Roadside Picnic, by Arkady and Boris Strugstsky; this translation by Olena Bormashenko; original copyright 1972, this translation published 2012; 193 pages.

I just finished reading “Roadside Picnic” by Arkady & Boris Strugatsky.  Written in the USSR at the height of the Soviet Union, it is a science fiction novel of generally dystopian bent.  Seemingly related both stylistically and philosophically to some of the early works of M. John Harrison, although there is no suggestion to be found that any of the authors were aware of each other.

Ghosts of Manhattan, by George Mann; published 2010, 236 pages.

A fascinating melange of steampunk, noir detective, and properly researched alternative history, with notes of the supernatural dusted across the top for good measure. Add a bit of solid character study and more than a little rock ’em sock ’em action, and this makes for an entertaining read.

Rocket to the Morgue, by Anthony Boucher; originally published 1942, rereleased 2019; 224 pages.

A competent “locked-room” mystery with solid and believable characters – albeit couched in the rather stilted and archaic language of the period. Interesting as a mystery, but more interesting to me as a snapshot of science fiction in the period of its infancy immediately prior to WWII.

Hiaasen, Barry, Dorsey. Florida’s Big 3. All writers of crime fiction variously described as zany, madcap, wacky, or simply humorous. Hiaasen has achieved the most renown, and Dorsey is (BY FAR) the most prolific. Barry remains best-known for his humorous non-fiction.

Swamp Story by Dave Barry, published 2023; 306 pages.

Just Enough Jeeves, consisting of two novels and eleven short stories written by P.G. Wodehouse between 1910 and 1947 subsequently published in collection in 2010. A grand total of 712 pages of light-hearted British witticism.
It’s a lot to take in.