February 2012
3 posts
Author's Guild takes on the idea that Amazon's... →
Spoiler alert: it is actually their predatory, anti-competitive business practices.
Monthly Ebook Promo from Algonquin Books! →
The fabulous Algonquin Books is doing a new monthly ebook promo during the second week of every month. For February they asked seven Algonquin authors to choose their very favorite Algonquin backlist book, all of which are being offered this week for just $1.99! There are some really great titles there, check them out!
WatchPBS’sGreat Expectations, airing April 1 & 8
January 2012
4 posts
It’s Monday! What are you reading?
So, just like I said last week, I should really be writing this week and not reading (most of last week I didn’t do much of either, actually). Still, there are some things I want to get to:
To finish (already started):
Changeless by Gail Carriger (Nook) The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak (print) Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (audio)
To start:
The Underside of Joy by...
It's Monday! What are you reading?
Once again I’m so behind on reviews that I should probably work focusing on writing more than reading, but I’m sure I’ll squeeze some reading time in too.
To finish (already started):
Changeless by Gail Carriger (Nook) Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron (print) The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney (audio)
To start:
The Underside of Joy by Sere Prince Halverson (print) The Winter...
December 2011
5 posts
“Fresh oranges are cultish compared to frozen... →
A bookseller takes on the stupid Slate article about Amazon.
“In almost any other realm in Europe, illegitimacy was a stigma that effectively...”
– The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev
“Even severed as it was from the rest of the body, the hand was majestic.”
– Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard
(Don’t worry, this is part of the Statue of Liberty)
WatchI sort of love John Burton.
It's Monday! What are you reading?
I have a lot of writing to do this week, so I doubt I’ll have a lot of reading time, but I’m still hopefully that I’ll get through a few things.
Anyway, here’s what I’m hoping to get to:
To finish (already started):
Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (Nook) Accidents of Providence by Stacia M. Brown (print)
To start:
Treasure Island!!! by Sara Levine (print) The...
November 2011
3 posts
Monday! What are you reading?
I have these high hopes of reading a TON this week since I have two days off, even though I know that the days I have off AND my weekend will all be much busier with family in than if I was just at work.
Anyway, here’s what I’m hoping to get to:
To finish (already started):
Wicked by Gregory Maguire (Nook) The Strangers on Montagu Street by Karen White (print)
To start:
Charles...
What's In a Name 5
You GUYS, it is What’s in a Name Time! *throws confetti*
If you don’t know about What’s in a Name, it is a fun reading challenge that is now hosted at Beth Fish Reads. It is also the only challenge I do, because I can complete it on accident and I only have to remember to link 6 things. There are other challenges I can complete on accident too (audiobook, ebook, historical...
October 2011
4 posts
“If you want to understand how these [dictators such as Adolf Hitler and Saddam...”
– Why Read Moby-Dick by Nathaniel Philbrick, p. 99
“There is a wonderful slapdash quality to the book. Melville inserts chapters of...”
– Why Read Moby-Dick by Nathaniel Philbrick, p. 64
Somehow, I don’t find this very convincing.
How to Write an Important Novel
emmainpictures:
HA
wwnorton:
“But can you?”
“Can I what?”
“Write an important novel.”
“Of course I can. All you have to do is cut out the plot and shove in plenty of misery.”
-P.G. Wodehouse, Ice in the Bedroom
Mr. Darcy’s Guide to Wooing Women →
whatsoldisnew:
This is the kind of snark that we can get behind, here at What’s Old is New.
September 2011
1 post
August 2011
7 posts
“At some level, everyone with siblings understands the urge to murder them.”
– Marlene Zuk on the prevalence of siblicide in insects in Sex on Six Legs
“Those of us who study insects are passionate about them in a way that can seem...”
– Sex on Six Legs by Marlene Zuk
Reader, she marries him - 10 classics we read... →
This totally ties in with yesterday’s post about spoilers improving the reading experience. What say you?
Spoiler alert: Spoilers don't ruin stories, after... →
So, it turns out, people like stories AS MUCH OR MORE when they are spoiled for them ahead of time.
I have to say, I don’t disagree, having something ‘spoiled’ for me won’t stop me from reading/watching it, because if it is worth my time in the first place, the journey will be more interesting than the destination.
3 tags
June 2011
3 posts
dog eared copy: 2010-2011, My Audiobook Year →
dogearedcopy:
I’ve been exploring my world through audiobooks for over sixteen years! It all started when the narrator, Grover Gardner, asked me to proof his work on Umberto Ecco’s Foucault’s Pendulum. Proofing an audiobook means to check the audio for misreads (both text deviations and egregious…
May 2011
10 posts
“Politics and prostitution have to be the only jobs where inexperience is...”
– Bossypants by Tina Fey
“Thinking about that, her throat caught. She felt embarrassed for herself the way...”
– The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore
Zombie-proof!
My relationship would outlast the zombie apocalypse!
Take the How Long Would Your Relationship Survive in the Zombie Apocalypse? Quiz at JessePetersen.net
I’ve read the first two books in this series, and they’re totally fun. I’m really looking forward to book three.
My Response to the Worst. Pitch. Ever.
…for which I was called a snob. In case you missed it, the Worst. Pitch. Ever.
[Redacted], I’m sorry, but I don’t read much science fiction, and I don’t accept self-published books for review - particularly not ones that haven’t been professionally edited. I appreciate your money problems, but they really are not appropriate for you to be mentioning in your...
When (Not So) Good Pitches Go (Really) Bad
Okay, for a little bit of context, my review policy states that I do not accept either self-published works or fantasy/science fiction (I read a little Scalzi and Mieville, but that’s about it as far as the scifi/fantasy thing goes for me).
Except the wrongness didn’t stop there! Not only is his work totally inappropriate for my blog and what I like to read, it was just a completely...
Is it too cheesy to make a "they like me" joke...
Hey, so, you can now ‘like’ Devourer of Books on Facebook. Okay, actually that was possible before, but inadvisable.
Devourer of Books Promote your Page too
April 2011
13 posts
“The economic collapse began in Europe, but financial markets were intertwined...”
– Doc by Mary Doria Russell, page 19
Will we never learn?
“He began to die when he was twenty-one, but tuberculosis is slow and sly and...”
– Doc by Mary Doria Russell (May 3, 2011)
‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ and the Wonder of Words ::... →
crazylilcuban:
“It was while reading The Phantom Tollbooth that I began to realize, not that I wanted to be a writer (that came a little later, at the mercy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), but something simpler: I had a crush on the English language, one that was every bit as intense, if less advanced, as that from which the augustly named author, Mr. Norton Juster, himself evidently...
Just saying, Kate should be ready for: "I William...
marleymagaziner:
americasnexttoptumblr:
itslikegasoline:
Because that is how I assume all weddings in London go.
I lobster love this.
pfth… hehehehehe.
A FRIENDS reenactment is maybe the one thing that could get me interested in the Royal Wedding.
Original music inspired by THE UNCOUPLING →
whatsoldisnew:
I know this has been an all-Meg Wolitzer week, but you MUST check out this song inspired by her new book, The Uncoupling. The player is at the bottom of the front page of her website.
And then you can go check out our interview with Meg and, if you’ve already read the book, the spoilery outtakes.
Happy pub day The Uncoupling! Celebrate by...
Tote Bags for Everyone! →
Via @melanieben