Michelle's Reading in 2013

[frankie]

I always read your blog (I try to read them all) but I think you tend to read quite a lot of fantasy books so we don't really have many in common.  It's definitely not a reflection on what you post though. 

 

I just wanted to say that like Janet I do read your log, and I try and read everyone's log, but sometimes it's just a matter of different tastes in books, that's all

[~Andrea~]

Me too - I try and read everyone's, even though I don't always comment

[Devi]

Me too - I try and read everyone's, even though I don't always comment

This is me too

 

I try to post now and then so you are aware that I do read your blogs.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Devi

[Michelle]

I've made a decision to pretty much stop reviewing. I'm starting to feel very pressured by the books I have for reviewing, which means I'm not enjoying them, plus I have so many books on my shelves which I'd love to get to. It's a difficult decision, because I've discovered some brilliant books, and love reading the early copies, but overall I think I need to.

 

After a trip to Waterstones yesterday, I started reading Warm Bodies last night, which has gotten off to a great start.

[Karsa Orlong]

I've made a decision to pretty much stop reviewing. I'm starting to feel very pressured by the books I have for reviewing, which means I'm not enjoying them, plus I have so many books on my shelves which I'd love to get to. It's a difficult decision, because I've discovered some brilliant books, and love reading the early copies, but overall I think I need to.

 

 

Must have been a tough decision, Michelle, but I can imagine the weight lifting from your shoulders.  There's nothing worse than feeling that you have to do something and ending up not enjoying it as a result

[Michelle]

It is mainly relief, but I also feel I'm losing something. I've been in touch with some lovely authors and publishers, but hopefully I can keep some of that going. I've read some early copies recently which I will continue to promote, and if I get sent a brill looking book, I may still review it. But, anything I do do will be on my terms, without the pressure. I want to go back to reading what I want, when I want.

[chesilbeach]

It sounds like you've made the right decision, Michelle.  Unless you're working in the industry as an editor or a journalist reviewing books, or perhaps studying literature, reading is meant to be a hobby and there's nothing worse than feeling pressurised to do something that you used to enjoy, forcing it to become a chore.  You never know, in a year of so, you might miss it and want to go back to reviewing more, but it sounds like, for now, this is right for you.

 

Happy reading!

Edited June 8, 2013 by chesilbeach

[Athena]

It sounds like a good decision. I hope you can get to those books on your shelves and that you'll have more fun reading .

[Devi]

I agree with everyone, it sounds like you made the right choice.

[Michelle]

Thanks for the comments. I wish I did work in the industry, but as I don't, I need to make this fun again. I'll still be sharing comments on what I read, and I may write a full review of books I love, but I need the pressure off.

[vodkafan]

Hi Michelle I just caught up . Sounds like a good decision to have a rest for a while from reviewing. Happy reading!

[Michelle]

Being a bit fed up with the younger-orientated BBC Doctor Who books, I bought Who-ology, which has been very interesting. It's full of facts and lists, and it has a mixture of old and new, so it's perfect for someone like me who's discovering some of the old episodes. There's probably not enough in there for hardened fans, but good for the more casual fan such as myself.

 

I then read Warm Bodies over the weekend - I do like it when a book grabs me like that. It's an unusual story of zombies coming back to 'life', but the best part is the dry humour. Frustratingly my copy has the movie cover (I got that one in the hope my daughter would read it, as she loved the film), which has the main character as a teen in casual clothes. In the book however, he wears a suit and tie, and says he could be in his 20s or 30s. I assume they made the film to appeal more to teens, but don't let that put you off the book. 

 

My latest audio is definitely a teen book, but in a way that was quite refreshing. In Life As We Knew It, an asteroid has knocked into the moon, pushing it off course. This results in tsunami's, earthquakes etc, which almost causes the end of the world. It's told through the diary of 15 year old teen, and it does have a level of innocence about it. There are no armed robberies etc, but rather the main concern is food and warmth. She also talks about the relationship with her family - they end up really close, which I'm not sure would happen if you lived on top of each other!

 

It does make you think though, of how quickly the world could become unstable, and how important resources could be. This is apparently the first in a trilogy (as are most books these days!) and from reviews, it looks as if the 2nd, which tells of the same events happening to someone else, is harsher, so I will probably get that one soon.

 

(And already I feel happier just jotting down my thoughts, and not composing a full review. )

[nursenblack]

Glad to hear to someone has read Life As We Knew It and liked it because it is sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.  I'll have to bump it up on my tbr pile.

[Nollaig]

For what its worth Michelle I think you're making the right decision too, it's the same reason I stepped down from the things I did. No point if it's more pressure than fun.

 

I read Life As We Knew It last year or the year before - I actually quite enjoyed it, though I never went on and read the other two.

[Athena]

I've wishlisted Life As We Knew It . Nice to read your thoughts, it's great that you're feeling less pressure now .

[Michelle]

Thanks everyone. I started listening to The Dead and Gone last night, which is the companion book to Life As We Knew It, and already it is different - again there's a teen lead, and family is important, but this one is set in New York, and guns have already been mentioned. (Unfortunately I'm not overkeen on the narrator though.)

[Michelle]

I finally managed to get back to Rise of the Governor (Walking Dead), which I really enjoyed. If you watch the series, it's a great back story, but even if you don't, it's a good zombie survival story. I certainly didn't see the 'twist'!

[pontalba]

Thanks for the comments. I wish I did work in the industry, but as I don't, I need to make this fun again. I'll still be sharing comments on what I read, and I may write a full review of books I love, but I need the pressure off.

Making it enjoyable and just plain fun is the way to go Michelle. 

I read reviews, but don't always comment, for different reasons.  But I've enjoyed reading your reviews in any case. 

I hope you will still post thoughts as you find it appropriate. 

[Karsa Orlong]

I finally managed to get back to Rise of the Governor (Walking Dead), which I really enjoyed. If you watch the series, it's a great back story, but even if you don't, it's a good zombie survival story. I certainly didn't see the 'twist'!

 

That's the one that's a novel, rather than a graphic novel, isn't it?  I quite fancy that, good to hear you enjoyed it

 

ETA: currently £1.89 for Kindle.  Hmmm . . .

Edited June 18, 2013 by Karsa Orlong

[Michelle]

It certainly is, and it's an interesting but easy read. Do you watch the show?

[Karsa Orlong]

Yes, I do

[Michelle]

Then I'd definitely read it - it's good to see what happened to him. 

[Michelle]

Just finished a fun little Doctor Who audio called Devil in the Smoke. It actually doesn't have the Doctor in it, but is a story about Madam Vastra, Jenny and Strax. It's read by Dan Starkey (who plays Strax) and he's very good. It could easily be a televised episode, and the humour (mainly from Strax) was just right.

[frankie]

I'm late to this, but that must've been a difficult decision for you, Michelle    But it looks like it was definitely the right one for you. We don't want reading to become a chore, reading's supposed to be fun! And you can always review a book here and a book there, at your own pace, if you so please. It's not like you have to close that door once and for all, and for good.

 

Happy reading

Edited June 26, 2013 by frankie

[Michelle]

If she does read it, it could turn out to be cunningly positive. Since books are invariably different to and better than their film adaptations it may turn on a lightbulb that there's something in this reading lark.

I'm pleased to report that indeed the lightbulb does seemed to have sparked to life! She found herself enjoying the Hunger Games, and rapidly moved onto Catching Fire. She started Mockingjay, but is taking a break. The other bonus was that as some of her friends did their presentations, she has become aware of other books - she has sped through The Fault in Our Stars this week, and has asked me to buy her Geek Girl. 

 

Pleased mum!