What Would You Do?
Yesterday’s post was about six coming books that I am excited about. Because of my position as bookstore manager I have access to most books before they publish. I also read a large number of books for blog tours. Numerous authors, friends and others send me a copy of there new or upcoming book and I am asked to review the book and post on a particular day.
It is fair to say that the assumption is that these reviews will be great, if not at least pleasant. But what happens when the book sucks? What if I don’t agree with what has been written? What do I post? How do I live in the honesty that is the pillar for this website, yet not risk offending the author or publisher who sent me the free book. I am still torn on what to do. I have some posts ready for various books, but I am cautious to post them. What would you do?
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You have to be honest in a review. If you sugar-coat a review for a bad book you're going to give authors a false sense of accomplishment, and readers are going to be disappointed. You can be honest and gentle, but please be honest!
I think I struggle most with the gentle part.
Thanks for your comment Lex!
Stay away from words like "sucks," for starters.
I agree with Lex. Being asked to review a book is an honor and carries with it responsibility. It's the responsibility part that can be tough. If you don't like the book then you must figure out what it is about the book that you don't like and find a way to articulate that that is "constructive" if at all possible. Gentle.. that is one way of putting it. I think it is more important to give honest feed back that is constructive. While I might not want to read something negative, which is anything that isn't positive to most people, I do want to know what I need to do better. Good luck brother!!
Thanks bro. I have pretty much decided I will not post a review of one particular book, just because in the end I got on the offensive of attacking the book and I was probably reading into more than I should have.