A Reader of Fictions

Book Reviews for Just About Every Kind of Book

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Top Ten Bookish Confessions

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Okay, so I was planning to share my ten favorite dystopias with you in a top ten list today for the last Tuesday of Dystopian August, but, you know what, I don't feel like it right now. Also, I really love the topic of today's top ten list, so I'm doing that instead. Deal with it!

1. I haven't read a book that wasn't for review in months and months. I mean, I did get to read a couple of older ones during Dystopian August which was cool, but otherwise not really. I cannot tell you how long it's been since I went to the library, perused the shelves, and checked stuff out.

2. Dystopias generally don't turn out to be my favorites. I figured I needed a confession about dystopias, because, well, duh, right? Anyway, you're probably going 'what the hell, why do dystopian August then?' which I totally get. Here's the thing. I do LOVE reading dystopias and I get HELLA excited every time I hear about a new one. However, I definitely think my average rating for that genre is much lower than fantasy or historical fiction. I'm really picky about them.

3. I am a retelling whore. Seriously, if you base your book on another book, play, movie, etc, I'm going to want to read it. That's just fact. Do you know how many fairy tale retellings there are? I WANT TO READ THEM ALL. Ditto Jane Austen. Heck, I HATED Frankenstein, and I get super excited when I hear about retellings of that. One of my least favorite books is Heart of Darkness and I'd probably still be desperate to get my hands on an ARC of a retelling of that.

4. I used to think audiobooks didn't count as reading. Even when that was the case, I felt like a complete ass for thinking that, but I TOTALLY did. I am now, however, determined to love them. They are so handy for chores! Also, they take longer than reading a book the regular way, so, if anything, they're more work.

5. I read books I know I'm not going to like knowingly. Yeah, yeah, no wonder my ratings are so low. Well, I blame the publishers for having such pretty covers. Also, if you slap the dystopian, post-apocalyptic or retelling label on something, I'm probably going to read it, even if all of the reviewers I trust say the book is basically a turd wrapped in vomit. I am not proud of this.

6. If you don't like to read, I probably won't be friends with you. This may be harsh, but it's totes true. If I'm having a nice conversation with someone and they say they don't like to read, it's basically like the music scratches to a stop in my head. So not cool. Also, I'm pretty sure I could never date someone who didn't read, and I'm talking at least 20 books a year. AT LEAST.

7. One of my pet peeves is people saying they don't have time to read. Sure, there are probably some folks out there that are SO BUSY they legit DON'T have time, but there are way more people who make that claim than people who have no free time. It's not that you don't have time, it's that you don't really think reading is as important as watching tv or whatever, but you don't want to come out and say that. Just own up. You can make time for reading if it's something you love.

8. My mom's taking me for a bookish shopping spree for my birthday. Y'all, I am SO PUMPED about this. As the majority of my birthday presents, my mom is going to take me around to a bunch of local Goodwills and my favorite used bookstore and let me get ALL THE THINGS I WANT. *revels*

9. I don't buy many new books. I can since you all preparing to tar and feather me for being a reviewer who wants physical copies for free but won't spend money on the industry. Well, sorry. Actually, I buy more new books now than I did before I started blogging. I just have always been a really cheap person, the kind that will wait to find a nice quality copy at a used bookstore than going to B&N. I could buy one book for $20 or 10. I just can't choose one book over ten. Sorry. My personal new book purchases are pretty much exclusively limited to getting free shipping on Amazon.

10. I have maxed out my library card. In 2008, I discovered manga when I was interning at a library in Indiana. When I came home, I decided I needed to try every single manga available in my library system here. So I put pretty much all of them on hold at once. For about a month, I perpetually had the maximum number of books checked out, which is 75 items btws. When I brought things back to get my holds, I had to go to the librarians and beg them to check them in immediately.

Labels: top ten

54 Comments:

Nina said...: LOL. Maxed out your library card? Awesome! :); August 28, 2012 at 10:34 AM
April (BooksandWine) said...: Hahahaha I legitimately can't stand when people sneer and say they don't have time to read either, as though my time reading is less valuable than their time playing games on their phone or whatever. Seriously, if you have time to drive someplace, you DO have time to read.. audiobooks.

ALSO I used to feel the same about audiobooks, as you can tell my feelings have completely changed.

AND OMG. YES YES YES to maxing out the library card, only for me it is less impressive, we're only allowed 25 out at a time.; August 28, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Heather said...: "One of my pet peeves is people saying they don't have time to read. Sure, there are probably some folks out there that are SO BUSY they legit DON'T have time, but there are way more people who make that claim than people who have no free time. It's not that you don't have time, it's that you don't really think reading is as important as watching tv or whatever, but you don't want to come out and say that. Just own up. You can make time for reading if it's something you love."

This. This so much. I think I'm hovering around 75 or something so far this year (I've been a little lax over the past few weeks), and someone said "Dang, how do you read that much? I'm trying to get to ten books this year." I read this much because that's what I choose to do with my free time. I actually have a hard time focusing on tv. haha. I always tell people to read an hour before bed, during a lunch break at school/work, and some on the weekends, and they'll be amazed at how much their book count goes up.

haha, I love that you are "that guy" at the library. I would check in your books happily :)

What a cool birthday present! Ahhh!

Man, I wish I could focus on audiobooks. I definitely think they're books, but they're just not my preferred reading experience, unfortunately. I will keep trying, though, because I am stubborn.; August 28, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Blogger10 said...: Good list! And big ditto about the audiobooks, I didn't start to see them as "real" reading until the last year or two.; August 28, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Kimberly @ Midnight Book Girl said...: We were just talking about #7 the other day. I hate when ppl say that! If you really wanted to read, you would find time to read, just like I do.

Despite the fact that I love to read (obviously) it doesn't bother me that other ppl don't like to read or only read a couple books a year, as long as they don't say "I don't have time"; August 28, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Steena said...: I love when people tell me they are "big readers" and then proceed to tell me that they read the entire Twilight series. As though completing a trilogy were tantamount to reading the entire Library of Alexandria. Also, humorous is when they THEN follow up with:
"Oh, I tried to read the Lord of the Rings, but I just couldn't get through that first one."
"Fellowship?"
"No, the Hobbit."; August 28, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Steena said...: Also humorous...not also, humorous. I blame the bandage on my middle finger.; August 28, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Christina said...: Right? My parents STILL make fun of me for it, even though it happened five years ago!; August 28, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Christina said...: Right? Yes, I forgot to mention the sneering contempt, as though they're so busy and important and I have nothing better to do. READING IS NOT ME SETTLING. I choose this OVER other things, like whatever lame stuff they're doing. Precisely with the audiobooks! Goodbye, boring commute!

Yup. Haha!

ONLY 25? I would be maxing that out ALL the time.; August 28, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Christina said...: Exactly. There's a lot of time that we fritter away doing stupid things. Also, audiobooks for the car or during chores can bump up your numbers two. They do realize that 12 books a year would be just one a month, right? Even if each book was 1000 pages long, that would only be about 30 pages a day!

Haha! Yay! I wish you were my librarian. They always looked at me like I was insane. Then again, I was an adult (sort of) returning a huge pile of manga.

RIGHT? SO EXCITED! I would invite you along, but you would steal my presents!

Me too. They're steal not my preferred experience, but I am coming to really like them. Or at least I will.; August 28, 2012 at 1:03 PM
Christina said...: Yeah, my change of heart has come during the last couple of years too. I blame an early bad experience with audio.; August 28, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Christina said...: Exactly. I could find other things to do, but I WANT to read. SO I DO.

Haha, both get me, obviously, but I can totally see that. I think it's mostly that I can't imagine what I'll have in common with THOSE people.; August 28, 2012 at 1:08 PM
Christina said...: "As though completing a trilogy were tantamount to reading the entire Library of Alexandria."

You crack me up.

The Hobbit is related, but, yeah, still embarrassing for them. To be fair, if they couldn't get through The Hobbit, they definitely were not going to make it through Fellowship either.

Also, I love that you're totally trying to make them fail by asking 'Fellowship?'; August 28, 2012 at 1:10 PM
Kat said...: Audiobooks are my favourite chore-companion. But for a long time I also considered them 'not really reading' - until I realised how HARD you have to concentrate, otherwise it's perpetual rewind!

I can honestly say, I've NEVER heard of anyone maxing out their library card - nice work ;-); August 28, 2012 at 1:34 PM
Christina said...: Exactly! Although if the audiobook is boring, I totally zone out and let it play, and then I know I SHOULD rewind, but I don't.

I'm a champion.; August 28, 2012 at 1:37 PM
fakesteph said...: Yes number 6 and 7. OMG YES!!!!!!!!!!; August 28, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Christina said...: Haha, yes! JUDGE PEOPLE WITH ME!; August 28, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Lilian said...: " Also, if you slap the dystopian, post-apocalyptic or retelling label on something, I'm probably going to read it, even if all of the reviewers I trust say the book is basically a turd wrapped in vomit."
So you are telling me if I ever publish a book...I just need to slap post-apocalyptic dystopian retelling on the cover and you will buy it...even if it's about bees? *O*

I am trying audiobooks while on the bus. Except I fell asleep and I missed like a chapter, but I;m too lazy to re-listen those 30 minutes I probably missed.

Checking a ot of books scare me. What if I misplace one? AHHHHHH!!!
So I keep it to a maximum of ten books.
Though I had a crazy manga phase too. I had like 100books on my to-request list, and I had at least 50books on request at any given moment. And I would have a armful of books every time I left the library. My parents decided to drop me off everyday afterschool at the public library to make me more studious...unfortunately, it didn't take me long to discover INTERNET and MANGA. So their plan backfired and then they were like "never mind this every day business, we will just drop you off once a week."
My parents thought manga was trash, and I remember my dad borrowed these scientific books for me to read. I still remember one being about color..photons and other boring stuff. *sigh*

"my mom is going to take me around to a bunch of local Goodwills and my favorite used bookstore and let me get ALL THE THINGS I WANT. "
WHOOO HOOOO!!
Why your birthday? DO THAT ALL THE DAYS!

"Also, I'm pretty sure I could never date someone who didn't read, and I'm talking at least 20 books a year. AT LEAST."
*sulks* Let's go with word count shall we? A textbook should equal like 20books!
But yes, my top "requirement" is owning a bookshelf. I can even pass on he super hotness if he just owned a bookshelf...filled with books. And because my idea of a perfect date is greeting each other and reading in our respective corners in beanbags chair with hot tea. Then we rant/discuss.argue about books. Yep, sounds spiffy to me.

"One of my pet peeves is people saying they don't have time to read. "
I wish I had more time to read. But if I hear anyone saying they don't have time to read, I think of it as a poor excuse and they just want to be pretentious. NO! YOU DON'T REALLY LIKE BOOKS, YOU JUST LIKE THE IDEA OF LIKING BOOKS!

"I haven't read a book that wasn't for review in months and months."
*pat pat*
As much as I love ARCs, I don't want to end up swamped...I love perusing the shelves and grabbing whatever I want like candy. That obligation to read a certain book makes me uncomfortable.

Lilian @ A Novel Toybox; August 28, 2012 at 3:35 PM
Christina said...: Nope. I won't BUY it, but I probably will READ it. There's a difference. I still plan to read Stung for example. *shudders*

Bahaha, you may not have the patience necessary for audiobooks. :-p

I keep my library books in an organized pile in a specific location, or at least I try to. I don't check out that many anymore. Hahaha, manga so is not trash! Also, I totally was going to the library just about every day to return stacks during that period of time. It was ridic. I've read pretty much all of it at this point though, at least of the series I cared about.

Because ALL OF THE DAYS my mom doesn't want to buy books for me. I don't know why. I AM HER PRECIOUS ONLY CHILD AFTER ALL.

Well, I'm pretty sure you read that many books a year, first of all. Besides, there are many other obstacles in the way of a possible romantic relationship between us. LOL. A bookshelf with books on it! Yes. Important. And be willing to tale about the things he reads, unless they're boring, like text books or something.

Saying you wish you had MORE time to read is valid. I want more time to read. Yup. It's pretentiousness, plain and simple.

Yup. I'm quitting NG, so in like a year when I get that cleaned up, I should be able to read my own collection and library books again. O_O; August 28, 2012 at 3:43 PM
Alessandra said...: 1. I haven't read a book that wasn't for review in months and months.

Isn't this terribly sad??

I confess it - I never managed to finish the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I got stuck in the middle of The Two Towers, and I found it BORING, so I returned it to the library and that was it. It was the summer of 1998 and I'd much rather obsess over Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. Or read the whole Orlando furioso. The Hobbit was a very cool book, though.; August 28, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Christina said...: It is kind of sad, not that I don't love my review books, but I want to read ALL OF THE THINGS.

That happened to me in high school. I got stuck in the midst of Two Towers. I just could not get through Gollum, Sam and Frodo traversing marsh after marsh. I tried again in college and loved them. *shrug* I still think it would have been smarter to intersperse the scenes with the two parts of the fellowship, but whatever.; August 28, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Katie said...: YES to the one about retellings. I love them, too! They automatically get bumped up on my TBR list, especially if it's a retelling of something I love (like Jane Austen or Jane Eyre or something). And I'm totally with you on the Heart of Darkness thing - hated that book, but I'd have major respect for anyone who could find a way to retell that, so I'd automatically read it. haha; August 28, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Christina said...: Woo! Glad I'm not alone. Haha. I don't entirely understand it myself, especially since I've been burned SO MANY TIMES, but it doesn't stop me.; August 28, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Lilian said...: POOOOEY. And I thought I came up with a brilliant money making scheme!
I still like STUNG's cover!

You mean I have to sit there and listen to someone talk for eight hours? *le gasp*
I found it works better if I am doing mindless homework...like writing Chinese characters over and over again. Or gluing down pieces on my art projects.

"I AM HER PRECIOUS ONLY CHILD AFTER ALL."
Shucks! This must be why my mom doesn't take my book buying...I have a older sister! But I don't even go book buying (my overstuffed bookcase and TBR pile won't let me). I only go book browsing. She only takes me grocery shopping...where I am the driver.

"Well, I'm pretty sure you read that many books a year"
That's true. In July I read like 18 books, so I just have to read two more in the other 11 months for you to consider me friendable material.
I would love to have someone to discuss books with. And has enough of a sense of humor and sarcasm to make it fun...instead of being butthurt.

I only request two books off NG in the beginning of the year, they still sit in my Kindle today...unfinished. I accepted that I am not compatible with NG. Or ebooks in general. A physical book feels much more substantial when I finish one.

"Also, I totally was going to the library just about every day to return stacks during that period of time. "
I had that too. I swear the librarians were probably frustrated with me giving them so much work.; August 28, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Jenni said...: My confession would be: I don't have a library card. Seriously, crazy right?

I agree about the people who say they don't have time to read. My sister is like that and everytime she says it, I just roll my eyes.

The reading books you know you won't like is one that I could never do. I have realised since starting my blog that there is nothing in this world worse (in my small world) than reading a book you do not like. It's PAINFUL and it goes so sloooooooooooow.; August 28, 2012 at 5:33 PM
Adriana @ BooksOnHerMind said...: A lot of my friends don't like to read. Like everyone of them but I have Goodreads so I'm happy. I can never find anybody who wants to talk about books. I kind of need friends to have fun with so I have to settle (;

Happy belated? Birthday!

I've done the same thing with my library card but the max is 50. Manga can easily max out your library card.; August 28, 2012 at 6:08 PM
Jaime Lester said...: Love you Top Ten list. First- Audiobooks are something I have never tried and I am not entirely sure that I would like it. But I really want to listen to one, just once. Second- My mother in law gave me a HUGE Amazon giftcard for my last birthday and I literally almost passed out from the excitement. Her and my husband said something about music and movies, and I laughed. The whole Mwa Ha Ha, kind of laugh. Lastly- I have come so incredibly close to maxing out my library card limit, but haven't hit it yet. I am determined to make it one day!
Real Lastly, thank you again for the post. By the way, we can be friends! I make time to read when there really isn't any time to read. What do ya say? Wanna be my friend? :); August 28, 2012 at 9:43 PM
Risa said...: SO JEALOUS OF #8.
Other than that, awesomesauce post. And I don't get along with non-readers much either. Also, dystopias. I really like some, but others are just... meh.

Manga can become an obsession veryyy easily. I have a whole shelf. Just saying. But I read text-filled books, too. variety is good.

<3 Risa

(p.s. anya's internet went bye-bye for a little bit... she says hello and promises to comment... soon!); August 28, 2012 at 9:44 PM
M.A.D. said...: Your mom ROCKS! Whoo hoo! Hope you have the best birthday EVER and find about a gazillion awesome books!! <3

BTW, didn't know you could *max* out a library card, but then again ... I've never had 75 items out at one time (of course, we don't have any manga, darn it!) But that is so way cool that you did that!

Slightly off topic, but have you ever watched/heard of "I Survived a Japanese Game Show"? We found it on Hulu or YouTube last fall, and it was so much fun watching! I guess thinking of Manga made me think of this? lol ;); August 29, 2012 at 2:21 AM
Christina said...: Nope. The only way to trick me into buying your book at full price would be either a)pay off all the reviewers I trust to write rave reviews and then I MIGHT, b)have a signing in Atlanta or c)be an author I loved previous books by.

I like audiobooks for cleaning, or some other mindless work. Makes those tasks so much more pleasant.

I'll be the driver for my birthday event, if that makes you feel better. I SHOULDN'T buy more books, but...I want them.

Right. You know what's funny? I'd never heard/read the term butthurt until some author interpreted the term as a threat for rape or something when the reviewer used it. Now I see it everywhere!

Plus, I feel more accountable when I get a free physical book. With ebooks, I'm like...it can wait.

Maybe. They might have been impressed. People like us are awesome for circulation statistics.; August 29, 2012 at 8:57 AM
Christina said...: WHAT? How is that even possible? You crazy, Jenni!

Silly sister.

Yeah, I'm really stubborn. A lot of the ones I end up reading and don't like at all are review commitments too. Oh well.; August 29, 2012 at 9:11 AM
Christina said...: Lol. That is true. I'm just lucky enough to have friends who are as obsessed with reading as I am. One of the benefits of going to library school.

Oh! Not yet. My birthday's in September. Mom and I just made THE PLAN.

Manga is awesome that way. Though, actually, it was a huge pain to do things that way.; August 29, 2012 at 9:14 AM
Christina said...: Ooooh, yay! Huge Amazon gift card = happiness.

We can totes be friends. :); August 29, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Christina said...: Right? I'm so stoked. My mom's just glad I'm not going to make her order obscure books off the internet. She's still not a huge fan of the whole shopping on the internet thing.

I adore manga. :) I only own like one volume, because it's expensive, but I read a ton of scanlations.; August 29, 2012 at 9:16 AM
Christina said...: I hope so too. If my mom's not vaguely uncomfortable with how many books I've found, I'm not doing it right.

*brushes shoulders off*

No, I haven't heard of that. One of my favorite things is MXC, which has some episodes on YouTube, which is a Japanese game show that's been dubbed. Many people hurt themselves in hilarious ways.; August 29, 2012 at 9:18 AM
Katie @ BlookGirl said...: I can relate with almost every single one of these, if not all. Especially on #1 and #6. I _was_ able to do a bit of "me" reading a week or two ago, which was SO nice. But now, it's back to the "grindstone". I am definitely becoming more picky about what books I request and accept for review.

Great list, chickadee! Your birthday will be AMAZING with all those goodies!; August 29, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Lilian said...: "pay off all the reviewers I trust to write rave reviews"
Hmph. You say it like I can't write a AWESOME SAUCE novel and get rave reviews with legit means.
BEING YOUR BLOG STALKER ISN'T ENOUGH TO WARRANT YOU TO BUY MY NOVEL? On the other hand, it might not be a good idea, because I might bite your head off if you give me a bad review and ask you to erase all traces of it.

"I SHOULDN'T buy more books, but...I want them."
Ah, this is how druggies get broke!

"Plus, I feel more accountable when I get a free physical book. With ebooks, I'm like...it can wait."
I agree.
I guess it's because a physical book actually takes up space that I can clearly see.

True, true...So I should help statistics by borrowing a pile of books...and returning them all right after? And then just say I'm a speed reader?; August 29, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Lilian said...: oh, and butthurt.
I actually first heard it in a KPop discussion on livejournal.
And anyone in the fandom is familiar with how...crazy people can get.
I HAVE NO RAPE INTENTIONS. I just think it sums up the feelings of holding in #2 pretty well.; August 29, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Christina said...: Woo! I think I'm going to kind of tell NG stuff to suck it, and make time for some me reading. :) From now on, I'm going to request egalleys only if I plan to read them pretty much immediately. I need to stop hoarding them.

I hope so! Goodwill's a bit of a crapshoot at times. :-p; August 30, 2012 at 8:59 AM
Christina said...: Bahahaha, you better make up your mind! I probably would buy a friend's book. Or, at least, I would beg for an ARC of your book. Then I would hate it and be all *awkward turtle* OR I might love it and fangirl all over the internet. YOUR BOOK WILL DECIDE.

Right? I am a druggie for books.

Also, I am unconvinced that the egalleys cost them much of anything. I mean, I guess they're paying a set amount to NG per egalley distributed or something, but, in my mind at least, that is paltry in comparison to printing and shipping an ARC or final copy.

Why not? I've done that. I DID want to read the books, but I didn't have time.

No, I didn't think you did. BAHAHAHAHA. OMG. Is that what butthurt means? LOLOLOLOLOL.; August 30, 2012 at 9:04 AM
Lilian said...: I was listening to an interview on Book Riot with a book reviewer from The Washington Post earlier this month and he was saying how being friends with an author renders him incapable of reviewing that person's work (or even reading it, since he only reads review books since his job demands it.) He was saying how he might love a writer's work so much that he wants to have them join the book review team at The Washington Post, but how the co-worker status rendered him uncomfortable...and gave him doubts about objectivity. I can just imagine all the glares i he wrote a negative review.

I had someone argue that ebooks deserve their price because of the typesetting and the patience to quality-check ebooks between platforms/formats. I agree that typesetting/formatting is important but it doesn't seem some publishers properly typeset/format egalleys anyway, so I find that argument invalid towards egalleys.
Maybe publishers have to pay a set price for NG, but I don't think it's per ebook distributed. Some publishers seem to be VERY open with their acceptance...*thinks of how everyone got The Immortal Rules on NG*
I totally agree that it seems paltry to actually shipping a book. Though I think it must be nothing for some publishers to do so. Crown, Knopf, Gallery all have dished out at least 15 bucks for 1-day/2-day UPS shipping. O_O Sometimes I feel apologetic. YOU DIDN'T NEED TO USE SUPER FAST SHIPPING...I won't even get to the book in the next decade or so! SAVE YOUR MONEY, PUBLISHERS!

Not sure if it's the official definition, but that's what I've always imagined it to be. PRetty damn good I think!
For your information, I typed that second comment on a computer on campus, and I was wondering if there would be a surveillance system that would catch me typing "rape" and then get me into some serious problems.

it's been about 24hours and no police have called me, I must be safe, right?; August 30, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Christina said...: Hmmm, I'll admit: it is tough to write a negative review for authors I like. Still, it has to be done. What really bothers me is that a lot of people are convinced that anything below four stars is a BAD review. I'd say 2 and above aren't horrid. Below that, well, I make no promises.

Truth! Yeah, some pubs definitely don't seem to mind. Most of the big six are constantly sending out boxes of books unsolicited to reviewers who probably won't even touch the ARCs. Some reviewers get ARCs AND finished copies. All of that makes me really confused when I see rants about how costly ARCs are and how reviewers are evil.

I got one of those super fast shipping ones from Harper last week. It got to me the next day. I was shocked.

Lol. I doubt it. Besides, it's not like you confessed to a crime. I mean, you could have been writing an essay about The Rape of Lucretia or Leda and the swan.; August 30, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Lilian said...: True, true. But why would I read a 4 star when I can read a 5 star? Why would I read a mehhh novel instead of a OMG-FREAKIN'-AWESOME one?
I don't know how much importance I put in considering whether or not I should read a book based off reviews. I think I would still read a book with lackluster reviews if I am intrigued enough with the concept, or I'd like to think so. Obviously this wasn't the case with Incarnate.

"boxes of books unsolicited to reviewers who probably won't even touch the ARCs."
WHY THEY NO SEND IT TO ME? I get super jelly when I see those book hauls. It seems like it's not the reviews they are looking for, but the promo on a famous blog. I wonder what publishers think of IMMs/Book Hauls.

Knopf always does next-day shipping, always making me guilty!
And Penguin always takes at least a week, so does Simon & Shuster. Or maybe that's because I'm in Hawaii.

true, true! I AM JUST A POOR, INNOCENT ASIAN GIRL.; August 30, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Christina said...: Well, in theory, I would love to read all five star books, but probably I would just get SO picky I would be bored of them. You need the chaff so the wheat's even better in comparison. Besides, some books I've loved weren't popular with other people. *shrug*

What happened with Incarnate again?

I imagine publishers love book hauls. They send them to those people so it will be in that post, and likely no others. Then all of us less-loved bloggers will add the book to GR or pre-order it. IT'S A TRAP! And, seriously, can they PLEASE send them to me?

Hmm, I don't have people at Knopf. OR Simon & Schuster. Why they no love me? Penguin varies. I've had some arrive in a couple days and some take a week or two. One never showed up and when I emailed the person, they didn't respond. I STILL WANT 22 BRITANNIA ROAD. Harrumph. Penguin always does UPS shipping though. Orbit usually ships regular mail, but I've also had some come via UPS.; August 30, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Lilian said...: Bored of five star books? IMPOSSIBRU! I would have to have a great book reading streak. I had those moments when I am counting pages (I end up thinking of the book in terms of percents to the end) to the end. And sometimes I read the "hot" books so I know what people are talking about...*points to delirium and divergent*

"some books I've loved weren't popular with other people."
I just think everyone else has bad taste! BECAUSE I AM FOREVER AWESOME!
But yes, I do think a lot of books depend on taste. Like how I will be forever puzzled at how people can possibly enjoy Walden.

Incarnate was a book I would've read...if I didn't see such an onslaught of poor reviews for it by my GoodReads friends.

To make you feel better, I don't have people anywhere. I AM A LONE WOLF. And sometimes I prefer it that way, because I always get tense when I have to decline a certain book for review.

I have no opinion of 22 Britannia Road. It looks like a historical from the cover I've seen of it on Twitter posted by Penguin.
Penguin always go through their marketing? company...Will Martin or something? And they always use that white bag through UPS that is hard to yank open. I prefer thick paper envelopes, with the "pull here" tab.

I heard Harper Teen has really nice packages, but they haven't sent me anything. *Sigh*

"They send them to those people so it will be in that post, and likely no others."
*tear*; August 30, 2012 at 4:41 PM
Christina said...: I've had some great reading streaks, but they are inevitable followed by a string of two star reads. Those streaks are awful. I'd prefer to keep it a bit more balanced.

Everyone else DOES have bad taste. I AGREE WITH YOU SO MUCH. WALDEN IS AWFUL. IT'S ALL ABOUT HOW AWESOME THOREAU THINKS THOREAU IS.

Incarnate was...meh.

Wait. You have people. You do. Because you get books for review. Like Shadow of Night from Penguin! I know you do. DO NOT LIE TO ME.

It is a historical. World War I or II. I don't remember which. I love novels about both.

The white envelopes have a pull here tab. They do. It's at the top, not quite at the left edge.

I've won a couple of things from Harper, and if they send a big one it's got blue and red stripes on the outside. Snazzy.

Yup. ALL OF THE TEARS.; August 31, 2012 at 9:31 AM
Lilian said...: I prefer to think there are no "horrible" books since if they were awful, THE EDITORS WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING. Or a big six publisher wouldn't publish it.

I thought the publishing industry was supposed to be incredibly selective, but sometimes I have no idea why they pick up certain stories. *points to The Vindico* WHO THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA AND DID THEY READ THE THING? WHY DID THEY ALSO BUY THE SEQUEL?...and making it into a series? *headdesk* Putnam, did you get held hostage?

I was forced to read Walden in high school, which consisted of me reading Thoreau's long-winded musings that must've sounded incredibly insightful to him...and then after a chapter I will still end up completely clueless and turn to Wikipedia/Spark Notes for an analysis so my essay won't be too ridiculous.

I find the idea of Incarnate interesting. Makes me wonder, if I had a birth defect in that society, or just plain ugly...should I commit suicide to be reborn into a beautiful body? Or keep doing so until I end up with a life I like.

*lie lie lie lie lie*
Ah, that was a giveaway win from Deborah Harkness' sweepstakes (that I entered BEFORE I read A Discovery of Witches.)
You thought I would request Shadow of Night for review after what I thought of the whiny train wreck called A Discovery of Witches?
I AM NO MASOCHIST.

And right after I got the winning notification email for Shadow of Night, I was like "I MUST READ A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES SO I CAN READ SHADOW OF NIGHT!" So I did. It was the first library book I read when I came back from my trip. I even sent Penguin a follow up email asking thm when my book would be delivered so I could read it right after.
And right after I finished A Discovery of Witches, I was like "never mind...I don't give a booty about this series."

I was just looking at Penguin's fiction bestseller list and Anne Rice's sleeping beauty erotica is on there O_O. Damn, that's one lucrative genre.

"The white envelopes have a pull here tab."
Are you kiddin' me? I must look for this elusive tab!

I never won anything directly from Harper. WHYYYYY??? I want to see the blue and red stripes!; August 31, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Christina said...: You know better than that. If stupid people will buy it and love it, the pubs will print it. This is fact. I WISH it weren't, but.

Whoa. I thought The Vindico sounded interesting...until I read your review. Eesh. I've started an excel doc tracking my ratings by pub and imprint. I want to see if that can help me choose good reads. So far, I love Tor, Orbit and Bloomsbury's Walker books. I'm forgetting one, but you have the idea.

I think I was SUPPOSED to read a part of Walden in high school, but soon gave up. I had to read a selection from it in grad school too, and I STILL loathed it, though I think I did complete the reading that time.

Probably people did do that. I mean, they weren't opposed to suicide, because there was a couple that stayed together throughout but didn't want to be different ages. When one died, the other would commit suicide, so they would be reborn around the same age.

Huh. I didn't think you requested it. I thought it was just SENT to you. I requested it, but I liked A Discovery of Witches. However, I was home sick that day miserable in bed, so I think it just happened to appeal to me then. Shadow of Night pissed me off, and I don't think it was really different.

Wah wah. That's so awkward.

Yup. I was so amused that they reprinted that. Also, I KIND OF want to read it.

Did I just BLOW YOUR MIND?

If I ever get another, I will take a picture.; August 31, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Lilian said...: "If stupid people will buy it and love it, the pubs will print it."
Which makes me wonder if it would be bettr if I wasn't so picky, if I didn't question ALL THE THINGS, would I be able to enjoy more books and have more 5 star ratings.

"I've started an excel doc tracking my ratings by pub and imprint."
O_O That's hardcore.
From memory, I think I'm inclined towards Crown and Simon & Schuster...oh and Macmillan's Henry Holt imprint.
I like Forge because I love sci-fi/psychological thrillers/suspense, but I Dan Well's Tor books is making me reconsider.

I remember almost nothing about Walden, something about sleeping on trains...and there was this part where he proclaimed people should go out and learn in nature rather than attend college (surprising since he had a college education, but whatever). While reading that part I was thinking, "I bet your opinion will change when you find out your surgeon didn't have a college education."

I don't know what I would think if Penguin sent me Shadow of Night unsolicited. "What are they doing? Are they trying to get me to reconsider my review? or to fall in love with the series?...and these perfumes, do they think I smell bad??"

"Did I just BLOW YOUR MIND?"
mmmaaaaaayyyyybbbbeee
more like I think you are lying to me and I can't wait to get a Penguin white plastic package to find out.; September 1, 2012 at 3:28 PM
Christina said...: Yeah, I sometimes think it would be so nice to be one of those people who just enjoys everything. I can't though.

I haven't read Dan Wells yet. Oh, on a somewhat related note, I saw Barry Lyga speak this weekend and he was awesome. I now want to read all of his stuff, starting with I Hunt Killers.

He's such an ass. He also talks in Walden about how much better he is than the townspeople because he's all educated. Such a hypocrite. *punches him in the face*

BAHAHAA.

We shall see!; September 4, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Lilian said...: They must be supernatural creatures!

I recently finished Mr. Monster, the second book in his John Cleaver series. You were right.
The demons came back. I was not pleased.
And half of the book was recap stuff. *sigh* I had a total "what the heck is this?!?!?" while I was reading that one. I think I will read the last book to finish it I guess. Part of my urge not to let anything unfinished.

As for Barry Lyga, I can't say I was too impressed with I Hunt Killers. And his other books sound too silly (in a juvenile way), but I might give them a try if you like them.

Lilian @ A Novel Toybox; September 5, 2012 at 8:02 PM
Christina said...: Hahaha, maybe that's it. I always thought they were just...simpler.

Ugh. That sounds so weird.

Too bad you didn't like I Hunt Killers. I've only read the first Fan Boy and Goth Girl book. I liked it, but didn't love it.; September 6, 2012 at 7:46 AM
Kayla Beck said...: Here I am wandering in late again! The only thing I'm going to comment on is the people who say they don't have time to read. I work three jobs, I'm a single parent of a five year old, and I do occasional consulting work. Despite the fact that I sometimes work 14 HOUR DAYS, I make sure that I read for at least fifteen minutes every day - even if it's on my phone.

That is all. ;-); September 6, 2012 at 6:09 PM
Christina said...: Precisely! Pretty much anyone can find time to read if it's important to them, especially with the reading apps for phones! Waiting in line at the bank or DMV? You could read a book! Waiting to pick up a kid from school? Read! Bored at a function? Read sneakily!; September 10, 2012 at 7:57 AM

A Reader of Fictions

Book Reviews for Just About Every Kind of Book

: Name: Christina; Location: Norcross, GA, United States

I am a librarian in my twenties. I got my MLIS at the University of Pittsburgh in 2010, and, through the vagaries of the job market, ended up working at a software company, rather than a librarian. I still very much consider myself to be a librarian, though.

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