bennett gavrish.com

Bennett is an indie author, technology pro, sports fan, and the creator of BookDigits. Buy his books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, or Smashwords.   Get in touch with Bennett by sending an email to [email protected]. Follow @bennettgavrish on Twitter. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-15988737-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[bennettgavrish-blog]

New features just released on BookDigits

I released a bunch of exciting new features on BookDigits this morning. Here's a summary of the four biggest ones:

1. You can now mark the book you’re currently reading, and that book’s cover becomes your profile picture throughout the site.

2. Book pages now show who’s rated the book, who’s currently reading it, and who’s saved it to read later.

3. You can now set the priority level for titles on your to-read list.

4. A couple of fun new sliders have been added to the bottom of the homepage.

Enjoy! And send any questions or feedback to [email protected].

[bennettgavrish-blog]

Announcing the BookDigits public launch

I'm excited to announce that BookDigits is now out of beta and open to the public. Check out the site at bookdigits.com and then sign up with Facebook, Twitter, or an email address.

BookDigits is a brand new way of rating, reviewing, and discovering books. Thanks to all those who have joined the site already!

[bennettgavrish-blog]

Say hello to BookDigits

The beta release of BookDigits went live this morning! Invitations are sent on a first-come, first-serve basis, so make sure to head over to bookdigits.com and get your email address on the invite list.

BookDigits is a brand new way to rate, review, and recommend books – unlike anything else on the web today. I hope you'll check out the site and find it useful.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

New projects on the way from Bennett

I have a couple of exciting projects in the works, and now seems like a good time to spill the details.

Hotel Apocalypse – Last year, I started working on a new piece of fiction called Hotel Apocalypse. It's a sci-fi/dystopian adventure that will be broken up into 16 parts, with a new episode released every week. Look for Hotel Apocalypse to make its debut in early 2014 in both ebook and paperback.

BookDigits.com – There are a lot of book websites out there that claim to offer the best reviews, recommendations, and reading tools. I thought I could build something better, so that's what I've been doing in my spare time. BookDigits.com is based off the alternative review style I use on this blog, and it will be launching to the public this summer. If you're interested in participating in the beta release, contact me via email or Twitter. Follow @bookdigits for updates about the site.

And of course, don't forget that my first two books, Train Wreck and Secrets to Losing Weight in College, are still available at low prices from a variety of retailers.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

INDIE REVIEW: "Unauthorized Access" by Andrew McAllister

Link: amzn.to/10Tnm79

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Grade: B

L/C Ratio: 20% Literary / 80% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 30% - Action thriller 20% - Relationships 15% - Technology 10% - Boston 10% - Violence 10% - Finance   5% - Journalism

Addictiveness: Medium

Movie Potential: 2 Thumbs Up

Re-readability: Low

While there's no shortage of tension or action in Unauthorized Access, the plot begs for a higher dose of mystery. Andrew McAllister starts the book with a thrilling depiction of cybercrime, but then he immediately reveals the culprit and the reasoning for his devious actions. Even still, the novel keeps the reader engaged thanks to the depth of the main characters and a careful interweaving of storylines.

Noteworthy Quote:

“The only reason I don’t shoot you right now,” Landry said through clenched teeth, “is that it’s really bad business to kill clients.”

[bennettgavrish-blog]

INDIE REVIEW: "Ticket For Terror" by Christopher Parks

Link: amzn.to/TCJK3Q

Release Date: August 4, 2012

Grade: B

L/C Ratio: 10% Literary / 90% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 40% - Action thriller 25% - Terrorism 20% - New York City 10% - Violence   5% - Romantic love

Addictiveness: High

Movie Potential: 2 Thumbs Up

Re-readability: Low

Despite some choppy dialogue, Ticket For Terror proves to be a captivating thriller with a strong, engaging hero at the center of its plot. Christopher Parks clearly knows his way around NYC, and the book's vivid setting gives depth to its scenes and adds a realistic touch to the suspenseful action.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

GUEST INDIE REVIEW: "Disconnect" by Imran Siddiq

(This is a guest review by Heather. To submit your own, use the button in the column to the right.)

Link: amzn.to/162MJvq

Release Date: January 26, 2013

Grade: B

L/C Ratio: 20% Literary / 80% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 30% - Post-apocalypse 20% - Friendship 20% - Social classes 10% - Family 10% - Politics 10% - Robots

Addictiveness: High

Movie Potential: 2 Thumbs Up

Re-readability: Medium

This is another book that nearly caused me to miss my subway stop on multiple occasions due to a very fast-paced storyline and lots of intense plot twists. However, the author suffered from trying to include too much in the book. The relationships between various characters needed more development to be believable or to merit the reader’s sympathy, and there were many interesting details that didn’t get the explanation they deserved.

Even still, Disconnect was an exhilarating read with some intriguing commentary on social classes, politics, and what it means to be alive.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

INDIE REVIEW: "Shades of Wyrd" by Bryan R. Dennis

Link: amzn.to/10GaNTE

Release Date: November 4, 2011

Grade: A-

L/C Ratio: 60% Literary / 40% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 30% - Free will 20% - Mystery 15% - Action thriller 15% - Relationships 10% - Las Vegas   5% - Alcohol   5% - Writing

Addictiveness: High

Movie Potential: 1 Thumb Up

Re-readability: Medium

The mystery driving the plot of Shades of Wyrd grows into such a complex puzzle that, at times, it feels impossible to unravel and appears destined for an ambiguous ending. But then Bryan R. Dennis flexes some serious literary muscle in the final third of the book and delivers a clear conclusion that provides plenty of answers while also carrying emotional depth.

Noteworthy Quote:

He never cared much for cigars, never could understand people who did. They were an acquired taste, like raw oysters and Scotch, quail-hunting and tennis. And marriage.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

GUEST INDIE REVIEW: “The Shen Counter” by Nicole Jakubowski

(This is a guest review by Heather. To submit your own, use the button in the column to the right.)

Link: amzn.to/176kny1

Release Date: May 9, 2012

Grade: B+

L/C Ratio: 30% Literary / 70% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 40% - Family 20% - Friendship 20% - Supernatural 10% - Romantic love 10% - Murder

Addictiveness: Medium-High

Movie Potential: 1 Thumb Up

Re-readability: Medium

This book was well-written and full of compelling, realistic characters, but the author had problems balancing the young adult drama and the supernatural plot-lines. The reader hears too much about the feelings of the teenager characters and not enough about their unique abilities.



However, I was still left wanting to read the next installment in the series. The Shen Counter has a good balance of action and answers, although the pacing falls apart at certain points. Overall, I was very impressed with the author’s ability to draw the reader into the story and create an emotional reaction.

Noteworthy Quote:

“I imagined Mom’s smell. That Mom smell of lilacs and Italian dressing and laundry detergent. The scent of encouragement and never doubting how much she loved me.”

[bennettgavrish-blog]

INDIE REVIEW: "The Liminal Man" by Todd Keisling

Link: amzn.to/UF4fv2

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Grade: B+

L/C Ratio: 30% Literary / 70% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 35% - Action thriller 25% - Paranormal 20% - Family 15% - Mystery   5% - Philosophy

Addictiveness: Medium

Movie Potential: 2 Thumbs Up

Re-readability: Low

Todd Keisling's latest novel is a sequel to his 2011 release, A Life Transparent. The author builds on characters and events from the earlier book but still manages to make The Liminal Man into an independent and compelling read. The stakes are high, the drama feels real, and the supernatural elements heighten the suspense.

At times, the moralistic agenda of The Liminal Man gets too heavy-handed and threatens to creep into corny territory. But Keisling manages to balance it with a fast-moving plot and complex characters – the best of which are a truly terrifying set of villains.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

INDIE REVIEW: "Upload" by Mark McClelland

Link: amzn.to/SewKxG

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Grade: B

L/C Ratio: 20% Literary / 80% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 30% - Virtual reality 25% - Romantic love 15% - Computer science 15% - Fantasy worlds 10% - Sociology   5% - Heist adventure

Addictiveness: Medium

Movie Potential: 1 Thumb Up

Re-readability: Low

In Upload, Mark McClelland depicts a futuristic America in which technology has radially altered communication, transportation, and every other facet of human life. The novel explores one man's desire to escape from the real world into the virtual realms where he's always felt more comfortable, and the scenes that take place in those alternate universes is where McClelland's writing shines.

Large chunks of Upload are dominated by the thoughts of the main character, Raymond, and his internal dialogue grows a bit tiresome at points. It feels like McClelland was almost too concerned with filling plot holes, when his primary focus should have been on driving the narrative forward. Still, Upload is a gripping read with surprising complexity that introduces a number of interesting ideas.

Noteworthy Quote:

"We're social animals, Raymond. We define ourselves in relation to others. We get our footing by leaning on some people and pushing away from others, and eventually we find people to hold onto. Without that, we flail, we lose ourselves completely."

[bennettgavrish-blog]

REVIEW: "The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards" by Kristopher Jansma

(Note: Viking Press provided me with a copy of The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards for the purpose of this review.)

Link: amzn.to/11q4CPu

Release Date: March 21, 2013

Grade: B+

L/C Ratio: 90% Literary / 10% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 30% - Writing 25% - Friendship 20% - Love 15% - Identity 10% - World travels

Addictiveness: Medium

Movie Potential: 1 Thumb Down

Re-readability: Medium

As Kristopher Jansma proves in his debut novel, an experimental piece of fiction doesn't always have to feel like an experiment to its reader. The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards is packed with literary innovation – in the form of plot, structure, setting, and character identity – but those elements don't detract from the book's emotional weight. In fact, they enhance it.

Jansma tells stories within stories that span the globe and build a fascinating personality for the novel's nameless narrator, an aspiring writer with a best friend who happens to be his literary rival. While that competitive relationship is a strength of the novel, the narrator's two primary love interests are somewhat underdeveloped. His obsession with them tries to be authentic, but the two women appear in so few scenes that the source of the passion feels forced.

There are moments of pure poetry in The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards (starting with the title), and Jansma's use of symbolism is restrained yet powerful. His novel may be a challenging puzzle, but solving it is both an enjoyable and gratifying experience.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

REVIEW: "Double Feature" by Owen King

(Note: Simon and Schuster provided me with a copy of Double Feature for the purpose of this review.)

Link: amzn.to/XKdobu

Release Date: March 19, 2013

Grade: D

L/C Ratio: 90% Literary / 10% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 35% - Filmmaking 25% - Family 20% - Love 15% - Dreams   5% - Humor

Addictiveness: Low

Movie Potential: 2 Thumbs Down

Re-readability: Medium

To put it bluntly, Double Feature is a catastrophe. There's no question that Owen King (son of Stephen King and brother of Joe Hill) is carrying the family's literary gene, but in his debut novel, he squanders that talent with a pretentious, haphazard, and at times disturbing story that sorely needed an editor with more gumption.

Not a single character in Double Feature speaks like a normal human being, and the scenes written from the perspective of children are extra clumsy. King pairs that unnatural dialogue with a plot that jumps around needlessly, which dampens the moments that are meant to feel poignant.

The greatest failure of Double Feature is the mindset of its narrator, an ambitious young filmmaker who hates his father for two reasons: because the man was too busy starring in bad Hollywood flicks to be a good parent, and because he cheated on the narrator's mother. Both are valid grudges on the surface, but King leaves gaping holes around them. He never explains why the narrator's family stays in New York when his father works almost exclusively in Hollywood. And to the second point, the narrator himself sleeps with a married woman throughout the novel without ever recognizing his own hypocrisy.

Perhaps that's the point. Maybe King wants the reader to be frustrated and annoyed and turned off by the main character. But if so, it's a poor strategy for writing a book that you hope people will enjoy.

One final note – King has gone on the record to say that Double Feature is not meant to be interpreted as autobiographical in any way. But that only makes his literary choices more confounding. As the son of a famous entertainer, how can you write a book about a man with a famous entertainer for a father and then not expect people to draw a connection?

[bennettgavrish-blog]

GUEST INDIE REVIEW: "Thirteen For Dinner" by Denise Daisy

(This is a guest review by Heather. To submit your own, use the button in the column to the right.)

Link: amzn.to/VohDoK

Release Date: January 23, 2013

Grade: A-

L/C Ratio: 40% Literary / 60% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 30% - History 20% - Romance 15% - Slavery 15% - Family 10% - Time travel 10% - Friendship

Addictiveness: High

Movie Potential: 1 Thumb Up (good action and interesting characters, but I’m not sure who the target audience would be as it straddles the line between young adult, historical fiction, and murder mystery)

Re-readability: Medium (plot twists are well done, so it would interesting to read the book again knowing the secrets about the characters ahead of time)

I don’t typically read historical fiction or murder mysteries, but this book grabbed me from the first chapter and I’m very glad I gave it a shot. It's enthralling all the way through to the last page, with many intriguing plot twists and gradually revealed secrets. The character development is impressive, although at times cliché, and the author does a fantastic job of getting the reader invested in the story and the lives of the characters.

The imagery and descriptions of the setting are also great; it's easy to lose yourself in the world of Thirteen For Dinner. Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down and ended up reading the entire thing in a single day!



There are a few noticeable typos/formatting issues and some weaker sections of prose, but overall it is well-written. Some plot points could be better elucidated, but they do not detract from the high entertainment value of this novel.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

REVIEW: "Domestic Violets" by Matthew Norman

Link: amzn.to/VBfZTV

Release Date: August 9, 2011

Grade: B-

L/C Ratio: 70% Literary / 30% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 25% - Writing 20% - Corporate America 15% - Infidelity 15% - Fatherhood 10% - Sex 10% - Humor   5% - Washington DC

Addictiveness: Medium

Movie Potential: 1 Thumb Down

Re-readability: Low

Domestic Violets opens with an internal monologue about the narrator's malfunctioning penis. It's a scene that sets a comedic, yet emotional tone for the rest of the novel and lets Matthew Norman showcase his vibrant literary voice. From there, the plot and characters develop in a steady rhythm, as Norman explores the mind of a man facing a crisis in almost every aspect of his life.

One of the topics that Norman takes aim at is corporate culture in America. He gets a few hearty laughs out of it, but bashing office bureaucracy is easy, and Domestic Violets doesn't do anything particularly creative with the trope. That's really the only glaring issue with Norman's debut – he plays it too safe. The first half of the novel builds plenty of tension and conflict, but it all leads to a set of payoffs that doesn't have quite enough punch.

Noteworthy Quote:

I listened to my father give a lecture once to a group of young writers. He told them that by the end of a novel, their main characters should have had to answer to each of their sins. In terms of fiction, he’s absolutely right. Unfortunately, reality is more complex, and each of us has to live beyond that final page.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

INDIE REVIEW: "The Cleaner" by Ryan Potter

Link: amzn.to/MXG4Y7

Release Date: June 28, 2012

Grade: B+

L/C Ratio: 30% Literary / 70% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 30% - Competitive eating 25% - Self discovery 15% - Humor 15% - Friendship 10% - Family   5% - Failed relationships

Addictiveness: High

Movie Potential: 1 Thumb Up

Re-readability: Low

The sport of competitive eating is a topic with plenty of potential for comedy, and Ryan Potter takes full advantage of it in The Cleaner. In between the laughs, he manages to craft a charming narrative about a lovable loser searching for his purpose, and the loyal sidekick who's determined to help him find it.

Although the events in the novel's final act are a bit rushed and get tied up a bit too neatly, there's no doubt that the protagonists deserve the happy ending that the author gives them. Potter balances dialogue and exposition well, and his plot twists have the impressive ability to make the reader cringe and smile at the same time.

Noteworthy Quote:

Wonderful. Love conquers all, even white suburban racism.

[bennettgavrish-blog]

GUEST INDIE REVIEW: "The Breeders" by Katie French

(This is a guest review by Heather. To submit your own, use the button in the column to the right.)

Link: amzn.to/MjEVf9

Release Date: July 31, 2012

Grade: A

L/C Ratio: 50% Literary / 50% Commercial

Thematic Breakdown: 40% - Family 30% - Apocalypse 15% - Adventure 10% - Romance   5% - Guns

Addictiveness: High

Movie Potential: 2 Thumbs Up

Re-readability: Medium

This book was enthralling from the first page, subtlety building a world while keeping the reader hooked with action sequences and unanswered questions. First-person narrative is not usually my favorite perspective, but it absolutely worked for this story, reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Into the Forest.

Katie French's character development was also impressive. The reader was really rooting for the characters, and the romance was believable without being overbearing. These days, plot-lines like protecting the younger sibling or falling in love with the enemy should be trite and boring, but the reason they are cliche is because when done right like in The Breeders, they are incredibly effective.



I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult fiction, post-apocalyptic stories, or fast-paced novels that will keep you guessing as you hurry to flip the next page (or click the next button on your Kindle). I can’t wait for the second installment in this series.