Beta Reading

My New Beta Reading Adventure

Kristie

Today I have that feeling of heavy sighs that I used to get at the end of a semester at BYU. Finals are done, apartment cleaning and checkout are done, and packing to head back home is all done. Done, but not over. Because the cycle will soon begin again with a new, exciting chapter.

Why am I feeling this now?

Because, for the last week and a half I’ve been thrown into the deep end of the pool, learning to swim as a brand new beta reader for author Boo Walker.

Some background: I first discovered Boo’s books early last year when I read an advanced copy of A Spanish Sunrise on NetGalley. I instantly knew I wanted more of this author’s books. A Spanish Sunrise quickly became a 10-Star book on this blog and I raced to find more. I discovered and read An Unfinished Story and The Singing Trees and loved those too. All three have wonderfully layered characters who go on unique life journeys. I highly recommend ALL of them.

Next was signing up for his author newsletter, something I tell fellow readers to do if they want to connect with a favorite writer. Most well-known authors have websites and newsletters. Many also reach out to their readers on Facebook and Instagram. These are great ways to get publishing updates, participate in giveaways, learn about book tours, hear about movie adaptations, and discover fun little bookish products. Gone are the days of the reclusive writer stereotype. Today is about connection and authors are no different. Many are very personable and love hearing from their readers.

But as you would expect, some authors are more responsive than others. Of the ones I subscribe to, which is 10-15, Boo makes the most effort to interact with his readers. (Mimi Matthews and Wade Rouse aka Viola Shipman are both in second place.) He sometimes offers to send advanced copies and audio versions of his books at his own expense, often signed, and will throw out fun questions like “I need two cat names for this certain character. Suggestions?”

I “kind of” had an idea what a beta reader was (I thought) and last August I emailed Boo and asked him if he would consider bringing me on board. His reply was that his team was full, but I would go on a wait list. In December, I was recruited for his 2024 book. What a thrill!

Then five months went by. I had no idea what to expect or when to expect it. Until Monday of last week. “Attn: Beta Readers!” shouted an email from my inbox. We were off to the races.

We were sent the book’s first half and we had eight days to get our notes back to him. It took me nearly three days to find my footing with logistics, i.e. learning HOW to beta read and using the Track Changes feature in Apple Pages. A new skill for me. So I felt pretty behind at first, but I caught up. I am very grateful to Boo for his guidance, patience, and quick responses to my questions. Any help I asked for, he gave.

I had so much fun! It wasn’t easy, but I loved it. Looking at content, finding inconsistencies, commenting on what does/doesn’t work, suggesting character qualities, pointing out anachronisms, making word suggestions, asking for more of this or less of that, etc. It tapped into my favorite skill set. My biggest challenge was figuring out when to put things under a microscope (my default) and when to pull back and look at everything as a whole. Also to be tactful in my suggestions. I learned so much, mostly to trust the author and the process.

In case you’re wondering, yes, this is an unpaid gig. And it isn’t about getting advanced copies of a book. This is about an author getting early feedback from readers he trusts. I’ve received some terrific comments from Boo on my notes (which I sent back one day early, thank you very much) but the story belongs to him. He is the one who thought of it, who researched it, who has to deal with deadlines and marketing, who has to sift through suggestions from beta readers and editors, who must endure reviews, and who takes ultimate responsibility for the finished product. And you know what? He can have it. It’s a lot of pressure and a lot of work.

My compensation is the satisfaction of knowing that the story is evolving using suggestions I contributed. It’s a terrific high knowing an author I respect wants my opinions and will be implementing some of my ideas. And yes, that is enough. I am very excited to see the next draft!

I expect to receive the second half of the book some time next month and will probably see later drafts as well. In the meantime, check out Boo Walker’s other books! And keep an eye out for this year’s book, The Stars Don’t Lie, available on August 22nd! It’s excellent! A tribute to teachers everywhere.

You can also read this terrific article on the concept of beta reading HERE. It’s an invaluable resource for authors.

And you can see Boo talk about his growth as a writer and the upcoming book in this recent 11 min video:

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Women's Fiction

Weyward, by Emilia Hart

Kristie

“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.”
― Emilia Hart, Weyward

Three women across five centuries are bound by an ancient name, a special gift, a humble cottage, and hardship. This is the story of Weyward, a loving tribute to the strength of females everywhere.

England, 1619. Altha, like many others of her era, has been accused of witchcraft and must stand trial for her alleged crimes. Violet, languishing in her family’s mansion in 1942, longs to know more of the outside world. And Kate, pregnant and afraid, escapes an abusive relationship in 2019, fleeing to a cottage left to her by a great aunt she never knew.

One by one, we learn more about these extraordinary women. We discover their connections to the mysteries of nature and to each other, showing their collective ability to rise above their constraints and the men who try to dominate them. They have their accusers, their predators, and their allies. But first they must endure their separate challenges and tap into the history and secrets that weave their stories together.

Weyward is an exceptional debut novel. It is unique, beautiful, haunting, and uplifting. Be aware that there are definite triggers, such as rape and emotional/physical abuse. But also know that in its storytelling lies the message that overcoming such things is possible. The power is within all of us.

9.5/10 Stars

Young Adult

Schooled, by Gordon Korman

Kristie

Another winner by Gordon Korman! I enjoy his books so much! And I say this with no apologies because I’m fully aware that his target audience is middle school preteens. Even so, the messages are for everyone. In fact, I wish more adults would read his books.

Here we follow the journey of Capricorn “Cap” Anderson, a sensitive thirteen year old who has been raised and home-schooled by his grandmother. They live together on a modest farm, once a thriving commune, raising their own food and shunning the materialism that has overtaken society. But when Cap’s grandma is hospitalized, his world turns upside down. Now he must go to public school, navigate the social fabric of cliques and bullies, use modern technology, and learn Life’s harshest lessons, all while staying with his new social worker and her pretty but moody teenage daughter.

As you can guess, the mean kids immediately prey on Cap and exploit his innocence. As a joke, he is elected 8th grade class president and becomes the target of every prank imaginable. But is a prank a success when the “prankee” doesn’t react? With his calm demeanor, morning tai chi, and forgiving nature, Cap is no ordinary middle school student. Instead, he exudes generosity and positivity, qualities that eclipse others’ nonsense.

This story was a delight. Anyone of any age can see the subtext that peace and humility always win over violence and arguing. If you want to read a book full of humor and heart, I highly recommend this one. Read it with your kids, read it for yourself. Just read it.

9/10 Stars

Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance

Theme: Time Travel Romances

Kristie

This week, in an effort to fulfill some challenges for my book group, I read two novels that dealt with time travel. I’ll admit, there were things I liked about both of them and things that I did not. But I did realize what a tricky subject time travel is in a story. There are many details to consider: how does the person fall into another time? Do they stay or return? Do they bring someone back or leave them forever? Who do they tell? How much does their visit disrupt the future?

Let’s take a look at the two books I read, knowing that the concept of time travel is something still unexplored in reality and that a suspension of belief is required in order to embrace it in a plot.

I struggled with both books, but I liked the way time travel was handled more in Forever You, by Leah Busboom. If you’ve seen the movie Kate & Leopold, with its lightning strike and time portal, then you’ll have an idea of the way country singer, Lacy, accidentally jumps from 2021 to 1855 in the blink of an eye. Half of the book is her life in the past, half of it is in the present. She grapples with the lack of modern conveniences and is very self-aware of what she can and cannot endure in an era when everything was more difficult. She never tries to be someone she isn’t and makes some hard choices. The events of the past and present are sewn together in a clever way and, though the story itself is a bit syrupy, I appreciated that it stayed focused on Lacy and her two important relationships without a lot of external distractions. 8.5/10 Stars

What the Wind Knows, by Amy Harmon, is mainly set in Ireland. In 2001, writer Anne Gallagher travels from New York to the Emerald Isle to scatter her beloved grandfather’s ashes. In a swirl of mist and fog she is transported eighty years into the past, landing in 1921 amidst the Irish War of Independence. She is mistaken for her namesake (her great grandmother) who had gone missing, and must adjust to the time period and the questions about her sudden “reappearance.” Revolutionary Michael Collins and his crusade for Ireland’s freedom from Britain play large roles, forcing the reader to juggle a lot of names, events, historical facts, and fictional characters. The writing is lovely, especially as Anne spends time with long-deceased family members, but I felt like the story was trying to accomplish too much, which became tiresome. I would’ve preferred a trimmed-down version without the political drama. The ending, while hopeful, felt a bit forced in order to gift wrap a satisfying conclusion. 8/10 Stars

Fiction

April Reading Wrap Up!

Kristie

Here are the books I read this month! Twenty-six in all. Several were average, there was one huge disappointment (which you can read about in my previous post,) and a handful of delights, mostly from familiar authors I can usually rely on to deliver a great story.

The biggest surprises were The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews and The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain. Surprises because, while I expected them to be very good since these are go-to authors for me, I didn’t expect them to be superb, which they were! The one by Mimi Matthews is the first in a four-part series, so I’ll talk about it more in another post, BUT I will say that the Kindle book for The Matrimonial Advertisement is only $0.99 right now. Totally worth it! This is a clean, semi-gothic romance with fantastic characters. If you buy the book, the audio is only $1.99.

If you want books that are also excellent with some unusual plots, I recommend Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde and Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander. The stories are a bit on the somber side, but very thought-provoking and unique. You can go to the blog search and/or menus to find their individual reviews.

So on to May! It’s nearly May, how is this possible?? I have a few reads lined up already. Let’s see how many get conquered.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Happy Place, by Emily Henry

Kristie

What a frustrating book. I was so looking forward to it. The release date has been on my calendar for ages. Now the disappointment I’m feeling is palpable.

Have you ever been to a party where you don’t know anybody? Where all the people have memories and history with everyone else but not with you? Where, when you try to enter a conversation, all they do is talk around you and keep saying things like “hey, remember that time we (not you)…?” You’re constantly left out and reminded that you don’t belong. That is a little what it was like to spend time with Wyn, Harriet, and their four friends.

Which brings me to the next set of problems. These are six friends who are educated professionals (a doctor, two lawyers, two urban farmers, and a talented furniture maker) that aren’t very interesting except for the collective gift of acting unbelievably stupid. There is drunkenness and amnesia-inducing hangovers, pot gummies, a random bra that goes flying, and other nonsense. Segue into childish bickering, no concept about the difference between sex and love, terrible communication, and…need I go on? This is immature teenage idiocy, not the behavior of supposedly intelligent adults. It wasn’t funny or charming, and it certainly wasn’t enjoyable to read.

But wait, there’s more. We have Wyn and Harriet who were engaged and are now broken up but don’t want to tell their friends and ruin the week they’re spending together. So now we fall into the tropes that are so overdone they have their own taglines: fake dating, forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chances, found family, blah, blah, blah. And don’t even get me started on why they broke up in the first place and the ending that fails to redeem itself. It’s ridiculous. *sigh* Did I mention I was frustrated?

This book is a total misfire. I tried to like it, but it kept going downhill. Add the slow pacing, dual timelines that switched over at the worst times, unnecessary drama, and “angsty but cool” characters (which rarely works,) and I have to wonder if Emily Henry was abducted by aliens and someone else is standing in for her. I don’t like saying it, but Happy Place is so beneath her talent. Where are the likeable characters? The wit? The solid writing? It’s not here.

5/10 Stars

Fantasy, Young Adult

A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness

Kristie

I love making glorious book discoveries. I made one last night.

Despite the cover art, A Monster Calls is not a mystery or a thriller. It isn’t scary or violent. But it is sad. And profound. And thought-provoking. And hauntingly beautiful. And it is a Young Adult book.

Set in England, we encounter thirteen year old Conor O’Malley. He’s an only child, his parents are divorced, and his mother is sick. Very, very sick. But she reassures Conor that everything will be OK and she’ll recover. It’s a nice thought.

Outside Conor’s bedroom window is an old, gnarled yew tree. Each night at 12:07am the tree transforms into a monster (think Groot’s ugly cousin) who taunts Conor. The tree announces it will tell three stories. After the third story it will be Conor’s turn to tell the fourth one. And the fourth story must be his truth. If it is not his truth, the consequences will be dire.

We don’t know what this means. But we do hear the three stories. And we learn more about Conor’s life situation, which is steadily crumbling.

“….humans are complicated beasts…” says the monster. They are, indeed. So complicated, in fact, that they/we can change our perception of events to fit a certain narrative. It’s a defense mechanism, but we all do it. Sometimes it is necessary. But it can also be harmful to ourselves and others. And that is what this book is about. Beautifully written and full of unsaid messages and subtext, A Monster Calls is a unique treasure.

9.5/10 Stars

Nonfiction

Plagues & Pencils: A Year of Pandemic Sketches, by Edward Carey

Kristie

If you happen across the little gem, Plagues & Pencils, I highly recommend opening it up and taking a look. Like most people, I don’t really enjoy reliving the early days of Covid, but I do find it fascinating how people spent their time during lockdown.

Edward Carey is an author and artist from England, currently living in Austin, Texas. Shortly after leaving his homeland and hunkering down like the rest of us, he made the commitment to draw one sketch per day for the length of the pandemic. Of course, some of us would argue that the pandemic is still happening, but we’re talking about the days when restrictions were extra strict and we only ventured out when absolutely necessary.

There’s a lot to appreciate about this book. There are the 300+ sketches that hover somewhere between portraits and caricatures. There is the variety: historical figures, people of the arts, birds, animals, and people in the news at the moment. And there is Carey’s commentary: thoughtfully done, always wondering when the daily drawings will end. In his mind, their conclusion represented the resuming of normal life.

I appreciate the time he took on some of my favorite people from history and the arts. The four above are just a small sample. You’ll also see Beethoven, Houdini, Emily Dickinson, and many others. Because Carey is of my generation, you could tell the pang of hurt he felt when Christopher Plummer passed away. He honored him with a sketch from his iconic role as Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

Overall, just an interesting, delightful discovery.

9/10 Stars

Fiction

Meredith, Alone, by Claire Alexander

Kristie

I have a real admiration for characters who are still kind to others despite their own immense challenges. Let’s be honest–that is NOT easy. But Meredith Maggs of Glasgow, Scotland is a rare one.

There are plenty of us who wish we could stay home all the time–work from home, shop exclusively from home, etc. But there is staying home by choice and there is staying home because to leave would induce crippling anxiety and panic attacks. Sadly, Meredith is in the second group. She hasn’t left her house in over three years. Introverts might say, “She’s so lucky.” But Meredith isn’t lucky. She’s trapped by years of trauma and emotional abuse, culminating in one horrific incident. At the moment when Meredith needed support the most, it wasn’t there.

So here she is, weeks from her fortieth birthday, keeping her routine, working remotely to pay the bills, but sometimes still sinking into that dark place that reminds her why her life differs from others. Is Meredith bitter? Well, yes. Does she take it out on others? Surprisingly, no. And, fortunately, there are “others.” Sadie, Meredith’s best friend from her university days, a freckle-faced neighbor boy who mows the lawn, an online girlfriend in her mental health group, and now Tom. Tom is her “weekly look in friend,” arranged by the health service to make sure Meredith is still alive and, in her words, “hasn’t been eaten by her cat.”

Meredith, Alone delves into some deep issues regarding mental health problems, emotional and sexual abuse, toxic parents, and even suicide. But, personally, I think it is a very important book. Anyone who has gone through these things will never forget them, but healing can happen. As Meredith’s therapist says, “Abuse has no hierarchy.” What you or I or anyone else has gone through isn’t a contest to see whose life has been the hardest. Our experiences are our own and should be respected and always validated and believed.

Meredith’s trauma may have chipped away at her self confidence, but she is strong in ways she doesn’t even realize. She is a hero in her own right, exemplifying effort and triumph in how she conducts herself and treats others. I think many readers would be helped by this book. Between the events from Meredith’s past and her own determination to move forward, a lot of us will see ourselves in her in one way or another. I highly recommend it.

9.5/10 Stars

Fiction, Historical Fiction

The Stolen Marriage, by Diane Chamberlain

Kristie

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: where have Diane Chamberlain’s books been all my life? Yesterday I devoured The Stolen Marriage, another excellent story by an author who is quickly becoming a favorite. She is, certainly, the best author discovery I’ve made in 2023.

Set in the mid 1940s, World War II and the polio epidemic are raging and claiming lives both in the US and overseas. Baltimore nursing student, Tess DeMello, is grateful that her fianceé, Dr. Vincent Russo, doesn’t have to go to war, but despondent when he decides to help with the increasing polio cases in faraway Chicago. It’s only temporary, he says, and their wedding is still scheduled to take place on time. But as his return gets delayed again and again, Tess is convinced that Vincent is staying away for other reasons. Feeling rejected, despite Vincent’s reassurance that she’s the only one, Tess makes a decision that alters the course of her life.

Suddenly, everything Tess had planned is in the rear-view mirror. That momentary choice she made has placed her in a new situation surrounded by new people, none of whom accept and love her. But sometimes the greatest challenges are the things that show us our true strengths, and new places are not always what they seem.

The Stolen Marriage was a superb read that I could not put down. Diane Chamberlain has a fluid writing style that captivates the reader from the very beginning and characters who feel like real people giving us a glimpse into their lives. She touches on domestic themes, often weaving in racial issues that were happening at the time, giving the reader a lot to think about without being heavy handed. Her storytelling is unparalleled, with endings that leave you gasping for air. You will feel sorrow, empathy, shock, and relief. Like the other books I’ve read by Chamberlain, The Stolen Marriage is a wild emotional ride that I would willingly go on again and again as I continue to work my way through all of her novels.

9.5/10 Stars

ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), Fiction

The Wishing Game, by Meg Shaffer

Kristie

AVAILABLE May 30, 2023

This book was extremely enjoyable! The closest comparison I can give it, of which I’m sure the author would approve, is that it is like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for grownups. In this case, the reclusive genius is world-renowned children’s author, Jack Masterson. But unlike Willy Wonka with his golden tickets, Jack personally selects the “children” to compete for the prize. (I’ll let you discover what that is.)

The children, however, are not children at all. They are adults who grew up reading and immersing themselves in Jack Masterson’s extensive Clock Island series. Sixty six books in all. Books that helped and affected these readers so much during difficult times that all of them, at one point, went seeking their favorite author in person. Most of us can only imagine the thrill of doing such a thing.

The plot mostly revolves around one person in particular. Lucy Hart, a kindergarten teacher’s aide whose greatest wish is to foster and adopt one special little boy, and whose greatest fear is that Life’s obstacles will prevent her from doing so. But if there’s one thing to learn from the Clock Island characters, it’s that “the only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children.”

As someone who loved and devoured all of Roald Dahl’s books as a child and is fiercely protective of his legacy, I raised an eyebrow when I realized that The Wishing Game was a bit of a reboot of his most famous story. I didn’t need to worry. It is a lovely homage–faithful to the principles of the original in that kindness, courage, and humility are rewarded, but unique enough that it stands firmly on its own as a terrific read and a worthy addition to any library.

9/10 Stars

Historical Fiction, Romance

The Unknown Beloved, by Amy Harmon

Kristie

I’m struggling, dear reader. I’m struggling. As much as I love historical fiction, I’m realizing that the events chosen by the author don’t always work. This is my dilemma with the last two Amy Harmon books I’ve read, A Girl Called Samson and now The Unknown Beloved.

Why is it that some historical fiction feels so right? I’m thinking of Rhys Bowen’s and Jennifer Ryan’s books set during World War II, Fiona Davis’s The Spectacular, and even the iconic Titanic movie. The Spectacular is the one I compare the most with The Unknown Beloved, because both of them have to do with killers that terrorized major cities. In The Spectacular it was The Mad Bomber in New York. In The Unknown Beloved it is the Torso Murderer, known for killing and dismembering his victims in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bear with me as I try and work this out in my mind. First of all, the suspect thought to be NYC’s Mad Bomber was caught. Caught in the book and caught in real life. It was a case that pioneered criminal profiling for the future of police work. And, although, there are some fictional characters at the center of The Spectacular, mainly the female protagonist who becomes a Rockette, there is the right balance between her story and the crimes. And, most importantly, there is no forced romance that gets in the way.

The Unknown Beloved begins in the 1920s. A couple is murdered, leaving their young daughter, Daniela, orphaned. Fast forward fifteen years when Daniela is living with her aunts and renting out a room to Michael Malone. Malone has been chosen by Eliot Ness (known for bringing down Al Capone) to discover the identity of the Cleveland Torso Murderer. But he’s also the officer who, once upon a time, helped a frightened little girl after the death of her parents. Now Malone is forty and widowed. Daniela is twenty five. She’s wise beyond her years and has some extra sensory gifts that can help with the case…and this is where my issues begin.

The magical realism–Daniela can touch fabric and psychically know details about the person who owned the garment–and the attraction between a jaded treasury agent and a young seamstress are too outside the bounds of possibility for me. Not that large age differences can’t happen between couples, but because there just doesn’t seem like enough compatibility to sustain this particular relationship. It feels more like they are two lonely people yielding to the coincidence of seeing each other again after all these years.

So I guess my point is that, yes, we should definitely expect fiction when we read Historical Fiction, but so much of a book’s success is based on what is fictionalized. Some readers might not care–which is fine. I’m learning that I do care. Therefore, in my odd, roundabout way I can only give The Unknown Beloved a lukewarm rating. The writing is still great, the story is interesting, but it’s flawed. Not just with the romance but with the outcome of the crime, which seemed like a very strange backdrop for a romance from the very beginning.

8/10 Stars