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

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

So, you're still saying just adjectives are fine... I think maybe I need to read some other reviews to see how others talk about their books. I do like some of your words - I don't think I've used poignant in a long time... :)

Well, um, maybe I didn't ask my question clearly, or maybe I'm just clarifying in my own mind as we discuss.

The issue, I think, is not so much that I'm using the same words over and over, but that I'm only thinking about the same aspects of the book over and over. I think that if I use the word provocative, or say the book is not provocative, for example, I may be missing the point about books that aren't meant to be provocative and aren't all the less for not being so.

I think I'm looking for just a whole fresh perspective.

Sorry I can't define the problem any better - maybe if I could, it wouldn't be a real problem any more!

OK - New Request! I'm in a rut, folks, please Help! I keep talking about the same things, using the same words. A book is, for me, Provocative, or Thoughtful, or Fun, or Lively, or Quiet (or not). Heck I even used the word Lucid yesterday! That is, I don't want to be like the publishers who say 'gripping page turner' and 'secret from the past' over and over again.

(Perfectly good words, but I overuse them.)

I thought of the idea of reading different style books, but really I already do read from lots of genres & eras and do read different styles. I don't think I should use the thesaurus just to get synonyms for 'provocative' either. I think I need to shake up the way I think about books. Maybe I need to come at reviews from a different angle altogether.

Thoughts? Please?

Mostly for booksellers and collectors, but def. fun to look through. I especially liked "STICKER GHOST A sticker has been left on a book for some time, and the glue, reacting chemically, has discolored the surface."

Welcome Erin! We do have a special thread for bloggers, but I hope you have fun all over the group, not just there! :)

There's no pleasing all of the people all of the time, so criticism has to be put into perspective.

Whether you're looking for the right classic to read next, or examples of GR-compatible reviews of classics, you might want to take a look at Vintage Reading : From Plato to Bradbury : A Personal Tour of Some of the World's Best Books. I found my library's copy intriguing, even though I'm not much interested in many of the books Robert Kanigel touts.

Whether you're looking for the right classic to read next, or examples of GR-compatible reviews of classics, you might want to take a look at Vintage Reading : From Plato to Bradbury : A Personal Tour of Some of the World's Best Books. I found my library's copy intriguing, even though I'm not much interested in many of the books Robert Kanigel touts.

I think your review did make all your thoughts & reactions clear - and I think that's what a review is mainly supposed to do.

I don't think your review is harsh at all. In fact, if I wanted to read the book (that is, if I were interested in the genre), you would not have warned me off - so maybe it's not negative enough! I sincerely believe that this review is honest, written with care about a book read with care, and should be widely shared.

As Tammy said, you don't want the author or her fans to feel as if this effort is just fine & dandy. She can probably do better - and a not-so-glowing review might encourage her to take more care on her next work.

Welcome Tina, Debbie, and any other new members! You've taken the first steps by joining goodreads and thinking about writing reviews and joining this group - the rest is easy!

Oh man, now I have to come up with new words for my reviews! I can't use accessible, or provocative, or rollicking.... Thanks for sharing!

Def. it seems like we should be able to read about more diverse characters more readily. How nice that Banks was able to know that she was more widely appreciated than she realized.

I'm hoping that each generation becomes more, erm, appreciative of diversity, and that maybe that's why (maybe) Lo benefits from writing for YA.

Best wishes to your fur baby.

Prolly not. I can be very slow sometimes.

Sorry, Sarah, I don't understand the distinction you're making. I mean, I thought that, when I set up those threads about why we write & read reviews, that I was indeed asking what they're for... to help others spend money wisely is a good reason to write them....

Too funny - y'all be sure to read the comments. What's interesting is that I can't spell that word that is a synonym for 'once in a while' either....

Thanks for sharing - I agree with the suggestions, and I also agree that the style of your 'homage' is clever.

Oh sheesh - I'm glad I've not seen those!

Underworld showed up on a list of 'books everyone should read.' I'd never heard of it. It has lots of wonderfully written reviews here on GR. I've decided I've no interest in reading it, but I do especially want to share this review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... because, especially, the way it talks about critics' reactions.

And, yes, I'm back. Sorry I was gone longer than expected - and now I have *lots* of catching up to do - but I'm pretty much back now! :)

And Dawn, the frazzling was just my real-life, nothing untoward on this group or GR. And my stuff is starting to settle down ok.