Have you ever wondered how a reviewer decides which books get the coveted "5" rating and others receive a "3"? Recently, I was interviewed by author Carol J. North. She asked me that question and others.
Why do you write reviews?
I was keeping a list of books I read with comments on my computer. A year or so ago I started to put short summaries up at the Word of Mouth Contest at Bookreporter.com. Last year as I began to visit more sites and win more books I decided that I would like to “give back” a little by reviewing some of the books I won. I liked doing that and encouraging authors that way. I got my Kindle2 in March. A month or so later I decided I wanted to see if I could find a site I could review with. I found You Gotta Read Reviews and have been very encouraged by the great team there! I also began doing reviews at Between the Lines at Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction (WRDF) and have reviewed some wonderful books there. Last month I joined the team at CataNetwork Reviewers because I liked their site and it looked like there would be some different book offerings at that site. I started the blog in July to have a place to post the reviews I do for authors or myself and to share in the book blogging community.
Why do you write reviews?
I was keeping a list of books I read with comments on my computer. A year or so ago I started to put short summaries up at the Word of Mouth Contest at Bookreporter.com. Last year as I began to visit more sites and win more books I decided that I would like to “give back” a little by reviewing some of the books I won. I liked doing that and encouraging authors that way. I got my Kindle2 in March. A month or so later I decided I wanted to see if I could find a site I could review with. I found You Gotta Read Reviews and have been very encouraged by the great team there! I also began doing reviews at Between the Lines at Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction (WRDF) and have reviewed some wonderful books there. Last month I joined the team at CataNetwork Reviewers because I liked their site and it looked like there would be some different book offerings at that site. I started the blog in July to have a place to post the reviews I do for authors or myself and to share in the book blogging community.
My primary goal in reviewing and bloggin (besides reading good books!) is to encourage authors in their efforts and hopefully help draw readers to good books!
What genre books do you read?
I love to rotate my reading: I read Historical Romance, Suspense or Mystery, Western, Paranormal, Christian or Love Inspired or Sweet, Fantasy and even some Sci-Fi. I occasionally read nonfiction and erotic romance. I do not read erotica or nontraditional romances.
Do you read more than one book at a time?
As reflected in my “What are You Reading” Monday posts, I read print books, eBooks on Kindle2, Audibles on a Creative Zen MP3 and Audio CDs - usually in the car. So I am usually reading three to five books at a time. I try to avoid having two suspense or two historicals at a time as I have found that to be confusing.
Do you use any particular criteria or grading scale?
No I don’t use any type of checklist. But I do try to note aspects of the setting, plot, characters, voice and overall feel of the book. For more in depth detail of my rating process, you can check out this article: My Thoughts on Ratings.
Do errors in the books affect your reviews? Or do you bite your tongue?
I used to get really annoyed by obvious errors. In fact a couple of years ago I read a contemporary story by a very popular author and it had terrible errors. There was a whole page that had wrong character names! And the heroine didn’t have a cell phone which appeared like a blatant error to me. It took me over two years to try another book by that author!
While reviewing I do note errors, particularly on the Kindle2. When reviewing for the sites I do not necessarily note the errors but when reviewing for an author I do make note of errors so I can offer an errata list most of the time if the author wants it. If there are oodles of typos in a book I would probably mention that in my review. But the errors do not affect my rating unless they are totally negligent like the changed character names incident!
What is the number one thing you look for in a book?
Entertainment! I read for pleasure and relaxation. Now its okay if I get tense by a good suspense… that may not be relaxation but it is entertainment!
Do you look for emotional response when you review a book?
I’m not sure I am always looking for one but I like it when a scene twists at my gut or my heart! When I experience the joy or pain of a character then I think the author has done a good job pulling me into the book!
What do you do for fun?
Go on cruises or vacation so I can read more books!
A Big THANK YOU to Carol J. North for interviewing me!
A PS Addendum!
I was preparing to post the contest to several sites I visit when I realized I had forgotten to mention some items in the interview. There are some additional groups that were helpful to me becoming a reviewer and I wanted to thank them too!! I have enjoyed being a member of Romance Junkie Readers Group. During the early months of this year a group of us there were reading "new to me" authors together. We would agree upon a genre and then during the week read a book in that genre by an author we hadn't read before. We would post reviews and discuss them. This was great fun and helped me to start honing my review writing skills. And we got to know new authors which is a great thing! I guess life got busy for all of us and we dropped the weekly sharing. I miss sharing those discussion with you "guys"! So I owe a thanks to my "new to me author" clan over at RJR who helped push my progress into reviewing!
I also owe a thanks to Sweet and Sensual Romances Yahoo Groups. They let me post a review each Tuesday and we have a drawing for review and recipe comments for that event each week. Thanks my good friends!
Finally - I forgot to mention that I have been honored to be included as a contributing reviewer for The Sweetest Romance Authors Blog. If you want sweet romance this is a great place to look!
Martha, I really enjoyed your interview. You explained how you got started and the process you went through to reach your current point. Very enlightening! I am a Google follower and a subscriber. gcwhiskas at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteWhat a great interview. Thanks for giving us a look into how you got started Martha and why you review books. We definitely love you for the wonderful inspiration you are to writers.
ReplyDeleteHi Martha,
ReplyDeleteI am an author. Authors appreciate reviewers like you who give honest opinions, and get the reviews back in a timely manner.
On a cruise, you READ? Are you crazy??? LOLOL
Wonderful interview Martha. Rebecca's right you are a great inspiration to us authors. What would we do without you?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Miss Mae. As an author, I really appreciate a fair reviewer who is willing to give an honest oppinion even if it is mixed. Reviews are a great encouragement to me, just so you know. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteMartha, where would we authors be without reviewers like you? We need you. You build us up, and encourage us to keep writing when we feel like throwing in the towel.
ReplyDeleteThe power of the written word can't be stressed enough.
Wonderful and enlightening interview. Thank you for what you do.
Laurie
Authors need reviewers! We appreciate their time to read our tales and post their thoughts! :)
ReplyDeleteNice Interview Carol and Martha!
Take Care
Carol, I'm happy to read your reviews. Your goal is to get readers to read new books and it's definitely working for me!
ReplyDeletewandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
What a great interview!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear authors appreciate their readers and support their reviews.
Great interview, Martha. Never thought about an interview for a reviewer, and it's a terrific idea to get what goes on behind the scenes for a reviewer out there to folks. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey Martha, kind of like the shoe being on the other foot, eh? As a new author, I've only been interviewed once, and I've also only been reviewed once. It's interesting to read about how and why you started doing reviews, and believe me, they do help especially new authors, to see where we need to improve. And since you are an avid reader anyway, it's really cool that you have found this way to interact with authors, discover new writers you might like, AND tell other readers about your "finds"!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine trying to decide what ratings to give a great story. Every book has its merits. They'd be swirling around in my head like a cyclone. Your review of my book, Martha, was thoughtful and thorough. Every author needs that and I always enjoy reading what you have to say.
ReplyDeleteVery helpful information for reviewers, wannabe reviewers and authors alike. It's nice that you look at reviewing as paying it forward, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteDeidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com
Hello I am a reader and have also reviewed and I applaud you the job is harder than it looks but very rewarding when you know that not only do you help an author but are able to share a book with other readers. I to like historicals and some of the others you mention. I also like a good time travel story. I hope you continue to have fun with your reviewing, and that you will always have a good book to read. Starryann2000@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi Martha:
ReplyDeleteYour contest looks swinging as it should be. The prizes are valuable, especially your review.
Loved this interview, Martha! I hate reviewing books, because I'm always worried about hurting an author's feelings (since I know how that feels!). I really admire people who know how to write honest, but not cruel, reviews. (Having been the victim of the latter, too.)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteI laughed at the end, I too would take books to read on a cruise!
Of course since I started writing, I don't seem to find much reading time.
Jacq
I am an author but I like to read, also, and one thing that always irks me is the mis-use of similar sounding words, such as "reign" for "rein." It makes me wonder who's at fault, the writer or the proofreader. Anyway, I enjoyed the blog. It sounds as if you started out slow and built up steam as you went along, and that's the best way to do it.
ReplyDeleteMartha, nice to discover what a reviewer looks for. I enjoyed the interview. :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic interview, Martha! And how exciting to see one of my books as a prize (hope someone picks it...LOL).
ReplyDeleteI write contemporary small town romance as Donna Marie Rogers and erotic romance as Liza James. And though nothing feels better than when a reviewer loves your voice, characters, and the world you've built, I would never want anything less than an honest review. :-) That being said, sure hope you enjoyed MEANT TO BE. *grin*
What a fun Q & A!
ReplyDelete