My name is Lynda and I live in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire with my partner Andrew and Sassy, a black cat who measures up to her name. I’ve always been a reader. As a child I asked for books for birthdays and Christmas. We lived opposite a library and from the age of 7 until we moved aged 14 I lived in there helping put books on shelves, stamping books out, reading to younger children, basically an unpaid librarian. I’m sure it wouldn’t be allowed now.
My blog is called The Lotus Readers – I felt at the time, a little like one of Tennyson’s Lotus Eaters but my particular vice was lounging around and reading books.
Instagram: @lyndas_bookreviews
Twitter: @LyndaCheckley – Lynda’s Book Reviews and News
TikTok: @lyndas.book.reviews
Facebook: Lynda’s Book Reviews and News
Meet Lynda
Questions on Reviewing
What made you start a book blog and/or book review social media account?
Covid lockdown. I always read a lot and I did the odd review but I had so much time on my hands so I started reviewing a lot more and reading a lot more. I read on average a book a day now.
What have you learned about the writing and/or publishing industry since reviewing?
Probably that it’s very much like every other industry there are some really lovely people and there are people who are not so lovely. From my personal experiences there are a lot more of the lovely ones than the not so lovely. Some genuinely supportive and kind people and I’ve made some very good friends in the business.
Are there any authors or books you have discovered through reviewing that you might have otherwise missed out on?
Pretty much all of them. Seriously, I was very blinkered with my reading and I read much more widely now.
What do you think makes a great book review?
Honesty without being nasty. Obviously, no spoilers. And personally, I don’t like really long reviews.
How do you handle reviewing a book you dislike?
I don’t. If I would give it less than three stars then I either don’t finish it or finish it but don’t review it.
Is there anything that puts you off reviewing a book or author?
I can’t deal with animal abuse in books and that’s probably the only time I DNF a book. I’m not an objective judge of my own work.
Questions About Books
Firstly, the most important question, what books are currently ‘by your bedside’?
Only whatever I’m currently reading. My reading pile is a bookcase downstairs. I much prefer to read physical copies because I have issues with my eyesight but at night I do sometimes use my kindle for books where I don’t have a hardcopy.
What children’s book would you recommend all adults read?
Oh, there’s a few. My favourite of all time is Mary Poppins by PL Travers. But as a child, I loved all the Enid Blyton books, the Narnia series and Winnie the Pooh.
What was the last book you read that you would recommend?
I’ve read a lot of really good books this year but the one that sticks with me that I would definitely recommend is Adrift by Will Dean.
Is there an author you always read?
Yes, there’s a lot. Mike Craven, Will Dean, Cally Taylor, Gill Paul, Valerie Keogh, Amanda Prowse, Jo Callaghan…I could go on.
Who is your literary icon?
Agatha Christie. Not all her books are brilliant and some are not politically correct these days but she really was the Queen of Crime
How do you sort your books?
Differently in different places. I have a run of signed books which are alphabetical. I have a run of unsigned books, that I want to get signed, that are alphabetical. Then in another room I have a run of books that aren’t yet published in date of publication order and a run of books that I need to review in date of review order. Plus another collection of books that are collectors items, favourite classics and pretty spredges.
What are three books or genres that define your taste as a reader?
My favourite genres are police procedural, historical fiction and thriller. Three books I really love, not necessarily in the genres above are: Mary Poppins by PL Travers, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
And finally…
Do you have any other reviewers or bloggers you would recommend?
Again, so many and I’m sure I’ll miss somebody if I try and list them so I’m going to pass. I can think of at least 20 I check on regularly 😂
Thank you Lynda😊
Books By Your Bedside 