A question about reviews

[jethrien]

So I've been doing this book reviewing thing for a year and a quarter now. And I find myself wondering how it's working out. Do people like the format? Do the thingummies seem totally arbitrary?

Has anyone actually read a book (or avoided it) because of something I've said? If so, any in particular? Did the review actually give you a good picture of what the book was like?

And are you entertained?

Comments

[cubby-t-bear.livejournal.com]

Yes, somewhat, don't know, n/a, n/a, and definitely yes! :)

Um. I'm in a literal frame of mind right now, no doubt prompted by that very long customer satisfaction survey I just filled out on another site.

[ecmyers.livejournal.com]

If I'm interested in a book, I don't tend to get turned off by a negative review, and in fact I probably won't read the review at all. But if I see a strong enough recommendation of something that isn't otherwise on my radar, particularly from a friend with good taste, I add it to my reading list. But I'm so far behind reading books and reviews, that I have probably missed a lot of yours.

Have you considered creating a separate book review site somewhere? That might get you a little more traction.

I do like the format though, and it's fun seeing the different things you've been reading and your reactions to them.

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

Eh, I'm not really trying to set up as a serious book reviewer, at least at the moment. I'm doing this mostly because friends asked me to. Which is why I'd like to know if my friends are actually enjoying this. Because I'm doing it to entertain you folks. :)

[shnayder.livejournal.com]

I'm very entertained, like the format, and have definitely read / avoided books based on your reviews. I like the fact that there's enough detail in the review about what you liked and didn't like, so I can project to my preferences and figure out that I probably wouldn't actually enjoy the same thing, or vice versa. Books/authors on my "have read" list that I think I first heard about from you: All of Jim Butcher, Soulless, Hunger Games, and I know there are a few others, but I sadly haven't kept the recommenders next to the books I've read.

[shnayder.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, and there are at least 10 more on my to-read list :) Happily, I don't have a commute, so sadly I don't get through very many books.

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

Yay! Yes, those are all good books. :)

[xannoside.livejournal.com]

I read the Hunger Games because of your rec. :P

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

Did you like it? (I mean, even if you didn't, I suppose it still gets you in on the national conversation.)

[xannoside.livejournal.com]

I did, though I found Katniss kind of annoying. I don't think I've ever read a book whose protagonist was as disconnected from real human emotion around them since reading Elmer Gantry in high school. :P

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

She is, a bit. What I found fascinating was how addicted I was despite the fact that she's kind of an idiot.

[wavilyem.livejournal.com]

I did too and really liked the series. You have *far* higher standards for books than I do so a 5 thingummie rating for a YA fiction book carries a lot of weight in my mind! I'm the type who just wants to enjoy fiction for what it is rather than critiquing it to death unless it's what you would call really terrible.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

I read so much less than you, and our reading lists overlap not at all, so it's fun to see what you get done while I'm still slaving away at one book (between New Yorker issues).

[momerath4.livejournal.com]

I like the reviews, too! I ended up reading Shades of Milk and Honey last year based on your review (and I'm glad I did, though I ended up being a bit more critical of it than you were). I also have a few more books you reviewed on my ridiculously long to-read list.