Hurray! I’m well ahead of my reading schedule for 2023. With 44 books read on my Kindle, I’m on track with my Goodreads challenge. As I’d mentioned in an earlier blog post, I’ve spread my reading goals across my two accounts: with 7 reviewed on my author page and 30 reviewed on my anonymous reader page.
Why do I post reviews of books I read?
For a few reasons. A) I enjoy reviewing books as it’s a log of what I read that I can look back on to jog my memory, especially if/when I re-read a book and; B) I like supporting authors and I know that sharing my thoughts helps steer readers like me to that author’s book. As an author myself, I know how important reviews are.
What’s the difference between reviews on my author account and reader account?
None, except that I review big publisher books on my Goodreads author page, whereas I review Indie and small press books on my Goodreads and Amazon reader accounts. This is because I figure big publisher books are less in need of my review; they are already at an advantage through huge marketing budgets, access to netgalley reviews, and publicity, which is why I post my thoughts only on Goodreads. On the other hand, I post Indie and small-press reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Waterstones and anywhere else where those books appear and I hold a reader account. This is because those books most likely don’t have access to a huge marketing budget, and so I feel my review counts much more towards boosting those books – and their authors.
Is reading important to writing?
Yes. I’m also a firm believer that writers should read widely outside of the primary genres that they write, and should read a variety of fiction and nonfiction. I’m happy to say that there are no genres I won’t read, even though horror and psychological fiction remain my go-to favourites.
Leilanie Stewart 