Ed Lynskey's Blog: Cracked Rearview Mirror - Posts Tagged "goodreads"

I noticed last night I'd entered my thousandth book on Goodreads. Cool.

Reading, especially modern fiction, a subjective affair. In other words, the book that knocks off my socks you might find to be dreadful and wonder about my praise. If I've discovered anything on Goodreads over the past few years, it's how passionate my fellow readers feel about their books.

Maybe we just didn't connect with the book in the same way. I suspect my understanding of what sweat equity goes into the writing of a book makes me somewhat more lenient. One rule I like to use is I won't finish reading a book (DNF) I don't like unless it's for a professional review. That's why I hand out very few poor ratings on the Goodreads' tallyboard.

Somebody said life is too short for reading books you don't like, and I'd agree with that sentiment. Anyway, here's to all (or at least most) of your reads to be good ones.

If you're like me, you're still fairly new at this little thing called "social media." You know: Blogs, Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Librarything, Myspace (?), Google X, etc. I'm trying to learn the ins and outs, doing this and doing that. I'm seeing what works (5%) and what doesn't (95%).

Anyway, I'm keeping close tabs on my social media work because it can be a time hog if I let it. It's easy to spend an hour writing a blog entry. Do you know how challenging it is to come up with fresh content? Or I'm lured off to use Twitter and that eats up another hour.

So, time management is essential. Since I write novels, most of my productive day goes into that endeavor. That means I fit social media around my writing, not vice-versa. Or at least that's how I've got it figured out right now. Who knows? Next week may have me realigning my schedule.

Happy reading to you and yours!

By Ed Lynskey
Twitter: @edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Satisfying."
The Rap Sheet/Kirkus Reviews

I'm continually amazed as well as appreciative. The number of folks who love to read out there staggers the imagination. Reading is such a solitary pursuit. You do it by yourself. You do it because you enjoy it. Nobody can help you enjoy it.

The writers' efforts to create and craft the stories to entertain readers is just as solitary. Having done it both now, I can see that parallel with clarity.

But foremost, the common bond uniting all readers/friends with me is our shared passion for the written word. That's what Goodreads represents best to me: the passion for books.

Thanks to all of you out there.

By Ed Lynskey
@edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Satisfying."
The Rap Sheet/Kirkus Reviews