IWSG Blog Post - Reviews

The awesome co-hosts for the December 6 posting of the IWSG are C. Lee McKenzie, JQ Rose,Jennifer Lane, and Jacqui Murray!

December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?

I write reviews primarily for other readers, but I keep in mind that the author may see it as well. If it’s a self-published book or a new author without many reviews, I am especially careful with negative comments. I would hate to be the reason someone loses motivation. With lesser known authors, I feel it’s more likely they may read reviews, so I try to be detailed about what worked and what didn’t. It’s rare for me to give two stars or less. If I hate a book, I DNF early. Who has time to read things they don’t enjoy?  And if I couldn’t make it halfway, I feel unqualified to leave a review. 

So, that’s my M.O. What’s yours?