In Defence of the Oxford Comma
April 18, 2025Once upon a time, I wrote book reviews simply because I loved talking about books. I didn’t worry about algorithms or influence, I just wanted to share what I’d read - and what I loved and hated.
Now that I’m on the other side of the publishing curtain, I understand that reviews do so much more than I ever imagined. Especially for indie authors, reviews are powerful tools for visibility, credibility, and connection.
Here’s why your voice as a reader matters more than you think:
1. Reviews Build Connection
When you leave a review, you’re not just rating a book — you’re opening a conversation. Whether you’re gushing, critiquing, or thoughtfully reflecting, reviews let you connect with authors and fellow readers alike.
2. They Help Other Readers
Many readers rely on reviews before buying. Your words might be the reason someone gives a new author — or a new genre — a chance. Think of your review as a hand reaching across the shelves, saying, “You might like this too.”
3. They Bury the Unhelpful Ones
Not all negative reviews are bad — but let’s face it, some are just noise. “One star: didn’t read it” (why review it then?) or “One star: the book arrived damaged” (that’s a review of the sender, not the book). A thoughtful review, even a critical one, helps raise the quality of conversation and push the less helpful ones down.
4. Algorithms (ugh, but still important)
Platforms like Amazon rely on reviews to recommend books. More reviews equals more visibility — it really is as simple as that. If a book has no reviews, it vanishes into the digital void. Your five lines of feedback might be what lifts it into a reader’s recommendation feed.
5. Your Review Doesn’t Have to be Perfect
You don’t have to write an essay. A sentence or two about what you loved (or didn’t) is enough. Honest, heartfelt, and simple — that’s all it takes.
So next time you finish a book you enjoyed, take two minutes and leave a review.
It matters more than you know.
And if you’re an author reading this, you already know how valuable those words are. Let’s keep paying it forward, one review at a time.
