Right now, there are a few things encroaching on my “web site time”. First, is just life in general. At work we’re trying to get out a new release of software, so there’s all the craziness that goes along with that. At home, it’s the holidays, so there’s always more to do around this time.

I’ve also been working on figuring out the tools that run this web site and how to change things around. I have some ideas about how to make the site easier to navigate and just plain nicer to look at. I’m learning, though, so some of that work is taking a while. I sit for an hour trying to figure something out, and end up only knowing a lot of ways how not to do something. It is coming along, though, and soon you’ll see the results.

On top of that, I’m in the middle of Anathem by Neil Stephenson, which is just one monster of a big book.

These aren’t excuses, mind you, I just wanted to let everyone know I hadn’t fallen off the face of the planet.

Hope your holidays are going great!

Today, The Symposium is hosting the Book Review Blog Carnival. A Blog Carnival is a great way to get exposed to many new blogs that you weren’t aware even existed. In this particular case, the Book Review Blog Carnival is specifically for blogs centered around book reviews. So, if you like book reviews (and if you’re reading this site, odds are you do), head over to The Symposium to find some more great book reviews.

As I work on my own blog, I’m constantly amazed at the community of book review sites that are out there. Take a moment to head to the carnival and I’m sure you’ll discover more sites that you’ll really enjoy.

One of the things I’ve recently learned is that there is a whole bunch of people out there who are willing to give you free books if you review them. This whole concept is just amazing to me. It’s like giving a 5 year old free candy.

However, having talked to others who have their own book review websites, and reading articles out there on the subject, I realized that it’s a responsibility as well as a perk.

I’ve recently finished the first review copy that I received, and because I’ll be posting the review soon, I’d like to make clear the rules that I’ll follow when dealing with review copies. I’m spelling these out so that you, my readers, know my intentions, and so that any publishers or authors also know the rules I live by in regards to these books.

Review Copy Rules

• I will only accept books that I am interested in and that you, my readers, would like to hear about.
• I will review any book that I request from a publisher/author, whether I liked it or not.
• I may review a book I receive without request, but I will not feel obligated to do so.
• I will not allow the fact that someone gave me a free book to alter my review. If I don’t like the book, this will be part of the review.
• I will always note in the review when the copy of the book was given to me free of charge. I do this in the spirit of full disclosure.
• I will notify the publisher/author when the review is published on the web site, but they will not be allowed to see the review before it is published.

As I said at the start of this article, this web site is a learning experience. This means that these rules may grow and change as I do.

Any comments/observations as far as review copies go? Leave me a comment.

Today, Books, Books and More Books is hosting the Book Review Blog Carnival. A Blog Carnival is a great way to get exposed to many new blogs that you weren’t aware even existed. In this particular case, the Book Review Blog Carnival is specifically for blogs centered around book reviews. So, if you like book reviews (and if you’re reading this site, odds are you do), head over to Books, Books and More Books to find some more great book reviews.

As I work on my own blog, I’m constantly amazed at the community of book review sites that are out there. Take a moment to head to the carnival and I’m sure you’ll discover more sites that you’ll really enjoy.

Today, Novel Bloggers is hosting the Book Review Blog Carnival. A Blog Carnival is a great way to get exposed to many new blogs that you weren’t aware even existed. In this particular case, the Book Review Blog Carnival is specifically for blogs centered around book reviews. So, if you like book reviews (and if you’re reading this site, odds are you do), head over to the site to find some more great book review sites.

If you’re still reading, chances are this is something you are interested in. So, click on the RSS feed, subscribe, and join me on the adventure that will become Bent Bindings.