Happy Halloween, folks.

Have a listen:


The image is my own tattoo. This was done by the fabulous Gigi McQueen of Timepiece Tattoo.

The Reading I Haven't Written About...

Back in January of this year, I blogged about reading and set my self the task of reading and writing about 100 books this year. I've written about 12 books and we're 5 months into the year. Now, I don't claim to be a genius mathematician (seriously, my brain just doesn't do mental arithmetic any more) but I'm pretty sure that I'm running behind schedule here.

Here's the thing; I've read a bunch of books this year that I haven't gotten around to writing about. Maybe I finished reading a book in bed and woke up the next day with too little time to scribble down some thoughts, put it off for a day or two, then forgot to return to it. Maybe I just had something else I wanted to do right after closing a book, put off writing about it for a day or two and forgot about it... you get the picture already, right?

So, I've read more than 12 books this year. Off the top of my head some of the books I've liked or loved enough to remember without a written record are:

Blue is the Night by Eoin McNamee
Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon
The Front Seat Passenger by Pascal Garnier
The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
The Hunter by Richard Stark
(I suspect there are a few more books that belong on this list, but they've slipped my mind)

I also reread The Maltese Falcon and a good portion of The Glass Key (both by Hammett) as well as the unfinished first draft of The Thin Man in the Library of America edition of Hammett: Crime Stories and Other Writing. A few short stories here and there (from mammoth collections like Hemingway's First Forty-Nine Stories and the Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps, mostly) and the odd chapter from a bunch of books that I wanted to refresh my memory of.

I'd still be running behind schedule, even if I'd written about the listed books, of course, but I'd be comfortable enough knowing that my summer reading boost would have helped a little. I've delivered this year's PhD work to QUB, and following my differentiation at the end of the month, I get a few months to myself (sort of) to read and write before the new academic year starts. This means I'll be free to read whatever I fancy and I'll probably take a break from the academic texts I've been dipping in and out of (I could list those, but I don't think you'd care).

So, do I write about the listed books in retrospect? I'm not sure I want to. I think I'll have lost some of the enthusiasm that sticks with you for a day or two after reading and that'll come through in my short reviews. Plus, I'm clocking up more titles that should go on the list every week or two. But then, these are all books worth talking about. Also, I've a bunch of fiction writing I want to get done (and reading of the work I've written, as the process goes). Or do I just abandon the whole 100 books thing and simply write what I feel like writing about when I feel like it?

You know what? My son wants me to make his some grub right now. I'll think about this later. If I feel like it.

Currently reading The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins and Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith, by the way.

READ! Ye eejit.

"If you're not reading, you're not writing." Ian McDonald

The award-winning science fiction word-slinger (and fellow contributor to BELFAST NOIR) said that to me in 2006. He was kind enough to act as a writing mentor for six weeks (organised through the now disbanded Creative Writers Network) and a lot of what he said stuck with me. But the above is something I tend to forget on a regular basis. I'm hoping that the act of writing this blog post will make it easier to remember.

Sometimes I get stressed by a lack of progress in a project. I'm not a lot of fun to live with when that happens. And not much use. EVERYTHING is a drain on my time and creative energy, in my mind. Sometimes I even think, I don't have time to read, for feck's sake.

That's a mistake, every time.

For this writer, reading is motivation, inspiration and a bunch of other -ations. I feel like my voice and style is pretty much nailed down so I don't worry about aping better writers or paying too much of an homage to a favourite novel.

Also, it's part of my job now.

When I worked full-time in an office (for 14 feckin' years!) reading was something I did on my breaks. An escape from spreadsheets. Then, as time got tighter, I'd substitute a reading break for a bit of writing or internet research (AKA procrastination). Time to read became a luxury rather than a necessity. Now it's an unavoidable requirement for my PhD. My brain hasn't quite caught up with the fact that I enjoy the work that I'm doing now.

So, even if I feel like I'm slacking, I need to read every day. Which is why I've decided to track my progress on this blog. It'll keep me honest. Plus it'd be nice to know with absolute certainty how many books I read in 2014. My target this year is 100 books. Seems doable, but I'm only on book no.2. Need to get a shuffle on. So, an hour of writing then an hour of reading before lunch.

Thinking of changing my middle name to Lucky.

#killerbooks reading

Check out this reading from my #killerbooks novella, BOUNCE. As far as I know, you can still get free copies at Eason in Derry. The recording isn't 100% perfect, but I'd practiced it a few times by this stage. Seems a shame to let the file sit there doing nothing.

Let me know if you enjoy it. Still thinking of releasing THE POINT as an audiobook in the near future.

Stuart Neville -- From The United States of America To Armagh City Library

Stuart Neville has just released the cover design for the US release of his debut novel, The Ghosts of Belfast (AKA The Twelve in the UK). Ain't it pretty? Pretty creepy.

Check out his blog post and see what he thinks of it.

Stuart also talks about the journey from Word document to ARC in said post. It's got a real Cat's in the Cradle feel to it. But I think it's good to see he's savouring every giddy moment. The best of luck to him.

He's also due to appear at Armagh City Library on Thursday 26th of February at 7:30pm. He'll be reading from The Twelve. There's also a chance to win an ARC the tome. I'd almost make the trip myself for a crack at that, but I've yet to perfect my flux capacitor, so I'll have to give it a miss. Bummer.

Colman's Roundup - Keepin' it Swift and Simple

Colman Keane, hard core bookworm, sent me a few thoughts on his reading for the month of July. I figured it couldn't hurt to share these brutally honest opinions with you fine folk.

DAVE WHITE – WHEN ONE MAN DIES………….debut PI novel

CHESTER HIMES – A RAGE IN HARLEM………..yer man McKINTY is big on Himes and it was pretty good…….definitely one to read more of

CLARENCE COOPER JR – THE SYNDICATE……another black jailbird author like Himes……..also a dope fiend to boot…..not the best book I’ve ever read.

PINCKNEY BENEDICT – TOWN SMOKES……hillbilly, backwoods-Virginian short stories

JJ CONNOLLY – LAYER CAKE………..funny and violent tale of a drug dealer………still got the film with Daniel Craig to watch yet

ANDREW NUGENT – THE FOUR COURTS MURDER……..Irish monk author, quirky tale but he hasn’t got me gushing over it

DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI – SEVERANCE PACKAGE…….hot young crime writer from Philly……not his best book in my opinion

JOEL ROSE – KILL KILL FASTER FASTER……….down and dirty tale of a former felon

KEVIN SAMPSON – AWAYDAYS………tale of a Tranmere footie yob and his search for identity and meaning after his mum dies, absolutely knocked me out……..sad, thought provoking and absolutely hilarious……….my better half nearly booted me out of bed cos I was roaring!