Judging Christy

 

This year I judged the Romance Category for the 2006 Christy Awards. We had thirteen books to read, rate and review. I received my shipment around the February 1st and had until the first week in April to rate them. Because I also review for Romantic Times, Anointed, Rejoice and Gospel Fiction I had to create a plan to keep track of all these books as well as read them on time. Thankfully, I had such a system. My good friend, Jackie Miller, editor of Real Reviewers gave me Waterlane's The Reader's Journal as a Christmas gift.

 

I love this book. It has great quotes from notable authors as well as plenty of writing pages to record what you read.  One of my best quotes in the book comes from Ernest Hemingway:

 

All good books have one thing in common- they are truer than if they had really happened, and after you've read one of them you will feel that all that happened, happened to you and that it belongs to you forever...

 

This month we will discuss such books and how those books relate to this quote, and how why I think they were chosen for Christy selections.

 

But before we do. I want to know how you keep up with the books you read?

 

Dee Stewart is a mother, book critic, book marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She hosts Third Thursdays Reader Event Series and served as a judge for the 2006 Christy Awards. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.

Stop by Gospel Fiction to see my picks of the best summer reads!

 

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Comments

[Patricia]

I keep two logs, one of books I wish to read, which I use to make reservations at my local library, and one of books that I've read. I bold those that I really like. Occasionally I write a book review and post it on amazon.com but that's less for me and more to let the author know how much I appreciated their book.

[Dee Stewart]

This reader's journal has a wish list section. Since I review so many books I have to make time to read my own personal choices. I forget to post on amazon.com, but I will go back and post them all today. Thanks, Patricia.