Why do you read book reviews? Is it to assist you in buying decisions? Or Not? What elements do you want to see in reviews? I don’t use a predetermined format, I just cover certain areas. I weigh the good and bad based on my criteria – characterization, plot, prose, world building, pacing, dialogue, conflict etc. Did the book move me? Did these elements work in the book being reviewed? And since I review mostly erotic M/M books – did the sex advance the plot or was it gratuitous, in my opinion? OK I love the sex but sometimes don’t you find that it’s too much? Some books are just too short for a full analysis or they’re ho hum (in my opinion) so I compromise. I have reviewed for other sites, some of which had standard formats for how the first part of the review should look but no standards for the review itself (a few did) – it’s a crap shoot out there. Do you care about all the elements covered above or do you just want to know if the book had a HEA or HFN and whether or not I liked it? Apparently that’s all some readers want.
Over the past couple of months there has been quite a bit of discussion on many blogs about the value of reviews because of the way books are reviewed on different sites. Some who commented on reviews felt that the reviewers personally attack an author when they dissect a book and other readers like those types of reviews and don’t feel that they are personal attacks. Every reviewer has his or her own style and you can check out any number of review blogs and see different opinions about the same book. Reviews are a matter of opinion from one person’s viewpoint and we don’t go to the same “Reviewing School” so we develop our own criteria of what makes a good book review. Most reviewers do their job with integrity and garner credibility because of that. In other cases it’s hit and miss – and is used an opportunity for the reviewer to demonstrate his or her proficiency in the language or tout his or her credentials. Sometimes we think we’re experts after taking a writing class or two, some reviewers regard writing reviews as a vanity gig because we all like to think we’re important in some way, while a large number of reviewers are published authors who do a great job as reviewers. In some situations a reviewer may even take the opportunity of reviewing a book to make derogatory personal remarks about an author or totally destroy a book – OK, I admit I have read a few that I thought needed to be burned but I viewed my job as one where I provided constructive rather than destructive criticism.
We all bring different skills and mindsets to the art of writing book reviews – and I consider reviewing an art because reviewers walk a fine line between trying to tell the reader/potential buyer what aspects of a book worked for them or didn’t, and why. Sometimes a book moves me and my review reflects that. I write book reviews because I love to read, and for me reviewing is a natural extension of my love for books. I do like some genres more than others (like you couldn’t guess) *g* but I’m gradually going to be reviewing other genres where I find an author whose body of work makes me sit up and take notice.
I could continue in this vein but that is not the main purpose of this post. A couple of months ago I did a post because my virtual friend Emmy questioned why I didn’t post negative reviews on books I didn’t like and I responded by saying that starting this year I would go back to posting more negative reviews where warranted because I thought she had a valid point. Sometimes when I read someone else’s review I wonder if the reviewer is talking about the same book I read – which proves the point that reviewing is one person’s opinion. In addition, coming back to Emmy’s main point, the readers deserve to know if I thought a book was not up to par and why, rather than just not reviewing the book because it wasn’t “good news”. So I will stick to my promise and review the majority of books I read, whether or not I liked them (can’t review them all because I have to sleep sometime.) 🙂
There are a few authors (very few) whose books I have not reviewed on this blog because, for personal reasons, I did not feel I could review their work in a fair and unbiased manner. This is a personal failing which I recognize and I’m working on it. I know that a number of reviewers can totally divorce their personal feelings from their work but for others it’s not as easy. Ideally, I should be able to review the book and not the author. Hey, at least I recognize my failings. On the flip side there are some authors whose work I really like and when I find a book of theirs that I can’t relate to for whatever reason it’s just as difficult to write a tough review. Most of the time I do it but on other occasions I take the coward’s way out and not review the book. In one case I told an author that I found the premise of a book totally illogical and unbelievable and gave her the option of me not posting the review or going ahead with it. To her credit she said that she didn’t want me to compromise my integrity and that I should do what I felt was right; she went up 100% in my estimation. I posted the review.
Coming back to my original question, why do you read reviews?
Looking forward to your comments.
Why you gotta bust me out like that?
I think reviews in general can be a useful tool in determining whether I will get a book or not. However, very rarely are they the ONLY deciding factor. There are so many other outside factors- different tastes in books, don’t particularly like the genre but read the book anyways, certain elements such as non-con or edge play didn’t appeal to the reviewer but might to others, etc.
You and I have damn near identical tastes in books, so if you don’t like something, plz to be lettin a sista know so only one of us has to waste their money *g*.
When I read a review it’s to get a better picture of what a book is about because quite often the blurb doesn’t cut it. So I want the basic info and also what the reviewer felt. But I also want the why’s and wherefore’s of what they say unless it’s a blogger whose taste I know and like.
As a reviewer, I like to review books just for my personal entertainment and not for some kind of recognition or such.
On a personal level, I really like to try to articulate what I felt about a book, which actually enhances the experience for me.
I don’t shy away from giving a negative review unless I’ve already given a neg review of a particular author. I have reviewed some authors who have become friends and I do believe I’m capable of being objective about it.
I usually review almost all the books I read. When I don’t, it’s because I really couldn’t put what I felt into words or it just didn’t really affect me enough to say something.
I think reviewers should be honest and say what they feel, however, they should stay away from personal attacks, although there has been a time or two when I questioned the sex of an author or what they were smoking.
Damn you’re asking the hard questions this week. Umm. Why? Well, being new to the genre I’m looking for ideas of good books to spend my money on. I like to know if the characters were realistic and likeable (in your opinion) and seemed to work together, if the book made sense, if something key was missing that would have made it better and overall would you tell me to read it as a friend. Not someone who has a vested interest and will get any kickback if I fork out $1.49 (yeah it was worth it 🙂 or $6 for a book.
I don’t read a lot of review sites so can’t speak for others, I like how you do it, it makes sense to me. I also know that review are subjective. What one person loves another hates. I’ll be honest, you and I seem to have similar tastes. You haven’t steered me wrong yet when you’ve recommended something. (And I’m not just sucking up. 🙂 So I think that has kept me coming back here over and over (and the fun factor of course).
I would like to see some negatives because hard as this is to believe, I buy books you haven’t told me to. 😉 and there have been a couple I haven’t finished, they just didn’t speak to me for some reason. But I’m also a total softie and understand not wanting to write bad reviews because it doesn’t mean the book is bad necessarily, I’m sure lots of people will love it, just not me necessarily, which is why I stick to reading reviews and not writing them. I respect what you do and know it must be tough to walk that line sometimes.
Sorry this is so long and rambly. Hope it made sense.
I read reviews for basic overall impressions on a book:
Did you like it? Why?
Did you hate it? Why?
I read the review, weigh the information, and make my own decision from there.
I like biased, emotional, and informal reviews. If I wanted a summary, I could read the back of the book. If I wanted formal, unbiased technical reviews about historical accuracy and the proper use of hooks and transitions, I’d look to Publishers Weekly or the NY Times *gag…heave…HURL*.
I don’t understand all the stress over reviews. We’re not professional reviewers. We’re just bloggers asked to give basic opinions. Bloggers should write what they feel like writing and be done with it.
If someone doesn’t like my reviewing style, there are plenty of other reviewers reading and reviewing the same books, so they should have no problem finding a second opinion.
I’ll ask questions if I want information that wasn’t covered in the review, but I can’t imagine ever asking a fellow blogger to change her/his reviewing style.
I review because I want to promote those authors and books that made me feel something, either good or bad. Usually if a book is kind of “blah”, I won’t review it because there was nothing I could find in those pages to review about.
Reviewing is also a way of practicing my writing skills because I enjoy writing.
I also like to review movies because why not express my feelings ver something I enjoyed?
Hi Emmy
I wasn’t trying to out you, just stating a fact, and I am trying to do better in the negative department. I will do what I can to increase the number of reviews, generally, including those where I feel that the book was off. I did one a few days ago for one of the 2 stories in Hearts Afire – January – the Bonnie Dee story, I tried to be constructive and I could have said a lot more, but there’s only so much time.
Leah
It’s not that I shy away from negative reviews – been there, done that, but I focus more on the books I like. I’m not concerned about hurt feelings, it’s just that writing reviews takes a lot of time, as you know, and last year I reviewed at least 200 books on the blog.
Sometimes I get so fed up with a book that it’s a DNF.
I am always honest in my reviews but if it’s really poorly written I don’t say everything I want to say b/c at some point there’s only so much you can say about one book.
I recently wrote an author and told her why I would not review her book – another DNF – because it was so poorly written (didn’t exactly say that but she got the message). She was angry at me even though I couched my comments in politically correct terms and said that obviously I couldn’t review a M/F book b/c I only review M/M (I review M/F for other sites) and she pointed me to another review that gave her 5 stars (the review was totally on the sex in the book and nothing else). The reason I didn’t want to do a negative review is because she is a brand new author. Can’t win.
The comment I made about not reviewing some authors’ work has to do with the way they attack peers on a personal level and I abhor that type of behaviour. So even though these authors are good writers I can’t bring myself – yet – to review their books
I can so relate to questioning what some authors have been smoking *g*
Hi Jen
I do agree about knowing what a reviewer liked or didn’t like about a book because sometimes the reason they didn’t like a book is exactly the reason why I would like it.You and I agree on about 60% of the books we review (in the genres we like) because there are some things both of us like and in other cases, maybe not as much. We have always debated our points which I think is great because it gives me a different perspective when I’m reviewing other books.
It was not angst or stress about reviews that made me write this post, I was trying to find out what people look for (especially regulars on this blog) when they read my and other reviews. On most reviews I post there are healthy discussions, pro and con, about the book, which is a lot of fun. If this wasn’t fun I wouldn’t do it.
Hi KB
Practicing your writing skills by doing reviews is an excellent way of improving those skills. Everyone has their reasons for reviewing and yours work for you, which is all each of us can hope for.
Tam
Does this mean that I don’t have to refund any money to you? *g* You told me what I needed to know. You use the reviews mostly for buying decisions, and I’m happy that my reviews were helpful (even though you had to be dragged kicking and screaming sometimes) 🙂
I have lots more recommendations for you but I wouldn’t dare do so at this time b/c you already told me you have no $.
It’s not that I don’t want to do negative reviews (I do some of them but not as many as I should) As an example, right now I’m struggling with a book and I’ll probably have to re-read it to make sure that my initial impression was right. Emmy is just mad at me for her poor buying decisions *g* (she’s a reviewer and probably reads as many books as I do) because she wants me to save her money. I made her a deal – every time I save her money she has to be nice to me which is going to be hard because she’s such a baitch.
Sometimes I wonder when I write a review (especially if it’s a negative one) whether it’s me and not the book. There are authors whose books I have reviewed negatively (one in particular, whose books I no longer review)) so now I’m pretty selective since I still buy the majority of my books. That’s another reason why there is not a high percentage of negative reviews – if an author has disappointed me on more than 2 occasions I no longer buy her books.
I’ll send you by email the names of a couple of books that I love (haven’t reviewed them as yet but I wouldn’t recommend them if I didn’t think you would like them). Money back guarantee still in effect. 🙂
Yeah, send me the e-mail. I just bought 10 stories on the weekend. Sigh. Did I say I have no money? I likely said I didn’t want to spend any more money, doesn’t mean I listen to myself AT ALL. Evidently I don’t. LOL
I read reviews to 1) look for books to buy 2) to assist the buying decision 3) to know what others think about a book that I like or dislike…
I approach book reviews the same I approach music reviews – I have to be able to trust that reviewer, or at least know that his/her “taste” is similar to my own. It can take time before I really “trust” some reviewers 🙂 (and you know you’re one of them, Wave :P)
As for negative reviews – they are good as long as the focus is on the book, not the author. Although I usually lose interest reading a negative review – I mean, you said it’s not good – why should I bother to read more? LOL… unless it’s the case of a book that I’ve read and have different or same opinion on. Or it’s a book that spilt most people’s opinion, then I might be more interested to read different arguments.
An interesting question.
I admit reviews have assisted me re: making (or not making) purchases; however, this doesn’t necessarily relate to whether the review is positive or negative, a high or low ‘grade’. Rather I read the reviewer’s comments – and I also agree the reviewer needs to be someone I know/trust has similar reading tastes to me – and based on what they have said decide if I think I will like the book.
One of the other main reasons I read review blogs is because I enjoy finding out what other people are reading, discovering what they’re thinking and getting different perspectives about books/authors/genres/etc.
Re: the book reviews themselves – I like knowing what the reviewer did or didn’t like about a book and why. Explanations or examples help me understand whether the like/dislike is something that would bother me.
Constructive reviews also get the thumbs up from me. I’ve stopped reading some review blogs because they seem to me to be too personal, too bitchy or too pretentious.
Hi Tam
Tell me what you bought and I’ll delete it from the list.
Did you say 10 books? Wow. You need a love interest to keep you warm instead of books 🙂
Hi Eve
Thanks for the good words and for telling me why you read reviews.
Sometimes negative reviews, if the reviewer tells me why he/she didn’t like a book, makes me buy it because the same reason why they didn’t like it could be the reason why I would.
Thanks Kris
You’ve helped me enormously with your comments.
I’ll try to keep the “bitchy” down to a dull roar. 🙂
I read reviews primarily to see what readers find both appealing and off-putting. Obviously, such information is helpful to an author.
If a work consistently gets an enthusiastic reception, I swing into reader mode and search out excerpts. If the excerpts impress me — because they are, ultimately, the determining factor — then the book goes on my TBR pile.
On the other hand, bad reviews don’t necessarily put me off. I have quirky tastes that don’t always jibe with other readers’.
Now, keep in mind I’m referring to more literate, thoughtful, evaluative reviews, not those that are two-thirds synopsis and one-third “Oh, it was so hot-hot-hot!”
Reviews that smack of fan-squee also make me wary. It seems that once a reader (whether a reviewer or not) becomes firmly entrenched in a fandom, s/he slaps the blinders on, loses objectivity, and will rave about Revered Author’s work no matter what its quality level. I’ve seen way too much of that.
Finally, I don’t put any faith in review venues that require authors to “pay to play.” Isn’t this how RT does it?
(Sorry, Wave. Looks like I got my ramble on!)
*snort* The day you do a bitchy review, Wave, you will be inundated with posts and emails asking if you’re feeling alright.
Hi KZ
Your comments give me a lot of food for thought. I hope I don’t squee too much, although there are authors whose work I love because they are exceptional writers. I just found one in Rick R. Reed – I’ve reviewed one of his books, have just completed a review of another which will be posted soon, and will be reading one more in about a month.
There are others who are auto buys for me, but that does not mean if one of their books is below what I consider to be their best work that I will give them the highest marks for old times sake. I try to remember that I review books for the readers, not the authors.
Sometimes brand new authors or an author whose work I have never read, really surprise me, in a good way, and I’m looking forward to reading Looking For Some Touch very soon. Pay to Play? RT?? I thought that was only the Mayor of Illinois 🙂
No, Wave, there’s nothing whatsoever wrong with your reviews! In fact, you’re very even-handed.
I don’t mind seeing enthusiasm at all (that was how I discovered Wicked Gentlemen, a real treasure), and I fully understand becoming a follower of certain authors. It’s only when squee overwhelms substance in a review, or a particular reviewer unfailingly praises to the skies every single book by Author X, that I get suspicious.
Isn’t it RT that requires an author to be a subscriber before they’ll review her/his books? I could very well be wrong. Some sites do, however, seem to favor certain publishers over others.
Thanks for saying that my reviews are fair. I do tend to be enthusiastic when I REALLY love a book and I’m glad that Wicked Gentlemen worked for you.
I believe you’re right about RT and I don’t think you’ll even get to second base with them because you write M/M. There’s an ongoing brouhaha about them not promoting M/M writers even when they pay their membership dues, and apparently they don’t review a lot of M/M books when they promise to do so.
I don’t normally do promos on the blog and have only done one or two that I recall. Recently an author was to have been interviewed on the blog but I screwed up. When she forgave me so nicely I offered to promo her newest book.
I have fun with a lot of authors and readers on the blog but my primary concern is to be fair in my reviews so that the readers trust I have no hidden agenda. A few times I re-read a book because I wasn’t 100% sure about my original rating and I have been known to change the rating the second time around b/c on the re-read I caught a few things. Always happens when I’m in a hurry. *g*
Not you…I know you weren’t saying you were stressed out about reviewing, but I’ve seen lots of other bloggers stressing over reviews.
I’ve stressed out over it myself, but not because I don’t review a certain way…because I just can’t seem to make myself review at all. LOL
Hey Jen
You did fine with your latest review. I read it and thought it was great. Your mini reviews are fine as well b/c they give the readers a flavour of what the book is about. Just wish I could get back to M/F.
I have seen a couple of mean reviews recently, one on DA, which got me to thinking that we’re supposed to be doing this for the readers so that they know why the reviewer liked or didn’t like a book, not use the review as an opportunity to bash the author.
It’s not a style I would emulate but everyone has a different way of doing reviews, and I keep reminding myself every day why I do it. Because there sure aren’t any free cruises for doing book reviews *g*
Hi Wave,
I read the reviews so I can know other people’s opinions on a book. I only read your site and Elisa on LJ, and have enjoyed reading all the reviews. I’ve discovered that you and I might have been separated at birth, cause Damn, we think alike 🙂
As far as should you be more negative, it’s still only an opinion, an author needs to be able to hear a “good or bad” review. They need to keep in mind that if a reviewer didn’t enjoy their story it is not a personal thing, unless the review IS a personal attack. Something that I know you would never do. (Bit of rambling answer there, huh?)
All in all, I love your reviews, if you want to add in reviews on some of the books you were personally not thrilled with, it still comes down to it’s your opinion, and you are free to share that!!
Lily
What I’m grateful for, Wave, is that you focus specifically on GLBT fiction. Other good review sites like DA and Mrs. Giggles cover the entire romance spectrum, so m/m works are bound to get short shrift.
Nice to have a place where I can read detailed reviews of books that interest me and get treated to eye candy, interviews, polls, and discussions…all in a friendly environment.
Far as I’m concerned, you’re doing it right.
Why do I read reviews? Well, the answer to that one is easy: I’m a greedy book bitch and I’m always on the lookout for more :-DDDDD
Reading reviews for me is akin to shopping – although at the present it’s mostly window-shopping *sigh*. I use them to help me with my buying decisions, too. It’s especially true with new authors on who I might not have taken the risk. I like the extra information a review usually adds to the well-rehearshed blurb contents about the plot and characters’s personality. I like to see what the reviewer enjoyed or not in the book and compare his/her whys to my own tastes to decide if it looks like I would enjoy it too.
Yes I want to know whether the plot made sense, if the characters were fleshed out enough to make you think of them as real people, and if the style pulled you into the story. But there is no set list of criteria a reviewer should address, in my opinion. You only do so if it is relevant. You can mention the pacing if there was a problem with it or if it was especially well-done, else there’s no reason to mention it. A review should spend time on the aspects that made a story stand out, one way or another.
And most of all, I want to get an idea of the feelings a story evoked in the reviewer. I read because I want to be moved; if a review makes it seem like it didn’t make one feel much, I’m not interested. I want to know if the story managed to make you laugh along with the characters, cry for the characters, worry for them, be pissed at them, wish you were in a three-way snadwich with them (or sometimes just looking through a crack of the door, that could be fine too :-D). The emotion the reviewer feels should show in the review – always constructively, you don’t just say “OMG this was soooooo gooooood” and stop there. You still explain why you loved it (or not). But it should show.
It is why I am wary of reviews that are overly technical, because the few times I’ve reviewed and relied on technique (a checklist of sorts) was when I didn’t know what to say because I DIDN’T feel much. That’s usually for books I’d rate between 3 and 4 – not bad enough to actively dislike anything, but not enthralling enough to have anything to gush about.
That brings me to another thing people haven’t mentionned so far: ratings. For me, it is very important that a review includes a rating. I’m lazy and I don’t to read through the whole thing before I can see whether the reviewer liked it or not. Not so I can decide whether I should bother reading the review or not; if it has one, I always read the review – if the rating is good, to see what there was to like about it, if it’s bad, what the flaws were. I just want to have a clear idea right from the start.
So, in conclusion, I like your reviews because they bring most of the things I just mentionned, because you never make personal attacks against an author and you are never bitchy. Although sometimes I almost wish you were, just a tiny bit – sometimes I can feel you weren’t satisfied with a book, but you never say it flat-out and always remain polite, using very careful phrasing *g*. It’s all to your credit, but it forces me to read between the lines and I already said I was lazy :-DDD (I usually get the truth out of you at some point, though)
We’re usually on the same wavelenght when it comes to books, so if you really liked something I usually write it down on my own wish list right away 😀 Yet I *never* buy anything before also reading an excerpt, because beyond the plot and characters and subject, if the style doesn’t do it for me, or doesn’t suit my current mood, I’ll never even bother finishing the story, good or bad. And of course it has to suit my tastes. But you occasionally convinced me to give a try to something I wouldn’t have bought on my own. 😀
Sidenote:
Right now I’m struggling with a book and I’ll probably have to re-read it to make sure that my initial impression was right.
And I thought I was the only one crazy enough to do that *g* I actually get books back from my TBR pile – where they only go if they really didn’t do it for me – to make sure they really were as bad (or unremarkable) as I thought. At least you have the excuse of writing reviews and wanting to put a finger on your exact feelings; I’m just hoping to rescue the books from their “dire” fate so I can put them back on my Pisa-towers of book piles.
I hope this comment makes sense, I did a lot of copy/paste/move and I’m too tired to re-read it.
And I still haven’t read the JB interview. Crap.
Mary
First things first – you’ll love the JB interview not because it’s on this blog but b/c this author is such a VERY interesting personality. What I love about interviews is that if the author wants to let you in it’s amazing to “meet” them. You find out about their struggles with writing, their failures and triumphs, and why they do what they do. Plus sometimes you get to have fun with them. You should really check it out when you have the time.
On the review front, you have given me so much new information. There’s nothing wrong with “window shopping” b/c if you make a list you usually go back and buy the article you saw in the window.*g*
Re “feelings” you have read enough of my reviews to know when a book really moves me, when I didn’t like it, and when it was ho hum. I always like to give new authors, or new to me, a chance, so it’s a bit of a risk, but what’s life without a few risks – sometimes this is how I find gems. I wish more authors offered free reads so that readers could check out their style BEFORE they put down their hard earned cash. A lot of readers told me that the Christmas giveaway gave them that opportunity b/c they were able to sample authors they were hesitant about, and they were mostly complimentary about those authors they tried.
Last, I hpe that new coat kept you warm yesterday. I thought of you b/c if it was -20C here it would be at least -30C in Quebec.For those of you living in the US -20C is about -4F and -30C is cold enough to turn your balls (if you have any) into Popsicles.
KZ
I decided to go M/M when I realized that I really LOVE the books, and most review sites focused on het romances so the genre wasn’t being well served in a number of areas.
Same for author interviews – except for the first one which was really a trial run and a friend asked me to interview the authors, (who are really nice) every other author since then writes M/M books (even if they do write het as well).
Glad you like the polls *g* and talking about eye candy it’s almost Friday and I haven’t put my list together so I better start.
Lily
With you it’s always like old home week.
It’s eerie that our reading tastes are so similar. Thank you for the feedback and I’m sorry that it’s so cold in Florida (despite what the US weather reports say, the chill did NOT come from here.) *g*
Btw I should be posting my review of Forged within a week.
I think the thing to do is find a reviewer whose tastes are close to your own. For urban fantasy I pay close attention to what KMont at Lurv a la Mode likes as I think our tastes are similar. For m/m I pay close attention to you lol. There are probably four or five review sites that I pay attention to, but I always try to research a book as well.
When I review it tends to be more about feelings than sentence structure and if I’ve really loved a book I think I have a tendency to descend into incoherent happiness. I think I’ve only given one book a low review and I always try to find something positive to say. I don’t think I’ve ever been bitchy just for the sake of it.
There was one book that was a wall-banger for me but I chose not to review it on my blog. Mainly because I was so angry about it I didn’t think it would be useful to anyone.
Hi Lesley
A wallbanger? You must email me to let me know which book it was so that I don’t go out and buy it *g*
Another good urban fantasy blog is Darque Reviews run by my friend Kimberly Swan. If you’re into urban fantasy you probably know this site.
I usually try to find something positive to say and if I hate a book I didn’t post most of the reviews but now that Emmy has outed me I will have to do so. Her point is that since I have similar tastes as most of the readers who frequent the blog I should share my negative opinions just as I do the positive ones. This way the readers won’t buy shitty books that I knew all along are shitty.
Thanks for commenting Lesley
Glad I could contribute :). I would hate to have spent an hour writing that comment for nothing :-DDDD
I really want to read the James Buchanan interview. I do! Blame fanfiction, and whoever mentionned Harry Potter fanfiction in your last poll. After re-reading a twincest story I found myself looking for Fred/George fiction, which lead to Boromir/faramir, then to a new site with Outlander fiction, then Sunshine fanfics, then BDB fics, and then forget it, I was a goner :-DDD. I’ve been on that binge for two days. But I’ll get there, as soon as I’ve updated my LJ.
And yes, my coat did its job, thanks 😀 We’re around -20 too in Mtl, although it does go down to -30 in Quebec City at nigh, but fortunately there’s not much wind. With the coat, my hand-knitted mile-long scraf, my dad’s gloves (I lost the ones I bought in Switzerland on the bus last week 🙁 ), a hat, the hood on, my warmest boots, woolen socks and tights under my jeans, I can go outisde without problem :-DDD Putting the gear on is a bitch, though. I have lustful thoughts about Hawaii.
Sorry to be late to the party. I am probably saying things that others have already touched upon.
I was once told by a professor in college that course evaluations are put into three piles: one for the “this class and instructor were so incredibly wonderful and nothing bad to say,” one for “this class and instructor were so incredibly horrible and nothing good to say,” and one for “I liked it, but had some issues, and here they what they are;” the first two piles are often disregarded entirely. This is generally my approach to reading and writing reviews.
When I am considering purchasing a book, I do a quick reviews search. This is the number one reason I read reviews. I started doing this after I wasted a bunch of hard-earned money on crap that later I found via reviews, few others liked either. I may not read the entire review (especially if there are spoilers possible), and oddly enough I actually gravitate toward the bad reviews first. Are they just complaining about something minor, like editing and not the story itself (this happened with Josh’s Fatal Shadows book before the re-edits; there were a high number of negative reviews and they almost all had to do with the horrific editing of the first printing, not the story)? Or is it constructive criticism and actually makes me want to buy the book to see if I agree or not. For both good and bad reviews, have they put together a reasonable, literate composition, or is it a one or two liner (or even worse, like KZ said, a giant synopsis and two sentences of “OMG, I loved…/I hated…”)? I also have found there are several reviewers with whom I share general opinions and like similar books (of which you are one, Wave), and I tend to look at those after the negatives. When I am done with a book (or a movie), I then tend to repeat my reviews search and read everything I can find. Am I the only one who felt the way I did? There are times when I’ve really, really disliked a book and find a bunch of wonderful reviews, and I do wonder if I read the same book as them, or am I so out of touch that I don’t get it.
I now have found several review sites/blogs that I look to for ideas on future purchases, this being one of them. What are other like-minded people reading? If I liked X book and so did Y reviewer, and they loved Z book, then there is a good chance I’ll do a little more research and buy it (or at least it goes in my TBB pile). Also, I find that I get new perspectives on storylines, characters and authors this way; I like being made to think and this does it for me sometimes.
For producing my own reviews, I am not a writer and have never taken a writing class outside of the usual secondary/college-level requirements, but I found about eight months ago that there were a few books and authors that spoke to me, touched me enough to put fingers to keyboard. These stories and authors I pimp both online and in person. I haven’t written many (10, though three are not showing up yet), and I do place my reviews on Amazon (even with the at times heated debates about that), but I enjoy it. I am not looking for any kind of recognition, though I admit that I get a little happy face when I see “x of x people found the following review helpful.” *g*
I am not sure how to write a negative review, but I want to learn how as I have been mightily tempted recently. I have a problem, even in RL, saying critical things. Maybe that’s my problem, I don’t want to hurt the author’s feelings, especially if the author is new. I am generally very tactful and am told that I am sometimes too nice. This topic has come up on other blogs such as Dear Author and Smart Bitches, and sometimes I wish I had the balls to write “this story sucked monkey ass and this is why” like Candy and Sarah do. I realize that they’re saying the story (character, contrived ending, completely unbelievable act) is at fault, not that the author is a bad person, and somehow it works for them.
Even though I have no interest in writing my own piece of fiction, I have found that doing the reviews I have has made me, I think, a little better writer, even though I do tend to be very wordy. I am open to criticism if anyone feels otherwise.
Right now I’m struggling with a book and I’ll probably have to re-read it to make sure that my initial impression was right.
I do this, too. In fact, I almost always read a book twice just to see if I missed something redeemable (if it’s bad) and to catch things I missed the first time around (especially if it’s so good that I am racing through it just to get to the end).
Hi Anne
I think the one thing I learned is that when writing a review you’re only telling the readers what you did and didn’t like about a book. This is valuable to both the readers and the authors.
For example this afternoon I exchanged comments with an author on a recent review where I criticized a character in her book, and she hadn’t realized that her portrayal of the character didn’t exactly come across the way she intended. So it’s helpful to the writers as well.
But coming back to your point, a review has to be balanced. I have written a number of negative reviews because my book selections at the time were not very good. Now my selections are about 80/20, based on writers I like, writers I would like to try who I’ve heard good things about, or recommendations from other reviewers or readers who frequent the blog. This means I only read poorly written books 20% of the time which is not bad.
Writing negative reviews are not difficult – sometimes they are easier to write than the ones about great books. What I have to guard against is writing a review when I’m angry about a book because that would be one bitchy review.:)
I would really like to read your reviews – where are they posted?
What I have to guard against is writing a review when I’m angry about a book because that would be one bitchy review.:)
This is something I need to watch, too. It’s my immediate reactions to say “that was so bad and such a waste of my money, I need to tell someone” then I think that would be bad, so I don’t so it at all. I need to fins some medium ground.
My reviews are grouped on my Amazom profile page. Like I said, there are not that many so far, and the other three Adrien English books are not showing up yet (they’re a little behind in posting them from what I understand).
I’ll check out your reviews on amazon Anne.
The key for me on writing negative reviews when I’m really angry about a book and I think “what was he/she smoking” is I wait for at least 48 hours before posting. Sometimes I write the review right away to remind me what I hated about the book (I don’t post it, of course) then a few days later I look at it again, and in the cold light of rational thought I rewrite it and try to be constuctive rather than destructive. I have a friend, Kimberly Swan, to whom I have sent a review or two to look over before I post it, to ensure that my anger is tempered 🙂
I would be pleased to look at one of your “angry, ranting” reviews when you do write one, if you think that would help. Just saying. You don’t have to accept. *g*
I would be pleased to look at one of your “angry, ranting” reviews when you do write one, if you think that would help. Just saying. You don’t have to accept. *g*
That would be great, thanks.
Lynn
I was on amazon a few minutes ago to check on some of my books and I took the opportunity to read a few of your reviews. They are really, really good. They’re reasoned, they tell why you like the books and they’re funny too.
Any time you want to be a guest reviewer on the blog I would love to have you.
*blush* Thanks for the positive feedback. I’d be happy to guest review for you, just let me know what book and when. You have my email address.
I love your reviews, because they give me more information than the short blurbs on most covers. I like thumbing through a book before I buy it. I like reading a few pages to check out voice and style and simply see if I click with the story. I can’t do that with e-books, which is why I am so reluctant to buy them. I can’t do it in my local bookstores because they don’t carry gay books. In a way, you do it for me. I read your reviews, and I get an idea about the book.
I like when you mention what doesn’t work for you. Depending on my mood, I might or might not care about whatever particular problem you saw. If characters are awesome, I can overlook holes in the plot. And if I’m looking for a smartly thought out piece of work, I can overlook shallow characters if the story keeps me guessing and moving along.
And hey, you’re my only source of gay reviews, because you read what I like. Now could you please read more paranormal stuff, preferably with vampires and shape shifters *g* Thank you.
Nadja
I’m looking for good paranormal stories b/c I love them. The only one I’m definitely looking forward to right now is the last book in a series from M.L.Rhodes called Fires of Ballian. (the series is Lords of Kellesborne). If you know of any good ones just out please recommend them to me.
Thanks, now I’m your “shopper”? *g* I do try my best to give the readers a flavour of the books without revealing any spoilers. Like you, I love character driven stories but the plot has to be good too.
I’m going to send you a link by email about a discussion on LJ with a few authors about characters in M/M books. Hey, you might want to comment.
"Why do you read book reviews?"
I don't. I still don't except for this one. I never have not for books, music, movies, or dining. I read this one regularly because I've yet to find a book we have markedly disagreed upon. Even better, I read it because it often gives me the words I am unable to find on my own for what I thought or felt.
"Is it to assist you in buying decisions? Or Not?"
Yes partly but more for suggestions in what else I might like to read. Books that I may not have learned about on my own.
"What elements do you want to see in reviews?"
I guess I want exactly what is being done or I would not be reading it in the first place. For what is being done has been enough to keep me coming back when I haven't for any other review site. I am sure the above is true for many of your readers.
"Do you care about all the elements covered above or do you just want to know if the book had a HEA or HFN and whether or not I liked it? Apparently that's all some readers want."
I definitely care about all the elements, but I know it must take you a long time. I would not begrudge you shortening them. As for "some readers" they can scan & get what info they want or check out your ratings. It is the explanations & length you go to explain that I look for in the first place. It is worded in the way I wish I could.
I know something bothers me, moves me, just doesn't feel right with a story – Typically you've picked up on it & concisely worded it. Giving me the words to my feelings. I have an amazing vocabulary, but unfortunately it fails me when it comes to retrieving the needed words. I see words I know what they mean. I need to use them, & I just can not seem to get them out of my brain's filing cabinet.
(It took another's comment to word what I wanted to say above: "I really like to try to articulate what I felt about a book, which actually enhances the experience for me." – MB(Leah))
There is a lot more I would like to say, but I will save it for another day since this is long enough. Thanks, Cathleen
Cathleen
What a wonderful comment. You were very articulate in saying what you liked (or didn’t like). I’m so glad to be validated by you and I do appreciate what you said. *out buying another size hat* 🙂
Thank you for persevering and actually posting. I hope you’ll continue to do so. We have lively discussions on the blog about the books and the reviews and sometimes even the authors show up to join in the discussions.
I do try to be honest in my reviews and when a book does not resonate, for whatever reason, I think it might be me and I say that.
Leah’s comments were spot on.
I try not to include any “spoilers” in my reviews because then the whole “reading” experience would not be a good one – no more surprises. I have to straddle a fine line b/c when you write long reviews like I do, sometimes unwittingly you might give away an important plot point.
I’m very happy to have return visitors like you and I hope you continue to come back. I wish you had participated in the book giveaway at Christmas but my post about free reads on authors’ sites is still valid – here’s the link.
http://tinyurl.com/7cscdw
Some of the publishers’ and author’s links may no longer be valid but the allromanceebooks link is valid and they have over 80 free stories.
Thanks again for writing Cathleen and I hope to see you on the blog often.
Thank you. I would not even want to admit the amount of time I put into the post nor how many drafts it took. :o)
I was around when you posted for the free book giveaways. I have been "lurking" for months. I just figured one of two things; 1. There were people who would be helped by getting a free book, or 2. Someone would try a new author, they might not have, due to a free book. Neither applied to me. I'll try almost anything once, & I have a "book allowance".
I had already gone to many of the links you provided to free reads, especially those connected to previous stories. I even bookmarked & registered at the AllRomanceEbooks site, though I primarily buy from Fictionwise or Elloras.
I had finished the 2nd part to your question, especially about negative reviews. I expected to post it next, but now I will wait since I am leaving this one instead.
I know you were kind of looking for mine, but is there a way you know if someone comments on an older post? Just Curious.
Last question first. All comments come in to my email which is how I know when to respond. People are still commenting on posts I did months and months ago because they just found the blog. So please go ahead if you wish to comment on an older post or review.
When you comment it’s supposed to be fun so don’t spend too much time on them – you can always add comments or questions later. There are no time limits except for the polls which I close within a few days.
I’m glad you were able to get some books from the “free” list. That’s how I find authors I never read before and now love. Glad you have a book allowance – every one of the readers who comment on a regular basis are always crying poverty. They blame me!