WHY DO BOOK REVIEWS?
First, let’s define exactly what a book review is. By the dictionary app that I have on my iPad, a Book Review is a critical description, evaluation, or analysis of a book, especially one published in a newspaper or magazine. I must add also as published on a book site such as Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, etc.
I like to think of Book Reviews as windows to our books through which readers get a glimpse of what is inside. Some reviews are clearer than others and paint a picture that shines through enabling readers to see more. Other reviews are foggy and don’t create a clear view of the content for the reader. Whichever reviews authors receive we are grateful for each and every one.
Now back to my original question: Why Do Book Reviews?
I can’t answer for everyone but here is why I do book reviews.
1. I like to create a clear window for the author and readers to the books that I review.
2. I want authors to know how I felt about their books.
3. It is my way to thank the authors for the quality of their books.
4. It is my way to let the author know if I did not especially enjoy their book and why. (I never give less than 3 stars publicly. If I can’t review a book and give it at least 3 stars then I don’t review it and write to the author and let them know why privately.)
5. I enjoy writing reviews.
6. I know why reviews are important – to get readers to look at your books and let Amazon know that your books are worthy of their attention. (The more reviews we, as authors, receive for our books the more we will get noticed by Amazon.)
7. I love to express my thoughts and share them with other readers.
8. I want to support my fellow authors.
9. I am in the top 10% on Goodreads as a reviewer and now want to be in the top 1%. LOL!
10. It’s fun to do and gets me more free books than I can read in a lifetime.
Do you do book reviews? Why? Write to me and let me know why you do them. If you don’t, why not?
I, personally, LOVE to receive reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble or anywhere else you purchase my books! I appreciate your support. When you do a review, you show some love for authors! We love you back for each one you do! Thank you for your readership!
My books can be found at the links below waiting patiently and anxiously for your reviews.
Thank you for stopping by to read this post. I hope you are in the group that does reviews. They are extremely important for all authors. They make us authors relevant. Thank you for your help in making us relevant.
REMEMBER: READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR ALL YEAR THROUGH WITH JEMSBOOKS.COM! HAPPY READING!
READING IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH! Get Reading and Get Healthy today!
Blessings & hugs,
Janice
JEMSBOOKS 
These are great reasons, Janice. I love to write book reviews. In the beginning, I wrote them because I wanted to keep a record of what I had read, as well as express my feelings about a book. Now I still enjoy those things, but I also enjoy the interaction between readers as well as the connections I have made with authors. I agree that, as book reviewers, the best way to handle books that may be 1 or 2 stars is to not publish the reviews. Thanks for this thoughtful post. It’s nice to see how other people feel about book reviews!
Thanks, Barbara! I would love to have you on my blog. Interested? Email ag jjspina@myfairpoint.net. 😘🤗
Lovely post, Janice. I review books for the same reasons that you do and I also don’t give public reviews of less than 3 stars.
Thank you, Robbie. 🤗
I always review what I read on Goodreads, and post the reviews on my blog afterwards.
I appreciate your reviews of my books, Tori. Thank you! 🤗 😘
A great post, Janice! Reviews are so important. I rely on them as a writer, and as a reader, I consult them to decide if I want to purchase a book. I review every book I read, posting on Amazon and GR.The only time I won’t place a review is if the book is a DNF or I can’t provide at least 3 stars.
I like to think of book reviews as constructive criticism. When I write one, I always seek to be positive, though I do point out things that bother me. I won’t post a review that is worth less than 3 stars, partly because more than likely I DNF.
🤗😁
I also enjoy writing and reading book reviews and of course am delighted when a reader takes the time to write a review for one of my books. I don’t feel that a review needs to be a long summary of the book or a repeat of the blurb but rather the reader’s thoughts on the book, what they liked and what they didn’t and why they would recommend it. I also do not write a review for a book I consider less than 3 stars. I like the idea of a window into the book.
Great points, Darlene! I agree. Thanks for stopping by! 😘🤗
I’ve reviewed books on my blog, Amazon and Goodreads, but have stopped publishing them on my blog after being inundated with requests to review books. Not a bad thing you might think, but I’ve also had the horrible knockbacks from author’s whose books I could not finish because I either didn’t enjoy what I was reading or the plots in the story were too complicated for me. As somebody who is dyslexic I thought some of those authors would have understood, but instead, they came back to me with rather nasty comments (and in some cases threats). However, when I do read (and it’s not a lot) I do always leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads.
Have a great weekend, Janice. 💛
I know what you mean, Hugh. It’s not pleasant when people get nasty about their books. That tells you to write them off your friend list.
I usually finish reading every book I begin except one time I couldn’t read more than a few pages. I just didn’t like it, Sigh! Luckily for me he never asked if I read it. Happy reading! 😘🤗❤️
A great post and a lot of reasons for book reviewing that I identify with! I don’t like to give reviews below 3 stars either as whoever has written the book has obviously put in a lot of effort!
– Hannah / https://hannnahsbookshelf.wordpress.com
I agree, Hannah. Being an author I know how much I put into each of my books. 🤗
Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
Surely its a given…
Thank you, Jack, for the share! 🤗
I love to read and write reviews when I can. I don’t write reviews below 3 stars. Great post Janice. 🙂
As a writer. I KNOW the full value of a review. Especially a good one. I would, of course, enjoy being higher up in the sales list (who wouldn’t these days??) but I truly love writing and words and if they are appreciated and enjoyed, my ego is fed! I also like writing them. Victoria Hislop ALWAYS GETS A GOOD ONE, and if Charlotte Bronte were alive, she’d be pleased with mine of JANE EYRE..(all time favourite.) Keep ’em coming, I say.
I agree, Joy. The more reviews the better so we can climb the ladder to success. 🤗
I try to review every book I read, especially Indie Authors. Mine are quite brief, I leave longer detailed reviews for book review bloggers. I like to say why I chose the book perhaps and pick out some salient points. I do like variety, from dark to comedy, different times and countries and I also enjoy autobiographies.
That’s great, tidalscribe, that you do reviews for indie authors. We get lost in the millions of books out there. Keep reading and reviewing! 🤗
When I had my first book blog, I had a similar mentality. I thought I had every right to let an author know how I felt considering that I had just purchased and read their book. However, I realized that reviews are not for the author. They’re for readers. Authors can choose to read reviews if they want, but they rarely do. An author has editors and trade reviewers to help them determine if they executed their vision. I’m not saying book bloggers and reviewers aren’t valid with their criticisms and praises. I personally think even negative reviews might help an author sell books. I’ve bought books that respected reviewers rated low because I was either curious or they had issues with narrative elements that I actually enjoy. If you don’t want to share a 1 or 2 star review, you obviously don’t have to do that. However, I think it might save someone from spending unnecessary money, or someone might end up buying the book for whatever reason.
All good reasons. I think my own motivation is to support authors, provide other readers insight/recommendations, and simply because I enjoy discussing stories like I did in literature classes. We can learn so much from varying perspectives.
Yes, we can learn from others that way. Thanks for stopping by, AMA. 😁
Great points. I also believe each person’s understanding and experience of the same book is unique. So, each review is like a fresh outlook on the same text and that’s just fascinating. Additionally, I love reviews that add their personal reflections into the book and connect it to the world that we live in. It just makes the whole thing so real and more empathetic.
Thank you for your kind comments and for stopping by, Mashooexplores. 😆