I am a big book worm. In literal sense. I don’t read books. I devour them and internalize them. I live with the protagonists of the stories, and die with them if required. Genres do not matter to me, unless they are non-fictional (there may be exceptions to it).
And this is not a new love of mine. Books are my old flame.
When I was a kid, most of my pocket money was spent on them. There have been instances in my school/college days where I had chosen to walk miles to save the auto rickshaw fare given to me. Of course that money was spent on books. When I started working, my initial salaries were spent on books, leaving me short on cash through the month. Those days, however, taught me how I hate to be on the verge of bankruptcy. Thankfully, since then I have learnt to exercise control over my book-buying urges.
Now if I wish to buy any particular book, first I’d read synopsis on the back of the cover, read other readers’ reviews about it and then see the price. If everything works out, I buy it. Phew! I know, a really long procedure, but given my limited financial resources, I don’t have any other alternative.
Anyway, coming back to the purpose of this post, as I read a lot, I have decided to start reviewing the books that I read. I know I don’t have any authority to judge published authors but I’d like to believe that my reviews will somehow help my readers make a better reading choice.
To keep the reviewing process transparent and simple, I am thinking to rate the books on the scale of 1 of 10. Out of those 10 points, 2 will be for grammar and punctuation errors, 2 will be for flow of the story, 2 will be for the concept of the novel, and remaining 4 points will be about my overall reaction to the book, and whether I will re-read it and recommend it to others or not.
If any of you have a better suggestion for the reviewing methodology, please let me know. I will appreciate any suggestion/feedback that I can get. Just put in the comment and I will get back to you if that’s possible or not.
Thanks!
Photo Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org
And this is not a new love of mine. Books are my old flame.
When I was a kid, most of my pocket money was spent on them. There have been instances in my school/college days where I had chosen to walk miles to save the auto rickshaw fare given to me. Of course that money was spent on books. When I started working, my initial salaries were spent on books, leaving me short on cash through the month. Those days, however, taught me how I hate to be on the verge of bankruptcy. Thankfully, since then I have learnt to exercise control over my book-buying urges.
Now if I wish to buy any particular book, first I’d read synopsis on the back of the cover, read other readers’ reviews about it and then see the price. If everything works out, I buy it. Phew! I know, a really long procedure, but given my limited financial resources, I don’t have any other alternative.
Anyway, coming back to the purpose of this post, as I read a lot, I have decided to start reviewing the books that I read. I know I don’t have any authority to judge published authors but I’d like to believe that my reviews will somehow help my readers make a better reading choice.
To keep the reviewing process transparent and simple, I am thinking to rate the books on the scale of 1 of 10. Out of those 10 points, 2 will be for grammar and punctuation errors, 2 will be for flow of the story, 2 will be for the concept of the novel, and remaining 4 points will be about my overall reaction to the book, and whether I will re-read it and recommend it to others or not.
If any of you have a better suggestion for the reviewing methodology, please let me know. I will appreciate any suggestion/feedback that I can get. Just put in the comment and I will get back to you if that’s possible or not.
Thanks!
Photo Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org
Hmm Book Worm you are..But I am glad to know that you have worked on how to spends on Book and Book Reviewing is a good way to point out the Good and Bad in a Book which will be very helpful to the readers...
ReplyDeleteBTW If ever I write a Book I will give it to you for review first because I like your Marking Scheme.. ;)
Thanks Harsha. And yes, I'd love to receive a book from you. At least that way I'd be spending less :P
DeleteGr8! I am a bibliophile too! looking fwd to some nice reviews on ur blog!
ReplyDeleteI know we share our love for books :) After reading your review about And The Mountains Echoed, I changed my mind about buying it :)
DeleteMy view is that the review should present a critical view of the reviewer on the book.
ReplyDeleteYes, I will try to do that. This methodology is just my idea of reviewing it according to these criteria. :)
DeleteMe too me too me too a Book lover (Bibliophile already used up there :D ) Interesting choice in the grading scheme. But still not clear about the last 4 points. Grammar, flow and concept would contribute the max about what a reader feels about the book. But I think all this should get clearer to us as well as to you once you start posting the reviews.
ReplyDeleteDo you take requests??
Shri, I am very clear about the last 4 points. I believe a book is really good when you won't mind re-reading it. Also, just because the grammar and flow is good, it can't make you read it again. It should strike a chord within you. For example, I just read Life of Pi. Of course it has impeccable English, flow and concept. But would I read it again? Would I recommend it to anyone else? I hope it's more clear now :) And when I review, I will try to make these points clear :)
DeleteAlso, what kind of requests you are talking about?
Requests regarding reviews.. You read and review a book and help me choose whether to read or skip it :P
DeleteRecently I have accepted one. But I don't think I will take another. I rather like to choose whom I want to read :) Anyway I get very little time to read. I better read the books that i want to :)
DeleteWelcome to the world of book reviewers. I am looking forward to reading some good reviews from you...My suggestion would be not to stick any kind of strict grading system...Read and enjoy...You will know the book deserves when you end it..
ReplyDeleteElizabeht, yes, I plan to enjoy the books. However, it really baffles me when certain bloggers rave about the book when it's full of errors. And so I am thinking to be specific on those things. But if it doesn't work out, I will change :)
DeleteHi5 from another bookworm... All the best for your reviews :) Looking forward to reading them..
ReplyDeleteHi5 Jyotsna :) Thanks for dropping by :)
DeleteSuch a great article. i can get good information for UR post.Joomla developer Bangalore
ReplyDeleteThanks. :)
DeleteAwesome! So the next time i wanna buy a book, i'll first come here to check :)
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI read about this post on indiblogger and thought I'll share a book authored by me with you.
Its a non-fictional motivational and inspirational book (its not a novel) called Mirchi available here in printed format:
http://pothi.com/pothi/book/anant-aggarwal-mirchi-0
And here in ebook format:
http://pothi.com/pothi/book/ebook-anant-aggarwal-mirchi
If you do plan to read the ebook sometime, then do it on a tablet or phablet, it has many images that you'd find better on a tablet.
Lastly, I just won joint 3rd in the Idea Caravan contest so you'll be comfortable to know I am not that bad a writer, just a new one! I have written 3 more books one of which is a love story. I am still trying to find independent publishers for my books. Do let me know if you are interested.
Thank & Regards
Anant
I am honored that you would like me to review your book; however, I rarely read non-fictional books. If you have any fiction book that you would like me to review, we can talk :) Thanks for dropping by :)
DeleteThe pleasure's all mine.
DeleteJust published a love story (fictional but based on a true experience) here:
http://pothi.com/pothi/book/ebook-anant-aggarwal-sun-never-sets
http://pothi.com/pothi/book/anant-aggarwal-sun-never-sets
Though I am looking for an unbiased opinion, kindly be slightly gentle if in case you end up reviewing the book... :)...
Cheers!
Anant, I will review the book once I find little bit of time. Right now I am in middle of one book. And no worries, even if I don't like the book, I will review it neutrally without being harsh :)
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely way of rating books :).. Very logical.. I came across your blog today and am glad to have found a fellow book-lover. I searched for your email id , but couldn't find it. My novel, 'The crossover Year' was recently published. I am having a give-away on Goodreads and would love it if you could participate in it. For new writers like myself , any mention on a blog like yours will be most helpful..
Giveaway link : http://bit.ly/K1Lmo6
Goodreads has a bunch of reviews..
If you choose to purchase the book (its only Rs. 134 with free shipping on Ebay ) and support a struggling writer , you can buy it here
Ebay http://bit.ly/1e761ES
On Amazon here http://bit.ly/1gr302r ( both Kindle and paperback versions are avbl)
Book page : https://www.facebook.com/thecrossoveryearbhargavi
Sorry to have spammed your post. Hope you'll participate in the giveaway / buy my book. Wishing you a happy 2014 :)
cheers
Bhargavi
Hi
ReplyDeleteLovely post on rating system followed by you.. I came across your blog today and am glad to have found a fellow book-lover. My novel, 'The crossover Year' was recently published. I am having a giveaway on Goodreads and would love it if you could participate in it. For new writers like myself , any mention on a blog like yours will be most helpful..
Giveaway link : http://bit.ly/K1Lmo6
Goodreads has a bunch of reviews..
If you choose to purchase the book (its only Rs. 134 with free shipping on Ebay ) and support a struggling writer , you can buy it here
Ebay http://bit.ly/1e761ES
On Amazon here http://bit.ly/1gr302r ( both Kindle and paperback versions are avbl)
Book page : https://www.facebook.com/thecrossoveryearbhargavi
Sorry to have spammed your inbox. Hope you'll participate in the giveaway / buy my book. Wishing you a happy 2014 :)
cheers
Bhargavi
Bhargavi, no worries for spamming. I love books and authors equally :) Will surely look for your book :)
DeleteHi 5 from another book lover! Though I have read so many books never thought of reviewing them until now and I think your idea of reviewing is interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnother Hi 5 from another book lover! Though I have read so many books I never thought of reviewing them until now and I feel that your idea to review according to the sections is pretty interesting. So all the best for your future reviews.
ReplyDelete