In which the author nips the bud

Monday evening. Book club was fun, though we were down a member, due to Life, and we did not chose another book.

Came home and had about an hour to spend with the WIP, but! Absent taking out the trash first thing, I don’t have to be anywhere or do anything until 5 pm, so tomorrow morning is Bidness as Usual.

I? Think I’ve figured out why so many people are wanting in on my Liaden Universe® read-along, and I am going to nip this in the bud right now.

Ready?

BUD-NIPPING ANNOUNCEMENT: No, I am not reading 27 Liaden novels outloud. If this is what “read-along” means to the Greater Internet, I apologize, and will now explain what I mean when I say “read-along.” I take as my model in this, Humpty Dumpty from Alice.

What I am going to do is read — read — the existing Liaden Universe® novels, starting with Agent of Change and going through to Diviner’s Bow, in Publication Order. I will post my thoughts as I go along, and those who had decided to read along with me may comment on my comments.

I am not (that’s NOT) reading them aloud, live or to a recording. Why not? Because reading aloud is a performance, and I don’t want to perform, I want to read for understanding, and hopefully, pleasure.

I haven’t set it up yet, but my reading notes will most likely appear on Splinter Universe. I haven’t gotten much further in my considerations than the vague idea that I’ll post a link whenever I’ve made a new post.

I’m looking at a start date of January 1 2026, and I will, as above, be starting with Agent of Change, first published as a Del Rey Books Mass Market Original, with a cover by Stephen Hickman, in February 1988. I was 35; Steve was 37.  It was our first novel, but not our first collaboration, and it hit the bookstores in December 1987, where it could be purchased for a whopping! three dollars and fifty cents, US.

Here endeth the Bud-Nipping Segment of Tonight’s Entertainment.

Everybody have a good evening; stay safe. I’ll look in tomorrow.

Here, have a picture from my annual review:

7 thoughts on “In which the author nips the bud”

  1. I did NOT expect an audio rendition of the Liaden Universe. I am looking forward to having a enjoying the stories with others that enjoy the Story.
    I don’t know “Splinter Universe” and would appreciate a link 🙂

  2. This kind of read-along where everyone reads fot themselves but can then discuss their thoughts on what they’ve read in the comments is the kind that is familiar to me on the internet. The TOR website has had several such read-alongs.
    The chance to see the actual author’s comments, instead of a knowledgeable critic’s, may be an extra incentive, but I don’t think a lot of people would expect to hear you reading it aloud. That’s what audiobooks are for.
    I’m not sure I will manage to read along with all of it, but will certainly follow the discussion with interest – sometimes (regularly?) this leads to insights into details I may not have noticed consciously while reading, thus deepening the rereading experience for the future.

  3. LOLOLOLOL That is hilarious!!! It never occurred to me that anyone would consider a read-along to be someone, much less the author, reading said book out loud! My understanding of a read-along has always been that a group of people choose a book and read it at the same time, and perhaps discuss aspects of said book. Much like a book club, I suppose, having never been a part of one. Learn something new every day! The hardest part of a read-along for me has always been that I tend to read too quickly, especially if I really like the book. So I’m likely to finish my copy while others are still around chapter 10. It is a Thing that has been known to happen. Anyway, I’m ready to read when everyone else is!! Looking forward to it.

  4. That sounds like exactly what I was hoping for: you read, I read, you comment, I… maybe comment.
    (I mostly chicken out, for fear of being annoying. I’m not good at Saying It Right.)

  6. Could you please make it clear throughout
    1) Which book you are reading and
    2) Which one you will be reading NEXT?
    I don’t think I own them all yet, and funds will have to be allocated from the monthly budget.
    Thanks!

  7. Another theory re. the crowd of would-be read-alongers (readers-along?) will have to be found!
    I’m with everyone else, just assumed it would be the same kind of thing as on the Reactor site.

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