More from Barbara Vey Email: barbaravey@gmail.com Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Most Commented On
Archives
Blog
Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (76)
Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to ReviewingJanuary 24, 2008I've never been one for reviews of books, movies, or plays. I don't mind a synopsis, but I prefer to make up my own mind. When I used to have a subscription to Entertainment Weekly, I read the movie reviews after I saw the movie. I didn't want my experience to be tainted. I feel the same way about books. While I have my "must read" authors, I'm always on the lookout for new ones. I have no problem walking up to someone who's reading a book and asking them about it. Or going to the library to see what books people are checking out. I used to even watch the bestseller list and check off the books as I read them, erroneously thinking that if they were on that list, they had to be good (I've read my share of dogs). That's not to say I don't think there's a place for reviews. Plenty of people swear by them. But, ultimately, I'm the decider of if I like or don't like a book. That's why we don't write actual reviews here, we just blurb about the book (my blog, my rules). The WW ladies and friends just do it for the love of the written word. Which brings me to the crux of this blog...the reviews on Amazon. I admit that after I read a book, I like to head over there to see what is being said and sometime I wonder if the "reviewer" has even read the book. Some sound so vindictive, they come across as personal attacks (and this part also applies to other people/places/blogs who do reviews). What is that all about? ![]() Garth Risk Hallberg recently wrote about his experience with the Amazon reviewer of his debut book, A Field Guide to the North American Family. The review: " 'Superb,' wrote Grady Harp of Los Angeles. 'Fascinating ... addictive.' Not to mention 'profound.' " It didn't even bother Garth when the reviewer spelled his name wrong, since Grady also called him "a sensitive observer of human foibles." After Garth contacted his publicist, she admitted to soliciting the review. According to Garth's blog, Amazon's top reviewer, "Harriet Klausner, No. 1 since the inception of the ranking system in 2000, has averaged 45 book reviews per week over the last five years—a pace that seems hard to credit, even from a professed speed-reader." I'm sure there are credible people out there sincerely writing some of the reviews seen on Amazon and the like, but how do you feel about it? Do you read them/write them/love them/hate them/ignore them/quote them? Is it a service to readers or a possible disservice to authors? Is there a line being crossed? And what about the Harriet Klausners who write 45 reviews a week? Is it even possible to read that many books and comprehend them? Bottom Line: I used to be able to read a book a day, but no longer (blame it on the addictiveness of the internet and MySpace...oh, and um, maybe Bejeweled). Posted by Barbara Vey on January 24, 2008 | Comments (76)
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing leeannewat commented: Hey Barb, The only time I read a review on Amazon etc... Is if I am looking to find out what a book is about... And if I find that a person has given a Negative review I click the "No" U know where they ask u if this review has been Helpful or not... I'm not sure what this does but I hope it does some good for the Author... As I think everyone should be "Given a Fair Go"...
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Dianna Love commented: Hi Barbara -
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Roxanne St. Claire commented: Great topic as always, Barbara! Like you, I love to read reviews AFTER I've read the book - I look for validation of my own opinion! I do read my own reviews, and really appreciate 1) no spoilers or 2) a specific of what they liked (or, drat, didn't) about the book - rather than something vague. I also don't understand why someone who didn't finish a book would even review it!
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Kelley St. John commented: Hey Barbara! We think alike :) I don't read the reviews until after I've read the book. I do read the teasers, the back cover blurbs, the excerpts on sites -- but when it comes to an opinion on what I'll like, I'd like to form that on my own :)
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Alyssa Day commented: As writers, we know that not everyone is going to love our books (darn the luck!). But reviews that turn into personal attacks, instead of criticism about the book, are especially hard to handle. I've had friends become unable to write for weeks after suffering a particularly shredding nasty and personal review. And what Rocki said is so true - often readers don't think to leave positive Amazon reviews when they love a book, but they're awfully nice to see. Thanks for the great topic!
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Kimberly AKA The Problem Child commented: I never read reviews. Without knowing who the reviewer is, what the creds are, and without any oversight at all, I don't see them as trustworthy. But then I don't trust Wikipedia either...
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Deborah Macgillivray commented: Barbara,
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Christy commented: Yes, Barb - another great topic! For me, reviews don't bother me at all as far as serving as spoilers or setting the tone for how I feel about a book. I will read reviews before, during and after a book. It really doesn't matter, to me, what others say about it. I can make up my own mind. (I'm also one who doesn't believe in spoilers - but I don't read suspense/mystery either, lol) I have noticed that some of the reviews at amazon have crossed some sort of line. It does appear that some people are attacking the writer and not the story. And like Deborah said, there is a difference in a review and an opinion. And these really nasty reviews are nothing but opinions from people who really shouldn't be allowed to post publicly some of the things that are posted. If I were to read a book that I didn't like, then I would simply not like it and be careful when it came to reading that author again...I would never go to amazon or anywhere and shred it to pieces like some others do. But that's just me. But as bad as some of the reviews are, as nasty as the reviewers can be, I would still read a book if I thought it was my type of book. Their opinions mean nothing to me! Well, maybe sometimes I do want to scream to them, "HOW did you NOT like this book?!?" LOL
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Berta Platas commented: You seem to have hit a nerve, Barbara! I always read HK's reviews, because they're brief and fair. If it's lukewarm, you know she didn't care for it. I page down to Amazon's reviews often, just to see how passionate people are about the book.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Jennifer LaBrecque commented: Ah, that's why we have so many books and movies and art in this world to choose from -- because we don't all have the same taste and what appeals to me doesn't necessarily appeal to someone else. I have all the respect in the world for a reviewer who can professionally , insightfully point out that a book perhaps missed the mark because characters weren't fully developed or plot devices were so contrived. I have less than no use for "reviewers," and I use that term loosely in conjunction with these people, who a) cross the line by giving away plot points or specific twists in the story the author has worked so hard to create, b) come across as so frothing at the mouth it does feel quite like a personal attack, c)obviously see the "review" as a forum for their scathing wit and scintillating insight, d)All of the above.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Jenna Black commented: I'm much more likely to read Amazon.com reviews after I've read a book than before. When I'm picking a book to read, the only factor that really matters is my own enjoyment--not whether someone else thinks the book is good. And I've finally learned to stop reading Amazon reviews of my own books. If I read some of the nasty ones, I'd have trouble writing for days, and I can't afford that when I'm on deadline! I'm very glad I adopted this policy before my last book came out, because I knew in advance it was going to inspire some strong opinions, and I was right. At least I now have a way to buffer myself--but I do worry that others will read those reviews and shy away.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Jana Oliver commented: I take the Amazon reviews with a grain of salt. Some are useless. Others are informative if they give me a clue what the reader is looking for in a book and whether they found it. If a number of readers slam the author for writing an unbelievable character, I pay attention. What didn't work for them? I watch how series play out, what readers desire from each subsequent book. In truth, I use Amazon more as a judge of reader expectations than I do any particular book.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Christie Craig commented: Very interesting topic, Barbara.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing An Author commented: Harriet Klausner actually plagiarised her review of my book from several sources, even so far as to repeating the wrong facts of a another reviewer (the ACTUAL reviewer printed a correction). I know how she does 45 reviews a week: she just copies others' real reviews. It's appalling that this practice is allowed to continue, let alone be rewarded.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Jusy commented: I don't read reviews. I know what I like. I take recommendations about other authors from fellow BBSers to try out. I read the blurbs on the book. If the book happens to contain a review from an author I like to read, I'll check it out. I go the reviews from time to time for entertainment, but it is after I've read the book myself.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Peggy Young commented: I never did understand the concept of big-shot reviewers. People who get paid to give their opinions of books, movies, restaurants. They become "important" for their opinions. Trouble is EVERYone has opinions. No one has ever written me a check for saying I liked or disliked a movie. Why is that guy's opinion more important than mine? Then I factor in the fact that it is just ENTERTAINMENT. It's just a movie, or a book or a plate of food. You either enjoy it or you don't, why should someone become famous and draw a huge salary to say what they think of it? I don't get it. I never did. But that's just me. :) And Amazon reviews are like all things internet: Consider the source.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Lynn Raye Harris commented: Great topic, Barbara! Like you, I go read the reviews AFTER I've read the book. Sometimes I just want to see if people feel like I did about the book. I would never, ever post a negative review. I have to admit that I often don't think about posting a positive review either, but some of the comments here make me realize that if I like a book, I should say so.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Marilyn commented: I used to be a reviewer. Actually I was more of a "blurber." We weren't allowed to do negative reviews. If you hated a book, you could pass it to another reviewer who just might like it. I don't understand how folks can post on Amazon under multiple nicknames because you have to have bought a book from Amazon in order to post a review. Maybe they don't mind making multiple purchases under multiple names? Anyway I remember a scandal on Amazon a while back when the software screwed up and revealed the real names of reviewers instead of nicknames and it was revealed that a lot of glowing reviews were actually written by the authors themselves. Oops! I write occasional reviews on Amazon for books I've really enjoyed. As for HK -- she claims she's a speed reader.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing JOANN ROSS commented: Wow, after a week of not being able to get in, I actually arrived back on a great topic day! Unfortunately, my first response just seems to have disappeared into the ether, so I'll try again. I'm going to try to put in html formatting. If it doesn't work, I apologize in advance for a run-on paragraph. I have nothing against reviewers, but, with the exception of PW, which comes to my door every week, I quit reading reviews years ago unless a reviewer sends them to me. (Which are usually good ones, which are the kind I like to read, LOL) It's too easy to forget that they're merely one person's opinion. As for HK, although I like her bunches as a person, she hardly ever gets anyone's books right, which was why I was amazed to discover she's reviewing for PW, which I always believed had far higher standards than Amazon. As an example, after I agreed to write Bayou Bad Boys a few years ago, one of the writers got ill and had to drop out. Unfortunately, the story description she'd sent in to Brava got on the back of the ARC under the replacement author's name. (Fortunately it was changed before the actual book was published!) But HK reviewed all three novellas described. Even one that didn't exist. Because it had never been written!! The good thing was that she said she'd liked all three stories, but still. . .
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing A Reader commented: I don't read reviews on Amazon.com these days because they tend to stick in my mind and I end up noticing things and getting annoyed when originally I won't have even picked up on stuff other people do. About 10 years ago, you saw real reviews on Amazon.com. All that has changed.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing CHRISTINE commented: I write movie blurbs and I often wonder if reviewers (and I mean professional newspaper and magazine critics) have watched the same film that I did, let alone the John Q. Public reviews. If I'm on the fence about buying a book (particularly as they get more expensive), I will check out some reviews--more to see if they will give me a better understanding of the plot than whether they thought the book had weak characters or florid writing. (I do love reading sample chapters to give me an idea of the author's writing style.) Unfortunately there are too many loonies in the online ether who feel the need to write vindictive tripe rather than thoughtful comments (whether negative or positive). But it's appalling that sites wave it off with an 'everyone's entitled to their opinion' mentality.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Brenda Nelson-Davis commented: Your joy is reading is contagious which makes your reviews of books things I look forward to. I’m one of those odd people who reads the reviews and asks friends to tell me the end of the novel before I crack open the first page. I like to know, but in the end, I’m the one who gets to make the final decision—good read or not.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Leah commented: With movies costing more than $11 (at least where I am) and book prices edging ever upward, I do rely on reviews to tell me what's worth shelling out the dough.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Kate Douglas commented: Definitely a timely post--for me, anyway! Just yesterday I actually wrote to a member of my newsletter who had also written a really mean review on one of my books at Amazon, with the comment, she would never ever read another book by me again. And then she joins my newsletter and every month enters the contest to win a free book! When I finally couldn't stand it anymore (I know, I should be more adult) I wrote and asked her why she wanted to win a book after publicly trashing me--and I was criticized for not being able to take constructive criticism! I could never write a mean review of anyone's book, though I love to write positive ones. There's a really cool website at www.writersarereaders.com where authors review one another's books, and it's really fun--we only review stories we love, so it's all positive and I definitely enjoy reading them. Plus, it's fun to see what other authors are reading.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Katy commented: Oh Barb, I can't tell you how many authors who I have chatted with have been affected by this lately.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Allison Brennan commented: GREAT post, Barb, and I agree with everything Roxanne said.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Kristen Painter commented: I try to leave reviews when I remember to. I will say that I take great joy in clicking NO when someone leaves a sucky review that I disagree with.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Clea Simon commented: Great topic, as the number of comments shows!
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing MG Braden commented: Great post! I review books (under another name) for several sites - none of them Amazon. I read very prolificly and even at the height of reading could only read about 5 books a week. Also, if I can't say anything constructive about a book at all I contact the author and let her know and give her the choice whether I post the review or not. I try to find something good about every book. I know how hard they are to write. Although, sometimes there just isn't anything redeeming. Those books are hard.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Jana Oliver commented: I write very few reviews. The book has to knock me over before I'll take the time to compose what I hope is a well-written opinion of the story and the execution thereof. I don't do spoilers, though I don't mind them.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Michael commented: For some really brutal reviews, see many of the full-manuscript reviews just put up under PW's own mantle on the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest semifinalists (www.amazon.com/abna). Some are fair & even constructive, but many are savage, some little more than plot summaries. Among the categories, sci-fi/fantasy seems to have been slugged particularly hard w/negative blasts. Read some of the discussion threads to see how much pain & angst these critical maulings have caused among the aspiring novelists. This is on Amazon, but by PW reviewers &/or people given the task by PW.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Kat Brokaw commented: I have done the occasional review of a book on Amazon--but only if I feel extraordinarily passionate about it. Which is more related to my attention span than any reviewer commitment. I think a lot of the reviews are just re-written hashing of the cover material. I don't want to know what the story's about, I'll figure that out. I want to know if it's handled well (or poorly) and if it touched the reader in some way. That's what I write about. And... have you tried Sweet Tooth on pogo.com? It's like bejeweled, only with candy!
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Jennifer St. Giles commented: Dear Barbara! This is an issue that so needs addressing. Whether a reviewer personally likes or dislikes a book or a movie, if they are taking on the responsibility of informing others about a creative work then they have the moral obligation to be objective about the subject, giving an opinion on the positives found and a constructive critique on any overwhelming negatives. No review should every be destructive or so full of the own reviewers personal taste that they loom larger that the creative work that is supposed to be the subject matter.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Barbara Vey commented: Hi Michael, thanks for taking the time to post. I went to the site and was browsing through it, but I'm not sure I saw what you did. Could you email the link to the specific page or book you're talking about or if you prefer, just post it here (without the ht tp letters).
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Kim commented: I read the professional reviewers, like the reviews from LJ, PW, Kirkus, etc. I tend not to read the personal reviews unless I know the writer or the topic header is well written or interesting. Having done some book reviewing, I know how hard it can be to put together a carefully crafted & balanced review and what a wonderful skill it is.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing D commented: The only time I really read the reviews on Amazon is when I'm looking for a "how to" or some other type of book that I NEED info from. I want to see if others found the answers. But I like reading review journals to learn about books that I might not otherwise know of. Even a "bad" review, can sell the book for me, though.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Esri Rose commented: If someone writes a mean-spirited review, I immediately write him/her off as someone whose opinion can be trusted. And I do push the "No" button in answer to the question, "Was this review helpful?"
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Gena commented: On the subject of the ABNA contest entries, it is also important to note that none of them have been through the extensive editing process provided by the traditional publishing companies prior to publication. Yet, most PW reviewers reviewed them as if they had been.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Deborah Macgillivray commented: I review for several reviews sites, Paranormal Romance Reviews, Sensual Romance Reviews, The Best Reviews and used to review for Rambles, a Celtic E-magazine. Everyone would put Amazon down as not "real" reviewing. I said if everyone decamped you would only have "this books sucks reviews". There are some very positive reviewers that will post on Amazon, but I echo Jennifer: Amazon has to change the format. If they did as she suggested, stuff the slams at the bottom, if they stopped giving them a showcase, they would lose interest. Since this is basically an Amazon problem (you don't see this happening at Barnes and Nobles), it's the spotlight of Amazon's ranking. They could also remove the ranking numbers. That would stop the crawl to reach the top.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing joysannoh commented: When Barbara asked if I’d like to do some “blurbs” for her, my first reaction was that I’m not qualified… except as a reader. I was really hesitant to do it, but she convinced me that, for her purposes, all I had to do is tell a little about the story and whether I liked it or not (her blog, her rules!). That’s really quite tough for me, because I don’t want to give spoilers and or give up the best part of a plot. All that’s left is what I think…. Who cares what I think? But suggestions have to come from somewhere, and I’m delighted that I have this opportunity to share the books I love.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Marie commented: I feel so sorry for those in the Amazon contest who have been served a PW non-review of their book. By that, I mean that the plot was either summarized as a review or, worse still, that the review got critical details incorrect, misleading the reading audience and the judges. There are many posts on the Amazon novel contest that address this issue, and many wonder if there is recourse. Some claim that PW spoke of sword fighting in their novel when none was present, some clam that the reviewer claimed the novel was about discovering boys when it was in fact lesbian fiction, one author noted that the PW reviewer got the setting wrong, mentioning Alaska, when in fact it was South Carolina. Genders were reported incorrectly, timelines slashed…Won’t you or someone at PW head over to the Amazon blog and see the chaos caused by, not a bad review, but an inaccurate one? There is one area of the Amazon blog titled “factual errors in the PW reviews-do we try to get them fixed” that is worth a look by PW. These authors are not merely suffering from sour grapes, but from legitimate complaints.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Edie Ramer commented: I hope this doesn't show up twice. I tried to comment and it doesn't seem to have taken.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Joanne commented: Great blog, Barb.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Tom Knapp commented: Hi! I'm one of the guilty-by-association Amazon reviewers, and I also run the review site Rambles.NET, which is NOT a free-for-all. (Reviews are edited and posted in an organized fashion; people can't just log in and write anything they want.) But I fully agree that the Amazon approach is faulty, in part because it relies on an automated system that posts whatever anyone writes. Unfortunately, Amazon is unwilling or unable to devote a portion of its staff to editing reviews and maintaining some consistent degree of quality.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Diana Castilleja commented: I don't bother with amazon reviews. If a book is listed, and I can, I'll post a review for an author, but I don't read them. Most are useless attacks, negative spoilers and show nothing of the quality of the book itself. I only deal with review sites I know and trust. Amazon is too lenient on what they allow.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Carole Nelson Douglas commented: As a newspaper reporter in the post-Watergate years when ethics was a byword, reviewing was a craft you earned the right to practice. I took it very seriously indeed when I did it. I finally quit at point when I was most lauded, because of an instance when I saw that I didn't know everything and I might make a wrong call on the way to becoming truly expert, even though I was at that point better qualified than those who kept at it.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Missy Taylor commented: I read the reviews if its a new author I'm thinking about getting but I don't pay attention to the ones that whine or seem personal. I like the reviews that state if they liked it and give good valid reasons for their opinion. But ultimately I usually end up getting the book to feed my addiction as a bibliophile and the reviews have very little to do with my decision.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Delilah Marvelle commented: I don't know if a few bad reviews keep a reader from picking up a book, at least I know that isn't the case for me. After all, when the good outweighs the bad, it's hard to side with "the black sheep," as I like to call them. Of course if a book is getting nothing but bad reviews, left and right, well...that's just downright hard to ignore, too. To me, it means library time. Just in case. Bottom line, I feel that there are some reviewers that have absolutely nothing nice to say about anyone. And those are the ones that should have their reviewing rights revoked. We all have different reading tastes, and have a right to voice our opinion and our tastes, however when it becomes a vindictive obsession to post negative commentaries on a specific genre or author...it's time the reviewing police step in...
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Katie Reus commented: Such a great topic! I'm pretty much seconding a few of the responses. Occassionally I'll check out reviews for new authors, but just to get a feel for what it's about. If I like the premise of a book, I'll give it a try regardless of reviews. I've read crappy reviews for Linda Howard before and in my opinion she's a goddess so I take all reviews w/ a grain of salt. If the reviews are thinly veiled personal attacks, chances are most people see through them anyway. So, to try and answer your question. Would a bad review turn me off to someone? Definitely not. Reading is subjective so why would I listen to someone I don't even know.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Bailey Stewart commented: First off, it's not true that you have to buy a book from Amazon in order to review it - I review there all the time with books that I haven't purchased there. Yes, I review. I don't do negative reviews, mainly because if I'm not enjoying the book, I don't finish it and I won't review a book that I haven't read. Reviews do help authors, as there are a lot of readers who do go by the reviews. I have a review blog where the comments are moderated - you can disagree with me, but you have to be respectful about it. Start attacking the author, their family, etc. and that comment won't see the light of day. I've seen those kinds of reviews and they are terrible. I also don't believe that HK reads all of those books. I've read her reviews on books that I've read and there is no way we read the same book. Do I pay attention to reviews? Yes, especially if they are done right - if they tell me specifically why they like the book and I can see if that's right up my alley. Great topic!
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Maria commented: Interesting topic.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing hurricane commented: I use reviews only as a guide. If a reviewer writes a horrid review and in the course of the review says...I threw the book in my give-away box after reading only 10 pages. I will compleatly ignor that review and will usually report it. How can a person review a book after reading only 20 pages. If I am reading a book and Ido not like it I just will not write a review. My mo used to say If you cannot say SOMETHING nice then DO NOT say anything at all.
January 24, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Usually cheerful, but ... ! commented: I now ignore the Amazon customer reviews, having wasted too much valuable time reading them only to find most are either clumsy plot summaries or pseudo-intellectual displays of the reviewer's vocabulary.
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Deborah Macgillivray commented: Baily, is correct. You do not have to buy any item to review it on Amazon.
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Check This Out commented: Harriet Klausner has a fan club (a bit small... but still! lol) and this "little band of admirers" didn't like this blog. They linked you, Barbara. I figured I'd return the favor!
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Check This Out commented: Darn typos! Work, not waork. lol...
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Mary Folk commented: You know, the whole point seems to have been lost in "reviewing". Did you LIKE the book? Did you have the pleasure of going someplace special for a few hours? Have an adventure? Did you enjoy the story?
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Detra commented: I just finished reading Naughty by Nature and loved it. I always try to tell why I liked a book or why I did not. But I like to give a synopsis in my own words first. I want people to know that I read the entire book before even thinking about writing up a review. I also prefer to post my review up on Amazon BEFORE I read anyone else's. I do not want to take the chance of having my opinion swayed by something someone else wrote. So I post first and read later. (Barbara, the review will be up on HuntressReviews.com within 24 hours. Check under Print:Historical Romances for it.)
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing riofriotex commented: I've run into one case where I wish I had read the Amazon reviews first before reading the book: "Skinny Bitch." The cover blurbs made it sound like a motivational diet book, but it was really an animal rights manifesto. This was a case where the negative reviews were helpful, as the cover blurbs were misleading.
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Alan Smith commented: I've written negative reviews on Amazon. Why? Because the contents of the book were badly researched or badly written or disappointing. In all 3 cases I thought it fair to give my opinion and, possibly, save someone else from spending the money. There seems to be some kind of agreement here that one shouldn't do it in order not to upset the author. Tough. If it's a crap book - it's a crap book. And the author bears the responsibility.
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Shiloh Walker commented: Is there a line being crossed?
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Karen commented: What an interesting topic,
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing LAUREL BRADLEY commented: I don't buy books based on reviews. I do, however, frequently check reviews to see if others liked or disliked a book as much as I did. Sometimes I wonder if I read the same book as the reviewers.
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Dolphinover commented: When I look at a review it is to get an idea of what the book is about. I think I can make up my own mind about a book. I do not think it is necessary for the reviewer to be so nasty when expressing their dislike of a book. I do not look at the reviews on Amazon.
January 25, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Gina Robinson commented: I sometimes read Amazon reviews before I buy a book. This is particularly true when I'm looking for a nonfiction research book and want to know if it's too technical or too simple. I HATE the personal attack reviews.
January 26, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Karen Kelley commented: I've gotten some really great reviews and some that were hateful. I felt as though I was being attacked rather than my book. Makes a person want to look over their shoulders when they leave the house!
January 26, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing DC Stanfa commented: Barbara, You've really got people buzzing on this! As writer, I live and die for reviews, but ultimately word-of-mouth from friends is what sells me on which books to buy. As a reviewer, I only review books that I like. I don't put anymore energy into those I wasn't crazy about. I used to do a radio program "Two Books And A Beach" where I reviewed beach books and beaches. I had to stop doing it because it was so time-consuming to read the books and prepare reviews! 48 A week? I don't think so. I hope the powers-that-be at Amazon wake up and smell the cow manure.
January 26, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Amanda commented: I love it that you don't do full reviews here. I especially like the WW ladies because they just give a short summary of the book and how they felt. Nothing to personally attack the author. It should all be about the book.
January 27, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Beverly Meiner commented: As a fan, reader, seller, and reviewer, I respect all of you authors. I do not know 10 years ago, when I was going through Breast Cancer treatment, what I would have done during treatments and long doctor visits, without a good romance to read --- a wonderful book (and I am an Anne Rice Fan and think it is horrible what happened to her as well) to read and take me to another place and help be de-stress and relax. The talent all of you have to write stories that are so wonderful -- you make me cry! I love romance and reading and wish nothing but the best for all of you! And DeborahAnne...and of course my dear friend Merri Crawford...thank you for the encouragement and friendship you have given me. All of you, keep up the great work. I need to read and read and review and review (although I have about six 4 ft. stacks of books to get through)! Happy Valentine's Day to all the romantics! Beverly :)
January 27, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Elaine Lowe commented: Customer reviews on Amazon or any website can be a great thing for books, and very useful for the prospective buyer. However, on Amazon or any open-access review site, I always read a review carefully. Is the review detailed? The reviewer well-spoken with halfway decent vocabulary and spelling. Do they make salient points? If the review is more about the author than the book, or focused intensely on a single, possibly controversial, point about the book, I usually discard the review from consideration or at the very least, take it with a large grain of salt. But overall, I've learned a lot from reviews and they can give me a good idea of whether or not to make the investment and sometimes, ideas for other books or authors I might find enjoyable as well.
January 27, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Jody commented: I was a reviewer and charter member of RIO ( a reviewers organization) for 7 years writing for sites and paper review sites. where our members were NOT to post slash and trash reviews on their websites. But they were encouraged to post reviews that were "don't buy" and are often viewed as negative reviews. Some readers and authors need to develop a thick skin for criticism of their babies.
January 28, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Jacquie Rogers commented: I don't read reviews, teasers, or excerpts before buying a book. I buy almost exclusively on the back blurb. It's quite interesting to read reviews after I've read the book, though. It's fun to see where my opinion fits in with the scheme of life.
January 29, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Tamra commented: You know I never pay much attention to those, especially the amazon ones because I think so many people are out there that you'll get tons of reviews if you look. If I want to read something I read it and don't worry about the review. Maybe later I would look at to see if it matched my opinion. Just out of curiosity.
February 4, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Amaria commented: I think that reviews that become personal attacks are unwarranted and certainly detrimental. However, if a reviewer has read the book and honestly did not like aspects I see no reason why they should not post their thoughts. Nor do I see any reason why these reviews should be automatically be voted "unhelpful" simply because they do not agree with all fans out there. If a novel has been poorly edited or has many glaring continuity errors for example, why not alert readers to such a flaw that would inform people who would not want to spend their money on such a book? I just don't think there is any point to only posting positive reviews because the point of a REVIEW is to critique a book.
April 10, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Tara_Reid commented: Hi mister! Cool website and nice content!!! Thanks!!!
October 23, 2008
In response to: Reading the Book: A Novel Approach to Reviewing Lover of Irony commented: I know I'm joining this conversation very late, but I can't believe that Deborah MacGillivary has the gall to post here about the "abuses" going on at Amazon when she is the actual ringleader of a band of "clickies" herself, as they are called, that do exactly what she claims others are inappropriately doing on Amazon.
Advertisement
|
|