I always watch with envy as I see people reviewing a book within a week or two of getting it read. It would make life easier to do it then, when all the details are fresh in your mind and you are ready to gush or rant about it.
Sadly things don't work that way at The Book Cave as you may have noticed! When I'm on a roll I can read 20-30 books a month and I also do short reviews on the books I DNF so if I only write 2 reviews a week, it quickly becomes a backlog of reviews which is what I have at the moment. I'm currently 4 months behind in my reviews and I need to get caught up as much as I can before the year ends. I don't want to start next year with a huge backlog and it would be great to be just a couple of weeks behind in my reviews!
The fact that I'm reviewing books I read months ago seems to be causing some confusion in the comments section as people keep saying 'I hope your next read is better' when in fact I've read a ton of books since the one being reviewed. I have tried to make it easier for my blog followers over the last few years by dating it-above the star rating at the end of the review, I've got a line saying when I read the book. It doesn't seem to help with the confusion though!
I know I have the very annoying OCD type habit of pointing it out in my reply each time. I seem to keep saying 'I read this in July' on every comment this month wishing me a better next read! Sorry about this guys, I'm trying not to do it but it seems to have become a bad habit that I have trouble breaking! I'm concerned that when I do it, you might think I'm annoyed with you for it but I promise this isn't the case! This is about me being annoying, not you! I shall try harder, I promise!
But how to catch up with a backlog? I can put together a post like this in ten minutes but I seem to take two hours to write some reviews, even though I have a book journal where I noted down things as I read the book. You'd think that would make it easier! I just seem to struggle getting it written down, then I keep editing it because I'm not happy with it and it becomes a chore. I like seeing my reviews on the blog so I don't want to stop doing them but I have to find a way to get them done quicker! There doesn't seem to be a magic formula other than getting myself in gear and doing it!
Do you struggle with book reviews? Do you have a backlog?
It goes so many ways with me. I can sometimes write a review right after finishing the book. But often I finish reading one book and start right in on another. And I can sit staring at a blinking cursor, struggling to begin a review. When that happens I start jotting down things about the story and eventually it gives me the opening I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeless at getting motivated to do reviews, I really am, or it turns into a day when I'm just too busy to fit the things in. I do need to try harder!
DeleteEverything about blogging takes me forever! Reviews are one of the most time-consuming posts to write. I spent about 4 hours writing 1 review yesterday. I’ve considered quitting reviews because they take so long. I might have to give them up next year when I get a second job. Reviews are the only time where it’s helpful to be a slow reader. I think I’m 4 books behind right now. I only read 8-10 books a month.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
It's a nightmare isn't it! I really have to be in the mood to write them (which isn't often!) or I struggle! The thing is I like reading reviews and seeing them on my blog but it is just hard going to get the buggers done!
DeleteI have to review right away, as I have made it a point to not take notes. Whatever I can remember, that's what goes in the review.
ReplyDeleteI write my synopsis to get the creative juices flowing because sometimes, you're absolutely right, the words just don't flow...
The words don't flow most of the time for me, sadly! Ugh, I just want to get them done!
DeleteThis is why I'm not great at blogging ahead. I feel really disconnected from my reviews by the time they go up and people start commenting.
ReplyDeleteI realize your issue is a bit different but the results are similar. Confused commentors lol
I'm a fast reader too and it doesn't take me too long to write a review - more that I have to wait until I find what I want to say to get it going.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
I hate the length of time I can sit staring at the screen, wondering what to write! I get so annoyed with myself! I would like to have two or three weeks backlog at the most!
DeleteMy secret? I don't review all the books I read. I don't even try. I tend to review the ones I really liked...and the ones where the review kind of writes itself. And I don't worry about the rest. It makes life a lot less stressful for me. Good luck with your backlog! :D
ReplyDeleteI've always been in the habit of reviewing everything. I do mini reviews if I don't have much to say but I generally want to do a full review of everything even if I DNF it! That's just me though. I guess I need to just write them quicker!
DeleteI have come up with a Monday Mini and One Sentence Review post to help me with any backlog of review or books I want to share. Are you trying to make them perfect. I used to almost have a panic attack every time I pushed the publish button. LOL
ReplyDeleteQuick question. I can't remember if I asked you this before, but I had an author leave a comment and she would love to chucklesthescot for a character in a novel. Email me if you are interest. sherryfundin69 at netscape dot net
sherry @ fundinmental
My reviews would never be perfect so I don't worry too much about that side of it. I just want to personally be happy with what it says and how it reads.
DeleteYeah you've asked me this a few times now. I'm just not sure how an author would want to use my username or how this would work. This chucklesthescot is my online persona and I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with just allowing someone else to use my name in a copywrited book and what that would mean for me using it on all my social media etc.
Sorry, I only follow book blogs.
ReplyDeleteYep, I've got a backlog right now. I used to be super organised and have them scheduled out a month ahead, but, hahahaha, it's been a long time since I was doing more than running in place with it. Good luck with catching up!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to struggle with finding time for them in December with doing Blogmas!
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