Well, okay, as I've worked to build up my shelf, I've encountered a dilemma. Most people use this site to talk about books they've read and give them a thumbs up or thumbs down. The thing is, most of the books I read these days are by friends. They're members of my writers group, or former Clarion classmates, or writers I've shared rooms with...more »

Well, okay, as I've worked to build up my shelf, I've encountered a dilemma. Most people use this site to talk about books they've read and give them a thumbs up or thumbs down. The thing is, most of the books I read these days are by friends. They're members of my writers group, or former Clarion classmates, or writers I've shared rooms with when there are seven of us in a double at a con somewhere.

I can't air criticism of their work. Why? Because whatever criticisms I have, I express to the author, personally, in an appropriate forum like a crit session. So... here's how my shelf works. These are books by people I know; they all have at least four stars. The five star ones are more my kind of thing. Yes, I'm shamelessly promoting those I love. Can I help it if they're all that cool?

For more info on my writing life, visit my blog at www.emilymah.com. « less