Why I won’t review your book

There are so many great blogs that I follow, it’s hard to find time to keep up with them. I try my best though because there’s always something to learn or to laugh about or commiserate with. It feels a bit like taking a liberty to refer to these writers as friends, but they do come to feel like they truly are. I know sometimes I miss out on reading important posts, but I’m so glad I did not miss this one. Barb Taub tackles the sometimes sensitive issue of being a book reviewer in the best post I’ve ever read on the topic. I hope you will find a few minutes to see what she has to say and leave your own comment. Thanks, Barb !

Barb Taub

“Why do you give such high ratings to all the books you review?”

It’s a fair question, and not the first time I’ve been asked. The answer is simple. I don’t review books I know I won’t like. That doesn’t mean I only accept them from a particular genre, but rather that I triage the ones I read. If I can tell right away that I won’t like it, I don’t accept it for a review. If I get a few chapters into it and realize my review will be under three stars, I tell the author. (Not one has ever asked that I go ahead with the review.)

I was adding a review to Goodreads recently for a book that had almost all five-star reviews and noticed there was one reviewer who only gave it two stars. I was curious, so I looked at that review. The reviewer…

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Published by patriciasands

Patricia Sands lives in Toronto, Canada when she isn't somewhere else, particularly the south of France. With a happily blended family of seven adult children and, at last count, six grandchildren, life is full and time is short. Beginning with her first Kodak Brownie camera at the age of six, she has told stories all of her life through photography. Much to her surprise a few years ago, she began to write and has now published three novels, including two that are part of a six-book series set in the south of France. Love France? Love her work! Check out her website www.patriciasandsauthor.com She is particularly drawn to the rewarding friendships of women and the challenges many embrace once their families are grown. "It's never too late to begin something new," she enthuses. "As the saying goes, just do it!" View more posts