Caffeinated Confessions #13 Review Burnout

April 12th, 2014 Kimberly Feature 138 Comments

12th Apr

Caffeinated Confessions
Welcome to Caffeinated Confessions!
I wanted a forum where we could talk about bookish subjects from swoon-worthy covers to the price of eBooks. I hope to share my thoughts on a different subject each month. So that we can all chat and share opinions. In the process I hope we get to know each other a little better. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and lets dish!

~*~*Review Burnout *~*~

 

I have been blogging since August of 2011 and have written and posted oodles of reviews. My technique slowly evolved and I settled into a pattern with my reviews. It was all well and good. Easy to read, informative. Followers could stop by and know the third paragraph talked about the plot, pacing, writing and world building. For those of you who haven’t read my previous tips or spoken to me, I generally write my reviews within the first 24-48 hours. Usually the morning after. With the new year and after months of cranking out 4-5 reviews a week I hit a wall. A big one. Instead of reviews flying out of my head as fast as I could type them, I got stuck. Bored. They were all starting to sound the same. I was forcing out the words. What was a blogger to do? I was still reading and my anal tendencies demanded that I write those reviews. *le sigh*

I decided to take my own advice. So I went back to my How the Heck Did You Do That Posts. Let go, and mixed it up! I was already doing Coffee Pot Reviews; my version of mini-reviews done in the length a time it takes to make a pot of coffee. Why not add more formats, mix it up, try something crazy.

 

I follow a lot of blogs that use different formats from bullet points to speed dates. These aren’t exclusive ideas, in fact, lots of bloggers use them. Each tweaks the original idea and varies them a little. For some, it is their daily method of review and for others, they change things up now and again. I even stumbled upon a few Twitter-style reviews and all GIF reviews. (hilarious by the way)

What happen? I began using these different methods, tweaking them and making them Caffeinated. A few things happened. The first and perhaps most important was that I got over my burn out. When faced with a review I could do what felt right and not squeeze my thoughts into the self-imposed format I had created. I felt inspired, excited and the words once again flowed through my fingertips. The second and most exciting aspect was the response. My followers enjoyed these changes and engaged more. It freshened things up for all of us. I actually gained new followers and saw an uptick in traffic. Hooray!

 

 

Different Methods of Review

  • Mini reviews (coffee pot, short and sweet, all feels reviews)
  • Bullet point (likes/disliked) I have seen this mixed several ways. A list of likes and then a paragraph explaining the dislikes or vice verse. Others do bullets for both.
  • Poems -all types from original to acrostic
  • Dates– usually three dates, breaking up the reviewer’s thoughts. Some are short and sweet speed dates, others give full paragraphs. Some talk about the book and details, others just give you their feelings
  • Best/Worse– short and sweet usually two paragraphs. Bloggers use different titles like Good/Bad
  • GIF– short and sweet sentences with Gifs in-between that explain it all
  • Tweet style– 140-word reviews (most posts include several books at a time)
  • Labeled reviews – a review is usually a few short paragraphs and is labeled for example characters, plot, romance. Some use bullet points and others write a few sentences or break it down by each character etc.
  • Five Things-share five things about the book.
  • Freestyle– just let those thoughts out, random format. Almost like a story.
  • Letters– A letter to the character, author, reader sharing your feelings about the book.
  • Formatted– beginning, middle, and end. Paragraph form with each paragraph detailing one aspect of the book. (usually along the lines of why I bought, quickie set up, characters, plot, would I recommend it)

I am sure there are other methods of review that you have come across. I intend to try more formats and love the unlimited possibilities. So try something new! Take a few ideas and make them your own. For example, I incorporated my caffeinated theme into mine. Caffeinated Aspects/Decaffeinated Aspects. Coffee Dates, Coffee Pot Reviews etc.

 

 

So you have heard my confession, and realize I struggle. Have you experienced this? How did you get through it? What review formats have you stumbled upon? Any favorites? Share your thoughts with us…

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

138 Responses to “Caffeinated Confessions #13 Review Burnout”

  1. Diana Leigh

    I can’t believe the week got away from me! I’m so behind with my blog hopping.

    Great suggestions! I’ve been reviewing for just over 4 years, and burnout has popped up several times. Right now, I’m moving toward the mini review/freestyle for everything. Short & sweet, then onto the next book!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am really enjoying mixing it up and just use the format that works for the book.

  2. Vilia

    I just tried a court style review – case for the prosecution, case for the defence and then a verdict.

  3. Kim { Book Swoon }

    I’m not sure how I missed this, but I have to say thank you, Kimba! I love that you mentioned changing your review style according to how you felt about the book. This makes total sense, yet I haven’t really tried this before. Some books I struggle with, sometimes the words just don’t flow – you know. So, thank you for gathering so many great ideas together and sharing them with us. *coping & pasting* By the way, I still love your other post style too! 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Kim, and my old style is still around, I am just mixing it up and pairing reviews with the book 🙂

  4. Lily B

    I change my review based on how I feel about the book. I don’t feel that all books can be expressed the same way. Sometimes I ramble because I get excited about it and other times I cannot get my point across without the bullet points.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      That is something I am discovering as I try out these different styles. Some books are better suited and I match them like wine & cheese..lol

  5. Lauren

    These are great tips! I love reading all kinds of reviews, from traditional conversational reviews to minis, GIFS, dates, etc. It’s always fun to mix it up, and I love when I see different kinds of reviews on the same blog. Fab post!

  6. Zero

    Wow, such a nice post. I could relate to everything that has been said here.

    Yes, I almost tried all those review formats you’ve mentioned. When I jump from one style to the next, I felt weirded out really. I feel like I was just pretending. I couldn’t find myself. I’ve been asking myself just what the heck do I really want.

    When I tried the gif format once, I thought it doesn’t look much professional. Plus, it’s hard making your own gif and I’d feel guilty if I’m just going to use somebody else’s made gif.

    I did the dates and it looks haphazard to me.

    Well, the thing is I’m quite burned out with book reviews for now. So in the mean time, I’m doing movie reviews instead… reviews inspired mostly by my emotions.

    I hope I’ll get back to doing book reviews and finally know how I want my reviews be written.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Good luck finding what works and movie reviews are fun 🙂

  7. Ginny

    You’re reviews are always terrific! I admit that I have been getting stuck lately with writing reviews and feel like I’ve gotten a little stale. I’m going to try to work in some of your ideas and see if I can get the “FEELS” for my reviews again. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      What? Well thank you Ginny 🙂 I hit a rut and this has definitely helped, I am having fun

  8. Kay

    Once again I want to thank you for giving great blogger advice. Lately I have been struggling with writing reviews. I’m not sure why exactly but I think it is because I got bored and just needed a change. I have always occasionally switched up my review style depending on my feelings after reading the book and deciding the best way to share them, but I didn’t do it often enough. Thanks for all of the different review format ideas! I think I’m going to start mixing it up more. It sounds like a lot of fun!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Awe, you are welcome Kay. We all go through it, and this has really lit the inspirational fire for me 🙂 good luck

  9. Lenore

    This helped me so much! I had hit a huge wall, reading and never reviewing. I was able to get 5 reviews done today by changing up the format a bit. Thank you!

  10. Dani

    What a wonderful post! I am also going through a bit of a burn out. Kind of feel like I am just spinning my wheels. Thank you for the great ideas of how to mix it up!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It has helped me immensely, I think we all experience burn-out from time to time.

  11. April Wood

    Great post! I am currently experiencing book reviewing burn out… uggh, it can be exhausting! I don’t post nearly as many as your 4-5 book reviews a week though! I don’t know how you do it! You go girl! 🙂
    Something that bothers me immensely, is when I put my heart and soul into a book tour/giveaway etc, and the Author acts as if I am beneath her/him. Some authors I develop a great relationship with, and we even become friends. Others can’t even be bothered to follow me back on Twitter… I mean, really??? So THAT is what burns me out. The lack of appreciation!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Do it for you, do it for the readers. Savior the authors who recognize you and move past the ones who don’t. I very rarely do tours anymore, maybe you should cut back a little.

  12. Whitney

    Great post Kimba! I haven’t gone through review burn-out yet but am getting a little bored with my format. I usually just freestyle but I’ve been wanting to try something new — I’ll have to give a few of your suggestions a try.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I hope you try some of these Whitney, it is fun and really refreshed things for me

  13. Kimber Leigh Wheaton

    I love your post! It’s inspiring. I’ve been in review burnout for several weeks now, and I think it’s time to change things up. If I don’t do something, I’ll end up looking like Anna in that 1st gif!

  14. Ashley

    Great post! I’ve been having some burnout lately myself. I’ll have to give some of these a try.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I hope things improve for you and good luck Ashley 🙂

  15. Julie S.

    I really like all the format ideas you have here! I usually just do freestyle and break new ideas/thoughts into new paragraphs. But I think maybe one time I’ll try an acrostic poem or something unique. That would be fun. Thanks for the post.

  16. Michelle

    Yes!! This is such a fantastic post Kimba. My biggest problem with review burnout is that, like you said, all of my reviews start sounding the same to me. Which is not something that I want. But especially since I have been reading more and more cute romances lately, I use the words cute and fun so much. Because that’s what the books are, but at the same time I don’t want people thinking that all the books are the same. So I have been taking longer to write a review to try and diversify them more. But that is not always additional time that I have daily. I’m still working on a balance. Maybe I just need a thesaurus haha

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I find myself using catch phrases or the same words too Michelle, good luck!

  17. Jennifer

    I’ve been doing some bullet type reviews between my longer reviews. Once your 6+ books into a series it’s hard to write a lot about each book. Especially UF series where 80% of them are about the same main character(s).

    After seeing Felicia (Geeky Book Bloger) using her new short review format in her Read It File reviews I wrote my first Tweet It Review. I’m using it as my quickie review format where I sum the book up in 140 or less characters as if I was tweeting it.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      That is fantastic and you make valid points. I read a lot of series books and those later in the series do well with short and sweet or bullet point. I am really enjoying mixing things up Jennifer 🙂

  18. Jessica

    I love you. I love this post. I just cut and paste the entire different methods section to an email and sent it to myself. You may have just saved many future versions me 😉

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Awe *blushes* I am so glad you found it helpful 🙂 Jessica

  19. Braine Talk Supe

    Yay! I freestyle once in a while but usually I just go with the flow. I hit walls now and then which is why I’ve unsubscribed to a lot of tour companies coz it’s starting to feel like a chore and usually that’s when I can’t get the words out to write passable reviews.

    I love bullets too! It’s my go-to when I’m reviewing something that’s been around for a while or has been seen a lot in the sphere.

    I loved your poem style, very creative!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh lord Braine that acrostic was hard, but other bloggers are masters at it 🙂

  20. Laurie C

    Seems like this post hit a nerve with all the comments on it already! I tried mini reviews for the first time a little while ago, and was pleased with myself for knocking out six reviews in one post instead of laboring over each individually, since none was one I was committed to reviewing, just a book I had read on my own. But I haven’t managed to do a single regular review since! I’ve been branching out a little, but the unreviewed books are piling up!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love doing mini reviews and use those for books of my own a lot. Try writing a few mini or short and sweet ones for the back log, and giving yourself a nice cushion of advanced posts. I am currently reading for mid May now. It takes the pressure off and you can enjoy writing one review at a time instead of facing a daunting pile of them. I have been truly blessed in the comments department, but yes this post touched on something we all go through from time to time. Thanks for commenting!

  21. Maria D.

    Good advice for changing things up – I too keep hitting a wall after years of doing reviews – I think I need a vacation too though….lol

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I think we all need time off, I try to unplug once a month, or only log in once a day a few times a month..since truly I am addicted. I would love to visit you back but you didn’t leave a blog url.

  22. Keertana

    I’m in the same boat as you, Kimba, so thanks for this post! I’ll definitely have to try out some new styles of reviewing to tackle my GIANT need-to-review pile. Fantastic post! 🙂

  23. Kelsey

    I experienced a burnout from blogging a little while back. I would read books but I didn’t want to review them, and then because of all the review books I piled up I didn’t even want to read.
    After that I changed my review template around and have since adjusted it yet again. What really got me out of the funk and back into blogging was a brand new blog design along with that template. Well, the header and colours and such changed, but it really helped me get back into it to have something fresh. I think if that happens again I’ll take your advice and try some different ways of reviewing 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Well some of the things you mentioned are in the works and agree all of them help with funk. Enjoy trying the different styles Kelsey..it is fun 🙂

  24. Babel

    Wow, amazing post! And after so many reviews, I started feeling the same way so I did just that. I tried to come up with varied ways to express my thoughts on a book and it’s helped immensely 🙂

  25. Sharon - Obsession with Books

    You know Kimba! this is such a great post and you’ve motivated me to mix things up a bit so my reviews don’t all sound the same! I think my style is more formatted/freestyle so I’ll have to think of what to do to freshen my thoughts 🙂

    I’ve always admired you for the number of posts you do each week, I feel you on your burn out.

    A fabulous post x

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Sharon, and there are so many different styles that exist, you just need to add your own unique twist to them.

  26. aurian

    Yes, I do struggle when writing my reviews a lot. I really want to write shorter reviews, but I just can’t. When the words finally start flowing, I just go back to my recap and then my thoughts format. I really admire other people’s reviews and styles, and I can’t do it. Not even for a really tiny novella.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      LOL, well if it works for you then it’s all good Aurian.

  27. ShootingStarsMag

    Great post! It’s definitely easy to feel burnt out when reviewing books, especially if you read a lot and have to review so many! I like when people mix things up. I’ve started to do that myself because some books just call for it. Just recently I did a fairly normal review but I included some fun gifs as i went along because I felt it worked and made the review interesting.

    Another format I’ve done and like is asking myself questions about the book, so it’s like an interview with ME about my thoughts.

    -Lauren

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love the question idea, and saw that on another blog..it actually made me more curious about the book. Thanks Lauren 🙂

  28. Jennifer

    I usually freestyle it, but sometimes go to gif or bullet points when I’m feeling stuck. I feel you on the burnout.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am glad you switch things up, admittedly I got stuck with the same two formats and switching up helped

  29. Christine

    Sounds like you got your reviewing mojo back! I can’t even imagine reviewing the number of books you do & I KNOW I would burn out if I ever tried. I’m so glad you found what works for you and these are some great alternative formats to consider. I’ve been reading at a quicker pace than usual this year, so I’ve been doing more mini reviews of related books and I’m really loving it — I can jot down my thoughts as I go and then spruce it up a bit before hitting publish. This is a great reminder to never box ourselves in a corner — what works now might not work always!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I do and it has been loads of fun and sparked my creativity. I so agree we need to feel free to try new things.

  30. Michelle

    I’m thinking of changing it up myself…reviews are not hard for me to and I can type them up in less than 30 mins, but UGH. I do formatted posts and I do mini reviews for my novellas, but I need something different.
    I’ve done a few gif posts, but never reviews. I find that I typically take a really long time to find gifs that I like, lol. I might try doing a breakdown review with bullets.

    Lovely post as always Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      haha..yeah I get hung up on looking at gifs too 🙂

  31. Christy

    I’ve always had a problem (one of many). lol. When I first started blogging, I was in the mindset that they had to be easy style, which is hardest for me. When I saw Heidi’s, I knew that’s how I should’ve been doing it. Hell, that’s how I take my notes. But I feel weird, like I’m copying her. OH … I just realized something… but then it’s like, essay form basically copying everyone. Omg, why do I care if people think I’m copying? I shouldn’t. Nope, I don’t care. Okay, you just talked me into trying it. I’ll do it with the next review I write.

    You just witnessed my thought process on the issue. lol.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      So many peeps do bullet point reviews and lots of the others I mentioned. Heck if you really think about it..we learned some methods in school. I have seen all of the formats I mentioned on multiple blogs 🙂

  32. A Voracious Reader

    I’ve been burned out more than once, but I know it’s because I don’t have a reserve to fall back on and I’m not getting my stuff read and reviewed weeks in advance. I took this month to do just that and I very nearly have all of my April books done. So…I may be able to get all of my May books done before the end of this month leaving me with time to play around. Possibly even doing some of the suggestions you mentioned. Except the poetry. Hmmm…unless I do limericks. *stares at wall and thinks*

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Wahoo!! Congrats I am reading my last book for April, but I also have posts already done in May. limericks..lol I did acrostic..that was ok.

  33. April

    I’ve thought about doing some different review styles – to freshen things up and liven the blog up too! I mean typed out and straight written reviews are all fine and good and I’ve been good with myself and not put myself into a specific format – vis a vis like PLOT: CHARACTERS: PACING:, etc so I don’t feel TOO restricted, I can write how I want. But I’m excited now at the prospect of doing more BUDDY reviews – so they’re more like a fun discussion instead of the norm. 😀

    Great post!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Buddy reviews are fun, I should have added that one to list. I am having fun trying all of the formats and think I will just go with what works for me and the book in question.

  34. Lindy

    Great topic Kim, and very relevant to the blogging community. I tend to do formatted reviews, but would like to try something new! I love how you shared various methods of review. I plan to try a few different types out 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Lindy, it adds some excitement for me and the reader:)

  35. Tanya

    These are some really great ideas. I’ve been looking for ways to change up my reviews.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Have fun Tanya..spice then up and put your own stamp on them 🙂

  36. Lupdilup

    Fantastic post!Great ideas, I got to see what I come up with. Im so behind 🙁 I’d love to be able ti write more reviews and some of this ideas could help me do that.
    Thank you!

  37. Peggy

    Brilliant post. I don’t feel ‘burn out’ yet, but can see how I sort of fall into a pattern of reviewing and how this can start to look a bit boring to followers tbh.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      We are creatures of habit by nature..so it is good to shake things up 🙂

  38. Rachael

    My biggest stress about reviews is not having time to write them. I used to finish a book and go write the review. Often now I finish books really late at night or in the afternoon and don’t have time to write the review so I put it off for a few days and eventually go back and write the review. After college is done it is going to be nice to have time again to do the things I would like to accomplish.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am sorry the browser was making you crazy when commenting. I will tell you that you comments 3 x’s. 2 were exactly the same (this comment) and one about them being eaten. I deleted the extra ones, and hope next time you do not have issues.

      A busy schedule can make it difficult to keep up with posts. I often write mine the day after or on Monday’s after my weekend read.

  39. Laurel-Rain Snow

    Great post! I have been posting reviews since 2008…on Amazon, Goodreads, and one or another of my blogs, although it wasn’t until 2009 that I blogged much.

    After looking at the 1,032 or so reviews I’ve posted on Amazon, I can see that my style has really changed! I like what I’m doing now…freestyle, like a story, with questions I pose about various aspects of the story so readers can wonder.

    But I also look at mini-reviews and enjoy that style. Maybe I’ll try that someday.

    Thanks for sharing!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It’s good you found what works, I like to add in quotes too 🙂

  40. Melliane

    it’s really interesting because I don’t think I saw all these cases but just some of them. I don’t really think about what I’m doing when I do my review so it’s maybe a little mixed. LOL just hope it’s ok.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      There are so many methods available, and you can look outside of book blogs for inspiration too. These methods are used on news websites, magazine websites, beauty websites etc.

  41. Trish

    I love the different review styles you have tried out lately, especially the date ones. I use to have a loose structure on my mine but now I tend to just spout my feelings instead. I do find sometimes I am becoming repetitive and have to ban myself from certain phrases as I have used them to death! I use twitteresque reviews from time to time and enjoy the different format. Thanks for sharing other types that I could consider as I think it’s important for us and our readers to keep mixing things up so we don’t get stale.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Trish, I am really enjoying mixing it up 🙂

  42. Stephanie

    Awesome advice! I love that you found a way to mix things up and keep your reviews feeling fresh and exciting for you. I think this list of different types of reviews is very helpful for all of us bloggers. 🙂

    I try to write my reviews right away- sometimes I speak them into my phone and turn it into text, then I just clean it up. I sometimes get behind and have to write a review a little while after I read the book- and that is always harder for me.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I agree the longer I wait the harder it is. Awesome idea about speaking into your phone..i might try that.

  43. Melissa

    This is such a fantastic post filled with great ideas! I have gotten totally bored with my reviews and don’t even write exclusive review posts unless they are accompanied by a guest blog or a interview because I just don’t get the page views for them.

    I need to play with a few of your suggestions to see what works for me. I need to give my reviews a Truffles-edge 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Good luck Melissa, I hope you and Truffles are inspired:)

  44. Candace

    I don’t have this problem often, but I have gone through it and recently have felt it a bit. Partially it’s some of the books I’ve been reviewing I just haven’t felt inspired to write about. I think that when that happens making an actual layout for me works best. I usually delete the layout bit after, but it’s usually labeled Characters, World/Setting, Plot and overall feel. Also romance, if it’s part of it. In the end it looks like my other reviews, but it somehow sorts the thoughts out better. I do think that I’m at a point that I do need to switch things up a bit. I usually I have a general formula in my head but I guess it’s maybe get a bit boring. So I think I’ll take your advice and the next review I do I’ll change it up.
    Also, I really like the speed date ones. I’ve only seen yours and Mary’s (Bookswarm) but really enjoy them!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Felicia @ The Geeky Blogger does speed dates, and I have seen a baseball one with first base, second base, etc. LOL

  45. Sophie

    Great post, Kim! I’ve definitely suffered from review burnout, and I usually just stop reviewing and reading for a while until I feel like writing again. But next time it happens, I’m going to try to change my review format. Thanks for sharing!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I think it is important to unplug once in a while as well. I hope you find some inspiration here 🙂

  46. Franny

    I usually jolt my ideas down, like I’m putting down a piece of writing, but I do love your insight. I know everyone has a different reviewing style, but I think that I wouldn’t feel comfortable with analysing every aspect. However, I believe this can’t be totally ruled out. I’m studying to get a degree in English Language and Literature, so it is possible that my way of writing could change, who knows!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I think a lot has to do with the book or genre. You should always use what methods you are most comfortable with.

      • Franny

        I agree with you. However, I find peculiar that I have more to say about books that were ok-ish, but when I loved a book so much the words struggle to come out, hehe. 🙂

  47. tonyalee

    Great topic!

    Honestly, I think I am getting to the point where I am hitting a wall. I always start my review off with something personal or quirky, and I have noticed that they are ALL starting to sound the same LOL

    I have mixed things up a little bit. I generally have a standard format, but with books I have mixed thoughts on, or ones that I REALLY dislike, it does change. I also added the MY PEEVE section a few months ago (hahah)

    All the ideas you listed are awesome. But trying to find something different and ORIGINAL is hard! Thanks for them though, I might try one out!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed, and I think it is important that no matter what format you try that you add your own personality and twist to it. I like your My Peeve section 🙂

  48. kindlemom1

    I seriously think I am going to try some of these ideas Kim because I hate to say it but I think I have hit my wall. All my reviews are sounding the same and quite honestly I feel like lately they have sucked. Not at all what I know I am capable of and yet, I have no inspiration at all to make them better even though I want to, even when the book I just read was fantastic.

    Thanks for posting this. It is so nice to know that there are others out there who go through the same thing.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I think people are afraid of using other ideas..but I haven’t come across a single review format that is used by one blogger/website alone. Heck we had bullet points in school, and speed dates are everywhere..so go for it but make them your own.

  49. Rita

    I so agree with you! When my husband got ill last year plus I was facing my own surgery, I suddenly felt like I was drowning. I had book tour and Netgalley books to review in a timely fashion and sometimes I was just not in the mood for it. It wasn’t fun anymore. So I took a 4 month leave of absence and came back refreshed. What I do now is that around Tues-Thurs. I post what I call Midweek Mini Reviews. That way if I have book I just never got around to reviewing and think people would want to know about them, I can get the word out more concisely. If I have a lot to say about a particular book, I just write a longer one on another day.
    I love some of your new styles btw; they are fun to read and a mix from the same ol’ standard reviews. Keep up the good work!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Sometimes a break is just what you need especially during stressful times..I like your ideas and thank you!

  50. Tammy

    Oh yes, review burn out!! I totally get this now and then. I’m always reluctant to try other formats because I feel like I’m copying other bloggers. But I may give some of these ideas a try. Awesome post, thanks Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      If you use their titles you are, but each of the methods I mentioned have been uses on multiple blogs not just book blogs. Just make them your own.

  51. brandileigh2003

    Love the frozen gifs, and great ideas. I am currently in a I dont wanna write them now slump, but once I get going its not too bad.

  52. Grace Fonseca

    when I have review burnout, I try reading some pleasure books from my to be read pile instead so I can remember why I started blogging in the 1st place. You bring up some really good things that people can do to keep the content fresh and new I like this post a lot.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I had no problem reading it was getting the review down, but yes guilty pleasure reads always brighten my mood.

  53. Jenea

    I went through a rut a while back, and had a hard time picking up a book, and writing the reviews. Trying to hard to keep up with our busy home life, and my health issues lately was a task. Being a stay at home mom, you’d think I would have the more time to read. Not so much. I just write my reviews, the way I talk, which is rambling sometimes. But it is definitely different than when I start 2 years ago. I might have to try something a little different every once in a while. Great ideas. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I could never have read and reviewed like I do when my peeps were small..I was lucky to read a book a week!!

  54. Nyx

    I vary it a lot, but usually when it comes to 5 star books for me I end up using GIFs simply because it’s easier to gush that way haha. Some I use lots of quotes, other’s it’s formatted even written some that were bulleted. Depends on my mood and the rating of the book really.

    What I don’t like is feeling pressured into reviewing every book I read, that’s what gets to me.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It is good you keep it fresh and I am enjoying it. I have a gif review coming up this week..it was totally fun to do.

  55. Lola

    These are some great ideas, I use the same method as you did. With certain paragraphs including different information, like the first paragraph is always introduction, second one is story, third is character, fourth world building and fifth conclusion. I do tend to add another paragraph sometimes if any of these get too large or sometimes I add a seperate paragraph for romance.

    I think it helps that I don’t read that fast anymore, I only read 1 or 2 books a week, so I don’t write that many reviews. I do have had a few reviews where I didn’t know what to write. I bookmarked this post so I can come back and read it again whenever I am stuck with a review :). Thanks for the awesome tips!

  56. Angela

    For a minute there — when I saw the headline — I got scared that you were going on hiatus (many thanks that you’re not!). I always look forward to Sunday’s post and what’s upcoming. Thanks for the review tips!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh no never Angela..I love doing this..it is my passion 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yay..so glad you enjoyed it Emily. I think so many people are afraid of using different styles for fear of being accused of copying..but every method I mentioned has been used all over the sphere 🙂

  57. Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)

    i totally get the same feeling, kimba! i hate it when i hit a wall and have no idea how to write any more reviews. i normally just take a break for a few days which sometimes does help but i never thought of just changing it up and reviewing in different formats! will bookmark this and come back to all your suggestions when i feel like i’m in a review slump.

    great post! <33

  58. Chene Sterckx

    I loved this post! I have been thinking about how to change my review style and this gave me some awesome ideas – Thank you!

    I use normal breakdown reviews. mini reviews and love gifs… I just don’t know where to find them to include in my posts.

  59. Siiri

    I do miny reviews and some gif ones (not a full on gif-one, I just use them in some reviews to show my reaction). I usually write formatted ones like an essay. I guess it’s since I finished HS 3 years ago and it’s still inside me–ohh, the endless essays. I did do labeled reveiws for a while though. You know, these are some great ideas and it’s fun to mix it up sometimes. Burning out is one of the worst things so this is really helpful 🙂 I’m glad that you managed to get out of your slump! So many people struggle with writing reviews so whenever I see someone complain from now on, I’ll just refer to your post 😉

  60. Jennifer Bielman

    I have altered my review style a little throughout the years and I am good with my way right now, but when you get bored, it is so important to change it up. Like, when I first started reviewing, I use to do a paragraph of recap of the book. I hated doing it and realized I don’t need to, that’s what the blurb is for. So I just dive into what I like and don’t now, assuming the reader knows the basic idea of the boo. I love your updated review styles. So fun. Keep up the good work.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed recaps are totally a personal choice, I do a mini one on some of my reviews and it helps set up for me..LOL Thank you for the feedback, I am glad you are enjoying them.

  61. Michaela

    Awesome ideas!! I haven’t been blogging long but it can easily start to feel like you are writing the same things about every book and coming up with something different to say it HARD! These are some awesome ideas! You should be a life coach, you are so good a finding workarounds to stay motivated!!! Wonderful tips!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I don’t know about life coach but I do enjoy sharing 🙂

  62. kara-karina

    Fantastic post, K.! I’ve noticed slight tweaking on review formats but I didn’t realise it was due to burn out and that you were spicing things up.:) You go, girl! *hugs*

    I haven’t hit the wall yet simply because I stick to short reviews between freestyle and formatted and if something doesn’t write itself I leave it for another day, but I will definitely take your advice if I feel I’m burning out. In fact, I was just thinking that over the years I got a lot of amazing tips from this column *feeling really grateful* Thank you, my dear!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks so much Karina, and I am so glad I changed things up..it has been totally fun!

  63. Sophia

    I’m usually everywhere – it varies from review to review. Of course… I’m not planning on Poems anytime in the near OR far future… I have a bad relationship with them that I don’t want to read Ellen Hopkins’ books!

    I personally think any poem is better than my own. :p Unless it’s well… Acrostic. Then sure, why not?

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I did an acrostic one..but not sure about other types..lol

  64. Dre

    I usually do freestyle. I feel most comfortable writing that way, but I also try to change it , like bulleted lists, likes/dislikes, labels, etc. I just write how I feel like writing 🙂 Awesome topic, Kimba 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      So glad you are utilizing so many methods..I am having fun trying them.