Review Opportunities

by Jerry Wright

People keep sending me books to review. Somehow I got on a review list for little kid’s books, and have picked up a series of very cute cartoon books about a little girl mouse called “Babymouse,” who goes camping, ice skating, gets a pet dog... So I give them to the 10-year old daughter of a friend. Arrgh... These are for ME to review?

Then I get a bunch of “teen angst” books. Rebecca Stead’s First Light, Jake Weiner’s Spanking Shakespeare, a novel by Lisa Shanahan: The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It; One Butt Cheek At A Time; Books 2 and 3 of “The Gemma Doyle Trilogy,”, fat books... Rebel Angels and The Sweet Far Thing, fantasy, I understand, if I can get into them.

Fantasy books for teens: The Alchemyst by Michael Scott, subtitled “The immortal secrets of Nicholas Flamel.” Vendetta, book 2 of “the Runestone Saga” by Chris Humphreys, which is a combo of teen angst, fantasy, and time travel using Norse Runes. And I couldn’t keep my attention on them, which is sad, because I truly enjoy a good YA fantasy.

Have I stopped reading? Surely you jest, he replied. I just finished Book 5 of “Vatta’s War”; Victory Conditions by Elizabeth Moon; and an intricate SF novel by John Meaney entitled, if I recall correctly, To Hold Infinity.

And I will be reviewing those books shortly. Perhaps even in this same issue, but certainly next week.

So, take care, and take two aspirin and DON’T call me in the morning.

Jerry

[Editor’s note] If anyone would like to review one or more books that are not a priority for Jerry, please contact him and offer to pay the postage.