I won another free book from Goodreads! This time I won a copy of A Pair of Wings by Carole Hopson. It's a historical fiction novel about pioneer aviatrix Bessie Coleman. And if you think it looks good, Goodreads has a second giveaway for it going on right now. I'm excited to read it because Coleman's life sounds fascinating. Plus, I always like reading about the early days of aviation.
What do you look for or like in a book review? Do you prefer a longer, more detailed summary of the plot? Or something short and sweet? Insightful thoughts on character and theme? Or the blogger's emotional reaction to the story? Do you appreciate a little literary analysis, or just a 1- to 5-star rating? Do you like quotes? First lines? Bullet points? Links to similar reads?
For me, I like honesty and humor in a review. I also like to know if the ending is satisfying, or disappointing. And if the main characters are likable. I like to know if the pacing drags, or if it reads fast. And whether the story will make me laugh or cry. And I appreciate a content warning when the book is graphic--whether that's in violence and gore, or steamy sex scenes.
What makes reading a review fun for you?
And here are a few of my recent 'glad' things:
- Lunch last week with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile...it was very fun to catch up with her and we even made hiking plans for June.
- I saw an excellent movie last month: Escape From Germany. It's based on a true story, and the woman sitting next to me in the theater turned out to be the niece of one of the missionaries portrayed in the movie, which was a fun coincidence.
- New socks! I know this seems like a small thing, but I really needed new socks and I found some that are both colorful and comfortable, and I'm happy to have them.
- My lilac bush is finally in bloom, which always makes me glad because I love the scent of lilacs!
- And I've got a lovely new stack of books from the library to read this month. Life is good.
Love these types of posts :) It's fun catching up with you! New socks are always a win. Hope you are having a great week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nadia. Monday was a bit rough at work, but the rest of the week has been okay. I'm looking forward to the weekend. :D
DeleteOK, now you're starting to get on my nerves. lol I've entered GoodReads Giveaways almost 40 times this year, and probably 150 times a year in the last three or four years, all without a single "win." Why does GoodReads hate me?
ReplyDeleteGreat post, by the way.
As for reviews, I prefer really brief plot summaries with no spoilers, along with most all of the other stuff you describe. Plot, though, is what I only like to get the bare bones of.
I can't believe I've won so many books from Goodreads lately. I never win anything usually. But I'm not complaining. (Although entering all those giveaways does really up the numbers on my Goodreads Want to Read list.) And here's hoping you win a free book from Goodreads sometime soon!
DeleteCongrats on another Goodreads win! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate content warnings in reviews. And I love hearing whether it's fast or slow paced, and whether it's funny, sad, or a combination. I also like learning a little bit about the characters, and what other authors or genres to read if you liked that book. :)
It's good when you can think of similar titles to recommend for a book you review...thought I have to admit, I can't always come up with any titles to do that. And I even keep a notebook of the books I've read!
DeleteImpressive to win at GoodReads. It's been a few years since I scored that golden ticket. The book does sound great.
ReplyDeleteI don't enjoy terribly long reviews, but I like to know pace, development, likeability of characters, and overall impression.
Love seeing what made you happy this week. Lilac was on my happy list, too.
Sophia Rose
Lilacs are the best! I just wished they bloomed a little bit longer. Spring is my favorite time of year, and it seems to go by so fast. I'm trying to appreciate it more this year. :D
DeleteVery good questions about what we look for in a review. I would say my favorite reviewer is the writer Vivian Gornick. Her reviews are so well written and she not only reviews the novel but what in the writer's life caused them to write the kind of books they wrote. You can't do that with every writer of course but someone like George Gissing who Vivian has written about, his life experience was in his writing.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of Gornick's reviews. I like the idea that she includes things about the author and why they wrote what they wrote.
DeleteYou won another book?! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy shorter reviews, and I try to keep mine short, but it doesn't always work out. I just wrote one for an installment of a long series (Book 16 of the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh) and I feel like you have to give a little background for those who aren't familiar to make the series something they might want to pick up. I don't usually read quotes. Like you I want to know if it has a good ending, if there's graphic or super dark topics. I find that hard to handle. I want to know how the story made the reader feel. It's so hard to write a review sometimes (most times!).
I love the smell of lilacs too! I was so thrilled there was a lilac bush here at our house here in Northern California! I didn't see many in Southern California. Hope you enjoy your hikes.
Very insightful comment from Julia Roberts!
I used to do a much better job of writing reviews, but lately I can't seem to write much of anything. Which is why my posts keep getting shorter and shorter. ;D
DeleteThe type of review I prefer often depends on the type of book.
ReplyDeleteLucky you on A Pair of Wings! I've requested it from NG, but may have to wait until it is a library book.
It does look like a good read. Now I just have to figure out how to slot it into my schedule between all those library books I just checked out. ;D
DeleteCongrats on winning a giveaway! Looks like a great book. To answer your question, I prefer reviews with a bit of synopsis, the reader's reaction, whether to expect graphic sex or lots of gore/violence, whether there are plots holes and a good (or not) ending... Short is better! And I don't go for literary analysis at all so those type of reviews are ones I typically skip.
ReplyDeleteYay for lunch with friends, hiking plans, and new socks!!
I prefer short reviews to long ones, too. And I don't know lots of plot details either. :D
DeleteSuch a great post! First, A Pair of Wings looks terrific--signing up for the GoodReads giveaway, though unlike you, I never win!
ReplyDeleteWhat I like in a book review are the basics--premise and setting and genre, what the reader liked (or didn't), any personal insights or light-bulb moments, what makes it worth reading. I do not like plot summaries and rarely read them as I hate spoilers. I only like quotes if they really give the flavor of a unique book. I value honesty, but if the review is negative, I don't want to see the author trashed. Content warnings for extreme stuff is appreciated.
New socks can make my day. My family knows to give me socks for my birthday and Xmas!
My lilacs are probably still 10 days away from blooming but my tulips and daffodils finally are out. Happy Spring!
I don't like when people trash authors either. Hate the book, but don't hate on the person who wrote it. And new socks are the best. (I also love new shoes.) :D
DeleteCongrats on the win.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I never get as much free stuff as you, but I'll always take a free book. :D
DeleteI love new socks :) I had to throw a pair of "coffee" socks out yesterday, it was sad! I also love that you win books from Goodreads. I still haven't, but keep entering because I know you have, LOL. Congratulations on the win!
ReplyDeleteYou have to enter a lot of Goodreads giveaways in order to win one or two, I think. I spend way too much time doing that...and it makes my Want to Read list WAY too long. But I can't seem to pass up a chance at a free book. ;D
DeleteI am also a big lilac fan and am hoping to buy a new white lilac this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI like reviews that tell me something about the reader. I don't think it matters to me if they are long or short if they are interesting!
I can manage writing short reviews, but interesting? That seems really hard to write somedays! ;D
DeleteLucky! I've never won a book from GR and I've entered plenty of giveaways. This gives me hope that it can be done. LOL
ReplyDeleteFunny enough, I actually got a review copy of A PAIR OF WINGS the other day. It does sound interesting. I hope we both enjoy it.
I write the kind of book reviews I like to read. I want a short summary of the book that piques my interest but doesn't give away too much. I also like to know both positives and negatives about the book so I can decide if it's something I would enjoy or not. Humor and/or a fun, vibrant writing style is always good. Content warnings are very helpful, too. I always appreciate those. I also like when bloggers change up their review style occasionally (like your haiku reviews) to keep things fresh. I'm bad at that!
If you enter enough giveaways one day you will win one! I'm living proof. And I look forward to hearing your thoughts on A Pair of Wings. :D
DeleteNice that you won a book! I prefer reviews on the shorter side, with similar elements to what you mentioned. And, I always enjoy your clever haiku reviews 🙂
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I have fun writing the haikus. :D
DeleteI was just telling my husband about you winning so many books on Goodreads and now you win another one! That is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your thoughts on what you like in reviews, and the comments from other readers here. Very useful, since I am always working on improving my reviews.
I've been struggling to make myself write reviews lately, so I'm looking for any ideas that helps relight that spark. And I can't believe I've been lucky enough to win several books from Goodreads...I never win anything! ;D
DeleteThis is helpful: what you look for in a review. Your answer is excellent. And I think I will adjust a bit on how to review or what I write. Always good to know. And thanks : I'll look for Escape from Germany movie ... I don't know it yet.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how widely it's been released. But it's a good one.
DeleteCongratulations on your book win! A Pair of Wings does sound good.
ReplyDeleteI think your answer sums up what I like to see in a review. You put it perfectly. I don't think I always fit in all those points. I feel like I'm always in a rush. It doesn't help that I'm always so behind these days. I just don't have the time for it like I used to. I can definitely appreciate the joy of having new socks. I really need to get some myself. I hope you are having a great week!
I don't feel like I've been writing very good reviews these days. I look back at the ones I wrote five or six years ago and I'm amazed at the difference. These days I sometimes feel like I'm just phoning it in. But I'm trying to figure out some ways to do them better.
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