A gentle reminder from the past: writing words and doing calculations are crafts best done sitting at a desk wearing a fancy hat. #amwriting

The illuminated image is from 1414. #histodons #bookstodon

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A detail from Konrad von Ammenhausen's Schachzabelbuch: an illumination of a "Schriber" (1414), a writing man sitting at a table, holding a quill, writing on parchment or paper. Source: BSB München, BV037274467

Finished: The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey.

Wow, that was a ride. I've posted before about having a hard time finding horror or thrillers that don't feel like their twists are predictable.

This is a sci fi thriller that didn't suffer from that problem at all. The twists are very good. I really enjoyed it. It was my book club suggestion so I'm curious what folks will think when we meet next week!

#SciFi #Bookstodon #Books @bookstodon #TheEchoWife

Book 11 was Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight (narrated by Cassandra Campbell & Olivia Campbell).

After months of estrangement, Cleo agrees to have dinner with her mother, Kat. But she arrives to find the dinner burnt, a bloody shoe on the floor, and no sign of Kat.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/d7f8d0cf-4915-49c4-8e72-a157847c71e4?redirect=true

#bookstodon

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Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight (narrated by Cassandra Campbell & Olivia Campbell).

Book 10 was Hogfather by Terry Pratchett (narrated by Sian Clifford).

When the Hogfather goes missing, Death steps in. Meanwhile, his granddaughter, Susan, can’t help but notice that something’s not right.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/0a6bdc33-533d-40ba-a9a1-af1c5dca5faf

#bookstodon

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Hogfather by Terry Pratchett (narrated by Sian Clifford). My listening supports The Portal Bookshop Libro.fm

The price of having ethics. I could probably get the email addresses of everyone who ordered #Autocade annuals in previous years and inform them that the latest is out. However, only a handful registered as users; most people shopped without signing up. If we were some awful US tech firm, that wouldn’t matter. As we’re not, I could only legitimately contact a small percentage of our customers. If anyone wants to help me spread the word …

https://lucire.biz/product/autocade-year-of-cars-2026-hardcover/ #AutocadeYearOfCars #bookstodon

Book 9 was The Next Great Migration: The Beauty and Terror of Life on the Move written and read by Sonia Shah.

The science is fascinating. The current affairs are infuriating. Where this book really shines, though, is in the history.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/30fe0ac9-f919-4314-9ac9-6b191cd0fe6c

#bookstodon

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The Next Great Migration: The Beauty and Terror of Life on the Move written and read by Sonia Shah.

Reading Evelyn Waugh’s Work Suspended last night, I came upon this gem - for context, Atwood (the first speaker) hit Plant’s father with his car, killing him:

“They may send me to prison for this. That’s what happens in this country to a man earning his living. If I’d been driving my own Rolls Royce they’d all be touching their caps. ‘Very regrettable accident,’ they’d be saying. ‘Hope your nerves have not been shocked, Mr Atwater’ - but to a poor man driving a two seater… Mr Plant, your father wouldn’t have wanted me to go to prison.”
“He often expressed the view that all motorists of all classes should be kept permanently in prison.”

#Reading #EvelynWaugh #TheWarOnCars #BanCars #Books #Bookstodon

Today I emailed an author to ask how to spell one of her character's names. I've read the series as audiobooks and none of the descriptions include his last name. Well now he's married to the main character and she has taken his name. So now I need to know how to spell it.

Have you written to an author? The last time I did was about 40 years ago in 6th grade and that was a homework assignment.

#bookstodon
@bookstodon

Book 8 was The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffrey (narrated by Matt Addis & Olivia Mace).

In 2019, Matt’s wife went missing. In 2024, Gabi befriends Matt as she investigates what happened to his wife.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/de9c93f7-8ff7-4862-83a8-08208745d918?redirect=true

#bookstodon

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The Crime Writer by Diane Jeffrey (narrated by Matt Addis & Olivia Mace). My listening supports The Portal Bookshop Libro.fm

I'm generally a very big fan of eBooks. I like the convenience of being able to carry around half my library, and taking up less space than even one paperback novel in the dead tree days.

But there's one downside: The total lack of a stack of shame. There's just not a stack of unread books on the table taunting me to read more. 😅

#bookstodon

Book 7 was Jingled by Evan J. Corbin.

I kind of expected a cosy bit of fluff. And yet the reality was darker and more nuanced than I expected. Highly recommended.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/e66eb6fd-7655-47bf-9805-359818ea9914

#bookstodon #lgbtbooks

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Jingled by Evan J. Corbin.

Did I already post this link here? I can never remember. But here's what I read in November.

#books #bookstodon

https://wingbackworkshop.com/november-2025-reading/

Brian Cox reads "If I Must Die" by Refaat Alareer

#GazaHolocaust #Poetry #Bookstodon #RIP

Book 6 was Volatile Memory by Seth Haddon (narrated by Emily Gibbons Bouchard).

Wylla, a trans woman living in a trans-hostile world, discovers a mask with the uploaded consciousness of an oppressed woman.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/04a04502-b049-4b73-bb45-484ae420b4b6?redirect=true

#bookstodon #lgbtbooks

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Volatile Memory by Seth Haddon (narrated by Emily Gibbons Bouchard). My listening supports The Portal Bookshop Libro.fm

Book 5 was Romance Your Brand: Building a Marketable Genre Fiction Series written and read by Zoe York.

The author gives readers her best advice on how to establish, stick with, and market their author brand.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/b94105b9-16e6-4239-a339-2ad0742ec582?redirect=true

#bookstodon

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Romance Your Brand: Building a Marketable Genre Fiction Series written and read by Zoe York.

It is that time of year, so I thought I’d mention that my book YOU DESERVE A TECH UNION is very much a thing you can buy for any tech workers in your life. Or yourself!

You can buy it just about anywhere books are sold, or ask your library to grab a copy! https://ethanmarcotte.com/books/you-deserve-a-tech-union/

#books #bookstodon #1u #YDATUbook

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Three bright red copies of the book “You Deserve a Tech Union” are stacked on a gray wooden surface. The stack is flared slightly, so that the corners of the lower books are peeking out from below.

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A screenshot of two pages from the digital version of “You Deserve a Tech Union”, showing the beginning of Chapter 3, titled “What is a Union?

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Screenshot of three testimonials, titled “Praise for You Deserve a Tech Union”. Peter Olney, retired organizing director of the ILWU and the co-editor of Labor Power and Strategy, described the book as, “A wonderful back-pocket book, perfect for any tech worker interested in powering up and getting a union.” The Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee described the book as “A compelling and galvanizing read — not just for tech workers, but for anyone who is union-curious. ” Nozlee Samadzadeh, a member of the New York Times Tech Guild, said, “ You Deserve a Tech Union is a how-to guide, a history lesson, and a manifesto all in one. Ethan Marcotte starts by laying out the case for unionization in tech, and ends with a rallying cry for using our power as workers. I wish we’d had this book as we organized the New York Times Tech Guild.”

After he won the #Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957, Albert #Camus wrote a letter of thanks to his favorite childhood #teacher, whom he'd never forgotten. It's beautiful. #BookStodon

Just finished The Secret Commonwealth, so I'm now 2/3 of the way through the Book of Dust, and FINALLY ready to dive into The Rose Garden. A book I've been waiting for for SIX YEARS.

And now I have to go to work instead, which is - I'm almost certain - in direct contravention of my human rights.

#Bookstodon

Book 4 was How to Slay at Christmas by Sarah Bonner (narrated by Julie Maisey & Helen Keeley).

Such a fun addition to the women-who-kill sub-genre. Plenty of heart, a slew of fantastic characters, and a fab little twist at the end.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/bdb07c4d-ba6e-4ee3-9142-06cbe522303e

#bookstodon

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How to Slay at Christmas by Sarah Bonner (narrated by Julie Maisey & Helen Keeley). My listening supports The Portal Bookshop Libro.fm

Just finished reading an advance copy of 'The Tin Can Society' a murder mystery graphic novel with some Sci-fi and superhero elements. The story revolves around the gruesome murder of Johnny Moore, a world-famous tech mogul who, driven by his experience with his own disability, had created some groundbreaking tech that revolutionised mobility aids for disabled people, and who was also moonlighting as a superhero thanks to a tech suit he invented.

His death brings back together the group of his now estranged childhood best friends who try to find out who killed him. It's a solid mystery, with flawed but sympathetic characters that wraps up pretty nicely with a solid, and arguably also touching conclusion.

The book is coming out on February 11, 2026.

🔗 Full spoiler-free thoughts on the book here: https://www.fringemagnet.net/2025/12/arc-read-tin-can-society.html

#TheTinCanSociety #Comics #ComicBooks #Books #Bookstodon #Review

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Trade paperback cover featuring a young woman wearing an oversized casual shirt sitting on the sofa, with a blood-stained piece of paper in one hand and a gun in the other, as a bunch of scattered photos of the main characters as children are scattered on the floor. Credits include writer Peter Warren, artist Francesco Mobili, and Chris Chuckry who did the colours of the book.

I read one very big -- in size and cultural cachet -- book that I bought and five little ones from the library last month. Spoiler: I liked everything I read.

#bookstodon #literature #books

https://wingbackworkshop.com/november-2025-reading/

Book 3 was A House of Rage and Sorrow by Sangu Mandanna (narrated by Soneela Nankani).

Following on from the events in the previous book, Esmae is now at war with her brother Alexi. She’s joined by old friends and former enemies. Alliances shift and secrets are revealed.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/fdd545cd-ab65-432f-89c7-702371ed540e

#bookstodon

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A House of Rage and Sorrow by Sangu Mandanna (narrated by Soneela Nankani).

Book 2 was A Brief History of Time: From The Big Bang to Black Holes by Stephen Hawking (narrated by John Sackville).

Interesting, but tough to follow in some places.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/97db174b-6603-4bd1-8e4d-532f53e0ca95?redirect=true

#bookstodon

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A Brief History of Time: From The Big Bang to Black Holes by Stephen Hawking (narrated by John Sackville).

New month, new book thread! My first book of December was Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews (narrated by Nora Achrati and a full cast).

A unique blend of paranormal and sci-fi. The alpha-male romance, though, is really not to my taste.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/db289caa-b763-4bd7-a033-11945cea1874?redirect=true

#bookstodon

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Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews (narrated by Nora Achrati and a full cast) My listening supports The Portal Bookshop Libro.fm

Delighted for my chums who laboured mightily to bring the #Edinburgh Women's Fiction Festival to life, and who have now seen their #Bruntsfield based festival included in The List's annual Hot 100 in Scots culture! https://list.co.uk/news/the-list-hot-100-2025-100-26-47697

#Edimbourg #books #livres #bookstodon #EdinburghWomensFictionFestival #BookFestival #WomensWriting #TheList #Hot100

November reading roundup. I read 29 books – one of my lowest totals so far this year.

#bookstodon

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Screenshot from Storygraph @clacksee's November 2025 Wrap-Up BOOKS: 29 PAGES: 9,422 AV. RATING: 4.55 Highest Rated Reads BODY COUNT BY JULIE MAE COHEN CAMP DAMASCUS BY CHUCK TINGLE STATION ETERNITY BY MUR LAFFERTY Average book length: 316 pages Average time to finish: 3 days Science Fiction: 10 Mystery: 9 Fantasy: 5 Thriller: 4 LGBTQIA+: 3 • fiction (79%) • nonfiction (21%)

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Screenshot from Storygraph @clacksee's November 2025 Reads Image shows covers of all the books further up this thread

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Screenshot from Storygraph @clacksee's November 2025 Reads Image shows covers of all the books further up this thread

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Screenshot from Storygraph @clacksee's November 2025 Reads Image shows covers of all the books further up this thread

Book 29 and my final for November was The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman (narrated by Fiona Shaw).

When I get old, I want to live in Cooper’s Chase! I want to hang out with Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/cefd8f35-324a-43c2-a43f-071a73881119

#bookstodon

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The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman (narrated by Fiona Shaw).

Book people and Mastodonians probably don't need to be told this, but this essay is a good case for small presses as the future of publishing anyway.

#literature #bookstodon

https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont-invest-in-ai-invest-in-the-future-of-the-book?ref=carolinecrampton.com

Good news/bad news: I have only read 2 of the books on this list of 100. There are a lot of different genres and forms here, though, so some of them are not for me. But there are a bunch that really look like they are for me.

https://lithub.com/100-notable-small-press-books-of-2025/

#literature #bookstodon

Today’s Oxfam book purchases.

This is probably the third time I’ve bought Cat’s Cradle but I liked the Joan Miro cover and it’s the oldest edition I’ve bought, from 1965. Lint is also a repurchase.

I think Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther books are excellent historical noirs and I’ve read at least five others.

I am also beginning to think that I get along better with Iain Banks’ non-“M” work (The Bridge, Whit etc) and this one looks interesting. I don’t know much about it at all.

#bookstodon

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The image features four books arranged together: 1. "Lint" by Steve Aylett, with colourful sci fi comic cover art. 2. "Cat's Cradle" by Kurt Vonnegut, a penguin version with a Joan Miro cover and predecimal currency price of 3’6. 3. “A man without Breath” by Philip Kerr, featuring a man in a hat standing before a domed church in the 1940s. 4. “A Song of Stone” by Iain Banks, with a stylised black and white image of a burning castle.

Tomorrow is the first day of Advent. You get to start reading, text by text, day by day.

Over the years, I have translated innumerous tidbits of folklore from all sorts of collectors and writers from across Scandinavia. This, my first advent calendar, is a way of publishing this work.

Christmas in Norway, 2025 is a slim tome of 24 texts, one for each day of December until Christmas Eve, when preparations cease and the day is celebrated with gifts, good food, and (above all) good company.

Details and links: https://norwegianfolktales.net/books/Christmas-in-Norway-2025

#Christmas2025 #Advent #Scandinavia #Norway #Folktales #Legends #Bookstodon #eBook

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10th December The troll-hag in "Wolf Greyshanksson Poochstead" turns the prince into a wolf.

Book 28 was Descendant Machine by Gareth L. Powell (narrated by Rebecca Norfolk).

Nicola’s recovering from having her head cut off when she’s asked to go on a rescue mission.

Very short review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/1780b793-555a-46e3-86e7-7a7aa2254bf9?redirect=true

#bookstodon

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Descendant Machine by Gareth L. Powell (narrated by Rebecca Norfolk).

Book 27 was Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (read by Indira Varma).

What to do when a little girl starts coming into her (male) wizard powers.

With this one, Discworld really starts to come into its own.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/59d6b986-cb29-4d07-b1be-524a375f50db?redirect=true

#bookstodon

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Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (read by Indira Varma).

Book 26 A Creative Rebel's Guide to Writing Amazing Fiction written and read by Meghan March.

I’m not a romance reader. I just don’t enjoy it. But when it comes to books on writing craft, romance authors are where it’s at.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/7485f3bf-39c5-4534-b0c8-b12a68d58dd4

#bookstodon

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Creative Rebel's Guide to Writing Amazing Fiction written and read by Meghan March.

I haven't attempted to read Tales of Genjii yet, but this essay makes a pretty convincing case.

https://www.the-tls.com/literature-by-region/asian-literature/the-tale-of-genji-essay-damian-flanagan

#literature #bookstodon #translation

Any book crossers on fedi?
#bookcrossing #bookstodon #books 📚
https://www.bookcrossing.com

Finished "Moon of the Crusted Snow" by Waubgeshig Rice.

As winter approaches, an Anishinaabe reservation in Northern Ontario loses contact with the outside world when a blackout takes down power, internet, and eventually hope for resupply. They slowly begin to realize the blackout is much more widespread and that they're on their own. That is, until some outsiders begin to trickle in.

Sparsely written and beautifully bleak.

4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39082248-moon-of-the-crusted-snow

#bookstodon

Book 25 was The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict (narrated by Sandra Duncan).

Grumpy octogenarian lesbian Edie hates Christmas. When a mysterious parcel arrives on her doorstep, she has less than a week to prevent four murders.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/5bfe846d-770e-4325-9afd-9c7b019ed0c2?redirect=true

#bookstodon @lgbtqbookstodon

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The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict (narrated by Sandra Duncan).

Book 24 was Doctor Who: Thirteen Doctors, 13 Stories by 13 authors and read by almost as many narrators.

The absolute standout for me was the Twelfth Doctor story, Lights Out by Holly Black – a small tale that packs a huge punch.

Review: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/9613024b-9e96-407d-b0d7-6cd813eb39c6

#bookstodon

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Doctor Who: Thirteen Doctors 13 Stories by Eoin Colfer, Charlie Higson, Richelle Mead, Alex Scarrow, Derek Landy, Holly Black, Philip Reeve, Patrick Ness, Naomi Alderman, Marcus Sedgwick, Neil Gaiman, Michael Scott, Malorie Blackman, Naomi Alderman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLg_d__l_vQ

hm, this book (Talonsister by Jen Williams) doesn't seem to be published outside the UK right now

its not on the Kobo ebook store, Book City, and its not in the Toronto Public Library system and seems to only be available from third-party sellers on amazon.ca

(and Elliot talks about this in the video as well)

I'm adding it to my TBR but its gonna be low priority since I can't easily get hold of the book

#books #bookstodon

Anyone got recs for a recent (< 5 years) sci-fi series with the well-used formula of "gradual rediscovery of the powers of ancient advanced civilization"? Maybe something archaeological or with an engineering slant.

My last several vague theme/mood requests have all born fruit with new books for me to read, so #bookstodon is my go-to recommendation engine at this point. 🤗

#books #ScienceFiction

This newsletter (on Substack, FYI) is smart and human ... and about book publicity. This issue is about sitting with discomfort during the querying process and in life.

https://pinestatepublicity.substack.com/p/a-filing-cabinet-of-miscellany

#books #bookstodon #literature