READER'S ROCK LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 2 ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2014 Volume 1 Issue 1 June-July 2013 | Page 26

Writing a Review on

so subjective this should be considered when writing your review .

Amazon

-Did you love the story , but find technical issues with grammar and
formatting that bothered you ? If so
Many readers simply don ' t do reviews . They read , they enjoy and then they share the experience with friends via oral communication . So , why are reviews important anyway and why should you the reader even care ?
Reviews are inexplicably tied to the success or failure of books . In today ' s fast paced environment it ' s even more important to share your experience after reading a good book . Over the past couple of years a dangerous trend has developed that endangers our ability as booklovers to find the books we long for . The review system has been corrupted by both reviewers and authors in an attempt to give unfair advantage to some books while giving others an unfair obstacle to overcome .
So , if the system is corrupt why then should you leave a review at all ?
Balance . When you love a book , let the world know it . Likewise , if it wasn ' t your cup of tea , tell them that too , but be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that since it ' s online and you are many times anonymous that it ' s ok to use the review system for personal vendettas or as an extracurricular activity . Never forget how many hours go into the creation of a novel or short story and
try contacting the author to let them know . If you really like the story and would otherwise have given the book high marks you ' ll want to pass along your constructive criticism so that adjustments can be made . Many authors depend on editors and from time to time get a bad editor . They ' ll appreciate your comments . Make sure that you point out in any review that you decide to mention these issues in that you are noting the differences between technical , typos , and other formatting issues and grammar . Many reviews lump it all together and it ' s not all the same .
-Remember that if it ' s the worse writing you ' ve ever read and that you wouldn ' t even recommend it to your dog , it ' s still someone ' s baby and they worked very hard on it . Try not to fall into the habit of doing reviews filled with bitterness . Others may really enjoy the story and author ' s voice . You can always return it within the designated time for a refund .
** To avoid reading books that are so far from your comfort zone take advantage of the sample chapters to get a feel for the author ' s voice and the story before you spend your money on something that might disappoint you .
always remember that there is a
Here are some tips you can use when
person behind that book . That
you enjoyed the book .
person has a family and for many of them that book is a lifelong dream and maybe even their only source of income .
-Leave a review . You can pay an author no higher compliment than to read their book . If you enjoyed it let them know and help them to
Here are some tips you can use when
continue writing by supporting their
you don ' t like a book .
career and sharing your thoughts
-First identify why you didn ' t like it .
Was it just that you couldn ' t get into
with other potential readers out there .
the story ? If so was it because of the
-Say something in your review . While
author ' s voice or style ? If so be sure
all authors love gushing praise and
to mention that it just wasn ' t your
there is certainly room for that in
cup of tea . Others may love the
any review they also want to know a
author ' s style and voice and since it ' s
little about why you enjoyed a book .