Chris: Make sure you lift your pinkie as you sip your tea!

Lisa: You got it right – implying that somehow a person who blogs can’t think, write or review is just ridiculous (what about all these authors that have now started writing blogs!??!). I love your site!

Amy: thanks – what you said is exactly how I feel!

JLS: I think you got it right when you used the word “threat.” I believe that the print reviewers are fighting for their lives…many are losing their jobs and see the bloggers as stealing their business. Such is life. If lit-bloggers are filling a need and doing a good job, the trend will continue. I believe most every day readers like the casual, conversational, personalized review format offered on the blogs vs. the analytical, highly intellectualized reviews the “pros” tend to give. As far as the hit on women – I have no idea what that was all about. Although I know some hoity-toity reviewers look their noses down on what they perceive as chick-lit…but The Lace Reader is not what I’d classify as chick-lit! Enjoy your cucumber sandwiches and tea!! *laughing* Thanks for your thoughts!

Tanabata: I guess we should all be flattered that they are taking up ink in their columns…it means we are somebody! By the way – I love your blog, despite the “blogspot” label *laughing!!!!*

That all said, it was horribly insulting and I don’t agree with what she said at all. It’s a gross stereotype to say bloggers can’t be thinkers.

I want a review that helps to place the book in context in terms of what has been written before on this theme or what trend it links to etc. Then I want to know where it sits with the writers work and what they were trying to do. If they succeeded or failed I want to know why with examples. I want quotes so I can assess the style or issue may self; show and tell works for the review as well as the novel!

For me a good review doesn’t just signal that my peer-pack have hunted out fresh prey but it gives me a basis for coming to a judgement on what the writer and the text is about.