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| Jacket design: Henry Sene Yee |
Visit SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT for my full review.
Showing posts with label Other Blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Other Blogs. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 05, 2026
Close to Home
Posted 7:00 AM by Gerald So
Shopping on Independent Bookstore Day, I browsed this year's Edgar Awards nominees and bought Celadon Books' JOHNNY CARELESS, the first novel by Kevin Wade, playwright, screenwriter, and a longtime producer on CBS's Blue Bloods.
Visit SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT for my full review.
Visit SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT for my full review.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
So Much to Talk About
Posted 6:00 AM by Gerald So
I wanted to make a minor change to my review blog SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT, but I wasn't seeing the change take effect, so I did a larger overhaul of the blog's elements and look, much like I did here last month.
Click over there for details of Putnam Books' publication schedule change for the next Robert B. Parker continuation titles, and for my advance review of Mike Lupica's November 25 third Spenser, ROBERT B. PARKER'S SHOWDOWN.
I wanted to make a minor change to my review blog SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT, but I wasn't seeing the change take effect, so I did a larger overhaul of the blog's elements and look, much like I did here last month.
Click over there for details of Putnam Books' publication schedule change for the next Robert B. Parker continuation titles, and for my advance review of Mike Lupica's November 25 third Spenser, ROBERT B. PARKER'S SHOWDOWN.
Monday, April 21, 2025
Easter Monday
Posted 3:00 AM by Gerald So
March 31 our Internet connection went out while landscapers were felling dead trees. The cable had gone up a tree and across the street for years, since our neighborhood last repaved the street. Internet was restored that afternoon but became spotty until, two days ago, the cable was properly routed underground.
Nevertheless, THE FIVE-TWO relaunched April 7 and is open to submissions year-round.
The week before Easter is especially busy for my brother, cantor at our church, singing at Masses and services Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The timing meant we couldn't join extended family in New Jersey for Easter lunch, but we had a quiet one ourselves, a Mediterranean platter of falafel, kibbeh, and dolmas, and a carrot cake for dessert.
If you follow me on Bluesky, you've seen my developing Inkscape skills. I've made a vector avator I'm happy with:
Next I'm working on a vector of myself in a bunny costume. I have time. The Easter season is fifty days.
March 31 our Internet connection went out while landscapers were felling dead trees. The cable had gone up a tree and across the street for years, since our neighborhood last repaved the street. Internet was restored that afternoon but became spotty until, two days ago, the cable was properly routed underground.
Nevertheless, THE FIVE-TWO relaunched April 7 and is open to submissions year-round.
The week before Easter is especially busy for my brother, cantor at our church, singing at Masses and services Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The timing meant we couldn't join extended family in New Jersey for Easter lunch, but we had a quiet one ourselves, a Mediterranean platter of falafel, kibbeh, and dolmas, and a carrot cake for dessert.
If you follow me on Bluesky, you've seen my developing Inkscape skills. I've made a vector avator I'm happy with:
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| Image by Gerald So |
Next I'm working on a vector of myself in a bunny costume. I have time. The Easter season is fifty days.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Submissions Open
Posted 10:30 AM by Gerald So
The original twelve-year run of my weekly poetry site, THE FIVE-TWO, ended because submissions dried up, perhaps because I left Twitter soon after Elon Musk bought it. The amount of wrongdoing since Donald Trump retook the U.S. presidency has me beyond consolation and thinking of rebooting the site.
I want your honest, powerful reactions to what you see as crime, couched in poetic technique and figurative language to avoid receiving a content warning or being taken down by Google.
Submission deadline Monday, March 24, 2025. Read the full guidelines and join me on Bluesky, Mastodon, and/or YouTube to show your support. If I accept enough poens, The Five-Two will relaunch Monday, April 7, 2025 as part of National Poetry Month.
The original twelve-year run of my weekly poetry site, THE FIVE-TWO, ended because submissions dried up, perhaps because I left Twitter soon after Elon Musk bought it. The amount of wrongdoing since Donald Trump retook the U.S. presidency has me beyond consolation and thinking of rebooting the site.
I want your honest, powerful reactions to what you see as crime, couched in poetic technique and figurative language to avoid receiving a content warning or being taken down by Google.
Submission deadline Monday, March 24, 2025. Read the full guidelines and join me on Bluesky, Mastodon, and/or YouTube to show your support. If I accept enough poens, The Five-Two will relaunch Monday, April 7, 2025 as part of National Poetry Month.
Friday, August 30, 2024
Advance review of ROBERT B. PARKER'S BURIED SECRETS by Christopher Farnsworth
Posted at 4:00 PM by Gerald So
Putnam Books approved me to review a NetGalley of the next Jesse Stone sequel, due to be published February 4, 2025.
Putnam Books approved me to review a NetGalley of the next Jesse Stone sequel, due to be published February 4, 2025.
Saturday, July 06, 2024
Coming February 4, 2025
Posted 8:00 AM by Gerald So
Following Mike Lupica's 2020–'22 run, Christopher Farnsworth becomes the fourth Jesse Stone continuation author with ROBERT B. PARKER'S BURIED SECRETS. I've rounded up more details and a link to the synopsis at So Much to Talk About.
Want to chat further? Join Fans of Robert B. Parker, my public Matrix room.
Embed from Getty Images
Following Mike Lupica's 2020–'22 run, Christopher Farnsworth becomes the fourth Jesse Stone continuation author with ROBERT B. PARKER'S BURIED SECRETS. I've rounded up more details and a link to the synopsis at So Much to Talk About.
Want to chat further? Join Fans of Robert B. Parker, my public Matrix room.
Embed from Getty Images
Monday, May 13, 2024
ROBERT B. PARKER'S HOT PROPERTY by Mike Lupica
© by Gerald So | 7:00 AM
Thanks to Putnam Books, I got to advance-review a NetGalley of Mike Lupica's November 2024 second Spenser. Our hero investigates when recurring attorney Rita Fiore is shot.
I thought the book's synopsis overhyped Rita's importance to Spenser, but her being at death's door makes Spenser value their friendship more and raises her standing in the Parker canon.
Want to chat further? Join my public Matrix room Fans of Robert B. Parker.
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| Book design by Katy Riegel |
I thought the book's synopsis overhyped Rita's importance to Spenser, but her being at death's door makes Spenser value their friendship more and raises her standing in the Parker canon.
Want to chat further? Join my public Matrix room Fans of Robert B. Parker.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
ROBERT B. PARKER'S BUZZ KILL by Alison Gaylin
© by Gerald So | 6:30 PM
Thanks to Putnam Books, I got to advance review Alison Gaylin's September 10 second Sunny Randall sequel.
Thanks to Putnam Books, I got to advance review Alison Gaylin's September 10 second Sunny Randall sequel.
Monday, March 04, 2024
2024 Robert B. Parker Continuations
Posted 12:30 PM by Gerald So
This year's Robert B. Parker continuation titles were recently posted to the Penguin Random House website. Due September 10 is Alison Gaylin's second Sunny Randall, ROBERT B. PARKER'S BUZZ KILL, and due November 26 is Mike Lupica's second Spenser, R0BERT B. PARKER'S HOT PROPERTY. Only the Spenser book's synopsis has been released so far. I break it down on my book review blog So Much to Talk About.
Embed from Getty Images
This year's Robert B. Parker continuation titles were recently posted to the Penguin Random House website. Due September 10 is Alison Gaylin's second Sunny Randall, ROBERT B. PARKER'S BUZZ KILL, and due November 26 is Mike Lupica's second Spenser, R0BERT B. PARKER'S HOT PROPERTY. Only the Spenser book's synopsis has been released so far. I break it down on my book review blog So Much to Talk About.
Embed from Getty Images
Monday, September 04, 2023
Retrospective
© by Gerald So | 5:00 AM
I didn't receive enough submissions to continue my weekly crime poetry site, The Five-Two for a thirteenth year, so today's poem is the last, "Something Fishy" by J.H. Johns, about the recent arrest of a suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders.
My thanks again to everyone who contributed to and enjoyed The Five-Two. The site lost a news outlet last year when I left Twitter, but I couldn't stay in good conscience. Also Blogger's post editor lately blinks out in the wee hours, the time I usually worked on The Five-Two.
Though the main feature is ending, I'm happy to post Five-Two alumni news. Feel free to contact me and stay in touch.
I didn't receive enough submissions to continue my weekly crime poetry site, The Five-Two for a thirteenth year, so today's poem is the last, "Something Fishy" by J.H. Johns, about the recent arrest of a suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders.
My thanks again to everyone who contributed to and enjoyed The Five-Two. The site lost a news outlet last year when I left Twitter, but I couldn't stay in good conscience. Also Blogger's post editor lately blinks out in the wee hours, the time I usually worked on The Five-Two.
Though the main feature is ending, I'm happy to post Five-Two alumni news. Feel free to contact me and stay in touch.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Free Fans of Fiction
© by Gerald So | 9:30 PM
I was a discussion moderator from before Yahoo! bought eGroups until Verizon sunsetted Yahoo! Groups in 2018. My discussions had grown mostly quiet by then and I shuttered them as many others paid to move to Groups.io.
I'd still like to connect with people without group baggage, so I've started Free Fans of Fiction, a gratis link list of people who enjoy fiction.
One prospective activity is an annual call to post favorite stories and books of the year, not a contest for awards, just a record by anyone who'd like to participate.
I'd still like to connect with people without group baggage, so I've started Free Fans of Fiction, a gratis link list of people who enjoy fiction.
One prospective activity is an annual call to post favorite stories and books of the year, not a contest for awards, just a record by anyone who'd like to participate.
Thursday, April 06, 2023
Confess, Fletch
Posted 11:30 AM by Gerald So
I waited decades for another Fletch movie. See what I thought of it.
Embed from Getty Images
I waited decades for another Fletch movie. See what I thought of it.
Embed from Getty Images
Wednesday, April 05, 2023
Recent Advance Reviews
© by Gerald So | 11:00 AM
Curious about this year's Robert B. Parker continuations? Check out my advance reviews of Alison Gaylin's first Sunny Randall and Mike Lupica's first Spenser. Thanks again to Putnam and NetGalley.
Curious about this year's Robert B. Parker continuations? Check out my advance reviews of Alison Gaylin's first Sunny Randall and Mike Lupica's first Spenser. Thanks again to Putnam and NetGalley.
Saturday, April 01, 2023
April is the Cruelest Month
© by Gerald So | 3:30 AM
My weekly poetry site The Five-Two traditionally celebrated National Poetry Month with a blog tour formerly called 30 Days of The Five-Two and The Cruelest Poetry Month.
This year I shortened the event name to pay full homage to Eliot. There's no full tour, but I am open to original poetry commentaries and I need two more Poems of the Week to round out the month.
Creating this year's image inspired me. I hope you're inspired to submit so the site can continue. My only socials are Mastodon and YouTube, so I very much appreciate your mentioning The Five-Two in your circles. Thanks as always.
This year I shortened the event name to pay full homage to Eliot. There's no full tour, but I am open to original poetry commentaries and I need two more Poems of the Week to round out the month.
Creating this year's image inspired me. I hope you're inspired to submit so the site can continue. My only socials are Mastodon and YouTube, so I very much appreciate your mentioning The Five-Two in your circles. Thanks as always.
Friday, December 31, 2021
Saturday, February 13, 2021
My Hard-Boiled Valentine
© by Gerald So | 6:00 AM
Every February I try to feature love-themed crime poems at The Five-Two. You may have noticed its broken-heart site logo to match. In time for Valentine's Day, I've created Zazzle t-shirts with the logo. Through Monday, the 15th, you can use coupon ZLOVESAVINGS for 25% off.
Also on the 15th, The Five-Two will debut Peter M. Gordon's latest poem, "I Want a Film Noir Femme Fatale." Coincidentally a new, noir cinema-themed poem of mine is coming to Retreats from Oblivion on the 21st or 28th.
Every February I try to feature love-themed crime poems at The Five-Two. You may have noticed its broken-heart site logo to match. In time for Valentine's Day, I've created Zazzle t-shirts with the logo. Through Monday, the 15th, you can use coupon ZLOVESAVINGS for 25% off.
Also on the 15th, The Five-Two will debut Peter M. Gordon's latest poem, "I Want a Film Noir Femme Fatale." Coincidentally a new, noir cinema-themed poem of mine is coming to Retreats from Oblivion on the 21st or 28th.
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Groups No More
© by Gerald So | 4:30 AM
The title sounds like social distancing, but it refers to the shutdown of Yahoo! Groups email, more than a year after its web-based functions ceased. I was a longtime Yahoo! Groups owner-moderator, and I'm still interested in the same topics, but not interested enough to restart my groups on another service.
I had used a Yahoo! Groups email to create the Twitter account for my weekly poetry site, The Five-Two. Rather than give Twitter a new email, I've moved future Five-Two tweets to my personal account, @g_so.
The title sounds like social distancing, but it refers to the shutdown of Yahoo! Groups email, more than a year after its web-based functions ceased. I was a longtime Yahoo! Groups owner-moderator, and I'm still interested in the same topics, but not interested enough to restart my groups on another service.
I had used a Yahoo! Groups email to create the Twitter account for my weekly poetry site, The Five-Two. Rather than give Twitter a new email, I've moved future Five-Two tweets to my personal account, @g_so.
Friday, November 13, 2020
ROBERT B. PARKER'S SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME by Ace Atkins
© by Gerald So | 4:30 AM
Atkins' ninth Spenser continuation novel was originally scheduled to be published next Tuesday, the 17th, but printing and distribution issues delayed it to January 12, 2021. Fortunately, Putnam Books publicist Nicole Biton sent me an advance ebook, which I reviewed yesterday at So Much to Talk About.
Atkins' ninth Spenser continuation novel was originally scheduled to be published next Tuesday, the 17th, but printing and distribution issues delayed it to January 12, 2021. Fortunately, Putnam Books publicist Nicole Biton sent me an advance ebook, which I reviewed yesterday at So Much to Talk About.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Goodbye, Yahoo! Groups
© by Gerald So | 7:00 AM
Having lasted years longer than I thought it would, frankly, Yahoo! Groups has announced it is cutting all Web-based features from its service. I've moderated groups since 1999 and many of them have gone quiet enough I've decided to move further discussion to So, You Want to Chat?
Having lasted years longer than I thought it would, frankly, Yahoo! Groups has announced it is cutting all Web-based features from its service. I've moderated groups since 1999 and many of them have gone quiet enough I've decided to move further discussion to So, You Want to Chat?
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Robert B. Parker's Angel Eyes by Ace Atkins
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| Book design by Katy Riegel |
On Friday the 13th I was lucky enough to receive a galley of Ace Atkins' eighth Spenser continuation from G.P. Putnam's Sons.
On sale November 19, it sees Spenser searching L.A. for a model-actress linked to a powerful studio executive and a shady empowerment group, clearly based on the downfalls of Smallville actress Allison Mack and Warner Bros. chairman Kevin Tsujihara.
Today, the anniversary of Robert Parker's birth, read my review at So, You Want to Chat?
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