Question of the Week:
Do you feel the need to write a review for your personal reads, as oppose to requested reviews, or are there some books you read just for the joy of reading?
There are some books that I won't leave a review for, but generally, I always do. I love to share my thoughts and opinions on books I read because reading is so important to me.
However, if I think the book is really bad, I generally won't leave a review out of respect for the author. This is still their creative work and they don't need me trashing it just because it didn't suit my tastes.
I will leave a bad review generally only if I find a book offensive in ways that are accepted across society to be wrong: sex with minors, active encouragement of racism or other prejudices, things like that.
There's a big difference, however, reading for pleasure and reading because a review is needed. You tend to read differently and I think that's where the phrase "reading for pleasure" really kicks in. Yes, it's often a pleasure to read the book, but because you know that you have to review it, you tend to read it with a much more skeptical eye, right off the bat. You want to be honest to your own opinion, of course, but at the same time, you want to allow for some objectivity and so you don't just read to enjoy it: you read the book trying to maintain the stance of "overall objective observer".
I enjoy writing reviews, though, and find that it has really helped me with my own writing! I take a lot of my own reviews into accounts on my later drafts of stories, and use my "Reviewer's Eye" to scan my piece. It helps step me away from my own work and read it as someone else might.
What are your thoughts? Do you leave reviews? If so, what inspires you to review a book?
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when I'm not reading a review request book, most of the time I will write up some sort of review at least, but not always. If something stood out, i will definitely note it, but I enjoy reading for fun, it helps clear my mind :) Book Savvy Babe
ReplyDeleteI try not to have too many books that are request reviews due to the fact that reading is what I do in my free time and being a mother of 3 kids 4 years old and under I really don't like to have to push through a book I am not a fan of. That being said I can agree that when I read for the requested ones I tend to take more detailed notes esp. in the beginning but they tend to drop off towards the middle and ending to feelings about the book due to not wanting to give all the plot away. I think all books deserve an honest review no matter if bought or given. There were only 2 books that I found had very little for me to say on the good side, but I do try to start with the positive and keep it upbeat while staying honest.
ReplyDeleteTo Review or Not to Review that is the QuestionAmanda @ Sisters Unedited
I hear ya. Reading for fun is what I do to relax. :D The family knows that when it's Mama's reading time, don't bother her, LOL. That's *MY* time. :D
ReplyDeleteI do it the exact same way... The beginning to the middle is "review" mode, then the rest is for my enjoyment. It's odd: I'll have a review request and read through it, somewhat tense. Then I make it to the latter half of the book, and I start enjoying it more. I hadn't really thought about it, but I really do start to read for the sake of reading only after I've unconsciously slipped from "review" mode. :)
ReplyDeleteI've noticed through this week's 18 & Over Meme, that the continuing response is: need vs. want.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people have been talking about the balance between reading for fun and reading for "work". As reviewers (whether by choice or request), we're trying to represent the general audience in order to give a fair response to the book. This places an unspoken burden on the reviewer when they read.
With reviewing being a necessarily unpaid venture, there's not much gain, other than communication with other readers on the book. This certainly doesn't take away from the value of reviewing (it's the point, after all), but it does mean that we often narrowly walk the line between enjoying our books and letting our books become a chore.
I think this is a very interesting topic that doesn't get spoken about much. Actually, the only times I've ever seen it touched upon before would be on author sites when they discuss book hops, etc., and offer thanks to the reviewers.
It isn't a thankless job, but it is work that involves our passion. And anything that has "work" attached to it can easily become a chore if we're not careful.
If I leave a review on a book I did not finish or enjoy I always try to point out one or two good things about book and or author for that very reason... someone poured their hearts into this book, hate to just bash them all together. Takes a lot to put yourself out there.
ReplyDeleteHappy {almost} Friday
I will write a review for a book that I didn't like if I bought that book but i do try and write my review that makes it clear why that book didn't work for me personally. I really dislike neagtive reviews that just slag a book and it's author off. After all somebody spent a lot of time and effort writing that book and they don't deserve somebody trashing it/them.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine if you get chance
Claire's Book CornerHave a great weekend.
It truly does. I've always had an appreciation for authors, but never so much as when I started writing, myself. It takes a whole lot to write even a bad book!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. There are books out there whose content I completely disagree with and find insulting. Yet I wouldn't turn around and write an insulting review of it; that's childish and makes you look just as bad as the content you disliked, if not worse.
ReplyDelete