UK Book Club discussion

Do you review the books you read? If you do, does the thought of writing a review make you pay more attention to a book - its story, plot, characterizations, language, etc. – than you might do otherwise? And if you don’t review the books you read, does the idea of reviewing a book spoil the enjoyment of reading it for you? Why you review the books you read or why you don’t, ask Miriam Murcutt and Richard Starks co-authors of the novel, 'In A Town Called Paradox.'

I review. BUT, I don't do an indepth review, I studied Literature at degree level and dissecting writing put me off reading for a long time. I still don't read the classics.

I say whether I liked it and what my favourite and least favourite parts were (no spoilers). Provide an overview of characters. Was their twists and did I see them coming (I mainly read thrillers, being able to guess a twist isn't always viewed as a bad thing, it means that the author has actually fed you the information well).

If you don't review books, I'm not sure why you'd be a member of Goodreads so i would think responses would depend on where you ask the question.

I like reviewing books but in order to do a complete analysis I would like to think that the author would send one at least some form of communication so that they are able to gauge in which direction the review should go. That was one of the reasons I decided to join Goodreads, however I have found my reviews developed more into me making comments to my fellow readers as though I was giving them a recommendation instead which is a way to review on here I find more pleasant on Goodreads.

If I feel passionate about the story one way or the other... A blah review for a blah book is just blah... If its something awesome (especially by an author you can't find at the airport bookstore) then I like to call it out.

R.S. wrote: "If I feel passionate about the story one way or the other... A blah review for a blah book is just blah...


I kind of agree. I find that the books I'd give 3 stars to are the ones I'm least likely to review unless there is something interesting about the premise or a character or setting. And I think overall I'm more likely to review books I liked than ones I didn't

I invite you to review for my new book Diary of a Successful Loser: Looking beyond that Humble Brag

Listed FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Message me for a review copy if you don't have KU.

Blurb: All of us are successful losers – Losers because of the setbacks. Successful because we have overcome setbacks, loss and failures. This book is targeted at those who find typical self-help books - with preachy quotes and advice off-putting.

In this stealth-help book, the author narrates notable failures and setbacks that have been part of his life journey in ways that he didn’t anticipate. These stories hold a mirror to typical experiences that we are likely to encounter in a life journey

* Bullying, teasing and jibes
* Setbacks that reshape one's career
* Breakup of a relationship
* Loss of a loved one
* Difference of opinion with a boss or colleague

These chapters in a life story, when stacked on top of one other. make for a memorable layered cake.

I like to review everything I read. Even if it's just a few words on how it made me feel. I'm more or less synopsis or spoiler free.

I'll always star rate a book but then it will depend if I review or not. As Barbara says I'm less likely to review a 3 star book.

My reviews tend to be a couple of sentences rather than a great long account. If I wanted to write longer ones I'd feel I'd have to take notes as I went and that's not why I read books and would probably detract from my enjoyment.

That said there are occasions that I'll do a longer review, usually for a debut novel or a favourite author or if something in the story really stood out for me.