October 11, 2009
Can you believe we are already part way through October?
Well, my week was going pretty well until the FTC announced its new guidelines…and then my blood pressure went up a few points. Here are my thoughts on this subject.
But I’m not going to talk anymore about the FTC and their ridiculous regulations. Instead I want to talk about fun stuff.
Last week I zipped through Goldengrove, by Francine Prose which I read for a TLC book tour scheduled for October 13th (you have to come back then if you want to read my review). What a touching and tender book. It was my first Prose novel (she’s written 15) and I really enjoyed her beautiful writing. I am eager to read more from this author.
My current read is from Unbridled Books. Sometimes We’re Always Real Same-Same by Mattox Roesch is about a gangbanger teen from Los Angeles who moves with his mother to a small town in Alaska. The main character, Cesar, has issues, and I am interested to know how he will resolve them (or not). This is Roesch’s first novel, and he has a unique voice – very cutting edge modern. It is a divergence for me in terms of style, but so far I am not having any trouble reading this original story. Watch for my review soon.
I don’t know what I’ll be reading next – I have a toppling stack of books on my bedside table, so I have plenty of choices including:
- Last Night In Twisted River by John Irving
- City of Refuge by Tom Piazza
- Crossed Wires by Rosy Thornton
- Edgewise by Jan Stites
- Bundle of Trouble by Diana Orgain
- Saint John of the Five Boroughs by Edward Falco
- Kristin Larvansdatter by Sigrid Undset
I am hoping to read more this month than I managed in September…and with that in mind, I’m joining Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon on October 24th. I’ll be posting more about that as the date rolls closer, including a list of books I want to dip into. Are any of you joining this fun event? If you’ve never done it before, I highly recommend you give it a try!
Oh, I also want to mention a cool read-a-long which I am thinking strongly of joining. Emily of Evening All Afternoon and Richard of Caravana de Recuerdos are hosting a read along of Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. The schedule extends over three months, making this something I think I could pull off.
Lastly thanks to Kristen at BookNAround for bequeathing me with the 2009 Friendly Blogger Award. If you haven’t done so already, go check out her blog!
I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful Sunday…and whatever you are doing, I hope it involves a GREAT book!
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
I tried numerous times in HS to get into Kristin Larvansdatter by Sigrid Undset but never could. I should probably try again!
I joined one of the 24 hour read-a-thons awhile back and it was really fun. It is amazing how much some people can get read in 24 hours!
I’ve been reading some great reviews of Goldengrove so I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts on it. I’ve quit accepting review books (for other personal reasons) so the new guidelines don’t affect me but I do think that they are ridiculous. It is a cute pic of the kitty though
I really liked Sometimes We’re Always Real Same-Same. I look forward to your final thoughts.
Please join us for Kristin? The worst that can happen is that you change your mind once you start. Would love to have your insights.
Will be back to read your Goldengrove review. I am also posting on it this week.
Happy reading!
I’m looking forward to participating in the readathon again, too, Wendy. SO MUCH fun!
I read Goldengrove last year and very much liked it as well.
I LOVE Kristin Lavransdatter. I’ve read the first two books and will be participating and reading the third book with the group. I’m looking forward to it.
I am glad to hear that you enjoyed Francine Prose’s novel, Wendy. I haven’t read anything by her as of yet. I admit to finding her a bit intimidating but I have not basis for feeling that way. Not sure why exactly. I’ll be really curious to read what you think of Mattox Roesch’s novel.
Have a great week, Wendy!
Oh, join us for Kristin. Reading 2666 with a group was a great experience and what I’ve read of Kristin Lavransdatter so far is just beautiful. I am joining the read-a-thon, my first time as a reader, and am very excited.
Please do join us Kristin Lavransdatter! I like your reviews so I think you’ll be a great addition. A lot of us did a read-along for Roberto Bolaño’s 2666 that just wrapped up in September. If you haven’t read that book, I strongly recommend it. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed reading everyone’s take on each book that we read together. People brought up stuff I would never have thought of and it definitely broadened my understanding of Bolaño’s great posthumous masterpiece.
Just read your post on the new FTC guidelines – I agree: they’re annoying and unnecessary for bloggers, but I wonder what effect they’ll have on Amazon reviewing. There’s been a lot of controversy there about “shill reviewing” and so forth.
Like several of the other commenters, Wendy, I just wanted to chime in and say that I hope you’re able to join us for the Kristin Lavransdatter Readalong. The size of the group and the particular bloggers involved make me certain that some interesting discussions about the work will take place, and it’d be great to add your perspective to the mix if you’re not too busy to join in on the fun. In any event, please let Emily or me know if you have any questions and thanks for posting about our little reading adventure. Cheers!
Lenore: I’ve had Kristin Lavransdatter on my TBR pile FOREVER. I haven’t yet even tried it. It is so huge!
Juliann: I agree – some people scream through books! I am lucky to finish two or three in the 24 hour period
Samantha: I’m going on a bit of a moratorium on accepting books for review (but not because of the FTC guidelines…more because I am SWAMPED in books).
Amy: I finished Same-Same last night…should have a review posted today or tomorrow.
Frances: I am pretty sure I’m going to join the read-a-long. I probably won’t start the first section until the end of the month
Michelle: Glad to hear you’ll be doing the Read-A-Thon again
And also good to hear your thoughts on Kristin Lavransdatter…I have a feeling I’m going to love it too.
WendyCat: Oh, don’t be intimidated by Prose…she is a very accessible author, I think! I finished Same-Same last night…I have mixed feelings about it
Gavin: I’ve pretty much decided to join you all with Kristin Lavransdatter…it gives me a good excuse to finally read this door stopper! Glad to see you’ll be joining the Read-A-thon this year…it is so much fun!
El Fay: I must admit to being intimidated by 2666! I probably should have read it with the group. I’ll be joining you with Undset’s tome (my arm is aching from all the twisting *smiles*) Re: Amazon reviews…I have never posted there, and I get annoyed at what seems to be friends of the authors leaving glowing reviews. I don’t trust Amazon reviews anymore. But, that said, I think the book bloggers give a balanced view of a novel (for the most part)…which is why I can’t understand the FTC coming down on us. Oh well…time will show us where it all will lead.
Richard: My pleasure sharing your read-a-long with my readers
And yes, as I mentioned to El Fay, I’ve decided to join you all…but probably won’t start until the end of the month. Looking forward to the discussion!
I am having a really hard time picking reading material lately! There is just so much I want to read! Good luck having a successful reading month in October!
Kailana: I know what you mean…I have stacks of awesome looking books…this is when I wish I was a speed reader!