This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. William A. Glass will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
What makes you love a book?
If I’m reading non-fiction, I love it when the author mixes in telling anecdotes about the movers and shakers of history. When reading novels, I love the craftwork of great writers. Some of the most intriguing novels I’ve read had very dry plots. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton springs to mind. Seemingly a mundane story about ordinary people but the author’s genius elevates the narrative to the level of fine art.
What will inspire you to recommend a book?
The books that I read and then pass along to friends and family are usually non-fiction works including biographies and histories. I’m selective in the books I’ll recommend. They need to shed new light on an historical figure or specific period. A series I always recommend to those interested in World War II is Rick Atkinson’s trilogy about the US Army in Europe, entitled The Liberation Trilogy. These books represent narrative history at its finest. They dispel the impression many people have that the US military’s participation in the European theatre during World War II began and ended on D-day.
Favorite reading snack?
If the book is really engrossing, I’m not going to be thinking about eating. However, if an attack of the munchies does occur, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is always the bomb. Teddy’s is the best peanut butter, but Smucker’s also makes a good all-natural peanut butter. My PB&J sandwiches are made using cinnamon raisin bread. It’s good to have half an apple or banana on the side. A can of IPA helps unstick your mouth once you’re done!
How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
My East Texas grandmother taught me many things. One of her sayings was “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” That’s one reason I never leave bad reviews of other authors’ work. Further, I’m rarely in a position to post a bad review because if a book stinks, I won’t finish it. When it comes to reviewing restaurants, hotels, and other businesses I will only leave a bad review if I think a warning to the unwary needs to be posted. Likewise, I rarely complain to the management. My solution is to simply never come back. One reason I’m unlikely to talk to management about problems with their business is it provides free consulting. That’s like giving free advice. People usually feel that anything free is worth what they pay for it.
Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I got bogged down in A Gentlemen in Moscow. Reading it for me was like wading through wet cement. The struggle reminded me of the Pete Seegar song, “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy.” Amor Towles is undoubtable an excellent writer with a superior intellect. Hopefully, in person, he isn’t like the insufferably arrogant main character in his book!
Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
To me, the best film adaptation of a novel was the movie The Spy Who Came in From The Cold. The cast, led by Richard Burton, was incredibly well-chosen. It was shot in black& white which suited the grim mood of John le Carre’s book. In that and many other ways the flick was true to the writer’s vision.
Most disappointing film adaptation?
Mike Nichols’ movie version of Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 made a valiant effort to capture the central paradox of the book. Nichols did all that choosing a great cast, lavish production, and including verbatim passages of dialogue from the novel could do. However, the end product turned out to be a puzzling mishmash of plot lines without the central organizing principle that was always present in Heller’s great novel. The movie did OK at the box office with viewers, who like many reviewers, wanted to like it because of the book.
Thank-you for featuring my novel Crossing Day on Straight From the Library today!
As Ryan strolls around the drive-in, he passes several vehicles filled with Johnston soccer players. They wave but aren’t in any mood to socialize after the loss. Ryan loops around the restaurant’s rear to complete the circuit. Through a kitchen window, he sees the staff bustling to get orders ready. The door opens, and Mish skates out with a tray. She delivers it to one of the German soccer players seated at an outside table. “What took so long?” the boy asks.
“We’re a bit overwhelmed,” Mish admits.
“You’re cute for a Swartz. My name’s Dieter.”
“I’ve got to go and get another order.”
“What’s your number?”
“That’s not allowed.” Mish spins on her skates, but Dieter is too fast. He jumps up and seizes Mish’s wrist, twisting it to read the number tattooed on the inside of her arm.
Ryan sees what’s happening and comes over. “Let go of her,” he demands.
“Make me,” the German sneers. Slowly, he increases the pressure on Mish’s wrist. She gasps and her knees buckle.
Pulling out his phone, Ryan snaps a photo. “Fraternizing with slaves is illegal,” he says.
Angrily, the German releases Mish and lunges at Ryan, knocking the phone out of his hand. As the two boys ball their fists and circle each other, vehicles throughout the drive-in empty. Instantly, the German soccer team is surrounded by a crowd of irate Southerners. Dieter drops his hands and backs away. “Ha-ha, I was just joking.” He smiles, but there’s no laughter in his eyes.
Bettina and Bill have three sons, Alex, Robert, and Gordon who have all graduated from college and moved away to pursue careers. Instead of having an empty nest, Bettina and Bill now host three rescue dogs. They enjoy finding promising hiking trails to explore with their dogs.
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Thank you so much for hosting today!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring Crossing Day on your blog today!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting concept for a book.
ReplyDelete