Into the Fire

As you know, I barely read the blurb on the back cover copy to discern whether or not I’m going to read a novel. TMI. Yes, indeed, too much information is often revealed on that back cover or inside flap and most definitely in a book review. That’s why it’s odd to find myself writing a significant amount of those reviews in recent times especially since I initially thought doing them felt too much like writing book reports in school, and if you haven’t realized it before now: anything that feels like school I avoid like the plague.

I do read book reviews after I’ve read the books. I know: weird. So what else is new? Anyway, when I reviewed Ted Dekker’s new novel Adam, I had to reveal some information that I set apart with a “Spoiler” tag for those of you who like to read reviews but don’t want TMI. For whatever reason, it felt like those particular insertions were necessary to convey the intensity of the story, but yet I knew that the information could potentially dull or ruin those events for some readers. That’s really the last thing I want to do in my reviews.

In a review I think it’s important to note if I would be considered the target audience. I also have yet to find a decent reason to trash a book I’ve read. That’s not to say I haven’t read a few where it would be easy to do—for a variety of reasons. If you’ve read some of the reviews, you know I’ve had some complaints about convoluted plot efforts, covers, the absence of hope, and the most blatant offense has been the myriad typographical mistakes evidenced from all the publishing houses. However, to condemn a novel because I didn’t like the story, the characters, the style, or whatever is pointless. So what? I like what I like, and you like what you like. Someone liked it because the book’s in print. Right?

So, I hope you don’t get tired of them. If you’ve read a book I’ve reviewed, please comment, pro or con. Occasionally the authors of those books do stop by, and they’re no different than you—they like feedback as long as it’s respectful.

How ‘bout you? Do you like to read them or write them?

Father, thank you for putting the desire to share others’ novels with whoever stops by here. Help me to be respectful but informative, honest and objective. Thank you for the wonderful assortment of writers and readers. Your magnificent creation is as vast as the heavens beyond the universe. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*