The Amateur Book Blogger

Wow! I've just spent the last couple of days tryi...

2009-01-09T05:59:00.000+01:00

Wow! I've just spent the last couple of days trying to 'reconnect' in blogdom after a short break, and find that you're taking a long, long break. And can fully understand your reasoning. It's difficult to balance everything and, in terms of writing, it can be too frustrating not having sufficient large blocks of time to work on the big projects -- the projects that really drive you. I know I'm at a point with my current drafting where I have to be a little more single-minded about the amount of time I divvy up on other projects. Anyway, I didn't want the moment to go unnoticed. I will continue to enjoy your wonderful articles over at The View From Here and will continue to be amazed how prolific you are. Thanks for the wonderful posts you've put up here at The Amateur Book Blogger, and (from this site at least) bon voyage and au revoir.

Thanks Patricia - you rock! Great news on Tesco bo...

2009-01-06T20:33:00.000+01:00

Thanks Patricia - you rock! Great news on Tesco book of the month!

I voted for you guys!!!!

2009-01-06T18:57:00.000+01:00

I voted for you guys!!!!

BFG is a wonderful book. If only my local greengr...

2008-12-23T12:11:00.000+01:00

BFG is a wonderful book. If only my local greengrocer sold snozzcumbers!

Christmas pud with custard? Surely a bit of cream...

2008-12-19T12:09:00.000+01:00

Christmas pud with custard? Surely a bit of cream or ice-cream would be better!

Mine came out:You're Prufrock and Other Observatio...

2008-12-19T12:08:00.000+01:00

Mine came out:

You're Prufrock and Other Observations!
by T.S. Eliot

Though you are very short and often overshadowed, your voice is poetic and lyrical. Dark and brooding, you see the world as a hopeless effort of people trying to impress other people. Though you make reference to almost everything, you've really heard enough about Michelangelo. You measure out your life with coffee spoons.

Scary - seems about right!

Have a great Xmas!

What a fun list! And I love Roald Dahl.

2008-12-11T15:17:00.000+01:00

What a fun list! And I love Roald Dahl.

Aloha!I was the one who was fortunate- Thank you f...

2008-12-09T17:10:00.000+01:00

Aloha!
I was the one who was fortunate- Thank you for inviting me. And Stella really there are no daft questions- it's interesting on how each bookclub is really different and they all focus on different things-
It's a so gratifying to be able to connect with readers.
Much aloha,
Patricia Wood
(and SKYPE rocks!!!!)

Consider yourself tagged, deary.http://stellascrip...

2008-12-09T12:45:00.000+01:00

Consider yourself tagged, deary.

http://stellascript.blogspot.com/2008/12/tag-numbers.html

Btw, I give you credit for conducting all these interviews - I really would be worried I'd ask totally daft questions...

Poor old C.S.Lewis. I wonder if he'd be secretly ...

2008-12-04T11:28:00.000+01:00

Poor old C.S.Lewis. I wonder if he'd be secretly cheering from beyond or turning in his grave at this latest interpretation. I'll keep a look out for the documentary with interest.

Aww I just noticed you have LOTTERY under your fav...

2008-12-02T09:20:00.000+01:00

Aww I just noticed you have LOTTERY under your favorite books...Thanks and aloha!

The reasons for choosing books can be interesting....

2008-11-25T10:57:00.000+01:00

The reasons for choosing books can be interesting. Personal recommendations have a big impact on me. Having raved about Remarkable Things I do hope you enjoy it.

Paul you've made me think, how did I select these?...

2008-11-22T21:12:00.000+01:00

Paul you've made me think, how did I select these?

The selection criteria were quite mixed here: a few are book club for 2009, (Arthur & George, Night Train to Lisbon, Secret Life of Bees, The Lovely Bones, McCarthy's Bar, Wicked) a couple are gifts, (the non-fiction). French by Heart I like the sound of beacuse I too am an 'ex-pat' and have lived in Chicago, so enjoy the US / European perspectives, and have spent much time in France too, (one copy is a gift - but can't tell you for whom for another 6 weeks!) I follow Rebecca Ramsey's fun & inspiring blog so I wanted to read her book! Grass and Tellkamp I decided I must read in native written German as a former lang. student, and based on their prize winning and reputation. Muchamore and MG Harris were recommendations of Nikki Heath, Granny was a Buffer girl, recommeded by Jenny Downham. I'm deciding whether I'm writing YA or general fiction, so thought I'd read some 'good' YA books and see if it helps me decide.

The only four in fact I have picked in English, because I fancied them on nothing but my own whim are The Book Thief, Fault Lines, The Alchemist and If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things.

But based on your notes, I think I'll start with the last one, Jon McGregor.

Yes! Can access your blog in Firefox, even though...

2008-11-22T11:04:00.000+01:00

Yes! Can access your blog in Firefox, even though the browser font is a tad different. Thanks goodness. Am hoping to get Arthur and George and The Lovely Bones myself soon. If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things is a stunningly remarkable book and The Secret Life of Bees is a wonderful read too. I hope you'll enjoy them. However, given that you've picked out these titles, I feel I should look into some of the others on your list now too as we seem to be selecting from a similar direction.

It's a fab cover isn't it? Looking forward to read...

2008-11-16T14:19:00.000+01:00

It's a fab cover isn't it? Looking forward to reading it myself.

Oooh, I like the jacket for Invisible City... that...

2008-11-15T21:16:00.000+01:00

Oooh, I like the jacket for Invisible City... that's another one for my list of books to buy!

Wow! You really are doing your part to support th...

2008-11-11T14:11:00.000+01:00

Wow! You really are doing your part to support the publishing industry! You deserve a big hug!

And thank you for putting mine on your list! You're a sweetie!

I love this! Wallace and Gromit are my favorites!...

2008-11-04T02:32:00.000+01:00

I love this! Wallace and Gromit are my favorites!

This looks much more promising than the Kindle. I...

2008-10-21T12:22:00.000+02:00

This looks much more promising than the Kindle. I may have to reassess my objections to digital books (which was only ever going to take a matter of time)!

I'm a tad jealous! Was it good? Would love to he...

2008-10-21T12:18:00.000+02:00

I'm a tad jealous! Was it good? Would love to hear a little more about it if possible.

How appropriate that the sculpture should resemble...

2008-10-13T12:13:00.000+02:00

How appropriate that the sculpture should resemble a type of fungus which might be found clinging to a tree.

Indeed, the "'other' writing things" can crowd out...

2008-10-08T22:22:00.000+02:00

Indeed, the "'other' writing things" can crowd out the novel. Good luck with your 3 hours a day. That'll be an impressive effort all the same.

Paul - I empathise! The most I've done in one go w...

2008-10-08T11:17:00.000+02:00

Paul - I empathise! The most I've done in one go was 7,000 in three afternoons, at a wonderful writing retreat in Italy. (http://www.peraltatuscany.com/) Similar to this exercise, I did it without editing. That's what holds me up a lot, the nit picking as I go along. It might be an interesting exercise just to try (if I don't get RSI!) But I'd only be able to do 3 hours each day, so not sure I'd hit the target, but I'm considering giving it a go. At the moment I'm doing too many 'other' writing things, than 'the novel'...

This sounds like great fun. At the moment I'd bau...

2008-10-08T10:57:00.000+02:00

This sounds like great fun. At the moment I'd baulk at the thought of trying to hit 1600+ words per day, because I'm currently struggling to hit 160, but if I could dedicate a whole month to this (with no other distractions) I'd love it. Maybe I'll have to quit the day job after all!

This is a fun little blog.I'll have to wander arou...

2008-10-04T17:32:00.000+02:00

This is a fun little blog.
I'll have to wander around it and your others when I have more time.
(Today I have to grade essays/ mark papers.)