Let's Discuss: "Video" Reviews

 

Do you find "video" reviews informative? I started noticing a lack of written reviews lately when it comes to books and it saddens me as that's my preference for consuming reviews. I say "video" since there's so many ways to do this with TikTok and Instagram Reels, whether the poison of choice tends to be for reviewers. I just feel like they aren't as helpful for me as a reader.

"Video" Reviews

I think the main part is time. I so do not have time to sit for whatever length of minutes these reels/TikToks take. I can read a review faster if this was put into written format. If only I could train my brain to do this with books, but I guess that's a different bag as well. Lol.

The few times I've tried to sit and listen, too much time goes by and I end up running behind on other things. It's just so lengthy. I know it's just the changing of time and the way things are done. But as a reviewer I can honestly say I hate the camera. I don't like being on camera and that's what has always appealed to me of blogging, the anonymity. Yes, I still occasionally will post a photo of myself, usually at an event or something silly for a contest but it's rare! Lol.

And I don't know, I guess with the reels/TikToks I feel like the reviewer didn't have time to compose their thoughts as well and is just going on the spur of the moment. Maybe it was just the one or two I tried watching and had to give up. That's totally possible. But I feel like with written reviews there's no rush, you can compose all your thoughts out, go back and edit, redact or add something here or there. You can make it perfect! Now maybe some reviewers also spend that amount of time with their reels/TikToks, again, can't really say. But based on the wee bit that I consumed, it didn't feel like it.

What about you? Do you enjoy consuming reels/TikTok reviews? Do you find them helpful if you need to know what a book is about and do you get the information you're wanting to help make a decision of "to read or not to read?"