The Wishing Shelf Book Awards named Where are the grown-ups? as a finalist in the 2020 Adult Non-Fiction category. It’s rare in any book award to receive specific feedback from the judges but this is an option all entrants to this award can take up.
A judging panel of 17, based in London and Stockholm assess all the books and pick the winners. The authors receive valuable feedback and a star rating based on the stated criteria of Editing, Writing Style, Content and Cover. Here are the stats!
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 7/10
Of the 17 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘honesty’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
16 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Readers’ Comments
“Although this is a deep and often moving story, it’s funny in parts too. In this well-crafted memoir, the author charts her complicated relationship with her mother. I felt sad reading parts of it, but there was always an underlining theme of hope. Very enjoyable.” Female reader, age 34
“Firstly, although I felt the cover lacked pow, the title is superb, pulling me into the author’s story. This is an excellent autobiography highlighting how flawed parents are even when we thought they were so perfect. Intimately and
honestly written, this will appeal to anybody who has an up and down relationship with a parent – which, I guess, is pretty much everybody!” Female reader, age 49
“Parents, I find, can be difficult at the best of times. What a fabulous read with a fabulous title. I felt I really got to know the author whilst reading this – and the people who have filled her life.” Female reader, age 41
“Tragic in parts, hilariously funny in others, this is a compelling memoir written by an author who has excellent writing skills. If she ever writes a novel, I’ll be buying it.” Female reader, age 69
To Sum It Up:
‘A superbly written memoir charting the ups and downs of a mother and daughter relationship. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
I was thrilled to receive the comments above and feel very motivated to get my next book finished. Bitesize World – a memoir of travel, food and live entertainment is coming soon!
In the meantime I have been asked to enter the audiobook format of Where are the grown-ups? for The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021. This is a brand new category and will be assessed on listening pleasure! Fingers crossed!
