Is it cos I is an author?

I'm in a book club. We meet roughly once a month at each other's house for two hours and discuss the book the host has chosen. Well - we discuss the book for about thirty minutes and then chat about all sorts of things while we eat and drink. It's not often we find a book that all five of us like and it's a reminder to me about how tastes differ and how authors can have a very different take on a book to a reader.
I spent three years at university doing little but criticise and analyse. It ruined the classics for me for years and also stopped me reading so called trashy novels. It was only after I left uni that I was able to read for pleasure again. It was long time before I could pick up a 'serious' book. Now I find myself reverting back to my student days and thinking why a book didn't work for me. In other words, I have my critic's hat back on because I'm well aware that others out there are criticising my books.
I find I can't read and enjoy or dislike and set aside without thinking - what was good about that, what didn't work? And I'm well aware that I'm getting more and more critical, not less. I've downloaded a lot of books onto my Kindle ap - and 90% get deleted after a few pages. I don't have time to waste on stories that don't grab me by the throat almost immediately. Some - that others have raved about - I keep trying and then giving up on but don't delete. Not yet anyway.
Tonight our book club is discussing Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler. Do I like it? It's okay. I don't love it so I'll have to explain why to the others. I'm always the most critical one.


And because I like to put pics in - this is one of my books that has sold in very small numbers. I don't know why. I think it's better than a lot of my others. Cute characters and a bit different. Sigh. Maybe I was trying too hard with the title but it so fits the story of my rain dancing faerie! I'd like to offer a commentator a copy of this book with the hope they might leave me a review!!!

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Published on July 01, 2013 08:54
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message 1: by Laurie (new)

Laurie i have been thinking about this today. When I really like something I am less likely to do more than give it a 5 star rating because that means letting others into *my head and how I think (something I just never am comfortable with), if I didn't like something I always figure it was *me, not the book... I do critique the book in my head and I find that if I don't like something in one book, I generally don't in others... that being said - I love your books but I can never read paranormal and truly enjoy it. I get hung up on the weird stuff!


message 2: by Barbara (new)

Barbara Elsborg That's a good point, Laurie - letting others know how you feel and what you think is always a risk. I just got elbowed for not liking Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. But if you didn't like something - it might be because of you OR the book. I'm reading one now that I know is universally loved - I know it's well written - but does it do anything for me? No. I really don't know why I'm continuing to read it (paranormal as it happens!) but I suppose I think something might change my mind before the end. But I wouldn't leave a score or a review for it because I sense on this occasion - the problem is me and not the book.
I don't generally go for paranormal books either. I used to but I'm more keen on contemporary now. To be honest, the paranormal element in Jumping in Puddles is quite light - until the end. If you've not read it, I'll send it you if you like!


message 3: by Laurie (new)

Laurie I would love to read it! You were the first m/m I read and I never thought I would really enjoy them. You proved me wrong there.


message 4: by Barbara (new)

Barbara Elsborg Send me your email addie - is Kindle version ok or do you want something different?
bjel at btinternet dot com
xx


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