Weekly Update: March 23rd, 2024 | The One Where I Just Can't Fight This Reading Slump Anymore

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Mike talks about the week that was and the week that will be for March 23rd, 2024.
ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠:
Shogun amzn.to/40AWDU0
Stones of Light amzn.to/3TapInc
Priest of Lies amzn.to/49vZ1z4
The Long Walk amzn.to/3Vrk41K
The Blackwater Saga amzn.to/48F0T7G
ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖:
@merphynapier42
@TheLibraryofAllenxandria
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy
@SunEaterBooks
𝕎𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘? 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕠 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕒𝕕𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤:
Mike K.
15201 Mason Rd
Suite 169
Cypress, TX 77433
Support Mike on Patreon: / mikesbookreviews
Join Mike's server on Discord / discord
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Microphone used in these videos: amzn.to/3IpFSAX
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0:00 Introduction
1:16 What Am I Reading?
4:25 What Am I Going to Read?
6:27 This Week on the Channel
11:53 Next Week Plans
16:08 TV & Movie Talk
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#MikesBookReviews #WeeklyUpdate #Vlog

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Опубликовано:

28 май 2024

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Комментарии : 122

@BenLaSoul908 2 месяца назад

Prayers up for Brian Lee

@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy 2 месяца назад

Hooray for the end of the Kitchen Renovation Saga! I’m glad you bounced back from the virus quickly too, Mike. It’s sad about our One Piece collaboration, but I’m continuing to read and enjoy the series. Best wishes for your reading, and I hope that fantasy mojo comes roaring back for you!

@mikesbookreviews 2 месяца назад

This too shall pass, I say.

@Tirlex 2 месяца назад

What happened to one piece collab? Why did you stop. Is it because of hate comments!

@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy 2 месяца назад

@@Tirlex Pretty much. But Mike and I are still reading the series.

@thedennylondonshow5593 2 месяца назад

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin was the 4th book I ever gave 5 stars. A fantastic Dystopian Sci-Fi Novel with an unexpected twist.

@Edventured 2 месяца назад

I’ve been in the fog too recently. It’ll lift, so hang in there. The Timothy Dalton mention made me smile. Licence to Kill is an absolute gem of a thriller 👍🏼

@mikesbookreviews 2 месяца назад

So good!

@TheJuiceman50 2 месяца назад

You’re in for a wild ride with Dreamcatcher. shit weasels is a phrase that lives forever in my mind. No bounce no play, Mike!

@heidi6281 2 месяца назад

You got a reading slump? Did you ever read Duma Key? My favorite King book! Another great slump killer (and you can listen to Sticky Fingers or Exile to Main Street while you read) is Keith Richards autobiography, Life, it was great!!

@mikeprince6685 2 месяца назад

Duma Key is definitely slept on! I read it two summers in a row hahaha 🏝️

@Marcus-id5ur 2 месяца назад

Reading The Forgetting Moon and absolutely loving it. Early candidate for best book I've read this year, and I've already read Hobb, Gwynne and Abercrombie so far this year.

@farhad_s 2 месяца назад

Got Blackwater on my Kindle, and ordered the HC as well. Looking forward to it. Living Daylights is still one of my favourite Bond movies, and Timothy Dalton is in my top three as James Bond. Glad to see him get some love.

@kylerieman221 2 месяца назад

Been making good progress on To Green Angel Tower this week and continuing to make my way through The Judas Strain. I did start the first omnibus of Attack on Titan as well. The first episode of Shogun was fantastic. I think we are going to continue with it tomorrow.

@lucasbertsche3710 2 месяца назад

Finishing up Fool’s Fate this weekend and shit is going down rn! Realm of the Elderlings has quickly become one of my top 5 series

@PaperbackJourneys 2 месяца назад

Glad you're feeling better mate. It sucks when you feel rough and it interrupts your reading.

@Ulmo90 2 месяца назад

Sad to hear about the One Piece videos, I really had a good time watching you all talking and goofing off. Good luck with the reading slump, hope switching genres will help

@theessexstrawhat4718 2 месяца назад

Disappointed to hear the news about the one piece discussions as they were really fun. Totally understand the decision I just hope this does not ruin the series you.

@paulum6 2 месяца назад

Hey Mike, I’ve just started the 3rd Matthew Corbett book, I’m listening to them on Audible, they’re bloody great and the narrator fits the stories so well. I started Speaks the Nightbird after listening to your review and loved it, cheers! I plan to reread them in print form at some point. Maybe you could listen to one of them ( you never know) Queen of Bedlam is really good, and it might help with your slump. All the best 👍

@littleaussierippa 2 месяца назад

Reading slumps really suck. I'm in one at the moment and it's really hard to shake off. It's like I want to read something so I'll get a half dozen chapters in and then stop. It's not the first slump I've been in and I know it'll pass eventually. I'll just have to wait it out.

@bethbaskett3 2 месяца назад

I agree with another commenter, Duma Key is a great book for a reading slump.

@dougo753 2 месяца назад

I've been in a slump too, I finished "The Shadow of What Was Lost" and decided not to continue the series. Then I started "The Chronicles of the Black Company" and I gave up after 100 pages. Now I'm 1/2 way through book 1 of the Powder Mage trilogy and it is just what I needed!

@gryftkin Месяц назад

You can't fool me! That's not Mike, that's Cobra Commander!!

@mnbgfdsa 2 месяца назад

Man, I'm in a heavy reading slum as well, I was thinking of trying Upgrade by B.C. to switch it up a bit. And then it's lonesome dove :)

@nickwhite4168 2 месяца назад

As soon as I get done with a book I look to your videos for after read discussion!

@michaelkibble740 2 месяца назад

I am recording Shogun to watch later and I love what I have seen so far

@NamasteBbooktube 2 месяца назад

Glad to hear you have recovered from the virus, Mike! Yoohoos for fantasy burnout!!! ☻️ Means more chances for horror books in April 😀 Would love to watch a dedicated review for 'Blackwater'. I was actually surprised to see the long walk video doing so well, and you know what it means: people want you to cover more horror books 👻👻👻

@zacherylong2411 2 месяца назад

Read Boys in the Valley!

@misternegative4918 2 месяца назад

I only finished The Bone Ships this week. Took me awhile, just kept getting distracted from other things when I should’ve been reading. I loved it though

@ryandberry1 2 месяца назад

Excited to check out Threadlight! Got my hands on that gorgeous edition thanks to Mike's retweet.

@esmayrosalyne 2 месяца назад

Sorry to hear you are slumping so hard, I hope you find something that drags you out of it soon. For now... embrace the suck! Hope this upcoming week will treat you better ☺

@warrengilson1835 2 месяца назад

This week on the Beach 🏖: A Fall of Moondust / Arthur C Clarke This week from the Time Machine 🕰: Around the World in 72 Days / Nellie Bly (1890) Huzzah for the kitchen countertop!!

@s.p.8508 2 месяца назад

I recommend your newly acquired Dungeon Crawler Carl as a palate cleanser.

@mortenraarup1982 2 месяца назад

Watching 3 Body Problem And yes it is really good 😀

@kflott 2 месяца назад

Hope you can counter the slump soon, sometimes it's good to change things up. I am halfway through book 2 of Blackwater and having a good time with it.

@rachels8377 2 месяца назад

Try Natchez Burning by Greg Iles! It’s technically the 4th book of the Penn Cage series but I started my Greg Iles journey with this book and really didn’t feel like I was missing anything. Natchez Burning is the first of a separate trilogy.

@mikeprince6685 2 месяца назад

Mike, read whatever you want brotha! If you want to switch up things go for it, I’ve gotten tons of recommendations from you that weren’t fantasy 🤙

@steelepartridge6954 2 месяца назад

Epic sweater. COBRA!

@skywalker80316 2 месяца назад

Good luck with the reading slump! I’ve been through them myself. If you are looking to change things up you might consider reading The Silence of the Lambs. It’s a great book and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

@09RetsamEdalb 2 месяца назад

I'm 50 pages into Golden Son and it is so much more interesting than Red Rising. I think I'm going to love it. I think I'm gonna break my tbr for War for the Rose Throne. It sounds great and I've been hearing about it for a while, first from slowlyred, then you. I also just finished Mine by Robert McCammon and it was a really unique thriller. That would be a great change of pace for burnout. Please keep making book reviews too!

@jellevanbreugel325 2 месяца назад

Golden Son? Boy are you in for a ride! Enjoy!!!

@Chris-tt7mt 2 месяца назад

i read mushroom blues by Adrian Gibson and I loved it... it is a noir thriller set in a universe where some of the characters are the mushroom people... I think you will like it as a palatte cleanser

@kingzzz6509 2 месяца назад

Glad that you’re feeling better, and that the counters are done. I’m switching between Shadow of the Torturer, and the Dragonbone Chair, and I really like both of them. I’m also going to be buddy reading The Call of Cthulhu with my sister, and I’m excited for that.

@jakobwetzel7065 2 месяца назад

Hey Mike. Try The Water Knife by paolo bacigalupi. I’m 70 percent through and it’s a pretty good palette cleanser. Very different mild post apocalyptic story about fighting over water rights in the future. I’m from Vegas so it takes place I may are so I may be biased but it might be up your alley.

@AutomailUser 2 месяца назад

I finished Priest of Crowns yesterday, and I have... many thoughts. I have to say that I haven't been that disappointed in a final book in a VERY long time, the final 200 pages could have been rewritten to feel more cat-and-mouse and been far more rewarding. Peter McLean is a great writer but the final book lacked much of the charm and love that the other three books in his series had. I gave each other book a 4/5 but this one can't go any higher than a 2/5 for me, it was that unpolished. He could have kept a lot of the same story beats or events but had written it differently and the series might have been a new favourite of mine but this book soured the taste of those first three for me, I was pretty upset. Hoping you enjoy it more than me, Mike.

@diegomorett142 2 месяца назад

Hey, Mike! Glad to hear you're doing better after COVID. I was wondering what happened with ATLA. You seemed to be really enjoying the animated series, but I either missed it, or something, cause I haven't heard you talk about it in the last couple of weeks.

@TomOrange 2 месяца назад

Glad the kitchen is getting closer! I can only imagine having to deal with that. Sad to hear the community was awful about the one piece chats. I found them to be really enjoyable

@yellowlili221 2 месяца назад

I'm in reading slump and still can't get out of it

@Michael_L_Morrison 2 месяца назад

I was on Page 1 of Empire of the Damned when I decided to reread Empire of the Vampire. So, I'll be starting Damned today.

@timothyzeiler2902 2 месяца назад

howdy mike, how is your kitchen coming? Reading Dune and watching shogun, really enjoying both.

@CedCeg 2 месяца назад

My perfect reading slump antidote: The Haar by David Sodergren. '80s inspired horror, lots of gore but also a supersolid emotional core and very loveable characters, and it's only like 200 pages long so you breeze through it. Really rejuvenated me a couple of weeks ago.

@arthurweise2573 2 месяца назад

First 5 books of Amber could be read in 6 months

@AndreDeSimone-dy1cz 2 месяца назад

I'm glad you said Sun Eater books are grindy. I'm absolutely loving Howling Dark, but my gosh, I'm 3 weeks in and have 100 pages left, after reading all of the Cahill series in February alone

@IbbyMelbourne 2 месяца назад

Hope you're feeling better soon, Mike. If I'm in a slump, I'll usually try and play some video games or something until the urge to read comes back

@jellevanbreugel325 2 месяца назад

Reading slump? Go read Thraxas!!! edit; if you're looking for scifi, recently read the first book of the Vatta Wars by Elizabeth Moon, good palate cleanser

@timmeyer9191 2 месяца назад

I think Durfee would love if you did a book trailer for his series.

@joehigashi11 2 месяца назад

Read Dream catcher aswell as the Tommy knockers a little while ago and they were both great reads as well as the aliens felt similar a little bit to the point that I googled it on the internet if they were the same as few of their traits felt similar but no they’re not the same but both books are really top notch for me. Man the way this guy writes is unbelievable; it’s like he induces your brain in a Nirvana mind trip. His ability to just pull random stuff out of nowhere and start going deeper and deeper into sometimes something completely different in a scene of the story or maybe the certain thoughts a person may be having or how his mind works or some other random backstory where he’s pulling you out of the story except he isn’t; Wow it’s like he’s an A class drug in his words that hooks you in a mind job. Both Tommy knockers and Dream catcher are top of the Stephen King of Story telling for me; standing right next to the stand or Salems lot; the shining was good alright but it’s not top notch for me

@calebmauer1751 2 месяца назад

Dude exactly, License to Kill is a Craig Bond movie since they even have the going rogue thing they overused with Craig, with the added bonus of Desmond Llewellyn as Q.

@nickwhite4168 2 месяца назад

Reviews yes !!!!!!!! If you reviewed every book I’d eventually watch all of them!

@totallysick88able 2 месяца назад

Last time I was in a reading slump, I read the Tower of Bable series by Josiah Bancroft and it cured me right away. It just wasn’t like anything Iv ever read before and found it really curious and fascinating.

@stephennootens916 2 месяца назад

I have been feeling a bit in a book slump myself. I haven't been able to grove with the book for my book club this month and I just had to put down Swan Song again. I have tried to try a couple other books but nothing hit for me and I wound up reading Fist of The North Star vol 5 which is a classic manga series and I might read a short trashy novel next. I have the first book in the "adult western" Lone Star that might be the ticket.

@chevalierdulys 2 месяца назад

When I am in a reading slump I turn to fast pace thrillers..since the chapters are small and fast pace make you read a couple of chapters, you stop but due to plot and so you will continue.. Michael Crichton, James Rollins etc

@mmurphy3608 2 месяца назад

Just started watching Shogun. Amazing. Loving it.

@puzzlingread 2 месяца назад

I just finished watching Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix. It was excellent. Waiting for Shogun to be complete before watching. Reading Hero of Ages...slowly. I like the characters and premise well enough, but I'm struggling a little with Sanderson's writing. I can't even pinpoint what my issue is. The books do feel too long. And apparently I don't love a hard magic system. Switched things up with lighter fare. I'm in the middle of Storm Front by Butcher and Nettle & Bone by Kingfisher. Really enjoying both.

@bethbaskett3 2 месяца назад

I loved The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix! So well-acted and done.

@puzzlingread 2 месяца назад

Yes! I thought Carla Gugino was especially outstanding. I've read some Poe but I think I want to read his works in the order of the episodes that they inspired. Maybe around spooky season.

@Floar 2 месяца назад

Pick up some Alex Verus to get out of the slump

@jacobmyers3005 2 месяца назад

Try the bottoms by Joe Lansdale. It was great has only about 300 pages so it’s short, but he he always packs a lot into his stories. So you get a lot of Bang for your book. It’s a coming arrange mystery with a little bit of thriller thrown in.. also, I highly recommend Michael Kortyas those who wish me Dead It’s one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. It also has two of the creepiest villains ever. It’s wilderness survival type thriller. I think you’ll burn through it rather quickly.

@84tand 2 месяца назад

Suggestion for your reading slump. Maybe dive back into the James Bond series

@gidonidus 2 месяца назад

I think you would really dig a ritual of bone by lee c conley (a fantasy horror incorporating a plague mystery, zombies, vikings, etc). Never heard anyone talk about it and i really enjoyed the first book.

@bethbaskett3 2 месяца назад

By the way, I couldn't comment on your series video, but Outlander is for everyone. I've read every book, and there's EVERYTHING in it! War, fighting, parenthood, time travel, witches, romance (and I'm no romance fan), history, bad things, and good things. It's an excellent series, and, yeah, they are long books, but I do think you might enjoy them.

@dpeady78 2 месяца назад

hear you on the reading burnout; currently working through Children of Dune, The Thousandfold Thought both of which are DENSE and just finished Dreamcatcher (ooof) I too really want to read Ruocchios next instalment but just ordered Geddy Lee’s biography, so I think I may halt the others and read about one of the best bass players ever instead!!!

@mckennaaustin-ward4209 2 месяца назад

I have faced many touches of the “black dog” and many reading slumps, where nothing I pick up feels interesting. I would heartily agree that when one faces a reading slump it is best to try something different. I was an art history major, so I enjoy reading through art books, though I know this will not likely appeal to a broad group 🤗 Sometimes reading something more “middle grade” can additionally be helpful, as you did with scythe. I am reading through I Am Rome at the moment. It is a Spanish book originally (the author is Valencian). At times it sounds a tad choppy because it is translated however that might just be me. Other than that, I am immensely enjoying it. I was additionally reading through a book of Irish myths from the library. It took me a bit because something about the paper was murdering my allergies. Also good it just made my throat hurt. Please rest up Mike! We’ll be here! If you need a good movie. I would recommend Everything is Illuminated. It is hilarious in my opinion. Happy Reading everyone!

@philippburnett6045 2 месяца назад

All bond actors have been British

@jaredschmidt8440 2 месяца назад

Sometimes when I’m in a slump I change genres too. Non-fiction really resets the brain because it feels like it’s exercising a different “muscle,” if you will. Sometimes, playing a video game or doing yard work can help too. I hope you fell better soon, Mike. You deserve some self-care. Thanks for the enjoyable content, but you have my blessing to take a few days. Call it the “social worker” in me who is talking. 😂🤘

@reynaldogonzalez5919 2 месяца назад

I want to read shogun after watching the show

@bethbaskett3 2 месяца назад

I love your reading excerpt videos! They are some of my favorites!

@davidgould3297 2 месяца назад

Reviews are fun to watch

@bethbaskett3 2 месяца назад

I'm so glad you're feeling better, Mike

@bradschwartz9084 2 месяца назад

Read some Brad Thor Scott Harvath series. Quick easy thrillers, good page turners 300-400 pages.

@katieamarsh 2 месяца назад

I am in a horrible reading slump, despite being halfway through at least 6 books. I have limited focus. The Shogun tand 3 Body Problem shows are both awesome. I know the later wasn’t your jam, but the show is addictive.

@epiphoney 2 месяца назад

Oh, Shogun has an English dub, but only on Hulu, not FX. But it's not the default.

@geauxreadbooks 2 месяца назад

I know you have plenty on your TBR and more people constantly giving more recommendations all the time. The Nestlings by Nat Cassidy is fast paced, not too long and horror. It’s (kind of) about vampires and set in a creepy New York apartment building.

@arthurweise2573 2 месяца назад

I couldn't get through Dreamcatcher so be interested for your take.

@Unpotted 2 месяца назад

The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time, by Mark Haddon, might be of interest. 😺✌️

@WondorBooks 2 месяца назад

April TBR: Colleen Hoover confirmed?! 🤣

@MultiWar22 2 месяца назад

Glad you're better, Mike! I'm excited to see your April picks, I always add some things to my list whenever you read something, specially if it's not fantasy. I ain't playing shit currently, because my PC's been acting up, but I have been reading a lot more as a result. I didn't check in last week, I don't think, but I read Starless Sea and loved it, and I picked up Dust of Dreams last Saturday and am already at, like, 36% of the book, so it's really been going well. The build-up for the ending of the series is really going strong right now, and I can't wait to see where Steven Erikson is going from here. Got some answers, a lot of questions and a lot of intriguing developments

@JustinFatfingers 2 месяца назад

As someone who does kitchen and bathroom remodels for a living, I’m sorry. No matter how well the plan is organized and everyone is lined out, it will be more than anticipated. Even if it goes as planned it feels like more of a mess and inconvenience.

@bethbaskett3 2 месяца назад

I'm reading Empire of the Damned and still watching The Shield

@gunneratijuf8915 2 месяца назад

Shogun is awesome.

@davidgould3297 2 месяца назад

Go countertops!

@michaelsquires1177 2 месяца назад

I see the disquite gods in the back

@Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales 2 месяца назад

Shogun is visually stunning, and what they've done with the story has been spectacular. I'm worried they're rushing some things though. I kind of wish they could have done this with two seasons. I think that would have allowed to showcase more characters and not graze over certain events. I'm still digging it though.

@lisac1619 2 месяца назад

I agree, Timothy Dalton's James Bond was great. Was refreshing after the goofiness of the Roger Moore films.

@Age_of_Magpie 2 месяца назад

Don't worry about what to read. I sent you a gift book; I hope you will enjoy it. It's a book you can read in a few days. I would be happy if you reviewed it.

@No8Named8Shadow 2 месяца назад

Furiously read through Dune this week so that I could see the movie in IMAX tomorrow.

@yenneferalvarez7122 2 месяца назад

Babe wake up, Mike just uploaded a new vid

@BrianBell7 2 месяца назад

Glad the kitchen is coming together. Sorry to hear about the reading slump, but it'll pass. In the meantime, I appreciate the REO Speedwagon title reference :)

@jaroslavmihok740 2 месяца назад

well i hope you will in future do some One Piece content if not with Philip than at least you, maybe similar reviews like you did for first two saga, which i very enjoyed but ofc it is up to you, i hope you will still enjoy story

@Coleton2573 2 месяца назад

Matthew Corbett let's goooo

@bethbaskett3 2 месяца назад

Can't wait for House of the Dragon Season 2!

@Savileaurus 2 месяца назад

I'm so put off by the war for the rose throne series because of the Peaky Blinders thing. I find it very cringe

@zacharycottam9831 2 месяца назад

It’s a shame to hear that people could feel so much hate towards strangers that it would ruin a fun series for everyone.

@wassr1956 2 месяца назад

Not good news Friend of Brian.Durfee posted this on his FBpage. I have devastating news about Brian. Around 12am on the 22nd he took a ambulance trip to the hospital and has been in the ICU ever since. His condition is decreasing and is currently on a ventilator, the doctors are doing everything they can. I've been in the ICU with him since Friday and my world is shattering, and unable to stop crying. But now that his parents are here I know he would want the rest of his friends, coworkers, and fans to know. Please keep him in your thoughts, and hope he makes a full recovery. I know he appreciates everyone in his life. Much love to you all for the support.

@Talking_Story 2 месяца назад

I am wrapping up Howling Dark this week and I have to thank you for getting me into another series. Just wow! But I see what you mean it is not a quick read.

@SciFiScavenger 2 месяца назад

I just finished HD, it was awesome!!

@Talking_Story 2 месяца назад

@@SciFiScavenger 200 pages to go and I have to completely agree!

@alynam82 2 месяца назад

Good one John, it took me a couple weeks to read Howling Dark back in May, but still ranks as my favorite Sun Eater

@Talking_Story 2 месяца назад

sooo goood!@@alynam82

@SciFiScavenger 2 месяца назад

@Talking_Story ah you're in for a treat, the final 200 pages are INSANE!!

@MuleFace100 2 месяца назад

Three suggestions for non-fantasy "palate cleanser" books - none of them are long. 1) Starter Villain, by John Scalzi - a fun romp with a great premise. The protagonist "inherits" his uncle's Bond-villain business. 2) Harlem Shuffle, by Colson Whitehead - the main character is a small businessman in early 60's Harlem, with one foot in legit business & one foot in the crime world. 3) Sea of Tranquility, by Emily St. John Mandel - a time travel paradox with multiple pieces in multiple times. Good luck breaking the slump!