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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

By On · 34 Comments · In Monday Readings

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and the kidlit version is hosted by Jen from Teach Mentor Texts. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site as well as Jen’s and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

This week has been such a mix of emotions. The high note of the week was the publication of my good friend Beth Kephart’s novel, Small Damages. It’s such a beautiful book and most definitely my favorite book of the year so far. If you haven’t had a chance to read my review, I’d love it if you took a couple minutes to!

Sadly, beyond that this week has been filled with turmoil. Not so much for me personally, but without question in Colorado. It’s such a tragic event and my heart breaks for all of the victims and their families. I’m praying that they are comforted at this time of tremendous loss.

The other bit of news that’s troubling is the situation with the Stop the Goodreads Bullies site. I’m not going to elaborate on it too much because it’s all been said. I’ll just say that over the course of the week I’ve definitely questioned the involvement of my children with my reviews as well as the possibility for any future negative reviews. To say I’ve been a little on nerve about it all is an understatement. Is it wrong to wish we were all a little kinder to each other? I definitely don’t think so and I know we could all use it. And that’s all! Lets hope for a better week going forward and a better world for all of us.

Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):

Year of the Picture Book:
Lovabye Dragon by Barbara Joosse
Tons of Trucks by Sue Fliess
What Sisters Do Best by Laura Joffe Numeroff

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing/Listening:

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading/Reviewing:

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

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34 Responses to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

  1. Katya says:
    July 23, 2012 at 3:59 am

    The STGRB site has made me SO angry that I haven’t been able to write a rational post about the whole mess.

    Indie books make up a relatively high percentage of my reading list so personal attacks on reviewers who leave negative reviews make me nervous. Twice in the last six months I have decided not to leave a negative review on a book I read because I was worried about the reaction the review would receive.

    Reply
    • the1stdaughter says:
      July 29, 2012 at 8:48 pm

      It’s so frightening. I’ve decided though that there’s nothing else I can do. I love reading/reviewing and I can’t let people stop me from that. It’s still a tough line to walk, but I’m hoping that constructive reviews won’t garner the same negative attention.

      Reply
  2. Melanie Meehan says:
    July 23, 2012 at 4:20 am

    I haven’t been actively involved in Goodreads but I did go to the link you provided and began reading some of it. If it makes you feel any better and some good can come from bad, your comments and the link have inspired me to begin using Goodreads! There certainly are many people in the world who don’t choose kindness and the anonymity of the internet makes it so easy for them!

    Reply
  3. Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com says:
    July 23, 2012 at 5:57 am

    Regarding Colorado, heart breaking. Seriously. Such loss.

    Regarding GR and bullies, tell me a bit. I’m a little out of the loop. I knew things were going down but just didn’t have the time to stare at the train wreck. I can understand your hesitancy regarding negative reviews but why keep the kiddos out?

    Reply
    • the1stdaughter says:
      July 29, 2012 at 9:01 pm

      I worry about their safety. Some of the reviewers involved have had their personal info, including phone numbers and addresses disclosed. I’d be terrified if that happened. :(

      It’s all so awful. I truly wish people would take into account the safety of others. Lets just hope this is a one time incident and things get better from here. :)

      Reply
  4. Jennifer Fountain says:
    July 23, 2012 at 6:12 am

    So much crazy in the world. :-\

    I have seen a lot of talk on Twitter about Liar & Spy. Can’t wait to see your thoughts on it!

    Happy reading! :)

    Reply
  5. Kathryn Cooper says:
    July 23, 2012 at 6:29 am

    My boys loved Higher Higher so we’ll definitely have to read Faster Faster.

    See what Clean Teen Fiction is reading!

    Reply
  6. Mardel says:
    July 23, 2012 at 6:46 am

    I hate when people get rude and mean – no matter what side they’re on. You’re right, we all should be treating each other with kindness. I remember when I first started visiting sites, and I was attacked because of a question – seriously, it was so mild but the author had some rabid fans that tore me apart. I almost stopped visiting sites. It devastated me, and later the joke was on them because I had asked someone about being a psuedonym and years later it turned out to be true. There are so many wonderful people out there, but unfortunately it’s the rudeness and horrible behaviour that stands out.

    I clicked on the link you provided, read some of the comments, some of them even were bordering on rude and then someone posted a link to a website that had all these great pictures of random acts of kindness/bravery. That was worth it all.

    I wish people wouldn’t be afraid to leave honest reviews. If there’s something negative – as long as it’s posted politely and not rudely, you should be able to feel comfortable posting. It’s too bad that these crazies are making people too nervous to post their opinions.

    Books – you have some interesting books there! Going over now to read your review

    Reply
  7. MariaSelke @mselke01 says:
    July 23, 2012 at 7:09 am

    I’m looking forward to Liar and Spy, as I’ve loved the other two Stead books I’ve read.

    The GR stuff is like watching a train wreck. I want to stop looking… but I keep reading posts and shaking my head. Makes me glad I have no following on GR and the only books I really write about are the ones I liked.

    Reply
  8. Jeanne Walker Harvey says:
    July 23, 2012 at 8:56 am

    Oh, I just loved The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore? What did Turkeybird and Littlebug think of it? And it’s such an interesting story behind it … first a short film and then a book.

    Reply
  9. Vasilly says:
    July 23, 2012 at 10:32 am

    It is not wrong at all to think we could be kinder to each other. I don’t know what’s going on with these authors. I do know that we should start notifying publishers about an author’s bad behavior. This stuff is getting scary. . .

    The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore is such a sweet book. Did you know that it’s also an iPad app? I can’t wait to read your thoughts on Liar & Spy. It’s on my reading list for next week.

    Happy reading.

    Reply
    • the1stdaughter says:
      July 29, 2012 at 9:15 pm

      It really is getting scary. I can take care of myself, but it’s hard when my children could potentially be involved. It’s just too bad it all has to go this way. Hopefully it passes soon.

      We love the iPad app for the Morris Lessmore book! The whole experience is incredible! :)

      Reply
  10. Pussreboots says:
    July 23, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Red Cat Blue Cat must go on my wishlist. I know my daughter would love it.

    My favorite read last week was Amulet, Vol. 5: Prince of the Elves (audio) by Kazu Kibuishi. Please come see what else I’m reading.

    Reply
  11. Gina says:
    July 23, 2012 at 10:53 am

    Lovely week in review post Danielle! (…and I know nothing about the other issue mentioned….suppose I should count my blessings on that one!) My heart goes out to those victims as well….such a sad situation. AS for your books to come, you’re gonna LOVE the LESSMORE book if you haven’t snuck a peek in it already. Happy reading!

    Reply
  12. Dollycas says:
    July 23, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    It has been quite a week and I had missed the stuff on Goodreads but read some of it today. It has me angry. Last week I had a book I just couldn’t force myself to finish. I wrote to the author and told him I wouldn’t be reviewing and why and posted I did not finish it today on my blog. I probably should post on the online sites a one-star review but took quite a bit of flack for another book I made myself finish and then gave a low review. We are supposed to be able to post a honest review but there are some out there that just troll the sites to find those reviews and trash the authors. Really makes you second, third and fourth guess yourself before posting anything these days. I wish everyone could just get along and respect each others opinion but it seems to be getting worse instead of better. :(

    Reply
    • the1stdaughter says:
      July 29, 2012 at 9:22 pm

      I completely agree. It’s so sad. I understand being upset with a malicious “review”, but an honest critical review doesn’t seem like such a horrible thing. Even saying that though, no one deserves some of the things that have been happening to them through all this craziness. I wish it would all stop. Lets hope for a solution soon, one that leads to a happier kinder situation.

      Reply
  13. Earl says:
    July 23, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    Wow, I didn’t even know about the whole Goodreads drama until I read this. Tsk, tsk. On a different subject, I love the feel of your blog. It’s so light!

    Reply
  14. Alyson (alybee930) says:
    July 23, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    After a few incidents where authors challenged what I thought about a book (and I wasn’t even being harsh – just stating it didn’t work for me), I stopped any negative reviews unless the author is dead. I figured at that point they really don’t care what I think. It is just sad that some people (authors, bloggers, etc – not just one group of people) can’t be professional. Some criticism can be good if written appropriately. Enough said.

    I loved The Scar – cried but loved that book. Need to look for Red Cat, Blue Cat. Now off to read your review of Small Damages.

    Reply
    • the1stdaughter says:
      July 29, 2012 at 9:32 pm

      It’s sad that we can’t review books we don’t exactly love without that fear. I’ve had a few bad experiences as well, it’s no good. Especially for those of us trying to be professional about it. :(

      I loved The Scar and definitely cried a lot. So sad, but so good.

      Reply
  15. Kellee Moye says:
    July 23, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    I just added Small Damages to my TBR- looks amazing.
    I just read Liar & Spy and recently read The Sports Pages- I hope you enjoy them both as much as I did.

    Happy reading this week! :)

    Reply
  16. Jenna Lynne @ betweenthebind says:
    July 24, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    I try hard not to be involved with the stupidity of the random slander…I just honestly believe that to post a negative review of any book is okay – and you can do it however you please! Although I wouldn’t follow a blog who tends to be malicious or crude about their dislikes, nor would I support them, I also would never slander them.

    Anywho, if you’d like,
    check out what I’m reading at Between the Bind.

    Reply
  17. Jennifer says:
    July 24, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    First, I have to say that your blog is so pleasing to the eye. I’ve been bumping into a lot of itsy bitsy print and flashing gadgets…makes my head ache ;) Yours is beautiful, refreshing and soothing to my eyes.

    Small Damages looks like a great read, thanks!

    Reply

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