วีดีโอ

I think the content of the book should be what a book is judged on, not the character of the author.

You can't go wrong with Ben Aaronovitch. I was so pleased to have him on a panel I moderated on the subject of occult detectives at Fantasycon 2017 here in Peterborough. The Wildside Press Megapacks are great value, but be warned, their proofreading leaves a bit to be desired. One of their Algernon Blackwood megapacks has all six of his John Silence occult detective stories, and I picked it up for a reread, before getting started on an anthology of new John Silence stories I'm working on. (Look out for the announcement of the Kickstarter for that during Occult Detective October). It was so badly edited that I ended up buying the excellent Dover Press edition of the complete John Silence stories, edited by S.T. Joshi for Dover Press.

Super excited for this, can't wait!

I read the first Rivers of London and really enjoyed it. I need to read some of the next in the series. Maybe this October! 😊

Going to try and fit this in to my October. Haven't announced it yet but its the 3rd year for my Hallowtween so will be reading a lot of middle grade spooky books. 😀 I am rereading The Dresden files, one book a month so I know I will have at least one book for Occult Detective. 😀

This was delightful! I’ve just bought a few of those megapacks too! 🥰 This is going to be fun!

Can’t wait for this event as lots of people are getting involved. Glad you are too Debs & some cool picks

Fantastic achievement Debs - thanks for all the thanks 👍👍👍

BookTube reminds me of retail. Always planning ahead 🤣 Sounds like a great, spooky event for October. I have just reread The Woman in Black for Shorty September, one of my all time favourites so I will look into what I could read to join you all for this.

🔍🔍🔍

Lovely introduction. I’m looking forward to the event.

I read The Devil Rides Out last year. Dated but fun.

I’m so glad you are here this year. It’s going to be a great month for reading! “Or a Zombie…You Choose!” 😂👏🏻👏🏻

I noticed your TH-cam channel and I'm really impressed with the content you're creating - it's engaging and insightful!

Well done, you have indeed smashed this challenge and you certainly are trashed out 😂 Hope you enjoy your September choices :)

Growing up in Shakespeare's county, I wish I was more of a fan. We studied a lot of plays at school and although literature and history were my favourites, it has just never grabbed me. I still enjoy hearing about everyone's experiences and the town is amazing to visit. I'm sure you'll have been.

Great video, Debs - fun & engaging digressions.

Woo Hoooo! I love being tagged! Well, you all are in for a laugh, for sure. I can't wait to tell you all I know about Shakespeare from the perspective of a small town American kid growing up in the 90s! hahahaha! Thanks for the tag. I loved hearing your answers... and I relate to Beatrice, too!

Iago, in _Othello,_ is the _greatest_ (well? One of 'em!) villian! Good one, Debs 🎭

Thanks for sharing your Shakespeare journey. Can’t help but agree about the school experience. For this reason will definitely revisit the Tempest this month. Hope you can get to it. Solid tips for getting into Shakespeare too

You have a treat in store with the Tempest! Laughed at Othello’s gloves!

That production of A Midsummer Night's Dream sounds wonderful! The production of Othello, on the other hand, sounds like a bit of a farce. You did make me laugh out loud when you described your class in high school--"Oh let's face it, we were like a zoo...a class full of heathens." I'm sorry that you didn't have a better experience with Shakespeare in your younger years. Terrific responses, Debs. I really enjoyed this!

Welp... you are nothing if not dedicated, my friend! Hahahaha! Much of this video had me cracking up. I agree with the commenter below --- I think you won Garbaugust!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

This was quite a list. Glad you posted it. It reminds me of the old arguments religions had to face: is a sacrament performed by a bad priest thereby invalid? Generally I think they’ve upheld those marriages and whatnot, things might get chaotic otherwise, since people who do or have done bad things or a bad thing appear to be no rarity.

Not a mere queen, but an Empress of Trash!

Very enjoyable, Debs - most engaging! You do these sort of videos so well, such a disparate & marvellous collection of books, all reviewed with a calm, centred grace. Thank you!

An amazing Garbaugust!!!

You did an awesome job! I did just the weekly prompts and I think I hit a fair amount of decades. Still need to film my wrap up.

You should be crowned the Queen of GarbAugust, Debs. Outstanding achievement!

Go through plenty there. Best wishes for September.

I think you have won Garbaugust. Doing all that with no doubling up? Chapeau!

Hi, Debs! The Book Shack Cat secretly reads all the best cozy books, of course! 🐾

This is an insane acheivement, in every sense of the word 😂

Super handsome boy!!

I can’t believe it’s getting close to read what you own challenge again. I could never do it, but I do love hearing about your progress and overall reading. I don’t think you will ever slow down on your reading. 😊

"All trashed out" sounds right. Roll on a month of fine arts and the Bard, cos I feel sullied!

After participating in book events for a little over a year now, I've come to a conclusion similar to yours. If something I want to read fits into an event, fine. If the theme of an event appeals to me, I'll participate in my own way. Sometimes I end up in a reading event just because it fits the usual types of books I read -- such as mysteries, history and Shakespeare.

So glad you are joining us for Shaketember! 💛🎭

What a phenomenal August you’ve had! You’ll be able to get that book list in order, no doubt. Will look forward to seeing what you get to in September. ❤️📚

I definitely feel you are qualified to have a view on this. We all do as consumers of art and literature. So many great artists in every sphere have been bad people or at least flawed. I agree it doesn't negate the quality of their artistic achievements. And we need to be careful before applying 21st century values to people of previous generations or assuming we know the full story and making judgements. Ted Hughes is a good example for that. In terms of whether I want to enjoy their work, I feel differently about living and dead authors. It may be illogical but it is an emotional thing. There are added nuances though. I just read Wifedom: Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life. It doesn't change how I value his fiction but does make me feel dubious about his autobiographical writing now I know what he left out. Great topic and video anyway.

Good planning! I'd love to find a 'finishing off' month. Like you I love Shaketember, the month of reading books about Shakin' Stevens.

Great plans, Debs. I did laugh when you asked if anyone would believe you about not participating in any events in September!!😂

You certainly have a full TBR for September! I hope you can find space for one wee book for Framed! in September - perhaps an art book with few words and lots of pictures!

Good morning! Haha! All trashed out... 🤣🤣🤣 No, I didn't believe you for a second when you said you weren't going to partake in any reading events this month! But--- I'm curious as to where you find these events? Is there a listing somewhere?

Have a great month!

You have some great plans. I'll join in with Shorty September plus I have my Agatha Christie project, book club books and my childhood reading project. Always trying to read what I own where I can and bring less in. Not wanting to tip you over the edge but including the 117 from the notebook, how many unread books do you think you own? Just physical books.

Sounds like a good plan. Your thoughts are resonating with me. I laughed when you said your "pretty much all trashed out" I laughed out loud. I'm feeling it a bit, too. 😂😂😂

I pretty much agree. Most people do something that would offend someone else but as readers we should be able to distance ourselves from a creator’s bad behavior.

You smashed that bingo card! Tremayne did a Loch Ness book as well which takes a VERY strange turn

Great job at the bingo card! We love a trashy moment every once in a while 😂😍