Good morning, fellow readers.
I just finished this book, and . . . wow.
Sara Taylor's debut novel, The Shore, is a quite a read . . . I'll post a review closer to the publication date (May 26). I'll just say for now that if this book is not on your radar yet, consider yourself notified!
I'm currently reading this book . . .
Tania James' novel, The Tusk That Did the Damage, released in March of this year, considers the moral complexities of the ivory trade in South India. James tells the story through the eyes of a poacher, a documentary filmmaker, and and an elephant known as the Gravedigger.
My most recent blog post was a discussion of Spring Releases I Can't Wait to Read. Let me know if any of these are on your list for the next few weeks, and what other spring releases have caught your attention!
I am recently returning to my blog after taking a few months off. I had a bit of an existential crisis as a book blogger--you know, what I am doing with this blog and why?! I think a lot of other book bloggers have experienced something similar. I became rather bored of posting only book reviews, which seem to generate very limited interest or conversation among other readers. But at the same time, I confess that I don't have the time or the creativity to generate much other book-related content.
So I took some time off . . . and I found that I really missed the conversation with other bloggers and book lovers. Therefore I'm back, for now, but this experience has led me to think that perhaps I should focus less on traditional-style book reviews and more on posting reaction pieces, mini reviews, or reading-related discussion topics (when I can think of them!). Have you struggled with similar issues in writing your blog, and if so, how have you handled them?
I wish everyone a happy reading week.
OK - that's it. I was toying with dropping my current book (which I'm not that into) and picking up The Shore. Your reaction kicked me over the edge. Tonight it is!
ReplyDeleteAnd - I completely understand how you felt/are feeling as a blogger. I've been having similar thoughts. I still love doing this, but I was having a "what is my niche in this blogging world" crisis. I'm not the most creative, I don't have a distinction reading taste (I kind of read all over the place), I'm not the funniest or quirkiest, etc. So, I'm probably going to be posting one less post per week for a bit to take a bit of the pressure off.
That being said, I missed your blog when you were gone and wondered what you were up to. I love your taste in books and have gotten a lot of great recommendations from you. So, I'm very glad you're back!
Thanks, Sarah--that's so very nice! I think I'll definitely post less than I was before and try not to put too much pressure on my myself. Why do we feel pressured? This is supposed to be for fun, after all!
DeleteI didn't know what to expect with The Shore, but the first chapter hit me like a wallop. And then the last chapter--wow! It's definitely one of my favorites for the year so far.
The Shore is already on my radar, so I'll definitely keep an eye out for your review.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you back, too. Many of us seem to be moving away from formal reviews and I'm all for that. It's really about the conversation anyway. I feel we have similar taste in books and always appreciate hearing your reaction to anything you're reading.