Category: book reviewing

My Self-Inflicted Reading Challenge

book reviewing / musings / recreational reading

My Self-Inflicted Reading Challenge

At Christmas time as I was scanning my bookshelves, I made a decision. James Clavelle was taking up about 12 inches with his epic series which includes Shogun, Tai Pai, Gai Jin, King Rat, Noble House and Whirlwind. It was time to try to make my way through his 6,000 pages OR pass the books on to someone who might be up to the challenge. I decided to go for it. I’ll read about 20 pages a day and see what happens. By January 19th, I’d reached the half way point in Shogun. So far it’s felt like everyone has...

Book Lists and Reviews, Oh My!!

an activity / book reviewing / musings

Book Lists and Reviews, Oh My!!

By now you’ve probably spotted the plethora of 2018 published book lists: NYTimes, Great American Read and from the major book sellers. It’s an invigorating time for authors who place their books out with the millions of books printed each year in the US, when they receive support from readers in the form of reviews and/or forwarding of titles to friends and followers in social media. Writing a book is an act of devotion to characters and subjects dear to an author’s heart. It’s months and maybe years of time spent with ideas, critiques, rewrites, and marketing with the goal...

Tasman Review Winner

book reviewing / random drawing / Tasman

Tasman Review Winner

It’s always fun to read what readers think about the books they read, especially when they share their views about my books with me. Last Sunday I drew the third quarter winner of a $20 VISA card. The winner is Karen Bruck, a retired teacher, book clubber, community good neighbor and a Stephen Ministry lay person. She has faithfully written reviews and supported by other publications and I appreciate her taking the time to write a review of Tasman: An Innocent Convict’s Struggle for Freedom. Knowing her thoughts and your thoughts help me as I look forward to future writings....

Refugee Book List

book lists / book reviewing / reader suggestions

Refugee Book List

When I was leaving my recent interview with Mary Kay at the Edmonds Bookshop I stopped to survey the front window. Michelle Bear, assistant manager of the bookshop, had arranged a display of books on refugees from around the world. I hurried back inside and asked her if that list would appear on the Edmonds Bookshop website http://www.edmondsbookshop.com Michelle assured me it could. Two days later she sent me the entire list which I have permission to reprint for your perusal. Thanks, Michelle! the display invited me to read outside my usual genres and was a timely topic. I hope...

10 Word Book Reviews

book reviewing / Challenge / random drawing

10 Word Book Reviews

Question: Can anyone write meaning-filled,10-word reviews? The tenwordreviews.com  shares several brief, positive reviews, including these 4: **Swan Stories: Fairy Tales Retold – edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling        Stories like chips: you can’t stop after one. Good selection. **In Real Life by Cory Doctorow      Morals exist online and off; both define you. Graphic, powerful.  **The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden      Gorgeous Russian folklore blends with superstition, magic, and horror. Magnificent. **Real is the Word They Use to Contain Us: Poems by Noah Wareness      Haunting poems, stories regarding the effects of Velveteen Rabbit’s realness.   My answer: Here...

And the Winner Is…

book reviewing / Challenge / giveaway / random drawing

And the Winner Is…

The 1st random drawing of people who have written Tasman reviews and/or recently subscribed to my writing blog is complete. The winner is Gretchen H. who is an avid writer, reader, and freelance editor. Read her review and others when you look up: Paddy Eger in books (on Amazon). Thank you to all who have written reviews and those who now subscribe to this writing blog. Your name will remain entered for all future random drawings for each step you’ve taken to support my writing in this wide world of books and authors. A reminder for those yet to participate:...

Tasman Background – On the Ship

adventure novel / book reviewing / giveaway / story background / Tasman

Tasman Background – On the Ship

  Work on board a ship was unending. Since sailing required 24-hour attention, the crew worked long shifts. Bells signaled each hour and their shifts. Workers who didn’t perform their duties were often punished by being beaten and/or having their rations cut. Off-shift sailors took to different ways to use their time. Many played cards and brawled. Others created scrimshaw items to sell. They used knives and carved animal-shapes or intricate designs into bones. Once in a harbor, they sold them to earn money for drinking in grog shops or to buy products while ashore. In addition to manning the...

5 Easy Ways to Help Authors – Part Two

book reviewing / reader suggestions

5 Easy Ways to Help Authors – Part Two

Here are 5 more ways to let authors know when you enjoy their writings: Suggest places where the book would fit into groups, organizations, etc. Pass out author information (bookmarks, brochures, reviews) to appropriate waiting rooms. Buy and send the book to a friend outside your local area. Host a book party for the author/for the book. Blog and talk about the book with your friends.

5 Easy Ways to Help an Author – Part One

book reviewing / reader suggestions

5 Easy Ways to Help an Author – Part One

Have favorite authors? Want to support their writing? Try these ideas:                               Buy and read their book and encourage friends and book groups to read it. Invite the author to speak at your group (live, Skype, etc.) Write a brief review on social media, Amazon, Goodreads, etc. Let the author know what you enjoyed about the story. Recommend the book to appropriate local bookstores, groups, clubs, libraries.

How to Review a Book in 10 Minutes

book reviewing / Challenge / musings / reader suggestions

How to Review a Book in 10 Minutes

Read a good book lately? A new one? One you shared with a friend? Good! I know your friends appreciate hearing about books, but so do the authors of the books you read. You can write a review faster than you can finish reading the rest of this blog!!   What makes a good review? A good review shares your impressions; what you liked about the story and the characters.  How long will it take to write? Budget 5-7 minutes. (You may use the same review on several social media locations.)  How much do I need to write? K.I.S.S –...