15 Responses

  1. 16forward
    16forward at |

    All of these answers were so insightful.

    Since I’ve starting writing reviews (for Goodreads and Amazon) for all the books I read, I try to notice anything I can that will help future readers. I’ve always noticed grammatical and editing errors…after being the designated proofreader on an elementary campus I think it’s just part of me now. I’m always highlighting errors in books and notifying Amazon of them. I often wonder if there really is someone out there checking these reports to see if they really do correct them. 😉

    I’ve recently been asked to be a beta reader by an author and have just started my first book. I don’t find myself reading any differently but am reading for everything I’ve always done. I hope the author lets me know how I’ve done when I finish!

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  2. suze294
    suze294 at |

    I can see how it must be different to read for review and pleasure. As a reader of blog reviews, I want to know what worked well or not so appreciate the effort you guys put in

    Reply
  3. H.B.
    H.B. at |

    Interesting to see all the different responses. I guess it’s less pressure reading for pleasure than to review. It just shows how much effort and concentration you put into it.

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  4. Trix
    Trix at |

    I’d imagine you’d have to be more analytical in a review situation…

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  5. Carolyn
    Carolyn at |

    This was a fascinating glimpse into the reviewer mindsets. I’ve wondered how you manage to read for pleasure and also analyze, and I see now that you’re not really allowed to do both equally while reviewing. Well, very few seem to pull it off. It definitely gives me a greater appreciation for all of you. I wouldn’t want to give up my reading for pleasure unless it was for a critical study of something besides romance. I can talk about certain aspects after reading but I’m kind of hopeless at the details, which is why I’m pretty rubbish at leaving reviews.

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  6. maryjgresham
    maryjgresham at |

    They were all pretty great!!

    Reply
  7. Tanja
    Tanja at |

    Thank you for the question and for the answers. I guess it is different reading for pleasure or for reviewing. When you read for pleasure you can just say that you liked the book. You don’t have to go in detail. Therefore I very much appreciate all the efforts that goes into your reviews.

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  8. dee
    dee at |

    Thanks for these interesting answers!

    Reply
  9. Purple Reader
    Purple Reader at |

    Thanks for the interesting answers. Some surprised me, b/c I expected everyone to say it’s a different read depending on purpose. That’s true for me (such as sometimes I do beta reads and I watch things more closely).

    Reply
  10. susana
    susana at |

    That was a really great question and some really good answers as well. It is something I never thought about, but it is true that I read a book differently when I’m acting as beta reader so…

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  11. Ami
    Ami at |

    I definitely have different mindset when I am reading for ARC reviews and pleasure. Which is probably why I don’t do ARC reviews very often because it can be a bit exhausting *lol*

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  12. Angela
    Angela at |

    Thank you all for answering my question. I really enjoyed reading your answers and i can totally understand that reading for a review takes a different look at the book than reading for your own enjoyement would.

    Reply
  13. Shirley Ann Speakman
    Shirley Ann Speakman at |

    Another great question and hadn’t realised that reading for reviewer has to be different than when you are reading a book for pleasure.

    Reply
  14. Lisa
    Lisa at |

    I would agree that reading strictly for a review (ie for a site like NetGalley) vs reading only for my own pleasure is different because there’s more pressure to remember details when reading for a review.

    Reply
  15. ELF
    ELF at |

    I agree, I take notes if I am going to write a review, so it takes a little longer to read if I’m not just reading for pleasure. Thanks for all of the great answers.

    Reply

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