Recently, I've been doing multiple shorter reviews in lieu of a longer focus on one particular book. This change stemmed from my realisation that in my last reading quarter, I read 45 books but only wrote 19 reviews. Therefore, I made the well-meaning decision to try to review every book that I read this quarter.
However, I'm now in the middle of Dirda's Bound to Please, and I've realised that I much enjoy writing the longer, more thoughtful reviews. To me, the short ones feel like little more than book reports, and it seems as if many of the books that I'm reading deserve more. Therefore, I've decided to go back to my old style, and not worry about the books I'm not reviewing. I'm hoping that I will find the self-discipline to review more of the books that I truly love, but since the blog is supposed to be fun, I'm not going to stress myself out over it.
What do you guys think? How do you strike a balance between talking about a lot of books, and giving the good books the attention they deserve? Do you find that sometimes, while you're reading a book, you're already mentally composing your review? I do that sometimes. I already have most of my discussion of Blink worked out in my head-I just need to type it out. Meanwhile, though, I'm having less success in trying to figure out how to approach Dangerous Liasons. I can't even decide how much I liked the book! Ah, well. It probably doesn't help that the changing weather has made my fibromyalgia flare up. This is good for reading, but not so good for critical thinking. ;)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
Well, good for you for writing the reviews period! I "write" the reviews in my head, then don't write them down =( I joined the Book Awards Challenge, mainly to make myself review the books I read! I love reading your blog, thanks for the thoughts!
K
I say do what feels right for you. I tend to write shorter reviews (book reports!) just because I am always afraid of giving away too much. Whatever you decide, I'll be looking out for them :)
I prefer reading a longer review, even if it gives away the plot because it usually gives more of a personal impression. In a smaller review a reader's feelings are usually somed up with "I liked it" or "I didn't like it." So I vote for longer reviews of the books that impressed you most.
Make that "summed up." Sheesh.
If I like the book, I'll ramble on for a while. If it didn't really float my boat, my review will be about 2 paragraphs long.
I think the same as Bybee - if I have a lot to say, I'll say it. If not, a short blurb will do. It depends both on the book and on my mood when reading/thinking about it. Whatever is the most pleasurable, I think -- our blogs are for our enjoyment, like you note.
I'm like Bybee, too--if I like it, or at least I find it has made me think, I write more about a book. If I definitely don't like it, I say less. But as you say, this blogging thing is supposed to be for fun, so I try not to stress out about it. However, I also find myself composing reviews in my head while reading, which annoys me about myself!
I do what I like and you should too. If my response is expansive enough that I feel it merits a longer piece I do it, if not I do a bit of commentary in my chattier posts. Sometimes I love a book but can't find the words to express it, sometimes I hate it and the review rushes out.
I definitely read more books than I review. How I choose my To Be Reviewed books is like Imani - depending what I feel like. I often find I'm composing a review in my head as I read, which is usually a sign that I need to write it down.
(Over here via Litlove, BTW ...)
I love to read reviews, especially when I can't get across the book to read. So I contend with reading reviews by multiple authors.
People tend to expose things, and you try to make up a whole' picture by extrapolating and interpolating. This can happen in case of revies too.
Just in lighter vain.
Priyavrat Thareja
www.thareja.com
Review of Second Nan's Book Nan's
Reviewing a book is indeed a responsible job. It is a pleasure to recommend the two books using paradigm of Six Sigma in the scenario of a hospital/ health care industry.
Robert Barry, Ph.D, the author has made the books look like a mystery, and make them easy and interesting reads.
The reviews are published at my older website too
Arsonist-A Six Sigma Mystery
Nan's Arsonist: A Six Sigma Mystery Book II.
The author, Dr Robert Barry illustrates how the guise of inadvertent errors, at times caused due to poor insight, can play havoc with normal processes.
A must read
Priyavrat Thareja
Post a Comment