Out of Hibernation

[calissa]

Now that spring is well and truly underway, the Earl Grey Editing blog is coming out of hibernation. Posts resume as usual this week, with a review of Peter S. Beagle’s Summerlong tomorrow. On Friday I’ll be checking in with my schedule for Conflux… which starts in a week! I’m really looking forward to it.

My spring break was lovely. I got to spend some time with my family, took some photos of the flowers rioting in the area and (of course) managed to read a ton of books. I even ended up pushing back my return for an extra day so I could take a trip to the beach.

It hasn’t been all play, though. I’ve been busy behind the scenes. Earl Grey Editing now has a page for my review policy and one listing reviews by title. A page for reviews by author is still underway.

How about you? What’s your part of the world look like right now? Have you read any good books recently?

Mirrored from Earl Grey Editing.

Comments

[clare_dragonfly]

Oh, I love that photo! No violets around here--autumn is beginning, and I love it. (It's actually on time--even early--unlike the last few seasons!) The trees are starting to turn colors, and we're getting rain, windy, and gloomy days. Halloween is in the air. It's my favorite season!

[calissa]

Thank you! I'm very fond of violets... though I must admit the photos probably about a month old by now (I like to be prepared).

I'm glad you're enjoying Autumn. Every year when Autumn comes around, I'm sure it's my favourite season. Then Spring comes around and I change my mind! Do you get a lot of colour in the trees for Autumn?

[clare_dragonfly]

Yes, we get tons of color! There are lots of different kinds of trees around here and some turn red, some yellow, some orange, and many a mix of colors. I love it when one tree is red in one spot, surrounded by yellow, and the rest of the tree is still green. Absolutely gorgeous. And there are bushes that turn colors (some in particular across the street that turn a very bright red), and of course autumn flowers! Oh, and different trees turn at different times, so for a few months I can watch the trees doing different things.

[calissa]

That sounds lovely! Autumn here tends to be a muted affair, since most of our natives are evergreen. One day I hope to experience Autumn on a different continent.

[transcendancing]

Your review policy is excellent! I'm going to use your page as inspiration and a prompt to do my own. I'm still annoyed a publisher rejected me to review the second book after I'd just reviewed the first book. I even emailed them directly about it and they never replied. I liked the book and all, but probably not enough to go and buy the second one to review it.

[calissa]

Thank you! I've been meaning to post one for ages.

Wow, how frustrating! I'm still not sure I understand the logic behind how publishers distribute ARCs. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense. You seem to do well for yourself, though. I don't know how you manage to keep up between them and your study.

[transcendancing]

I don't request many books to review - so most of what I read and review is purely for the love and not because I've been given a copy. I try to take chances on reading for reviews that I wouldn't ordinarily, sometimes it really pays off :) But yeah, it was annoying because, I gave it a good review - the review was up by the time I requested the second one and I keep tweaking my profile to be useful and attractive etc. About the only thing I haven't provided or added (and don't really care to) is page views etc.

[calissa]

Given how busy your study and work keeps you, sticking to reviewing what brings you joy seems like a very important strategy for avoiding burnout.

[transcendancing]

I think so - but I read for pleasure and stress relief so I can often take on light and fluffy trashy review reads when I just want fluff, and often the more serious stuff is harder to get through (I'm looking at you Radiance by Cat Valente)

[calissa]

Oh, I've been meaning to track down Radiance. Are you enjoying it, even if it's harder to get through?

[transcendancing]

The writing is incredible - but it's like.... Have you seen 2001: A Space Odyssey? It's a bit like that - brilliant, but slow, a bit distant - it's breathtaking but not emotionally engaging? Like I want to finish reading it, but it's because I feel like I should be enjoying it more than I am because it's *excellent* but not *satisfying* the way falling into an amazing story with endearing characters is.

[calissa]

Sounds like something I might struggle with, too. I almost put down Ancillary Justice because the first half was like that.

[transcendancing]

Yeah I found the same - but I think that if I were to go back and reread now I'd find it much easier.