Friday, April 24, 2009
Surveying my blog readers here. What do you think???
I am getting tired of forcing myself to read something that really doesn't grab my attention just because I'm friends with the author or because I said I would. So do you all think I should post the names of books that I have given up on trying to read and why I gave up, or should I just say nothing. Part 2 of this question is this... If I were to post a list of books that I can't decide if I want to finish or not, would you all tell me whether I should or not? Maybe I could call it... Should I finish This? It would be just Friday posts only. So I could start next Friday. What do you think? TMI or are you curious about what I don't finish and why?
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7 comments:
Wow, this is tricky. I've been in this situation before and there's really no easy solution. I do, however, like your idea about "Should I finish This?" I'm not sure how easy it would be if it is a friend's book, but I think it's worth a shot.
That's a tough one. Personally, I'd like to read why you don't finish a book because what you didn't like about it might not be something that bothers me or someone else so much. I love character interaction in my books and don't mind if description is a little less--I know many other people who are quite the opposite.
If, however, that will take extra time and it's a time issue, then maybe you should just post what you can't decide on and let everyone else come along and tell you what they think. Hope that helps and have a good weekend!
I like the idea "Should I Finish This?". Not so much the negative reviews. Maybe the books just don't work for you, but will for a lot of other people. Maybe you could adopt a policy of only reviewing the ones you really like.
Michelle, I like the thought of the Friday feature. That way if others have read the book(s) in question, they could encourage or discourage you.
On the other hand, it'd be great to hear why you couldn't finish a book. Unfortunately, the author may not be so thrilled with that. As an author I'm sure you know what I mean. It's like they say, "If you can't say anything nice..." The only thing is, pretty much all of us reviewers only post on the good stuff. There's not a lot of balance.
I don't want to:
1)alienate the author
2)have other authors not want me to review their books because of my honesty
3)having people who like this author upset with me
I have one author who I really don't care for (actually 2), but one that I've read recently. I'd love to write my thoughts on her book(s), but everyone seems to love her. I wonder if we've read the same books. I'd love to write to the people who've blogged about her book positively and compare our opinions.
I'll enjoy seeing what you decide.
Blessings,
Mimi
Woven by Words
I want to see good, honest reviews and appreciate Christian bloggers who provide that. Negative reviews should come across in a kindly manner, however, maybe also pointing out some strengths.
I can understand not wanting to finish a book, though. If my emotions aren't engaged within the first 25 pages, I put it down.
Only write what you wouldn't mind another published author writing about yours. It's grueling to write a book. We all are insecure and nervous when our books come out. We feel like no one will like it. Each book feels like the one to end our career. And then to have someone (especially a peer) come along and say something like "I couldn't get through this book" is painful. Not because we are thin skinned, we have too many critiques and edits to be thin skinned, but because it's like standing naked in front of peers and being told all your flaws. And even if it's only one person's opinion, it still hurts.
Also, and you know this, Michelle, your comments WILL be seen by a lot more people than come to your blog and comment. If you say something that hits someone's google alerts and they share it with another author or the publisher or the agent, or their exclusive writer's group, it starts giving you a reputation as someone who lacks grace.
We all have books we can't get through by friends and colleagues, so you have to decide if you're willing to take your blog to that level at the risk of being held at arms length and not trusted by the community you've worked so hard to become part of (and by that I mean the publishing community).
It's definitely your risk to take.
I wish you nothing but the best! And you've been kind to me in your reviews. So I'm just giving my honest opinion.
That's going to be difficult. I mean, I am into this author, who shall not be named. I was crazy about one book she wrote and I had to buy it. I just borrowed two others of hers from the library. I finished one, but I didn't like it like the first book. This is from a best-selling author!
If you don't want to finish a friends book, consider doing blurbs and don't make any comments. That way everyone is happy. You don't have to read the book, and the authors book is still mentioned. Let readers go to Amazon or some other website, right? They can read the reviews there.
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