Month: October 2012

Although I spent the past couple of weeks talking about the importance of reviews when purchasing a novel, it is so important that the synopsis, aka, the back of the book stays true to the novel. It’s a sad day when you have to read book reviews to figure out exactly what the novel is about. So what’s so important about a synopsis?

1) It prepares the reader. If the synopsis says something big is going down, the reader is going to expect it. Every page turned will lead them to wondering when. If that big thing doesn’t happen until the second to last chapter, then that reader will most likely be disappointed with the novel. Not because it’s poorly written, but because you prepared the reader for one thing and recieved another.

2) It is often your only introduction to the reader. If I have never heard of a certain author before and I am at a book store (gasp) then reading the back of the book is the only way to draw me in. I realize that the synopsis tends to throw everything possible at the reader to make the novel more enticing, but this can backfire. If it’s too compliated in 200 words, then I might think the novel is just too complicated. Or if its really vague, I’ve been known to pick up a novel and flip to the end just to reassure myself that it is a romance. Like any proper introduction, you cannot overshare and yet be so boring as to be forgettable.

3) It must consider the readers. There is this one author whom I enjoy greatly. But every synopsis for one of her novels is written to make her novels sound fun and exciting when there is so much more depth to her writing. Had it not been for the reviews, I never would have picked up any of her books. The synopsis sounded like the author dealt foolishly with a very serious subject matter. I do not understand the lure in making heros and heroines sound silly. I like to think that we are all (or mostly) adults and we do not need information dumbed down to have a good time.

4) Honesty. I have returned books when I cracked them open and realized that they were not what they said they would be. There is nothing worse than the promise of romance and its not one really. Like if its about the love of a mom and a daughter or something like that. Yes, that’s love, but that’s not what you sold it to me as. I purchased a book like that once and returned it unread. And though it has high reviews, I’ve yet to pick it up. I don’t like to be punk’d.

5) Hope it sticks. Ultimately, I realize writing a synopsis is like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it sticks. There are certain phrases that will appeal to some readers and certain phrases that will turn off some readers. But, I think the best synopses (spelling ?) are mini novels not flashing trailers with all the high points and hoping that one of those catchy phrases will be the winner.

So anyone disagree? Anyone know what I’m talking about?

How honest should a book reviewer get? It’s a question I deal with on a regular basis. Honesty is certainly appreciated when reading book reviews…especially if the novel is poorly written, but you have to be careful not to cross that thin line between honesty and just plain meanness. Here are some steps on how to do so:

1) Don’t review everything you read. I read approximately seven novels a week. I do not review all of those novels. If I didn’t like a book, I simply do not review it. I am not going to feel a review with a bunch of negative things. As I read novels, I mentally begin to review them, if I find that the negatives outweigh the positives, then I don’t review the novel. I’m one of those people who feel like if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it all.

2) Start with the good things. Sometimes I read a book and there are really good parts mixed in with some negatives. Praise the good parts, mention the bad parts, but downplay them and then go back to the good parts. The reader is not stupid, she/he will understand that the novel was good, but not perfect.

3) Say the negative things nicely. I recently did a review for a book that praised the good things and mentioned the bad parts, but I felt like one line in my review didn’t handle the negative things nicely. It was too blunt, and if I were an author, it might have hurt my feelings. I had to go back and delete (or rework) that line. The English vocabulary is filled with ways to say things creatively and still get the same meaning across.

4) Be mindful that those authors often read these book reviews. On a number of occasions the very authors of the novels of my reviews will comment on this blog. I do my best to remember that with each and every review I write. Authors put a lot of time and effort (and often prayer) into each novel they write,  and for you to read the fruit of their writing and excoriate it is ridiculous. Especially if you’ve never written a thing in your life.

5) Be Honest. At the end of the day you must be honest. In order to be a trustworthy book reviewer, you must state whether or not there was something to dislike about the book. You should not praise a book simply because you like the authors other novels, or everyone else likes that book. Oftentimes you will find that you are not alone. I personally don’t put a whole lot of stock in recommendations by authors. I do not think they’re lieing, but I do think they are friends and perhaps a bit biased unless the recommendation speaks to specifics. You don’t want to be lumped in that category as someone who likes all books and all things because then there is no point in asking your opinion.

Anyone have anything else to add? Don’t agree?