LJ Roberts's Discussions
Share Your 'Best Of 2007'
Replied Jan. 8, 2008
Mystery Bookstores
Replied Jul. 3, 2007
It is purely my opinion...
Profile Information
- Hometown:
- Oakland, CA
- About Me:
- I was born in Iowa, have lived in Nebraska, New Jersey, Chicago, Boston, and, now, in the San Francisco Bay Area. My soul lives in New England and Paris and, yes, I do belive in reincarnation. I specialize in response generation marketing for high-tech companies and love it.
I am a definite Virgo, or Tiger coming down the mountain according to the Chinese horoscope, who loves spending time with friends, mysteries, including collecting signed 1st editions, cats, antiques, and doing needlepoint.
I can't remember a time I didn't read and still have the first book I bought with my own money--Jane Eyre for $.75 through Scholastic Books. For many years now, I coordinate the East Bay Mystery Readers' Group and evaluate manuscripts for Poisoned Pen Press. I post reviews on Amazon, DorothyL, 4MysteryAddicts, Crime Thru Time, Mystery Readers Cafe and CriminalHistory.co.uk. My reviews also appear as a column, "It is Purely My Opinion," in the Mystery*File e-zine.
- I Am A:
- Reader
- Books And Authors I Like:
- It is easier to list the types of books for which I'm not a big fan. I don't care for the super cozy where the neighbor, shop owner, etc, keep stumbling over bodies and solves the case without the police, nor am I a Tarrentino-like noir reader, particularly with the serious anti-hero, the crooked cop or the drug-addicted DEA agent. Otherwise, my reading spectrum is fairly broad.
- Movies And TV Shows I Like:
- I watch very little television--it cuts into my reading time.
I am also a Virgo which means I am persnickety so I started keeping a list. Since I was keeping a list, thought I, it should include notes about each book. My simple notes grew into reviews that I kept for me. Then members of my East Bay Mystery Readers' Group asked for copies after which I started posting them in various places. Most recently, members of said mystery group asked if I would put them on a web site so they could access them.
And that is why I am here. I shall post reviews of each book I've read. You will notice a change in my format over time. Each review expresses my opinion only. Others opinions may differ. My rating structure is:
Ex - A "Wow" read; unique, memorable, a major step forward or standout book for the author. A top read of the year.
VG+ - Close to excellent with only one or two small quibbles that draw it short.
VG - Enthused about it; very well done for it's genre
G - Enjoyed (G+) very much
Okay - Enjoyed it but with significant reservations
Poor-Wasn't awful, but wasn't good either. Finished it with difficulty.
NR - Did not work for me. Would not recommend this book to others.
DNF - Awful. Did not finish.
To look for a particular review, I'd suggest searching either authors LAST NAME, or the book title. Reviews prior to March 2003 are listed under "Mini-Reviews."
The East Bay Mystery Readers' Group began in December 1993. I shall post the recap of each month's meeting as well as the books selected for two subsequent months.
LJ Roberts's Photos
LJ Roberts's Blog
EBMRG - 7 August 2007 Meeting Handout
Posted on July 30, 2007 at 1:30am —
EBMRG - 3 July 2007 Meeting Recap
Posted on July 4, 2007 at 2:00am —
EBMRG - 3 July 2007 Meeting Handout
Posted on June 30, 2007 at 4:00am —
Abrahams, Peter - DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
Abrahams, Peter – 1st of series
HarperTrophy, 2005, US Paperback – ISBN: 9780060737030
First Sentence: Ingrid Levin-Hill, three weeks past her thirteenth birthday, sat thinking in her orthodo… Continue
Posted on June 17, 2007 at 4:30am —
Black, Benjamin (aka John Banville) - CHRISTINE FALLS
Posted on June 16, 2007 at 4:30am —
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Ann Littlewood, NIGHT KILL
Nice to meet you online at least and thanks for such a kind review of Borderlands. I'm glad you enjoyed it and hope Gallows Lane doesn't disappoint.
Thanks for your support for the Devlin series.
Best wishes
Brian
Always glad to see someone else here with industry experience, like Janet Rudolph, below.
How about a freebie? Before publishing, I'm asking a few of my crimespace friends, among others, to read my novel, FOUL SHOT. A brief synopsis is on my site, and the ms should be up there, as well, in a few days. Meanwhile, if interested, I can send it over as a document. Just email me at coastar2002@yahoo.com.
Either way, or no way, welcome , and thanks.
Always good to see another person here with industry experience, like Janet Rudolph, below.
How about a freebie?' I'm having several crimespace members, among a few others, to read my novel, FOUL SHOT, which should be posted on my site in a few days, after I get the computer part right(Jeeze, I'm a dummy).
Meanwhile, if you'd like and have time, until I get it up, I can send i over as a document. Just email me at my personal address, coastar2002@yahoo.com.
Either way, or no way, welcome, and thanks.
Thank you for your offer and I understand how important how important it is to have people read your work but I just can't accept anything right now. I have approx. 1,000 TBRs plus I evaluate manuscripts for Poisoned Pen Press, plus I read three books per month for my mystery readers' group. My cup is not only full but definitely runneth way over.
I love the area around Lincoln. I lived one year in Cambridge and four years in Watertown. I've been in California for 32 years and still miss New England, especially this time of year.
All the best,
LJ
I've enjoyed your reviews on DorothyL. I'd love to get your thoughts on Antler Dust. How can I send you a copy? If you don't want to publish that info widely, feel free to drop me a line through my web site. And, where did you live in Boston? I grew up in Lincoln, Mass. (between Concord and Lexington) but have lived in Colorado now for 27 years. New England never leaves the blood.
Best,
Mark
www.writermarkstevens.com
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