Your thoughts on a book reviews website idea

[Doris]

Hi book reviewers, I’d really like to hear what you think about an idea I’m working on for starting a new books website.

Every year I find 2 or 3 new books I love so much I can’t stop talking about them and re-reading them. But each time I only found these favorites after spending many hours going through recommendations lists, reviews, ebook samples, starting books and not finishing them because they don’t grab me.

So I want to make it easier to find really good book recommendations for the genres and styles that we like. One site I personally would find helpful is a “Rotten Tomatoes for books” that would bring critics’ and blogs’ book reviews together in one place. There’s a few sites like this already, but they don’t have many listings for the types of books I like to read.

What do you think of this idea? It’s just a working idea for now, so I’d love to get your opinions on this!

[P.I.]

I think it's a good idea but might be a lot of work. It would be nice for authors like me too!

[Doris]

P.I. wrote: "I think it's a good idea but might be a lot of work. It would be nice for authors like me too!"

Thanks, P.I.!

[Christina]

Doris wrote: "Hi book reviewers, I’d really like to hear what you think about an idea I’m working on for starting a new books website.

Every year I find 2 or 3 new books I love so much I can’t stop talking abou..."

I just canvased the whole internet looking at book reviewer websites. There is still space for new voices. The hardest part, for me, would be updating regularly.

[Marsha]

I think this idea sounds pretty interesting. For the site you could do different tabs. Like have one for an author you really love and list their upcoming releases, another you could have where you talk about an amazing book for like 2 weeks, where you go on about what you loved about the book, if it's a series what you think will be in store for the next book, what you loved or hated about the characters, of course, don't do any major spoilers :)

[Ken]

very interesting idea.

Thanks,

[Doris]

Thanks, everyone! If anyone else has thoughts - including if you don't think a website like this is needed - your comments are welcome.

[P.S.]

Hi Captain Obvious here -- but isn't that what Goodreads is for?
Not to nay-say your goal if you really want to pursue it. There are literally tens of thousands (conservative estimate since there's probably more) of reviewers who blog about their favorite and not so favorite books.

This is in addition to the hundreds of websites/newsletters who purport to email subscribers new releases of books in every genre imaginable -- everyday.

And then there are more established mega-sites like the New York Times and Washington Post with their "book selections" who put out reviews for new and upcoming books on a daily basis.

Again, I don't want to quash your dream. But you will have a great deal of competition from some heavy hitters who are well established, well regarded and have massive followings.
Unless you're thinking of just doing the website for your own personal musings -- in which case I say go for it.

[Hayley]

I was thinking about that myself, especially to focus on non-fiction spirituality/paranormal genre. Personally, I found that most reviewers are more interested in fiction of various genres.

If you have a section dedicated to non-fiction, I am all for it.