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Quizzes & Tags |
I recently came across the Book Blogger tag on Bookwyrming Thoughts‘ blog and I loved the questions. So here I am answering the Book Blogger Tag, which apparently is ancient. But better late than never right?
Book Blogger tag
I am gonna take this chance to talk about the things that happen behind the screen of this blog. And this tag is a good way to keep off my slump that might be around the corner now. Let us get on with it shall we?
How many times do you check your email every day?
I check my mail box twice a day, or less. But I also view them on my mobile notifications as they come in. Unless it is very important I do not respond right away.
I just wanted to mention this, I do not respond to review requests unless I am interested to review it. And looking at the number of unread mail I have currently, I definitely need a better system.
How many times a day do you go on Goodreads?
I don’t use Goodreads as much as I used to, a few years ago. I still go on to the site to post my reading updates as soon as I finish a book and to post my reviews.
That comes to almost twice a week, at the best.
How long does it take to you to edit your posts?
I recently updated my site’s theme, mainly to address this.
It took me way longer to edit my posts and do those formatting than I liked. So now I have made it much more simpler.
And also I love the Gutenberg editor as it makes the formatting much simpler, especially from other apps like Notion or Evernote.
Answering the question, it takes me anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes to get a written post up and live on the website.
What kind of laptop do you use?
I am currently using HP laptop, which is lighter, faster and definitely easy to use. But it is definitely an upgrade from 5+ years old Dell I used to have. It doesn’t hurt that this one has a touch screen and Tablet mode.
How often do you check your Twitter?
To be honest, I spend about 15 minutes or so almost daily on Twitter for MY BLOG. But I spend a LOT more time on book twitter during the day and while commuting (at least before the Covid virus lock downs).
I love Twitter, but it is also (one of) my big time sucker(s)!
Why do you use Blogger, WordPress, etc?
As much as I loved Blogger and customizing it, I took a call to move to self hosted WordPress in 2017 and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I use(d) everything that I learnt from Blogger – HTML, CSS and generally keeping the blogging system (kind of) organized and I am loving it.
Are you good at keeping up with your reviews, tags, etc?
sure, I have a spreadsheet (among the many) to keep a tab of the books I have read and I want to review. And I fairly have it under control – yay me!
Not so great at this but I catch up with them eventually. I can attribute it safely to the fact that I write up a very few tag posts and since they are far and between, many of the tags disappear and forgotten.
How many times a week do you post?
Generally I post four times a week on my blog.
- Sunday – Weekly/Monthly wrap up posts
- Monday – Book reviews
- Wednesday – How to/Discussion posts
- Friday – Recommendations/Listicles
I also a few guest bloggers posting on topics like Indie publishing, author recommendations and Friday Flyaway.
Related posts
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Have you ever done the Book Blogger tag before? If you have not, or want to do it again, feel free to answer these questions here or on your blog. Let us talk.
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review, Thriller |
It is not so common that a book that takes “a modern twist on Agatha Christie” gets rated so high and raved by bloggers I admire. So let’s review The Guest List by Lucy Foley, a book that has been on the Amazon best sellers for more than ten weeks now.
About the book
Book Name: The Guest List
Author: Lucy Foley
Genre: Fiction – Thriller
Characters: Will Slater, Julia Keegan, Hannah and Charlie, Olivia, Johnno, Aiofe and Freddy
Setting: Inis an Amplóra, or Cormorant Island, Ireland
Summary
In a secluded island in the coastal regions of Ireland, the modern day power couple Jules and Will Slater are tying their knots. A couple of close friends and the wedding party choose to stay in the island the night before the wedding. The weather is not helping and storm seems to be approaching as well.
But just as the celebrations begin, a distraught waitress stumbles in and announces that she saw a body. The ushers walk into the deadly night to check it and the cops from the mainland are called as well.
Will the ‘happily ever after’ and the ‘death do apart work’ for this couple? And who kills whom forms the rest of the story in The Guest List by Lucy Foley.
My initial thoughts
This closed room murder mystery follows the usual whodunnit pattern and it works well. Despite having multiple POVs (six of them), the narration is quite simple and doesn’t confuse much.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley has a number of suspects and motives, as any good murder mystery should.
In spite of all the numerous red herrings, I guessed the murder much earlier and I am sure so would other regular mystery lovers.
What worked for me
- The closed space murder mystery stretched over a 48 hours is fast paced and entertaining.
- The red herrings keep the reader focused on the wrong things and would work very well if you are not a regular mystery reader.
- The reader is unaware of the murderer is as well as the victim until almost the end making it more fun.
What may have been better
- Except for one or two, I found all the characters annoying and/or horrible. But I don’t think these characters slowed down the whodunnit part.
- I would have loved a bit more loose/open ending. I guessed the murderer from miles away.
Bottom line
If you are an Agatha Christie fan, The Guest List by Lucy Foley is a good read for you. But be warned that this contemporary murder mystery might prove to be a bit easily solvable, if you read whodunnits regularly.
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Have you read The Guest List by Lucy Foley? What other contemporary murder mysteries worked well for you? Is there any author who might come close to Agatha Christie? Let us talk.
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review, Thriller |
Reading a pretty hyped up book has its own disadvantages, mainly the pressure to like it because everyone else did. But did Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens pass the test for me? Let’s get on to the book review shall we?
About the book
Book Name: Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
Genre: Fiction – Romance; Thriller
Characters: Kya Clark, Tate Walker, Jumpin’ and Mable, Chase Andrews
Setting: Barkley Cove, North Carolina, The USA
Plot Summary
The book begins when six year old Kya watches her mother leave their shack and her five children with her drunk, violent and often absent father. Soon one by one her siblings also flee, as does her father eventually, leaving her behind to fend for herself.
She attends the school for a day, forced by the authorities and tempted by the meal, but realizes she would be hungry rather than be laughed at. When Kya learns to accept her loneliness, two boys enter her life.
One of them teaches her to read and discover more about the marsh life and another shows what her life could be if she were a “normal” girl. And to make things worse, both of them abandon her at some point, just like her family.
Fast forward to 1969, when they recover a local athlete, Chase Andrews’ body near the marsh. Without much evidence, they arrest Kya when the villagers come to know Chase and Kya were closer to each other than they all thought.
Why was Kya arrested and who murdered Chase? What happens to Kya forms the rest of the story in Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
Book review
In this historical fiction, there are two timelines – one following six year old Kya’s life from 1952 and the other follows Chase’s murder investigation in 1969. There are vast differences in the writing styles, almost like they were written by two authors.
But I think that worked, because for me they felt like they were different genres (a coming of age romance and a murder/legal thriller). And I am sure fans of both the genres would have something for them.
It is apparent that Delia Owens knows the marshland very well. And her writing ensures the reader gets transported to the wetlands themselves. Once I suspended the skepticism about a kid living all alone, I really liked Kya and her will to survive everything that life throws her way.
I loved how Where the Crawdads Sing spoke of several themes like abandonment, parental neglect, alienation, bullying and racism. And yet made it all about hope and love.
The romance part was a tiny bit melodramatic. But when you are 20 something everyone is allowed to be heart broken and decide to “never love anyone ever again”. There were quite a number of red herring and I was at a point convinced someone particular was the murderer. But surprisingly they were not!
What worked for me
- Where the Crawdads Sing works mainly for Owen’s writing and her ability to grasp the reader’s attention – be it the romance or the court room drama!
- Kya herself is an unique character and she will be cherished as one of the strong female literary characters in my mind.
- Despite talking about so many serious themes like abandonment, parental neglect, alienation, bullying and racism, it is hope and positivity that I ended up feeling.
What may have been better
- The first part contains a lot of descriptive writing, so if you are not into those type of books be warned.
- Also a warning people who are not into alternative timelines.
Bottom line
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is one of those books that survived the hype and came through for me. I liked the author’s writing style and her character building. Catch Where the Crawdads Sing before the movie comes out!
Similar books for you
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Have you read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens? How did you like it? Which hyped book worked well for you? And which didn’t? Let us talk.
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Sunday Musings |
I know I have been complaining about the weather down here in Dubai for a long time now, four to six months now, and it is gonna stop right now – at least for now. YES, the summer is finally gone and the temperature is slowly receding.
By that I mean, I don’t have to run the aircon 18 hours a day right now. I know there is a bit of time for the official “fall”, but I will take it as a win for now.
So how is the weather wherever you are at now? Is the Dubai summer finally done?
What I read this week
I am currently reading The Guest list by Lucy Foley. And I finished Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens during the week.
I am happy to announce that both the books are good ones for me.
What I watched this week
I missed watching the Umbrella Academy S2 as soon as it came out. So I am catching up.
In fact I rewatched the season 1 during the week and now I am on season 2, which I am really enjoying. Klaus is still my favorite!
On my blog
In case you missed the posts from my blog, last week.
20 Inspiring feminist quotes about women power and women
10 Books with witches to make the best of Halloween!
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin – A book review
August 2020 monthy wrap up: Sunday Musings #91
I will be linking today’s post with Caffeinated reviewer’s Sunday post Meme.
Around the blogosphere
I went on blog hopping spree last week and these are the posts that I loved. I hope you enjoy them as well.
- In appreciation of the Deaf Awareness Month, Reading Paiges shared some great book recommendations with deaf characters.
- Is Non-Fiction The “Superior” Genre? Sumedha talks about the book snobbery on her blog The Wordy Habitat.
- Beth from Books Nest posted yet another excellent guide on Instagram Reels. And I love her posts.
- I loved the article Tracy from Truffle Reads posted on How To Create A Healthier Relationship With Reading.
From the Insta-world
Here is what I posted on Instagram during the week. Give me a follow, will you?
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So what’s happening with your week? Let’s talk of the weather and the books and shows that you have been enjoying. Let’s dish.
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Quotable quotes |
It is the year 2020, and I still know some people, including women, who are not comfortable calling themselves feminists, because some how they identify women power means male bashing. Here are some inspiring quotes about women power from strong women that might change your opinion!
Inspiring feminist quotes about women power and women
If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.
Margaret Thatcher
Don’t let anyone speak for you, and don’t rely on others to fight for you.
Michelle Obama
The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.
Ayn Rand
It’s not my responsibility to be beautiful. I’m not alive for that purpose. My existence is not about how desirable you find me.
Warsan Shire
And really, how insulting is it that to suggest that the best thing women can do is raise other people to do incredible things? I’m betting some of those women would like to do great things of their own.
Jessica Valenti, Why Have Kids?
A woman is like a tea bag you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.
Eleanor Roosevelt
I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.
Jane Austen, Persuasion
I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.
Rebecca West
Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.
Margaret Atwood
Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.
Charlotte Whitton
What is feminism? Simply the belief that women should be as free as men, however nuts, dim, deluded, badly dressed, fat, receding, lazy and smug they might be. Are you a feminist? Of course you are.
Caitlin Moran, How to be a woman.
The history of men’s opposition to women’s emancipation is more interesting perhaps than the story of that emancipation itself.
Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own
No woman can call herself free who does not control her own body.
Margaret Sanger
My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Woman’s degradation is in man’s idea of his sexual rights. Our religion, laws, customs, are all founded on the belief that woman was made for man.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Of course I am not worried about intimidating men. The type of man who will be intimidated by me is exactly the type of man I have no interest in.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.
G.D. Anderson
I think being a woman is like being Irish… Everyone says you’re important and nice, but you take second place all the time.
Iris Murdoch
I’m tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.
Madonna
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What are your favorite quote about women power and feminism? Do you have a quote from strong inspiring women? Let me know in the comments!
