I love that expression 'readjust their thinking' - how to be ominous and threatening yet very polite at the same time :)

I'd recommend Wild Swans by Jung Chang if you fancy a chunkster? Three generations of Chinese women through the 20th century. Really thought-provoking.

Hi Florinda - just checking out all the other Indie Lit Judges! I can't WAIT to read this one. I'm a huge Meg Wolitzer fan - I think that writing smart, clever, funny contemporary fiction is one of the hardest things to do, and I really enjoy Wolitzer's efforts. Doesn't come out till June in the UK - argh :)
My recent post Three recent reads which weren’t for me…

A book group that I set up read this as our first choice - BIG MISTAKE! As of course, more than half the people couldn't get through it in a month - what a beast it is. We spent almost the entire time talking about whether or not we liked the footnotes - I was a fan, thought it made the whole thing really credible and was quite a unique idea. But you are right - it really started to drag....

Very sensible idea - I just weeded mine all out during bloggiesta. I don't mind people not 'following' me back - I read quite a lot of blogs on subjects I don't write about so I wouldn't necessarily expect them too. But I found if I had loads of unread posts from their blogs in my reader...well, there's probably a reason for that.

Hey,
First, I just wanted to say again how much I admire the way that you continue to persist with your job hunt in such a positive manner. I am sure it is really demoralising and frustrating - but you are absolutely right - all you need is that one chance, and it WILL happen.
On your specific question, I agree with your first point that your blog is absolutely an asset - I think it says something about your dedication, your interests - AND it also shows that you have a number of highly relevant skills which many employers will value - understanding of social media, ability to write and analyse. For that reason, I do include my blog on my CV. I'm proud of it and I think things like blogs do help you to stand out from the crowd. When I'm involved in hiring people, I always look at their outside interests and am very wary of either superficial answers like 'going to the cinema' or worse - people who seem to do absolutely nothing. Yours, on the other hand, is a long standing and highly rewarding interest. However, as to someone not hiring you because you like fantasy books - I think that would demonstrate a ludicrous prejudice on their behalf and you probably wouldn't want to work for them anyway!
Finally, yes, there are scare stories about people being fired for their blogs. But I have found that when I read into them, it tends to be because they were expressing views about their employer which they hoped would remain anonymous. Not only is that more than a little naive, I see the employers point of view - you can't spout off in a way that brings your organisation into disrepute and lives forever on the internet. Don't like your job/your colleagues? That's what private conversations with friends and family are for! And if you have serious concerns which need whistleblowing (say, you are a teacher and you are worried about teaching in your school), then blogs aren't really the place for that...
But for you, I think that is academic - you wouldn't be doing those sorts of things anyway. So I say, celebrate your blog! And again, all the best with your job hunt. Lyndsey x
My recent post Winner of Safe From the Sea- and more chances to win more books

I LOVE the name Briony, but I wonder whether she's one of those 'characters you can't name your after in case she turns out like the character :)' Plus my husband said flat out no. :)

I'm with you, Carin - I much prefer to get recommendations off people I 'know' - even if that either means i) I know them virtually or ii) they are an author I 'know' and like. Not least because by getting recommendations off friends and other book bloggers, they are more likely to be people who are 'like' me and interested in similar sorts of books. That said, I do really like Erica Wagner at the (London!) Times. She's credible, thoughtful, and very engaging - but is much more about the books than her own ego!

Hey Becky,
I'm SO glad you said this. I felt exactly the same. I struggled on because I just kept thinking 'surely, I must be missing something about this....' but I don't think so. You're right - it really is boring.
Also want to add to everyone else's comments - welcome back!
Lyndsey

Speaking of Nick Hornby - on the reverse of your topic, I downloaded a bunch of music after having read his book 31 songs. Introduced me to Jackson Browne, Aimee Mann and Rufus Wainwright.