There are two topics I’m passionate about.
Number one, it is not the quote-unquote “lab’s fault” you need to do your blood redrawn…
(The results are only as good as the sample! We’re partners with nurses, not the enemy! We don’t want you redrawn either!)
Okay… Okay… I’m okay… Lab tech is now done with her rant for the day.
And #2 is…
I never, ever write negative reviews.
Why am I so passionate about this?
There’s always something positive to be said about every book I’ve ever read–even the ones with big flaws. There was one novel I read where the main character threw his phone at the wall and it broke. That was cool. But then in a different scene, the girlfriend did the same thing! Umm… And then the main character broke his phone again. Zero points for creativity.
I can hear you now: “What?! You aren’t honest?“
Only if it’s necessary.
For instance, if the author typically writes romance and this newly published book has the couple divorce at the end (without the book being clear that it is women’s fiction), I’ll definitely put a respectful warning in the review.
But if I didn’t enjoy the plot? Or thought the characters were a bit flat? Or thought the main conflict coulda had more oomf?
Nope. I wouldn’t comment on those things. (I wouldn’t lie and say it was stellar either.)
Because those authors (even that author I mentioned before) worked really hard to write, re-write, edit, and get their baby published! There is some message they really, really wanted someone to read.
Also, authors are humans. Who knows? Maybe there was deadline that came out of nowhere? Or a family crisis or a health issue or whatever…and the author isn’t happy how the book finally turned out.
The author is human. Let’s extend a measure of grace to all the effort put in. Remember: authoring is pouring out a person’s heart. You wouldn’t want your baby scorned and ridiculed needlessly, would you?
It isn’t a toaster
If you purchase a toaster and the thing never heats up, you have my blessing to say a very honest one star review and tell everyone how this company is the worst ever and you’re waiting for your money back.
But books aren’t toasters. There isn’t a “this book doesn’t work!” function.
The whole word “review” is misleading unless you are a professional critic. Truthfully, what we post on Amazon and Goodreads is our feedback, our impression, our takeaway after reading.
(Think about it a second: I think if we opted for the “leave your feedback on Amazon” we’d get a lot more so-called “reviews” for books!)
But a book is all about emotion. Reading is journey of the mind. As the stories unfold, we draw from our perspective and our histories, and join what we see in our mind with the plots and characters of the book for a unique, internal mind-blowing experience.
Whereas a toaster… Well, it better make toast!
What’s your flavor?
To keep with the food analogy, let’s say I like rocky road ice cream. Wow, I’ve got good stuff to say about it! The crunch, the sweet… I mean, hello? Marshmallows?!
Meanwhile, you don’t care for rocky road, but prefer _____(fill in the blank!)____ ice cream.
Let’s say you accidentally ordered rocky road. Oh no! U-turn.
You wouldn’t review the ice cream as bad, would you? “Ugh, the cream was off. And, wow, ice cream is not supposed to hurt my teeth!”
Of course not!
I take that back: you might if you’re my nine-year-old and just as self-centered…
But I’m willing to bet you’re neither. You’d say, “Bummer. This isn’t the flavor I usually order.”
Did you catch that? You may or may not go into the rant, but you would admit you picked up the wrong genre, er, flavor.
Say it with me: “This isn’t the genre I usually read.”
With this kind of disclaimer, at least you won’t be running off any new readers who might truly love that crunch and ooh, marshmallow! reader.
Wouldn’t you want the same to be done for your genre?
Here’s the clincher…
Writing book reviews is hard.
Because…
It’s bad form to write spoilers. But, let’s be honest: it’s hard not to write specifics! “I really related when John Johnson said he loved Susie Banana after the canoe flipped!!”
Save it for the email you send to the author directly 🙂
That said, no review should have a sentence, “The book was good.”
It’s gotta give something.
A review needs, well, a review. With specifics too. (Just not with spoilers!)
Such as…
“Danny had such a quirky personality–I wanted to reach into the book and hug him!”
Remember, what I love in a novel might be boring to you. So “A great read if you love deep characters with tough subjects” rather than “You’re gonna love this book!”
And what’s the deal with having to “title” my review on Amazon? As if writing the review isn’t hard enough!
In sum, it’s tough to give the right accolades to our favorite authors–without spoiling the fun and without attracting the wrong readers!
*groan!*
What to do? What to do?
Okay. Here’s the thing:
Without reviews (either written or verbal), no readers will know said book exists.
Reviews can be very helpful to attract the right readers…and repel the wrong ones.
Authors need us! They need love! They need to know we love them! And we want them to know we love them! (C’mon, you know I’m right! The last time you read your newest favorite title, you had a mini concert in your head. Go on, admit it…)
Writing reviews are important!
Three Tips to Write Honest, Easy-Peasy Book Reviews
Tip #1: Take notes
I started to write down what I loved and didn’t like for the first three pages of a new book I’m reading.
Because, let’s face it, who wants to write notes while our hero is at the cliff’s edge and oh! the love of his life is on the ledge below him?!
If your first impression from those first three pages (or more pages, if it’s that good!) are still true by the last few chapters of the book, you at least have something you type up!
“Drama from the get-go!”
“Wow. The personalities of the characters are so fun!”
“Subject matter is deep and heavy–I liked it!”
Tip #2: Write before you finish
Very recently, I’ve decided to write a review before get to the end of the book. (You know what I’m talking about! That moment after the climax–or right before–when your gut clenches and your mind goes, “No! It can’t be over yet!!!”)
Because you’re still in love with the book! Or more so than when you started. (Now that’s a testimonial!)
But there is something that happens in the brain when you get to the last swipe on the Kindle. And I mean, the last swipe. When you go past the “Letter to Author” and Amazon pops up: “Leave a review!”
And your stomach sinks. And you can’t believe it’s over. Especially an amazing book, you’re now you’re an addict looking his next fix.
Hmm. Not the best time to write a review.
So, write the review before you get to the “post-read blues” and send me an email to thank me.
Tip #3: Leave Amazon for later
When I’m writing “the book review,” I write it first on Goodreads. (Or another review site that doesn’t need a stinkin’ title or that “reviews” my review and might even take it down if it doesn’t seem legit. Oh, the stress!)
And, of course, I use the notes I used from the first three pages.
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So, go get reading…and reviewing!
Like what you've read? I'm also on Facebook and Twitter!Your turn: If any of this post resonated with you, let me know! I bet you’re not the only one! Or do you have any other tips for writing book reviews? I’d be glad to hear them!
