Book Blogger Hop
I stumbled on this Hop over at Just Another Girl and Her Books, and since I haven’t done more than the monthly #IWSG Hop in quite a long time, I thought I’d give this a whirl. I like the idea that each week there’s question to answer and so many book bloggers I haven’t met yet! Besides, I need a change of pace. It’s spring and time to freshen everything. This week’s question is
Do you ever feel like you have emerged better for reading a book? (submitted by Rubina@ Booklove)
I guess my answer depends on what better refers to? A better person, reader, thinker, writer than I was before? I’ve certainly had great satisfaction from reading a book, and I’ve been inspired by reading many. I’ve even been motivated by some to go back to my writing with more enthusiasm. What do you think about a book’s power to make you better at something than your were before reading it?
April and May have been busy months. Tick Tock A Stitch in Crime launched May 1, and my next book in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel, Some Very Messy Medieval Magic, will arrive May 15
Both books are getting some excellent press and one reviewer contacted me via Goodreads to ask if I thought Tick Tock was a good read. “Of course,” I said. So he’s buying the book. I feel so powerful.
It would help me and the other ten authors a lot if you’d stop in at a few bloggers who are reviewing or featuring Tick Tock and/or SVMMM (my next title is NOT going to be so freakin’ long). Here are eight who have posts up already. Comments, like reviews, help if only for ye olde morale.
- The Wood Between the Worlds
- Literative
- The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow Meet the Author
- Bish Denham’s Random Thoughts
- Beverly McClure A Story of a Writer
- Melissa Maygrove
- Juneta Key Writer’s Gambit
- Mason Canyon Thoughts in Progress
- Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Quote of the Week: “What’s the point of being alive if you don’t try to do something remarkable?” John Green
Stephanie@Fairday's Blog says
I am sure I change with every book I read because I have new opinions I didn’t have before or a new perspective on something. I have had books have a big impact on me, but I have to think if there was a specific book that made me feel like a better person. Hmmm- books open minds- so I guess lots of them have helped. 🙂
Congrats on the releases. Hope all is going well!
Lisa says
Just bought both books! Yay!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Lisa and many thanks for the support.
herding cats says
That was pretty much my response to this one, too. So many different ways (and levels) this one could be taken 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for this comment, Herding Cats. I’m glad I’m not alone on my take on this question.
Jeff says
I’ve been inspired and improved by many books… I’d hate to even try to count the number.
C. Lee McKenzie says
And aren’t we fortunate to be able to read? When I conceived Double Negative, I think that was the driving force behind the story.
Katiria Rodriguez says
I wish you best of luck and thank you so much for stopping by my blog hop last week.
Lynn says
One thing I didn’t consider when I answered the Book Blogger Hop question was the fact reading has also improved my writing skills and certainly expanded my vocabulary. One day I might test this fact and dip my toe into the world of publishing…maybe.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well, if you do dip your toe in, have some fins along. I dipped my toe in and nine books later, I’m mid-Pacific. Good luck.
Beverly McClure says
Reading a good book often encourages me to make my stories better.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Reading is the best thing writers can do to improve their own work. I’m positive about that.
ShootingStarsMag says
I’ve seen this hop around but never taken part. Interesting question! I think books have definitely taught me a lot and made me more empathetic, so I think yes, some books made me a better person.
Love your quote of the week too. 🙂
-Lauren
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m not sure about the hop, but I thought I’d give it a try for a while. Empathy is great to cultivate, so yay for books that help do that.
Mark says
Glad those books are getting so much deserved good press:) I think writers get better when people remind them just how much they enjoy reading their works:)
C. Lee McKenzie says
It keeps us accountable when readers connect with us about our work. That’s for sure.
Christine Rains says
Flex those muscles! You are so busy. Tick Tock is a fabulous collection. As for books that had me emerge as better… I have books that have inspired me.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m always so appreciative when a book inspires me.
J.H. Moncrieff says
I’m not sure if it counts, since it’s non-fiction, but Stephen King’s On Writing definitely changed my life.
When I first read it, I was working full time as a freelance journalist, frustrated that I never seemed to get a chance to work on my novel. For some reason, On Writing gave me the tools, impetus, or both, to change that. It got me writing fiction again. And that is a debt I can never repay.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Wow! Now that is a tribute. I loved that book, too, but it wasn’t as transformative for me as obviously it was for you. How wonderful! Hope you wrote him and told him!
J.H. Moncrieff says
I tried, but it’s hard to know with him if he ever read it. We were Facebook friends once, however–before he realized FB was a time suck and vanished–and I got to thank him for the profound impact he’s had on my life and career.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Wonderful! That alone must be very satisfying. I’ve always wanted to reach out to Barbara Kingsolver and Margaret Atwood. They are my heroes in the literary world.
J.H. Moncrieff says
It was great. I’ve kept a copy of his responses.
And I love Barbara Kingsolver! The Poisonwood Bible is one of my favourite novels.
HR Sinclair says
You have THE POWER! 🙂 To me books are made to make us think or feel.
C. Lee McKenzie says
They are, indeed. I also like it when I find words that express exactly how I feel. That’s so comforting. “Hey! You understand.”
Suzanne Warr says
Congratulations on your book launches this month! You’re reminding me that I miss being in anthologies. 🙂
One of the things I love is when books leave me with deeper insights into the human heart, and into other people’s lives. It’s also great when they leave me with more energy and vitality for my own!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can’t think of anything that does a better job of instilling energy for my writing. And, like you, those insights open my mind and make me think and feel what I might have missed otherwise.
I don’t know what you write, but there’s another themed anthology in the works. Stay tuned, and maybe you can submit.
Michelle Wallace says
Lee, your energy is limitless! You are one busy lady!
I’ve already visited some of those links in an attempt to “play catch-up”.
Good question on “a book’s power to make you better at something than your were before reading it”…
There are sooooo many books that have impacted me, one way or another (no details available or I’ll be typing here in the comment section for the entire evening… LOL)
C. Lee McKenzie says
I hear you about that list of books. Who can choose which to include. Oh, what the heck, put ’em all down and be done with it! Off to get some Go Juice and practice a bit of yoga before tackling the afternoon. Take care, friend. See you soon. I think you have quite a bit of energy as well. You are always out and about cyberspace.
Natalie Aguirre says
Good luck with the blog hop. I do some book giveaway ones with book review blogs almost every month because it connects me with a lot of people who don’t otherwise read my blog.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I like to visit your blog because it has so many people I don’t connect with either. So Thank you, Natalie.
elizabeth seckman says
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl changed how I viewed life, so I believe books can be very powerful.
Congrats on all the good press. I need to get both books. I’m behind in my reading (shocking!), but trying to catch up.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It seems to me you have a good reason to be behind in quite a few things. As I recall you built a new house. Am I right? That’s a huge undertaking.
Liz A. says
That’s an interesting question. I hope you meet all sorts of fun new people from this blog hop.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well, we shall see. It will be an adventure.
Sandra Cox says
The press is well deserved.
C. Lee McKenzie says
That’s very kind, Sandra. We’ve worked hard to make our book visible. You know what that takes, I’m sure.
Loni Townsend says
Woot on the releases!
I’d like to think I come out better for reading a story, even if it’s just an exercise in creativity!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Loni. It has been “interesting”!
Jacqui Murray says
I’m with you on that answer–what does ‘better’ mean? Which is probably exactly why they phrased it that way.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Do you remember the commercial with Butternut Bread is better? I think that’s when people forgot how the comparative is supposed to work. Now it’s always vague and we go around scratching our heads wondering, “Better than what?” 🙂
Thomas Anderson says
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
I read mostly nonfiction books and therefore consider myself better educated upon their completion. Invariably such books arouse my curiosity and raise questions which prompts me to access additional sources and read more.
I agree with the John Green quote. I believe in committing random acts of greatness, magnanimous gestures of all kinds, an average man who chooses to do above average things. “Go big or go home.”
I hope the buzz surrounding your published work continues to grow, dear friend Cheryl. Have a wonderful week!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Shady! I’m still singing along with Solange, thanks to your post. Love “go big or go home.” That’s right up there with John Green’s quote.
Pat Hatt says
Not sure any have made me a better person, but they make me think and can bring some escape to enjoy.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Escape is kind of like that vacation we didn’t get last summer, isn’t it? So glad we have books.
Elephants Child says
Books are an education, a comfort, an escape and a joy to me.
My world would be seriously diminished without them. Not sure on the ‘better’ front though. Certainly richer, but better is a very subjective judgement.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Very subjective, indeed. I think the question needs some honing. Let’s get on that. 🙂
Sarah Foster says
I think a lot of books have made me a better writer, or maybe just helped to inspire me with my own writing. I don’t think it goes any deeper than that. *shrug*
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think we’re in sync here, Sarah. I’m trying to think if I’ve ever improved in some fashion by reading a book. Some do stick with me for a long time.
Teresa C. says
I often find that I think I have power and then I fall on my face. 🙂 🙂 Reading a book makes us a more knowledgeable maybe worldly person, not sure if it makes us better.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m not too clear on the question, so I agree. And better than what?
Power one moment; plop the next. Totally get that.
Hilary says
Hi Lee – having only really just started reading properly … other than research … I’m definitely more knowledgeable and my brain is telling me constantly research more … so I can happily chat to many about lots of subjects – I’m always interested. This sounds like a great idea … I’ll be thinking about it. So well done with the books – I’ll be back – cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Your blog is a testament to your love of research. I learn so much when I visit, which I’m about to do today!
Hilary says
Thanks Jacqui … I really need to read more … and hope that will all pan out – and always great to see you over at PLIStories … cheers Hilary
Carrie-Anne says
I can’t say if any books have made me a better person, though many have certainly made me a different person and profoundly influenced me.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Some have made me want to write more stories.
Sherry Ellis says
I have ordered the anthology. Looking forward to reading it!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Let us know what you think!
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says
This looks like quite a fun blog hop. Off to visit some of the sites you mention.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Okay. I’m going to see if they have interesting responses today, too.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
You do have the power!
Depends on the book I’m reading as to whether it makes me a better person or not. The Bible, yes, most fiction, not so much.
C. Lee McKenzie says
🙂 Here’s to power and let’s hope it can be used for good.