books – Page 3 – Andrew Careaga

Friday Five: writer John Waddy Bullion and his ‘Strangers’ thing

‘“Fun” has become very important to me when I write—in fact, it might be the most important thing.’

I started reading John Waddy Bullion‘s exceptional short story collection This World Will Never Run Out of Strangers in late December, after I’d already posted my year-end roundup of favorite books. I was only a few stories into this book, which came out from Cowboy Jamboree in November 2025, when I wished I’d either a.) read it sooner so I could’ve included it in my year-end list or b.) waited until I finished reading it to run that post so I could’ve included …Strangers, even if it meant delaying my 2025 list until 2026. It is just that good. To atone for this omission, I reached out to Jack (that’s what he goes by “Jack” in everyday life) and asked to feature him in this, the first Friday Five Q&A of 2026.

Image of the cover of John Waddy Bullion's book of short stories, "This World Will Never Run Out of Strangers" — *This World Will Never Run Out of Strangers* was published in November 2025 by Cowboy Jamboree Press

Friday Five: the year in books

My annual list of favorites.

I’ve consumed (read and/or listened to) a lot of books (for me) this year, and I’m still reading some newer releases, but I think I’ve read enough to come up with my at-the-moment year-end list. So, here goes.

Disclaimer: this is not a “best-of” list. I’m not smart enough to declare what is best for anyone but myself. So here you’ll see favorites and least favorites.