Rip my review to shreds

Can I gather any support for a group where members would discus each others reviews? I think a lot of us inexperienced reviewers could benefit from feedback. Also, sometimes I like somebody's review of something, except for some minor detail, maybe only spelling or poor wording, but it can be a bit intrusive to post a criticism on their profile. If we had a group where we know the members wouldn't mind remarks about their reviews, that would be great.

If a few of us could get such a thing started, people who review but don't play the review-that-book game might join in.

(Edit: added "review-that-book" in last line.)

I would love to hear what about some of my reviews was useful vs. worse than useless. I don't review extensively but if I take the time to write a "real" (more than a few phrases) review I would like to get some feedback. Not too many of my reviews have received "thumbs" - is that because my reviews suck or because I read weirdo stuff that no-one looks at?

Disclaimer: I still have a few reviews pending Life of Pi for this group (because I can't find the book) and The Only Guide to Alternative Investments You'll Ever Need for the ER program (because I am a lazy procrastinator).

(There are also plenty of reviews that I would like to "rip to shreds" - 2 people "reviewed" this book -
http://www.librarything.com/work/50684/reviews
me (with an admittedly dismissive and abrupt comment) and someone that I could probably get into a fantastic argument with...)

I'm game. I will certainly confess that I don't proofread anywhere near enough, and thanks Jim for the occasions when you have corrected this for me!

But in terms of style it's a bit tricky because many people look for very different things in a review. See any of the numerous threads on spoilers!

My point with "rip to shreds" is that we should declare ourselves as willing to have harsh things said about our reviews. We are less likely to improve if we get nothing but praise, but a bit encouragement will always be welcome too.

PortiaLong, I like your review of What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew and have given it a thumb. I would have reached the same conclusion from reading the other review without yours though, so maybe I should give that a thumb too :) Wouldn't advice on what women want be more convincing coming from a women?

I'm willing to give it a try, as long as it is reserved to constructive criticism. I always wonder if anyone reads my reviews and even more if they are worth reading. Though I have noticed that the reviews I try really hard on 'tend' to get a thumb.

I know that I often times get "toungue tied" with my reviews and wind up going back to edit them, days, weeks and even years later. It might not be a bad idea to get a little "constructive criticism" so maybe I can avoid getting tripped up in the first place.

I'll probably regret this...

Portia - Your review of What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew certainly does let us know what you think of the book in no uncertain terms! The only thing I, personally, might like to see more of are some examples of how horrible it is. However, that could just be my morbid curiosity talking. I certainly agree with jim that most women would rather read a book like this if it were written by a woman.

readafew - I looked at a few of your reviews and think they're well written. The only thing I could say is that if you did enjoy a book, even if it has writing issues, you may wish to point out the good points before the bad. It gives the book itself more of a chance to earn an audience. If you start off with what's wrong with the book a person reading the review may just decide it is all bad and not look any further.

5: readafew "reserved to constructive criticism"

If anybody is allowed to comment, the only restriction on comment is the LT rule "be nice" (or however it's formulated). For tighter control, we would have to say, only group members can comment, and group members must have made at least one review, and thus be also open to criticism.

How thin-skinned are we?

I'd like to think I'm open to criticism but know from past (and recent) experience, any kind of criticism has the ability to reduce me to tears. So, for myself, I'd have to say I'm pretty thin skinned. However, I also believe that it is always helpful to have other opinions.

7 > I guess, I was thinking some people would use this as an excuse to attack those they think of as inferior writers. If that is strongly discouraged, then I don't think I'd have a problem.

6> missed your edit the first time. thanks for the encouragement and I will certainly take your suggestion under consideration. I almost always write the negative stuff first cause that is what is bothering me, however it would be a good idea to rearrange the paragraphs afterward, before saving.

Well, there doesn't seem to be a great demand for a mutual review criticism group, but maybe it would pick up more support if started. I'm not thinking we're going to put a lot of effort into criticising reviews, more that, if we do happen to want to comment on one, we can know that it won't be unwelcome.

Can I have suggestions for a name? Do we want something clear and informative, like Reviewing Our Reviews, or something witty and clever (but informative) - can't think of an example :) Then I'll set it up, unless somebody else wants to.

Reviews: Opinions on Opinion

Reviewers reviewed

Reviewers on parade

Spotlight on Reviewers

Reviews: I can't reach that knife in my back! ;)

Reviewers review Reviewers

It's probably also worth posting in the EarlyReviewers groups as there are a lot more members! And some of them seem quite interested in writing 'better' reviews.

I can't help with any witty names though.

Good idea. There are a couple of other review-related groups too where some people might be interested.

I'll set up a group later today and post a couple of announcements.

I've now set up the group Reviews reviewed.