The Week in Womble aka well social media was quiet eh?
Helloooo! A much better week by the end of it; this bug finally feels to have cleared up and I took it a bit easier. Energy levels much better so next week hopefully can get back into a more normal blogging routine. I just wish my country was a little smarter about leaving the EU but I tend to think as this as au revoir and hopefully I shall be alive to see this stupidity reversed. For those of you feeling times are hard and a reminder why this genre I love is important the author Alexandra Rowland has these words – I think they are helpful don't give up read this
Toss A Coin To Your Blogger
I’ve noticed quite a few articles and comments this week about bloggers feeling run down and guilty about taking a break. A great on blog on this via The Tattoed Book Geek can be found here and is worth a read.
My take having done this blog for a few years now is you can’t ever do everything in your life at once. I assume you have your family, your work, your health and your hobbies. This is largely for us unpaid work and comes out of a love of reading but sometimes doing the same thing every week isn’t great and mixing it up is important. I’ve had period over the last year where I’ve had to just watch some TV rather than read or perhaps see family members and friends. Blogging can be a time sink I tend to write this on a Sunday evening, so I am now watching Doctor Who in catch up (I don’t mind that as I tend to watch tv differently these days). What I would say if is you are feeling a bit guilty that the reading schedule is hard, or you’re worried about the Netgalley list then talk to other bloggers. We all have been there, and you’ll realise we are a semi-official community. It is always ok to have a work/life/blogging balance.
To Tag or Not To Tag
Yes, I too saw THAT tweet and have had a few discussions on twitter about it. Basically, a famous author (with support of a few others) announced that tagging authors in a review was rude. We have had a long running issue with some egotistical bloggers thinking its ok to tell an author that their book was rubbish and most bloggers agree this is awful behaviour. But this was about even good reviews and for many bloggers we have not seen much evidence of this in when we have tagged someone.
I think anecdotally I’ve seen a lot of evidence that authors like seeing reviews, but I am aware some authors don’t. You see the same with actors about their film or theatre reviews. You put all your effort into your art then we come along and say what you really meant and what you got wrong. Reviews can be nerve-wracking so even a good review may not be something people enjoy reading. But on the other hand, we are often asked by publicists to review books for authors or via Netgalley so it’s possible many of us all see the tweet that goes to the publisher be sensible to also go to the author. If authors do feel uncomfortable; then I think it may be something publicists could help us bloggers with to know if the author would prefer not to know our verdict. Bloggers are responsible for giving and fair and honest review of the book our view of how authors sees blogging should not influence who or what we review. I shall be more careful about checking how reviews are treated by an author before I tag but I still think many like to be told we loved your work.
What have I been watching?
Two Mark Gatiss documentaries I recorded over Xmas once over MR James and also Dracula. I do like seeing how horror is treated by Gatiss who clearly loves the subject and knows the history. They are also good at showing different takes on the tales evolved over the decades. Hopefully next week I can get to a few more of the actual dramas…
My Neighbour Totoro – Netflix is putting up Studio Ghibli films ove the next few months and this is one of the best and warmest. Two expertly drawn young children with an ailing mother meet the furry cute and HUGE spirit of the forest Totoro. Its magical and full of love. If you’ve not seen this go and get it in your eyes now!!
What have I been listening to?
Breaking the Glass Slipper has an excellent episode with the author Alex Acks talking about the concept and problems with the idea of the kickass hero or heroine. An excellent and wide-ranging discussion I recommend to everyone
Back on Season 2 of Magnus Archives - up to episode 57 (clearly now I’m feeling better I’m good enough to have terror)
What have I been reading?
Runalong Readalongs
Yeah I slowed right down so have rescheduled next month. Starting from tomorrow its Mort and Assassin’s Apprentice but you can see my views on
Discworld – Equal Rites
Vorkosigan – Shards of Honor
Reviews and Reading
The Swordsman's Lament by GM White is a very entertaining novella with a veteran swordsman in a thrilling battle to clear his name and save his king
Paris Adrift by EJ Swift a wonderful time travel tale that really for me catches the feeling of finally learning true independence when growing up
Seven Deadly Swords by Peter Sutton – a grimdark take on immortality and endless fighting. I really enjoyed the approach to the loss of innocence
Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold (review here https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2020/2/2/the-last-smile-in-sunder-city-by-luke-arnold ) – Oh this I really LOVED. A refreshingly different take on urban fantasy with a a male hero who actually understands his privilege and for me this book really speaks also to the sense of the world we are in at the moment
Double Feature by Donald E. Westlake (review tomorrow) – two slices of noir fiction to come to you next week
What Am I Reading?
Legacy of Ash by Matthew Ward – it’s taking a bit of time as huge but am enjoying this new start to a fantasy series I think this will be finished on my week off next month
American Monsters Part 2 edited by Margret Helgadottir - time to read the latest entry in one of my favourite series
The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne – Romance, adventure and all in space. Sounds fascinating
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K S Villoso – time to meet the Bitch Queen with a new fantasy series
Oh yes, we also have announced the Subjective Chaos nominees here . I shall be starting putting the books I’ve already read on the blog from next week but I also expect to try and get through novellas over fortnight while I catch up on ARCs. But doesn’t that list look inviting?
Finally I have some reading stats on influences when we grew up to show you!
