I'm so used to the pitter patter of many feet that this house seems oddly silent. It was a wonderful two weeks having family from England here, but now that I no longer have two blogging students by my side, it's time to see where my browsing took me this past week!
Out and About in Book Blog Ville
- Today's Adventure is giving away a copy of Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer. I've been wanting to get my hands on a copy of this book for a long time, but since this is Vanessa's first giveaway, I won't tell you to stay away!
- The hot topic this past week was negative book reviews. Trish of Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? has an excellent post, "When Do Negative Reviews Go Too Far?"
- Bethany of B&b ex libris asks, "What Makes a Good Review?"
- Bookgasm has a post about the Books vs. Kindle Showdown.
- Natalie of Book, Line and Sinker wants to know "Turtle or Hare: How Does Your Reading Speed Compare?"
- What Color Are You? quiz
- The Literary Apocalypses quiz
- The Opening Lines from Literature quiz
- from Susan, the Book Chook herself, Glogster--"Poster Yourself"
- I don't know about the rest of you, but Susan Boyle's triumph on Britain's Got Talent really choked me up. I wondered just how long it would take before she had a makeover, and the answer is "not long". Here's an article the UK's Daily Mail published, called "Hairy angel no more."
- 28 Beautiful and Inspiring Earth Day photos
- Twilight fan? How about the Twilight Tourist Package?
- If you don't know what fore-edge painting is and how it relates to books, take a look at Martin Frost's incredible art!
- Blog Design: What You Don't Know About Your Blog Audience Can Hurt
- The new Monetize tab on Blogger.
- What are blog metrics?
- mis(h)takes
- Stone SouP
- The Book Stacks
- Unmainstream Mom Reads
- Fleur Fisher Reads
- Secret Dreamworld of a Bookaholic
NIce links!
ReplyDeletealways love to read the techie stuff...don't do any of it...just like to read it.
ReplyDeleteWhen do negative reviews go too far?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this link. I enjoyed the post and would have commented, but as my comment would have been no 72, I decided to write a few words here instead.
I am so new to blogging that I have not really considered my reviews of much importance to the world as such - until recently ;)
One thing is that I figured out quite soon that as a blogger you find new friends - and these friends trust you. If you write an inspired, enthusiastic review, these friends believe that the book is good - and vice versa.
Furthermore, one of my new friends is a writer, and I review his books (with pleasure, fortunately).
So of course I have to review books in the same conscientious way as I teach. Don´t lie or cheat anyone - but in some situations it may be better not to write about a book.
I agree with you, Dorte. I don't review books I would have to be really negative about. I try to be honest, but am not into scathing or snarky. When I followed the brouhaha about negative book reviews, i was so amazed to see people saying they loved to read reviews like that.
ReplyDeleteDifferent strokes, I guess, but my personal philosophy dictates that I try to behave in a professional way, even if I am "only" a blogger.
(Actually, "professional" isn't the mot juste. Maybe "decent" or even "honourable" is.)
Cathy, I thought of you this morning when I stumbled on Book Army - another site for readers. Thought you might like to check it out.
http://www.bookarmy.com/
I have to check out the book vs. Kindle one for sure!
ReplyDeleteAnd Twilight is calling me...does Edward come on the tour? If so, sign me up!
Thanks, Beth!
ReplyDeleteCaite--I tend to be the same way, too!
Dorte-- I totally agree with your comments on book reviewing!
Susan--You know I had to check that link out immediately! Thank you!
Jenners--Something tells me that Edward may not be part of the tour package, but you never know.... :)