A review on reviews

Have you every struggled to choose what to watch on your favourite streaming service? Sometimes it feels like there are too many options! There are no right or wrong answers when you are searching, it is a choice. Sometimes this choice is just for you and sometimes it will impact the family. Worst case scenario you start watching something and then change your mind and have to go back to the very beginning - Search mode. I remember when I was much younger, we used to go to the video store to pick movies and the walls were filled to the brim with choices. There would be impassioned conversations about what would be best to choose. What everyone would be interested in. What we had heard from friends at school and often, what the person behind the counter would recommend. Things sure have changed.

Did you know that there were approximately 22,000 books were released in Australia in 2025? Can you imagine walking into a book store with 22k+ worth of books and trying to pick just one that you want to read? Even breaking it down into categories would not help. It would be a full wall of fantasy and you are meant to choose which one is better than any other. But now, because you are at home, looking online, there isn't a helpful guy behind the counter to recommend anything, there is only the limited conversations we have seen on socials and ... *dramatic pause for effect* reviews.

There are 3 levels of benefit for you when it comes to reviews:

1. Taking the time to write the reviews helps you sharpen your critical thinking and increases your engagement with the content.

2. Sharing reviews helps build awareness for new readers. Reducing the overwhelm when looking for something new.

3. Reading the reviews helps you find the best selection for you, like you are talking to the person behind the counter.

Writing:

Helps you

We are living in an increasingly digital world that is constantly downloading information into our brains. One of the best things about reading a book, is that it doesn't give you all the answers straight away, you have to think about it. You process things in your own unique way. Writing your thoughts down assists with the way you process things and the way you connect with the material. You have a chance to reflect on what you have chosen to read, how it made you feel, if you were confused and why, how it compares to other books in similar genres. Taking that moment to pause and reflect is similar to when you try and teach someone something that you have learned. It is a skill. You may not remember everything the first time you start reviewing, but after a while you will see the benefits.

Sharing:

Helps the Creator

As I mentioned about, with over 22k book coming out each year, your honest review may just bee the one to help the creator let their book visibility. The more reviews on a book the greater the ranking on the bookshop algorithm's. They are markers to say that this book is being read and people are liking it. That helps the creator generate sales. Sales increases their income which reduces their reliance on the day job and next thing you know they can write full time. That is pretty powerful.

Reading:

Helps customers

This comes full circle really. When you are looking for a new book, it is helpful to check the reviews that are available. That will provide personalised responses from the text. Not the marketing spiel. The real reason you should be reading the book. It really isn't fair to rely on the stars, it is the text. Some people put three stars on a book and then say that it was absolutely brilliant, it was only marked down because it wasn't written in a style they are familiar with. That is when you come in and have a choice to read or not..

I am sure there are even more benefits and that is exactly why people build a street team and give out ARC's (Advanced Review Copies) to keen readers. All the Author or publisher can ask for is an honest review. To hear what you thought about the book and hope that your view will help someone else in the decision to select your book at the checkout.

That we are doing at BCP_

We have opened the door for people to join our street team - The town criers.

The town Criers get the ARC's and received advance information about the Launch, any events happening with the series and will get bonus goodies. We are so thankful to the people that have already signed up as town criers, but there are 13 books, so we are on the look out for more.

Town Crier Application