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May 2016 Report

On June 1, 2016

In Books, Calendar Items, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

So, here’s what happened here in May.

Books Read:

Still Reading:

Reviews Posted:

Songs In Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris
Madam Tulip by David Ahern
Indexing (Audiobook) by Seanan McGuire, Mary Robinette Kowal
Dead is Best by Jo Perry
Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky
Perfect Family by H. Lovelyn Bettison
Giovanni Goes To Med School by Kathy Bryson
Robert B. Parker’s Slow Burn by Ace Atkins
The Old World by Roy M. Griffis
Shadow Rites by Faith Hunter
Burned by Benedict Jacka
Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
Thursday, 1:17 PM by Michael Landweber
The Cupid Reconciliation by Michael R. Underwood
Hard Court by Robert Germaux
Hounded (Audiobook) by Kevin Hearne, Luke Daniels
The God We Worship edited by Jonathan L. Master
Condominium by Daniel Falatko

How was your month?

15 Years Ago

By HCNewton

On May 11, 2016

In Authors, Calendar Items, Douglas Adams, News/Misc., The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

I distinctly remember where I was sitting, and who was around, when I read the news 15 years ago that Douglas Adams, a mere 49 years old, had died of a heart attack. I’m not usually one who reacts when a celebrity dies (usually), but this one shook me.

Adams’ wit, style, perspective, and books had a formative impact on my adolescence — for good or ill — and my adulthood.

I hadn’t realized this year was the 15th anniversary of his death when I decided to do my big re-read of his works this year, but I’m glad I’m doing it. I’ll talk about him a little bit more in a couple of weeks (and when I get around to reading the next books on my list), but for now, I just wanted to take a brief moment to reflect on his death.

A couple of days later, John Kovalic’s Dork Tower ran this comic (tweaked 5 years ago) which pretty much summed things up for me.

April 2016 Report

By HCNewton

On May 2, 2016

In Books, Calendar Items, News/Misc.

So, here’s what happened here in April:

Books Read:












or

Still Reading:

Reviews Posted:

God’s Glory Alone—The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life: What the Reformers Taught…and Why It Still Matters by David VanDrunen
Calamity by Brandon Sanderson
The Watcher in the Wall by Owen Laukkanen
A Far Out Galaxy by Marjorie Thelen
Red Storm by Grant Bywaters
Waylaid by Kim Harrison
Once a Crooked Man by David McCallum
Chaos Choreography by Seanan McGuire
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Fate Ball by Adam W. Jones
Life, The Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams
Off to See the Wizard by Clay Johnson
Ideas and Inspiration for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers by James Hutchings
The Absconded Ambassador by Michael R. Underwood, Kowall
There Will Always Be a Max by Michael R. Underwood

How was your month?

Meet Bricksley!

By HCNewton

On April 2, 2016

In News/Misc.

So it doesn’t take a dedicated reader of this here blog to know that I’m an Anton Strout fan — read both his series, frequently plug his podcast (The Once & Future Podcast). My daughter is a pretty big fan of his, too — especially his Spellmason Chronicles series.

A couple of months back, I saw that another Strout fan had made a plush version of the brick golem, Bricksley, from the series and was selling them on her Etsy page. You can even get her to customize the facial expression.

We celebrated my daughter’s birthday today, and I gave her her very own Bricksley. It took her no time at all to recognize him (impressive, since she last read the books in October, 2014) — and I think it’s pretty clear that she liked him.

Anyhow, we were pleased enough (quality work, pleasant to do business with, etc.) that I wanted to take the time to share a plug — be sure to check out Mellie’s Monsters…and cuddly critters for all your cuddly monster needs.

March 2016 Report

By HCNewton

On April 1, 2016

In Books, Calendar Items, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

So, here’s what happened here in March (a transition month for me personally, so not as much happened as I’d like…)

Books Read:

Still Reading:

Reviews Posted:

No Problem, Mr. Walt by Walt Hackman
Morning Star by Pierce Brown
Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Risen by M. T. Miller
Dead is Better by Jo Perry
Got Luck by Michael Darling
Elphie and Dad go on an Epic Adventure by Hagit R. Oron, Or Oron
A Devil in Hong Kong by David Harris Lang
Shootout Solution by Michael R. Underwood, Mary Robinette Kowall
Heroes and Villains: Pawn in the Game by Tara R

How was your month?

Audiobook recommendations?

By HCNewton

On March 16, 2016

In Uncategorized

Have a 20-ish hour road trip coming up next week — looking for Audiobook recommendations. Light-ish/Quirky Urban Fantasy would be preferred — but I’m open for anything.

Oh, if possible, something that a 17-year-old wouldn’t mind hearing in front of his parents 🙂

Changes (no, not THAT Dresden Files book)

By HCNewton

On March 7, 2016

In News/Misc.

(there’s far less bloodshed here)

So, I started a new job today — which is exciting, and stressful, and good news and many other things. For the first time in almost a decade, I won’t be working the Graveyard Shift anymore — I get to sleep when it’s dark and be awake during the day like a Real Person™ (further proof that my life is not, alas, Urban Fantasy).

What does this mean for the blog? Hopefully, not much — after a period of adjustment. But last week’s minimal posting was due to me running around trying to get ready for this change, and I anticipate the same this week. Next week? I don’t know . . . time will tell.

Please bear with me, I’ve got a lot of balls in the air when it comes to this thing — a lot of plans and hopes, I’m not walking away, just making some adjustments.

February 2016 Report

By HCNewton

On March 1, 2016

In Books, Calendar Items, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

So, here’s what happened here in February.

Books Read:





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DNF

Still Reading:

Reviews Posted:

The Intern by Dale Wiley
Staked by Kevin Hearne
Missing Mona by Joe Klingler
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
Guardians by Josi Russell
The Highly Capable by Jayme Beddingfield
The Batgirl of Burnside by Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart & Babs Tarr
Confessions of a Clumsy Christian: Unqualified by Jennifer Wilson
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
Some Assembly Required by Kevin Smith, Phil Hester and Jonathan Lau
Talking to the Dead by Harry Bingham
Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe
Freedom’s Child by Jax Miller
Steal the Sky by Megan E. O’Keefe
The Story of Lucius Cane: Book One by Vanya Ferreira

How was your month?

I’m Curious: What Was the First Book That . . .

By HCNewton

On February 24, 2016

In Books, News/Misc.

I hate these kind of days — I try to get something up at least 6 days a week. But some days a combination of my job, parenting, husbanding and need for sleep — IOW, the stuff that happens when I’m not reading or blogging — has to take precedence. Today’s such a day.

I did accomplish some things today for the blog, but it’s all behind the scenes stuff and/or things I can’t post quite yet.

Anyway. . .

This was asked a couple of weeks ago on some Facebook group I belong to and I thought the answers were interesting enough, I’d ask you:

If you can remember, what was the first book that destroyed you?

For me, it was either: Where the Red Fern Grows (which I read most of several times, and all of a couple of times); The High King by Lloyd Alexander between the deaths and goodbyes, I still can’t do it dry-eyed; or Bridge to Terabithia — I can’t tell you anything about the plot (there were 2 kids, 1 girl and 1 boy, right?), the characters or anything, and I read it 2-4 times — all I can remember is emotional devastation.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Share the emotional scars we all know you have. 🙂