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Summer Reading Fail {A Video Blog}

So today we’re trying something new….it’s the first ever video blog for MMD. I hope it’s not too painfully obvious that I have no idea what I’m doing.

In this short video, I tell you how happy I was with my Summer Reading Guide–except for one section that I really screwed up. I tell you why I wasn’t happy with it, and what I’ll be changing in the future because of it. Go watch the video now–it’s only 2 minutes!

Like I say in the video, the Summer Reading Guide will still be available as a free download until September 4. And despite the name, most of those books will be great reads year-round.

I hope you enjoyed this little video blog. Watching myself on film wasn’t a great experience for my ego, but practice makes perfect, right?

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39 comments

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    • Anne says:

      Thanks, Adriana! And I would LOVE to hear what you think about Walking on Water. I’d like to read it again soon–it was one of those books where I knew before I was halfway through that I’d need to read it again someday soon.

  1. Well, for a first vlog-I think that was pretty good.=) I love your voice. I know you are my age, but always imagine you as someone older. Not because you aren’t in my life stage, or because you look older (you don’t) just because you are so wise. Does that make sense? If I dug myself in a hole, take the grain that I respect your wisdom and heart.=)
    Anyway, it was great to hear your voice, and see you. Looking forward to meeting you this fall.

    • Anne says:

      I get what you mean, I think–you don’t have to dig yourself out of a hole for my sake! Looking forward to meeting you in the fall, too!

  2. Ruthanne says:

    I loved seeing you and hearing your voice Anne. Your blog is one that I look forward to reading each time you publish. I’m wondering if you’ve read any of the Maisie Dobbs series of mysteries by Jacqueline Winspear? I have enjoyed the first two in the series this summer. I love seeing what others are reading, especially when they write one of my favorite blogs. Great job on the video!

    • Anne says:

      Thanks so much, Ruthanne! And no, I’ve never read the Maisie Dobbs series, but after reading two ho-hum mysteries recently (Broken Harbor and Gone Girl) I’m anxious to read a good one. Thanks so much for the recommendation!

  3. Tim says:

    Anne, the video was super. You should vlog again!

    I see you have Kisses from Katie on your reading-now list. I just finished it a couple days ago. The book is compelling, but I wish her co-writer had given us the stories of village life so that we could experience for ourselves what Katie went through. I feel like I was told a lot, but not shown much.

    Your summer guide includes Dorothy Sayers’s Peter Wimsy stories. I completely agree not only with recommending the series but also that Gaudy Night is probably the best of the bunch (although Murder Must Advertise runs a close second). Everyone who reads English should read those. I am now on my second read-through of the complete collection of her short stories on Lord Peter. Some are really short while others might be closer to novella length. They are all wonderful insights into that Wimsy person.

    TIm

    • Anne says:

      Tim, I’m on chapter 5 or so of Kisses From Katie, and that’s definitely my experience so far. I’m going to stick it out, but I’m sorry to hear that I’ll find more of the same in the remaining chapters. I am glad it’s not just me, though.

      I have been itching to read Gaudy Night again–or Murder Must Advertise, we agree on the best two–since I’ve read two lousy mysteries recently. Sayers sure knows how to write ’em!

      • Tim says:

        Kisses is worth finishing. I was just think something more like James Herriott in style would have suited the underlying story much better.

  4. Alia Joy says:

    I think you did awesome and it was so fun to see your cute self. I totally agree about Gone Girl, I was so excited to read it after a ton of recommendations and really hated it. But you live and learn. Overall, the summer guide is awesome, even if a few weren’t all they were cracked up to be. And ratings can’t always be trusted, just look at Shade of Grey. I mean seriously people, why? I don’t get it. Anyhow, great job! Much better than the google chat.;)

    • Anne says:

      Thanks, Alia! And you know *I* don’t know the reason why, but it just goes to show not everyone likes the same kind of thing. Ratings are a good place to start, but I definitely don’t trust them!

      We *will* try Google Chat again, and it *will* be awesome. The only question is how many tries it will take us to get there 🙂

  5. Anne says:

    Sarah, I’m so sorry you’re having a problem. I’ll tinker around and see what I can do. The same thing happened to my husband, and while I know he has a hard time running anything that’s flash-dependent on his computer, I didn’t think this was? (Argh!)

  6. carrie says:

    You are so right about reading being so personal. I no longer feel guilt about not enjoying some classics (a tale of two cities, hated it). I was so disappointed with gone girl. Yuck. I love A.J.Jacobs tho so I might read it anyway. 😉

    • Tim says:

      Right there with you on AToTC, Carrie. Nothing there for me to enjoy from start to finish. Too many plot coincidences and when the characters weren’t being two dimensional they were one dimensional.

      Tim

    • Anne says:

      Carrie, I’ll be interested in hearing what you think if you do give Drop Dead Healthy a try. I loved The Know it All but never read The Year of Living Biblically.

    • Anne says:

      Jessica, I watched it back then, but now I have a fresh appreciation for vlogers (is that a word?) So I need to go back and watch it again! And definitely do a second one!

    • Kristi says:

      Also, I love the occasional vlog! It helps to literally hear your voice, as opposed to your writing voice. But, don’t do all vlogs, please! I often would rather just read it (don’t wake up hubby, won’t disturb kids around me, etc)

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