News/Misc. - The Irresponsible Reader

Saturday Miscellany — 6/21/14

On June 21, 2014

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:

How I Turned Neil Gaiman Into A Fictional Character For My New Novel — I kept his name out of my review, but Paul Cornell seems to be cool revealing his celebrity guest-star. This story is as good as you hope it would be.
What’s in a Book Title? — Tom Rachman talks about titling books. Not surprisingly, it’s an interesting piece.
New Publisher, Simon & Schuster — A. Lee Martinez talks about his new publisher and his new project — his first trilogy/non-stand alone. This is my excited font!
I read books. Does that make me a nerd? –a teen ponders this for the Guardian, which ties into:
This is the absolute worst way to teach your kids to read — I don’t use an app, but this is very similar to the way I get my kids to read. I’m not so sure that this piece gets it right (or that I do), but it’s something to think about. Comment away just below the picture!
11 Author Quotations to Help Reluctant Readers Find Their Way — who doesn’t enjoy quotations about reading? I love knowing I’m not alone in my obsession. These, about getting non-readers into books are really good. (no app required)
26 Of The Greatest Book Dedications You Will Ever Read — there are some really good ones here (including some from books I read and somehow managed to overlook teh dedications)
Lee Child & Jack Reacher Roast — At the RT Booklovers Convention this month, Tess Gerritsen, Alafair Burke, SJ Rozan, Kat Richardson and Duncan Munro roasted Lee Child. Haven’t watched it all yet, but it’s pretty amusing for fans of Child (and fun for fans of the authors to see them do this kind of thing)

Shattered by Kevin Hearne — The only reason I haven’t read the latest Iron Druid novel already is that UPS is taking forever to get it to me. Harry Dresden and Atticus in less than a month? (and Spenser a couple weeks before that!) It’s like Christmas, but better!
All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner — I just read the info on this one right now, and while I knew I would be reading it (Weiner’s an automatic buy for my wife, and I’ve started reading them after her) — I’m really interested in this story of addiction and struggle. Drugs + Jennifer Weiner? This could be really, really good.
Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich is out in hardcover, so I’ll get to it next year. But that means, that Takedown Twenty is out in paperback. Since I caught up with the series last year, it’s been a long time (for me) since I’ve spent time with Stephanie and the rest, has absence made my heart grow fonder?
Heirs of Grace by Tim Pratt — was originally published as a Kindle serial, now in hardcopy. Looks interesting, I’ll likely track it down.

Saturday Miscellany — 6/14/14

By HCNewton

On June 14, 2014

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:

FACEOFF: A Conversation with Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly — As part of the promotion for Faceoff, B&N interviewed two of my faves, Lehane and Connelly to talk about their Kenzie/Bosch cross-over.
13 Things J.K. Rowling Told “Nickelodeon Magazine” In 1999 — Speaking of interviews, BuzzFeed dug up this old interview with Rowling two years after the first Potter book.
Magic Systems: Urban Fantasy vs. Epic Fantasy — A panel from the 2013 Phoenix Comicon with Jim Butcher, Patrick Rothfuss, Jaye Wells, Myke Cole, Sam Sykes, and Stephen Blackmoore. Haven’t finished this yet, but there’s some good thought-provoking stuff there (if you’re into that kind of thing)
Rita Mae Brown on becoming a card carrying reader — Never read Brown (probably won’t beyond this), but I liked her thoughts on a lifetime of reading. A couple of very quote-worthy lines, there.
George R.R. Martin Has Been Sneaking Famous Names into His Books for Years — Cute little story about Easter Eggs/Hat Tips the Great Bearded Glacier’s been slipping into his work.
How A Song of Ice and Fire Stacks Up — Speaking of Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire is about 1,770,000 words long so far — 3.5 times as long as The Lord of the Rings. This infographic compares its length to some other notable works.

Shield and Crocus by Micharl R. Underwood — my pick of the week, this looks wonderful. Super-hero + epic fantasy? The mail can’t get here fast enough. Really.
California Bones by Greg Van Eekhout — I’m not sure if I’ll ever get around to reading this one, but man . . . great premise.
The Rise & Fall of Great Powers by Tom Rachman — Rachman’s first book, The Imperfectionists was great — and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he follows it up.

Saturday Miscellany — 6/7/14

By HCNewton

On June 7, 2014

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:

Against YA: Read whatever you want. But you should feel embarrassed when what you’re reading was written for children — This has been shared/RT’d/etc. a billion times the last few days, as it’s raising nothing but revolution and disdain. Why? Because it’s a pile of fetid dingo’s kidneys..
Ebooks on course to outsell printed editions in UK by 2018 — huh
Beginner’s Guide to the Best Steampunk Books — I haven’t read all of these, but this seems like a pretty good list.
‘This Is Where I Leave You’: Six movie revelations from BookCon — I’m starting to feel pretty bullish about this adaptation.
7 Habits of Highly Effective Readers — whaddyaknow? I’m Highly Effective. Good to know.
An Interview with Ace Atkins — Jack Pendarvis has a very interesting talk w/Atkins

FaceOff edited by David Baldacci — I love the idea of this. 11 short stories featuring 23 of the best Suspense/Thriller/Detective characters teaming up? Such a great idea. Patrick Kenzie vs. Harry Bosch in “Red Eye,” by Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly alone is enough to make me sign up.
Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta — for reasons good/bad/inexplicable, I’ve skipped the last few Koryta novels. This one looks like it’s enough to pull me back in.

Saturday Miscellany — 5/31/14

By HCNewton

On May 31, 2014

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:

Unseen Hitchhiker’s Guide material in new Douglas Adams biography — Excuse me, my brain is melting at the idea. Speaking of Adams/Hitchhiker’s, Towel Day was last weekend, and here are The 42 Best Lines from Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Seriesto commemorate it.
23 Creative Bookmarks To Make Sure You Pick Up Where You Left Off — Personally, strips of the bit of the Netflix envelope you tear off work fine for me, but I could go for most of these.
12 Charming Tidbits About Beverly Cleary — Not sure why Mental Floss posted this, but yeah, Charming tidbits.
10 Great Quotations from Writers about Books
Just what is lost when a book is turned into a movie?

Skin Game by Jim Butcher — I’m working on my very glowing review of the 15th installment of the Dresden Files right now.

Image credit: Grammarly

Opening Lines – Hot Lead, Cold Iron

By HCNewton

On May 28, 2014

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

We all know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover (yet, publishing companies spend big bucks on cover design/art). But, the opening sentence(s)/paragraph(s) are fair game. So, when I stumble on a good opening (or remember one and pull it off the shelves), I’ll throw it up here. Dare you not to read the rest of the book

—–

I really feel that fewer of modern society’s bits and pieces are sadder—more banal, I guess—than a big office. It’s kinda like, once mankind perfected the assembly line, there was nothing left to do but live on it. Desk after bulky desk, endless rows reaching into the distance like railroad tracks to nowhere; constant monotonous clacks and dings of typewriters and adding machines; tacky marble floors—and maybe columns, in the swankier joints—trying to echo the glories of ancient temples and libraries, and miserably failing at it. Honestly, I dunno if it’s more depressing or more boring.

Unless someone’s trying to rub you out in one of ’em. Then I’m pretty damn confident in telling you it’s a lot more depressing than it is boring.

Right that minute, I wasn’t looking at the desks, or the typewriters, or the pillars, because I was staring blearily at the growing puddle of red soaking into the piss-yellow carpet between my scuffed Oxfords. (Yeah, carpet. This was the second story, so no marble flooring here.) It wasn’t a whole lot of leakage, not yet, but the brick-fisted galoots flocking around me seemed right eager to help me add to it. We were having a friendly little get-together, me and the four of them, wherein I was helping them to relax by massaging their knuckles with my cheeks and my gut. Repeatedly; they musta been really tense. But hey, at least the coppery scent in my nose kept me from gagging on the mixed bouquet of old sweat, typewriter oil, and carpet shampoo.

from Hot Lead, Cold Iron by Ari Marmell

Saturday Miscellany — 5/24/14

By HCNewton

On May 24, 2014

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:

How to Support an Author’s New Book: 11 Ideas For You — Some great advice for those who like to help out those who bring us such pleasure. Saw a lot of writer’s pass this along this week, and I can see why.
Dear Media, Let me help you write that article on YA literature — A YA Librarian attempts to set a few facts straight about YA books. Good for readers (particularly those skeptical of YA) as well as media-types.
The Case of the Aging Sleuths and the Dying Detectives — Max Allan Collins talks about the various ways that mystery authors have dealt with their protagonist’s aging. Nice little survey that speaks to the mystery geek in me
First Page Perfection — I haven’t read the same books that James Crossley talks about here, but I fully understand the phenomenon he talks about. I expect most readers do.
What’s in a Pen Name? — title says it all
Five Fascinating Facts about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle — In honor of the 155th anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birth, here’s, well, 5 facts.
The Tufa Talk — nice little chat about a book I really enjoyed from the author and audio book narrator. (thanks, @SkyboatMedia for the head’s up on this)
‘Cheap Shot’ Brings Sports To Spenser Revival — will hopefully get my review of the new Spenser up next week, Spoiler: Loved it. This is a nice look at the book and Atkins.
Patrick Rothfuss Reviews Butcher’s Skin Game — a rave review from Rothfuss is a joy to read, this is no exception. I don’t need anything to make me want to read Skin Game, but I’ll take it.

The Severed Streets by Paul Cornell — I’ve been really looking forward to this follow-up to the dark Urban Fantasy/Police Procedural London Falling
Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary by J.R.R. Tolkien — Tolkien’s take on the classic, 88 years after he finished it. Who wouldn’t want to read this? Here’s a bit more on it.
Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl — Honestly, I could live without returning to the Beautiful Creatures world. Still, Link and Ridley? Tempting . . . .
Temporary Hauntings by Craig Shaw Gardner — it’s been ages since I read a Craig Shaw Gardner book, but he’s always been a sure-fire pleaser. The Temporary Magic series looks fun.
V is for Villain by Peter Moore (not Sue Grafton, really.) — Looks to be a fun YA super-hero thing. /li>

Saturday Miscellany — 5/17/14

By HCNewton

On May 17, 2014

In Anton Strout, Books, Jim Butcher, 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:

Booktalk Nation Interview with Jim Butcher — UF author Anton Strout interviews Butcher. Good stuff.
Books for Book Fans — Barnes & Noble’s blog lists a handful of books for book lovers. I’ve read half the list, and will probably get to the rest of it soon.

Hot Lead, Cold Iron by Ari Marmell — Prohibition-era Urban Fantasy. ‘Nuff said.

Saturday Miscellany — 5/10/14

By HCNewton

On May 10, 2014

In Books, Harry Dresden, Jim Butcher, News/Misc., Robert B. Parker, Spenser

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

Skin Game Book Trailer — io9 premiered this yesterday. Not that I needed the encouragement to buy the next Dresden Files, but it whet my appetite just a little more.
Close-reading Jennifer Weiner: Let’s give the best-selling author the serious, critical read she demands — I’d quibble with some of what’s said here — more than some, probably. And I think this writer has some sort of chip on her shoulder. Still, Weiner wants people to write about her work this way, this is a good start.
10 Words Every Book Lover Should Know — yeah, a few of these apply to me.
What Your Reading Rules Reveal About Your Personality — fun little piece from BookRiot
Looking For a Light at the End of GrimDark? Check Out These 13 Life-Affirming Fantasies — Leah Schnelbach gives a nice reminder that not every fantasy has to read like something from George R. R. Martin or Joe Abercrombie (nothing against them, I assure you)

Robert B. Parker’s Cheap Shot by Ace Atkins — Atkins’ 3^rd outing at the helm of this series, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Sadly, couldn’t find time this week. Another week will not pass without that being fixed. Read a little Q&A about the book.

Tuesday Miscellany — 4/22/14

By HCNewton

On April 22, 2014

In Books, News/Misc.

Remember me? Sorry this page hasn’t been updated in forever, I’m really frustrated that things have gotten so hectic (beyond hectic) that I haven’t been able to write practically anything. It’s worse than that, actually, I’m down to about a novel a week for the last month and a half or so. Still no time to write anything, but I figure at least I can dump a bunch of miscellany links and whatnot.

I have to start with this one: On Becoming 1/3 of Robert B. Parker — I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve been disappointed (to put it mildly) with Michael Brandman‘s efforts taking the helm of the Jesse Stone books — as much as I’ve appreciated his work on the movies. I’ve only read Coleman’s piece in the In Pursuit of Spenser book — and about 1/3 of Walking the Perfect Square so far — but I’ve got a really good feeling about this.
Speaking of Robert B. Parker, here’s a nice lil’ piece, A Conversation with Ace Atkins
How you help authors the most — Kevin Hearne answers a question I’ve always wondered: what’s the best way to get your book buying dollars to help an author?
Brad Parks, who’s becoming one of the more reliable mystery writers around, recently paid tribute to Sue Grafton at a mystery convention. Watch his Alphabet Sue
Retaining the Look of a Series — I thought this blog post from Strange Chemistry about the design of covers for a series was quite fascinating.
The genre debate: Science fiction travels farther than literary fiction — The Guardian gives us yet another defense of SF/F’s ability to do what “literary” fiction cannot
On the lighter side, a nice little Buzzfeed post: 33 Reasons Why You’re Addicted To Books
and lastly, I second everything here: A Few Things I’ve Learned As An Avid Reader

The Dragon Business by Kevin J. Anderson — looks like fun
Attack The Geek: A Ree Reyes Side-Quest by Michael R. Underwood — One of the most fun Urban Fantasy series around gets a new entry. Yah-hoo!
The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham — The first in a hopefully very long Veronica Mars series. Not as good as I hoped, but fun enough to keep me wanting more. I’ll try to write more soon.
Heaven’s Queen by Rachel Bach — The Paradox series ends here. Can’t wait.
Dawn’s Early Light by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris — The third Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novel. Should be fun.

Saturday Miscellany — 3/29/14

By HCNewton

On March 29, 2014

In Books, Fantasy, News/Misc.

No, I haven’t abandoned blog. Things are a little busy at Irresponsible HQ, I’m juggling a little more than usual lately, and sadly, the ball that keeps getting dropped is this one. I’m working on it. I do have a handful of things I wanted to post here, but no time. But this link, this story? Had to take a moment and do my part to boost the signal. (not that my bit is needed or will be noticed)

The Slow Regard of Silent Things: A Kingkiller Chronicle Novella — I have pretty iron-clad plans for Nov. 4^th now, and it wouldn’t behoove anyone to interfere.

Category: News/Misc. Page 218 of 229