The saying goes "Don't judge a book by its cover." I say "But isn't that half the marketing these days?" Take a look at any store with a book display. The books they are pushing have really interesting covers that grab your attention. I definitely choose books by their covers quite often, not to say that's the only deciding factor. I have a system when I'm on a book hunt. Keep in mind where I tend to shop: used bookstores, flea markets, yard sales, usually places where organization is limited and availability is random and I often don't have any particular book or author in mind and even when I do, I always keep my mind and eyes open for "new finds." The following is the technique I use when I'm not sure what I'm looking for or I'm being bombarded with choices:
1) The cover: Since it's there to grab my attention anyway I might as well let it. A lot of time and money have gone into creating the perfect cover. I can appreciate that. The cover can tell you about that book before reading the blurb on the back or the first page. If done right it sets the mood for the book which helps me find books I'm in the mood for. (And I'm a sucker for pretty pictures/artwork).
2) The title: Again it's an attention grabber that most authors have put a lot of time and effort into. It gets the point of the book across in just a few words. And if it piques my interest after the cover has caught my eye then I move on to the next step.
3) The blurb on the back (or inside the front cover): Alright, the marketing department has caught my attention, the author has me interested, so now I need to know if I should really spend my time and money on reading this book. Again, its hard working writing the perfect synopsis that teases you just enough with out spoiling the whole book.
All together this process takes about a minute at most. Remember, I'm on a mission (maybe its an addiction?) to find as many new books for the lowest price possible in the short time I have to shop. After this process if I'm thinking, "It could be good," then its in my cart, bag, box, etc., the goal has been met and the book is coming with me. Thank you book marketing people! So really my addiction isn't my fault cause they make it so hard to walk away from a good looking book, right? I know, I know. Denial won't get me anywhere. I just love books and I find this process opens me up to new authors, new genres, etc. that I normally wouldn't consider. So next time you're out shopping for something new or different to read, try it out. It could be good.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Ministry Murder Mystery #5 (Say That Three Times Fast)
This book I read back in June. I'll be playing catch up with my reviews in between reading new books. That said keep an eye out in the next few days for my first Goodreads First Reads review of The Story of Land and Sea by Katy Simpson Smith. As for this book, I would place it as mystery chick-lit and though it is part of the Ministry is Murder series I would not call it religious. Her setting feels more like just that, a new setting for light-hearted murder mysteries that probably has not been explored as much.
A Truth for a Truth by Emilie Richards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had come into this series in the middle, not realizing it was a series. Despite that, I found it easy to jump into since it looks like each story can stand on its own with just a few connections between.
Aggie Sloan-Wilcox, wife to the current minister of Emerald Springs, mother of two and occasional house-flipper, has a busy life adding amateur sleuth to her list. When the former minister and his wife recently moved back to Emerald Springs to retire, nobody thought he would retire so permanently so soon. In the middle of the memorial, Aggie is left with the unfortunate task of informing the congregation the grave side service has been cancelled due to an anonymous tip that Win Dorchester had been murder. As she finds her self caught up in the investigation, she begins to question how faithful Win had actually been during his ministry and what other secrets of the past would drive a church member to murder. His widow, Hilde, as proves an additional challenge for Aggie with her predetermined ways a proper minister's wife should behave mixed with her busybody way of dealing with her grief.
Aggie is a funny, likable character creating the image of a modern-day minister's wife while juggling everyday life, volunteering at her husband's church, and carrying out her own investigation. Her repeated blunders with all things technology adds humor, while side stories about her daughters add some seriousness and rounds out her character, as well as the book, as a whole. There were a few parts that stood out as unbelievable (extraordinary might be a better word since this is fiction) such as the climactic scene at towards the end but it feels like its there for more entertainment then anything.
Though this is book #5 of the Ministry is Murder series, I will definitely be going back to read its predecessors. For those who like women's fiction and mysteries, this book is a good combination.
View all my reviews
A Truth for a Truth by Emilie Richards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had come into this series in the middle, not realizing it was a series. Despite that, I found it easy to jump into since it looks like each story can stand on its own with just a few connections between.
Aggie Sloan-Wilcox, wife to the current minister of Emerald Springs, mother of two and occasional house-flipper, has a busy life adding amateur sleuth to her list. When the former minister and his wife recently moved back to Emerald Springs to retire, nobody thought he would retire so permanently so soon. In the middle of the memorial, Aggie is left with the unfortunate task of informing the congregation the grave side service has been cancelled due to an anonymous tip that Win Dorchester had been murder. As she finds her self caught up in the investigation, she begins to question how faithful Win had actually been during his ministry and what other secrets of the past would drive a church member to murder. His widow, Hilde, as proves an additional challenge for Aggie with her predetermined ways a proper minister's wife should behave mixed with her busybody way of dealing with her grief.
Aggie is a funny, likable character creating the image of a modern-day minister's wife while juggling everyday life, volunteering at her husband's church, and carrying out her own investigation. Her repeated blunders with all things technology adds humor, while side stories about her daughters add some seriousness and rounds out her character, as well as the book, as a whole. There were a few parts that stood out as unbelievable (extraordinary might be a better word since this is fiction) such as the climactic scene at towards the end but it feels like its there for more entertainment then anything.
Though this is book #5 of the Ministry is Murder series, I will definitely be going back to read its predecessors. For those who like women's fiction and mysteries, this book is a good combination.
View all my reviews
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Christmas in July!
I have my first review up and it looks like Debbie Macomber's There's Something About Christmas won the race. I have read a few other Debbie Macomber books and would definitely call myself a fan. I have only in recent years started reading chick-lit and don't typically read anything to heavy in that group (classic bodice-rippers come to mind and I shudder) but I do like feel good stories sometimes. And sometimes I don't (Gone Girl comes to mind - haven't read it? No worries, review to come soon). Enjoy!
There's Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Emma Collins is a budding journalist looking for her chance to prove it to her boss at The Examiner where she writes obituaries. She has sworn off relationships after seeing her parents' fail disastrously and hates all things Christmas as a result, including fruitcake. So as fate would have it her first real assignment as a journalist is the interview three of the finalists in a fruitcake contest. In comes our romantic hero, Oliver Hamilton, (and his dog Oscar) the pilot who has agreed to fly her to each interview location around Washington in his little plane that terrifies Emma. Through her interviews and flying with self-assured Oliver, Emma learns life lessons about Christmas, relationships and fruitcake.
I found this an enjoyable book but not as well developed as Debbie Macomber's other books. It was a quick read and nice holiday story though not overly festive. Through the interviews there are short and simple life lessons that give the story some depth. Beyond that the story line between Emma, Oliver, her friend Phoebe and boss Walt feels underdeveloped and progresses too quickly for the reader to experience what they are going through. Macomber adds some backstory for why Emma does not like Christmas and the conflict between her and her father but does not go into great detail with it. She does include the three fruitcake recipes from the finalists which is a plus. We get to hear all about how the finalists created them and how different they are from the typical fruitcake recipes so its exciting to have the recipes to try at home. I love when I find recipes included for this reason as it feels like parts of the book are coming to life (in this case fruitcake!) Overall, this is a good book to read during the holiday season or anytime during the year to get a quick holiday fix.
View all my reviews
There's Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Emma Collins is a budding journalist looking for her chance to prove it to her boss at The Examiner where she writes obituaries. She has sworn off relationships after seeing her parents' fail disastrously and hates all things Christmas as a result, including fruitcake. So as fate would have it her first real assignment as a journalist is the interview three of the finalists in a fruitcake contest. In comes our romantic hero, Oliver Hamilton, (and his dog Oscar) the pilot who has agreed to fly her to each interview location around Washington in his little plane that terrifies Emma. Through her interviews and flying with self-assured Oliver, Emma learns life lessons about Christmas, relationships and fruitcake.
I found this an enjoyable book but not as well developed as Debbie Macomber's other books. It was a quick read and nice holiday story though not overly festive. Through the interviews there are short and simple life lessons that give the story some depth. Beyond that the story line between Emma, Oliver, her friend Phoebe and boss Walt feels underdeveloped and progresses too quickly for the reader to experience what they are going through. Macomber adds some backstory for why Emma does not like Christmas and the conflict between her and her father but does not go into great detail with it. She does include the three fruitcake recipes from the finalists which is a plus. We get to hear all about how the finalists created them and how different they are from the typical fruitcake recipes so its exciting to have the recipes to try at home. I love when I find recipes included for this reason as it feels like parts of the book are coming to life (in this case fruitcake!) Overall, this is a good book to read during the holiday season or anytime during the year to get a quick holiday fix.
View all my reviews
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Welcome!
You know when you find something amazing and you just have to share it with someone else? Welcome to M's Pressions! This blog is my little space on the web where I can share with you my first impressions on the books I read or my "new finds." I'll be posting my reviews of various genre of books and possible other interesting items such as recipes (sometimes from the books I read) or patterns (my secondary passion is in yarn arts) or whatever else I come across and feel the need to share.
Just a little introduction about me: my name is Megan and I would described myself as a crazy book fiend. Anywhere I go where books may inhabit I embark on a personal mission to find as many books as cheaply possibly that look interesting. Flea markets, used books stores (current favorite is McKay's in Chattanooga), garage sales, dangerous places for me to go unattended, or even attended because if I find a great deal, I'm buying it. I don't limit myself to any "favorite" genre and my philosophy has become "Well, it could be good" so you will find a very eclectic collection here. Moving on, I live on top of a mountain in TN with my husband, Bobby and our wonderful (I know it sounds cliche but she is) 1 year old daughter, Amber. I work from home full time, take care of Amber full time, take care of the house part time, and of course read my books any spare minute I can find.
I decided to start this blog because 1) I have always wanted a way to share things with everyone and 2) I recently became active again on this really awesome site Goodreads. This site is a book lover's dream come true, allowing you to catalog all the books you've read, are currently reading and want to read, receive recommendations based on those "shelves," read and write reviews, make friends and... win free books. That last part is important. I love books! Especially FREE books! Typically, the site will list giveaways from authors and publishers that you can enter to win ARC (Advanced Reader Copies) or Galley Proofs. You choose which ones to enter, they hold a random drawing and you might win a free book, no catch. They do request you to review the book but it is not required. I just received my first First Reads book the other day (along with the second, third and finally a fourth) and, since I love sharing my reading experiences with other, I will be adding these books to my to-read pile (it's a really big pile so I have to bump them to the top) and posting my honest reviews both here and on Goodreads.
On a final note, I don't want to make this blog specifically about my Goodreads wins since that is not the only place I get my books from. I will be posting about many of the books I read, a lot of which are older and again in various genres. That being said, I am in the middle of reading three books right now: Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire, Miracles of a Mother's Love by Brad Steiger & Sherry Hansen Steiger, and There's Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber. So keep an eye out. The first one done I'll be posting my "pressions."
Just a little introduction about me: my name is Megan and I would described myself as a crazy book fiend. Anywhere I go where books may inhabit I embark on a personal mission to find as many books as cheaply possibly that look interesting. Flea markets, used books stores (current favorite is McKay's in Chattanooga), garage sales, dangerous places for me to go unattended, or even attended because if I find a great deal, I'm buying it. I don't limit myself to any "favorite" genre and my philosophy has become "Well, it could be good" so you will find a very eclectic collection here. Moving on, I live on top of a mountain in TN with my husband, Bobby and our wonderful (I know it sounds cliche but she is) 1 year old daughter, Amber. I work from home full time, take care of Amber full time, take care of the house part time, and of course read my books any spare minute I can find.
I decided to start this blog because 1) I have always wanted a way to share things with everyone and 2) I recently became active again on this really awesome site Goodreads. This site is a book lover's dream come true, allowing you to catalog all the books you've read, are currently reading and want to read, receive recommendations based on those "shelves," read and write reviews, make friends and... win free books. That last part is important. I love books! Especially FREE books! Typically, the site will list giveaways from authors and publishers that you can enter to win ARC (Advanced Reader Copies) or Galley Proofs. You choose which ones to enter, they hold a random drawing and you might win a free book, no catch. They do request you to review the book but it is not required. I just received my first First Reads book the other day (along with the second, third and finally a fourth) and, since I love sharing my reading experiences with other, I will be adding these books to my to-read pile (it's a really big pile so I have to bump them to the top) and posting my honest reviews both here and on Goodreads.
On a final note, I don't want to make this blog specifically about my Goodreads wins since that is not the only place I get my books from. I will be posting about many of the books I read, a lot of which are older and again in various genres. That being said, I am in the middle of reading three books right now: Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire, Miracles of a Mother's Love by Brad Steiger & Sherry Hansen Steiger, and There's Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber. So keep an eye out. The first one done I'll be posting my "pressions."
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