Saturday, 15 August 2015

Sunday post 4

Hosted by Kimberley here at http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/ the Sunday Post is a chance to reflect on the week that was, talk about what we've been blogging about, and also a chance to plan the week ahead.

I actually managed to sort of get my act together this past week, and I've posted two reviews.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making here:
http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/the-girl-who-circumnavigated-fairyland.html

And I'll Give You the Sun, here: http://lifetheuniverseandcats.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/the-girl-who-circumnavigated-fairyland.html

I have to say, for anyone unfamiliar with my ... style, I'm not the most insightful reviewer ever. I'm enthusiastic about the books I'm enthusiastic about, and I will get my rant on about the books I don't like. Beyond that ... Well, if I can make you smile or laugh, then job done :D

(I'm also lazy. But let's not get into that.)

Let's see, what else ...

I have a little less than three weeks to go at work, and I'm sure my last day will be emotional or something, but right now - having made the big grown-up decision - I'm ready to move on, and every week day is just that much more irritating right now.

I'm trying to get through My Cousin Rachel by Tuesday - a 300 page book that's taken me something like a month to read, between losing Morgana, getting sick, and picking up books that are decidedly NOT My Cousin Rachel, but I'm nearly halfway through now and I'm optimistic I'll have a post up in time for the book tour.

With Aarti's More Diverse Universe challenge coming up: http://www.aartichapati.com/2015/08/sign-up-post-diversiverse-is-coming.html and with recent world events, I've been musing in my own quiet, non-intellectual way about how I can better educate myself.

One way, of course, as always, is reading. I think my reading does tend to skew/default to white writers, something I'm sort-of conscious of but then it sinks below the surface again.

So, with Aarti's challenge on the horizon, and with this post that popped up on tumblr: http://catagator.tumblr.com/post/126007994444/committing-to-diversity-when-youre-white-a I'm going to ... try and diversify my reading. Because it's important.

That post suggests setting a challenge for yourself, and so I'm going for every third book I read will be by a non-white writer.  I haven't chosen a book for A More Diverse Universe yet but between now and then, I'm hoping to expand my horizon.

So, after My Cousin Rachel, I'm diving into Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay.

Also, today, I burned my arm on my lamp. Riiiiight where it rests against things.

How was your week? What's coming up?
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11 comments:

  1. Greg15 August 2015 at 22:52

    I liked your review of The Girl, I've seen tha tone around before but never actually took a look at it. After your review I may have to do that, it sounds great and perfect for younger readers- i can think of several who might enjoy it.

    have a great week!

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  2. Debbish15 August 2015 at 22:56

    I like to think my reviews are a bit like yours. In fact I although I say 'reviews' I rarely call myself a book reviewer and say I'm a book blogger. I put WAY too much of me into my reviews and also rant or add little sarcastic comments here and there. I worry sometimes that it's not professional but then some of my readers say they actually enjoy them because they're not too sterile!

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  3. Maree15 August 2015 at 23:18

    Greg: Thank you! It's definitely a great one for younger readers, I hope they enjoy it as much as I did :)

    Deborah: Heh. :) I tend to put the first thing down that comes into my head. But it's my own little corner and I like how it's going :)

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  4. Steph from fangswandsandfairydust.com16 August 2015 at 05:21

    I find I don't really know the color of the writers I read, but except for a few, I pretty much only read women. I don't like action adventure or super suspense which are written more by men. It's great you are trying to expand your vistas.

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  5. Reading Away The Days16 August 2015 at 08:56

    I haven't heard of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making but after checking out your review it looks like a great read :) Happy Reading.

    Megan @ http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.co.uk

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  6. Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer16 August 2015 at 09:59

    I read a bit of everything so you will see male and female writers popping up from all walks of life. I am sure the job ending will be bittersweet but I have a feeling an opportunity is right around the corner.

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  7. Mallory @ The Local Muse16 August 2015 at 10:30

    I'm glad you loved I'll Give You the Sun! It's my favorite book I have read so far this year. I love Nelson's writing, and her other novel, The Sky is Everywhere is really great too!
    Have a great week!
    Thanks for stopping by the The Local Muse

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  8. Kathryn T16 August 2015 at 14:36

    Laughing at your comment about reading books that were not My Cousin Rachel. All the best for your challenge. I tend to stick to what I like but do branch out occasionally.

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  9. Maree16 August 2015 at 15:36

    Steph: Thanks. I"m trying, anyway :D

    Megan: It's such a magical read, I did love it :)

    Kim: thank you. I hope so! :D

    Mallory: Hands down, one of my favourite reads this year. Thanks! :D

    Kathryn: Heh, thank you! :D

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  10. Cyn @ Bookmunchies17 August 2015 at 21:05

    I have the first three books of the Fairyland series, but I still need to read them, eep. Glad to hear you thought they were lovely! Good luck your challenge! I've been trying to read more diversely (and kinda failing, haha. I need to try harder!)

    Thanks for stopping by Bookmunchies (:

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  11. Maree18 August 2015 at 01:59

    Cyn: I'm very much looking forward to reading the next two books in the series. Thanks! See how I go with it, anyway!

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