I think I just get so tired of people bashing and diminishing other people when all anyone is trying to do is their very best. To write and publish a book that will resonate with another human being. Writers, no matter the genre work hard to craft a story. Publishers work hard to get those stories to the masses. Readers are hungry and paying for the next good book. We should all be supporting, encouraging, and lifting each other up, not criticizing and belittling things most don’t even understand. Can we just take a minute to recognize that everyone is working hard (including readers), to keep it all going in a world that is full of chaos, distention, and unrest. Kudos to your daughter, and her friends Natasha, and to Sandra Jaeger and her family in the above comment. I am so happy to be part of your readership and your group of readers who are always so very kind. It is a safe place to land at the end of the day, so thank you once again, and always for creating this space.
Thank you, Sue! I love this little place on the internet that we've carved out, which is full of beautiful people who do support and encourage one another which, as you say, is the best way to live.
Great thought piece Natasha and the bit that most resonated for me was 'what if those books were written by men?' The readership would be deemed credible, the books stamped 'important' and we wouldn't be having this discussion. What a long way we still have to go!
I do feel like that's absolutely true. I didn't really have any data to prove my hypothesis so that's why I put it in as a bit of a side note! But I think there still is a degree of gender (and genre) snobbery at work in the industry!
You’re so right, I remember being really impressed that the twilight series got someone I knew, who was a non reader, to read! I guess the frustration is that it’s never Australian authors who seem to have this break through with readers, and we should be asking ourselves how we can reach them instead of being dismissive. Great post. I love the sound of your daughter’s bookish parties.
Exactly. Rather than dismiss and insult readers, if there are issues with getting powerful word of mouth out there, then let's talk about and address that instead. I hope and believe that today's Rebecca Yarros readers will, because they're in bookshops more than they used to be, become the next readers of whichever Australian writers take the time to engage with and write great books for them.
“…below average brainpower.” How insulting! I’m stunned. Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I am.
When I was a teen, I had my nose glued to a book most of the time. I still do. So do both of my children, my daughter-in-law, and all six grandchildren. The adults are well-educated and read a variety of genres. I consider us to be “average” in this respect, but maybe we aren’t? If we are to blame for anything, it would be for increased book sales.
Your last line hits the nail on the head. Readers are the people who buy the books. To insult them is to insult the reason why a writer is writing. Readers rock!
I just wish I had friends who read , so I could talk about them . The book does looking shiny . Love it and looking forward to the book. My son read the whole Harry Potter series and now he is into Manga.
Your book: I have pre-ordered and can't wait to get my hands on it! Your story on readers: I think stories that pull at our heart strings, educate us, inspire us and have a touch of love or a fabulous relationship are the most important of all ... (for me, anyway!) ... and I love that your daughter and friends spent hours discussing the book they'd just read. I wish my kids still read! :-)
Love hearing this generation are reading and talking books. My kids were never interested in reading except my eldest girl.. any chance you thinking of coming back to Tassie again Natasha. Would love to see you again
Agree 100% 👏🏼 How I wish to have been in your kitchen 🤣 I love the diversity of genres for it can only be a good thing. As to your upcoming book …. sigh …. I finished last night. First let me wipe tears away, wishing I could get through a ‘freedom bar’ (unbelievable) to search the sky for eagles 🦅 Just heart wrenching Natasha and so jam packed full of incredible detail. What an amazing woman Madeleine was. Keep making the world aware of these women Natasha.
Oh, thank you! That means such a lot to me because I know how many books you read!
And yes - diversity of genres is important. It's great that a previously overlooked genre is having its moment in the sun. Like every other peak, it will give way to something else in time, but I feel like it will have brought lots of new readers to bookshops in the interim.
That report about your daughter and her friends is so encouraging. I am so glad that the younger generations are getting so involved. I am almost envious. I would have loved to be part of such a group. I was not a great reader when I was young, but, that is not to say I did not read. I did and some very good books too. One of my mother's friends encouraged me by sending me books every Christmas. Now, thinking about my grandchildren - I don't think any of them are great readers either. One maybe, the daughter of my elder daughter who was an English lit teacher, but the others not so much. Some are more into video games. unfortunately. Maybe I should encourage them by giving them books to read for Christmas. That would solve the question of what to give them. Hehe.
I was a little envious too! How I would have loved to have had a group of similarly bookishly enthusiastic friends when I was her age. But I love your idea about giving them books for Christmas - you never know, it might just turn them into avid readers and what a gift that would be!
I think I just get so tired of people bashing and diminishing other people when all anyone is trying to do is their very best. To write and publish a book that will resonate with another human being. Writers, no matter the genre work hard to craft a story. Publishers work hard to get those stories to the masses. Readers are hungry and paying for the next good book. We should all be supporting, encouraging, and lifting each other up, not criticizing and belittling things most don’t even understand. Can we just take a minute to recognize that everyone is working hard (including readers), to keep it all going in a world that is full of chaos, distention, and unrest. Kudos to your daughter, and her friends Natasha, and to Sandra Jaeger and her family in the above comment. I am so happy to be part of your readership and your group of readers who are always so very kind. It is a safe place to land at the end of the day, so thank you once again, and always for creating this space.
Thank you, Sue! I love this little place on the internet that we've carved out, which is full of beautiful people who do support and encourage one another which, as you say, is the best way to live.
Aw, thank you! ❤️ Right back at you.
Great thought piece Natasha and the bit that most resonated for me was 'what if those books were written by men?' The readership would be deemed credible, the books stamped 'important' and we wouldn't be having this discussion. What a long way we still have to go!
I do feel like that's absolutely true. I didn't really have any data to prove my hypothesis so that's why I put it in as a bit of a side note! But I think there still is a degree of gender (and genre) snobbery at work in the industry!
You’re so right, I remember being really impressed that the twilight series got someone I knew, who was a non reader, to read! I guess the frustration is that it’s never Australian authors who seem to have this break through with readers, and we should be asking ourselves how we can reach them instead of being dismissive. Great post. I love the sound of your daughter’s bookish parties.
Exactly. Rather than dismiss and insult readers, if there are issues with getting powerful word of mouth out there, then let's talk about and address that instead. I hope and believe that today's Rebecca Yarros readers will, because they're in bookshops more than they used to be, become the next readers of whichever Australian writers take the time to engage with and write great books for them.
“…below average brainpower.” How insulting! I’m stunned. Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I am.
When I was a teen, I had my nose glued to a book most of the time. I still do. So do both of my children, my daughter-in-law, and all six grandchildren. The adults are well-educated and read a variety of genres. I consider us to be “average” in this respect, but maybe we aren’t? If we are to blame for anything, it would be for increased book sales.
Your last line hits the nail on the head. Readers are the people who buy the books. To insult them is to insult the reason why a writer is writing. Readers rock!
I just wish I had friends who read , so I could talk about them . The book does looking shiny . Love it and looking forward to the book. My son read the whole Harry Potter series and now he is into Manga.
Wonderful that your son is still reading! And so glad that you're looking forward to The Mademoiselle Alliance!
Your book: I have pre-ordered and can't wait to get my hands on it! Your story on readers: I think stories that pull at our heart strings, educate us, inspire us and have a touch of love or a fabulous relationship are the most important of all ... (for me, anyway!) ... and I love that your daughter and friends spent hours discussing the book they'd just read. I wish my kids still read! :-)
Thank you so much for preordering! I hope you enjoy Marie-Madeleine's story!
I wish the American cover was as beautiful as the Australian one.
Love hearing this generation are reading and talking books. My kids were never interested in reading except my eldest girl.. any chance you thinking of coming back to Tassie again Natasha. Would love to see you again
Hopefully next book I’ll be in Tassie again!
Agree 100% 👏🏼 How I wish to have been in your kitchen 🤣 I love the diversity of genres for it can only be a good thing. As to your upcoming book …. sigh …. I finished last night. First let me wipe tears away, wishing I could get through a ‘freedom bar’ (unbelievable) to search the sky for eagles 🦅 Just heart wrenching Natasha and so jam packed full of incredible detail. What an amazing woman Madeleine was. Keep making the world aware of these women Natasha.
Oh, thank you! That means such a lot to me because I know how many books you read!
And yes - diversity of genres is important. It's great that a previously overlooked genre is having its moment in the sun. Like every other peak, it will give way to something else in time, but I feel like it will have brought lots of new readers to bookshops in the interim.
Blaming readers? Well I agree Natasha, that's just silly!
I know! Readers, together with booksellers, are just some of the most important people for writers!
That report about your daughter and her friends is so encouraging. I am so glad that the younger generations are getting so involved. I am almost envious. I would have loved to be part of such a group. I was not a great reader when I was young, but, that is not to say I did not read. I did and some very good books too. One of my mother's friends encouraged me by sending me books every Christmas. Now, thinking about my grandchildren - I don't think any of them are great readers either. One maybe, the daughter of my elder daughter who was an English lit teacher, but the others not so much. Some are more into video games. unfortunately. Maybe I should encourage them by giving them books to read for Christmas. That would solve the question of what to give them. Hehe.
I was a little envious too! How I would have loved to have had a group of similarly bookishly enthusiastic friends when I was her age. But I love your idea about giving them books for Christmas - you never know, it might just turn them into avid readers and what a gift that would be!
Love this reminder and reframe, Natasha! xx
Thank you!