Echo

I guess it's just the attacks that don't seem reasonable that bother me. When I write a review of a book that I hated, I still don't blast the book and use foul language. I give very clear reasons why the book wasn't for me, but I don't get overly emotional about it. But the books that I love stay with me forever. I grew up kind of lonely, and I remember my favorite books as I would old friends...they were all I had. That attitude toward books has stayed with me, and I know I'm not alone there. I guess I just don't see any reason to use such insulting language when reviewing a book. I don't use it when I review books I didn't enjoy...it just doesn't seem necessary and if feels disrespectful, like I'd be not only insulting the book, but its readers. Well, I did write a review like that once because the reading experience was so horrendous for me...I was ANGRY when I finished the book, it was so bad! LOL! I still didn't use profanity, though.

Thanks, Andy! I'll probably either start with Cloud Atlas or Black Swan Green, depending on my reading mood at the time. Sometimes I really want something unusual (I just read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas...I've had my fill of LSD hallucinations for awhile...), and sometimes I want something that's easier to get into. I'll pop by my used bookstore to see if they have copies of both.

I'd like to add my review of this book: Date of Publication: 1935 Number of Pages: 184 Synopsis (from back cover): A is for Mrs. Ascher - fatally attacked in Andover. B is for Betty Barnard - strangled on the beach in Bexhill. C is for Sir Carmichael Clarke - now a corpse in Churston. If nothing else, the murderer knew is ABCs. But the alphabetical assassin would need to know more that that to outwit the world

This is an author I am interested in trying out. To those of you who have read his books (particularly you, Andy...you seem like a big fan!), with which book should I start? What do you suggest?

I think one thing to always keep in mind is that book lovers often look upon their favorite books as friends or companions. We often have an emotional attachment to our books. I know how weirdly irrational that sounds, but it's true. I am one of those crazy bookworms who hates to see their favorite books get blasted by someone else, and if the person criticizing it is using strong language or even profanity, I feel like it's one of my friends being horribly insulted. I'm not saying this is a rational response, but emotions are rarely rational and it's always a good idea to see where someone else may be coming from. I am trying to control myself in this regard, though. The last thing I want to do is pounce on someone for simply speaking their mind! But a little sensitivity is never a bad thing, either.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum, vampirebloom!

Good point. What if you do know the author? But shouldn't an author realize that bad reviews are part of being a published author? I don't think that a constructive, respectful, and critical review is an insult to a writer. And prospero - you should definitely feel free to be honest on your own blog! It's your space...write what you want! Be as critical as you want!

Oh, yes, I do feel guilty!! I mean, they took the time and expense to send out the book, so I feel obligated to finish it. I will definitely write a review, and send along a note to the publisher. I'm sorry for not having done it already!

I review pretty much everything I read. But I also seem to enjoy almost everything I read, so most of my reviews are positive. I've been reading so long, that I no longer bother finishing books I'm not enjoying. I try to make an effort, especially if it's a book sent from a publisher, but if I'm having troubles with it, I'll give it up and read something else. But I don't think that it makes my reviews less reliable! Also, from seeing the comments from people on the blog, and on many people's reviews blogs, there are still a ton of people who appreciate our reviews. I always check the reviews on Amazon before I order anything. Let's keep reviewing! It's definitely worth it!

Welcome to the forum!!

LOL! Davenport has some interesting taste in music! I had no idea there was anything like that. I think John Sandford (his real name is John Camp) started out as a crime reporter for a major Minneapolis newspaper. I'll be that gave him some amazing insights into the true crime atmosphere of his city, which he brings to life so well!

Welcome to the forum! I also love Rebecca, and adore the film version. Have you seen it?

Lucas Davenport was my runner-up for the top spot. I love how he's not totally a nice person, although he's certainly mellowed out lately, huh? I haven't read the last two in the series yet...Invisible Prey has been on my TBR list for months, after I got it for my birthday last year.

I'm a huge fan of thrillers, mysteries, and horror novels. There are many heroes who have become favorites of mine, but there is one that has always stood out for me...luckily, he's featured in a series, so there's always new books coming out! So, my favorite crime fighter is FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast from the series that started with The Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. They've decided to focus the entire series on him, but many of the other characters from the first book pop up quite often, including the gruff New York detective Vincent D'Agosta. There are so many things about Pendergast that are unusual, and these are the things that make him special: he's brilliant (of course), polite (he's from an old, Southern family), willing to break rules, wealthy (he does his crime fighting in a vintage Rolls Royce), and a master of all martial arts, weapons, philosophies, and has an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind. After all, his brother Diogenes is a dangerous psychopath! So, who is your favorite detective or crime fighter? Or, do you prefer the villains?

We have two, very old volumes of this. My boyfriend (our old-book collector) said that it's OK if I read them, if I take the covers off. The covers are kind of falling apart. I never saw the movie, or I saw it so long ago that I can't remember. I used to watch Riki-Tiki-Tavi all the time. But I wonder how not seeing the Disney movie will affect my reading of the book. I hope I actually enjoy it even more!

That's probably what we'll have tonight, madcow. My boyfriend has been craving Chinese food!

Oh, that's too bad! I have a copy of Dombey and Son that is missing about 70 pages..instead, it repeats the revious 70 pages. I think you should be able to get a new book.

I'm sorry...can't help it... Is it only American film audiences? Notes on a Scandal was a UK production.