How do you analyze (judge) a book's qualities or lack thereof when you review it? Do you use a frame of reference?

[Kathy Maxwell]

Some of the most recent forums have me thinking about this. 

 

Frame of Reference: If I'm looking at my backyard from my bedroom window I get a different picture than if I'm standing on my back patio.  The window and patio are both frames of reference.

So a frame of reference for book reviewing could be the core elements that any book should have- setting, characters, plot, climax, resolution.  To make my reviews consistent, I need to use those core elements every time.  I need to maintain the same frame of reference.

 

Other things about recent reviews I've read that have me thinking:

It's important to remember the book's audience.  It seems to me that sometimes reviewers of children's book in particular forget the audience.  They review the book from an adult viewpoint forgetting that the book was written for 8 year-olds.  I think this does the author and the book a disservice.

Author's experience.  If this is a first-time author, shouldn't that be taken into consideration?

Shouldn't a review be as objective as possible?  That's where the frame of reference can help.

 

Anyway, what do you think?  How do you go about reviewing (judging) a book?

 

 

[Kathy Maxwell]

Rhonda, it's interesting the difference between teen and adult voice- the voice projected by the author.  There were some books that I would pick to read in English class that were absolute flops.  I thought the book was great, but it was like a dud bomb sitting in the front of the room.  Did I say BORING?  The voice appealed to me as an adult, but did nothing for the teens.

[Kathy Maxwell]

We interpret the world through the eyes of our own paradigms!!! 

[Kathy Maxwell]

RYCJ and Shawn:  It's so important that reviewers recognize the audience for whom the book is written and review it acccordingly.  Can you imagine a person reviewing a picture book and saying something like: The illustrations were beautiful and really helped to tell the story, but I was disappointed in the simplicity of the text.  The author talked down to the reader by using pre-school vocabulary!!!  That would be ludicrous, but I feel that some reviewer do just that with books written specifically for elementary and middle-school children.

Shawn: In another forum, you talked about how frustrating it was when an author's work is critiqued by someone who isn't familiar with the trade.  It's vital that reviewers understand the elements of good, clear writing. 

I wonder how Charles Dicken's or Jane Austen's novels would be perceived today if they were published under a psuedo-title and author with a contemporary cover?

[Kathy Maxwell]

The rationale makes perfect sense to me, Shawn.  What are there parameters used by reviewers from Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, etc?

[Kathy Maxwell]

Good job, girl!!!

[ManOfLaBook.com]

My frame of reference is everything read before, my enjoyment from the book and my expectations (which I know is unfair however those are mostly based on advertising).

[Barbara Mazzuca]

I agee. You have to know what you like. I've been reviewing a very long time and what I absolutely will not tolerate is when a reviewer forgets there is a person behind the book. Its ok to say nope didnt like like it, but you should have reasons. Be honest if you really know the reason as a reviewer is because this wasnt a book you would choose for yourself then you are doing a diservice to the writer. That's why I am looking to add reviewers to my site (not advertising) just saying the reason is so I can accept more books wider ranges and know that the reviewer is picking a book from something they like and that way my site an author is going to know they got an honest opinion. Big word their folks a review is simply an opinion nothing more nothing less. You really have to worry if every reviewer you sent it to be reviewed happen to be of the same if it's not a good one. Now guide lines. Well some like to put there own blurb some use the books blurb, I do both (depends on my mood) however again reviewers can get over zelous and give the book away if they aren't careful. So if they are new I'd say use the books blurb. Next my site I except books from a lot of genres, (except YA my site deals with too much adult stuff) but only promise a review if the book is picked. I don't promise a good review. If however a reviewer doesn't like the book I require more than " uk almost threw up " that reviewer is gone. Give a reason what lacked for you, were there a lot of missing elements that left you confused? Did the author seem to lose focus. Don't give the book away!!!!  When a review is edited before it's published that editor doesn't not know if that reviewer gave away away spoilers only if they spelled it wrong. An author may feel a reviewer gave something away, but honestly the reviewer didn't see it as a spoiler so that one is tough. First time authors get the same demand from me as a well known author. If you are published then you are fair game. I don't alway know to be honest if this is a first book or not. If I paid for the book it's even worse if I don't like it right? so why should I ease up, because I didn't? If I looked up every authors site for every book I read, I'd never read. So I'm afraid if your out there  and you send your work to a reviewer beware there is no such thing as "ease up on the new kid". Most revieweres get books from the new kids, the ones that haven't broken from the herd. The Showalthers and the such they made it and a lot of the big review sites have their stuff locked up. So to "get books" from publishers for those author's you better be in the big leagues or you have a friend.  So an author may not be "new" to publishing, but they are still new enough. I love that part you may help  the next big break out. Reviewers are not paid,(or they shouldnt be) to reviw books. Reviewers read, because they love books, they are emotional just like the artist righting, so no they are not always objective. Now if your a mommy reviewer for childern's book, talk about an emotional venue. The only thing you can ask from her is if she would pick that book for her kid. If she is a grandma she can only ask herself if she would pick that book for her grandkids, because really if she says she isn't why not... and that is her review. I think this would scare my grandchild, because she scares easily, but my nephew would eat this book up because blah blah blah, what's wrong with that. Make a rating system based on her childern, a niece or nephew, a neighbor, etc. Make the process fun, too talk to other kids ask what they think, because people it is their world. Stop trying to control it and let them explore it...I'd only wished i'd thought of this when my daughter was little, and an avid opinionated reader. Have a playgroup section depending on age, maybe a book club, read the book to them, put the recorder on and get the release forms ready if you want to use the kids names in that review... get mom's reactions too, do that once a month have the kids vote which book. Give them a choice from 3 or you'll be there for a month picking the book, the possiblities are endless. Ain't books grand!!!

[ManOfLaBook.com]

That is why I'm uncomfortable with the term "review" for my posts.

[Jennifer Kitchens]

This is an interesting question.  I have been having a hard time lately with reviewing some books that I thought were bad.  I try to judge first on writing - does it makes sense, does it flow, is the tempo right, etc.  After that, I try to base it on if hte storyline is believable and likable.  Does it suck me in.  I try to be objective and realize that different people like different characters.  Hence I try to focus on if it was a well written book rather than just if it appealed just to me.  

 

At the end of the day though, it is the reviewer's opinion.  That's why the desire by authors should be to get as many opinions out there as possible.  

 

http://cleanromancereviews.blogspot.com  

[ManOfLaBook.com]

I don't think too much about the "review" when I read a book. Sometimes I make notes but mostly on dense non-fiction books. After I finish reading I try to gage my enjoyment of the book and why I enjoyed it.

 

Writing my thoughts about books I enjoyed are much more difficult than writing them for ones I did not like.

[Kathy Maxwell]

Sounds like you've established some good criteria that helps you review each book consistently.  I think it's important to avoid the "appeal" factor as you do.  All of us have experienced times when certain books that did appeal don't anymore!

[shelly blomker]

I review a book by how the plot and charaters are formed. Whether the book is fast paced, grabs you in its pages. I don't judge a book by its cover. every book I've read so far has its own way of exspressing what the author wants you to see. It up to them to make it worth your while to read. When I write about it, I find that its easier to tell what its about and how I feel about it. I never tell the ending. It spoils the book. Short and sweet sometimes is better as will.

Come check it out and see how I'm doing thing, Not every book is reviewed the same because each book is different.

 

www.shellysbookclub.blogspot.com