Hello, I'm new and lost!

[Jane Gent]

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone else felt totally bewildered and lost when they first joined?
The idea of reading and reviewing for me is fantastic. I am an avid reader. However, after having had my first review sent back to sort out three times now I'm feeling a little disheartened! Is this usual or are you all accepted first time? Im not going to give up, because I know I can do it, but id just appreciate some other people's experiences.
Any advice would be warmly welcomed.

Thanks
Jane

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

Yes, the beginning is rough. My first few reviews got really low scores, and one was rejected. Eventually, the guidelines become second nature to you, and you start to improve. The guidelines were very strict and complicated when I started, but now they have been simplified. My suggestion is to keep reading the guidelines over and over until you know them by heart. Things will get easier soon, I promise.

[Jane Gent]

Thank you so much for your reply! I have actually had one accepted now with a reasonable score . There seem to be a lot of forums to discuss books I haven’t actually read, and I gather this is partly how you increase your score? And competition entry? I find these confusing too, as I cannot possibly read all of these books and the one I’m reviewing too. Any tips on this? Also, (sorry) how do you add to your bookshelf? Are they books from this site, or can I add my general ones like Goodreads? Sorry, I know that’s a lot of questions!
Many thanks

[Diana Lowery]

Thank you so much for your reply! I have actually had one accepted now with a reasonable score . There seem to be a lot of forums to discuss books I haven’t actually read, and I gather this is partly how you increase your score? And competition entry? I find these confusing too, as I cannot possibly read all of these books and the one I’m reviewing too. Any tips on this? Also, (sorry) how do you add to your bookshelf? Are they books from this site, or can I add my general ones like Goodreads? Sorry, I know that’s a lot of questions!
Many thanks

RE: Bookshelves. Yes, you should be able to transfer your Goodreads books. When I did it, there was a button or a link or something that did it automatically.

[Loretta Reardon]

How actually read the book in your book shelf

[Elizabeth-Tush4Christ]

You're not alone I got really lost at first left the whole thing and recently picked up and I can now navigate things better. If you need more help I can point you in the right direction or we can search it up together, as I am still learning more each day.