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Appreciating Authors

bouquet You probably have already heard about the Wall Street Journal breaking the story of the Department of Justice plans to sue Apple and Simon & Schuster Inc., Hachette Book Group; Penguin Group (USA); Macmillan and HarperCollins Publishers Inc for price fixing related to e-books. And you might have read their response that they only did it to keep the market competitive. And you might be rolling your eyes thinking “not another blog about e-book pricing”. And I agree with you. I am talked out on the subject. There is only so many way you can say that agency pricing is wrong. So for something new, I thought I would write an article with a positive slant. To be honest, I had planned on writing about all the things that publishers do right. But it was a very short list. Maybe it’s because when I look at things, it seems as if the publishers focus more on profits. We have seen that over and over again with gluts of similar types of books. And authors have relayed that they want to write something different but are told that doesn’t sell. However, I easily feel the love for authors. For over a year now, I wanted to have an author appreciation day on the blog.

I can’t imagine a world without books. LinnieGayl in her blog recently talked about how most of us were read to at an early age, and grew up as readers. It is almost in our DNA.
I really do stand in awe of writers that do have the ability to create wonderful diverse stories and entertain me hours on end. There is nothing I enjoy more than counteracting a nasty day outside by snuggling in bed with a good book. Of course the sun can be shining, and I can still find an excuse to stay inside and read.

Writing seems to be a solitary vocation for the most part. Authors probably spend as much time with their characters as they do family and friends. And to be a writer you have to develop a thick skin. Personally, I think that is easier said than done. No author sets down to write a bad book. Sometimes the vision and the execution don’t match but when they do, there is nothing more heavenly.

Some authors have the ability to create characters that almost leap off the page, they seem so real. Others have a talent for making us laugh or cry. Some shine in their descriptions of time and place, transporting us to a different world. For instance, lately I’ve been enjoying Jill Mansell’s writing. She is able to combine humor and angst in a way that both touches me and makes me laugh.

While we all have favorite authors, I would love for you to mention books that you have read in the last six weeks or so that really made your day and just say why. I know that we’re a critical review site, and our readers certainly don’t enjoy everything that comes along(sometimes we REALLY don’t enjoy it), but today I’d like to hear the good stuff. Spring is a super busy time of year. I have been busy with multiple projects which had cut into my reading and posting time. But let’s take two minutes to put a smile on an author’s face today. Whose books have you been appreciating lately?

– Leigh Davis

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