Discussion area description

[[deleted user]]

Post in this area books that you've discovered that are every bit as good as any widely marketed.

[P.J.]

As I mentioned in the review, this one is excellent.


And this one is too:


I highly recommend the both.

[P.J.]

As well as this delightful little romp...

(Don't worry: it's not a bit sad or dark, despite its title.)

[P.J.]

This is a quick and charming read.

[[deleted user]]

This is definitely a very thoughtful and engrossing story. Definitely recommended.

[P.J.]

This one too: Bone Girl by Annette Drake

It has a great cover (at least it does at Barnes & Nobles where I bought a copy for the Nook); I don't know why it's not showing up here on GR.

It's meant for middle school kids, but nice if you like horses, trombones, or modern fairy tales where the wicked stepmother role is recast as a parent with a substance abuse issue. The author gave our readers group in the Cyber Hearth an advanced readers copy before launch and everyone who read it there liked it.

[[deleted user]]

P.J. wrote: "This one too: Bone Girl by Annette Drake

It has a great cover (at least it does at Barnes & Nobles where I bought a copy for the Nook); I don't know why it's not s..."

I have it in my list to read. I wonder if the cover doesn't show up because it's just been published, or if there's a problem somewhere?

Let's shout out to see if a librarian can help. Those magical people can fix anything!

[P.J.]

They certainly can; one helped me with my book cover just today. I'll try to ask Annette first if she had trouble uploading it herself. And once it's on, I'm going to put it on our group bookshelf!

[[deleted user]]

P.J. wrote: "They certainly can; one helped me with my book cover just today. I'll try to ask Annette first if she had trouble uploading it herself. And once it's on, I'm going to put it on our group bookshelf!"

Looks like it's fixed and ready; add it to the shelf since you've read it and recommend it!

[P.J.]

I think you'll have to add it, O Great Moderator. :-)

[[deleted user]]

P.J. wrote: "I think you'll have to add it, O Great Moderator. :-)"

Ok, it's up. See? Even if we disagree on some things, I trust your judgment.

[P.J.]

Faerie, note that the blanket age and geographic restrictions are no longer in effect for the whole of Smashed-Rat-On-Press's catalog. Could we now (please?) list those books that I've read and recommend on our bookshelf? I understand your point that members of our group (and no doubt half the members driving your avatar presence) were disqualified from purchase based on those restrictions, so it made sense then not to recommend them here.

But now that things have evolved at the press, and surely in our own understanding and sympathy of human angst, let's all move on and be happy. Ok? Please?

[[deleted user]]

Ok, fine. Just those mentioned so far, or all the ones you've read and reviewed?

Try again to add them yourself. If it still doesn't work, I'll do it.

[P.J.]

Thanks; so far it's working this time. I'll try to add the others.

[Diana]

This one, is well worth a look. Great story and characters, with a message.The Other Side of Horse Racing

[[deleted user]]

The Right of the Subjects I added this one about the British suffragette movement to the bookshelf and thought it was as good as most widely marketed books.

[[deleted user]]

I'm starting a new one, Jalan Jalan since it looks up my alley and won a Self-Published Book of the Month at The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014...

I'd had good luck with a previous of the book of the month awardees and will give them another try.

No reviews so far on either Goodreads or Amazon. Anyone up for a buddy read?

[[deleted user]]

Don wrote: "I'm starting a new one, Jalan Jalan since it looks up my alley and won a Self-Published Book of the Month at The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014......"

It looks very intriguing. I could do it after the two I'm reading now.

[[deleted user]]

Faerie wrote: " I could do it after the two I'm reading now." Super. Let me know when you are ready. I am stuck in a 900 page behemoth myself now so I am in no rush.

[P.J.]

Don wrote: "Faerie wrote: " I could do it after the two I'm reading now." Super. Let me know when you are ready. I am stuck in a 900 page behemoth myself now so I am in no rush."

I added it to my 900-pile* behemoth stack of things I want to read, so I'm might jump on board when you two start. I might have to wait though. In any case, I'll follow along your thoughts and comments about it.

*slight exaggeration

[[deleted user]]

P.J. wrote: " so I'm might jump on board when you two start...." That would be super!

[P.J.]

Oops! I meant "I might" rather than "I'm might"... :-)

[P.J.]

Don, I can't read nearly as fast as you can, but I see that you've started Jalan, and I'm tempted to put my current ones on hold to join you. Is it good so far?

[[deleted user]]

P.J. wrote: "Don, I can't read nearly as fast as you can, but I see that you've started Jalan, and I'm tempted to put my current ones on hold to join you. Is it good so far?"

Read the first two chapters last night. I like it but it may not be for all tastes: f-bombs, drugs, chauvinism warning. It is lending enabled so I'd be happy to send it your way. Its my commuting read so I may be finished tonight.

[[deleted user]]

Smashwords had a 20% sample available for download, but I don't see it anymore. In fact, I don't even see the book or the author listed there anymore. I might try the sample and see where that goes. I'll send it over to you, PJ, in case you don't have it yet. Then Don won't have to rush to finish on our account. If we like it, we can take turns with the lender.

[[deleted user]]

Faerie wrote: "Smashwords had a 20% sample available for download, but I don't see it anymore. In fact, I don't even see the book or the author listed there anymore. I might try the sample and see where that goes..."

Oh no worries there. I have a long commute so it will be done shortly. Happy to send to whoever wants it. Just message me the email address I should send it to. I didn't mean to start without the group, I just happened to need something to read last night, opened it up, and one thing led to another...

[P.J.]

Don wrote: "....I didn't mean to start without the group, I just happened to need something to read last night, opened it up, and one thing led to another ..."

Ah, the hallmarks of a good read. I'll let Faerie have first dibs since she was the first to express interest. I'll take a look at the sample sent in the meantime.

[[deleted user]]

Turned out pretty good. Nice anti-climactic finish. Happy to lend out. Just message me with the email to send it to. Sex and drug warning.

This was my review:

Young guy goes to Indonesia to get over the death of his girlfriend and remake himself. Richly evocative depictions of life in Indonesia. Felt like I was there. Personally, could have done without all the drugs, but YMMV (I was listening to Amy Winehouse today so...). All in all a rich but sad read. Recommended. Another good Guardian self-published book of the month awardee. Will continue checking out more of their winners.

[[deleted user]]

Don wrote: "Turned out pretty good. Nice anti-climactic finish. Happy to lend out. Just message me with the email to send it to. Sex and drug warning. ..."

I think I'll be finished with my current reading this weekend and hope to start Jalan x2 then. I'll send my email address to you in a message when I'm ready. Thanks for the review and the lending offer.

[[deleted user]]

I wasn't able to finish Bells yet. Life and work keep interfering with my reading time. Hope to get back to it soon.