A request for my friends who read interracial books

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

When I browse through the IR books on Goodreads, I've found that very few readers post reviews. If you don't mind, please just post a few thoughts on the book when you read it. I find it very helpful, moreso than just having a starred rating. It's more important to me as a potential reader to know why a person does or does not like a book. Thank you very much.

[Arch , Mod]

I'll post reviews, even if the review is two words.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Thanks, Arch. It may seem like I just like to ramble, but that's one of the reasons I try to write reviews, because someone may benefit from reading it, one way or another.

[Arch , Mod]

Oh no problem Danielle. I plan of saying something about all the books that I read. I know that I have read two of JJ Murray books and didn't write a review. I would have to go back and skim the book to see what it's about and I don't feel like doing that. So, those will not have a review.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

You have to be in the mood to write a review. Sometimes I let it stew after a read a book, then write it when I'm inspired.

[Justine]

Gatadelafuente (Danielle) wrote: "You have to be in the mood to write a review. Sometimes I let it stew after a read a book, then write it when I'm inspired."

and then by the time you are finished stewing, you simply can't be bothered ;-)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Not me. I go back and say something. I do better after I let it sit.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Same here. With the ones I really like I tried to post a little bit of something so the next person can get an idea of what's in the book, especially if I want to recommend a good read. I'll go ahead and make sure I post a little of my thoughts for the books I read for ya. :-)

I found some good old reviews over at Amazon for some old Harlequins I was wondering about and they gave a good idea of what's inside before I bought em. Was good to know what to expect.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I know. They are so helpful. It's hard to know if it's worth spending the dough sometimes. I really like the fact that some of my friends who read erotic romance tell what sexual content is in it, so I know whether I should avoid the book or not.

[Arch , Mod]

I will write my reviews on Goodreads and my blog. Amazon doesn't have an option to prevent people from being spoiled. I'm glad that Goodreads have that option. If a person doesn't want to be spoiled, then they will have to skip a spoiler review.

[new_user]

Yeah, actually, that's one of the factors that determines whether I review or not. If there are no reviews, then I'll usually be more inclined to write one, since it frustrates me to find no info on a book while searching.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

new_user wrote: "Yeah, actually, that's one of the factors that determines whether I review or not. If there are no reviews, then I'll usually be more inclined to write one, since it frustrates me to find no info o..."

Same here, New User. Books are too expensive to buy a book you won't like because it's not your cup of tea. A review can help me to decide if I want to read a book, and not necessarily because of a reviewer liking or not liking a book. There are certain themes that I love. I might buy a book because it has the kind of story I like, even if the review wasn't that flattering.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Eugenia wrote: "I have to really, really like a book to take time to review it. Because I like my reviews to be in depth. One or two lines don't help me, so it's hard for me to see how it help anybody else. Actual..."

I respect that Eugenia. I tend to spend more time on reviews for books that moved me more than those that weren't quite as involving. I still like to write reviews. If I really don't like a book, I won't post a book on my blog, but I will post a review on Shelfari or Goodreads, if I feel my thoughts are relevant and enlightening to someone.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I don't have anything against writing a didn't like review as long as you have clearly expressed why you don't like a book and are not just being mean. I read a didn't like review yesterday that was very well-written, and I could certainly see why she didn't like the book she reviewed. A poorly written review is pretty absurd.

[PT]

I have written some bad reviews. One in particular, I was pretty mean and it was poorly written, but it was how I felt at the time. Occassionally, I think about removing it, but I don't because it was one of the few intstances when I completely spoke my mind without worry about what someone else would like. Even you knew me, you would know that this is a major rarity. At least, in my mind.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I can't fault you for telling how you feel, Shunda, and I don't think you should delete it. My pet peeve is when a review says something like, "this book sucks." and they leave it at that. I think the author deserves for you to say why a book sucks. That's what I mean by poorly written.

[new_user]

Yeah, there is that element of subjectivity, which is generally why I list the points I didn't like if I write a bad review, or even a good one. I know not everyone may not agree with me, so it helps them to form a decision a little better than just "I loved this!" or "This sucked so bad." How can I argue with that? LOL. Then again, some people just use the review space as kind of a self-note, and that's cool too.

That gives people room to disagree with me because I know I've read bad reviews where I've been like, "Yeah, that won't be a problem for me. I'm going to read it anyway." LOL.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I agree with both of you, NU and Eugenia. It's very subjective. There are certain themes I just don't like, and if I read a book and they are there, and I didn't expect them, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I might write in my review that I didn't appreciate that, but it's a matter of my individual taste.

NU I like your reviews, and how you are very clear about your issues with a book. I do find that very helpful.

[new_user]

Thanks, Danielle, I try to make them as helpful as I can. :)

[Justine]

i've read some books that while i'm reading them, i want to slap the writer up the head. i planned to write a review, but by the time i've finsihed reading the drivel and calmed down, i then find that i can't be bothered.

does this happen to anyone?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I love to read the reviews on Goodreads. It's very interesting how similar and how different total strangers can feel about the same book. If you want to laugh your rear off, look at the reviews of House of Leaves by Mark Daniel.... long name. That was so dang funny to read those. It's supposed to be horror but most of the people can't really say why it's horror, and have been totally mind-you know what'ed by the book.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Justine wrote: "i've read some books that while i'm reading them, i want to slap the writer up the head. i planned to write a review, but by the time i've finsihed reading the drivel and calmed down, i then find t..."

I usually calm down and I feel I can better tell what annoyed me about the book.

[Justine]

Gatadelafuente (Danielle) wrote: "Justine wrote: "i've read some books that while i'm reading them, i want to slap the writer up the head. i planned to write a review, but by the time i've finsihed reading the drivel and calmed dow..."

but that's just it danielle. by the time i'm calm, i can't be bothered anymore

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I respect that, Justine. No worries.

[Justine]

Ok i will see how it goes. perhaps i make notes as i'm reading the book.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I'm going through and trying to post reviews on the books I have read. It's hard for some of them because I forget details. I try to get the salient points and how the book affected me.

No worries, Justine. Do it as the spirit moves you.

[JeanieandJayha]

Gatadelafuente (Danielle) wrote: "Eugenia wrote: "I have to really, really like a book to take time to review it. Because I like my reviews to be in depth. One or two lines don't help me, so it's hard for me to see how it help anyb..."

we write reviews and we only post good reviews...a) because when a book is so poorly written/is centered around characters that are so ridiculous/is an amalgamation of ridiculous stereotypes ... we rarely waste our time finishing it..

also, to us we don't want to waste peeps' time telling how crappy a book is; we want to spend time telling about the great books we've read.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I respect that Jeanieandjayha. I'm not trying to ask anyone to do something they don't want to do. For me, it's helpful to read why a book didn't appeal to the reader, not just to make vague comments about it sucking. But if you think it's a waste of time, I can respect that.