So here it is, after 1 p.m. and what do I have to show for my day? Nothing. Well, I finished up a review and, as I wasn't sure it would fly, sent it off to my review coordinator. I'm finding all this talk about the uselessness of online reviews rather disheartening, mostly because I completely understand their viewpoint. I like reviewing. I like reading a book and telling others what I think about it. Usually they're good books and I can just gush about them, but now that I've been reading SO much, my tastes have changed. I have a better grasp of what I like and what seems to work than I had before. And now that I've realized this, I don't think I can go back to the way I was before. Is this a good thing? I'm not sure yet. All I know is that I feel rather disillusioned by the whole review thing and at the moment, I just want to finish up my review books that I currently have and then go on to reading books I bought for myself. And if they're bad, I want to say so. I have many friends here online that are proponents of the "say nothing bad about the book, we don't want to hurt the author's feelings", yet is a review for the author in the first place? Yes, it's very nice to get back a letter from an author who just loved your review. Gives me warm fuzzies, but is that really why I'm doing this? I don't really think so.
You know, it feels good to write all this out. No wonder blogging is so popular. Now I really need to get something done. Guess it's on to running those errands I've been putting off all morning and part of the afternoon.
Valentine's Day
Now, I LOVE Valentine's Day. Probably because my husband proposed to me on that day and it's the day we started officially dating. I have many fond memories of Valentine's Day. Yeah, I can understand why people think it's a Hallmark holiday, but it does mean so much more. For me, it's a day of celebrating love, whether for my husband or for my family. I know we don't need a holiday for that, but do we need a holiday for Thanksgiving? We could just gives thanks all year round too.
So...I like V-Day. Going to go out of town for the weekend and have some fun with DH. Go to a museum, have "fun" in the hotel, shop a bit. Basically have fun. Not sure if DH thinks the last one if fun, though. But he's a good sport for me. One of those millions of reasons why I love him. Not to mention he can spontaneously do romantic things like surprise me with flowers a week or so ago. He's a keeper.
So...I like V-Day. Going to go out of town for the weekend and have some fun with DH. Go to a museum, have "fun" in the hotel, shop a bit. Basically have fun. Not sure if DH thinks the last one if fun, though. But he's a good sport for me. One of those millions of reasons why I love him. Not to mention he can spontaneously do romantic things like surprise me with flowers a week or so ago. He's a keeper.
Blogs are addicting
So here I've wasted another couple, ok, a few, hours reading blogs and various other postings around the web. Why do I find other people's opinions on things like pet peeves and problems with bad reviewing so very interesting that I forget to do the laundry, clean the bathroom or do the other myriad things that need to be done today? Perhaps my life is just too boring.
All this talk all over the place about the content of on-line reviews has really made me think. Am I doing anything when I write my reviews? Is it worthwhile to even continue? I used to think that if even one person bought a book from a review I wrote, I'd be happy. Now I get to thinking that hey, all books are NOT created equal and if you don't buy a book based on one of my reviews, well, that's good too. Reading reviews is about finding new books and authors to read and if all we ever hear about are the good things, well, what's the point? There are a few review sites that basically tell all, thought mostly the bad, that I don't like, but I do like the few reviews I see where they actually point out the weak spots in a review, yet also highlight what they liked. I recently read a book that was so-so, yet I did enjoy reading it. It was a quick, fun read, but nothing I'll ever read again. But if I give this book a 3 or a 3.5, people will most likely pass it over for the other 4 or 5 star reviews. It's a good book, dammit! Just not THAT good. Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a light, fast-paced read that doesn't necessarily delve deep into its characters. And afternoon book that's quick and easy, kinda like just grabbing a piece of gum instead of something more substantial to eat.
Perhaps I'm not making much sense. Of course, this blog is just for me. None of my friends or family know about it, so if for some strange reason, you actually come across this, please post. I'd love to know how on earth you found me.
All this talk all over the place about the content of on-line reviews has really made me think. Am I doing anything when I write my reviews? Is it worthwhile to even continue? I used to think that if even one person bought a book from a review I wrote, I'd be happy. Now I get to thinking that hey, all books are NOT created equal and if you don't buy a book based on one of my reviews, well, that's good too. Reading reviews is about finding new books and authors to read and if all we ever hear about are the good things, well, what's the point? There are a few review sites that basically tell all, thought mostly the bad, that I don't like, but I do like the few reviews I see where they actually point out the weak spots in a review, yet also highlight what they liked. I recently read a book that was so-so, yet I did enjoy reading it. It was a quick, fun read, but nothing I'll ever read again. But if I give this book a 3 or a 3.5, people will most likely pass it over for the other 4 or 5 star reviews. It's a good book, dammit! Just not THAT good. Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a light, fast-paced read that doesn't necessarily delve deep into its characters. And afternoon book that's quick and easy, kinda like just grabbing a piece of gum instead of something more substantial to eat.
Perhaps I'm not making much sense. Of course, this blog is just for me. None of my friends or family know about it, so if for some strange reason, you actually come across this, please post. I'd love to know how on earth you found me.
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