Hey y’all! It’s time again for another edition of “Hey You.” The one time a month where I let my “hey you” girl out of
her little box and let her say whatever the heck she wants to say!
Ignore that I referred to myself in third person and pretend I’m not insane for 2.5 seconds so I can hop right in.
Today I’m going to address a perplexing problem in the book review world.
Recently I was going along my merry little way when I saw this topic pop up about long reviews vs short reviews.
I love a long, rambling book review. I love to see a person excited about what they’ve been reading. Can you imagine my surprise that many of my blogging peers object to lengthy reviews? Some even stated that reviews longer than seventy-five words was a waste of their time. How the heck do you even get your point across in seventy-five words?
This was surprising to me. Once again, I find myself comparing secular bloggers to Christian bloggers. It seems like many that read secular fiction want to rave and connect with others over a good book.
While Christians seem to want to push out as many rushed reviews as possible. Why is this? Why is there no desire to connect with other readers at all?
Anyway, before I beat that dead horse again. Let’s talk about this long review versus short review thing.
I am curious how someone can read a 80,000 word book if they can’t read a seventy-five word review?
Now, if you’re reading my blog, you’re going to notice the inevitable grammar mistakes that I make. Sorry, it’s not my thing. I try my best. So, I’m not saying that you must have a review that has impeccable grammar. You don’t have to have flashy graphics or witty one-liners.
I do want to know that you actually read the book. Not the synopsis. Did you read the book?
I want to know what you liked and disliked about the book. Did you appreciate the characters? Were there plot holes
or mistakes that took away from the story?
I want to know your honest opinion. I don’t want to hear a rewording of the GoodReads blurb. I want to know every reason that you have for me to read (or not read) a book.
You cannot do that in seventy-five words. I mean, that’s almost like cramming an essay into a twitter post!
I’m not telling you all how to review a book because each person has their own style and flair. I’m not sure I’m even challenging anyone with this post. Let’s face it, if a person can’t read a seventy-five word review then I highly doubt they’re reading this blog post.
I guess I needed to rant. Or if I’m completely honest, I’m curious if these people even read the books they claim to have read.
So, what says you? How long is too long for a book review and did you make it through this post? Because if you did? That’s 517 words. Go you!
I believe I have written about 500 or more words at times! If I want to talk I will talk but I do know that sometimes I write a short review but it is purely due to having so much I want to say yet it will give the game away. It can be hard to get the right balance some times.
Love this post x
I love reading reviews so I was just so surprised that some bloggers can’t be bothered by them.
It is strange. I do know that sometimes font size can be a put off as I struggle with paying attention to very small font myself.
Oh design is another topic altogether and I’ve wondered. It is definitely a topic for the hey you posts.
Yeah for sure! There is my theme, I love it, however, I constantly get messages that my comments section doesn’t exist and my widgets aren’t visible unless a certain button is clicked and it is invisible, like the comments button, but I just love everything else about the theme that I ignore these things – I know others can’t stand it though.
No design is perfect but I have seen some obnoxious themes lol
So, hey you…. THANK YOU AND YES!!! How can someone sum up their thoughts and emotions in 75 words or less? When it comes to reviews I could go on and on and on! The longer the better. Yes it takes longer to get to the root of the reviewers thoughts but you get a clearer picture of that book is something you would be interested in reading. It also allows us as readers to have a better conversation about the book!