So you've finished an ARC...did you like it? Couldn't put it down? or hated it with a passion that words can not describe?

after you've posted your review let us know by posting a link it here.

I liked Spirit of the Place but I got the impression from the reviews that most others didn't. It did take me a little bit before I got into it, but it was compelling enough even in the beginning that I made the effort. My review is here

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 14, 2008, 9:35pm.

Is anyone reading American Wife? I'm about 1/2 way through and have really enjoyed it so far, tho, it is starting to leap forward in the story by huge chunks of time, which bothers me, I feel like like I've missed out on parts of her life. Anyone else feeling this?

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 15, 2008, 11:24am.

I was one of those that did not like The Spirit of the Place. I wasn't entirely sold on the book to start off with, but I was willing to give it a chance until the scene with the fishermen on the frozen lake. I couldn't believe that he used that as a plot point...

I just finished Penelope Przekop's Aberrations and really enjoyed that.

I've tried to read I, robot and just couldn't get into it. I've set it aside for the time being, and am now working on J. Scott Savage's Far World: Water Keep right now and I think I'll give I, robot a try again after that.

You can find my reviews here.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 15, 2008, 11:37am.

#3 - I just started American Wife this morning. At first I thought more of it was going to take place in the White House but after just a few pages I'm pretty captivated by the narrator's childhood. I'll let you know my thoughts further in.

As for recent stuff, my reviews of the last three ARCs I read (Pillage, The Good Thief, and The Gargoyle) are all here.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 15, 2008, 11:00am.

I am reading American Wife right now and I am in the second section. I was a bit surprised when there was a chunck of time skipped over between the first and second sections. I am enjoying it very much so far.

I haven't gotten American Wife yet. But your comments made me think of the author's other book Prep which goes through the main characters 4 years at boarding school. You see a lot of her freshman year and then if i remember correctly less and less of the following years. It was sort of uneven.

I read ARCs of The Gargoyle and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society this month. I loved them both, but for very different reasons.

My reviews can be seen under the Book Reviews tab in Readerville

My review of Tan Lines is up :

http://bookishruth.blogspot.com/2008/07/...

All of my reviews can be found here:

http://bookishruth.blogspot.com

I just started The White Mary by Kira Salak. It seems good so far. But the cover is AWFUL. It would have prevented me from picking up the book in a bookstore. I wonder if they are just using that for the ARC or if the first edition will have the same cover.

10: I agree. I wasn't drawn to the cover at all. Unlike the cover for Aberrations by Penelope Przekop, which I instantly fell in love with and wouldn't mind framing and putting on my wall.

I agree the cover for Aberrations was good. I have American Wife on my TBR pile. It will be next

I don't know what the cover on the most recent Richest Season books that people are getting looks like, but the one they sent through the ER program was awful.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 15, 2008, 10:40pm.

yes, that is the cover on the one that i got too...cheesy, isn't it.

13- LOL! I got a copy of that this weekend and was like ewwwww! Looks like something from the late 80s early 90s. It's horrible to say but if that's how it was presented online I probably wouldn't have requested to read it. :( What they actually released it with is about 1,000 times better.

Just finished Lauren Myracle's Bliss, which I found strikingly good - I was surprised! It was smart and chilling. I put a full review on the book's page here on LT.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 15, 2008, 11:00pm.

>13

I hated that cover so much that I actually commented about it in my review on my blog

http://skrishnasbooks.blogspot.com/2008/...

Here is my review of The Heartbreak Diet

I really enjoyed it!

re: the cover of The Richest Season.

It was originally self-published (like the Lace Reader..I wonder if self-publishing is going to become more and more popular?)

Was that it's original cover?

Here is my review of The White Mary. I agree the cover is horrible!

I don't have issues with book covers very often, but I've been having trouble with a few titles. I loved both The Gargoyle and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, as you can see from my reviews , but I think they both need new titles.

As a bookseller, I'm going to be handselling these to anyone within earshot at all times, but I think the titles are going to make it more challenging because for The Gargoyle the title makes it sound like a weird sci-fi book (not the masterpiece that it is), and for Guernsey, the title sounds like it belongs to a fluffy chick lit book in which women bake crazy pies and share small-town gossip. My friend at Random House said they tried to get the authors to change the title several times, but they wouldn't budge...having read the book, I understand how it fits, but I think it's going to be an obstacle.

I thought Bruno, Chief of Police was a pretty boring title for Martin Walker's first mystery novel. Not something I would have picked up on my own, that's for sure. In fact, the thing that drew me to it was the comparison to The No. 1 Ladies's Detective Agency, which turned out to be a bit of a stretch (though I enjoyed the book anyway). That and the fact that Harper Collins First Look was offering it for free...

21-
It looks as though there will be a "new" cover for The Gargoyle upon release. I think it saw it on B&N or Amazon. The new cover is posted along with my review at http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/

I've read Tomato Girl, which was mostly excellent writing-wise but waaaay too SAD for me, and The Lace Reader, which I loved (like almost everybody else apparently, hehe).

Both of my reviews are up at my book blog, http://goodenglish.vox.com/

When in a bookshop does anyone find they are drawn to (or repelled by) certain books because of the covers?

I will not turn away from a novel because I dislike the cover, but I do find myself picking up unknowns based solely on an appealing cover.

sure, i think a book cover can certainly effect whether you even pick it up to book at it. and if you do take it off a shelf, do you actually open it or read the back cover.

the title...the cover....if you don't know the author or maybe heard something about the book, what else would first draw you to one book at opposed to many dozens of others on a table.

i may have missed a lot of good books over bad covers.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 16, 2008, 9:26pm.

I hate to admit it, but I really do look at the covers. I would have never picked up The White Mary because it looks pretty trashy.

Covers are very important to me. I don't know if it is because I'm a graphic designer or if I became a graphic designer because of the attention I give to things like that. Either way covers are important. Some books I won't even pick up to learn more about if the cover is hideous. I'm sure I'm missing some gems.

They say don't judge a book by its cover... but we all do. Authors/publishers have only a few chances to grab us. The cover, and even the title are very important.

Our reading habits would sure change if books were still cloth-bound (even before book jackets came out) I wonder how world-wide reading habits would change if books did revert back to non-graphic covers.

We might learn with the rise of e-books.

karinnekarinne -

Nice blog - I enjoyed your reviews!

I almost didn't read The Lace Reader because the cover didn't really appeal to me. That would have been a BIG mistake. It was wonderful.

My review is in Readerville

bnbooklady-
I love your blog! Wherever did you get a banner like that? I'm trying to customize my blog a little more so it doesn't look like the standard blogger blog, but I'm running into challenges.

I won a copy of The Lace Reader from bookclubgirl's blog and I can't wait to start it.

My copy of The Lace Reader was a black background with a piece of white lace on half - I kept closing the book as I read to see if I could "read" anything in the lace. The cover on Amazon (and on here) is quite disappointing.

35--
was that self-published cover? I saw that one and thought it was a million times better.

I sent my review of the lace reader to harper at the very beginning of may and they just now responded to my email. ha, guess they're busy!

Jenlaw77: I totally agree with you - bnbooklady, your banner is awesome!!!

the banner is actually a cropped photo of the facade on the parking garage at the Kansas City Public Library...my wordpress template has a custom header, so I just imported the photo. I grew up in KC and got married in the Grand Reading Room of the library back in January, so I thought it was a good fit.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 17, 2008, 8:53pm.

I posted a review of my latest ER book, Is Christianity Good for the World? by Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson: http://www.librarything.com/work/details.... It's an interesting read, but neither author made his case.

Tom

36- It was the cover of a galley that was sent to a local bookstore, and then they were giving away a bunch of galleys on their blog. That cover just said something about the story and was a part of the process of reading that the new one can never be.

I agree....nice fit!

'Richest Season' , I read the book in one day. I could't put it down until I finished the book. The characters in the book were interesting and very human.

Janet

#36, yes, that's the self published cover. I have one too.

Here's my review of The Watercooler Effect

http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

Other than wishing the examples were more expanded I liked this book

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 20, 2008, 10:46pm.

And here is my review of The Watercooler Effect!

Interesting, but nothing really startling. If you have to deal with the office rumor mill or have an in-box full of political emails, you might find it worth checking out.

Here's my review of Summer Blowout http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

I was a little scared after people started saying they didn't really like it. But fortunately for me I really enjoyed it :)

Thanks for the review. Summer Blowout isn't the type of story I'm usually attracted to, but I'm intrigued by the dog character. I'll pick up a copy.

Tom

I wondered where everyone was posting their reviews... that'll teach to switch from "posts" to "groups" more often. ;-)

Here is my review of Stealing Athena. For the most part, I really liked it.

I just finished writing my review for Stealing Athena. I don't have a blog, so it's just posted here on LT. I'll post it on Amazon later today or tomorrow.

I finished Tan Lines by J. J. Salem today... quite the sizzler, let me tell you! My review is In the Shadow of Mt. TBR.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 24, 2008, 11:34pm.

My most recent reviews were of The White Mary and Superdove, both of which I found enjoyable but not amazing. I also thought both had the potential to be much better books than they were, which is always kind of sad. If you'd like to hear more, swing by http://inkhornplatypus.livejournal.com/

As for covers- I totally pick books up based on covers when at the library- finances are too strained to do that when I'm paying. However, I'm going to stand alone and declare that I actually liked the cover for The White Mary and loved the cover on my copy of The Gargoyle. The one for TWM was super-cheesy, yes, but I kind of liked it in that Xena kind of way, you know? And as for The Gargoyle, well, maybe I'm just a big dork but a cover that is supposed to look like an old-fashioned alchemical text is pretty much always cool with me.

Next on my plate is The Dracula Dossier then a sprint to get a review of Among the Cannibals in by next week- eek! I'm in arc review deadline mania mode.

PS I just noticed that several of my touchstones were going to the wrong books, so I opted to instead delete them- sorry!

>52
You're not alone. I quite like the cover of The White Mary.

I thought The White Mary cover was all right, but I loved The Gargoyle cover. Somehow, I received two of The Gargoyle, the second after I had read the book already. I gave that copy to my daughter, and was interested to note that it had a little different cover than mine. The first copy I received has a heart in the center with a Gothic looking logo written around it and the spine is printed to look like an old leather book. The second book has a picture of a woman's back with angel wings tattooed on it and a cutout in the middle which shows a heart. The spine is just printed like a normal paperback. I guess they try out different art on the ARC's.

I wrote my review of American Wife, posted here. I was pretty on the fence - it wasn't what I expected, but there were still things I enjoyed about it. Tried to focus on the positives while being honest about my dislikes. It's one of the longer reviews I've written so if anyone has feedback for me, I always appreciate it. :)

I gave up on The Island of Eternal Love - the translation is just horrible. Here are my thoughts on the book.

I just finished Glimmer Palace. I started fairly ambivalent, but I was surprised by the end to realize that I was rather enjoying it and really wanted to know where the story was going to go. It really sort of snuck up on me.

Just finished reviewing both Aberrations and The Questory of Root Karbunkulus at my book blog

Check it out!

>I also thought both had the potential to be much better books than they were, which is always kind of sad.

This is so true of The White Mary! But it is her first fiction effort and I hope she writes more - just without the romance.

LisaLynne--I agree about the romance bit. That's the only part of the book that really felt sort of forced to me. I sometimes think that authors think they have to add stuff like that to keep the readers happy, not because it really serves the plot. (Sort of like the sex scene in an action adventure flick that is completely out of place, sort of the obligatory "add generic sex scene here" in the script!)

I hope that both of you were able to convey that message in your reviews, and doesn't it make you wonder since this is her first fiction, that maybe editors or others who read the early versions might have suggested adding scenes that weren't in her authentic voice? Just a thought???

I posted my reveiw of The Map Thief here

Donura--actually I didn't, in fact it never even occurred to me until I read what LisaLynne said. I'm going to have to give that some thought. I'm not sure that it might just be my own personal bias showing. I don't like the romance genre and seldom have much patience for that part of the book. I always prefer the author establish the relationship in more subtle ways, but have always assumed I'm in the minority. I'm pretty good at ignoring stuff that I don't like in a book and I'm going to have to stop doing that for review purposes. You make a good point, I'm going to have to consider revising the review.

(I've been bothered by the fact that so many of the ARC's I read get pretty favorable reviews, I think maybe I've been too lax about paying close attention to areas I don't like, and I'm going to have to remedy that. Thanks...food for thought.....)

I have reviews for The White Mary and Kaimira: The Sky Village up on my blog.

My review of The White Mary

My review of Kaimira

I agree with you guys on The White Mary. I really wanted to love this book and it showed so much promise at the start! The romance felt so forced that it ruined the book for me.

I don't think it ruined the book. The big problem was that Seb was just too good to be true - too kind, too generous, handsome, rich, perfect, able to pull himself out of an alcoholic haze by his own bootstraps and rescue her from the jungle. That does get a mention in my review.

I finished Happy Hour is for Amateurs; my review is here. Complete and total crap. Honestly, there is too much of this book that I find utterly unlikely to believe any of it.

I also finished One More Year today. What a palate cleanser! It reminds me a lot of Unaccustomed Earth only happier and more hopeful.

I am so glad to hear you say that. I ordered Unaccustomed Earth and I loved One More Year. I know I have said this somewhere on LT before, but if you have access to LINK TV, look for programing about a program on AES installing electricity in the Republic of Georgia. Really puts faces to the stories in One More Year.

I requested One More Year ages ago from SA, but got no e-mail response. Now I really hope I get it because I loved Unaccustomed Earth.

SA doesn't always bother with email responses.

JGoto, I loved it, too, but the stories just seemed unrelentingly sad, with no possible happy outcome. One More Year had a lot of the same themes, although a bigger focus on marriage and infidelity, but at least some of the people in unhappy situations manage to get out of them.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 27, 2008, 11:58am.

Add me to the list of voices that loved One More Year. Those of you who enjoyed it might also like to read Mary Yukari Waters' The Laws of Evening, a collection of short stories about the colonial and post-WWII Japanese experience that's similarly insightful and affecting.

I've read 1 1/2 of the stories in One More Year and am in avoidance mode by reading 2 non-ARC books. I'm finding the stories too depressing and the people too dreary. I'll finish it, but only because it's an ARC and I will need to write a review.

I should have remembered that except for J.D. Salinger, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy Sayers I'm not all that fond of short stories before I succumbed to temptation and asked for it.

I've just posted my review of Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth which I really really enjoyed!

http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

and tonight my review of The No Complaining Rule a self-help book of sorts presented as a story! It was a pretty cool way to read that sort of material!

http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 28, 2008, 10:38pm.

Posted my review of Aberrations - which was yet another positive ARC review.

I've started reading my Penguin Classic Sign of the Four which is really quite fantastic. I think I may have dodged a bullet with my selection after seeing what some others got.

M 72: You did indeed! I quite enjoyed that one. I haven't started mine (or my boyfriend's, which I will probably review) yet, but they're not so bad- The Golden Bowl and The Death of Arthur.

In ARC review news, I finished my review of The Dracula Dossier- touchstones not working. My full review can be found at http://www.livejournal.com/inkhornplatyp... but for here, I'll just say that it was a fairly good book. Rather gory at times, so not for the faint of heart. I was super-impressed by the author's evident research, which added a lot of realism to the story. Definitely worth checking out for anyone into the Jack the Ripper genre.

The Dracula Dossier sounds interesting! I've added it to my wishlist on bookmooch.

Okay, folks, I'd like your opinions on this:

I was reading the review of The Lace Reader in the New York Times and I was absolutely floored by this sentence:

Women write books that other women will want to sit around and discuss, preferably over tea and cucumber sandwiches.

I'm not sure whether I am more insulted by the implication that women readers want to sit around chatting about our books while we knit tea cozies or by the insinuation that that is all women writers aspire to. I posted about this on my blog and I'd appreciate your comments. Does this strike anyone else as very dismissive of women readers and writers?

Uh...yes. That is really quite dismissive.

What a twit..

Okay...good to know that I'm not alone. And she really does give the book a pretty good review, I was just so stunned by that comment! I took the time to email the writer and express my dismay, which made me feel a little better.

Is it any wonder that book review sections in newspapers are being closed down? There was an article yesterday (and I'll be darned if I can find it--darn RSS feeds) about the LA Time Book Review section closing and exactly this kind of attitude being part of the reason. The New York Times book review section is lucky because it is industry supported, not subscriber supported.

I saw that on your blog and left a comment I was so enraged!

Yes, that Times reviewer is way off base. Perhaps he/she hasn't heard of Edna Buchanan or Patricia Cornwell. I'm not familiar with the so-call chick lit; maybe that's what the Times reviewer was referring to.

Tom

#75: Uh, yeah...that was pretty insulting.

I've posted a review of The 19th Wife here on my blog...and no, I'm not interested in discussing it over cucumber sandwiches.

ha. writestuff!

No kidding. At least let me have something substantial...like those donuts in the Kitchen thread. ;)

Or chocolate, Lovemybooks...now I would never mind discussing a book over chocolate...or strong coffee, or even a glass of very good wine. I can't remember ever eating a cucumber sandwich...but I imagine one would have to cut the crusts off to make it perfectly "feminine."

Don't get me wrong; I like cucumber sandwiches, but I'd much rather discuss a good book over a Jameson's with a water chaser.

Sounds like a writer-troll looking to increase his readership.

==========
lol- wrote my response before I saw that none of us are exactly the tea cozy types.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 29, 2008, 1:33pm.

I know that I don't have to tell you smart folks that it isn't the tea or the sandwiches, it's the tone. It's the insinuation that we wanna read books about nice little witches and discuss them at a little hen party complete with doilies. And the dig at the writer - as a friend of mine said, "Of course. That's why as a woman writer, I have chosen as my subjects firefighting, urban police work, and professional baseball."

*nods* I understand, LisaLynne (thus my tone!!). I always hate the diminishing of women in this way...but, I especially despise it when it comes from OTHER women!

Agreed. But truly I have a hard time taking such an ass seriously. It just reminds me of the trolls I've run across. Or Imus...

M 86: It's the insinuation that we wanna read books about nice little witches and discuss them at a little hen party complete with doilies.

Wait a minute-you mean that's not your deepest and only desire? Crap! I better hustle my aproned butt over to a different group. All I ever do is vacuum in high heels, write sentimental love stories about manly yet sensitive men, watch soap operas, and read books about shopping and marriage. Oh, and eat cucumber sandwiches, with the crusts cut off of course. I thought all of that came with the uterus and was now mandatory. Hmm. I might have to rethink my whole life now!

Some people will always speak down to women; after all, they get to feel extra-superior when they condescend to that large an audience. Good for you, LisaLynne, for taking the time to tell the writer not to be a donkey.

Wow! I can't believe the NYT would publish that! How awful...I've read and discussed many books in my life, and while several of those conversations have involved coffee or tea, none of them involved cucumber sandwiches, and I think it's safe to say that they never will. Ugh!

I loved The Lace Reader and definitely think that anyone who reads it will want to talk to someone about it...and that's what the reviewer should have said. And hello, we're not talking about a light & fluffy beach read--this is a book with real substance, depth, and creativity. I'm appalled!

LisaLynne: I think you (since you're the one who found this abomination) should write an open letter to Ms. Janet Maslin on your blog (or I will, if you'd rather not) and send a copy to Brunonia Barry, who I hope would be equally outraged.

Some people.

I bought cucumbers at the farmer's market today... anyone want some sandwiches? :-)) J/K

I read and reviewed a wonderful children's book today, Mishka: An Adoption Tale by Adrienne Ehlert Bashista. It's a beautiful and sweet story of a Mama and Papa adopting Yuri from Russia. It's told from the POV of Mo the stuffed bear who is a present to Yuri at the beginning of the process. Maggie and My review of it is In the Shadow of Mt. TBR.

PLUS! I'm giving away a signed copy of the book, so be sure to enter!

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Jul 30, 2008, 1:15am.

Not to bring up the dread cucumber sandwiches again, but . . .

my mother sent this to me the other day and when I watched it, I immediately thought of this discussion and figured some of you might appreciate it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjxY9rZwN...

In the world of the TBR, I'm working my way through Among the Cannibals, from HarperCollins- the review is due today and I'm about halfway through. Eep. So far it's quite good but in a very patriarchal/colonial/those-zany-savages sort of way.

>an open letter to Ms. Janet Maslin on your blog (or I will, if you'd rather not) and send a copy to Brunonia Barry

Well, I wrote a private email to Ms Maslin, but I have encouraged others to write to her and if you want to post something additional on your blog, I think that's a great idea. I would assume that Ms Barry read the review and was already outraged.

I've also been told by several people that this is Business As Usual for the NYTBR. There's an article here about how they have treated feminist writers in the past. The really sad thing is that they do it with female reviewers. Betraying the sisterhood - maybe they didn't get their doilies.

Wow - that's rather interesting. I think I'm going to have to write about this on my blog.

Maybe Ms. Maslin is just bitter; maybe no one ever cut the crusts off her cucumber sandwiches...but I agree with you #93...it is sad.

writestuff,

Or maybe she is the a frustrated non-published writer. JMHO

LOL, Donura1 - that is always a possibility!

My review for The White Mary by Kira Salak is up. For the most part I really enjoyed it.

http://kbookreviews.wordpress.com/2008/0...

I've posted my review for The White Mary as well. I really enjoyed it.

http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com

I've got a review and an interview up here for First Daughter by Eric Van Lustbader. I enjoyed this one.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 1, 2008, 1:02pm.

For those of you interested, I blogged about the NYT review of Barry's book (The Lace Reader) here today.

Wasn't The Shack also self published at first?

re: cover art. It really does make a difference. Those cartoony ones
( like Sophie Kinsella) for instance send me off running. No idea why, but its true. I think its partly because it just looks too fluffy for me? And believe me I have read plenty of fluff.....

A cheesy cover certainly could make or break some books, I would think...

I finished and reviewed The Heretic's Daughter. My review is here. The historical details were amazing and I really enjoyed the book!

I've just posted my review of Schooled which comes out tomorrow.

http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

I really enjoyed it!

Writestuff, I liked your blog post. One thing I wanted to mention about this and I apologize for being so late in the game on this discussion but I just have to pipe in.

I am a lace maker, I am a home maker, I make my own bread, I make my own soap, I take kids on nature walks, I have completed my course work for my Masters in Chinese Medicine, I can drive a team of six horses, etc. etc. etc.

I hate it when someone takes any idea of what they think a person is and degrades it. If you like cucumber sandwiches then I say Whoo Hoo for you. Be proud! If you hate them and the idea of doilies makes you scream Whoo Hoo for you too. How dare this women feel justified in degrading and pigeon holing other women. Who made her the doily police.

Okay I am slowly backing down from the soap box and going back to my tatting.

I just reviewed Melissa Walker's 3 book Violet series about the life of a model - the third book comes out today.

http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/200...

105- I read all of your review minus the part about VIP, haven't read it yet! Can't wait to though!

Silverheron, I have to say that I am chortling madly at the idea of the Doily Police.

he he me too!

My blog post this morning is about great bookstores - the book blog at the Baltimore Sun has created a Google Map of stores all across the country. I pimped my local favorite - please stop by my blog and add yours to the list.

I have a post about bloggers writing books that was inspired in part by my July ER book, Wife in the North. I'd be interested to hear others' opinions about the topic, especially those who've read Wife in the North or another bloggy book.

I decided not to post my review of the book on my blog just now, but it is up here at LT.

I finished The Richest Season today. It's a really nice book, and I enjoyed it. I've posted my review In the Shadow of Mt. TBR.

My review of The Shiniest Jewel is posted here.
This was my first time reading a "graphic" book (a memoir in this case), and I absolutely loved it; I may be adding graphic novels to my ever-growing wish list and TBR stack(s).

We've had summer strep throat, so I haven't joined in the NYT review bru-ha-ha; an interestingly sad statement Maslin made! LisaLynne, have you got a response to your private e-mail to her?

I'm off to make cucumber sandwiches for my gang (we have to laugh about it, or the blood pressure rates would be sky-high!)

My review of The Lace Reader at www.studentofsaga.wordpress.com

I'm having a hard time getting into The Killing Circle. Maybe because I liked the last book I read so much. The Geography of Love

I know some of you weren't crazy about One More Year, but I LOVED it. If you want to know why, click here.

The Killing Circle is kind of a strange book (as in not exactly what I was expecting), but I did like it.

I am now reading and almost finished with Miracle Girls which releases in September. It's Christian YA and actually really enjoyable.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 8, 2008, 11:10am.

The other reviews on LT for What We All Long For by Dionne Brand indicated that a lot of people couldn't/didn't want to finish it. My review is up here.

I thought it was well-written, and liked the character development, especially for Tuyen and her family. The passages about Tuyen's art were fascinating (not my cup of tea, but I'm always curious about what drives an artist in his/her contemporary art). Jackie and Oku were more peripheral.

It's not an upbeat happy story, but it's life in this novel, and probably reflects life for real people in various cities.

This isn't an ARC, but it's not a well-known book...I just finished Assisted Loving: True Tales of Double Dating with my Dad and found it surprisingly funny and insightful.

Read my full review here

I've posted my review of months and seasons by Christopher Meeks on my blog. I enjoyed it, but I've had enough short stories for a while.

DoB, I also loved One More Year. I've recommended it to several friends so far.

I just posted my review of One More Year I too enjoyed it. But then again, I already knew I liked those sorts of stories!

http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

119- Going to read your review of months and seasons right now! I'm reading it right now :)

I've also read Months and Seasons this week and really enjoyed it. You can find my review and enter to win a signed copy in Readerville .

Currently reading Matrimony by Joshua Henkin in anticipation of the paperback release in a few weeks.

119, 121 - I'm behind the 8 ball on this, and am now chiming in ... I just started Months and Seasons last night and am enjoying it. Will wait to read your reviews until I've posted mine.

121 - and I read Matrimony this weekend! Working on the review now. What's next on your list? We seem to be on the same reading schedule! For me it's The Madonnas of Leningrad ....

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 11, 2008, 8:04am.

122:TooFond--I'm now halfway through Matrimony and am really enjoying it...it seems eerily similar to my college and recent post-college life (I met my husband on our 3rd day of college) and can't wait to finish it. I never really know what's next up because I just walk to the TBR pile and pull whatever calls out to me, but I think next up is Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie.

I just finished my ARC of Linda's Gerber's Death by Latte. I reviewed it here: http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/200...

I also read the first book of the series Death by Bikini (not an ARC) and reviewed it here: http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/200...

Both are really fun teen mysteries.

Just finished Farworld: Water Keep. I reviewed it here.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 11, 2008, 11:25am.

Okay, I LOVED John Scalzi's Zoe's Tale, and I don't even like Science Fiction. My review isn't going up until Wednesday, but I thought it was fantastic. I may actually have to read more of his stuff (I added a bunch to my bookmooch wishlist).

I also enjoyed Eric Van Lustbader's First Daughter, which is also not the sort of thing that I typically read.

Tapestry,

That link sends me right back to this thread...

Fixed it. Thanks!

DoB, I think sometimes that's the best endorsement - this isn't the kind of thing I normally read, but I really liked it!

I got absolutely the nicest email from Chris Meeks this morning! This sort of thing is like a bonus check for an unpaid reviewer:

Lisa--

I have to say my favorite part of getting reviewed (and well) is to see how the reviewer took in the stories and which is the favorite. Thank you so much for your superbly written and passionate review. It's extraordinarily difficult getting noticed in the book field, and I can't thank you enough for the time, energy, and vision you took to read and write your review.

I particularly like reviews that give a sense of some of the stories, and you did that with elan. You help give me the energy to finish what I'm working on now, which is "The Brightest Moon of the Century." If I can stick to my timeline, the book will be out March 7th. I will send you an advance copy most likely around Christmas.

Best,
Chris

I don't even care if he sent the rest of you the same note. I was really tickled by it.

LisaLynne,
I'm really liking Chris Meeks, even though I haven't gotten his book yet. He emailed me on Saturday saying that he had found my blog and liked it and would I like to review Months and Seasons.

That part is pretty standard, I know, but he actually referenced something directly from my latest post (about Sana Krasikov's One More Year, telling me that he wouldn't say he's the next anyone.

I got a similar email about reviewing the book - it was really an ego boost to think he looked at the blog and said "Yes, I'd like to be reviewed here." He is definitely making a good impression on bloggers. It helps tremendously that the stories are really good - he can be as nice as pie and I would still tell folks if I didn't like the book.

LisaLynne, That is such a nice feeling! And I did enjoy your review as well. My internet connection went on the fritz as I was leaving you a comment though...

I'm new at this but I just took a chance and emailed him through Red Room asking if he'd be willing to send an ARC of months and seasons to Canada and he answered one minute later without even looking at my blog and said:

"I'd be happy to send you a review copy. Canadians should read it. :)"

It's easy peasy somtimes. I'm thrilled.

133- Chris is so nice! I emailed him a few weeks ago and he told me he'd love to mail me a book. It came personalized with a nice letter!

Just posted my review of So Long at the Fair here, along with links to a few others' reviews of the same book.

Edited to add touchstone.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 11, 2008, 6:17pm.

Devourer & LisaLynne: I've had a similar experience with Mr. Meeks...he sent me a very kind email (but not the same one he sent you) when I posted my review, and he also mentioned things from my review of The Gargoyle and recent posts....he just seems very thoughtful and gracious, and I like that quite a bit.

Looking forward to his first novel in the spring.

I started Months and Seasons last night - it's great! I've only read 3 of the stories so far, but I'm really enjoying them. Not at all formulaic, each has a different rhythm.

It's been a pleasure to correspond with Christopher Meeks as well.

I'll post here when my review is up, toward the end of the week (still need to write the review for Matrimony, like you, bnbooklady, I enjoyed it, lots of characters I "recognized" from life!

Finally wrote up my review of Tan Lines. Not sure what took so long, but it just needed to digest a bit.

Now, I'm off to finish First Daughter which is really good, but I'm struggling with finishing it for some reason.

I just posted my review of When We Were Romans. I really liked the book, thought I'm not sure I'd make the leap of comparing it to To Kill a Mockingbird. I've not read Curious Incident of the Dog, so I don't know how it compares there. But I really did enjoy Romans.

Anyway, my review is In the Shadow of Mt. TBR. :-D

I just posted my review of When We Were Romans on Worducopia but I can't find the card/letter that came with it, if there was one. Can anyone tell me if the publisher requested feedback?

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 13, 2008, 4:56pm.

>140 My copy just included a card that said "With Compliments of the Publisher".

140-141- If it doesn't list a contact sometimes I'll email my review to whoever I emailed for the review copy originally.

My review of Savvy by Ingrid Law is here. http://studentofsaga.wordpress.com/2008/...
as well as on my librarything.

#126 DevourerofBooks - I loved Zoe's Tale too even though I'm also not partial to SF. Great minds, eh?

Reading all the comments, I am probably the only person who actively disliked One More Year. Bleh. To tell the truth, I couldn't even finish it. It's only the second book I've started this year that I haven't finished. I BookMooched it.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 14, 2008, 2:55pm.

#144 While I gave One More Year a resonably good review I can appreciate your feelings. I liked the authors writing skill and I thought she did a good job portraying very real situations that these immigrants have found themselves in. I did find it quite depressing. After one of the stories I found myself in a really deep funk all day. I can appreciate the necessity of balance in the types of books that are out there so I did not mark it down because of it. Some people like dark stories. I am a senstive so I have to be careful what I read. So don't feel alone on how you feel. I reviewed it more on it's merits of writing than on the subject matter.

I have posted my first review for an ARC outside of LibraryThing! Ex-Cottagers in Love by J.M. Kearns, sent to me by Mini Book Expo.

http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?a...

#145 silverheron - I actually had some problems with the writing - it seemed to me as though she was pushing very hard for metaphors and similes and some of them just grated on my nerves. They didn't work and disrupted the flow, IMO. Since I gave the book away I can't go back for specific examples, for which I apologize.

Sometimes I feel an actual physical jolt if the language bothers me. I'll be reading along happily, absorbed in the story, then get taken out of it by strange phrasing or a statement by a character that seems incongruous to how the author's built them up. I remember feeling that way quite a bit in One More Year. That was in addition to the depressing characters and sordid lives they seemed to be living.

I just finished reading Schooled and LOVED it! You can find my review on my blog here: http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/

I have posted my reviews of The Dawning of the Day:A Jerusalem Tale by Haim Sabato here:

http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?a...

and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows here:

http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?a...

I thought both these books were terrific reads. There were right up my alley.

#147 Karenmarie. I can see why you would be frustrated with the book. I really liked the cover art though on the ARC copy. From what little I saw of the publishers cover I would not have liked it as well.

That's the cool thing about books. There are more than enough of them to keep all of our tastes satisfied.

Happy Reading.

M 147: "Sometimes I feel an actual physical jolt if the language bothers me. I'll be reading along happily, absorbed in the story, then get taken out of it by strange phrasing or a statement by a character that seems incongruous to how the author's built them up."

I absolutely agree- that was actually my biggest problem with The Road. (Not that one- the one by Cormac McCarthy The writing just didn't always seem to fit the book. But then I know others love it, so hey.

I just finished The Aviary Gate myself, which was long overdue. I found it entertaining at the very least, and pretty gripping by the end. Not the New Great American (or British in this case, I suppose) Novel or anything, but a good read. Full review will be up here and on http://inkhornplatypus.livejournal.com/ shortly. I hope.

147 & 151 Yes, I definitely have that problem with some writing. I'm on my second book with writing like that and I'm not sure how to address it in my review.

The first ARC I read that bothered me like actually won this year's Purple Prose Award so I know it's not just me. The second one is just published too soon -- the writer needs to learn to polish their writing more.

My review of "The Shiniest Jewel" is up at Worducopia. Ever realize as you're writing a review that you like the book more than you thought? That's what happened for me with this one.

Do you wait to post your reviews until the book is about ready to come out, or do you just go ahead and post them? It seems like it might help the author more to post it when people can actually run out and buy the book if they want. But, I wanted to get this up on Springboard's site, and since I wrote it for that it seemed silly not to go ahead and put it up on my site also.

I've posted only two reviews so far, but I post them on LT as soon as I can to fulfill my obligation, and then again on Amazon when the book is released.

Tom

as i sit here about to post my review of White Nights ...please feel free to mosey over and have a look...it is a lovely day here at the shore to go to the beach..

i post on LT as soon as i finish the book and write the review. i post it on my blog after i let it sit at least day or two on LT, in an attempt to catch the glaring errors. which is funny because no one is reading it on my blog. except a select few (mostly like people that google the wrong thing or are looking for the price of a beach tag in Ocean City). on the other hand, here at LT, i imagine a few people actually do read it. so, i think i am posting backward.

on Amazon, i try to post it as soon as one can. that is, when the book is published.

ok...my exciting story!!
i went on Amazon yesterday and for some reason, looked up my review of The Richest Season there. you know how on the 'all reviews' page at the top, how the show one positive and one negative review, as representative?
well, mine was the negative! i was so excited....afraid to see if it is still there. i would rather bask in the glow of my negativity a day more.

#153 Alirambles Yes, that's happened to me about 3 or 4 times this year. It's actually quite exciting and starts me thinking more and more about what I like about a book.

153-
I generally post books on my blog once I've finished reading them, even if it's a few weeks or so before the book is released. I also review for bookbitch.com, and my reviews don't get posted unless the book is due to be released within the next week or so.

It seems I write all my reviews on the weekend! Here are my latest two.

Aberrations http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

Months and Seasons http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

both of which I enjoyed!

>153,
I have enough ARCs and review books that I try to read them within a couple of weeks of them being released, but I review them whenever I finish them and get the review up. One thing I do, however, is write reminder posts with links to my review and Amazon like this one or this one.

Silverheron and Karenmarie: I think a lot may depend on what you've read recently. I read One More Year not long after finishing Unaccustomed Earth. If you thought Krasikov was depressing, I suggest you avoid Lahiri's stories like the plague. The stories are similar, but the Russian stories actually seemed much more hopeful than the Indian ones.

Just finished Confessions of a Contractor last night and really, really enjoyed it. I'm still writing the review in my head, where it has to be fleshed out before I try putting it down on paper, but it is definitely worth a read. I'm going to a book signing with the author next week, and I am going to try and hit him up for an online "interview".

160 or all...regarding an interview that that would be recorded rather than by email...what sort of equipment would be needed..does someone techie know?

>159, Great idea, that's exactly what I'll do. Thanks!

#160 LisaLynne - I agree that there's a lot to be said for timing. For instance, I read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls in April and was so impressed with the book and the author. Within a week or so I read The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. Homes and was inordinately disappointed - partly because I had Walls' book to compare to. Homes came across as whiney and the book was so disjointed and she was so cruel (to her birth mother) compared to Walls loving acceptance of her totally dysfunctional parents.

I probably would have still honed in on the same weaknesses and poor writing had I not read The Glass Castle right before it, but I think having Walls' book so fresh in my mind was detrimental to my read of Homes'.

#161: sorry, can't help with that one. I'm hoping to get a chance to chat with the author and convince him to answer a few questions by email.

126, 144 (and everyone else) - I also loved Zoe's Tale.

Here's my review:

http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/200...

It's so refreshing to get appealing, strong female characters and I think this would be a great read for teen girls.

#161 - A digital voice recorder would probably do the trick. You'd get an mp3 that way. Other than that, a microphone plugged into the computer should be enough (most operating systems have software that will record). The trick is getting both voices to sound clear.

I've done interviews with my voice recorder sitting on my speakerphone and that seems to work well (have to tape the recorder so it doesn't fall off though).

My review of The Gargoyle is up here. Now I'm off to read everyone else's reviews of it, as I don't like to read them before I get mine done.

ETA:My link is fixed, I was having HTML issues earlier.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 18, 2008, 5:19pm.

Lallybroch, that link led me back to this group.

I'm 75 pages from the end of American Wife and I've loved it, I haven't wanted to put it down once. In fact, I read the vast majority of it yesterday, just sitting and reading for 50 to 100 pages at a time.

168- American Wife is amazing!!!!!! I'm only 200 or so pages in but I love it! I'm thinking of sneaking in a little during my lunch hour right now!

#169--I almost always read on my lunch break! Everyone thinks i'm antisocial, but really I"m just an introvert...I have to be so enthusiastic and patient with people all day that i need the down time. ;) (I work with adults in literacy)

>169, I'm doing a mailing for work at the moment, and I've got it open on my desk while I stuff envelopes, hidden behind the box of said envelopes.

I'm interested to see what you think about the middle, a lot of people felt it slowed down and got a bit difficult there, but I didn't experience that. Perhaps because I had fairly uninterrupted reading time, so I stayed in the flow of things?

Oh, and I ALWAYS read on my lunch break. It is my main designated reading time during the day.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 18, 2008, 1:25pm.

170-171- I sit at my computer all day so I usually continue to do that but surf the blogs! I usually read on the bus to and from work :) I definitely can't get enough of American Wife I can't wait to see where it goes. I really like Alice! The main character of Prep I wasn't exactly fond of but I sort of got her at the same time.

All right I just finished Guernica and am absolutly in love with it. I have yet to write my review but I have to say if you like historical fiction you will like this read. I learned a lot while reading it.

I just posted my review of First Daughter by Eric van Lustbader. I enjoy political thrillers, and I thought this one was quite good. I was actually somewhat surprised by the ending, which usually doesn't happen.

I ended up getting three copies of this one, so I'll be doing a giveaway later this week for two of the copies.

Just finished reading Aberrations by Penelope Przekop, which I didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would (given the rave reviews I've seen). Anyone else not get grabbed by this one? Still mulling on my review...

avisannchild, I wasn't crazy about it either. I thought it was good, so I gave it a fairly good review, but I liked it less than I thought I would after hearing the buzz around here and on everyone's blogs.

>176
Thanks, DoB, good to know I'm not the only one. I'll be sure to read your review once I've written mine.

I finished three books this weekend. (don't be impressed, one was a YA, one was a short memoir)

Creepers
First Daughter
and Wesley the Owl

The reviews are up on all of them, both here on LT and on my blog.
The Optimistic Bookfool

I'm reading Wesley the Owl now also and totally loving it. (edited to note my review is now up on it also.)

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 19, 2008, 10:55pm.

I just finished Joseph Farah's None of the Above (touchstone didn't work for the book), my review is posted on my blog. Its an interesting read, especially if you're feeling a might....disenchanted with the choice this year, as am I!

None of the Above

Just finished Randa Jarrar's novel A Map of Home, and it was absolutely brilliant. One of the best, most poetic books I've ever read!

Now I'm reading a YA ARC, How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier, which is cute and whimsical. Definitely enjoying it, though it's such a stark contrast to the previous book I read!

Just finished the ARC When We Were Romans and posted my review on my blog. I think that i will edit it down and post it on LT and Amazon later today.

After I go see Lucy the Elephant, which I will try and blog about by tomorrow. A VERY, VERY BIG elephant. {{maybe that will entice them to visit...lol}}

For anyone who did not get the ARC for Wesley the Owl, which was wonderful by the way, there is a web page and you can at least enjoy the pictures of Wesley and Stacey (his girl). Web page is at http://www.wesleytheowl.com/Barn%20Owl%2...

Can I toot my own horn here for just a moment? I got a thank you email this morning from Richard Murphy, author of Confessions of a Contractor...along with a notice that they were including my review on his website! If you go totheir official website and click on News and Events, you just may see a blog that is dear to my heart!

I should stop bouncing in my seat in a few minutes.

Ah go ahead and bounce LisaLynne!! Way to go!

184-

I got an email too!!

I got my hands on an ARC of The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson and started reading it last night. I am pretty excited to read it, as it came highly recommended. I'm about 20 pages in, and I do like it so far. But 20 pages is hardly enough to judge a 400+ page book!

And for anyone interested, I also finished Justine Larbalestier's How to Ditch Your Fairy, which is probably one of the cutest books I've read in a while. If you read YA, it's worth checking out - like if you took Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicolson and spliced her with Tally Youngblood or Shay from Uglies, minus all the fancy technology but plus invisible luck fairies. It's a nice, quick, read that I think young teens will enjoy this fall.

My review of Sweetsmoke can be found on my blog here.

I really enjoyed this book - and was touched by it.

I've just posted my review of Coventry by Helen Humphreys on my lit blog.
I got it from Harper Collins through Goodreads, my first unsolicited offer!

It is here:

http://www.opendiary.com/entrylist.asp?a...

189: Just read your review of Coventry by Helen Humphreys. Based on your review I would want to read this book. I requested it, but was not successful with HP.ca First Look.

I'm kind of late to the party (how do some of you read so fast??) but my 1st ER review -- of American Wife -- is up at my blog (and here, of course):

http://archthinking.blogspot.com/2008/08...

I am still slogging through Adventures with Purpose, though if I don't finish it soon, I may just write a review based on the first half of the book. Is that allowed?

edited for spelling

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 23, 2008, 7:00pm.

#191--I don't know how the heck some of our fellow LT'r's read so fast. I used to think I read fast and a lot ....compared to the folks I've met here....well to paraphrase Wayne's World..."I'm not worthy"...*said while kneeling and bowing..... ;o)

Amen...

Not just fast - Some people read 3 or 4 books at a time. I can only follow the plot in one at a time.

I just finished Stalking Irish Madness and thought it was pretty OK. My review is at The Book Lady's Blog .

I enjoyed Schooled by Anisha Lakhani very much and thought it was a hoot.
I have just put up my review and am offering two ARC's in a giveaway here:

http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?a...

>192
I'm not worthy either :D I thought I read fast until I came to LT.

I always have 2 books going - one regular book and one audiobook (for my commute). I used to keep a third one jsut for going to the gym - something to keep me from getting bored on the treadmill or the bike. It's really a matter, for me, of setting aside some chunks of time to read. I managed to snag half an hour yesterday and zipped through 60 pages or so - I just need to keep finding those half hours.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 25, 2008, 7:45am.

I just finished So Long at the Fair. I don't have a blog, but have used my LibraryThing wiki page to post ARC reviews.

**edited to fix html - I'm still learning**

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 25, 2008, 1:14pm.

My review of My Father's Paradise can be found here

I know many people loved The Gargoyle, but I can't say I was that enamored with it. and interesting book, very well written in parts, but in desperate need of an editor in parts as well. IMHO

I finally posted my review..I had to let my opinion perk for a bit...and you can read it on my blog here if you so desire.

and while you are there, page down one posting and see The Giant Elephant that I promised!! GIANT!! ELEPHANT!!

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 26, 2008, 12:22pm.

I think I am reading too many forums! I know I read an entry somewhere on LT that one of the members was setting up a YA group and now, for the life of me, I can't find it. Can someone help refresh my memory? Thanks.

I am so happy!! Deanna, from HarperCollins Canada has agreed to do an online interview for my book blog. I finally got to ask all those questions that I have been dying to know about online marketing, publicity and exactly how publishers feel about book bloggers. I will let you know when I post to my blog. I think we will get some great tips.

>203

Congrats Nitestar! I'm looking forward to reading that post!

I'm looking forward to Nitestar's post too!

Posted my review of Aberrations here. Gotta say I seem to be in a distinct minority of one on this one... I also linked to a bunch of other folks' reviews, which were much more positive than mine. (Didn't link to yours, DevourerOfBooks, because I'm a bit of an anti-spoiler freak!)

I've posted my review of When We Were Romans.

>206,
That's fine. I'm usually pretty anti-spoiler too, but that part just bugged me so much I couldn't resist. For me it would have influenced my decision to read the book knowing that ahead of time.

>208

Oh and I totally related to what you said, too, but since spoilers bother me so much, couldn't in good faith link to a review that contains one.

aviannschild: this is kind of random, but I just wanted to answer your question from my blog and let you know that no, I did not schedule the feral cat lady for a book signing.

Can you imagine?

Hee-hee, thanks for answering my question! That was a fabulous post. In case anyone else is wondering what the heck we are on about, check out the specific post here.

So, you mean I can't get a free rabies shot with the purchase of a book after all? Dang.

Awesome Feral Cat story guys - thanks!

I don't remember in which thread I posted this last time, but I am finally able to announce officially that my husband got a contract with Harper Collins to illustrate two hardcover trade children's picture books! YAY! I just wrote a post on my blog with the whole story, so come by if you are interested:

http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/200...

This is kind of silly but I'm having fun with it: I'm starting a "soundtrack" for the book reviews on my blog Worducopia. The ARCs I have songs for so far are: Freeze Frame, The Shiniest Jewel, Wife in the North, and When We were Romans. I also picked songs for Just Do It, The Film Club, Ten Cents a Dance, A Home at the End of the World and Five Skies. Then I ran out of steam.

>213 Congrats to your husband, Lenore! That sounds fabulous!

This isn't an ARC, but it's a brand new book that Random House was kind enough to send me a review copy of. I've just read and LOVED Why We Hate Us: American Discontent in the New Millennium, and my review is at The Book Lady's Blog . I think it should be required reading for life.

>216
Why not post your full review here at LibraryThing?

My full review is rather long, and it seems that most LTers post shorter, pithier summaries. So I put blurbs here and keep the full ones on my blog...I think a lot of LT bloggers do something similar.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 28, 2008, 3:08pm.

202/203 - NItestar, are you sure it's not on the Ning Book Blog ring?

>215
I just read your review; it should be required reading for life. I am recommending it to my book group and everyone else I know. WOW!!

I have just reviewed Quintet by Douglas Arthur Brown on my book blog
and I'm offering a free copy, gently read, (not an ARC) until Wed. September 10.Contest is open to everyone:

http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?a...

This is a story about triplets, set in Canada, which I always enjoy. I liked the book, which I got from Mini Book Expo.

saratoga: thanks! It was a fantastic book that lent itself very easily to a fantastic review. I'm glad you're sharing it.

Finished Confessions of a Contractor and really enjoyed it!

Drop by my review:
http://kbookreviews.wordpress.com/2008/0...

221>

Looks like your link isn't working... I don't know anything about opendiary but looks like the server is offline

I just finished and reviewed Songs For The Missing by Stuart O'Nan. I really liked the insight in the book - take a peak at my review and let me know what you think (I'd love to see comments!)

Link:
http://wendisbookcorner.blogspot.com/200...

PS - I'm a new blogger, so if you have suggestions after viewing my blog - please leave me a comment!

I posted my review for Silent but deadly: Another Lio Collection here and on my blog. Its easy to have such a quick turn-around when the book arrives the same day you find out you're getting it -- and its a comic strip collection so its pretty quick to read.

http://archthinking.blogspot.com/2008/08...

#225
Hey! Hey!
I'm new too....read me!!...comment me!....{{but only nice things, I am very sensitive. i may cry if you are harsh}}....and you still have the chance to page down and read about the Giant Elephant!

and yes, some book reviews. lol

edited to add a Penguin. bento box penguin

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 29, 2008, 9:47am.

I posted my review for The Road Home here

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Ago 29, 2008, 8:26am.

>220

I did a double-take when I saw your post since you refer to message 215, which is in fact my message. Heady praise, but then I realized you couldn't possibly be talking about one of my reviews! Do you want to edit your message so that it refers back to the right message (216)? Excellent review by the way, bnbooklady!

So sorry avisannchild, you are totally right...my comments referred to 216 not 215. My apologies for the mix-up. Mea culpa...

as I am on a roll today, I just posted my review of The Grift. thumbs up.

a lovely shore breeze, a good book, a penguin, a giant elephant....

>230 No problem! It inspired me to read bnbooklady's great review!

>re message 224: Kegsoccer

My blog site was down for 24 hours but the link works now.

I have just reviewed Quintet by Douglas Arthur Brown on my book blog
and I'm offering a free copy, gently read, (not an ARC) until Wed. September 10.
Contest is open to everyone here:

http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?a...

I finished my review of Confessions of a Contractor by Richard Murphy. I really enjoyed it; it was a pleasure.

I'm off to read everyone else's reviews of it now :-D

Finished 'Sword' by Da Chen. I really wanted to like it, but had a major problem with the ending.

http://kbookreviews.wordpress.com/2008/0...

koolaidmom - if Richard Murphy does a book signing in your area, make sure you try and go. He's really, really charming. I wrote about meeting him on my blog.

I finished American Wife last night and have posted my review at The Book Lady's Blog . I didn't love it, but it was OK.

I don't know if he's equally charming, but for those who enjoyed Guernica, I noticed that Dave Boling has a bunch of appearances scheduled in Sept. and Oct., listed on his LT author page. I'm planning to try to go see him when he comes to my city.

My two latest reviews are for
Creepers http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

and American Wife http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/...

Creepers was ok and American Wife was amazing!

I finished Chelsea Cain's Sweetheart in must a matter of hours. Great book! I'll post my review by this evening.

I read her last book and loved it. I can't wait to get my hands on Sweetheart and read it. I look forward to reading your review.

I'll have to check that out, Alirambles. I love book signings.

Do you think the ARC-mania of us LT'ers drove away the Shelf-Awareness ARCs? They seem to have stopped coming, whereas for a while there, they were really featuring a lot of them.

nbmars, you are a mind reader. I was thinking the same thing. For awhile it was ARCs galore and then it just seemed to dry up.

I've been reading shelf awareness for awhile, and I really think it goes in cycles.

I was actually thinking the same thing. I am wondering if the "ARC people" are going to get tired of having the same batch of people reviewing all the same books?

When I read the forums and our reviews, it seems to me as though we are often all reading the same books, at around the same time and all reviewing them around the same time - maybe the publishers are hoping for different people?

Not sure - just my thoughts.

then we have to find where they are looking for them! lol

nbmars - I hope you're wrong since I just discovered LT and Shelf-Awareness.

To those wondering about the lack of ARCs on shelf awareness, I've been wondering the same thing. I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that fall is a popular time to release new books which might explain all the ARCs during the summer, and the lack of them now. At least that's what I'm hoping. On another topic, I accepted a Bostick book about something that interested my husband with the thought that he could guest blog for me. Let's just say there is a reason no publisher picked up this title. The writing, grammer, and spelling are not good, nor is the story. Any thoughts on whether or not I should contact the writer, or just post the truth here on LT? Thanks.

I think you're right Tara, and I wouldn't give up on Shelf Awareness....it goes in cycles...

They don't have to send the books out after all if they don't want to, or they can try to discourage their non-target audience from requesting it...(like that American Widow book)

or they can put a limit on the number...all that to say, it's probably just a slow spell. ;)

I say post the truth, Tara35.

I've just posted my review of Months and Seasons by Christopher Meeks:

http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?a...

It's a really good collection of short stories. The writer was nice enough to send a copy to me in Canada.

I highly doubt that anyone was implying that it was our right to get books. What Shelf Awareness and any of the book giveaway websites do is a great thing and I think that we are all very grateful for it. If they stopped sending out books tomorrow that would totally be their prerogative. I think we were good naturedly(if that is even a word) wondering if we have exhausted the people at Shelf Awareness.

And Tara, I would say just go ahead and post the truth. You are not obligated to give a good review just because you got a free book. To soften the blow, I would point out some of the book's good points(hopefully it had some). With Bostick, its touch and go. Some of the stuff they send out is really good and many are really bad.

Ok, I better quickly clear up that misunderstanding! I wasn't saying people were saying it was their right to get books...I was trying to say that I doubt they would stop using Shelf Awareness as a means for giveaways b/c of those reasons I stated. sometimes I post really quickly b/c I'm in a time crunch, and I absolutely did not mean to come across like that at all TrishNYC! I hope you see this and forgive me. ;)

I was trying to explain that I've been reading SA for awhile and there are dry spells...and then I was giving reasons that I don't think they'd stop using SA. That's all. ;)

Lovemybooks--thanks so much for clearing that up. I am sorry if I may have seemed snippy. Again I appreciate your taking the time to explain what you meant. I love this website, people are so nice and gracious. And thanks for letting us know of the cycles, even though I have to be honest and say that I have no idea why I am trying to get more books when I have a huge pile of unread books threatening to take over my apartment. What was that thing they always said in Economics, "Man's wants are insatiable"...I guess they were right. Sending a virtual hug to Lovemybooks!!! :)

I just finished After the Fire and posted my review at The Book Lady's Blog . Much to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm giving away an extra ARC, if you're interested.

Whoa, what a great review!! It seems like such a touching story.

The two big seasons in book publishing are summer and winter which means the ARCs go out during the summer for the Sep-Nov releases.

As others have pointed out, publishers work on pretty defined schedules. I would expect things to dry up this time of year and maybe pick up in the new year (though the winter season (Sep-Nov) is the biggie and the spring has become a much smaller launch). ARCs for the summer would be going out in the early spring, I would expect.

I always get a ton of ARCs at the Frankfurt Book Fair in mid-October, but they are mostly from British publishers. HarperCollins brings a lot with them too.

hmmm.....no, I would have to get a LOT of books to justify the airfare to Germany...lol

LOL. Come on, you know you have always wanted to go to Germany :)

...and books...hmmmmm

It's a lovely idea, but given the cost of overweight luggage these days, it might not be feasible.

Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing about the Shelf Awareness ads this morning. I figure this will give me a chance to get caught up on the books on my shelf.

Question on giveaways: have any of you had someone try and enter multiple times with similar email addresses? On one of my recent contests, I found someone who entered multiple times, with similar emails (hotmail, sbcglobal, but the same beginning). I wonder if it's worth it to put a "one entry per person" on my contest, or if I should just be glad they were interested enough to enter multiple times.

263-
No, I haven't noticed that happening with my contests, but what nerve they have! By entering multiple times it gives other, more honest, individuals less chances of winning! I think a "one entry per person" statement along with your contest makes sense.

If you come to Germany, you can all camp out in sleeping bags on my floor - ha!

But yeah, best save your money and go to the Book Expo or something in the states.

263- i would probably just count that as one entry myself.

263 - that's terrible! I haven't had that happen yet, but if I did, I would probably not include them at all.

Well, they weren't right in a row, so I think I'm going to proceed on the assumption that it was accidental. (After all, there are lots of giveaways.) But I will be watching for it in the future. It would be perfectly possible to enter a dozen times, as long as the emails aren't obvious, but it's not a perfect system. Better to think someone was confused than that they were trying to cheat.

I'm moving my book blog. My last month of posts including today's ARC review of Months and Seasons and my current contests for Schooled and Quintet are now here for anyone who hasn't entered at the old site and still wants to:

http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/

Posted my review of Tess Gerritsen's The Keepsake, and totally unrelated, my musing on some of Spenser Tracy's movies, on my blog , for those that may be interested.

A very entertaining read.
Well, I meant the book...think what you will of the blog. lol

Anyone interested in getting more eyes on their book reviews, please come comment on my meta-blog review link thread. (Sorry for the multiple thread posting, I'm just trying to find people who are interested in this topic and they're spread over about 4 groups.)

Ok - my review of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is up. You guys gotta check this one out (especially fellow dystopia fans).

Here it is:

http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/200...

Fellow LTer suncloud9 allowed me to post one of her reviews on my blog yesterday. Click here to review her review of Between Friends: A Year in Letters by Oonagh Berry and Helen Levine.

Edited to attempt to fix book touchstone, argh!

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Set 5, 2008, 1:28pm.

I read Something Wicked Weird (book one): The Wooden Mile last night, and I've posted my review. It's brief, but the book took about 40 minutes to read, so I felt it warranted an equally quick review.

This is less about reviews and more just random thought: I was reading the comments on the BBAW awards (congrats to all the finalists!) and I was really struck by the one nasty commenter. Apparently she was crushed about not being nominated and so felt she had to call the other blogs "trashy" and not something she would ever visit twice. I was so proud to see that no one even responded. (I was tempted, after checking out her blog, believe me.) But I thought it was a real indication of the high level of civility and support we have that no one felt they had to call her out.

>275 I hadn't read that, so I went and found the comment you were speaking of. When I first read the post, I thought by 'trashy' she meant 'crappy' as in not any good. After looking at her blog, it appears she's a Christian, so I read her 'trashy' now to mean 'risque.' Not that it's any excuse, but I am not sure it's out of envy as much as that her sensibilities were offended. Either way, her comment was unnecessary.

Perhaps she could've worded it differently, if she felt the need to say something:

"My some of these blogs are really salty (or spicy, or suggestive, or provocative, or earthy, or...)!"

276-I think you're right. But my heart sank when I read that comment. I really don't like to censor comments and like Lisa, I was just really happy that no one responded. ;)

You may have been right. But whatever her reasoning, it was totally uncalled for. There's a category for Christian blogs and I didn't see any of those nominees commenting.

I may still email her, because I feel strongly that her comment was rude and inappropriate for that thread, but I was glad she didn't get to turn the thread into a flame war.

Did anyone see the comment on Galleycat that suggested that having a category for Christian book blogs, instead of a wider category for religious book blogs, excluded other faiths?

I thought it was a valid point.

I was trying to include a wider range of religious blogs by calling the category Christian/Inspirational..my bias probably does show through because I read a lot of Christian fiction blogs and it's one of the only markets that is growing at the moment.

I did run the list by at least 14 other bloggers none of whom brought this up.

I guess I'm just going to have to know that I'll never be able to please everyone. I honestly didn't expect BBAW to make it as far as Galley Cat anyway.

ETA: I just went and read the comment...I think if they had seen the category best fantasy/horror/spec-fic/sci-fi blog they would have understood better that they were being lumped together and not that it was two words describing the same thing.

Seriously, if I said Best Religious Blog I'd have people who don't like the word religion. It's impossible to win.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Set 7, 2008, 10:43pm.

Okay, I can't find this comment you're all talking about, and I really want to read it. Will someone please PM me a link?

Thanks!

Okay, because I can't leave well enough alone, I sent a message to our one dissenter in the BBAW awards. This is what she sent back:

>hmmm... I see that I needed to be more specific with my previous comment as I came off wrong. When I commented about "trashy" blogs and there being better out there, not all of the MANY wonderful categories were posted, but only two. One being the romance category. Some, some I say of the blogs in that category are what I was referencing as trashy. As, I do believe they are called by book sellers and themselves trashy romances. I'm just shocked with all of the romance out there be it inspirational, trashy, and in between that those were picked. Yet, I did not put forth any nominations, and things just work out that way. Many people like it, I suppose. I'm just saying. There could be much better.

>As a whole, the MAJORITY of blogs here are beyond fabulous with wonderful hours upon hours of reading and tidbits and information for the book-a-holic!! So I'm sorry if you thought I meant you. I mean to say thank you for all the time that "most" of you put into your great blogs.

Okay, because I can't leave well enough alone, I sent a message to our one dissenter in the BBAW awards. This is what she sent back:

>hmmm... I see that I needed to be more specific with my previous comment as I came off wrong. When I commented about "trashy" blogs and there being better out there, not all of the MANY wonderful categories were posted, but only two. One being the romance category. Some, some I say of the blogs in that category are what I was referencing as trashy. As, I do believe they are called by book sellers and themselves trashy romances. I'm just shocked with all of the romance out there be it inspirational, trashy, and in between that those were picked. Yet, I did not put forth any nominations, and things just work out that way. Many people like it, I suppose. I'm just saying. There could be much better.

>As a whole, the MAJORITY of blogs here are beyond fabulous with wonderful hours upon hours of reading and tidbits and information for the book-a-holic!! So I'm sorry if you thought I meant you. I mean to say thank you for all the time that "most" of you put into your great blogs.

I've just posted my review and givaway of The Kings of Innocence by Michael Burns. It's a good story about 3 guys in the years just after college and their struggle to make mature decisions because they're not kids any more. I recommend it.

http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/

My review of Guernica is up at http://worducopia.blogspot.com/2008/08/g.... I'll also be doing an interview with the author, to be posted next week I hope.

My review of The Heretic's Daughter is on my blog: here.

I just finished Confessions of a Contractor
and loved it. Great characters. Will post my review soon.

Hey guys I have a bit of a problem. I am reading a book right now and I am almost done. So far from what I have read, I know that I will not have too many good things to say about it. But my dilemma is that the author was the one that sent me the book through a Bostick ad. He included a letter and asked me to send him a copy of the review when I was done but I feel kinda bad cause I can't in good conscience write a rave review when I do not believe the book was well researched and written. I would greatly appreciate any helpful suggestions.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Set 11, 2008, 6:10pm.

Just be honest in your review. Kindly state the things that didn't work for you, but be sure to point out any positives in the book, or if you think there is a different audience they would appeal to.

That just happened to me, too. I got a copy of Swap and I didn't care for it. I wrote a review stating things I liked and mostly that I didn't like it & why. I felt bad sending Sam Moffie the review because the note included with the book was so nice. I talked to my husband (who is also a writer) and he said he would want to hear the honest review even if it was bad. So I sent him a copy & he wrote me a brief note back thanking me for my honesty.

Some of us have a policy that we tell the author, if that's who we're dealing with, that we will not write a bad review if it happens that the book just doesn't click with us in any good ways. We tell them we'd rather write no review rather than a bad one, if they prefer. Some authors appreciate this reassurance because the choice is really left up to them. If they want an honest review that's not complimentary, fine. But some would rather you didn't write a truly bad one. I can't say I blame them. Just something to consider.

Ditto on being honest. I'm currently reading an ARC of a book that's completely unintelligible. I'm trying to be fair, but I just don't have anything nice to say about this book! The author tried to write "literary" historical fiction, but failed miserably, and lost me at around page 30, what with the shifting first-person narratives (couldn't figure out who was speaking and when) and dialogue that is more pidgin English than Wild West-speak.

On the other hand, I recently finished Company of Liars, and I just can't stop raving about it...

http://agirlwalksintoabookstore.blogspot...

I have posted my review and giveaway of Midwife of the Blue Ridge by Christine Blevins on Fresh Ink:http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/
I enjoyed it a lot.
Giveaway is open worldwide until midnight Sunday, September 21.

Thanks so much guys. I will take your advice and just go with being honest. I will try to find some of the good things about the book cause I think the author was well intention even if thoroughly misguided in some of his proposals. Again thanks.

I've just posted my review of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski here: http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/

It's a great story, one of a kind. I highly recommend it.
And two of my giveaways are still open.

I just posted my review to American Wife here.

I'm wondering if we should start another "Penny for your thoughts" thread. This one is getting kinda long!

If LT would just paginate their threads like everyone else, we wouldn't have to keep starting new threads.

When I was on dial-up last month anything over 100 posts was slow as molasses (or wouldn't load at all).

This isn't a review, but since many of you enjoyed Guernica as much as I did I thought I'd let you know my interview with Dave Boling is up at http://worducopia.blogspot.com/2008/09/i.... (good thing I posted that, I just found another typo when I was checking the link! LOL)

Finally got around to writing my review of Guernica and posting it on my blog ...so now I can go and read Alirambles interview with Boling and not be influenced.

Mensagem editada pelo autor, Set 15, 2008, 5:07pm.

Ahh! I'm still waiting for my promised copy of Guernica, so will hold off reading your reviews. I'm glad it was so good though - hope I get to read it!

Aw, I hope it gets to you soon, Twink. I felt the same way when people were raving about Confessions of a Contractor and all I had was a nice email saying, "So sorry." Like I missed out on the party invitation, LOL. (I have the library's copy, now.)

I started a new thread for this topic, because this one is getting a bit long.
http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.ph...

I finished my review of My father's paradise by Ariel Sabar and posted my review. I highly recommend it.