Cheryl’s Comments (group member since Jul 30, 2011)

Cheryl’s comments from the More than Just a Rating group.

Lately some of my friends who also review Children's Books have been using the phrase 'appreciated but not enjoyed' a lot. It's kind of like what we discussed in another thread, 'Reviewing the Story vs. Reviewing the Literary Merit' but not exactly.

Sometimes we appreciate that a high-quality science book is available to early readers, but we don't enjoy it because we already know all the science in it. Or a book has a lot of juvenile humor that cracks up every kid who reads it, but we aren't able to access our inner child enough to enjoy it.

It's not a problem for us to write reviews about those books and I don't have a question - I just thought it was interesting.

Wow - I'm so sorry I missed this post when you first made it! So many insights that I'm finding really helpful to think about, for example the intent of the author, and the accepted 'fashion' of writing style of the day - thank you.

Yup - I'm following his reviews now. He didn't actually help me be more interested in P&P but I am glad he reminded us all to try to understand context in order to appreciate literature.

Def. good suggestion, Sarah. There are plenty of scholarly reviews for most classics, so focus on what made the book noteworthy to *you* - especially if you read it for school or as you were growing up... Thanks!

Yea, I've been burned a few times David - but if a reviewer makes comments that are more helpful than the description, as Shomeret points out, I can at least know whether a book is worth considering.

I mean "best book ever!" and "worst book ever!" aren't helpful, no matter how cleverly written. But if the review says *what* is appealing or unenjoyable about the book, I sure do appreciate it.

Usually I need to scan several reviews to decide whether to read a book or not, though.

I've not been following the discussion in Feedback, just glancing at it once in awhile. Yes, TJ, they seem fair to me.

In the interests of transparency, goodreads staff has written up the policy they've been following when they've needed to evaluate flagged reviews. Read it here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/guide...

Note that in the Feedback group here on GR there are passionate discussions about these guidelines - members seem to be concerned about censorship etc., for example. Others (like me) like and appreciate the guidelines. If you have concerns, join Feedback please - it's an interesting forum. I only post the link here for reference. It is interesting and worth reading.

Tx!

That makes sense, too. Jot notes so that nothing is forgotten, and then go back when you get a chance.

Right now I'm plowing my way through about a gross of picture books and so not writing full reviews - finding it tough to say anything besides 'delightful' or 'funny' or 'nice try but unsuccessful.' Well, tomorrow I'll be gone all day so maybe just that kind of tiny break will help.

Lovely, all the preceding, thanks.

Hm. I think of writing reviews as a respite from such distractions as you shared. It's when I've had extra time to read, and have read lots of books in a short amount of time, that I feel burnt out specifically on writing reviews.

But I absolutely refuse to take a break on reading or on GR! ;)

I think maybe the key, then, would be to do something different irl between books. For example, go for a walk even if it's rainy, or clean all the way behind the bookcases, or play a game of solitaire with real playing cards... ;)

Another thing (as I saw in a review of Willy the Champ) to consider mentioning in a review of children's books is just how reliant on the pictures is the story. Would listeners, say at a story-time in a library, be able to enjoy the book or would only those sitting close enough to see the book fully appreciate it?

That's probably good advice, thanks. :)

Hullo Nyssa! Even 'random comments' are 'More than just a rating' and very much appreciated - thank you for contributing to goodreads' database of reviews!

I extend the same invitation to you - explore the group, & add your name to the topic linked above if you like.

Anyone who feels comfortable doing so is welcome to add new threads to any of the folders, in fact, if they see something that we haven't covered yet.

Welcome Jo Ann! It is fun to discover new kinds of books. Feel free to poke in to any topic that looks interesting, but if you don't find anything sufficiently helpful, you might want to start a thread here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

Kit★, I like that idea. I don't think I'm strong enough to implement it, but I like it!

More please? Don't be shy, folks!

Ok, I can do that! tx TJ :)

Anybody else; any other ideas?

Excellent point, Erin, and well-put. And that's something a study guide can help me with, too. Thanks for posting!

What do you do if you finish a book and don't have a lot to say about it, or aren't in the mood to write a review, or are rushed?

I really don't want to just set it aside (for more than a day or so) because I know I won't get back to it. And I don't want to skip it altogether. But sometimes it's just another same-old, or there are plenty of good reviews already, or I'm tired.

Then what?

Welcome Manugw! I usually hit the 'like' button when review is helpful, whether or not I agree with the reviewer. But sometimes I also like cheery & interesting reviews. I like that GoodReads is wide open to any sort of review.

I've been a librarian for a while now, still not doing much of the tricky stuff. But it's great to be able to clean up descriptions, and do other obvious fixes without posting in the librarian's group. Otoh, I know some librarians actually like to see the number that indicates how many edits they've done, and so they like to do fixes & get the satisfaction of knowing they've made GR a better place.