This topic seems to get a lot of discussion in the various online groups, at conferences and around literary circles, but it’s one that definitely needs discussing…BOOK REVIEWS.
What are your thoughts on book reviews? Do you like them or not? I’ve seen a mix of feelings regarding book reviews, from both readers & writers and I simply think there are pros and cons to book reviews, mainly coming from the administrative end of things.
Does a book review make you change your mind about buying a book? Are they for the reader, writer or possibly both? Also involved are the different personalities. Some reviewers attack the author, some authors are unhappy unless they get a 5/5 rating, and some readers slam a review regardless of the content. LOL. Can’t win, huh?
Is it possible to write a good review for a bad book? Whew, this is a whole new topic here, but I believe in constructive criticism. Reviewing is one of the hardest types of reading, because in most cases, you’re obligated to finish the book. This can sometimes be a task. Finding out how to constructively review it…another.
Oh wait…but you get a free book right? Well, I’m here to tell you that the book isn’t “really” free. Reviewing books takes a lot of time, effort & commitment. While one may think “I’m getting a free book,” I think it goes a lot deeper than this.
In spite of all this, many of us LOVE what we do and appreciate the opportunity to be able to review.
What are YOUR thoughts on the whole book review process?
I like some reviews. I like ones written that spark my interest not tell me the entire story, in otherwords not too wordy. I think it is possible to write a review about a bad book if you offer the writer ways to make the next book better in a nice way.
Linda I agree with too wordy reviews. I don’t need to read the book if the reviewer is going to tell everything from the book….LOL!!!
Is it possible to write a good review for a bad book?
YES, a good review should tell what the book is about, who the book is about a touch of the drama driving the book AND the reviewers thoughts on the overall package. I’ve always felt you can say something negative in a non-negative way about a book.
i.e. Instead of ‘This not a good book’ something like what would have made me embrace this book more is if the author would have… Or ‘The characters were not developed’ to something like ‘ A plus would have been stronger developed characters.
What are your thoughts on book reviews? Do you like them or not?
I personal thoughts on book reveiws is they should tell just enough to bait and hopefully entice a reader to want to read the story. If I know all of what happens in the book, then their is no need to read the book. A good review should leave questions that a potential needs to have answered.
Yes, I like reviews… Good ones!
I think reviews are useful. Especially for writers. Without reviews a writer may never know what others opinions are of their work. Wether it matters to you is an individual choice. I am grateful for those that take the time to read the whole book.
I like book reviews and I think they’re for both author and reader. I don’t believe in slamming an author, nor do I believe in authors slamming reviewers. Everyone is not going to respond the same to a book. I do not buy my books based on reviews alone…actually that is a small percentage.
I think it’s be possible to write a good review on a not so good book…..a constructive review.
And I totally agree with you on the time and effort it takes to write a review!!!!
As a writer, I love reviews, but I know enough to know that reviews are the opinions of the reviewer and not to take to my bed if a review isn’t glowing. I look at it much like a job interview, every time you go on one, someone will get the job, sometimes it’s you, other times it’s someone else, some reviews are good, some are bad.
As a reviewer I try to be an honest and as objective as I can. I also work hard to find something good in a book that isn’t written that well. There is usually something. There have only been a few I could not say something good about, and those I chose not to review.
As a reader, I like reviews, but usually they will not make me decide to not read a book unless there are many bad ones. And usually you can tell from the wording and spirit of the review if it’s objective or if the writer is being slammed.
A word of caution for authors is that writing is a business that is largely based on the opinion of the consumer and if you are writing to sell books, you need a tough skin. Also, you have to absolutely understand that everything is not for everyone, thus, every book isnt for every reader….
Be Blessed!
angelia
Although I enjoy reading reviews, others opinions do not sway me from purchasing a book. As a matter of a fact, I have bought some books because they received poor reviews, but found that I enjoyed the book after all. Reviews are the opinions of the person who is reading it. Thus everybody doesn’t like the same thing, genre or the writing style of an author. I have always been the type of person who made my own path, not follow the path of others, which includes deciding what to read.
As a reviewer for a newspaper, I find myself not wanting to discourage writers. But if the book is really bad with grammar issues, errors, bad structure, etc., I will not write anything about it or recomend it to the reading newspaper’s audience. As an author and columnist, you have to have pretty thick skin to read reviews about yourself; I didn’t at first, until I learned that I could not please everyone. My friend once told me that even bad reviews can be great publicity.
Often times I find them useful and resourceful. Once I read the book I write my own review to pass on to others. However, there are a few times, where I’m intrigued by the review that leads me to read the book only to find out it’s nothing like the review. I still continue to take my chances with reviews.
As a writer, I want to know what readers think about my book. I am always open to constructive criticism because reviewers will point out things that people close to you do not. Because I am a very helpful person it is bothersome for me to read a review where the reviewer points out an error that annoyed them to the point they mentioned it in the review but does not share with the author what page, etc. I know that’s not their job but I would want to correct the mistake as quickly as possible.
Also, I read a review last week and although the reviewer loved the book she stated I made numerous racially offensive comments throughout the book and this left me scratching my head and wondering if she really read the book I wrote. Do I let it go or ask her about it…Hhmmmm. I let it go, but it has set up camp in the back of my mind because I do not want someone to read that and change their decision to buy the book.
Much Love
I agree with Sharon and Angelia. The things they said were very true.
As a writer, I can personally say that reveiws are helpful. I believe they also help the reader, especially if they are unfamiliar with the writers work. But, a caveat to that, and a point that most have mentioned in this post is that reading is very subjective. Five people can read the same book and walk away with five different opinions. Reviews certainly help, but I think most readers ultimately decide on their own and take a combination of things into consideration before purchasing a book, i.e. cover, theme, written synopsis, word of mouth, and even visiting the author’s website.
Reviewing a book isn’t easy, and I’m appreciative of every reviewer who has taken the time to write their thoughts about my work.
Peace,
Trice
I like book reviews along as they don’t tell too much but just enough to spark some interest. I often turn to book reviews for an author that I am not familiar with. Will a couple of bad reviews stop me from buying it? no because sometimes the negative review is not so much writing style but the story (maybe they did not like the ending). I love Rawsista reviews. There are so many AA authors out there. It’s getting hard to keep up.
Book reviews are like viewing art: it’s in the eye of the beholder. Some reviews are genuinely helpful and can lend insight to the material yet to be discovered. But as was already mentioned, others either tell too little or blab too much. And keep in mind some reviews are of mutual benefit to the reviewer and writer if some kind of relationship exists. All and all, I just take them with a grain of salt. Don’t let a bad review dissuade you and don’t let a good one give you the big head!
Even if a review is not glowing, it is bringing attention to a book. It provides exposure. I think reviews are valuable. We need more not less.