Read It Forward’s Comments (group member since Jan 18, 2011)

Read It Forward’s comments from the Read It Forward group.

Lynn wrote: "I won a copy of this book on July 11, 2012 through Read It Forward and still have not received it. I have sent a couple of e-mail messages to find out the status and have not received any replies."

Thanks for being in touch, Lynn. We've moved our mailing warehouse recently and are experiencing some delays, but rest assured your book is on its way!

Marti wrote: "I would really like to join this discussion, however I did not receive the book even though I was contacted as a winner... I have sent an email, but have not received a response."

Rest assured, Marti, your book is on its way! We've recently moved our mailing warehouse and are experiencing some delays but we're on track now. We can't wait to hear what you think of the read!

Rebecca Dean's THE SHADOW QUEEN is a fictional retelling of the life and times of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. Page-turning historical fiction at its finest!

Read on RIF: Rebecca Dean reveals how she came to be so fascinated with Wallis Simpson.

QUESTION: How much freedom does an author have when she's novelizing a real person's life? What facts does she have to remain true to, what things can she imagine?

Great conversation, ladies! We can assure you, having been in the publishing industry for 20 years, that authors are not paid to blurb each other's books. We can't speak for other reviews, but when you see a blurb on a book, you can know that it's honest.

Authors call in favors from old friends and agents and editors get involved to get the right blurb for the right book, but it's all on the up-and-up!

We absolutely loved Francisco Goldman's Say Her Name: A Novel, so when we read this, we knew we had to read The Dead Do Not Improve by Jay Caspian Kang:

"The Dead Do Not Improve is the most thrilling novel I’ve read in ages," says Francisco Goldman.

Have you ever picked up and book, bought it and read it just because one of your favorite authors blurbed it?

Do blurbs work on you?! Let's chat! Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Beth wrote: "I'm so glad you made a topic for GONE GIRL as I won this book (plus two other Gillian Flynn books) from you (readitforward.com). I thought I would have read GONE GIRL by now, and I will read it whe..."

Beth, you're the best! We just confirmed your shipment and we can't wait to hear your thoughts. It will be worth the wait!

Kim wrote: "I'm not finished yet, but I can see how their attitudes are changing, as the story progresses."

Kim, where are you, exactly? There's a certain page (you'll know the one) that when you get to it, it will blow your mind!

Okay, RIFers, we know a lot of you are reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

So much to talk about! Can we do it without spoiling anything? Let's try. Mark your comments with a bold *SPOILER* at the top if need be!

We'll get things started: what did you think of the way Gillian Flynn jumps back and forth from the husband's voice and the wife's voice? Were they equally convincing?

Cheryl wrote: "I think that in a novel, feelings can be invented. It makes the story more interesting than just stating facts. There is always the author's 'opinion' or slant on the story. This is what delineates..."

Very true, Cheryl!

Beth wrote: "I finished THE WATCH.

At first I thought this book was an expression of the ugliness of war. Eventually, I saw it more as an expression of the futility of our presence in the Middle East. When I g..."

Thanks for your candid review, Beth!

The story in Michael Schofield's moving memoir January First: A Child's Descent Into Madness And Her Father's Struggle To Save Her will amaze you. His dedication to his family and their resilience and love for one another are inspiring.

Learn more in our Q&A with Michael Schofield, author of January First.

An interesting conversation has arisen around this book. Readers, like Steven Maniscalco here on Goodreads, are saying "If your life is affected by mental illness, you should read this book," truth is, if you aren't affected by someone you love being mentally ill, you need to read this book even more."

What do you think? Do you need to have personal experience with something in order to get the most out of a read?

Diane wrote: "This book is fantastic. I love the way she talks about food and travel and being a single woman. The idea of revisiting your childhood home is such that anyone can relate to it. I'm almost done wit..."

Thanks so much, Diane! We're so glad you're enjoying it.

RIFers on Goodreads! We know many of you are fans of Michelle Moran.

We want to know: what makes a historical novel great? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

If you're not already a RIF subscriber, join us here:
http://read-it-forward.crownpublishin...

Check out our recent interview with Salma Abdelnour, author of Jasmine and Fire.

"Whenever I take walks, or travel, in any city in the world, I always have some kind of food adventure in mind," Salma says. "Hunting down a specific bakery I’ve heard about, or a particular dish or street-food vendor, gives me something to do when I’m traveling or just walking around, and gives me a way to connect with a place I’m discovering or rediscovering. It’s an excuse to wander off on a quest, to interact with a city and its people, and of course to treat myself to something delicious or fascinating in the process."

Are you like Salma Abdelnour? Do you discover new places through food? Share your story!

Linda wrote: "Just started Heartbroken and already, chores are not getting done and dinner may or may not happen...can't put it down. I already know these people."

Linda, I know just what you mean! Same thing happened to me. Do let us know when you finish!

"the unmatched socks of the working life" - ha, love that!

Nichole, we don't know how you do it all! Not that you "have it all," but still ... how do you make writing "the non-negotiable thing"?

We recently featured The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier in one of our Read It First giveaways. Check out our post to read an excerpt of this bittersweet novel.

Before there were blogs, there were journals. And in them we’d write as we really were, not as we wanted to appear. But there comes a day when journals outlive us. And with them, our secrets.

We'll begin the chat with a few questions pulled from the glowing Washington Post review of The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.: "Why do we keep secrets from those we love most? Is it possible for mothers and fathers to have it all — work and family?"

We recently featured The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier in one of our Read It First giveaways. Check out our post to read an excerpt of this bittersweet novel.

Before there were blogs, there were journals. And in them we’d write as we really were, not as we wanted to appear. But there comes a day when journals outlive us. And with them, our secrets.

We'll begin the chat with a few questions pulled from the glowing Washington Post review: "Why do we keep secrets from those we love most? Is it possible for mothers and fathers to have it all — work and family?"

We recently featured The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier in one of our Read It First giveaways. Check out our post to read an excerpt of this bittersweet novel.

Before there were blogs, there were journals. And in them we’d write as we really were, not as we wanted to appear. But there comes a day when journals outlive us. And with them, our secrets.

We'll begin the chat with a few questions pulled from the glowing Washington Post review: "Why do we keep secrets from those we love most? Is it possible for mothers and fathers to have it all — work and family?"