Category: News/Misc. Page 207 of 242

Saturday Miscellany – 12/10/16

On December 10, 2016

Ugh, this has just been a bad week for me keeping things up here — and I’m not sure why, hopefully things will be better this week. By the way, I’m trying the Litsy thing for those who want to see me there — especially those who are fed up with a site that will go unnamed, but rhymes with LookBikes. Look me up by the username IrresponsibleReader.

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:

Are small publishers doing all the hard work for the big ones? — Interesting.
California Today: Booksellers See a Threat in New Law — this is the third time I’ve mentioned this since September (or so I think), why do I keep talking about it? Because too often what starts as lunacy there, becomes policy everywhere.
When You Get to the End of Your Reading List — A struggle I won’t be sharing any time soon — but a nice essay (and nice mention of Tiffany McDaniel’s The Summer that Melted Everything)
Interview: Alex Bledsoe
Tor.com Reviewers’ Choice: The Best Books of 2016 — so much TBR fodder.
11 Fictional Heroes And Heroines Who Are Actually Terrible People — some of these entries are more amusing than defensible. But amusing works for me.

duskrider3740

Shitijsharma

Accomplished 2016 Poetry Collection

By HCNewton

On December 5, 2016

In Books, News/Misc., Writing

If I may, I’d like to take a moment of Parental Privilege. (and I guess I may, this is my site, right?)

Last week, we received a hot-off-the-press copy of Accomplished, a compilation of poems publised by teh American Library of Poetry.

It’s a collection of a few hundred poems by students from across the country, submitted to a poetry competition. My daughter has a poem in it — not one of the winners, but one of those selected for publication (which is good enough). She’s dabbled in writing here and there — sometimes more than dabbled. She’s won the NaNoWriMo Young Writer’s Program once, and competed a few times; done some writing workshops and whatnot — but this is the first publication. I couldn’t be prouder. Hopefully, there’ll be more.

No, I won’t be reviewing the collection — just too much poetry. And no, I won’t be reviewing my daughter’s piece — for one thing, the disclaimer I’d have to include would be too long to read; also, I’m not sure that I’m smart enough to get the whole thing she was doing. I will say there were some pretty good poems in there (even from the younger grades) — I didn’t read the whole thing, but I did (and will) sample widely. Sure, there are some “eh” ones, too — but you can see why these made the cut.

Anyway, just wanted to publicly tell my gal that she made her old man proud.

Saturday Miscellany – 12/3/16

By HCNewton

On December 3, 2016

In Books, News/Misc.

Whoops, been silent here for a couple of days and then this thing goes up more than 12 hours late — no, I haven’t abandoned this blog. Just didn’t have a lot of time near my keyboard. Anyway…here are the 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:

Anti-racist novel To Kill A Mockingbird and children’s classic Huckleberry Finn are withdrawn from Virginia schools after a parent complains that they contain racial slurs — that’s a really long headline that sums it up pretty well. David Simon’s comment is dead on: ” We are going backwards”
Bad sex award goes to Italian novelist Erri De Luca — Read on at your own peril — not just for the sex-talk, but man…bad writing. I usually look at the short-list for this award anyway, but having the guys at Two Crime Writers and a Microphone read selections just underlined how bad these were. De Luca deserves this award.
Speaking of TCWaaM, they talked about this on the most recent episode: A Jane Austen Row Erupts in Britain — good grief.
Reading Blind is Best: One author on why you should avoid reading the flap copy. — there’s much to be said for this
Another week, another list: The best crime books and thrillers of 2016 — from The Guardian. Looks like a good list.

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham — I liked her semi-autobiographical novel a couple of years ago, I expect I’ll enjoy this volume, too.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and welcome to amecipraba, Larissa N. Takahassi, julianrichmonds, Manuel Antao, BrokenTune for following the blog this week.

November 2016 Report

By HCNewton

On December 1, 2016

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

So, here’s what happened here in November, 2016.

Wait, what? It’s December?!?!

Books/Novels/Novellas Read/Listened to:

Still Reading:

Fewer books than I would’ve thought — and a greater variety in ratings than I’ve used (needed) lately.

Reviews Posted:

Hamby and the Blood Diamond by Kathy Cyr
The Operator by Kim Harrison
The Lost Child of Lychford by Paul Cornell
Cyber World by Jason Heller and Joshua Viola, eds.
Cyber World: Soundtrack of Humanity’s Tomorrow
The Breedling and The City in the Garden by Kimberlee Ann Bastian
Reservations by Richard Paolinelli
The Chemist by Alan J. Field
Washed Hands by Jonathan Charles Bruce
Off to be the Wizard (Audiobook) by Scott Meyer, Luke Daniels
The Last Star by Rick Yancey
Midnight Riot (Audiobook) by Ben Aaronovitch, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
Body Work by Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel, Lee Sullivan
The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch
The Golden Spider by Anne Renwick
The Patriots of Mars by Jeff Faria
Every Heart a Doorway (Audiobook) by Seanan McGuire, Cynthia Hopkins
Eleanor & Park (Audiobook) by Rainbow Rowell, Rebecca Lowman, Sunil Malhotra
Chapel of Ease by Alex Bledsoe
Tricked (Audiobook) by Kevin Hearne, Luke Daniels
Trapped (Audiobook) by Kevin Hearne, Luke Daniels
Hunted (Audiobook) by Kevin Hearne, Luke Daniels
INVIVO by Robert A. Brown
All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai
The Last Dream Keeper by Amber Benson
Titanborn by Rhett C. Bruno

How was your month?

Two Crime Writers and a Microphone

By HCNewton

On November 28, 2016

In News/Misc.

A few weeks back I got a notification or two (don’t ask me from where) on Twitter that a new crime fiction podcast was on the horizon from Steve Cavanagh & Luca Veste, who are (apparently) a couple of writers. Sure, I’d never heard of them, but that only means I’m ill-informed (particularly when it comes to crime writers from Liverpool, Belfast, etc.). But I’ve been looking for another crime fiction podcast for a while, so I thought I’d give it a chance when they got around to posting episodes. If nothing else, the title Two Crime Writers and a Microphone was catchy.

I am so, so glad I did — this is probably my favorite podcast of the moment — it’s truly the most laugh-inducing (which says something, since I listen to a few hosted by stand-up comics). Each week they talk a little about the news in publishing (and sometimes outside of it), talk to a book reviewer about a couple of hot titles, interview a crime writer and then leave off with a couple of recommended reads. It’s clear that these two guys are fans of the genre they work in and know what they’re talking about, they enjoy the topic and their guests. Their taste seems fairly impeccable (which roughly translates into at least one of them seems to like the things I like). The guests so far — reviewers and writers alike — have been entertaining and informative.

My one complaint is that I can’t find show notes that list the titles they talk about in each episode — I don’t listen anywhere I can take notes and my short-term memory can’t keep up with the number of books they talk about. I’ve managed to add a couple of titles to by TBR list (including books from the hosts), but I know I’ve missed a few.

The theme and interstitial music was composed and performed by Stuart Neville, a crime writer himself they interviewed a couple of weeks ago. It’s probably the best theme music I’ve heard in ages (TV, movie, or podcast) — probably since that track they use for Bosch. It’s worth trying this podcast just for the music.

It’s available via iTunes or your preferred podcast application. It’s well worth your time and whatever effort you have to put into finding it. I doubt you’ll enjoy listening to it as much as they seem to have making it (I don’t think anyone could), but you’ll come close.

Saturday Miscellany – 11/26/16

By HCNewton

On November 26, 2016

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:

Most Independent Book Stores are small businesses. It’s Small Business Saturday — do the math
So You Want to Read Urban Fantasy: Here’s Where to Start — Shawn Speakman offers some good (not perfect) advice
10 of This Year’s Finest Criminous Tales — From Kirkus Reviews
10 Literary Fan Theories That Will Have You Seriously Questioning Everything You’ve Ever Read

The Operator by Kim Harrison — if there’s a version of Earth in the Multiverse where this blog is a force in publishing, Harrison’s Peri Reed Chronicles is a best-selling juggernaut (hopefully, it’s neither the one that Walter-nate or Dr. Zoom is from). Anyway, book 2 is out now, and you should read it.
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher — I’m not sure I need another memoir from Fisher after Wishful Drinking, but then again — why not? I’ve also read most of her novels — Fisher’s a far better writer than an actress, and is one of the funniest authors around. I have no idea what she’ll say in this one beyond the Harrison Ford stuff, but it’ll provoke more than a few laughs.

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and welcome to annmariemcqueen1.

Thanksgiving 2016

By HCNewton

On November 24, 2016

In Calendar Items, News/Misc.

Happy Thanksgiving/Turkey Day/Thursday

(depending on your location/preference)

When I think about all the great things that have happened around the blog and behind the scenes this year leaves me at a loss for words, let me list a few things I’m thankful for — a very incomplete list, I assure you:

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 (seriously, Jo Perry and Darrell Drake have done almost as much to advertise my work as I have).
Books
Authors!
Books
Coffee (and other beverages both caffeinated and adult)
Books
Time to read
Books
Goodreads, WordPress, BookLikes
Books
Evernote
Books
Authors!
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.

Saturday Miscellany – 11/19/19

By HCNewton

On November 19, 2016

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:

Worldbuilders 2016 — Patrick Rothfuss announces the beginning of his annual fundraiser for Heifer International.
You can’t judge a book by its cover – if you’re a robot — The Guardian has a less optimistic take on the algorithm than we saw last week.
Michael Chabon Is An Underdog On Top Of The World — Chabon is one of those writers whose work fascinates me — I either love the book, or can’t force myself to get to page 50. As a person, he’s about as interesting as the best of his writing.
Jeff Kinney: ‘I bought a typewriter to try to beat back the distractions of the internet. That lasted about 20 minutes’ — Kinney writes about his process.
The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of 2016 — It’s that time of year, apparently. B&N’s SFF blog puts out their year’s best lsit.
Tom Gauld on literature as the new rock and roll

Damning Words: The Life and Religious Times of H. L. Mencken by D. G. Hart — heard about this a couple of days ago, but should’ve mentioned it last week — Hart’s a long-time admirer (well, appreciator) of Mencken, this book is sure to be a provocative (and good) read.
Extreme Makeover by Dan Wells — a satire about a health and beauty company that makes the ultimate beauty product, or the ultimate weapon.
Good Behavior by Blake Crouch — the collected adventures of Letty Dobesh were a pretty fun read. (not that anyone asked, but I liked the first episode)

Then Tweets My Soul: The Best of the Church Curmudgeon by David Regier — should elicit a few chuckles

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and welcome to resterrestern (a very thought-provoking blogger) and juliahuynhs (a blog that makes me think of leaving my Hobbit-hole) for following the blog this week.

Introducing Inkitt’s iOS app

By HCNewton

On November 16, 2016

In Books, News/Misc.

A couple of months ago, I was emailed by someone from a publishing company called Inkitt — never heard of them before, but the book they gave me was pretty cool, and I made a note to keep my eye out for more by them. They describe themselves as:

a platform where budding writers can share their novels and inquisitive readers can unearth fresh content. But under the hood, we are democratizing publishing: Inkitt is built on an algorithm which analyzes reading patterns to predict future bestsellers. Using this unique data- and readers-driven approach to uncover highly addictive stories, Inkitt’s goal is to remove the middle person so that a blockbuster book is never rejected by a publishing house again. In other words, if readers love it, Inkitt publishes it.

I kinda dig the idea — I’m not sure it’ll give us the highest quality books, but it should give us some entertaining reads.

Their next step? Launching an app — today, I should stress — for iPhones, iPads, etc. (the Android version is coming soon, I’m assured, so I can use it). Check out this video…

Introducing Inkitt for iOS: Read great novels by up-and-coming authors on your iPhone and iPad from Inkitt – The Hipster’s Library on Vimeo.

In less than 2 years, Inkitt has attracted over 700,000 unique readers: the iOS app will give book lovers and publishers greater access to Inkitt’s digital library of over 80,000 stories by up-and-coming authors.

“As more people read digitally we want to make it easier and faster for people to access great literature wherever they are, whether on the go or relaxing at home,” says Inkitt’s Founder and CEO, Ali Albazaz. “Inkitt’s iOS app will better enable emerging authors to share their work with test readership groups and give readers globally the opportunity to turn the page on one of the world’s next best sellers.”

Key features include:

Access to 80,000 stories in every genre: fantasy, sci-fi, romance, thriller, horror, adventure, action and more
Personalized suggestions: hand-picked novels based on reader’s preferences
App customization according to user preferences (e.g. font size, colors)
Online/Offline: readers can save novels to their offline library to access them without an internet connection

It looks like a pretty cool app — I will be grabbing the Android version ASAP (and probably mentioning it here). Give it a go.

Oh, before I forget, here’s some screenshote of the app. But first, one more time, here’s the download link: https://inkitt.app.link/reading-app-iphone-ipad

(parts of this post were cannibalized from a press release from Inkitt — hope they don’t mind too much, but they said it better than I could paraphrase)

Update on my Kindle

By HCNewton

On November 14, 2016

In News/Misc.

I’ve had a few people ask about the status of my Kindle after my post last week. Thanks, by the way, it warms the cockles of my heart to know you all care 🙂

Well, the news isn’t good. Here, let me just post a snippet from the chat support transcript:

Very Polite Tech Support Rep: I’ve checked this for you and I believe your device had experienced a hardware problem that couldn’t be resolved by software troubleshooting. At this point, it would be best to request a replacement Kindle for you. . . . I checked that your Kindle is no longer in warranty. . .

The Irresponsible Reader: rats. That’s what I feared.

Very Polite Tech Support Rep: I understand your concern. If I would be on your side then the disappointment will be obvious.

Now, I don’t post that to make fun of the guy’s English — I’d hate to try to give chat support to anyone period. But throw in trying to talk to a ticked-off customer (I’m assuming the super-majority are ticked off) in another language? Fuhgeddaboudit. Guy probably doesn’t make enough money.

Mostly, I posted it because I actually liked that phrase, “the disappointment will be obvious.” I’m going to try to work that into my everyday use.

Not sure what I’m going to do at this point — I’m not crazy about reading that much on my phone, but I’ve got an option or two. Soon, I trust, I’ll have a solution and my lack of disappointment will be obvious.