Previous post notwithstanding, I haven't been able to get the review for Divergent off my mind. And, I guess, not for Divergent alone, but book reviews on my blog in general. My last post sort of nipped all future reviews in the bud and I didn't mean to do that. I'm passionate about books and writing and I don't want to give up this aspect of my blog because I feel I can't say anything bad about a book. I've been giving some serious thought to the whole situation and I've decided not to stop writing reviews for fear of giving a negative view, but to modify my reviewing style instead. If nothing else, it will be an excellent exercise in speaking the truth in love.
So here's how it's going to be:
Section one will be the quick stuff. Rating, whether or not I personally recommend it and what sort of categorization it can be slotted into.
Section two will be the book's synopsis so you can get a feel for the story without any effort on your part at all.
Section three will be my honest observations. I've come to realize that a negative book review isn't a scathing of the author and their work, tearing what they've written to bits to relieve my feelings, but personal thoughts defining why I did or did not like it presented in a non-confrontational way and leaving the reader free to decide whether or not what bothers or interests me bothers or interests them.
Section four will be my 411 section. In it I will record {to the best of my recollection} anything I remember that might offend a potential reader: language, age-appropriate material, an overload of body-gazing, ect. I may or may not be specific depending upon the situation or how often it occurs within the book.
Section five will be for whatever else tumbles out on the page.
My goal with book reviews is to supply you with what I always want to be supplied with: an honest review that gives you facts about the book so you can make an informed decision on whether or not it is worth your time. I'm so honored that some of you were willing to take my non-recommendation as grounds enough to avoid Divergent, but I feel as if I should offer some facts - minus the scathing - so your decision is not based on my word alone.
Divergent Take 2 coming up next!
So here's how it's going to be:
Section one will be the quick stuff. Rating, whether or not I personally recommend it and what sort of categorization it can be slotted into.
Section two will be the book's synopsis so you can get a feel for the story without any effort on your part at all.
Section three will be my honest observations. I've come to realize that a negative book review isn't a scathing of the author and their work, tearing what they've written to bits to relieve my feelings, but personal thoughts defining why I did or did not like it presented in a non-confrontational way and leaving the reader free to decide whether or not what bothers or interests me bothers or interests them.
Section four will be my 411 section. In it I will record {to the best of my recollection} anything I remember that might offend a potential reader: language, age-appropriate material, an overload of body-gazing, ect. I may or may not be specific depending upon the situation or how often it occurs within the book.
Section five will be for whatever else tumbles out on the page.
My goal with book reviews is to supply you with what I always want to be supplied with: an honest review that gives you facts about the book so you can make an informed decision on whether or not it is worth your time. I'm so honored that some of you were willing to take my non-recommendation as grounds enough to avoid Divergent, but I feel as if I should offer some facts - minus the scathing - so your decision is not based on my word alone.
Divergent Take 2 coming up next!
I like this idea. I've had two books to review - books I've not enjoyed - and have been putting it off because I know how much work Authors put into their writing and I didn't want to say bad things about them. But I like your idea on how to do it, just to put down my personal thoughts and saying why I didn't enjoy it. I think I will commandeer your idea for when I do my two reviews.
ReplyDeleteCommandeer away! :)
DeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDelete