Tag: Miscellany Page 121 of 175

This week…I’ve had zero energy for anything, it seems. Work hasn’t been particularly hard, but the days have been very full—so much so that I just haven’t had time to do any of the surfing needed for this post, little reading, and writing? Feh. It took three days to get yesterday’s 7 (brief) paragraph post finished. In the grand scheme of things, does that really matter? No. Won’t even matter in a week (but it wouldn’t surprise me if I’m saying the same in 7 days). But for the moment, it’s bugging me. Hope your week has been better.

that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
Spencer Quinn on the Chet and Bernie Fandom—One of my favorites (probably starting an ARC of his latest Thursday) about his fans. If you’re not one of his fans, you should reconsider.
The Making of Wild Sign’ An Alpha & Omega novel—Dan dos Santos talks through the process of making the next cover in the Briggs series. I always find this kind of thing interesting.
How to write an important book!—Good things for Serious Novelists everywhere to note from the Orangutan Librarian
Can Books Really be Funny? Appreciating the Humor of Terry Pratchett—While I feel pity for Black Sail’s Joe having to ask this question (and the answer he arrives at), it’s a good post. Is he alone? Am I some sort of a freak for audibly laughing/chuckling at books?
Tips for Battling Reader’s Guilt—NetGalley-centric (it’s from NetGalley’s blog, so…), but the tips are applicable outside of it.
What We Read – Are Older Titles Worth Exploring—On the one hand, this post from Way Too Fantasy could’ve ended after the first paragraph and have been worth sharing. On the other, the rest of it is just as good.
Why blog tours are b******* and I won’t do them anymore—I’d demur from several of these points, but I wouldn’t say any of them are flat-out wrong.

That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
How the Wired Weep by Ian Patrick—a tale about a Police Informant, his handler and the Crime Ring they’re targeting by one of the best around. I should be starting this no later than Tuesday, and am wondering if I shouldn’t have rearranged things so I could be mid-way through it by now.
American Demon by Kim Harrison—Harrison returns to her beloved UF series with one of its stronger installments. I recently had some pretty positive things to say about it.

I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome to San, Anketsu, benjamingohs, Umairah @ Sereadipity, writingfest and Elaine Howlin for following the blog this week. Thanks for checking this place out, don’t be a stranger, and use that comment box, would you?

that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
Donna Tartt on the Singular Voice, and Pungent Humor, of Charles Portis—a great tribute to the late author of True Grit.
Just Read the Book Already: Digital culture doesn’t have to make you a shallow reader. But you have to do something about it.—Technically a review of one book, but it’s a lot more.
How Publishers Determine When to Release Hardcover Books in Paperback
There’s No Hype Machine for Selling Literature to Dudes—Some interesting thoughts about men and literature.
The Linguistic Case for Sh*t Hitting the Fan: Idioms have a special power to draw people together in a way that plain speech doesn’t.
The Top 10 Worst Book to Movie Fantasy Adaptations—I’ve watched a frightening number of these and I won’t disagree with their inclusion here.
Audiobooks: Are They For You?—Bookidote’s Lashaan discusses his attempts to get into audiobooks.
8 Bookish Awards for the First Half of 2020—Black Sail Books looks at the first half of 2020
The Act Of Multi-reading and Four Tips To Get You Started—In case this is a goal for you. I do this from time to time, but I’ve never thought about cultivating it as a skill. This would probably do the trick, though.

Episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
Remember Reading?—I stumbled onto this podcast looking back at classic children’s books this week and have listened to a handful of episodes—it’s a lot of fun when they’re talking about the classics. When the conversation turns to the writing/books of the guests, I tend to lose interest (probably wouldn’t if children’s lit was a focus of mine). But I still recommend giving this stuff a listen.

That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
The Ghosts of Sherwood by Carrie Vaughn—The first in Vaughn’s duology (that I hope ends up expanding) about Robin Hood’s children. I wrote about it a couple of days back..

I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome tojohnnyholidayesq, Being Zab, Chris Green Reads!, Frankie | Chicks Rogues and Scandals, Turtle Quotes and Jacob Collins for following the blog this week. Don’t be a stranger, and use that comment box, would you?

Got a small hodgepodge of things this week—obviously (and correctly), most people are writing about more important and pressing things.

that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
Rediscovering One of the Wittiest Books Ever Written—Like 97.8% of humans currently on the planet, I have never heard of this book (The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis) before, but after reading this, I will be reading it soon(ish).
My book is being reviewed by a dog. Who am I to argue with the star rating?
SciFi Tech Is Here—And Criminals Can (and Will) Use It: Autonomous vehicles and augmented reality are ripe for illegal exploitation.—I’ve seen this already in fiction, but Murray’s right, we’re going to see more of it—in fiction and reality.
Discussion: How to Choose Your Next Read—This is not a problem I’ve had often lately, but it’s a good collection of ideas.
A pair of posts on the same theme: Are Book Blogger Reviews Honest?—focuses on non-book bloggers reading us while Can You Trust Book Bloggers?—focuses on book bloggers writing for bloggers
How I Read More—good ideas. I’d struggle with #3, but it makes sense.
Fantastic Fathers in Fiction—I’d have a really hard time compiling a list like this. Which is pretty sad. I don’t think I’d have a problem with coming up with a list of mothers, but fathers?
24 Tweets About Classic Literature That Will Make You Laugh: These jokes are a breath of fresh Eyre.

That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows—The Janes series jumps the Atlantic to bring us Calamity Jane and Werewolves. Promises to be silly fun.
Broken Genius by Drew Murray—Hacker turned FBI agent investigates a murder that leads to something more.

I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome toFreda Mans, ellisnelson, Lola, Mary Grace Dañas and DL Orton for following the blog this week. Don’t be a stranger, and use that comment box, would you?

Once again, the last week of the month translates into a short collection of links and new releases (a short work week here in the States probably contributes to that, too). Still, I hope you find something fun to read here.

that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
6 Unconventional Tips for Building a Reading Habit—I’ve shared many posts over the years about creating a reading habit–this is the most unconventional (truth in advertising!), it’s possibly also the best list. I can think of many people who’ve done some/all of these and become readers (possibly more of them than those who’ve done the usual steps)
On The Tolkienic Hero
Interview with M. W. Craven—the promotional build-up for The Curator goes into full-swing.
Five Books That Will Make Your Child a Future Crime Writer—I had completely forgotten about the third book she talks about here…Some good suggestions for readers young or older.
It’s Not You, It’s Me..—one blogger bravely makes her stand on the paper vs. ebook debate. She’s not wrong.
What is the Best Fantasy Mode of Transportation?—This episode of the Great Fantasy Debate features Marie Lu and Naomi Novik

That I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
Fair Warning by Michael Connelly—On the one hand, I don’t remember the Jack McEvoy novels as being particular favorites. On the other, I remember being incredibly gripped by them. And, hey, it’s Connelly. Gotta read it.

I’d like to say hi and extend a warm welcome towonderouspages for following the blog this week. Don’t be a stranger, and use that comment box, would you?