tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post6040142216234098696..comments2024-02-13T15:37:51.463-05:00Comments on Ellis Vidler's Unpredictable Muse: What do you think about book reviews?Ellis Vidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-89499350531678949852011-04-18T18:42:25.002-04:002011-04-18T18:42:25.002-04:00It's a dilemma. I think I have to be honest in...It's a dilemma. I think I have to be honest in what I do say, but I may leave out a few things. As Maggie said, just because it doesn't work for me doesn't mean it won't for someone else. Everyone made good points, and I see I'm not the only one debating over this. No concrete answers I think.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-21274058388671917342011-04-18T07:49:52.727-04:002011-04-18T07:49:52.727-04:00You didn't miss a nail with your hammer. I'...You didn't miss a nail with your hammer. I've struggled with every point for years.<br />I've also read your examples and agree.<br />Thanks for the Twitter button. I sent it on to #book #reviews, etc.<br />Nash BlackAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04182028108594825938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-38060185086100794532011-04-18T03:23:50.666-04:002011-04-18T03:23:50.666-04:00I never review books by authors I know. Nor do I p...I never review books by authors I know. Nor do I pay attention to glowing reviews written by other writers for their compatriots or to author blurbs. In my experience, these are are indicators of the ability to network, not necessarily the ability to write. <br /><br />I post my reviews on both Goodreads and on my blog. I always try to find something positive to say about every book. If there is VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-79132148046257314802011-04-17T21:46:11.850-04:002011-04-17T21:46:11.850-04:00Hi Ellis,
I take the opposite approach to this di...Hi Ellis,<br /><br />I take the opposite approach to this dilemma. Someone who is a writer friend wouldn't ask me for a review unless they "needed" one. Sure I have a professional reputation, but opinions are subjective. I've read books (and watched movies) that have had outstanding big time reviews and I hated them.<br /><br />My view is this - if I can help someone else out, IMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-66890103791192950892011-04-17T21:03:42.552-04:002011-04-17T21:03:42.552-04:00Lately I've been asked to write reviews of fri...Lately I've been asked to write reviews of friends' books. They expect rave reviews, and I can't rave if I don't feel it. In the future, I'm thinking of saying, "Sorry, no can do."<br />MarilynMarilyn Levinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10424778692932139865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-6109545426020307742011-04-16T15:40:43.153-04:002011-04-16T15:40:43.153-04:00I like your idea, Maryn. I also think most of us k...I like your idea, Maryn. I also think most of us know we aren't going to write anyone's all-time favorite. For me, those are A MAN IN FULL, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA and DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD. To be honest, I sort of trust 4-star reviews more than 5.<br /><br />And I totally agree about not giving a synopsis of the book. Short and simple is usually best.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-54537648668784812082011-04-16T11:32:31.928-04:002011-04-16T11:32:31.928-04:00Maybe reviews should be divided by genre, and with...Maybe reviews should be divided by genre, and within genre, tiers like fun, beach read, a thrill ride, etc. It's not quite fair to compare a great legal thriller with a literary masterpiece with a fun novel. All might be fives, but they're written to different standards and fulfill different needs in the reader. Just a thought.Maryn Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306180422032901064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-54015585321249629582011-04-16T10:28:11.553-04:002011-04-16T10:28:11.553-04:00Nor me. I'll never be that kind of writer, but...Nor me. I'll never be that kind of writer, but I can honestly say your books are good reads, entertaining, with good characters and stories that I love. So what do I do?Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2932500187353859270.post-45084270183477614322011-04-16T09:22:08.022-04:002011-04-16T09:22:08.022-04:00I agree wholeheartedly. I'm finding books that...I agree wholeheartedly. I'm finding books that I LOVE are harder to find. I thought I found a winner in The Lincoln Lawyer recently. Then I got to the end and found it unsatisfying. I won't give away why because I'd spoil the ending. I've been asked to write reviews by writer friends and feel obligated to give them higher marks than I would if I didn't know them. This is Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.com