This year has been a difficult one so far. Blogging has been rather sporadic for me due to my earlier unexpected medical episode and then the "race" to catch up in all areas of life after that. I'm beginning to feel a little more in control of my time now. Hope it lasts for awhile!
To celebrate, I've spent some extra time in the last week or so doing some blog maintenance and writing some book reviews. I was delighted to see that I wasn't the only one feeling the need to give my blog some attention and do some writing. Natasha at Maw Books Blog hosted Bloggiesta! last weekend. I wasn't quite up to full participation, so I joined in unofficially. I was able to clean up my tags (labels) a bit and also added a social bookmarking button to my posts template. I've got a list of other things I'd like to improve/change, but it felt good to get this much done.
I've written six book reviews in the last two weeks. I haven't been terribly prolific in this area, so three per week is quite good for me. Not sure that I'll keep up THAT pace, but I would like to be more disciplined about writing reviews. Soooo ... one of the things I will be trying to do is to write a review immediately after finishing a book instead of jumping right into reading another. Anyone else have this tendency?? I know I'm not alone!
Books reviewed in the last two weeks (links are to my reviews):
Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
In the Company of Ogres by A. Lee Martinez
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Seldom Disappointed: A Memoir by Tony Hillerman
A Nameless Witch by A. Lee Martinez
Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey
The books I completed for Carl V.'s Once Upon a Time Challenge still need reviewed and are patiently waiting for me on my desk. Still to come:
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Even with all of these reviews to write, I'm still reading! On my "nightstand" now:
Gilead by Marilynne RobinsonThis is for the Battle of the Prizes challenge hosted by Rose City Reader. It is beautifully written with much to think about.
Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa PearceI'm reading this one because so many of you have recently written about this charming book and I want to be charmed!
Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin ThubronEva at A Striped Armchair vlogged about this book recently and it sounded fantastic. I'm also starting up something new on the library blog at work. I will be functioning as the editor for book reviews submitted to the library by our faculty and students. So far I've got one student lined up and several faculty. Not bad for the summer when there aren't many people around campus. I will also be contributing reviews and thought that this book would work well for one of my own submissions.
Read about the Sunday Salon and find out how to join by going here.
I hope things continue to get better for you, Terri. It has been a rocky year, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe Bloggiesta was a great idea. I didn't participate, but it was hard not to catch some of the fever. I need to do some additional cleaning up--thought I might today, but it doesn't look like it will work out. I'm sure I'll get to it soon enough.
That's neat that you'll be editing reviews for the library blog!
I hope you have a great week, Terri!
I hope the rest of the year goes smoothly for you. If I don't review a book within a week of reading it, I won't review it. Tom's Midnight Garden is on my TBR list. Happy reading and have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI completely sympathise with health problems. :/ Can't wait to see what you think about Shadow of the Silk Road!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you've had a bumpy start to the year - I hope things continue to improve for you in the second half of the year.
ReplyDeleteI always try to write my book reviews straight after finishing the book. I find it much easier that way, as even a few days later I find I have forgotten a lot of things about some books. Good luck with keeping up with your review writing!
I'm sorry your year has been difficult, Terri :( I hope you continue to feel better and more in control of your time.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also hope Tom's Midnight Garden charms you as much as it did me!