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[CCBC-Net] ccbc-net digest 1 Sep 2001
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From: Jennifer Bromann <bromannj>
Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2001 17:07:44 -0700 (PDT)
But a reviewer also has to be careful that the reaction is not only his or her own. My reaction may be completely different from someone elses depending on the genres I like or the experiences I have had. I could write that a science fiction novel was difficult to read or that a historical fiction novel was boring, but fans of these genres may not agree. So that is why reviewers need to step away from personal emotion or reaction, because they could be very wrong and the emotion they felt may only be their own. For example, a death in a story may bring back personal memories, a book on child abuse may be painful to read, and a story where the underdog prevails may give a sense of justice to the individual reader that another reader may not have. A reviewer examining a book that would have no use in his or her community has to think of other communities. A reviewer also needs to keep in mind the audience of the book, especially when it is for young people. Although adults read kids books and were once kids, we still have no idea what each one truly likes until they read it and ask for more. That is why there are so many books and not everyone reads or likes the same thing. I think it would be great if I could say "I loved this book and it made me cry and laugh" or that "I was so bored I kept falling asleep" but no one cares what I think. I am only one person and I am not always right. So I think it is best to state the merits and the flaws and the plot and let purchasers and readers decide how it affects them. But I think most reviewers (probably including myself)do allow emotion in at times and that is why you often get two completely different responses to a book or a movie. Of course, this is just my own neutral or perhaps emotional opinion. And I actually just wrote an article for September's SLJ on a topic very similar, so that may be why I felt the need to respond.
Jennifer Bromann Head of Youth Services Prairie Trails Public Library Burbank, IL bromannj at hotmail.com
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Received on Sat 01 Sep 2001 07:07:44 PM CDT
Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2001 17:07:44 -0700 (PDT)
But a reviewer also has to be careful that the reaction is not only his or her own. My reaction may be completely different from someone elses depending on the genres I like or the experiences I have had. I could write that a science fiction novel was difficult to read or that a historical fiction novel was boring, but fans of these genres may not agree. So that is why reviewers need to step away from personal emotion or reaction, because they could be very wrong and the emotion they felt may only be their own. For example, a death in a story may bring back personal memories, a book on child abuse may be painful to read, and a story where the underdog prevails may give a sense of justice to the individual reader that another reader may not have. A reviewer examining a book that would have no use in his or her community has to think of other communities. A reviewer also needs to keep in mind the audience of the book, especially when it is for young people. Although adults read kids books and were once kids, we still have no idea what each one truly likes until they read it and ask for more. That is why there are so many books and not everyone reads or likes the same thing. I think it would be great if I could say "I loved this book and it made me cry and laugh" or that "I was so bored I kept falling asleep" but no one cares what I think. I am only one person and I am not always right. So I think it is best to state the merits and the flaws and the plot and let purchasers and readers decide how it affects them. But I think most reviewers (probably including myself)do allow emotion in at times and that is why you often get two completely different responses to a book or a movie. Of course, this is just my own neutral or perhaps emotional opinion. And I actually just wrote an article for September's SLJ on a topic very similar, so that may be why I felt the need to respond.
Jennifer Bromann Head of Youth Services Prairie Trails Public Library Burbank, IL bromannj at hotmail.com
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Received on Sat 01 Sep 2001 07:07:44 PM CDT
