Category: News/Misc. Page 196 of 242

Saturday Miscellany — 1/6/18

By

On January 6, 2018

In Books, News/Misc.

Odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

    This Week’s New Releases I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:

  • The Bomb Maker by Thomas Perry — a great looking thriller about a bomb maker targeting bomb technicians.
  • The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce — is on the other end of the spectrum — a sweet looking story about music, love and healing.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and welcome to Thomas Neil, JW Bowe, Mar G.-Amorena and Wolfe Butler for following the blog this week.

My Favorite 2017 Non-Fiction Reads

By

On January 3, 2018

In (Auto)Biography, History, News/Misc.

Like every single year, I didn’t read as much Non-Fiction as I meant to — but I did read a decent amount. These are the best of the bunch.

(in alphabetical order by author)

Luck Favors the PreparedLuck Favors the Prepared

by Nathaniel Barber

My original post
Nathaniel Barber has a real gift at taking embarrassing (mortifying?), frustrating, and/or inexplicable episodes from his life and turning them into amusing tales. Some of the best descriptive passages I read this year — no matter the genre. I won’t promise you’ll like every story in this collection of short autobiographical pieces, but you’ll like most of ’em — and you will find something in the rest to appreciate. Fun, heartwarming, and disturbing — sometimes all at once.

4 Stars

How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at OddsHow to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds

by Alan Jacobs
My original post

As Carl Trueman asked Jacobs, how do you give this book to someone with that title? It’s a shame you can’t give it as a gift without implicitly insulting someone, because this needs to be given to everyone you know — especially everyone who spends any time online. Entertaining, convicting, convincing, challenging. This is as close to a must read as I came across last year (maybe in the last two).

4 Stars

Reacher Said NothingReacher Said Nothing: Lee Child and the Making of Make Me

by Andy Martin

You know how many times I’ve tried to write about this book? I read it back in January and am still enthused about it. Part literary criticism, part author biography, part fan letter — Martin follows Lee Child through the writing of Make Me, and delivers one of the most enjoyable reads from last year — easy. It’s like the one of your favorite DVDs with a fantastic set of commentaries and special features, but somehow better (for one thing, it’s not like Martin’s drowning out the best scenes with his blather). It reminds me of talking about Child/Reacher with a good friend (which I do pretty frequently) — but Martin’s more erudite than either of us. Just so much fun.

5 Stars

Henry: A Polish Swimmer's True Story of Friendship from Auschwitz to AmericaHenry: A Polish Swimmer’s True Story of Friendship from Auschwitz to America

by Katrina Shawver
My original post

Unlike the Jacobs book, I do know how to give this to people — and I have. The writing could be sharper — but the story? It’ll reshape the way you think about the Holocaust — not by lessening the horror, but by broadening your view. This story of survival is one that will stay with you.

4 Stars

2017 Best Children’s/Picture Books

By

On January 2, 2018

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

I’m not sure why people started sending me Children’s/Picture books. I’m fine with it, don’t get me wrong, I honestly enjoy them — I just don’t understand why people started sending them to me. But I’ll gladly read any sent my way. There was enough diversity in the one’s I received this year that I wanted to highlight those I enjoyed the most. If people are putting out material like this, I think it gives hopes that little kids will be turned on to books the way I was as a toddler.

(in alphabetical order by author)

Snobbity SnowmanSnobbity Snowman

by Maria Bardyukova, Quiet Riley, Jr.
My original post

Fun art work. Some fantastic use of language (especially when read aloud). A nice little story with a good moral. Ticks off every box.
4 Stars

Henry and the Hidden TreasureHenry and the Hidden Treasure

by B.C.R. Fegan, Lenny Wen (Illustrator)
My original post

Was honestly tempted to put this on my 2018 Best Fiction list — I really loved this one, and wish I knew a kid to buy it for. Great imagination that will likely inspire someone else’s.
4 Stars

The Day My Fart Followed Me To HockeyThe Day My Fart Followed Me To Hockey

by Sam Lawrence & Ben Jackson, Danko Herrera (Illustrator)
My original post

Anthropomorphic flatulence — what little kid isn’t going to pay attention to this? Adorable art, cute story.
3 Stars

Looking back at 2017 for Books and the Blog

By

On January 1, 2018

In Calendar Items, News/Misc.

As we kick off 2018, I wanted to take a glance back at 2017. 260 books read — I exceeded my goal (nothing like exceeding an arbitrary number to boost the ol’ ego), 395 posts (short of my goal by a couple hundred, and worse — almost 50 fewer than 2015!). I had some strong gains in traffic — views and visitors — and I’m also seeing good growth in followers here and on various social media fronts, which is encouraging as all get out.

So here’s my breakdown of books by genre, like the one I did last year. Genre labeling is more difficult this year, I read a lot of hybrids, but I tend to go with the overarching genre (for example, Artemis is a SF and Crime hybrid, I went with SF). Mystery/Suspense/Thriller is back to where it should be. SF and Fantasy took the hit to make up for that. it’s been forever since I’ve read a Western, I guess (at least one that wasn’t a hybrid with Urban Fantasy or SF or something). Theological books went down in actual numbers, not just percent — but I read some big, technical stuff this year that took a lot more time/energy to read, so I’m not too bothered by that. Still, for someone who doesn’t plan too thoroughly, the percentages stay remarkably the same from year to year — tastes (and series I follow) apparently stay the same.

Genre 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Children’s 7 (3%) 5 (2%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%)
Fantasy 7 (3%) 31 (13%) 17 (9%) 11 (7%) 15 (8%) 12 (6%)
General Fiction/
Literature		 29 (10%) 27 (11%) 17 (9%) 7 (4%) 30 (16%) 30 (14%)
Horror 0 (0%) 1 (.4%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%)
Humor 1 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (1%) 3 (2%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%)
Mystery/
Suspense/
Thriller		 102 (37%) 61 (25%) 64 (34%) 62 (37%) 63 (33%) 73 (35%)
Non-Fiction 10 (4%) 11 (5%) 8 (4%) 4 (2%) 2 (1%) 11 (5%)
Science Fiction 27 (10%) 37 (15%) 16 (8%) 17 (10%) 14 (7%) 11 (5%)
Steampunk 1 (0%) 2 (1%) 7 (4%) 3 (2%) 3 (2%) 11 (5%)
Theology/
Christian Living		 30 (11%) 33 (14%) 42 (22%) 42 (25%) 37 (19%) 10 (5%)
Urban Fantasy 45 (16%) 36 (15%) 19 (10%) 20 (12%) 26 (14%) 48 (23%)
Western 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (0%)

Have a great 2018, hope you find plenty of good things to read!

December 2017 Report

By

On January 1, 2018

In Books, Calendar Items, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

So, here’s what happened here in December, 2017. Good way (generally speaking) to end the year! (I’ll get to the 2017 as a whole thing later today, I hope)

Books/Novels/Novellas Read/Listened to:

Talking to the Dead (Audiobook) Briefly Maiden The Squirrel on the Train (Audiobook)
4 Stars 5 Stars 4 1/2 Stars
Death is Not the End The Intern's Handbook (Audiobook) The Cult of Unicorns
3 Stars 4 Stars 3.5 Stars
Closer Than You Know A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament: The Gospel Realized Between Wittenberg and Geneva
4 1/2 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars
Elephant Wind Tummy Rumble Quake Set in Darkness
3 Stars 3 Stars 4 Stars
Life and Death Behind the Brick and Razor: Code Red Diamond Dead Beat (Audiobook) Mink Eyes
3 Stars 5 Stars 3 Stars
Turbo Twenty-Three The Blackhouse The Twisted Path
3 Stars 3.5 Stars 4 1/2 Stars
Snobbity Snowman Mechanical Failure (Audiobook) The Questionable Behavior of Dahlia Moss
4 Stars 4 Stars 4 Stars
Knowing And Growing in Assurance of Faith The Crossing It's Kind of a Funny Story (Audiobook)
4 1/2 Stars 4 Stars 3.5 Stars
Rivers of London: Detective Stories The Wanted Promised Land (Audiobook)
3.5 Stars 4 1/2 Stars 4 Stars
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Audiobook) A Plague of Giants Didn’t Get Frazzled
5 Stars 5 Stars 3 Stars
O Death, Where is Thy Sting?            
5 Stars            

Still Reading:

Nothin’, nada, zip, zilch . . . been awhile since I’ve done that!

Reviews Posted:

How was your month?

While I Was Reading 2018 Challenge

By

On December 30, 2017

In Books, News/Misc., While I Was Reading 2018 Challenge

All right . . . one more.

The blog While I Was Reading (great name, btw), is running a challenge this year, here are the categories:

  • Read a book that takes place in one day.
  • Read a memoir or biography of a musician you like.
  • Read a collection of poetry.
  • Read an audio book with multiple narrators.
  • Read a self published book.
  • Read a book you received as a gift.
  • Read a book about a historical event you’re interested in (fiction or non).
  • Read a book written by an author from the state where you grew up.
  • Read a book recommended by one of your parents (in-laws count).
  • Read a book with your favorite food in the title.
  • Read a book with a child narrator.
  • Read a book you chose based on the cover.

Details/sign up/etc. are here at this page.

I’ll be tracking my reads here or you can see the posts about the books here.

2018 Reading Challenge: Indie-Fever!

By

On December 30, 2017

In 2018 Indie-Fever Challenge, Books, News/Misc.

One more 2018 Reading Challenge: Indie-Fever!


(text stolen from the sign-up page)

‘Read & Review as many Indie Books as you can!’

Points to Know:
1. Read and Review as many Indie (Self Published) Books as possible during this year.
2. You do not have to be a blogger to participate. However, you have to post a review on some site in order to participate. It can be on Goodreads and/or Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble and/or Smashwords.
3. If you are a blogger link up your permalink to the review posts. If you aren’t a blogger, then link up the permalink to your reviews from whichever site you have chosen to post the review on.
4. The books can overlap with other reading challenges.
5. Books read may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
6. Post your links to your reviews each month to share with other participants.
7. The challenge runs from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Its never too late to Join In!

Sign Up Here. I’m at least going for the Amateur level, maybe the Lover.

I’ll be tracking my reads here or you can see the posts about the books here.

2018 Reading Challenge: First-Reads!

By

On December 30, 2017

In 2018 First Reads Challenge, Books, News/Misc.

Okay, I decided to up by Reading Challenge Game in 2018.

The next one I’m talking about is one I’m really looking forward to tackling.

(text stolen from the sign-up page)
Do you remember the feeling when you read the first book by your favourite author? Yes well, its for that feeling that I have come up with this challenge. Also, there was a time when I would only stick to the books written by authors I had previously read and enjoyed. But soon I realised that I was missing out on a lot other books. So, readers & bloggers, come together to this challenge that will make you pick up books by authors that you haven’t read before! You never know, you just might find another author to love and follow.

Points to Know:
1. Read & Review as many books as possible, by authors that YOU haven’t read before.
2. You do not have to be a blogger to participate. However, you have to post a review on some site in order to participate. It can be on Goodreads and/or Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble and/or Smashwords.
3. If you are a blogger link up your permalink to the review posts. If you aren’t a blogger, then link up the permalink to your reviews from whichever site you have chosen to post the review on.
4. The books can overlap with other reading challenges.
5. Books read may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
6. Post your links to your reviews each month to share with other participants.
7. The challenge runs from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Its never too late to Join In!

Sign Up Here. I’m at least going for the Lover level, maybe the Expert.

I’ll be tracking my reads here or you can see the posts about the books here.

Saturday Miscellany – 12/30/17

By

On December 30, 2017

In Books, News/Misc.

Odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

    A Book-ish Related Podcast Episode you might want to give a listen:

  • The Liars Club Oddcast # 048 — The Liars Club interview Robert Crais about his background and career.

    This Week’s New Releases I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:

  • The Wanted by Robert Crais — the newest Elvis Cole novel is out! Which I clearly dug.
  • Operation: Endgame by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris — the final adventure in the rollicking Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series. Gonna miss this one.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and welcome to netbij (but, dude, that website is impossible to read).

2018 Library Love Challenge

By

On December 27, 2017

In 2017 Library Love Challenge, 2018 Library Love Challenge, Books, News/Misc.

I didn’t do any real challenges this year — other than simply “read as much and as widely as you can” (not sure everyone would agree with my definition of widely — including me) — with one exception: the 2017 Library Love Challenge. Which is basically taking my approach to reading but limiting it to one source: the public Library. I really don’t spend as much time at the Nampa Public Library as I used to — but I still depend on them as a source for books and inspiration. Still, 41 of the books I read this year came from there (more, really, but I didn’t track audiobook sources for some reason).

There’s a nice Goodreads group for this challenge. too. It’s a great source of encouragement — although it could be larger.

Anyway, I liked doing it enough that I’m signing up for 2018, too. You should give it a shot, too. Here’s the info that I blatantly copied from Angel’s Guilty Pleasures:

I hope you will join use in celebrating and support libraries.

If you are like use then you like to purchase every book you want to read. And, well that can put a hurt on your wallet. One way to help lessen the hurt is to check out books (prints, ebooks, or audios) from the library. If you do this then it will help save you LOTS of money $$.

Getting a library card in most places is FREE. So, if you love to read and/or listen to books then grab your library card and join the challenge.

Details:

Runs: January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018. You can join any time.

  • Put a sign up post on your blog or (dedicate a Goodreads shelf or LibraryThing) and link it below. Make sure it’s public.
  • The goal is to read at least twelve (12) books from the library, but you can read more. While twelve is the minimum, there is no maximum limit. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you.
  • Any format will work for this challenge (prints, ebooks, or audios); as long as you checked it out from the library, it counts.
  • Books can be any genre (fiction, nonfiction, romance, fantasy, mystery, thriller, horror, etc.).
  • Crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed, including re-reads. The goal is to support your local library and save money.
  • Write a review to enter the giveaway – 2 sentences or an essay, whatever works for you, but there is a minimum of 2 sentences. Not sure what to write? How about something like, “The plot was a delight, but the characters didn’t capture me.” “I enjoyed the story and really liked the characters.”
  • As an added bonus: We are offering up a GIVEAWAY with this Challenge. Winner will be picked at the end of the year!! The entries are the direct links to your book reviews and you will have until Jan. 3rd, 2019 to enter your reviews in the linky and then the Rafflecopter. Go here to enter the giveaway: 2018 Library Love Challenge Review Link-ups.

 

Levels:

  • Dewey Decimal: Read 12 books
  • Thrifty Reader: Read 24 books
  • Overdrive Junkie: Read 36 books
  • Library Addict: Read 48 books
  • Library Card on Fire: Read 60+ books

 

Head on over to Angel’s Guilty Pleasures or Brooke Blogs to sign up!

I’ll be tracking my reads here or you can see the posts about the books here.

Page 196 of 242

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén