pontalba

I agree that positive reinforcement is important, but if that's all we give how can that help the aspiring writer to become better? If we give constructive criticism in a kind manner I think that would be the best. It does, true enough. Absolutely. Civility is also the best way to get your point across. No one will listen to someone that is berating them. I bet it has to hurt to get a critical review. Here you've poured your heart into something, believed in it, babied it along and someone comes along and is critical of your POV. I wonder though, did you ever respond, or even wish to respond to their criticisms? I think that is the main thrust of the article........do authors respond?, should they respond?, and if so.....in what venue or manner? Or, is it better to simply ignore the criticism? If we ignore negative responses to our work, can or should we respond to positive ones? Where is the line?

Good review, I like the sound of it.

I went and looked yesterday, Sarah, and it wasn't on anymore. But thanks for the heads up, maybe I was just too late.

LOL Yeah, it's definitely one of the best this year!

Your favourite read of the year? The Unvanquished by William Faulkner 5/5, and since no one can eat just one, The Martian by Andy Weir, or maybe Stoner by John Williams.....decisions, decisions, decisions!! Your favourite author of the year? favorite new author Terry Hayes who wrote I Am Pilgrim who should be listed in the above category as well. Old-time favorite, William Faulkner Your most read author of the year? Oddly enough, not a favorite, Blake Crouch, author of the Wayward Pines series. Your favourite book cover of the year? The book you abandoned (if there was more than one, the one you read least of)? ummmmm..... The book that most disappointed you? Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt - It turned into a travelogue of Savanah, Ga. Not the true story of the man I'd hoped for from the synopsis. And I must add for fiction The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan. It turned out to be not as advertised as a poster on Constant Reader made it out to be. It was nothing but a historical soap opera. And not even a particularly interesting one at that. The funniest book of the year? The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion Your favourite literary character this year? Cl-Cl-Clau----Claudius Your favourite children's book this year? N/A Your favourite classic of the year? I suppose that depends on one's definition of "classic". Hmmm Would the Bond books be considered "classic"? I think so, actually. But I have to name Stoner by John Williams as my favorite classic. to me it deserves the classification. Your favourite non-fiction book this year? The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case by Michael A. Ross Your favourite biography this year? Autobio actually, by Robert Vaughn, A Fortunate Life. Your favourite collection of short stories this year? Not finished yet, but I'd say The Polish Boxer by Eduardo Halfon Your favourite poetry collection this year? didn't read a whole collection. Your favourite illustrated book of the year? none read. Your favourite publisher of the year? I don't actually pay attention to the name of the publisher. Your favourite audiobook of the year? Don't listen, they put me to sleep. Your favourite re-read of the year? I, Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves

Love the series, we've watched the first five seasons, but I'm waiting for the sixth to complete, then binge watch. This was our introduction to Alan Cummings. He is marvelous!

It's gone on my Wish List.

I've pulled The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov from the shelf, and am spot reading the short stories. /sigh/ Good stuff.

Oh, only 15 pounds or so....... It's funny how much of that info dump sticks though. It pops out at the oddest times.

I ran across this article, a regular feature of the NYT. The subject being debated this time is the question of whether Authors should respond to their critics/reviewers. The authors, in this case Zoe Heller and James Parker, give their own views on the subject. Makes for interesting and very amusing reading. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/books/review/should-writers-respond-to-their-critics.html?emc=edit_bk_20141219&nl=books&nlid=28874140&_r=0 Some quotes:

Interesting reviews, James! I found something that would fit in with your research....it's a bit pricy, but FYI.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dirty-Old-London-Victorian-Against/dp/0300192053

June, I'm sorry to hear of your SIL's serious problems. It's the waiting that is so difficult. I hope she improves on all fronts. Muggle....do you ever plant the pointsettas in the yard later? My Mother did when I was a child, some actually grew to be huge...until a freeze finally took them. Being New Orleans, that didn't happen much.

I've seen the above stories, incredible tragedies. :(. Hard to imagine in a way, but there it is, "in black and white", so to speak. I see that suddenly Pakistan is able to find the terrorists they were unable to locate before. What a tragedy they didn't do away with them before the loss of those children. . I believe they claimed they couldn't before.

You are very welcome, Gaia! I hope you enjoy them!

Great reviews, Anna. I haven't read Winter's Bone yet, but we saw the movie.....thought it was powerful. Very good. Woodrell's Bayou Trilogy was excellent.

It's a day of rain here as well. But it's to clear for tomorrow and cooler. Right now it is just so damp and chilly.

Ouch...sorry you are having the health problems! And glad the baby is better. I've read some Connie Willis, not my favorite, but I've read two, and abandoned one or two. She's a bit long winded I thought. What a great total of books read this year!! I can't even approach it! Congratulations!

Charles just read the Dershowitz book and liked it, haven't seen the docs you mention though. I'll look it up on Amazon, sounds good. This is my first Lockridge....picked it up at an Estate Sale, I think. It is, ever since I was a teenager. . I took an Ancient History course and fell in love. Marcus Tullius Cicero is my ultimate hero. /blushing/ The pile does change, and is not "written in stone". Heh.

Heh. Yes, one must do one's part. /clearing throat noisily/ This is the current TBR stack next to the sofa.....

Hmmm, sorry to hear you both didn't much care for the latest King. I haven't read a lot of his books, ummmmm....The Stand, of course. 11/22/63, Thinner, The Mist...part of a short story collection. Maybe something else I can't remember. I do have the huge series.....whatsit...unread as of yet. Was going to tackle it this year, but that ain't gonna happen now. /sigh/ Oh, the Tower series....? Anyhow, I have really liked what I've read... Oh....Under the Dome of course.

Thanks, Gaia. I've actually started The Abominable.

Good review, interesting. And, yes, with a combination of two of my favorite actors, the film can't be bad.

I'm pretty sure I read The Yellow Wallpaper some years ago....I'll have to find and (re)read it! Great reviews all around.

I've started The Abominable by Dan Simmons. Great introduction, and interesting style in the story itself.

It is an intense read, for sure. The history the author wrote in is fascinating as well. And, another interesting tidbit....sort of on topic, but not exactly. I happened to see this article this morning. The pictures in the article are both gorgeous and priceless! Japan's Ocean Spiral proposed as giant underwater city http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/14/business/underwater-city-japan/index.html And, in searching for the article again, just now, I found this one from the Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/20/ocean-spiral-japan-underwater-city Perhaps in some of our lifetimes. /fingers crossed/ I'd love to see this come to pass.