A Call for Book Recommendations for my SF Signal Spot

Book Stack with Coffee and ArmchairProbably nobody knows, because I’m hella late when it comes to announcements that may get me ahead in my career, but I review for the SF Signal now (be afraid). It’s a monthly event as time runs short on my end for my turtle eyes (unfortunate, but what can you do). My very first review became live in August along with an introduction.

The first book I chose was Who is Killing the Great Capes of Heropa? by Andrew Bergen. You can find the full review HERE. This month I take aim at the latest release by Dagan Books, the breathtaking Bibliotheca Fantastica edited by Don Pizarro – review HERE. Both books have one thing in common and that is both titles haven’t caused a wave amidst the blogosphere (yet!). The reason I did this is because I’m a hipster and because I hope the reviews create more visibility for both titles.

Continue reading »

The Weird Habits of Readers: The Act of Situational Reading

Book munchers (otherwise known as readers) have acquired some peculiar habits. From what I have discovered talking with different people over Twitter and in person over the years, readers turn the act of reading into a personal ritual (having concluded reading Bibliotheca Fantastica, I can whole heartedly agree). A shocker, right? While not necessarily surprising, reader habits are fascinating to me, because you can always see how an individual’s personality reflects onto the most private and vulnerable of acts.*

Bibliotheca Fantastica Cover Design - Man Sitting & Reading

I know a friend, who allows books to possess his interest and as a direct result writes down small details, which he can then discuss in depth (often asking me whether I read the same book cause I tend to forget just about everything). I know another who holds annual re-reading events where she returns to known routes and places in the books she loves since teenhood (what a weirdo!). I too have a weird habit and it concerns my attention deficiency in the sense I need new, shiny and pretty things in front of me at all time.**

This fragmentation has resulted in what I call ‘situational reading’ where I have a different book for every occasion. At a time, I read between four to five books simultaneously, usually each in a different book format to fit better the situation I am in. Let’s review what I have as a current line-up:

Continue reading »