Anonymous
6/19/2025, 8:54:41 AM No.24478550
how do book reviews work? what do you mean when you say a book is good or kino or slop or peak? i dont understand it
how does critiquing media work?
how does critiquing media work?
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so how can you tell if a book is good or not? - /lit/ (#24478550) [Archived: 938 hours ago]
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 8:58:03 AM No.24478553
Did you enjoy reading it? If yes then it's good. Why? Does it have a good prose? Good characters?
If you did not enjoy it then it's bad. Why? Is it boring? Too complicated?
If you did not enjoy it then it's bad. Why? Is it boring? Too complicated?
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:00:09 AM No.24478559
it's all subjective bullshit catering to culturally adjacent themes, euros would rather read about some pederasts doing philosophy than some other pedophile doing religion
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:05:24 AM No.24478572
>>24478558
Prose is the manner in which you write. Imagine Yoda, he speaks differently that you do right? Take a book from the 18th century and then take one from the 21st, the words will flow differently. Some prose may be harder to understand but sound better to your ear.
Tone is the mood. Is it a jovial one? A dry and boring one?
Prose is the manner in which you write. Imagine Yoda, he speaks differently that you do right? Take a book from the 18th century and then take one from the 21st, the words will flow differently. Some prose may be harder to understand but sound better to your ear.
Tone is the mood. Is it a jovial one? A dry and boring one?
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:06:25 AM No.24478576
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:07:45 AM No.24478577
>>24478572
>he speaks differently that you do right
honestly sometimes not lol
ok thank you
how is it possible to have bad prose?
and also what do kino and slop mean exactly?
>he speaks differently that you do right
honestly sometimes not lol
ok thank you
how is it possible to have bad prose?
and also what do kino and slop mean exactly?
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:08:31 AM No.24478580
>>24478550 (OP)
I judge based solely on the cover. The shittier the cover, the better the book.
I judge based solely on the cover. The shittier the cover, the better the book.
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:14:02 AM No.24478586
>>24478577
Bad prose is just one that is either not interesting to read, seems childish (like if a child was speaking) or overly complicated and unclear (sometimes it depends, it can be pretty but complicated). It can come from too many unnecessary words or poor sentence structure for example.
Kino is cinema in German. It's something sophisticated, something great, of the highest caliber. It's "peak".
Slop is what you'd give to swine. It's the disgusting stuff they eat. It's trash
Bad prose is just one that is either not interesting to read, seems childish (like if a child was speaking) or overly complicated and unclear (sometimes it depends, it can be pretty but complicated). It can come from too many unnecessary words or poor sentence structure for example.
Kino is cinema in German. It's something sophisticated, something great, of the highest caliber. It's "peak".
Slop is what you'd give to swine. It's the disgusting stuff they eat. It's trash
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:22:39 AM No.24478601
>>24478586
everything you said seems subjective though, how can anyone ever agree that some books are better than others?
i see some people calling x media slop and other people calling the same media kino, is it just some joke i dont understand?
and still no one has said how book reviews work
everything you said seems subjective though, how can anyone ever agree that some books are better than others?
i see some people calling x media slop and other people calling the same media kino, is it just some joke i dont understand?
and still no one has said how book reviews work
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:30:16 AM No.24478607
>>24478601
Well yes, everything is subjective. I think 99% of the population would agree that Da Vinci is a better painter than Jackson Pollock. When you look at two drawings you can tell which is the worse one, and which is the better one. And sometimes it depends on people's own experiences. There are some books that manage to describe exactly how one might feel in x or y situations while some others fail horribly.
Some people like boring stuff, others like fast stuff. Some people like tomatos, others don't. Some things are also an acquired taste.
Would you rather watch whatever you were watching a few moments ago or Peppa Pig? You might have enjoyer Peppa Pig more as a kid after all.
As for book reviews in particular I wouldn't know I don't read them, you'll have to wait for someone else to explain.
What I do read are people's raw thoughts that they share on this website, and that has very little rules
Well yes, everything is subjective. I think 99% of the population would agree that Da Vinci is a better painter than Jackson Pollock. When you look at two drawings you can tell which is the worse one, and which is the better one. And sometimes it depends on people's own experiences. There are some books that manage to describe exactly how one might feel in x or y situations while some others fail horribly.
Some people like boring stuff, others like fast stuff. Some people like tomatos, others don't. Some things are also an acquired taste.
Would you rather watch whatever you were watching a few moments ago or Peppa Pig? You might have enjoyer Peppa Pig more as a kid after all.
As for book reviews in particular I wouldn't know I don't read them, you'll have to wait for someone else to explain.
What I do read are people's raw thoughts that they share on this website, and that has very little rules
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 9:43:23 AM No.24478614
>>24478607
i still dont really understand, but thanks anyway
i still dont really understand, but thanks anyway
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:03:52 AM No.24478634
>>24478559
>culturally adjacent themes
Every time I see people use this term, I always remember the first chuckle I had from hearing someone being criticized as "white-adjacent."
>culturally adjacent themes
Every time I see people use this term, I always remember the first chuckle I had from hearing someone being criticized as "white-adjacent."
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:07:28 AM No.24478637
>>24478550 (OP)
over 99% of books are complete garbage
over 99% of books are complete garbage
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:20:13 AM No.24478652
>>24478614
Not that guy, but what dont you understand? Are you implying you dont understand the meaning of the words ‘review’ and ‘critique’?
Not that guy, but what dont you understand? Are you implying you dont understand the meaning of the words ‘review’ and ‘critique’?
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:34:13 AM No.24478677
>>24478671
>plot
stuff that happens
>characters
whom that stuff happens to or around
>themes
what the stuff is about
>prose
how the stuff and characters are laid out
wow that didn't help at all. I asked how to know something's good, and you've answered "you can know it's good by knowing it's good". actual mongoloid.
>plot
stuff that happens
>characters
whom that stuff happens to or around
>themes
what the stuff is about
>prose
how the stuff and characters are laid out
wow that didn't help at all. I asked how to know something's good, and you've answered "you can know it's good by knowing it's good". actual mongoloid.
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:36:52 AM No.24478679
>>24478677
it's the objective metrics by which you review the book, genius. You think people are going to care what you feel without actually substantiating what makes you feel what you feel?
it's the objective metrics by which you review the book, genius. You think people are going to care what you feel without actually substantiating what makes you feel what you feel?
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:37:59 AM No.24478680
>>24478679
but what makes them good? that's the question, how do you define "good"? you're saying a book is good when its elements are also good, but how do you qualify them as such holy shit RETARD
but what makes them good? that's the question, how do you define "good"? you're saying a book is good when its elements are also good, but how do you qualify them as such holy shit RETARD
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:39:23 AM No.24478684
>>24478680
Why are you talking like I owe you something? Bye
Why are you talking like I owe you something? Bye
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:39:34 AM No.24478685
>>24478652
i know what the words mean, and i know how to tell if a story is "good" or not
what i wanted help with was how i can describe how the book is good and give a meaningful review of it
>>24478677
>>24478680
not me
kill yourself
>>24478679
thats my question, i want to know how to put my feelings of the book on paper
maybe im not making myself clear enough but again i dont know how to make myself any clearer
i know what the words mean, and i know how to tell if a story is "good" or not
what i wanted help with was how i can describe how the book is good and give a meaningful review of it
>>24478677
>>24478680
not me
kill yourself
>>24478679
thats my question, i want to know how to put my feelings of the book on paper
maybe im not making myself clear enough but again i dont know how to make myself any clearer
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 10:43:19 AM No.24478689
>>24478684
actual mental midget, don't ever come here again
actual mental midget, don't ever come here again
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 11:19:28 AM No.24478718
>>24478685
Id argue thats the underlying issue here, you dont know what questions to ask.
Read some book reviews of books you’ve read and see if you agree or disagree with what they’ve said. Play devil’s advocate too, even if you agree, try and counter their points with reference to what you’ve read.
Id argue thats the underlying issue here, you dont know what questions to ask.
Read some book reviews of books you’ve read and see if you agree or disagree with what they’ve said. Play devil’s advocate too, even if you agree, try and counter their points with reference to what you’ve read.
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 11:34:34 AM No.24478725
>>24478718
yeah i knew that was the problem but i feel like the instant i know what the question is then ill understand completely. i was also hoping maybe some anon here knew what i was trying to ask
ill do what you suggest, maybe ill post another thread here in a few months when i know more
yeah i knew that was the problem but i feel like the instant i know what the question is then ill understand completely. i was also hoping maybe some anon here knew what i was trying to ask
ill do what you suggest, maybe ill post another thread here in a few months when i know more
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 12:56:33 PM No.24478835
if I don't like it, then that means it's SHIT
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 1:23:59 PM No.24478878
>>24478550 (OP)
Tips for determining if a book is worth reading.
-Find intelligent people you respect that have produced good work and see that they have read.
-determine what groups of people hold it in prestige or at least recommend it and what the quality of those groups are.
-if a book is considered a classic work and was before the 60’s it’s probably good.
-pic related, which is a list of tips from the YouTuber whatifalthist.
Tips for determining if a book is worth reading.
-Find intelligent people you respect that have produced good work and see that they have read.
-determine what groups of people hold it in prestige or at least recommend it and what the quality of those groups are.
-if a book is considered a classic work and was before the 60’s it’s probably good.
-pic related, which is a list of tips from the YouTuber whatifalthist.
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Anonymous
6/19/2025, 1:30:07 PM No.24478889
>>24478878
these are history books recommendations not fiction, why do you worship that zoomer as if he was some history professor with actual academic credentials
these are history books recommendations not fiction, why do you worship that zoomer as if he was some history professor with actual academic credentials
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 3:39:10 PM No.24479076
>>24478572
>Differently, Yoda speaks, imagine. 18th century is different from 21st century? Yes? One you like more? Yes? One harder to understand, but easier to enjoy? Tone is the mood, the fires behind the plot or the . There is only tone. There is no proper answer; Jovial or boring, it is the one you choose to read.
Do note, prose as a thing has always existed but that is being analyzed way differently in modern times. We are moving far away from verse, which is poetic wording. Fun fact, for most of early modern and medieval history, being prosaic was considered bad form, including in nonfiction. This is for the other people here. OP, do not read this, you’ll get confused, it’s tangential to the point.
>>24478601
Book reviews work the way movie reviews or game reviews work. Literally curb your autism, and think. Does IGN saying game has too much water represent a game based around an island chain with a plot about one guy expanding land cause he agrees, and another guy expanding the ocean cause he disagrees correctly? Opinions are divided. Shocking, huh?
>>24478601
>>24478622
Checks out. OP, Are you sincerely telling me as an adult you expect people to agree on an opinion based thing? Your posts have too much water, 3/10. There’s my book review. Just gonna say, was only gonna type the yoda thing, but OP is very much the kind of person who needs to chill out with the book pedagogy stuff.
>>24478550 (OP)
Pick a shitty paperback book up from the dollar store and read it, then tell us what you think in book review form. Yes, this is what a book review is in its entirety, just not a shitty paper back all the time.
>Differently, Yoda speaks, imagine. 18th century is different from 21st century? Yes? One you like more? Yes? One harder to understand, but easier to enjoy? Tone is the mood, the fires behind the plot or the . There is only tone. There is no proper answer; Jovial or boring, it is the one you choose to read.
Do note, prose as a thing has always existed but that is being analyzed way differently in modern times. We are moving far away from verse, which is poetic wording. Fun fact, for most of early modern and medieval history, being prosaic was considered bad form, including in nonfiction. This is for the other people here. OP, do not read this, you’ll get confused, it’s tangential to the point.
>>24478601
Book reviews work the way movie reviews or game reviews work. Literally curb your autism, and think. Does IGN saying game has too much water represent a game based around an island chain with a plot about one guy expanding land cause he agrees, and another guy expanding the ocean cause he disagrees correctly? Opinions are divided. Shocking, huh?
>>24478601
>>24478622
Checks out. OP, Are you sincerely telling me as an adult you expect people to agree on an opinion based thing? Your posts have too much water, 3/10. There’s my book review. Just gonna say, was only gonna type the yoda thing, but OP is very much the kind of person who needs to chill out with the book pedagogy stuff.
>>24478550 (OP)
Pick a shitty paperback book up from the dollar store and read it, then tell us what you think in book review form. Yes, this is what a book review is in its entirety, just not a shitty paper back all the time.
Anonymous
6/19/2025, 3:56:01 PM No.24479109
>>24478550 (OP)
Generally, I gauge quality by three categories.
1. Technique. Well crafted prose or verse, which is complicated enough that most people would rather throw their hands up and say "it's all subjective"
2. Wisdom. Truth and depth of exploration of some part of human life, the universe, abstract forms, through the medium of the story. This is also hard to quantify, it requires qualitative analysis which may also be considered subjective by some.
3. Legacy. How influential a work is, how much it shapes literature after it, what it introduced into the sphere of literature. This is the most measurable of my criteria, but also the least important.
Most people have their own metrics for determining their perception of a work's quality (I must emphasize that subjective perception is separate from objective quality), a lot go by feels or vibes which gets more accurate the broader your frame of reference is.
Generally, I gauge quality by three categories.
1. Technique. Well crafted prose or verse, which is complicated enough that most people would rather throw their hands up and say "it's all subjective"
2. Wisdom. Truth and depth of exploration of some part of human life, the universe, abstract forms, through the medium of the story. This is also hard to quantify, it requires qualitative analysis which may also be considered subjective by some.
3. Legacy. How influential a work is, how much it shapes literature after it, what it introduced into the sphere of literature. This is the most measurable of my criteria, but also the least important.
Most people have their own metrics for determining their perception of a work's quality (I must emphasize that subjective perception is separate from objective quality), a lot go by feels or vibes which gets more accurate the broader your frame of reference is.