Each Wednesday, I share my week’s highlights over my morning cuppa coffee. The posts link to several photo and writing challenges. Blogging challenges expand my thinking about my Word of the Year, EMBRACING, and the world around me.
As many of you who read Hugh’s article about cleaning up broken links on your blog, I have been cleaning up my blog to make it more efficient.
This has turned out to be a huge project, but it’s very worthwhile. I’ve found twenty or thirty poems I can use for my next anthology. Old posts had several short book lists or reviews that reminded me of what books I’ve read over the past few years. I’ve compiled them into a list by year.
I’ve accidentally republished a few posts. By so doing, I think I may have messed some of you up. A couple of my friends have told me I’m relinking to their posts with my old posts. All I can do is apologize.
I rewrote this next post about writing book reviews that I published several years ago. I retitled it and let it stay on my blog. I originally published it in 2017 when I had a self-hosted blog. None of the likes came with the post, so it has accrued one like since it was imported.
Nine Steps To Write A Top Book Review
The first question to ask yourself is why you want to write book reviews. The purpose of this article is not to help you get a job as a professional book reviewer.
I write reviews for three reasons.
- To remember what books I’ve read, what they were about, and why I liked or didn’t like them.
- To support excellent indie writers on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub so that they will have good ratings.
- As a reviewer, I hope my reviews will encourage readers to want to buy and read the books I review as the NEXT BOOK THEY READ.
As an indie author, I hope to attract readers who will be drawn to my books by the reviews about them and go on to buy and read them.
Challenges This Week
These are all older pictures that have been recycled in Lightroom Classic. Three of them are cell pictures. Can you pick them out?
- Cell Pick Sunday John Steiner
- CFFC -Subjects Framed by Nature
- Sunday Stills – Windows by Terri Webster Schrandt –
- Tanka Tuesday – Selma Martin – Haiku
- Thursday Doors
- Monday Windows
- Weekend Coffee Share – I often forget to go back to my post and link. Be sure to visit Natalie between Friday and Sunday.
Historic building
Modern problems to be solved
Awaiting spring rains
So intently she
stares out the window waiting
her summer escape
he's looking both ways
for mysteries blowing through
rustling autumn leaves
autumn dust assaults --
drilling devils confront you
pull over or die
coastal summer days
carve creative abstractions
into fruition
©Marsha Ingrao 2025
Haiku sentence
Book Review Badlands by Jacqui Murray
Jacqui spins tales so well that once I got started with this series, I couldn’t wait to read the next book. It was thoroughly researched, featuring a wonderful section of thoughtful questions that would be great for a book club, a university class, or a high school reading project. She also included a detailed section that answered questions readers had asked.
For example, “Neanderthals cooked glue, made fire, sewed clothes, talked, played music on various ‘instruments’, created art, and possessed other skills shared by modern man. …”
A reader did not need to peruse the facts before reading the book. She wove them seamlessly into the narrative. I loved Jacqui’s descriptions of both the people and the locations. The choice of words used by Neanderthals when they encountered a new tribe of people seemed remarkably realistic and based on their observations. It made it seem like you were part of the tribe, traveling with them. At times, it was humorous when they were doing something like routines we all still have.
Without giving away any of the plot, which was spell-binding, I highly recommend this book.
If you don’t already know Jacqui Murray, you could read this on her about page.
“Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
Additionally, Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the Man vs. Nature saga. Look for her next prehistoric fiction.“
Here’s how to reach me:
- My Amazon author page
- My Goodreads author page
- My LinkedIn profile
- My Google + stream
- My Twitter page
Thanks to Nearly 130 Who have Watched Diana
Thanks to Diana Peach for recommending my book, Embracing the Power to Live.
There was no newsletter this week due to a super-full schedule. I’ll be back next Monday. Meanwhile, my podcast with Sue Loncaric is coming up fast – October 21. Listen to her latest podcast about storytelling.
It’s not too late to share your opinion and experience with podcasts.
Marsha Ingrao Always Write 
52 responses to “Broken Links, Book Review and Challenges, Over a Cuppa”
Excellent post!
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Thanks, Dawn! 🙂 xxx
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Loved this Marsha. And I love how broken links turned into a little adventure on your blog. Also, your tips on book reviews are super practical. Makes me want to dig into some indie authors myself 😁
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I have a review of one of your books on my blog coming up next week on the 15th, my friend. I don’t know how I missed it before, but that is the benefit of revisiting! 🙂
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Oh really? I just can’t wait to read it, Marsha. That’s so awesome. Thanks for giving my book some love – you’ve made my day 🙏🏼
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I’m so glad. Stay tuned next week. 🙂 xxx
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Great post, marsha! I looked at my old posts once in a while. Some links or photos from other blogs are not there anymore, partly because those bloggers either moved on or made some changes of their post. I also found some poems could be used.
I like your math answer. It cracked me up. I still can do mental math but it takes several seconds. Lovely poems and other challenges. Review of Jacqui’s book is fantastic. Have a wonderful week.
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Thank you, Miriam. I still have more work to do on my blog, but I’m giving it a rest and focusing on catching up on reviews instead. 🙂 xxx Have a great week as well. Lots of love!
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[…] Thank you, dear Cindy Georgakas.Thank you, dearest Marsha Ingrao. […]
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I can help you make landing pages. Let me know what you need, Marsha. Once I show you, you will be a pro!! Anything good in your class that authors should know? ❤️
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I’m sharing a little in my newsletter. He did a lot of AI stuff this week and I lost focus! Let’s talk soon!
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OK. Sounds good. I’m working on Sunflower Tanka. 🥳
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I’m sure you’re swamped, and I’m in no hurry. Let me know when you’re done! 🙂 xxxxxx
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A lovely post, Marsha. I should do this either my blog post but I doubt I will. I probably need to delete reblogs as those links do get broken when bloggers stop blogging. A lovely review of Jacqui’s book too.
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I forgot to mention that your poems are also lovely
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Thank you. You are a sweetie! 🙂 xxx
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My pleasure
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It messes with other people’s posts, too, though. I found out. 🙂 xxx
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Yes, I understood that. Hmmm!
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Glad I caught up with you today. It explains the links. This is something I should really do but 14 years is a long way back. I keep telling myself that come winter I’ll do it but I don’t believe myself. Thanks for the review and all the details, Marsha. You should be my role model xx
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I wish I could explain the links. I’m not nearly done, and I hate disrupting everyone else! I think I’m going to start a new blog just for my book stuff and to make landing pages, which I don’t understand at all! I’m taking a bunch of author-type marketing classes right now, and the ideas are going over my head like a waterfall! Between links and AI, I’m going over Niagra Falls, so I’m lucky you caught me! 🙂 xxxxxx
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Landing pages? Splashdown! Another reason I’ll never be a published author. Disrupt away, hon! It’s no trouble when I know why. Hugs xx
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Lots of love! 🙂
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Good for you for cleaning up old posts! I admire that as I know I have a lot of those too. Love your poem and photo matches too!
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Thanks, Cindy. Cleaning is what I do instead of being creative! 😦
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Great reminder to recheck our old blog links, Marsha! Loved your pics and poems 🙂 Great review, I’m a huge fan of Jacquis prehistorical fiction. Congrats on all the views for Diana’s review! Xo
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Thank you so much, Denise. I still have thousands to check and delete. It’s overwhelming. I’m going to start a new blog just for writing, when I get to it. I love your model.
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what a wonderful way you presented these. Yes. You’re a natural. So wonderful. These haikus are modern. Of your world. I like them all. Thanks Marsha.
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Thank you, Selma. It’s amazing that we can copy someone from the 1600s and be modern, isn’t it? I enjoyed your lesson, so I’m glad you liked mine. 🙂 xxx
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Thank you for the lovely review, Marsha! It’s been a long difficult day (no complaints, though) and you gave me the perfect ending.
I just finished two of your books and thought I’d review them either soon or when you’re ready for the next book to publish. Do you have a preference?
Spoiler: I loved them both.
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Thank you so much. I’m not ready for a new book until probably February. So now would be great! It’s a real boost, as you mentioned. I think it’s great when they dribble in on a regular basis, don’t you?
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I do! I’m looking at the end of October, for both books. I think I should have everything ready. Great job with both of these!
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Thank you so, so much!!!
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Now I know the new links are just you doing your housework I’m not bothered by re-approving them. I was worried something spammy was happening. Nice shot of Vince in the garden!
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Thank you, housekeeping without a good vacuum creates a lot of dust. It sounds like my vacuum doesn’t work at all! 🙂 xxxx Vince is loving his garden. Yesterday he got a little table for our patio to assemble. He is the Assemble King right now. The patio cover is up, so we are ready for rain.
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Wow, Marsha! You took on a big project. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. I know I should follow your lead but time simply doesn’t allow it right now. Maybe a winter project. Great review of Badlands!! Congrats to Jacqui!
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Thank you, Jan. Yours is next. I finished it a couple of days ago. Now I just have to find the time to write the review. I’m going to try for next Wednesday. 🙂 xxx
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I am honored!
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🙂 xxx
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Thank you! I agree!
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I am horrible about writing reviews but I appreciate when other do, especially when they help me decide whether the book sounds like something I’d enjoy. Often it seems like the review is just a synopsis with a rating.
I imagine that I should go through my old posts too… but it sounds like a daunting job.
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It is daunting! I have about 1800 posts all told. Many of them I have made private, but that breaks links, so does trashing htem. Yikes! 🙂
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Oh, that’s what was going on! I understand now. Many of those republished posts, I couldn’t comment on. I enjoyed your poetry, Marsha. Basho is the great haiku master! ❤️
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I had read the frog poem before, but seeing several of them together, you begin to see a pattern. That pattern was what I tried to follow in this post.
I have comments turned off for posts over 30 days old so that I don’t get so much spam. I’m thinking of starting another site just for my book stuff including landing pages. What do you think?
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That’s what I did. The Evergreen Hedge is for my books, my poetry, book reviews, and witchy stuff. Then, there’s Tanka Tuesday for the challenges and Sunflower Tanka. It works well. 💖
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I think my current blog, which I love, has far too many glitches from being old. It reminded me of the poem I just read about the old house still standing and the new one needing repairs. Well my old one still needs repairs – lots of them, but I know the new one will too. I might be able to keep up with them.
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I love the pic of Puppy Girl looking out the window, Marsha. Great shot of other windows and frames! I like the “how to review a book,” will have to read that! Congrats on fixing the broken links. It IS a daunting task!
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They are not all fixed by a long shot. I have been so busy in the last five days, I haven’t had a chance to run it again. Carol said the same thing happened to her that I relinked some of my old posts to her. What a pain.
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I love that video clip of Diana talking about your book. She explained it so well and I agree with her. Have a great rest of the week. xo
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Thank you, Darlene. She is so clear when she writes and speaks. She did that off the cuff, too. She’s amazing! Thank you for agreeing with her, too, LOL! 🙂 xxx
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Thanks for linking to your post on writing book reviews—I missed it the first time, and it’s really useful. I used to be a professional book reviewer (for Library Journal), and there is definitely an art to it. My favorite tip is to be specific. Don’t just say a book is good or bad; explain (preferably with examples) why you feel that way, so a reader has a better sense of whether they will enjoy the book.
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That’s a good teaching tip, too. I used to walk around the room saying “Good job,” so much that my kids started mimicking me! I learned. 🙂 I didn’t know you were a professional book reviewer. I can’t wait to meet you this month! 🙂
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