How I review books on Goodreads
Every so often, I like to do a little reminder about what I'm all about, since I am conscious about my platform on here, and I know that sometimes people side-eye authors who review others' works. I'm also a mood reader who tends to go through periods of reading only the same types of books for long periods of time, only to switch it up after a few weeks, leaving some people confused.
So here are some informational tidbits about how I review and use my platform.
1. If I think I won't be able to separate the art from the artist, I won't review their work. Period. I won't review or support Orson Scott Card or J.K. Rowling, because I dislike their personal stances on issues that are important to me so much so that I feel like it would color how I view their stories. Likewise, if I see an author subtweeting me or people who I care about, I won't review their work. I do not revenge-rate or get into petty internet fights, but I won't read the books of people who get in my bad books. It's probably for the best.
2. I try not to punch down. I used to write way more negative reviews when I was younger, but that was when I was not in the best place in terms of mental health, and I have regrets over how vicious and brutal some of my reviews were back then (even though they did come from a place of honesty). I really try to curb myself now. And I try not to make fun of authors who are just starting out and don't have a lot of traction, yet. I don't write reviews wanting to upset people. My primary goal on Goodreads is to have fun and entertain.
3. I am amenable to learning and doing better. Recently someone called me in about some language I had used in one of my reviews that was insensitive. Even though the language I used hadn't been intended that way, I realized how it could be perceived, and that it was my own fault for being so careless in my word choices. So I revised the language in my review, and I appreciated that the person who contacted me wanted to help me do better. They didn't have to do that, but they did, and I learned from that and ultimately really appreciated the experience.
4. That said, I do read a lot of "un-PC" books. I try to look at these objectively, considering when they were set and when they were written, but I do try to point out the slurs and triggers that might offend readers who really aren't into those sorts of things (for totally valid reasons). I don't believe that the books people read or write necessarily define them as a person, but I do think that how people consume and talk about what they read and write do. It's important to allow criticism of what we love, and understand that if we consume media with toxic elements in it, that it is really important to allow people to discuss why those things are problematic without shutting them down or making apologies for those things.
5. Even though I'm an author, I never rate out of jealousy. Do I feel jealous? Fuck yes. All the time. But if an author writes a story so good that I wish I thought of it first, then they get a five star review. Period. I really don't see other authors as "the competition" because books aren't a "this or that" scenario. Readers consume vast quantities of books, and there is room for many people at the table. It's always exciting when I find an author more talented than I am, because it means I have someone new to learn from and appreciate and that is invaluable, and worth way more than the price of their book.
6. I really try to make this site a better place than I found it. I want to be nice. I know I can come across as an arrogant dick sometimes, but for the most part, I try to be welcoming and inclusive. I really am grateful to be part of the book community and I think there are so many wonderful voices who give this site the power that it has, for authors and readers alike. Sometimes people know me from one of my negative reviews only, and I think that can make them think that I'm a bitter, negative person. I've had people reach out to me from that standpoint, but after we've had a discussion, it often ends up becoming pretty positive for both of us. I'm brutally honest, but I don't think I'm mean (and I really try hard not to come across this way). At the end of the day, I'm a reader who just wants to have fun and scream about books with other readers.
7. I will read almost anything, but only when I feel like it. I'll binge science nonfiction for several weeks, only to veer into feminism or bodice-rippers or mysteries. I like everything from YA to fantasy. I joke about having trashy taste, and I do. I don't have anything to prove with the books I read. I just want to have fun. Maybe you think that invalidates my opinion, and that some books aren't meant to be enjoyable. That's OK but it's not how I review, and I'm not really all that interested in having people tell me how I should have read a book. Life is short, and if I'm not feeling something, I won't read it.
8. Which is why I rate my DNFs. I won't tell people how to read and write their reviews, and I think it's sad how many people seem to feel it's in their rights to do so. If you want to waste hours and hours slogging through something that makes you miserable, that's on you. But if I called it quits at 15% and decide to rate and review, that's my choice. You don't need to finish a crappy meal to decide it sucks, so why do I need to finish a crappy book to decide the same?
9. I love book friends. Please feel free to add me. I'm absent-minded and not the best at engaging (haha what an endorsement), but I try to respond to all my comments on here and like the reviews of my friends as much as possible. I've been told I can seem intimidating or snobby, and I'm sorry if I come across that way. I'm basically a marshmallow covered in prickles, okay? Beyond all those pretentious spines is a quivering, gelatinous mess of insecurity and wanting to please.
10. I will never attack someone for not liking one of my own books. I won't unfriend people who are friends with me who end up not liking my books, either. Sure, negative reviews don't always feel the greatest, but I understand that there is a place for them and I'm happy that someone gave one of my books a try. Not all books are for all people, and I get that.
So hopefully this makes it a little clearer where I stand with regard to books and reviews. I think I've posted something like this before, but I like to post periodic reminders as I get new friends and followers, since I value transparency and I think it's important for creators to make it clear what they are using their platform for and what their intentions are.
Have a great day!
So here are some informational tidbits about how I review and use my platform.
1. If I think I won't be able to separate the art from the artist, I won't review their work. Period. I won't review or support Orson Scott Card or J.K. Rowling, because I dislike their personal stances on issues that are important to me so much so that I feel like it would color how I view their stories. Likewise, if I see an author subtweeting me or people who I care about, I won't review their work. I do not revenge-rate or get into petty internet fights, but I won't read the books of people who get in my bad books. It's probably for the best.
2. I try not to punch down. I used to write way more negative reviews when I was younger, but that was when I was not in the best place in terms of mental health, and I have regrets over how vicious and brutal some of my reviews were back then (even though they did come from a place of honesty). I really try to curb myself now. And I try not to make fun of authors who are just starting out and don't have a lot of traction, yet. I don't write reviews wanting to upset people. My primary goal on Goodreads is to have fun and entertain.
3. I am amenable to learning and doing better. Recently someone called me in about some language I had used in one of my reviews that was insensitive. Even though the language I used hadn't been intended that way, I realized how it could be perceived, and that it was my own fault for being so careless in my word choices. So I revised the language in my review, and I appreciated that the person who contacted me wanted to help me do better. They didn't have to do that, but they did, and I learned from that and ultimately really appreciated the experience.
4. That said, I do read a lot of "un-PC" books. I try to look at these objectively, considering when they were set and when they were written, but I do try to point out the slurs and triggers that might offend readers who really aren't into those sorts of things (for totally valid reasons). I don't believe that the books people read or write necessarily define them as a person, but I do think that how people consume and talk about what they read and write do. It's important to allow criticism of what we love, and understand that if we consume media with toxic elements in it, that it is really important to allow people to discuss why those things are problematic without shutting them down or making apologies for those things.
5. Even though I'm an author, I never rate out of jealousy. Do I feel jealous? Fuck yes. All the time. But if an author writes a story so good that I wish I thought of it first, then they get a five star review. Period. I really don't see other authors as "the competition" because books aren't a "this or that" scenario. Readers consume vast quantities of books, and there is room for many people at the table. It's always exciting when I find an author more talented than I am, because it means I have someone new to learn from and appreciate and that is invaluable, and worth way more than the price of their book.
6. I really try to make this site a better place than I found it. I want to be nice. I know I can come across as an arrogant dick sometimes, but for the most part, I try to be welcoming and inclusive. I really am grateful to be part of the book community and I think there are so many wonderful voices who give this site the power that it has, for authors and readers alike. Sometimes people know me from one of my negative reviews only, and I think that can make them think that I'm a bitter, negative person. I've had people reach out to me from that standpoint, but after we've had a discussion, it often ends up becoming pretty positive for both of us. I'm brutally honest, but I don't think I'm mean (and I really try hard not to come across this way). At the end of the day, I'm a reader who just wants to have fun and scream about books with other readers.
7. I will read almost anything, but only when I feel like it. I'll binge science nonfiction for several weeks, only to veer into feminism or bodice-rippers or mysteries. I like everything from YA to fantasy. I joke about having trashy taste, and I do. I don't have anything to prove with the books I read. I just want to have fun. Maybe you think that invalidates my opinion, and that some books aren't meant to be enjoyable. That's OK but it's not how I review, and I'm not really all that interested in having people tell me how I should have read a book. Life is short, and if I'm not feeling something, I won't read it.
8. Which is why I rate my DNFs. I won't tell people how to read and write their reviews, and I think it's sad how many people seem to feel it's in their rights to do so. If you want to waste hours and hours slogging through something that makes you miserable, that's on you. But if I called it quits at 15% and decide to rate and review, that's my choice. You don't need to finish a crappy meal to decide it sucks, so why do I need to finish a crappy book to decide the same?
9. I love book friends. Please feel free to add me. I'm absent-minded and not the best at engaging (haha what an endorsement), but I try to respond to all my comments on here and like the reviews of my friends as much as possible. I've been told I can seem intimidating or snobby, and I'm sorry if I come across that way. I'm basically a marshmallow covered in prickles, okay? Beyond all those pretentious spines is a quivering, gelatinous mess of insecurity and wanting to please.
10. I will never attack someone for not liking one of my own books. I won't unfriend people who are friends with me who end up not liking my books, either. Sure, negative reviews don't always feel the greatest, but I understand that there is a place for them and I'm happy that someone gave one of my books a try. Not all books are for all people, and I get that.
So hopefully this makes it a little clearer where I stand with regard to books and reviews. I think I've posted something like this before, but I like to post periodic reminders as I get new friends and followers, since I value transparency and I think it's important for creators to make it clear what they are using their platform for and what their intentions are.
Have a great day!
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Kimberly_Rose wrote: "Thank you for sharing your philosophies! I respect you a lot, Nenia. It’s taken a while for me to figure out where I stand, and posts such as yours help me find my definitions. I do feel one can ..."
Thank you so much! I respect you a lot too. I really appreciate people who write thoughtful, honest reviews. They are so helpful to readers trying to figure out if a book is right for them.
Yeah, the reviews of ARC street teams definitely have ~a vibe~. They're definitely written more for the author than the reviewer, which is fine if that's what the reviewer wants to do, but they don't really help the reader out much because they rarely go in depth to the writing style or the plot.
100% agree about using humor to defuse criticism. I also agree that it's easy to tell when a reader is just hate-venting versus trying to write some nuanced criticism. Reviewers should definitely write reviews as they please, but if people want to grow a following or work with publishers, it's not really a good idea to be like HEY YOU SUCK (as I found out the hard way when I was younger and angrier hahahaha).
I do feel one can often tell when a writer/reviewer is being intolerantly unkind (or overly-fawning), versus when they are being bluntly honest while keeping their words humanistic. (Gentle humour goes a long way too, in keeping the focus on reader-response.)