[GraceKrispy]

I know many people on here don't even read reviews, which is fine. In all honesty, I'm not a big review reader unless I'm considering a specific book, or I want to see a reviewer's writing style. So I do read reviews, but not as a hobby.

For those of you who do frequent review blogs, what exactly are you looking for? After I sort of stumbled into the whole review-writing world, I started checking out other review blogs. I realize I don't operate quite the same way as most of the more popular ones. Many review blogs are light on the reviews (and the reviews they do write are sometimes really "fluffy") and heavy on the personal commentary about life in general, and especially with regards to all things books- books they are anxious to read, the character's lives in the books (and who they would cast to play those characters), author interviews, book giveaways... then there are the networking opportunities - blog hops, you be my follower, I'll be yours, etc.

I don't know that I have the time of energy for all that "extra" stuff. I participate in a few things here and there, and I do like doing giveaways, but there truly is a limit to my time! I think other reviewers do better upkeep on their blogs- networking, visiting other blogs, doing a post a day (or more!), when I'm really more focused on the actual books and my thoughts about them. I think that makes my blog perhaps less interesting to the casual reader, and less interactive. It's more of a service, maybe? Plus, I'm reviewing indie books that are likely new to the typical reader, so the familiarity factor isn't necessary there.

So I'm curious, what are your thoughts about book review blogs (if you read them-- I don't need another post about all the reasons you *don't* read reviews, I got that down)? What do you like to see? What don't you like to see?