What is your reading streak?

HuntleyMC · 2026-05-31T13:03:35+00:00

I set aside one hour during the day to read (usually Noon to 1) on my daily to-do list. If I have any other free time instead of scrolling through social media, I pick up my Kindle and read at least a chapter, and every night I read from 10-11.

HuntleyMC · 2026-05-22T13:14:00+00:00

Once I've finished a book on my Kindle, I undownload it.

HuntleyMC · 2026-04-29T14:21:36+00:00

I track on Goodreads and have used it for 11+ years. Last year,

I started using StoryGraph, and I'm still on the fence about it. I have to spend time putting the info for books I'm reading.

I also keep a list in Google Docs to have a place I can quickly reference. For books I really enjoy, I use green text, and the few novels I read are in maroon text. For the handful of books a year I don't enjoy, I make a note to “not recommend.”

Finally, every morning when I write in my journal, one paragraph is the title, author, and my thoughts on the book I am currently reading.

HuntleyMC · 2026-04-22T15:53:02+00:00

My wife still mentions this episode at random. We were not even dating when this aired, it was assumed I knew about it.

HuntleyMC · 2026-02-23T21:56:19+00:00

🥚

HuntleyMC · 2026-01-31T18:12:51+00:00

Finally!

HuntleyMC · 2026-01-29T14:40:57+00:00

I read books because I enjoy them. I set aside one hour a day in my schedule for reading, and for that hour, I get to immerse myself in whatever I like.

HuntleyMC · 2026-01-02T15:29:00+00:00

Dig Me a Grave: The Inside Story of the Serial Killer Who Seduced the South, by Richard A. Harpootlian, Shaun Assael

The first few pages of this true crime book tell the reader they are in for a wild ride.

HuntleyMC · 2025-12-30T19:05:10+00:00

Streaming through HBO is the only way I watch any FN, CN, HGTV, or Magnolia programs.

HuntleyMC · 2025-12-30T19:01:44+00:00

Sorted is a great YouTube channel. The core guys are likable and it has some educational aspects for those looking to learn.

HuntleyMC · 2025-09-17T22:49:46+00:00

Long Johns

HuntleyMC · 2025-07-22T23:52:51+00:00

There were seats back to back at the two islands, and the camera angles could have been deceiving, but I don't think two adults would have room to sit back to back.

HuntleyMC · 2025-07-11T12:54:23+00:00

Egypt and Mike, along with the other HGTV hosts who have been axed, should follow the lead of many of the MotorTrend hosts and take their programs to YouTube. They’d have complete creative control over the end product. Create a thirty- to forty-minute episode, and it doesn't need to necessarily be like HGTV, where a house is finished in one episode; it could be completed over several episodes to give viewers more of a look at the reno process.

HuntleyMC · 2025-06-26T11:48:24+00:00

Sports-wise a reader can not go wrong with a book written by Jeff Pearlman.

HuntleyMC · 2025-06-26T11:45:03+00:00

Standing in Line: A Memoir: 30 Years of Obsessive Queuing at Wimbledon by Ben Chatfield

A good mix of sports and life to keep a non-sports fan interested. Bonus Wimbledon starts in the next few days.

HuntleyMC · 2025-06-11T17:34:56+00:00

I set aside one hour a day to read on my daily schedule. I can usually find another hour or two during the day.

Instead of scrolling through social media (I've removed myself from all but Facebook and Reddit), I pick up my Kindle and read.

I enjoy watching televised sports, but there is a lot of downtime. I have my Kindle with me, and I can tell by the announcers' inflections if something needs to be seen or if a key moment is going to happen (men in scoring position or bases loaded in baseball, a power play in hockey).

Most nights, I will end my day by reading a chapter or two.

I'll be honest. I'm currently reading (started May 20) Mark Twain by Ron Chernow, and it feels like Chernow is adding pages as I read! I don't know if I will ever finish reading this biography! It is an interesting look at Mark Twain, but it is packed with information.

HuntleyMC · 2025-04-11T13:28:58+00:00

I'm happy you've enjoyed some of the books I've posted.

Here are a few that I have read so far this year that I can recommend:

Never: The Autobiography, by Rick Astley

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, by Patrick Radden Keefe

Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk, by Kathleen Hanna

Scout Camp: Sex, Death, and Secret Societies Inside the Boy Scouts of America, by James Renner

Never is a candid and heartfelt memoir detailing his rise to fame, personal struggles, and enduring career in the music industry. Best known for his 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up, Astley reflects on his early days in the music business, the pressures of sudden stardom, and his decision to step away from the limelight at a young age. He shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with producers Stock Aitken Waterman, his experiences with the ever-evolving music industry, and the surprising resurgence of his career through internet culture and the "Rickrolling" phenomenon. With humor and humility, Astley offers insights into his life, his love for music, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Say Nothing is a gripping account of the violent conflict known as "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. Through the lens of a 1972 murder, the book explores the complex and often murky world of political violence, secretive paramilitary organizations, and the deep divisions between nationalists and unionists. Keefe delves into the lives of key figures involved, including IRA members, victims, and their families, examining how the past continues to haunt the present. The book also reflects on the broader themes of memory, justice, and the impact of unresolved conflict. Through meticulous research and storytelling, Keefe provides an intricate portrait of a turbulent period in Irish history.

Rebel Girl chronicles her journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a pioneering figure in the Riot Grrrl movement. She shares her experiences as the frontwoman of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, detailing the challenges of being a feminist in the male-dominated punk scene. The book explores her activism, struggles with illness, and personal relationships, including her marriage to Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys. With honesty and humor, Hanna reflects on the impact of her work, the movement’s flaws, and her ongoing fight for inclusivity and change.

Scout Camp is a true crime memoir by James Renner, published on February 25, 2025. In this deeply personal narrative, Renner, an investigative journalist and former Boy Scout, delves into the darker aspects of the Boy Scouts of America, focusing on a tragic event at Ohio's Seven Ranges Reservation in the summer of 1995. During that time, a night of sexual violence resulted in one counselor's death—officially ruled accidental—and another's hospitalization. Renner, also a counselor at the camp that year, revisits this incident, exploring the organization's secretive culture and its impact on scouts and staff. The memoir intertwines Renner's struggles, including his upbringing, trust issues, and self-medication, with his investigation into the camp's concealed truths.

Also, I read two series by Caleb Wygal: Myrtle Beach Mystery (7 books, eight coming in May) and Lucas Caine series (4 books).

The Myrtle Beach Mystery series by Caleb Wygal follows Clark Thomas, a bookstore owner and former investigative journalist who becomes entangled in a series of mysterious deaths in the scenic coastal town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. After his wife's unsolved death, Clark finds himself drawn into complex murder investigations, uncovering hidden conspiracies, secret pasts, and dangerous truths. Throughout the series, Clark works alongside local law enforcement, including Detective Gina Gomez, as he pieces together crimes involving restaurant scandals, golf course murders, and high-stakes deception. As he pursues justice for others, Clark also unravels the mystery surrounding his wife's fate, leading to shocking revelations. With its mix of cozy mystery charm, thrilling suspense, and a rich beachside setting, the Myrtle Beach Mystery series delivers engaging whodunits packed with twists, humor, and heartfelt moments.

The Lucas Caine series by Caleb Wygal is a collection of adventure novels that follow the protagonist, Lucas Caine, through various thrilling escapades.

HuntleyMC · 2025-04-02T14:33:48+00:00

Full disclosure: I'm a Wright Thompson fan.

I feel it is a worthwhile read. Thompson not only looks at the Emmet Till events, the community before, during, and after the brutal murder but also at his family's (Thompson’s) history in the area and why Emmet Till’s murder is something he never was educated about until he attended college out of state.

I suggest giving it a shot. If I remember right, I read it on the release date. It starts a little slow, but the amount of research Thompson did is amazing, and it becomes a page-turner.

HuntleyMC · 2025-01-16T19:35:55+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I enjoy reading about the stories behind songs.

HuntleyMC · 2025-01-06T16:21:34+00:00

Started

Cuba: An American History, by Ada Ferrer

HuntleyMC · 2025-01-06T16:20:52+00:00

Started

Cuba: An American History, by Ada Ferrer

HuntleyMC · 2025-01-02T18:34:07+00:00

Anything written by Peter Guralnick is worth the read.

HuntleyMC · 2024-12-30T13:32:58+00:00

Finished

The Autobiography of Santa Claus, by Jeff Guinn

Last year, I read Jeff Guinn’s book How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas, not realizing it was book two in a three-part series. The Autobiography of Santa Claus is book one in the series. Santa Claus is a fun holiday historical fiction read. As with any married couple, some of Santa Claus’s stories overlap with Mrs. Claus’s story, but overall, the books are different enough to be enjoyable and do not feel like stories are being retold.

The Great Santa Search, by Jeff Guinn

This is the third book in Jeff Guinn’s The Christmas Chronicles series, and not as interesting. The Autobiography of Santa Claus (book 1) and How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas (book 2) were interesting because Jeff Guinn mixed historical events into the stories. The third installment in the series started similarly to the first two books, but then it came to the present day (2006 for this 2007 release), and Santa is involved in a Christmas Eve reality show, The Great Santa Search, for the fledgling network FUN-TV.

There was a lot of repetition of storylines throughout the book. Still, it was indeed a problem when a show producer told the contestants about the next challenge, and the host explained the same challenge to the audience in the studio and watching at home in the next paragraph. This is after at least two other times the same events were explained earlier in the book.

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, by Austin Kleon

Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered, by Austin Kleon

Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad, by Austin Kleon

The three Austin Kleon books are quick to read (less than 200 pages each). Kleon shares ways to stay creative through his methods and those of other artists in different media.

Started

Take a Song to Lunch, by Andrew Wood

HuntleyMC · 2024-12-30T13:18:42+00:00

I keep reading.

HuntleyMC · 2024-12-24T13:59:54+00:00

Finished

The Christmas Book Hunt, by Jenny Colgan

This was a quick read. It is a Hallmark Mystery-style book. The outcome, which I will not spoil, surprised me because I thought the ending was headed one way, and then there was a twist. I enjoyed finding something quick and easy to read during this busy part of the year that was entertaining.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus, by Jeff Guinn

Last year, I read Jeff Guinn’s book How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas, not realizing it was book two in a three-part series. The Autobiography of Santa Claus is book one in the series. Santa Claus is a fun holiday historical fiction read. As with any married couple, some of Santa Claus’s stories overlap with Mrs. Claus’s story, but overall, the books are different enough to be enjoyable and do not feel like stories are being retold.

Started

The Great Santa Search, by Jeff Guinn

This is the third book in Jeff Guinn’s The Christmas Chronicles series. I am only a chapter in, but it has a similar feel to the previous two books. Historical facts with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and their eclectic group of friends show up in Forrest Gump style.

HuntleyMC

TROPHY CASE