Tag Archives: Jim Butcher

I’m Open

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Most years I have one or two books I’m absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on. A book that’s makes me retire early to bed just so I can get a few extra minutes flipping pages under my dim book light. Alas dear reader, this year is different.

There’s nothing on the “To Be Released Must Read” list this year. For one, my go-to author has not announced a book release this year (yet, I hope). And two, nothing has really caught my eye in the past year to make me mark my calendar.

I need to clarify that I’m still excited about books. I always have at least one on my bedside table and another cued up on my iPod. I’ve just found myself in a unique situation where the things I am currently reading either don’t have a follow-up book or I’m so far into the author’s backlog of novels, that I’ll have quite a while before I need to start vying for new content from them. So  I am excited about certain books to read this year. They just don’t happen to be waiting for release.

As for my go-to author, Jim Butcher. It’s been eleven years now that he’s published at least one new novel each year in his Dresden Files series. Two in 2010 if you include his collection of short stories in the same world. For a number of those years, he’s also produced a second or third novel. So it comes with a little disappointment that there is no official release date for his next novel. Although according to Wikipedia and his Livejournal blog (define stalking), the title of book fourteen in the Dresden Files is Cold Days. There’s also talk of a steampunk book he’s working on. I will say, however, if the man publishes a book, I’ll buy. Hardback. The week it’s released. No man-crush jokes.

So with the exception of a possible late release date from my go-to author, the rest of my reading time is open. Speaking of open, I’m open to suggestions. If you have any, please leave them in the comments below.

3 Things Making a Book-Throwing Bonanza

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This week we’ve been talking about the things that make us want to throw a book across the room. Things an author does that makes your blood boil and grip the covers tighter. Pale knuckled and tight-lipped, the last straw falls from the page and before you even know what really happened, that book is already across the room, flying like a multi-winged brick.

Luckily my anger management is better in my older age. Book throwing has watered down to placing it on the bedside table, though a bit forcibly. But what are those things that get me riled up, you wonder? I thought you’d never ask.

WARNING: I plan on naming names along with a few spoilers. Oh, and at least one F-bomb. Proceed at your own risk.

1. Typos. This is really superficial of me, I know. I can’t wholly blame the author for this mistake.
Editors have to shoulder it as well. The first page, even the first chapter, has to be typo free. I can forgive typos in the middle. I might not even notice them. But for f*ck’s sake, the last line can’t have one. I’m talking to you, Mr. Butcher. The VERY LAST LINE in his latest Dresden novel has a typo: ” ‘ There is much work to do be done.’ “

How the hell did that slip by? It ruined the savory goodness I look for at the end of his books. Any anticipation for future novels I ponder or losses I grieve are all fogged over by that glaring mistake. Superficial, yes, but still. Grrr…

2. Deviation from the author’s original concept. This mainly pertains to book series. The author hooks me with the first book, making me more than willing to go along for the multi-book ride. Then somewhere along the way, the author decides to change things. I can only speculate on why, so I won’t. I will give you an example though.

I loved watching Dexter. So much so, I wanted to read the novels by Jeff Lindsay. Not surprising, I liked them too. Then I came to book three, Dexter in the Dark. In this installment the author moves away from serial killer fiction to supernatural inspired killing. I bought into the series based on the fresh perspective. Now it’s changed with this supernatural element to the point I’ve stopped reading the series and am unsure if I’ll ever pick it up again.

3. Wrong doings to a character I love. Amy touched on this Wednesday, and I couldn’t agree with her more. When an author creates a character I connect with so much that when bad things happen to him, I get all up in arms. That my friends, is some damn good writing.

I can still remember that first time. Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice had me glued to the page. The things she put FitzChivalry through had me so enraged at points, I had to stop reading just to cool down. Once it passed, I was in awe. I had gotten worked up over a FICTIONAL CHARACTER. I could scarcely believe it. Ms. Hobb also engraved into me, this is how I want readers to react to my stories and characters. I thank her for that.

So now that we’ve told you what gets our book blood boiling. Tell us what does it for you.

Authors That Inspire

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This week’s topic stumped me for a bit. It’s not that I don’t have three author that I find inspiring. It’s the nailing down only three I find troubling. Inspiration comes and goes with like the tide. An author I found inspiring a year ago, might not hold the same weight today. Even still, there are plenty that will have a permanent place in my inspiration trophy case.

So where to start. I guess the beginning would make sense.

Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz and his dog

Sometime during middle school, someone had me read Watchers by Koontz. I couldn’t get enough of his books. I scoured the library and friends’ bookshelves alike. Even though they were classified as in the horror genre, I didn’t find myself edging away from them like I did horror movies. I’d click on the light long after my parents would go to bed just to read one more chapter.

It should come as no surprise that eventually I found myself saying, “I can do this. How hard could it be?” Almost daily I still see how hard it can be, but I’m doing my best to do it.

Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher

My wife introduced me to The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. She’s also quick to point out that since then I’ve developed a man crush. Whenever he comes to town for a signing, I’m there. Over half of my books are signed by the man with strong hopes that someday I’ll get him to sign the other half. So, yeah, I concede that I definitely have a man crush. For good reason though.

The pacing in his books are edge-of-your-seat, page-turning, brilliance. Then I come to find that he has a TWENTY BOOK story arc with a THREE BOOK apocalyptic ending. And here I thought I was stretching my resources with a trilogy. Twelve books in the series are currently in print with the thirteenth, Ghost Story, due April 2011. On top of that, at the end of last month Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files was released. Keep in mind this book of short stories does not play into the overall story arc.

The Amys

 

Amy K. Nichols

All right, this might seem like a little lip service, but it’s not only sincere. It’s true. My fellow confessioners, Amy K. Nichols and Amy McLane, inspire me on a weekly basis. From their weekly posts to their personal project that they are so gracious enough to let me beta and critique, I am amazed at what these two women can produce.

 

 

Amy McLane

Not only do they inspire me by what they create, they also drive me to become a better writer. They take the time to read what I write and aren’t afraid to tell me when I’ve missed the mark or exceeded their expectations. They constantly challenge me to raise the bar and help refocus my creative energies when it looks like I’m going off track. I couldn’t ask for better partners on this journey.

 

 

Now the sap is all out of my system, what authors inspire you and why?