More than Just a Rating discussion

I'm not sure that we all think of "review" in the same way. I'm fairly certain that what I have to say about a book is not a "review", as in a couple of the links provided under the external links thread. And I also see people talking about posting a review on a blog. I only post my thoughts here at Goodreads. Are we talking about Goodreads "reviews" or book reviews anywhere?

a review is where you say what you think about a book!
I personally write a book review blog that i x-post to amazon and goodreads, but I'm pretty sure the majority here and goodreads reviewers only.

I agree with Sarah - a review is what we think about a book.

I think using the word "review" here on GR is a very general term -- like using the word Jello to refer to all kinds of gelatin. A review can be whatever we want it to be. There are different ways to do it but for our purposes I think everyone knows what we mean when we say "review".

Good question - we probably do all think of it slightly differently. But otoh, all kinds of reviews are welcomed (as we've seen in other threads), and goodreads itself uses the word to be inclusive and broad.

So, I think we're ok.

What we could do when in doubt, or when we're really talking about something specific, is try to remember to clarify. For example, I've said "an academic type review" and I've said "a gut reaction."

That's my personal opinion. In my role as moderator, I am not taking a stand (at least yet).

I thought of this post when I read this Goodreads blog post about the personal and opinionated nature of Goodreads blogs.

Interesting post. I love that Jessica describes the community reviews here on GR as a 'symphony' and a 'collage.' I also like the comments, including yours especially.

That is an interesting article (both the Telegraph article and Jessica's response to it).

To add something to this discussion...

The professional review can often be bound by rules, they may have to provide a pro and a con for the book, there may be some sort of pay-off for a positive review, they may be more about the literary technique of a book than the story (this is going to get it's own topic). But they also tend to be less biased than personal reviews - as they have a responsibility to review the book for multiple audiences.

A personal review doesn't have the same boundaries - it can be on the "OMG THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER AND NO ONE CAN CONVINCE ME OTHER WISE" side of the spectrum, or it can be on the "I want to throw this book on the street and run it over 37 times because it was so terrible" side of the spectrum. But, it also allows a reader to get reviews of other readers who like the same genres/plot lines/themes/etc, and are likely to be more useful in deciding what books you are going to pick up.

I much prefer personal reviews to professional reviews. Mind you, that's not to say that I dislike all professional reviews or like all personal reviews - but I get more out of the personal reactions of readers with similar tastes.

Vicky wrote: "I much prefer personal reviews to professional reviews. Mind you, that's not to say that I dislike all professional reviews or like all personal reviews - but I get more out of the personal reactions of readers with similar tastes. "

This!

Vicky wrote: "I much prefer personal reviews to professional reviews. Mind you, that's not to say that I dislike all professional reviews or like all personal reviews - but I get more out of the personal reactions of readers with similar tastes."

Same here. I read pro reviews, but I end up feeling like I'm getting an essay on the book. I want to shake the reviewer and say, "But what about YOU?"

Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) wrote: "I end up feeling like I'm getting an essay on the book"

I want to say - tell me less!

I'm with Karla and Eliziabeht mostly. If someone is going to read the book, then we don't need to tell them what's in it. Let him read it on his own.

I want to know what got you excited about it, what did you like, what do you think could have been better and, do you think it's right for me.

I like being sold. Think about it, 3 groups ride the same rollercoaster. One group comes down talking about all the problems "this one didn't go fast enough, that turn is too sharp. I hurt my head, lets do it again"

One group comes down giving a technical analisys "It accelerated to 60mph in .45 feet then banked left for two seconds followed by a down slope of at a 3:5 gradient then into a loope..yadda..yadda...yadda lets do it again"

and one group comes down talking "WOW that was So COOL.. I almost threw up on the loop. I could see my car.. I was scared crapless... lets do it again!"

who would you want to ride with?

Amen, Karla!!

BIG pet peeve of mine - even as a professional... I don't want to read a book about a book! Just tell me what made you like or dislike it.

I assume, Hugh, that you're implying we'd choose the third group. With all due respect, I disagree. I want more specifics than that. I agree, TJ, that I don't want a whole book about a book. But I do want a bit more of a thorough reaction.

To go back to Hugh's example, I'd say, leave out the yadda, then give me all three paragraphs. Pros, cons, and a bit of analysis so I know whether what you think is 'cool' is the same as what I think is 'cool.'

So, yeah, sticking with calling these comments/ reactions/ opinions reviews works for me, as it's a little nudge to give potential readers a bit more substance. :)

Cheryl, I agree with you. I think you could say, 1) All three are parts of a good review (even the things that you didn't like). 2) If I were to break down a review, one of the paragraph(s) I would like to see is a good synopsis of the story.

I just wanted to say that, lots of people are really good at stating negatives and details then back away from putting their own honest emotional energy into positives.

I'm trying to say, If you tell me why I should like it, you'll meet with resistance from me. It's okay to say you like it, and say why you liked it, and to give some impact statement about how it affected you. I'm going to be more inclined to join you (and read) if I see that you really are affected by something more than if you tell me how I "will/should" be affected by a book or movie etc.

Of course you have to give detail and, it might be a negative review (if that's honest that's fine), but some people substitute detail for positive statements and that isn't the same thing.

Of course, I'm as new-a-newbie as they come to this, forum, and I there are a lot of people on this string with far more wisdom and experience than I. I have no credentials that suggest anybody "should listen" to me. I bow to those with more experience and knowledge about such things.

This was just my Opinion, for what it's worth, but then isn't that what we are calling reviews in this GR Forum?

Good point about the reviewer saying "I liked this" rather than "You'll like this." It's actually a pet peeve of mine, so off I go to that thread.

And yes, of course, please continue to share your opinions! :)

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Good point about the reviewer saying "I liked this" rather than "You'll like this." It's actually a pet peeve of mine, so off I go to that thread.

And yes, of course, please continue to share you..."

In my line of work we say "make those "I statements instead of You statements."

I'm also saying, post courageously, even if your the only person who likes a given book, it's okay to say so.

"Post Courageously"
That's probably the best advice for anyone on the internet anywhere.

Sarah wrote: ""Post Courageously"
That's probably the best advice for anyone on the internet anywhere."

I am old and wise... that's why I look like Yoda.

love it!

yea, but it's hell getting a date.

Sarah wrote: ""Post Courageously"
That's probably the best advice for anyone on the internet anywhere."

I second that -- great phrase, Hugh!

I'm blushing. (thank god for the non-visual media) ... thank you guys. I hope I can continue to say things that help me look like a genius.

(:{)>)

Hey gang, sorry I've not been keeping a closer eye on us. I knew we'd gotten way off topic when we got a post in here asking us to look at Anime Fiasco (Allisa);s blog.

I moved her post to a thread topic called "Alissa wants suggestions" because I'm sure some folk will have ideas for her and then we'd be *way* off topic here!

Please help me keep all the topics and folders in this group closer to on-topic. That way newcomers will be able to find their way around and we'll all be able to use this group as a resource. Thank you! :)

A review as many have said is defined as your opinion of the book. It is not supposed to be a second description of a book. The only time a second description is necessary is when it is posted on a blog or website. I want to see opinions, likes and dislikes. That helps me understand the book and the author understands where they can improve.

I, personally, feel that keeping the author in mind as a potential audience is an advanced skill. Totally more power to you if you can say things in a way appropriate to their perspective, as well as to yourself and potential readers of the book - I'm just not sure I could write my opinions in a way the author would find helpful.

I'm not disagreeing - it's just that you've given me food for thought....

I dunno about writing your review for the author - wouldn't you then temper your opinion?

I'm just thinking of the thread I started a little while ago when an author put a comment on my review thanking me for reading her book, right after I'd put up a comment about her book being a "stinker". It freaked me right out. I mainly write my reviews to entertain myself -- and sometimes that's at the expense of the book I'm reviewing.

And if I were an author I'd wouldn't like to think readers were pandering to me - as flattering as that thought is.

eta: Sorry, Cheryl, I think I'm off topic on this one.

Maybe it's an issue of sufficient interest we should start a new thread? I think so, actually... off I go!