I do my very best to screen the books I receive for review. I ask for a writing excerpt, check the author out as much as possible, listen to my instincts – all before I accept a book. Why? Because I don’t want to be put in the position of not being able to find anything positive to say. Luckily, my screening usually works and I review many wonderful books.

My blog audience is parents. I hope to encourage them to get hold of great children’s books and read them to/with their kids. But I know writers read reviews too. It seems better for all of us if I am careful to accept books I can honestly be positive about.
.-= Book Chook´s last blog ..Book Review, Rhino Neil =-.

I’m just not sure I need to make my analyses public.

It’s a tough call.

I have read so many blog posts by authors who are torn up about harsh reviews. The Christian authors say, “If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.” (And they seem to think that any criticism at all is not nice.) The general market authors say, “Why critique me when the book is published and I can’t change it?” They both seem to be missing the point, I think.

The reviews are not aimed at them at all. The reviews are meant to inform potential readers, not instruct the authors. If the authors want instruction they should have their work critiqued before it’s published. Once it’s published it’s asking to be read and talked about. If I pay twenty bucks for a book, I should be allowed to discuss it. I can see why it hurts authors’ feelings, but I don’t think it’s wrong for people to express their opinions about books.
.-= sally apokedak´s last blog ..North! or Be Eaten ~ Wrap Up =-.