RAYNETTE'S RAMBLINGS

Welcome to my little corner of the internet

Hello and Welcome,

Have you ever written a review for a book—perhaps on Amazon or Goodreads? I have, and it’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words.

On the other hand, it doesn’t have to be a dissertation on the structure and nuances of the plot, characters, dialogue, or ending—it can be a few well-chosen words, as in these reviews from various media:

How to Avoid Huge Ships by John W. Trimmer

A reviewer humorously warned:

“I bought this book as a precaution. I live in Kansas. I have yet to see a huge ship, but I feel safer knowing I have this book.”

The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

One reader was expecting a wildlife tale:

“I was hoping for a book about wolves. There are no wolves. Not even a single one. Very disappointed.”

A Shore Thing by Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi

A reader offered a unique perspective:

“If Hemingway had written ‘Jersey Shore,’ this would be it.”

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

“This book is a complete lie. I ate everything in my house for a week and didn’t turn into a butterfly. Zero stars.”

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

“I wanted to read about vampires, not a sparkly stalker with boundary issues. My garlic necklace was unnecessary.”

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

“I thought this was a book about interior design. Imagine my surprise. My grandma is still traumatised.”

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Spoiler: The ‘great’ Gatsby throws mediocre parties and makes poor life choices. Not so great after all.”

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

“Too much whale, not enough plot. I now fear both the ocean and long books”.

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

“Holden Caulfield is the original hipster. Complains about everything, does nothing. Five stars for consistency.”

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Expected a thrilling adventure. Got a walking tour of Middle-earth with a side of riddles.”

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

“I tried to replicate her journey. Gained weight, got lost, and annoyed my friends with spiritual quotes. Would not recommend.” 

 Book reviews are strange things. People generally are, for some reason, reluctant to write them. Why is that, I wonder? They are usually happy to absolutely shred the book at a Book Club meeting but are not game enough to put pen to paper. Or is it a matter of ‘couldn’t be bothered’? But what about if they loved the book—I would have thought they would be thrilled to tell the world, via a written review, how marvellous it was.

But then again, some books are over-flowing with reviews. Check out the following:

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Overview: A painfully beautiful first novel that is at once a murder mystery, a coming-of-age narrative, and a celebration of nature.

Reviews: 641,000

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Overview: A gripping psychological thriller that has captivated readers with its suspenseful narrative and unexpected twists.

Reviews: Over 505,000

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Overview: A romantic thriller that delves into dark secrets and complex relationships, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Reviews: Over 397,000

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Overview: A poignant exploration of love and resilience. This novel has resonated deeply with a vast audience.

Reviews: Over 390,000

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Overview: Set during World War II, this historical fiction highlights the strength and sacrifices of women during tumultuous times

Reviews: Over 358,000

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Overview: A psychological thriller that unravels the mystery of a woman’s silence after a shocking act, keeping readers intrigued till the end.

Reviews: Over 351,000

Reviews help sell a book and many authors read every review of their books, yes, even the bad ones! Think about this when you finish your next read. Think about how much your review will mean to the author who put their heart and soul into creating the story, the characters, the beginning and ending, the plot, the dialogue—and who probably put years of their life into it.

It doesn’t matter whether it was published by one of the ‘big four’ traditional publishers, or if it was self-published—it took the same amount of effort to write it.

Believe me, when an author reads a review of their book where someone enjoyed, loved, or even hated it, their heart sings.

Have you ever written a book review? If so, what inspired you to make the effort? I am genuinely interested in what makes people write a review.

Until next time,

Love,

Raynette xx