As of right now, I review every YA novel that I read. Old or new, whether I liked it or not. If I read it, I make sure I take the time to write up my thoughts. And actually, this post is quite timely because I have to write a review here pretty soon about a book that I didn't like at all - but so far it's been receiving nothing but glowy love.
But this is far from the first time this has happened. Matched by Allie Condie, for example, is one that everyone seems to love and it just really didn't do it for me. And I know that some will probably consider this blasphemous - but The Iron Fey series - I read the first one, thought it was okay - but didn't really feel the desire to continue. Yet everyone is obsessed with this series. Although, I read these before my blogging days so I can't really speak to how I handled these particular situations.
Really, when I don't like I book, I worry more about the author than I do other bloggers or what other people thought. The thing I least want to do is hurt an author. Speaking for my own thin skin and resistance to letting my own work be viewed by outside eyes, I know that authors take a big risk on their own pride and emotions just by sharing their works. So I work really hard in my negative reviews to explain exactly why I didn't like a specific book. I did read Possession by Elana Johnson during my blogging days and really didn't care for it - even though everyone seemed to go bananas for it. If I remember correctly, this was the first negative review I had to write. It was a painful post for me, but being honest was just as important not completely bashing a book.
Maybe I got off topic, I don't know. Bottom line - books aren't separate entities all their own. They're attached to authors, editors, publicists, agents, readers - all who have poured incredible faith, love and hard work into them. I'm not going to love every book that I read (although I do love most of them) but I always work to treat every book and the people that come with it with respect.
And just because I'm now realizing there's quite a bit of negative energy in this post, I have to say that on the flip side of this - when I love a book that everyone else seems to love - that just fills me with all kinds of gooey feelings. I think one of the best things is to be a part of the positive and exciting buzz that surrounds a good book.
