Julie
Novellas: In short, not a fan. I prefer a full-length novel where the plot and characters get fully developed. I don’t like novellas where you feel like you barely got to know the people, or there was hardly any plot. There are a few exceptions, for maybe a mid-series novella where you already know the characters, but a cool new twist on the plot gets introduced. The two novellas that I have actually really liked are:
- Reaper by Rachel Vincent. This awesome novella gives a glimpse into the amazing boy that is Tod, and shares his secret. After this novella, I was team Tod all the way.
- Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover. This novella took characters we’re already familiar with, and told us their story. This was excellent, as is everything CoHo writes.
Rose
Expanding Blogging Horizons:
Okay, so since we have moved to a self hosted site, I really like the design of our blog, so a redesign in not in our future, I do not think. (Unless Julie wants to try that on her own, because designing a web page, that was difficult and tedious and I swear it is like magic, I have no clue what makes things work when it comes to coding and plugins and blah blah blah, Julie you are on your own there!) I would of course like to write/publish a book. I am also curious about vlogging, but getting my make up on and dressing up just to sit in front of my computer sorta puts a damper on that notion. One thing I added recently to our blog is the Discussion Guide tab up at the top. Under this heading you will find any discussion guides that I created for my book club. Feel free to borrow these to lead your own group discussion about the book. (As always, just link back to give credit.) I thought the discussion guides might come in handy for anyone running their own book club. I try to use discussion guides from the author or publisher, but a lot of the books we read do not have guides, and for that, I am on my own. So, since creating these guides can be time consuming and difficult, I am sharing my discussion guides with the world. World, you are welcome.
Novellas:
What do I think about novellas? I attempt to answer this question via my first vlog ever (like first vlog ever ever! first take, no prep, here you go, this is me:)
And if you are interested, you can check out our full length review of Finding Cinderella here
Julie, I haven’t read a lot of novellas. I like a full-length novel too. But, I do like the different POV “novellas” from Cassandra Clare. They’re fun. I’ve only read one short story that I’ve really liked and that’s the Landlady by Roald Dahl.
My Armchair BEA Post
Jenni Elyse (@jenni_elyse) recently posted…Armchair BEA: Beyond the Borders
I definitely couldn’t vlog – like you Rose, the idea of getting done up to sit in front of the computer doesn’t work for me. I do most my blogging at night before bed, so that REALLY wouldn’t work.
I go back and forth on Novellas – I think the only ones that ever work for me are mid series novellas, and not even all of them. I really really liked Reaper too Julie. I haven’t read Colleen Hoover yet, but I’ll keep hers in mind since you both liked it!
Berls @ Fantasy is More Fun recently posted…Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi | Audio Review
I would wait to read the Finding Cinderella Novella until you have read Hopeless and Losing Hope. I am not sure how much a person would like Finding Cinderella without having read the other two books first, but that being said, I would definitely be interested in hearing how someone liked reading Finding Cinderella WITHOUT having read the other two books before hand. And yeah, vlogging before bed prolly wouldn’t work too well.
I hear you on the vlogging thing, Rose–I don’t feel ready to face a camera on the best of days!
Charlotte recently posted…Armchair BEA– my favorite books of short stories
haha thanks Charlotte! You know what I really do NOT appreciate??? That youtube randomly chooses what frame to freeze for your video… so yeah, this is a great profile shot of me with pursed lips NOT! … ACK!!!! but it was actually kinda fun. I think…
Vlogging seems so hot right now but I’m with you on the make-up and hair and getting dressed bit. And I generally agree with the novellas–give me something that’s a bit more fleshed out!
Trish recently posted…Giveaway – Armchair BEA 2014
Yes, exactly, Trish! On both accounts! I’m NOT dolling myself up just to get online and talk books! And I read BIG BOOKS because I like to read! Just the fact that I like to read, alone, automatically predisposes me to disliking novellas.
I’m not super into shorts either unless they are a part of a series I love. I just wish that they were published in print more because I seem to always miss finding out about them when they are only released as ebooks! For Divergent it was nice because they published 3 of the shorts into 1 book.
Jordin @ A Bottomless Book Bag recently posted…Review: Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen
What? There is more than just one short for Divergent? See! Now I missed finding out this! I thought it was cool how Colleen Hoover fans actually got the publisher to offer a paperback edition of Finding Cinderella even though Colleen Hoover had given it away for free in ebook form. In fact, until it was printed, I didn’t even read it.
See, that’s exactly why I don’t like anthologies, but I DO still read novellas . . . when they’re part of an ongoing series. But, if it’s just random standalone novellas/short stories . . . not so much.
Jessica @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Armchair BEA – Day 3, Novellas/Short Stories
Besides publishers, apparently, who DOES actually like anthologies??? I mean, except for college, I have NEVER bought one, EVER! And I really don’t see that changing.
Umm, well, I do. I love the Best of American anthology series and tend to buy several every year. I find they are a great way for me to find new authors. LOL Of course, I do think I’m a bit of the Lone Ranger on the short works beat but that’s okay.
Vikk @ Down the Writer’s Path recently posted…Are you reading short stories?
okay Vikk! Thanks for sharing. I haven’t met many people who do like them, but you are living proof!
Going self hosted is definitely a big step. I would not go back. I didn’t know how things worked when I started, but thankfully, my second love is art, so I kept playing. Your blog looks great! I love seeing all the book spines.
Stephanie recently posted…Armchair BEA Expanding Blogging
Thank you Stephanie! I am glad we went self hosted, but it was a lot of work switching everything over. I am so glad that I have a co-blogger who is way more tech savvy than me or none of this would have ever happened.
I love that you have discussion guides! I’ll have to check those out.
Julie – I don’t think I’ve ever read a novella that’s separate from a series. Don’t think I’d want to because, like you said, it’s not nearly enough time to get to know a character! I do enjoy them if they’re attached to a series and we get to see more of characters, scenes, plots, etc. that we’re already familiar with.
I had a hard time with this question… I have NO idea where my blog is going and get way too overwhelmed trying to figure out the future of it. One day at a time – that’s my motto with my blog!
Hope you’re both having a fun week with Armchair BEA!
Candice @ The Grown-Up YA recently posted…Armchair BEA: To infinity and beyond! Oh, and novellas
One day at a time is an excellent motto! And I hope you find the Discussion Guides useful!