And the Winner is . . . Plus Rachel's Random Thoughts on Reviews

A big hello and thanks to everyone who started following during the Playing Hurt Contest.  I was excited to discover several new blogs myself, following back new followers, so it was definitely a win-win. :-)

The contest is over and thanks to the nifty RANDOM.ORG website, we have a winner of the signed copy of Playing Hurt:

Congrats Amber @ Me, My Shelf and I

 

I'll drop the book into the mail this afternoon, so be on the look out!

The idea for this contest was born after I gave a Spotlight Review for Holly's book a couple weeks ago. I read the book, spotlighted it, 'met' the author online, decided to do a Q&A, and then threw in the idea for a giveaway, all because I loved the book. That is why I do my weekly Spotlight Reviews.

I have a passion for reading. When I started this blog last year, I wanted an outlet to talk about the wonderful books I was discovering in the YA market. Being a generally happy person, I didn't see the value in personally doing true "Reviews" that mention things I didn't like, balance the positive with criticism, or spend time talking about books I just didn't like at all. I get the value in others doing those reviews, and I adore my critique partnerships in real life, but me doing that in a public forum just didn't sound like a fun use of my time. I much prefer the approach of highlighting a book I love and letting you as the reader know why I think you'll love it, too. That doesn't mean I love every single book I read--I just don't like talking about the ones I don't.

Every Thursday, my readers can expect to see a different book spotlighted with a glowing review. I spend my time showing you why I loved it so much, what the author did well, and what I learned while reading the story. When I post these reviews on Amazon, they all get 5 stars.

I'm not trying to be the next big-name book critic. I'm trying to be a published author, and in the mean time, I'm enjoying immersing myself in the entire YA book world.

There's been lots of talk the past week or so in the blogosphere and twitterverse about reviews, and certain authors behaving badly in response to criticism. The whole mess just proved to me why I have the stance I have (which you can read, if you so desire, here).

Recently, an author of one of the books I spotlighted contacted me. She told me how much she appreciated my 'review,' and how one part in particular touched her. She said it's up on her fridge as her morning dose of inspiration.

Let me say that again. MY review is up on HER fridge as her morning dose of INSPIRATION!

I approach each and every book I read, especially within the YA market, as a new class in how to write. It is my own tailored self-education. Each devoured book inspires me in some way, teaching me so much about craft and the industry in the process. To know that I can repay that favor, in some teeny-tiny, small way, to authors who have touched me?

Awesome.

This Thursday I'll be spotlighting another young adult book I loved, and I hope you'll come back to see it. If you've read it yourself, please share your thoughts in the comments. I love talking books!

Questions for you:

What is your opinion on reviews?

When you write one--whether on a blog or on a website like Goodreads or Amazon--what prompts you do so (ie: wanting to share what you love with friends)?

And, if you are a book blogger, do you have a policy in regards to negative reviews? Have you ever struggled in writing them? Have you ever had any backlash like recent events?

Happy Reading and Writing Everyone!

Comments

[Anita]

Congrats to the winner! And to you, Rachel, on all of your new followers. You deserver to have lots of admirers. :-)

I'm not much of one for reviewing books; but if I ever do, I'd like to approach it like you. Even if you aren't head over heels about a book, you always find something positive to take from it and that's what forms the highlight of your review. So hats off to your positive attitude, and may the goddess of writer's karma smile upon you. ;-)

[Rachel]

Thanks, Anita! And I do my spotlight reviews for fun . . . but if there is a goddess of writer's karma who would like to bestow some goodness this way, I wouldn't complain ;-)

Have a great week girl!