Tag: News/Misc Page 1 of 29

Captivating Character of February: DS George Cross

On February 27, 2026

It’s the last Friday of the month, so it’s time for my Most Captivating Character of the Month post. This is actually my third choice of a character for this month–the first two are from a book that I really want to dig into, but I honestly didn’t have as much to talk about when it came to them as I thought. But DS George Cross? I think I could go on and on about him–and that’s just from the first book in his series. But before I get into this, let me point you to my post about The Dentist, where Tim Sullivan introduces the world to him.

George–as the novel tells us, has Asperger’s Syndrome (we’d say he’s on the Spectrum now). Obviously, this presents differently in each individual, and it’s reassuring that Sullivan didn’t play into stereotypes. Yes, George has almost no social skills, and that causes problems in the office. Or with people he’s interacting with in the course of an investigation. But when it comes to the Interrogation Room? He shines. He can focus on parts of a suspect’s statement in a way to get them to reveal details. He’s also good at exploiting his own social ineptitude to exasperate a suspect enough to slip up.

Beyond that, he’s methodical, he’s careful, he’s thorough. A case that’s not put together correctly will bother him on a level that goes beyond conscientious employee. But he’s not the obsessively-driven kind of detective like say, Harry Bosch. It’s just who he is.

His relationship with his father is odd (for an observer, anyway) and sweet. His hobby–playing and maintaining pipe organs–seems a little strange in the abstract, but when as you get to know George, it really fits.

The more you get to know George, the more fascinating–make that captivating–he becomes. At least through the first book–I’m willing to bet that continues in the next book, too.

What character would you name for last month?

Irresponsible Reader Pilcrow Icon

Captivating Character of January: Dancer

By HCNewton

On January 31, 2026

In Books, Miscellany, News/Misc.

It’s the last Friday of the month, so it’s time for my Most Captivating Character of the Month post. This is a tough one this month—I can think of a dozen I could talk about. I could cop-out and go with Harry Dresden—but what can be said about him that hasn’t been said 160 times? So, I’m going to go with Dancer from Jarod K. Anderson’s Strange Animals. She stands out in a way few others do (not that you could tell from my post about the novel, since I didn’t mention her, but…)

She’s obsessed with making formless hats–and then selling/giving them away to people. She seems to be almost constantly armed with sarsaparilla tea (which I’ve never tasted, but by the end of the novel, was craving) and shares it when she has the opportunity. Also, if she enjoys your encounter, she’ll inevitably leave a tin cup of it behind, so you have to come find her to return it–and will then have another conversation and cup of tea (and likely, another cup to return sometime).

Dancer is a large woman, over 6’ tall, and in her mid-50s. She is probably the most Zen character I’ve encountered since Jeff Lebowski. She’s laid back, loves nature, is generous, seems to laugh at just about everything (not in a mocking way), cares about people…and generally, she abides.

Possibly the best thing about her is that in this world, she’s a Muggle. The most Muggle-y Muggle around, but she knows a person who insists she can see things that Dancer cannot. Dancer doesn’t argue with her (at least by the time we meet them), she doesn’t question her grasp on reality or anything like that. She accepts that it’s possible and lets them talk about it. And then when Dancer meets someone else saying he saw something like that, she just puts the two together and leaves it alone.

That’s a special kind of chill. And a sign of a captivating character.

What character would you name for last month?

Irresponsible Reader Pilcrow Icon

Captivating Character of January: Dancer

By HCNewton

On January 30, 2026

In Books, Miscellany, News/Misc.

It’s the last Friday of the month, so it’s time for my Most Captivating Character of the Month post. This is a tough one this month—I can think of a dozen I could talk about. I could cop-out and go with Harry Dresden—but what can be said about him that hasn’t been said 160 times? So, I’m going to go with Dancer from Jarod K. Anderson’s Strange Animals</strong>. She stands out in a way few others do (not that you could tell from my post about the novel, since I didn’t mention her, but…)

TV’s Boyd Crowder (I don’t remember the book version well enough), West Wing’s Ainsley Hayes, and The Cinder Spires‘ Folly–to name just a few–have ways of putting together a sentence while they’re talking that make you pay attention (at the very least). Between the vocabulary, word order, surprising figures of speech, etc., readers/viewers like me cannot help but be drawn to them. Dancer joined that company before her first conversation was over. I’d show you some samples if I hadn’t read a “please don’t quote from this” ARC.

She’s obsessed with making formless hats–and then selling/giving them away to people. She seems to be almost constantly armed with sarsaparilla tea (which I’ve never tasted, but by the end of the novel, was craving) and shares it when she has the opportunity. Also, if she enjoys your encounter, she’ll inevitably leave a tin cup of it behind, so you have to come find her to return it–and will then have another conversation and cup of tea (and likely, another cup to return sometime).

Dancer is a large woman, over 6’ tall, and in her mid-50s. She is probably the most Zen character I’ve encountered since Jeff Lebowski. She’s laid back, loves nature, is generous, seems to laugh at just about everything (not in a mocking way), cares about people…and generally, she abides.

Possibly the best thing about her is that in this world, she’s a Muggle. The most Muggle-y Muggle around, but she knows a person who insists she can see things that Dancer cannot. Dancer doesn’t argue with her (at least by the time we meet them), she doesn’t question her grasp on reality or anything like that. She accepts that it’s possible and lets them talk about it. And then when Dancer meets someone else saying he saw something like that, she just puts the two together and leaves it alone.

That’s a special kind of chill. And a sign of a captivating character.

What character would you name for last month?

New Year Bookish Resolutions Book Tag 2026

By HCNewton

On January 13, 2026

In Book Tag, Books, News/Misc.

I saw this over on The Strawberry Post, and it seemed like a good way to start to get my plans in order.

An author you’d like to read that you’ve never read?

That’s a great question. I honestly can’t think of one—at least not that I think I’ll make time for this year. Dorothy Sayers—yeah, I’ve read some of her non-fiction, but I haven’t dabbled into her Mystery novels. Agatha Christie (gasp! Shock! I know, I know)—but my guess is that I’ll push that off again. Maybe Dashiell Hammett? I actually bought one of his books last year, that seems most likely.

Oh, oh, I know—Paul D. Brazill! Yeah, I’ve got a hankering to read his stuff and have a very nice looking copy of Guns of Brixton sitting next to my desk.

Guns of Brixton by Paul D. Brazill

A book you’d like to read?

Oh, just so, so many. I’m going to go with The Troubled Deep by Rob Parker. I opened it months ago when I got it, read the first couple of pages and wanted to dive in then (pun unintended, but it made me smile). I trust there’s a good reason that I didn’t—but I need to make room for it. (I could also mention Noelle Holten’s His Truth Her Truth or the two Lee Goldberg books I didn’t make time for last year—mind boggling, or….)

The Troubled Deep by Rob Parker

A classic you’d like to read?

I’ve had a hankering for The Count of Monte Cristo for the last couple of years—I’m not sure where it came from, but it keeps popping up in the back of my mind. I should probably fix that.

A book you’d like to re-read?

Umm…I think Kings of the Wyld is coming up for a book club, and I’d love an excuse to re-read that. Thinking of the first volume of Chu’s The War Arts Saga, too.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames/span>

A book you’ve had for ages and want to read?

This is where I should insert a .gif of me weeping uncontrollably. There’s just so many… Everything I mentioned in this post. Everything I thought about mentioning in thsi post Everything I should’ve thought about mentioning.

A big book you’d like to read?

Herne’s A Curse of Krakens. As good as that series has been, it’s mind-boggling that I keep delaying reading it.

A Curse of Krakens by Kevin Hearne

or…What’s Next, something I’ve been trying to find time for since last 2024. Without actually counting pages of various books, those’re the biggest sitting on my TBR shelves.

What’s Next by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack

An author you’ve previously read and would like to read more of?

JCM Berne. There’s just no reason that I haven’t read everything by him. (are there others I could name here? Yup. But Berne’s weighing on me)

A book you got for Christmas and would like to read?

If only…I don’t get books for the holidays. Sure, I have several lists my family can access with ideas, but it just doesn’t happen. An author gave me a book at an event in November—that’s the closest thing I can think of—so, I guess I’ll say Entombed by Kate Baray. Which looks like a lot of fun.

Entombed by Kate Baray

A series you want to read from start to finish?

Huh. I cannot think of one. Probably because I can only think of series I haven’t finished/caught up on. Okay, readers—hit me. What series (think small, please—let’s be realistic) should I tackle en toto this year?

A series you want to finish that you’ve already started?

Okay…let’s see. There’s the aforementioned War Arts Saga, The Seven Kennings, and Hybrid Helix series. Winslow’s Danny Ryan trilogy. The Broken Blades books. Dark Lord Davi duology, and—probably most of all: Red Rising I know it’s going to destroy me. But I need to know how Brown’s going to wrap it all up.

Do you set reading goals? If so how many books do you want to read in 2026?

I have few reading goals this year (a more complete post on this is coming soon). There are 3 big ones this year—1. Any book that I buy this year, I want to read this year (unless I buy it for a 2027 project). 2. I want to read the 24 of Slate’s 25 Greatest Picture Books of the Past 25 Years that I haven’t already. 3. I want to reduce my Owned-But-Not-Read, stack. It’s just out of control.
I set my Goodreads goal at 225. I’m not that invested in hitting that, and if I don’t because I’m reading a bunch of fat books that take thought and time? I’m okay with that. If I don’t hit it for other reasons…well, that probably says something about my health/mental state, and should set off alarm bells for me/my family.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.

Captivating Character of December: Zoë Boutin-Perry

By HCNewton

On December 26, 2025

In Books, Miscellany, News/Misc.

Connie at Reading Ladies has started a new monthly feature, Most Captivating Character of the Month. I read plenty of great characters this month (and have a few left, too), but the character I chose for December (although I might have picked Dogged Determination from Michael R. Fletcher’s Dogged, if I prepped this a few days later), Zoë Boutin-Perry from Zoë’s Tale by John Scalzi.

I don’t have a review-ish post to link to, because I’m still trying to decide how I’m going to tackle this series. But I’ll likely end up cannibalizing bits of this post.

Zoë is a delightful, snarky, teenager—sure of herself (bordering on over-confidence, at least from the outside). With her new BFF, she seems unstoppable. Sure, the pair of frightening alien bodyguards add to that. But it wouldn’t take anyone long to realize that their main function is to be unnerving (she won’t let them do anything else).

Left to her own devices, she’d make a splash on whatever colony world she found herself. A lot of that can be attributed to her adoptive parents, and the way they raised, supported, and loved her. But beyond that she’s never been left to her own devices—thanks to her birth father and his research. That ended up putting an entire race happily in her debt.

In Zoë’s mind (and she’s not that wrong), most of what has happened in her life is because of what she is, not who she is. I don’t want to get into the details—let her first-person narration fill you in. It’s being the daughter of Charles Boutin and the adopted daughter of John Perry and Jane Sagan. It’s about being the model sentient being for the entire race of Obin. It’s her turn now to make who she is more important than the circumstances she’s in.

And, boy howdy, does she take advantage of that. In the words of Robert Muldoon about a particular Velociraptor and Oberon about Granuaile—Zoë’s a clever girl. Oh, so clever. And determined. And creative.

And her sense of humor? Love it. That endears her to me enough. The rest is just icing on the captivating cake.

What character would you name for last month?

In 2025…My Life in Books

By HCNewton

On December 16, 2025

In Book Tag, Books, News/Misc.

It’s time for my third crack at this tag–I did it in ’23 and ’24, too. Book’d Out was nice enough to create a tag that’s easy and fun to return to. Thanks to Jodie over at Witty and Sarcastic Book Club for tagging me in her version (and reminding me that this exists), I didn’t steal any of her responses (although I might have been tempted).

Typically, my daughter and I spend an hour or so brainstorming answers to this–mostly with responses that I’ll never admit to trying. This year, I did this on my own–with her deciding between two options for one. I’ve gotta say, it’s much more entertaining for me to do it with her, and I’m going to make a bigger effort on that part for the 2026 version.

In the meantime, you have to settle for an all me version, hopefully it’s up to par 🙂

2025 was the year of… Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by Jason Pargin
In 2025, I wanted to be… The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
In 2025, I was… Too Old For This by Samantha Downing

In 2025, I gained… Dead Money by Jakob Kerr
In 2025, I lost… My Documents by Kevin Nguyen
In 2025, I loved… Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

In 2025, I hated… (the) King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
In 2025, I learned… How to Dodge a Cannonball by Dennard Dayle
In 2025, I was surprised by… Where the Bones Lie by Nick Kolakowski

In 2025, I went… (to) The Last Colony by John Scalzi
In 2025, I missed out on… (the) Silence of the Dead by Andi Ewington/Erica Marks
In 2025, my family were… On Again, Awkward Again by Erin Entrada Kelly & Kwame Mbalia

In 2026, I hope it will be… The Greatest Possible Good by Ben Brooks, read by Emma Gregory

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.

End of the Year Book Tag ’25

By HCNewton

On December 2, 2025

In Book Tag, Books, News/Misc.

This was created by Ariel at Books Unbound, and according to Biblio Nerd Reflections, you can find the latest version on their podcast: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/. I did this tag back in 2019, 2022, and 2023, then completely forgot about it until I saw it at Biblio Nerd Reflections last week.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

Wisdom for Life: 52 Old Testament Meditations
by Michael P V Barrett Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism
by Zacharias Ursinus Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices
by Thomas Brooks

There are my three “project reads,” that I’m scheduled to finish—and then any that I start between now and then I’ve got a couple of reading challenge books, but not much. Really, it’s just finishing what I start.

(and being strategic about what I start) 😊

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

I don’t think of books seasonally—I definitely don’t have an annual book for this kind of thing. I think Callus and Crow served well that way. You’ve got creepy vampires, an autumnal atmosphere. Something Wicked This Way Comes did, too.

Callus & Crow
by D. B. Rook Something Wicked This Way Comes
by Ray Bradbury

Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?

Everybody Wants to Rule the World
by Ace Atkins

Ace Atkins’ Everybody Wants to Rule the World looks so good, and is apparently “hilarious” (according to Robert Crais, anyway). I don’t think there’s anything else I’m waiting for—I could be wrong, but I think I’m done with big ones for the year—which is good, because I’ve already started collecting them for next year.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying
by Django Wexler Strange Practice
by Vivian Shaw Till We Have Faces
by C.S. Lewis

Well, there’s the Holiday TBR from last week (I’ve read two of them). But I’ve already talked about them, so let’s go with these.

Is there a book you think that could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?

Probably—almost anything that I start now. The Atkins or Lewis books I mentioned above are possible. Especially a book that I end up reading in the next month or so that I haven’t thought about until now. I don’t have any I could predict—but I’m prepared to be surprised. I will say, they’d have to be fantastic, ‘cuz I’ve read some spectacular books this year.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2026?

Yes, I have started making plans. They’re very much scaled-back compared to the last couple of years. My goals are to focus on whimsy, impulse (irresponsibly so), and attacking books I own. Raven Crime Reads spent 2025 focusing on “Reading like No One’s Watching.” I think I want to try to do that, too.

Another way to think about 2026 for me is Butcher’s Twelve Months, Pierce Brown’s Red God, and a bunch of other things TBD that really don’t matter as much.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.

Top 5 Tuesday – Top 5 classic retellings

By HCNewton

On September 30, 2025

In Books, News/Misc., Top X List

Yes, two in one day, I have to do some catch up. This week’s Top 5 topic is Top 5 classic retellings.

I honestly could only think of six retellings at all–which annoys me, and makes me pretty sure that I forgot about a dozen that I’ll regret in a day or two. But I really like some of these selections (and think the others are great takes on the source material).

In lieu of spending time formatting a post and hemming and hawing about this and that, I just turned on the camera, hit record, and blathered on a bit.

Let me know what you think!

Top 5 Tuesday – Top 5 classics I didn’t like

By HCNewton

On September 30, 2025

In Books, News/Misc., Top X List

Yes, two in one day, I have to do some catch up. This week’s Top 5 topic is Top 5 classics I didn’t like.

I resist cheating twice in this video to come up with my five, part of me wishes I didn’t, just for my own amusement. Instead I settled on an honest list.

In lieu of spending time formatting a post and hemming and hawing about this and that, I just turned on the camera, hit record, and blathered on a bit.

Let me know what you think!

Top 5 Tuesday – Top 5 classics I’m not interested in reading

By HCNewton

On September 16, 2025

In Books, News/Misc., Top X List

Yes, two in one day, I have to do some catch up. This week’s Top 5 topic is Top 5 classics I’m not interested in reading.

As I say in the video–this list was hard to come up with! I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about books I’m not terribly interested in reading. If I have no interest in a book, I typically forget it right away. I’m funny that way??

In lieu of spending time formatting a post and hemming and hawing about this and that, I just turned on the camera, hit record, and blathered on a bit.

Let me know what you think!

Page 1 of 29

Next

You Want Me to Read Your Book?
Suggest a Book!
(or tell me something else)

Follow The Irresponsible Reader on WordPress.com
Grandpappy's Corner

Literary Locals HQ

A Word about My Ratings

Blogroll
Currently Reading:
Fairest Hunter by M.K. Felix

On Deck:
City of Lost Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Archives
Archives

These posts may contain an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.


Wisdom for Life: 52 Old Testament Meditations by Michael P V Barrett	Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism by Zacharias Ursinus	Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks


Callus & Crow by D. B. Rook	Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury


How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler	Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw	Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis