What type of book summary do you prefer reading?

[Kathy Maxwell]

One that's original...written by the blogger in their own words

or

One from Goodreads...Amazon...etc.

 

[Kathy Maxwell]

I think if the Goodreads or Amazon summaries are done by the author that's fine.  But sometimes that's the only summary I can find (after clicking through countless links) when I'm looking for a few different renditions that add a bit more information!  Then, I would like something original.  And some bloggers don't credit their source even when I know they didn't write it because I just read it somewhere else!

[Christine Amsden]

It depends.

 

If your summyar is going to pretty much echo the words of the official summary, I'd just as soon you use the goodreads or amazon version. I would also prefer you say it's the summary, and then a while later, say something like, "And here are my thoughts..." This way, when I'm looking for opinions on a specific book, I don't have to wade through a hundred summaries to get to opinions. I particularly dislike dry summarizations on goodreads or amazon, since I clearly went there already, looked at the above book summary, and am now just curious if the book was any good.

 

Now...if you have something to add...some personality to throw in there...something that helps me understand your experience reading the book...then go for it. A summary can say a lot of things, but it won't capture your experience reading it, and that's what I'm looking for.

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

 

Off the bat, I'd say original summaries . . . but that really depends on how well the blogger writes. There are some original summaries that make me wish the official one was used.

 

One of my favourite reviewers likes to summarise a book in a single sentence. I love that.

[Kathy Maxwell]

Really...one sentence!  Who is it?

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

 

It's Shannon! http://akindleinhongkong.blogspot.com/

[Kelli Wheelwright]

crazy! I could never do that...

 

KW

[Kathy Maxwell]

She does do a great job!  Lots of info in one sentence!

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I prefer original. I often times don't feel like I really know what the book is about when I read a snip from Goodreads, Amazon, or the back cover.

 

Plus, I don't like printing other peoples words... its just weird :)

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Kathy Maxwell]

I agree with you on both counts!!  Not enough of a summary and strange feeling about using other people's words!

[Grace]

Original is almost always better.  Summaries from publishers are always written to sell the book.  Summaries from Amazon are in some cases good, in others unreliable.  I like blog reviews because you can get a good idea of what kind of books the reviewer enjoys verses what you enjoy, and you can ask some questions and have interaction.  I want to know not only if the story is good, but if the writing is good.

[Kathy Maxwell]

A very good point made...blog reviews provide the ability to ask questions and get answers from someone who's read the book! 

[Iben]

I prefer reading the official summary and as a reviewer I usually always use the summary on the back cover of the book (if it's an ebook I'll google around till I find the most fitting official summary (bookstore/goodreads/etc)

 

~iben

Borough of Books