From: GraceAnne A. DeCandido <ladyhawk>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 17:57:46 -0400

I review for Kirkus and for Booklist; when I think a book is deserving of a star, I always write a note to my editor and say so. Sometimes she agrees -- most of the time, in fact. But other times she doesn't. I have seen books starred that I wouldn't have, and books not starred that I wish had been. Usually, if there is disagreement though, we talk about via phone or email. I have never, in 25 years of reviewing, really disagreed, in the end, with the decision. Booklist also has a "boxed" category that I find really useful. It is to highlight a book that is unusual or remarkable or in some way noteworthy. Sometimes those titles are starred, sometimes not. As for Brenda's other question, I have sometimes been astonished that a book I panned (in Kirkus) or did not review for Booklist (Booklist only publishes reviews of books they recommend) gets a glowing review somewhere else. Somtimes it scares me. But I confess it has never made me change my mind. Looking forward to further discussion, GraceAnne
(sig file way below Brenda's post)


GraceAnne A. DeCandido Blue Roses Editorial & Web Consulting, New York City ladyhawk at well.com http://www.well.com/user/ladyhawk/gadhome.html What's Ladyhawk reading now? http://www.well.com/user/ladyhawk/books.html

We're ridin' out tonight / To case the promised land. Bruce Springsteen
Received on Sun 13 Sep 1998 04:57:46 PM CDT