The Friday Five Challenge is an interesting exercise for writers ~ it shows the little things that can put potential readers off that click-buy. We click on a book because the cover appeals to us, but can be put off a purchase by the blurb, the price, or the reviews.
Anyone with a blog can join in ~ here's what you do:
IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….
1) Go to any online book supplier
2) Randomly choose a category
3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which instantly appeals
4) Read the book bio/description, and any other details
5) If there are reviews, check out a couple
6) Make an instant decision: would you BUY or PASS?
You can check out others' contributions on the #FridayFiveChallenge hashtag on Twitter, or see links at the end of this page.
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Friday Five Challenge posts by others:
A 1950s Somerset mystery on Between The Lines
Baking Day on Rosie Amber
Shelley Wilson made her selection from the word 'anniversary'
Seaside zombies for Lost In A Book
Barb Taub has more zombies - fairy tale ones!
I chose 'Family Saga' this week - nice and normal! Went through pages and pages and pages of 1940s looking women, then the usual kissing couples, until I hit on a cover that appealed: The Other Girl by Pam Jenoff.
Analysis
Cover
Most intriguing, and of course I was swayed by the 'international bestselling author' bit, though indeed I have seen that on many books by indie authors who aren't - I think it's genuine in this case, though.
Most intriguing, and of course I was swayed by the 'international bestselling author' bit, though indeed I have seen that on many books by indie authors who aren't - I think it's genuine in this case, though.
Price
FREE! No worries there, then. It's only 52 pages long.
FREE! No worries there, then. It's only 52 pages long.
Blurb
Life in rural Poland during WWII brings a new set of challenges to Maria, estranged from her own family and left alone with her in-laws after her husband is sent to the front. For a young, newly pregnant wife, the days are especially cold, the nights unexpectedly lonely. The discovery of a girl hiding in the barn changes everything… Hannah is fleeing the German police who are taking Jews like her to special camps. Ignoring the risk to her own life and that of her unborn child, Maria is compelled to help. But in these dark days, no one can be trusted, and soon Maria finds her courage tested in ways she never expected and herself facing truths about her own family that the quiet village has kept buried for years.
Yes, that'll do for me!
Life in rural Poland during WWII brings a new set of challenges to Maria, estranged from her own family and left alone with her in-laws after her husband is sent to the front. For a young, newly pregnant wife, the days are especially cold, the nights unexpectedly lonely. The discovery of a girl hiding in the barn changes everything… Hannah is fleeing the German police who are taking Jews like her to special camps. Ignoring the risk to her own life and that of her unborn child, Maria is compelled to help. But in these dark days, no one can be trusted, and soon Maria finds her courage tested in ways she never expected and herself facing truths about her own family that the quiet village has kept buried for years.
Yes, that'll do for me!
Reviews
An average of 3.7 over 73 reviews, so a mixed bag. Appears to be a preview for a longer novel. The negative reviews say that it's 'odd' or 'strange', but some have reviewed with a low star simply because it's short, which is a bit of a shame for the writer. Like, duh, it says it's 52 pages long....
An average of 3.7 over 73 reviews, so a mixed bag. Appears to be a preview for a longer novel. The negative reviews say that it's 'odd' or 'strange', but some have reviewed with a low star simply because it's short, which is a bit of a shame for the writer. Like, duh, it says it's 52 pages long....
Would I BUY or PASS?
BUY - or certainly download for nothing, which I already have. I'll get round to reading it soon and give my verdict!
BUY - or certainly download for nothing, which I already have. I'll get round to reading it soon and give my verdict!
Friday Five Challenge posts by others:
A 1950s Somerset mystery on Between The Lines
Baking Day on Rosie Amber
Shelley Wilson made her selection from the word 'anniversary'
Seaside zombies for Lost In A Book
Barb Taub has more zombies - fairy tale ones!
I’d always give a freebie a go so it’s a buy for me.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I don't - I think I did a free one a while back that looked so bad I didn't even want it for nothing!!!
DeleteThe cover is lovely, and the blurb is compelling. It's not the kind of book I would enjoy, but I know a few people who love reading family saga's so I would point them in this direction - can't beat the price!
ReplyDeleteIt was the WW2/Nazi element that appealed to me - I suspect it isn't so much a family saga, to be honest. You know how hard it is to choose the right Amazon categories!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteWorth checking out but will it be too short?
ReplyDeleteAh, but too short for what??!! It's a preview for a full length novel, I assume to make you buy the whole thing!
DeleteThe cover alone would do it, but the blurb is terrific. It would be a BUY for me!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm rather looking forward to reading it!
DeleteWell I'm going to mention those red shoes on the cover, they do it for me, a bit "Dorothy" I'm staring at them waiting for them to sparkle. The book cover and title already have me asking questions about the book and showing an interest, the book setting is a bit different, so I think I would like this too, the PRICE is the icing on the cake, a BUY from me.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are, aren't they! I agree, I think it might be a goodie :)
DeleteIt sounds very intriguing...
ReplyDeleteI love anything to do with the world wars, Olga :)
DeleteI also love anything to do with the war years. I'm going to get it!
ReplyDeleteWars, Plantagenets, Tudors - count me in!
Delete