I read these books in 2009. Changing commute times meant more time for sleep, less time for reading. I was proud of myself for reading more in 2008, looks like I slacked a bit, though I did a lot less re-reading. Better next year!!
What was your favorite read of the year?
JANUARY
Offbeat Bride – Ariel Meadow [...]

I learned the other day that Warren Ellis is unleashing an interesting experiment on the world in the form of a new book, called Shivering Sands. What’s experimental about a well-established author releasing a book is that he’s doing it via Lulu, an independent print-on-demand service.
I’ve been a big fan of POD for as long [...]

For conservatives, the causal connection between virtue and success is not merely ideological, it is also deeply personal. It forms the basis of their admiration of themselves. If you ask a rich person whether he ascribes his success to good fortune or his own merit, the answer will probably tell you whether that person inhabits [...]

Last year, I restarted a childhood tradition. I kept track of all the books I read each month. When I had time, I jotted my thoughts about them. I really enjoyed this, found it spurred conversations and great book recommendations and motivated me to keep reading. It seems I had a slow spring for books, [...]

Dear Toby Press,
I just heard from one of my favorite photographers on flickr that your press stole one of her self portrait photographs and slapped it on the cover of a new book with no consent, no attempt to obtain consent, no credit and no payment. What a disgrace for a professional press to be [...]

At the start of a new year I tend to become one of those annoying navel gazing people who ponders resolutions. In this year’s stacking up against last year’s self I seem to come out looking pretty good, though. I didn’t lose ten pounds or learn Japanese or anything, but I worked a lot, traveled [...]

I am such a goddamn sap. I just reread my Fell collection and #8 made me tear up a bit. Clearly my emotional state is fragile.
Back to work.

I joined GoodReads. I’m not sure if I will really use it; I’m still looking around and assessing it for usefulness. Sor far it seems like a nice idea, like Amazon’s list-making features but a bit more folksy and personal. I do like to keep track of my books and have always kept lists. Mmm [...]

ebooks intrigue me. the idea has been around for years, but has not really taken hold. partly this is due to the different competing formats available, the unsexy options for ebook readers, and the eyestrain differential between a conventional book and an ebook. there are many reasons why I don’t see paper books ever going [...]