Triple A Book Blog Reviews Humans In My House and the Stars Above It

(This book review by Triple A Book Blog originally published here: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTripleABookBlog%2Fposts%2F1362158520597724&width=500 Republished with permission.)

An adorable sequel, our cat friend from the first book gets a name from Emily. She names him Kepler and attempts to explain why. Kepler, Emily and one of her friends then go outside to watch a meteor shower.

The dream sequence Kepler has is fun while also being highly informative. It was a widely interesting way to teach the kids I read to about the universe around us.

I adore these books and hope to see more of Kepler, Emily and friends in the future.

(Read Triple A’s review of Humans In My House series book 1 here and their interview of Amanda Marsico here.)

Triple A Book Blog Reviews Humans In My House (series book 1)

(This book review by Triple A Book Blog originally published here: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTripleABookBlog%2Fposts%2F1361681833978726&width=500 Republished with permission.)

A charming book for the youthful reader, or those young at heart. I not only enjoyed this book but so did the group of kids I read it to at school.

Quirky and fun, it’s one of the few books I’ve ever read that was from the point of view of a stray cat living in an abandoned home.

I love that it’s first person and really feels like how a cat might think. It also helps show a unique twist on the psychological makeup of children and what they deal with such as peer pressure, without being too heavy.

I can’t wait to read the second book and see what happens next with the cat and the humans…..

(See Triple A’s review of Humans In My House and the Stars Above It here and their interview with Amanda Marsico here.)

E-Books and Otherwise

I’d like to start a discussion instead of giving another editing tip this time around.

My question to you is whether authors of e-books still struggle with legitimacy/acceptance, and if readers still see the medium in that negative light?

As a writer, I would be just as proud to publish something physical as I would something digital. However, I know that there is a stigma around e-books (as well as self publishing)–that they are somehow inferior, less legitimate, or less professional/successful. As a reader, I have seen self-published e-books that are less polished. But that doesn’t detract from the creative expression that took place. The author likely went through the same pains and victories to write that story as any other author would in any format. I admit that the reading experience is less enjoyable with a less polished novel, but the mistakes aren’t there because it is an e-text or a self-published novel. They are there because they were overlooked. I have come across print novels, traditionally published ones, that are full of errors. In truth, the reader’s experience is only a portion of what takes place in the creation and existence of a text. First and foremost, the author writes because it is a passion. They write for themselves first, and for the reader second.  And let’s not forget how many stages a text goes through. Those mistakes could easily be remedied in the next edition. So, how can this stigma exist? Mistakes are possible for anyone to make in any format. The medium of a text shouldn’t decide how we judge a book. Right? Do you feel the same? It’s crazy to me that people judge an author and a text by the form in which that text falls into their hands. I suppose I’m saying judge the story for what it is, rather than how it is.

I’d love for the discussion to continue in the comments area below. Thanks for reading!

 

–Amanda Marsico

Editor, Proofreader, Red Ink Enthusiast

marsicoam@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/marsicowritesite

https://twitter.com/MarsWriteSite

www.linkedin.com/pub/amanda-marsico/7b/ab8/b/

http://pinterest.com/wordsnsounds/

 

Interview: What Children REALLY Want to Read

Today is a get business done kind of day, so in lieu of a Self-Editing Tip, I’m going to post responses I’ve gathered from children I’ve worked with over the years on the topic of books.

 

Randy, 5

What is your favorite book?

“I have one, but I don’t know it…”

Leah, 4

What is your favorite book?

“Princess Fairy Tale Land.” (Side note: Who knows if that’s the real title)

Why?

“It has a lot of movies with it, and it’s funny.”

Why is it funny to you?

“It has lots of funny words.”

Mackenzie, 4

What is your favorite book?

“’Gigi’—It’s about Gigi, and if Gigi touches something bad an alarm comes on and guards come and put her in a pink tower.”

Why is it your favorite?

“Because I tried it and I liked it!”

Shane, 4

What is your favorite book?

“Lightning McQueen.”

Why?

“It has fast cars, and it’s funny.”

What makes it funny?

“They say funny things. The cars can talk.”

William, 5

What is your favorite book?

“ABC Trains.”

Why?
“Train tracks go under a house, and it’s funny.”

Why is it funny?

“They hit each other. They make butt jokes.”

Leah, 5

What is your favorite book?

“Princess Story Book.”

Why?

“Princesses are so beautiful.”

Is it a funny book?

“No, it’s a beautiful book.”

 

As you can see, the majority of Pre-K and kindergarteners choose their favorite books based on humor and appearance. So, if you’re a children’s writer, maybe some of this input from children can help you out. I’m aware that most of their answers are the same, but that’s what’s golden about it. It points you in a very specific direction. I don’t write children’s literature, but I’ve always wanted to. I collected these short interviews out of pure curiosity in the event that one day I finish the children’s stories I’ve started. We’ll see. I hope it’s handy for you.

 

Have a great Thursday! Be on the lookout for another Self-Editing Tip tomorrow.

–Amanda Marsico

Editor, Proofreader, Red Ink Enthusiast

marsicoam@gmail.com

facebook.com/marsicowritesite

https://twitter.com/MarsWriteSite

www.pinterest.com/wordsnsounds