Tuesday, December 9, 2008

I have a "Thing" about "Tuesday"


Now, for those of you anxiously awaiting more information about the many wonderful things to be found on Library Thing, this weeks question from The Grand 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.?

Yes, I do actually write reviews of all the books that I read. Yes...that is all the books I have read recently. One thing about this blog is that I realize that I do not read as many books as some people. Am I a slow reader? Do I just not spend as much time reading as some people? Or am I just easily distracted...oh, look, a shiny bauble!! Pretty...pretty, shiny thing...oooooh...

Oh, where was I...? Yes, book reviews. What do I review? Well, the majority of them these days are ARCs...advanced review copies for those of you not in the know... ;-) or Early Reviewers books from Library Thing. Not all, but most. As I have mentioned before, and will mention again even at risk of getting hit with something, I have been lucky enough to get a book every month that I have belonged to Library Thing's ER, and I give these books priority. As soon as I get them, I read and review them.
Next comes the ARC's, trying to get to them close to the publication date as I can. Of course, glancing at my ARC pile...not to be confused with the regular TBR pile, the one that is getting higher and higher and threatening to fall over and crush my imaginary kitty, Kitty...but looking at the ARC pile, I can see that it is going to be a very busy January. And February. And March. At least for me, slow, easily distracted reader. Oh, look, a pretty birdie...

I review a book whether I like it or not. Which, I have found, is a matter of some disagreement here in the blogsphere. So long as I was able to finish it, which was not the case in...hmmmm...two books. I guess that would be a very negative review but if I have not finished it, I will not write anything. They are in a third pile, the "maybe get back too" pile. Are you starting to get an idea what my house looks like?
I try to write the review as soon as I finish the book, within a day or two. Or else I forget my points. Or lose the books in one of those piles. But on the other hand, I need a day or two to let my opinion percolate in my brain. It's like the three bears...not too soon, not too late....just right!

I post them here, on the blog, which I assume you have noticed, and I post a shorter version on LT and usually on Amazon. I know, from a recent thread on Library Thing, that some people DO NOT like links on reviews, or links to reviews. But I try for a complete but shorter version on those two, an edited down version, sometimes with a link to the full review here, and save my full, pointless, rambling thoughts for you, my dear readers.

Both of you! :-)

18 comments:

  1. I also edit out the blog specific/personal info when I post my reviews on LT or amazon.

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  2. PS - I just became a follower, because your posts always make me smile :)

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  3. I review all books -- whether I like them or not. If didn't finish a book because it wasn't for me, I'd blog about that too.

    I'm a person who likes links. . .

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. why, thank you...if I have made someone smile, or even better laugh, my work for the day is done!

    maybe I should go back to bed then... ;-)

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  5. Caite, you crack me up! And just so you don't feel alone in getting things thrown at you---I've gotten an LT book in all but one of the months I've participated.

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  6. I'm jealous about the ER books, but really, I have enough to read! I post my full reviews (with a link at the bottom) on LT because I know people don't follow links after excerpts and I will admit that I really like the little green thumbs up.

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  7. I try to at least mention books I didn't finish, but sometimes I forget to.

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  8. Wow! A book a month from LT. I got one this time and found out it's in pdf format. I don't know if it was listed like that originally and I missed it or what. I'm not sure that will work well for me.

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  9. LOL I think I get distracted easily at times also. I think thats why it takes me forever now to finish a book I used to be able to read in 1/4 of the time.

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  10. Wow, I'd gotten away from the discussion about book reviews on LT. Fascinating. It never would have occurred to me that linking to a full review on my blog would bother anyone enough that they wouldn't read the LT review! Their loss, I guess!

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  11. Yes, some people seem very, very anti-link.
    I would not post just a link on LT, but I don't have a problem with posting a shorter review there with a link to check out the longer version...and yes, other reviews on one's blog...if you wish.

    As to 'distractions', well, as I get older I am deciding to just consider them "alternative interruptive experiences." ;-)

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  12. BTW, let's keep it just between us about my success on Early Reviewers. I am afraid that I will jinx myself.

    bermudaonion..I have seem the lists of the books you get each week from various sources. I wouldn't complain if I were you...lol

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  13. HI! I don't do library thing. I am only four months old, I cannot read that fast!! I also don't know all this LT "lingo." I find it all a bit confusing. Anyway - just thought I'd let you know I am sick. Very sick. UTI sick. I am having accidents everywhere, but my mom knows I can't help it (at least now she does..i am sure once she found out she felt very bad.) Maybe you should stop by and check out my new pictures.

    TTYL KIKI - Bandy

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  14. PS. I hope all your readers know that I'm a dog, or else that may look like excessive personal disclosure.

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  15. LOL - I loved your post - I'm now thinking of pretty baubles!

    :) Wendi

    Here's my Thinger!

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  16. I review them whether I like them or not ... that's the "opinion" part of the review, right?

    My full answer is here

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  17. I review them whether I like them or not ... that's the "opinion" part of the review, right?

    My full answer is here

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  18. I agree...I am as interested in what a reviewer did not like as what he or she liked.
    But, as with most things, not everyone agrees.

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please speak up, I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!