The Beginning

I am writing this for my own purpose, to gain a sense of accomplishment, but also to primarily keep myself busy when I am not working.  I work at a museum, but it is the offseason at the moment, and with BA’s and not enough money to pay for grad school at the moment, I spend a lot of my time crafting and reading.  One day, when I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with all my free time in the month of December, I realized that I should start writing reviews of the books that I read, then maybe I would not feel like I was wasting my time.  Of course, it would take away from house work, but I find that I am perfectly content with that notion. 

I hate to admit it, but I have read so many books throughout my short lifetime that it would be insane for me to attempt to back track and write reviews on them.  I have decided to start with the books that I have read in the past few months and then continue on from there each time I finish a book.  If, of course, I feel the need or by some odd chance someone actually reads this and wants me to write a review of a certain book, then I will back track and write on it or read it and write on it.  I will attempt to write as analytically as possible, not be too harsh or too lax with my opinions, and above all I will make sure that I am open to discussion with any readers I might obtain.

This is for fun, but also for fulfillment.  My degrees are not in literature or English.  They are in history and anthropology- a far cry from reading Dickinson or Bronte.  Yet, I do have a love for all things written, and will read almost anything that is placed in front of me.  I believe that literature is an important part of the human experience and that it is a glorious way to express our ideas and thoughts with others.  Through this blog I hope to just express my opinions on the books; what I write is just my own, no one else’s.  I must say, I do not write this to please others or to appease.  I will be blunt: if you, the reader, do not enjoy my reviews then do not read them.  My mother always told me, “Miss Congeniality is not something the women in our family aspire to be”- and I would have to say that is true for these reviews.  I write in my own words and in my own truth and if people do not like that- tough.  These are my convictions and they will stay as I see fit.  With that being said, I am not saying I will be unappreciative of negative or constructive criticism, I will, but know that it is not my intentions to please y'all.

With these thoughts out on “paper” and my mind ready to read and review, I will leave this here for today and finish reading my book to review.  Have a blessed day!

 K. Alyse