I actually think about this quite a bit as I never know if I should do a short review or a longer review. I’m interested to know what you guys prefer in reviews, shorter or longer ones! I honestly don’t really prefer one strongly over the other and both have their own pros and cons, which is what I’d like to discuss.
I have a lot more pros for each than I do cons, because honestly I think both short and long reviews are great!
Definitely let me know what you think down in the comments and join the discussion!
What are some pros of shorter reviews?
- I like to think that shorter reviews can be a lot easier to do overall since you aren’t writing as much of course, and they definitely don’t take up as much time.
- You can get your overall feelings on the book across a lot quicker with a shorter review.
- If you don’t really have much to say about the book and it felt kind of “meh” to you, it’s nicer to write a short review because there isn’t much to say about it!
- Honestly, if you’re just feeling plain lazy a short review can be your ticket to getting the review done and over with (I know I have those days!)
- Short reviews are much quicker to read through if you’re just looking for a general idea about what the book is like.
- You can do a list style/bullet point review, which is simple and fun!
What are some cons to shorter reviews?
- Not as much detail is provided
- Sometimes you might not be able to get enough out of a short review to determine if you would like to read the book or not (depends on your personal preference)
What are some pros to longer reviews?
- More details on elements of the book: plot, characters, romance, writing, etc.
- There should be plenty of information provided to determine if you’d like to read the book or not.
- If you really loved/enjoyed the book you’re reviewing, it’s nice to do a long review so you can express and discuss it more!
What are some cons to longer reviews?
- More time consuming to write/type.
- They’re longer to read, of course!
Which style of review do you prefer more, shorter or longer?
I really do enjoy both styles of review! However, I think I lean more towards short reviews when I’m writing them and towards longer reviews when reading them (that might just be me being lazy though). Although sometimes I prefer a quick, short review to read just to get a general idea bout the book and if I’d like to read it or not!
What are some of your pros/cons for shorter reviews?
What are some of your pros/cons for longer reviews?
Do you prefer one over the other? Why?
Let me know in the comments and come join the discussion!
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If you do I long review, but have subheadings it might help get more readers. Some people might read the whole thing while others will just read the parts of the review that catches their eye.
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I should have mentioned that here! That’s how I personally do up my reviews because like you said it’s a lot easier to read through as you can just go to the parts that interest you. Thanks for joining the discussion! 🙂
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I prefer to read shorter reviews. When I read a long review I tend to lose interest in the review and just want it to be over with that’s why I lean toward reading shorter ones. I also prefer to write shorter reviews because I think it works best for me. I have a hard time putting into words how I feel about books so shorter ones have been a life saver for me.
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I definitely agree! It really depends on the book, if I have a lot to say about it or not so if a book is kind of in between or “meh” those short reviews really are life savers! 🙂
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I tend to prefer longer reviews I think, mostly because I enjoy reading the reader’s thoughts and also it gives me a much clearer idea about what the book is about/its story and writing style so I can decide if it sounds like something I’d enjoy. Books are promoted and hyped up a lot on social media but I generally look towards a blogger’s review to find out if I’d REALLY like it and should put the money towards buying it. I don’t mind short reviews but I tend to go through either a lot of short reviews or just a few long reviews to get a sense of a book. (:
As for writing I tend to be a major rambler haha! So my reviews are often long and sometimes conversational unless I just didn’t really have much to say about a book one way or another. But I’m always able to truncate it into a nice short review to use for Goodreads/Amazon/B&N, etc. because no one’s looking for a giant review on those sites generally speaking.
Nice discussion post! 🙂
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Thank you and thanks for joining the discussion!
I’m the same way before buying or committing to a book, I definitely need to know people’s general thoughts and feelings before I decide if it’s for me or not! I can see why longer reviews would be a lot easier for that, my only drawback is I like to avoid spoilers and I feel like the longer they are the more likely a spoiler can appear and some reviews don’t tag them. So I’m cautious.
I didn’t even think about Amazon/Barnes&Noble etc. sites! Short reviews are perfect there because like you said people aren’t looking for the longer ones. I can easily ramble on if I really loved or hated the book but like you mentioned if it’s “meh” and I don’t have much to say a nice short review is perfect! 🙂
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I like longer reviews (both to read and write), but only if they have subheadings for the topics.
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Same! That’s how I personally write my reviews as well, it makes it a little easier to navigate the longer reviews. It’s nice to have it broken up into sections! 🙂
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As a reader, I prefer short reviews, especially for books that I haven’t picked up yet. As a writer, I have to be honest and say I enjoy writing out the longer reviews! Granted, I now use bullet points for the majority of the “review” but my posts tend to be a bit lengthy to begin with.
I think there are merits for both types. So long as you have a good idea of what the majority of your readers prefer, they can do well either way!
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I can definitely relate! I get worried with longer reviews before I’ve read the book because sometimes people will have spoilers without tagging them, and of course no one lies being spoiled! I also really love using bullet points in my reviews too it’s nice to have sections broken apart even if it’s a long or short review. There really are great things about both styles though, like you said! Thanks for joining the discussion too! 🙂
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I prefer short reviews for all the reasons you mentioned (I’ll admit, I can be lazy too haha). Another reason why I stray away from long reviews is because of how much info they reveal. I personally like reading short reviews that provide a glimpse of the book and and intrigue me whereas long reviews that go so much into detail that it feels like I’ve already read the book. Nice post, Heather 😊.
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Thank you and thanks for joining the discussion!
Same! That’s one of the reasons I don’t always read longer reviews too, potential spoilers because not everyone tags them or gives a warning! I just want a general idea, like you said. 🙂
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I do both and this is a great discussion 🙂 I think doing shorter reviews for stuff like ARCs can help not give too much away and leave a bit more open interpretation to the person reading it whose interested.
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Thank you!
I agree completely, I don’t want to spoil or be spoiled with a longer review so the shorter reviews are nice in that regard just to give someone a general idea about the book! 🙂
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Interesting topic Heather! I also really like both long and short reviews, I tend to read longer reviews when i’ve also read the book though unless they specifically say Spoiler Free otherwise i’m too scared that i’m going to be spoiled. If they don’t say spoiler free then I could read any short review without worrying if i’ve read the book or not because their usually easier to spot if it contains spoilers.
However the only short reviews i’m not a fan off is the really really short reviews. I’ve seen people do reviews which are like 4 lines and i’m like that’s not really a review I would expect for a book blog especially when the post is dedicated to that book and entitled book review?
Hope that make sense anyhow!
Great post again! x
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Thank you Hannah! 🙂
And I am 100% the same way! I’m always worried about spoilers with longer reviews because sometimes people won’t tag them or say “spoiler free” like you said!
I wanna just say I 100% agree again, because I do and it feels like our opinions on this are literally the same haha! I like both types of reviews but I agree I don’t like super, super, super short reviews like that either because what’s the point of a few sentences? That’s really not a review and doesn’t really help anyone decide anything about the book!
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We get each other so well with things like this 😂 I just read your comment like agree completely she gets me! 💕✨
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I think you’re right, I just find myself saying yep I agree 100% with all of your comments as well haha! 🙂
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Lovely post, Heather 🌸
It really all depends on what mood I’m in! If I loved a book I tend to write a more in detailed, longer review and if I don’t have much to say I opt for a shorter review. I’m basically the same when it comes to reading reviews – if it’s a review for a book I’m interested in then I prefer a longer review (except if I’m avoiding spoilers) and if I’m lazy I prefer to read shorter reviews.
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Thank you Michelle!
I agree, I prefer both styles depending on what it is I’d like to know about the book! And I’m the same way when writing my reviews too! I can either ramble and gush or just do a short review if it’s a “meh” kind of book. 🙂
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I like both. I usually write shorter reviews for shorter books, or for books that are easier to review. I think it depends on how much you enjoyed the book whether you are able to convey the message in the shorter reviews.
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I agree, if a book is kind of “meh” and I don’t have much to say I’ll write a shorter review than if I absolutely adored it! 🙂
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When writing a review, for me, it seriously depends on how much I have to say about that particular book. Sometimes I just feel the need to express all my feelings on all the different aspects of a book (good or bad) – so those tend to be longer reviews. Sometimes a book just didn’t leave that much of an impression on me, or I just don’t have much to say about it – then it turns into a shorter review. 😀
As for reading, I don’t really have a preference. I enjoy reading both long and short reviews equally! Amazing discussion Heather! ❤ 🙂
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Yes, I’m pretty much the same way! I honestly don’t know how I would be able to write a long review for a book I didn’t like, unless it was REALLY bad and the review is mostly me raging, haha! There’s pros and cons to both types but I also enjoy reading both styles. Thanks Anna! 🙂
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