Category: News/Misc. Page 228 of 242

Saturday Miscellany — 10/25/14

On October 25, 2014

In Books, News/Misc., 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:

The Most Popular Words Used In Classic Books — some word clouds to help you think about some classics in a slightly different way
Nick Hornby on his first novel in five years — blah
A Map of Raymond Chandler’s Fictional LA in Real-Life LA
The Tangled Roots of Urban Fantasy and Horror — Jamie Schultz’s look at the shared elements of UF and Horror is good — but needs to be expanded (although, I’d rather he work on the sequel to Premonitions, all things considered)
The Percy Jackson Problem — On the one hand, some of what Rebecca Mead says about what kinds of fiction Teens/Kids should read is worthy of thought/discussion. On the other hand, tucking that away in the middle of a hit piece on Rick Riordan and his demigods just really turns me off. Lines like “Riordan’s books make J. K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series seem as if it were written by Samuel Johnson. Unlike the Harry Potter books, which, notoriously, have been embraced by adult readers as well as juvenile ones, the Percy Jackson books seem positively contrived to repel adult readers, so thoroughgoing is their affectation of teen goofiness” are such snobbish, clueless, condescending nonsense. Not just saying that because I’ll be starting Riordan’s newest in an hour or so.
Kinsella YA Novel Coming — Huh. Even Sophie Kinsella’s getting into YA?
Look Homeward, Reader: A Not-So-Young Audience for Young Adult Books — Meg Wolitzer’s piece on YA literature and the people who read it is the thoughtful thing that The New Yorker article wasn’t.
21 Literary-Inspired Pumpkins Every Bookworm Will Adore — some of these are pretty fun
Man raps a chapter of ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy’ — this made my day.

Happy Birthday, Archie

By HCNewton

On October 23, 2014

In Calendar Items, Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin, News/Misc.

My annual tribute to one of my favorite fictional characters (if not my all-time favorite). I really need to update/expand this a bit, but this isn’t the year for it.

On Oct 23 in Chillicothe, Ohio, Archie Goodwin entered this world–no doubt with a smile for the pretty nurses–and American detective literature was never the same.

I’m toasting him in one of the ways I think he’d appreciate most–by raising a glass of milk in his honor.

Who was Archie? Archie summed up his life thusly:

Born in Ohio. Public high school, pretty good at geometry and football, graduated with honor but no honors. Went to college two weeks, decided it was childish, came to New York and got a job guarding a pier, shot and killed two men and was fired, was recommended to Nero Wolfe for a chore he wanted done, did it, was offered a full-time job by Mr. Wolfe, took it, still have it.” (Fourth of July Picnic)

Long may he keep it. Just what was he employed by Wolfe to do? In The Black Mountain he answers the statement, “I thought you was a private eye” with:

I don’t like the way you say it, but I am. Also I am an accountant, an amanuensis, and a cocklebur. Eight to five you never heard the word amanuensis and you never saw a cocklebur.

In The Red Box, he says

I know pretty well what my field is. Aside from my primary function as the thorn in the seat of Wolfe’s chair to keep him from going to sleep and waking up only for meals, I’m chiefly cut out for two things: to jump and grab something before the other guy can get his paws on it, and to collect pieces of the puzzle for Wolfe to work on.

In Black Orchids, he reacts to an insult:

…her cheap crack about me being a ten-cent Clark Gable, which was ridiculous. He simpers, to begin with, and to end with no one can say I resemble a movie actor, and if they did it would be more apt to be Gary Cooper than Clark Gable.

In case you’re wondering if this post was simply an excuse to go through some collections of Archie Goodwin quotations, you wouldn’t be totally wrong…he’s one of the fictional characters I like spending time with most in this world–he’s the literary equivalent of comfort food. So just a couple more great lines I’ve quoted here before:

I would appreciate it if they would call a halt on all their devoted efforts to find a way to abolish war or eliminate disease or run trains with atoms or extend the span of human life to a couple of centuries, and everybody concentrate for a while on how to wake me up in the morning without my resenting it. It may be that a bevy of beautiful maidens in pure silk yellow very sheer gowns, barefooted, singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” and scattering rose petals over me would do the trick, but I’d have to try it.

I looked at the wall clock. It said two minutes to four. I looked at my wrist watch. It said one minute to four. In spite of the discrepancy it seemed safe to conclude that it would soon be four o’clock.

“Indeed,” I said. That was Nero Wolfe’s word, and I never used it except in moments of stress, and it severely annoyed me when I caught myself using it, because when I look in a mirror I prefer to see me as is, with no skin grafted from anybody else’s hide, even Nero Wolfe’s.

Robert Crais’ The Promise Delayed

By HCNewton

On October 21, 2014

In Elvis Cole/Joe Pike, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, News/Misc., Robert Crais

According to an email I just received about my preorder^* and a post to his Facebook page (but no update to his website yet), The Promise has been delayed. The Facebook post says a US publication date is forthcoming, but I’m supposed to receive mine on April 28 of next year.

On the one hand — you know what? I’d rather it be done right, rather than done fast. Robert Crais, much like George R. R. Martin or Patrick Rothfuss or Jim Butcher (to name a few notable authors who’ve delayed things lately) is not my bitch. Crais knows when the book is done, and until then, I can wait.

On the other hand, this is rather short notice for this kind of thing from what I can tell. Makes me wonder about the editorial process for one of his books. Also? I’d scheduled things so I could go right from Taken one week to The Promise the next (yes, the reviews are behind by two books, but my reading is on track).

The positive take: Crais is going to give us the book he wants to. Personally, drat, it means more time without a new Cole/Pike (plus Maggie!) book. And it’s just further proof that the Scot knew what he was talking about when he described how schemes “Gang aft agley.”

—–

^* One of the dumbest words in widespread use right now. Why not just say I ordered it? Just because it hasn’t released doesn’t make it a special kind of ordering…

Saturday Miscellany — 10/18/14

By HCNewton

On October 18, 2014

In Books, News/Misc.

Wow. A very light week for this column. (more time to spend catching up for the slow weeks lately?)

Only four things to share this week in the odds ‘n ends from over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

Maureen Corrigan On Why ‘The Great Gatsby’ Endures — After reading this interview, not sure I’ll get around to reading Corrigan’s book about Gatsby, but I’d probably like it.
Rothfuss on The Slow Regard of Silent Things — Rothfuss talks about his nervousness before the release of his new novel, stressing it’s not book 3 in his series. Which I thought was obvious due to the lack of hype from his fans. But clearly, I’m alone there.
Confessions of an Intense Thinker: On Reading the Shopaholic Novels — I initially clicked this link thinking a relative might like the article, but there’s actually a little lesson for all of us here
I’m with the Band: 8 of Your Favorite Authors’ Musical Side Projects — I can only speak to #8 (and am not that familiar with most of the other authors listed) — but it’s great, I listen to this album frequently.

The Younger Gods by Michael R. Underwood — I’ve said it before, I’m a fan of Underwood. Even if I wasn’t, the premise of an Urban Fantasy featuring an ex-cultist turned NYC college student battling his family to save the world would probably get my attention. Put the two together? You know I’m reading this one soon.

Saturday Miscellany — 10/11/14

By HCNewton

On October 11, 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:

When Writers Outnumber Readers — Heidi Pitlor talks about the need for communities of readers.
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love a Mystery — Lee Goodman describes his transition from failed literary novelist to published mystery author.
From Book Accumulator to Book Collector: A How To — at the end of the day, I think I’m more of an accumulator (and am happy that way). Still, food for thought.
Total Damage Caused by Calvin from ‘Calvin & Hobbes’ Calculated — Wow. I knew Calvin had to be an expensive kid, but still.

Broken Soul by Faith Hunter — Jane Yellowrock #8? Already?
The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan — The last of the Heroes of Olympus series — and the last book to feature Percy Jackson. I bet Riordan takes both out with a bang. Looking forward to this one.
Poison Fruit by Jacqueline Carey — the third (and final?) Agent of Hel book. Such a fun series/hero. This should be good.
Run by Andrew Grant — this is a very different kind of hero for Grant, but I bet this’ll be a taut thriller.
Pennyroyal Academy by M. A. Larson — another twisted Grimm type tale for the YA crowd. Bet my daughter thinks this is fun. I likely will, too.

Saturday Miscellany — 10/4/14

By HCNewton

On October 4, 2014

In Books, News/Misc.

It’s one thing to know that you haven’t posted in a week, it’s another to see that reflected in my WordPress Dashboard. Next week will be better, I hope — lots of good books to share with you.

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:

Lifehack blog had a couple of neat pieces about reading lately: 12 Compelling Reasons to Read More Books and to take advantage of these reasons, here are 11 Ways Busy People Make Time To Read — blah

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/11-ways-busy-people-make-time-read.html

Ace Atkins, Reed Coleman and Robert B. Parker — Oline Cogdill intereviews both authors helming Parker’s mystery series. The ways these two aren’t approaching things the same way is fascinating. And, so far, their differences are working really well.
David Nicholls: ‘I didn’t want to write a dodgy disappointment’ — Nicholls talks about the daunting task of writing the book after One Day. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this one.
The Once and Future Podcast — is back folks, give it a listen. Next week’s episode features Jim Butcher interviewing Anton Strout about his new book (see below). Can’t wait.

Incarnate by Anton Strout — really don’t want The Spellmason Chronicles to end, but I’m looking forward to seeing how Strout does it.
Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution by Keith DeCandido — I’m a little nervous about this one — not sure the craziness of the show can translate to print. But hey, it’s DeCandido. If anyone can do it, it’ll be him.

Saturday Miscellany — 9/27/14

By HCNewton

On September 27, 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:

What Authors Owe Fans — James L. Sutter replies to Gaiman’s (pretty persuasive) arguments. Maybe it is legitimate for us fans to expect more from a series.
New publisher targets best crime novels in existence — another story about Brash Books’ launch.
Merritt Tierce’s novel Love Me Back doesn’t seem like my typical read, but man, this interview has me thinking I should give it a go. Still not my kind of book, but seems like an interesting approach.
Michael Connelly on why he writes cops not killers — I love this take.
Reading Block was on a few people’s mind this week, B&N’s Ask a Literary Lady gave an answer about curing it, and BookRiot’s Susie Rodarme had a similar list of suggestions.
Which Books Made You Shake Your Head at Other Readers? — enjoyed this piece, even where I disagreed with them, and moreso when I agreed (see Game of Thrones)
115 Book Bloggers You Should be Following — not at all shockingly, I’m not on the list. There are several better blogs on the list.

Didn’t see anything in the new release lists that caught my eye this week, which just means I get a little time to catch up.

Saturday Miscellany — 9/20/2014 (corrected)

By HCNewton

On September 20, 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:

Read Slowly to Benefit Your Brain and Cut Stress — huh. Very interesting. (ht: Harry Connolly)
How Long Does It Take to Read Popular Books? — fun infographic Updated the link to point to the creator of the infographic
Studies Find That Reading Harry Potter Can Make You A Better Human Being — There are problems with some of the premises this is built on, but interesting reading nonetheless
A Ghostwriter Steps Out of the Shadows — I’ve always been curious about ghostwriters, I find this fascinating
Book Publishing, Not Fact-Checking — Important to remember
I Don’t Care About Accuracy In Book Adaptations — I’m not sure I agree with Peter Damien here, but I can see his point — good to remember especially as This Is Where I Leave You was released yesterday.
Three Authors Who Kept Their Visions By Adapting Their Books to Screen — Speaking of adaptations . . .
When Should I Quit a Book I Don’t Like? — I need to do better at this. Maybe.
The Rumpus Interview with Lev Grossman — great interview.
Go Forth and Re-Read Your Favorite Books From Childhood: A Dare — I need to do this more, too. I re-read The Westing Game a couple of months ago, the first time since . . .well, the 1980s, I guess. Loved it (need to find the time to review it), was so much fun spending a couple of hours with these old friends.

Clockwork Dagger by Beth Cato — great premise, lots of good buzz, I’m in as soon as I find the time.
The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey — the sequel to The 5^th Wave, one of the best books I read last year.
Black Water by Faith Hunter — Jane Yellowrock shorts. Cool.
Gideon Smith and the Brass Dragon by David Barnett — this Steampunk/Alt-History sounds like a fun ride. His Big Idea post

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2014/09/16/the-big-idea-david-barnett/

Broadchurch: The Novel by Erin Kelly — Watched the series twice, can’t wait for the second series — heck, I’m almost looking forward to Gracepoint. So a novelization, with more details, and a hint about what’s to come? Yes, yes, and yes!!

Putting the Irresponsible into the Blog

By HCNewton

On September 19, 2014

In Currently Reading, News/Misc.

The “irresponsible” in the blog title is supposed to mean that I read whatever, with only a regard for what catches my eye, not in an effort to better myself or be literary or live up to whatever standard — but it’s not supposed to be a reference to my posting frequency.

So what happened to me this week? Reread Project was up late (2 weeks in a row) and then . . . nothing. I got busy with the non-book part of my life (work, parenting, etc.) and had a hard time finishing that post. Almost decided to give myself a week off, put up a “Gone Reading” sign and let things go silent here. But I decided I needed the pressure of a schedule to get things done — mostly not getting behind again on reviews.

But if you look at the blog, that’s pretty much what I did. I did work on two reviews and one non-review piece that should’ve been up by now (no, really, I did) — the first review, Premonitions by Jamie Schultz is giving me a really hard time for some reason. I really wanted to get that one up, because it’s the kind of book that a lot of people should be saying many nice things about. That one should’ve been up Wednesday afternoon. Maybe, if everything goes perfectly over the next couple of days, it’ll be up Tuesday, with many more to follow next week.

As far as tackling the ol’ TBR pile goes . . . I’m torn between books that I’ve told authors I want to read, books with library due dates, and a few new books I actually bought a couple weeks ago and haven’t even looked at yet. I don’t mean to ignore Jacka’s Hidden. Really. Got it on release day, two and a half weeks ago. Maybe I can start that Thursday of next week. This morning, I technically started M. R. Carey’s The Girl with All the Gifts (read 4 pages before falling in to a much needed coma). Then this afternoon, I had about 15 minutes to sit in my car waiting for my kids at school and realized I forgot to bring it along. Thankfully, I’d just come from the library, so I had something on hand, namely Chelsea Cain’s One Kick. Wow. Just wow. What a beginning. Sure, the first 50 pages or so don’t do much beyond deliver what’s promised on the cover, but they deliver it with a bang. I am so hooked. Expect a rave from me on this one (unless it falls apart in a horrible way).

Anyway, that’s a lot of blather really — mostly about stuff that no one cares about, but just putting this up there will make me feel better about the posting frequency this week. Thanks for indulging me.

Saturday Miscellany — 9/13/2014

By HCNewton

On September 13, 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:

3 Reasons Why Kids (and Adults) Need to Read More Now — not that I — or probably you — need convincing, some interesting statistics.
Millennials read more books than their elders, Pew study finds
Brash Books: What Sets Us Apart From Other Publishers — a nice introductory video to this new crime imprint (mentioned last week), if you check the right column, there’s some more videos about them. Am looking forward to handing them some of my money soon.
Speaking of crime novels, Why today’s most exciting crime novelists are women — I’m not sure I buy all of Laura Miller’s take on the state of the genre, but there’s some good stuff about the new crop of female writers
A nice Michael Connelly quotation from The Writers’ Police Academy
The best place to hide a body? Just ask writer Tod Goldberg — Nice interview about Goldberg and his new book and The Rumpus has another one.
When I Think “Fearless,” I Think of Flannery O’Connor — a nice piece on one of my favorites.
The Epic POV — Kameron Hurley has an interesting piece on the multiple-POV style of so much contemporary fantasy. I’d quibble with some of this, but on the whole, it’s a good read. For not the first time (but maybe the first time on the blog), I note I’d rather read Hurley on fiction, than Hurley‘s fiction.
How Rainbow Rowell Went From Newspaper Reporter to Superstar Novelist — One day, I’ll stop reflexively posting articles about Rowell. Today’s ot that day.
Brimstone and Leather: A Eulogy for Kim Harrison’s Hollows Saga — Paul Goat Allen pays tribute to the series that ended this week. Nice piece, even if (as I’ve noted before), Allen clearly likes this series far more than I do.

Robert B. Parker’s Blind Spot by Reed Farrel Coleman — Coleman takes over Jesse Stone and saves the franchise. Content-wise, anyway. Hopefully sales are enough to justify more than the few he’s signed up for. Loved this, I’ll add, in case my 5-star review was too subtle.
The Witch with No Name by Kim Harrison — I’m tempted to get this one now, after such a good experience with the penultimate novel recently. But, I’ve got 12 of these in paperback, I’m not breaking up the set. I’ll get to it in April.
City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett — I’m hearing nothing but praise for this new fantasy.
Gangsterland by Tod Goldberg — in case you couldn’t tell by the above two links, I’m pretty intrigued by this one. I’ve read a little of Tod Goldberg’s stuff before, and I’ve liked it, but this looks like it’ll be a stronger, more compelling work from him.
Yesterday’s Hero by Jonathan Wood — Think I forgot to mention a couple of months ago, that Wood’s No Hero was being republished, so I’m making sure I talk about this republication. These two books rocked, and I was so disappointed that no one seemed to notice them a couple years ago when they were first published. Cannot wait for the overdue third in this series next year.