The About Bit
I am Ste J, a book lover who is not very good with technology. I tend to be a bit to solitary with my mass reading jaunts but there is peace in a book, unless it’s one of those with pictures where the colours clash violently, but then I am short sighted and colour blind, so that holds no fear for me. Now you know me and have me at a disadvantage, on to The Project, if you can call it that. This site aims to:
- Update twice a week (at least) with good quality reviews of an eclectic mix of books or at least something bookish of interest.
- Give an honest opinion about the books I read, and hopefully insert some humour too.
- Not give away to much of the plot of any fiction book unless necessary to the review.
- Inspire people to pick up something they may never have heard of or fancied tackling before.
- To be fairly succinct and not ramble on, unless it’s about something particularly annoying.
- A recent addition being to add a few book free posts that may be witty or may not be.
That’s it really, hopefully I shall be able to provide you with an eclectic mix from Classics to modern bestsellers, any comments good or otherwise (providing they are constructive in there criticism) are welcome.
Claire Ady
16/07/2012 at 17:57
I have recently started with the book-based-blog and it’s number three that’s the toughie – write a decent and helpful review without spoilers …
StetotheJ
17/07/2012 at 05:24
I tend to expand slightly on the information on the back of the book, then chat in a general sense about, the characters, themes and nuances of the book, avoiding the plot apart from to describe its generalities, was it twisty/turny, emotional etc. It is a fine balance but as long as you avoid spoilers you should be on the right track.
gaele1
19/07/2012 at 17:50
It’s so hard to do all three – and yet so rewarding. I’m mostly playing catch up with my reviews now.. I can’t wait to be current. I’ve actually *gasp* slowed my reading down till I catch up.
StetotheJ
19/07/2012 at 17:55
Wow! Slowing down, I bet that’s hard to do. I wish I could I could catch up….maybe one day, when i’ve read everything I want to read, if that will ever be possible.
stephenedwards425
24/07/2012 at 00:58
Thanks for deciding to follow my blog…I hope you enjoy the trip.
Be encouraged!
letizia
30/07/2012 at 17:07
I nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award! If you want to accept you can write a post following the rules similar to what I did on my blog (or google the name of the award and see what others have done). But you don’t have to if you don’t want to – it’s just a fun way to spotlight blogs that we like
StetotheJ
30/07/2012 at 17:21
Wow!!(!) that’s very kind of you, haven’t been up for a blogging award. I shall check it out now. And you have hit a double whammy by being the person whose hit has given me my most prolific day to date. I owe you a soft drink of your choosing!
bareyournaketruth
05/08/2012 at 17:22
Thanks for visiting my blog!
StetotheJ
06/08/2012 at 05:11
A thankyou backatcha likewise!
bareyournaketruth
06/08/2012 at 15:13
You’re welcome!
RoSy
06/08/2012 at 22:44
Thanks for your visits to my blog. Will have to catch yours too.
I’m not a “reader” (I hang my head half in shame as I type this. Can’t hang it too low or I can’t see what I’m typing). Anywho – maybe one day one of the reviews will smack me upside the head & say “Read me.”
StetotheJ
08/08/2012 at 15:11
Would shiny pictures help, maybe I should do a free gift for subscribers, or at least claim one just for the view rush. I am a bit mercanery in my ways lol.
Jen Thompson
05/09/2012 at 17:41
Hey thanks for following my blog! Look forward to reading some of your posts.
StetotheJ
06/09/2012 at 16:01
Backatcha! i shall follow your blogging with the greatest of interest.
thethiessenreview
17/10/2012 at 18:44
Hi Ste, thanks so much for following my blog. I was really interested in the books you’ve chosen to review. Definitely a few titles I’ve never heard of and will have to go on the To-Read list!
StetotheJ
17/10/2012 at 18:48
I’ve found the same with your page, you have read loads I am not familiar with, however I am always up for more book ideas to add to the ridiculously long list. Let the book ideas swapping information commence!!!
thethiessenreview
17/10/2012 at 18:55
Lol indeedy!
최다해 gongjumonica
10/11/2012 at 13:29
You put that well. There is peace in a book. It happens to me many times. I was very absorbed in what I was reading that I didn’t notice my friends’ bickering turned to a fist fight or something. Haha! But also true, no clashing and flashy colors for me too
StetotheJ
10/11/2012 at 15:03
I like that we have a lot in common, I don’t mind fist fights as long as it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the book lol.
최다해 gongjumonica
11/11/2012 at 10:49
That sounds nice! I’d let them kill each other as long as my book won’t have even a tiny drop of blood from them. I’m kind of OC with my books. I hate it when others borrow mine then return it with a. creases in the spine, b. dog eared pages, c. stains!!!
StetotheJ
11/11/2012 at 19:33
I am with you there, I can’t abide damage to the books. I sometimes carry them around in my hands so they don’t move around in my backpack and get creases on the corners. I would rather buy someone a book I like than lend it out. When people lend me books I always try and read them quickly and not damage them either. Another thing we have in common!
최다해 gongjumonica
12/11/2012 at 02:48
I do the same thing too especially with hardbound books! Though not always. I prefer putting them in my book bag than risk them to fall on a ground and injure themselves. I also love giving books to people especially those who do not read, but sometimes it can be costly. So I just lend them some of mine but with a warning.
We have much in common. Speaking of lending books, I have a lots which were not returned to me. That’s really sad.
StetotheJ
12/11/2012 at 14:56
I also have a few that have been out of my posession for a while, I don’t mind but they aren’t being read and I fancy reviewing them now. I know what you mean about it being expensive, we are kind souls though. Do you often find the warnings are essentially threats for the well being of the books though?
최다해 gongjumonica
13/11/2012 at 04:46
I agree I have a soul, but kind? I’m not sure about that
You are correct. They are threats wrapped sweetly that the lenders have to abide or else…
gargoylebruce
18/11/2012 at 09:26
Congratulations! You are a recipient of the inaugral Gargie Award! You can find out about this prestigious gain here:
http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/introducing-the-gargie-awards/
Well done!
StetotheJ
20/11/2012 at 18:44
Awards are always great, naturally, I shall do a post soon, it is high time I saluted the o=wonderful blogs out there and of course namechack your own! Thanks once again.
thetalkinghangover
22/11/2012 at 11:51
man, writing reviews is hard hard. i used to run a little magazine in london which was based around reviews and apart from the energy required to get around london meeting people, drinking beer and getting the mag out there the HARDEST part was the review writing – other writing yes ok not too bad but reviews.. so yeh big respect on your conversational amusing style. i might check some of these books out. thanks.
StetotheJ
22/11/2012 at 21:37
Thank you also, I do get a bit stressed writing them, most self imposed i admit but I like to post every two or three days and reviews I think are what I do best. Oddly the ones I think I can do better on usually seem to get the most likes but that is life. Appreciate your comments though, makes reviewing worth it to know people are reading and liking what I put down.
cricketmuse
20/01/2013 at 19:25
You stopped by the Book Boosters page, and that usually means an interest in joining the roll call of bibliophiles. Let me know if you care to be cancelled. I’m a bit behind on this–apologies.
Happy Pages,
CricketMuse
StetotheJ
20/01/2013 at 19:59
Heck no, keep me up there with all the really good blogs you are showcasing. I am a bit behind on going through them all, I started but then things got in the way, so I really need to get back on the list and enjoy those other blogs.
cricketmuse
20/01/2013 at 20:02
I added about six new BBs today!
StetotheJ
20/01/2013 at 20:05
Crikey, I shall get onto the list and have a proper good go at looking at them all. Keep ‘em coming!
cricketmuse
20/01/2013 at 20:09
Maybe we should have a virtual convention!
StetotheJ
20/01/2013 at 20:11
I like that idea, but we could have a twist and not make it…conventional. That would blow people away mentally.
cricketmuse
20/01/2013 at 20:16
Eagle-Eyed Editor gave me the idea with the virtual parties hosted on their site. Lamp shades and all! But we probably won’t get quite so crazy…
StetotheJ
20/01/2013 at 20:25
Lamp shades are the craziest thing I have ever heard of except for a bottle of crisps or a boat made out of shoes.
cricketmuse
20/01/2013 at 21:43
shoe boats!? that’s a new one for me–although I have heard of boats made out of milk cartons, but that’s probably not party feasible
StetotheJ
23/01/2013 at 14:53
I believe some guy form ‘those days’ attempted to sail from London all the way from the mouth of the Thames in a cardboard boat, he failed. It may have been a poet, not sure where i read this, if only he would have gone the shoe route, life would have been fine.
cricketmuse
23/01/2013 at 20:56
Hmmm, he must have have a poet’s sole to sail openly in a shoe boat (don’t throw that!)
StetotheJ
24/01/2013 at 20:25
Ooo stylish use of the pun there, most enjoyable. It is a shame his experiment ended in defeet!
cricketmuse
24/01/2013 at 20:38
I sho’ find all this punnery good for the soul, solely due to my penchant for the wordplay….
StetotheJ
24/01/2013 at 20:39
Glad I didn’t put my foot in it.
cricketmuse
24/01/2013 at 21:39
I best walk around this issue of the next comeback.
StetotheJ
24/01/2013 at 21:40
If I was you I would hold your tongue as you loafer round.
cricketmuse
25/01/2013 at 04:56
I feel like such a heel for continuing this banter, but if the shoe fits…
StetotheJ
25/01/2013 at 06:14
Ha! No more, if we carry on like this or we will be a shoe-in for a spot on the psyche ward.
cricketmuse
27/01/2013 at 00:37
Seeing how there is agony in defeet. I say it’s an overall tie.
StetotheJ
27/01/2013 at 16:09
I am pso glad we had this conversation. I now quit for my sanitys sake lol.
cricketmuse
28/01/2013 at 01:24
Twas fun, indeed!
RoSy
23/01/2013 at 14:36
Come get yo’ caffeine fix!
http://wp.me/p2oM0H-V5
StetotheJ
24/01/2013 at 20:23
I am on my way, always love a coffee and a catch up!
WelshGuy437thousand7Hundred&fourty-three
25/01/2013 at 15:10
constructive in *their* criticism…
StetotheJ
26/01/2013 at 11:05
Indeed, handily your correction has reminded me that i need to revamp this whole page to something more substantial.
Bumba
19/02/2013 at 21:29
S,
I like the way you’ve organized your categories. I may try to copy the system. I have a Library, but no one seems to use it. The way you have it is handy.
StetotheJ
22/02/2013 at 17:09
It’s more for me than anyone else, I can see what I need to update on and then roundly ignore it in favour of something else, I’m not sure if many people use it unless they have a favoured genre they like, but worth a go for those extra hits I would say.
Bumba
22/02/2013 at 19:03
When I started my blog I thought it was basically to be a place to store my writings and have them available for the curious – a Stephen Baum library. But people generally look at the latest posts and don’t go to the library section. But I do like the way you’ve arranged yours.
StetotheJ
22/02/2013 at 19:10
Any excuse to make people browse, I’m not sure if people use the categories or the pages with the authors, My freestyle writing posts don’t gte as much love s it may be that. Having said that depends how you arrange your categories and on your clientele, (blogentele?) and their tastes.