About six years ago I began posting book reviews to this blog in an attempt to communicate my views concerning the books I was reading. I hope that in some small way I've provided meaningful insight and in the process helped you discover some excellent reading material while doing so. In that time I have been fortunate to have discovered a number of publishing houses, on-line book sites, and commercial book sellers that were willing to provide Advance Reader Copies, Galleys, Uncorrected Proofs, and previously published works to me to review. I would be remiss if I didn't mention and thank LibraryThing.com and their Early Reviewers Program, the Amazon.com Vine Program, NetGalley.com and the numerous authors who’ve offered their work for review. They began a chain of events that eventually morphed into this blog. If you have not heard of them or are not currently a member I encourage you to check out their programs. They are more than worthwhile.
In addition to the ARC's I receive I also purchase and review my fair share of books by authors I have come to love, trust, and respect. My experience reading and reviewing so many books each year has been both intellectually rewarding and stimulating. Although some of you have disagreed with a few of my reviews the overwhelming e-mail responses that I've received over the years have been generally favorable and those that weren't often made me consider my review (and views) more critically though none have been persuasive enough to actually make me change the content of a review or the number of stars I've awarded a book. The point being, the real reason I post so many reviews lies in the undeniable fact that there are so many excellent books to be found in speculative fiction. My task then is to find those great books and report back here, with a critical eye, so that others may experience that same enjoyment.
Case in point, the books found in the preceding review, Stephen King's 11/22/63 and my next two reviews, Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby and Among Others by Jo Walton (to follow soon) make my work very easy. Each, in their way, is a marvelous work of fiction. Though totally different in plot, texture, and voice they spoke to me differently on a personal level. The profound enjoyment I experience when reading books like these is, in a sense, what prompted this non-book review post and ultimately started my review addiction in the first place. Ever on the watch for excellent reading material I encourage you to pass on the titles of any books that have touched you, struck a chord, or simply blew you away. Post a comment, start a thread of your favorite new books, and please continue to support this blog by visiting often. Many of you have noticed and commented that I have no true posting schedule. This is because, as a one-man operation, I try to complete an entire book, formulate my views, and then write them before posting. This can be time consuming. I hope you recognize that if a week goes by without a post you can trust that I am working on a review or two or ten.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you for your continued support of this blog. When a book gives me something valuable I try and return the favor by providing an in-depth and concise review, though my words often don’t do justice to them. With that said, don't wait for my next two reviews to be posted before investigating or purchasing any of the three books I've pointed out in this post. Each is, in my opinion, a future classic masterpiece. You won't be dissatisfied.
The Alternative
Southeast Wisconsin
“Bibliotropic… We naturally turn towards the bookshop."
- Jo Walton, Among Others
Coming soon...
Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby
Among Others by Jo Walton
Conqueror by Conn Iggulden
The Baggage Handler by Colin Browne
Hatha Yoga Asanas by Daniel DiTuro and Ingrid Yang
Against the Light by Dave Duncan
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