Friday Reads 8.22.24

Howdy, friends. My apologies for missing last week. We had a family emergency, and I was busy crisscrossing the country and completely spaced. I suppose that is a good thing, right? For every one of you who’s encouraged me not to be grinding so hard, I listened, even if it was inadvertent.

Also, a heads up: I have to take the next few weeks away from Friday Reads. Bouchercon is coming up this week, and I have many duties to fulfill as one of the Guests of Honor; and we’re leaving right after the conference on a vacation/research trip. I will go so far as to say I’ll be taking a social media sabbatical, but do not be surprised if pictures from the trip start cropping up on Instagram—it’s the easiest way to share with family and the best way for me to mark the journey. I won’t be on email or working in any capacity. This is a true “be where your feet are” kind of trip, and I can’t wait to get there!

I knew these last few weeks of summer were going to be frantic; I didn’t know they were also going to be filled to the brim with fear and joy and hospitals and tests and vet appointments and rushing all over the world in addition to all the peopling. I’ve sadly had to cancel a couple of events and appearances, but you know how it goes. My people need me, and I have to stay healthy for them.

I do have a couple of 22 Steps posts in the queue for you paid folk, and I should be back in the saddle here on September 20. That week, I’ll be gearing up for an appearance at the Huntsville Vive le Livre on September 25, so all you folks in Bama, get thee tickets! I am giving — GASP! — a speech.

It will be a very casual speech, as I am a casual speaker, but it should be a lot of fun.

Can you believe I’ve been reading? Well, I have. I DNF’d a book I thought I was going to love, and you know what? It happens! Life is too short not to connect with a book. So I picked up another, the latest from Rachel Howzell Hall. It’s called WHAT FIRE BRINGS and it is bonkers. Wildly entertaining. Smart, sharp, sassy, and twisted. You will love it.

I also have a galley of her new fantasy novel THE LAST ONE, and I am so darn excited to read it, and have a conversation at Bouchercon with another thriller/fantasy crossover writer!

I’ll be starting that as soon as I finish my current read, S.A. Cosby’s ALL THE SINNERS BLEED. It is devastatingly good so far, and I hope we see a lot more of Titus Crown. He’s an awesome franchise lead.

So, what’s happening in your world? I’d love to hear what you’re reading this weekend! Any recommendations?