Published : 2021 || Format : print || Location : Colombia ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ What was it about the country that kept everyone hostage to its fantasy? The previous month, on its own soil, an American man went to his job at a plant and gunned down fourteen coworkers, and last spring alone there were four different school shootings. A nation at war with itself, yet people still spoke of it as some kind of paradise.. Thoughts : Infinite Country follows two characters - young Talia, who at the beginning of this book, escapes a girl’s reform school in North Colombia so that she can make her previously booked flight to the US. Before she can do that, she needs to travel many miles to reach her father and get her ticket to the rest of her family. As we follow Talia’s treacherous journey south, we learn about how she ended up in the reform school in the first place and why half her family resides in the US. Infinite Country tells the story of her family through the other protagonist, El
Welcome to the third day of Armchair BEA! This four-day event is organized to coincide with the BookExpo America in NY that ends today. Tomorrow is the Book Blogger Convention. Those of us unlucky enough not to be in the most happening place this week are instead going to be a part of BEA from the cozy comforts of our home. (I know it's not much, but at least one can claim that feeling of participation!). Today, for my third post for the Armchair BEA, I'm going to step back a bit and look at us - bloggers - and the little-known books.
How do you decide which books to read or add to your always growing TBR? If you're like me, you probably heed recommendations from bloggers, members in your favorite online communities or book clubs, and friends or family members. Have you ever looked to see if most of the books you read (barring review copies) are the "hyped up" books? And I don't been that in a bad way, but more in an objective way.
Let me tell you about myself. I find that most of the books I read are usually the popular ones. How does one resist all that fanfare and good reviews? When the whole world was going gaga over the Twilight series or even the Harry Potter books, and now over the Hunger Games trio, I barely could sit on my seat. To prove my point, I recently pre-ordered Mockingjay, knowing fully well that I will not be able to wait for my hold to be through at the library.
Alright, that's fine. After all, who likes to be the odd (wo)man out at a book party?
Iris' post on Blogging as a global phenomenon got me thinking about how we readers can be more proactive in our reading. I am passive at best, because I keep staring at my TBR mountain, wondering what it would be like to get through all those books during my lifespan. So I end up picking a book that is, at the instant of choosing, getting the most heat or sounding the most delightful. My goal is to change that (for the most part). I will still not be able to stay away from the books making the rounds, but I would like to intersperse my reading with books I think are good but have not got the necessary recognition or attention.
How else can you spread the word? Challenges are one way. Another method I really like is a regular spotlight feature. I've seen many bloggers use it very effectively. By doing such a feature, you get the chance to explore new books, tell everyone how great a book is and of course, get more followers. Why not do a feature by focusing on a particular sect of books that you are passionate about? - books that just need a stronger word of mouth to get there.
If you had one book or a set of books that you would want to give a global presence, what would you do?
Comments
My thanks to you!
This is something I've been giving some thought to lately as I've noticed the books I really love, particularly in my favourite historical fiction genre, are not the books that are receiving all the hype.
I think a spotlight feature is an excellent idea - problem is fitting it in!
One book to shout from the rooftops - the one I reviewed today. The Taste of Sorrow by Jude Morgan.
The blogging universe is constantly changing with new bloggers entering all the time. Thank you for the reminder to be proactive and inclusive.
I read alot of the best sellers and popular children's and yound adult titles but I don't give them much attention on my blog because they don't need it.
You are right, we need to be proactive. Spotlighting the smaller presses, the lesser known authors, or even the "you need to know about this" nonfiction works.
Just like people always want to follow trends in decorating or fashion, bloggers tend to follow the trends in reading. I think we should make a pact to blaze our own trail. It may not be popular, but we will all be better for it.
Every once in a while, I'll read a book that I liked, but then find that it's out of print. I still talk about it anyway -- maybe the author has written other books that are currently in print.
When I read blog reviews, and when appropriate, I'll recommend some books (related to the reviews) in my comments.
It's hard to push non-fiction books when most prefer reading fiction tho! :)