Reviewers and Readers
No one told me when I started doing book reviews – and I never really asked – that when you start reading books for books reviews, it’s a lot different than reading for pleasure.
When I sit down to read a book as a reviewer, I’m still JM and the book is still the same book. However, when you read as a reviewer, the feelings just aren’t the same.
As a pleasure reader, the first difference is I don’t have a schedule to maintain. I can read as fast or as slow as I want. I can get lost completely in what’s happening and it’s not a big deal if I miss a detail or two because I’m so engrossed in living in the world the author has created.
As a reviewer, I don’t get as lost in the story. That isn’t to say I don’t enjoy books as much; I still enjoy them quite a bit. There is a degree of separation, though. When I read a book as a reviewer, I’m not only taking in the world the author has created; I also take in things such as technical aspects of the writing, how the story works overall, how it compares to other books I’ve read (though, there’s only a little of that with me for my own reasons), and other things.
I recommend everyone give a shot at reviewing at least one books. (Reviewing a few would be better.) You not only could get into something you might enjoy continuing doing, but you could start reading things you wouldn’t usually read. Also, you learn to look at what you’re reading with a critical mind.
When/If you go back to reading purely for pleasure, you can get a fuller experience in your read because you can have a reader’s pleasure while noticing the smaller details a reviewer notices.
PS. Guest reviews are always welcome here on The Book Stacks. Use the contact me button on the right if you are interested in sending me one of your reviews.
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