Wednesday 29 February 2012

Book reviews

I once decided to review all the books I read in a year

It was really fun - especially as my reading tends to wiggle from contemporary books to some real old treasures. I also enjoyed doing it – there is a nice art to reviewing, in that you share the essence of the book but don’t give away too many clues. This helps massively with synopsis writing, as you’re looking for the big themes within a book, not the minute detail.

So I’m going to start doing it again, here and there, and am looking forward to keeping a record of what takes my fancy this year.

Do you like reading book reviews on blogs? 
And what are you currently reading? 

Always good to have recommendations!

20 comments:

Nick Wilford said...

I don't find reviewing that easy, though I would do it for any books by blog friends, to show support.

I like reading reviews on blogs, as long as it's not all they do. It's great for finding out about stuff you might not otherwise have known about.

I'm reading When God Was A Rabbit. It's very "anecdotal" in style. I'm not sure yet.

Anne Gallagher said...

I like writing reviews. It allows me to stretch my wings as a writer because it's opinion and written in first person, something I never do.

I like reading reviews if they're short sweet and snappy. Which is what I hope to achieve when writing them.

snafu said...

I have posted a few reviews, particularly of books I really like. I hope my reviews don't act as spoilers. I have also reviewed a few movies, but revewing the books I have read in a year, I don't have that much free time, it would eat into my reading time.
I am just starting Alex J Cavenaugh's 'Cassa Star', having just completed Connie Willis' two linked books 'Blackout' and 'All Clear'. Before that I read a six book series by Jack Campbell and before that... Well that is just January and February :)

Laura S. said...

I'm reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King. It's so suspenseful! I'm almost finished and can hardly wait to find out what happens.

Old Kitty said...

I'm still ploughing through Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - started end of Jan! LOL! I'm a very slow reader!

Take care
x

Talli Roland said...

I find reviewing quite hard, because I'm very conscious of the author's feelings now.

I'm between new reads, and rereading 'Run For the Hills' for the millionth time. Love that book.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

I review children's books for Sacramento Book Review, and I actually love reviewing them. I get free books and a chance to see what's out there; I have to think about what makes them so publishable, and I agree with you, Jayne, that it hones your synopsis skills. I never looked at it that way before, but what a great insight. Maybe that's why the dreaded synopsis doesn't scare me quite so much anymore. I'm currently reading Book Five of a wonderful mystery seriesby Jacqueline Winspear, set in Edwardian England. My neighbor turned me onto it; the sleuth is Maisie Dobbs, and Book One is actually called Maisie Dobbs.

Courtney said...

I love reading book reviews! I'm currently rereading John Green's novels. He regularly blows my mind.

Out on the prairie said...

I keep it short and sweet.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Of course I love book reviews!!
I just posted one myself.
xoxo,
P.

S.P. Bowers said...

I don't write very many reviews because it makes me feel like I'm in high school again and I get tongue tied. But I like reading them interspersed with other posts. I've found some good books that way. I love hearing about some of the older books too.

Debbie Coope said...

I like reading reviews as they can highlight books that I've never thought about reading.

I've just started reading Rebecca by Du Maurier, but am also reading Shadowmagic by Lenahan, as well as a couple of non-fiction.

Jennifer Joyce said...

When I started my blog, I used to review all the books I read but now I only review the books I absolutely loved or ones I've been asked to review.

I do like reading reviews on other people's blogs.

Beth said...

I'm in a great reading stretch right now. I've just read four wonderful books in a row: The Sisters Brothers, Room, The Hunger Games, and The Sense of an Ending.

Happy Frog and I said...

I always enjoyed reading your book reviews though it isn't something I go out of my way to find on the web. Currently I am reading A Fairly Honourable Defeat by Iris Murdoch.

Unknown said...

I find it difficult to write reviews because I know how much hard work went into getting a book published and I don't feel able to say anything bad. :)

I like reading reviews so long as they're short, sweet and to the point.

I'm reading The Pyramid, A Kurt Wallender mystery, by Henning Mankell - and loving it!

Nick Wilford said...

Hi, just letting you know I've tagged you for the Lucky 7 meme and some questions. Details at my blog! :)

Talli Roland said...

I like book reviews every once in a while, but I admit I do struggle with blogs that are mainly reviews - it gets a bit tedious after a while.

Megan Adamson said...

I like reading reviews as they give me something to look forward to...as long as they are not spoilers.
I read just about anything and everything!


Following.
http://ladyofmuse.blogspot.com/

Dolly said...

I defo don't like writing reviews myself, but I do like to read blogging mates' reviews now and then.

I am currently reading Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick. Love my history, and historical fiction!

One of my end of year college projects is to produce a double spread graphic novel, and cover. While all my (very) young classmates are illustrating X-Men type of superheroes, I am going to do Matilda, one of my English women in history. Have narrowed it down to when she escapes from Oxford Castle (December 1142!).

X