A Note About Book Reviews

I publish a fair amount of book reviews on Everyday Liturgy and just wanted to let everyone know about how I receive these books, how I review them, and what ethical issues I see with reviewing books.

First, I receive the majority of the books I review on the blog at no cost from either the publisher or The Ooze’s ViralBloggers network.  Though I receive these books for free this in no way means that I automatically give a positive review of the work (see my reviews of the CD albums from John Crowder and Zehnder for a comparison—both I received at no cost). 

I try to review books based on how they apply to my interests and the interests of my audience.  I do ask publishers to send me certain books at no cost because I feel that the work will be beneficial for my readership, yet once again this in no way determines wether there will be a positive review or not.

I am probably too positive in my reviews in some ways, and this is because I do not see myself as a bastion of knowledge that can disparage another writer A) because I know the complexity of the publishing process and how what the author invisions and writes does not always end up in the finished and published product and B) constructive critique allows future readers who read my review first to not come to the book biased but willing to engage with the book and either agree with my criticisms or disagree.  Reviews are the beginning of an unspoken conversation for me between the author, myself, and my (our) audience.

As to the ethics of reviewing books I receive at no cost I believe this is ethical because at no time is a positive review ever agreed upon or deemed necessary by a publisher in order for me to receive a book.  There is no transaction, no kick backs, and no blogging as advertising.  I post reviews on this blog because I want to and think it is beneficial.  This blog makes no money for me and doesn’t even have advertisements on it (though that may change soon, more on that later).

If you have more questions about my review standards or have a suggestion for a work you would like me to review please contact me.