tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post5296919010664459082..comments2023-11-21T06:30:09.107-08:00Comments on Reading the Paranormal: Spotlight on... How much is too much?Kelly Rubidouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-25872024770915721482012-05-08T07:09:54.043-07:002012-05-08T07:09:54.043-07:00I totally get what you're saying. It can be ha...I totally get what you're saying. It can be hard to find the balance between giving enough info so that the reader sees where your coming from on your opinions without crossing into spoiler country.Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-43350903675440271542012-05-08T07:07:06.045-07:002012-05-08T07:07:06.045-07:00I have spoiler-phobia too. I'm always worried ...I have spoiler-phobia too. I'm always worried that the longer reviews are going to contain them. Always. Which is silly because a short review can have spoilers just as easily as a long one.<br /><br />I agree with you about summarizing. I post the synopsis specifically so that I don't have to try to put the plot into my own words. It gives me more room to talk about the things I think worked or didn't work with the book.Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-45155185557567695752012-05-08T05:30:40.159-07:002012-05-08T05:30:40.159-07:00My reviews are generally short because I give my t...My reviews are generally short because I give my thoughts on the book, not a recap of the book itself (I already post the summaries, so why rehash it in the review?).<br /><br />When I read reviews, I do tend to skim - mostly because I don't want to read any spoilers. If it's a book I've already read, I'll still tend to skim it unless their opinion was polar opposite of my own.Mandi Kaye @ Never Too Fond of Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02361130579333295006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-19132077924400951762012-05-07T16:26:08.685-07:002012-05-07T16:26:08.685-07:00I don't really enjoy long, but some bloggers c...I don't really enjoy long, but some bloggers can do it well. Their style keeps me reading. I really would like to keep it short & sweet, but sometimes feel like I'm letting the reader down. It really depends on the book. I don't want to rehash & I don't want to spoil anything if possible. I wish I had a system or rhyme or reason played into anything I do.Amy @ bookgooniehttp://www.bookgoonie.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-47659755763475853082012-05-07T10:16:50.393-07:002012-05-07T10:16:50.393-07:00This seems to be a theme with many people (both re...This seems to be a theme with many people (both reviewers and readers)... if the post is dynamic and well written, we're going to read it regardless of length.<br /><br />I understand what you're saying about the book blurbs and how bloggers have very little say in what is sent to us in that regard. I posted an excerpt this last week that I felt was too long but... well, it's what was given to me.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by, Felicia!Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-91311488716687961352012-05-07T06:55:23.782-07:002012-05-07T06:55:23.782-07:00I am glad I stopped here after everyone had commen...I am glad I stopped here after everyone had commented! <br /><br />I read book reviews of books that I have either read, want to read but are not on the immediate horizon, OR I am not interested in. I tend to zone out if the review is to long but I do enjoy getting the reviewers POV.<br /><br />As far as other posts--that depends on the topic! Seriously I could read a mini-novel if the discussion post is good enough. Book Blurbs and giveaways---not so much. If you can't catch me in two paragraphs I am pretty much out. However, since I know most of the time that is emailed to us and we have no control on size--I don't think that is a blogger thing.<br /><br />Interesting discussion!Felicia the Geeky Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03960623537536038059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-62584082752086204442012-05-06T18:29:19.033-07:002012-05-06T18:29:19.033-07:00I love getting justification for not having to put...I love getting justification for not having to put the story in my own words! I'm not sure where I ever got the idea that I needed to. When I try to write my own book summary/synopsis, (not sure which word I should be using!) my review grows in length because I'm afraid I'll forget an important aspect. :)<br /><br />I'll continue to use the GoodReads summary and it'll all be okay.Stephanie @ Once Upon A Chapterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13668989877752439249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-25838172470931570992012-05-06T15:52:21.563-07:002012-05-06T15:52:21.563-07:00I prefer the official synopsis as well. Summaries...I prefer the official synopsis as well. Summaries can be and are very often skewed by the reader's feelings. I don't really care about summaries, either, I just want to know the book is about.<br /><br />(the thing is that I don't think summaries and synopses are the same thing, but they're used as synonyms)Amanda @ On a Book Benderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03975515860710635598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-14566990897594488602012-05-06T14:35:23.198-07:002012-05-06T14:35:23.198-07:00I read book reviews to get a feel for a book, but ...I read book reviews to get a feel for a book, but I'm very careful about the reviews I do read due to a very unfortunate spoiler I read once on a book I was looking forward to like crazy.<br /><br />I think for most of us, the shorter reviews are the what we're looking for. I'm so glad, since I tend to go the shorter route. Lol!Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-91719501384271058582012-05-06T14:31:12.218-07:002012-05-06T14:31:12.218-07:00Personally, I prefer the official synopsis (unless...Personally, I prefer the official synopsis (unless the synopsis doesn't do the book justice or is wildly misleading... which I have had happen to me before) over the reviewer rehashing the synopsis in their own words. I'd rather know how the reviewer feels than read something that's so easily accessible via Goodreads or the author's site.<br /><br />I may be alone in that, though. I just know that the reason I read a review is to get someone's opinion.Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-64239944558735365322012-05-06T14:10:40.998-07:002012-05-06T14:10:40.998-07:00Personally, I strive to keep my reviews short &...Personally, I strive to keep my reviews short & to the point. I simply want to communicate my feeling about whether I liked the book or not, and 1 or 2 major things that might have bothered me. And I don't read book reviews unless I've already read the book, and can leave a comment.Tanya Patricehttp://www.girlxoxo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-39310399270521398342012-05-06T13:20:45.892-07:002012-05-06T13:20:45.892-07:00I am so glad you decided to do this post! It is so...I am so glad you decided to do this post! It is something we bloggers worry about I think. I don't like full book reports because it takes too long to read and I don't have time. When I'm blogging; however, I feel like if I don't give a nice long review I'm cheating potential readers.<br /><br />I recently switched to shorter reviews and to be honest I think it is for the best. 3 to 4 paragraphs seems to be the general consensus. <br /><br />Another question: As a review <b>reader</b> do you prefer to see a summary like a book blurb, or a summary in the reviewers words or do we even need summaries?Stephanie @ Once Upon A Chapterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13668989877752439249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-39809665505856961552012-05-06T12:21:34.510-07:002012-05-06T12:21:34.510-07:00I wrote a review last night that was A LOT longer ...I wrote a review last night that was A LOT longer than normal for me but it was on a book I had a few issues with and I felt like I needed to address those issues to effectively establish why the book didn't work for me. So, obviously, there are going to be exceptions to every rule, right? The trick is to be able to look at what your writing with a critical eye to make sure you're not going off on unrelated tangents (which is kinda what I feel like I'm doing right now, Lol!).<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-37407249950773218062012-05-06T12:17:33.446-07:002012-05-06T12:17:33.446-07:00The problem I think I'm seeing is that some bl...The problem I think I'm seeing is that some bloggers/authors aren't editing themselves down or they're not aware they're rambling. Which is what leads to those mondo-sized posts.<br /><br />It sounds like you stick to a pretty rigid format. I mean that in a good way. You're aware of what you're writing and you use the space you've allotted yourself to get your point across. That's pretty similar to what I try to do.<br /><br />Thank you for your thoughts!Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-29004478405430150022012-05-06T12:15:06.377-07:002012-05-06T12:15:06.377-07:00Okay, I like this. You're looking strictly at ...Okay, I like this. You're looking strictly at content and whether the writing/subject material grabs you. Which makes sense. Bottom line, length isn't an issue as long as it's well written and dynamic.<br /><br />Excellent. Thank you!Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-69362864774105327092012-05-06T09:35:32.448-07:002012-05-06T09:35:32.448-07:00This is something that was bugging me the other da...This is something that was bugging me the other day when I thought I was being too wordy, I try to keep my reviews to the point and not ramble but I always have so much to say! It's good to know the 3-4 paragraph length reviews seem to be about right, i do like to know why bloggers have formed their opinions and a well written review will always keep me reading.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-80448112955264772812012-05-06T06:49:03.288-07:002012-05-06T06:49:03.288-07:00I have a standard review format of four paragraphs...I have a standard review format of four paragraphs. Typically they run between 500-650 words, and I like to stay in that range because it keeps the paragraphs at a manageable reading size. Sometimes the word count will be longer, but I try to only do that when there is something "real" to say. If I'm rambling, it's time to cut it short.Kt Clapsadlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10227482678051261737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-66673521181238508472012-05-06T06:19:32.647-07:002012-05-06T06:19:32.647-07:00I think it really depends for me. I sort through m...I think it really depends for me. I sort through my posts very carefully before reading - if the title and the little bit I get in the reader don't sound interesting, I don't go for it (it's a little different for my RSS delivered ones, but I'll only subscribe to RSS if it's someone I know I read pretty much everything). The ones I do bring up, if I find myself getting distracted then I close out, and it doesn't matter how long it is for that to happen. I think somebody said it earlier - if it's a well written post, it doesn't matter how long it is.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15382443539179417578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-1631441950175517942012-05-05T08:59:06.535-07:002012-05-05T08:59:06.535-07:00I like that I'm seeing that everyone seems to ...I like that I'm seeing that everyone seems to be leaning toward liking the shorter reviews. It *is* a matter of time (both on the reading and the blogging end of it) and it's good to have a mental guideline to align myself to.<br /><br />I occasionally write up "Quickie reviews" that are shorter than my average reviews (maybe a short paragraph or two). Generally speaking those are for short stories or novellas but I still feel a little bad about not going all out and giving it the full treatment.Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-31389881300098608122012-05-05T08:53:05.225-07:002012-05-05T08:53:05.225-07:00I'm not shocked in the least that you put so m...I'm not shocked in the least that you put so much thought into your review format. *thumbs up*<br /><br />All this discussion is actually making me think of some things I could do differently on my reviews. And that's a good thing.Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-86525720331143657812012-05-05T08:28:48.724-07:002012-05-05T08:28:48.724-07:00I also give a "final verdict" before I l...I also give a "final verdict" before I launch into my actual review, one that will never EVER have spoilers because it's usually like, "This book was awesome. Will continue with the series." or "It was okay. Not sure if I want to continue with the series." That way, if you're the kind of person who doesn't read reviews of books you want to read (but haven't) you can still get my opinion without reading about anything related to what happens in the book.<br /><br />This might be shocking, but I've given my review format a lot of thought. And I spend a lot of time focusing on layout and format of my posts in addition to the content. It's because I'm overly organized and like things in a neat and specific way.Amanda @ On a Book Benderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03975515860710635598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-64380041059455378762012-05-05T08:19:09.410-07:002012-05-05T08:19:09.410-07:00I'm with you on length. The longer the post wi...I'm with you on length. The longer the post without some sort of pictures or bullet point lists or subheadings to break it up into manageable segments, the less likely I'm going to bother. I skim a lot of posts. I have been trying to keep discussion posts shorter to encourage more people to read and respond. I have a lot of blogs to keep up with on a daily basis too, so I try to make my posts easy to read through quickly.<br /><br />As far as chapter excerpts go, it's a toss up. If the book sounds interesting, I'll read it; if it doesn't, I just skip it.<br /><br />With reviews, I try to do about 3-5 paragraphs. I want to say enough to show why I did/didn't enjoy the book. If I really loved the book and found myself attached to characters, I may go on a little longer, but I try to keep it from getting too long. :)Jessica L. Tatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00121327467707828026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-2898698793931860872012-05-05T08:09:57.410-07:002012-05-05T08:09:57.410-07:00Another good point. Visually, if we're hit wit...Another good point. Visually, if we're hit with a review that's a solid wall of text, we're going to be taken out of the experience from the start. I personally think that's true regardless of length. I've seen shorter reviews that need a little paragraphical TLC, as well as longer ones.<br /><br />I like the idea of summarizing and bullet points. But, then, I love bullet points. I also love your "in six words" section, btw. It's such a fun way of encapsulating your reading experience. And when I say fun, I mean for both the writer (agonizing over the six perfect words to use) and the reader (Oh! Amanda says that this Kate Daniels book is "More hung than a hunky #NakedWerewolf". Niiiiiice.).Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-80963119254872037352012-05-05T07:56:04.993-07:002012-05-05T07:56:04.993-07:00I also have a tendency to try to break up my longi...I also have a tendency to try to break up my longish posts into sections or include bullet points. One long post of text with no breaks for anything makes my brain explode a little. And like with my audiobook post, for example, I also included tables that summarized my points (so in theory, you could read those and know most of what my thoughts were).Amanda @ On a Book Benderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03975515860710635598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974058109570919461.post-78953019119046709352012-05-05T07:55:43.912-07:002012-05-05T07:55:43.912-07:00I have a tendency to do that as well unless, like ...I have a tendency to do that as well unless, like Amanda said, the first couple of lines grab me and suck me in. I'm also always a little leery of being spoiled on longer reviews, so I'll often read the first paragraph (or synopsis) to see if the book appeals to me and then skip down to the final thoughts.Kelly Rubidouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07860403261439777385noreply@blogger.com