The How and Why of Book Reviews

Book reviews offer gold to authors, representing one of the best ways to market a book. Even ten reviews on Amazon will add significant credibility to your book and place it above poorly formatted and badly edited books. Readers also find reviews on Goodreads valuable, and many look for their next book on this site. Goodreads costs nothing to join and leave reviews. In comparison, Amazon expects you to spend $$$ on its site before you can review (currently, this means AUD $50 in the last 12 months). Other helpful places to leave reviews include blogs and book retail sites.

Sadly, obtaining reviews proves surprisingly difficult. Giving away advanced reader copies doesn’t guarantee that readers will actually write a review for your book – a disappointing reality. 

As Australian Christian authors, we have an advantage over the thousands of US Christian authors. We can leverage our smallness to get to know each other and support our fellow Christian authors. Commendably, many Christian authors buy their friends’ books. I’ve seen writers leave the Omega Conference bookstore with an armload of books. However, if they never read or review the books they buy, they only offer their friend a token financial gift, roughly the cost of a cup of coffee. Imagine if ten people supported them by writing a review, and each review encouraged just two people to buy the book, suddenly they would have sold twenty copies.

The Instruction of Jesus

Jesus said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). If we want other Christian authors to support us, we need to support them. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by reading and reviewing books. This doesn’t function as a “tit for tat” system where I’ll write a review for you if you write one for me. Jesus said this as a general way of treating others, not a pay-back system when someone treats us well.

Book reviews don’t require long or complicated formats. A simple four-sentence book review looks like this (many other simple templates exist online):

The Four-Sentence Book Review

1.         Introduction

Include the title, subtitle, name of author, genre, and setting (or location of author for non-fiction).

2.         Overview

What happens? Mention the overall theme.

3.         Evaluation

What did you like or dislike about it? Identify strengths and possible weaknesses.

4.         Audience

Recommend the type of audience who would like the book.

A Fiction Example

Australian author Barbara Hannay sets her romance story, Second Chance Family, in Townsville and the Atherton Tablelands in northern Queensland. The story explores the developing romance between Carrie Madden, a widow with two teenage girls and an eight-year-old son, and Ben Galbraith, a bachelor from Scotland with a banking background. The major strengths of the story include its descriptions of the Tablelands and its exploration of how past unwise decisions influence the present, which make for an intriguing read. While I found the romance a little drawn out, it will appeal to romance readers.

 A Non-Fiction Example

American Pastor Levi Lusko's latest spiritual growth book has the rather long title, Blessed Are the Spiraling: How the Chaotic Search for Significance Can Lead to Joy Through Life’s Shifting Seasons. Through the book, Lusko tells the story of his own midlife crisis, which led him to confront many issues from his past, including his parents’ divorce, a pornography addiction, and an excessive desire for success and recognition. I appreciated Lusko's honesty and the many lessons he shares about learning to trust God more deeply. Though the book aims to reach men in their late 30s to early 50s, I did gain some insights for myself.  

If you stick rigidly to this structure, your review may sound stilted. Also, if you write a lot of reviews, they will start to sound the same. So use your creativity and editing skills to add your personal touch.

Screenshot of some of my Goodreads book reviews from Christian authors

A Common Concern

What if I don’t like the book or find lots of errors? If you have received the book as an advanced reader copy, let the author know and gently tell them why you feel unable to write a review. I have read books I dislike, but have reflected on whether others would enjoy them and/or may not notice the errors. In the four-sentence book review, only one sentence focuses on your opinion, so consider highlighting one positive aspect while remaining true to your values. Including a small criticism doesn’t reduce the value of a review. For example, in my fiction review above, I mentioned that I found the romance a bit drawn out.

As Australian Christian authors, we all benefit from visibility, credibility, and word-of-mouth recommendations. Yet, writing book reviews remains one of the most powerful and effective ways we can support one another. 

[Featured Photo from AAGraphics on Pixabay]

Author Bio

Susan Barnes, author of 10 Blessings of God, holds a degree in Christian ministry and writes to renew the mind and stir the soul. She has over thirty years of experience in pastoral ministry, serving alongside her husband, Ross, in various roles. They live in Bendigo, Australia. 

Find out more about Susan at:
My Website | Facebook Author Page | Amazon | Books2Read | Goodreads

Putting ourselves out there

 

I well remember how I felt when I saw the cover of my first novel Heléna for the first time, way back in 2007, in the middle of cooking dinner. What a moment! I tried to take in all I saw in that email attachment—the artwork the publisher had chosen, the layout, the back cover blurb, even the spine. But what caught my eye above all else was my own name in large, capital letters across the top of the front cover. Even now, fifteen years later, I still remember the shock I felt at seeing it there and the question I almost blurted out loud.

‘What have I done?’

Of course, I had known my name would be there on that cover. But in that moment, the sheer vulnerability of having a book published finally dawned on me. So many questions tumbled through my mind, one after another. Would anyone want to read this novel I had so loved writing? Would they be able to relate to the storyline? Would they like or hate my characters?

Was it… was it too late to change my mind about the whole idea?

It definitely was, I knew that. Now, eight books later, I am so glad I didn’t. Yet with each new book I launch, I still experience that feeling of deep vulnerability and reluctance to reveal my work in public. And that is why I particularly appreciated the email I recently received from a youngish male friend who had read my latest novel Down by the Water, released in January last year. He had bothered to write a lovely review of it on Goodreads and, because I knew him, I wrote to thank him. Here is part of his response:

It occurs to me that authors like you show great vulnerability to offer your work to the general public where anyone can say whatever they like in a public forum like Goodreads. So, I honour the risk you take in publishing your work, and not just your ‘work’ but your treasured baby that you have poured yourself into for months and even years. I try to honour that risk in my reviews…. I hope you find publishing is worth that risk—because, if you didn’t publish, so many of us would miss out on enjoying your gift.

I share these gentle, thoughtful words of his here to encourage us all that there are those out there who appreciate the risk we take in being published and cheer us on. From my own experience too, I would say that walking this vulnerable path is so worth it. If God has given us stories to share, we need to work hard to refine them, then put them out there. There will be those who criticise and point out flaws in our writing, some of which may well be justified. This is, after all, how we learn. But even if that criticism is unfair, does it really matter? After all, as Christians, we follow the one who made himself so vulnerable, walked the humble road and endured so much for our sakes. So, let’s all take courage, keep writing and keep putting ourselves out there!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney and is the author of seven published novels and two non-fiction works, Soul Friend and Becoming Me. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked in teaching, editing and local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves encouraging others through both the written and spoken word and is a keen blogger.

www.jo-anneberthelsen.com

www.joanneberthelsen.wordpress.com

GoodReads

by Jeanette O'Hagan

Social Media has, in many ways, been a boon for writers and readers. As an writer, we can network with other writers and connect with readers and fans. And of course many of us are aware of a variety of forms of social media - particularly Facebook and Twitter, but maybe also Instagram, Pinterest, Google Plus, LinkedIn etc.


There is one major social media site that is specifically aimed at Readers as well as catering for Writers - GoodReads.


GoodReads is an online social media for avid readers – a little like Facebook. It has many great functions/features and can be useful for both readers and writers (or writers who are readers). It may take a little while to explore all it has to offer but I think that is time well spent.

Advantages as a Reader

1. An online record of the books you have read, are reading or want to read.

According to Good Reads, I’ve read 852 books – actually I've probably read a few more, but these are the ones I've recorded.


In Goodreads we can shelve a book as Want to Read, Currently Reading and Read (with the dates started and finished reading) as well as add as many other categories we want (e.g. fantasy, mystery, Australian author, Christian fiction, etc).

We can record information about the books (including if we own them, or have lent them out). We can sort them on our own designated shelves, rate them, review them and even send on recommendations to friends. If our Goodreads account is linked to Facebook, we can choose for this information may go on our Facebook wall.

This is also a way to promote favourite authors – as other readers may decide on which books to read on the ratings and/or reviews of books.

I also wonder if there is a way of backing up one’s database of books. What happens if Good Reads suddenly goes out of business and my carefully curated and review lists suddenly cease to exist? Good Reads can (and has) removed reviews and lists that contravene their guidelines.

2. Sort your books in shelves, lists etc.

I’ve started up a range of shelves that categorise my books (e.g. fiction/non-fiction; Christian; children/YA/adult; historical, spec fiction, biography etc).

There are also shared public lists – Listopia – such as “What Every Teen Should Read” or Australian Christian authors or CWD Writers. Goodreads participants can add books or vote for books on these lists (up to 100 books in any one list) or make their own lists in which others can add to or vote. 

Some of the Lists I've voted on

Lists are great when you are searching for a particular type of book. Anyone can start a list, and, in many cases, can add books to a list, though authors can't add their own books.

If you are not sure what to read next, Goodreads is an excellent way of finding new titles to read. You can look up lists like Young Adult Fantasy or Clean Romances, read reviews, ask a members of a group you've joined or see what your friends are reading.

3. Other activities

You can also collect quotes from favourite authors, follow your favourite authors as fans, participate in challenges, quizzes or giveaways or join discussion groups on your favourite genre or interests or comment on other peoples reviews etc..


A news feed keeps you up to date with your friends’ activities.


Since about 2013, I've enjoyed the Goodreads Reading Challenge - I set myself a challenge to read 60 books for the year. Some people have much bigger goals, others have less.

Advantages for Authors

Goodreads was primarily set up as an online group of readers but it also offer opportunities to authors – that is those with published books (whether self-published, indie or traditional publishing). After all, Goodreads is populated with keen readers - just the people authors want to reach.

1. Author page

Authors can convert their user profile to an Author’s profile that can include a bio, photo, a list of published works, blogs, videos etc. They can upload the covers and details of their own books. Link their blog to their Goodreads account. 

2. Connect with Fans

Readers can ask Authors questions, with the responses posted for other fans to read. They can also become followers or fans of authors and will receive relevant updates from Goodreads.


Make sure you are aware of the Goodreads Author policy. In general, it's best not to respond to reviews of your own books, as this can alienate many readers. Always remember that Goodreads is primarily aimed at readers - even though it also welcomes authors.

3. Be part of Groups

Also, Authors have an opportunity to interact with readers through groups though the temptation to over-promote needs to be resisted. As with most promotion, you need to interact and support others, building community and connections. So the best thing as a Goodreads author is also to be a reader, write reviews and participate in groups while being restrained in self-promotion opportunities. While this may seem slow, in the long run it will much more fruitful.

Goodreads provides a useful and enjoyable resource for both Readers and Authors. Unlike some forms of social media, you can have a significant presence without spending screeds of time online – and the more books and reviews you add, the more significant your presence.


While it may not suit everyone, I think Goodreads provides a valuable resource for readers and writers.



So do you use Goodreads? What features do you like best about it? Are there things you are not so keen on? Are there some tips you would like to share? Or, as a novice, are there some burning questions you would like to ask?

My Goodreads page . Put your Goodreads profile in the comments if you want to connect with others in CWD.

Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and Ruhanna's Flight and other stories. Stone of the Sea is planned to be released in October this year.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.


Find her on:

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