Ron says … What!

[ReaderPaul]

11 hours ago, Ron said:

Ouch!  Once again both the title and the last line to a story came to me at the same time. 
Stop!  Stop, I say! 

I need filler!

 

9 hours ago, Inkognito said:

Holy one-sentence-paragraph-shitballs, Batman!
... Sir.

Sir, please step away from the espresso machine.

@Ron, perhaps you could take the phrase -- "Sir, please step away from the espresso machine." -- provided by @Inkognito -- and make a story with that first line and your ending?  It could be quite interesting!

If you do that, please let me read the story.  @Inkognito -- if YOU write a story also with that first line, I want to read that one, as well.  Please and thanks to you both.

[Ron]

A lovely way to spend a summer evening; listening to Chris Thile and Brad Meldau.

[Ron]

According to an article in The Washington Post (WAPO), the Associated Press (AP) will no longer produce or publish book reviews.

I find that I do skim the book reviews in the Boston Globe and WAPO, and sometimes assorted articles found on Apple News. Those reviews getting read by me are the subjects I’m interested in, of course — but I’m not always sure that what I’m reading is the most best interpretation of the book. After all, I’ve ignored movies that were poorly reviewed only to watch them later and find that I enjoyed them quite well.

So, I wonder if this reduction in book reviews is of great importance. I can’t think of a specific instance when I’ve looked up a book with the intention of getting a AP review of the book. Although, I suspect that I have read AP book reviews without knowing.

What do you all think of this?

[Bill W]

7 hours ago, Ron said:

According to an article in The Washington Post (WAPO), the Associated Press (AP) will no longer produce or publish book reviews.

I find that I do skim the book reviews in the Boston Globe and WAPO, and sometimes assorted articles found on Apple News. Those reviews getting read by me are the subjects I’m interested in, of course — but I’m not always sure that what I’m reading is the most best interpretation of the book. After all, I’ve ignored movies that were poorly reviewed only to watch them later and find that I enjoyed them quite well.

So, I wonder if this reduction in book reviews is of great importance. I can’t think of a specific instance when I’ve looked up a book with the intention of getting a AP review of the book. Although, I suspect that I have read AP book reviews without knowing.

What do you all think of this?

I think it might have some basis in the anti-DEI movement that has currently built up some momentum.  Possibly WAPO and the AP are afraid of a backlash ifhey feature reviews on what some consider to be DEI and potentially banned book type material. 

[Ron]

8 hours ago, Bill W said:

I think it might have some basis in the anti-DEI movement… 

That is one possibility, Bill. Although, I think skipping reviews of such material until such a time as it feels safe to resume those types of reviews would be sufficient answer if that’s even an issue. It seems that AP is throwing out all book reviews and not just picking and choosing. It’s more likely a cost savings thing for AP. This ending was reported by WAPO, and as far as I’m aware that news source will continue with book reviews as will The Boston Globe.

My question was really related to what authors and readers think about losing one source of information related to our interest. The books I read generally fall into the categories of Science fiction and Fantasy, books that are not necessarily well reviewed in newspapers but they do pop up now and again in ‘Best Of’ type articles.

So, will losing book reviews from AP be important in the long run? Is it a portend of things to come? Will we be left to read book-jacket blurbs disguised as reviews because no source is covering books seriously?

[Bill W]

2 hours ago, Ron said:

That is one possibility, Bill. Although, I think skipping reviews of such material until such a time as it feels safe to resume those types of reviews would be sufficient answer if that’s even an issue. It seems that AP is throwing out all book reviews and not just picking and choosing. It’s more likely a cost savings thing for AP. This ending was reported by WAPO, and as far as I’m aware that news source will continue with book reviews as will The Boston Globe.

My question was really related to what authors and readers think about losing one source of information related to our interest. The books I read generally fall into the categories of Science fiction and Fantasy, books that are not necessarily well reviewed in newspapers but they do pop up now and again in ‘Best Of’ type articles.

So, will losing book reviews from AP be important in the long run? Is it a portend of things to come? Will we be left to read book-jacket blurbs disguised as reviews because no source is covering books seriously?

Oh, it's never good to lose an outlet that disseminates information about LGBTQ+ issues or items of interest, no matter the reason.  It is important that we keep connected to the gay community, especially the younger members. I absolutely hate the movement that's trying to ban book in libraries about gay and minority issues, so we need every other outlet we can get to inform others about materials, activities, and resources that they may find useful.  

[Zombie]

On 8/19/2025 at 7:33 PM, Ron said:

My question was really related to what authors and readers think about losing one source of information related to our interest. The books I read generally fall into the categories of Science fiction and Fantasy, books that are not necessarily well reviewed in newspapers but they do pop up now and again in ‘Best Of’ type articles

mostly I search ‘(title) review’, peruse the hits, then choose a selection of known +unknowns (for books +movies) because, yes, individual reviewers will never always be aligned with our personal interests...

 

[Ron]

Quote

“Even though reading is often thought of as more of an individual activity, when we read stories, we actually form connections with characters,’’ Fancourt said. “The empathy that we feel for them is actually real, and these connections with characters can be ways that we can feel less alone, that we can feel socially and emotionally validated.’’

This may be why we are/will be seeing more drops in reviews: Fewer reading for fun. This is a free to read article.

I used to pop into the local Barnes and Noble bookstore in Boston and peruse the aisles looking at the 'new' section for Sci-Fi/Fantasy books, grab a few copies of favorite magazines to read and grab a coffee at the Starbucks located inside and have a sit down. Well, B&N closed and there has been nothing to replace it. Consequently, that removed an outlet for me to discover new books - even those by favorite authors. Now, Amazon sends me a book plug every now and again about an author I've expressed interest in.

It seems to me that now that I have plenty of time on my hands my day just disappears from me. I feel like I accomplish far less now than I did when I had responsibilities. So, seeking out reviews for books would be one more thing that I don't have time for, let alone read for pleasure. Go figure!

[Jason Rimbaud]

5 minutes ago, Ron said:

This may be why we are/will be seeing more drops in reviews: Fewer reading for fun. This is a free to read article.

I used to pop into the local Barnes and Noble bookstore in Boston and peruse the aisles looking at the 'new' section for Sci-Fi/Fantasy books, grab a few copies of favorite magazines to read and grab a coffee at the Starbucks located inside and have a sit down. Well, B&N closed and there has been nothing to replace it. Consequently, that removed an outlet for me to discover new books - even those by favorite authors. Now, Amazon sends me a book plug every now and again about an author I've expressed interest in.

It seems to me that now that I have plenty of time on my hands my day just disappears from me. I feel like I accomplish far less now than I did when I had responsibilities. So, seeking out reviews for books would be one more thing that I don't have time for, let alone read for pleasure. Go figure!

I can attest to fewer people reading for fun...

But if I can judge on the young people I have working for me, most of them recently graduated last year or this past year, they can barely read and the comprehension of what they can read is nearly zero. 

I see on average 500 people a day, I might see one person a week reading a book or tablet book in the restaurant. Not all 500 people stay, many get take out, but almost everyone is scrolling on their phone. 

I have a group of high school student, six to nine that come in every week. They don't talk to each other, just sit on their phones. 

Books are a thing of the past, just like almost all the articles you read online are AI generated, we love a dying art form and I don't think it will come back. 

When is the last book phenomon that took over the country.  My memory might be Twilight series, not sure if it was the books or movies that I remember so disgustedly. 

[Ron]

59 minutes ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

My memory might be Twilight series, not sure if it was the books or movies that I remember so disgustedly. 

I don't recall the books being all that pernicious, but the movies struck that chord what with the sparkles and all. The Harry Potter books for sure and Rick Riordan with the Percy Jackson books were a phenomenon. But even though adults read those books they were geared toward kids. I wonder what happened to them(?), I would suspect all those kids would remain readers.

You make the future sound horrible though.  I don't know what the answer is, audio books maybe. If you can't read, then listen.

[CassieQ]

2 hours ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

I can attest to fewer people reading for fun...

But if I can judge on the young people I have working for me, most of them recently graduated last year or this past year, they can barely read and the comprehension of what they can read is nearly zero. 

I see on average 500 people a day, I might see one person a week reading a book or tablet book in the restaurant. Not all 500 people stay, many get take out, but almost everyone is scrolling on their phone. 

I have a group of high school student, six to nine that come in every week. They don't talk to each other, just sit on their phones. 

Books are a thing of the past, just like almost all the articles you read online are AI generated, we love a dying art form and I don't think it will come back. 

When is the last book phenomon that took over the country.  My memory might be Twilight series, not sure if it was the books or movies that I remember so disgustedly. 

Harry Potter was huge around the same time.  Bookstores would have midnight launch parties to sell the books the second the release date hit.  I worked in a Barnes and Noble for the release of Book 6 and it was absolutely packed.  I did nothing but sell that book until 1:45 a.m.  Then bought my copy and went home.  I thought it was so cool to see so many people, many of them kids, that excited to read a book.  The biggest phenomenon I see right now is probably the ACOTAR books, but I haven't read those.

[CassieQ]

1 hour ago, Ron said:

 

You make the future sound horrible though.  I don't know what the answer is, audio books maybe. If you can't read, then listen.

I've never seen my brother in law with a book, but he says he listens to audiobooks during his long commute.  I'm not a fan of them, to hard to focus.

[Zombie]

2 hours ago, Ron said:

even though adults read those books they were geared toward kids

and of course many of those kids got into books because their parent(s) read them to their kids at bedtime and got those kids into the habit of reading for themselves, for pleasure

but fast forward 20 years or so and how many moms and dads now routinely read HP, or any other books, to their kids at bedtime, to get them into the habit of book reading for themselves, with all the games +music +video +SM stuff in their lives

Habit is the key to reading for pleasure - if not acquired in childhood then it’s much more difficult to acquire later, with all the competing demands of our 24hour lifestyle culture… ☹️ 

[CassieQ]

12 hours ago, Zombie said:

and of course many of those kids got into books because their parent(s) read them to their kids at bedtime and got those kids into the habit of reading for themselves, for pleasure

but fast forward 20 years or so and how many moms and dads now routinely read HP, or any other books, to their kids at bedtime, to get them into the habit of book reading for themselves, with all the games +music +video +SM stuff in their lives

Habit is the key to reading for pleasure - if not acquired in childhood then it’s much more difficult to acquire later, with all the competing demands of our 24hour lifestyle culture… ☹️ 

I think that's true...my parents both enjoy reading, as did their parents.  My sister and I have always loved books and we're trying to foster that for my nephew too.

My boss has a daughter who is extremely smart and when she was younger he mentioned that she would read a book for 30 minutes before she went to bed every night....he sounded puzzled by it.

Edited August 22 by CassieQ

[Ron]

2 hours ago, CassieQ said:

I'm not a fan of them, to hard to focus.

Yeah, this is me. Although, the reading would likely go along at a faster pace than it would if I were actually reading myself, if I could get into it.

edited: for grammatical clarity.

To add: See, I’m working on something and I’m already thinking about the (f-ing) editing.

Edited August 22 by Ron

[Ron]

The problem with a quick-fix, frozen pizza is that you smell it ‘baking’ long before you can eat it. ☹️

 

[Ron]

Scrolling, scrolling, scrolling … “Bob Mackie Came Out of Retirement to Design This Bride’s Bespoke Wedding Gown” (courtesy of Vogue), I clicked. I’m nearly sixty-six years old, do I need further affirmation?!

[Ron]

Halfway through episode three of FX’s Alien Earth series (interesting, so far) a sampled ‘Maggot Brain’ by Funkadelic — from their album of the same name — begins playing. I wonder just how many people will catch that?! Will they wonder; will they care? I caught the music right away (being from the time and place that I grew up in, and considering that the WMMS radio station out of Cleveland, Ohio [“The home of Rock and Roll”], played that song at the bewitching hour — being that place beginning at midnight Friday and continuing through Saturday morning) every week. I hope all of my family and friends back in my home state did, too — if you watched the episode.

 

What goes around comes back around; it’s just a matter of time!

[Ron]

Stinky fish on a Tuesday? What are my neighbors thinking?!

I could hear the exhaust fan of one of my upper neighbor's stoves echoing down through mine; not good when you're listening to Tears for Fears and that demonstrative song (one of my favorites) 'Woman in Chains' -- so I pulled the curtain (both actually and figuratively) against the sound.

Later ... I pulled that certain back and I was immediately confronted with: Stinky fish; On a Tuesday!

What were my neighbors thinking?!!

Edited August 26 by Ron

[Ron]

Quote

The most overbooked date on any calendar is “Someday.” - R. Eric Thomas, advice columnist.

So true, so true. That “Someday” has been my start date for putting words down for the upcoming anthology feature (which are all currently resident in my mind). I have now set a specific date to Labor Day, September 1st. I have no plans for that day other than to work, ironically enough. Wish me well, because a lot has to happen in a short amount of time.

[Ron]

Yes. Yes. I know it's only Tuesday but ...

Turn it up! There are great, deep bass sounds near the beginning and dare I say some 'moist' sounds (snort ) further along. 

Edited September 3 by Ron

[Ron]

My hometown pizza shop makes a damn good pizza. I can’t get one here in MA. I had a new favorite in Boston: Nicole’s Pizza. I can’t get that up here on the North Shore. I’ve tried a number of options here and nothing seems to fill the void. But, in a recent culinary investigation by the Washington Post which examined a varied grouping of frozen pizza DiGiornos Pizza came out on top. I’m inclined to agree with the WAPO testers.

Edited September 5 by Ron

[Ron]

"Boy, you've been a naughty girl you've let your knickers down." 

The Beatles were well ahead of the times.

 

[Ron]

I've commented on both new additions to a Guest Prompt from the Way-Back of guest's prompts wherein @wildone gave us The impetus to: - Write a short story (at least 500 words) in first person without using the pronoun "I". Please, investigate the @Mikiesboy and @Inkognito additions to the Prompt, which can be accessed through the link. 

Edited September 11 by Ron

[Ron]

On parsley…

When I buy a bunch of parsley I use it once and then it sits in the fridge until I have to throw it out — this despite my snipping the ends, plopping it into a glass with enough water to keep the ends wet, and covering the tops with a plastic bag from the store in order that the tops don’t dry out, and repeating the process again and again. On top of that, I don’t see how the herb adds any significance to the flavor of most dishes I’m using it in. Parsley tastes green and slightly bitter but beyond those flavor profiles, what’s the attraction? Does it look pretty on the dish you’re making? I find its aesthetic appearance in contrast to its flavor debatable.

What say you?