Welcome to the end of the year. Or the beginning of the year. It’s been a lot of fun. Due to work commitments I have done exactly zero Standard ebooks this past year and thus all my reading has been in the modern era. I did add a new non-sci-fi series so there was a bit of branching out.

But without any further ado…
Here is  2023-doo-dee-doo:

January (10)

  • The Way to Glory David Drake (2005)
    Book 4 of Lt. Leary – ebook; reread
  • Whispers Under Ground Ben Aaronovitch (2012)
    Book 3 of Rivers of London – ebook;
  • Some Golden Harbour David Drake (2006)
    Book 5 of Lt. Leary – ebook; reread
  • The Wrong Stars Tim Pratt (2017)
    Book 1 of The Axiom – ebook;
  • Broken Homes Ben Aaronovitch (2014)
    Book 4 of Rivers of London – ebook;
  • Foxglove Summer Ben Aaronovitch (2015)
    Book 5 of Rivers of London – ebook;
  • When the Tide Rises David Drake (2008)
    Book 6 of Lt. Leary – ebook; reread
  • Risen Empire Scott Westerfeld (2003)
    Book 1 of The Succession Duology – ebook;
  • The Killing of Worlds Scott Westerfeld (2003)
    Book 2 of The Succession Duology – ebook;
  • In the Stormy Red Sky David Drake (2009)
    Book 7 of Lt. Leary – ebook; reread

February (8)

  • Babel R. F. Kuang (2022)
    – ebook;
  • Kushiel’s Dart Jacqueline Carey (2001)
    Book 1 of Kushiel’s Legacy – ebook; reread
  • Rubicon J.S. Dewes (2023)
    – ebook;
  • What Distant Deeps David Drake (2010)
    Book 8 of Lt. Leary – ebook;
  • The Hanging Tree Ben Aaronovitch (2017)
    Book 6 of Rivers of London – ebook;
  • The Road of Danger David Drake (2012)
    Book 9 of Lt. Leary – ebook; reread
  • The Sea Without a Shore David Drake (2014)
    Book 10 of Lt. Leary – ebook;
  • Lies Sleeping Ben Aaronovitch (2017)
    Book 7 of Rivers of London – ebook;

March (13)

  • Death’s Bright Day David Drake (2016)
    Book 11 of Lt. Leary – ebook;
  • Tales from the Folly Ben Aaronovitch (2020)
    Book 0 of Rivers of London – ebook;
  • Though Hell Should Bar the Way David Drake (2018)
    Book 12 of Lt. Leary – ebook;
  • When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain Nghi Vo (2020)
    Book 2 of The Singing Hills Cycle – ebook;
  • Rivers of London: Body Work Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel (2016)
    Vol. 1, Issues 1–5 – graphic novel
  • The Dreaming Stars Tim Pratt (2018)
    Book 2 of The Axiom – ebook;
  • The Castlemaine Murders Kerry Greenwood (2003)
    Book 13 of Phryne Fisher Mysteries – ebook;
  • The Forbidden Stars Tim Pratt (2019)
    Book 8 of The Axiom – ebook;
  • False Value Ben Aaronovitch (2020)
    Book 8 of Rivers of London – ebook;
  • To Clear Away the Shadows David Drake (2019)
    Book 13 of Lt. Leary – ebook;
  • Richard Bolitho: Midshipman Alexander Kent (1975)
    Book 1 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger Alexander Kent (1978)
    Book 2 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Band of Brothers Alexander Kent (2006)
    Book 3 of Bolitho – ebook;

April (10)

  • Stand into Danger Alexander Kent (1980)
    Book 4 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • City of Last Chances Adrian Tchaikovsky (2022)
    – ebook;
  • In Gallant Company Alexander Kent (1977)
    Book 5 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Amongst Our Weapons Ben Aaronovitch (2022)
    Book 8 of Rivers of London – ebook;
  • Sloop of War Alexander Kent (1977)
    Book 6 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Dennis Taylor (2016)
    Book 1 of * Bobiverse* – ebook;
  • In Fury Born David Weber (2006)
    – ebook; reread
  • Sloop of War Alexander Kent (1967)
    Book 7 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Command a King’s Ship Alexander Kent (1973)
    Book 8 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Tsalmoth Steven Brust (2023)
    Book 16 of Vlad Taltos – ebook;

May (15)

  • Fair Trade Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (2022)
    Book 3 of Jethri Goblyn – ebook;
  • Into the Riverlands Nghi Vo (2022)
    Book 3 of * The Singing Hills Cycle* – ebook;
  • Drowned Country Emily Tesh (2022)
    Book 2 of Greenhollow Duology – ebook;
  • Some Desperate Glory Emily Tesh (2023)
    – ebook;
  • Passage to Mutiny Alexander Kent (1976)
    Book 9 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • The Lost War Justin Lee Anderson (2022)
    Book 1 of Eidyn – ebook;
  • The Atlas Paradox Olivia Blake (2022)
    Book 2 of Atlas Series – ebook;
  • Mutineer’s Moon David Weber (1991)
    Book 1 of Dahak – ebook; reread
  • The Armageddon Inheritance David Weber (1993)
    Book 2 of Dahak – ebook; reread
  • Kushiel’s Chosen Jacqueline Carey (2011)
    Book 21 of Kushiel’s Legacy – ebook; reread
  • Kushiel’s Avatar Jacqueline Carey (2011)
    Book 3 of Kushiel’s Legacy – ebook; reread
  • Cyteen C. J. Cherryh (1988)
    Book 1 of Union – ebook; reread
  • With All Despatch Alexander Kent (1988)
    Book 10 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Form Line Of Battle! Alexander Kent (1969)
    Book 11 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Enemy In Sight! Alexander Kent (1970)
    Book 12 of Bolitho – ebook;

June (11)

  • The Flag Captain Alexander Kent (1971)
    Book 13 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Untethered Sky Fonda Lee (2023)
    – ebook;
  • Signal—Close Action Alexander Kent (1974)
    Book 14 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Witch King Martha Wells (2023)
    – ebook;
  • The The Inshore Squadron Alexander Kent (1978)
    Book 15 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe Alex White (2018)
    Book 1 of The Salvagers – ebook;
  • The Atrocity Archives Charles Stross (2004)
    Book 1 of The Laundry – ebook; reread
  • West of Honor Jerry Pournelle (1976)
    Book 1 of Falkenberg – ebook; reread
  • Mercenary Jerry Pournelle (1977)
    Book 2 of Falkenberg – ebook; reread
  • Prince of Mercenaries Jerry Pournelle (1989)
    Book 3 of Falkenberg – ebook; reread
  • A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy Alex White (2018)
    Book 2 of The Salvagers – ebook;

July (10)

  • Dune Frank Herbert (1965)
    – ebook; reread
  • Rosemary and Rue Seanan McGuire (2009)
    Book 1 of October Daye – ebook;
  • A Tradition of Victory Alexander Kent (1981)
    Book 16 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Translation State Ann Leckie (2023)
    Book 4 of Imperial Radch – ebook;
  • A Local Habitation Seanan McGuire (2010)
    Book 2 of October Daye – ebook;
  • Time for the Stars Robert A. Heinlein (1956)
    – ebook; reread
  • The Better Part of Valor Tanya Huff (2002)
    Book 2 of Confederation – ebook; reread
  • The Heart of Valor Tanya Huff (2007)
    Book 3 of Confederation – ebook; reread
  • Valor’s Trial Tanya Huff (2008)
    Book 4 of Confederation – ebook; reread
  • The Truth of Valor Tanya Huff (2010)
    Book 5 of Confederation – ebook; reread

August (11)

  • An Artificial Night Seanan McGuire (2010)
    Book 3 of October Daye – ebook;
  • Queen of the Flowers Kerry Greenwood (2004)
    Book 14 of Phryne Fisher Mysteries – ebook;
  • Success to the Brave Alexander Kent (1983)
    Book 17 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England Brandon Sanderson (2023)
    – ebook;
  • The Blighted Stars Megan E. O’Keefe (2023)
    Book 1 of The Devoured Worlds – ebook;
  • Phule’s Paradise Robert Asprin (1990)
    Book 1 of Phule’s Company – ebook; reread
  • Fletcher’s Fortune John Drake (1992)
    Book 1 of Fletcher – ebook;
  • Legends & Lattes Travis Baldree (2022)
    – ebook;
  • Imperium Restored Walter Jon Williams (2022)
    Book 6 of Dread Empire’s Fall – ebook;
  • Phule’s Company Robert Asprin (1990)
    Book 2 of Phule’s Company – ebook; reread
  • Colours Aloft! Alexander Kent (1986)
    Book 18 of Bolitho – ebook;

September (9)

  • The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle T. L. Huchu (2023)
    Book 3 of Edinburgh Nights – ebook;
  • Lords of Uncreation Adrian Tchaikovsky (2023)
    Book 3 of The Final Architecture – ebook;
  • Nevernight Jay Kristoff (2017)
    Book 1 of The Nevernight Chronicles – ebook; reread
  • Godsgrave Jay Kristoff (2017)
    Book 2 of The Nevernight Chronicles – ebook; reread
  • Darkdawn Jay Kristoff (2019)
    Book 3 of The Nevernight Chronicles – ebook; reread
  • Late Eclipses Seanan McGuire (2011)
    Book 4 of October Daye – ebook;
  • Starter Villain John Scalzi (2023)
    – ebook;
  • Honour This Day Alexander Kent (1997)
    Book 19 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • The Book That Wouldn’t Burn Mark Lawrence (2023)
    Book 1 of The Library Trilogy – ebook;

October (13)

  • Killing Gravity Corey J. White (2017)
    Book 1 of Voidwitch Saga – ebook; reread
  • Void Black Shadow Corey J. White (2018)
    Book 2 of Voidwitch Saga – ebook; reread
  • Static Ruin Corey J. White (2018)
    Book 3 of Voidwitch Saga – ebook; reread
  • One Salt Sea Seanan McGuire (2011)
    Book 5 of October Daye – ebook;
  • The Goblin Emperor Katherine Addison (2014)
    Book 1 of The Goblin Emperor – ebook; reread
  • The Witness for the Dead Katherine Addison (2021)
    Book 1 of The Cemeteries of Amalo – ebook; reread
  • Go Tell the Spartans Jerry Pournelle & S.M. Stirling (1991)
    Book 4 of Falkenberg – ebook; reread
  • The Grief of Stones Katherine Addison (2021)
    Book 2 of The Cemeteries of Amalo – ebook; reread
  • Prince of Sparta Jerry Pournelle & S.M. Stirling (1993)
    Book 5 of Falkenberg – ebook; reread
  • The Fifth Ward: First Watch Dale Lucas (2017)
    Book 1 of The Fifth Ward – ebook; reread
  • The Fifth Ward: Friendly Fire Dale Lucas (2018)
    Book 2 of The Fifth Ward – ebook; reread
  • Live Free or Die John Ringo (2010)
    Book 1 of Troy Rising – ebook; reread
  • Citadel John Ringo (2010)
    Book 2 of Troy Rising – ebook; reread

November (8)

  • The Hot Gate John Ringo (2011)
    Book 3 of Troy Rising – ebook; reread
  • The Last Devil to Die Richard Osman (2023)
    Book 4 of A Thursday Murder Club Mystery – ebook;
  • Mélusine Katherine Addison (2005)
    Book 1 of The Doctrine of Labyrinths – ebook;
  • The Fractured Dark Megan E. O’Keefe (2023)
    Book 2 of The Devoured Worlds – ebook;
  • The Virtu Katherine Addison (2006)
    Book 2 of The Doctrine of Labyrinths – ebook;
  • The Only Victor Alexander Kent (1990)
    Book 20 of Bolitho – ebook;
  • Ashes of Honor Seanan McGuire (2012)
    Book 6 of October Daye – ebook;
  • The Mirador Katherine Addison (2007)
    Book 3 of The Doctrine of Labyrinths – ebook;

December (9)

  • Chimes at Midnight Seanan McGuire (2013)
    Book 7 of October Daye – ebook;
  • System Collapse Martha Wells (2023)
    Book 7 of The Murderbot Diaries – ebook;
  • Corambis Katherine Addison (2009)
    Book 4 of The Doctrine of Labyrinths – ebook;
  • Scholar L.E.Modesitt Jr. (2011)
    Book 4 of The Imager Portfolio – ebook; reread
  • Princeps L.E.Modesitt Jr. (2012)
    Book 5 of The Imager Portfolio – ebook; reread
  • Imager’s Battalion L.E.Modesitt Jr. (2013)
    Book 6 of The Imager Portfolio – ebook; reread
  • Antiagon Fire L.E.Modesitt Jr. (2013)
    Book 7 of The Imager Portfolio – ebook; reread
  • Rex Regis L.E.Modesitt Jr. (2014)
    Book 8 of The Imager Portfolio – ebook; reread
  • Madness in Solidar L.E.Modesitt Jr. (2015)
    Book 9 of The Imager Portfolio – ebook; reread

Show me the numbers!

Total read: 127

46 rereads
10.6 books/month
2.5 books/week
.35 books/day

Books by women: (15/45 authors)
Non SF/Fantasy: 23
Oldest 1956 (Time for the Stars Robert A. Heinlein)
1 print (a graphic novel)

40 diferent series
11 non-series books

Of Note

Some books that made an impression:

  • Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series— I mentioned the first one last year and continued to consumed this series in huge gulps, always wanting more. It helps we’ve been watching a lot of British TV lately but I love Aaronovitch’s sense of wry humour and the premise of a magical cop is handled in a way that defies the trite “The perfect blend of CSI and Harry Potter”  promo line they keep using.
  • I continued to read some of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s stand-alone fiction and really enjoyed City of Last Chances.
  • The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson wrote a great story then upended it completely in the last few pages. The sequel is just out and I am actually trepidatious about reading it because it has the potential to go so wrong… or be absolutely fantastic if he gets it right.
  • Babel by R. F. Kuang— I made Leslie read this one. Enough said.

Some other books that made an impression (not that I like the so much as they were noteworthy):

  • Rivers of London: Body Work Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel — a graphic novel. Probably the first graphic novel I have ever read completely and the only hard copy book of the year. Still not my jam.
  • The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England Brandon Sanderson—One of Sanderson’s big releases from his whole kickstarter thing. Meh. Not bad but I really didn’t see they anything other than a quick little project that was acceptable. It didn’t help that I read the ebook and it was chock-a-bloc full of graphics making it tedious to read on my poor little Kobo. That’s another trend that I don’t particularly admire.
  • The much hyped and marketed Starter Villain by John Scalzi—It was a fun premise, well written and in no way a chore to read. But of any substance whatsoever? No. Scalzi himself alluded to it as sort of a post-Covid relief valve. I enjoyed it; but I was kind of  amused by the hype surrounding a throw-away book of the type that used to have me referring to my reading habits as “trashy sci-fi.” I do hope he writes more, but I think they should save the over-the-top accolades and marketing dollars for others.
  • Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire and the rest of the series (I am up to book 8)—I started this based on a conversation with someone and it was well-written enough to become a habit. But is a habit a good enough excuse to continue on? So far McGuire is winning by continuing to suck me in… but I imagine the $22.99 price point for the latest in the series might be a stopper (more on this later).

Some non-SF and my continued whinging

This year I started in on the 30+ book series of Richard Bolitho. It’s another Napoleonic era, Age of Sail series that starts with a young Richard Bolitho as midshipman and follows his career. I am only up to Book 20 so I have a few more to go and I believe he moves on to the title characters nephew as the protagonist in the last few books…doesn’t look good for Richard’s health long term 🙂

The problem is that many of the books are geo-blocked in Canada. It really really grinds my gears that any book is geo-blocked, but when only some of the books in a series are available…well…that’s just bloody unacceptable. Needless to say I tried hard to get around it legitimately (i.e. actually pay for them ) but it proved impossible and I ended up downloading a bunch of crappy OCR’d versions and doing my best to clean them up. Ironically and irritatingly, a bunch of the later books finally showed up as available here in Canada so I bought them and chucked out all my work on the half-assed versions. Now if they will just release the rest…

I also added two more Phryne Fisher mysteries to the total to bring me up to book 15 and completely my list on non-SF/Fantasy reading.

Two more bitches

Prices: $23 dollars for an ebook? What the serious fuck?. Pricing a book used to be 5 x pp&b ( five times the print, paper and binding costs). If manufacturing a book cost $2/unit then the retail price would be around $10. This covered all the other  creation costs and paid the author a “fair” royalty. I know things have changed but creating an ebook is under a hundred dollars for unlimited copies…and probably much cheaper than that for the big guys. This is an outright money grab, trying to create “hardback”/ new release pricing around a purely digital product that in most cases YOU DON”T EVEN OWN!  The hardcover is only $37 for goodness sake… the pricing makes no sense! Sigh.

Romantasy: Seriously? Goodreads had it as an actual category in their Choice Awards this year… I can’t even.

Conclusions

Not much to say about books this year. I am trying to read more new books and more new authors. I think the tendency towards writing dense sci-fi and fantasy continues and when I am in the mood for it, it’s some pretty great stuff. But as much as I twit about Scalzi, it’s nice to read some good old fashioned, well-written schlock. Especially as we all recover from the mass trauma that was “Humanity during Covid.” So let’s hope there is plenty of that to read as well (although I realize I have decades of old stuff to catch up on so there is always something “schlocky to read 😉 )

Here’s to a lot of great books in 2024!


My fellow book counters: Dr. la ass dean 2023 book and music list and the one, the only, the original, Earl J. Woods’ Last But Not Least: Books I Read in 2023 .

Links to previous years’ book count posts: