Writing a book is just like reading a book, except your book hates you.
Reading
We Are Not On The Same Page
Read what no one else is reading. Otherwise, you’ll end up with the same ideas as everyone else.
Read different subjects to make connections where others see none.
Portable Time Portal
“What an astonishing thing a book is. It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. One glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years.”
—Carl Sagan
24/24
Back in December of last year, I set a reading goal of 24 books in 2024. Today I just wrapped that goal up with plenty of time to spare for the remainder of the year.
It was a fitting choice to complete the original classic of Dracula, by Bram Stoker in mid-October and Halloween coming up. I had intended to read other classic monster novels, but for now, I don’t know if my heart is into that.
It happened again, where I reserve multiple titles from the library and they are all 8-24 weeks out. And yet, they all, somehow, become available all at once.
For now, I have decided to read Stephen King’s book, On Writing. A non-fiction book that gives insights into his prolific style.
If interested, you can check out my Reading page to see what was on my digital nightstand.
Hell, you can even take a look at the screenshot too.
Technicolor Kindle
Do I need a colored e-ink reader? No.
Do I want the colored e-ink reader. Yes!
Amazon is quite stingy with their Kindle trade-in offers though. $25 for a year-old Paperwhite and $5 for an old Fire tablet? $30? Hmm.
I like the option to include Kindle Unlimited reading with the upgrade.
Not now but soon I suppose.
From The Library Of CJD
I love used bookstores, has it been mentioned? While in Oklahoma I decided to swing by the buy/sell/trade store and pick up some desired reference books such as a dictionary, thesaurus and an encyclopedia. Even the History of the National Geographic Society was grabbed.
Now I am on the look out for an atlas and a globe. These have all been on my list to add for the new study in the new home.
Scary Stories To Read In The Dark
Now reading “Dracula” by Bram Stoker. Next three books will be The Picture of Dorian Gray, Frankenstein, and the Curse of the Mummy.
Can you tell it is October?
Self-Publishing: Angkor
Since the early 1990’s I have had a fascination with the ancient Khmer Empire in modern day Cambodia. There is a story there waiting to be told. Over the years, I have researched and tried to keep up with the archeological news. Four years ago I offered a hypothesis regarding the Angkor Wat temple complex and another temple in the mountains to the north. I haven’t read or heard anything related to it so I still make my claim here.
In the meantime, I have decided to do a re-write on a story I started years ago regarding this area and its hidden secrets. The original ideas were too grandiose in my head and it was a challenge to sort it all out. I’ve kept some main ideas but simplified it somewhat. Also made it more relatable and relevant.
When wrapping up a chapter in my writing software (Ulysses), I noticed a feature that allows me to publish in various formats. “What the hell” I thought, so I exported my draft (NOT a final release) in the e.Pub format and figured why not, and sent it to my Kindle.
Moments later I was reading my own writing on an e-book reader!
This was a fun discovery and encourages me to keep going, press publish and read in its entirety. Someday.
25 Books In 2025
It is never too early to begin mapping out your reading list for the upcoming year, right?
Well, who asked you?
Next year, I’d like to incorporate more Classics and non-fiction titles into the rotation. I’ve come up with fourteen and need a few more.
What would you add to the list? Suggestions welcomed.
Okay, now I am asking you.
As always, the option to add/remove/delete titles are based on availability, new releases, new discoveries and anything else that tickles my fancy.
The PDF
Want to find obscure articles and even unabridged books online? Type your book in the search bar and add .pdf to end of that.
23/24
I just finished my 23rd out of 24 books to hit my reading goal for the year 2024.
You can catch up with what I’ve been reading on the Bookshelf page of this website.
I’ve mentioned it previously, but shelved the book called “S.” by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst until now. It’s a doozy and requires a lot of time to read/process. Now is the time and I can’t think of a better book to hit my end goal.
I’ll not stop after this one of course.
A Look Back
Once again, I find myself working behind the scenes of this website. This time, I am organizing the backend, the stuff that no one else sees. I am also wrapping up the migration of writings from my previous sites into here for posterity. Such as it is.
It’s been fun to look back and see the previous designs of this site in all of its iterations. I’ve learned a lot, experimented quite a bit, and still have a ways to go. Nowadays, I care more about substance than style and will make an effort to keep the experiments to a minimum. Until then, here are a few screenshots of this site through the years. I wish I could have done the same during the early years.
