tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post8568300464174774815..comments2024-03-29T00:34:36.786-05:00Comments on Book Chase: Lesson LearnedSam http://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-7964299346470584232013-03-19T20:10:09.747-05:002013-03-19T20:10:09.747-05:00Thank you, Kathleen, for the kind words regarding ...Thank you, Kathleen, for the kind words regarding my review policy change of heart.Sam https://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-37061613607336339772013-03-18T18:27:07.146-05:002013-03-18T18:27:07.146-05:00I'm happy to read all of your reviews, regardl...I'm happy to read all of your reviews, regardless of where the book comes from. Life is too short to be under pressure so enjoy your reading!Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739982274914536036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-26907558985444924162013-02-25T13:41:45.860-06:002013-02-25T13:41:45.860-06:00You're absolutely right, Susan. That's th...You're absolutely right, Susan. That's the key because when blogging becomes a chore and starts feeling like work, it's time to quit. None of us started book-blogging because we needed to add a part-time job to our schedules.Sam https://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-31205059209528584642013-02-25T08:54:13.064-06:002013-02-25T08:54:13.064-06:00HI Sam - I'm really late to this post, so whil...HI Sam - I'm really late to this post, so while you've had lots of feedback along the lines of what I'd say, I just wanted to say that I support what you say about reading for pleasure, what you want. If you can balance that with reading new books that give you pleasure and to spread the word, that is wonderful. If not, reading what you want is the only way that blogs can keep goingSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09095246748581382752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-19797172043568142562013-02-23T10:06:24.681-06:002013-02-23T10:06:24.681-06:00Thanks for the kind words, Miss Annie. I have tri...Thanks for the kind words, Miss Annie. I have tried to be pretty certain about a book, as regards quality and personal fit, before I accept it for review, but sometimes I make a mistake...but always tell the truth. My "reviews" are very personal ones based on my own reaction to a book...but some (a very few) act as if blog-reviewers work directly for them, defeating the whole purpose.Sam https://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-786914345064015562013-02-23T09:20:51.951-06:002013-02-23T09:20:51.951-06:00I'm late to the party these days, but I think ...I'm late to the party these days, but I think you're doing the right thing. You shouldn't read anything you don't want to read, and since by TBR list is as large as it is mostly because of this blog, I prefer to read reviews of the books you want to read, not the ones forced upon you. <br /><br />Anywho, this blog is great and the award is well-deserved. Congratulations!Janda-Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10687798675348783450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-39819514941095103422013-02-20T19:55:21.599-06:002013-02-20T19:55:21.599-06:00Bravo, Sam!Bravo, Sam!Bybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10061186489010154661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-81006015755032852802013-02-20T12:45:54.401-06:002013-02-20T12:45:54.401-06:00And just when I needed it most, I get an email tel...And just when I needed it most, I get an email telling me that a site has included me on a Top 100 Blog list of sites essential for "Voracious Readers." I don't usually take much notice of stuff like this, but the timing is perfect and I am going to fly their badge for a while right up top...just to remind myself that it is all worth it and that books and literature are really my Sam https://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-54586670112363472032013-02-20T09:25:26.784-06:002013-02-20T09:25:26.784-06:00Thanks to all for the understanding and supportive...Thanks to all for the understanding and supportive comments you've made. I'm still bothered by what happened, but I'm trying to get re-motivated enough to keep up the effort. I realize these were three "fringe" reactions but they happened so close together that they had quite an emotional impact on me.<br /><br />I will, I'm sure, put it behind me - and maybe it was a Sam https://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-10352090627747056822013-02-19T18:17:48.766-06:002013-02-19T18:17:48.766-06:00I think you've come to the right conclusion. F...I think you've come to the right conclusion. For years I hardly ever got offered review copies, and now that I no longer want to accept any, the emails come flooding in. Most of them don't fit my genre interests anyways. I prefer to read what I like, when I like, even if it's not everyone's cup of tea!Jeanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02270303640902731044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-38684309892785166252013-02-19T10:18:16.777-06:002013-02-19T10:18:16.777-06:00Yay Sam! You should always only ever read what you...Yay Sam! You should always only ever read what you want when you want and then be honest in your opinion of it publishers and authors be darned!Stefaniehttp://somanybooksblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-6180590425460310472013-02-19T06:53:08.087-06:002013-02-19T06:53:08.087-06:00I knew there had to be a reason that your blog had...I knew there had to be a reason that your blog had been so quiet of late. I am happy it was not for some family emergency but sad to hear that you were attacked over something you obviously enjoy and put such effort into. I do not think you were wrong in thinking you were doing a little bit of good. I have really admired your willingness to read so many new authors and to take the time to write Elizabethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-5388595937409566742013-02-19T06:29:44.305-06:002013-02-19T06:29:44.305-06:00So sorry about this Sam.
I enjoy your reviews and...So sorry about this Sam. <br />I enjoy your reviews and posts, no matter where the books come from.<br /><br /><br />`Kayonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-13973869956515347222013-02-19T01:25:29.188-06:002013-02-19T01:25:29.188-06:00I regret that your hard work and honest opinions h...I regret that your hard work and honest opinions have opened you up to such pressure and negativity. I come here because your love for the written word radiates from every line in this blog, and that makes me feel comfortable and at home here.<br /><br />You should feel at home here too.<br /><br />Enjoy your reading.Susan Sandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05589508071251558063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-41919501450811445142013-02-18T21:47:00.514-06:002013-02-18T21:47:00.514-06:00You are right, Sam. Life is too short for this kin...You are right, Sam. Life is too short for this kind of manipulation, [and accusation] etc. I remember once posting a [favorable] review of a book on Amazon. I included a personally-taken image of the book, and within five minutes I got an email from the author telling me basically to "take that image off", adding several other comments that were so unwarranted.<br />I felt like sending Ciprianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254338542624853230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-80720748322438644162013-02-18T21:44:42.150-06:002013-02-18T21:44:42.150-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ciprianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254338542624853230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-7767901094483173082013-02-18T20:00:02.509-06:002013-02-18T20:00:02.509-06:00I never really got all that many review copies, bu...I never really got all that many review copies, but I have long since stopped seeking them out. I get very few offers now, and only take the ones I would probably read anyway.<br /><br />As for authors, I've only ever heard from those whose books I liked. But I think you have a larger readership than I do. Honestly, at this point in life, a public spat with a famous author might be kind ofAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06906212382849291562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-43794911367937280162013-02-18T19:44:47.865-06:002013-02-18T19:44:47.865-06:00Sam, you do a wonderful thing here and I feel it&#...Sam, you do a wonderful thing here and I feel it's a huge shame that certain people with their own agendas have made you question it. If I had any advice to give it would be to Very Much ignore them - you CAN turn down review copes; you're not obliged. Don't be bullied, Sam. And I'll still be over here, excited, regardless of where the books come from.<br /><br />Nik.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-17381622367538642642013-02-18T18:57:50.406-06:002013-02-18T18:57:50.406-06:00The publisher that insisted you were somehow commi...The publisher that insisted you were somehow committed to reviewing a book sent your way is ridiculous. No critic is under any such obligation, even regarding a book that he or she had specifically requested. The decision of whether or not to review a book is always the critic's. Any self-respecting publisher understands that.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Jeff Pierce<br />Editor, The Rap Sheet<br J. Kingston Piercehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17073921191624535912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38656633.post-61201971904793144312013-02-18T18:50:24.466-06:002013-02-18T18:50:24.466-06:00Bravo!
I reached this same conclusion last year....Bravo! <br /><br />I reached this same conclusion last year. Life has been much less stressful since.Debbie Rodgers @Exurbanishttp://www.exurbanis.comnoreply@blogger.com