What's Your Take?

What's Your Take?

This is a feature I wanted to start where I have my fellow bloggers post about topics they want to talk about or have a specific interest in. I was lucky enough that when I sent out the call for bloggers, I had several friends sign up! If you are interested on doing a guest-post, please email me. This link will take you to my original call for bloggers. Let me know if you are interested.

Today, Ms. Arianne Cruz is going to my very first guest-blogger! I wanted to thank Arianne for being so kind as to go first. She is posting about the ins and outs about her review process. 

I’m excited to do a guest post for Michelle! Today, I am here to talk about the “how” and “why” of my review process.

HOW

Depending on what the review is for, my review posts varies.

•         For my personal reviews: In these reviews, I go right to it. I say whether I liked the book or not. I would usually start with what I didn’t like, and then proceed to gush about the book.
•         For blog tour reviews: I usually get media kits when I do blog tours so I have a blurb to post before the review. Once the blurb is pasted in the post, I proceed to do the same steps as my personal reviews.

Regardless of the type of review, I ALWAYS add my favorite quotes/scenes/excerpts at the end of my reviews. I think it’s a great way to introduce the book to the readers and help them decide whether they want to read the book or not.

WHY

I always start with the things I didn’t like about the book because I think it is important that authors realize that it’s not okay for me to read a book with spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors in them. I don’t go and bash the author or anything. In fact, I try to be as polite, but honest, as possible. In my opinion, someone should not publish something and put their name on it if it still has too many errors. It takes away their credibility as a writer.

If it gets so bad AND the story itself is not something of interest to me, I just stop reading the book and I may or may not let the author know that I am doing so. It’s not fair if they are expecting a review from me that will never come.

After the constructive criticisms, I make sure that I gush about what I liked about the book. I think it’s just fair that I balance it out – or maybe write more about what I liked to make the author feel better. Besides, I wouldn’t have finished the book if I didn’t like the story, right?

So there you have it. Let me know how you write your reviews in the comments. If you would like to check out my reviews, feel free to stop by my blog anytime! http://ariannecruz07.blogspot.com

You can also follow me on twitter: @ariannecruz07

Thanks for having me, Michelle!

I, personally, love when reviews have excerpts, quotes, or scenes. It gives me a taste for what I will be reading and if I will like the authors voice. Maybe I should practice what I like? What do you think? 

There you have it! The very first What's Your Take feature. Please stop by Arianna's website and see one of her awesome, honest, and fair reviews! I promise you won't be disappointed!