Nov 26
Whatever Wednesday – Reviews: For You?
I was chatting the other day with a friend of mine who is both an aspiring writer and a reviewer. We were discussing the fact some reviewers seem to like everything they read. My friend wondered if that was because they didn’t want to hurt an author’s feelings, or if the reviewer lacked a filter or simply wasn’t that discerning. I suspect more the former than the latter.
The conversation continued with another question: if there are reviewers out there who seem to like everything they read, does anyone ever listen to them? For that matter, does anyone really listen to reviews at all? Authors do. From a personal standpoint, we want people to like our work. We spend a lot of time crafting works with the idea of making people laugh and care and want more. But do readers really heed reviews? Do they read Romantic Times magazine the way we do? Do they visit the online review sites? Do they put stock in people like Mrs. Giggles? I’m insanely curious. Do you read reviews before buying books or buy what sounds interesting, regardless of if or how it was reviewed?
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I read reviews if I am getting a book from a new author. Mostly I check Amazon reader reviews. If I like the first book I read by that author I will continue to read her.
And still waiting for Luc…..
When it comes to books, I don’t read reviews. I will just as easily pick up a book from an author I haven’t read as I will a familiar author. As I’m sure most readers are, I’m loyal to authors I really like, so I’ll buy whatever they write. As for new authors, cover art gets me everytime. It’s what makes me pick up the book to read the back cover blurb. Between the front and the back of the book, I’ll make a decision on whether to by a book or not. Of course, word of mouth from friends will tempt me just as much.
Now as for movies, if I read a review, I make sure and read more than one to see if they both liked or disliked the same thing. If one loved and one hated, then I’ll go and decide for myself.
I read reviews. I suscribe to Romantic Times, and also check out Romance Junkies and JERR online. I tend to buy anything my favorite authors publish, but I use the reviews to scope out new authors.
I was at a conference a few years ago where a reviewer did a presentation and she mentioned that there certain places she reviews for where she will only review books she can give favorable reviews to.
As a reader, I don’t put a lot of stock in negative reviews. However, really good positive reviews have definitely influenced me to pick up a book or two. Of course, those reviews are placed on blogs that I visit frequently, like Romance Junkies, Dear Author, RomanceNovelTV, etc. I don’t read the Romantic Times and reviews I find on Amazon.com or B&N.com are only read for additional information on books I’m already considering purchasing and whether or not I will get it then or put it on my wish list.
I read the reviews posted for the fun of it. They don’t influence whether I buy a book or not. If it sounds good, I’ll give it a shot. I do have quite a few authors I follow & buy as soon as they have something out. That being said, sometimes I’m disappointed in one of theirs. I’ll keep buying unless it becomes a trend. Often it’s just the one.
1st off Happy Thanksgiving. I hope the day is beautiful for you and I don’t mean the weather.
Reviews…I rarely buy a book based on a review. I also like a very widerange of books, some authors I read once and never touch them again. It takes a lot for that to happen, usually a really bad writer. My family and freinds know, I read everthing!I mean, I even read reair manuals! I’m not sure why…just a need to know? So, I guess if I was a writer, I would want a reviewer that had no filter, after all a lot of people love authors that I dislike for their writing style. Some are actually really big authors, but maybe…to cynical, or the plot takes me one to many places, know what I mean? Besides, how boring would life be if reviewers were consistant in what they liked? We would never try anything new.
I will read a review of a book I’m interested in but I don’t buy solely on the review. There have been a few books that I’ve read that didn’t get good reviews. They were mediocre review but I ended up getting the book anyway and really enjoyed them. I think it is hard to base buying a book base on one or two review and I do take more stock in what the reviews are saying if a lot of people have reviewed it.
You know what I find funny, Shelley? I rarely read reviews to assist in my decision to purchase a book, because often, I’ll buy book unexpectedly on the fly while in the store. The only way I know I’ll read reviews to assist me in making a decision is if a book sounds interesting, and I see some or all of the reviews posted are negative, I’ll read other book reviews by that reviewer just to see his or her style.
In general, however, I’ve noticed that there are some reviewers that are snarky or find something to snark about within every novel or short story. Some reviewers, conversely, are positively gushing about every book. I never hear “This story just didn’t work for me”. Those types of reviewers negatively impact me just as much as those who only have negative reviews. In time, all their reviews have no impact on whether I read a story or not and when I hear about another “fabulous book”, I have no desire to even check it out which is purely a fault within my own cynical mind.
At most, I’ll check out other reviews to see if there’s any consensus among reviewers.
Hope that makes sense. It’s in the wee hours and I’m feeling giddy. Great topic though! I love everyone’s responses.
It depends on the review to some extent: what and how it is said. But I am also tending to read/trust reviews from readers that seem “just like me” – someone who would write about the book that has a stronger feeling about it either way. When I start seeing reviews by the same person for the same author/saying practically the same (great) thing about different book, I start to ignore them and think they’re a waste of my time. Something funny is going on…
I don’t always follow reviews because sometimes they are just so off…..
This is where excerpts come into play. If I know the author and favor their writings then more than likely I will read the book. In the real world, an established author is not going to hit a grand slam with every book, especially with reviewers. However if it is a new author I am considering, excerpts are the way to go. I have discovered so many great authors this way. Remember, one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure!!
While I am not a reviewer, I know quite a few good ones. I know Romance Reviews Today if a reviewer can’t finish reading a book or feels that they might have to give a really bad review for it will often ask that the book be reassigned. Reviewers are readers first and I feel we as readers respect the hard work authors put into their books. No good reviewer wants to give a bad review.
Not all books work for all readers. All books deserve to have a fair review.
Chris Roberts
Romance Reviews Today
A lot of really good and diverse perspectives. Thanks, y’all!
Annalee, thank you for your patience is waiting for Luc. I’m getting there–promise!