tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post4611117725849356150..comments2024-01-01T18:42:01.363-08:00Comments on International Christian Fiction Writers: Book Reviews: Why I Review (and 3 Reviewing Tips)Lisa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358581487206184033noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-40501638610715397692016-09-11T22:02:58.662-07:002016-09-11T22:02:58.662-07:00Thanks, Lisa.
I suspect reading inside or outside...Thanks, Lisa.<br /><br />I suspect reading inside or outside the genre you write can be a little chicken-and-egg. While I don't *just* read contemporary romance, it is my favourite genre, which means I'm both more likely to like it, and more likely to have it not meet expectations.<br /><br />Thank goodness for romantic suspense! I can get my romance fix and not have to face that inner critic.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-47712980918218841152016-09-11T21:56:39.267-07:002016-09-11T21:56:39.267-07:00That is the hardest thing - especially if someone ...That is the hardest thing - especially if someone recommended the title or author to me, but it doesn't gel with me for some reason. <br /><br />I do sometimes cheat and only review on NetGalley (so the publisher gets the feedback, but I don't have to 'fess up to not having finished the book).Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-19537586948519493862016-09-03T02:01:38.262-07:002016-09-03T02:01:38.262-07:00Hi Iola,
I love how you mentioned that as well as ...Hi Iola,<br />I love how you mentioned that as well as helping other authors, we also promote our own online presence. It's a sowing and reaping sort of action which I appreciate, even when we don't see direct results. I do find it a challenge at times when I've requested a book from Net Galley which I don't enjoy as much as I anticipate, and still want to come up with a kind review.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-62092027803623726212016-09-01T23:29:16.602-07:002016-09-01T23:29:16.602-07:00Great stuff here, Iola. I find it really hard to t...Great stuff here, Iola. I find it really hard to turn off my inner editor when reading. And when I find that book that allows me to totally escape, I know it's a great one. Which is also why, I think, that I tend to enjoy books more that are outside the genre I write in. It's much easier for me just to read and enjoy. <br /><br />As for reviewing, I don't do it much at this point, but as several have said, if I don't enjoy the book and can't give it a good review, then I won't turn in a review.Lisa Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11358581487206184033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-89902023877328387852016-09-01T22:46:38.148-07:002016-09-01T22:46:38.148-07:00Thank you! And I'm pleased you like the websit...Thank you! And I'm pleased you like the website. Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-69106881063507412902016-09-01T20:35:36.676-07:002016-09-01T20:35:36.676-07:00Thanks for the post! I like the website ... yo-la,...Thanks for the post! I like the website ... yo-la, not eye-ola :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01854586114372855343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-12898216153507739402016-09-01T18:51:13.805-07:002016-09-01T18:51:13.805-07:00You're coming to the Omega Writers Conference?...You're coming to the Omega Writers Conference? Fantastic! I'll finally get to meet you!<br /><br />I know what you mean about getting too picky as a reader/writer (and editor). I consciously turn off writer/editor brain when I'm reading, but I often find the writing turns it back on again. <br /><br />For example, in the last week I've read books by Amy Matayo, Christa Allen and Tammy L Gray. In each of them I found myself stopping to admire the writing, the turns of phrase. They were that good. Good stories as well, but good stories made better by great writing.<br /><br />Equally, some authors have writing quirks that I can't seem to skim over, to the point they stop me getting invested in the story. Those are the hard ones to review - and I decline the review request if I have the option.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-78757146465184986062016-09-01T18:40:18.634-07:002016-09-01T18:40:18.634-07:00Sara, I won't request a book unless I think I&...Sara, I won't request a book unless I think I'm going to be able to give it 4 or 5 stars. But sometimes I get disappointed or find the story hard to engage with, and that can be difficult when it's a NetGalley book I'm obliged to review.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-16320909954867214322016-09-01T17:27:05.214-07:002016-09-01T17:27:05.214-07:00Thanks for this, Iola! I have my own little rule w...Thanks for this, Iola! I have my own little rule when reviewing books: if I can't find enough good points to post a four or five-star review, then I decline to review the book. My first priority is to encourage writers. I might add a sentence or two on how the author can improve their story, but I keep to the positive. I'd rather bring a smile to hard-working writers!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03658059471365091357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-53240060413702798662016-09-01T16:54:02.003-07:002016-09-01T16:54:02.003-07:00Love this, Iola. Yes, I find all the talk about au...Love this, Iola. Yes, I find all the talk about authors NOT reviewing all a bit tedious. Hey, we're readers or should be and why not encourage others like us by reviewing their work. Yes, it gets problematic when the book doesn't appeal to you and you find you want to give it a review that is less than complimentary. In those situations I will usually email the author (if I know them) with my review/comments if I believe it may be helpful to them.<br /><br />I think the other challenge is that we have a natural bias as authors and can get a bit too picky and/or self-righteous rather than allowing ourselves simply to be a reader. Some of the most fun books I've read have rollicking good stories even though there may be too much head-hopping or whatever but I let those go and allow myself to enjoy the story.<br /><br />I might join you for your session at the Conference.Ian Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00192687613923596829noreply@blogger.com