2015 Year In Review – part 2: Books ‘n Cozy Spots – Jaycee

2015 Year In Review – part 2: Books ‘n Cozy Spots – Jaycee

 

BOOKS ’ N COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS

2015 YEAR-END WRAP-UP.

Jaycee’s Reading Year 2015, In Summary:

Once again, throughout 2015, I have been blessed with the opportunity, and occasionally the invitation, to read and review some amazing books.   I have been taken on many journeys in many settings, across all genres and sub-genres, and have spent many an enjoyable hour in blissful escape.   Being asked once to read and review a story is a joy in itself.  Being invited back to do so again and again is both a joy and a reward.  I stand in gratitude to all those creative authors who entrusted their ‘babies’ to my eyes and to my opinions.  I hope I did them justice.

And since this is my summary I guess I can use this forum to speak of something about which I feel very strongly:  It never grows old, being asked to put your feelings about a story ‘on paper’.  I encourage all readers to do so when and if a book strikes your fancy, and even if it does not.   I do caution however, that in the doing I expect my fellow reviewers will be constructive in their offerings.  Bear in mind, authors work long and hard, sweat bullets and likely valuable body fluids, to give us readers the escapes we enjoy so much.  It is simply common decency to provide thoughtful critique as opposed to uncharitable criticism.  The former, if presented properly, provides a growth opportunity for the professional.  The latter, no matter how presented, is tactless at best and hurtful at worst, and if I may?…frankly, only makes the reviewer look like a pompous idiot.   All a reviewer really has is an opinion; one that will not be shared by everyone, nor should it be, for that is the beauty of a book:  it is many things to many people.   Never make the mistake of thinking your opinion is the way the truth and the light, and you won’t fail to convey your personal love of a story, and where you feel applicable, your personal but carefully considered observations to the opposite.

And now I will get down from my soapbox and get to the good stuff, all in my personal opinion, of course.