Blog Without A Name

Books read in 2020

59  The Rubber Band, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
58  Ruddy Gore, Kerry Greenwood
57  Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)

Books read in 2020

58  Ruddy Gore, Kerry Greenwood
57  Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)

Trader’s Leap signed copies

Asyouknowbob, Trader’s Leap, the twenty-third novel of the Liaden Universe® written by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, will be published by Baen Books in early December 2020.

Several people have written to us, to let us know that Barnes and Noble is sending to Known Liaden Readers with the news that they are taking pre-orders of Leap — which is pro-active, and I applaud them.

We have also been asked, in light of the fact that Uncle Hugo’s was burned in the recent riots, if there would be any chance of signed editions.

We have an answer to that question, to wit!

Yes, there is a chance of signed editions.

We have spoken to Don Blyly, the man behind the Uncle, and he wants to handle the signed copies of Trader’s Leap, as he has done for manymany of our previous novels.  He needs to get some ducks in a row, and to our knowledge, he is proceeding in that endeavor.

Now, here’s where you need to not let BN, or the Internet Timewarp, raise your expectations.  Leap is due out on December 1, 2020.  Today is June 30, 2020.  Even in a normal year, the preorders through Uncle Hugo’s wouldn’t open until September.  There is time enough in the interval to wrassle ducks into at least a semblance of propriety, and if the worst happens, and the Uncle cannot find a way to handle preorders for signed copies, there will be time enough and world to pre-order from another source.

So, yeah, the key is, as it so often is :  Patience.  Waiting is.

Deep breaths.

Here, have a picture of Sprite and Belle, being calm and patient.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Day

Today, as I am reminded by Lawrence M. Schoen, is Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Day. I am responsible for this day* — which is, coincidentally, the day that Cyrano de Bergerac made his first flight to the moon.
The Suggested Celebration of the Day was that people would publicly recall the authors whose work had made a difference to them, and perhaps to write a thank-you note to that author.  Here’s the original post.
Gizmodo did an article about this, back in 2009. Most of the links are broken, since I no longer have a Live Journal account, and this whole scheme was thrown together there. Still, worth reading, at this link.
As the day is worth celebrating!
Share news of the holiday with your friends, and!
By all means, celebrate to the fullest.
_________
*The June 23 iteration, anyhow, since I believe there is now Another SF Writers Day created by Someone Else.

Books read in 2020

57  Manhunting, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)

Whole New World, Part Eleven

Friday, I visited with the Survivalist, and I am, as I said elsewhere, much encouraged in the path going forward.

We discussed many things; she listened my concerns in re the side effects of the  medication that will be my constant companion for the five, or maybe ten, years.  We talked about the fact that Everyone Is Different, that some people have Very Bad Side Effects, some have No Side Effects, and some have small, easily managed side effects.  The plan is to pay attention and if anything arises which I find unacceptable, I’m to call, and the medication will be tweaked.

There is a recommended adjustment of diet — not, as it turns out, so very much a departure from the Usual Proceedings, though we eat more meat and less fish than suggested.  I’ve made an arrangement with Sun Basket (one of the meal delivery services that offers meals based on the Mediterranean Diet) for every other week, so that we can both get started on the new program, and properly use up the supplies in-house.

Eventually, I will need to lose 7-10 pounds, which has been my life for the last 10 years or so.  In theory, the new plant-based diet will help with that.

Also, I need to increase my in-home exercise program, gradually, as the ray-gun wounds heal more fully.  This was offered as a suggestion, but was already on my list, going forward, so the doctor and I were in happy agreement.

All that really remains on my plate is to finish healing.  I do need to keep reminding myself that healing after multiple strong insults to the physical plant takes time.  It’s my tendency to associate feelings of exhaustion and dullness as depression, and at the moment, that may not be true.  Resting when I feel tired, instead of Pushing Through, is a newish thing, and I have to resist the feeling that I’m somehow cheating when I do.

Otherwise — Life Goes On.  In which event I am extremely lucky.  That being so, I believe I will now close this series of essays.  I hope that some of the information might have been helpful, and I thank everyone who kept with me during the whole adventure and cheered me on.

You guys are awesome.

Stay safe and stay healthy.

Books read in 2020

56  Nobody’s Perfect, Donald E. Westlake (e)
55  Charlie All Night, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
54  Paladin’s Grace, T. Kingfisher (e)
53  Wolf Rain, Nalini Singh (read aloud w/Steve)
52  Slippery Creatures, KJ, Charles (e)
51  Star Rogue, Susan Grant (e)
50  The Black Mountain, Rex Stout (re-read) (e)
49  The League of Frightened Men, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve)
48  The Trouble with Jenny’s Ear, Oliver Butterworth (re-read)
47  Tooner Schooner, Mary Lasswell (re-read) (e)
46  Fer-de-Lance, Rex Stout (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
45  Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
44  Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for me; first time for him)
43  Mort, Terry Pratchett (re-read) (e)
42  Network Effect, Martha Wells (e)
41  Lord and Ladies, Terry Pratchett (read aloud w/Steve, re-read for both)
40 Trouble in Triplicate, Rex Stout (e)
39 The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley (e)
38 Agnes and the Hitman, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (re-read aloud w/Steve, because Steve had a Notion about alligators, specifically Moot; the Talmadge Bridge, and Savannah in general)
37 Warprize, Elizabeth Vaughan (e)
36 Who Speaks for the Damned, C.S. Harris
35 Don’t Look Down, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (read aloud w/Steve)
34 Blood and Circuses, Kerry Greenwood
33 The Cat Who Came to Breakfast, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
32 One Fell Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
31 Sweep in Peace, Ilona Andrews (e)
30 Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews (e)
29 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (e)
28 Raven Heart, Murphy Lawless (e)
27 Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
26 The Cat Who Said Cheese, Lilian Jackson Braun (Steve read to me)
25 Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs (re-read)
24 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs (re-re-read)
23 War for the Oaks, Emma Bull (re-re-re-re-&c read)
22 The Widow of Rose House, Diana Bill (e)
21 False Value, Ben Aaronovitch
20 Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer (read aloud w/Steve re-read for both)
19 Minor Mage, T. Kingfisher (e)
18 The Green Mill Murder, Kerry Greenwood
17 Tell Me Lies, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
16 Murder at the Brightwell, Ashley Weaver
15 Crazy for You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud with Steve)
14 A Conspiracy of Kings, Megan Whalen Turner
13 The Thief, Megan Whalen Turner (re-read)
12 Ocean Light, Nalini Singh (read aloud with Steve)
11 Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, Cynthia Kim
10 Witches Abroad, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
9  The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang (e)
8  Fall into Spring, Amy Lane (e)
7  Resurgence, C.J. Cherryh (read aloud with Steve)
6  2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better…, Rachel Aaron (e)
5  Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian (e)
4  Jimmy the Kid, Donald E. Westlake (e)
3  Wanted, A Gentleman, KJ Charles (e) (read aloud with Steve)
2  The Book of Atrix Wolfe, Patricia McKillip (e) (re-read)
1  Proper English, KJ Charles (e)