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1eschator83
Since it seems almost no one will write a book review unless they are hoping to get paid for it--and most of those have to be favorable-- this seems a good place to talk/ask about books we're probably not likely to recommend or review. Here's a post I wrote initially for book talk--but I'm uncertain whether that's really a group for discussion or not. Does anyone understand how book talk works, and for whom?
Mysterion--
I've really struggled to get to page 68 in this book, which was a gift and I feel called to read it, but nevertheless deeply concerned. The inside cover begins with the words of Karl Rahner which have always seemed ominous to me, "The Christian of the future will be a mystic...or nothing at all" (I think I remember a translation 'or will not exist').
Fr Woods comment is: "Far from being threatening, this prediction..should delight and challenge all..."
Can anyone explain the value here?
Mysterion--
I've really struggled to get to page 68 in this book, which was a gift and I feel called to read it, but nevertheless deeply concerned. The inside cover begins with the words of Karl Rahner which have always seemed ominous to me, "The Christian of the future will be a mystic...or nothing at all" (I think I remember a translation 'or will not exist').
Fr Woods comment is: "Far from being threatening, this prediction..should delight and challenge all..."
Can anyone explain the value here?
2gilroy
Okay, I'm struggling with a false statement in your opening paragraph:
Since it seems almost no one will write a book review unless they are hoping to get paid for it--and most of those have to be favorable
Why do you believe no one will write a book review unless they are paid for it?
Have you even looked at the 1000s of reviews here on LT that are done freely?
Also why do you feel they have to be favorable?
The only reason being a favorable review is necessary is if the author hopes to use it for marketing. Otherwise, it can be as unbearably unfavorable as it wants. Any author that goes after a person posting an unfavorable review is actually doing themselves a VERY big disservice.
Curious on your thoughts.
Since it seems almost no one will write a book review unless they are hoping to get paid for it--and most of those have to be favorable
Why do you believe no one will write a book review unless they are paid for it?
Have you even looked at the 1000s of reviews here on LT that are done freely?
Also why do you feel they have to be favorable?
The only reason being a favorable review is necessary is if the author hopes to use it for marketing. Otherwise, it can be as unbearably unfavorable as it wants. Any author that goes after a person posting an unfavorable review is actually doing themselves a VERY big disservice.
Curious on your thoughts.
3eschator83
Can you admit there is a difference between no one and almost no one?
I had no intent to criticize anyone's reviews; it just seems that there aren't many non-fiction reviews in most bulletin boards.
I haven't had much luck finding reviews of the religious books I'm thinking of reading, but I appreciate your encouragement to keep looking. And your effort in your 174 posts. Could you comment on Mysterion?
I had no intent to criticize anyone's reviews; it just seems that there aren't many non-fiction reviews in most bulletin boards.
I haven't had much luck finding reviews of the religious books I'm thinking of reading, but I appreciate your encouragement to keep looking. And your effort in your 174 posts. Could you comment on Mysterion?
5gilroy
>3 eschator83: most bulletin boards
Well, there's your problem right there. Bulletin boards have been dead for years. Try Forums and webpages related to the material.
As for the book, a look at my library would tell you I prefer a different type of fiction.
Well, there's your problem right there. Bulletin boards have been dead for years. Try Forums and webpages related to the material.
As for the book, a look at my library would tell you I prefer a different type of fiction.
6lilithcat
I would be amazed to learn that even a significant minority of LTers who post reviews have been paid for them (unless you count getting books through the ER program as "getting paid").
I can't speak for anyone else, but a substantial number of my reviews are unfavorable, and most are of non-fiction books. Whether someone reviews mostly fiction or non-fiction is, I think, dependent on what sort of books that person enjoys.
As to Mysterion, why not post your review on the work page?
I can't speak for anyone else, but a substantial number of my reviews are unfavorable, and most are of non-fiction books. Whether someone reviews mostly fiction or non-fiction is, I think, dependent on what sort of books that person enjoys.
As to Mysterion, why not post your review on the work page?
7MarthaJeanne
>6 lilithcat: Reviews on LT should not have been paid for. From the Terms of Service:
Pay-for-review schemes
LibraryThing encourages members to participate in book give-away programs. (LibraryThing has two: Early Reviewers and Member Giveaways.) We forbid reviews from "pay-for-review" schemes.
* Reviewers must be free to write what they think. They may not be required or rewarded to write positive reviews, or punished for writing bad ones.
* Reviewers must own and control their reviews, granting other parties only a non-exclusive license.
* Reviewers must act on their own volition, cross-posting their review when and where they want. * Companies that sell services based on how many sites get reviews are explicitly forbidden from using LibraryThing.
* Reviewers must not be paid for their reviews, except in free books and similar non-monetary perks.
Pay-for-review schemes
LibraryThing encourages members to participate in book give-away programs. (LibraryThing has two: Early Reviewers and Member Giveaways.) We forbid reviews from "pay-for-review" schemes.
* Reviewers must be free to write what they think. They may not be required or rewarded to write positive reviews, or punished for writing bad ones.
* Reviewers must own and control their reviews, granting other parties only a non-exclusive license.
* Reviewers must act on their own volition, cross-posting their review when and where they want. * Companies that sell services based on how many sites get reviews are explicitly forbidden from using LibraryThing.
* Reviewers must not be paid for their reviews, except in free books and similar non-monetary perks.
8eschator83
>6 lilithcat: lilithcat Thanks for comment. I haven't figured out yet how the work page functions, I'll try to figure it out. But I like very much the group structure because it helps (obviously doesn't guarantee) the focus of threads usually among people with genuine interest and some aptitude.
10gilroy
>8 eschator83: If you want the thread to stay focused on a book or particular topic longer than the initial post, try thinking of a title to suggest such.
The title for this thread, for instance, suggests an open discussion about the group and its concepts, as well as a pretty open discussion.
The title for this thread, for instance, suggests an open discussion about the group and its concepts, as well as a pretty open discussion.
11eschator83
>Gilroy, I'm thinking:
1-All kinds of comments get classified as reviews, even just a kind of tweet. I have no criticism of that, I'm just uncertain where the most effective place here is to encourage discussion of a book--with minimum distraction from kibitzers.
2-I imagine a book club for those who can't go out to one--where all kinds of books can be discussed simultaneously by both people who recommend them and others who may be in opposition or have questions.
What say you?
1-All kinds of comments get classified as reviews, even just a kind of tweet. I have no criticism of that, I'm just uncertain where the most effective place here is to encourage discussion of a book--with minimum distraction from kibitzers.
2-I imagine a book club for those who can't go out to one--where all kinds of books can be discussed simultaneously by both people who recommend them and others who may be in opposition or have questions.
What say you?
