Guilt and Shame Need Not Apply

I don't blog regularly.

I feel bad about it.

WHY?

Because "they" say I should.

But who's "they"?

I guess I'd call "they" the promotion and/or blog experts.  You know, the ones who advise you on how to get and keep followers?

Well guess what? "They" don't live my life. "They" don't grapple every day with trying to balance it all out.

But I do.

So, for 2012, I have a saying: GUILT and SHAME need not apply HERE!

I am going to do the very best I can and be proud of it.

(I blogged more in 2011 than in 2010, so YAY ME!!)

I am going to stop reaching for perfection.

(No more of that: MUST post or else...)

This year, I think this blog is really going to focus on what I read and how it benefits me.  It could be a writing skill I'm studying or the way a book touched my heart.  Either way, I want to have a heck of a lot more fun with what I think.  But most importantly: GUILT and SHAME shall not be included!!

Book Reviewer Angst

OLD BOOKS
© Mietitore | Dreamstime.com

I learned to read at four years old, thanks to my big sister.

And I still love to read.

Until I started writing, I finished a book, no matter how much I hated it.

And now, I'm reviewing books.

Not all books are great.  Some aren't even good.

Up until this point, I've chosen NOT to review them, but I can't realistically keep doing that.  I want to, but I also know I need to be honest to be credible.

But it HURTS!!

As a writer, I know how much work goes into every book.  Story and characters are part of the heart and soul of the writer.  So, how do I say it's terrible when I feel really bad about it?

Any suggestions would be helpful.  I've been reading other blogs and have some ideas-tact, grace and honesty is what I've seen.  I plan to use all three and hope for the best.

How have you faced writing a negative review?

Book Review: OKAY FOR NOW by GARY D. SCHMIDT

Property of  http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/

Title:		Okay For Now
Publisher:		Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Imprint:		Clarion Books
Pub Date:		04/18/2011
ISBN:		9780547152608

Author:

Gary D. Schmidt

As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. So begins a coming-of-age masterwork full of equal parts comedy and tragedy from Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt. As Doug struggles to be more than the "skinny thug" that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer—a fiery young lady who smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a big field under a clearing sky after a rain. In Lil, Doug finds the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a whole town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubons birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage. In this stunning novel, Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival.  

Many times I've heard the call for great books with male protagonists.  Well, Okay for Now is  realistic, emotional and very well written.  It's no wonder Gary Schmidt has won multiple prestigious awards for his writing.  And I'm beyond honored to write of review of his book before it's even released.




Description:  Gary Schmidt has an amazing way of describing things without the reader knowing it.  Everything is so well blended that pictures just appeared in my head.  I never felt distracted by long verses of description, yet immediately my mind effortlessly disappeared into the world of Doug Swieteck.  I FELT like I was in Yankee Stadium or the Dump or anywhere this story took me.  And to me, THAT is the best kind of reading I could ever find. (Score: 10/10)

Narrative:  Conversational is the only term I can think of to describe Gary Schmidt's writing style for this book.  I always felt Doug was talking to me-even when he was thinking to himself.  Rarely can I find a book that so immerses me in a character's head like this one.  Every word was worth reading, absorbing and loving.  The most amazing part?  Some of the references used were of little or no interest to me before I read it-but now I find I'm curious to learn more.    (Score: 10/10)

Dialogue:  Due to Gary Schmidt's casual narrative style, the dialogue always flowed naturally in the text.  Nothing was forced.  Doug and Lil  and all the characters authentically spoke to each other.  In addition, it felt like, as the reader, I was a part of the conversation, especially when Doug was talking with the school principal.  This book was a great lesson for me that less CAN be more.  Okay for Now speaks in ways I can only hope to imitate someday. (Score: 10/10)

Characterization:  Every character is distinct, interesting and changes throughout the book.  Gary Schmidt REALLY amazed me with the way he showed this.  The story starts with Doug knowing where he stands in his new community but never loses sight of his own beliefs.  I love the way every character responds to Doug and the way it gradually changes over time.  And really, what's shown is more about human nature than so many other books I've read.  And I think that's what makes this book so very readable.  (Score: 10/10)

Resolution:  The end of the book is gradual, calm, uplifting and absolutely perfect for me. I love how not only the character grows but teaches others to as well.  And for a YA book, I couldn't ask for more.  I know kids of all ages can change the world, if we'd only open our eyes and let them.  I know kids have valid thoughts and ideas, no matter the age.  The end of Okay for Now so inspired me to want to be a better writer, so I can help spread the word that our youth is the answer to all of our questions.  (Score: 10/10)

Okay for Now will be on my list of favorite books forever.  It's readable, relate-able, and SO not boring.  There isn't one negative comment I could make about this book, I loved it so much.  I'd recommend this to readers of all ages, boys and girls.  Librarians and teachers should have it in their schools.  I think the world has so much to learn and Gary Schmidt makes the lessons easy and fun.  I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.  

When Hobbies Collide

Since my sister taught me to read at the young age of four, I've been a bookworm. I used to read anything at anytime, though lately, I've been a little more discriminate.

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Now that I'm a parent, I'm trying to pass along my love I'm raising two children, both of whom were read to while still in utero. To this day, my motto is "Boredom is impossible because you can READ." Though I wouldn't call either child a bookworm (yet) they both have a strong love for the written word.

In an effort to support my love of books, my husband purchased me a Kindle when they first came out. Let's just say, I've already had to replace the battery and have nearly bankrupted us with purchases. (Not REALLY, because I'm a freak for free books, but I DO READ A LOT!)

Unfortunately, most of my reading is way far behind the times, because by the time I hear about a good book, it's been out for a while. A review late in the game would just get lost in the shuffle, so I've never seen the point. Until NOW.

Last week I heard about NetGalley.com. Here, I can download pre-published galleys of books (for free!) and review them.  I mean, how perfect is this?  I love to read and then discuss books I've read.  In addition, I can learn more and more about the genre I in which I write.  It's a win-win situation when three of my hobbies collide!

If there's a particular book you'd like me to read, contact me.  Or if there's a discussion you'd like to have, comment.  But remember not to attack anyone personally.  To the write of this blog, I've listed my criteria of review.  It may not be all inclusive, but it's the top five things that matter to me.  And like all things in writer's lives, this is a WIP (a work in progress) so bear with me as I learn.

So stay tuned for posts containing reviews of soon to be released books.  I'm really excited and hope to keep the momentum up.  Happy Reading all!