Coffee Blog

Soft Light, Strong Coffee: A discussion on books & writing

Writing Sparkle

Welcome to the thirty-eighth book review of fifty-three. As you know, I used to provide freelance book reviews to several review companies. It was a great experience that introduced me to new authors and their wonderful books. Each week this year, I’m opening my Weekend Coffee shares with a link to a review I’ve provided. Reviews are three stars or higher. The genres range from picture books to fiction and nonfiction titles.

Understanding the Tarot Court
(I gave this book a 3-star rating. It wasn’t what I was expecting.)
The authors are Mary K. Greer & Tom Little
Published in April 2004
The publisher is Paperback (288 pages)
Tarot (Books) | Occult (Books)

If we were having coffee, I would share that I have determined my A-to-Z 2027 topic, and I’m making a list of what each letter post will be for April. I need to figure out the letters I, J, K, Q, R, V, X. So, I feel like that’s a good starting organization for the challenge, and it should make writing the posts easier.

If we were having coffee, I would ask you a question. I had an experience this week that made me wonder: Is there a difference between providing feedback and providing a review? For me, feedback is personal and private; it’s my reaction to whatever I’m providing feedback on. I consider a review to be more of a formal public assessment. What are your thoughts on this?

If we were having coffee, I would share my excitement about booking author events for 2027. I will post them on my homepage, which is the Shari Marshall—Fantasy Author page. Currently, I’m waiting for confirmation on a Book Bazaar event. I’m making themed bookmarks for my events table because they are one of my favourite book things. That leads me to another question for you: What are your favourite book items?

Here is the coffee bean grinder, virtual friend. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the difference between providing feedback and providing a review, and what your favourite book items are. Please leave your response in the comment section below.

By Shari Marshall (2026)

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Published by Writing Sparkle

12 thoughts on “Soft Light, Strong Coffee: A discussion on books & writing”

  1. I think a review could be feedback, but like you said, feedback is usually more personal. The best feedback is probably directed straight to the person/author, but on the other hand if an author has a best seller that is also feedback.

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    1. You’re so right, a bestseller is its own loud feedback, isn’t it? That public resonance speaks volumes. I think what you’ve touched on is that feedback doesn’t have to be formal to matter. Sometimes the most meaningful response is the private one, and sometimes it’s the quiet evidence of people loving a book enough to tell others about it.

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  2. I think you’ve nailed it feedback is in the quiet moment between you and the author, but a review is your gift to the reading world. And bookmarks, yes. Mine are usually a mishmash of old ones that remind me of past reads, but I love the care you put into creating themed ones for your events.

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    1. I have a few worn bookmarks that I love to use, too. There is something wonderful about them. I love bookmarks, so I thought it would be a nice touch.

      Thank you for stopping in. I hope you have a great weekend.

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  3. If you’re reading a book to give feedback to the author, it’s usually one on one and constructive feedback hopefully helps the author improve their writing and the book quality. Feedback may be provided before and after a book is published (e.g. beta readers, editors provide feedback before, public readers provide feedback after, including in the form of how many copies are sold).

    If you’re reading a book to post a review online or on the book cover, it’s one to many with a different purpose, usually to promote the book and author to other readers. A book review is normally posted after the book has been published.

    Creating themed bookmarks for your book events is a great idea. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

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