Michael Schmitt

March 2026 — Read on Serial Reader. I really enjoy M.R. James-type spooky stories and these felt pretty similar, though much heavier on creating an almost suffocating presence than on any concrete Entity. Quick stories all exploring how the alluring, powerful, and dangerous bits of the past can reach out to the present.

March 2026 — Blew through this quick in a weekend. Can see why it's so popular! Always enjoy a story that's primarily kind people solving big problems. Plus the plot speeds along nicely so neither the fantastical elements or more hard sci-fi-ish points outstay their welcome.

March 2026 — Book club read. Like reading a dream: from the basic concept to the actual events described to the writing style, it's surreal through and through. Felt convincing in each day's voice describing a life they're thoroughly familiar with but is so alien to those that came before and after.

March 2026 — Anything new from Parker is an instant read for me. This one's plot got a little twisty for me at times -- and the protagonist, to be fair, who had a little bit of the "Indiana Jones might as well not have even participated" thing going on -- but I just can't get enough of Parker's smartass lovable wretches. Next one please.

March 2026 — An extremely fun, if over-the-top violent, D&D-style "gang of lovable misfits" adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed the alternative universe, everything-turned-upside-down version of medieval Europe: it skips a lot of the world construction other fantasies (especially journey ones) might need to do, while still keeping a feeling of magic and mystery. What's not to love? If there's another coming I'll read it.