Tyler Howat's Blog

The Richard Bachman Books, Ranked

From 1977 to 1984, Richard Bachman published five novels, all written by Stephen King under a pseudonym. These books, ranging from thrillers to crime fiction, include titles such as Thinner and The Long Walk. Bachman's work explores dark themes, often featuring unlikable protagonists and profound reflections on society and humanity.

My 2025 reading year so far (the first quarter)

The first quarter of the year has been very busy. I’m stepping into a new administration role at my school while also finishing my prior commitments in the classroom. I’ve had lots of grading, lots of planning and prep, facilitated quite a few job interviews for new positions, and in the midst of that, still … Continue reading My 2025 reading year so far (the first quarter)

Reflecting on 2024: My Reading Year

Well, it seems that another year has flown by, and another gap in writing–at least here. I published a lot of posts toward the start of the year, small reviews of movies and books. Then life caught up and I couldn’t keep on going. However, I did make a lot of headway in a novel–one … Continue reading Reflecting on 2024: My Reading Year

Reflecting on 2024: The Best Books I Read

Well, it seems that another year has flown by, and another gap in writing–at least here. I published a lot of posts toward the start of the year, small reviews of movies and books. Then life caught up and I couldn’t keep on going. However, I did make a lot of headway in a novel–one … Continue reading Reflecting on 2024: The Best Books I Read

The Talisman (Book Review)

It’s always interesting when you try and try to read a book, and you can’t get into it, and then either the time is right or you switch mediums and it just works. Sometimes a book needs to be listened to, or it must be read with physical pages to work for me. I can’t … Continue reading The Talisman (Book Review)

Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes – Book Review

S.A. Barnes’ second space thriller, Ghost Station (a follow up to 2022’s Dead Silence), gives the exact vibes of an Alien movie, which is exactly what I was hoping for. We’ve got evil corporations, an isolated crew in an abandoned hab on a snow-swept planet with the eerie remains of an alien civilization. This is … Continue reading Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes – Book Review

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark – Book Review

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is a fantastic upcoming novella from one of my favorite working fantasy authors, P. Djèlí Clark! He builds immersive worlds that I want to explore, to dig into every nook and cranny, to uncover the magic system (or just let it all wash over me).  Eveen the Eviscerator is a Dead … Continue reading The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark – Book Review

A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte – Book Review

A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte is a beautiful, poignantly-written, thoughtful exploration of the bleak tragedy that was (and came from) World War One, intertwined with the stories of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. They served separately in the Great War, meeting in a faculty meeting years later, but their … Continue reading A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte – Book Review

A Memory Called Empire (2019) – Book Review

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine is a book I wish I could have written. It takes place at the turning point in the Teixcalaanli Empire, after the ambassador from Lsel Station (on the fringes of known space, with maybe an impending alien invasion?) tries to investigate the death of her predecessor. As the … Continue reading A Memory Called Empire (2019) – Book Review

Winnie the Pooh (2011) – Micro Film Review

Over three decades after the classic film The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) was released, and despite the success of many spinoff films and series, Walt Disney Animation Studios decided to produce an official sequel. Rather than taking an episodic approach, they attempt a full, single storyline: Eeyore has lost his tail, so … Continue reading Winnie the Pooh (2011) – Micro Film Review