Mind on Fire Books

Ever stumbled upon a hilarious book review that made you laugh, cringe, or both? You know, the ones that blur the line between praise and a roast? Well, while browsing the back covers at my favorite local bookstore, I encountered some reviews that were unintentionally hilarious—and it sparked an idea.

Being an indie author is a wild ride. You pour your heart and soul into crafting a compelling story, only to face the ultimate test: book reviews. While you dream of five-star praise, sometimes you get… well, ‘hilariously real’ feedback, especially from your nearest and dearest.

We’re talking about those passive-aggressive gems that make you laugh and cringe at the same time. Like, ‘It’s amazing, honey! So much better than I thought it would be.’

Moreover, as Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn advises, “Don’t take reviews personally.” Easier said than done when it’s your mom saying, “It was… different.” But, as Penn also notes, “Your book won’t be for everyone.”

Why not celebrate those wonderfully awkward, passive-aggressive, and hilarious book reviews that indie authors sometimes receive? After all, publishing a book is a brave endeavor, and a little humor can go a long way in this rollercoaster journey. Book reviews can often be quite amusing.

The Hilarious Reality of Family Book Reviews

1. “He’s been working on this for way longer than anyone expected. But hey, he finally finished and sent me a copy to review. So proud of him!”
2. “They’re always so quiet and lost in thought. I often wondered what was going on in their head. Well, now we all know.”
3. “I’m incredibly proud. He battled through depression and numerous failures to get this book out there. Really hoping people buy it.”
4. “It’s not my usual genre. Honestly, I bought the book just to support them. If I hadn’t, they’d never stop reminding me to purchase it.”
5. “I felt bad for her after the breakup. I guess this poetry book is her way of dealing with it?”
6. “They’re a bit of a heavy drinker. This work reads like their thought process—all over the place and unnecessarily vulgar.”
7. “He’s always so weird at social gatherings. Sure, he’s the artsy type, but this book isn’t exactly the intellectual masterpiece I expected.”
8. “Couldn’t get the book to download, but happy to support anyway. Love you!”
9. “I liked the cover. The story was… ambitious.”
10. “I found a typo on page 342. But, otherwise, it was good.”

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Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. It’s a rite of passage for indie authors. So, let’s embrace the humor! Share your own tales of unintentionally funny or awkward reviews in the comments below. Let’s create a space where we can all laugh, empathize, and celebrate the quirky side of the writing world.”

Looking forward to reading your witty contributions!

Copyright Mind on Fire Books

The article was written by dark fiction author, Willy Martinez, to be released on the Ritual Blog for Mind on Fire Books.