Bouquet of Books by cellar_door_films, via Pinterest & Flickr
It’s often said that the best thing we can do for authors we like/love/ admire/appreciate, is to write them a nice review, maybe send them an email, or even a tweet. And that’s exactly what I want to do this year. I want to be more grateful for the books I read, and I want to show it. We writers know the amount of time, effort, devotion, and even heartache that go into writing these books, and everything that follows. Because of this, I want to say thank you in a small way.
It’s the start of a new year, and I think it’s the best time to start new habits. For me, that habit will be writing a review for all the books I read. I just went through our goals post, and I’m surprised that I didn’t mention it there.
I’m going to take a wild guess and say that quite a few of you don’t have the time to write reviews, right? I don’t have time either, but I’m going to make it. If I can tweet, I can review. If I can spend fifteen minutes to half an hour going through my Google Reader, I can definitely spare five minutes to write a short paragraph or two consisting of my thoughts and feelings about the book I just finished.
And that’s all I’ll be doing. I’ll be ignoring my Twitter and my Reader, my emails and my blog, and I’ll write a short review. Because I want to do my part. I want to let the author know that I enjoyed their hard work and that I appreciate the time they put into it. It doesn’t have to be a 1 000 word in-depth analysis of the plot, setting, characters etc. It will probably be four or five gushing sentences about what made the book really worth reading. I like focusing on the good things, especially since I’m a writer.
I’m going to do that on Goodreads. From Heather’s post, What’s So Good About Goodreads Anyway Part 1: Using Goodreads as a Reader, you guys know that we’re fans of Goodreads and everything it offers. I probably would have copied my review to Amazon if I could, but with it being such an issues for me, I can’t see that happening soon. Still, I’ll be doing my part.
I would like you to consider doing the same, even if it’s just a sentence or two. Tell others why you liked what you read, and encourage them to read as well. I’m finish a book tonight. By tomorrow I’ll have my thoughts posted on Goodreads.
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
Hugs and Chocolate 