READING ROUND-UP: May 2024

Here’s what I’ve been reading, listening to, and watching in May 2024!

 

BOOKS

I read 14 books in May: 4 in print, 1 in e-book format, and 4 in audio format. They were:

1.       Mercedes General by Jerry L. Wheeler (PRINT, short story collection)

2.       All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business by Mel Brooks (AUDIO, Non-Fiction Challenge, To Be Read Challenge (audio alternate title))

3.       Or by Liz Duffy Adams (PRINT) (also saw staged reading live performance)

4.       Tommy's Tale by Alan Cumming (AUDIO)

5.       The Women by Kristin Hannah (PRINT, Sparta Books Book Club June selection)

6.       Merlin's Booke by Jane Yolen (PRINT, To Be Read Challenge (print alternate title)

7.       Rita Moreno: A Memoir by Rita Moreno (AUDIO, Non-Fiction Challenge)

8.       You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms (AUDIO)

9.       Tidal Creatures (Alchemical Journeys #3) by Seanan McGuire (E-BOOK, ARC)

 

 

STORIES

Here’s what I read this month and where you can find them if you’re interested in reading them too. If no source is noted, the story is from the same magazine or book as the story(ies) that precede(s) it.

 

1.       “We Will Teach You How to Read | We Will Teach You How to Read” by Caroline M. Yoachim in Lightspeed Magazine #168, edited by John Joseph Adams

2.       “The Last Thing They See Is Laika” by Stephen Geigen-Miller

3.       “Over A Long Time Ago” by Nisi Shawl

4.       “Chaos Theory” by Ash Howell

5.       “Done Deal” by Rory Harper

6.       “Exit Interview” by Ben Peek

7.       “And the Dreams That You Dare to Dream” by Marissa Lingen

8.       “Richard Nixon and the Princess of Crows” by P H Lee

9.       “A Pilgrimage to the God of High Places” by Marissa Lingen, from Beneath Ceaseless Skies #406 edited by Scott H. Andrews

10.   “A Series of Accounts Surrounding the Risen Lady of the Orun-Alai and Other Alleged Miracles in the Final Days of the Riverlands War” by Aimee Ogden

11.   “Fishy” by Alice Towey, from Clarkesworld #212, edited by Neil Clarke

12.   “The Portmeirion Road” by Fiona Moore

13.   “In Which Caruth is Correct” by Carolyn Zhao

14.   “The Brotherhood of Montague St. Video” by Thomas Ha

15.   “An Offering from the Void” by Daniel David Froid, from Nightmare Magazine #140, edited by Wendy N. Wagner

16.   “Solve This One, Mrs. Miller” by Carlie St. George

17.   “like blood on the mouths of death” by Victor Forna

18.   “The Girl with No Hands” by Jordan Taylor, from Kaleidotrope Spring 2024, edited by Fred Coppersmith

19.   “The Blood of Raizor” by Jason Scott Aiken, from Strange Incursions

20.   “Galazi in the Enchanted City” by Jason Scott Aiken

21.   “The Confession of Brother Blaise” by Jane Yolen, from Merlin’s Booke

22.   “The Wild Child” by Jane Yolen

23.   “Dream Reader” by Jane Yolen

24.   “The Gwynhfar” by Jane Yolen

25.   “The Dragon's Boy” by Jane Yolen

26.   “The Sword and the Stone” by Jane Yolen

27.   “Evian Steel” by Jane Yolen

28.   “In the Whitethorn Wood” by Jane Yolen

29.   “Epitaph” by Jane Yolen

30.   “Fringe” by Jerry L. Wheeler, from Mercedes General

31.   “The Circus” by Jerry L. Wheeler

32.   “The 12:40 to Chicago” by Jerry L. Wheeler

33.   “The Incident” by Jerry L. Wheeler

34.   “Senior Prom for a Mob” by Jerry L. Wheeler

35.   “Pavane for Three Dead Women” by Jerry L. Wheeler

36.   “Mercedes General” by Jerry L. Wheeler

37.   “Another Death, Another Path” by Jerry L. Wheeler

 

So that’s 37 short stories in May. More than “1 per day” for the first time this year, which puts me back on pace, and slightly ahead, for the year! (May 31st was the 152nd day of 2024.)

 

MOVIES

I only watched two movies in May:

1.       Baby Driver (2017)

2.       Gamera Vs. Guiron (1969)

The week ending May 26th was the 21st week of the year, so I’m still way behind on the “1 movie per week” challenge.

 

TELEVISION

·       Shoresy Season 2, Episodes 1 – 6 (6 episodes)

·       Doctor Who (2024) Season 1, Episodes 1-5 (5 episodes)

·       Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episodes 1 – 10 (10 episodes)

·       Star Trek: Short Treks Season 1, Episode 2 (1 episode)

·       The Ready Room Season 14, Episodes 2 – 10 (9 episodes)

·       Larry Dean: Fandan Comedy Special (1 episode)

That’s 32 episodes of television, which surpasses the “1 per day” I was shooting for but still puts me behind the pace for this challenge.

 

LIVE THEATER

·       Or, What She Will Red Bull Theatre, NYC

 

Summary of Challenges:

“To Be Read” Challenge: This month: 2 read (both from the “alternates” list); YTD: 4 of 15 read.

366 Short Stories Challenge: This month:  37 read; YTD: 158 of 366 read.

Goodreads Challenge: This month: 10 read; YTD: 51 of 120 read.

Graphic Novels Challenge:  This month: 0 read; YTD: 11 of 52 read.

Non-Fiction Challenge: This month: 2 read; YTD: 9 of 12 read.

Read the Book / Watch the Movie Challenge: This month: 0 read/watched; YTD: 1 read/watched.

Movie Challenge: This month: 2 watched; YTD: 11 of 52 watched.

TV Shows Challenge: This month: 32 episodes watched; YTD: 111 of 366 watched.

Live Theater Challenge: This month: 1 show attended; YTD: 7 of 12 attended.