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Kell

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    Steps for writing a good book review

    in General Fiction

    Posted

    I have to admit, I don't really follow any set format myself, but when I first started writing reviews (way back in high school) for books, we had a prescribed format & I found it helped to get me started. Now, I tend to go with the flow - whatever comes out, comes out, but if you've never written a review before, it can be a daunting task to be faced with.

     

    Glad you liked it - there are loads of various guides online, but I rather liked the simplicity of this one. :D

    Dan Brown - Digital Fortress

    in Crime / Mystery / Thriller

    Posted

    Author: Dan Brown

    ISBN # 0552151696

    Publisher: Corgi

    1st Published: 1998

     

    Wherever there are codes, there are code-breakers, & to be a good code-breaker, you need to have an understanding of code-writing or cryptography. The NSA employs the best of the best & they have built the ultimate code-breaking machine

    Sylvia Plath - Bell Jar

    in General Fiction

    Posted

    I've never read any Plath, but that sounds rather interesting. I might have to look it out.

     

    To Kill a Mocking Bird is one of those books I've always meant to read & never quite gotten round to yet. I will one of these days... I loved that movie (I think it was Gregory Peck if I remember correctly) & every time I see it I think to myself "I really must get hold of the book." One of these days...

    Judge a book by its cover

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted

    There are certain author's who I eagerly await for the publication of their next book (Pratchett, Christopher Brookmyre, Kelley Armstrong) & I snap them up as soon as possible after they hit the shelves.

     

    There are other authors I don't buy every single one, trust to offer up something pretty good & I know there's an excellent chance I'll like what they've got, so i'll gravitate towards their section (Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert).

     

    There are genres I tend towards, so I'll also head in their direction (fantasy, horror, thriller).

     

    Other than that, I'll sometimes go for something that's been recommended to me, or I'll wander round the shelves looking for a cover or title that grabs my attention. Then I'll read the blurb on the back. If it still looks interesting, I'll buy it (or borrow it from the library, if that's where I am, but mostly buy).

     

    I'll admit there are some covers which I find particularly off-putting - the original covers on the Pratchett Discworld series are hideous (I can't stand those horrid, gnomish-looking creatures on the front - they're just ugly to look at), but his later covers are much more attractive & either way, I know the content will send my heart & mind soaring (so I just don't look at the nasty covers - LOL!).

     

    Our branch of Ottacker's is particularly good as they seem to actively encourage their customers to spend time flicking through books while in a comfy seat or having a coffee, so I can spend an entire Saturday morning or afternoon in there, taking my time over my purchases.There's also always someone on hand to help if you need to do a search for something specific, but they'll never bother you needlessly - they just let you get on with it - bliss!

    Marcus Sedgwick - The Book of Dead Days

    in Children's / Young Adult

    Posted

    Author: Marcus Sedgwick

    ISBN # 1842552678

    Publisher: Dolphin paperbacks

    1st published: 2003

     

    There is a time when all is not as it seems; when anything can & does happen: These are the Dead Days, the days that fall between Christmas & New Year, that dark, cold time when even the impossible may come to pass. It is during this time that Boy, an orphaned assistant to a magician called Valerian, must hunt high & low for a mysterious book that will avert catastrophe. Assisted by a girl called Willow, Boy must make an appointment with destiny & uncover the secrets of his past

    Steps for writing a good book review

    in General Fiction

    Posted

    I found this rough "how to" guide online & thought you guys might find it of interest:

     

    Steps for Writing a Good Book Review

    * Introduce the subject, scope, and type of book

    * Identify the book by author, title, and sometimes publishing information.

    * Specify the type of book (for example, fiction, nonfiction, biography, autobiography). Help your readers to review with perspective.

    * Mention the book's theme.

    * Sometimes you will need to include background to enable reader(s) to place the book into a specific context. For example, you might want to describe the general problem the book addresses or earlier work the author or others have done.

     

    Briefly summarize the content

    * For a nonfiction book, provide an overview, including paraphrases and quotations, of the book's thesis and primary supporting points.

    * For a work of fiction, briefly review the story line for readers, being careful not to give away anything that would lessen the suspense for readers.

     

    Provide your reactions to the book

    * Describe the book: Is it interesting, memorable, entertaining, instructive? Why?

    * Respond to the author's opinions: What do you agree with? And why? What do you disagree with? And why?

    * Explore issues the book raises: What possibilities does the book suggest? Explain. What matters does the book leave out? Explain.

    * Relate your argument to other books or authors: Support your argument for or against the author's opinions by bringing in other authors you agree with.

    * Relate the book to larger issues: How did the book affect you? How have your opinions about the topic changed? How is the book related to your own course or personal agenda.

     

    Conclude by summarizing your ideas

    * Close with a direct comment on the book, and tie together issues raised in the review. Briefly restate your main points and your thesis statement if your teacher requires it. If you like, you can offer advice for potential readers.

    Audiobooks?

    in Audiobooks & eBooks

    Posted

    I've listened to a few, but I mainly have radio plays, such as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, or The Lord of the Rings. Dale & I listen to them last thing at night when we're dropping off. The other thing we often listen to is the Blackadder series' which are available on CD & audio cassette. Trouble is, we fall asleep, so we end up having to listen to the same side over & over again unless we know them backwards...

     

    Nah, I like opening a good book & devoting my time to turning the pages - it's very satisfying.

    Cadburys Snaps

    in Food, Cooking & Recipes

    Posted

    I've had the hazlenut snaps & the orange ones too - they're delish!

     

    You often find other countries have never heard of Cadbury's - odd coz their chocolate is So much better than some others I could mention, such as Hersheys (ick!).

     

    When push comes to shove, though, I tend towards Throntons. Mmmmmmm!

    Christopher Brookmyre

    in General Fiction

    Posted

    Has anyone else read any of Brookmyre's stuff? He's a Scottish writer & his books are predominently set in Scotland (mostly in Glasgow) but they're not your usual twee Jock-speak countryside stuff. Nope, you get hard, fast-paced action, crime sprees & a liberal dose of his comedic flair.

     

    I'm lucky enough to have all his books on my shelf & they are regularly re-read. I even have a couple of them signed (due to the thoughtfulness of my lovely hubby who tends to get them done for my birthday & Xmas prezzies).

     

    Just wondered if anyone else here is a fan?

    Terry Pratchett - Where's My Cow?

    in Horror / Fantasy / SF

    Posted

    Author: Terry Pratchett

    Illustrator: Melvyn Grant

    ISBN # 038560937X

     

    This is a book about reading a book, which turns into a different book. But it all ends happily...

     

    Where's My Cow? is dubbed "a picture book for adults" & is a companion book to Pratchett's latest Discworld novel, Thud! (which is high up my "to read very soon" list!). It is an absolute delight to read (it only takes a few minutes, but they're fun minutes) & Grant's illustrations are superb (look carefully in at the background details for a few "in jokes").

     

    An essential addition to any Pratchett collection - especially in homes where there are young 'uns to read it to. So long as you don't mind them shouting "buggrit!" forever after...

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