Tag: WWW Wednesday Page 1 of 34

Okay, it’s the end of September and I’m still working on some of my “Summer 2026” reads. Uh-oh.

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?

Fallen Star by Lee Goldberg	The Confederacy Myth: How an Insurrection of Slaveholders Tried to Destroy the United States by Connor Williams	The Jungle of Carabanana by Kate McKinnon, read by Kate McKinnon & Emily Lynne

Fallen Star isn’t the best Eve Ronin novel, but it’s plenty of fun with some good twists.

So, I get done despairing for our future with Empire of AI, only to turn to despairing for our past with The Confederacy Myth. I’ve got to find a different kind of non-fiction to work through.

Okay, the third volume of The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science series is just as loony as its predecessors. The trilogy might end up in my all-time Children’s Fiction list (too soon to tell, I need to experience it another time or two)

What did you recently finish reading?

Waiting for LeClerc by Vern Smith	Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed by S.B. West, read by Fred Berman

Smith’s latest was great (as I said last week).

West’s novel was entertaining enough–a very cozy vibe, but with enough violence and nation-conquering to keep it out of that category. But Berman’s narration sealed it for me. Just knocked it out of the park.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt	The Legend of Uh by Aaron N. Hall

It’s too early in the year for a Christmas-themed book for my taste. But Rosenfelt will help me get over that.

I’ve been wanting to try The Legend of Uh for quite a while–nice of my library to grab the audiobook so I can.

How’re you wrapping up the month?

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?

Dawn by Octavia E. Butler	Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI by Karen Hao	I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends by Jessica Tarlov

Oh, my…Dawn is so good. I’m less than 50 pages from the end, and I have so many conflicting thoughts about the characters and events. These aliens are…freakishly alien. I’m going to be chewing on this for a long time.

Hao’s book is hard to grapple with–the amounts of money, computer power, and corporate moves are hard to take in. And the ethics behind everything? Boy howdy…

Tarlov’s book is okay. It’s what I should’ve expected, but not really what I was hoping it would be. I’ll explain more when I’m finished.

What did you recently finish reading?

A Divided Duty by Seanan McGuire	Dragonfired by J. Zachary Pike, read by Doug Tisdale Jr.

I was hoping to have a post about A Divided Duty up today, but I needed more energy before tackling it. Short version: I loved it.

Dragonfried was hilarious and moving, when it wasn’t barely interesting. I’ll try to explain more on that soon–but that’s basically how I’ve reacted to all three books in Pike’s series.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick	The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon, read by Jennifer Jill Araya

I’m trying to purge my mind of every memory of Ridley Scott’s film (which is difficult)–or at least to shove them into a corner where I can ignore them, before I jump into this book.

I know I said Dixon’s novel was going to be my next one last week–but I wanted a quick Non-Fiction hit after some longer Fantasy audiobooks. I’ll dive in tomorrow.

What books are on your nightstand/side table/desk now?

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 Divided Duty by Seanan McGuire	Dragonfired by J. Zachary Pike, read by Doug Tisdale Jr.

I’m less than 10% into the Toby Daye ARC, and am thoroughly enjoying Toby and Tybalt as parents of a screaming baby. I do wonder how they’ll balance that with saving the day.

Pike’s third Dark Profit book is laying the groundwork for something fun, but I haven’t really gotten into this one yet.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Cat Who Saved the Library by Sosuke Natsukawa, translated by Louise Heal Kawai	Dead Inside by Noelle Holten, read by Rachael Beresford

I was so much more impressed with the writing in The Cat Who Saved the Library than its predecessor, but I enjoyed the whimsy of The Cat Who Saved Books a bit more (there was still plenty in this one). So, so good.

I’d forgotten the details of the murder cases in Holten’s book–but remembered the personal life stuff. So it was fun to revisit this, still, a lot of the “personal life” material was so much worse than the murder cases.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Dawn by Octavia E. Butler	The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon, read by Jennifer Jill Araya

I’m eager to start Dawn, but a little worried that Butler’s going to treat my emotions like a heavy bag in the gym.

I don’t see how I’m not going to enjoy The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances and really hope Dixon doesn’t let me down.

How have your recent reads been treating you?

I had three other posts almost ready for today, but a non-blog project took more of my time than I expected, so this was all I could finish.

I know–gasp!–I do things that aren’t for this?

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 Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss	He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon, read by Heath Miller

I’ve read some great things this year, some books that could likely become favorites after a re-read or two (and I’m planning on those). But I don’t know if anything has touched the levels of enjoyment and contentment that I’ve felt revisiting The Name of the Wind. I’ll probably finish it this evening, and I regret it.

He Who Fights with Monsters is entertaining and engaging, and I don’t plan on DNFing it (although being told by someone that the book gets really good right before the end isn’t unwelcome news). At this time, I can’t see myself spending another 12 books in this world or with this protagonist.

What did you recently finish reading?

Fool by K.R. Lockhaven	Gods & Comics by Kat Cho, read by Greta Jung

One of the things that didn’t get finished today was my post about Fool, but it’ll be very favorable. Come back for it.

Cho’s book was fun. I’m not sure I have much more to say about it than that.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Henchperson’s Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore	Dead Inside by Noelle Holten, read by Rachael Beresford

A little scary, a little silly…Moore’s book looks like a good palate cleanser after a couple of more serious Fantasy novels in a row.

Holten’s first novel really disturbed me, so it makes sense that I’ve kept kicking the audiobook down the road instead of listening to it. But, I’m getting annoyed with myself for that, so here goes.

How’re you doing? What’s your reading like?

I saw something distubing on Facebook yesterday, and just have to share it with you at this point:

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?

Fool by K.R. Lockhaven	Gods & Comics by Kat Cho, read by Greta Jung

Fool is such a change of pace for Lockhaven–not that I had a problem with his old pace, but this should get him on more radars than he has been previously.

Gods & Comics is just entertaining enough to keep going. Not much more–but things could change.

What did you recently finish reading?

Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me by Django Wexler	The Politician by Tim Sullivan, read by Finlay Robertson

I had no idea how Wexler was going to pull off the conclusion to this duology. But he picked the absolute right way to do it–this was just so much fun.

The Politician was just wonderful–I guessed the killer correctly early on (but had the motive wrong), but I was gripped throughout and the twists really did get me tangled up.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss	He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon, read by Heath Miller

I’m really eager to get back into this one. I’m very glad I was given an excuse.

I’ve thought about trying He Who Fights… off and on for quite some time, but I didn’t want to get into LitRPG, and then Dinnimin showed me I was thinking hollowly there. And then someone I know recommended this book, so…

How’s September starting for you? Are you one of those who tries to match the mood of their reading with the season?

I don’t have much to say, really. But it’s National Dog Day (as I posted about earlier), so why I don’t I share a picture of the girls that steal my spot on the bed, demand more than their share of my food, drive me nuts by barking at nothing, and generally make my life better every day.

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 Killer’s Mark by M.W. Craven	Parks and Rec: The Underdog TV Show That Lit’rally Inspired a Vision for a Better America by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong	The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, read by Mark Bramhall

There’s knowing before you start that you’re almost certainly going to love a new M.W. Craven book. Then there’s actdually getting to experience it. The latter is far, far better. I considered not going back to work tomorrow after starting The Killer’s Mark at lunch.

Am enjoying Armstrong’s look at Parks and Recreation, and the antepenultimate chapter (that I read last night) is better than the previous chapters combined.

Oh, I’m liking Hartnett’s latest far more than I expected to. I’m not that far off from the landing, and she seems to be sticking it. Bramhall’s narration is top-notch, too.

What did you recently finish reading?

Wool by Hugh Howey	Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto, read by Eunice Wong

Wool was everything you want in a dystopian novel. I’m not sure I was in the right mood for a dystopian novel, however.

Sutanto’s latest has all the heart and verve you expect. Some good laughs, too.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me by Django Wexler	The Politician by Tim Sullivan, read by Finlay Robertson

I’ll be closing out my 20 Books of Summer and the Dark Lord Davi duology with my next read. Looking forward to both.

It’s time for the next DS Cross novel, and I’m eager for that, too.

We’re in the last stretch of August. How’s your month’s reading been?

There’s no movement at all on the audiobook’s listed last week and today. Which irks me a litte bit–for no clear reason. Hopefully that’s taken care of by the 26th.

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 Rift Dragon by Shami Stovall	Parks and Rec: The Underdog TV Show That Lit’rally Inspired a Vision for a Better America by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong	The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook by Matt Dinniman, read by Jeff Hays

Without realizing it, I tore through the first 52% of The Last Rift Dragon yesterday. I’m more than eager to see what’s next, I’m already hoping for a sequel, and I’m not sure I want the book to end as quickly as I think it will.

I’m having fun with Armstrong’s book, but oddly enough, I think I chuckled more reading What’s Next. Still, it’s a strong book.

I’ll likely finish the third Dungeon Crawler Carl book today–some of what Dinniman has done in this book…wow. And a lot of what Hays has done…wow again.

What did you recently finish reading?

Cold Iron Task by James J. Butcher	Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman, read by Alana Kerr Collins, Gary Furlong & Siobhan Waring

Good gravy, how’re things getting worse for our protagonists in each book of the series. Can’t they get a win sometime?

I’m taking so long with The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook is still the most recent audiobook I finished.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Wool by Hugh Howey	Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto, read by Eunice Wong

I know very little about Wool–it’s some sort of runaway dystopian hit that started off life as a self-published work and then got picked up by a traditional publisher. Between the title Wool and the fact that AppleTV’s adaptation is called Silo I halfway assume there’s some sort of agricultural bent to it. But I’m pretty sure that’s a mistake on my part

As I said above, the newest Sutanto is still next. I don’t have a lot of time to get through it before it’s due, so hopefully work cooperates with me.

How’s your reading going?

Another week, another WWW Wednesday. The end of my 20 Books is in sight–and thankfully, I’m having a blast with them. (we’ll see about the rest of my summer hopefuls next).

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?

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto	Magic & Mystery Collection	The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook by Matt Dinniman, read by Jeff Hays

I just started Dial A for Aunties at lunch today, and am laughing already. I don’t know where this is going to go, but it’s going to be ridiculously fun.

I should be finishing the Magic & Mystery collection tonight, and I’ve been very satisfied with it.

I’ve listened to 13 minutes of the third Dungeon Crawler Carl book, and am very annoyed that I’ve been in an all-day meeting today, and will be in it all day tomorrow (unless people get really quiet, really fast). So it’ll be Friday before I can make real progress in it. I’m kicking myself for those 13 minutes…I should’ve known better.

What did you recently finish reading?

Crownfall by Michael Vadney	Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman, read by Alana Kerr Collins, Gary Furlong & Siobhan Waring

Crownfall was almost as good as I’d hoped it’d be–and the last 100-150 pages are just fantastic.

It turns out that Good Eggs had been on my Goodreads “Want to Read” list for a while, so my picking it up last week wasn’t the fluke I thought it was. It was a good novel, not one that blew me away, but one I’ll recommend.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Cold Iron Task by James J. Butcher	Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto, read by Eunice Wong

Last year, when Cold Iron Task came out, I was so behind with ARCs and Tour reading that I loaned it to a friend immediately so it wouldn’t be around to tempt me. Then when I got it back, I was still so occupied by other things that I set it aside and never got back to it. That ends this week–and hopefully I don’t repeat this cycle next month when the fourth book in the series releases 🙂

Am I possibly overdoing the Sutanto? Yes. But when a Libby hold comes in, you jump on it. Hopefully this protagonist is different enough from Meddelin that I don’t OD.

Do you have anything good cooking?

Another chaotic Tues. evening/Wednesday has left me running late with this. Zut alors.

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?

Deadly Does It by Abbi Waxman	Magic & Mystery Collection curated by John Joseph Adams	Cursed Cocktails by S.L. Rowland, read by Eric Jason Martin

Given my experience with Waxman in general, and these characters last year–plus what a friend said about this–I know I’m in for a very good couple of days with this.

I’ve read the first two stories in the Magic & Mystery collection, and they were very satisfying. Consider me a fan.

Like Sword & Thistle a couple of weeks back, when my library added these to the catalog, I figured it’d be fun to revisit them. It has been.

What did you recently finish reading?

Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton	Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer

I’m not entirely sure what Crichton was trying to do with his debut. I really liked parts of it. But the whole? Um…er…I dunno.

Vischer’s memoirs about the birth, rise, and fall of Big Idea was interesting to say the least, but…problematic, too.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Crownfall by Michael Vadney	Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman, read by Alana Kerr Collins, Gary Furlong & Siobhan Waring

I’ve talked about reading Crownfall so many times without actually doing it, I don’t know what to put here.

Good Eggs was just added to my library’s collection. It looks low-stakes and generally heartwarming. Sounds nice.

How’s the August weather (and assorted natural disasters around you) treating you? Are your current books doing better for you than those?

Sure I drown you in posts last week, and just a trickle this week… yeah, well. I meant to do one or two others today, but my mind was mostly willing and my flesh was bone tired. So, hopefully tomorrow. In the meantime, I did manage to put this together.

There’s a story to go with that bone-tiredness. I should probably tell it to you soon. But, as the man said, “no time for love, Dr. Jones,” I’ll tell you later.

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?

Detained: A boy’s journal of survival and resilience by D. Esperanza and Gerardo Iván Morales	Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull, read by E.B. Stevens

I’ve barely scratched the surface of Detained. But it’s a promising surface. I mean, as much as a first-person account of a teen’s time in Immigration Detention can be “promising.”

Book Two of Fablehaven is off to an uneven start, but it feels like it’s getting the momentum going around the 20% mark. I’ve forgotten so much of this in the 16 years since I read it 🙂

What did you recently finish reading?

A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett	Monster in the Moonlight by Annelise Ryan, read by Susan Bennett

A Trade of Blood is my favorite of this series by Bennett. And I’ve counted the first two among the best of the last couple of years. I’ll try to get my rave about it up in a day or two. Fantastic worldbuilding (still), great fantasy novel, compelling mystery, some of the best characters I’ve read this year…

Monster in the Moonlight was a pretty satisfying read in this series–it moved a couple of lingering arcs forward nicely (a book too late, IMHO) and the mystery was well executed.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton

Here’s what I know going in about Eaters of the Dead: 1. It’s Crichton’s first novel, 2. Our Fantasy Book Club is discussing it next, 3. It couldn’t have won any cover design awards.

I just realized that I hadn’t thought about my next audiobook. Will have to find something.

How are you wrapping up the month?