I started reviewing books on Amazon about 6 years ago hoping that the activity would help me remember what I read. As a result of my public reviews, I've been approached by authors to review their work in return for a free copy of same. Anyone who births a book has my complete respect, but I should know better by now than to offer to read and review their work. Too much my grandma's grandchild, I take to heart her advice: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
The first offer came from a thirty-something Saudi woman who'd written a book on her dating experience. Or so I thought. In fact, it was a rather explicit narration of her sexual exploits called "When the Veil Drops: The Erotic Tales of a Muslim Woman." I could've titled my review "When My Jaw Drops: Not the Demographic for Erotic Tales" The author and I exchanged several e-mails; she doubtless would've been a great companion for a hilarious girls' lunch out. My dilemma, however, how to review her book, her labor of love, when I'm more aghast than engaged?
This month I've read two freebies for review. "Firebug", available on Kindle, by Daniel Berenson, is well-written, a bit of a tear-jerker. Again, however, this is not my kind of book, and so, was difficult to review. The other, whose title I will keep to myself, was badly written, full of adverbs, adjectives, and overdrawn scenes. When the heroine's 'angriness' flooded out of her like a stream, I knew I was in trouble.
This month I've read two freebies for review. "Firebug", available on Kindle, by Daniel Berenson, is well-written, a bit of a tear-jerker. Again, however, this is not my kind of book, and so, was difficult to review. The other, whose title I will keep to myself, was badly written, full of adverbs, adjectives, and overdrawn scenes. When the heroine's 'angriness' flooded out of her like a stream, I knew I was in trouble.
So little time, so much to read. Time to just say no to cold calls for reviews.
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