Friday, January 13

Book Review Policy (ehhhh.)

I think I have everything covered on the FTC policy for book reviews. If not, let me know (pretty pretty please).

All right. Here goes nothing.

- Whenever I review books, it is done without any payment or compensation, and it is based solely on my own individual opinions. If I buy a book, borrow a book, or receive a book from a contest or an author/publisher/anyone else, or through any other process, the process through which I obtained the book will be specified in the review. Again, the review itself is all based on what I think.


Soooo...That's it.








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Originally, I started this blog with the intentions of not reviewing books because I still do not like making authors feel bad. But then I changed my mind for several reasons:

1. There are some pretty good books out there. I mean, many people love books, right? And there are a lot of blogs out there that review books. There are blogs only for reviewing books, blogs that hold book-related contests, blogs that hold character competitions, etc. Unfortunately (or fortunately; it really depends on how you look at it), this blog isn't one of those blogs. Well I mean, starting now, I might post a few reviews here and there, but I'm not going to dedicate everything I have to book reviews. The point is, good books = compulsion-for-people-to-know-about-said-books. Which also brings us to reason two:

2. There are some pretty bad books out there. As well. And I mean awful books. Horrible, whiny books that make you want to throw it at a wall, or burn it, or do other violent things to it. Haven't you always wanted to rant about the crapiness of a book? I know I have. And frankly, sometimes the urge to complain overrules the guilt of insulting a piece of work someone poured their heart and soul into.

3. Book reviews are inspiring. Because they're all opinion, and they can even make authors or would-be writers question their own WIP(s). I know they have for me. (This is going to sound messed up and sadistic-ish, but I love reading the 1-star reviews of bestsellers on Amazon or Goodreads, especially of books I loved. So interesting.) (I'm not sure how this really pertains to me wanting to start reviewing books, unless I somehow manage to be inspiring.)

4. There's this one book called Hourglass by Myra McEntire. And other books similar to its genre/themes. That I really. Really. Want to write. About. Maybe this goes along with reason #1/2.

So guys, that's all there is to it. Four reasons on why I'd like to review books.

Oh, here's the review list thing in case you're wondering:

- Cover (o' course)
- Title, author, genre
- The very important "How I Obtained Said Book" part
- Series: Yes/no (if it's a series, the name of the series will be stated. hopefully.)
- The Blurb
- THE REVIEW (*cue epic music*):
  • First, overall plot summary
  • Then a bit on characters
  • And a bit on the plot
  • And a bit on the key elements/themes/creative ideas/premise/whatever else that was/was supposed to have a long-lasting effect on the reader
  • "In conclusion...!" part
- Rating--and what it means (this will go off a 10-point scale)
  • 1: No. Bad. Never again. Shrivel-up-and-die-worthy of a book. A-b-o-m-i-n-a-t-i-o-n. Grr.
  • 2: The appeal of this book was equivalent to the appeal of kissing a(n) (fill in blank here with horrific creature), though after being paid $20 (<-- why, you could buy another book with that money. ahem.)
  • 3: This was flat out awful. Save a few parts, I suppose. But very few.
  • 4: So much potential, eh? Too bad it failed to reach it.
  • 5: I could care less.
  • 6: Hey, you. Unless you just have absolutely nothing else to read, I would recommend passing this book on the bookshelf.
  • 7: Now this, this is a book. Just a book.
  • 8: Hey there. I think I'll read you again another time.
  • 9: I love you.
  • 10: The light of my life. Currently.
I'll be reviewing Hourglass next week. Heh.

- E

6 comments:

  1. Can't wait to read your reviews :D I love reading them just because it makes me want to read them, good OR bad xD and there is this thing booksneeze.com, where you can receive free books just so you can review them. :D

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  2. Thanks :D I'll try not to make a boring review :3

    Wha, seriously? I'm definitely signing up. Thanks so much o.o

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  3. Veronica Roth recently wrote a post on YA Highway about the author/reviewer relationship: http://www.yahighway.com/2012/01/really-long-post-about-authorreviewer.html I don't know if you've seen it already but it might come in handy if you're wanting to review. ^^

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  4. oh yeah, I read that :] it does seem like there's a conflicted relationship between reviews. it's not *supposed* to be considered personal, yet many people do consider it that way. which is, you know, human nature, so they're not to blame :)

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  5. Hey Ella! I couldn't find your contact info on the site, but you've been nominated for a blog tour that I'm putting together. Email me if you'd like to hear more :) anna@annawaggener.com

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