How Does it Feel to Get a Glowing Book Review?

The review of my new novel begins: “This is one of the best books I’ve read in ages.”

Reading a sentence like this brings on the exhale . . . the sigh of relief I dare say every author (who reads her reviews) experiences when a good one appears in print. Today I was honored to receive a glowing book review of Irish Twins from renowned journalist, celebrity interviewer and author, Betty Dravis. 

Dravis is a not only a top reviewer for Amazon.com, but she also has a very public persona with a multitude of websites and connections. Many know her as one of the most supportive and loved author advocates on the World Wide Web. Having her first take time to read your book, and then formulate a detailed, thoughtful and positive review is enough to make you believe maybe—just maybe—your book is pretty darn good after all!

Here is a link to her full-length review: BETTY DRAVIS LOVES IRISH TWINS

When I have the opportunity to speak to or communicate with other authors, the subject of reviews often comes up. A few years ago I wrote to the New York Times Bestselling humor author Laurie Notaro and asked her to review the ARC of my Bunko book (It’s Not Your Mother’s Bridge Club) for a cover blurb. She said no. But she also said she knew who I was, and that’s because I had reviewed a few of her books. “Oh, I know who you are,” she said, indicating she recognized my name from a few Spotlight Reviews of her books on Amazon.com. She continued: “ . . . And any author who tells you she doesn’t read the reviews is lying!”

Last Spring as a volunteer at the Tucson Festival of Books, I spent time with two authors, Barbara Samuel O’Neal (author of some thirty books) and Cassandra King (best-selling author and wife of author, Pat Conroy). I asked them both about whether or not they read their reviews.

“Only the good ones that my agent tells me to read,” quipped Samuel.

King, on the other hand, didn’t exactly answer the question. Instead she repeated advice she received from her famous husband, author of well-known works such as The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini. “Early in my writing career,” she said, “my husband told me that only a masochist would read reviews posted on Amazon.com.”

My five published books have received both good and bad reviews and I’ve matured enough as an author to know that taking them for what they’re worth is all part of the job. It’s easy to tell the difference between a personal attack vs. what is constructive criticism . . . and it’s also easy to tell whether or not a so-called reviewer has actually read the book. Yes, it may seem hard to digest, but there are some people out there, who for whatever bitter reason, feel the need to present an anonymous scathing opinion of who they think you are and what they think of your book.

I write a lot of book reviews and tend to publish only the positive opinions. Occasionally I feel strongly enough about something to dip into the two-star (vs. four or five star) areas; however, it’s rare. I have too much respect and empathy for authors to potentially hurt their feelings or criticize their hard work. Turns out, you can also insult readers who liked the books you didn’t. One time I gave three stars to a book primarily because in addition to displaying average to below-average writing skills, I thought it was marketed incorrectly and suggested it would appeal more to those interested in reading “Christian fiction.” To this review I received a comment calling me “obviously anti-Christian.”

Huh?

So, to all book writers and all book reviewers, I congratulate you for having the courage to put it out there for all to see . . . and for all to criticize or praise. We know everything you write isn’t going to be glowing and positive; however, is sure feels NICE when it is.

For more information about Betty Dravis please visit her website at http://www.bettydravis.com

Books on Tape? Michele Shrugged

I blame Ayn Rand; however, I credit Syliva Schick Young.

For anyone who loves to read and feels as though time doesn’t permit the luxury, recorded books are a viable and enjoyable answer. I, in fact, have become a bit of an addict. My book club pal, Sylvia, told me about a site called Audible.com. It’s a fantastic source—a reliable dealer—offering a low cost membership and monthly book credits.

The first book I ordered and subsequently downloaded from Audible.com was Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, a 1200-page epic novel that I started reading in hardback version far too late to finish for our October meeting. Never mind that I’d had the book on my shelf for 15 years, before our club selected it. I couldn’t seem to find the time to devote to reading this tome. And then once I got into it, I realized I didn’t have the hours it would take to finish it by simply sitting in a chair and reading.

I, like EVERY modern woman, needed to multitask.

This is how books on tape or audible books became invaluable for me. One can listen in the car, listen while working out, or even listen the way I did, while designing a new jewelry line.

Atlas Shrugged, a story about American business tycoons involved with things like railroads and metals, depicted a distinct characterization between the producers and the consumers in a capitalist society. Allowing the flavor of the book to color my choices of silver and copper in my work (as I decided to absolutely be a PRODUCER), I felt good about myself, and my work.

This, by the way, was in spite of the fact that I ultimately detested the novel, and wanted to murder the narrator. Still, I’ll never forget the experience. Is it because I read it or listened to it? Or was it because I discussed it at Tucson’s most intellectual book club where Sylvia was the host?

Hmmmmmm.


I’m one of those avid readers who won’t go anywhere without a book. Now that I’m not writing a novel, I’m back to satisfying my voracious appetite for reading novels. Right now, I’m reading one and listening to another. I realize I’d come across as a complete nerd if I listed how many I’ve tackled since sending in my manuscript for editing during the last week of February. . . so, I won’t. But I will disclose the way it works:
I listen at home and I read on the road.

Because I don’t always know when I’ll be waiting in line—or waiting somewhere—I always keep a book handy. I know when I’ll be stuck in the waiting room of my kid’s orthodontist office, for example, so whipping out a book (provided I remember to bring my reading glasses) helps pass the time.

Right now I’m listening to Broken for You by Stephanie Kallos (outstanding) and reading The Sunday Wife by Cassandra King (wife of Pat Conroy, author of The Prince of Tides). I had the funny experience of meeting Cassandra King at the Tucson Festival of Books, which prompted my desire to buy her book. We met in a bathroom, where I had to rescue and escort her to her proper lecture venue. She, along with my actual charge, novelist Barbara Samuels Oneal, were both delightful. (I should mention that I enjoyed the one of seven novels published by B.S.O. that I read after meeting her). Meanwhile, King signed my copy of The Sunday Wife: “Thank you for seeking me out.”


It’s important to note that audible books owe a great deal to their recorded narrators. Sometimes authors read and it’s awful and detached. Other times, authors like Barbara Kingsolver read (High Tide in Tucson and The Lacuna) and it’s impossible not to marvel at their talents for both writing and performing. I listened to six of the seven Harry Potter books on CD (while cleaning my cabins at Sandy Point Resort), read by the amazing Jim Dale. This was a reader so gifted that I never had to wait for a “said Harry” or “said Hermione” to know which character was speaking.

But the actor or orator or whatever you want to call him that read Atlas Shrugged made me want to kill someone. The taped version of the book was some 54 hours long, and because of the way he impersonated the female lead, Dagny Taggert, I couldn’t’ help but visualize her has a transsexual rather than a strong, female lead.

Couple that experience with the positive hours spent with Dale and the Harry Potter series, and you realize that books are still all about the reader’s (or listener’s) ability to use her imagination and be entertained.

Check out Audible.com when you want to read but need to multi-task. Tell ‘em Michele sent ya.