i have several signed copies of books, and wondered if reading those were special just knowing that an author has either personally signed it for me, or signed it and i grabbed a copy. does it make a difference reading something if you know the author held it in their hands and signed it, or does it just feel like a normal read? i am going to read and give my general reviews of these books before jumping into the results.

the masterpiece by francine rivers

3.5 stars

I liked the art element.
Liked the God elements.
Didn’t like the dual timelines.
Was on the fence about some of the content topics.
Liked the progression of characters.
Felt some plot threads were left a little out in the cold.

The whole of the book was good and engaging but long.

the shape of us by lisa ireland

5 stars

I am so happy to have found this book.
About four overweight women meeting in an Internet forum and forming friendships.

The characters all felt Real – their lives were real.
There wasn’t that cookie cutter problem and solution from movies, it was about four women whose lives went through stuff and how they handled it together.
It was really easy to read and entertaining!
I found (whether you’re overweight or not) that there was something to relate to in each character and the way Lisa writes is really engaging.
I loved it.

the family next door by sally hepworth

4 stars

This is not usually the genre I read, but I really enjoyed it!
It was a different pace to my normal suspense, but had enough deep dark secrets and twists that it almost classify’s!
The characters were great, and their struggles seemed so real. Often books don’t go into SUCH real and deep places. Secrets that eat you up inside and affect your life, your family’s lives and beyond.
Dealing with some pretty emotionally heavy stuff, it was done so well.
Really enjoyed it!!

kangaroos cootage by maya linnell

3 stars

Reads very much country/rural Aussie.
If that’s what you’re looking for, this was well done.
I’m not a huge fan of that, so it didn’t hit for me.
I’m a plot/hook girl, this was more character and setting based. There were little plots, but it felt more like that “Seinfeld” format of just watching people live their lives. I couldn’t latch onto anything specific to really maintain my interest or focus. I also had miscommunication so that always pulls a book down for me.
Having said that, it was nicely written and satisfying to read.

with you in wild orchads by rania battany

3.5 stars

Cute small town feels all the way through. The story was fuelled by grief, finding who you really are, what your passion is and love.
The romance was good. I enjoyed the characters and how they came together. The “third act conflict” really almost came at the end of the book, which meant resolution was quick. I didn’t mind that though, mature and reasonable adults could easily resolve things the way we see happen in a quicker resolution, and I think this one was written quite well.

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of course, reading a signed copy of a book you like or don’t like won’t make a difference. if you like a book or a story, you like it. If you don’t, you don’t. However, having a signed copy means that you value that book more than if it wasn’t signed. it means if you loved the book, you are proud to own the signed copy. if you hated it, you now have a signed copy of an author you hope have another book that you will enjoy better. for better or worse, you have that book on your bookshelf… forever.

I enjoyed some of these books and stories more than others, but ultimately, i am proud to have met and collected signed copies of writers like me, who have put in a lot of time, effort and love into the stories they have created.

So, did it make a difference to have a signed copy? Yes!

What authors have you met?

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace