Comments on Stacked: On being critical

I love this post! Love it! Sums up my feelings exa...

2012-01-14T15:16:55.087-06:00

I love this post! Love it! Sums up my feelings exactly, and gives me something to reference when I am talking and writing about books. Thanks!

Just adding to the chorus of kudos on this post. I...

2012-01-11T16:21:34.447-06:00

Just adding to the chorus of kudos on this post. I really enjoyed your POV. It is so ... logical. I happen to enjoy honest, critical reviews more than others. Of course, if reviewers honestly like something that I as a chronic critic deem to be less-than-stellar, it can become difficult to distinguish between a dishonest promotor/encourager and an honest (if differing) opinion.

In any case, lots to think about. Thank you!

-Ed

What thoughtful ideas and clearly made after much ...

2012-01-08T21:36:04.236-06:00

What thoughtful ideas and clearly made after much reflection. I couldn't help but think...aren't these key points not just for blogging but for life? Thanks for giving me some reminders to think about as we start a new year and a new week.

Such thoughtful comments! I love the part about al...

2012-01-08T18:11:47.410-06:00

Such thoughtful comments! I love the part about all the different types of blogs and everyone co-existing. I have blogs that I read professionally, with my librarian hat on, and I have some blogs that I read just as a reader. Some blogs fit both, and others I check in on periodically to catch an author interview or current library/literary news. All have their place.

@Pam: Thanks! @Doret: It also helps to have peopl...

2012-01-08T12:15:24.004-06:00

@Pam: Thanks!

@Doret: It also helps to have people who you can turn to and ask to read things for you, too. Then you know whether you're on target or not.

@Sabrina: Exactly re: class. It's a matter of conduct in all things. Also, nothing wrong in only reviewing books you enjoyed reading! A lot of people do the same thing.

Thanks for this great post, I really needed to rea...

2012-01-08T12:06:31.710-06:00

Thanks for this great post, I really needed to read something like this.

"Class never gets out of style" - so true! And of course this goes for all people, for authors and bloggers. Sometimes it's weird when people want others to act with class while they don't act that way themselves.

I solely review the books I enjoyed reading and my audience knows that. Blogging about the great books I read is the way that brings me the most joy, so that's how I do it.

Btw, I love reading critical reviews because they are often very insightful and give me a good impression of the book.

Love this. When I write what I think is going to b...

2012-01-08T10:30:54.401-06:00

Love this. When I write what I think is going to be a controversial post, I will sleep on it, and if I still want to share it the next day, it goes up.

I love all of this with a fierce passion, but the ...

2012-01-07T17:51:33.401-06:00

I love all of this with a fierce passion, but the part that I'd just about have tattooed on my arm is Own What You Do.

Very good take on the topic. Thanks for doing it and doing it... critically.

@Dorine: And that's totally fine! As a blogger...

2012-01-07T16:35:27.275-06:00

@Dorine: And that's totally fine! As a blogger, you do it as you want to do it. That's the beauty. I read a handful of blogs that do only post about books they've enjoyed, but they do so critically. I love seeing where I agree or disagree and I can because I see what their arguments actually are.

@Kate: It's something you get better at! The more you read, the more you pick up on the stuff worth talking about and the stuff not worth mentioning. It's a skill, and not one you get except through trying your hand at it again and again.

@Mary: Honesty is the best way to do it. And if you really liked a book, no NEED to seek out anything contrary. Talk about why you liked it! I think people get caught up in worrying about pointing out problem areas in a book they really liked when it's not necessary. Being critical about what you like is just as important as being critical about what you didn't like.

@Melissa: TY!

@MP: It's a skill useful in every kind of task.

@Melissa: I'll look forward to your post!

"Negative reviews are not supported by text. ...

2012-01-07T16:27:17.876-06:00

"Negative reviews are not supported by text. Negative reviews don't tell readers anything substantial about the book, but rather, about the reviewer. It's self reflective, rather than text reflective."

I just wrote a post (to go up next week) that really is this quote in a nutshell. It just seems to me that sometimes -- like when I don't finish a book for some reason -- that a reader response to a book is what is called for. No, it's not a review, but I do think that the way I viscerally react to a book -- even if it is negatively -- is just as important as thinking critically as a book. (Just not for every review.)

You make a good point about the difference between...

2012-01-07T16:26:13.777-06:00

You make a good point about the difference between critical and negative. I'll have to keep that in mind with my teacher evaluations too. mpflory.blogspot.com

Wow, I wish I read more critically. Sometimes I t...

2012-01-07T14:31:28.407-06:00

Wow, I wish I read more critically. Sometimes I think I just don't have the brain power to do good critical reviews. I really like your reviews though for just those reasons.

Thanks for this. I struggle sometimes with writing...

2012-01-07T12:15:26.343-06:00

Thanks for this. I struggle sometimes with writing critically (it's the people pleaser in me) but I know that, as a reader, the reviews that mean most to me are those that are honest. Not biting or harsh just for the sake of it, but well-balanced, considered and HONEST. I'm striving for that.

I always wish I were better at reviewing criticall...

2012-01-07T12:14:17.589-06:00

I always wish I were better at reviewing critically. Reading thought-provoking critical reviews is one of my favorite parts of blogging! Writing my own is something I'd like to more consciously work on.

Great post. I only review books I enjoy, but I als...

2012-01-07T11:03:28.951-06:00

Great post. I only review books I enjoy, but I also do so critically. No book is perfect. I like my readers to know what's up.

Medea -- by NO means do you have to be completely ...

2012-01-06T22:10:05.428-06:00

Medea -- by NO means do you have to be completely objective. Sometimes writing a review and infusing it with your experiences makes for a rich review. The key is acknowledging that.

There's no right or wrong way to do this. It's a matter of being respectful towards however anyone else chooses to do it.

I really needed to read this, thank you. I am a ne...

2012-01-06T22:06:00.605-06:00

I really needed to read this, thank you. I am a new book blogger, and the sites I love are the ones that post critically. I tend to be much more self reflective than text reflective, and my baggage is all right there. I am not saying that is bad, that is kind of the point of my blog is to share what is working for me and my kids. But I do want to try harder to be more like the critical reviewers I love to read.

Glad you shared your presentation with all of us in cyberspace!

"Class never goes out of style" Sums it ...

2012-01-06T21:33:21.402-06:00

"Class never goes out of style" Sums it all up, really!

Love this and agree with it. Especially the part a...

2012-01-06T19:58:06.190-06:00

Love this and agree with it. Especially the part about being classy and owning what you do! Great advice for newbie and veteran bloggers (AND authors... and... everybody, basically).