The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. With Jennifer’s permission, Billy @ Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer relaunched the hop on February 15, 2013. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to their own blog.

What is your method for writing reviews – do you write immediately after reading, wait a few days, or write as you are reading?
(submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver’s Reviews)

My review method has changed lately. My temporary job, that I took on as a favor last year. has turned more permanent, so the beginning of the week my time is split between blogging and working.
I try to save review writing for the days that I don’t work, which is sometimes Tuesday and always Thursday, Friday, and the weekends. That way I can have plenty of time to focus on what I’m doing.
While I’m reading, I highlight passages and jot down notes in the Kindle app if something occurs to me that I don’t want to forget. For physical books, I have small tag Post Its that I mark the book with and jot down notes digitally in the Word document I’ve already started for that book’s review.

Then, on the next day I don’t have to go in to work, I sit down with a cup of coffee and write – usually in the morning before lunch. Sometimes I go right into editing, but I prefer to let it sit for a day or two and then edit it to provide some distance from my words so I can see them more objectively.
I’ve altered the framework of my reviews a bit in the last month or so after reading a NetGalley tip Tuesday about reviews (below). They suggested writing your initial expectations before starting a book and then write about your actual experience once you finish. I liked this suggestion, so I decided to give it a go.

Looking for a fresh review format? Compare your expectations of the book before reading and your experience after you’ve finished the book. Before you start a book, jot down your expectations based on the cover, summary, and what you’ve heard. When you’ve finished, compare your experience to what you originally thought. This offers you a chance to review a book as well as take a closer look at your expectations as a reader and how they impact your reading experiences.
My word cloud has been more sporadic lately, as I’ve been trying to leave my evenings free to spend with my husband. I just need to learn to incorporate them in when I’m writing the review to get it all done at the same time.
So, that’s my review method! What’s yours?

I love that tip about putting your initial expectations and then your findings, I may “borrow” that myself! I try to write my review fairly soon after finishing the book as I struggle once I’m reading the next one. I’m terrible at making notes as I read, I tend to get so involved in the story I just forget!
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I have no attention span so it’s rare a book gets me that engrossed (but some actually do). I think getting them done before you start the next works very well.
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I try and review as soon as possible but on the kindle I highlight passages to help. Mine are quite short so they don’t take too long, but that is how it has to be for me 💕
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I love the highlighting and note feature. It makes it very easy.
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I tend to write my reviews straight after I have read the book. I will look through my review, and edit. I’m not as experienced as you. I’ve only been blogging for a year. It started as marketing for my own book and then I decided to review other Indie authors, but a couple of the book are from markets or even second hand books in places like Tesco. I know how important Indie reviews are because there are many books out there that wouldn’t be read otherwise.
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Indie reviews are very important and I’m sure those authors are incredibly grateful ❤️
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I love that NetGalley idea of ‘initial expectations’, must try and remember it. I’m a bit airy fairy with my reviews! I either write straight away them, or leave them too long and can’t remember what I did and didn’t enjoy! 😂
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I try very hard not to leave them for too long. I’m reading so many books so fast, that I know facts are quickly forgotten.
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I’m extremely impressed with your process, Tessa💜 Your initial impressions addition is one I’ve come to anticipate and always read so it was enlightening to learn what inspired its creation.
For ten years I had to read and write summaries and policies as part of my career. The job demanded that I do it mostly same day so I developed a discipline that continues. I normally write my reviews either same or next day, depending on time constraints. However, I’ve been thinking about shaking up my format, just a little bit, to segment it for easier and quicker consumption.
Great topic!
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I like sections. I think they make the reviews read faster. And, you are very disciplined! I’m in awe ❤️
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I try to make notes in my Kindle to mention in the review while reading. I try to write reviews within a couple days of finishing a book, but that didn’t work out so well over the holiday weekend and then working Tuesday and Wednesday. Yesterday I wrote three reviews and still have two more. I missed that NG blog post, but like the idea about the initial expectations.
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I’m with you. I wrote two and one was for Ordinary Monsters which is a huge book so the review is unusually lengthy. At least I only had to edit today.
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If I don’t write them immediately, I’ll forget what I want to say. They may not get posted immediately, but I have to get my thoughts down quickly.
I hope you’re enjoying your new job!
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The job is easy and it’s for a non-profit that I had been volunteering for. They help people who are economically challenged in pretty much every way – medical, dental, getting back on their feet, etc…. It’s good to get out of the house and among people ❤️
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Amen to that! ❤️
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Great to read about your process! I did notice the addition of your expectations and I really enjoy reading them and comparing them to what I would expect based on the blurb and the cover.
I always write a draft review as soon as I’ve finished the book, sometimes I start writing it while I’m still reading. Editing and polishing comes later but I need to get my thoughts down before I start my next book. Like you, I try to time my reading and reviewing so it doesn’t clash with work or other obligations.
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It’s all about balance and yes I totally agree – the sooner any reviewer gets there thoughts down, the better. Especially since many of us read so fast and furious.
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I like your expectations and your experience, it helps me to decide if I want to read the book or not. I try to write reviews right after I read it, but sometimes it takes a few days. If it’s one of my own books, it can take even longer.
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If it’s one of my own books it might not get done at all, so I get that it can take you longer.
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I really enjoy your reviews, Tessa. I tend to leave reviews a bit, as I have another book I want to get to. I will jot down points I want to remember if I am not posting my review in a timely fashion. I wish I was better at getting them written right away.
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It’s definitely hard!
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What a great process! I need to make more notes when I’m reading and often forget about the highlighting function on kindle. I also love the tip you’ve shared from netgalley, I may use that in the future.
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I kind of like it. It’s a interesting way to review.
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