Since I could walk I have always read, joining my local library when I was five years old. I still enjoy curling up each evening with whatever book I am reading and it is a very important part of my daily routine. Life without books is a horrible thought to me. When I enjoyed a book, I told my friends, shared it with them, written reviews were not something I knew of or where I’d go to write one. My understanding was that journalists for the national newspapers were the ones who got to review books. How times have changed. It is in the past number of years, that access to leaving a written review has appeared with sites like Amazon, Goodreads and other social sites. So is leaving a review important?
Yes, yes, and yes. Not just because I am now an author myself, but it really does help others who read the same genre as yourself or maybe encourage someone who has never read outside their comfort zone to do so. It also helps the author to spread the word about their books and we so do appreciate it, believe me. It was an accidental meeting of a school friend in my local supermarket a few weeks ago that reminded me about reviews. she kindly congratulated me on my novels, saying she got them on Amazon and so enjoyed them. I asked her did she leave a review after thanking her for her conmpliments. She never thought about it was her honest reply. So I explained how it helped me as an author if she could do so. She was delighted to oblige as she had not known the importance of it.
Is it hard to write a review? No is the answer. All it take’s is a few words whether you liked or disliked the book. There is no need to to write a lenghty synopsis style review if it makes you uncomfortable. Some readers love to share what they enjoyed/not enjoy about the book they read and that is fine if it is your style. You may even just mark the star rating and say nothing at all. Two Examples of a review:
(A) Don’t Call Me Mum is the story of Lacey Taylor and the life choices she needs to make with her mother, Cora Maguire. When Lacey’s decisions are not agreeable to Cora, she discovers just how hard life can be. But the cruel twist life throws in her path will have you reaching for the tissues and asking why is life so harsh? I so enjoyed all the feelings that this book brought up and highly recommend you get your hands on a copy fast.
(B) Just finished Don’t Call Me Mum, I loved it, every word kept me glued to the page. Grab your copy now. 5 Stars for sure.
The two above examples are short and sweet and easy to do.
A few words of advice, if there is a twist or surprise in the story, please Do Not Reveal It Without Warning Readers At The Start of the review there will be a reveal. So keep reading and consider leaving reviews, it helps both other readers and authors to spread the word about their books. Plus us writers will be very greatful indeed.
Click here to read My Husband’s Sin and Don’t Call Me Mum reviews to see how others do it and enjoy.
Mary T Bradford 