I’ve been writing book reviews as of late. Well, one book review, and the only book review I’ve ever written. I’m happy to say that my review of Mark Doty’s book, Heaven’s Coast, currently appears on the Internet Book Review’s (IRB) Web site in their November issue under their “Second Glance” section.
Writing a review is an interesting proposition. It not only requires a deconstruction of the book but it also requires a sharing of the reviewer’s self in reaction to the book. I have been reading a fair number of them and find I am partial to the ones that share the reviewer’s personality and perspective more than a straight description of the book itself.
It was tough going, writing this review, as IRB wanted something personal and intimate that drew me to the book. It was a good exercise for me, and the editors Carter Jefferson and Ruth Douillette were very patient, insisting that it was there and needed to come out. I learned a lot about the process, as well as a bit more about myself and some boundaries I thought were firm but, in fact, are more malleable than I expected.
Please use the link above or the one in the sidebar to the right and read all the reviews for this November. And please read mine as well.
