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Alternative title: review sections from traditional medias are dying
Also, unfamiliar with those mentioned in the article, but with most people online, and in case they didn't do it already, wouldn't it be wise to transition the reviews sections to digital?
All art is subjective. Criticism has a part to play in how its received but once publishers learned the big money was in getting critics to say nice things, trust is gone. And that applies just as much to booktok and bookstagram where influencers are very clearly getting some form of kickback for raving about a particular book.
I would much rather read what people thought of a book here, or via friends and family or via my friends on the podcast we do than some random no-mark in a newspaper or 30sec video.
Honestly feel like the end of syndicated book reviews is not that bad. I have often thought that there is a selection process about the type of reviewer who gets the big press, and usually I am diametrically opposed to them in so many ways.
I was always an outsider to that sort of institutional and emotionally stunted world
I don't like book reviews by professionals. The only reviews I trust are by two friends on Goodreads who I know have very similar tastes to mine.
I once read half of the worst book I've ever read. I posted a bad review on Goodreads and got attacked by the writer's mates, who'd all left good reviews. I don't trust Goodreads reviews.
Reviews are supposed to be a place for analysis, evaluation and discussion, not just recommendation.
If that is the case, it sounds very niche and only of interest to people inside the literary world.
Analysis and discussion of literary works is only for those "inside" the literary world? But surely everyone who reads is inside the literary world.
It is reasonable to read a book and be interested in other people's different thoughts on it, that hardly requires some sort of specialist knowledge.
If reviews from people paid to review is what you crave, you are part of the niche group. I do read reviews, but I only care about reviews from people who share my taste in books. Every other review is worthless to me. I don't see why different thoughts would be helpful. Oh, they didn't/did like it for reasons. Cool. That's all fine, but why should I read that?
I'm not saying you should read them; and I already provided the reasons for reading them above. You can find those reasons compelling or not.
I never mentioned the reviewer being paid. There's many interesting blogs and Goodreads profiles that are worth following too. My impression is, you're drawing an overly sharp boundary between your style of reading and something you imagine is "professional" reading of those who care about reviews.
I found someone on bookwyrm that liked similar reading material. Its like finding gold.
The only book reviews that get me excited to read a book are from BBC Radio 4. I have no idea why.