I recently got a book review that I didn’t care for. It was a five-star review, but one of the comments was, in my opinion, way off the mark. Which got me thinking…

• Why would the reviewer give the book five stars if it was lacking in some way?
• Why are there not better criteria for reviews?
• We need reviews as a mark of credibility, but how credible are the reviewers?

I’m not going to say which book of mine I mean or who reviewed it or what comment I didn’t like. I’m bringing all this up because I think we need to have a frank discussion about reviews. I knew I was taking that particular comment personally, so I decided to look at reviews of books I had no stake in. I looked at reviews of bestsellers. You know, books by household names that have hundreds of reviews.

It was…

Each and every day,

You hear of pain;

It’s a part of life,

Like sun and rain.

A young father shot,

A life suddenly ends;

Wife and children left,

For themselves to fend.

A drug addicts child,

Always left alone;

Of starvation dies,

He’s skin and bone.

An aircraft crash,

Kills all on board;

Each link with life,

A severed cord.

At first a death,

Is so surreal;

It’s permanency,

Is so unreal.

The first few days,

They go so fast;

The funeral,

In a flash it’s past.

Harsh reality,

When people leave;

And left alone,

Your loss you grieve.

Life is fragile,

Not guaranteed;

Make sure each day,

Is gladly received.

by Robbie Cheadle

Robbie Cheadle is the co-author of the Sir Chocolate book series together with her 11 year old son, Michael.

Follow Robbie Cheadle at:

Blog: robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle

Plus.google: https://plus.google.com/105609586198905397891

Since I got my butt kicked editing the hard-copy of my author media kit yesterday (the longer one I print out, not the one in the sidebar) I figure it will be the topic of today’s discussion. IT owes me that much!

I have slowed down my writing articles a lot lately so I figure we were due for one. I’ll discuss why I’ve slowed down at a later time. Anywho, the author media kit…

Though “It is always worth it” (See my most recent guest post here), that doesn’t mean it’s not important to focus on putting energy toward the right things (balance is seriously everything!) Energy and time spent directed toward the wrong thing is just as ineffective as no energy toward the work at all. Running into a wall will produce the same thing as standing still. It is insanity, repeating the same…

Apparently I am on something of an architecture kick. In addition to finding one of the most incredible library parking garages in the world, I’ve discovered a stellar bus stop.

Those are words I never thought I would type.

When bus stops come to mind, I typically don’t think of anything extraordinary. The stop nearest to my old apartment had no sidewalk leading to it, and though it was supposed to be a covered bus stop, the roof had blown off long ago. I spent many damp mornings there waiting to catch a ride into town.

One bus stop in Singapore is a little different.

In tandem with DP Architects, the Singaporean government has worked to create an experimental bus stop in the Jurong Lake District. The bus stop is intended to inspire people to take greater ownership of their community and features free WiFi, phone charging stations, bike parking, and…

The Hungry Monster Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and The Hungry Monster is proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and imagination of these talented authors.

Gold Award Winners

Silver Award Winners

“Books bring to life aspects of literary genius.” – Mary Schmidt, author of Uncle Stubby Gets Married.

Visit the Hungry Monster Book Awards page to see award information and see all award winners.

Source: The Write Lifestyle