My deliberations over the 2022 Book Review Contest are at an end, and I’m pleased to be able to announce the winners. We had 38 official entries, and I’m really not blowing smoke when I say that the overall quality was really high. There genuinely wasn’t a single entry that I thought of as a cross-off on a first read. (This made my life more difficult, but I’m very pleased about it.) One sour note: I sadly had to disqualify five reviews because they exceeded the 2000-word maximum, even after I excluded headings. I would love to be flexible but it wouldn’t be fair to the 33 entrants who stuck to the stated word count limit. I also feel honor-bound to tell you that, while I used the same anonymizing and numbering system I used last year, due to a stupid slip-up on my part I saw the names of several of the contest entrants. (That is, I saw the names matched with the book titles.) I’m confident that I maintained impartiality and that this mistake didn’t affect the results.
Congratulations everyone!! I haven't really paid any attention to the book review contest, but I'm so pleased to read Freddie's announcement of the winners. Books have always been a lodestone in my life and it's cheering to see their importance in the lives of others. I eagerly await reading the reviews promised.
I have been forced to read Elbow Grease to a 2yo ~1000X, and while I would rate it, on the rating scale of children's books, "adequate," I would love to see somebody tease something interesting out of its mediocre adequacy, so please run that review soon!
“ If I had one piece of communal advice, it would be one that’s constantly invoked in review writing, which is sensible because it’s about the most common problem with reviews: it’s essential to avoid too much summary. The reader needs to find you in the review, and early on.”
Do you think this advice goes for reviews in academic journals too?
And thanks so much for running this - I was really glad for the opportunity to try writing one, something I’ve always wanted to do but never seriously attempted before. Looking forward very much to reading all the winners.
I am stunned but very honored. This would not have happened without my little son, so I think I’ll deposit the prize in his college fund. ❤️
When I worked on the review, I had to hide the book every time my son walked in… because I had no idea how to explain why I was reading Elbow Grease alone in my room.
Congrats! You can tell Freddie is a real pro at reviews, because his reviews of reviews have really whet my appetite, especially for the winner!
Glad to hear that nobody was a "cross-off" because that includes me! Freddie, if you're reading this, should we consider this a green light to post our reviews to our blogs and such and get them in on the next reader roundup?
Congratulations everyone!! I haven't really paid any attention to the book review contest, but I'm so pleased to read Freddie's announcement of the winners. Books have always been a lodestone in my life and it's cheering to see their importance in the lives of others. I eagerly await reading the reviews promised.
Congrats Carina!!!!!!
Wow, thank you!
For the record, I do find the Wii U weirdly fascinating—it’s just also, objectively, a failure. :)
I have been forced to read Elbow Grease to a 2yo ~1000X, and while I would rate it, on the rating scale of children's books, "adequate," I would love to see somebody tease something interesting out of its mediocre adequacy, so please run that review soon!
Great job y’all!
“ If I had one piece of communal advice, it would be one that’s constantly invoked in review writing, which is sensible because it’s about the most common problem with reviews: it’s essential to avoid too much summary. The reader needs to find you in the review, and early on.”
Do you think this advice goes for reviews in academic journals too?
Love that you're doing this. I can't wait to read the winning review. A critique of a John Cena children's book sounds too good to be true.
Congrats to Carina and the other winners !!!
Congrats to the winners!!
And thanks so much for running this - I was really glad for the opportunity to try writing one, something I’ve always wanted to do but never seriously attempted before. Looking forward very much to reading all the winners.
I'm looking forward to reading the review of "Losing Ourselves." I read the book a few months ago and while I found it provocative, I had my quibbles.
I am stunned but very honored. This would not have happened without my little son, so I think I’ll deposit the prize in his college fund. ❤️
When I worked on the review, I had to hide the book every time my son walked in… because I had no idea how to explain why I was reading Elbow Grease alone in my room.
Congrats! You can tell Freddie is a real pro at reviews, because his reviews of reviews have really whet my appetite, especially for the winner!
Glad to hear that nobody was a "cross-off" because that includes me! Freddie, if you're reading this, should we consider this a green light to post our reviews to our blogs and such and get them in on the next reader roundup?
Edit: I have posted mine here https://itsnotmyfault.substack.com/p/12-boomer-rants?sd=pf
I’m pretty sure this means that until the next BRC, Carina is now our leader. I offer you my supplication and pray that you shall be merciful.
This is really cool