Yes, but what do the critics say?

This week I've been doing a blog post featuring the different pages of the midnight in austenland section of my website. Today's turn is the reviews section. Too goofy to list review blurbs? Avoid in the future? I always feel like a dork retweeting any nice things people say about my books on twitter, and then I feel ungrateful if I don't. Ah, the tortured soul! So you have to tell me if this is too goofy to get away with. Anyway, don't forget the book launch at The King's English this Saturday and other upcoming events.

ps. So grateful for book bloggers! Thank you! In a time when review space is hugely limited, and newspaper reviews almost unheard of for women's literature and children's books, book bloggers reach out to readers like no one else.

 

"Hale's fans will be thrilled to revisit Pembrook Park and reunite with its regulars. Hale provides a welcome, witty glimpse of a side of Austen rarely explored in the many contemporary riffs on her work."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

"Hale's light romantic comedy will appeal to chick-lit fans as well as Austenites who have grown weary of the never-ending sequels to Pride and Prejudice and are looking for a fresh way to explore the author's enduring legacy."
LIBRARY JOURNAL

"A smartly plotted mystery"
KIRKUS

"[A] wonderful read...a quick and fun novel sure to whet the appetite to read the Austen novels if one has not, and to reread them if one has."
VOYA

"Midnight in Austenland is the kind of book to read on those days you just want to wrap up in a blanket and eat three pounds of chocolate."
DESERET NEWS

"[I]nteresting characters, and a fabulous ending."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"How does she do it? How does author Shannon Hale evoke so much emotion from me?  How does she make me feel like I have butterflies flying all through my body.  I got that feeling when you're just about to be kissed for the first time, you remember don't you? I LOVE that feeling!"
THE SWEET BOOKSHELF

"If you like Austen, buy this book. If you like Shannon Hale, buy this book. If you liked 'Austenland' buy this book. And if you are a fan of feisty, intelligent and very funny heroines, buy this book....one of my highest recommended books for the coming year."
THE REVIEW DIARIES

"The plot is fun, with a little bit of a murder mystery, gossip, and plain Jane Austen fun. (With a healthy dose of Shannon Hale humor). Oh, and a bit of heartbreak and romance. Because, next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then."
EMILY'S READING ROOM

"I will freely admit to much giggling and some hand clapping."
BOOKS BEFORE BED

"It was witty, hilariously funny, and the personal growth that Charlotte experiences was even more wonderful than Jane's in the first Austenland."
SQUEAKY BOOKS

"Hale's novel is at times poignant, mysterious and funny. I love a book that makes me laugh."
BOOKFAN

"If you love Jane Austen or a fun, romantic mystery, you'll be utterly charmed by Midnight in Austenland."
EXAMINER.COM

"I totally loved it. Not as frothy as AUSTENLAND, this one still made me laugh out loud. A lot."
NIGHT WRITER

"[A]n unpredictable, fun, thrilling and adorably romantic page-turner of a book."
BOOKS: A TRUE STORY

"Midnight in Austenland is witty, charming, has the right amount of romance, a strong female lead character and a murder mystery to be solved."
MUNDIE MOMS

"[C]lassic Shannon Hale...it has a strong heroine, is laugh out loud funny, poignant, thought provoking, adventurous and has just the right amount of swoon."
CONFESSIONS OF A FAN GIRL

Comments

[Katie/Mundie Moms]

Thank you so much Shannon for writing such a delightfully fun read! This book is shelved with my all time favorites and I'm looking forward to reading more from you.

Have a wonderful time at your launch party! If I lived closer I'd so be there!

[Bridget]

Pshaw, you're proud and you should brag. That's how I see it! Go for it!

[Burgandy Ice]

I am having fun quoting your book a little every day so far this week... nothing spoilerish, but there are plenty of odd phrases that crack me up. Today was: "It's a universal truth that nothing spoils a postlunch game of croquet like suspecting the other players of murder."
Love it!! Thank you!!!!!

[Enna Isilee]

Hey look! There's ME! Not too goofy. I think sharing people's blurbs/tweets is awesome!

[Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen]

A saying of my Grandma's:

"It aint bragging if you've done it."

Need I say more?

[katie s]

Not goofy at all! These reviews just make me want my copy to get to my house already!!! I read the excerpt posted on here which makes me want it that much more! Great job :)

[Kathryn]

Definitely not goofy. I enjoyed reading the reviews and I think the reviewers appreciate the mention. Now I just have to figure out which book to read so that I can time it right to re-read Austenland right before the Kindle release of Midnight in Austenland on the 6th.

[Emily's Reading Room]

Thanks so much Shannon for sharing my review! I love spreading the word about all of your great books!

[Mary-Sweet Bookshelf]

Thank you so much Shannon for sharing my review. I admit I cried. You're my favorite author! I love all your books. They have a special place on my bookshelf. I'm waving my Razo flag. I love him.

[Carolyn]

One of my favorites was the blurb from the Deseret News! I'm definitely looking forward to reading "Midnight in Austenland."

[Elizabeth Lefebvre]

My review goes up next week, ps, I really enjoyed it!

[melissa @ 1lbr]

I love to hear what other folks are saying about your stuff, so thanks for linking even if it's embarrassing :)

[Katie]

I just ordered your book on Amazon. This is a BIG deal, because I usually get everything at the library. Can't wait to read it!

[J]

RE: the Deseret News review- so...every day?

[Katie]

Why am I not surprised by the fab reviews?!

[Ashley R.]

Don't feel embarassed by posting other reviews. They're awesome! I can't wait to read Midnight in Austenland!!!!!!! :)You are definitely my favorite author! Thank you so much for writing amazing books!

[Amelia Loken]

Here is my own review: Received box from Amazon at 3pm. In the course of the next nine hours I prepared dinner, helped kiddos with homework, and with teethbrushing, story time and bed. But all the while I was sneaking peeks at "Midnight in Austenland". Now, a half hour past midnight, I am grinning ear to ear, happily content with my new favorite. Lovely, lovely book. I laughed every few pages. I angsted (is that a word?) with Charlotte throughout and cheered her on as she discovered her heart, her self and her passion. I feel validated and powerful just reading this. Every woman should feel valued, intelligent and loved. Thank you, thank you, Shannon Hale. I can't wait to read it again next week at a slower and more delicious pace.

[Kathleen Beeson]

I have been waiting (im)patiently for this book to arrive and I have not been disappointed, thus far!! 106 pages in and it's already wonderful. Bravo.

[Jillums]

Ha ha! I love the Des News review!!!

[Kelly Richardson]

I just finished "Midnight in Austenland" yesterday morning (I got it the day before..but I'm a busy mom of five so it takes awhile - ). I am a long time fan of all your books. A statement that Charlotte makes about Lu towards the end of the book, about trying to protect her from making mistakes, just spoke VOLUMES to me. I have a 13 year old daughter and when I read that the light clicked. I am doing that! I am stifling her ability to grow up as I try to give her this perfect experience and remove obstacles from her life. It was an unexpected epiphany in the midst of my reading and I'm really, really grateful for it. It led to even more understanding for me, and then my daughter and I had a long talk, hug, and a good cry as I told her how proud I am of her and how much I love her. I think my attempts to create a perfect child (be a perfect mother) have perhaps backfired and made her think that I don't trust her, or that she's not good enough somehow and can never measure up. So Shannon, thanks for that nugget of truth in your book. It was a wonderful read, by the way. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.

[Suey]

Oh wow. I have a new dream, to be the book blogger that gets quoted by Shannon Hale! I guess I should read the book first though, huh? Soon, soon. I promise!

[Julie]

Just finished it! Thank you for writing such fun and hopeful books. I really enjoyed it.

[Cecilia]

Hazel Posted on I knew you were diestned for GREATNESS when you stepped into the world! Keep your hand in God's hand and all things are possible. Love you, Mom