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Monday 14 February 2011

You want me to be objective?

Hi there guys,

So, after watching MaxieMagyx fabulous review of 'The Warrior Heir' by Cinda Williams Chima over on YouTube, I decided to check out an article that she had linked. She felt pretty strongly about the article and, after reading it, I can see why. I suggest at this point that you have a read of the article and get your own perspective on what the author is saying before you read on. You can find it at: http://www.thesundaybookreview.com/2011/02/the-end-of-a-career/

Read it? As furious as I am? Then please, read on...

Now, as a literature student, I know how important it is to not let your personal opinions cloud your judgement or analysis, trust me, It's been drilled into my head by my fabulous literature teachers from day 1 (I myself am about to ignore any concept of objectivity). In this sense, it is easy to understand why the author feels so strongly about receiving negative criticism on a book that I'm sure she worked very hard to produce. However, this article is perhaps the most hypocritical load of tosh I have ever read! You want me to supply 'evidence'? To 'quantify' my opinions? Here it is....

'Unprofessional' she says. Yeah, sure, I agree: some reviewers can be unprofessional in their execution, even offensive. But wait, what is that, is that TEXT speak in a well developed and supposedly serious article? (or words to that effect. LOL.). I see. It's a good job she's a professional.

Secondly, the whole article is tinged with bitterness (see whole article for quotation to prove this). How can the author seek to gain objectivity if she can't express it within her own article?

And, my personal favourite: 'So why did I allow these couple of reviews get to me? Well, for starters, the reviewers were not professional'. 1)Of course, It's the REVIEWERS fault that you let them get to you, 2)Not professional? Yes. You yourself have called them out as amateurs. Did you expect differently?

Scratch that, THIS is my favourite: 'If you cannot write an objective review and back up what you say, then don't write anything at all'. Yes, I see. This is written by a woman who has written an entire article without evidencing one point, with only relating her own, personal experiences to the so called 'unprofessional' reviewer and who reeks of bitterness and subjectivity!

If you happen to be reading this, Sylvia Massara, I hope that I have provided enough evidence to support my argument. I understand that you and your fellow authors have worked very hard to get where you are today and that your article was probably written as a heated and momentary lapse of reason after being offended, as was mine. I would also implore you to understand that not all authors will have the opportunity to have their books reviewed by 'professionals' and they should be appreciative of the time ANY reviewer takes to read their books. And, you get a bad review? Ignore them, you can't please everyone. And you certainly won't please everyone if you go out of your way to take a stand against amateur reviewers, most of which will be the ones that read your book.

Rant over,

Becks.

Thursday 27 January 2011

Entangled Book Review - Cat Clarke


The same questions whirl round and round in my head:
What does he want from me?
How could I have let this happen?
AM I GOING TO DIE?

17-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room, with a table, pens and paper - and no clue how she got here.

As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she is forced to remember everything she's tried to forget. There's falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nat, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there's something missing. As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?

Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here?

Wonderful book. Really thought-provoking and deals with so many issues; cutting, pregnancy, relationships, suicide. Sounds depressing, right? Wrong. Grace's voice is truly fascinating... She is funny and honest and at times I wanted to strangle her for being so naive. But she was realistically contradictory.. she had low self esteem sometimes, and at other times she was selfish and sexy, she just seemed so real.

Okay, so this wasn't a perfect book, but which book is? The whole 'kidnapped' thing seemed a little... pointless? I mean, I get the metaphorical purpose, but I truly don't think the book would have suffered had it not been there. It could have worked just as well with Grace just telling her story. And yeah, there was a lot of sex. And swearing. But I think it all kind of added to the grittiness of it in the end.

I don't know why I haven't given this book 5 stars really, I suppose there was just something missing? I don't know, but it's definitely one that I'd recommend. Just a quick warning, there is LOADS of British slang and references to British culture in this book, so if you're an international reader, be warned. Otherwise, a truly moving and memorable book. I will be looking out for more from Cat Clarke.

* * * * - 4 Stars!

Becks.

Sunday 16 January 2011

Welcome Message

Hello,

Welcome to my blog! If you're reading this, you've probably been directed here from my YouTube page. If not, then hello stranger! I'm Becks, a young adult book lover, youtube vlogger and, as of today, blogger!

This blog will incorporate all the good stuff that you love about book blogs - giveaways, contests, reviews and more! I hope to keep you updated on all of the new releases as well as must-reads from past years. You can find tons of my reviews on Youtube (www.youtube.com/user/weasleyismyking09) and over at Goodreads (www.goodreads.com/weasleyismyking09).

Watch this space for my latest giveaways - You won't want to miss them!

Becks.