Category: News/Misc. Page 119 of 229

Saturday Miscellany—11/27/22

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On November 27, 2021

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

Anyone else spending too much time fretting about the end of the year approaching? (and by too much time, I mean a stray thought here or there, not hours sitting in a corner rocking and chewing nails). There are a handful of books (and other things) that I promised myself I would read in 2021 and I’m not sure I’m going to get to them–especially as it seems that every library hold I’ve placed this fall is arriving at once. Library due dates trump just about every other plan that I have.

On the other hand, if in 2021 these are my most pressing woes? I’m going pretty good.

Speaking of pretty good–I hope you’ll find at least something “pretty good” below. Maybe even better:

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 NPR Unveils: “Books We Love,” an Interactive Reading Guide—I think I could fall down this rabbit hole for a while (thankfully with 360 books, I’d eventually hit bottom–unlike a YouTube hole)
bullet A Scientific Explanation for Your Urge to Sniff Old Books: Jude Stewart Breaks Down the Chemical Reactions Behind Olfactory Bibliomania
bullet The Hare and the Tortoise—a profile of author Ian Robinson
bullet The Dresden Files Destroyed My TBR! (Spoiler Free Series Overview)—Honestly, I’ve only watched a couple of minutes of this–I have a hard time finding 20+ minutes for a YouTube video, but they were a good couple of minutes. I will finish this soon.
bullet The #R3COMM3ND3D2021 series over at Damp Pebbles, had some great recommendations this week. Check out the contributions from:
bullet BookBlogger Sue Bavey
bullet BookBlogger Nicki Mags
bullet Yours Truly
bullet BookBlogger Veronika Jordan
bullet BookBlogger Nicki
bullet Reviewer Angi Plant
bullet Author and BookBlogger Zoé O’Farrell
bullet Five Books I’ve Read about Readers—a list of books about people most of us can really identify with
bullet my favourite bookish travels of 2021—I like the approach to this best-of list
bullet My Faves So Far: 2 Years of Reviews—a good way to commemorate the anniversary
bullet Book Reviews: Star Rating Systems for Books
bullet Captivating First Lines

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

The Friday 56 for 11/26/21: All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

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On November 26, 2021

In Currently Reading, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, News/Misc., Quotations, The Friday 56

The Friday 56This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice.

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
The Friday 56 Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
The Friday 56 Find a snippet, short and sweet.
The Friday 56 Post it

from Page 56 of:
All the Lonely People

All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

The sense of relief Hubert felt when he saw Joyce walking toward him as he waited outside the entrance to the Regal was enormous. Her desire to go to the pictures with him hadn’t been an elaborate dream, a figment of his imagination, or a practical joke. She was here, she was really here, and the sight of her made him grin from ear to ear. She was, he thought, even more beautiful freed from the confines of her Hamilton’s uniform of demure black dress with dainty white bow and lacy collar. Sporting a navy-blue duster coat over a flowery lemon dress with green heels, she was a vision of spring and Hubert told her so.

“Thank you,” she replied. “The dress is new. I made it myself from a pattern in Vogue. Mum wasn’t sure about the color but I think it’s cheerful, don’t you?”

Hubert smiled.

“It’s like a piece of sunshine on a dull gray day.”

Joyce gave him an admiring glance.

Thanksgiving Book Tag

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On November 25, 2021

In Book Tag, Books, News/Misc.

Thanksgiving Book Tag
I’ve seen this on a few blogs, but it was on Bookstooge’s Reviews on the Road that I decided to do it myself. I don’t know where this originated, so I can’t credit them.

I really tried not to let recency bias rear its ugly head on these responses, but I ended up listing two books I read this year. Whoops.

1. Bread- What book is purely fluff, and has no real plot line?

I’m left scratching my head here–what doesn’t have a plotline?

Love

Love by Roddy Doyle

There’s a plot here, but it’s slight–and covered under layers and layers of clever dialogue. (none of which is a criticism, it worked wonderfully)

2. Turkey- What book made you want to fall asleep?

Zorro

Zorro by Isabelle Allende

It is Zorro–the swashbuckling, womanizing, swordsman who’s a proto-Batman figure. How do you make him dull? I still don’t know how you do it, but Isabelle Allende must, because she nailed it. The only reason I finished this was because I had to see if it ever got exciting. According to my logs, I read this in 2010–but at the time, I felt like I spent more than a decade reading it. So, I guess I might still be reading it.

3. Gravy- What book makes the whole series worth reading?

I’m struggling to answer this one–it seems to suggest that the others aren’t up to snuff, or aren’t even worth the time, “but this one book…” I’m sure there are some, but I can’t think of any. I’m tempted to say Red Dragon or The Silence of the Lambs are so good that it makes Hannibal worth it–but it’s easier to just skip the others.

I guess…

The Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I have problems with The Wise Man’s Fear. And, sure, I’d love to read The Doors of Stone. But you know what? I loved The Name of the Wind enough that I can live with what ever’s lacking in the others (including, but not limited to, not being published).

4. Stuffing- What book is stuffed full of action scenes?

A Wanted Man

A Wanted Man by Rob Parker

The first Ben Bracken novel is as non-stop as you could ask for. Pound-for-pound there’s more action in this book than any other I can remember. Sure, Parker can go whole paragraphs without much in the way of action–but he doesn’t do that often here.

5. Mashed Potatoes- What book looked good, and then wasn’t?

Behind Her Eyes

Behind Her Eyes by Sara Pinbrough

A Killer hook. A lot of hype. Some compelling writing. And an ending that made me want to hurl it across the room and into a shredder. It was a library book, however, so I really couldn’t indulge the impulse.

Also…really? l;ike Bookstooge said, what’s up with this slander against Mashed Potatoes? (not just saying this as a reflexive defense of the crop Idaho’s best known for)

6. Cranberries- What book has the sweetest romance?

Not Famous

Not Famous by Matthew Hanover

The first romance that jumped to mind was Nick and Alli from Hanover’s first book. (sure, most of the sweetness came from Alli, but Nick’s not bad, either).

I’m not convinced that cranberries are really all that “sweet,” however. Tart? Sour? Sure. Sweet? Eh, only with anough sugar added. Unlike everything Hanover’s written.

7. Corn- What’s the corniest book you’ve ever read?

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists
 by Gideon Defoe

This is just a ridiculous novel–I laughed a lot. I cringed a lot, too. It was a delightful batch of corny silliness.

8. Green beans- What book is too long and needs to be shortened?

Lethal White

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

Part of the reason that I haven’t jumped on Troubled Blood is that this one was just too long. At the time (or since), I couldn’t figure out what needed to be cut, but something sure needed to.

Unlike any green bean dish I’ve ever had, however, I enjoyed Lethal White in the end.

9. Pumpkin Pie- What book do you read to get out of a reading slump?

Misc Wolfe covers

Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin by Rex Stout

It’s been a while–a very long while–since I’ve been in a slump. But I could always count on some of my favorite Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin novels. They’re pure comfort food–tasty and sweet.

10. Dog/Cat- What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food that you would steal from the table?

Stuffing

This varies a lot from year to year, but more often than not, I’d say stuffing.

(image borrowed from Happy Life Blogspot)

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.

Thanksgiving 2021

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On November 25, 2021

In Calendar Items, News/Misc.

Happy Thanksgiving/Turkey Day/Thursday

On this day that has been set aside for us in the U.S. for expressions of gratitude, it’s been my custom take a moment and mention a few of the things that The Irresponsible Reader is thankful for.

bullet The readers of this blog, the authors who’ve corresponded with me/provided books for me to read/encouraged me—even promoted this here project.
bullet Books—the stories, characters, and/or things I’ve learned are what keep me sane, entertain, and inspire me.
bullet Authors! If not for them, I wouldn’t have the above.
bullet Audiobooks and talented narrators—ditto
bullet Coffee (and other beverages both caffeinated and adult)
bullet Time to read
bullet The Nampa Public Library (and The LYNX! Consortium)
bullet Rediscovered Bookshop, Rediscovered Bookshop – Caldwell, and Libro.fm
bullet My supportive, understanding, and encouraging wife and kids. They all do a pretty decent job pretending to care when their old man drones on and on about what he’s reading or what’s going on with the blog. They’ve also done a good job on the brainstorming front lately.
bullet Again, all of you who read, follow, like, tweet, comment, email, etc. this page—you have no idea how much every little bit is appreciated.

For my fellow Americans, I hope you have a pleasant day with your friends and/or family. Non-US types, I hope you enjoy today and that you enjoy having the same pant size tomorrow as you do today.

WWW Wednesday, November 24, 2021

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On November 24, 2021

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

It’s Thanksgiving Eve, time to take a break from thinking about too much food and glance at what I’ve been up to the last week with a 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 ARC for The Twelve Monotasks: Do One Thing at a Time to Do Everything Better by Thatcher Wine and am listening to Super Powereds: Year 1 by Drew Hayes, Kyle McCarley (Narrator) on audiobook.

The Twelve MonotasksBlank SpaceSuper Powereds Year 1

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Rick Riordan’s Daughter of the Deep (which was exactly what I needed to keep me reading his stuff) and The Astonishing Mistakes of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone, Lauren Fortgang (Narrator) on audio (a different narrator for this book, and maybe a better one).

Daughter of the DeepBlank SpaceThe Astonishing Mistakes of Dahlia Moss

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle—it’s been over a decade since I’ve read Gayle, and am eager to see how he’s developed. Wrapping up my Alex Verus revisit just in time for the finale coming out in December, my next audiobook should be Forged by Benedict Jacka, Gildart Jackson (Narrator).

All the Lonely PeopleBlank SpaceForged

How are you spending this holiday week (if you’re in the U.S.)? I’m curious about the rest of the world, too, but it feels awkward to ask how you’re spending a perfectly generic week…

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Love An Update On

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On November 23, 2021

In News/Misc.

Yes, I’m posting two separate Top X Lists today—just the way it worked out. I haven’t done either a Top 5 Tuesday or a Top Ten Tuesday in a long time, but today’s prompt from both sounded fun…so, why not?)


The topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesdays is the Characters I’d Love An Update On (Where are they now that the book is over?).

This was a fun exercise, and one I could repeat—I could easily do two or three more of these.

Top Ten Characters I’d Love An Update On

In no particular order, just as they occurred to me:

10

Leroy Brown (from the Encyclopedia Brown books by Donald J. Sobol)

I’m curious what he’s like as a grown-up. What did he do with his life? Join the police, the FBI? Become a professor? Go on Jeopardy! and clean up? Go live a quiet life as an accounant somewhere and just read a lot of true-crime? Now that I’ve started thinking about it, I haven’t been able to stop. I seriously need to know this.
9

Tabitha-Ruth “Turtle” Wexler (from The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin)

We got a good look at grown-up T.R. in the closing pages of the novel, but I’d like to see more of her in action as an adult. Turtle was one of my favorite characters as a kid (and I still have a soft-spot for her), I’d love to see more of her.
8

Patrick Kenzie/Angie Gennaro (from Dennis Lehane’s series)

Yeah, it’s technically two characters. But since they were both titular protagonists, I figure they qualify as one entry (also, getting an update on one would involve an update on the other anyway). I realize that Moonlight Mile served as one given the 11 year gap between it and Prayers for Rain. But it’s been 10 years, and I’d like another update.
7

Albert (from A Key, an Egg, an Unfortunate Remark by Harry Connolly)

I don’t remember his last name and haven’t had time to look it up, his aunt’s last name was Jacobs, maybe that’s it. The novel didn’t demand a sequel—and Connolly’s flat-out said he doesn’t have one in mind—but I would enjoy one—at least a novella-length thing. I liked the guy (eventually) and am curious how things worked out for him after these events.
6

Clay Jannon (from Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan)

Really, anyone from that book, but I figure there are more stories to tell with Clay (and we spend more time with him than anyone else, so, gimme more)
5

Rae Spellman (from The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

From the instant we meet her in the first book, Rae felt like someone who could carry her own series—and she just got more interesting from there. I’d love to know what happened to her from her mid-20s on.
4

Doug Parker (from How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper)

I could probably go for an update from just about any Tropper characters (anything to get him back to novels!), but Doug’s always been my favorite and I’d like to see that life worked out for him.
3

Carol Starkey (from Demolition Angel, and then a couple of the Elvis Cole novels by Robert Crais)

It really looked like Crais was going to do something with Starkey in the Cole novels, and he either abandonded that idea or just hasn’t gotten around to following through yet. Even when she showed up in the Cole books, I thought that Crais under-used her. She deserves better.
2

Tres Navarre (from Rick Riordan’s adult series)

I don’t know that there were many more stories to tell with Tres, but I thought there was a little more gas in the tank before Riordan realized he could make a lot more money by being the USA’s answer to J. K. Rowling.
1

Jane Eyre (from, well, duh)

I’d love to see what Jane’s like given a loving and supportive environment, a mission in life, and a stable place to live—just any kind of stability in her life, really.

Top 5 Tuesday – Top 5 books I haven’t read yet in 2021

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On November 23, 2021

In Books, News/Misc.

Yes, I’m posting two separate Top X Lists today—just the way it worked out. I haven’t done either a Top 5 Tuesday or a Top Ten Tuesday in a long time, but today’s prompt from both sounded fun…so, why not?)


This week’s topic is, “What are some of the books you wanted to read this year, but just haven’t quite gotten to yet? And tell us if you think you’ll be able to cram them into your December TBR!!” There are many more than five that qualify for this list, but I think these are the five that are bugging me the most that I haven’t read yet. When 2022 starts, at least four will likely still be on this list (don’t ask me which four, though).

5 Bloody Rose
Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames

There is no good reason at all that I haven’t read this yet. None. Even if it’s not as good as Kings of the Wyld, it’s still probably better than a lot of what I have read this year—and sure to be a lot of fun regardless.
4 Return of the Paladin
Return of the Paladin by Layton Green

I really liked the first three books in The Blackwood Saga (and am pretty sure I pre-ordered this fourth book), but a full 2+ years later, haven’t managed to get around to this (nor, the fifth and final book). Shame on me.
3 AMORALMAN
AMORALMAN: A True Story and Other Lies by Derek DelGaudio

Sure, it’s not going to live up to the film version, but there’s enough different material (just based on the length of the book), that it’s going to give me something to chew on. No reason for me to have not at least started it.
2 The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas
The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, translated by Flora Thomson-DeVeaux

The age of this book is probably what’s keeping me from it, it’s been a long time since I read something new to me that’s from pre-20th Century. I’m feeling intimidated, as good as it looks. I just need to get over it.
1 The Border
The Border by Don Winslow

The Power of the Dog and The Cartel both blew me away, and I anticipated diving into The Border as soon as I could. But the size and likely emotional weight of it has kept me from even opening it. I need to get over that.

Saturday Miscellany—11/20/21

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On November 20, 2021

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

We start off with some grim stuff this week, and then transition into what feels more hodgepodge-y and eclectic than usual. Which is pretty cool. I like it when this list feels as scattered as my mind at rest. If only because it feels like it raises the chances of you (yes, you) finding something you’d like to read…

Hope you all had a good week!

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 Librarians, Educators Warn of ‘Organized’ Book Banning Efforts—(is it really an organized effort, or are people just lazily copying what they see on social media? Both?)
bullet ‘We’re Preparing For a Long Battle.’ Librarians Grapple With Conservatives’ Latest Efforts to Ban Books—you know, in case the PW piece wasn’t depressing enough.
bullet Lawmakers Expand Inquiry into Library E-book Market
bullet Spotify’s latest purchase is about becoming the place you listen to everything: Why it bought an audiobook company
bullet How the MFA swallowed literature: On the total world-domination of workshopped fiction
bullet The Strange History of the Worst Sentence in English Literature—About Bulwer-Lytton’s famous opening
bullet Speaking of sentences…Simplicity or style: what makes a sentence a masterpiece?
bullet I used to spend hours arranging my books until I realised it was a colossal waste of time and changed my ways—sure, she sounds reasonable, but…what?
bullet The 12 Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books That You, an Adult, Should Absolutely Read—there’s some good stuff on this list, but that headline makes my blood boil. Haven’t we grown past the idea that SF/F isn’t for adults yet?
bullet Getting It Wrong: How Thomas Perry Learned to Live With His Books’ Errors—this was a lot of fun
bullet The Fantastical Food of Fantasy Fiction—I’m pretty sure this is a re-run, but I don’t care. It’s worth a re-read.
bullet The tortuous literary puzzle Cain’s Jawbone has been solved for the first time since 1934—this book was recommended to me a few months back, frankly I think it’d drive me insane. Hats off to the latest victor.
bullet The #R3COMM3ND3D2021 series over at Damp Pebbles offered up another good looking batch of recommendations this week (including one that may have made my list if I’d read it by the time I wrote mine). Check out the contributions from:
bullet BookBlogger Els Ebraert
bullet BookBlogger Joanne
bullet BookBlogger Jo B
bullet BookBlogger Emily Quinn
bullet BookBlogger Yvonne – Me and My Books
bullet Emma Kuyateh – Primary Teacher Bookshelf
bullet Blogger, Reviewer, and Crime Fiction Commentator Ayo Onatade
bullet Balancing Reading For Your Blog and Other Hobbies—Am tempted to ask, “What is this Earth thing you call, ‘Balance’?”
bullet Why my reads are no longer 5 stars?—I get this…I’m not there, but I get this.

This Week's New Releases That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Dead Mercy by Noelle Holten—the latest gripping read in the the DC Maggie Jamieson series is out now. It can be read alone, too. I enthused about it recently
bullet The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman—Fahrenheit Press steps away from their particular brand of noir to put out a new edition of the holiday classic. I love that cover.

The Friday 56 for 11/19/21: Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

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On November 19, 2021

In Currently Reading, News/Misc., Quotations, The Friday 56

The Friday 56This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice.

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
The Friday 56 Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
The Friday 56 Find a snippet, short and sweet.
The Friday 56 Post it

from Page 56 of:
Daughter of the Deep

Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

The world is quiet except for the slosh of waves against the hull and my captor’s ragged breathing in my ear. It must be hard work pulling me along, using me as a human shield while swimming backward toward his pontoon. I hope he drowns.

Above us, Gem says grimly, “I’ve got the shot, sir.”

I don’t think he meant for us to hear this comment, but voices carry at sea. The idea of him firing makes my stomach twist. With the ocean swells, and the movements of the ship and my captor, it would be a tough shot even for Gem. Besides, I assume my captor still has his little hypodermic needle somewhere at hand. I hope he sticks himself with it.

“Stand down, Mr. Twain,” Hewett orders.

Really? I think. That’s all you’ve got, Hewett?

“That’s right,” my captor mocks, “stand down, Mr. Twain.”

Book Blogger Hop: Website for Tracking Books?

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On November 19, 2021

In Book Blogger Hop, Books, News/Misc.

Book Blogger Hop

 

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

Do you use Goodreads as the main website to keep track of what you have read? If not, please share what you use?

A main website? Sure, it’s the first website I used for tracking–and has stayed as my primary since then. I also use LibraryThing and StoryGraph, but I haven’t invested the time to really get into those. I should probably put a little more effort into them. Maybe if I got a follower or two there…

Wink Trust Me GIFfrom Wink GIFs

But my actual primary tracking is a Google Docs spreadsheet (because I’m too cheap to pay for Excel, and I like being able to access it anywhere, so I don’t use LibreOffice’s version). I used to use one of my own devising, but for the last two years, I’ve used the Ultimate Book Blogger / Reader Spreadsheet Template from Reader Voracious, which is much nicer than anything I’ve cooked up (and I don’t even use all the features).

What about you?

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