March 9, 2008
6:35pm
What a day I’ve had…I’ve moved my blog and spent most of the day tweaking with it and learning the new system. Before that, however, I managed to spend an hour in bed with my coffee, my dogs, Gizmo (my cat who thinks she is a person), and The Gathering, by Anne Enright. I finished this rather disturbing book this morning and have not yet written a review. The book is powerful and beautifully written, but it is also graphic and upsetting. I can’t say it is a book I necessarily enjoyed, but it is one I will not soon forget.
Next up on the reading schedule is The Story of Forgetting, by Stefan Merrill Block. Jen from Observed in Books sent me this book after I commented on her blog that I thought I’d enjoy it. It looks wonderful, and I’m anxious to read it.
Earlier today, Bethany commented on last week’s Sunday Salon that she was interested in early review books but didn’t know how to find them…so I thought I’d provide some links to the places I go to find Advance Reader’s Editions.
Library Thing’s Early Review Program
Harper Collins First Look Program
Barnes and Noble First Look Program
Shelf Awareness (subscribe to their newsletter, then watch the ads in the newsletter for links to Early Review books)
There are other sources out there, but these are the main ones I use. I have also been lucky to receive some books directly from a couple of publishers who found me through my blog. The best advice I can give readers new to the world of early reviewing is to keep requesting, even if you don’t get a book immediately; and always read and review the books you do get in a timely manner! Good luck!
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
Wendy, the new blog looks great! Nice work!
I think you’ll enjoy The Story of Forgetting – it was one of my favorites last year, very dear story and quite well written.
Thank you, Terri!
I love your new blog! I can’t wait to finish Resistance. I have enjoyed it so far. I just haven’t had time to read much. I look forward to reading your review when I am done!
haha! I didn’t realize that was last weeks. I thought that was from this week. THANKS for the information I will use it for sure. I am in Libraby Things Early Reviewers group, but I request books and don’t ever get them. Have you gotten a lot from this source? Is there something I can do to up my chances of getting them, as in reviewing other books that I have read?
I will try the other links and see how it all works out! Thanks again!
I just finished The Gathering myself. I was a little bit surprised that it won the Man Booker, to be honest. I found it good, but not great.
New look is nice– very clean.
I love the new look, especially the heading. Apart from anything else, it looks spring like. Here we are in the middle of the worst storm in the winter and reports of flying sheds on their way to the Land of Oz are not exaggerations! The Enright is on my list of award winners to read fairly soon, but from what you say I think I’d better make sure I read it on a ‘good’ day. She’s just published a book of short stories that has been very well reviewed. I don’t know if they’re more of the same, but they might be an easier way in.
Thanks all for the positive feedback on my new blog!
Amy: I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of Resistance… I hope you like it as much as I did.
Bethany: I have been getting quite a few books through Library Thing. If you don’t have many books uploaded to your library, that would be my first suggestion because part of how they pick reviewers is by using your library. Also, posting reviews of books on your Library is also important, I think. I am really selective about what I suggest – I try to pick books that are “typical” types of reads for me because I know they are matching books to readers to some degree. Keep trying!
Frumiousb: I know what you mean about The Gathering – I actually ended up rating it high because I actually think it was brilliantly written, although the subject matter and the coarseness of it is at times disturbing.
Ann: We are feeling springlike in Northern California right now with temps in the mid-60s…I’m sorry to hear about your awful weather! I’ll be interested to see what you think of Enright’s short stories…
I love the new blog, Wendy. A leisurely morning in bed sounds so nice! I wonder if my two animals will ever let me enjoy that again. Haha Have a great week, Wendy.
Wendy: Thank you! It was great lounging in bed
I wish I could do it more often *laughs*