Mystery Reviews and Recommendations by Amy M. Reade
Take a minute to look through these photos of fruit that’s been carved by a Japanese artist–you won’t believe how gorgeous they are.
Japan has a rich tradition of food carving called mukimono. If you’ve ever eaten at a fancy restaurant in Japan you might have found a carrot carved into a bunny, garnishing your plate.
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Today I continue the series of interviews in which I introduce my readers to each other. Since these interviews were completed a few months ago, the books these women have read most recently are out of date, but hopefully they’ll each have time to stop by to update us. Welcome to two readers, Karyne Corum and Jennifer Pero!
Karyne: Jennifer:
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*I tried to get these pictures to be the same size, but I couldn’t figure it out!*
First question: How often do you read?
Karyne: As often as I can. When I’m working on my manuscript, it tends to be less because I get so sucked into whatever I’m reading that no only will I not do any writing but dishes will go unwashed, clothes will pile up and frankly, family members will starve.
Jennifer: I try to read everyday, it relaxes me and keeps my mind active. I try to be a role model for my children to read everyday (only I don’t have my hubby sign a reading log for me).
What is the name of the last book you finished?
Karyne: The Book of Beloved (Pluto’s Snitch 1) by Carolyn Haines
Jennifer: Debbie Macomber’s Christmas Wishes
What are you reading now?
Karyne: I’m usually dipping in and out of several books at the same time depending on my mood. Currently lined up is The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King, A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught me About Love, Friendship And The Things That Really Matter by William Deresiewics and, to keep up with my ten year old son, Lockwood and Co.: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud.
Jennifer: Actually I teach nursing school and I am reading their textbook, but I did start Danielle Steel’s A Gift of Hope.
What is your preferred genre?
Karyne: Mystery and Paranormal (as in ghost stories) are my top two favorites, but they run close to Suspense/Thriller.
Jennifer: Fiction, life is too short to read all non-fiction!
How often do you venture outside your preferred genre?
Karyne: If I see a subject or an author that intrigues me, I’m always eager to try something new.
Jennifer: Occasionally I will if someone recommends a book to me.
What was the last book you read outside your preferred genre?
Karyne: The one I’m reading now, A Jane Austen Education. I’m a huge fan of Austen but normally I’d steer clear of non-fiction books about her because they tend to be dry and often clinical. So far this one as is funny and very clever.
Jennifer: Secrets of Hallstead House by Amy Reade.
Note from Reade and Write: I think we can all agree this answer gets extra points. 🙂
Are you in a book club?
Karyne: No. I have a hard time finding one where I live and online ones have tended to be very cliquish. If someone knows of a good one, I’d love to hear about it.
Jennifer: No, if I had more time, I would enjoy that “me” time.
Where do you obtain most of the books you read- from a bookstore, online, the library, borrowed from a friend, etc.?
Karyne: Anywhere and everywhere, from second hand bookstores and Amazon to Biblio.com, which is a used library book recycler. You can get great books for really cheap, but a lot are hard cover so you have to be ready to make that sort of space commitment. I also have the Kindle App on my iPad so I will get some there but I’m more of a paper and ink kind of woman.
Jennifer: I go to the library often and borrow from my mom or mother-in-law. If I see an interesting book at the book store I will buy it and share with my family.
How do you decide which books to read?
Karyne: If it’s an author I love, I will pretty much read anything by them unless the subject doesn’t grab me. If the synopsis of a book really sounds good and the first couple of pages hook me then it’s going home with me. But I have been known to leap blindly and find a real treasure or a clunker. I’ll also go on recommendations by friends or fellow writers. I’m recommending the heck out of Book of Beloved right now because it was just such a phenomenal book.
Jennifer: Honestly, the title, if it is inviting, I will give it a shot. I also look at known authors’ work and read that book
What is in your To-Be-Read pile?
Karyne: Along with the books above that I mentioned I also have The Red Dahlia by Lynda La Plante, The Burning Man by Christopher Fowler and Finders Keepers by Stephen King.
Jennifer: In my home office on the floor and the titles are a laundry list in length……….
Do you pay attention to especially bad reviews of books when deciding whether to buy or read them?
Karyne: I don’t think that reviews have ever played a huge role in what I choose to read. If I read a review by someone on Amazon, I’m less likely to take it seriously because of all the scandal that’s been going on with paid reviews and revenge reviewing. I tend to be skeptical in general with professional reviews. Reviews in the paper or through a celebrity book club can be manipulated by the prestige of the author or the house publishing the book. I don’t mean to disparage them entirely it’s just that there are too many non-impartial forces in motion behind them. Personal recommendations are more likely to get my attention because the person giving them is usually someone I can trust. Word of mouth can sell a book far better than anything else, in my opinion.
Note from Reade and Write: Amen to that!
Jennifer: No, I try to make my own opinion of the books that I read.
Lots of people don’t have a favorite book for a variety of reasons. Do you have a favorite? What is it?
Karyne: I could never be pinned down to one but there are several that stand out because of how they impacted me at the time I read them. My new favorite, Book of Beloved (Pluto’s Snitch #1) by Carolyn Haines, is a creepy, spine-tingling ghost story set in 1919 America amidst racial tensions, a dark and titillating legacy and a heroine who simply shines like no other. Raisa spoke to me as a woman on the cusp of voting rights struggling to find a career at a time when women were so oppressed. She never gives up or gives in, and considering how much women are fighting today for rights that should be a foregone conclusion, it’s very timely in its power and emotion. It will also scare the heck out of you. Pride and Prejudice because of how it affected me as a young woman in high school. Elizabeth Bennett became my favorite role model as I was beginning to flex my feminist muscles. Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, a powerhouse story of emotion about a small community of friends during glory days of San Francisco. Requiem for a Glass Heart by David L. Lindsey for intricate and exceptional female friendship story amidst chaos and espionage with a heart wrenching ending that will stay with you for a long time.
Jennifer: No, it depends on the mood I am in, the season we are in, my life events that year.
Where is your favorite reading spot?
Karyne: On the couch, with a cup of coffee, and no one to disturb me.
Jennifer: At the beach, on the deck, by the pool.
Anything else you want me to know?
Karyne: I’m a writer, a mom, and a photographer. I love to offer up my services as a beta reader and interviewee. Anyone who’d like to take me up on that just email me at karynecorum04@gmail.com.
Jennifer: I enjoy your books and look forward to more in the near future. Thank you for the opportunity to participate!!
Thank you both very much for participating in my reader interview series. I liked showcasing two readers today because it’s so interesting to see the differences in the books people read, how they choose those books, and their reading habits. I appreciate you both being here!
Until next time,
Amy
Reade and Write 