Anything Goes Book Reviewers discussion

This one is for all of us who love to review books. Why do you do it? This is bit similar to the question the Kristine asked the mods but its a good one. I have friends who rarely pick up a book and can't believe that not only do I read so much but then I spend even further time writing a review. I just feel sorry for them for being non readers, they miss so much!

I only started reviewing when I joined GoodReads and one of the main advantages I'm finding is that it makes me a better reader. I'm always thinking about what worked and didn't work for me in a book and writing the review makes consider so much about a book that I never really thought about before such who is narrating the book, the language used, etc.

But most of all I just enjoy it. Best reason in the world really :)

Wow what a question. I agree with you on feeling sorry for people that don't read. They have no clue what they are missing out on.

I started reviewing a few months ago on Amazon. At first it was just on books that I loved. But I tend to rant and rave at my husband when I read a bad book, and he was all like "Don't you write reviews about this kind of stuff!?!?" and I was like "Oh yay!" and that is how I started to get more critical on my reviews. But I still rant and rave at him anyway. . .I find he is a good soundboard for me to figure out what I really didn't like or what I really loved about a book. And bless his little heart. . .he has sat and listened to me talk about a book I loved for 2 hours before, such an amazing man. . .he is one of those people that don't understand what is so amazing about reading to me too.

I feel like I got off topic, I tend to do that. But the reason I review is because I like to put out there what I thought about something. On Amazon I don't use my real name and I liked it like that. . .over here I can't help but be who I really am cause I used facebook to sign up cause I was feeling lazy, why fill everything out when I can just click one button and be done with it. Also I guess it was also for a sense of accomplishment. I read so much that I wanted to have some way to keep track of it all, this was before I really found this site.

Reviewing to me is fun, so I do it with a smile. . .unless I didn't like the book then I'm pretty sure I do it with a fierce face and a lot of mumbling.

I have a couple of reasons. Firstly, I love to read and love to talk about books. Unfortunately, people in my immediate circle either do not love to read as much as I do or if they do read, they are not into the same genres; this means I have no outlet in which to express my views and feelings. Secondly, I love to write as much as I love to read, so coming up with well-written reviews combines both passions. Lastly, I think it's fun and I hope to maybe influence people into reading a book that they normally wouldn't or finding people who feel the same way I do.

I love to read but until I started writing seriously I never understood how important reviews are to an author. My favorite books to review are books from smaller publishing companies. There are so many great authors and books, I just want to support them all.

Great answers folks, I can identify with them all. So to lead on even further to those of you who also have blogs why did you go that extra step. So far I have been content to just review here and on Amazon but am toying with the idea of a blog. I'm no stranger to blogging and already have a private family one but am thinking a book one would be good fun too, just not too sure if I want to go public.

And just a side note, I have no idea how I ever bought books in the past without checking out a ton of reviews first! I'm so addicted to reading reviews now by others, its so just helpful (too helpful, I want all the books lol)and makes you pick up books you might never have come across otherwise.

I began reviewing as a writing exercise. I have always wanted to be a writer, though I have never had a great way with words. So, reading gives me ideas and it is a great way to see how other authors string words together to paint a story. Writing reviews for the books I review not only helps other authors gain some form of publicity for their novels, but it is also a great writing exercise to further my own writing skills.

Now for blogging, I started blogging again to further my writing exercises and to take on other aspects of authors publicity hurdles. I wanted to do cover reveals, blog tours, and interviews on top of the reviews. Get a first hand look at what authors go through to get their books out there. I get to help some great authors and I help myself by writing. It also doesn't hurt to have a blog full of followers for when the day comes (if it ever comes) that I publish my own book. :)

There ya have it. My reasons, while slightly selfish but also helpful, for writing reviews and having a book blog. :)

Thanks Kristine, I have decided to start a blog too. Am feeling excited and nervous about it!