Time again to share the books I enjoyed (or not) last week and those I intend to read this week.
I had a couple of nights ‘off’ reading – both forced (as I was too far behind in my reviewing). I realised I had 6 books read but not yet reviewed. I worry a little about my memory when that happens. They were all very recent reads (in last week or two), but still…
As planned, I read Seven Letters From Paris by Samantha Verant. I’m struggling with that review as it’s essentially non-fiction (a bit like Eat, Pray Love). Any criticism will feel like I’m actually criticising Samantha’s real-life behaviour.
I also received The Cinderella Murder as hoped (by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke) which I read as quickly as I possibly could. That review, *ahem* when written (!!!), will go live in a few weeks.
I also read Jack Fredrickson’s Silence the Dead – published by Severn House (though not until January 2015 – something I hadn’t realised when I prioritised it in NetGalley.
Reviews published include:
To The Edge of Shadows by Joanne Graham (in Goodreads only)
Hello From The Gillespies by Monica McInerney
Amnesia by Peter Carey
I was a tad negative in my review of Amnesia and was a bit worried I’d be exiled or excommunicated. I’m pretty sure it’s unAustralian to criticise such a popular and beloved author. My main issue – if you read the review – was with the plot itself. (Plus it made me feel dumb!) I’m sure however, that gazillions of people will love it and I may well be alone in my meh-ness.
In the new Aussie book bloggers linkup we talked about ‘trends’ in novels.
I’ve also just published an interview with the lovely Aussie-dwelling Irishwoman, Ellie O’Neill. Her whimsical debut book bringing Irish folklore into the 21st century is a great read. Many had already asked Ellie about faeries and the genesis of her book so I’ve focussed my questions around writing-related questions. (The wannabe-writer in me raising her ugly head!) Please show author Ellie some love and check out that post.
This next week I’m a little uncertain about my reading. I’ve really nothing on my plate which will be published before December this year. I’m contemplating either: taking a short break to catch up on my reviewing and blogging in general; or getting ahead and participating in NaNoWriMo in November. #decisionsdecisions
I’m again joining Sheila for her It’s Monday linkup.
October 13, 2014
I enjoy Mary Higgins Clark, so I’m going to check out The Cinderella Murder. Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
October 13, 2014
No worries. I’ve read a lot of MHC’s novels (most I suspect) but am now a huge fan of Alafair Burke. I also follow her on Facebook and lover her very normal updates!
October 13, 2014
You’re not allowed to be negative towards Peter Carey….off with your head!!! LOL I think if I’m allowed to be negative towards Markus Zusak, you can be negative towards Carey. I’ve not read Amnesia yet, but I’m keen
October 13, 2014
I’m sure it will be very popular and win all sorts of awards. It’s just not for me….
October 13, 2014
I get worried too if I let reviews wait too long. I do try to take notes to help my memory. 🙂
It seems hard to be negative on a book others like; or to be pleased with a title that others don’t like. But that is the charm of having different views!
Reluctantly Charmed looks good to me. Enjoy your week.
October 13, 2014
I receive most of my review books electronically so try to add ‘notes’ in the reader as I go. Usually though I try to never leave it more than a week or two before writing the review. I did that once (left it months) and when I wrote the review I’d almost finished when I realised I was reviewing the wrong book! (The two plots were similar and I’d forgotten which was which!)
October 13, 2014
I enjoyed your review of Hello From The Gillespies, and may have to give that one a try. Seems like it might be a good gift book too, with the holidays approaching… liked your post on trends too. Hope you have a nice week and good luck with the review writing. 🙂
October 13, 2014
Thanks Greg!
October 13, 2014
I try to write down my thoughts on a book before I begin the next one so I don’t get them mixed up. It doesn’t always work, but I try. Of course, you have me intrigued by Amnesia.
October 13, 2014
Ah yes, Peter Carey is a national icon!
October 13, 2014
I do the same thing, highlighting and putting notes in my kindle. Your review on Amnesia actually has me wanting to read it, it’d be a boring old world if we all liked the same thing. Have a good week and happy reading 🙂
October 13, 2014
Oh very true – I often read others’ reading lists and shake my head and I’m sure many do the same about mine!
October 13, 2014
Sometimes if I get overwhelmed I just don’t do a review! However if its an ARC then I guess I gotta do it! If you didn’t like a book then you didn’t. So, if it didn’t work for you it didn’t and surely that is just fine.
October 13, 2014
If I don’t like a book I’ll often just review it in Goodreads. I figured the Peter Carey book is a biggie though so thought I should feature it – despite my meh-ness! 🙂
October 13, 2014
I struggle with reviewing memoirs for the same reason. Seven letters is on my reading list for later this month.
Have a great week, and good luck with catching up on those reviews.
October 13, 2014
Thanks Shelleyrae!
October 13, 2014
Seven Letters From Paris sounds really interesting, but I know what you mean… sometimes it’s harder to review nonfiction like that. Have a great week!
October 13, 2014
Thanks, and yes…..
October 14, 2014
I’m looking forward to the MHC book. I’ve read most of her books, but Alafair Burke is new to me. I’m intrigued by some of your other books as well, and share your feelings about expressing meh-ness. That’s the perfect time to remind ourselves that not every book is for every reader…
October 14, 2014
Ah yes true, thanks Catherine.
October 14, 2014
I have made a habit of writing the review as soon as I have finished a book. I don’t start my next one until my review is written and scheduled. That solves by memory issues and anticipation of my next book forces me to write my review. Here’s my week. Happy reading!
October 14, 2014
Yes, I think I need to improve my organisational skills in that regard!
October 14, 2014
I pretty much stopped accepting books for review because I didn’t like the pressure of needing to post about them. I just don’t have that much time! So now I review as I feel like it and I’ve accumulated something like 90 books on my “no_review” shelf on Goodreads over the past 3 years or so. Oh well. That’s life!
I know what you mean about feeling like a negative review of a memoir is a personal attack. I kind of hate writing those reviews. I just try to fill them up with, “In my opinion”s and, “I’m sure others will it enjoy it”s.
Enjoy your week!
October 14, 2014
Thanks jen. Re the memoir in question I basically want to say the lead character (author) is a spoilt immature brat! But, well… that would not be nice!
November 9, 2014
You should be able to be negative about whoever you like Deb. i am not all that fussed on Tim Winton and everyone loves him. The Cinderella Murder might be up my alley.
November 10, 2014
Yes, I quite enjoyed The Cinderella Murder… a few twists and turns!