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

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

The one person I've 'met' on goodreads who doesn't want to know anything about a book knows enough not to read reviews. She hasn't confided how she decides what to read, but she does say we don't have to write reviews vaguely enough to respect her foible.

But, yes, children's books are different matter. I guess I just have to ask that -all consider the reader as well as the parent, and I'll have to be forgiving. :)

Vicky, BunWat, Thank You! It makes so much more sense to understand the How & Why behind all those mysterious symbols!

I can't memorize worth beans, but if I can be helped to understand patterns, and see examples & counter-examples (watermelony things! mmm! :) I have a chance of getting into my brain.

Your posts both need to be copied to the tips folder, too. I want you to get avatar-credit, so I'll give you two a chance to take them over yourselves, or later I'll just copy them myself, naming you, if you don't object.

Can someone give us a real clear explanation of how to include spoiler tags? We'll cross post it to tips, too. I really liked how M. Lori set up the 'URL to text' conversion html explanation in that other topic. I can just copy'n'paste her sample and insert my stuff in hers.

I'm understanding the basic idea that, with children's picture books, the use of spoiler tags is highly recommended. (Or at least hide the whole review if you're really having trouble with HTML, like I am.)

*Do* include mention of the payoff, for the sake of parents/ caregivers who are trying to determine whether to buy this book for their children, but *hide* it for the sake of adults who read the library's picture books for themselves (like me).

And yes, no worries about books like Goodnight Moon.

And yes, doing exactly the same thing is fine for *any* book. Write a spoiler for people who do want to know what they're getting into, or include mention of it f it helps your review, but hide it, even in classics, for naive readers.

At least, I think that seems to be the consensus. And I think it's how I feel, given what I've thought about and read here so far. Dissenting opinions always welcome!

And, yes, the Castle of the film, in the image Vicky provided, is pretty darn cool and evocative of steampunk - but it is not really what my mind's eye saw when I read the book...

I guess maybe I, personally, am best off avoiding any classification terminology and should just write about what was in the book, and describe elements of style, rather than use labels.

Thanks for going into detail for clarity, you two. My sense of what it means seems to be fairly close enough. Darwinia stretches the classification even if one tries to draw the boundaries loosely, but I can see why some people would be inclined to include it.

I've also wondered about such well-known stories as Dickens A Christmas Carol.

Personally, I'd avoid *ever* giving spoilers, especially as this is a world-wide group and people in some developing countries are leap-frogging over paper books and becoming avid users of smart-phones, even reading books on them.

That said, I'm not going to attack you for saying that Dickens' story has a happy ending.

What do you-all think?

I would appreciate it if people didn't give spoilers on picture-books. Often the book descriptions give away the ending, though. I think you're right, that it is so parents know what they're getting into.

*I* read picture-books for myself, and I *love* a well-done intriguing ending. Yes, it's true that it takes less than 10 minutes to get to the denouement, but that's not the point. The point is that I like to watch the evolution, the clues and/or red herrings, and feel the punch of the ending. So, I think that telling the parents that there's a surpise ending, without defining it, is sufficient, and would still let me fully enjoy the book.

Tammy asked "Is it really a spoiler when it's a children's book?

When I say that I'm not referring to something like revealing Old Yeller's fate (which would be, imo), but if it's a book that's meant to be read aloud to little ones, is your review aimed at parents who are thinking of buying this, or is your review mainly your thoughts on the book?"

Good question. I'm going to put it in the folder where it will be more visible. :)

Ok, let's see if we can agree on a definition of "steampunk" in the context of using it effectively on goodreads.

I get the clockwork and Victorian age basic idea (I think!) but apparently some say Howl's Moving Castle counts. I don't understand why.

And, I thought 'steam' was a reference to the notion that technology remained mechanical (or, sometimes, biological), and didn't develop to use electricity. So I'm not sure Darwinia counts (even though I read it for a steampunk challenge because it was on a Listopia list).

Hmm... Ok... I'm gonna have to ponder on that... especially re' "in the style of (noir or magical realism)."

ditto what Sarah said - I think I can go along with what you, BunWat, said about M.R. and 'noir' then.., probably...

But that would be a spoiler! Yeah, if someone else who has read it wants to discuss it, great - so, good to know my review opens that idea to readers.

So, ok, if this review passes muster, maybe I am on the right track. Thanks folks!

This is a good thread for homophones and homonyms. I don't think we need to include them on the cheat sheet, usually, though, because they probably are due to hasty use of spell-checker and not to actual confusion.

And we're not even Featured yet! (I asked them to just before the weekend, and they got several other requests, too, so probably a backlog - I'll ask again later, maybe next Monday.)

My review of When You Were Small. The book description is good, so I didn't repeat it.

I'm not sure what kind of help I want, even. I'm just vaguely dissatisfied with the review. Any tactful tips welcome!

"I can't decide whether I like this or not. I certainly can imagine some children carrying it around with them - especially if it gets remade as a board book. I can certainly imagine some families sharing similar bedtime conversations. The simple drawings are sweet and timeless. The concept is of course a classic, think The Borrowers or The Snail House.

I guess the reason I don't automatically adore this is because I wanted it to do something with the concept. It seemed like the whole book was setting us up for something, but there was no real payoff. Unless... unless the last line is there to make the readers continue the conversation themselves.... "

Don't be shy! You've got a draft, or a full review, but you're not sure you're ready to post it in public. Let us tell you what we like about it, and what we think might make it even better. Or just ask us to proofread it.

This thread will be closed. Each of you can have your own topic thread in this folder.

Fantastic idea! I consulted with my husband, Ralph, and we decided to call it 'Reviews of our Reviews.' Look for it momentarily. If you hate the name PM me with a better idea. :)

(Sometimes I admit I don't know what to say about a book, or how to say why I liked it or didn't. I don't mind seeing 'reviews' like that, so I'm not shy to write them when stuck.)

Good point Lisa! That's why I made this topic thread sticky, and gave it as clear a title as I could. :)