Not so many years ago, the role of book reviewer was a rarefied space that belonged mostly to the inside pages of the press. There was a clear divide between the opinions of the professional and those of the unpaid, yet avid, reader. A decade and a half ago, enthusing about a novel you loved had to be done informally, among friends, and your analysis of plot or characterisation was reserved for a small circle of listeners. Yet a revolution is under way in the world of reviews, propelled, like much of modern life, by the internet.
Creative outlet If you’re the sort of person who can munch through a novel in days, who yearns to share that love with others and who adores delving into the reasons why a particular read works – or doesn’t – for you, then becoming a book blogger might be the perfect outlet for your passion. In addition, there’s the chance of getting free advance copies months before they’re published, as well as the knowledge that your opinion is as sought after as that of the paid critic.