First, I need to be clear about something: I am not a book reviewer**. BUT, that being said, I do have opinions on the books I read 🙂 If you’re at all curious about what they are, I occasionally write very short reviews on Goodreads 😀

What I DO do is follow book reviewers and at some point may list their links here. If you read my Blog Decorum, you know my blogs are censored, keeping to a 100% G-rated standard. The sites included here have never (to the best of my knowledge) reviewed books I consider inappropriate by that standard and are honest with their opinions.

** Please note: though I don’t review books, I may on occasion, feature books I feel compelled to write about for one reason or another, but will not customarily promote books. It will be a rare occurrence to actively promote a book release on my blog, in a committed and formal way because:

1) “Writer Side UP!” is not that type of venue

2)  I’m unable to make these type commitments (I won’t even commit to a rigid posting schedule for myself! I also have the pleasure of knowing many authors and illustrators, so it would be a full time job promoting their books were I to do so–which I can’t )

3)  I already know I won’t be able to read most books (mainly chapter books and novels) and would never feel comfortable championing a book I haven’t read, especially since many books don’t meet a 100% G-rated standard which I uphold on both blogs. I may, at times, mention or recommend books in posts, but may not link to them for the reasons just stated (I’m doing my best to avoid linking to sites which contain ads).

Also, please note that I’m not a reviewer. I can’t make that work and wouldn’t want to let anyone down, so I thank you for your understanding in this respect.

“Kid” authors are an obvious exception, and I feel very strongly about encouraging and supporting them with such worthwhile, creative activity! The other exception would be if I am specifically asking an author or illustrator to do a “Lighter Side Up” interview which, when possible, would be posted on or about a release date since that is what makes sense. this will not be often, though 😦 since my “Lighter Side Up” Q&As have turned out to be very time-intensive, so I have to keep those posts at a minimum. Of course, most picture books are G-rated which fit into my intentions for both blogs and their decorum, so that will likely be the direction I head in that respect.

Running blogs is very new to me and I still need to get a handle on the scheduling and the inordinate amount of time I’m spending on them. Things WILL balance out 🙂 Thank you!