This is a new meme I started last week called "Anything Goes on Saturday". It's a chance to choose any topic you want and talk about it on Saturday - it can be about a book, TV show, movie, a recipe or just an update on your week. Whatever you choose.
If you'd like to join in, take the button above and blog about it. Use the linky below to post your direct link to your post. Then, go and visit other blogs and see what's on everyone's minds this week. Enjoy!
My topic for this week is reviewing...I'm curious to know what kind of format you all use to review.
I've been making my reviews relatively short. I write a couple of paragraphs briefly describing the plot of the story and then I give my thoughts on the book. If the review is requested from an author or publisher, I try to include a couple of quotes in case they want to use them for promotional materials.
I try not to make my reviews too detailed as I hate to ruin the story for potential readers. Also, I tend to think people lose interest in reading long reviews.
Now, about ratings...do you use those? Do you like them? I only started using ratings last year. I always enjoy reading other people's ratings, so I figured I would do them too.
How do you feel about review? Do you like reading longer reviews? Do you write longer reviews? Or do you prefer the shorter ones? Do you use ratings?
The other part of this is - do you depend on reviews to decide what to read? I use reviews mainly to find out the plot of the book and see if it's something I'd be interested in. However, I don't use them to make my final decisions about books.
So, what's your take on reading and writing reviews?
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Great new meme!
ReplyDeleteHaven't the time to join in this weekend, as I frantically try to catch up with everyone's blogs, but will b back.
I am influenced by a good review to pick up a book within my comfort zone of genres, but I make up my own mind if it was a good book for me.
carol
Yvonne: First, I want to thank you for hosting this great new meme. This is the 1st time I am participating but not the last.
ReplyDeleteAs for your topic. I agree. I have a simialar set up: synopsis from ex:back of book, then my thoughts and opinion, and rating.
I took a poll when I first started blogging and the majority of people liked short, concise, why or why not did I like the book. I rate on a 1-5 scale. I think that there are so many blogs with so many reviews, that people don't have the time to read lengthy reviews or they would never have time to read an actual book. I know, I personally, want to see if it is a 4/5 or 5/5 book, then I will read the review to see if it goes on my tbr bucket list. Sorry for the lenghty answer.
My topic is here.
As a review writer I usually post the burb from the back of the book and in my review I don't really go into the plot much but I discuss what I liked or didn't like. I do use a rating system. I would say my reviews are kind of in the middle for length - some are longer than others. For me as a review reader I always skip over the plot summary and blurb because usually if I am reading the review I am already interested/familiar with the book (that's why I don't really focus on the plot in my own reviews). I am mostly intersted in seeing what people thought and why to see if they match up with what I would normally think.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good idea, Yvonne. I will try this meme one of these Saturdays. As for ratings, I understand how they can be helpful, but I don't use them on my blog to rate books.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting new meme, I hope it catches on for you, although I won't be a part of it. I just don't have that much to talk about.
ReplyDeleteI do read some reviews, if I'm up in the air, as to if I want to read a book or not. Otherwise, I don't read reviews until after I've read the book. I prefer short reviews. I do write reviews just for myself, as little reminders of what the book was about. I really shouldn't call them reviews, because they are just reminders, for myself later down the road.
(P.S. I have added this to my Memes page. Now I'd like to figure out how to allow comments to pages! )
ReplyDeleteTruth be told, yes if they are too long I might skim.
ReplyDeleteI use grading now and again, but I do not like it. I like it when others do it, but dislike setting grades myself
I have something for you on my blog!
ReplyDeleteI love your reviews! But you knew that...
ReplyDeleteShort, like/dislike and stars (or cats). The stars aren't strictly necessary, but they are nice to see, especially when the review tells why a book was rated a certain way.
Thank you. Thank you so much for the award. I am so honored that you thought of me!! I can't believe you lost 85 pounds an dkept it off! WOW! congrats and I am so inspired by you. I will have just about that much weight to loose as soon as I have this baby!!! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm honored that you passed the award onto my book blog:)
ReplyDeleteI try not to make my reviews too long or too short. And I won't include any spoilers. I do use a rating system.
ReplyDeleteIf a book gets a negative review, it wont deter me from reading it myself.
Have a good weekend!
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