Sign in with Facebook
Glenn Russell's Reviews > On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
by
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft - Superb, absolutely superb. I've listened to Stephen King read his audio book three times. I can't recommend highly enough.
Since I'm on the cusp of posting 1,000 reviews here on Goodreads, I'd like to share my own thoughts on writing book reviews and link my reflections with Stephen King's wisdom on the craft of writing.
“You cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.”
I recall back when I was in my 20s and 30s, reading book reviews in the New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer and thinking, oh, if I only had the opportunity to write book reviews. I so much love book reviews! I was truly swept away by well-crafted book reviews.
Of course, with Amazon and now Goodreads, all that has changed. Eight years ago I seized the opportunity to write online book reviews. I instantly fell in love with writing book reviews and made the commitment back then to post two book reviews a week. Anyway, I honed the craft of writing book reviews by writing and multiple rewrites until I took great joy in reading my own reviews. This to say, Stephen King is so right here - work away until your writing gives YOU joy to read. That way, your writing stands a better chance of giving pleasure to others.
“I'm a slow reader, but I usually get through seventy or eighty books a year, most fiction. I don't read in order to study the craft; I read because I like to read”
The key here is LOVE reading books. Like Stephen, I'm a slow reader but as a dedicated book reviewer I read lots of books every year. And like Stephen, I enjoy listening to audio books.
Fortunately, I have two abilities that help greatly as a book reviewer: 1) I can easily become absorbed in a book, especially a novel, really absorbed, as if I'm living heart and mind in the unfolding story, and 2) both my short-term and long-term memory are excellent for fiction. I can remember the details of the novels I've read 50 years ago as if I read them yesterday, an ability that comes in mighty handy when writing reviews.
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut.”
So true, Stephen! I so much look forward to writing when I wake up in the morning (understatement). And I've built up my endurance to the point where I have no problem writing 2 or 3 or 4 or even 5 or 6 hours at a time. For me, it's not a job grinding it out but rather a continual joy. I echo the great Argentinian author Fernando Sorrentino who said he would never let writing become a job. Worth repeating: never let your writing sink to the level of becoming a job.
“To write is human, to edit is divine.”
Spot-on, sir! The key is to take delight in revisiting your writing again and again, reading it aloud to make sure the rhythms are smooth not clunky (the ear has it all over the eye when it comes to judging rhythm).
When I first began writing book reviews, here's what I did: I wrote out great book reviews written by such authors as John Updike, Michiko Kakutani and James Wood, wrote them out word for word just to get the feel for what it's like to write a great review. I also used a digital device to record their reviews and I listened while taking my walks. After a few months, I recorded my own book reviews, alternating with the great writers' reviews until I was satisfied with my writing - my rhythm, vocabulary, use of examples and metaphor.
“Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up.”
For a book reviewer, this means to be keenly aware of the book you are reading. Underline passages as you read, take notes, read some of the book aloud to get a deeper feel for the author's voice, reread pages or chapters or sections you feel are particularly important so as not to miss the subtleties of character, the nuances of atmosphere along with the author's overall vision.
“If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered.”
If others think you a bookworm or egghead or oddball or goofball (I've frequently been judged all of these), that's their issue not yours. If possible, avoid people who discourage you from reading and/or writing. Cultivate solitude, become your own best friend, make books your friends, make authors your friends, let the creative act of reading and writing become a shining polestar in your life.
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”
I think Stephen is thinking of those who want to write a short story or, most particularly, those who set out or are in the process of writing a novel. For me, there are no scary moments in the process of writing book reviews - not at the start, not at the end nor anything in between. So saying, I'll post this review.
by
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft - Superb, absolutely superb. I've listened to Stephen King read his audio book three times. I can't recommend highly enough.
Since I'm on the cusp of posting 1,000 reviews here on Goodreads, I'd like to share my own thoughts on writing book reviews and link my reflections with Stephen King's wisdom on the craft of writing.
“You cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.”
I recall back when I was in my 20s and 30s, reading book reviews in the New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer and thinking, oh, if I only had the opportunity to write book reviews. I so much love book reviews! I was truly swept away by well-crafted book reviews.
Of course, with Amazon and now Goodreads, all that has changed. Eight years ago I seized the opportunity to write online book reviews. I instantly fell in love with writing book reviews and made the commitment back then to post two book reviews a week. Anyway, I honed the craft of writing book reviews by writing and multiple rewrites until I took great joy in reading my own reviews. This to say, Stephen King is so right here - work away until your writing gives YOU joy to read. That way, your writing stands a better chance of giving pleasure to others.
“I'm a slow reader, but I usually get through seventy or eighty books a year, most fiction. I don't read in order to study the craft; I read because I like to read”
The key here is LOVE reading books. Like Stephen, I'm a slow reader but as a dedicated book reviewer I read lots of books every year. And like Stephen, I enjoy listening to audio books.
Fortunately, I have two abilities that help greatly as a book reviewer: 1) I can easily become absorbed in a book, especially a novel, really absorbed, as if I'm living heart and mind in the unfolding story, and 2) both my short-term and long-term memory are excellent for fiction. I can remember the details of the novels I've read 50 years ago as if I read them yesterday, an ability that comes in mighty handy when writing reviews.
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut.”
So true, Stephen! I so much look forward to writing when I wake up in the morning (understatement). And I've built up my endurance to the point where I have no problem writing 2 or 3 or 4 or even 5 or 6 hours at a time. For me, it's not a job grinding it out but rather a continual joy. I echo the great Argentinian author Fernando Sorrentino who said he would never let writing become a job. Worth repeating: never let your writing sink to the level of becoming a job.
“To write is human, to edit is divine.”
Spot-on, sir! The key is to take delight in revisiting your writing again and again, reading it aloud to make sure the rhythms are smooth not clunky (the ear has it all over the eye when it comes to judging rhythm).
When I first began writing book reviews, here's what I did: I wrote out great book reviews written by such authors as John Updike, Michiko Kakutani and James Wood, wrote them out word for word just to get the feel for what it's like to write a great review. I also used a digital device to record their reviews and I listened while taking my walks. After a few months, I recorded my own book reviews, alternating with the great writers' reviews until I was satisfied with my writing - my rhythm, vocabulary, use of examples and metaphor.
“Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up.”
For a book reviewer, this means to be keenly aware of the book you are reading. Underline passages as you read, take notes, read some of the book aloud to get a deeper feel for the author's voice, reread pages or chapters or sections you feel are particularly important so as not to miss the subtleties of character, the nuances of atmosphere along with the author's overall vision.
“If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered.”
If others think you a bookworm or egghead or oddball or goofball (I've frequently been judged all of these), that's their issue not yours. If possible, avoid people who discourage you from reading and/or writing. Cultivate solitude, become your own best friend, make books your friends, make authors your friends, let the creative act of reading and writing become a shining polestar in your life.
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”
I think Stephen is thinking of those who want to write a short story or, most particularly, those who set out or are in the process of writing a novel. For me, there are no scary moments in the process of writing book reviews - not at the start, not at the end nor anything in between. So saying, I'll post this review.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
On Writing.
Sign In »
Quotes Glenn Liked
“You learn best by reading a lot and writing a lot, and the most valuable lessons of all are the ones you teach yourself.”
― On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
― On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
“I can't lie and say there are no bad writers. Sorry, but there are lots of bad writers.”
― On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
― On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Reading Progress
Comments Showing 1-50 of 76 (76 new)
message 1:
by
Brian
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Aug 14, 2020 08:51PM
Thank you for posting. Great review! Your methods of learning from writers, brilliant. I'm presently copying plot outlines from my favorite movies, stringed into one chronological back story. Have fun and follow your passion, right? I have those words on my fridge: "Read a lot. Write a lot. Simple." SK inspired me to love literature and stirred my sleeping desire to be a writer. Enjoy your influence also, Glen.
reply
|
flag
Brian wrote: "Thank you for posting. Great review! Your methods of learning from writers, brilliant. I'm presently copying plot outlines from my favorite movies, stringed into one chronological back story. Have ..."Thanks so much, Brian. Keep on writing, my friend!
A really excellent revtew Glenn. I agree one hundred percent with you that if you want to write you need to read and write a lot. I've recently written a mystery but can I find a literary agent! Well that's nigh to impossibke. One can but try and hope fi
Sorry about typos...Keys are too close tigether on my phone. I prefer my desktop. One can but try and hope for a miracle which sometimes do happen...
Well thank you for that review!
Lynne wrote: "Sorry about typos...Keys are too close tigether on my phone. I prefer my desktop. One can but try and hope for a miracle which sometimes do happen..."Thanks, Lynne. I wish you all the best in locating a literary agent. I recall those days back when I was writing short fiction and sending off stories to the little presses (the low road - no agent involved). Although many of the editors of those small presses were happy to publish my stories, I found the whole marketing aspect of writing the least appealing part of the process.
For me, that's one of the beauties of being a Goodreads book reviewer - no second marketing step. I write a review and can post the review. In that way, much like a novelist who goes the self-publishing route. Of course, there's drawbacks - to name one: unlike a book reviewer for the New York Times or Guardian, I don't have an editor to work with . . . but that's the way it is, as in life, so in writing, all choices come with their pros and cons. Again, all the best with your writing, Lynne. Great we are connected here on Goodreads.
Henrik wrote: "Well thank you for that review!"My pleasure, Henrik. In turn, thank you for reading my review.
Lovely review of King's book, Glenn... and you got to review your own reviewing process! I take my hat off to you for your unstinting dedication to the task of reviewing (my reviews are nothing more than a personal reading aide-mémoire). I was given this book and its sitting on the shelf now, in reaching distance from my desk. You've sorely tempted me...
Happy forthcoming 1,000 reviews milestone! That's a great achievement - it is always pure joy to read your reviews, and I particularly like your original structure. I cannot agree more with Stephen King's advice - "read a lot and write a lot". For me personally, reading has never been a problem - I can read and read till my eyes cannot focus anymore, and it is the writing that I need to focus on. Great review of the book!
Paul wrote: "Lovely review of King's book, Glenn... and you got to review your own reviewing process! I take my hat off to you for your unstinting dedication to the task of reviewing (my reviews are nothing mor..."Thanks, Paul. Several younger Goodreads friends have asked me about my own writing process and approach to writing reviews, thus I took this review as the occasion to answer.
You're right - many here on Goodreads take writing about books as an opportunity to share their own feelings rather than focusing on the book itself, very much in the spirit of a personal diary. Others take it as occasion to write about one aspect of the book in more theoretical or philosophical terms. All forms are acceptable and expand what it means to write a book review.
Stephen King's book works on multiple levels but I think its top virtue is motivating young aspiring writers to follow their muse and set aside time to both read widely and write creativity. As to be expected, I took exception to a few things he said but those were minor, the overall thrust of the book makes it well worth reading.
Glenn wrote: "motivating YOUNG aspiring writers to follow their muse"Ha ha, Glenn - given the target demographic, I should probably leave it well alone!
Diana wrote: "Happy forthcoming 1,000 reviews milestone! That's a great achievement - it is always pure joy to read your reviews, and I particularly like your original structure. I cannot agree more with Stephen..."Thanks so much, Diana! Living most of my years in the pre-internet dark ages, sharing here on Goodreads is a dream come true. To post a book review at 10:00 and have readers from all over the globe, from England to India, from Canada to Argentina to Serbia to Iran read and occasionally comment on my review, all before noontime - pure magic.
Regarding your writing, please keep in mind although I always wanted to write ever since college, I didn't start writing until age 37. Back then, in the 70s and early 80s, nobody had the advantage of writing on a computer, but still . . .
My creative energies during my 20s and 30s were devoted to playing renaissance music on wind instruments. I was happy to make the transition to writing short fiction.
Wonderful you can read and read and read with enjoyment at the beginning, middle and end. And you are writing quite well - so, at this point, it is only a matter of quantity.
Great review...sometimes it does pay to let a review go if one writes it at night, and then sleep and look at it again before posting. I do that with a lot of my writing.
Glenn wrote: "Diana wrote: "Happy forthcoming 1,000 reviews milestone! That's a great achievement - it is always pure joy to read your reviews, and I particularly like your original structure. I cannot agree mor..."Your were playing renaissance music on wind instruments! Amazing. I agree that it is much easier to write nowadays. But pre-internet days also had their peculiar charms. Nothing captures my imagination like writers who used their worn out typewriters back in those days to produce their manuscripts - and they actually had recourse to "serious" books for research and not some Wikipedia articles :) It had certain appeal to it..and integrity, I think.
JimZ wrote: "Great review...sometimes it does pay to let a review go if one writes it at night, and then sleep and look at it again before posting. I do that with a lot of my writing."Absolutely, Jim. Revisiting one's writing fresh in the morning can add so much. For me, when I'm fresh, my proofreading eye (I admit that I'm not the greatest proofreader) catches things I didn't catch the previous evening. Also, I've noticed, writing a review over the course of two or three or more days adds depth and more completeness to what I have written.
Love your review, Glenn, now I know why your reviews are always ones that I continue thinking on for long after I'm done.
Diana wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Diana wrote: "Happy forthcoming 1,000 reviews milestone! That's a great achievement - it is always pure joy to read your reviews, and I particularly like your original structure. I ca..."I very much enjoy your reflection here, Diana. And I think you are right - there was some special something added when you think of one of those accomplished early-to-mid 20th century writers molding their writing as they type and retype their manuscript. It sure required a lot of effort and dedication as they sat at their typer hour after hour, deep into the night.
Yes, yes - being a musician has always been a help for me when it comes to writing with rhythm - to write with a smooth rhythm and have a sense of when to vary the rhythm to create a richer experience for a reader.
Cheri wrote: "Love your review, Glenn, now I know why your reviews are always ones that I continue thinking on for long after I'm done."Very kind of you to mention, Cheri. Noting my own writing process was meant to piggyback on what Stephen King has to say regarding putting in the needed time and energy to hone one's writing, keeping to a schedule and taking delight in each and every step of the process.
We are all richer for being privy to your reviews, Glenn. Thank you for your time and effort, it always shows.
Zoeytron wrote: "We are all richer for being privy to your reviews, Glenn. Thank you for your time and effort, it always shows."Many thanks, Zoey! Sharing with friends here on Goodreads has been one of the highlights of my creative life these past years. I plan to continuing reading and posting reviews. For me, it's onward to review number 2,000!
Hey Glenn I really enjoyed reading this review and your thoughts and advice on writing reviews. I've always enjoyed yours and now I know why. It is a labour of love isnt it? I'm still struggling and learning how to write good reviews, some come easy some much harder. I find the ones that come out easier tend to read better - the process is fun, I agree with that. It's easy to spend a couple of hours sitting down doing - what appears to others - not much in particular, but I think it's wonderful active mindfulness. Focusses ones thoughts. I'll take some of your advice from this and re-read it - thanks for sharing :)
Congrats on 1000 reviews. You have a talent which ai certainly enjoy. All the best, Glenn.
Mark wrote: "Hey Glenn I really enjoyed reading this review and your thoughts and advice on writing reviews. I've always enjoyed yours and now I know why. It is a labour of love isnt it? I'm still struggling an..."Hi Mark. Glad you have been enjoying my reviews. Especially appreciate your words here since I've had pleasure reading a number of your reviews. Oh, yes, we're on the same vibe - writing these Goodreads reviews is all about love of books, love of writing, love of sharing with friends. And one thing well worth mentioning - since we're not being paid, we answer to nobody: nobody tells us what books to review, sets a deadline or objects to what we write. In other words, we do not bend or compromise what we want to write; nobody can question our integrity.
David wrote: "Congrats on 1000 reviews. You have a talent which ai certainly enjoy. All the best, Glenn."Thanks, my friend. Onward to 2,000! I have been enjoying all of our exchanges.
Wonderful, and so true. I recently printed an article from the NYT on writing. In short, the author's advise was edit, edit, and edit again. Also he/she recommended read it out loud. I love writing reviews and try to always adhere to these hints. I loved your post and will definitely read the King book. Why haven't I met you yet on Goodreads?
Barbara wrote: "Wonderful, and so true. I recently printed an article from the NYT on writing. In short, the author's advise was edit, edit, and edit again. Also he/she recommended read it out loud. I love writing..."Thanks, Barbara. Glad you found my review helpful.
As to why we haven't crossed paths on Goodreads, I suspect the answer relates to our only sharing 5 books in common (when I did a "Compare Books" with you). But I'd very much like to be friends here on Goodreads. I sent you a friend request just now.
How interesting! Thank you, Glenn!
Plateresca wrote: "How interesting! Thank you, Glenn!"My pleasure. Glad you found my review interesting, Plateresca. The subject of writing is infinitely fascinating - that's why many writers find it an irresistible subject to write about!
Great to have insight into your thought process and inspiration, Glenn! I guess we all approach the craft of writing reviews somewhat differently, but there are probably certain universals, and I would agree wholeheartedly that one of them is to write a review that you take delight in re-reading. Write something that you can look back on and say with satisfaction: I really nailed that one.Also very interesting the idea of writing out other well-known reviewers' reviews to get a feeling for what it feels like to have written them.
I'm impressed to hear about your good memory, Glenn. At the same time, I'm not surprised - I don't see how it would be possible for someone to write in the prodigious volume and detail that you do without a good memory. Unfortunately memory is one thing with which I was not blessed. My methodology is largely based on note-taking while reading. As you and King suggest, I take a huge amount of notes - quotes I enjoyed or felt to be relevant, ideas inspired by certain passages, etc. I wouldn't be able to write anything without my notes. I'll then block off two days to devote exclusively to writing my review: one day organizing my notes into an outline, and one day writing. The process of writing is not straight-ahead with me. It's write, re-write, re-write again, re-write again, ad nauseum, until I find the wording and rhythm that I feel nails what I want to say. I'll usually force myself to sit there the whole day, and it will take me up to 10 hours sometimes.
Anyway, congrats on the 1000 reviews and here's to many more.
Thanks so much, Ben. For me, onward to 2,000 reviews!In turn, I'm impressed with your approach and dedication to writing reviews. I'm confident you've discovered all that rewriting pays off. Again, the key is to really enjoy every step in the process.
Psychologists never tire of focusing on memory and cognition since different people can be so incredibly different. As good as my memory is for fiction, it is downright awful for foreign languages. I tried, I tried, but I simply can not press those foreign words into my memory. One university psychologist I know spoke of a type of learning disability. That's the way it goes - I'm locked into English. Nobody has everything. I'm not complaining since I love reading and writing and can read and write as much as I like.
Excellent thoughts, Glenn, and congratulations on your 10th "century" in book reviews, if you forgive me a cricket term...Three quotes you mentioned particularly resonated with me - allow me to share some thoughts on those:
1/ The key is to take delight in revisiting your writing again and again, reading it aloud to make sure the rhythms are smooth not clunky
I think you are making a subtle point that is undoubtedly true. There needs to be rhythm in writing; even outside the realm of poetry, language has meter and rhythm, it ebbs and flows, rises and falls. Just like music does not, at least for the average person, rise from a sheet of music scores all of its own accord, language needs to be brought to life. When you create a text, the best way to do this is to read it aloud. If done to perfection, it will come alive in the reader's mind, and the words themselves recede into the background. I had this experience when reading the opening sequences of Thomas Mann's Zauberberg
2/ “Your job isn't to find these ideas but to recognize them when they show up.”
I think this is the essence of writing. It reminds me of Norman Mailer's dictum in his own book on writing, The Spooky Art:
A writer makes a pact with his sub-conscious, addressing it like this: Every day, you will unearth ideas from your unfathomable depths. And I will do the only thing that I can do. I will be there. I will be at my desk every day and wait for you
3/ If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.
Well... yes, no doubt. But there is something in this statement that rubs me up the wrong way, I am afraid. And I know what it is. If you want to be a writer, you will never be one. True writers, indeed, true artists, are born, not made. In a letter to a friend, Mozart revealed this glimpse into his creative process:
When I am walking after a good meal, thoughts crowd into my mind as easily as you could wish. Whence and how do they come? I do not know and I have nothing to do with it. Those which please me, I keep in my head and hum them... . Once I have my theme, another melody comes, linking itself to the first one: the counterpoint, the part of each instrument, and all the melodic fragments... . Then my soul is on fire with inspiration, the work grows until I have the entire composition finished in my head.
True writers do not need advice on how to write. True writers are alert at their desks lest they should miss the ideas when they come. True writers wake up in the morning, politely playing down their need to write by saying they "look forward to it". True writers lose themselves in their world and think nothing of writing 2 or 3 or 4 or even 5 or 6 hours at a time.
Happy 1000th review anniversary, Glenn.
Oh, Mark, you've made my day, my friend! Can't thank you enough for your well wishes and for sharing your own experience and wisdom (and Mozart quote along with those pithy Norman Mailer words ) on the topic of writing and being a writer.
It is my pleasure, my friend. Maybe you would find something of interest that I am reading at the moment: An Essay on the Psycholoygy of Invention in the Mathematical Field. It was written by the acclaimed mathematician Jacques Hadamard and contains many interesting thoughts on the relationship between the conscious and the subconscious mind in the creative process. Don't let the title put you off - although Jacques wrote it to illuminate the creative process in maths, the book is a philosophical one and has nothing to do with mathematics per se - meaning you wont find any formulae in it :-) In fact, I took the Mozart quote from its pages, and finding reading it generally delightful.
Linda wrote: "Outstanding! Heartfelt!"Many thanks, Linda. As I noted, for the past 8 years I've dedicated my creative energies to writing book review - no novels, no poetry, just reviews. And plan to continue. Also, one great benefit of Goodreads is the exchanges we can have with other booklovers.
Mark wrote: "It is my pleasure, my friend. Maybe you would find something of interest that I am reading at the moment: An Essay on the Psycholoygy of Invention in the Mathematical Field. It was written by the..."
That does sound fascinating. Thanks so much for the rec. I'll have to track down at some point.
This is King's best book, the only one i enjoyed reading, and learned from.
Alan wrote: "This is King's best book, the only one i enjoyed reading, and learned from."Agreed. The one other King book I was able to get into,- The Body, a charming story of a bunch of 12-year-olds. It was made into a film, Stand By Me. Horror fiction is my least favorite - I've not read a horror novel, King or otherwise.
This is wonderful Glenn. I - like you - love reading great reviews as much as I love reading great books. Thank your for all the great ones you post
Leif wrote: "This is wonderful Glenn. I - like you - love reading great reviews as much as I love reading great books. Thank your for all the great ones you post"Hey Leif - You made my Saturday evening, my friend. So, so glad we on a similar vibe re great books and great reviews. Yea, man, for me it is on to review #2000.
BTW - That's an AMAZING profile photo you posted.
Kyah wrote: "So cool"Thanks, Kyah! Stephen King's writing book is tops. Also cool we share the same last name - Russell :)).
Glenn wrote: "Alan wrote: "This is King's best book, the only one i enjoyed reading, and learned from."Agreed. The one other King book I was able to get into,- The Body, a charming story of a bunch of 12-year-..."
Thanks, Glenn. Haven't picked up, even SEEN The Body. Except, I s'pose, on Father Brown and Midsomer Murders...
1000 will be quite a milestone! I didn't enjoy the sections of this book that were about writing (his memoirs were great, though), but your application of them to writing reviews is far better!
Cecily wrote: "1000 will be quite a milestone! I didn't enjoy the sections of this book that were about writing (his memoirs were great, though), but your application of them to writing reviews is far better!"Many thanks, Cecily. Look forward to sharing many more reviews here on Goodreads. And thanks also for your kind words - most appreciated since you are one of the top reviewers here on our international site.
Re SK's writing advice - for me, many good things to offer (like the quotes I included in my review) but I did take issue with a few of his points, most especially his suggesting writers go with the word that comes first to their head rather than consulting a thesaurus. My experience writing is just the opposite - I frequently consult a thesaurus for many reasons, not the least of which is to vary my word selection.
You're very kind, and yes, I look forward to many more of your reviews. Will you pick something special for your 1000th one?
Cecily wrote: "You're very kind, and yes, I look forward to many more of your reviews. Will you pick something special for your 1000th one?"Thanks for asking, Cecily! Right now I'm at 998. For 999, I will be posting a review of Helliconia Winter by the great British SF author Brian Aldiss. And for 1,000 it will be Birthday by the Argentine author César Aira, one of my favorite writers born in the same year as my birth - 1949. Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
I'll be on the lookout.
Cecily wrote: "I'll be on the lookout."Hi Cecily,
Turns out my #1000 is a Czech novel I couldn't put down. Link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Brilliant and motivating review Glenn for all fellow good read members. Lovely how you linked it to your passion for writing reviews which shines through in all your recommendations.
