Feature and Follow Friday || Book Blogger Hop

Hello hello! Friday has rolled around once again! If you're new here, feel free to poke around! Old followers, welcome back ... :)


This week's question is:
Q: Back to school. Create a reading list for the imaginary English Lit class you’ll be teaching this semester.

My answer: Argh. I haven't read much myself, so how could I teach this imaginary course? I'm going to cop-out and give a list of books that I probably should read:

Because the basis for any course is the classics: something by Shakespeare (maybe Romeo and Juliet and/or The Merchant of Venice), something by Charles Dickens, and ok, ok, something by Jane Austen. Oh, and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll.

More titles that come to mind: something by George Orwell - Animal Farm or 1984, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. 

I don't know ... maybe I'll check out everyone's answers and see what else I should be reading!



This week's question is:
If you don't like a book that you said you would review, do you graciously turn it down and explain why or do you struggle through it and hopefully come up with a half decent review?

My answer: 
Personally, I review every book that I commit to reviewing, whether I liked it or not. There will always be a book I struggle through but if I did struggle through it, then I say so and explain why. I don't see the point in not reviewing books that I didn't like ... is this to spare authors a "negative" review (read: potentially constructive criticism so they can better their writing)? I love reviews that are honest and respectful. I dread the thought of book bloggers not being able to feel comfortable in voicing their opinions freely.

There really is such a delicate balance between author and reader within the whole book blogging proposition. Interesting that this question should pop up when I just read Megan's post over at Love, Literature, Art and Reason who posed the question "What happens when you don't like a book? The difficulty of posting negative reviews." Pop over and join in that discussion, lots of interesting points raised!

Have a great Friday, and even better weekend!

17 comments

  1. Great list! Love all of those! Can't go wrong with the classics. :D

    My FFs are at Musings on Fantasia and LKHill. Happy Friday!

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  2. Honesty should be the #1 factor for all reviewers.

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  3. Hopping through. I've only had one time where I chose not to review a book, because I didn't like it. Looking back, I probably should have just given it a bad review.
    My Hop

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  4. I'm gonna skip your English class, Ma'am. I don't think my system is ready for all those classics.

    New follower on twitter and bloglovin.

    Thoughts and Pens

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  5. Love Alice in Wonderland and Shakespeare is always interesting.

    New bloglovin' follower.
    My Follow Friday

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  6. I agree with all of those choices. Never a fan of Shakespeare because I had a hard time understanding the language, but the stories themselves are great.

    My FF

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  7. Mine is not about a negative review, but the fact that if I don't enjoy a book, it is a waste of time.

    I remember one book was very offensive in language and to women. I couldn't continue, and the author completely understood.


    Don't read any books this weekend that you don't like. :)

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer

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  8. Don't worry you did well in your book list :)

    I do love your answer for the Book Blogger Hop, like you I feel like if I've already committed to reviewing said book I must at the very least try and read said book. Check out my answers for this week's friday hop ;)

    My Friday Hop

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  9. I also think constructive criticism is really important when it comes to writing, otherwise there's no way to improve. I always review it as well, but I will mention it if I dislike things about the book! I still haven't read any George Orwell, I feel like a terrible Lit student! XD Thanks for sharing, I hope you have a great weekend!
    My Friday Post
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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  10. Romeo and Juliet made my list too! Great list :)

    Amanda @ i solemnly swear

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  11. I really need to read lord of the rings! I also am about to start alice in wonderland so I think I'd really enjoy your class!

    Old bloglovin' follower, new twitter!

    My FF + Giveaway!

    Amber @Paradise of Pages

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  12. I love Lewis Carroll - his writing is so weird that it's endearing. If you get a chance you should read his 'poem' (thought it's more like a book) Jabberwocky. It's just fantastic in all of its nonsense! There's a couple of snippets of it in Through The Looking Glass - the 'sequel' to Alice in Wonderland).

    New follower via Bloglovin' :) here's my FF

    - Allie x (Little Birdie Books)

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  13. I do post negative reviews. Here is when: http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-blogger-hop_9.html

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  14. I love Jane Austen! I really like Animal Farm as well.
    I'm a new bloglovin follower!
    Here's my FF post.

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  15. I would have loved to read Austen for English class!

    Old follower!

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  16. Bravo, about your answer regarding negative reviews!
    Of the books you listed that you must read, I only feel passionately about "To Kill A Mockingbird." You absolutely should read that one! And I should re-read it. Though I loved it, I haven't touched it since high school.

    I've only ever read one Dickens novel, "Our Mutual Friend," and most of it has slipped my mind by now. I'm planning to read "Great Expectations" soon, however, as I loved the Gwyneth Paltrow/Ethan Hawke movie (maybe that's embarrassing to admit, I'm not sure), AND in preparation of receiving an ARC of Havisham, which looks really cool!:
    http://www.amazon.com/Havisham-A-Novel-Ronald-Frame/dp/1250037271

    Here's my roundabout answer to this week's FF:
    http://thepookapicks.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/feature-follow-6/

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  17. I will read the book and finish it then I will give an honest review

    new bloglovin follower

    here mine Mich Book Shelf

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© guiltless readingMaira Gall