BOTNS Books Podcast #75: Reviewing the Reviews

Apr 27

BOTNS Books Podcast #75: Reviewing the Reviews

By Michael Kindness Podcasts Add comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:53 — 13.1MB)

I’m very glad to be back and I tell you about a beautiful picture book that has helped with the grieving process. Then I share my thoughts on Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel, which has gotten its share of bad (and good!) reviews. And in “Two Books We Can’t Wait for You to Read,” it’s the odd combination of LEGO and James Earl Ray.

Welcome Back, Michael

It’s my first episode “back in the saddle,” and I want to extend heartfelt thanks to all of the Books on the Nightstand listeners who sent condolences. They meant a lot to me! One book I found very helpful and comforting over these last few weeks is The Next Place by Warren Hanson. It’s a kid’s book, but its beautiful message and lovely illustrations are exactly what I needed at this time, and it’s a book I’ll read to my son when the time is right.

Whaddaya Mean, You Didn’t Like It? (4:11)

I’ve been waiting to tell you about Beatrice and Virgil, but was a little thrown by some of the negative reviews it’s been getting. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but, needless to say, I think many reviewers are wrong about this book. I found it to be a moving and completely unique look at the Holocaust. It’s short and powerful with a “punch-in-the-gut” ending that will have you dying to discuss it with someone else who’s read it. I urge you to pass by the negative reviews and give this a try!

Two Books We Can’t Wait for You to Read (12:06)

I channel my inner LEGO-maniac to tell you about LEGO: A Love Story by Jonathan Bender, which is a look at the community of adult LEGO fans. If you love playing with those colorful little bricks, this book is for you. Ann tells us about Hellhound on his Trail, the new book from Hampton Sides which looks at the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the manhunt for his killer.

http://onceohmarvellousonce.blogspot.com/ Elise

I am so pleased to hear someone else who liked Beatrice and Virgil!! I also had that feeling of being slightly discouraged about my own convictions after reading other reviews, however I thought it was just fantastic. If you’re interested (and I’m being shamelessly self-promotingly rude here) my review is here: http://onceohmarvellousonce.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-review-beatrice-and-virgil-by-yann.html
http://onceohmarvellousonce.blogspot.com/ Elise

I am so pleased to hear someone else who liked Beatrice and Virgil!! I also had that feeling of being slightly discouraged about my own convictions after reading other reviews, however I thought it was just fantastic. If you’re interested (and I’m being shamelessly self-promotingly rude here) my review is here: http://onceohmarvellousonce.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-review-beatrice-and-virgil-by-yann.html
Stan Hynds

Michael,
Have you seen I LEGO NY? Published by Abrams. Super clever.
Stan Hynds

Michael,
Have you seen I LEGO NY? Published by Abrams. Super clever.
Dotan Dvir

Hi Michael and Ann,

Writing to you from Stockholm, Sweden – I am one of your European listeners. I wanted to thank you for a weekly journey to the world of books.

My current reading is mostly in Swedish as I am catching up with the language but I have already managed to squeeze in “The Magicians” which you recommended so highly, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
“Cutting for stone” has been loaned from the library and awaits its’ turn.

Thank you again for your sharing your passion for books with me.

Dotan
Dotan Dvir

Hi Michael and Ann,

Writing to you from Stockholm, Sweden – I am one of your European listeners. I wanted to thank you for a weekly journey to the world of books.

My current reading is mostly in Swedish as I am catching up with the language but I have already managed to squeeze in “The Magicians” which you recommended so highly, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
“Cutting for stone” has been loaned from the library and awaits its’ turn.

Thank you again for your sharing your passion for books with me.

Dotan
http://www.greatbooksforkidsandteens.com Sue Jackson

I just finished listening to your podcast while I made dinner, and I couldn’t wait to get back to my laptop so I could comment on this excellent show. Where to start?

First, I appreciated Michael’s recommendation of The Next Place and will definitely look for a copy. My sons are older now – 12 and 15 – and they’ve unfortunately had too much experience with death in the past 5 years, but they haven’t yet experienced the death of someone they are VERY close to. My mother-in-law is in the late stages of Parkinson’s disease, and my husband and I know her loss will be very hard on our boys. I will definitely look for this book.

On a happier note, I was so please to hear Michael’s positive review of Beatrice and Virgil! I loved Life of Pi and just yesterday read two negative reviews of Beatrice and Virgil and was so disappointed. In both cases, the reviewers didn’t like the twist at the end. Now, my faith restored, I can’t wait to read it.

And, coincidentally, before I turned off the radio to listen to your podcast, I was listening to an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air with Hampton Sides about his new book, Hellhound on His Trail! Now, with two such interesting introductions to the book, I just have to read it.

Thanks for yet another wonderfully entertaining and edifying podcast!

Sue
http://www.greatbooksforkidsandteens.com Sue Jackson

I just finished listening to your podcast while I made dinner, and I couldn’t wait to get back to my laptop so I could comment on this excellent show. Where to start?

First, I appreciated Michael’s recommendation of The Next Place and will definitely look for a copy. My sons are older now – 12 and 15 – and they’ve unfortunately had too much experience with death in the past 5 years, but they haven’t yet experienced the death of someone they are VERY close to. My mother-in-law is in the late stages of Parkinson’s disease, and my husband and I know her loss will be very hard on our boys. I will definitely look for this book.

On a happier note, I was so please to hear Michael’s positive review of Beatrice and Virgil! I loved Life of Pi and just yesterday read two negative reviews of Beatrice and Virgil and was so disappointed. In both cases, the reviewers didn’t like the twist at the end. Now, my faith restored, I can’t wait to read it.

And, coincidentally, before I turned off the radio to listen to your podcast, I was listening to an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air with Hampton Sides about his new book, Hellhound on His Trail! Now, with two such interesting introductions to the book, I just have to read it.

Thanks for yet another wonderfully entertaining and edifying podcast!

Sue
Jane

Loved Hellhound On His Trail, it was a true page turner. I raved about it so much the book group I belong to is going to read it soon.

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions Ann and Michael, you have really enriched my reading.
Jane

Loved Hellhound On His Trail, it was a true page turner. I raved about it so much the book group I belong to is going to read it soon.

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions Ann and Michael, you have really enriched my reading.
http://www.subliminalintervention.blogspot.com Dreamybee

Michael,

I felt the same way about Life of Pi, like I had been punched in the gut at the end. I actually had to set the book down and just sob for a few minutes. I know several other people who thought it was just OK. So, thanks for the great review of Beatrice and Virgil-I can’t wait to pick it up!
http://www.subliminalintervention.blogspot.com Dreamybee

Michael,

I felt the same way about Life of Pi, like I had been punched in the gut at the end. I actually had to set the book down and just sob for a few minutes. I know several other people who thought it was just OK. So, thanks for the great review of Beatrice and Virgil-I can’t wait to pick it up!