Book Reviewer Q and A

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2018/09/interview-with-book-reviewer-julie.html

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Interview with book reviewer Julie Barrett

1.      How did you become a book reviewer? For how long have you been doing this?

Because I am blind I needed a place to keep track of what books I was reading, not realizing that the NLS was doing that for me-books on tape.  2008 at my blog, some just the titles and authors name, later reviews and star ratings Goodreads:  started tracking my books in 2011, They listed me as #16 top reviewer. At Amazon I’m in the top 100 top reviewers. In 2010 I had double cataract surgeries where they implanted lenses and I was able to read a paperback book for the first time. Still prefer pdf or epub as my tablet can read them to me. Also get a large majority of free kindle books from amazon daily and from NLS I can put them on my BARD player so that device can read the books to me.

2.      Which genres do you favor? Why?

Romance, because they take me to new locations that I might never visit in my lifetime. There’s a bit of romance and some I even learn something new-like those who work with their hands, especially if they tell you how a career is done.

3.      How did you have the time to read and review 800 books last year?

Just looked at my stats -- only 809 -- but also I have lengths of books/pages listed as well. I make the time while doing chores around the house-quiet ones, and also on my elliptical/recumbent bike=I get a lot of miles in. or while I’m knitting for charity-have tens of thousands of hours logged in many different ones.

4.      What is the key to writing a powerful book review?

The synopsis tells the real story, a hint of it. I try to focus on things I liked in the book: detail, location, etc.

5.      What is the key to writing a good review?

Getting out what make it a good read for you.

6.      Are most of your book reviews favorable or negative? 

Favorable, but for cookbooks I’m very critical as to our healthier dietary needs.

7.      What advice do you have for authors seeking to get more book reviews?

I and many others are listed in book buzz reviews-updated yearly and it lists what we want to read and where we post, etc. just send us a short note about your book-we can read the synopsis at the book retailers. I like that I meet new authors to me on facebook, goodreads and through email via netgalley or bookbuzz.

For more info, please see: http://jbarrett5.blogspot.com