In May I read or re-read: Silesian Station by Downing; Stalin's Ghost by Cruz Smith; Flawless by Selby and Campbell (it's also a doc); The Discovery of France by Robb; Wolves Eat Dogs by Cruz Smith; The AI Con by Benden and Hana.
June-July: Regime Change by Haberman and Swann; The Invisible Emperor by Braude; Bite-Sized History of France by Mitchell; The Hobbit by Tolkien; The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan; Independence Square by Cruz Smith. (he's my favorite series author)
And along the way, bits and pieces of probably a dozen other books I gave up on for various reasons. Maybe more. I find that too many books across genres start well and then don't maintain the standard set by, say, a Prologue or Preface. Which is why I re-read books sometimes because I'm at a loss, amid rooms full of them, to find something that grabs me when the new books fail to hold my interest. I also return books if the production displeases me: like one recently that had a pale 10-point font.
Currently reading the dazzling Mr. Lincoln's War by Bruce Catton. I've never read anything about The Civil War so vivid and engrossing. For me now it's mostly history and biography with dashes of thriller. I haven't read much litfic in a long time.
Oh, I forgot that awful bestseller The Fires, set in Iceland. It had the worst ending I've read in years and was a bizarre blend of romance, disaster novel, geology and history.
I didn't used to, but started in January 2025 and looking back, am surprised I read so much that month. My book reading was formerly noted in my journals either in passing or whenever a list occurred to me, but I don't write journals anymore.
So far, I have read "The Golden Boy", "Yesteryear", and "Story is a State of Mind" this summer, and I'm currently reading "Nightshade". Not sure if the latter is available in the US, but it's proving to be quite interesting! I wasn't a fan of "The Golden Boy" though, but I'm happy to report that many in my book club are. "Yesteryear" needs no introduction -- that's for our next book club, and I have a feeling there will be a lot of mixed feelings!
It's hard to find the time to do all that we would like to. Squeeze in as much as you can!
Carpe diem!
In May I read or re-read: Silesian Station by Downing; Stalin's Ghost by Cruz Smith; Flawless by Selby and Campbell (it's also a doc); The Discovery of France by Robb; Wolves Eat Dogs by Cruz Smith; The AI Con by Benden and Hana.
June-July: Regime Change by Haberman and Swann; The Invisible Emperor by Braude; Bite-Sized History of France by Mitchell; The Hobbit by Tolkien; The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan; Independence Square by Cruz Smith. (he's my favorite series author)
And along the way, bits and pieces of probably a dozen other books I gave up on for various reasons. Maybe more. I find that too many books across genres start well and then don't maintain the standard set by, say, a Prologue or Preface. Which is why I re-read books sometimes because I'm at a loss, amid rooms full of them, to find something that grabs me when the new books fail to hold my interest. I also return books if the production displeases me: like one recently that had a pale 10-point font.
Currently reading the dazzling Mr. Lincoln's War by Bruce Catton. I've never read anything about The Civil War so vivid and engrossing. For me now it's mostly history and biography with dashes of thriller. I haven't read much litfic in a long time.
Oh, I forgot that awful bestseller The Fires, set in Iceland. It had the worst ending I've read in years and was a bizarre blend of romance, disaster novel, geology and history.
Impressive list. i usually don't keep track but summer is a good time to do that. I'm lucky to be a fast reader though.
Yours too.
I didn't used to, but started in January 2025 and looking back, am surprised I read so much that month. My book reading was formerly noted in my journals either in passing or whenever a list occurred to me, but I don't write journals anymore.
Jamaica Inn is one of my favorites. I wrote a short story "Magic Lantern Magic" as a take on an element of this story. It's in Yellow Mama.
It’s very R L Stevenson… gloriously gothic, and a great adventure story.
I’m carving out reading time for Declan Shaw #3 in September!
Towards the end of the month ... you have time!
Whoa, that's a lot. Currently reading the Zevon anthology.
No idea what I'm reading next, but I've got a bog old pile to choose from.
Yes, my pile is scary ... started a Connelly yesterday, it's "meh" ... the writing is so dry it crackles, and not in a pleasant way.
Aw, too bad.
Although there's a lot to be said for reading unappealing books.
It's the Department of How Not To Do It, to steal from Dickens.
Indeed...
What's the best link to buy your book? The one that gets you most royalties. Feel free to email me that.
You may want to try the Declan Shaw detective series. Book 3 comes out in September. My publisher has the links for the first 2 on his site: https://shotgunhoney.com/books/catalog/catch-me-on-a-blue-day-by-m-e-proctor/
(Catch Me on a Blue Day is nominated for a Shamus Award, Best Paperback Original). Thank you, John.
So far, I have read "The Golden Boy", "Yesteryear", and "Story is a State of Mind" this summer, and I'm currently reading "Nightshade". Not sure if the latter is available in the US, but it's proving to be quite interesting! I wasn't a fan of "The Golden Boy" though, but I'm happy to report that many in my book club are. "Yesteryear" needs no introduction -- that's for our next book club, and I have a feeling there will be a lot of mixed feelings!