My Book Reviews
On Tuesday I redesigned the book review section of my website (see My Reviews tab). There are now 56 reviews covering a diverse range of books. Previously resident book blogger Adam also contributed reviews, but he has found a home of his own (details to follow).
This week’s post takes the form of a friend asking me questions about my book reviews, and me answering. Perhaps this will lead to you discovering new books that are of interest.
(Note: Click on the book links to read my review)
Q. You have written 57 book reviews since you started your blog in addition to your weekly blog posts. Why?
A. As a writer of novels I find it useful to review the books I have read, as it helps me to analyse other authors writing styles. Above all I like writing book reviews because I enjoy sharing my reading experiences with others.
Q. Where else do you share your reviews?
A. goodreads, google+ and Twitter.
Q. What is the latest book you have read and reviewed?
A. Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi. It is a 600+ page true crime classic about the Manson murders – a fascinating, if at times heavy going read.
Q. I see you have reviewed 4 of John Steinbeck’s lesser-known works? Would you recommend any?
A. All of them, but particularly The Wayward Bus and the novella The Pearl.
Q. As you know I love non-Fiction, particularly history. Have you read any non-Fiction lately that you think I would enjoy?
A. King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild tells the brutal history of the Belgian Congo. It is a fascinating if disturbing book.
Q. Have you reviewed any Indie books?
A. Yes, a few, and I have a couple more on my to-read list. I particularly enjoyed Barry Braithwaite’s Last Life by A R Lowe. It is a heart-warming tale about an alcoholic, with a less than impressive front cover that belies what lies beneath.
Q. Do you have a favourite non-English language author?
A. Joseph Roth, the Austro-Hungarian Jewish author. He is only now 75 years after his death getting the attention he deserves in the English speaking world. I have reviewed his seminal work, The Radetzky March and his novella The Legend of the Holy Drinker. His writing has a nostalgic tone, which I appreciate.
(Click here to read my rather morbid blog post about Roth’s demise).
Q. Your second novel Necropolis is a satirical black comedy that could be labelled as Transgressive Fiction. Have you reviewed any Transgressive books?
A. Yes, I’ve reviewed many books that could be labelled as Trangressive, including 6 Chuck Palahniuk novels and 4 of Bret Easton Ellis’s works. Peruse my book reviews and you will discover many more.
(Click here to read my blog post about the Trangressive genre).
