Today’s question from Marie at The Boston Bibliophile: Most of us book bloggers like to write book reviews- if we don’t love to write book reviews- but here’s today’s question. When it comes to LT (and your blog), do you review every book you read? Do you just review Early Reviewers or ARCs? Do you review only if you like a book, or only if you feel like you have to? How soon after reading do you post your review? Do you post them other places- other social networking sites, Amazon, etc.?
I try to review almost every book I read. Sometimes I skip books in a series because they are very similar and don’t need their own individual review. I read quite a bit faster than I review so I sometimes leave books out in the interest of catching up before I forget what I’ve read. I’m still reviewing the books I read at the end of November, so I have to work on that! I do review all ARCs and published books for review that I read, however, even if I hate them. I generally just try to review everything I read, it’s easier that way and the purpose of this blog was originally to keep track of how I felt about them myself. This is after I reread a book, only realizing partly through that I’d already read it – I’d like to not only remember that I read the book (I keep track of that now) but whether I liked it or not.
I always post all reviews on LibraryThing when I remember to, although I currently have a large backlog that needs to go over there. I usually post the whole review, but add a link to my blog in case people like it and want to leave a comment or read my other reviews. I do publish reviews on Amazon, but I don’t really like that people say I’m not helpful when I give a book a slightly negative rating. Not all books deserve five stars. So I’m not encouraged to do so by Amazon, but I do like to put reviews of less well known books over there, especially the ARCs that I receive.
What’s your reviewing policy?
I have never posted a review at Amazon because of the things you mention.
I’ve never thought to add a link to my blog on my LT reviews. That’s a great idea.
I do try to review every book I read – and, yes, mainly in my own interest. But there are still a couple of books I read during the summer that I haven’t reviewed, so I’ve really let things slide very badly. I’ve never posted any reviews on Amazon, but I do appreciate all the reviews posted by other readers – especially, as you say, for less well-known books.
I don’t put reviews on Amazon (or other commercial sites) either.
I add my reviews to LT, but have never thought to add a link to the whole post.
Here’s my Thinger!
I’ve reviewed most books I’ve read since I started my blog. I post a partial review on LT, with a link to the blog post.
My full answer is here.