tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post1880659572562438524..comments2023-12-23T14:15:24.792+00:00Comments on MORE THAN A READING JOURNAL: I REALLY THOUGHT I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOINGMarleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01821796107712880308noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-80449565110200037842014-06-18T05:01:18.312+01:002014-06-18T05:01:18.312+01:00Yes, it was a personal decision. On Facebook I ha...Yes, it was a personal decision. On Facebook I have, I guess the best way to put it, two kinds of "friends." There are people I interact with regularly and those that occasionally I'll comment with. The ones I chat with regularly, no, I don't review their books. I don't want to give the appearance that someone would say that I said something nice because we're friends. Love Romances and More Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18368374977398795458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-52060797144877453332014-06-16T06:48:22.615+01:002014-06-16T06:48:22.615+01:00Thank you so much for your answer, Love Romances.....Thank you so much for your answer, Love Romances... I completely get what you are saying and appreciate why you don't review friends books. It is not impossible that at some point in the future I may have to come to a similar conclusion for similar reasons but I guess I haven't reached that point (yet). <br /><br />If I read your post right you have made your decision for personal reasons rather than as a result of 'universal' truth or unwritten rule. And I guess that's what it was all about for me when it comes down to it.<br /><br />I also wonder if you do or do not review books by people you 'only' know through interaction on sites like Facebook or if you have a cut off point where you feel you are getting too close to them to continue reviewing them.Marleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01821796107712880308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-3376691775496322342014-06-15T23:17:05.066+01:002014-06-15T23:17:05.066+01:00Interesting post.
I've been reviewing since ...Interesting post. <br /><br />I've been reviewing since 2001 under one name; a published author (under another name) since 2005. Early on I made the decision I would not review a friend's book because I had seen too many "reviews" on Amazon by friends and family that raved about a book that for me was meh. More often than not the books rated highly by friends and family turned out to be pretty poor reads. <br /><br />When I joined RWA I made the decision not to review anyone who was in my chapter and that expanded to authors with my publisher. The decision was made for the simple reason I did not want my reviews to be considered biased. It's too easy to think "so and so is a friend so rather than hurt the author's feelings he or she said nice things". <br /><br />Along those lines I also will not beta read a friend's book -- I made that mistake twice. I saw it was a mistake because on both occasions they asked for an honest appraisal -- so I was. What I didn't realize was for them "honest" meant to honestly be their friend and say great things about their writing whether or not it was. Clearly I didn't feel their books measured up to ones I was giving 4-5 star reviews to. I don't do that anymore but refer the to a writer's group. <br /><br />Lest anyone think I've limited my reading choices -- I haven't. I read 3-4 books a week, review at least two of them and have an ever growing TBR with new authors populating it monthly. Love Romances and More Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18368374977398795458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-68097523672713761022014-06-11T18:40:42.543+01:002014-06-11T18:40:42.543+01:00Thank you Jill. And yes, everything you wrote is t...Thank you Jill. And yes, everything you wrote is true and exactly what I always thought. I only started doubting myself when I read that other post and saw how vehement they were about the need for a strict separation. When a lot of people approved of their conclusion I felt the need to check. By now I think it's safe to say I'll go on the way I have been doing it for over seven years.Marleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01821796107712880308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-20219861444709762772014-06-11T17:53:19.145+01:002014-06-11T17:53:19.145+01:00My 2 cents: I don't mind when blog reviewers ...My 2 cents: I don't mind when blog reviewers know the authors they are reviewing--look at Lesa. I trust her reviews even though she seemingly knows every cozy author out there! :-) Your blog is your passion, right? Not a job. You aren't reviewing for money. As long as a blogger mentions that they know an author, I think us readers are astute enough to take into account any implications that may have. Do what you want, it's your blog. There's no right or wrong way! :-)Jill G.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-15635954427167844102014-06-11T16:27:54.946+01:002014-06-11T16:27:54.946+01:00Thank you again, Maria. I should probably print th...Thank you again, Maria. I should probably print those words out and stick them on the wall to remind myself whenever insecurity threatens to unbalance me.Marleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01821796107712880308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-40353565098909895022014-06-11T15:44:21.975+01:002014-06-11T15:44:21.975+01:00You know I'm a big proponent of "Live wil...You know I'm a big proponent of "Live wild and free!" Don't you let anyone else intimidate you or set rules for you. You write good book notes and you're such an avid reader. You should be able to pursue your hobbies and dreams without letting anything hold you back!Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234907275906877802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-79199185696145462402014-06-11T14:34:54.582+01:002014-06-11T14:34:54.582+01:00Thank you Maria and Judith (Leeswammes). Maybe I d...Thank you Maria and Judith (Leeswammes). Maybe I did know what I was doing after all. <br />Seriously though, I'm relieved and glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks it is possible to objectively write about books even when you do know the author. I'd hate to give up either my blog or communicating with authors. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions since it was bothering me. Marleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01821796107712880308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-86193916721227794082014-06-11T13:15:56.956+01:002014-06-11T13:15:56.956+01:00Without having read the other article (I will, lat...Without having read the other article (I will, later), my comment is that I agree with Maria: it's your blog, you decide what you post and no one else. <br /><br />I would not review a book by someone I know quite well as I'm sure it would not be objective - just because I like the person I will like their book more. I have done a few promotions on my blog of books that I've edited but then I don't review them, I just give the blurb and mention that I think it's a great book but I'm not the right person to ask. <br /><br />I don't see the harm in that! I also 'review' books that I don't finish. So, they're not what you call a traditional review? So what? My blog, my call. :-)<br /><br />Don't take it too seriously, Marleen!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-546637838327529879.post-43053042379864648162014-06-11T13:05:15.004+01:002014-06-11T13:05:15.004+01:00I think that it's your blog, and you should be...I think that it's your blog, and you should be able to share/write whatever you want. I've read your blog off and on for years and your style makes it quite clear you are jotting down a personal journal of what you have read. You aren't trying to write for money (reviews for a newspaper for example where you might have professional obligation or the paper's rules to worry about) and from what I've read, you give your honest opinion.<br /><br />I review on my blog. MANY times, after I start reviewing a series, I get to know the author online in some capacity. Maybe I ask a question, maybe I link to their blog and suddenly we start a conversation. My blog readers know my reading tastes by now. I don't post reviews of horror even if I know the author (namely because I don't read horror). If anyone ever has a question about whether I know an author, they can certainly ask and they can decide whether I'm somehow biased. <br /><br />A review is an opinion. When you write yours, you talk about the BOOK--the good, the bad, the parts you noticed. I don't think I've read a review on your site where you're talking about the author. The review isn't about your social interactions, it's about the book.<br /><br />In short, I don't expect reviewers to hide in a closet and not interact. We love books. We love authors. I don't care if you have them over for lunch on a weekly basis. So long as a review strives to paint an honest picture of your feelings, we are just immersing ourselves in the world of books. Sometimes we are going to "know" the author.<br /><br />I'm sure some readers want a wall up between reviewers and authors, but that isn't likely to happen in this day and age. Many of them have started charging authors for cover reveals and the like--as if that somehow makes it more honest. <br /><br />I like books. You like books. We talk books.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234907275906877802noreply@blogger.com