Sunday, January 4, 2015

Contest and Other Musings/Questions to Close out the Year

I've got a few items for discussion along with some categorization for your reading pleasure.

1)  I'm running an end-of-year contest.  Make any comment on this post, and you will be entered in a drawing.  The winner gets to pick any book from my 2014 list.

2)  Here are the books I read this year by category (I'm including the 5 that I edited or early read):

Literary Fiction - 24
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense - 19
YA (young adult) - 7
Memoir - 6
Romance - 4
Anthologies/Essays - 3
Middle Grade - 4
Fiction/Memoir - 2
Non-Fiction - 1
Fable/Coming-of-Age - 1
Legal Treatise - 1

3)  I've already mentioned that I started 5 books this year that I didn't finish.  This might be more DNF's than I ever had - collectively!  Are they books that just weren't any good? No, I don't think so.  It just may be that I've got a shorter attention span now than in past years.  I think we can all concede that possibility!  I won't give you any names.  But I will tell you that 1 is an internationally prominent author with 14 novels and 6 anthologies. And another 1 is the January book that was picked for the 4th Tuesday Night Book Club at Books, Inc. Palo Alto.  Kind of surprising.

4)  Finally, I have a question for you.  I'm ready to start my 5th year of blogging.  Help me determine if I should be blogging more?  Less?  The same?  Please be honest.  I don't want you to see a post and say:  "Not again (groan)!"  But I also don't want you to say: "Finally.  Where have you been?"  (I feel fairly confident that there won't be many of you in this category!).  Or is it like when Goldilocks falls asleep in the little bear's bed?  "Ah, just right."  I'll let everybody know what the consensus is.

That's it, people.  I'm looking forward to another year with all of you.
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13 comments:

  1. cleemckenzieJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    I can't always get by, but I enjoy reading your posts, so I have no complaints about what you're doing here.

    I finally had to cut my blogging to once a week because I had no time to write and sleep wasn't happening that much either.

    Let's hope 2015 is a wonderful reading/writing year for us all.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Book SageJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:36 AM

    Thanks, Lee. When can I order your new book from Recycle? I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  3. cleemckenzieJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    I've not contacted Recycle. I've been so darned busy with the holidays and two books out this year that I'm in tailspin. It is available on Amazon, but if you'd take an eBook I have that I can send. I'd love your take on this one.

    p.s. I'm putting your contest link on my fb page. Hope that generates a visit or two.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Book SageJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    I want it in print. That's my preferred way, AND I would have something for you to sign. I would love for you to bring some to the RCB in March. As for now, I'll either order it from Amazon or wait until Recycle can get it from their distributor. I WILL be reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. cleemckenzieJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    Thanks, Lloyd. I understand preferring print. I spend so much time at this screen. I hope to get some print copies from the publisher soon. I'll let you know.

    ReplyDelete
  6. bermudaonionJanuary 5, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    I think my attention span is shorter as well. I haven't finished a book yet this year but think I'll get one done today. As far as blogging, I think you should do what feels comfortable to you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bish DenhamJanuary 12, 2015 at 2:11 PM

    As I've gotten older, and because I'm a slow reader, if I don't get into a book with in the first chapter or two, I put it down. I love to read and simply don't have the time to spend on something I'm not liking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Book SageJanuary 12, 2015 at 5:20 PM

      I've definitely got less patience to get through a book than I used to. I will still give it some time, but I'm not going to treat a book like a homework assignment anymore.

      Delete
  8. The Red PenJanuary 12, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    No fantasy? Well, mystery and suspense is near the top of your list. :) Keep blogging and we'll keep reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Book SageJanuary 12, 2015 at 5:23 PM

      I've never been a big fantasy reader. Alina Sayre's 2 books, The Illuminator's Gift and The Illuminator's Test, are fantasy, even though they're geared for middle graders. But even this 65-year old really liked them both. My all-time favorite fantasy series is Terry Brooks' Landover books. And I accidentally found out that he's got another one in the series coming out sometime this year. I'm excited about that.

      Delete
  9. Bish DenhamJanuary 12, 2015 at 2:18 PM

    As I've gotten older, and because I'm a slow reader, if I don't get into a book with in the first chapter or two, I put it down. I love to read and simply don't have the time to spend on something I'm not liking.

    ReplyDelete

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