Book Reviewing. Do you use CRITERIA?

[Sharon]

I recently posted to a group blogsite of which I am a member. I posited that since I don't feel I am any good at book reviewing, it might be prudent to have a criteria from which to operate. My conclusion was that for me it would not work. I read broadly and prefer to go with my heart on each book. This conclusion is proving itself out this week as I prepare a book review on a book that is so unique, I cannot see it fitting into any criteria list.

Here is the blog link: http://boomersandbooks.wordpress.com/...

What about you? If you review, do you have a criteria you follow? Do you think it is instructive to read a review from those who do?

[Claudine]

I write what I feel. I seldom review books though, unless I really enjoyed it. I don't follow any preconceived idea of what a review should look like.

[J.A.]

I write for a couple of review blogs, so I I've done a lot of reviews. I actually use a slightly different format on the two different blogs.

I don't really have criteria per se. I award star ratings relative to my personal enjoyment, but my goal when writing reviews is to be thorough enough that people know how and why I liked or disliked things, so they can filter, potentially for taste difference. There is a slight bias here in that I don't review books for either site that are less than '3 stars' in my mind. That being said, I'm not exactly Captain Super-Critical and I read in pretty much every genre (from category romance to literary), so if the book isn't managing 3 stars, that usually indicates major issues like fundamental structural problems, et cetera and not just, "I don't like that kind of book."

To that end, my reviews aren't particularly witty or entertaining. They tend to be relatively dry and analytical. They're my solid attempt at explaining how I interfaced with the book I've read and why.

[Sharon]

Great to hear your comments, thanks. I too do not post a review unless I enjoyed the book enough to recommend it.

And I pretty much only review books I have purchased, even from fellow authors I have befriended. I have a further tic in that I do not give 5 stars to any story I do not think has the potential to become a classic.

[Andre Jute]

The thing, Sharon, is not to get too hung up on other people's expectations, or a list of must-includes. Hang loose and tell us how you related to the book, because that's what we really want to know: how much you liked it or didn't like it, and why, which is about how the book related to you. The basis of these reviews is really that we think we're quite a bit like you, so we'll like or not like what you like or don't.

[K.A.]

It depends on the site I'm going to post the review.

If it's Authonomy - I use a 1-5 scale for various mechanics.

I always comment on overkill and I take a star for head-hopping.

[Margaret]

Sharon wrote: "I recently posted to a group blogsite of which I am a member. I posited that since I don't feel I am any good at book reviewing, it might be prudent to have a criteria from which to operate. My con..."

Sharon, I don't use any special criteria other than I must like the book. I try to learn as much about the author or illustrator as possible before writing the review; looking at their other works or reading excerpts if I have not read previous publications. I have been getting great responses back via email from authors and illustrators alike. With my background in storytelling I try to give the reader the inside scoop on the storyline without giving too much away, adding details to hook them and highlighting strengths of the author's style or technique. I really like getting into illustrator's depictions of the story describing their medium; its presentation. I write my reviews so readers will know exactly why I liked the book and why I think they should read it, too. I truly love writing reviews.

[Sharon]

I write my reviews so readers will know exactly why I liked the book and why I think they should read it, too.

Yeah, Margie, that's the key. For some reason I don't seem to feel I adequately express why I like the book.

But I am getting better at it and will continue to review books I especially feel deserve to be brought to readers' attention...