I apologise for the dearth of book reviews at the moment. I’m in the midst of some serious contest reading at the moment so I’m not at liberty to post reviews, but they will be coming! In the meantime, I wanted to talk about book reviews and what you look for when seeking someone else’s opinion. Do you like them short and to the point? Or lengthy and detailed? A humourous take on the book or a review with lots of emotional content?
What do you look for in a book review?
March 30, 2016 at 2:18 am
I like the book reviews that are not the standard book review. So often, when I look at reviews on Amazon, each review will repeat the book blurb before getting to the review. I can read the book blurb at the top of the page so don’t repeat it.
As for the actual review, I like a book review to be short and to the point. What was liked, what was disliked, warn me about inappropriate content.
March 31, 2016 at 3:39 pm
I like how you think, Kathy ๐
March 30, 2016 at 2:33 am
I prefer short and to the point. I don’t want the reviewer to give away all the details or re-write the book, just offer their thoughts – whether it be with humor or emotional content. I do like it when the reviewer lists what they did and didn’t like about a story. After reading a book, I like to check Amazon and read the reviews to see what others thought about it and if their opinion was the same as mine. Reviews stating they liked the same things I did, or just didn’t get what I scratched my head over as well, is always validating. But, I also like reading reviews totally opposite of my personal view to see why they liked a book I didn’t and vice versa. Hearing how something ‘spoke’ to them or how they interpreted something completely different than I did, gives clarity that maybe I overlooked. It may not change my feelings, but it’s interesting to me how the same book can affect people so differently.
May I say, your reviews should serve as the industry standard on how to write one. Short, concise and offering insights without being too wordy or too simple. Just enough to hook me in time and time again into discovering a book or author unknown to me and leave me wanting more. Kudos Book Compass!
March 31, 2016 at 3:41 pm
You are always so insighful with your comments, Amy. Love what you say about how “Hearing how something โspokeโ to them or how they interpreted something completely different than I did, gives clarity that maybe I overlooked.”
And you are very kind and generous with your comments about my reivews – thank you!
March 30, 2016 at 6:12 am
Since I tend to get really wordy in my reviews (a habit I should remedy ;D), I don’t mind lengthy reviews. But my compliments to you Rel for your short, elegant and wonderful reviews. As Amy writes (above), yours are industry standard. They’re concise and beautifully written. Well done, Rel. ๐
I admire people who can say all that needs to be said in a matter of one paragraph.
March 31, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Like many commenters here, I’m not a huge fan of lengthy reviews, except when it comes to yours, Rissi! Always a joy to read ๐
Thanks for your very kind words, too xo
March 30, 2016 at 8:37 am
I like a decently long review that really expresses what touched the reader, BUT without rehashing the plot or revealing spoilers (yeah, I’m doomed to disappointment, as not a lot of reviews that meet THAT criteria). On Goodreads or retail sites, most of the time I skip over 1-paragraph reviews, as they so often just regurgitate the plot. If it’s two or more paragraphs, then I’ll read it (and generally skip the first paragraph).
Blog reviews are a bit different, since it IS nice to have the book blurb for a point of reference.
March 31, 2016 at 3:44 pm
I do not understand reviews that regurgitate the plot, either. Writers far better than I could hope to be have spent a considerable time writing a synopsis – why would I want to do the same thing only more poorly?!
We are in agreement, Rachael!
March 30, 2016 at 12:17 pm
I like my reviews short and to the point .I don’t want to know the whole story and what everybody did. Just tell me the basics like did you enjoy the book ,was it a clean read, was it well told without constant repeating of facts, would you recommend it to a friend.
March 31, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Exactly, Ingrid!
March 30, 2016 at 10:40 pm
When I review I never repeat the blurb. I review based off how I felt about the story, not if the grammar was correct or if the author may have mistaken something that happen in a certain era. I love reviewing books, because I love to read and support authors.
March 31, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Thanks for sharing, Deborah – good thoughts.
March 31, 2016 at 1:55 am
when i write reviews, i try to give what i look for in a reviewโkey concept(s) of the story, main character(s), the struggle, without giving any spoilers. i keep it short-ish, and give a mini-bio of the author as well.
March 31, 2016 at 3:46 pm
Nicely done, Robin
March 31, 2016 at 9:44 am
I value reviews from Goodreads friends and trusted bloggers above those from unknown readers. Not saying I don’t read other reviews, because I do. It’s just that a friend that enjoys the same types of books that I do carries much more weight than the unknown reader.
Second, no spoilers please!!
Finally, I prefer short reviews. If I open a review and it’s ten paragraphs long, I’m likely to not read it.
March 31, 2016 at 3:46 pm
Yes, NO spoilers!!!! The cardinal sin of a reviewer ๐
March 31, 2016 at 9:50 am
I agree with others who stated here that you (Rel) give a “just right” review that will tell me enough to make me research the book further if it seems up my alley or know that it’s not my genre and keep looking. I especially like to know the “dominant” character of the book – like it’s “YA” or “Suspense/Mystery” or “Adventure/Thriller” or “Contemporary or Historical Romance” – with these “main titles” I know the root of the story. Thanks for your excellent reviews Rel. It takes courage to put yourself on the line, but it’s your honesty that keeps me coming back for your input and helps guide me to my next “back porch rocking chair read feast!”
March 31, 2016 at 3:47 pm
Thank you, dear Pam – loved your thoughts and generous words xo
April 1, 2016 at 3:03 am
I prefer reviews that just get right to the point. Tell me what was good or bad. I also love when reviewers say who they would recommend the book to.
April 20, 2016 at 9:06 pm
I like the way you think, Alyssa!
April 1, 2016 at 1:47 pm
I want to know , Did you like the book? How it compares to other similar books? Is there chemistry between the characters? Keep it short and to the point.
April 20, 2016 at 9:06 pm
I like that, Emilee
April 2, 2016 at 10:43 pm
The shorter the review, the less likely I am to read it. When I read a review I want enough information to know whether I would agree with the reviewer’s assessment. Even when reviewers state why they enjoyed a book (great characters, excellent writing, etc) it still doesn’t tell me whether I would think they’re great characters, or whether I would think the writing was excellent. Long reviews are more likely to give me that information.
April 20, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Good to know ๐