Into the Fire

Back to novel reviews . . . As you know I rarely read reviews until after I’ve read a book. Too much information even by the most delicate reviewers who take extreme care not to reveal intricate plot points or spoilers of any kind. I’ve mentioned here that I usually read one or two sentences of the back cover copy and that’s it. I want to enter into the experience of a story without expectations for the journey. This is often impossible because some novels I read by well-known authors get hyped to the max, and it can be difficult to circumvent all the information.

Even a year ago I would’ve been less selective of the novels I choose to review. When selecting a book from the lists provided each month by the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and the list I receive from Revell, a division of Baker Books, I now take more time to decide if I want to invest in each story. By “time” I don’t mean minutes or hours, I mean I read over the blurb a few times and ponder why I’m somewhat attracted to the story or if it’s easy to say yes or no.

Some of the novels I’ve said yes to will not get another chance. Others I’ve given second chances and there will be no thirds. In a way this saddens me. I’m a loyal person, but as all of us writers know too well, there are many, many books and not so much time to read them. Therefore we want the time spent reading to be meaningful—however “meaningful” is personally described.

I’m a loyal-type person. Authors I love will get me to their novels every time. I’ll find a way to read them even if they throw in a disappointing selection now and then. The reason they’re a favorite is because of their writing—their voice and style, and how they tackle their stories—whatever genre they’ve chosen.

So . . . back to reviews. I will not tear apart a novel. You know I’ve given a few bad reviews. Certainly not to hurt the author but to alert like-minded readers that the particular novel will not be a book for them. There’s no way to give a “nice” review when you hate a book. But there’s no point in crushing the author’s effort with thoughtless comments. The best choice is to give your opinion and acknowledge that’s all it is: one opinion.

It’s also important to note (again) I review the novels I signed up to receive free in exchange for posting a review. I’ve chosen not to review several novels (I’ve bought or otherwise received) I either disliked or those which evoked ambivalence.

How do you feel about reviews? Do you read them? Do you only read them written by particular people? What do you expect from a review?

Lord, you know my heart for your writers. Help me to give my opinion with grace. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.