ANZ LitLovers LitBlog

Book Review Code of Conduct

Up to the time of writing this Code of Conduct, (7.9.09) every book reviewed by Lisa Hill on this blog was either from my own extensive collection, from a library or a gift or loan from a friend.  I once wrote a very brief review of a Penguin classic for their blog, and on my LisaHillSchoolStuff blog  I occasionally review copies of children’s books received from publishers.  These books are subsequently donated to my school’s library and have their own separate page at LisaHillSchoolStuff Reviews.  Other than this, I have no connections in the book trade.  Any books submitted to me for review after 7.9.09 declare the source, usually at the bottom of the page.  I have also categorised all books reviewed by their source.

I use the word ‘review’ loosely.  I’m not a professional critic or journalist, and I’m not being paid to write anything on this blog.  I’m a teacher with a long-ago degree in English and a lifetime of reading literary fiction and the classics behind me.  This blog is my claim to a small patch of cyberspace – somewhere between academic analysis and gee-i-loved-this-book gushing – so that I can share my journeys through books with as many people who care to read my blog.

What I write is my honest response.  I appreciate that authors work hard at their books, and I aim to be fair and objective but if I don’t like a book or consider it unworthy of my time as a reader with a huge TBR, I say so.  If I really dislike a book, I try to find a more positive review somewhere online and post a link to it, with a recommendation that readers should make up their own minds.  The exception to this is if I think the book is so woeful that it doesn’t deserve it.  I try to be mindful of the pitfalls identified by Angela Bennie in Creme de la Phlegm, especially regarding my own limitations.

I am open to receiving books for review on the following basis.

• Books will only be accepted for review if they are the sort of book I would normally buy or borrow from the library. 
• Books sent for review will have to jostle for priority on the TBR along with everything else. 
• The source of any books sent to me for review will be acknowledged.
• I reserve the right to donate unsolicited books or books I start but can’t bear to finish to the Op Shop.

Publishers may contact me regarding book reviews at ANZ LitLovers by emailing gunung(digit two)(at)gmail(dot)com

My interests can be seen by browsing the genres I’ve reviewed:

• Australian literary fiction, contemporary and classic
• International Literary Fiction
• New translations of classic literature, ancient and modern
• Biography and autobiography
• Australian history

I don’t usually read, and therefore have no competence to review

• Science Fiction & Fantasy
• Self-help books
• Romance
• True Crime
• Weepy Memoirs
• True Adventure stories
• Crime Fiction/Suspense/Mystery
• Young adult fiction
• So-called Women’s Fiction  
• Doorstoppers, airport novels, thrillers (the gold lettering on the cover genre)
• Self published books

I would like to acknowledge Caribou’s Mum, DoveGrey Reader, Australian Literature Diary and Reading Matters as sources of some ideas in this Code of Conduct.   

 Comments Policy

• Language and Manners: This blog is ‘family friendly’ and ‘conversation friendly’.  I welcome intelligent debate, lively disagreements, respectful disputes and corrections of fact regarding blog content & comments.  I delete insults, bad language, rudeness, racism or personal attacks on me or on other contributors.  I blog for pleasure, not to provide a forum for people to be unpleasant to me or anyone else. 
• Style: This is a general blog for intelligent readers of literary fiction; it’s not a place for extensive academic debate.  Please be guided by the tone of the blog post and the comments of other contributors.
• Authenticity & trust: Commenters supplying phony email addresses will be deleted and/or blocked.  I prefer contributors to provide a first name rather than an anonymous moniker; it feels friendlier.   I reserve the right to shut down comments if I think that the post is being hijacked by publicity or marketing interests, or if I think the book is exploitative or morally repugnant.  WordPress’s Akismet automatically deletes spam. 
• Limit Links: Blogs with more than one URL link will usually be deleted.  I don’t want to spend my time checking that such URLs are legitimate, ‘family friendly’ and relevant.  That said, if you quote content from elsewhere, please acknowledge its source.
• Hold Harmless: All comments within this blog are the responsibility of the commenter, not the blog owner, administrator, contributor, editor, or author. By submitting a comment on this blog, you agree that the comment content is your own, and you agree to hold this site, ANZ LitLovers and its owner and other contributors harmless from any and all repercussions, damages, or liability.

Thanks to Michelle of orangejuice@yahoo.com …who is the inspiration for this policy, and to the Blog Herald for their wise advice and suggestions.