Has Becoming a Book Reviewer Changed Your Reading Habits

Post by **Tomy Chandrafrost** » 25 Apr 2024, 18:57

Gerry Steen wrote: ↑25 Apr 2024, 08:58
Tomy Chandrafrost wrote: ↑25 Apr 2024, 03:54 Yes, I've become faster at reading because sometimes I'm chasing my monthly target, but I still make sure the quality of reading is achieved. I've also turned book reviewing into a positive habit to prevent binge-scrolling on social media.

Hi, Tomy. Book reviewing has had the same effect on me as you. I am also taking note of the way authors use grammar in their writing. Have a great day!

Thank you for your response, @gerry. May I know how having a hobby of reading books has influenced you as a retiree? I aspire to be like you, able to retire yet still keep my mind fresh by writing and reading.

Charmaine Mahlangu · Post by **Charmaine Mahlangu** » 25 Apr 2024, 21:22

Yes it has . The taking down of notes . Paying attention to certain details while reading is quiet different. I am still leaning to be descriptive of a book you know. Highlighting parts of the events in the book that shape and matter

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 25 Apr 2024, 22:06

Jabulile Mahlangu 1 wrote: ↑25 Apr 2024, 21:22 Yes it has . The taking down of notes . Paying attention to certain details while reading is quiet different. I am still leaning to be descriptive of a book you know. Highlighting parts of the events in the book that shape and matter

I agree. My mind cannot wander while I read because I have to pay attention to details.

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 25 Apr 2024, 22:10

Tomy Chandrafrost wrote: ↑25 Apr 2024, 18:57
Gerry Steen wrote: ↑25 Apr 2024, 08:58
Tomy Chandrafrost wrote: ↑25 Apr 2024, 03:54 Yes, I've become faster at reading because sometimes I'm chasing my monthly target, but I still make sure the quality of reading is achieved. I've also turned book reviewing into a positive habit to prevent binge-scrolling on social media.

Hi, Tomy. Book reviewing has had the same effect on me as you. I am also taking note of the way authors use grammar in their writing. Have a great day!

Thank you for your response, @gerry. May I know how having a hobby of reading books has influenced you as a retiree? I aspire to be like you, able to retire yet still keep my mind fresh by writing and reading.
Reading and reviewing and replying to reviews helps to fill my day. I stay busy. Improving my grammar skills is a challenge that I am keen on. I want to become an expert. Not bad for a retiree ehhh?!! Have a good day.

Post by **Tomy Chandrafrost** » 25 Apr 2024, 23:32

Actually, you do it much better than most retirees here, who mostly start getting sick because they're confused about what they want to do.

Miriam Ratemo · Post by **Miriam Ratemo** » 26 Apr 2024, 04:48

I have chosen to read books here that I would have never picked up on my own after reading a well-written review with high marks! I have my favorite reviewers on here that have similar tastes in books as myself that I constantly check in on to see what they are reading. If it is highly rated by one of my favs, I am much more likely to grab it! I have found so many new authors that I enjoy, that I may never have found otherwise! Great question! Until next time...

Jen Cowhig · Post by **Jen Cowhig** » 26 Apr 2024, 13:01

Joining OBC has definitely changed my reading habits. I'm reading different kinds of books than I would normally pick up and reading a whole lot more. I've also noticed that I've been reading books as if I had to review them and have been paying more attention to grammar errors than before as even professionally edited books usually have one.

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 26 Apr 2024, 19:19

Miriam Ratemo wrote: ↑26 Apr 2024, 04:48 I have chosen to read books here that I would have never picked up on my own after reading a well-written review with high marks! I have my favorite reviewers on here that have similar tastes in books as myself that I constantly check in on to see what they are reading. If it is highly rated by one of my favs, I am much more likely to grab it! I have found so many new authors that I enjoy, that I may never have found otherwise! Great question! Until next time...

Hi, Miriam. Before I joined OBC, I never really paid too much attention to book reviews. Now I do. Like you, I am reading books I would never have chosen and I end up being pleased with the reading experience in most cases. I read over 30 books this past year. i don't think I've ever done that before in my lifetime.

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 26 Apr 2024, 19:23

Jennifer Cowhig wrote: ↑26 Apr 2024, 13:01 Joining OBC has definitely changed my reading habits. I'm reading different kinds of books than I would normally pick up and reading a whole lot more. I've also noticed that I've been reading books as if I had to review them and have been paying more attention to grammar errors than before as even professionally edited books usually have one.

Hi, Jennifer. i can relate to everything you stated. I think we all have increased the amount of books we read while having a more critical eye.

Koffie Solomon · Post by **Koffie Solomon** » 12 Feb 2025, 15:45

Yes it has. Normally, I don't really read story books but rather self-help books. So being a reviewer meant that I had to indulge myself more in fiction

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 12 Feb 2025, 22:24

Koffie Solomon wrote: ↑12 Feb 2025, 15:45 Yes it has. Normally, I don't really read story books but rather self-help books. So being a reviewer meant that I had to indulge myself more in fiction

Hi, Koffie. Let me know when your review is completed and published. I would like to read it and leave a comment. Good luck!

London Baum · Post by **London Baum** » 04 Apr 2025, 05:54

Slightly! I still gravitate towards the same type of books, but I’m more willing to be adventurous and branch out a little more often than before reviewing. I also notice errors in books way way WAY more than I ever did before.

Post by **Priya Murugesan** » 04 Apr 2025, 08:10

Gerry Steen wrote: ↑13 Dec 2023, 16:12 Hi All, I was just wondering. Has becoming a book reviewer changed your reading habits? My reading habits have changed. I am reading at least 3 more books per month than I used to. On top of that, I am reading other people's reviews so that I can comment on them. I must read my reviews at least 10 times before I submit them! I enjoy having a list of books to choose from for my next review. This is so much faster than going to the public library. Sometimes I will choose to read a book that I never would have chosen at the library. More often than not, that book ends up being a pleasant read. Let me know about your reading habits.

It totally changed my reading habit. I was actually a fast reader and loved to finish a book quickly. But now, I read slowly to spot errors and to take notes for my review. I even form a gist for my review when I am reading. When I read just for pleasure, I automatically spot errors, and then I have to remind myself that I am not reviewing! Also, now I am reading a variety of books which normally I wouldn't have chosen. To conclude, I would gladly say that becoming a book reviewer positively impacted my reading habits.

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 04 Apr 2025, 12:40

Priya Murugesan wrote: ↑04 Apr 2025, 08:10
Gerry Steen wrote: ↑13 Dec 2023, 16:12 Hi All, I was just wondering. Has becoming a book reviewer changed your reading habits? My reading habits have changed. I am reading at least 3 more books per month than I used to. On top of that, I am reading other people's reviews so that I can comment on them. I must read my reviews at least 10 times before I submit them! I enjoy having a list of books to choose from for my next review. This is so much faster than going to the public library. Sometimes I will choose to read a book that I never would have chosen at the library. More often than not, that book ends up being a pleasant read. Let me know about your reading habits.
It totally changed my reading habit. I was actually a fast reader and loved to finish a book quickly. But now, I read slowly to spot errors and to take notes for my review. I even form a gist for my review when I am reading. When I read just for pleasure, I automatically spot errors, and then I have to remind myself that I am not reviewing! Also, now I am reading a variety of books which normally I wouldn't have chosen. To conclude, I would gladly say that becoming a book reviewer positively impacted my reading habits.

Hi, Priya. Yes, me too. I now spot errors while I am reading anything, even a newspaper. Crazy!!