February 24, 2004
Sinking in the Lack of Book Review Sand
So, if you read Brian, you know that he writes a review of every book he reads. Not a bad practice, I do say so myself. Matter of fact, I, too, tried to do the same, and now I find I'm about 12 books behind since the last review I wrote back in November, I believe.. Yes, I read quite a bit, too.
Why does this matter? It matters because Brian gets fun and interesting e-mail from AUTHORS. Yes, seriously, he does. Just yesterday he got a message from the author of this book he reviewed.
And it was nice, an, "oh thanks for reviewing me." He found it while Googling himself, and the text of the e-mail was so cute - almost as if he was embarrassed to be Googling himself. Dude, start a blog! Narcissism. Embrace it. WE ALL GOOGLE OURSELVES. Like, y'know, several times daily. Well, maybe that's only me. [clears throat]
So, up and coming in the next few weeks - reviews for these fine tomes.
- Shut Up and Sing - Laura Ingraham
- Wild Justice - Wilbur Smith
- the substance of style - Virginia Postrel
- The New Yorker Book of Cat Cartoons
- Ultimate Fitness - Gina Kolata
- Demolition Angel - Robert Crais
- The Sinner - Tess Gerritsen
Then, there's the in progress stack.
- Seizure - Robin Cook
- Split Second - David Baldacci
- cyberselfish - Paulina Borsook
- Ashes to Ashes - Richard Kluger
Then, we have the in-progress books. And, soon, of course, The 50 Best (and Worst) Business Deals
Oh, Linda Barnes, Google yourself. I love your work and was very excited to see that the next Carlotta Carlyle book is out next month (in a couple of weeks! SQUEAL). Very excited indeed. I plan to be in Boston in the next few months; let's do lunch.
I think before I can get Robert B. Parker's attention, Brian and I need to put in a few more mega sessions at the gym so that we can prove to the grand master Parker that we use our copy of Sports Illustrated Training With Weights ever so religiously (well, it is an input...) I'm flipping through the book - yep, very familiar. But in case the venerated Parker is a Google hound, give us a ring, we'll pick up lunch at the Ritz.
I think that's enough obnoxiousness for a morning. No, I must give you one more thing. I have a Book Mark Award (yes, it's spelled that way). It has a grape scratch-and-sniff sticker on it that says "Very Good." It also says "You've Read 25 books." The 25 is written in with red pen.
I'd suspect this book mark (sic) is 20 plus years old. It's signed "Heather I" on the back in cursive. I tend to keep things.
hln
Posted by hln at February 24, 2004 06:46 AM | Anecdote | TrackBack
I am almost through Shut Up and Sing. I'm enjoying most of it. Can't wait for your review. The only other on your list I have read is Substance of Style which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at February 24, 2004 07:40 AMI don't Google myself. Hmm, maybe...no, probably too scary.
I got comments from an author when I mentioned his book, so I believe that about Brian's e-mails.
Posted by: Jennifer at February 24, 2004 04:22 PMI google myself...maybe not hourly, or daily, but often.
I have gotten an email from an author before...completely unrelated to my blog...translator of several poems of Victor Hugo's. Highly complimentary on my obsession-based website.
I also got a hand-written letter once from an author I wrote to. Joseph Heller. A much-praised item in my collection. I highly recommend it. Writing your favorite authors can be fun.
Posted by: John at February 26, 2004 11:27 AM