The first question in our last celebration weekend is asked by H.B. Thank you for asking us another question 🙂
H.B: I’m pretty sure this question wasn’t asked yet but is there a process/routine you do before you start the process of reviewing a book and does it differ from when you’re reading for pleasure?
Vicki:
I don’t really have a process, but I do have certain things I look for in a book I’m reviewing. Or things I pay attention to more I guess. I try really hard to never skip parts of a book I’m reviewing, although occasionally I break that rule if I’m struggling. I’ll make notes now and then so I remember things I want to include in the review, and sometimes at night after I’ve turned my light off I’ll run through what I want to say in the review. I do need to review the book right after I finish it so it’s fresh in my mind. I also keep my reading device beside me while I’m typing so I can look things up if I need to. I definitely pay more attention to books I’m reviewing, as they deserve the focus!
Tammy:
I can’t read a book then turn around and write a review, I have to have several days in between.
Roberta:
After i’m done reading…that’s when the process changes…for pleasure, i’ll just tell my friends/roomie about the book and what I liked and didn’t like.
For review…it’s getting my thoughts onto paper and hopefully have them make sense. I sometimes wait a day to let the review out of my head and then…go back and look it over. sometimes…i have to let the book marinate in my head for a day or so and then get the review started
Jen B:
When I read for pleasure, I don’t worry about trying to remember important details that I would normally mention in my review. I still write a short paragraph or two when I finish the book so I remember something else about the story if I ever come across it again. It is hard to remember every book, especially for me, as I see and read about so many books come across my path between drafting and reviewing for one blog and reviewing and requesting for Love Bytes.
I guess the big difference is that when reviewing officially, I tend to pay more attention to detail. Another big difference is that we often get books before their final edit, so when reading for pleasure, I’m assuming I’m reading the final product, whereas reviewing an unedited version forces you to look away from those types of issues.
Dan:
I don’t have any process for any book. I read them all, first and foremost, for pleasure. The only difference, if I’m reading for pleasure I tend to gloss over ‘issues’ I see. When reviewing, I tend to mentally note them and then reflect on them when writing my review.
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Thank you for the question and your answers again. I love to read that there is a difference in reading for reviews or for pleasure. It is quite understandable.
Nice question and answers, which were pretty consistent. I too differ in how I read. I try to write a review on all I read, but that gets tough. But on those where I’ve committed to a review (especially a beta), I do make note so I can provide helpful feedback to the author or other readers.
Once again thank you for the question and answers as it gives me insight to the process of reviewing. I like to read the questions and answers on reviewing as well as reading thoughts from authors on their process of writing.
I tend to take notes if I am definitely reading for a review. Those that I am really anxious to read are harder to pause and take notes on, lol, and sometimes I write my thumbnail notes right after I finished while it’s fresh in my mind, but not consistently enough! Great to see everyone’s methods.
I tend to be more analytical about specific points when I read for review!
Thank you for answering another one of my questions. I really appreciate it =) Reading for pleasure or reading for for review, I usually find myself picking up and noting important details whether I want to or not.
The only thing I tend to do differently is be more detailed in the review if I’m reading for review vs. strictly for pleasure.
I always read books the same way. The only difference is the review. If it’s just for me, then I’m usually a lot more relaxed. If I write one for a friend or for a giveaway book, then I try to make it as helpful as possible for other readers to use it as reference whether to read a book or not.
I feel like Dan’s answer would be mine if I was reviewing. I can gloss over issues if I’m just reading for myself, but if I’m helping others learn about the book, I’ll have to bring them up.