Friday, September 25, 2009

Friday Fantasies: Recommended Review Sites

Things are starting to heat up in the Martone household. Besides the three blogs that I try to maintain on a regular basis, I’ve been working on freelance projects (articles and the like), beta-reading other writers’ manuscripts, and reviewing critiques of my own novel – in preparation for my much-delayed revision. On top of that, I just found out that Avalon Travel wants me to prepare a book proposal for another travel guidebook – and all week, I’ve been helping my husband finalize the line-up for our next film festival.

So, I’m definitely meeting myself coming and going these days – which means that I haven’t had any time to see any new films or finish any good books lately (although I am currently reading Barbara Kingsolver’s fascinating Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life). But that doesn’t mean you don’t have time to catch a movie or read a book. Here, then, are some of the review sites that I’ve recently perused:

Chick Plix: Jennifer Bennett offers pithy, up-to-date movie opinions from a “chick’s” perspective – and as a bonus, the site plays movie scores while you read. Recent reviews have included The Informant, Jennifer’s Body, and The Hurt Locker.

Funky Fruit Book & Movie Reviews: Christy and Kristi, two very different women, just started this review site. Their first review covers Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s book The Angel’s Game. Check it out!

Becky’s Book Reviews: For over three years now, Becky has been providing her readers in-depth reviews of modern and classic books. You’ll also find mini-challenges and author interviews here.

Roses & Thorns: Staff members of The Rose & Thorn Literary Ezine post various book reviews as well as writing/editing insights and author interviews.

Just Me & You: Martha Warner shares periodic book reviews with her readers. Her last review covered Bryan Gruley’s Starvation Lake – a book that I’d actually recommended to her.

Fiction Groupie: Among her plethora of interesting writing-related posts, Roni occasionally offers reviews of romance, paranormal, urban fantasy, mystery/suspense, horror, and young adult novels.

17 comments:

Becky said...

Geez girl! Talk about a candle burning at both ends...

Thanks for the sites.

You know, speaking again about stress, be sure to say no every now and then and use the time to recharge your batteries!

Good luck with everything!!

Laura Martone said...

Hi, Becky! Wow, I didn't think you'd still be surfing at this hour. Color me surprised. ;-)

Yeah, I'm a candle-burner from way back. Must practice saying "no" sometimes - I'm not very good at it, I must confess. :-(

You're welcome for the sites, though, and thanks for the well wishes!

Jan O'Hara (Tartitude) said...

Sheesh, Laura. Are you trying to put my work ethic to shame? Good luck with the book proposal. That sounds fascinating. :)

Roni Loren said...

Thanks for the mention, Laura! :) Good luck with all of your projects. I feel your pain on being crazy busy.

Laura Martone said...

Jan - Of course. I'm a workaholic to the core, though the hubby wishes I weren't. Thanks for the well wishes - I'll need 'em. I'm competing with another Moon author for the job. Yikes!

Roni - You're so welcome! Your site deserves a few more devotees. And thanks for the lucky vibes - it's nice to know I'm not the only busy bee in the world. ;-)

Susan R. Mills said...

You are way busier than I am! Good luck with your revisions. It's lots of fun, let me tell you. NOT!

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, Susan! I know I'll need every ounce of luck I can get... this revision business so does NOT come naturally to me. Looking back, I'm feeling rather humiliated that I ever thought my behemoth was ready for its agency close-up.

Unknown said...

Good luck with all the projects - at least you can't say you're bored! Thanks for the mention of the new blog too - that was very awesome of you. :)

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, Kristi! Nope, I'm DEFINITELY not bored. And you're welcome for the mention... anything I can do to help my online buddies (and one of my awesome beta readers, of course). :-)

Marguerite said...

Great post! Full of interesting things! As we say down South, "Go with the flow, cher"! Have a fun weekend, Laura!

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, Marguerite! You're right - sometimes, I forget the lessons of my youth. Seems I skipped the "let the good times roll" lesson when I was a li'l New Orleanian. All work and no play threatens to make Laura a dull girl. :-(

But I DO plan to have a good weekend. You, too!

Kelly Bryson said...

Hey Laura! good luck on your projects- I love a good project- or twenty:) -Kelly

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, Kelly! I'll need it. ;-)

Deb said...

Wow Laura, I wish I had half your energy :) Congrats on the travel guide and don't forget to steal some moments of R&R somewhere in the midst of the madness...

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, Deb. It's just a proposal for the travel guide, though - I'll keep you posted if I get the gig or not!

Energy's not an issue for me - learning to RELAX is. Must work on that...

How's the writing going? Still, er, blogging, I see...

Martha W said...

OK, so if Deb takes half your energy and I take the other half... maybe you'll slow down enough to relax? :)

I thought I had a lot but, whew! You put me to shame! But then again, those of us that are busy, busy, busy -- get more accomplished that way. When I slow down, I slow w.a.y down!

Thanks for the mention, BTW! I truly admire your sites and I get a kick when you give me line!

Laura Martone said...

Teehee. Sounds like a plan, Martha. Relaxing could be fun. I just downloaded Dan Brown's new book to my e-reader. Maybe that'll help me relax? *shrug* It could happen.

I like being busy, I do - just wish I could find some balance, but I'm working on it! I'm working on it!

Oh, and you're so welcome for the mention... I always thought that was the point of blogging - not just to wax poetic and spew our notions, but also to support one another. I'm delighted to have found such wonderful folks (like you) online!