I got this feeling on a summer day when you were gone.

Nine months since a post. Criminal. Shameful.

I've got excuses: Lots of reading, wrote another book, travelled the world, from the misty mountaintops of Kauai to the sunny shores of Sliema. We celebrated a great milestone for the Professor, rolled on Dubs through the wineries of Kelowna with The Senator and KMK, searched for sea monsters, explored the ancient ruins of Hagar Qim, toured the secret libraries and prisons of the world's greatest university with the guidance of a charming scholar, and drank and swapped stories with Vikings. I bore the pall of a beloved matriarch under the Texas sun, drank Wild Turkey on a crumbling dock on the shortest night of the year, practiced trail running in the mountains above Malibu with LT, took my first steps down the path of mindfulness meditation, studied Israeli home invasion techniques, pondered the secrets of the Squamish Chief, and played host to many fine visitors. I also worked on a couple of different games during the last nine months, at least one of which could be really good if it ever gets made. And, yeah, I read a lot.


Here's a sneak preview of the book reviews still waiting to be posted. All coming soon, I promise.

The Twelve by Justin Cronin
All 18 of Vachss' Burke novels
Leather Maiden by Joe Lansdale
The Ghost Road Blues Trilogy by Jonathan Mayberry
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
Killing Yourself to Live by Chuck Klosterman
Fargo Rock City by Chuck Klosterman
Born Bad by Andrew Vachss
The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard
Forever Peace by Joe Haldeman
Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera (again)
Joyland by Stephen King
Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng Tan
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
I Wear The Black Hat by Chuck Klosterman
In Other Worlds by Margret Atwood
A Killing at Cotton Hill by Terry Shames (Hooray, Aunt Terry!)
Malta & Gozo by The Lonely Planet
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood


For now, it's a quiet day here on the hillside in Burnaby. The world ahead looks uncertain, but then, it almost always does. Of one thing, though, I've got no doubt: There will be more books and loads more adventures! Stay tuned, dear imaginary reader.

-tf