Apologies & a Question about Reviews

I'm new to this whole blog idea. I like it ~ and I really like the people I have met. I need to apologize because even though I have been reading your blogs - the last couple days have been so hectic that I haven't been doing very much commenting on them. I am very sorry about that and I'll try to do better.

I also am new to reviewing. To me it has seemed like a double-edged sword. I am not just a reader ~ I am an author who has yet to establish herself with anyone. I haven't been able to attend any conferences, and I am new to my writer's group (and shy) so I don't know these authors very well. One way I had hoped to build bridges and get to know people was by reviewing their books.

That's why I have so far only chosen to do reviews on books I liked ~ sort of following the old adage of if your can't say something nice - don't say anything at all. I read many more books than I review. Sometimes it is just for time restraints I don't do a review - sometimes because I think the book is older and may not be something people will be interested in... but sometimes it's because I just couldn't say as much good about it as I would like to - and I don't want to burn bridges. Maybe that is a total cop out.

There has been a lot of discussion about this lately. I don't write glowing reviews about books I don't like - but I have been told that when a person only shares good reviews, their credibility goes down with readers. I guess because I never really meant to be a "reviewer" exactly ~ but rather an author who occasionally does reviews in between working on her writing... I didn't worry so much about seeming like a pro. However, the criticism did hurt.

I also see their point; reviews are meant to help people make decisions about books that will or will not be good purchases. So, only writing good reviews doesn't help there - if you are writing them about every book you read.

Add that to all the bru-ha-ha about the new laws coming out, and it really makes it seem as if all I do is fluff pieces in order to please my fellow authors. I can only tell you that isn't true. While I didn't want to offend them, and I did want a way to get to know them and introduce them to me and my work... However, I never would compromise and lie about how I felt about a book in order to curry favor.

I guess this all boils down to this: Do you think it is worthless for me to share reviews if I only do them for the books I like? Do I need to add reviews about the other books and just try to be as kind as possible and let the chips fall where they may?

Oh ~ and my laptop was delayed by Dell - again. I was supposed to have it on Tues - not it won't be delivered until next Tues.... (maybe). Patience... I can be patient, right?