The Watering Hole: 'Decluttering, Embracing Westerns, and Baseball on TV'

The Watering Hole, Issue #2

Table of Contents

• The Editorial
• On the Reading Block
• Fresh Off the Press
• Some Final Thoughts

Sunday Post, what I call The Watering Hole, is hosted weekly by Caffeinated Reviewer. 

The Editorial

There comes a moment in life when you have to look yourself in the eye through the cold, hard glass of your bathroom mirror and confront the truth. It’s time for a change—whether it involves relationships, personal growth, or, in my case, a painful acknowledgment of my book collection situation. I'm not at hoarder status just yet, but let's just say it's time for some serious decluttering.

Earlier this year, I started the process by saying goodbye to a pile of James Patterson novels, mostly the ones I had zero intent of revisiting. But now, after a lot of soul-searching, I've decided to cut ties with Patterson entirely, particularly his well-worn series like Alex Cross and the Women’s Murder Club. What prompted this reevaluation? Simply put, his storytelling has deteriorated to a shocking degree. Take Return of the Spider, for instance. I barely made it through a few pages before I had to set it down. The prose was clunky, the dialogue flat, and honestly, it felt like a chore to read. His books, once a staple for me, have become a slog.

I'm planning to purge my collection further and keep only a select few: The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe, and the recently co-written Judge Stone with Viola Davis (that one I do plan to read). But then there’s the Maximum Ride series, once a favorite, but will they ever again capture my attention? I have two Doc Savage books and three The Shadow titles that are still tempting me. Decisions, decisions.

Moving forward, I’ve resolved not to buy any more Patterson releases. Sure, I might thumb through one at the library, if my library ever replenishes its shelves, but that’s a grumble for another day. I’m eyeing a broader spectrum of authors to let go of, too, asking myself two crucial questions: Will I ever read this book? Will I ever feel compelled to revisit its pages?

What I desperately need is a sense of order and to clear out this mounting clutter. New bookshelves would be ideal, but every one I’ve encountered recently is either poorly constructed or astonishingly pricey. If I’m dishing out that kind of cash, I want something that won’t buckle under the weight of my books. Sure, I’ve considered building my own shelves, but the cost of lumber these days is nothing short of ridiculous.

This decluttering process isn’t going to happen overnight, or even in the span of a week or a month. First, I need to gather some boxes, then sift through my collection, all while coordinating with my local Salvation Army for donations, waiting for the right moment when the rain isn’t pouring down, and they’re likely to accept my trove. From my last purging experience, those Patterson titles didn’t sit on the shelves long; they flew off within weeks.

So here I am, ready to embrace a cleaner, more intentional bookshelves, and hopefully, more fulfilling reading experiences. It’s time to step away from the clutter and invite new stories into my life, stories that resonate, that provoke thought, and that spark joy once more.

On the Reading Block

It’s been one of those weeks that feels as packed as a tightly stuffed suitcase, but doesn’t every week seem that way this year? I’m nearing the finish line with Gunsmoke: Dodge the Devil. In fact, by the time this post goes live, I might just cross that finish line.

As I mentioned in my Friday 56 post, I’ve been wanting to read Christina Applegate's memoir, You with the Sad Eyes. Unfortunately, my request for a review copy didn’t pan out, and my local Walmart was a bust—they’ve downsized their book department to nearly a barren wasteland. In a stroke of luck, I managed to stumble upon a copy at a more robust Walmart in a neighboring county. Let me clarify: there are no actual bookstores in my area, so I’m left grappling with the limited selections at Wallyworld, which is about as thrilling as watching paint dry. So far, I’ve read 56 pages, just enough for my Friday 56. 

I’m on the brink of completing Hollywood vs. Nazis by Michael Benson either today or tomorrow, with the review set to drop shortly after, likely Monday.

Next up on my Kindle is No Smoke Without Fire by Gary Diamond and D.O. Michael, another Western that the generous folks at DS Productions provided for review. It clocks in slightly longer than a novella, making it a quick read. My goal is to polish that off and have the review ready for Tuesday. Yes, you heard it right: a Western review during the week! Here’s a little teaser: you might see a surge of Westerns in the coming weeks. I’m not talking about moving them from their usual weekend spot, but let’s just say some exciting new ARCs may be headed my way.

Additionally, I plan to tackle the bizarre mix of Western and horror—whatever that fusion entails—in Trouble at New Barnsley by James Collins. I’m aiming for a review by next weekend to accompany my thoughts on The Maverick Marshal by R.J. Sloane. You might be wondering about the Gunsmoke review—rest assured, I’ll get to that as soon as I turn the final page. I’m trying to get ahead of my blogging schedule with my father’s knee surgery looming next month, so I’m stashing a few reviews to ensure I have content to share while juggling other priorities.

Fresh Off the Press

While I haven’t added any physical ARCs to my collection, three more Westerns have found their way onto my Kindle: Diamonds and Dooms, Sure Shot, and Play for Blood. These titles are set to release on April 14th, but my scheduling for them has yet to take shape.

I can’t say I need more books, but I felt compelled to drop by the thrift store on Friday, which isn't my usual haunt. I splurged a whopping 30 cents on three paperbacks—all Westerns: Crusade of Eagles by William W. Johnstone, The Oregon Trail by Ralph Compton, and West of Washoe by Tim Champlin.

Some Final Thoughts

Ah, baseball season has rolled around again. The days of leisurely catching games on local channels are a thing of the past. Now, to follow your favorite team, you’re looking at a $100 app subscription for an entire season. And when your team kicks off the season with two consecutive losses, you can’t help but question both your financial choices and your sanity. 

〜B.J. Burgess