Reviews on Goodreads ~ I was a Year behind ~ Are you?

I’ve just tried to catch up with my reviews on Goodreads which I’m ashamed to say were nearly a year behind. How did that happen?

In some ways I feel that Goodreads is as important (if not more so) than Amazon. Why? …because

• it included books borrowed from friends
• books bought in book shops
• or even from a charity shop
• and also books read from a wide range of sources including Nook, Apple etc and not just on Amazon (although it is owned by Amazon now)

I have not been able to catch up on all of the novels I read in 2019; there are just too many, but I have added, however, all of the reviews I’ve written on this blog to give a flavour of what I’ve been enjoying all year. I do not write reviews for books I would give less than 3 *** to.

After today I have made a promise to myself to try to keep these reviews on Goodreads up to date.  Also I will try to write my book recommendations on this blog, ‘DIANA’S REVIEW OF THE MONTH’ page, going throughout the year. Amazon is easier because you are given frequent reminders.

If you’d like to ‘friend’ me on Goodreads after reading this post then do let me know.

 

My verdict to myself ~ Could do better!

       Do you review on Goodreads?

         If not why not?

Diana’s Book Review ~ The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine

I picked up The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine at Waterstones since it was Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year. Although not a Scottish author, her setting for this and Women of the Dunes, couldn’t be more Scottish, based on the north west coast.

In House Between Tides Libby is left a falling down ruin of a house on a tiny tidal island. As she investigates the possibility of its renovation a body is found rendering the place an unsolved crime scene.

Feelings of the community run high as the island is threatened by redevelopment. The author cleverly reveals truths about the past and as the story begins to unfold she weaves the past into the present in the most unexpected of ways.

I have also read The Women of the Dunes. What a wonderfully evocative cover!

Libby follows the trail of stories from her home in Canada to the Hebrides, tales passed down to her of Ullaness, Ulla the Norse-woman and the chapel, involving intrigue, disappearances and possibly murder.

The past catches up with her as she prepares to bring students on an archaeological dig on this tidal island. Even before the excavations take place a body is found opening up speculation as to the circumstances of this murder from the Victorian era.

Women of the Dunes is a clever weaving of three time periods as the secrets of the past are finally unravelled, but that does not mean that the present is without tensions and danger.

Both books are clever plots with carefully honed characters ~ Much enjoyed and highly recommended!

Reviews Arrive by a Variety of Modes ~ Revel in them all! 5 STARS *****

I’ve received three reviews in the past week for ‘The Healing Paths of Fife.‘

The first review I’m thrilled about was by email and is now on Amazon:

Benbo

5.0 out of 5 starsLovely Read

12 January 2018

Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; chosen because of an ancestral interest in Fife. I have walked the coastal path where the author was drawn to and can understand how her imaginative mind become active. It is for me a book that I shall read more than once for I need to visit Fife in mind and body as often as possible.’

 

The second one was spoken directly by a lady in the Burgh who is in Kinghorn in Bloom.

         ‘I loved your novel. It was one of those books which you could curl up with on the sofa and just enjoy. Heart warming!’

The third review came over the phone by a college lecturer I’ve kept in touch with over the years from Keswick Hall College of Education. (is it really over 40 since I entered college life?) Now, it is the first time I’ve spoken to this man for several years.

‘Your writing is very beautiful Diana. A most unusual book.’     

Many thanks to all of you who take the trouble to write reviews, ring or even say what you think in person about novels. All authors everywhere are eternally grateful because many of us suffer from a lack of confidence and it inspires us to continue writing.

ps My next novel is all but complete now. How exciting!!!