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

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

Or be able to teach the rest of us something. I really truly believe what I said in the invite, that we all can learn from all... Thanks for joining!

Note that this topic thread is closed. To clarify: To start a discussion or ask a question, click on the folder 'questions and discussions' and start a new topic. The folder itself is open.

Maybe it is as simple as that - tx!

You know, Sarah, I do too. But then I read someone say that they don't like those, because it's annoying when they *haven't* read the other works. So I started to fret about whether it was appropriate to mention related books or authors. But you're right - those references might be helpful, and if they're not, well, no harm done. Thanks! (I'll try to remember to hit the 'like' button when I see someone doing that well.)

Huh. I remember being both a student and a teacher, and knowing that a book report was expected to be creative and interpretive. No wonder so many people don't read books out of school if they were expected to just summarize - that doesn't make reading fun. Wow.

I have trouble with reviews that should have been spell-checked, but weren't.

yay, more active members! :)

Oh gee, now I have another book on my wishlist. Yes, good review, as Ridley writes so naturally, as if she's just talking to us.

Thanks!

Good point Sarah - since I don't read or write blogs I don't think about that aspect, so thanks for pointing it out to us!

Personally, I wouldn't. Imo, good stories don't always have much of plot. I use plot to talk about drama, or conflict & resolution, or books where the excitement is more in focus than the characters (or theme, or setting, or...). Story, to me, is less specific - a children's book that's a simple account of the seasons of the year could be considered a story.

Plagiarism! Y'all know, I'm sure, not to copy other's reviews and pass them off as your own, right? But be aware that copying a book description is also wrong. If you really really want to use someone else's words to describe or summarize the book, please put the copied text in quotation marks, and note the source (flyleaf, GR description, publisher's blog, whatever). Thank you!

Agreed - it's mildly frustrating to scan a page of reviews and they're all saying the same summary stuff. Sometimes it's worth clicking on 'more' - I've conversed with people who have said 'I start with a summary to get my thoughts in order, then start typing my personal reactions.' And sometimes I just have to remind myself that everyone is 100% entitled to write their reviews they way they want to.

One issue is plagiarism. I do wish people would put the description in quotation marks if they just copied a book description or blurb, and then note from *where* they copied it! GR can't police the myriad, but it seems like we should all know better than to copy sans attribution! (Ok, I guess I'd better put that in the topic I created for cautions.)

So, I've heard that some people actually read reviews just for fun, for books they have no intention of reading (for example). They are 'following' members who write clever reviews, for example. Do any of you do that?

Yes, here at GR we've agreed to acknowledge that we've won a book through the giveaways program. GR tries to be more trustworthy, and less commercial (with the caveat that it is a for-profit company).

See now I never thought of that - but it makes sense!

Thanks SW, now everything makes perfect sense! Oy, I've had a long day. I'd better get offline 'til tomorrow.

Welcome! I have only about a dozen Spanish words, nothing else - anyone who is more bilingual than that gets my 100% admiration. I'm thrilled that you can get help here.

I wish I'd joined goodreads four decades ago to help me remember all the books I read!