News/Misc. - The Irresponsible Reader

Saturday Miscellany – 8/3

On August 3, 2013

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:

Why I Love YA Books as a Grown Adult by Aubry Parks-Fried — Title pretty much says it all. Good list.
“And the Moral of the Story Is…”: 30 One-Sentence Lessons from Literature — an amusing collection.
July 30, 1935: Penguins Invade Britain, Readers Rejoice — a brief history of Penguin Paperbacks from Wired Magazine.

Kitty in the Underworld by Carrie Vaughn

— Kitty’s series is one of the first Urban Fantasy series I read, and remains one of my favorites. This is an auto-buy. I don’t even bother to check the titles or book description, just see a new publication date and buy it.

The Darwin Elevator by Jason M. Hough

— I’ve heard nothing but praise for this one, really looking forward to it

Three by Jay Posey

— can’t remember how this got on my radar, but it looks really good

Saturday Miscellany – 7/27

By HCNewton

On July 27, 2013

In News/Misc.

A veritable bumper crop of 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 Primer To Finding A Good Read — Some interesting suggestions here, but I’m not sure I buy the whole thing
E-Book vs. P-Book — Yet one more article discussing the travails (and hopes) of Barns & Noble, and what it says/means for the whole e-book and/or dead-tree book thing.
What Are Grown-Ups Afraid of in YA Books? — title says it all, really.
What Kind Of Reader Are You? — a nifty infographic
Book-Inspired Ice Cream flavors — perfect for indulging your sweet tooth while feeling literary
There Will Always Be a Place for Great Bookstores — One can hope
Dress made from a book — such a waste (but what a great idea)
Placing Literature: Where Your Book Meets the Map — ooooh, I could spend/waste/kill a lot of time here.

Everyday Paleo Around the World: Italian Cuisine: Authentic Recipes Made Gluten-Free by Sarah Fragoso

Saturday Miscellany – 7/20

By HCNewton

On July 20, 2013

In Books, DVD/Movie, Elvis Cole/Joe Pike, Fantasy, Fiction, News/Misc., Robert Crais, Writing, YA/MG/Children's Books

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:

11 Weird Books That Really Exist — Mental Floss’ title for this really undersells it
5 unconventional ways to become a better writer (hint, it’s about being a better reader) — Sure, this isn’t a writing blog (tho’ we’re generally pro-writing, it’s how we get books, right?), but the tips on reading better are at least worth a read (h/t: Lifehacker)
25 Things To Know About Your Story’s Stakes — Speaking of writing, these tips on craft are helpful to use while evaluating books. Why do some plots/books work better than others? So often it comes down to stakes.
Joe Abercrombie to write HarperCollins trilogy — Abercrombie for younger readers? Yes, please. Heck, I’d take Abercrombie board books.
Robert Crais at Mysterious Galaxy — announces next book will have Elvis, Joe, Maggie and Scott. I assumed this would happen, I just figured we’d have to wait a few years. But Santa came early! Is it too much to hope that Carol’s in it, too?

The Guild: The Official Companion by Felicia Day
Celebromancy by Michael R. Underwood
Helen and Troy’s Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez

Saturday Miscellany – 7/13

By HCNewton

On July 13, 2013

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:

Being a lifelong bookworm may keep you sharp in old age — There’s hope for me!
S&S Teams With Int’l Thriller Writers On Star-Studded Anthology — this looks very promising
What Makes You Put Down a Book? — Very interesting infographic from goodreads
Book Titles With One Letter Missing — there’s a snicker or two here

The Last Word by Lisa Lutz

Opening Lines – Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore

By HCNewton

On July 13, 2013

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

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

—–

Lost in the shadows of the shelves, I almost fall off the ladder. I am exactly halfway up. The floor of the bookstore is far below me, the surface of a planet I’ve left behind. The tops of the shelves loom high above, and it’s dark up there — the books are packed in close, and they don’t let any light through. The air might be thinner, too. I think I see a bat.

I am holding on for dear life, one hand on the ladder, the other on the lip of a shelf, fingers pressed white. My eyes trace a line above my knuckles, searching the spines — and there, I spot it. The book I’m looking for.

But let me back up.

from Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Saturday Miscellany – 7/6

By HCNewton

On July 6, 2013

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:

2013 Locus Awards Winners — in case you somehow missed it. They got Best SF Novel right, IMHO — haven’t read enough of the rest to say, though I’ve heard good things about the rest
Infographic: Who Spends the Most Time Reading in the World? — not only do you get this interesting/troubling look at reading throughout the world, but you get a glimpse into Russian reading habits
14 Books To Read Before They Hit The Big Screen — this is a handy little list for folks like me that hate to have a movie spoil a good read. (I swear I didn’t read as many buzzfeed pieces as I do now before I started these posts)

Beyond Bacon: Paleo Recipes that Respect the Whole Hog by Stacy Toth and Matthew McCarry

In Medias Res: The 5th Wave

By HCNewton

On July 6, 2013

In Authors, Currently Reading, Fiction, In Medias Res, News/Misc., Quotations, Rick Yancey, Science Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

trying something different here . . . as the title implies, I’m in the middle of this book, so not a review, just thoughts mid-way through

—–

The 5^th Wave by Rick Yancey

Wow. WOW! This is everything it’s been hyped. Spine-tingling. Paranoia-inducing. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Disturbing. This is messing with my mind, in a very good way. Loving this.

Suzanne Collins, Scott Westerfeld, Veronica Roth — not that any of your works are lacking, mind you — and anyone else looking to write YA action, the bar has been raised.

Saturday Miscellany – 6/29

By HCNewton

On June 29, 2013

In Books, Fantasy, Harry Bosch, Michael Connelly, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, 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:

Blade Reforged by Kelly McCullough. Y’know, I think I’m a book behind in this series. Whoops!
Hunted by Kevin Hearne. So excited about that one that I already posted the review.

Light week, but it’s something.

Allons-y! Geronimo! and whatnot

By HCNewton

On June 28, 2013

In News/Misc.

Well, things have been going here pretty steadily for a month now — and I’ve even got posts scheduled through the beginning of next week (feels nice to have that cushion) — so, I’m taking the plunge and publicizing things further, making things more public. If this is your first time here, welcome, thanks for dropping by.

Saturday Miscellany – 6/22

By HCNewton

On June 22, 2013

In Books, Fantasy, Harry Bosch, Janet Evanovich, Lee Goldberg, Michael Connelly, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, 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:

Reading novels makes us better thinkers — ah ha! I have a~~n excuse~~ justification to read! Not that I needed one. Or that it seems to make me much of a decision-maker.
The 30 Harshest Author-on-Author Insults In History — some of these are great. I particularly enjoyed Twain on Austen and the contrast between Hemingway and Faulkner.
Amazon Orders Cop Drama Pilot Based On Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch Novels — Oh please let this work. I’m thinking Michael Cudlitz.
How to read a lot of books — a lot of good advice here. May try out some of his organization. (via Lifehacker)

Wisp of a Thing by Alex Bledsoe — The Hum and the Shiver was almost unbelievably good, almost afraid to try this sequel. Not sure it can live up to it.
Killer Ambition by Marcia Clark — I’ve enjoyed the first two, should be a fun read
The Heist by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg — despite what I said about the prequel, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it
The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel by Neil Gaiman — be sure to read Patrick Rothfuss’ review

Man! I’ve got to get to reading…

Category: News/Misc. Page 224 of 229