I can be very critical of books. I pursued a degree in Secondary Education: English. (That’s not quite where I ended up as I’ve mentioned in these blogs before)
I spent HOURS learning how to critique books and examine if they would be useful in a classroom setting.I spent HOURS discussing whether or not a book had value or merit. I spent HOURS figuring out what symbolism there might be in a passage or a re-occuring theme. And I will be honest in admitting, it has made me quite critical of many books that I read. Even though in most classes we decided that almost every book has merit- I struggle to appreciate someone’s writing that doesn’t have much polish. I struggle to believe that “everyone is a writer” when I spent hours working on learning how to write more proficiently.
The idea that someone could waltz in off the street with no training and do what I do is not something I agree with. Nevertheless, there are THOUSANDS of self-published books and THOUSANDS of writers who are getting published with no training. And that’s great! Honestly, it is. But I still approach every book I read with a critical eye.
I ask myself, “what is this book trying to sell me? Is this making a political statement? (But aren’t most statements political these days?) Is this trying to persuade me to think differently? Does this book make me question some of my hard and fast standards? Does this book make me want to be a better person?” Usually at least one of these questions is addressed. I find myself loving less and less books. (That being said I do enjoy a good “beach read” every now and again) I might like a book but I have a harder time putting my “B Loves this book” stamp of approval on things, than I used to.
So when it comes to reading a book, what matters more? To praise the things they did well or criticize the things they need to improve on?
Book reviewers tend to fall on one side of this road or the other. I tend to look for things to criticize and if there aren’t very many, then I can recommend the book. If it is overflowing with things to criticize, then I don’t recommend it. But what are my criteria?
Here are a few of the things I consider when looking at a book.
- Does the book correctly represent the culture it is portraying?
- Do the characters have depth or are they very stereotypical?
- Is there a compelling conflict/problem?
- Is the writing of a professional caliber or does it feel like a first draft?
- Is the writer’s voice concurrent throughout the whole book or are there sections where it feels like someone else wrote it?
- Do I feel compelled to keep reading or am I drudging my way through needless details
But on the subject of praise, a recent SLJ article commented on how important praise is to a writer.
“I hope people will realize that just one reader’s- any reader’s- glorious praise of a book holds incredible value for that title and its author.” -Lalitha Nataraj
But you can look on Goodreads and see thousands of great reviews of books that don’t correctly represent a culture and are very stereotypical.
So what’s more important? Neither. We need both. But let’s be aware of what we are handing to our kids (as well as ourselves) to read and let’s be aware of what we are teaching our children through what they are reading. Let’s look to diversify their interests and diversify their world, not reinforce the walls they see.
Keep Sparkling,
B
The Sparkling Librarian 