What an incredible review! We would all do well to have thoughtful and engaged readers like you.
I'm very happy to hear that you're okay. There is nothing so paralyzing as a health scare.
I loved how you weaved together your own experiences in the act of reading with the book review. I do find that the right book at the right time can reveal so much to us about ourselves and the art work too.
I'm eager to see what other works you review. I find that sharing my love of books is my way of sharing myself with the world - it's a way to allow others in and let them know you. It's so nice to get to know you a little better.
Thank you, Evelyn! I couldn’t agree more about reviews. When I tried to review movies from an objective, sterile state of removal, I burned out quickly; when I started weaving them around more personal stories and responses, it felt more natural and meaningful—also more persuasive, because the reader can see a part of me in there.
Strangely, I’d never thought of doing the same with a book, even though readers spend more time with books and generate far more from their minds to follow along. Your review really did open my eyes to this, and it felt honest to discuss Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride in the context of those two personal angles: the health scare and my fondness for Will.
Thanks again for reading about my reading inspired by your reading! (So meta!) I definitely plan to do this again for future books.
A health scare is terrifying, and yet, also fascinating. You illuminated how it’s fascinating by exploring the way you responded. Seeing how we automatically/unconsciously respond to things like that is deeply telling. I’m glad to hear you responded that way.
I also found that connecting your experience to McNeils novel was a wonderful to show a different potential response.
Thanks Michael. Yes, it was therapeutic to express some of what was kept inside about the scary week and then lay it alongside a novel about the worst case scenario for such a situation. It was a good exercise (and a good book!)
Art, as a form of therapy (or at least therapeutic) is something I’m becoming more and more intrigued by. Glad you’re feeling that magic too, Michael. :)
What an incredible review! We would all do well to have thoughtful and engaged readers like you.
I'm very happy to hear that you're okay. There is nothing so paralyzing as a health scare.
I loved how you weaved together your own experiences in the act of reading with the book review. I do find that the right book at the right time can reveal so much to us about ourselves and the art work too.
I'm eager to see what other works you review. I find that sharing my love of books is my way of sharing myself with the world - it's a way to allow others in and let them know you. It's so nice to get to know you a little better.
Thank you, Evelyn! I couldn’t agree more about reviews. When I tried to review movies from an objective, sterile state of removal, I burned out quickly; when I started weaving them around more personal stories and responses, it felt more natural and meaningful—also more persuasive, because the reader can see a part of me in there.
Strangely, I’d never thought of doing the same with a book, even though readers spend more time with books and generate far more from their minds to follow along. Your review really did open my eyes to this, and it felt honest to discuss Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride in the context of those two personal angles: the health scare and my fondness for Will.
Thanks again for reading about my reading inspired by your reading! (So meta!) I definitely plan to do this again for future books.
I'm glad that you wrote this, finding a way to solve writing dilemmas is always best done together I feel.
I look forward to reading many more of your book reviews.
This was interesting in so many ways.
A health scare is terrifying, and yet, also fascinating. You illuminated how it’s fascinating by exploring the way you responded. Seeing how we automatically/unconsciously respond to things like that is deeply telling. I’m glad to hear you responded that way.
I also found that connecting your experience to McNeils novel was a wonderful to show a different potential response.
Thanks Michael :)
Thanks Michael. Yes, it was therapeutic to express some of what was kept inside about the scary week and then lay it alongside a novel about the worst case scenario for such a situation. It was a good exercise (and a good book!)
Art, as a form of therapy (or at least therapeutic) is something I’m becoming more and more intrigued by. Glad you’re feeling that magic too, Michael. :)