Reading wrap-up, 2023

Seeing as how I've just started reading a 400+ page science fiction space opera, I'm pretty sure I won't be done by New Year's Day. I think it's safe to whip up a reading summary post for 2023 now.

According to goodreads, I surpassed my goal of 50 books. I managed 51. That has a few caveats. I had a couple of DidNotFinish books. I'm finally allowing myself that. I used to always push through. And I still might if a book is short. But I no longer have the luxury of pushing through hundreds of pages if I'm not enjoying myself. Too many books, never enough time.

Also, I'm not counting various single issue comics throughout the year. (My regular pull list includes the current World's Finest, Sheena, various DarkHorse comics [mostly if Christopher Golden and/or Thomas Sniegoski are writing,] Conan, The Rocketeer .. other limited series, etc)

Also not counting when the mood hits for short stories. I hop around various anthologies and collections. I don't necessarily read those from cover to cover. (This is especially true every October for Halloween with horror reads.)

My top 10 favorite reads of the year;

• CHAMPLAIN'S DREAM by David Hackett Fischer
  
  
• THE THICKET by Joe R. Lansdale
  
  
• EMPIRE OF BLOOD AND SAND by Alister Hodge
  
  
• THE PESHAWAR LANCERS by S. M. Stirling
  
  
• ON BASILISK STATION by David Weber
  
  
• THE MOTHMAN MENACE by Craig McDonald
  
  
• ALL HALLOWS by Christopher Golden
  
  
• PIMP MY AIRSHIP by Maurice Broaddus
  
  
• NO NIGHT WITHOUT STARS by Andre Norton
  
  
• BLACK HONEY by Steve Van Samson

Reading plans for 2024? Nothing specific. I want to allow myself more longer reads (more space opera.) I will probably lower my Reading Challenge goal with that in mind.

We've lost David Drake

Not much else to say. David Drake has passed.

https://david-drake.com/

I once co-interviewed him for the old Sword-&-Sorcery.org website. That was definitely one of the major highlights of this writing gig.

Godspeed.

CONTACT 2: BLOOD & STEEL available now

 The Kindle edition of CONTACT 2: BLOOD & STEEL went live today. Hoping print soon follows.

My story, "Misery Hill," is historical, set during the end days of the Spanish-American war.

recent read; BLACK HONEY by Steve Van Samson

 

BLACK HONEY (And Other Unsavory Things) is a powerhouse eclectic collection of chilling tales. Touches of Hammer films, modern horror, wry humor, and twisted slices of everyday life can be experienced in this honeycomb of eleven tales of terror.

Come for the fantastic stories by Steve Van Samson, and stay for the incredible interior art by Derek Rook. It's a winning combination you won't soon forget!

Coming soon .. soonish .. Blood & Steel

Screaming Banshee Press gave the go-ahead to share the cover of their next release, a military horror anthology; CONTACT 2: BLOOD & STEEL. Hoping to have it out late summer. I have a story under "& More" ;)

I will, of course, update when book is released and available.

LONELY HOLLOWS

It's been awhile! I am, once again, appearing in an anthology! This time the stories are folk horror.

LONELY HOLLOWS by Pavane Press.

My story, "The Cellar Man," is in excellent company!

The paperback and hardcover editions dropped early, and can be ordered now. The Kindle edition is on pre-order, still slated for May 21st delivery.

recent read; EMPIRE OF BLOOD AND SAND

 If you're looking for a new, dark fantasy/grim dark novel, look no further than EMPIRE OF BLOOD AND SAND by Alister Hodge.

In a brutal desert empire, Jael Crowfeeder survives as a Beast Hunter. Last of his kind and despised by society, he’s betrayed and thrown in prison just as a legion of man and monster storm the border. Forcibly conscripted, Jael will soon wet his sword in the front lines.

I liked this one a lot.

I already have the (just released) sequel CITY OF STONE AND RUIN, waiting on my Kindle.