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A review by shandra
How To Write a Simple Book Review: It's easier than you think by Allyson R. Abbott
5.0
All Reviews Are Good Reviews!
Writing a review on a book about how to write reviews sounds like the start of a bad joke, but Allyson R. Abbott brought to light so many aspects of the book industry I had never considered I can't imagine having read "How to Write a Simple Book Review" without leaving a word of thanks to the author. As a reader, I do wonder if authors care what I think about their work or whether I leave a "Good job!" on one of their pieces I particularly enjoyed yet don't have a whole lot of "intelligent commentary" to leave in exchange for my enjoyment. The fact sites such as Amazon actually make an author's work more or less visible based on the sheer number of reviews -negative or positive- is surprising to me.
I want more writing from authors I enjoy so if they get more visibility which leads to more profit which leads to more return on their writing investment? That should lead to me getting more of their writing! I can't see that as anything other than a win-win situation.
Writing a review as a form of closure to having finished the book is also a new concept to me. I often have the "book hangover" effect where I have to sit and digest the last read I finished before I can even contemplate starting another book -even one by the same author- so I liked Abbott pointed out reviewing can give me the opportunity to put my thoughts into words to shorten the period of time I spend dwelling on my last read. I like the idea my personal views could be meaningful to another reader too. I'll admit I've bought a book based on a particularly good review. I found Abbott's suggestions about leaving a "gut reaction review" very helpful since that's what I really look for in a review on a book I am considering spending money on.
Overall, I'd give 5 stars to How to Write a Simple Book Review for making reviewing easy to understand in terms of importance to authors as well as readers, accessible to everyone, and fun as a process to enhance the experience of reading.
Writing a review on a book about how to write reviews sounds like the start of a bad joke, but Allyson R. Abbott brought to light so many aspects of the book industry I had never considered I can't imagine having read "How to Write a Simple Book Review" without leaving a word of thanks to the author. As a reader, I do wonder if authors care what I think about their work or whether I leave a "Good job!" on one of their pieces I particularly enjoyed yet don't have a whole lot of "intelligent commentary" to leave in exchange for my enjoyment. The fact sites such as Amazon actually make an author's work more or less visible based on the sheer number of reviews -negative or positive- is surprising to me.
I want more writing from authors I enjoy so if they get more visibility which leads to more profit which leads to more return on their writing investment? That should lead to me getting more of their writing! I can't see that as anything other than a win-win situation.
Writing a review as a form of closure to having finished the book is also a new concept to me. I often have the "book hangover" effect where I have to sit and digest the last read I finished before I can even contemplate starting another book -even one by the same author- so I liked Abbott pointed out reviewing can give me the opportunity to put my thoughts into words to shorten the period of time I spend dwelling on my last read. I like the idea my personal views could be meaningful to another reader too. I'll admit I've bought a book based on a particularly good review. I found Abbott's suggestions about leaving a "gut reaction review" very helpful since that's what I really look for in a review on a book I am considering spending money on.
Overall, I'd give 5 stars to How to Write a Simple Book Review for making reviewing easy to understand in terms of importance to authors as well as readers, accessible to everyone, and fun as a process to enhance the experience of reading.