Snip, Snip: What's the Impact of Online Reviewers now that Newspapers are Cutting Back? by Anne K. Edwards

Today's guest blogger is Anne K. Edwards, co-author of The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing, which we reviewed here. There is much debate about the validity and influence of the numerous online book review sites that have popped up over the past few years. I asked Anne to give me her thoughts on the impact that these sites have in light of cutbacks in newspaper book review sections. Here's what she had to say:

If you are among the readers who like to know what a book is about and whether it is worth reading, you probably look to reviews for that information. You may also have noticed that your favorite newspaper has cut back on reviews or deleted them altogether.

There are several reasons for this, but one of the foremost is economics. Books are not considered as important as music or dvds or movies for instance and the reader loses out to those other audiences. The exception is, of course, any ad taken out by a large publisher will garner a willing review by that newspaper. But remember that review is going to be favorable no matter whether the book is good or not because the paper won't want to alienate the purchaser of the ad--it's a simple matter of whether reviews are income producing or not. The attention given to music and visual artforms is often because their producers are paying for the ads.

So, the reader may turn to print review magazines for reviews, but these often have the same problem as newspapers. They must have money coming in to survive and paid reviews are one way of managing this. Any print media form is expensive and likely to become more so.

This leaves the Internet where reviews and reviewers are thriving and the lovely fact is most are free. It doesn't matter whether the reader goes to a review blog or a site that has a businesslike appearance for their information--they will find reviews posted aplenty.

The blog review has many forms, two are the informal review by someone who just wants to share a book they truly enjoyed while the other is the more realistically named review site that usually spells out good and bad points in a book and may or may not recommend it. This is a growing trend and anyone may set up such a blog on the free sites.

The more formally named review site offers the reader a balanced review also of the good and bad points of a book for consideration. They generally use certain guidelines and often have a staff of reviewers who read and evaluate the books or may take freelance reviews.

There are new sites and blogs being set up every day and the reader will soon discover some favorites where they can turn for the information they want about any book they're interested in. Some sites are exclusive to one genre while others are open to all genres. The proliferation of review sites and reviewers speaks to the popularity of reviews with readers. If readers weren't using these sites, they would soon cease to exist as numbers of visitors and readers are what shows a site's popularity. The longevity of these sites also is proof that reviews are here to stay.

It is quite likely that more readers are visiting review sites online than ever read reviews in the newspaper. Reasons for this may be the reviews are written in less formal language that does not condescend to the reader, they can be accessed any time as always available online, and the reviews are shorter which is something a time conscious reader will consider.

Among the premier review sites are Midwest Book Review, Armchair Interviews, In The Library Reviews, The Book Connection, and many others. One may find lists of review sites on the web and choose from them. Friends will recommend favorite review sites, booksellers like Barnes and Noble offer reviews now, online ezines specialize in reviews.

In the end the reader, author, publisher and reviewer may find the Internet is having a larger impact on reviewing and book selling than newpapers ever did simply by the larger number of books reviewed. This is the place where the small press that couldn't ever get attention in the print media may now find limitless reviews of its product. With a wider offering, the reader may feast his eyes and mind on an endless array of reviews.

--Anne K. Edwards
http://www.Mysteryfiction.net
http://www.Slipperybookreview.wordpress.com

The Secret of Yahweh! by LeFerna Arnold-Walch--Book Review

Sound Biblical teaching, adorable characters, and one fuzzy and mysterious lamb is what you'll find in The Secret of Yahweh! by LeFerna Arnold-Walch.

It's the start of a new school year and best friends Mary and Petey are hoping to avoid mean kids like The Con and Bitsy. But to their horror, The Con, Bitsy and some of the other mean kids are in Miss Sawyer's class too.

When the children are told that the words "under God" are being removed from the daily reciting of The Pledge of Allegiance, everyone is confused. Why can't they say it the way they always have? And so Miss Sawyer's class embarks upon a journey to discover how the modern interpretation of the First Amendment has removed any practice of religion from their school.

The day Mary brings J.C. Lamb with her to school turns into utter chaos as the children realize not everyone is able to see or hear the fuzzy lamb with the heart embroidered on his chest. But Miss Sawyer can see him, and she assures everyone if they come to Mystery Sunday at her church, everything will be made crystal clear.

The Secret of Yahweh! is filled with many wonderful things. The characters are adorable and the illustrations charming. Arnold-Walch captures the quintessential curious child in Mary, and The Con and Bitsy teeter between being unlikeable and being misunderstood. Miss Sawyer could easily be any Christian teacher in America's public schools, wishing she could share her beliefs, but hampered by a modern interpretation of the First Amendment that does not allow it. J.C. Lamb's appearance and actions in the book will make him easily adored by young readers. The book is also filled with sound Biblical teaching, something expected of this genre.

I did, however, find this to be a challenging read on many levels. The pace of the story is very slow with many pages dedicated to happenings that did nothing to advance the plot. The first day at school takes up the first 76 pages of the book and the chapter where Mary and Petey tie their horses to carts and race serves no purpose--except that it's cute to see J.C. Lamb's reaction.

A good editor would have found the numerous typographical and grammar errors running through the pages. The book is made up primarily of dialogue with very little narrative to compliment it and there are moments when the tenses change from past to present. The reader will feel that she is being given a Bible and history lesson as much of the dialogue is an information dump, such as here:

"Do you know that over one hundred million Americans do not go to church at all? And the sad thing is that 27 million of those are children. In some unchurched families children will never get a religious education." (Page 75)

While the back cover states that The Secret of Yahweh! is the "Christian parent's answer to the Harry Potter phenomenon!"--the main reason I requested the title for review--this reader failed to see any comparison. My mind immediately thought of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and was disappointed to find that The Secret of Yahweh! is nothing like that beloved series. While the book was originally written for children ages 7 to 12, the added illustrations are meant to allow parents to share The Secret of Yahweh! with younger readers. I don't, however, see there being enough action that my girls (ages 7 and 5) would ask to continue reading the story to completion.

If a parent is looking to provide a more enjoyable way for their children to experience American history and Biblical teaching than the standard textbook and Bible verse memorization, then The Secret of Yahweh! would be the way to go. While I found this is an excellent message for Children of God, no matter what age, I couldn't get by the challenges to truly enjoy the story.

Feel free to browse through other reviews of The Secret of Yahweh! here.


Title: The Secret of Yahweh!
Author: LeFerna Arnold-Welch
Publisher: Mary's Lamb Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9801794-8-4
U.S. Price: $16.95

Recipes for Enchantment: The Secret Ingredient is YOU! by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein--Book Review

A series of entertaining and thought-provoking stories awaits you in Recipes for Enchantment: The Secret Ingredient is YOU! by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein.

This book of short stories reminds me once again why I enjoy Dr. Barbara's books. All of these stories focus on the positive aspects of life, inspiring you to do the same. You'll meet Joey, a young cancer patient whose attitude and perception of events help him to believe he'll be well again. Then there's Mr. Diamond who completed his circle of life by returning to the city he once had to flee. Read how Bernadette Hoyer's memory of a childhood pet reminded her of a great act of love from the father she had lost. And meet The Mysterious Rabbi who shows the meaning of serving others. With contributions from Bernice Becker, Leslie Brittman, Emily Doherty, Bernadette Hoyer, Doreen Laperdon-Addison, Sherri Rosen, Ellen Saposnik, Sylvia Schultz Margolin, Tzvia Singer, and Claire Wintram this story collection will find you feeling better about your life and motivated to keep finding the positive side of things.

Dr. Barbara also provides commentary after each story, exercises, and discussion questions to help you make the change toward a more positive way of life.

If you long to change your point of view, if you want to find more joy in everyday living, if you seek a life filled with ENCHANTED MOMENTS, you'll want to read Recipes for Enchantment!


Title: Recipes for Enchantment: The Secret Ingredient is YOU!
Author: Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Publisher: The Enchanted Self
ISBN: 1-58820-362-X
U.S. Price: $14.95

Look for my reviews of other titles by Dr. Barbara: The Truth, the Girl's and Mom's edition of The Truth, and Delight. You'll also find my 2007 interview with Dr. Barbara here.

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