Being Plagiarized…

…. has made me rethink book reviewing, blogging, and humanity.

There are many wonderful things about blogging book reviews and I was happily starting to get settled back into reviewing when I was alerted this morning to the fact that one of my 2010 reviews had been plagiarized.  I do not know the person who alerted me to this act of intellectual theft (but I do thank her) nor was I aware of the book review website which took my review as their own.  I suppose I should be angry at learning my review (which honestly was not my best) was plagiarized, but I am left confused and I have no idea why this person chose that review to use; yet it has brought my faith in humanity down a notch (however, the owner took prompt action-there are good people in the world!) After a 10-month break I had forgotten about the ugliness that can lie just under the blogging world and honestly I do not have the time or inclination to play these sorts of games.

I want to believe people are honest, trustworthy, and decent and do not want to become paranoid about whether or not someone has used a review of mine as their own.  I believe in karma, and I do not plan to waste another moment on this because the earth continues to rotate, the sun continues to rise, and life is good.   What I will do is give deeper thought into my return to reviewing and whether or not it is good for me.  When I began blogging it was neither for fame nor fortune, rather my passion for books and sharing great books with others.  My mission is still the same as it was when I began blogging years ago, however times have changed and there are many aspects of the changing times for which I am too old to want to deal with and frankly should not have to deal with.

As for the immediate future (aka now), I plan to finish my coffee, practice yoga, meditate and go about my day away from the computer.


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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday What Are you Reading is the perfect way for me to begin my week and allows me to focus on what needs to be read and to see what I have or have not accomplished the previous week. I also enjoy discovering new books by visiting other participants blogs.

I Read and Reviewed (click the title to be taken to the review):

This week I am planning to read/review:

  • Claim of Innocence by Laura Caldwell
  • Safe From the Sea by Peter Geye
  • Incognito by Gregory Murphy
  • Darkness, My Old Friend by Lisa Unger
  • The Oracle of Stamboul by Michael David Lukas
  • The Legacy by Katherine Webb
  • America’s Most Wanted Recipes by Ron Douglas
  • Crossbones by Nuruddin Farah
Visit next Monday to see if I managed to accomplish my reading goals.

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The Sunday Salon (TSS: 9/4/2011)

The Sunday Salon.com

Life:  It is already September and the temperature has yet to cool off.  I am anticipating the arrival of autumn, for soon it means my favourite season-winter-will be here.  I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.

Family Update: I am keeping this short and sweet as my son will be home for the weekend and I am busy scheduling posts so as not to be online while my son is home.  This past week was terrible for me as far as my pain level was concerned, but my family is healthy and that is what matters.

Saturday Night: As I mentioned my oldest will be home for the weekend.  I do not know what he has planned for us as a family, but I can make an educated guess that it will involve takeaway and movie night. :)

Read and Reviewed: This past week I read  8 books and reviewed 7 of them. If you have time, please take a look at my reviews, I have a diverse selection of books.

Today I will be reading:   Absolutely nothing.  My son is home from University and the day is all his.

Happy Reading and have a wonderful Sunday.
Visit the The Sunday Salon.

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday What Are you Reading is the perfect way for me to begin my week and allows me to focus on what needs to be read and to see what I have or have not accomplished the previous week. I also enjoy discovering new books by visiting other participants blogs.

I Read and Reviewed (click the title to be taken to the review):

This week I am planning to read/review:

  • The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard
  • Wherever You Go by Joan Leegant
  • Snapped by Laura Griffin
  • Displaced Persons by Ghita Schwartz
  • In the Sea There Are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda
  • Crossbones by Nuruddin Farah
  • Calling Mr. King by Ronald De Feo
  • Creep by Jennifer Hillier
Visit next Monday to see if I managed to accomplish my reading goals.

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The Sunday Salon (TSS: 8/28/11)

The Sunday Salon.com

Life:  I know I have mentioned this on several occasions, but as I am facing a new chapter in my life it seems an appropriate reminder to all, life goes by far too quickly, savour every moment.  I miss my son, who is away at University and count the days until he is home for break.  I miss the sound of the twins during the day as they have returned to school and I miss our 4 day weekends now that DH was able to make possible over the last half of the summer.  Poof, everything changes in the blink of an eye.

Family Update:  My oldest son is adjusting to University life and the demands of a heavy class load and a part time job.  Twin A is busy with school and the hours spent after school working on the set for the autumn musical.  Twin B  has his first week of work behind him and so far enjoys being employed part-time at the library…now he needs to figure out how to study around his work hours.  DH is once again busy with the new quarter beginning at University and I am once again finding the house too quiet (however the cat loves it).  Currently I am attempting to balance reading time and knitting time.  I have several sweaters to knit up before Christmas and shelves of books to read.  I could listen to books on tape while knitting, but I do so want to re-watch all of British mystery series while knitting.  I am just finishing up Foyle’s War.  :)

Saturday Night: Movie night was quite eclectic as we watched a series of foreign films, played games and just enjoyed being together.

Read and Reviewed:  This past week I read and reviewed 8 books, spotlighted 1 book and had a guest author blog post (I am looking forward to reading her book).  If you have time, please take a look at my reviews, I have a diverse selection of books.

Today I will be reading: Snapped by Laura Griffin

Happy Reading and have a wonderful Sunday.
Visit the The Sunday Salon.

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