Writers are always called out for their use of cliché. But they're not the only ones who fall prey: book reviewers are now being taken to task for their reliance on hackneyed phrases. How many times have you picked up a book to see 'gripping' or 'a real page turner' emblazoned across the front?Why not turn it into a fun game of BINGO?
Michelle Kerns of the Examiner has done all the hard work for you, creating BINGO cards using a mix of book review clichés (go to the link to see more BINGO cards). All you have to do is print them off, give one each to your friends, and see who gets BINGO first!
If you had to pick one cliché to describe your current novel, what would you choose?
Hm, I think I would chose 'unputdownable'.
ReplyDeleteIs that even a word?
I don't care if it's a word - I want it in my review. Riveting would be good too :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'll take beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteEr.... "as clear as mud" LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab bingo game! Thanks for this!!
Take care
x
Hm, I like thought-provoking. If it inspires thoughts of one's life, and the subject at hand, I'd be pleased with that!
ReplyDelete'Clear as mud' would actually be hilarious! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThought-provoking would also be good, but somehow I fear my reality-show based epic may never be classed as such. *Sigh*
Wow. I wish I was 'rollicking' or 'fully realized'! But alas, I fear I'm more 'gritty' slush-pile 'sweeping' towards-the-shredder material as yet. Awesome post, Talli. Very clever and fun.
ReplyDeleteHaunting or unflinching. Though I reall like unputdownable. :) Great post.
ReplyDeleteFast-paced has been used by more than one of my reviewers -- and it's a cliche I don't mind one bit.
ReplyDeleteI'd go with 'lyrical'
ReplyDeleteFirst, I think this bingo game is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteAs for which if these oft abused cliches I wouldn't mind having on my cover...'unputdownable' looks and sounds ugly, but I wouldn't kick it out of bed. I would most like, from these choices 'beautifully written' or 'haunting'.
I would be all kinds of 'what the hell?' if it said 'readable'!
Great idea for a post. I woulnd't settle for anything less than 'enthralling'. But 'the multimillion bestseller' is pretty nice too.
ReplyDeleteI would choose "thrill ride."
ReplyDeleteI always catch myself using cliche's. My favorite one to use is the "Moth to a flame" one or the "desert rose" one.
Give me "beautifully written" any day, which sentence I believe in itself is a cliche. Hahaha, this was good!
ReplyDeleteLove the bingo game. One of these days I should create one for scholarly writing and pass it to the other editors at work. Snarf!
ReplyDeleteHmm...I think I'd like compelling and pitch-perfect, with some "I laughed, I cried, I felt every emotion."
Hilarious! I think they also need "provocative" and "edgy" on there.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to "meet" you!
Good question. I think, at the moment, it's "an emotional roller coaster ride."
ReplyDeleteThat bingo game is hilarious. If I get to wish for what I want mine to be it would be "sweeping epic." I never said I play small :) And I have an award for you at my blog!
ReplyDeleteLove all the clichés! If we ever become famous authors we must recycle these adjectives on each other's book covers.
ReplyDelete