Wednesday, January 6, 2021

IWSG Wednesday

 


The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

Thanks, as always, to Alex Cavanaugh, founder and Ninja Captain extraordinaire and our awesome co-hosts.

The IWSG monthly question can be found under the IWSG Sign-up tab on the Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog.  Remember it’s optional.


January 6 question - Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

 

For the most part, if my interest wanes. I like a book to grab me from the beginning and keep me turning pages. And while good descriptions and backstory are necessary to pull a reader in, I want them tight. A couple of sentences usually does it for me then I want action. I like a succinct story without wasted verbiage and want each word to count.  Do I always practice what I preach? Uh, no.

 

AND…

 

December/January Reviews in no particular order.

 

ARRANGING A DREAM by J.Q. Rose

I don’t normally read memoirs but I had the privilege of reading the author’s ARC and loved it. It held my attention the entire way through. Knowing the author and being fascinated by the flower industry kept me turning pages.  She was even kind enough to throw in free information about floral arrangements including ‘flower water buckets are always cleaned and bleached between each use’. Who knew?  ARRANGING A DREAM is a fascinating true story of a young couple on a journey to find and realize their dreams.

Amazon.

 

WHAT’S IN A NAME by Sally Cronin

This book is filled with fascinating short stories, each one based around the named character of the book. Each story is different and might revolve around a child, an adult--young to old--or even a ghost. What they all have in common is the emotion they bring to the story. The scenery is detailed and pulls you into the location and the characters are relatable. I enjoyed these stories and think you will too. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea, put your feet up, relax and sink into these stories.

Amazon.

 


DOLPHIN’S CAVE by D. L. Finn

 

I’m a D.L. Finn fan and try to read everything she publishes. This is her best story yet.

The storyline is strong. It hooked and held my attention from the beginning.

The characters are wonderful. I found myself rooting for Coral, hoping she would find her parents.

The romance is subtle, just the way I like it. And her love interest is, well, lovable😊

This is a YA fantasy based around a young woman who, on the death of her parents, has a reoccurring dream that she always wakes from before she can find them. DOLPHIN’S CAVE is a YA that will appeal to adults as well. I really enjoyed this story and think you will too.

Amazon.

 

THE WICKED WITCH ANTHOLOGY by Judy and Keith

 

I thoroughly enjoyed these shorts. They were intertwined and where one left off, the other picked up. Two young brothers, William and Graham, help the good witches --the treasurer fairy, the blind fairy, the good fairy and the tooth fairy--in their travails with the wicked witch.  Now the wicked witch might be ugly and mean spirited, but she's always thinking, especially when it comes to cooking up mischief, and keeps the good fairies and the boys hopping.

These short stories are a delight. The perfect length for several nights of bedtime reading. This little book will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Amazon


TRAD

LONG ROAD TO MERCY by David Baldacci

This is the first in the Atlee Pine thriller series. I enjoyed it. Baldacci's characters are good, moral people that carry emotional baggage. In this story, Atlee's twin was kidnapped when she was six and Atlee never completely recovered. Now she's with the FBI and getting the bad guys. This story was scary, because it dealt with political corruptness and how peoples lives hang in the balance. If you like thrillers, I recommend this one.

Amazon.



 

111 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Thanks for the reviews! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

Kalpana said...

Happy New Year and thanks for co hosting. I agree, a story has to grab you and keep you interested. I'm eager to read the first book you reviewed - sounds fascinating, thank you for bringing my attention to it.

nashvillecats2 said...

Happy New Year Sandra, wonderful reviews and some great reading ahead.
Take care.
Yvonne.

Erika Beebe said...

I love your honesty :) Happy IWSG Day and Happy New Year.

Cathrina Constantine said...

Happy New Year! Thank you for co-hosting this month!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

A book doesn't have much time to grab.
Thanks for co-hosting today!

Liza said...

I usually rely on the first sentence to get me. If it does, I read a few more and usually can tell the book will entertain. As for tightness, I just went through a draft of my current project and consciously tried to removed one word from each sentence in order to tighten things up. It's amazing how much fluff one can find. Thank you for co-hosting this month.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I never thought about it, but I guess a book has to do that to me, too. I usually know within the first few minutes if I like a film, or not, so now I can use that concept as a guide in the future when I judge a book, too.

I LOVE that favorite paragraph. It was the best to date (grin).

Steph W. said...

Thank you for co-hosting. I love that you include reviews in your blog. I am going to make that my goal this year!

Pat Garcia said...

Hi and Happy New Year!
I have JQ Rose's book. Got it January 1.
I will check out the one by D.L. Finn. I haven't read anything from her yet.
Thank you for co-hosting and have a great year.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for co-hosting. I like stories to not be too wordy too. I find they usually have faster plots that keep me turning the page. Thanks for sharing what you've been reading too.

Jeanie said...

I rarely read books I don't finish but sometimes I wonder why I'm reading it. I think what gets me most (you'll see this in my next post -- book check in for 2020) is research that doesn't gel with more reliable research I've read on a topic I know a good bit about. And I am done with fictional biographies. Well, I probably will be, but I am eager to read Hilary Mantel's last in the Cromwell series but I will view it as historical fiction, though I know her research is impeccable.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

We often make those same mistakes in our own writing.

Nancy Gideon said...

LOL on the Revision Angst cartoon! YES! I need to be pulled right in, too. I'll be more forgiving if the book is written by someone I know or if I paid big money for it (hey, sometimes Big Sellers stink!). Thanks for co-hosting this month, Sandra!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Happy New Year Sandra. Loved the books you have posted :)

Patsy said...

I rather like a nice bit of description – but it has to be woven into the story, not put a halt to it.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I love the gif at the bottom. I once had to shelf a complete manuscript. That hurt for awhile. Congratulations to all the new releases. I've had the pleasure of reading Janet's memoir. Wonderful book. Happy New Year, Sandra.

Sadira Stone said...

Thanks for co-hosting this month. Love the cartoon! I'm about to enter my own revision angst phase. Actually, I enjoy that phase more than the first-drafting phase. Weird, huh? Happy 2021!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - great list for us to read. All the best for the coming year - Hilary

cleemckenzie said...

We're all "guilty" of making mistakes in our writing. All we can do is our best.

Here's to another year of doing our best.

Computer Tutor said...

Good book selection--and I love Debbie. She is so funny.

Sally Cronin said...

Thank you so much again Sandra for the support and wonderful to be mentioned with these authors.. I am a fan of Baldacci, and will be exploring Denise's books in the near future.. much appreciated and enjoy the rest of the week.

Mary Aalgaard said...

I used to read more of Baldacci. Missed this one. I'll have to check it out!
Thanks for co-hosting this month!
Mary at Play off the Page

J.Q. Rose said...

Thanks for including my memoir in your list of book reviews. That is an awesome and diverse list of stories. Thank you for co-hosting.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Val.
Hugs received and returned.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Kalpana.
Arranging a Dream is wonderful.

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing!

Loni Townsend said...

Fun reviews. I'll have to check out D.L. Finn for my daughter. She's 10, but starting to move past the middle grade books. Thanks for co-hosting!

S.A. Larsenッ said...

'K, I'm loving that last image you shared! So very true. Thank you for co-hosting!

Marie Andreas said...

I agree on things needing to be tight--get me where I am, with who, and what happened in a few lines, and I'm great!

Nicki Elson said...

I notice that a lot of us have no patience w/ overly wordy description. You made me chuckle w/ the practice what you preach comment - same!

Lynn J Simpson said...

I so agree that that action needs to happen within the first few sentences!

Arlee Bird said...

Yeah, you're right about practicing what you preach. Sometimes it's far more easily said than done.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Birgit said...

That's so nice to showcase other people's work and I believe they grabbed your attention right from the get-go. Now let's hope no one gets hurt in D.C.

Jennifer Hawes said...

I need to keep things tight when it comes to writing! Good advice. Get to the point!

S.E. White Books said...

I love the short and sweet review format! It ties in neatly to the succinct backstory point as well. LOL! Thanks for co-hosting this month, and happy new year.

Samantha Bryant said...

“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” —Thomas Jefferson :-). @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act

Sandra Cox said...

Happy New Year, Yvonne.
Ours is shaky right now.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you.
Indeed she is.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Erika.
Happy IWSG Day and Happy New Year to you.

J.P. Alexander said...

Buena suerte a los escritores. Parece un buen grupo. Te mando un beso

Fundy Blue said...

Thanks for co-hosting today, Sandra! And thank you for sharing your book reviews. I love when authors review books of other authors. Have a great 2021!

Jenni said...

I'm with you on the too much description! That is one of my pet peeves, and funnily enough, I often have critiquers tell me I need more. There must be a balance.
Thanks for co-hosting! I really enjoyed your reviews. Dolphin's Cave sounds especially good.

J Lenni Dorner said...

Good answer to the question.
The cover of Dolphin's Cave is really pretty.
I hope your New Year is going well. I only read and reviewed 23 books last year, but my goal for this year is 30. My other goals are to publish another fiction book in 2021, do the Blogging from A to Z Challenge in April, and increase the number of authors helped by Operation Awesome.

D.L. Finn said...

Thanks Loni:) It's on the high end of middle grade.

D.L. Finn said...

Thanks, Jenni:)

D.L. Finn said...

Thanks Sally :)

D.L. Finn said...

Thanks, Pat ;)

D.L. Finn said...

Thanks for your review of Dolphin's Cave, Sandra! They all sound like great reads and I added to my reading list!

Diane Burton said...

I want a book to grab me at the very beginning. No lengthy descriptions, no casts of thousands, no backstory dump. Thanks for cohosting this month.

Sandra Cox said...

You're most welcome, Cathrina.
Happy New Year.

Sandra Cox said...

It sure doesn't and you are most welcome:)

Sandra Cox said...

I love that you go through and look to remove a word from each sentence. Good job!

Sandra Cox said...

Isn't that favorite paragraph a hoot? And oh so true:)

diedre Knight said...

You've read some interesting books! Nice, concise reviews.

Thanks for co-hosting!

Liesbet said...

Hi Sandra!

I can so relate to the “revision angst” cartoon. But there is a moment (and I’m happy I eventually reached it) where you just have to focus on cutting and then keep cutting until the finals! :-)

Thank you for these lovely reviews. “What’s in a name” by Sally Cronin is on my TBR list.

I would love to make you change your mind and general feeling about reading memoirs... I think you’ll enjoy my debut travel memoir (“Plunge - One Woman’s Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary”) as it draws readers right in and is written pretty tight with a unique voice. Let me know if you’re interested in a potential “a book for a review exchange”. :-)

Thanks for co-hosting this month!

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Steph, and good on you for considering reviews on your blog.

Sandra Cox said...

They're both great reads.
You have a good year too, Pat.

Sandra Cox said...

And that's why you like YAs:)
My pleasure. All are solid, enjoyable reads.

Sandra Cox said...

Several blogs I visited mentioned iffy research.
Enjoy your reads.
Happy New Year.

Sandra Cox said...

Innit the truth?

Sandra Cox said...

Agreed. Don't you hate putting out big bucks and the book doesn't measure up? Yikes.
My pleasure, Nancy.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Rachna. They're all wonderful reads.

Magic Love Crow said...

Good list of reasons Sandra! You've been busy reading! Thanks for the reviews! Big Hugs!

Sandra Cox said...

I like description weaving:)

Sandra Cox said...

Oh my gosh. A whole manuscript. Clutching my chest and reeling.
Isn't Janet's memoir wonderful?
Happy New Year, Joylene.

Sandra Cox said...

I agree with you. I find the first draft the most stressful.
You are most welcome.
Happy 2021:)

Shannon Lawrence said...

Great reviews! And some cute book covers. Especially the dolphin one.

Susan B.Rouchard said...

Thanks Sandra for your book reviews. More books to discover ! Happy new year of writing. Take care.

Jemima Pett said...

Thanks for co-hosting this month, Sandra. I reviewed Sally Cronin's What's In A Name? last month too, and thoroughly agree with you!
Happy new year!

Sandra Cox said...

You are so welcome and right back at ya.
Yes, Baldacci is good:) I'm currently reading the second in the series.
I loved Denise's Dophin's Cave. It kept me turning pages.
Write on:)

Sandra Cox said...

You are most welcome.
Let me know what you think of Mercy.
Thanks so much for stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

Great books one and all.
Thanks, Hil. May the coming year be kind.

Sandra Cox said...

Hear. Hear.

Sandra Cox said...

You bet, Cuz. And Arranging is certainly part of the awesome and diverse:)

Sandra Cox said...

Entirely my pleasure, Christine.

Sandra Cox said...

Denise has several books out for young people. I enjoyed every one.
Thanks for stopping by, Loni.

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for the reviews here Sandra.
Wishing you and yours have a happy 2021.

All the best Jan

Sandra Cox said...

For sure. Heh. Been there. Done that.
Hosting was my pleasure. Thanks so much for stopping by, S.A.

Sandra Cox said...

Right there with ya, Marie:)
Thanks for stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Adam. Once we get through January I'll feel a whole lot happier about the year:)

Sandra Cox said...

Good on you:)
I loved Dolphin's Cave. My favorite D.L. Finn story.

Sandra Cox said...

Isn't that cover great? And it catches the story line purrfectly:)
You've got some great goals for 2021:)Hope your muse is smiling and the words are flowing.

Pat Hatt said...

I think we all don't always practice what we preach lol

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Jan.
Hope your 2021 is indeed happy.

Sandra Cox said...

Innit the truth?:)

Sandra Cox said...

And let me just say your book I read grabbed me at the beginning and held my attention:)
It was my pleasure to co-host.
Take special care.

Sandra Cox said...

:)
Thanks for stopping by, Nicki.

Sandra Cox said...

It helps grab our interest, doesn't it, Lynn?
Thanks for stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

Yes and yes:)
Thanks for stopping by, Arlee.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Birgit. All great books. All great authors.
DC turned into the American nightmare didn't it?

Sandra Cox said...

Good on you, Jemima! That's great.

Sandra Cox said...

My pleasure. All good reads.
Thanks for stopping by, Susan.

Sandra Cox said...

Isn't that a lovely cover?
Thanks for stopping by, Shannon.

Kate Larkindale said...

Too much description can make a book drag. I always try to make description do double duty and offer up insights into the characters as well as setting the scene.

Sandra Cox said...

Lots of good books out there:) Thanks for stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

It's not always as easy as we'd like it to be, is it, Jennifer?
Thanks for stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Diedre. They were interesting. I appreciate you stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, S.E. Glad you stopped by. Happy New Year.

Melissa said...

J.Q. Rose's book sounds great. So does Long Road to Mercy.

Thanks for co-hosting. I'm tardy because I was helping my mom move last week.

Sandra Cox said...

I love that you included this quote. I'm currently reading about Adams and Jefferson:)
Thanks for stopping by.

Sandra Cox said...

I know the writers appreciate that.
I'll send you a hug.

Sandra Cox said...

My pleasure.
Here's hoping 2021 is great.

Sandra Cox said...

I like that!
Thanks for stopping by, Kate.

Sandra Cox said...

Both are great reads.
Good on you for helping your mom move.
Thanks for stopping by, Melissa.

Sandra Cox said...

Oh good. I'm sure Sally will be thrilled to hear that.
Wishing you much success with Plunge.
Feel free to shoot me an email.

Liesbet said...

Thanks, Sandra. I'll keep that in mind for when I'm a tad less busy with interviews and such.

Heather Musk said...

I love a book that grips me in the first page or two, and I know that those books are the ones I will fly through. If I start taking too long over a book, I need to start recognising why that is and do something about it.

Sandra Cox said...

Those first pages are key, aren't they, Heather?

Debra Renée Byrd said...

Thanks for co-hosting! I do need to be hooked somewhere in the first hundred pages. I haven't gone much further in all but maybe one book, and that was The Lord of The Rings. They were still in The Shire 200 pages later! :o

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

Great points.

Ronel visiting for IWSG day Why You Need Reader Reviews