I won a book from a Goodreads book giveaway. It is "The Forest of Vanishing Stars" by Kristen Harmel.
I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but the subject of this book is a little known (to many) part of the Holocaust - Jews who fled into the forests of Poland and other German occupied countries to escape the Nazis. They ranged from elderly, to children, to women, to men - many of whom had absolutely no idea how to survive in a forest. I wanted to know more, so I entered this giveaway.
Years ago, my spouse and I went to a talk at our local library given by an older German man who grew up in the Nazi era and had to join the Hitler Youth (it was mandatory by that time) although his parents secretly opposed that government. He had spent years giving such talks to further educate the American public. He briefly mentioned Jews who escaped to forests and tried to survive there. It's the first I had ever heard of this.
So, why am I blogging about this now? Because, as part of the giveaway, I am strongly encouraged to write a book review and post it on Goodreads.
I don't participate much on Goodreads but I do read reviews from time to time, and I just shake my head at those who seem to write reviews just to impress others with the amount of snark they can fit into their post. But I have never published a book review on Goodreads.
I really don't know where or how to start. It may be looked at by hundreds of people. No pressure, of course!
Does anyone write book reviews regularly? Any suggestions?
Incidentally, in trying to read some information on "what really happened" as far as those who took refuge in the forests, I ran across this, if you are interested. This is information on brothers who became partisans operating in the area of then Poland (we know this area today as Belarus), and saved the lives of around 1200 Jews most of them non combatants.
The father of someone I went to high school with was a Jewish partisan fighter, but I can't remember the details. I am in awe of such people and their courage.
Hopefully, I will love this book. If I don't, I'll be writing a review with a heavy heart.
I don't have any advice about writing the review other than to be honest (I know you will) and couch your criticism with recommendations as to how it could have been better (I always feel badly for the authors when reviews are brutal). I'm really looking forward to hearing what you think.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I would never be brutal; I just wouldn't say anything at all. But I'm supposed to write a review in exchange for winning the book, hence my dilemma. I really hope I like the book!
DeleteI'm sad to say I seldom leave reviews. Sad because I read those left for my own books avidly. I am now determined to do better. Even a line or two would be good.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to write reviews. I am far too critical.
DeleteDiane (and Susan) you are both writers, so I appreciate your viewpoints!
DeleteI review on Goodreads. I post a review for almost all the books I've read. I am honest with my reviews, which often puts me at odds with others! If I disliked it, I say so. If there are specific things I disliked, I say so. One thing about Goodreads' review system that I don't like is the stars. Five of them. To me three would be middling, like "it was okay." And one star would be hated it. There is no way to give a "I hated this book" rating! It's skewed to like things. 3 stars is "I liked it." Well, if I like a book I give it more than middling! I think I'm lisadsn there, if you want to be "friends!"
ReplyDeleteOne thing about reviews, don't just recap the story like so many do. Tell us what you liked, didn't like. Was it too long, too wordy? Was the protagonist likeable? Or couldn't you relate? Where there things left hanging? Was it good enough you want to read more of the series, or author? Tell us why you liked it or not. A few sentences if fine, which as you can tell, I have a problem with!
And, we have another coincidence! I won a book too! I don't have it yet. Then, yesterday I won another I don't remember entering for, it's a young adult and not my sort of thing. I'll read and review though. If I got my education in library science and did my internship at a juvenile hall library, I ought to be able to make it work!
I may be hidden on Goodreads; I kept getting friend requests from men with non-Russian names but websites that ended with the same Russian country indicator. This was at least a couple of years ago. You gave me some good info here; thank you.
DeleteThat 8th grade class I covered had an assignment reading about the Hitler Youth. They read about people their age getting pressured to join. I did not know about the forests.
ReplyDeleteA while ago I saw a thing on how to write a review online. It was a simple formula. I think I saw it on Twitter. I'll have to see if I can track it down for you.
That may help, but please don't spend too much time on it. Thanks!
DeleteI took a screenshot. I don't remember where I got this from. It's called The Three Sentence Review.
DeleteIf it's stressing you out, and you want to write a review, a helpful review can be easily made with three simple sentences:
1. What you can expect from the book (without spoilers).
The Unwanted is a great young adult story where a young gay teen struggling with a bully learns he's got bigger problems when his long-lost mother returns, reveals she's an Amazon, and tells him he's part of an important prophecy.
2. What was unique/awesome/moving/exciting about the book (again, no spoilers).
Taking Greek mythology and blending it with the real struggles of a gay teen is a delicate balance, and Jeffrey Ricker manages it with aplomb.
3. Using a better-known author or genre, which readers do you think would enjoy the book?
Any reader who loved Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief should grab The Unwanted.
It doesn't have to be an essay to be helpful, and you'd be surprised how much even a simple review does help an author.
Thank you. It give me an idea. I'll probably be starting the book by week's end.
DeleteSee, this "formula" to me isn't a review at all! It's more of a publishers teaser, a blurb for Book Page before it is published! I like to read what the reader thought about the story, the characters, whether it was believable, if the language was too simple, or if the plot was confusing.
Deletethe book sounds fascinating. Don't be snarky when you review it, just be honest.
ReplyDeleteNo snark! That's not my style, anyway.
DeleteReviews are subjective lol. I have done them in the past. Like several said above, keep it simple and short. I rather read a short one than a super long one.
ReplyDeleteI am going to check this book out.
I am fascinated by this time of history.my dad was in the Polish army during WW2. he ended up in a prisoner of war camp run by the Germans til the end of the war. He emigrated to the States in 1948. He didn't talk much about the war and his experiences with it to my mom and he died in 1959 at the age of 39. I don't know if he had lived longer if he would have told us kids much either about this time.
Betty
I grew up in a housing project where a number of Holocaust survivors lived - several were parents of friends. None of them ever talked about that part of their lives. I am sorry your Dad died so young; war is a terrible thing for soldiers and civilians alike.
DeleteI post my reviews on Goodreads as well as on my blog and I review every book I read. You write a blog post every day so you can definitely write a review. Don't sweat it. Just tell what you read and whether or not you liked it and why. Easy peasy.
ReplyDelete