I’ve been working on some reviews, and once again I’m coming up that question I struggle with every so often: Is it really appropriate for a writer to critique published books by other authors? Being unpublished and maintaining a fairly small-time blog, it’s not like I have a ton of influence, but every time I write a review, positive or negative (but especially negative) I hear Jason Lee in Almost Famous calling the kid “The Enemy”. But Patrick Fugit’s character wants to be a rock critic; I don’t want to be a critic, I want to write. So is it wise to make myself The Enemy?
Ideally, I’d like to write only recommendations, and I could do that. The added complication is that I’m an Amazon Affiliate, and I don’t want to appear to be unethical. But I’m not into blasting other writers publicly, and right now I think I could only post a negative review if the review was solicited. That’s why if I received the book for free from a publisher for review, I’m actually more likely to post a negative review. (In otherwords, if I read a book on my own time and don’t like it, I’ll probably just pass on giving the review.)
The position I’m in feels sort of awkward and uncomfortable. I like writing reviews, I like reading reviews, but I’m not sure it’s good form for me to write them. The other problem is that when I write reviews, I think I sound like a total Big-Mouth. I hate voicing opinions; I feel like it gives the impression than I know more about something than I do, when really I feel like I don’t know much at all.
That is one hard question you’re asking! I’m of two minds about it. On one hand, I really appreciate it when a writer I like reviews a book I’m interested in reading — especially if it’s positive, because I feel like if Author X whom I adore likes Author Y, how can I go wrong? And if a writer whom I respect writes a negative review, with points I consider valid, I’ll be influenced by that as well. (I wouldn’t say that one negative review will turn me off a book — I look for a succession of consistently negative reviews before I give up on something I wanted to read.)
On the other hand, I agree with you about voicing opinions and sounding off — “who the heck am I?” is a question that runs through my mind a lot, even when I’m voicing a mild, carefully worded opinion — and I don’t blame you for feeling awkward. You want to support your fellow writers, you do not want to become The Enemy — but if you’ve been solicited for a review, you can only be honest. I think it’d be worse to be misleadingly positive than honestly, politely negative.
I reckon plenty of people review books that aren’t published authors; however, I don’t know how I’d feel if I were an author, reading a review by some random unpublished person — probably “who the heck are YOU?” would be my first reaction.
So I guess in the end, I think your idea to write only recommendations — for now, at least — is the best one. You can still pass on books you like, you can still highlight authors and books that maybe aren’t getting as much press as they deserve, but you likely won’t get that “who the heck are YOU?” reaction over a negative review (even if your comments are accurate, merited and constructive. Let’s face it, people flip out over the most polite criticism these days….)
For the record, you write excellent reviews. They are always uncommonly thorough and helpful. :)
And there is my opinion. Who the heck am I? ;)
Thanks for your thoughts. :) I enjoy reading deeply and I always hope others will be encouraged to do the same.
(I wouldn’t say that one negative review will turn me off a book — I look for a succession of consistently negative reviews before I give up on something I wanted to read.)
There have been more than a few times when a negative review actually helped me to decide to read a book. If a reviewer is complaining about things I normally love (brooding heroes, pro-monarchist themes, etc.) I’m more likely to check out the book. So even negative reviews can make a sale for an author; I’m just not sure how often that’s the case.
For myself, I enjoy seeing what authors find enjoyable. The way I figure, if I like this author’s works, I’ll probably like what they read as well. It gives me further insight into their works and how they think. Since you are not aiming to become a critic, I think not posting a negative review is the thing to do. There are plenty of negative places online, one less won’t be missed.
I don’t think that is incongruous with your Amazon affiliate ID usage, either – you are showing your readers what things interest you, and it is up to them to decide for themselves whether or not to buy the book.
If you are specifically asked to write a review to fulfill some sort of obligation, then you should post the review, positive or negative. But other than that, perhaps you should just focus on sharing what books you enjoy and leave behind the books you don’t. I think it will make the blog more intimate and personal in a way, rather than a distant reviewer like you would find in a magazine column.
That makes sense (intimate and personal). I want my blog to be a positive space, and that’s why I’ve also elected to keep political discussion down to a minimum, even if I decide in the end to post about my interests outside of reading and writing. I do think there is enough negativity out there.