Why literary critics like me have to ignore their own tastes when reviewing a book

I'm currently reviewing a romance novel, which is far from my favourite genre, prompting a conflict between reader and reviewer in my mind

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is getting to review books. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a frisson of excitement when I received my first advanced reader copy – a version of a novel sent out to reviewers before the book’s official release. But here’s the thing: while I love reading, and while I love most books, I don’t love reading all books.

As a reader, I I try to cast as wide a net as possible. I like challenging myself every once in a while by reading out of my comfort zone. And as a reviewer, I educate myself as much as possible across various genres. That’s part of the job. But it doesn’t change the fact that some types of books will resonate with me more than others. For example, there are few things I enjoy more than dark, beautifully written literary thrillers with complex female characters and a subtle sense of suspense. Not every book I review is going to fit that bill – and that’s why I’ve had to learn to set my personal preferences aside.