About

Photo of me in front of bookshelfThe Bay State Reader’s Advisory blog is not connected to any library. Its content is written entirely by me, a Massachusetts librarian, in my free time.

The purpose of the blog is to suggest books and audiobooks to readers, and advise readers on whether they might like a particular book or author, based on their reading preferences or what they’re in the mood for. I hope to branch out eventually into more reader’s advisory-related posts, library-related posts, book lists, and readalikes.

Please feel free to offer your own reading suggestions and opinions in the comments section after any post. Just click where it says the number of comments under the heading of each post to add your comment.

Books reviewed on this blog are from my own collection; from the public library; received in e-galley format from the publisher through NetGalley or Edelweiss; or are free review copies sent to me by publishers upon request and approval. I do not receive payment for any reviewing. I also review books assigned to me by Library Journal, and receive no payment beyond the review copy and (sometimes) a copy of the published book. There is occasionally an overlap between the books I review for review journals and the books I review here, but the content of the reviews are not the same.

I may cross-post book reviews on LibraryThing, GoodReads, Barnes & Noble, and/or Amazon.

To contact me, please email lauriec AT baystatera DOT com. Due to time constraints and a review backlog, I do not usually review unsolicited or self-published books, especially those that wouldn’t be readily available to readers through a public library.

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Sherry
11 years ago

Hi. Just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog. Yours looks very interesting and I am now following you so I can keep up on the latest news. Thanks again.

Laurie C
Admin
11 years ago
Reply to  Sherry

Thanks for stopping by, too!

Sherry
11 years ago
Reply to  Laurie C

Thanks for following me back. Have a great night.

Tanya
10 years ago

Love the name of your blog!!

Laurie C
Admin
10 years ago
Reply to  Tanya

Thank you, Tanya!

Linda Weaver Clarke
10 years ago

Hi Laurie,
The author of “Shaking Behind the Microphone, Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking” tried to get in touch with you through your email but she said you haven’t responded to her email so she can send you the book. Please contact Jill Vanderwood at jillpickle11 at gmail dot com within two days. She’s going to choose another winner if you haven’t responded by then. I didn’t want you to miss out since your comment was so awesome.
Thanks,
Linda

MaryR
MaryR
9 years ago

Hi! I wanted to let you know that BSRA has been nominated for a Liebster award: http://bibliographicmanifestations.blogspot.com/2014/05/liebster-award.html

Laurie C
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  MaryR

Thank you!

Julia Tomiak
8 years ago

Nice to meet you, Laurie! Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog. I’m following you now and can’t wait to get tips. 😉

Laurie C
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Julia Tomiak

Thanks for following!

Lynn @ Smoke & Mirrors

You have the most entertaining Day in the Life post I’ve read! 🙂 I do believe you may have a future as a comic! 🙂 I love the fact that trucks must deliver your book order and your morning coffee! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my posting! I look forward to reading more of your posts!

drbethnolan
7 years ago

I’m so thrilled to have found your blog (through Unabridged Chick’s blog). Hope to see you around at a local event/bookstore.
Beth of Beth’s Book-Nook Blog http://www.drbethnolan.wordpress.com

Laurie C
Admin
7 years ago
Reply to  drbethnolan

Thanks for stopping by, Beth!

Care
6 months ago

Hi, thought of you today and remembered I should visit the blog! lol
BUT, I can’t find the comments section on any post. so commenting here…. HELLOOOO

Laurie C
Admin
6 months ago
Reply to  Care

Hello! Ugh. I have such difficulty getting the comments and like button to show up for people on posts. Supposedly if you click on the heading, it takes you into the post. Maybe I need a new WP theme. I saw your peach pie on Facebook and I wanted to hop on a plane and cadge a piece!

Chuck Lovatt
Chuck Lovatt
5 months ago

Hi,

 I’m writing in the hope you’ll consider reviewing my latest novel, “Yuri & the Pig” (87,000 words [282 pages] published by Wild Wolf Publishing on September 1, 2023), a work of fiction based on the current war in Ukraine. However, the countries involved are fictitious, too.

Some excerpts from editorial reviews:
 “C W Lovatt’s storytelling is masterful…” ~ Readers’ Favorite
Lovatt’s novel is a literary gem …” ~ A Look Inside
“A genuinely thought-provoking novel, it beckons readers to reflect on the intricate dance of life, growth, and self-discovery.” ~ Literary Titan
 
The following is the blurb: 
 
From the best-selling author of the Charlie Smithers adventures.

A farmer and his pig set off on an extraordinary quest across war-torn Eastern Europe.

Entangled in a savage war, the country of Xoraina is fighting for its very existence; but to Yuri, a simple peasant from a remote mountain village, it seems all but certain that the invading Zlaimperians must ultimately prevail. Not that it is of any consequence to him, of course. In Yuri’s view, every form of government is equally bad, so it makes very little difference who holds the reins of power. Indeed, throughout time, the only things that have ever really mattered are that the soil be tilled, the cows milked, and the pigs shipped to market, all in a timely fashion.

But when an exorbitant new tax threatens that philosophy, he sets off with his pig across the war-ravaged land to the Capital in order to fight the injustice. In the process, their journey becomes a road to a terrible enlightenment, causing Yuri to question his deeply seated beliefs. But only when he and his pig find themselves placed squarely in destiny’s path is there any hope of those questions finding answers.”
 
If interested, please contact me at clovatt@xplornet.ca and I’ll arrange for you to receive an e-copy in the format you prefer.
 
Thank you for your time.
 
C. W. (Chuck) Lovatt
Carroll, Mb
Canada

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