WHAT MAKES A GOOD REVIEW?

When I was back in school, we were given the task of writing a review for a TV programme we liked. My review then was pretty poor, and got some bad feedback from the teacher. Sadly I doubt my review writing skills have improved much since then.

As there so many great book bloggers and book reviewers, I thought it would be good to get some advice on what to cover in a review. I would look at some of the following areas as a starting point:

* General Information: Title, author, copyright date, publisher, and genre.

* Plot summary

* Themes/issues explored

* Characters

* Style

* Star rating, and my reasoning behind the decision.

Are there other things you like to read in a review, or areas I have missed out?

PLOT SUSPENSE

I recently read a book where I could already guess what would happen at the end and who the ‘bad guy’ was, long before the actually end of the story. At first I felt triumphant at my cleverness (apologies for my lack of modesty), but then felt quite perturbed that the second half of the book held no new revelations for me.

As it the mystery and suspense in a storyline that helps keep us reading, I started thinking...

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT A BOOK WHEN YOU CAN GUESS

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END?

From the point of view of the writer, should there be more twists and turns etc to stop the reader from guessing exactly what will happen?

Thoughts please...

BOOK BLOGGER HOP

This week I decided I should catch up on some old series' that I never got around to reading before ... The Night World series by LJ Smith and The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine. So I've just finished reading 'Book Two: The Dead Girls' Dance' and started reading 'Volume 2: Dark Angel, The Chosen and Soulmate'. I still haven't figured out whether I actually like The Morganville Vampires series. I don't know why exactly, but there's nothing that really makes me want to keep reading the series. Maybe I don't feel that much attachment to the main character Claire....anyone else love the series, or not that bothered by it?

I'm excited about another book I've got... 'Metamorphosis' by Ola Laniyan-Amoako. I've looked it up on Goodreads but as of yet there aren't any reviews, ratings or even a synopsis. It's nice to find a book that hasn't been splashed on every blog, so I won't have formed an expectation of it before I even read it. So I figure I will review it and be the first to post on Goodreads :)


And finally over to this week's Book Blogger Hop - which is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-For-Books.

The Hop is a fantastic way to find other cool blogs that you didn't know about before, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! If you want to join, visit Jenn at Crazy-for-Books!!

This week's question comes from Angela at 'Library Book Reads':

"WHAT IS THE THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT READING BOOK BLOGS?

IS IT THE REVIEWS, AUTHOR GUEST POSTS, ARTICLES, GIVEAWAYS,

OR SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY?"

Ok, I finally have to admit...I often skip over reviews without reading the whole thing. I know I should be getting an idea of whether the book sounds like something I would want to read and judge whether I should go buy it, but at the same time I don't want to be influenced by others' ideas on books. I don't mind reading the review after I've read the book, to see what others think then. Sounds silly, I know, but what can I say.... But what I really like is seeing what books are coming up, finding out more about the lovely bloggers themselves and finding out about other peoples' own writing experiences. Ok, giveaways are great too - but they're just aren't enough open to the UK!

What do you like reading about on other book blogs?

VAMPIRE BOOK CLUB GIVEAWAY

Unfortunately I can't take part, as I don't live in Canada/US, but if you do, hop on over to the Vampire Book Club blog here to WIN A SIGNED COPY OF PARANORMALCY.

In Paranormalcy, Evie’s best friend is a mermaid. To enter the competition for a signed copy of Paranormalcy, leave a comment on their blog answering the question: If you could have any paranormal creature as a best friend, what would it be?

That's actually a really hard question...I might get jealous of a best friend with paranormal powers, if I didn't also have some ;)

WHAT KIND OF BEST FRIEND WOULD YOU PICK?

2011 DEBUT AUTHOR CHALLENGE

Normally I pick up books quite randomly from the library, without really focusing on who/what I'm reading: I simply enjoy reading. But for 2011 I've decided to treat myself by buying myself a book every month. (This might seem a ridiculously small amount of books, but as I have so little money at the moment this really is a big treat for me!) Each of these books will be a YA book written by a debut author, and which I will review. The reason....

'The Story Siren' is hosting the 2011 Debut Author Challenge, and I will be taking part. All you have to do is read 12 YA/MG books by authors that are debuting in 2011, and you can take part in it whether or not you have a blog. If you want more information or to find out how to sign up then go here. 

So far, my planned books for the year are:

January: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White [Review here]

February: The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney 

March: TBC

April: Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton 

May: TBC 

June: TBC 

July: TBC 

August: TBC 

September: TBC 

October: TBC 

November: TBC 

December: TBC

I'll be updating my side bar as I figure out which books I will be reading each month.

Is anyone else taking part, or do you have any suggestions for debut authors?

BOOK BLOGGER HOP

So this week's Book Blogger Hop question is....

"SINCE THANKSGIVING IS COMING UP NEXT WEEK, LET'S USE THIS HOP TO SHARE WHAT WE ARE MOST THANKFUL FOR AND WHAT OUR HOLIDAY TRADITIONS ARE!"

Even though we don't celebrate Thanksgiving over here in the UK, I think it's always nice to think about what we are grateful for. For me, its family. Unfortunately I don't get to see them that often, as they live in Cardiff, Wales. Its only 3-4 hours drive away from London, but the petrol costs and toll bridge make it ridiculously expensive to travel there often. My sister has a two year old boy, who changes everytime I see him. I just wish I could see more of him!

Family are always there for you, no matter what silly things you do! And when you come home after a long drive, they're always there with hugs and food!

If you haven't joined or seen the hop, pop on over to Jennifer at 'Crazy-for-Books'.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving everyone, no matter where you are. x

NANOWRIMO 2010

As we are exactly half way through November, I wondered how many people have taken up the 'NaNoWriMo' writing challenge? 

NaNoWriMo is a writing challenge, to write a 50,000 word novel during November. It doesn't focus on the quality of the writing, rather the quantity - prompting those to take part to write and write and write! The idea is to take risks and give yourself permission to make mistakes. There's a forum for everyone taking part to share ideas, progress and frustrations.

It sounds like a great motivator to try and 'pump' out a first draft of a novel, but unfortunately I'm ridiculously busy in work to be able to do it this year.

If you are doing it, how are you finding it? Is it hard work or a good motivator?

IS SUBJECTIVE TEACHING RIGHT?

So six weeks ago I started a nine week creative writing course. Every Thursday evening I go along and  our small group looks at different topics to do with creative writing (such as plot, character etc - when I've finished the whole course I will post a summary blog covering interesting things I've picked up).

On our first session, everyone in the group shared the different genres they are interested in writing and work they've started. When it came to my turn, I described the types of books I enjoy starting with YA. My tutor immediately said, "Oh you're not into all this vampire stuff, are you? I can't stand it." Straight away, I felt my interests were demeaned and seen as a 'lower' form of writing. And probably only because of its current popularity.

During the last session we looked at some typical plot scenarios, and ended up discussing whether new stories can be original. The tutor chose the example of vampire novels to say how these plots and stories and just re-hashed over and over.

I would certainly disagree, having just read 'Of Saints and Shadows' (Shadow Saga #1) by Christopher Golden.  This takes a different angle to the vampire theory and has some unexpected twists at the end. (A fair amount of graphic violence, but a good read!)

Now surely there are a number of different genres that could be said to be 're-hashed', such as romance or crime - a crime's committed, a detective investigates, crime is solved...

I felt that he was picking on vampire stories because of his own particular dislike for them.

Since that first session, I haven't been able to feel comfortable reading out any of my work, or even felt able to like my tutor. Even though he has said we can give him some of our own writing to critique, I don't want to, because how can I trust that his own biases won't influence his feedback...?

I'm wondering whether I'm taking it all a bit too personally (which admittedly I often do), or am I right in feeling aggrieved at my tutor for imposing his own subjective view on which genres are better than others?

Do you think that a tutor of a creative writing class should be able to

express his own personal likes and dislikes of genres,

or do you think he should remain impartial in order not to

offend his students own writing preferences.

Thoughts please!

BOOK BLOGGER HOP

Hello friends, I'm going to be good this week and blog. I was a happy bunny coming home today, as I had a lovely lovely letter from my new penpal BC at 'A Fairy's Playground'. I'm really glad to have BC as my new writer friend, and I can't wait to get to know her some more :)

So over to this week's Book Blogger Hop - which is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer at 'Crazy For Books'.

The Hop is a fantastic way to get your blog noticed more and visit some other cool blogs that you didn't know about before, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! If you want to join, visit Jenn at Crazy-for-Books!!

This week's question comes from Cristina at 'The Paperback Princesses':

"IF YOU FIND A BOOK THAT LOOKS INTERESTINGBUT IS PART OF A SERIES,
DO YOU ALWAYS START WITH THE FIRST TITLE?"

Hmmm, well it's definitely annoying to read a book and have lots of hints to a background story you know nothing of. But as my book budget at the moment is £0, I'm back to borrowing from libraries. Unfortunately they seem to love stocking the 2nd or 3rd or 4th in a series. Never the first. Why?! Well, today I actually stood in the library for a good few minutes debating whether to get Kat Richardson's 'Labyrinth', which is 5th in the 'Greywalker' series. Do you think they have the earlier ones in the series....of course not - that's too easy. So after much internal debating, and at the risk of looking like I was lost amongst the three short aisles, I decided that yes I would get it. If I like it then I'll definitely read the earlier books in the series. Its just a shame that I'll know what happens in the very end. I can only hope Kat Richardson writes a sixth book, and leaves me something to look forward to ;)

REVIEW: THE AFFINITY BRIDGE

Apologies my dear friends for being so absent and neglectful of my blog. Work has been busy (I'm really hoping to win the lottery so I can quit and spend more time writing!) and I started my creative writing course which is bringing up lots of ideas but sadly no secrets on how to write the perfect book ;)

I've still been reading away...and this is the latest, which I couldn't help but pick up what with its steampunk feel. Even though it was published a few years ago I'm going to review it anyway. So here we are....

The Affinity Bridge

Author: George Mann
UK Publisher: Snowbooks
UK Release date: 2008
Genre: Steampunk, science fiction

Summary (from Goodreads): Welcome to the bizarre and dangerous world of Victorian London, a city teetering on the edge of revolution. Its people are ushering in a new era of technology, dazzled each day by new inventions. Airships soar in the skies over the city, whilst ground trains rumble through the streets and clockwork automatons are programmed to carry out menial tasks in the offices of lawyers, policemen and journalists. But beneath this shiny veneer of progress lurks a sinister side. For this is also a world where ghostly policemen haunt the fog-laden alleyways of Whitechapel, where cadavers can rise from the dead and where Sir Maurice Newbury, Gentleman Investigator for the Crown, works tirelessly to protect the Empire from her foes.

... Once again, I picked up the book based on its cover. Well, old habits die hard. I love the idea of Victorian London, which the book certainly built up with a steampunk feel - cue the laudanum addiction, airships, and horse drawn carriages. We follow the main characters, Sir Maurice and Miss Hobbes, as they investigate an airship crash where all the passengers had been tied to their seats and the pilot was missing. Some of the ideas are a little stereotypical and cliche, but I still liked it.

The plot moves very quickly keeping you on the edge of your seat, albeit wondering how one man can take quite so much physical abuse whilst the chief of police comes out completely unscathed. There were a number of twists and turns in the story as well as a final twist in the epilogue, however some parts of the ending felt a little forced trying to tie up all the loose ends and numerous subplots.

Despite its minor flaws, I'm a very forgiving reader and would definitely read the others in the series.

Rating: 4*

NEW 'FOREVER' COVER ART

Thanks to 'Down the Rabbit Hole', I discovered that the new cover for Maggie Stiefvater's book 'Forever' has been unveiled. And it looks so cool. Well, this is the US version anyway.

I don't imagine the UK cover art will be quite as cool, but I'm still looking forward to it coming out.

What do you think of the new cover?

WARNING: RANT AHEAD

Well, I finally posted off my short story submission. With barely a whisker of time to spare. I admit I would have liked to have sent off two stories, or at least spent a lot more time on the story I did send off. It was probably more rushed that it should have been.

* Warning: rant ahead... I'm struggling working full-time, and then coming home and motivating myself to write, when I really just want to sleep. With the school term started again, my job's getting more stressful trying to organise so many events. With all the budget cuts, it means I've got to take on more work. At the moment I'm organising at least 11 different events, one of which is a one day a week-14 week programme for disengaged young people. Now my boss has suggested setting up work experience placements for 20 young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties, which is no mean feat making sure it works! Unfortunately I don't think this job will let me have the energy to write in the evenings. Sometimes I go to bed worrying about my job. Normally I read loads as well, but I've been too tired to read much either. Eek.

I'm not sure this is a good enough 'excuse'. I'm sure if I worked part-time or not at all, there would be another reason for me being rubbish at getting writing done. I just really need to pick up my motivation and get going again. Hopefully the short writing course I'll be going to will help me feel more confident about my work.

I just finished Shiver, so will let you know my thoughts next time. Definitely good though!

Despite my rant about not being motivated to write, I would still like one or two pen pals. I used to have one when I was younger which I really liked. She used to send me little gifts, and I want to pay these little favours on to someone else. Plus I have so much cute stationery I want someone to send it to! PM me if you're also looking for a penpal!! (Just because I wanted to post a pic...here's some of my lovely stationery!!)

SHORT STORY COMPETITION

Sorry I haven't posted for so long...it's been my first week back at work after my holiday, so it feels like I've had some sort of mental trauma and exhaustion.

During my holidays, I started writing a short story based on 'Departures' for a competition on 'Mslexia'. I really must spend tomorrow finishing this so I can send it off in time. I'm not expecting to win the competition. Its not that I'm pessimistic, just more realistic. Its only my second short story since school (which was 10 years ago, eek!). But it was good to have a focus and theme for a story, and with this one I didn't plan it at all, I just improvised as I went along. I guess you could say I was a 'pantser', is that right?

I was also a good girl and did some exercise...me and my partner Dani cycled round Hampstead Heath in London.... (it kind of makes up for all the biscuits I scoffed!)

Now I'm reading Shiver, which is interesting. I really like the little details, like the temperature for each new chapter. I'm going shopping this afternoon, and I think I sadly must avoid buying too many books, because I just can't afford to buy more and more and more. :( I will definitely have to set myself up properly on a bookswap! Does anyone else bookswap? Would you recommend it? Or do you just buy all your lovely new books?

Over and out, for now, hehe!

THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP

In order to find more book bloggers, I've decided to join The Book Blogger Hop. It is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer at Crazy For Books.

The Hop is a fantastic way to get your blog noticed more and visit some other cool blogs that you didn't know about before, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! If you want to join, visit Jenn at 'Crazy-for-Books'!!

This week's question is:

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Absolutely yes! Aesthetics are important...it's like food. Food should look good as well as taste good. Who doesn't fall in love with a gorgeously decadent french pastry while its still sat in the shop window?! Whilst a beautiful cover won't guarantee a good read (we all know the saying), it can certainly help you decide which book to read next. In most cases you will pick up the general feel of the book through the cover. You know if it's going to be a feel good summery book, or a dark thriller. If I'm in the mood for something that will give me a bit of a scare, I'm not going to pick up something all pink and flowery. A good cover draws you in, makes you want to find out more. Its the start of pulling you in. The start of the journey. It can be the start of a beautiful piece of work.

Here are some gorgeous starts to a book...

* Paranormalcy

* Fallen

* Matched

* Nevermore

What about you? What are your favourite covers?

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Starting my own blog, and reading everyone else's has made me realise that I'm way behind on my reading. Bad me. A while back I was spending far too much money on books, so I had to try and kick the habit for a while. Meaning that I had to get my books from my local library, which sadly isn't very well stocked or organised. I've found different books from the Morganville Vampire series in three completely different sections of the library. And for some reason the first book in any series always seems to be missing!?! Its a mission just trying to find what I want! I'm only just reading Shiver (let alone Linger), Fallen, The Vampire Academy series and so on... I really need to catch up on what I've been missing.

So this is what I think I should start with:

* The rest of Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series

* The Hunger Games

* The Vampire Diaries

* Paranormalcy

* Clockwork Angel

Let me know what books would you recommend within the YA/paranormal romance/Urban Fantasy genre?

What are your favourite books?

What are you reading at the moment? ....