Lies the Son, Dark Neon & Dirt, One Death at a Time, and The Bang-Bang Sisters, next to an image of an anthropomorphized Pilcrow and the words 'My Favorites of 2025 Crime Fiction'
Finally, we’re at the end of my 2025 wrap-up. Thanks for sticking with me for so long! (assuming you have). I’ve taken to considering this genre apart from everything else when I put together my Favorites Lists, or just about everything else would get ignored. Even if I went with a Top 20 instead of a Favorite 10, maybe 5 books from the previous lists would’ve made it along with all of these. Maybe.

Once again, I’ll note that I limit my lists to things I read for the first time. Yes, there are some author names on here that have been on a couple of these lately. Under half the list. It wouldn’t surprise me if any of these showed up in the years to come. I might have to retire some authors from consideration. Maybe this list should be renamed “S.A. Cosby, M.W. Craven, and some others.”

As always, re-reads don’t count for these lists.

(in alphabetical order by author)

King of Ashes

by S.A. Cosby

This was a twisted, gripping, read about a group of siblings trapped (and shaped) by a shared trauma from their childhood. Now adults, they find themselves trapped in a deal with a local gang of drug dealers, and the only way out may be to become worse than them. Told with Cosby’s signature style and humanity, this will leave you in a daze.

The Final Vow

by M.W. Craven

This is a lighter book than the last couple of Poe and Tilly novels–but that doesn’t make it less compelling to read. Just a little more fun, and probably won’t leave you haunted and unable to get a good night’s sleep right away. It definitely sets a new direction for the series. But none of that matters. This is M.W. Craven at the top of his game–he sets a puzzle worthy of Poe and Tilly, puts some big obstacles in their way, and let’s the reader sit back and revel in it. Who could ask for more?

Everybody Knows

by Jordan Harper

My original post
This is one of the best and starkest depictions of human depravity and the dangers those who dare to stand against it will face. The only thing that makes this experience entertaining is Harper’s prose and fantastic pacing. It left me speechless.

Don’t Tell Me How to Die

by Marshall Karp

My original post
This is a devilishly clever story that’s also emotionally effective. I mean, part of the book’s premise is that the protagonist’s mother died young. Early in the novel, we flashback to that, and I got choked up. I knew the woman was dead before I started the book, and it still got me. Just imagine what the book did to me by the end. As far as the rest of the story goes–the less I say, the better it is for a potential reader. But it’s a doozy–a new kind of story for Marshall Karp and just as good (if not better) as his previous best.

Where the Bones Lie

by Nick Kolakowski

My original post
Kolakowski brings us a little L.A.-noir here with this book–a former Hollywood fixer gets a shot at a new life when someone hires him to find out why her father died many years ago. The interplay between the protagonists is great to read, the mystery is compelling, and the contemporary California-ness of the setting is so real (geographically, environmentally, and in the entertainment industry). It’s a really strong work from Kolakowski.

The Broken Detective

by Joel Nedecky

My original post
We move from L.A.-noir to Winnipeg-noir, which is a thing (apparently). This tale of broken detectives hunting for one particular broken woman in the midst of crime, corruption, and the worst of humanity grabs you in the first couple of pages and won’t let go until a couple of days after you finish. It’s one of the most satisfying endings I read last year, too.

Second Lies the Son

by Matt Phillips

My original post
Here’s another haunting read–Matt Phillips is one of those writers that I just want to read the prose of. The plot and characters don’t matter as much to me as the experience of reading Phillips. But, he always comes through with characters and plot that matter as much as you want, too. This is a fast, lean novel that will leave you moved (disturbed might be a better word) and chewing on it for days.

Dark Neon & Dirt

by Thomas Trang

My original post
And now we’re back to L.A.-noir…Trang’s debut is the kind of assured, nervy book that is a delight to find. You’ve got dirty (or at least compromised) cops, professional thieves, and a collection of coincidences that entwine them in more ways than they find comfortable. The diallogue is fantasitc. The whole things feels like a slick Winslow novel as cool as Miami Vice was at its height.

One Death at a Time

by Abbi Waxman

My original post
Abbi Waxman’s first mystery novel proves (to me, anyway) that she can write anything. The mystery portion of the novel is really well done; the characters are well-designed and well-executed, the relationships between them are strong and obvious—you like the people you’re supposed to like enough that you wish you sat around the room with them, watching them go back and forth Also, it’s funny. That’s a one-two-three combination that I’ll always enjoy and recommend.

The Bang-Bang Sisters

by Rio Youers, Kristen Sieh (Narrator)

My original post
This rollicking adventure captures the spirit of music and live performance (and inter-band dynamics) as…well, any rock novel I can think of. There’s a serial killer equal to Francis Dolarhyde; a violent, kill-or-be-killed, “game” as nasty as Chain-Gang All-Stars; and three great women characters with all the style, skill, and general badassery as The Deadly Viper squad–all in a book with the violence level equal to—if not greater than—Kill Bill, Vol. 1. It’s got the pacing of a classic rock song—with occasional bursts of speed metal–it’s fast, it’s furious, it’s bloody, it’s raw emotion, it’s dangerous. It is so much fun. It is Rock and Roll.

A few books that almost made this list, and I want to be sure to mention:

Mississippi Blue 42 by Eli Cranor; Medusa Protocol by Rob Hart, Righteous Trash by Nick Kolakowski; and The World Entire by Jo Perry.

My Favorite Non-Crime Fiction of 2025

By HCNewton

On January 8, 2026

In Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, News/Misc., Science Fiction

Covers of The Goblin Emperor, Light from Uncommon Stars, Anxious People, A Drop of Corruption, Five Broken Blades, Dogged, Mushroom Blues, Bounty Inc., The Price of Power, My Documents, and The Amazing Twin Chicken Freedom Fighters, next to an image of an anthropomorphized Pilcrow and the words 'My Favorites of 2025 Other Than Crime-Fiction'
Back when I started this site, I knew the content would be largely “genre”-oriented. I’d have wagered the content would be roughly 1/3 Mystery/Detective fiction, 1/3 Urban Fantasy, and slightly less than 1/3 SFF, with “non-genre” fiction, humor, and non-fiction being enough to make my one-thirds just an approximation (honestly, if you asked me what I read regularly, that’s pretty much how I’d describe it today). Actual numbers show that’s wrong—it’s typically almost 40% Crime/Thriller Fiction, the rest of fiction is around 30% combined. This is just a long-winded way to get to these two points: because Crime Fiction takes such a big chunk of my reading, it gets its own “Favorite” list, but none of the others really garner enough numbers for their own. This year, however, the numbers are a bit more even gross-genres, but…the practice has been set. We’ll see what next year brings.

When it comes to this particular list of favorites this year, I just couldn’t get lower than 11 (I’m thankful I made it lower than 24). But as this is a catch-all, I figure I can be a little loose with the numbers. So here’s my list of 11 favorite non-Crime Fiction Novels of 2024. Hopefully, you will find something here to tempt you.

As always, re-reads don’t count—only the works that were new to me.

(in alphabetical order by author)

The Goblin Emporer

by Katherine Addison

To say I was daunted by the incredibly detailed pronunciation guide and information about names before the novel is to put it mildly, but that went away almost immediately. This is a wonderful work–such an intricate web of courtly manners and rules (written and unwritten), a murder plot, a coup or two, and some geeky engineers. Okay, that’s a bad way to try to describe this. I read this a couple of months ago, and already want to re-read it. Once I got into this novel I didn’t want to leave.

Light from Uncommon Stars

by Ryka Aoki

Words fail me as I try to talk about this contemporary Fantasy about a woman whose way out of a Faustian bargain depends on her damning others. And it turns out that I really liked this woman, and hoped she’d get that last soul. Just not the one she’s decided to use to fulfill the bargain, because this one should be protected and nurtured. Oh, and there’s a bunch of aliens on the run from an intergalactic conflict.

This book made me happy–it delighted me in the description of music, in fact. It broke my heart. It made me tense. It filled me with hope. There might be books on the lists this week that are better technically, but I’m not sure any of them worked on my heart the way that this one did.

Anxious People

by Fredrik Backman

Of this books that made me laugh this year, this is probably in the top 3. It’s also the book that probably made me think of fatherhood more than any other. And marriage. And all the ways we can let each other down, and the hope that exists for the next time when we don’t.

It’s Backman, so you know he’ll be funny. You know he’ll tug at your heartstrings. You know he’ll make you think. He does that, and more–because he throws in some small town cops, a bank robbery that went wrong, and a bunch of hostages. If I stopped reading after this one in February, I’d have called 2025 a good year for reading (although I’d have been so bored for the remaining 10 months, it’s good I didn’t).

A Drop of Corruption

by Robert Jackson Bennett

My original post
This is simply a perfect follow-up to The Tainted Cup–new strangeness to explore in this world, new depravities to be seen, new political machinations to watch, new opportunities for Ana Dolabra’s brilliance (and strange way of seeing the world) to shine–yet entirely of a piece with the first book. A Drop of Corruption is another fantastic mystery/fantasy hybrid. Like so many of the others on this list, superlatives fail me.

Five Broken Blades

by Mai Corland

I love the set-up to this book–a bunch of killers of varying in strengths and modus operandi are brought together for one joint-job. And one of them is a traitor. And the reader doesn’t know (but we can guess, and will) who the traitor is, why they’re doing it and more.

I liked this one so much that I bought the hardcovers for the rest of the trilogy right after finishing. I never do that.

I’ve seen some criticisms of the work–and some of them have merit. But while I was reading it? I was so taken in that I didn’t notice any of them. And now? I don’t care about any of the criticism, I had so much fun with this book that you could tell me that I’m the only one in the world who likes it and I’d be fine with it. (I’d also know you were lying, but that’s okay)

Dogged

by Michael R. Fletcher

This is a violent, grisly novel about an empire on the brink of ruin–and the devastation this wreaks on the populace. It is also one of the most heartwarming tales I’ve read this year about loyalty, determination, and doing what’s right for those important to you.

The central character just might be the character of the year for me–she embodies so much of what I love in a noble warrior character.

This book made my month in December–and I read a lot of books that I really enjoyed. But while I was reading this one, almost everything I’d read last year paled in comparison (including every other item on this list).

It sucks you in, it tells a perfect story in an almost perfect way–and makes you want more. I don’t want a sequel, it’s a wonderful stand-alone. I just want a half-dozen books just like it.

Mushroom Blues

by Adrian M. Gibson

My original post
A Police Procedural set in a world with Earth-like technology and laws. However, it’s inhabited with humans and a sapient, humanoid, fungal species. Basically, humanoid Mushrooms. It’s hard to explain.

The mystery/police procedural part of this was great. The alternate world was outstanding. The worldbuilding is top-notch. The primary and secondary characters were drawn so wonderfully. The motives for the crimes (and the crime fighting) were complex and messy—and almost entirely understandable. The genre-hybrid of this feels entirely natural to an extent that you can almost wonder why anyone hasn’t been approaching these genres in a similar fashion for decades.

Gibson’s scheduled to get a sequel out this year. I’m going to be at the front of the line for it.

Bounty Inc.

by Adam Holcombe

My original post
This book is a space opera/SF adventure. With intrigue, action, strangeness, betrayal, and more. It’s what you expect from this kind of book—and it delivers that well. But I can also describe it as a wholesome, found family, cozy-ish, feel-good novel at its core. With an earnest spirit that reaches every corner of the book.

Is the big romantic arc entirely predictable? Yes. Is it effective, sweet, and wholly satisfying? Yup. Will you get gut-punched by what happens to some of these characters? Yup. (I didn’t say it was cozy, I said it had that heart, bad things happen). Will you cheer at parts of the action? Yes. Will you be dismayed by some of the twists? Yup. Will you want this pretty long book to be longer? YUP.

Satisfying on several levels. Fantastic action. Strange alien species. And entertaining on every page.

The Price of Power

by Michael Michel

My original post
I read four books this year that I might have described as “one of my favorite fantasy novels” at one point. It’s a hotly competitive rank apparently. This is one of those. And that thumbnail review is still true.

This is a gritty, intense read following four primary characters (and a couple of others nearby each of them). The world it sets up and introduces us to is teetering on the brink of civic upheaval and all-out war. And something tells me those’ll be the easier problems to deal with. Book three releases in a couple of weeks not and my anticipation level is high.

My Documents

by Kevin Nguyen

My original post
This is a timely work about the complete internment of Vietnamese-Americans following some terrorist strikes. It is chilling. It’s occasionally joyful (usually as a precursor something utterly absent of joy, but also as a reminder of its importance).

This is a powerful, haunting, (purposefully) uncomfortable read that will also charm you. It’s been residing in a corner of my mind since I read it, and I keep almost making references to it when talking to others about current events as if it’s something in our shared cultural moment. It’s impact is going to last a while in my mind–and I’d recommend you let it impact yours, too.

The Amazing Twin Chicken Freedom Fighters

by Zephaniah Sole

My original post
This is either brilliant or the ravings of a madman. Possibly both.

It is absurd in every way. It’s hilarious on several levels–from very low-brow to philosophical riffs. Sole plays with narrative, meaning, reality…and I don’t know what all, really. If I was pursuing some sort of English degree right now, I’d be using this (and the promised sequel) as the foundation for a few papers.

It can also be read as twisted fun–you’d be missing a lot, but you’d have a great time.

A few books that almost made this list and I want to be sure to mention:
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E Butler, The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman, Bones & Betrayals: Silence of the Dead by Andi Ewington & Erica Marks, Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Mathew Norman, Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by Jason Pargin, and How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler.

Opening Lines: All the Best Dogs by Emily Jenkins

By HCNewton

On January 8, 2026

In Blog Series, Currently Reading, News/Misc., Opening Lines, Quotations

Head & Shoulders used to tell us that, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” That’s true for wearing dark shirts, and it’s especially true for books. Sometimes the characters will hook the reader, sometimes the premise, sometimes it’s just knowing the author—but nothing beats a great opening for getting a reader to commit.

Ask anyone who has a dog and they’ll tell you that their dog is the best. Really, truly, the best dog in the world. Theirs is the best dog that ever lived, ever, ever, in the history of the known universe.

“But what if the person has two dogs, three dogs, eight dogs?” you ask.

Well, each one is still the best.

That’s how it feels. They are all the best dogs. You need to say “best” to be expressing what you feel about your dog.

Yeah, it’s not logical.

from All the Best Dogs by Emily Jenkins

Opening Lines Logo

My Favorite Non-Fiction Books of 2025

By HCNewton

On January 7, 2026

In (Auto)Biography, History, News/Misc., Non-Fiction

My 2025 Wrap-up continues and now we’re on to the Non-Fiction list. While I liked a number of works that didn’t make this list, I felt strange calling them a “favorite.” These are the ones that stuck with me through the year; the ones I cited in conversation; that I thought about when reading something else or watching something on TV. Yeah, there’s some overlap between this list and the audiobook list from yesterday—lately, most Non-Fiction books I work through are in audiobook format. So it makes sense, even if it makes this post seem like an echo.

As always, I only put books that I’ve read for the first time on this list. I don’t typically return to NF books (outside of looking up things for one or three points), but occasionally I do—for example, The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs would get a permanent spot on this list, were it not for this rule.

(in alphabetical order by author)

Algospeak:
How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language

by Adam Aleksic

My original post
Language in general—but English particularly—is a constantly-changing thing, and these changes are happening faster and faster all the time. Algospeak is a great look at the hows and whys of a lot of the current evolutionary processes. It is about more than language—it’s also about how the Internet changes the way we think and express ourselves in general. And therefore, how society changes (which leads to Internet changes, and other circle-of-life things).

Aleksic has obvious expertise and passion for the subject (look at just one of his videos). He’s also active in these areas. It’s a great read, informative and entertaining. Hard to ask for more.

Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass—How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up

by Dave Barry

My original post
It comes as no surprise to any that I loved a Dave Barry book. It takes something pretty lackluster by him to get that reaction (and he doesn’t do that often–but I can prove it if you want). But this is something else–it’s insightful, it’s touching, it’s (seemingly) honest, and human. It’s a look at his childhood, his professional humorist origin story, and then scattered accounts of some of the very strange things that his profession has let him do.

I don’t say this about many authors–but I really don’t know that I’ve wondered anything about Barry’s personal life. But now that I know? I am more than happy to get some understanding about it. Does it necessarily help me understand his work better? No (but we’ll see the next time I take up his work, I guess). But it makes me like Barry the person a bit more.

Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations

by Alton Brown

Like any good fan of a TV show/personality, I like to know how they got started, how the show was developed, etc. Brown talks about how he got into food education media–and it’s not really how you’d expect. How he moved on from Good Eats to other things. There’s some great stuff about his education. But perhaps the most rewarding portion of the book is his musing and observations on the place of food/eating to human society (writ large or on an individual level).

Really, there’s so little to not appreciate from this book. Alton Brown has spent decades thinking and writing about food. This is the result of all that.

Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It

by Cory Doctorow

I don’t know how to talk about Doctorow’s screed against Big Tech, the policies that led to these platforms that have taken over the internet and made it less-good than it used to be. Even that sentence is not a great way to talk about the book. The book wowed me. I wouldn’t say it radicalized me on some of this, but I sort of wish it did. The Ressa book below really struck me as a giant proof for Doctorow’s case (good idea to read the two of them around the same time). It’s a great–and terrifying–read.

Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection

by John Green

I never imagined I would appreciate a book about an infectious disease. And despite all the good things I heard about this book, I didn’t rush to pick it up. But I’m so glad I did.

First of all, you could probably pick any number of things to use in place of Tuberculosis to trace human history, seemingly at major turning points and shaping societal developments. Say…bread, or writing, or…I dunno this is a sentence I regret starting. But from a certain point of view–you can buy the theory posited at the beginning of this book, that Tuberculosis shaped human history.

Green talks about the treatments that have been tried (and failed), the way it impacted population sizes, the devastation it’s left in it’s wake, and how things are going in the battle against the disease now. Interwoven with these is the story of one particular patient in Sierra Leone that Green met years ago. We follow his personal struggle–ups, downs, way downs, and more.

Green can relate these facts–even the bleak ones–in an engaging way that will stick with the reader. But then he drives it home and makes it gets you emotionally involved through the patient’s story.

You just can’t help but being taken in by the book and it’ll leave a lasting impression.

Killer Conversations with Rex Stout and John McAleer

My original post
Granted, there is a very limited audience for this kind of thing. But for that audience (and I’m part of it), this is catnip.

These snippets of conversations between Rex Stout and his biographer and friend are just wonderful. Quick back and forths on any number of topics–life, death, love, reputation, writing, Stout’s characters, his career, and more–it’s fun to read. It’s fun to think about. You’ll wish you were half as clever as Stout.

Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words

by John McWhorter

So, sure–this looks like it’s nothing but a screed on one side or the other about the problem we’re having with third-person pronouns the a socio-political front in English. And, yes, it is about that, (but only from a linguistic point of view), but there’s more to it. There’s also that pesky second-person plural.

Like in his book, Nine Nasty Words, McWhorter gives a quick look at the history of English pronouns one at a time–looking at various forms, usages, spellings, and assorted trivia. When appropriate, the then talks about some of the contemporary challenges and controversies with them.

Completely entertaining–McWhorter’s a great narrator–and very educating. I heartily commend this to you (no matter what you think of using “they” for the third-person singular).

How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future

by Maria Ressa, read by Maria Ressa & Rebecca Mozo

Maria Ressa’s story is fascinating. It’s just that simple. I mean, you rarely find a Nobel Peace Prize recipient without an interesting backstory of some sort.

Like I said above, when you add this to Doctorow’s book and you see how everything he said is entirely possible and how it can work against someone.

There’s, of course, more than just Ressa’s story and struggles reflected here. There’s a call to action, a call to do the necessary work, and a call to hope, when it comes to oppressive governments or platforms.

Are Women Human?

by Dorothy L. Sayers

These are two essays by Sayers on the subject of women in society–with a particular look at academia. They are pointed, clear, and witty.

I’m not sure what else to say, really.

Robert E. Lee and Me:
A Southerner’s Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause

by Ty Seidule

My original post

This is a powerful read. This very-Southern, Lost Cause adherent, West Point history professor starts looking at what he’d been raised believing, and the systemic racism of the culture he’d been raised in. The book then recounts example after example after example of the racism everywhere and the excuses made for covering up the treason of the Confederacy everywhere, including the U.S. Army–the army he left and fought against.

I thought Seifert made a compelling case in an engaging read that will stick with you for a long time.

WWW Wednesday—January 7, 2026

By HCNewton

On January 7, 2026

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

Welcome to another year of WWW Wednesdays, where I can assemble a mid-week post in 20 minutes or less and at least have fresh content if I’m not capable of finishing anything else.

Functionally, that’s true–but I actually do enjoy these and the comments, too. We’re starting off on a high-point this week:

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?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?


Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins	Skin Game by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

80s Cold War Spy Thriller with a twisted sense of humor. Sort of FX’s The Americans as if told by Elmore Leonard. It’s just delicously good.

If Skin Game isn’t my favorite Dresden File, it’s close. I’m having a blast with this.

What did you recently finish reading?


All the Best Dogs Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Manuel Preitano	Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, read by Robertson Dean

Okay, see how cute the cover for All the Best Dogs is? That’s how adorable and sweet the content is. Was a fantastic palate-cleanser.

The first line of the description of Dear Committee Members encapsulates it the Dog cover did, “Finally a novel that puts the ‘pissed’ back into ‘epistolary.'” Academic satire, told from the arrogant, garrulous, pedantic point of view of an older English Professor. I don’t know that I have it in me to plunge into the sequel right away, but it was pretty delicious.

What do you think you’ll read next?


She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan	Peace Talks by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

Like I said last week, She Who Became the Sun is the selection for my Fantasy Book club, I know nothing about it, but it looks promising. Celeste saying that it’s “quite good” is a real help.

Strange work schedules and sick leave messed up my schedule for the Dresden-relisten. So I’ve got to marathon these so I can be finished by the 20th. Yeah, it’s overkill, but I think I’ll survive.

How’s 2026’s reading starting out for you?

My Favorite Audiobooks of 2025

By HCNewton

On January 6, 2026

In Audiobook, News/Misc.

My Favorite Audiobooks of 2025

It’s time to talk about my favorite Audiobooks. How do I keep this from being just a rehash of my other year-end lists? By focusing on the audiobook experience over the content. What was it like to listen to it? How engaging was it, how did the narrator do? Was it a good match in terms of tone, content, and performance? All of these books are/were good—but the audiobooks are a bit better because of the narrator and the rest of the people involved in the production.

As always, re-reads don’t count for these lists.

(in alphabetical order by author)

Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations

by Alton Brown

If you’re a fan of Brown, this is essential. It’s part memoir; it’s part behind the scenes of Good Eats, Iron Chef America, and more; it’s part musings on the state of cooking, food television, eating, etc.; and there’s even some cooking tips. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn a little more than that is covered.

The audiobook brings his signature style, snark, and passion to the material–which really doesn’t need anything to raise the level–but it doesn’t hurt. I had a blast reading it–I don’t know how many people I’ve pushed it on, either.

Sunrise on the Reaping

by Suzanne Collins, read by Jefferson White

I thought I was over the whole Panem/Hunger Games thing. I loved the original trilogy, but just couldn’t bring myself to read the prequels. A review or two and a co-worker convinced me to try this one.

As messed up as you may think that Haymitch was when we first met him…he deserved to be. He earned that–and more. Collins made that clear in the book, but Jefferson White brought that to life–with all the heartbreak, anger, and grief.

It was the audiobook that kept this from being something I checked off to satisfy an itch (and that itch would’ve been greatly satisfied, don’t get me wrong), and turned it into an experience that unsettled me in all the right ways.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

by Ian Fleming, read by David Tennant

I remember precious little about the movie version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and most of that is just the car. But some fellow-blogger mentioned Tennant doing this audiobook (and I’ve lost track of who that was, I feel lousy for it). Curious, I gave it a shot.

I came away with this with two firm impressions: when Fleming let his hair down, he could spin a fun tale. Not one that necessarily makes a lot of sense–but it’s fun. Second–David Tennant was as fantastic at this as I imagined.

I don’t know what else to say–I’m sure I’d have been entertained by just about anyone reading this book. But very few (if any) could’ve made me relish the experience the way I did.

Future Boy:
Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum

by Michael J. Fox and Nelle Fortenberry

My original post

I was a huge Michael J. Fox fan at the time this book is set (okay, I’ve pretty much been a huge Michael J. Fox fan since then, too), I was definitely part of the target audience for this. Throw in Fox as narrator, and you know I’m in.

As far as the narration goes, age and disease have impacted his voice—but it’s still Fox, and he delivers it well. The quick audio clips from others involved in the productions Back to the Future and Family Ties are fun bonuses.

This is a fun—and fast—look at a madcap time in Fox’s life with enough of the behind-the-scenes stuff. Fox’s trademark self-deprecation is on display as well.

The only problem with this book is its brevity. Beyond that, I have no complaints—fans of the actor or the film should enjoy this book. I sure did.

I See You’ve Called in Dead

by John Kenney, read by Sean Patrick Hopkins

My original post

Hopkins did a great job of bringing this very strange book to life and convinced me that an outrageous character like Bud Stanley could not only exist, but be someone I wanted to spend several hours with. Not just Bud Stanely, either–there’s a pretty diverse and wide cast of supporting characters that Hopkins did an equally convincing job with (the little neighbor boy was one of his best).

It’s not just the performance, obviously, I really got into this funny and heartfelt novel about friendship, mortality, and thinking about mortality. But it’s what pops to mind as I’m talking about audiobooks.

This was the whole package.

Songs for Other People’s Weddings

by David Levithan with songs by Jens Lekman, read by Jefferson Mays

I found the resolution of this novel disappointing, but I enjoyed a lot of the journey worth the time. This is a novel about a pop musician of some (small) renown who is much sought after as a Wedding Musician–it’s more than I can get into here, but alone is a charming story.

A bonus to this book is that Jens Lekman wrote and performs songs to go with the weddings. I don’t know what this looks like in the text version of the book–maybe just the lyrics, which is nice enough. But a novel about a singer that contains actual songs (purportedly by this singer) is a great bonus and adds something to the book.

Sure, I’m not crazy about most of the songs–just not my vibe. But that they’re there is really nice.

The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science

by Kate McKinnon, read by Kate McKinnon & Emily Lynne (Narrator)

My original post
(Edging out the sequel, Secrets of the Purple Pearl, by a hair–I did go back and forth on it a bit)

Would I enjoy this in print? Yeah—especially the illustrations. But the performance by McKinnon & Lynne makes these things you have to listen to. And likely re-listen to.

These are silly, silly, silly adventure novels about three sisters who wind up at The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette because they can’t manage to stay in other schools without being disruptive by being themselves. Quibb introduces them to a world of pizza, self-expression, curiosity, mystery, danger—and the chance to save the world from mad scientists.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. The plot is insane, the text are ridiculous, and the jokes are a great balance of silly enough for children but clever enough for adults. They’re perfect for young or young-at-heart readers. McKinnon and Lynne make a good book a great audio experience.

How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future

by Maria Ressa, read by Maria Ressa & Rebecca Mozo

Ressa’s story–from childhood up through the present–is mind-blowing, and the kind of thing one might be skeptical about in a novel. And I’m not going to say more about it now.

But it’s her delivering this material–the raw emotion, the pride, the anger, the conviction–that makes this audiobook. It’s a great story, it’s a powerful call to action–and a strong dose of hope for the future.

The Accidental Joe

by Tom Straw

It is difficult to explain just how entertaining this is–and I’m not sure if the narration or the text gets the majority of the credit. Tom Straw did both, so he gets all the credit.

This is the story of a celebrity chef with a travel show who is recruited by the government to use his show as a way to conduct espionage. Which totally makes sense, right? Well…with an iron-clad plan like that, things get out of control.

The book is a hoot. The jinks are hi. And Straw’s narration is perfectly suited to the material.

The Bang-Bang Sisters

by Rio Youers, Kristen Sieh (Narrator)

My original post
So, this is a story about a touring rock band–and after their shows at various bars around the country, they occasionally slip away to kill some criminals that the judicial system can’t put away. Totally normal, stuff right.

Youers fills it with humor, heart, and so, so much violence. It’s fast, it’s furious, it’s bloody, it’s raw emotion, it’s dangerous. It is so much fun. It is Rock and Roll.

And Kristen Sieh? She’s just the lead vocalist that this album needed. I believed the music, I believed the vigilantism, I believed the sisterly-tie between the bandmates/friends/allies; I believed every second of the trap they were caught in and the way they got out of it.

It’s the kind of audiobook that leads me to overhyping.

MUSIC MONDAY: “Folsom Prison Blues” by Sawyer Hill

By HCNewton

On January 5, 2026

In News/Misc.

The Irresponsible Reader's Music Monday logo

Music Monday's originated at The Tattooed Book Geek's fantastic blog and has shown up hither, thither, and yon since then.

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Grandpappy’s Favorites of 2025

By HCNewton

On January 5, 2026

In Grandpappy's Corner, News/Misc., YA/MG/Children's Books

Grandpappy's Corner Favorite Picture Books of 2026 I’ve posted favorite Picture or Children’s books before, but now that I’m a Grandfather, I’m thinking about these things more. So, it’s not unusual for me to read these kinds of books, but I’m doing more of it. I fully expected this post to be larger this year–but there were fewer new-to-me reads and many, many re-reads (which I really should’ve anticipated). Anyway, here are the books that really stuck with me and struck me as ones to keep talking about.

I practically guarantee these will tickle you and/or warm your heart.

As always, re-reads (or re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-reads) don’t count for these lists.

(in alphabetical order by author)

Life Lessons by Titan

as told to Melaney Taylor Auxier

My original post
Accompanied by some great photos of Titan, Auxier helps him relate some important life lessons for young readers.

It’s short, sweet, and to the point. It’ll win over young dog lovers, and even bring a smile to us older ones when we need a quick fill of puppy love.

My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!

by Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Tiffany Everett (Illustrator)
My original post
This is a very sweet tribute to grandparents—not just your traditional older adult being kind and making cookies, or whatever. But grandparents who have a passion, who share it with their grandchildren—whether it’s being a musician—professional or otherwise—or any other number of professions. The stress here is what unites every grandparent—their love and affection for their grandchildren

The art is cute and energetic.

The book is sweet and heartwarming–especially for the grantparent-type, whatever they’re called or do.

Goodnight Darth Vader

by Jeffrey Brown

My original post
This is a book in the style of Goodnight Moon featuring Darth Vader and his twins (in a very non-canonical way) while he’s trying to get them to sleep, with looks at individuals from throughout the Empire (or former Empire) as they settle in for the night.

Brown has this great art style that both gets the detail necessary for the droids, aliens, ships, and all that. At the same time, he keeps it playful and appealing for people of all ages to look at.

I had a blast with it—I liked the art, the humor (fit for adult fans or wee readers), the take on the Goodnight Moon style of book, and so on.

Little Aiden: A Big Kid Book for Toddlers

by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator)

My original post
In the first two books in this series, Little Aiden was not much older than a newborn (I figure), so there’s been some growth to get him to toddler-hood. And that’s been a lot of growth for Mom and Dad, not just Aiden (who’s done most of the work, let’s be fair).

It’s not so much a story or a book to teach about something/render a lesson. It’s just a look at the life of someone going through something the reader can identify with—going through this stage of life. I think seeing that commonality with others is an important thing. And there are some younger types who need to see early on that people who may have different ethnic backgrounds have similar experiences.

The illustrations are bright and whimsical—the affection between the family is clear. The illustrations are the star of the show.

That Christmas and Other Stories

by Richard Curtis, Rebecca Cobb (Illustrator)

My original post
This is a collection of three children’s stories (probably published separately), two of them are explicitly Christmas themed, the other is more wintery. Curtis knows how to melt the heart of adults while making them smile. He proves here that he has the same ability with children.

It is charming. It’s sweet. There are laughs and “awww”s throughout. I don’t know what else to say—this is a winner, something great to pull out for the post-Thanksgiving through December 26 era annually.

Hansel and Gretel

by Stephen King, Maurice Sendak (Illustrator)

This was a gentle reworking of the classic story, with some repurposed art by Sendak–which King used to help in his retelling, he describes how it shaped it in an author’s note. It’s just creepy enough to qualify as such–totally appropriate for fairy tale age readers (although the Brothers Grimm would find it tame). You’d think Sendak took King’s text as the basis, not the other way around–it all works wonderfully. It’s definitely one to add to your collection.

Freddie Fastback and His Friends

by Felicity Watt Wilson, Laci McCrea (Illustrator)

Freddie is a turtle who is decidedly not fast. Until he finds an old-fashioned roller skate (the ones you used to attach to your shoes, remember those?)–and then he’s off for adventure. And learning that slow isn’t that bad. It’s a cute story.

The artwork is just amazing–all painted. With so many details that adult readers will find fascinating to look for as much as the younger set. It’s a winner.

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Fantasy with Friends: Is Fantasy Still Not Taken “Seriously” in Some Circles?

By HCNewton

On January 5, 2026

In Books, Fantasy with Friends, News/Misc.

Fantasy with Friends is a weekly meme hosted by the good people over at Pages Unbound. Fantasy with Friends poses questions each Monday about fantasy, either as a genre as a whole or individual works.

This week’s prompt is:

Which genre are you eager to jump into more this year, and what draws you to it? Do you think fantasy still isn’t taken “seriously” as literature by some people or in some circles? What response do you have to that?

Oh, I know it isn’t. There are just some snobs that have a hard time recognizing genre fiction at all as “serious.” They’ll glance at something like A Song of Ice and Fire because no one can stop talking about the show—and mostly cover their sneer. What was that hit piece that someone did on Sanderson a year or so ago? Look at the response to Romantasy trend—or think back to responses of Pottermania.

What’s my reaction to that lack of recognition? I ignore it. They’re not going to change—at least by and large. It’s not my job to convince anyone to read a book or a genre they’re not interested in. I have a good friend who wanted to try the Dresden Files, but couldn’t handle the magic—as much as he was enjoying Harry and the other characters. Now, he’s not disdainful of the genre—but the same principle can apply to others, there’s just something about Fantasy that turns them off and for many people that will result in belittling. These people, by and large, are not worth wasting time and ink on (even if the ink is made up of bits on a screen).

I think if I’d decided to try to convince someone to give Fantasy a try, or at the very least, to consider that some works could have literary merit—I wouldn’t try for the genre as a whole. I’d pick a book that I think would appeal to them. And then, an other. And another after that. Take down the prejudice down one brick at a time. Does it work? Well, with my friend and the Dresden Files, nope. But it has with others. And I’m coming up with another way to trick him into giving Fantasy a shot. It’ll just be in a few months after he’s read that I’m planning on tricking him.

I’m sure some of the other posts in response to this prompt will be more thoughtful. I’m looking forward to reading them. Do you have responses to this? (either for the comment section below or from your own post)

Saturday Miscellany—1/3/26

By HCNewton

On January 3, 2026

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

So many changes today…Man Flu has become bronchitis, 2025 has become 2026, my bullet images should look a little better in dark mode (still not perfect…but a good step), and a fourth, funny item should go here. Oh well…punchlines are for closers, I guess. And I haven’t made a sale in weeks.

Anyway, here’s the first Miscellany of 2026, thanks for reading!

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 I’m sure I need to tell very few of you this, but today is the 134th anniversary of J.R.R. Tolkein’s birth. Fans around the world will be participaing in Tolkien Birthday Toast 2026.
bullet Public Domain Day 2026—Center for the Study of the Public Domain brings us (as per their custom) the lists and some thoughts on the works newly in Public Domain.
bullet Is It Possible to Overconsume Books?—Krysta at Pages Unboud has some thoughts.
bullet The Books That Keep Us Company: There is something special about the series we really, truly grow up with…—Molly Templeton’s latest has something we can all relate to (I imagine), even if her cited examples mean little to us
bullet Novels About Old People—Mike Finn has a good list of books featuring elderly chatacters
bullet Book Blogger Challenge (2026)—a challenge for book bloggers that focuses on the community and blogging itself
bullet 45 Book Bloggers to Follow in 2026—Pages Unbound has a list of 45 to keep an eye on (which may help with the challenge). I can vouch for a lot of these (not that it matters), and assume the few I haven’t encountered/interacted with are just as good
bullet And now, it’s time to look at another batch of Best of ’25 lists:
bullet Read Like Nobody’s Watching- Raven’s December Reads and Books Of The Year 2025. —Raven features a few great-looking ones in 2025
bullet The damppebbles Top Ten(ish!) of 2025—Hard to go wrong with Emma (unless you’re looking for reliable numbers)
bullet Spells & Spaceships’ The Best Books I Read in 2025
bullet A Fictional Escapist’s Top Five of 2025!
bullet Best of 2025 reads—from reader@work
bullet Fantasy Book Nerd’s TOP BOOKS OF 2025
bullet My Top Ten Books of 2025—I agree with a couple of The Orangutan Librarian’s picks and have added some to a TBR.
bullet Top 10 Books Read in 2025—in what was a bad year of reading for him, Peat Long did find some gems.
bullet The Hard Word wraps up their Top Twenty-Five for First Twenty-five Years series with 15-11, 10-6, and 5-1

My favorite sentence/passage/phrase (or two) that I read this week :
bullet “Already, even with the great act still ahead, there was flowing in upon me, from the barren years beyond it, a dejection such as I had never conceived. It was not at all like the agonies I had endured before and have endured since. I did no weep nor wrong my hands. I was like water put into a bottle and left in a cellar: utterly motionless, never to be drunk, poured out, spilled, or shaken. The days were endless. The very shadows seemed nailed to the ground as if the sun no longer moved.”—Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago This Week?
bullet The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs