ESSAYS CONTRIBUTED BY VARIOUS AUTHORS



Essays Contributed By Some of Bookpleasures' Reviewers as well as guest authors.



    A Journey Through Lloyd Lofthouse's Remarkable Life and Career





    Ten Things You May Not Know about Lloyd Lofthouse

    Guest Post for Bee Lindy of Book Pleasures



    A recent reader survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Wattpad reveals intriguing insights into the preferences and perspectives of readers across generations:



    The landscape of the literary world has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, largely thanks to the rise of self-publishing. 

    Once considered a niche market, self-publishing has emerged as a powerful force, reshaping how books are created, distributed, and consumed. 

    This essay explores the profound impact of self-publishing on the literary world, from the democratization of publishing to its influence on traditional publishing houses and the opportunities it provides to authors and readers alike.



    In today's world of digitization and inter connectedness, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for authors and publishers to promote books and engage with readers.


    Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads have brought about a revolution in book marketing. 

    This essay explores the multifaceted role of social media in book promotion, from reaching wider audiences to fostering author-reader relationships.




    In a world filled with an ever-expanding array of literary genres, memoirs have emerged as a timeless and compelling genre that captivates readers across generations

    The depiction of female leads in literature has undergone significant transformation throughout the ages. 
    From passive damsels in distress to powerful and multi-dimensional characters, the evolution of strong female protagonists reflects the changing social dynamics and evolving perceptions of women’s roles in society. 
    We will explore this evolution by examining ten well-known novels spanning different eras, each featuring a strong female protagonist who defies traditional gender norms and expectations.




    Adultery, one of humanity’s oldest sins, has always been a captivating and intriguing subject for literary minds






    Maintaining Originality Amidst the Rise of AI: A Contemporary Challenge




    The business world is dynamic and intricate, requiring constant adaptation, innovation, and strategic thinking. 

    Professionals often turn to business literature that offers insights, frameworks, and case studies to navigate this complex landscape. This essay delves into the essence of ten influential business books that have shaped how we perceive and practice business.


     By shedding light oncultural, social, and historical dimensions, novels become a powerfultool for exploring the rich tapestry of human experiences.

    The impact of Jewish culture, history, and identity endures through stories that center on Jewish themes.




    The world of literary analysis and author engagement is constantly growing, and at the heart of this evolution lies the captivating Q&A session. 

    In the age of digital connections, where readers and authors find themselves separated by screens and miles, the Q&A session acts as a bridge, offering a remarkable opportunity for profound insights and meaningful connections.






    Are you a fan of legal thrillers? From gripping courtroom battles to intricate legal strategies, novels centered on lawyers have an irresistible charm that keeps readers hooked.

    Whether you're a legal aficionado or just seeking an enthralling read, these novels offer a unique blend of suspense, intellect, and ethical exploration.






    Self-help books have become a popular source of inspiration, guidance, and transformation for individuals seeking personal development.

    Some books have significantly impacted this genre, resonating with readers worldwide. 

    This article explores the ten most-read self-help books, diving into their principles, impact on readers, and the wisdom they impart.




    Are you tired of feeling sluggish and hunched over when you read? Are you looking for a way to improve your physical health while enhancing your reading experience? If so, you might want to give chair yoga a try!


    Today, we're going to dive into a topic that's not just about books but also about keeping our brains sharp as a tack. Yes, you heard it right - we're discussing whether taking a daily walk can make us more innovative when we read?
    So grab your walking shoes, and let's hit the trail to explore this intriguing connection!

    In today's fast-paced digital age, where information is readily available at our fingertips and distractions abound, reading is losing its prominence.

    However, reading remains an invaluable and timeless activity that enriches our minds, broadens our horizons, and fosters empathy and understanding.

    This essay explores the enduring value of reading and highlights its significance in personal, intellectual, and societal development.


    If you're a book lover, you probably already know how wonderful libraries are. They're peaceful places where you can find knowledge, escape into different worlds, and connect with others who share your passion for reading.

    But did you know that libraries also offer book clubs? These groups are more than just a chance to read and discuss books; they're vibrant communities that bring people together from all walks of life.

    Here are just a few of the many benefits of attending a library book club:



    In the age of information and digital media, there is an overwhelming abundance of books readily available at our fingertips. 

    With countless genres, styles, and authors to choose from, deciding on the perfect book can be a daunting task. Book reviews come to the rescue in the sea of literary choices.

    Whether you are an avid reader or someone just looking to explore the world of books, reading book reviews can prove to be an invaluable habit. 

    In this essay, we will delve into the reasons engaging with book reviews can enhance your reading experience and broaden your literary horizons.


    Writing is a powerful tool that can transport readers to different worlds, evoke emotions, and inspire change. However, to achieve these goals successfully, writers must prioritize authenticity by conducting thorough research.

    Whether integrating real-world events, professions, or historical periods into their work, accurate and credible writing requires a solid foundation of knowledge.

    This essay explores the significance of researching for authenticity and how it elevates writing to new heights.



    In the vast world of fiction, themes serve as the foundation that shapes the story, characters, and our own interpretations. Themes provide more profound meaning, taking readers on an emotional and insightful journey. 

    This exploration of themes in storytelling reveals their transformative power and essential role in enhancing our reading experiences.


    In the realm of literature, there is an art form that can transport readers to be familiar and fantastical worlds—the art of character development. Creating well-rounded and interesting characters is essential to crafting a captivating narrative.

    These characters possess depth, complexity, and authenticity, resonating with readers and leaving a lasting impression. 

    In this essay, we will explore the techniques and strategies skilled authors employ to unleash the power of well-rounded personalities, using examples from notable literature.


    Reading is a powerful skill that broadens our knowledge and enhances our ability to think critically and express ourselves effectively. 

    However, merely scanning the words on a page does not guarantee proper comprehension. 

    It is essential to adopt effective reading strategies and develop strong comprehension skills to extract the most total value from books. 


    Understanding the underlying causes of writer's block is essential for developing strategies to overcome it. Writer's block can stem from self-doubt, perfectionism, fear of failure, lack of inspiration, or overwhelming stress. 

    Embracing the pre-writing phase is an effective way to combat writer's block. This stage involves brainstorming ideas, conducting research, and outlining the structure of your work. 


    Crime fiction has been a beloved genre for centuries, captivating readers with its thrilling escape into mystery, suspense, and the intricacies of human psychology.

    Crafting the perfect crime novel is no easy feat and requires a delicate balance of elements.

    These include an intriguing plot, well-developed characters, a vivid setting, and expertly woven suspense. Aspiring authors can explore the essential components that contribute to creating a remarkable crime novel in this essay.


    Legal thrillers are an exciting genre that combines the intricacies of the legal system with the pulse-pounding excitement of a gripping suspense narrative. 
    These novels captivate readers by immersing them in a world of high-stakes courtroom dramas, complex legal puzzles, and morally ambiguous characters. 

    Author:Amnon Kabatchnik

    Author: Amnon Kabatchnik

    Publisher: BearManor Media

    ISBN: 979-8-88771-133-1


    Step into the captivating world of courtroom dramas with Amnon Kabatchnik's book, Courtroom Dramas: ON THE STAGE: VOLUME 1 

    In this fascinating volume, Kabatchnik takes readers on an absorbing journey through fifty plays, each masterfully constructed within the universe of courtroom trials.


    The world of cinema has often looked to literature for inspiration, drawing upon rich characters and exciting narratives to create unforgettable film experiences. This article explores a selection of film characters adapted from their literary counterparts.

    These characters have transcended the pages of books to make their mark on the silver screen, captivating audiences with depth, complexity, and enduring appeal.


    In the vast landscape of literature, certain characters transcend the confines of their pages, imprinting themselves upon the minds and hearts of readers long after the final chapter concludes.
    These captivating characters possess a magnetic quality that lures us into their world, prompting us to invest our emotions, thoughts, and time in their stories.
    But what makes a character genuinely captivating in a work of fiction? This essay aims to explore the various elements that contribute to the allure of fictional characters and unravel the secrets behind their enduring appeal.

    For centuries, fiction has been captivating readers' hearts and minds, serving as an endless source of inspiration and entertainment.

    From ancient epics to modern masterpieces, fiction weaves narratives that transcend time, culture, and boundaries.

    But what makes this realm of imagination so alluring? Why do we immerse ourselves in stories that are not real?


    This essay delves into the profound reasons why we read fiction and its powerful hold over our hearts and minds.

    Memoirs have an uncanny ability to transport readers into the lives of others, offering a captivating glimpse into the tapestry of authentic experiences.

    But what sets apart a truly engaging and interesting memoir from the rest?


    This article unravels the secrets that make a memoir enjoyable, exploring the elements that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impact.

    Exploring the genre of historical fiction can be a highly enriching and insightful experience. Here are several reasons one should delve into this genre:

    As someone who reviews books, it's important to approach non-fiction works with care and attention to detail.

    Unlike fiction, non-fiction deals with real-world facts and ideas, so it requires a careful examination of the author's research, credibility, and presentation.

    In this article, we'll explore the key aspects that a skilled book reviewer should consider when assessing a non-fiction work. By doing so, we'll provide readers with valuable insights and a well-rounded evaluation.

    One of the most important elements to consider when reviewing a non-fiction book is the author's credibility and expertise.


    WORDS WORDS WORDS, I’M SO CRAZY IN LOVE WITH WORDS!

    For over 20 years, I've been diving into books, reviewing them, and having some fantastic conversations with the brilliant minds behind them.

    In this little essay, I want to share the deep motivations and immense joys that have accompanied me throughout this fulfilling career.


    Jessica Sticklor writes about the history of protest and political unrest, specifically focusing on the May 1968 Riots in Paris and their impact on both past and present events.

    Jessica discusses how protests have been a recurring aspect of French history, with barricades being built during various periods of discontent.

    The article emphasizes that protest is a fundamental part of modern history and explores the connection between past and present protests, highlighting examples such as the Occupy Wall Street movement, unrest in Egypt, and recent protests for racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights.

    Jessica suggests that political unrest is an ongoing phenomenon, driven by issues such as income inequality, cultural divisions, and unjust policies, and emphasizes the importance of respecting the power of the people to stand up against injustice throughout history.


    Collaboration with Community Artists Contributed to Bookpleasures.com by Casey Rislov
    3 Ways an author or illustrator can team up with other artists in their community:

    ABOUT THE AUTHORS TV, a new, first-of-its-kind, streaming television program hosted by veteran author Jake Brown, will debut its first 2 seasons across multiple streaming platforms this November 16, 2021. The series, 54 episodes in total to date, features long form interviews with many of the world’s bestselling authors across all genres and generations.   



    To celebrate Book Lovers Day, Preply.com carried out research highlighting the most translated book from each country in the world.

    They then created a few maps where those books /authors are featured.

    I believe the theme of translations is an interesting one, why does a particular book get translated into many languages? Are they all good books? The USA gets represented by a self-help book by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

    Many European countries feature children's books with universal or at least widely adaptable appeal but in African countries, autobiographies seem to be the genre that manages to get more international attention.






    Rise and shine! Rise and shine!”

    Those iconic words, warbled by the mother of an old warehouse buddy, Tom Wingfield, began my forty-year quest to write and sell a screenplay based on my experience playing The Gentleman Caller in a community theater production of  The Glass Menagerie.

    What I didn’t know then, and what I find excruciatingly hard to believe now, is that my heartfelt effort would result in a cease-and-desist letter from a Madison Avenue law firm.



    Love is grand, but eating is something we do three times a day. 

    I know, I eat frequently and cook my own meals.  You may have noticed that lots of husbands are good cooks.

    There are two reasons for that:

    1. Before marriage, men lived alone and had to eat. So, they began to cook;

    1. Home Economics” is no longer taught in high school and many women whose mothers are terrible cooks, never learned.



    Publisher ‏ : ‎Independently published (December 28, 2019)
    Language ‏ : ‎ English
    ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1652240144
    ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1652240143

    Author: PhilKlay
    Publisher: The Penguin Press
    ISBN: 978-1-59420-499-9


    How to “Birth” a Company Contributed to Bookpleasures.com by Heather Wilde

    Why writing is a form of therapy

    During the long, long process of writing my memoir (eleven years!) I was often asked if I was doing it as a form of therapy. “It must be very cathartic for you,” they’d declare, as if that were a given. I’d nod and murmur “yes it is,” but with an internal eyeroll.


    During a Pandemic, Can Rejection Notices Come in Handy?

    As a writer, I was sheltering in place long before it became mandatory. It is from my home-office where I work on my books, edit fiction and nonfiction by other people, write magazine articles and reviews of newly published works, and try to develop what I hope might be a brilliant literary idea or two somewhere along the line.


    The thought of retirement can cause a number of reactions in people. Panic is one, certainly, but another is the idea that it’s all in the future and everything will be fine. We get that idea from media, from books, and from how our parents may have lived or are living their own retirements. The truth: retirement in the 21st Century is going to be a very different experience than it’s been in the past. Modern medicine and longevity have created a new reality. Retirement is not a 21st Century concept. We have to think differently.

    Recently I came across a book called George, Being George, with recollections by notable people on their encounters with the writer George Plimpton. I’ve never been notable enough to have been asked to contribute, but I do have my own ‘George being George’ story. 

    I am Patrice Shavone Brown, the CEO of Restoring Bodies and Minds, LLC. My organization is a mental health facility. We work with adults that suffer from severe and or persistent Mental illness.  Over the last ten years, I have dedicated my life to helping others. Life for me as a businesswoman has not been easy. The one strength that I have always taught my members was journaling. Through journaling, there is healing. 

    Before you think I am telling you to stop writing forever, I mean knowing when to stop writing for the day, or the week, or even month, if you have had a rough patch, is a good thing.

    I hate self-help books. Well, not exactly. I enjoy Chapter One. Chapter One typically introduces us to some common problem with that simple solution. It is like reading the last chapter of the Wizard of Oz, and the author is a self-proclaimed wizard. This Wizard then describes to us how he or she got to hand out the diploma to the Scarecrow, the ticking clock to the tin man, and the medal of bravery to the lion. Now, start to read Chapter Two.

    If you ever get a chance to hang out with high-ranking corporate executives, they will often tell you that they work 12 hours a day, that they barely have time for lunch, and that they sleep as little as possible. In fact, they don’t even tell you about it...they gloat about it.

    In many cases, the people who brag about 12-hour workdays are probably lying or at least exaggerating. I know, because I used to tell the same stories. Yes, I did sit in an office for 12-hour days, trying to look busy. But the real truth is that many people who park themselves at their desk that long aren’t actually being productive for 12 hours a day. Not even close.



    How is it that authors manage to make readers sympathize even with villains, murderers, and monsters, even though they do evil?

    It was the morning of March 3rd, 2020, a sunny beach day in Florida, when with eyes wide with fear I looked at my husband and said “Sam, half a million Americans will die from this virus, we need to pack up the dogs and drive home to Pennsylvania and hunker down.” As a health professional and researcher, I had studied the 1918 Spanish flu and knew that this “novel” virus attacked more than just the lungs, as the 1918 virus had done. I knew this was going to be horrendous.




    The most chilling books of horror and dystopia are the ones that have strong connections to our everyday world. Because we can associate with the situations and the manner in which the characters are pushed around by malicious invisible hands, we find ourselves unable to put down what would otherwise be disquieting to disturbing. In my novel, 418: I Am a Teapot, I want to present to you an ember of hope in a near-future world gone wrong.

     As a writer I have always felt compelled to learn about as many people as I can in order to build a mental storehouse of human traits and qualities to write about. In fact, I’ve been studying people closely ever since two cute nurses giggled at me (and my freckles) when I was six years old and left abandoned in a hallway at a hospital on Long Island, for what seemed like eternity before having my tonsils removed. Even then I knew I’d write about them one day. And see—I have!

    As an author and book editor (as most authors and book editors would agree), it’s important to learn as much about other writers as possible. Through the years, while reading interviews with and biographies of some of our more famous literary icons, it often appeared that each and every one of them had more than a handful of skeletons in their closets. Of course, a little bit of marketing always plays into this equation: writers who write about writers are well aware that if you write about someone whose life is relatively boring, the reader will be relatively bored. 

    When I reached adulthood, I summarily dismissed my parents’ fear. After all, unlike my grandfather, I accepted jobs that would support my family well, even though they were not my dream jobs. Unlike him, I eagerly accepted help and advice, direction and criticism, from many qualified experts as a way of trying to reach a professional goal or two. 

    I was not my grandfather. My parents were crazy. Of that I was convinced.

    Today as more and more businesses and employees go virtual, while job losses and business failures mount, writers actually have more opportunities in a virtual world.  In fact, virtual space is an ideal environment for writers, since we work behind computers and many of us work from home offices, so we can simply continue to do what we already do.  

    The main difference is in how we are published or hired, whether it’s by a company or individual, in the topics of interest, and how to best reach prospective publishers or clients. Then, too, if there is a slow-down in writing for clients, this can be an opportunity to do your own writing, and perhaps try out different forms of writing.

    That’s been my experience. Besides writing my own books on assorted business, success, and current event topics, I’ve been working as a ghostwriter for book proposals, books, and scripts, and for the first few months of the pandemic, the clients suddenly disappeared.  For some clients, it was the uncertainty of what was happening, for others it was a decline in income, but for whatever reason, I and other writers experienced this drop-off. 


                This is a story I think both readers and writers will understand very well. 

    Years ago I fell in love with a young woman named Peony—a name at once distinctive, beautiful and poetic, and one I refused to question despite never having met another person so named. 




    Shelly Skandrani Discusses the Making of  Horror Film, 9 Ways to Hell


    Shelly Skandrani is best-known for her critically acclaimed co-star role of Leah Lubitch, in Showtime's popular Holocaust film The Devil's Arithmetic starring Kirsten Dunst and Brittany Murphy, and produced by Dustin Hoffman and Mimi Rogers.

    Shelly was born in Tel Aviv, Israel and grew up in London and is often described as a mixture of Israeli passion and British refinement.



    Philosophical novels use fictional stories to explore questions that have confounded humans for centuries. These books present a wide variety of ideas—some of them foundational to the human experience, some of them uncomfortable, some of them highly controversial—all wrapped up in the more accessible trappings of fiction. The following list of novels includes many critically acclaimed books and favorites of high school and college reading lists, though the characters and stories themselves often resist the status quo.


     


    An opening for authors looking for ways to introduce a new character or situation they haven’t considered before. So, I offer this example from my second week of grief. One thing I noticed was by choosing one rather tight setting, I was able to spread out some characteristics of my late wife in a rather succinct way:


    Dr. Wesley Britton, one of bookpleasures' excellent reviewers writes about his life as a book reviewer


    Gini Graham Scott Contributes Here Sage Advice Concerning Deciding On The Format Of Your Book To Bookpleasures.com

    Here is a story that was brought to my attention by Public Relations Consultant, Dana Swinney about how one American psychotherapist and author from New Hampshire, and one literacy educator from Ibadan, Nigeria, met spontaneously at an international literacy conference in Boston, and forged a professional relationship and partnership that transcend the world’s borders, political boundaries and time zones.

    Andrew Joyce Discusses His Experiences With Writing Historical Fiction Novels

    Growing up between two cultures, Greek and American, heightened my awareness, from an early age, of America not only as a physical place but also a shifting, continually evolving idea. While Greece meant shared history and traditions, America meant reinventing and coexisting, too often uneasily, among diverse histories and traditions. The American experience is an intersection among those who came to America seeking “a better life” with those who were brought against their will and enslaved with those whose way of life was destroyed.


    Terry Richard Bazes informs us that "I had long been aware of my Jekyll/Hyde nature—of the presence of alternative—uncivil—personalities. Their darker natures are integral to my writing because writing for me is a private and relentless campaign of subversion.  That does not mean, of course, that I am not also the very civilized Dr. Jekyll. Nonetheless, I do hear wicked voices. .



    A piece of advice writers often hear (and regularly from me!) is that to write effectively, you must read. And read a lot. This is simply mandatory.

    Fewer and fewer men read fiction.  They compose only about 20% of the fiction market according to surveys. Some lay this off to genetics, suggesting that the way men’s minds work discourages them from entering into another’s experience the way fiction demands.


    Are You Really A Writer?




    Cajun Nights was my first novel featuring New Orleans medical examiner, Andy Broussard, and his suicide/death investigator, Kit Franklyn.  A few weeks after the book was published, I got a call from my agent with the surprising news that, “There’s been a flurry of movie and TV interest in your book.”  I’d never considered that such a thing was possible. So that was one of the best phone calls I ever had.

    According to theguardian Apple settled $840m ebook price-fixing case.




    Where can authors find reviewers?


                            

    Bookpleasures.com is excited to hear from two of our reviewers, Tom Pope and Steve Moore.They have put together a discussion based on their email exchanges to  produce a Socratic discussion about several elements associated with writing thrillers. This if the first part of that discussion. Enjoy.


    Jack Wells,  Author of As A Roaring Lion shares his knowledge about planning for a genre novel




    Author: Ron Burgundy

    Publisher: Crown Archetype (November 19, 2013)

    Sold by: Random House LLC

    ASIN: B00EIGS388



    To take the greatest advantage of the technology of the 21st Century a tool some authors are turning to is Kickstarter



    At the heart of every worthwhile piece of fiction is a compelling story that, once started, keeps an audience engaged, riveted, and/or enthralled until its end. This captivating quality is generally realized through an artful blend of clarity, conflict, and intensity.


    Do you use Facebook personally and professionally?


    Should the music of Wagner be played in Israel?


    For four centuries the West Bank and east Jerusalem, were provinces of the Turkish Ottoman Empire; after that, from 1922 until 1948, they were ruled by Britain under the Mandate given it by the League of Nations. These areas have never been under any Arab sovereignty. The Palestinians have never had a political state of their own; and when offered the opportunity to create one by the United Nations General Assembly in 1947, refused to create one.

    When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in Alice in Wonderland, “it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.  Can you make words mean so many things?”


    The English are watching on television the brutal massacres in Syria. They have raised their security level from “miffed” to “peeved.” They may raise it again to “really irritated,” or even “a bit crossed.” This should be a warning to foreigners because the last time the British felt “a bit crossed” was in 1588 when they had to defeat the Spanish Armada.

    Our era has witnessed and suffered from the acceptance by many commentators in democratic countries of the illusion of the nature of the regimes and conditions of life in Arab societies.
    Catherine Ashton, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in her speech of June 12, 2012 to the European Parliament, is still blinded by a Potemkin village. In that speech in which she addressed both the situation in Syria and the settlements in Israel she charged Israel rather than Syria with serious violations of international and humanitarian law.

    It is saddening that the latest celebrity to succumb to the fallacious Palestinian narrative of the relationship between the Palestinian population and Israel is Alice Walker, the distinguished Afro-American writer whose book The Color Purple was a prize-winning contribution to American literature.

    Nancy Hatch Woodward Contributes Her Thoughts On Poetry

    Many books now have apps that work on iPhones or iPads and on the Android platform. Consumers can now buy the printed book, the app alone or both. Authors can capitalize on this trend by creating apps for their books or pushing their publisher to create one for them.  Some apps have incredible features such as 3D effects, interactive story telling, and more. Creating an app for your book may give you a competitive advantage as well. I’ve found some book apps for both kids and adults that you’ll want to check out. Here’s my top ten:




     

    Many writers write about what they know, what they’re interested in, what they like.  Whether it’s a book that is based on a personal or professional experience, a hobby, or a passion, writers will write books that are meaningful to them but then have to find an audience to enjoy the book as much as they enjoyed writing it. 




    Phyllis Zimbler Miller discusses the new oppportunities in eBook platforms



                                                    Phyllis Zimbler Miller Tells Us How How Self-Publishing at Age 60 Led to a Career

    Scott Lorenz Of Westwind Communciations Discusses Ten Things Doctors Can Do To Get Speaking Engagements



    Writers who find themselves caught in the publishing dilemma — "Should you wait eons for a standard publisher to pick up your manuscript or go out on a limb and self—publish?" — will be glad to learn there's a middle - of - the - road publishing option: partnership publishing.


    Compare writing the best post to an elevator pitch—amazing content with impressive presentation in concise format


    To create a platform that stands out from the rest and *conquer all obstacles* you must learn how to ‘pitch’.


    John Blumenthal Laments- "I May Have to Wear a Thong to Sell My Next Novel."


    John Blumenthal Comments As To Why Disney Studios Was A Screenwriter's Nightmare





    John Blumenthal Contributes His Thoughts On Jane Austen



    John Blumenthal Contributes An Interesting Article Concerning the English Poet William Wordsworth


    Noted Book Reviewer,  Nora Piehl to Teach "Intro to Book Reviewing" Course Online This June



    As Oprah signs off from her daily talk show, closing the chapter on Oprah’s Book Club, how will this fare for the publishing industry?  The Nielsen Company takes a look at Oprah’s Book Club selections from the past ten years. 



    In his contemporary interpretation of Genesis, John R. Coats takes readers on a journey through the ancient text, inviting them to see its characters in a new light, not as religious icons, but as people whose day-to-day concerns, triumphs, and failures are like our own. Using stories from his life as well as the lives of people he's known, Coats creates a rubric you can use to examine your own life and to discover aspects of yourself in the characters whose lives unfold in these primordial stories. 




    Allan Becker, one of Bookpleasures.com's reviewers comments about one of his reviews he had posted on bookpleasures.com as well as Amazon.com


    Recently I received the following interesting email from one of bookpleasures' readers:

    “White House watchers obsess over which aides have the ear of the president. For Barack Obama and past presidents, the books they read offer insight on where they want to take the country -- and how history will remember them.

    In an essay for The Washington Post’s Outlook section, contributor Tevi Troy examines how books have historically informed Presidents’ politics and policies. In his piece, which is online now, Troy breaks down what Presidents have read (or haven’t read—see how a book review influenced John F. Kennedy) and how those books may have reaffirmed or shifted their views during office.

    Here are two excerpts from the article and you can read the entire article by clicking on the link below:

    “One of the reasons the country's intellectual class has taken so gleefully to Obama is precisely that, in addition to writing bestsellers, the man is clearly a dedicated reader. During his presidential campaign, he was photographed toting around Fareed Zakaria's "The Post-American World," the it-book of the foreign policy establishment at the time. A year ago, in an interview about economic policy, he told a reporter that he was reading Joseph O'Neill's post-Sept. 11 novel "Netherland," which had recently won the 2009 PEN/Faulkner Award.

    In a historical sense, Obama follows a long line of dedicated presidential readers, paging all the way back to the founders. John Adams's library had over 3,000 volumes -- including Cicero, Plutarch and Thucydides -- heavily inscribed with the president's marginalia. Thomas Jefferson's massive book collection launched him into debt and later became the backbone for the Library of Congress. "I cannot live without books," he confessed to Adams. And it's likely that no president will ever match the Rough Rider himself, who charged through multiple books in a single day and wrote more than a dozen well-regarded works, on topics ranging from the War of 1812 to the American West.

    To read the article in its entirety as published in the Washington Post, CLICK HERE






    Okay, the headline is a bit misleading The five-step writing process Ayn Rand followed isn’t exactly a secret

    Newspaper legend Joseph Pulitzer – the father of writing’s famed Pulitzer Prize – summed up the essence of good and powerful writing in one 34-word quote Pulitzer famously told writers: “Put it to them briefly, so they will read it; clearly, so they will appreciate it; picturesquely, so they will remember it; and, above all, accurately, so they will be guided by its light

    Michelle Kaye Malsbury, one of Bookpleasures.com's reviewers evaluates the book renting service Bookswim.com or 1-877-Bookswim



    A Look at WhiteSmoke 2009-a proofreading and editing tool which aims to help you write better

    Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com comments above book reviewing

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