Tag: WWW Wednesday Page 2 of 32

I honestly don’t know that I have anything to blather about before diving in today. So, I’ll stop trying.

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?

Banners of Wrath by Michael Michel	The Dentist by Tim Sullivan

Michel’s latest is making me feel like I’m running a marathon–thankfully, it’s only in my mind (or I’d be typing this from a hospital bed). I really don’t know what to expect in the next chapter, much less the rest of this book (or the two to follow). But I’m in.

I’m only one quarter of the way into The Dentist, but if it keeps going like this, DS George Cross could be a new favorite.

What did you recently finish reading?

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg	Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto, read by Eunice Wong

I didn’t expect the events of Hidden in Smoke for Sharpe & Walker #3–maybe #5 or #6. But I’m not going to complain. I’m glad I finally caught up to it.

I cannot say enough good things about Eunice Wong’s work narrating Vera Wong books. She’s as delightful to listen to as the books are.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Jump by DL Orton	Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman, read by Travis Baldree & Jeff Hays

After two pretty intense Fantasy books, I need some SF. Enter Madders of Time, Book Two.

I was going to hold off on Dinniman’s new stuff until I had a few Dungeon Crawler Carls under my belt. Then after Book Club on Monday, the manager of Shared Stories sold me on this. So…I guess I’ll make his acquaintance this way.

You have anything costing you sleep lately? Or, if you’re healthier than that, what’s been grabbing your attention?

The last 22 hours have really slipped out of my control, so instead of three posts during the day, I get one up in the evening today.

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 Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter	A Particularly Nasty Case by Adam Kay, read by Andy Serkis

Very interesting societal worldbuilding; a magic system that is brutal, bloody, and intriguing; fantastic battle scenes; and a protagonist that is as captivating as he is pitiable. I’m so glad I opened this one up.

I didn’t realize this was Serkis doing the reading of Kay’s first novel until I just looked it up for the above. The book is even worse than I thought it was if I’m as disinterested in it as I am with Serkis elevating the material (at least, I assume he is). I’m less than two hours from the ending, and if the last 15 minutes are any indication, I might end up recommending the book–but you’ve gotta work to get to that point.

What did you recently finish reading?

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett	Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds by John Fugelsang

I was hoping to have a full post up about Fawcett’s delightful new book today. But we’re all going to have to settle for “delightful” for at least another eleven hours. We’ll see if I can do better after that.

I knew going in that I was going to have a lot to disagree with Fugelsang about–but I anticipated something I could enjoy, learn from, and disagree with. This screed is filled with arguments that were tired in the early 20th Century (and before) is so filled with errors, fallacies, and historical inaccuracies that I couldn’t appreciate whatever points I was sympathetic toward. It’s just a mess.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg	The Fact Checker by Austin Kelley, read by Jacques Roy

Our favorite arson investigators chase down a serial arsonists with something else even bigger keeping their focus. Can’t wait. Also, I’m using this as a palate cleanser between two huge Fantasy novels full of magic and stabbing. I’m really going to need that, might as well go with a sure-fire winner. (no pun intended)

That’s two audiobooks in a row that haven’t delivered what I wanted. Let’s see if The Fact Checker can break the streak.

What books have gotten under your skin lately?

It’s been a slow week here as far as posting goes. Hopefully things pick up for the rest of the week–in the meantime, let’s catch up on what I’m reading.

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 Land of Sweet Forever: Stories and Essays by Harper Lee	The Final Score by Don Winslow	The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard, read by Stephanie Németh-Parker

Since both the Winslow and Lee books are collections of shorter works, my plan is to jump back and forth between them for the next couple of days.

I’m intrigued by the mystery in The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco, but I’m not sure I’m sold on the rest of it. It’s more believable than any Finley Donovan adventure, and less frantic. But there’s the same kind of appeal to it.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Troubled Deep by Rob Parker	The Librarians by Sherry Thomas, read by Louisa Zhu

Rob Parker gets better with every book. I wonder about the viability of this series long-term, but this book was a knock-out.

Unlike the above, I’m not sure about the mysteries at the core of The Librarians, but the rest of it was pretty good, if a little soap-opera-esque.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett	That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You by Elyse Myers

I honestly only have the vaguest ideas about what these two books are about anymore (memory is fleeting)–at the moment, it’s seeing what the authors have produced that keeps my attention (and a trust that me of months-ago made good choices). Give me a few days, and I can be a bit more articulate.

How are you closing out the month? If you’re in one of those areas getting hit by the winter storms–hope you’re doing okay and have a good supply of necessities (food, water, heat, and things to read)

I’m sure it wasn’t the most appropriate way to commemorate the day, but I really enjoyed the bonus reading day on Monday — and, for a change, I took advantage of it. I’m at least one book ahead of where I expected to be today. I’m not going to be able to pull all of it off–but my January TBR is feeling largely doable. For today, anyway.

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?

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher	The Librarians by Sherry Thomas, read by Louisa Zhu

The fact that I’m posting this, or working, or acknowledging I have a wife and dogs while I have Twelve Months to focus on is rather surprising. I’m just in full geek-out mode.

I’m still getting a sense of The Librarians, the setting and characters are charming as all get out–but I’m still waiting for the plot to start. We’ll see how it goes from there.

What did you recently finish reading?

Lit by Tim Sandlin	Ozark Dogs by Eli Cranor

Sandlin’s cozy doesn’t feel all that cozy, but technically is one. It’s a hoot. Idaho does not come off well in this book, I will recommend it soon regardless.

Oh wow. This audio version of Ozark Dogs is just as powerful as the novel–only losing a bit of its punch because I revisited it. Cranor is a fantastic narrator, I should add.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson	The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard, read by Stephanie Németh-Parker

I’m looking forward to seeing for myself how Anderson’s book lives up to the description (click the link) or to the good things that people are saying about it (like Jodie did)

I don’t remember what it was about Chouinard’s book that got it put on my hold list–I’m just going to trust that former me knew what he was doing. It’s been a minute before I dabbled in a light-hearted serial killer book.

Any book(s) have you excited lately?

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?