I don't get a cogent sense of the reviewer when I browse amazon.com, which is why I don't do it anymore (for fiction, as others have pointed out). Reading someone's book journal is entirely different -- there's a context, and an established tone and voice that tie in the book talk in a way that makes it seem -- to me -- somehow more vital; less about a single book and more about the sheer energy and joy -- and frustration -- of the process of reading itself.
As an addict of book blogs myself, I agree. While I do read the Amazon reviews in case the book I'm thinking of completely disappointed everyone, most of them aren't very well thought out. Plus, you can tell there are some people just writing the equivalent of "This book rocks!" or "This book sucks!" which tells me nothing about the book, really. Plus, when you get to know a reviewer you get a better sense of what they will like and what they won't, which also helps.
I wish I were going to the WFC instead of going to work!
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branchandroot
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Date: 2004-10-27 08:06 am (UTC)As an addict of book blogs myself, I agree. While I do read the Amazon reviews in case the book I'm thinking of completely disappointed everyone, most of them aren't very well thought out. Plus, you can tell there are some people just writing the equivalent of "This book rocks!" or "This book sucks!" which tells me nothing about the book, really. Plus, when you get to know a reviewer you get a better sense of what they will like and what they won't, which also helps.
I wish I were going to the WFC instead of going to work!