The “Don’t Buy That Book” Meme

Mihaela (Mig) Lica at eWritings - Online Public Relations tagged me for the “Don’t Buy That Book Meme.” After being disappointed by a highly-hyped book, Mig asked the questions:

Have You Ever Regretted Buying a Book? Why?

The purpose of the meme is to help fellow bloggers avoid book buying mistakes, a laudable goal. One caveat, though: just because I didn’t like a book doesn’t mean you won’t love it. We all have different tastes and different levels of knowledge.  Mig found Small Is the New Big by Seth Godin a waste of time and money. She writes:

Nothing Seth writes about is new under the sun. Literally nothing.

However, she also says:

If you are an experienced marketer, the book will be a bore, and a huge disappointment.

I haven’t read the book and Mig doesn’t make completely clear, but perhaps someone new to marketing would find the book helpful. So when reading my (or anyone else’s) opinion, remember that your experience, knowledge, and interests are different than mine. Weigh those factors when deciding if you would have the same reaction to the book.

I must confess that the books that have disappointed me the most have been the classics. I always think I should love the books that have stood the test of time, but often I don’t.

The lastest disappointment was The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. This is a novel I thought I should have read years ago but never did. When I finally tried, I disliked the story so much I quit reading after a couple of chapters. I guess I have no patience with hedonism. The characters had no redeeming value as far as I could tell, and reading the story was a bore and a waste of time.

Have you read The Picture of Dorian Gray? What was your reaction?

You could win a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate from Mig if yours is the most interesting entry before the end of January 2009. Read the the rules of the meme at Don’t Buy That Book Meme and write about the book you regret buying.

Honest Scrap Award

Jean Henry Mead of A Western Historical Happening awarded me the Honest Scrap Award for “telling it like it is.”

I’m a little confused about the meaning of honest scrap, but perhaps it refers to an honest “detached piece of something written or printed.” Recipients are supposed to tell ten honest (and interesting) things about themselves, so perhaps each thing is a scrap. I can come up ten honest things, but you’ll have to be the judge of whether they’re interesting.

1. When Jack and I went through premarital counseling, the priest cautioned me that I would likely spend years of my life caring for my nearly-14-years-older husband in his old age. In fact, Jack had to care for me when I had a stroke at the hands of a chiropractor at the age of 45.
2. My fingernails are like my father’s, which means they’re usually broken off at the quick. I don’t bite them—I just break them.
3. Although I never lost my faith, there were several years that I didn’t attend church. Once I started back, I got involved in a big way and have continued to be very active for the past 12+ years.
4. My mother used to say, “I know I taught you to cook. Now all you do is put something in either the microwave or the crockpot.” I mentioned that to my sister recently, and she said Mama is probably looking down from Heaven and saying the same thing.
5. I used to do a lot of public speaking and have spoken to groups as large as several thousand. At one convention I spoke at, I acquired a groupie, a guy who followed me everywhere I went picking my brain about interior landscaping (the topic of my speech).
6. I was healed of a seizure disorder by prayer. I’ll write about it someday.
7. When I was younger, I used to be a meticulous housekeeper. Now my house hasn’t had a spring cleaning in many, many springs.
8. My grandmother used to say I “couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.” Since the stroke, I can’t even sing off-key without starting to cough.
9. I am incredibly blessed to have been born of amazing parents with wonderful siblings and to have been married to a loving and supportive husband for nearly 42 years.
10. I found my job as an employment counselor rewarding, and I enjoyed owning an interior landscape company for nearly 20 years. However, nothing compares to being able to make a living doing what I love (writing, editing, and helping other writers). And to top it off, I get to entertain myself and make friends around the world with my blog.

Now I’m supposed to pass the award on to seven bloggers. Though my original list had more than seven names, I narrowed it down to meet the criteria of the award. I’m selecting people whose honesty and willingness to “tell it like it is” I respect. Not all of them will choose to respond. Being honest enough not to respond if they prefer not to will simply reinforce my recognition that they deserve the Honest Scrap Award.

• Catherine Lawson
• Jason A. Clark
• Karen Swim at Words for Hire
• Lori Widmer at Words on the Page
• Matthew Keegan
• Mihaela (Mig) Lica at e-Writings, Online Public Relations
• Renae Brumbaugh @ Morning Coffee

Belated Thanks to November Commenters

Guest authors, a delayed series, group writing projects, and several seasonal posts made this thank-you post very late, but no less sincere. 115 people left 185 comments in November. Thanks to each of them and to each quiet reader who visits and reads without commenting.

Top Contributor (19 comments)
Jeanne Dininni. Writers’ Notes

Major Contributor (13 comments)
Wilson, Will You Mind

Outstanding Contributors (3-6 comments)
JeanHenryMead
Mayra Calvani, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing
Helen Ginger, Straight from Hel
horse racing, Winning Ponies.com
Justin, East Coast Airsoft
Alina Popescu, Words of a Broken Mirror
Gary Sims, BibleBase Second Thoughts
Joanna Young, Confident Writing
Monica, Avanta Meeting Rooms

Significant Contributors (2 comments)
Andy, West Florida Components
Brad, A-1 Medical Supplies
Cheap HDMI Cables, Everything Outlet
Forrest Croce, Fine Art Photography Blog
Furniture, Beyond Furniture
Gift, San Diego Ten List
Jennifer, Piper Partners
kouji, Haiku Poems Blog
Mark Antony, A Bugle for the New Day
Matthew Jakes, Start Attracting Women
morimoto, Emanuele Masci
Open Innovation, Philoptima
Renae, Morning Coffee
Rika Susan, Home Improvement Time
shirazi, Light Within

Important Contributors
Acai Berry Weight Loss Plan
Air Conditioning Contractor, AC Doctor
az, Delta Debt Management
BJ Keltz, Write Your Mind Journals
Blog Posting Softwares
Bluestocking, The Bluestocking Guide
Brad Shorr, Word Sell
Camille, Informez Vous
Caribbean Holidays, Tropical Sky
Carrie, The Brain of Lego Mindstorms NXT
Carrie, Pink iPod Nano
Cath Lawson
Charlotte Phillips, Char’s Book Reviews
Cheap Used Cars for Sale, RZ Cars
Clinica stomatologica, Dental Plan
Craig, Payday Loans
Dan Freakley, Dan’s Blog
Daniel, Dan’s San Gabriel Painting
Dassnagar
Ellen Weber, Brain Leaders and Learners
Farhan, Mester Web
Ferienhauserspanien
Free Kindle Ebooks, The Kindle Warehouse
Free PS3
Gasyoun, Euro-Replica
get your ex back, Did You Get Dumped?
Gray, Refinancement Hypotheque
hair irons, My Hair Styling Tools
Harvey, PC Hardware Reviews
Health Insurance in India, iTrust
hearing aid, Hearing Aid Central
Herb, Herbal Cure E-Book
Imee, Intelligence Hypothecaire
Internet Marketing Services, Galaxy Interactive
Jack Lee, Streamline Markets
Jana, How to Train a Puppy
JB Whitely, Is Your Spouse Cheating
John Philips, Ways to Make Money in College
John Thomas, Life Insurance Sales Leads
Josh, Internet Real Estate Tips
Karen Swim, Words for Hire
kouji, Solar Battery Charger
Krishna, Best Fat Loss Products Revealed
Kweku, Loverland Reviews/Save My Marriage
Kyle Howard, Money Vac
Lea Schizas, Author & Editor
Lena, Finding Lena
Lisa, Woodbury Commons
Lisa Leibow
Lori Widmer, Words on the Page
Luke Gedeon
M.S. Phillips, Get Rid of Cellulite
Magdiel, Motorcycle Fairings
Marc, Informez Vous
Mark, Anniversary Rose
Mark, Austin Lehman
Mark, Hair Loss Laser
Mark Nagurski, Really Practical Marketing
Matt Keegan, Word Journey
Matthew Fitzgerald, China Direct Sourcing
Melissa Donovan, Writing Forward
Miami Cosmetic Dentistry Guide
Mike, Household Gadgets
Miss Gaver, Toppgaver
Miss presenter, Mina Presenter
MonaVie
Money Bush
Monika Mundell, The Writer’s Manifesto
Myron Tay
Nicole, Nicole on the Net
PC-Komik, PC-Turk
Ravendale House
Ray Johnson
Robert Hruzek, Middle Zone Musings
Ryan Moriguchi
Sally Ferguson, Sally’s Words
Sam, Spy Tools Reviews
SJS Info
Tammy, DivorceX
Tech, Device Time
Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer Fan
Used Cars, Autotropolis
Val, New Job List
Varicose Vein Treatment Utah, Intermountain Vein Center
Webkinz Animal World
webmaster staffing, Agents of Value
willb, Easy Dog Obedience
William Taylor, Austin Divorce Help
Writing Tips, Marketing Minefield

To all who commented as keywords—Toys, Insurance, Acne Treatment, Auto Mechanic: I prefer to respond to people, not keywords. With KeywordLuv, there is absolutely no reason for you not to include your name. John@Toys links to your site with the keyword toys, but it gives me a name to address and makes me think you might have some interest in what you’re commenting on beyond getting a do-follow link. How about a New Year’s resolution to leave your name as well as your keywords when you comment on my blog in the future? I appreciate your comment but would appreciate avoiding the awkwardness of having to respond to a keyword.

If you commented and aren’t listed or if your listing is wrong, please let me know so I can correct it.

Thank you, all my readers—commenters and quiet readers, alike!

Simply the Best

Joanna Young at Confident Writing has given us a real challenge: pick simply the best post for all of 2008.

First I narrowed down my favorite posts to one per month for Middle Zone Musings’ Blogapaloo0za. That was hard enough to do—one month I had to choose one from among three top favorites. Then I went through the favorite posts from each month to choose simply the best for 2008.

Remembering My Parents is simply the best because it still brings tears to my eyes—tears of sorrow that they are no longer with me and tears of  joy for the memories and the love we shared.

The Secret Is Finally Out: BLOGAPALOOZA

You’ve probably seen those mysterious hints around the blogosphere of something big coming to Middle Zone Musings soon. And you’ve probably been wondering what in tarnation Robert is up to now!

The secret is out. You can read the complete announcement at BLOGAPALOOZA - What I Learned From 2008.

To participate, write a post with a bulleted list linking to your favorite post from each month you blogged in 2008 (12 posts if you blogged all year). Send it to Robert, and he’ll post it as a guest post on his blog.  That means you’ll have twelve incoming links—which is great for SEO—plus you’ll introduce your blog and your favorite posts to lots of folks who haven’t discovered you yet.

The kick-off is today, and the Blogapalooza runs from January 5th through January 25th. Robert’s goal is 100 entries, and the sooner you get yours in, the sooner he’ll post it. You don’t want to miss out on this one! Head over Middle Zone Musings for all the details.

Blog Book Tour Stop: Second Visit to Father Jerry’s Jottings

Today I’m back at Father Jerry’s Jottings with the conclusion of my two-part series on blogging: Blogging for Beginners. I’m sure most of my readers know everything I’ve covered in this introductory post, and I know you can add some tips I didn’t mention. Stop by Father Jerry’s blog and give your best advice to beginning bloggers.

Blog Book Tour at Light Within

When Shirazi invited me to write a guest post about Dream or Destiny at Light Within, I confess I hesitated. Shirazi writes about blogging, business, Pakistan, and blogging in Pakistan. But Shirazi has also written a book and is a big fan of mystery fiction. After several e-mail exchanges, I was convinced that Light Within would be a good blog to add to my book tour.

I hope you enjoy my guest post Writing a Mystery: Dream or Destiny and hope you will give some encouragement to a blogger who is working hard to expand opportunities for writers and bloggers in Pakistan.

Blog Book Tour Stop at Word Sell

Though I sometimes get in a hurry and don’t read all the blogs in my feed reader, I never miss Brad Shorr’s Word Sell. Brad covers blogging, copywriting, marketing, and social media on his blog. He’s also a Top 500 Reviewer at Amazon.com.

Although he reviews fiction at Amazon, he doesn’t normally cover fiction on his blog. So I was delighted when he invited me to visit Word Sell for an interview. His questions really made me think. I hope you’ll stop by Word Sell and ask your own questions if there’s anything Brad didn’t ask.

Blog Book Tour Visit to Father Jerry’s Jottings

Today’s stop is a special treat for me. Father Jerry Sherbourne was my priest at All Saints Anglican Church before he joined the Army as a chaplain. I gave him a blog as a going-away gift, and he wasn’t quite sure what to do with this unexpected present. I describe his reaction in today’s guest post: Starting a Blog.

Though he was skeptical at first, Father Jerry is now an enthusiastic blogger, and he asked me to give some advice to his readers who are interested in starting their own blog. Stop by and say hi.

Cell Phone Users and Abusers

Brad Shorr is holding a contest at Word Sell. This is my entry in Cell Phone Users and Abusers.

I had been thinking about this post for several days. There are so many people who abuse cell phones that I was having a hard time narrowing down my focus. People take their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, and their minds off their driving to talk on the phone. Cell phones have become so invasive that our church has signs on the back of each pew: Silenceth thy cell phone.

On my way to Bible study last week, I encountered the worst case of cell phone abuse I’ve personally experienced. A guy on a bicycle was apparently taking a short cut through the church parking lot. As I turned into the driveway, he wobbled from side to side on his bicycle, holding a cell phone up to his ear with one hand and trying to guide the bike with the other hand on the handlebars. I don’t think he ever even saw me as I swerved to miss him. He continued his conversation without even looking up. He wore shorts and T-shirt and no helmet.

Being so careless in an automobile is extremely dangerous, but to be so reckless with exposed legs, arms, and head on a bicycle in the path of oncoming cars … that strikes me as a death wish!

What is your worst experience with Cell Phone Users and Abusers? You still have time to enter the contest for a chance at one of eight prizes ranging from $50 to $500. The prizes are being given by Brad’s client Dr. Mike O’Malley to promote his book called Cell Hell - 55 Cell Phone Users You’d Like to Silence. Mike offers the badge at the top of this post to anyone who joins the fight against cell phone abuse.

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