Book reviewing sounds dreamy, doesn’t it?
Free books.
Thoughtful analysis.
A cosy corner of the internet where readers unite.
But beneath the aesthetic feeds and five-star ratings lies a quieter truth—one that many bloggers whisper about in private group chats and late-night journal entries.
Let’s talk about the dark side.
The Pressure to Perform
You’re not just reading.
You’re reading to review.
To be insightful.
To be timely.
To be relevant.
Suddenly, every book becomes a task.
Every opinion feels like a performance.
And every post is weighed against engagement metrics.
You whisper, “Do I even like reading anymore?”
The ARC Avalanche
You request one book.
You get five.
You feel grateful.
Then guilty.
Then overwhelmed.
You’re drowning in deadlines.
You’re reading books you didn’t choose.
You’re reviewing stories you didn’t connect with.
And you whisper, “I miss reading for joy.”
The Fear of Being Honest
You didn’t love the book.
But the author is kind.
The publisher is watching.
Your followers are hyped.
You write a review that’s diplomatic, vague,
and emotionally distant.
You delete the draft that said, “This book broke me—in a bad way.”
You whisper, “Am I allowed to be honest?”
The Burnout Spiral
You’re tired.
You’re behind.
You’re staring at a blinking cursor and a pile of unread books.
You feel like a fraud.
You wonder if quitting would feel like freedom.
You whisper, “I don’t know who I am without this blog.”
The Truth
Book reviewing is beautiful.
But it’s also exhausting.
It’s emotional labour.
It’s unpaid creativity.
It’s vulnerability wrapped in literary critique.
And sometimes, it hurts.
So if you’re feeling the weight—know this:
You’re not alone.
You’re not failing.
You’re feeling.
And that’s what makes your blog powerful.
The Light
Take breaks.
Read for joy.
Review with honesty.
Let your blog be a reflection of your heart—not a machine.
Because the dark side of book reviewing isn’t
a failure.
It’s a reminder:
You’re human.
You’re passionate.
And you’re allowed to rest.
Do you have any other points or advice that you'd add to the list? Let me know in the comments.
