Why are all of your reviews positive?
If you've been reading Bugs and Bunnies for any length of time, you've no doubt noticed the distinct lack of negative reviews. This is not because I haven't read books I don't like, because I have (and I have found that I learn just as much from a book I don't like, as from one that I do like). The reason you only see postive reviews is that One: I choose the books according to what looks interesting to me, and Two: I only post a review if I enjoyed the book and have positive things to say about it. To that end, my reviews are not so much "reviews" as they are "recommendations."
Where do you get your books?
The short answer? Pretty much wherever I find them: bookstores, libraries, ebooks, festivals, conferences, and gifts from family and friends.
Do you only review certain types of books for young people?
Absolutely not! I review old books, new books, and books that came out in between. I review award-winning books, and well-known books, and books folks may not know (but should). I do review mostly fiction, but that's not a conscious choice. There are a few non-fiction books in there, too, as well as poetry, etc. Great stories are timeless. It doesn't matter when a book was published, or how it was published, or what kind of book it is, as long as I can connect with it and feel that my readers will, too.
Are you paid for your book reviews?
No. I am not paid for my reviews in any way, nor do I receive any goods or services for doing so. I write reviews of books for young people because it's fun to do!
Can I send you my book for review?
Though an author I adore once asked if I'd like an ARC copy of her soon-to-be-published book - and I couldn't say "yes" fast enough, I was so honored - I didn't review it here on Bugs and Bunnies. Why not? Because I felt it was the right thing to do, in order to maintain impartiality in my reviews. So, I either buy the books myself, or go to the library and check them out myself, or pick them up from the table myself.
Got it. But, I think you'd really like my book (or my friend's book, or my client's book, or this-book-I-read-that-I-think-is-so-totally-cool-you'd-be-crazy-not-to-read-it-too). How can I connect you with it?
I love to hear from folks who know of a picture book/chapter book/middle grade book/young adult book/new adult book (any book for young people, really) that they think is just fab. Please do send me an email - bugsandbunnies (at) verizon (dot) net - to let me know of a book you'd like to call to my attention, whether you're a writer, publisher, agent, illustrator, teacher, parent, kid, or just a regular peep like me to loves to read. I'll go check it out, and if it works for me, you may see it in my reviews one day.
You didn't review the book I suggested. Does that mean you thought it was crap?
Certainly not! I post reviews on Fridays, but sometimes life intervenes. And sometimes my To Be Read pile is so big it has toppled over, there are so many books in it, and it takes time to get to them all, especially the books for older kids/young adults/new adults. And sometimes my To Be Acquired book list exceeds the budgeted book-buying amount in my checkbook. (Oh, yes. I'm a budgeter. That's how Chez Wheedleton has avoided the Abyss of Incomprehensible Debt so far. But that's another story for another time.) Long story short – just because a book wasn't reviewed, doesn't mean I didn't like it. But it might mean I'm buried under a pile of books (among other things), and you may want to send help.
How do you find your information about authors?
Anywhere I can. I double-check my facts with various sources whenever possible, to be sure I don't post incorrect information, and at the bottom of each Author Spotlight, you'll see a list of all the sources I used when writing the article. I use not only a lot of internet sources, including the author's official website (if they have one), published interviews, publisher's bio's, other blogs, news articles, but also book jackets, biographies, newspapers, magazines, or other print matter about the author.
I don't see my question answered here. How can I contact you?
Shoot me an email: bugsandbunnies (at) verizon (dot) net, and ask – or comment – away!
