tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post66360400875025552..comments2024-03-19T14:52:00.000-07:00Comments on Coming Down the Mountain: Ins and Outs of Reviewing Books OnlineKaren Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-21490984974442733862011-08-01T08:53:06.392-07:002011-08-01T08:53:06.392-07:00On my way to check it out!On my way to check it out!Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-50535863608172860652011-07-28T19:43:33.412-07:002011-07-28T19:43:33.412-07:00Sharon, I had not checked Farm Girl reviews on Goo...Sharon, I had not checked Farm Girl reviews on Goodreads for so long. Just went and read yours. Thank you!! It is a lovely review :)Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-88934664640317190452011-07-28T18:52:33.796-07:002011-07-28T18:52:33.796-07:00I have a pile of books on one shelf that I need to...I have a pile of books on one shelf that I need to write reviews for...including Farm Girl... I tend to focus on the parts of a book I like. If I can't say something nice I don't say anything at all online. I wouldn't want my words to hurt any author. I did do a goodreads post about Farm Girl and some other blog friends' books.Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-83422619732402871262011-07-28T18:19:04.599-07:002011-07-28T18:19:04.599-07:00Dear,
Let's pop over there together.
karen m...Dear,<br /><br />Let's pop over there together.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.karenmillendressesuk.com" rel="nofollow">karen millen</a>Gabrielle Evelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043834220858966092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-58517184124277147272011-07-28T12:12:30.925-07:002011-07-28T12:12:30.925-07:00That is a hard question. I'll link over.That is a hard question. I'll link over.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-53763669647580125072011-07-28T10:43:09.680-07:002011-07-28T10:43:09.680-07:00My approach to reviewing is the same as when I giv...My approach to reviewing is the same as when I give feedback to a learner in my training. It must appreciate the writer by having a respectful approach to their work and 2ndly feedback must be constructive and honest. So I start with a positive, address the negative and end with a positive. I have turned down a poetry book that I personally thought was hogwash and I feel that is the best approach instead of being totally negative about someone's work.<br /><br />Karen its rather tacky of me to be so late but I want to thank you ever so much for coming over to my blog. You are the most wonderful person ever and I truly appreciate your friendship. Thank you thank you thank you.Wendy@FabNouveauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279778187031288695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-28174361724749858352011-07-28T10:08:29.349-07:002011-07-28T10:08:29.349-07:00Good for you. I'll pop over there.
Manzanita@...Good for you. I'll pop over there.<br /><br /><a href="http://beajayblock.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck</a>Manzanitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06467261212623663365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-22146260544067729812011-07-28T09:07:20.179-07:002011-07-28T09:07:20.179-07:00I'm with Linda G. regarding the "if you c...I'm with Linda G. regarding the "if you can't say something nice" policy. If I like a book, I'll review it. If I don't like it, I'd simply decline to review. Ok, popping over to visit you on the other blog now.Melissa Ann Goodwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13454907380469372468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-61648066678799476262011-07-28T07:01:11.331-07:002011-07-28T07:01:11.331-07:00ooh! Interesting topic. I'm scared to review b...ooh! Interesting topic. I'm scared to review books because I don't want to insult other bloggers who like them. Have to temper my STRONG opinions. So I just steer clear. <br /><br />Off to go read what people have to say . . . :)Bess Weatherbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09873091527596352004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-61833443183335622992011-07-28T06:26:21.847-07:002011-07-28T06:26:21.847-07:00I agree this is tough; I do think one has to trend...I agree this is tough; I do think one has to trend carefully~ I will be by...Ellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06070952447277684613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-15567014638678868792011-07-28T06:14:44.089-07:002011-07-28T06:14:44.089-07:00Heading over now to say hi to one of my compatriot...Heading over now to say hi to one of my compatriots. :-)Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-42161600842904871082011-07-28T02:34:28.945-07:002011-07-28T02:34:28.945-07:00I'm going to pop over!I'm going to pop over!Rebecca Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10194524230109997420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-65719294956216465412011-07-27T20:25:20.130-07:002011-07-27T20:25:20.130-07:00Excellent post--I left my comment there. You made...Excellent post--I left my comment there. You made a lot of good sense.<br /><br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a>Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-81666502152052394262011-07-27T17:17:39.249-07:002011-07-27T17:17:39.249-07:00Good article - I liked your point about not having...Good article - I liked your point about not having to love a book to review it; I can always find good points to praise. Interesting point about self-published books, too. I still give them a shot, you can usually tell in the first chapter or two what kind of quality they are. It's a shame so many people rush into self-publishing before their book is polished and well-edited.Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-88951757810537898272011-07-27T16:04:39.260-07:002011-07-27T16:04:39.260-07:00Popping on over...Popping on over...Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-88667313174018498012011-07-27T13:20:45.330-07:002011-07-27T13:20:45.330-07:00See you there. :) (I laughed at your comment at m...See you there. :) (I laughed at your comment at my blog---I'm waiting for Celery Tree to buy my copies of <i>your</i> books too!)Nicki Elsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412032684225126973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-11841179933684922952011-07-27T12:52:04.465-07:002011-07-27T12:52:04.465-07:00As Bambi's friend Thumper said, "If ya ca...As Bambi's friend Thumper said, "If ya can't some something nice, don't say nothing at all." On the other hand, as a writer, a good review of my work would only have value to me if it were sincere.Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-24943981230446100042011-07-27T12:29:24.719-07:002011-07-27T12:29:24.719-07:00I don't mind reviewing author books, I'm n...I don't mind reviewing author books, I'm not good at it completely, but I think there is a line between being too nice or to harsh. I think using your words in a polite way helps and so does choosing good and bad points of it unless it was fabulous all the way of course.Summer Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122694893668693244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-68428292306884443012011-07-27T10:33:46.190-07:002011-07-27T10:33:46.190-07:00Michelle, I like this. There are always subtle way...Michelle, I like this. There are always subtle ways to get the idea across, ways that don't demean and offend the artist. Now that you mention it, I tend to notice that many reviewers do this with books, spending longer on those that resonate with them. I know that my worst reviews on Uncut Diamonds were the shortest: "hated it" and "losey book" (she didn't even know how to spell the word lousy LOL).Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-80211285233358700292011-07-27T08:24:37.962-07:002011-07-27T08:24:37.962-07:00Back when I was on the cops and court beat as a ne...Back when I was on the cops and court beat as a newspaper reporter, my additional duty was to review theater productions. (I know, I never did get the connection either!) Our newspaper's rule was to mention what you liked best.<br /><br />If your review happened to be much shorter than usual, readers got the idea that it might not be as good a play as without our actually coming out and saying so. That way you left it open for someone else to judge and, in case it the production just wasn't your thing, you didn't offend anyone too much when hinting at your opinion.<br /><br />Would this be a good policy to apply to book reviews, or is it doing readers a disservice? Until I know for sure, I'm erring on the side of caution and channeling the newsroom experience. :) I'm glad you asked this question.Michelle Fayardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05323853315988838877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-86640640128303587002011-07-27T08:18:55.143-07:002011-07-27T08:18:55.143-07:00It's a tough one, for sure! Headed over.It's a tough one, for sure! Headed over.Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03315289632435632377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-69355440189874547922011-07-27T06:10:41.481-07:002011-07-27T06:10:41.481-07:00I haven't reviewed online yet, and think I'...I haven't reviewed online yet, and think I'd only write one if it were be positive. I'd feel better critiquing a book before it was published, when my comments might serve a purpose other than to reduce sales.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-82053094538953721002011-07-27T06:06:30.532-07:002011-07-27T06:06:30.532-07:00As an author, on my blog I follow the maxim "...As an author, on my blog I follow the maxim "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Publishing is a relatively small, tight-knit community, and karma can suck. ;)Linda G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04576828490765434497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-78500141028099250762011-07-27T05:03:54.431-07:002011-07-27T05:03:54.431-07:00I only review on amazon and only for books I reall...I only review on amazon and only for books I really enjoy. I seriously can't see the point of giving a negative review (unless they're shoes!) - but that's just my personal thing. I think if a reviewer is able to give a good negative review that is fair to the author, the book and the reader without being humiliating or demeaning or just nasty, then go for it! :-) Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-50933587686869900832011-07-27T04:13:48.717-07:002011-07-27T04:13:48.717-07:00...great post, Karen. If asked, I'll review a ......great post, Karen. If asked, I'll review a friend's work online. And if they truly want a review, and I'm confident of our friendship, yes, I'll publish honestly. In the long scheme of things, I'd respect an honest opinion as well, be it positive, or not so much ;)<br /><br />Well done, Karen!<br /><br />ELElliot Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com