The First Ten Focus Group Feedback for There's a Rooster in My Bathroom!: A Quest for Meaning in the Bathroom, the Boardroom and Beyond
Because There's a Rooster in My Bathroom! was Book of the Day, some of our most trusted members have carefully looked over the cover, the description, and other aspects of this book as a part of purchase-intent focus group. We then asked each participant in the focus group if they planned to buy and read the book, and why they planned to buy and read the book or not. Their answer to that question and reasons are displayed below. We call this awesome feature The First Ten Focus Group.
Keep in mind, the responses from the members are not reviews. This is purchase-intent focus group which means the participants are people who have NOT yet bought or read your book. A purchase-intent focus group is an important and extremely useful marketing tool for any product, not just books. For other products, you might walk on the street and show people an item in a package and poll them about whether they would buy if or $X or not. These kind of focus groups are one of the ways big marketing companies find the ideal price points for products and test the effectiveness of different packaging. The focus group can help you identify your market so you how to target ads of your book, and it can (but may not) provide you new useful info about your "packaging" (e.g. your book cover, your book synopsis on Amazon, etc.). The point of the focus group comments is to give you information from people who have not bought or read your book about why they plan to buy your book which will help you in marketing the book. These are not reviews or critiques of your book because they are not from people have read the book. This is a marketing tool, not reviews. The trick of book marketing and book advertising is that you have to convince people who have not read your book yet that your book is worth buying and reading. For marketing, it doesn't matter much if people love your book after reading it if you cannot convince potential buyers before they read it that they will love it.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable. This is because we only poll about 20 or so readers, and all readers have to say "no" to almost all books. Over a million books are published each year. Even a very active reader cannot come close to even reading 1% of books out there.
This is also why publishing books is such a tough industry.
Mercy Bolo
Although quirky, this book's cover didn't entice me to read it. The OBC review dissuaded me when it mentioned that this is a self-help book derived from the author's life experiences. A self-help book doesn't appeal to me, so I won't read the rest of the book. When I read the first ten pages, I liked that the author mentioned that as you go through life, you get great reminders from things you learned in the past. I noticed no errors in the text, so I will conclude that it underwent professional editing. There's nothing I disliked about the bit I read, so I wouldn't change anything about it.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2021, at 4:12 am by Mercy Bolo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Dzejn_Crvena
Outside this program, I would have sampled this book based on the title because it sounds like a funny metaphor. The OBC review convinced me to read and buy this book. It contains the author's experiences that motivate the readers to reinvent themselves while experiencing failures. Thus, I'm looking forward to reading about what to do when I unexpectedly get fired from a job. I particularly like her passion for sharing what she learned in her life. The sample mentioned her journey in Moldova as she served in the US Peace Corps. In the last part of the sample, she talked about completing a marathon.
I believe the book needs another round of editing. I found an error on Location 212: "And, you truly love LA in one of its' finest moments." I suggest removing the apostrophe.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2021, at 3:57 am by Dzejn_Crvena.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Eunice Geres
A collection of stories from the author's experiences are not one I'm interested in. I definitely wouldn't have picked this up for the cover and the blurb. As for the ten pages, it didn't persuade me to finish the book. I didn't like anything. But that's not the book's issue. I just really don't prefer this. On second thought, I actually like the quotes found at the end of each chapters. I didn't find any grammatical mistakes. I also don't have anything to recommend. The first three chapters are technically okay. I just didn't like it, personally.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2021, at 7:47 am by Eunice Geres.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Catherine Hsu
If I had not read the sample as part of the First Ten program, I would not have read the book. I think the cover art is great but it doesn't seem like my genre from the blurb. After reading the sample, I have not changed my mind. I think I am not only still not that interested in the book, but also more editing is needed. A line reads "You truly love LA in one of its' finest moments." "Its'" is incorrect. That is the main thing I would change, and there was nothing specific I liked. The official review on OnlineBookClub did not affect my decision.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2021, at 4:27 am by Catherine Hsu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Michelle Menezes
The last thing I expected when I saw the title and the cover was for the book to be from the self-help genre. I thought it would be a comedy. The blurb didn't interest me even though the Official OnlineBookClub review had positive things to say about it. After reading the first ten pages, I have decided not to read the book, as it does not belong to my preferred genre. I liked that the author has written about her personal experiences and then connected them to the advice she wanted to give. This made the content relatable and easy to understand. She has mentioned about the marathon she participated in, the theatre awards she was a part of, and writing a theatrical review for a paper. While it is well written, it's just not something I want to read in detail. I don't think the book needs any improvement, and I didn't find any errors, so it seems professionally edited.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2021, at 2:41 am by Michelle Menezes.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Joseph Mutuku 1
Every day we see people of all age groups tend to seek the meaning of life. Trish Ostroski has penned an insightful book, and I can easily confirm that from what I have read in the first ten pages. I have liked the introduction section; it was well written and riveting. Trish Ostroski’s stories are accompanied by life lessons and, therefore, effective and relevant. Someone may ask whether I’ll finish reading this book. Well, not really; I’m not into self-help books. I think both the book’s cover page and the title were catchy. Moreover, I think the book was professionally edited; I found zero errors within the first ten pages. Reading the sample did very little as far as convincing me to read on is concerned. The official Online Book Club review, however, was insightful—enough to answer most of the questions I would have before selecting this book. I think the sample of the book is great, and even the Amazon description is also praiseworthy. I have no advice for the author.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2021, at 1:27 am by Joseph Mutuku 1.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Stephanie Runyon
The title is an eye catcher. I would have sampled the book because of the title sounding funny. I learned more about Los Angeles and some of its culture that I did not know before. I encountered no errors and believe the book has been professionally edited. I have no suggestions for improvement. The OBC review did not influence my choice to pass on this book. While inspirational, I lack interest in self-help books currently.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2021, at 6:36 pm by Stephanie Runyon.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Astral Magi
Before I had read the first ten pages, I was charmed by the cover and title. I would have bought the book based on how I felt about the title. My initial reaction was validated after reading the official OBC review and the first 10 pages. I plan to read the entire book since I believe it is one of the most valuable self-help books I have ever encountered. What I loved the most was the author's utilization of real-life examples. There were no errors, and I couldn't think of a way to make any improvements. This book was professionally edited.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2021, at 4:46 pm by Astral Magi.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
markodim721
I would choose to read a sample of this book because of the title and cover. The title of the book is witty and provocative, just the way it fits this type of book. The cover of the book is designed wittily and matches the title. I’m not going to read the book because it’s not the genre I prefer. Reading the sample didn’t change my mind from my original guess. While reading the sample I have noticed only one typo (Double -: At the time, the earthquake seemed devastating -- and it was.). I like that the author stated that running a marathon is your own race and that she made a comparison with life. It’s great to have a quote from one of the famous people at the end of most chapters. I believe that these very quotations summarize the entire chapter. I don’t think anything needs to be improved in the book. The book has an Official OnlineBookClub review.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2021, at 2:33 pm by markodim721.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Valkyrie9
In There's a Rooster in My Bathroom!, Trish Ostroski shares fantastical stories from her life. The cover is comical and speaks to the tone of the book. The blurb on Amazon tells the reader all they need to know about the book. If I had not read the sample, I would probably not pick up this book, as I don't usually enjoy memoirs.
Having read the sample and the OBC review, I don’t think I will enjoy this book. What I liked most about the sample that I read was how the author dedicated each mile in her marathon to someone or something specific. I am going to start applying this in my running races as well. Since I noticed seven errors in just the first ten pages, I do not believe the book was professionally edited. An example is an unnecessary apostrophe in “And, you truly love LA in one of [its’] finest moments.” Although I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s humour and intent that I saw in the sample, I did not enjoy the sample enough to read the rest of the book. I think the author could improve the book by sending it for another round of editing.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2021, at 1:57 pm by Valkyrie9.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Manang Muyang
The title and cover are unusual for a memoir, but they are definitely effective for catching attention. The blurb promises an inspiring read and great life lessons. Inspiring is always good, so I would have taken a peek into the book even outside of the program. I like the vignette-style autobiography and the quote after every story that summarizes the lesson. I was disappointed that the story of the rooster (it's a true story!) was not part of the sample, though. I enjoyed the sample, but I didn't feel compelled to read the rest of the book. I already have so many like books in my library. I noticed that the author was not very heedful of punctuation rules; she may want to have an editor take a closer look. The more blatant errors I found follow: At 7% of the sample, "And, you truly love LA in one of its' finest moments" didn't need that apostrophe. "January 19, 1994 is a day I will never forget" at 83% should have used "January 17," the day of the Northridge earthquake. The official OBC reviewer had an issue with the transitions in the book; I didn't notice that in the bit I read.
First Ten review added on April 3, 2021, at 4:57 am by Manang Muyang.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
smolbird
Before reading the sample, I thought that the book would a humorous children's book about a woman and the rooster in her bathroom. When I read the official OnlineBookClub review, though, I was disappointed to find out otherwise. Because I felt deceived, I thought I wouldn't like the book itself. However, I did enjoy reading the sample. I liked that the author shares her personal experiences and links those experiences to life lessons. Based on the sample, I found that the book was well-edited. I did find an error, though. In chapter three, there is an awkward sentence that seems to have been overlooked when the book was being edited as it is separated from other paragraphs and does not have a period at the end ("As a theatrical reviewer, I met a lot of people who added immensely to my social life and life experience as well"). I can't think of anything that this book should improve on.
First Ten review added on April 3, 2021, at 3:42 am by smolbird.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Justine Ocsebio
I wouldn’t have sampled this book based on the genre, as self-help books rarely pique my interest. In the sample, the narrator is running in the 2005 Los Angeles Marathon. I liked the vivid description of the neighborhoods they passed by. The wisdom one can gather while running in a marathon was insightful. However, I do not need an inspirational book right now. I am not going to read the book for this reason. The official review did not affect my decision. I disliked nothing, and I didn’t see anything that needed improvement. The text is well edited.
First Ten review added on April 3, 2021, at 1:30 am by Justine Ocsebio.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Aubrey Lewis
The overall appearance of the book is quite lively and eye-catching, in my opinion. When I read through the official OBC review, I felt that I wouldn't be able to appreciate the book since I'm not fond of reading autobiographies or self-help ones. If I weren't a part of this program, I wouldn't have read the sample at all since the book's cover, genres, and summary didn't interest me enough to want to check it out willingly.
When I finished sampling the first ten pages, I decided not to read the rest of the book. The contents seemed professionally edited so far, and the author's writing style was simple and conversational. The first part of the book talked about marathons, and it was nice to read about the author fulfilling this bucket list of hers by simply doing it instead of letting it become a mere wish in her head. I also liked the part where she dedicated each of the 26.2 miles to someone or some specific thing along the way since I myself know how motivating this can be to finish a marathon. Unfortunately, although I get how inspiring this book is, nothing really piques my interest enough to want to read any further. I am not fond of the genres, either, so I will have to pass on this one.
Since my reason is due to my own personal preference, I don't think there are any improvements the author needs to make.
First Ten review added on April 2, 2021, at 5:15 pm by Aubrey Lewis.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Rayah Raouf
I would not have chosen to sample this book. I thought this was going to be a children’s book because of the cover. However, it is not. There are many positive customer reviews, but I still wouldn’t have picked it up. I will not buy and read the whole book. The sample was interesting, but this isn’t a genre I would read. I do not like memoirs or books that talk about people's experiences. Unfortunately, I will pass on this book. I noticed no grammatical errors in the sample. Therefore, the book seems to be professionally edited. I like the name of the chapters. Some of them made me smile and a tiny bit curious. I also like how it is written in the first person. I also enjoyed reading the introduction. Knowing a bit about the author before diving into a book is important in my opinion. Especially if it’s a book about their life. I cannot think of any improvements to be made. There was an official review, and it did not affect my decision. I still do not want to read the book even though it was rated highly.
First Ten review added on April 2, 2021, at 3:28 pm by Rayah Raouf.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Mvictoria
After reading the online book club review and the summary of this book (and getting over the shock that it was not a children’s book-an assumption I made based on the cover and title), I was pretty excited to read this book. It got good reviews and is the book of the month, which means many people liked it. I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, but it felt a little disjointed. It felt like from chapter one to chapter two there’s a big chunk of time missing. That was the only thing I didn’t like. I totally agree with the review that the book is like sitting to chat with an old friend. I love the casual writing style and the metaphors behind things like the marathon. I found no errors and would only recommend maybe adding something so the chapters don’t jump so abruptly. Overall, I did choose to read this book and review it and I’m looking forward to diving in!
First Ten review added on April 2, 2021, at 2:23 pm by Mvictoria.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Ann Ogochukwu
From the cover and title, I assumed this was a children's book, but the OBC review revealed that this book was far from that. Nonetheless, I wouldn't have sampled this book outside this program, because the review of the book didn't interest me, and because nonfiction is not usually my first choice.
Sampling the book hasn't changed my mind; I won't be completing it. I think the book was good, but it's just not my kind of book, so I'll pass. I liked how the author described her experiences and motivation.
I didn't notice any errors in the bit I read, so I believe this book was professionally edited. I can't of any improvement that this book needs.
First Ten review added on April 2, 2021, at 9:47 am by Ann Ogochukwu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sonya Nicolaidis
The cover and title of this book are so appealing, that I would have immediately picked it up off a bookshelf for a closer look. I am always attracted to books with strange titles and this was certainly one of them. I also appreciated the Online Book Club reviewer’s comments about this being an extraordinary collection of anecdotes which would serve as motivation and encouragement for readers who need some inspiration in life. That’s me! I thoroughly enjoyed the first ten and really loved the titles of the chapters; they were every bit as strange and appealing as the book title. There was nothing I didn’t like about the sample and think this author has a very appealing writing style and a humility that is very endearing. There was only one minor error I noted in the omission of a comma after the phrase “Step-by-step I completed the Los Angeles marathon ...” and thus I can say with certainty that this book has been professionally edited. I cannot make any suggestions for improvement; this is a great book and one I would definitely read.
First Ten review added on April 2, 2021, at 2:17 am by Sonya Nicolaidis.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
TheMazeRunner
I am not a fan of autobiographies, and I wouldn't sample this one. The sample was less interesting than I expected it to be. The author just puts one information after another, and that is the style I don't like. I won't be reading this book. I haven't noticed the errors in it, and I am free to say this book is edited professionally. I also don't like the cover, and I think it should be improved because I thought this is a book for children. This book has the official review.
First Ten review added on April 1, 2021, at 5:25 pm by TheMazeRunner.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Lucille27
Based on the cover, I do not think I would have chosen to read this book since it looks a bit childish. It seems that the book is for kids. However, when I read the review from the Online Book Club I saw that this is a self-help book. Its approach is very peculiar, indeed, but it was something very different from what I was expecting. The review was very clear and made me get interested in reading more about it. When I read the sample, I found out that the book was very well-edited; there are no typos, nor mistakes. Also, this reinforces something that I liked from the sample and book: it has a great narrative style. It is fast, direct, structured, and simple, but not boring. I think the author has a background in storytelling because the pace is really nice and the story is presented in a very interesting fashion. I think the only thing I would change is the cover, so it does not look as something for kids. Overall, I think this is a great book. I will skip it because right now I am searching to read more fiction and I am not very interested in self-help books, but only because of this personal taste of mine.
First Ten review added on April 1, 2021, at 2:41 pm by Lucille27.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Mariana Figueira
Before reading the sample, I wasn't interested in the book because I don't like self-help novels nor autobiographies. After reading the first pages, I haven't changed my mind, it's just not my choice of genre. I appreciate the author's use of metaphors in the first chapter, regarding the marathon in which she participated, and that's what I liked the most. This book seems professionally edited and has an official Online BookClub review. I didn't see anything that needed improvement.
First Ten review added on April 1, 2021, at 2:21 pm by Mariana Figueira.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Yvonne Monique
The book cover and title are hilarious. At first sight, it might seem a children's book, until one reads the subtitle. But even the subtitle does not give a clear idea about the book's content. Out of curiosity, I would probably have a closer look if I would see this book in a book store and read the blurb. The blurb and OBC review perfectly explain the purpose of this book. I have read the first ten pages with interest. The author has an appealing writing style and the sample seemed to be professionally edited. I like the comparison of running a marathon with life itself. Although the book itself has a positive message and seems to be written in an attractive way, I will not buy it. At the moment, I have no interest in reading self-help guides or inspirational books as I have quite a good idea about what I want to achieve in life. I have no suggestions for improvement.
First Ten review added on April 1, 2021, at 9:59 am by Yvonne Monique.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Bertha Jackson
The book cover is hilarious, but I would not have selected this book to read because of the genre, title, blurb, customer reviews, editorial reviews, or OnlineBookClub review. I am not fond of these types of books. I did not see any errors in the first ten pages nor anything I would improve. The book appears to have been edited by a professional editor. Having said this, since this book is the BOTM, I will purchase and read this book. I do like the quotes the author uses in the book.
First Ten review added on April 1, 2021, at 9:21 am by Bertha Jackson.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Ekta Kumari
The book documents the author's life journey and the unforgettable moments she has lived through. The summary designates it as a lovely read for those who love traveling and the life lessons that come with it. I found the premise to be quite interesting, and, while I wasn't looking for an autobiographical read, I would have sampled it for that reason. The thing I liked the most while sampling is the author's language. She definitely has a sense of humour. Her witty description of events kept me engaged in the read. I really like the feel and spirit of this book. So, I would definitely read the rest of it. As for the editing, I did see one to two errors in the portion I sampled. One error is in this sentence, "Unlike marathons such as the Boston Marathon, which has certain requirements for participants, the Los Angeles Marathon takes all comers." I think there should be a comma before 'such as'. Otherwise, it's a fun read and seems devoid of errors for the most part. I've no other recommendations for improvements. I did see an official review before sampling this book.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 4:59 am by Ekta Kumari.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Lorraine De Vos
I would have chosen to sample this book based on the title and genre. The first ten pages were fascinating. Trish Ostroski has a humorous and relatable writing style and I enjoyed reading about the highlights of her life. I probably won’t be running a marathon anytime soon, but it was still fun reading about her experience. The book does appear to be professionally edited. The official OnlineBookClub review was excellent and confirmed that I will be adding this book to my reading list. I have no recommendations for improvements.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 4:46 am by Lorraine De Vos.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Jeremie Mondejar
The cover photo looks a bit misleading because it seems a children's genre. I sampled this book as part of the program, while I was trying to connect the message on the cover photo. The author makes a metaphorical example of attitude in the cover photo. As I read the sample, I can't relate to marathon, red carpet story, nor lifestyle in L. A. I will read this book if ever my foot will be stepping on L. A land. I like the way of writing as well as the quotations from well-known authors. I will not read this book because the topic isn't for me, though the OBC review captures my interest. Fortunately, the sample is well-written because I don't pick any errors. For improvements, the cover photo seems not fitted in my opinion.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 4:43 am by Jeremie Mondejar.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Mai Tran
The fact that this book is part self-help makes it less appealing to me because books in this genre are often too preachy. I wouldn’t have read this book if it wasn’t because of The First Ten. Reading the OBC review didn’t change my initial impression of the book. While I agree with the author that life is much like a marathon, I don’t really resonate with any of her story because I have never lived in Los Angeles and have never experienced a major earthquake before. The book seems reasonably well-edited, as I didn’t notice any serious mistake, but I won’t continue to read it because it doesn’t appeal to my interest.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 4:24 am by Mai Tran.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
xsquare
I would not usually have read this book based on the cover, title and blurb – it just doesn’t seem to be the kind of book that I would enjoy. After reading the sample, I don’t think my original opinion has changed. I liked the diversity of the author’s story and the interesting experiences that she has lived through. However, I would have to agree with the official OBC review that the story felt disjointed – I wish there were better connectors between one chapter and the next. I did not see any typos in the pages that I sampled.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 4:13 am by xsquare.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Rodel Barnachea
The book's title instantly captured my attention, and its cover gives off the feeling that the book is fun to read. After I read the Amazon customer reviews, my initial feeling is confirmed: the title sounds like a fun, inspirational, and easy read. The official OBC review informed me of the book's self-help nature, and I loved it because I relish reading self-improvement books. Without reading the sample, I will purchase the book.
After I read the memoir's sample, my decision remains unchanged. I want to purchase the book because I am interested in reading more of the author's experiences and life lessons. The first ten pages include an introduction and Section One's opening chapter. The author related that on her last day as a Peace Corps officer in Moldova, she recounted her stories and learned life lessons to Liviu. The author also talked about her experience running and completing the Los Angeles Marathon.
What I liked most about the text are the wise metaphors about life the author shared when she was running the marathon. I encountered only one error when I read: The word "on" is missing in the sentence, "I managed to have extra energy [on] Monday and Tuesday and then was exhausted on Wednesday." Still, I believe the book is professionally edited, and the said error seems to be an oversight. I suggest the author re-edit the book and solve the grammar issue.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 3:56 am by Rodel Barnachea.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Sou Hi
The cover and the title are not very appealing. Based on them alone, I don't think I would be interested in this book. But the official review and Amazon's customers compliment it, so I opted to read the copy. The sample is a collection of short stories about the author's experiences, as she participated in many events.
I like how the author discusses her life. Despite being a memoir, the book does not feel one-sided at all. Trish simply tells us what happened to her. She then adds a few comments, along with a famous person's quote, at the end of the chapter. She lets us interpret the stories ourselves, and it's up to us to learn from them. Personally, I like memoirs like this, where the author shares with us their life without forcing their ego on us. The editing is good, as I don't see any errors. For now, I have no complaints about this copy. I want to see more of her experiences, so I think I will buy this book.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 3:36 am by Sou Hi.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Nikolas Farmakis
This is the author's memoir about her experiences in Los Angeles, such as running the LA Marathon. I would not have read this book based on the title, the cover, or the genre, as I do not enjoy reading memoirs. I will not read this book, as it seemed cliche. The sample I read did not have any objective errors, so this book has been professionally edited. What I liked most about this book was that the author added suspense and tension to the text by describing her experiences in an exciting way. To improve, the author should make this book less cliche by making it more original. This book had an Official OnlineBookClub review, which did not affect my decision.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 2:51 am by Nikolas Farmakis.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Annelore Trujillo
I would not have sampled this book based on the genre, blurb, OBC review, cover and title. I don’t usually read non-fiction, and this one didn’t interest me. After reading the first ten pages, I won’t be finishing this book. I liked the comparison of the marathon to life. Life really is like a marathon. However, this is a self-help style book where the author is giving advice, and it just wasn’t for me. The metaphor of the marathon and the author’s own journey in running the marathon was long. I also noticed errors that told me the book was not professionally edited. “Its’ finest moments” should be “its finest moments”. I don’t read books that aren’t edited.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 2:10 am by Annelore Trujillo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Aditi Sapate
I would have chosen to read this book based on the title, cover and genre, as I usually prefer reading self-help books. The official OnlineBookClub review informed me as much, and I was very excited to try this book. When I started sampling it, I was really comforted by the author's writing style and the way she described her marathon experience. It almost felt like there was someone who can understand you and will guide you through life. I will continue reading this book. So far, I did not find anything to dislike about it. The sample did not contain grammatical errors. However, there was a punctuation error on location 210 out of 432. "And, you truly love LA in one of its' finest moments." should have been "And, you truly love LA in one of its finest moments."
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 1:52 am by Aditi Sapate.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
AvidBibliophile
The cover art features a graphic design that is quirky, colorful, and undeniably eye-catching. The Amazon product description entices prospective readers with mentions of travel, trauma, memories, and life lessons. The initial marathon scene reminds readers that life happens on a shifting continuum, and many things must be readjusted and reevaluated as they come along. I did find the pronoun shifting somewhat distracting, as "I" and "you" POVs were consistently interchanged; this was my least favorite (but minor) aspect. This book appears to have been professionally edited, although on page 2, there should not be an apostrophe present in "LA in one of [its'] finest moments." I love that this publication also includes autobiographical anecdotes and photographs. I really appreciated seeing statements like "Some things seem more special if you do them just once." The one published OBC review and 22 currently posted Amazon user ratings primarily award this memoir high scores of recommendation and satisfaction. Since I do love a book that employs an insightful whimsicality, I look forward to reading the remainder of this collection of personal stories and witty recollections from a hypnotherapist/speaker/performer!
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 12:42 am by AvidBibliophile.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
edztan15
The blurb and review for this book pushed my curiosity a little bit, but it was not enough for me to decide to buy it. I read memoirs, but if the person is unfamiliar to me and their life does not really connect with me, then I might opt-out from reading it. Reading the sample pages, I must say that I liked the author's style of narration. Ostroski uses subtle humour and engaging internal dialogues that even though I can't relate with a person running a marathon, I was still captivated and engaged in reading the first ten pages. I didn't find any errors in the pages that I sampled. However, I still think that I might not be able to sit through the entire book since I don't think I could relate to it, so I'm going to give it a pass.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 12:30 am by edztan15.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Melisa Jane
I would have sampled this book based on its title because the title makes it sound like a book full of humor and fun. However, after sampling it, I won't finish reading it because I can't figure out the relationship between the title and the fact that the author once finished a marathon. Furthermore, there wasn't any humor in the book. Except for the title, there isn't anything I liked about the book. I found one instance, on the second page, when "girls" was spelled as "gals." I recommend that the author ensures that the title of the book always reflects on its contents. This book has an official OBC review.
First Ten review added on October 11, 2020, at 12:15 am by Melisa Jane.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
ritah
Based on the title and genre alone, I wouldn't have sampled the book as it's not what I usually go for. I liked the cover and read the official review. It was interesting to see how the author related different aspects of running a marathon to real life. Based on the author's description, the Los Angeles Marathon not only sounds like a challenge but also fun. I found no errors in the pages I read nor did I see any areas needing improvement. However, I won't be reading the book because the overall content isn't for me.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 8:01 pm by ritah.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Sarah_Khan
The title and cover of this book are unique. I would not have sampled this book because personal life stories are not my cup of tea. The first ten pages seem adequately edited. I liked that the author included a quote at the end of every chapter (e.g. To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them). I have to agree with the official OBC review. The writing did seem a bit stiff and it felt like the author was just listing life events. Overall, this book does not interest me enough to want to commit to reading the rest. Therefore, I do not intend to finish it. I do not have any suggestions for the author.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 7:06 pm by Sarah_Khan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
moowshiri
It would have been hard for me to overlook this book had I not been part of this program. It has a very interesting cover, which points out some aspects of comics in it. On sampling a few of its pages, I loved Ostroski's use of the first-person perspective in detailing out all the events she's narrated in the book. For instance, she narrates her experience with Liviu in a nice way. The book's plot is also amazing, a factor that makes it a must-but and read for me. I also didn't find any sections that need improvement as there are no errors in the bit I sampled. There's also an official OnlineBookClub review for this book.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 5:03 pm by moowshiri.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Elvis Best
Because of the book's title and cover, I might have read it, as I found them quite funny and interesting. However, after reading the sample, I have decided not to read the rest of it because I do not enjoy reading autobiographical books. Further, I did not find any errors in the sample, so I suspect the book is professionally edited. The one thing I liked most was the humor in the book, as it made things more interesting. I also have no suggestions for improvements. Finally, I saw an Official OnlineBookClub review that I think presented the book well.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 2:57 pm by Elvis Best.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Rashida10
I decided to sample the book, There's a Rooster in My Bathroom! by Trish Ostroski, after seeing an official review on OBC about its content. The book seemed professionally edited, and I encountered no grammar errors/typos. Although if I hadn’t read the first ten pages of the book, I would still have sampled it in the first place based on its title. I liked that the book featured various stories and landmarks. But because a specific storyline can not be determined, I will not be buying and reading the whole book. The author should have given all the stories a unified theme.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 2:08 pm by Rashida10.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Howlan
The cover looks quite simple. The synopsis gives us a general idea of what this book is about. The first ten pages has three stories. In the first story the narrator describes her experience of running in the Los Angeles marathon. She gives a lot of motivational and inspiring thoughts about not giving up and how life relates to a marathon. The second story is more general experience rather than a moral. It is about the Red Carpet Awards in Los Angeles which the narrator had a major part in hosting. She describes a few good times she had at the Awards. The third story also describes the freelance job of theatrical reviews she did while in college and the experiences she had. The story is well narrated and esy to understand. However, I am not going to read this book, as the book does not interest me. It is a good non fictional book leaning towards a memoir but if you are not fixated about life lessons or like to read memoirs in general, I do not think this book will be quite enjoyable. Also, the events feels disconnected and is really easy to lose interest. So, I am not going to buy and read this book as I am not interested in the story. No typos were found in the first ten pages. I found nothing to improve in the first ten pages. The Official Review is present, and the reviewer states, "People who enjoy autobiographies and self-help books would enjoy There's a Rooster in My Bathroom!"
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 2:02 pm by Howlan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Maria Esposito
I knew I would not be interested in reading this book before I sampled it. The main reason is that I do not read short stories for leisure. The cover illustration and title are hilarious, but they do not represent what I look for in books. The book has fifteen Amazon customer reviews, but this had no impact on my decision. Reading the first ten pages did not make me change my mind. The book begins as the author describes her participation in the Los Angeles marathon. While some parts made me cackle, I simply do not particularly like reading short stories. Hence, there was nothing about the book I particularly disliked. The book does not seem professionally edited. I came across an error already on the second page: "its' finest moments," where "its" should not be followed by an apostrophe. The book has an official review on this website, but this had no impact on my decision.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 9:25 am by Maria Esposito.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
J_odoyo
There’s a Rooster in My Bathroom! by Trish Ostroski is one of the many books out there with a wide audience of readers. After reading the first ten pages, I can’t say enough about how this book is valuable and suitable for all those “meaning-of-life seekers”. Author Trish Ostroski shares her story while dropping astounding pearls along with her fluid prose. Every story in this book has a beautiful lesson to teach her readers. I have liked the introduction section; it was so well written and welcoming. The book had a positive OnlineBookClub review, which gave insight into what the book entails. I think the cover page was appealing, and the title was attractive and professional. The author’s description of this book on the Amazon website was precise and informative enough to allow for an accurate guess of what to expect in the book. I didn’t find any error in the pages I’ve read; therefore, l believe that the book was professionally edited. Having read the first ten pages and the OnlineBookClub review, I’m going to finish reading this book. I believe I’ll learn a lot from this book.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 4:05 am by J_odoyo.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Kirsi Cultrera
This book had a funny name and a hilarious cover picture. The sample pages painted a picture of an amazing woman dedicated to helping and encouraging other people. Her life events seemed interesting, and I truly enjoyed the autobiographical aspects of the book. However, the entirety seemed more like a self-help book, and for those, I am unfortunately a bit allergic. The editing seemed properly done. I have read an official OnlineBookClub review about the book earlier, and even though it gave mostly positive feedback, it also confirmed my thoughts about this book being a self-help book. Therefore I am not considering reading it but will happily recommend it to anyone who likes to read self-help books. If the author once chooses to write an autobiography, I am most certainly going to read it.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 4:02 am by Kirsi Cultrera.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Shrabastee Chakraborty
The title seemed intriguing, yet based on the review, I wouldn't have read this book. The first ten pages were without editing issues. The author describes her experiences during an LA marathon. This initial incident did not seem striking, nor could I see how this relates to other parts of the book. I don't have any suggestions for improvement, but I wouldn't read the book as I did not find it appealing.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 3:40 am by Shrabastee Chakraborty.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Mutai Marshal
The author recalls the experience of the 2005 LA Marathon. She reveled in the beautiful sites that the great city offers while focusing on completing the race. Again, she believes that LA Marathon is accommodative. Unlike other marathons, it doesn't require any qualifications. The book was written from the first-person perspective. I loved most the simple language used as I didn't miss out on any detail. I wanted to read it based on the amazing review (by OBC). Having sampled the first ten pages, I will buy this book. I love self-help books, and this one offers a great opportunity for me to learn. It was exceptionally edited, and I cannot suggest any improvements.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 2:31 am by Mutai Marshal.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
MeganDJ
To be honest, if I hadn't sampled the first 10 pages, I would have assumed that this was a children's novel based on the title and cover page. It was only after I read the first 10 pages and the Online Book Review that I realized that it was in fact a self-help book relating to the author's personal experiences. From what I read, I would be happy to read the rest of the book as I love the self-help genre. I believe it was professionally edited, as I did not find a single error during my read. I liked how the author related her experiences to lessons she had learned like treating life like a marathon; have meaningful, achievable goals until you reach the finish line. The only thing I could say that would improve this novel is to maybe change up the cover and title. I would have completely glanced over this read if I had not read the first 10 pages and it would be such a shame if more people like me would do the same.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 1:19 am by MeganDJ.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Kaitlyn Canedy
I would have chosen to read the sample of There's a Rooster in My Bathroom! even if it was not the OnlineBookClub's book of the day. The cover art and the title made me want to sample it, as I thought that it was a humorous children's book. As it turns out, I was proved wrong once I read it. I enjoyed that the author is inspirational in her writing; even in the short ten pages, it was obvious that the author is passionate about encouraging people to live their best lives. I like where the author is going with her work, so I will be reading the rest of it. I did not see any grammatical errors at all, and there are truly no improvements that need to be made. The cover art is funny, as is the title. The official OnlineBookClub review raved about the content, and mentioned how relatable the author was. So yes, the review influenced my decision. Readers that like autobiographies and self-help books will certainly love this book.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 12:24 am by Kaitlyn Canedy.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Sanju Lali
Nothing was evident to me about the book from its cover and title because "There's a Rooster in My Bathroom "meant many things to me. Therefore, I read the official review to know about the contents of this book. The official review was helpful enough to let me know that this book is an inspirational autobiography of the author, which shows how the author had led a full life doing service to others in the form of advertising and community development. This idea motivated me to sample the book by reading the first ten pages for making a buying decision. After reading the first ten pages, I found that this book was professionally edited as I did not find any grammatical errors in it. The thing l liked the most in this book is the narrative that gave a glimpse of a Marathon from a somewhat different perspective. However, the narrative listed too many events. I was unable to make a connection between them. The message that the author wanted to give to the readers was not clear enough. My suggestion to the author is to address the shortcomings raised by me in the above sentences. Noting all these aspects of the book, I decided not to purchase and read this book today. I will wait until the author considers my suggestions so that the book gives a pleasurable reading experience for me.
First Ten review added on October 10, 2020, at 12:20 am by Sanju Lali.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
CrescentMoon
After reading the blurb I wouldn't pick this book up because I don't typically read non-fiction or autobiographies so I'm not the target audience for this book. After reading the first ten pages, I spotted a few minor errors. In chapter one, "Step-by-step I completed the Los Angeles marathon..." there should be a comma after step-by-step. What I liked best about the book so far is the writing style. I found it engaging and humorous. For example, the author mentioned that the Los Angeles marathon includes all comers including people dressed up in Elvis costumes running the marathon. I thought the writing was very witty and I laughed out loud. I also really like her descriptions of the Los Angeles marathon and how being in the marathon, she sometimes stayed with certain people like the boy who needed her help and how eventually people helping each other out got separated. Some people move forward and others fall behind. I thought this was such an excellent metaphor for the journey of life. There are people in your life who are there for some time, but then people move forward in different directions and sometimes fall out. I do not have any suggestions for improvement. There was an onlinebookclub review, but the genre isn't for me so I won't be reading the rest.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 11:23 pm by CrescentMoon.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Mbrooks2518
The title and cover of this book caught my attention, so I would have read the sample even without The First Ten. I liked the humor that is used to draw the reader in, like the title of the first chapter and the humorous anecdotes from when the author completed the LA Marathon. However, after reading the first ten pages and the official review, I am not interested enough to buy the book.
There was an editing mistake with an incorrect placement of an apostrophe on the second page of chapter 1. It said, "you truly love LA in one of its' finest moments." Other than this mistake, nothing needs to be improved.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 9:57 pm by Mbrooks2518.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Jsovermyer
I like the cartoonish cover and the funny book title. I would buy the book from the cover alone. This book is part autobiography and part self-help. The author tells of her interesting life, including time in the Peace Corp, and her desire to help others and find meaning in her life. The part about the earthquake in Reseda was frightening. The only part I didn't care for was the Introduction. It was too vague. It talked about the Peace Corp but didn't give any information. I found a mistake at Location 344. The following sentence is missing the period at the end: "As a theatrical reviewer, I met a lot of people who added immensely to my social life and life experience as well" I think the book needs another round of proofreading. The official reviewer liked the story, and I agree. I found it entertaining about her work in Los Angeles. I would like to continue reading it and plan to finish the book.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 9:43 pm by Jsovermyer.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Kajori Sheryl Paul
Trish Ostroski's 'There’s a Rooster in My Bathroom!' is a book with a humor. The author presents excerpts from her life. She talks about the lessons learned. The book starts off with a marathon that she participated in 2015. It then goes on to a red carpet event that she produced. I like the witty writing style. There were some errors. It should have been “it was a day of..” in “From wrong numbers and lot of side shows, it is a day of..” because the entire paragraph was in past tense except for this phrase. The title is witty. The cover is fun. The reviews are also good. However, I will skip this book as I am not in the mind-frame to read non-fiction books.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 9:26 pm by Kajori Sheryl Paul.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
elisathelvarik
I would not have chosen this book based on its title, cover, and description. The cover and title make the book seem like a children's book. It sounds cartoony and comical. The description seems like it's talking about a completely different book. The official review convinced me even further to read this novel. It talks about the meaningful stories the author discusses and how inspirational the book was. I knew I had to give this sample a read. The author's tone is conversational and amusing. The sample starts off with the first chapter "LA LA Land, Running Elvis and Dead Toenails (That is not the name of a Rock Group)." It shows some humor and intrigues the reader. I liked the addition of quotes at the end of every chapter. Many books do this, but it still adds a nice touch. Overall, the text is easy to understand. One important thing that is holding me back is that I'm not too interested in stories about running or sports in general. It is just not my cup of tea. I'm not sure many of the stories relate to me, and they do not seem interesting enough for me to buy the book. The stories are not motivating or inspiring to me. I just cannot relate to them. Due to my inconclusive opinions on the sample, I will not buy and read this book. I have no notes of improvements. I did not find any errors or typos. This book seems well-edited.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 9:00 pm by elisathelvarik.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Damis Seres Rodriguez
At first sight, I thought it was a children's book. It was a little disappointing to find out it wasn't when I read the reviews. As for the content of the sample I read, it was not my cup of tea. Neither self-help books nor autobiographies are books that catch my attention. I didn't really like to find so many references right on the first chapter's title, either. But that's a matter of personal preference. I didn't find any major errors that led me to believe that the book is not professionally edited, and I think the sample is not long enough for me to give an accurate suggestion on how to improve the book. Unfortunately, this is not the kind of books that I usually enjoy, so I won't buy the book.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 8:34 pm by Damis Seres Rodriguez.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
MsH2k
The title and the cover are fun, and I read a lot of non-fiction books, so I would have sampled this book even if I were not part of this program. The sample pages went quickly. I enjoyed the author’s conversational style, and I could relate to the life experiences she was sharing. She seemed comfortable sharing what she’s learned from the good and the bad times in her life. While I enjoyed the sample pages, I will not buy the book. I am not interested in reading the entire book.
I noticed two grammatical errors in the pages I sampled.
At loc 208, the apostrophe is not needed since “all-comers” is being used as an adjective: “you pretty much understand that all-comers’ concept.”
At loc 214, the apostrophe is not needed: “And, you truly love LA in one of its’ finest moments.”
The featured OnlineBookClub review was favorable, as were the Amazon ratings. They reinforced that this is an inspiring read, but it’s just not for me. I have no suggestions for improvement.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 7:58 pm by MsH2k.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Vickie Noel
At first glance, I thought this book was a children's book because of its title and cover. On the basis of that assumption, I would have sampled it outside the program. After reading the OBC review and sampling a few pages only to discover that it's a self-help book, my opinion has swayed. I don't readily read self-help books except their content contains a specific need I require. This is not the case for this book for me. While I enjoyed reading about the LA marathon and the way Ostroski's experiences on it were connected to general life occurrences, I lost interest in chapter two which introduced a lot of other characters and their backstories that did not really capture my interest. I did, however, appreciate the quote at the end of the chapter which stated, "The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." This is a very deep thought from Michelangelo that I will not forget in a hurry. I saw no grammatical errors and have no recommendations for improvement. I saw an OBC review, but it didn't influence my decision.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 7:30 pm by Vickie Noel.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Hazel Arnaiz
I would not sample this book outside the program. Autobiographies and self-help books are the least of my preference. However, the cover and the title were amusing, so I gave it a try. The reviews were mostly favorable. Sampling the first ten pages confirmed my initial impression. The stories were entertaining. I also liked the chapters opening with a funny heading and closing with a thoughtful quotation. It reflected the storytelling, humorous, yet with profound lessons. However, I prefer other themes right now. I will not continue reading but will keep this book in mind. In addition, I did not notice grammar or typo errors. The Official OnlineBookClub review was insightful. And, I agree with the recommendation from the reviewer in adding better transitions for smoother reading.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 7:15 pm by Hazel Arnaiz.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Laura Lee
The Amazon blurb and the book review both really interested me but honesty, it was the title and the cover that really grabbed my attention. Both are fantastic and that's what I liked best!
The book is exceptionally well-edited. I didn't find any errors. What really interested me in the book review and blurb were the references to inspirational life-lessons. But honestly, when I read the sample pages, I didn't find any! The review had commented on the choppy style of the book and it's true, although that didn't bother me. It does read more like a collection of independent essays, but the thing that really disappointed me was that (in the sample pages at least) there were no life lessons, inspirational or otherwise. It merely recounts various projects the author has been involved with.
Sure, the cover is great; love the cover. But the actual content I found disappointing and I won't be finishing reading the book. Perhaps this is unfair as this decision is based on the sample pages. Maybe there is more later in the book. I don't know . . .
. . . I just went back and checked again. I suppose there are what you could call life lessons in the very last paragraph of every chapter, but the chapters themselves really do not develop that lesson throughout, and that was very disappointing to me. This is a well-edited book that promises to be funny. It appears to have a lot of potential but, based on the sample pages, does not really live up to that potential. Weird as it is to say, I would have been more likely to read the book based on the cover, title, and review alone, had I not first read the sample pages.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 6:57 pm by Laura Lee.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Odette Chace
Based on the title and cover, I thought this would be a children's book similar to "There's an Owl in the Shower." After reading the subtitle, I realized that this was not the case. I like the cover, but I was a bit letdown when I realized that this would not be a funny book for kids. I'm generally not interested in self-help books or memoirs unless they are very unique. From the synopsis on Amazon and the official Online Book Club review, nothing stood out to me about this book, so I'm not looking forward to sampling it. The vocabulary and sentence structure of the book was very simple. "As you journey through life, not only do you learn things, but you get great reminders from things learned in the past" (0% of sample). I had a teacher in high school who would deduct points from any writing assignment that used the word "things," so this sentence really made me cringe. "I think this is a popular goal on many people's bucket lists, and yet [it's] not so easy to accomplish" (2% of sample). As I only noticed one minor grammatical error, I believe the work was professionally proofread. I had a very hard time getting through the sample and don't plan to finish reading the book.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 6:05 pm by Odette Chace.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Samantha Gayle
The cover and title remind me of an outdated comedy book full of bad jokes. I didn’t think that it was an actual novel at first. At first glance, I would not have stopped to sample this book. After reading the official OBC review, I discovered what the book was actually about. I decided to read the first ten pages, as the review was very positive. The book starts with a series of random experiences. The first chapter is about a marathon the author walked. I enjoyed her comparison of life to a marathon. The book seems well written and professionally edited. The only thing I may have changed is the chapter flow. One minute we were at a marathon. The next chapter was about an award ceremony. It didn’t feel cohesive, and it left me unsure about the objective of the book. As a result, it didn’t keep my interest and I will not continue reading this book. Fans of theatre may enjoy this as that is her background. Anyone looking for an inspirational read will enjoy it as well.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 5:51 pm by Samantha Gayle.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Kelyn
If I had not been in this program, it is still likely that the cover and main title (not the subtitle) would have attracted my attention. Both make it appear to be a children's book, and I am always looking for good books to read my grandson. The genre, however, would have quickly brought disinterest. From experience, I know that I rarely enjoy memoirs. The author is unknown to me, so that would not have influenced my decision. The blurb stirred my interest slightly because it referred to the writing as 'whimsical,' and I am fond of that type of book. Although I did not see a review from this program on the Amazon site, if I had, I would have been interested in what the reviewer had to say. There were several customer reviews there, all of which were positive. The review on this site was complimentary as well. This gave a good impression of the book going into the sample. I did like the writing style of the author. The book (or at least the sample) was written more like a story than a straightforward memoir. The thoughts she gained as she moved through life were nothing short of profound. I think my favorite was, "Things can break, of course, but this does not mean that one is necessarily broken." And this is just one of the gems she shared with her readers. Ultimately, I had to weigh my genuine engagement with the author and her writing against my prior experiences with the genre. In this case, I'm afraid experience won out, and I have decided not to continue reading the book. The book seemed well-edited. I found no 'countable' errors in the sample.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 5:49 pm by Kelyn.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Chelsy Scherba
I enjoyed the first chapter. The author described her experience in running a marathon and how it’s so much like the journey of life. She helped a young man for a time, then he stayed behind; others, left her in the dust. Her friends came and went, some were there for the long haul. Everyone finishes ‘the race’ of life at their own pace. I really liked the analogies she used. The title reminded me of a children’s book when I first saw it, but I think it’s catchy. I love the cover illustration. The review said there are more illustrations in the book, so that’s a perk. I’m not really in the market for this book today, but I do like the genre and the author’s self-reflections. I’ll keep it on my list. I would not have found this book outside of the program. The editing was pristine. I saw no errors.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 5:47 pm by Chelsy Scherba.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Verna Coy
Had I not sampled this book through the First Ten program, I would probably not have chosen it because the title and genre don’t grab me right away.
For this reason, I don’t intend to purchase and read the whole book today.
Reading the first ten pages didn’t change my mind about buying the book, but I can see how it will have appeal for readers who like compilations of short stories.
Based on what I read, the book seems professionally edited.
I didn’t see errors in the first ten pages.
What I liked most about what I read is how the author focuses on a specific message in each chapter.
I know that fans of self-help and encouraging books will enjoy this work.
As far as improvements, I could see no need for any in what I read today.
I did read the Official Online Book Club review and found it insightful. It didn’t affect my views of the book.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 5:24 pm by Verna Coy.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Brenda Creech
I love the cover and title of this book; it caught my eye immediately. I would have checked it out without a review. After reading the official review, I was intrigued. As I read the book sample, I liked the way the author used quotes that seemed to fit perfectly with each of her personal stories. From the Los Angeles Marathon to the earthquake where she lost her townhome, she had something positive to say about each of the life situations she encountered, which I found uplifting. I didn't see any errors or anything that needed improvement in the part I read. I was inspired just by reading the sample, so I intend to read the rest of the book.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 5:13 pm by Brenda Creech.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Mallory Porshnev
From the cover of this book, I thought it was a children's book. However, reading the OBC review led me to understand that it is a self-help book. I don't normally enjoy self-help books, but I thought this one might have some cute anecdotes based on the fun cover. After sampling it, I know I will not be reading the whole book. The author seems to have some fun stories to tell, but at its core, it's still a self-help book, and that's not for me. The writing style also seems rather bland with very short, factual sentences. It's not very descriptive or engaging. I didn't spot any editing errors in the part I read.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 4:49 pm by Mallory Porshnev.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Laura Ungureanu
The cover made me think that this must be a humorous book, so imagine my disappointment when I found out from the OBC review that it is a sort of inspirational memoir. I don't like these genres (memoirs and inspirational/self-help), so I decided to not read this book. The sample talked about how the author attended her first marathon. It made for a great metaphor for life, but I can't say that I was inspired by it. The author's writing didn't impact me in any way, so I stay by my initial decision. The editing seemed fine.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 4:14 pm by Laura Ungureanu.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Alice Heritage
I thought this was a children's book on the basis of the title and cover. I probably wouldn't have sampled it without the programme as I don't often read collections of anecdotes. Although I enjoyed many aspects of the sample, I won't buy this today as I already have enough sources of inspiration. I noticed a few grammatical errors: the first three were as follows. "Rock Group" in the parentheses under the title of the first chapter should not be capitalized; there is an apostrophe error in "one of its' "; and "to setup a plan" should read "set up a plan". I liked the way the author dedicated each mile in the LA Marathon to a person or thing as well as the inspiring quotes like the one from Michaelangelo warning against setting our aim too low. The editing could be improved, as could the transitions between the anecdotes - the OBC review confirmed my impression that the movement between topics was abrupt. That helped with my decision somewhat.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 4:01 pm by Alice Heritage.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Emy Katherine
The cover caught my attention, but I would not have read the book based on the genre. I do not read memoirs, so I did not change my mind after reading the sample and OBC review. However, I admire the author for sharing her unique real-life experiences to help people improve their lives and find success. She particularly motivates them to step out of their comfort zone and to embrace an opportunity when it presents itself. I really enjoyed the author's compelling writing style and conversational tone, but I found some punctuation errors that distracted me from my reading. Therefore, I would suggest another round of editing. For example, there should be a comma before "she" in the following sentence: "Even though my phone rang she thought I had called her." (location 218 of 432 • 50%) There should be a comma after "Los Angeles" in the following sentence: "While in Los Angeles I worked in advertising and had opportunities to work in video, print, radio, and television." (location 127 of 432 • 29%) I also noticed a missing period at the end of the following sentence: "As a theatrical reviewer, I met a lot of people who added immensely to my social life and life experience as well." (location 331 of 432 • 77%) Despite the editing issues, the book has great Amazon ratings; fans of non-fiction books will surely enjoy it.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 2:24 pm by Emy Katherine.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Diana Lowery
Well, the title is great! The cover is funny, and the blurb made the book sound very appealing. I noticed some slight errors while reading the first ten pages, but it did not hinder my appreciation of the book. The first one I noticed was in the dedication: "You have climbed that stairway and enjoy your new journey." I think the sentence would read better if the "and" was changed to "so." The review convinced me that I should finish reading this book even though it only received three out of four stars. I plan to purchase a paperback to give as a gift after I finish reading it.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 2:14 pm by Diana Lowery.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
LinaJan
I could not be more pleased with the combination of the cover art and the title of 'There's a Rooster in My Bathroom!' by Trish Ostroski! It made my day. I did not care that it did not indicate – to me – of what lays inside it. Having read the official onlinebookclub.org review and learned that this is likely to fall into a memoir or an autobiography genre with elements of self-help, I was surprised. Whilst I do not usually pick this genre, I found myself warmed and touched by the review, and craving to find out more. Having also had the opportunity to sample 'There's a Rooster in My Bathroom!' I find myself head over heels with the author's witty and homely-feeling writing style. I could not help but nod along in agreement as I was reading about the marathon and how it is a perfect metaphor for life. And now, I find myself researching how much a ticket to LA costs and how to join the Peace Corps! It is a beautifully written and professionally proofread, inspiring work!
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 1:33 pm by LinaJan.
Do you plan to read the whole book? Yes!
Theresa Moffitt
I was not attracted to the cover of this book and would not have picked it up based on the cover alone. It looks like a comic book from the cover art and the title doesn’t tell me what the book is about. I read an Online Book Club review of the book and it gave the book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. It was an interesting review, but it didn’t increase my interest in reading the book. The first ten pages focused on the Los Angeles marathon. The author spends time discussing the race and other runners encountered there. I didn’t see any errors I the first ten pages, so I believe the book was professionally edited. I also didn’t see any area that the author could improve upon. The book didn’t draw me into the story enough in the first ten pages to want to finish reading this book.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 1:00 pm by Theresa Moffitt.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
AntonelaMaria
This book has such a witty title that draws readers' attention. I like that author confirmed her humor not just with the title but in her writing as well. Each chapter has a funny title, and at the end of a chapter, she included a quote. I liked that aspect of the editing. I don't remember seeing it in books all that often. Even though autobiographies are the genre that I read a lot, I won't be reading this book right now. It is not a self-help book that can benefit me at this moment. I can see that this is a book that stands out in the sea of self-help books that the market is saturated with, but still, I don't feel enough drawn to read it. I didn't notice any grammar errors. This book has an Offical OnlineBookClub review, which is very helpful. I wouldn't change anything about this book.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 12:50 pm by AntonelaMaria.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Twylla
I would not buy and read this book because I don't care for self help books. However, I appreciate that the book is a very good one. I enjoyed the story about the Los Angeles marathon. "Some lessons from the marathon that also apply to the marathon of life are to dedicate yourself and prepare for the journey. Make the most of it, and ultimately it is your own journey. " The author has a lot of good stories that are attached to life lessons.
The title of the book doesn't make sense. I would change it to something that describes the contents of the book.
Based on the text I read, this book is well written and it seems to be professionally edited. I didn't find any errors in the text that I read.
The official online book club review was very well written and the analysis is very good.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 11:36 am by Twylla.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
Except for the subtitle, I thought this was a children's book, which is great, in my opinion. I much rather have a funny cover than the typical self-help cover. I love that the blurb describes the book as "whimsical" and because of this original approach and the great ratings, I would've bought it based on my first impressions.
There are some funny parts in the sample, starting with the title of the first chapter. Indeed, "Dead toenails" would make for an awesome band name. My favorite reflection was the following: "Some of those along the way will be good for you and others won’t. You may be good for some and not as worthy for others. That is part of the life journey." We rarely stop to consider that we might not be, at times, the correct influence for someone. We always look at it the other way around. I liked the metaphor of the dash very much, too.
However, comparing life to a marathon is so incredibly trite! This completely discouraged me from continue reading.
I found one typo on the blurb: "above selk" should read "above self". There's also an unnecessary space on position 118: “Moldova … no day is perfect, but every day is perfectly interesting.” and other minor editing flaws, mostly missing commas. I would suggest fixing this. The official review didn't influence my decision.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 11:31 am by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Juliana_Isabella
I wouldn't have chosen this book because I don't usually read nonfiction. Even though the review I read was mostly positive, it didn't make me want to read the book because it sounds like a self-help book, which isn't a genre I usually read. I didn't find any errors in the first ten pages, and I also didn't get engaged with the opening story about the marathon. This opening felt very slow, and I didn't understand how the story about the marathon would connect to the message the author is trying to convey. Because of this, I won't be finishing the book.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 10:43 am by Juliana_Isabella.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Scerakor
From the cover, blurb, and review of this book, I would not have read this book. I'm not that big into memoirs and self-help, so this didn't seem up my alley. After reading the first ten pages I didn't change my mind and therefore will not be buying and reading the rest of this book. I did enjoy the smart humour in the book's early stages. Something simple as receiving a call from a celebrity preceeded by 'pleas hold for' is definitely amusing. That being said, I'm just not interested enough in the subject matter to pick this one up. I didn’t see anything specific that I would have wanted to change within the sample that I read and the book looked well written and edited. The official review did not affect my decision at all.
First Ten review added on October 9, 2020, at 10:10 am by Scerakor.
Do you plan to read the whole book? No
Total ~ 27%
There's a Rooster in My Bathroom! earned a score of 27%.
In other words, out of the top-level reviewers who read at least the first 10 pages of this book, 27% plan to read the whole book.
IMPORTANT: Any score over 10% is considered very good. And any score above 0% is acceptable.
Over a million books are published each year. Any given person could not even read .0001% of the books out there. This means readers have to be very selective. Even taking the time to look over reviews and blurbs, let alone read samples, is more time than most readers can afford for most books. The First Ten is a powerful focus group that addresses those issues. It creates a helpful tool for authors, publishers, and other readers.
Go to main Bookshelves page for There's a Rooster in My Bathroom!
