She Treads Softly: changes

Sunday, September 27, 2009

changes

I just learned that many people have a problem reading blogs with dark backgrounds and light text so, even though I really liked my dark blue/green background, I'm trying out black on white for awhile. Let me know what you think - feel free to email me privately about it.

6 comments:

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...: This seems very easy on the eyes. I like it!; September 28, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Lori L said...: Thanks Diane!; September 28, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Erin in Boston said...: As one of the people that have a problem with dark backgrounds and white words - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I really like what you have now. :); September 28, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Lori L said...: Erin I pleased you like this better! I simply never knew a dark background was a problem for people before this.; September 28, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Jeanne said...: I like it too!; September 29, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Lori L said...: Thanks Jeanne!; September 30, 2009 at 1:04 PM

John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.