Tag: Currently Reading Page 2 of 13

No intro today, let’s just get to business:

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky	Battle Ground by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

I’ve barely scratched the surface of Tchaikovsky’s book, but am eager to get going deeper.

Well, I remember why Butcher is officially dead to me. Which is not to suggest that I’m not casting aside eerything else that I’m doing when the Twelve Months comes out next week. But I’m not sure I’ll forgive him for one of the events of this book.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Hunted by Steven Max Russo	Peace Talks by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

You can always count on Russo for a rousing Thriller–great story.

Just couldn’t shake the sense of impending doom with Peace Talks (and just wished Dresden took two opportunities to just talk to people and spare himself a lot of grief).

What do you think you’ll read next?

Lit by Tim Sandlin	Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L.M. Chilton, read by Kimberly Capero

champing at the bit to get at it since I first read about it last Fall.

I liked Chilton’s Swiped, and wonder what she does with this Thriller about a “TikTok true crime investigator, a ’90s serial killer that may not be as dead as everyone would like, a text thread from hell, and long buried secrets that just won’t stay in the grave where they belong.”

What’s on your nightstands/side tables/eReader/etc.?

Welcome to another year of WWW Wednesdays, where I can assemble a mid-week post in 20 minutes or less and at least have fresh content if I’m not capable of finishing anything else.

Functionally, that’s true–but I actually do enjoy these and the comments, too. We’re starting off on a high-point this week:

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins	Skin Game by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

80s Cold War Spy Thriller with a twisted sense of humor. Sort of FX’s The Americans as if told by Elmore Leonard. It’s just delicously good.

If Skin Game isn’t my favorite Dresden File, it’s close. I’m having a blast with this.

What did you recently finish reading?

All the Best Dogs Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Manuel Preitano	Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, read by Robertson Dean

Okay, see how cute the cover for All the Best Dogs is? That’s how adorable and sweet the content is. Was a fantastic palate-cleanser.

The first line of the description of Dear Committee Members encapsulates it the Dog cover did, “Finally a novel that puts the ‘pissed’ back into ‘epistolary.'” Academic satire, told from the arrogant, garrulous, pedantic point of view of an older English Professor. I don’t know that I have it in me to plunge into the sequel right away, but it was pretty delicious.

What do you think you’ll read next?

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan	Peace Talks by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

Like I said last week, She Who Became the Sun is the selection for my Fantasy Book club, I know nothing about it, but it looks promising. Celeste saying that it’s “quite good” is a real help.

Strange work schedules and sick leave messed up my schedule for the Dresden-relisten. So I’ve got to marathon these so I can be finished by the 20th. Yeah, it’s overkill, but I think I’ll survive.

How’s 2026’s reading starting out for you?

Well, that Man Flu I mentioned Saturday really wiped me out–to the extent that reading 20 pages in a day was a victory. I honestly didn’t think I was capable of sleeping as much as I have this week without sedation. So, my schedule for the week has been tossed (everything in the what do you think you’ll read next answer should’ve been finished no later than tonight). Whoops.

Oh well, I’m on the mend and the worst part of having books unread for 2025 is that I know where I’ll start for 2026.

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

Through the Corner of Circles by Meg Ashley	Son of a Liche by J. Zachary Pike, read by Doug Tisdale Jr.

Ashley’s book is really good–I’m not convinced at 2/3-ish of the way through that I understand where the book is going. I’m fine with that–I’m pretty sure that the author does.

I didn’t make much progress on Son of a Liche since last week, still really digging it (even if some plot developments have not be enjoyable).

What did you recently finish reading?

More Grammar Sex: Essays About Life and Stuff	Cold Days by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

Germaux’s second collection of essays “about Life and Stuff” is just entertaining as his first. It was a good collection to dip in and out of during the hubbub surrounding Dec. 25.

Cold Days is still the most recent audiobook that I’ve listened to. Still a lot of fun.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis	Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, read by Robertson Dean

I’d planned on ending the year with this book, a nice bookend to starting it with A Pilgrim’s Regress. Thanks to this stupid flu, I’ll be starting the year with it. Oh well, it was a nice thought.

Might as well start the New Year with a quick read, right?

How are you finishing this year? Are you going to be taking books into the New Year, or do you get to start with a clean slate?

So, I’m relaxing on this bonus quasi-holiday and my wife casually asks, “When are you going to start the crock pot?” Eeep, an hour ago! And in the ensuing dash to throw things together for the extended family dinner tonight, I realize that I didn’t get a pretty important and flavorful ingredient. So…in the tradition of Men Everywhere who put things off, I rush off to the store. Thankfully, not for gift shopping…but still. I now return to the safe ground of talking about books. I can be trusted with books.

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis	Son of a Liche by J. Zachary Pike, read by Doug Tisdale Jr.

I’m wrapping up my time in Narnia today.

Son of a Liche is very clever–occasionally hilarious, a little touching, with plenty of intrigue and stabbing. It bugs me that I’m probably leaving it untouched for a few days thanks to my work schedule. (not so much that I’m going to go to work when I don’t have to, mind you)

What did you recently finish reading?

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire	Cold Days by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

Time with the Wayward Children is always well-spent. This latest installment is just more proof. I should have a full post up Monday–it will be very positive.

Cold Days was just so much better than Ghost Story.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Through the Corner of Circles by Meg Ashley	Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, read by Robertson Dean

I was given this book by Ashley’s son, and it sounds pretty good. A little contemporary fantasy, a little Lakota myth. Sounds like a fun combination.

I’d looked at Dear Committee Members before, but never got around to it. I was reminded about it in a conversation last week and decided to give it a whirl.

Are you going to get any reading done over the next few days, or are you going to be occupied with friends/family?

I attended a work-adjacent social activity yesterday* . I’ve got two social gatherings tomorrow** . And one the next day.*** I don’t know myself anymore. So I’m going to rush back to my comfort-space of books for a bit now.

* And enjoyed it.
** I’m anticipating enjoying both.
*** I’ll likely have fun here, too.

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis	Cold Days by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

Wow, you can remember the problems with the fifth Narnia novel, and then there’s re-reading it. I can appreciate it for what it is, but Lewis doesn’t make it easy, you know?

While I don’t love the plot developments that led to Cold Days (I don’t hate them either), I’m enjoying this more than I did Ghost Story (although I did like it more this time through).

What did you recently finish reading?

Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi	Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger, read by David Chandler

Zoe’s Tale was so much more fun than I expected once I realized what I was going to be reading. It could be my favorite of the series (although I’ve said that with every book in the series, so take that with a grain of salt).

Iron Lake itself was fine. But I think I made a mistake by going with an audiobook. It’s a very Joe Pickett-ish kind of plot and setting, which is fine. But when you have Joe Pickett’s narrator reading that to you…the word “distracting” is an understatement.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Christmas Tree Killer by Chris Frost	Son of a Liche by J. Zachary Pike, read by Doug Tisdale Jr.

This seems like a good time for Chris Frost’s latest.

I grabbed Son of a Liche right after I listened to Orconomics, but forgot that I had it, until one or more of the people on SFF Addicts Ep. 183: Our Favorite Reads of 2025 LIVE. Whoops.

Are you going through something seasonal now? Trying to finish challenges?

I’ve been on a roll lately–or so it seems–lotta good books, mostly that I’ve put off reading for too long (well, one was because of a massive line at the library, but I still feel like I put it off). Here’s hoping the streak continues.

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis	Ghost Story by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

I’ll be starting The Silver Chair here in a bit. I’m not sure what else to say. Good times and Puddleglum await (even good times with Puddleglum, as odd as that sounds to say)

Ghost Story is my least-favorite of the Dresden Files–but each time I read/listen to it, it grows on me. Who knows? By the end of the week, I might be dropping the “pretty” from my short eval and just call it “good.”

What did you recently finish reading?

Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw	Too Old For This by Samantha Downing, read by Elizabeth Wiley

Strange Practice is this great UF hybrid of McGuire’s Incryptid series and Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate with far less snark and innuendo. That’s not a great way to describe it, but it’s the best that I can do. It’s a lot of fun with a bunch of heart.

I’m still chewing on Downing’s latest–but in short, I’m glad I read it and will be recommending it.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by ABenjamin Stevenson	Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger, read by David Chandler

The length of Stevenson’s third book (190ish pages) is one of the big selling points, I wondered a little bit that the second book was stretching things. A compressed tale could help a lot.

I had Iron Lake in this spot a few weeks back, but the download got corrupted and I had to delete it and then re-check it out. So…let’s try this again: I’ve been assured that I’ll enjoy Krueger’s Cork O’Connor books, and that lighter fare than his others. (not that I have a problem with his others, but I’m not going to listen to them while working/driving). Am used to David Chandler’s voice, his work on the Joe Pickett books is solid. Should be a good time.

How’re things going for you? Read anything good lately?

I’m not going to finish off all my reading challenges for the year, I know. But two of them will be complete when I read the books mentioned here. So that’s something.

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler	Changes by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

I’ve only heard good things about Wexler’s book. I’ve only dipped a toe in, but what I’ve read so far makes me want to go on.

Changes is just one of those books that blew me away when I read it the first time. And it’s gotten better in each subsequent read. This time (2nd time in audio, and maybe 6th time overall) is no different.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis	What If…Kitty Pryde Stole the Phoenix Force?

I’ll gush about the Lewis book in a day or two. Like Changes, I got something new out of it this time, I can’t even guess how many times I’ve read this one.

This What If… book didn’t really click with me until the last 30% or so, but that last bit made up for the rest.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw	The Faithful Executioner: Life and Death, Honor and Shame in the Turbulent Sixteenth Century by Joel F. Harrington, read by Jame Gillies

Strange Practice was added to my TBR because I walked into a bookstore with money to spend, and all the books I wanted weren’t in stock. So, the helpful bookseller put it in my hand. A year later, here I am, ready to open it.

I’ve had two friends raving over The Faithful Executioner lately (I posted a small bit of that raving a couple of weeks back). I assume I’ll be raving soon.

How’s December looking for you? Any last-minute things you just have to get read?

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman	Batman: Resurrection by John Jackson Miller, read by Will Damron

My library hold finally came up! It ruined my plans for the week, but I don’t care. I’m not crazy about Osman’s writing of Ibrahim in this book–he’s just a little off. But the rest of it is just what we all needed. Joanna has an expanded role, and we meet another of Elizabeth’s old colleagues who is just great. And I’m going to keep going for a few paragraphs unless I cut myself off.

I’m not really “into” this sequel to Burton’s movie–but I think that’s going to change soon (of course, I’ve been saying that every 10 minutes).

What did you recently finish reading?

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis	Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum by Michael J. Fox & Nelle Fortenberry

The climactic scene wasn’t quite as good as I remember–but the book was just like coming home after a long trip. Just so comfortable.

This book was just cool, we get a little about Family Ties (could’ve used a bit more, but it wasn’t the focus of the book), we get plenty about Back to the Future (which is the focus) and Fox’s experience at this strange time in his life. The Epilogue was fantastic. I just like Michael J. Fox, I guess.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Robert B. Parker’s Showdown by Mike Lupica	What If…Kitty Pryde Stole the Phoenix Force? by Rebecca Podos

Lupica’s Spenser novels have been the best he’s done in the Parker-verse, eager for this one.

Kitty Pryde and Phoenix force? ‘Nuff said. (which is what I said a couple of weeks ago before Libby hit me with a handful of holds and I had to push it off)

So, what are you smuggling into your family gathering tomorrow so you have something to retreat into? (or, for non-USAers, are you reading anything good?)

I finished my Goodreads Challenge last week, which was a nice little dopamine hit–the books I’ve been reading have basically been nothing but dopamine hits, but who doesn’t want more of that?

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

A Judgement of Powers by Benedict Jacka	Turn Coat by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters

Jacka’s new series keeps going in places and directions I don’t expect. I’m eager to see how he confounds me this time.

I remember Turn Coat having one of the more powerful endings in the Dresden Files (nothing compared to a few others, but still). I’m steeling myself already.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Last Colony by John Scalzi	The Greatest Possible Good by Ben Brooks, read by Emma Gregory

The Last Colony is yet another of those books that I intended to read years ago (since 2011, according to Goodreads). I am so angry at myself for wasting all that time not being able to re-read it.

I’m honestly not sure what Brooks was going for in his book. There were some interesting bits, some decent writing, and solid characters–but I need to think a little more about it to know if it was worth it.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis	Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum by Michael J. Fox & Nelle Fortenberry

Caspian might be my favorite Narnian book, so this is going to be fun.

Speaking of fun, Fox (and Fortenberry) writing about that strange period in his life when he was shooting Back to the Future and Family Ties and then narrating it? Sure thing.

How’ve you been sourcing your dopamine lately?