Oh, yes. Largely to find out about books I hadn’t yet heard of, but also in part to see who all agrees with my opinions about books. [One caveat: I’m talking about professional reviews in real publications–I don’t pay much attention at all to the scores of amateur reviews on sites like Amazon or Goodreads.]
@John I’ve been reviewing books for various publications and websites since the 1970s and don’t have a journalism degree. By professional, I meant someone who gets paid for writing.
Yes, I read and watch reviews but I like to watch book reviews more so than reading them. I get more emotion from the reviewer by watching reviews. I feel like they are more honest because it’s easier to flow with your thoughts than to type and backspace and retype a written review.
Yes!! I’m obsessed with Booktube. I seek out reviews for books or authors or genres I’m interested in though, I don’t watch random reviews. And I like watching reviews and book discussions of books that I have just finished reading just to see what over people thought of it.
I read professional book reviews (NYT, London Times, UK Spectator, Guardian) to help me decide whether to invest my $/time. I’ve never watched reviews.
Yes. I like watching cos you get a sense of who the reader is and if you can relate to them. Seeing their expressions is sometimes better than reading a review. You can see when a person gets super excited over a book. I like your reviews cos you are very down to earth in your videos and don’t come across as a book snob. Your reviews have actually made me want to read a Stephen King book ??? I haven’t yet though lol
I like reading them after I read a book, because I usually want to talk about what I just read and there’s no one else around who knows what I’m talking about.
I read reviews after I’ve read the book. I read the blurb about what its about, and the cover. If its a book I want to read, I’ll read it. Same with movie reviews. Everyone has different taste, so if a book looks good to me, I’ll read it. If it doesn’t I won’t. I read reviews on the book I read after. Out of curiosity, to see how many people liked or didnt like it. How many stars given
No, never interested me what others thought about the things that I like. But I will sometimes read reviews of books that did not speak to me especially if they are wildly popular. (Twilight and the 50 shades of grey books, which I did not read, and vampire academy and vampire diaries, two series that I managed to finish a book in each. I am curious why others enjoy these books, I will find a 4 or 5 star review of books I hated to see what I missed)
As a librarian many people ask me what the new arrival are all about. This helps me give a brief description of what awaits the reader. I do not read all the books.
Yes, absolutely. I regularly read Southern Literary Review and Compulsive Reader and often Library Journal, as well as reviews in NYT. I call these “professional reviews,” as they are written by book people with some credentials. These and similar publications help me find new books/new authors that I might not have otherwise have discovered. Negative reviews don’t necessarily turn me off on a book, but I confess being swayed into getting certain books by positive reviews. Isn’t that the point of professional reviews? Amazon, Goodread, and Bookbub reviews also influence me some times. I see reviews as “news media” for books.
I write book reviews, and I also read them- but usually only after I have finished the book. It is always interesting to see how other peoples opinions differ from your own.
Also, if you find a critic that you know shares you’re tastes, you might manage to discover a hidden gem or avoid an unexpected turd. Usually I’m gonna read what I’m gonna read, but if I really trust somebody I will certainly consider any strong opinion they might have, before committing to a new book.
I sometimes read reviews on Goodreads to see what other people have thought of the book. It interests me whether people tend to share my opinions on books or not.
I follow some booktubers and bookstagramers. People that tend to like and dislike similar things to me. Good way to hear about books I might not have been exposed to otherwise.
I check the synopsis on the jacket, if the book is by an unknown author I’ll go to Goodreads to get a general idea if the book was well received or not. If I see consistent 3 star reviews I’m not going to read the book. I generally read one or two reviews if the book has a four star or above rating.
I did when I was a school librarian. They certainly attract teenagers and sometimes help them decide which book to read. To a large extent, there are more visual learners around so it does work well. I prefer not to have a bias regarding how a character ‘looks’, but may be in the minority here.
Oh, yes. Largely to find out about books I hadn’t yet heard of, but also in part to see who all agrees with my opinions about books. [One caveat: I’m talking about professional reviews in real publications–I don’t pay much attention at all to the scores of amateur reviews on sites like Amazon or Goodreads.]
Must one be incorporated to qualify as a professional , or is a degree in journalism sufficient ??
@John I’ve been reviewing books for various publications and websites since the 1970s and don’t have a journalism degree. By professional, I meant someone who gets paid for writing.
No my TBR list is long enough.
Yes, I read and watch reviews but I like to watch book reviews more so than reading them. I get more emotion from the reviewer by watching reviews. I feel like they are more honest because it’s easier to flow with your thoughts than to type and backspace and retype a written review.
I love the Book Review section in Saturday’s New York Times. I sit down with it and when I see a book I want to read I add it to my TBR list.
Yes!! I’m obsessed with Booktube. I seek out reviews for books or authors or genres I’m interested in though, I don’t watch random reviews. And I like watching reviews and book discussions of books that I have just finished reading just to see what over people thought of it.
I do book reviews.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lN6oH7TVtss
@Autumn what are some of your favorite books or any that you read recently
@Autumn
I honestly forgot the books in this video lol
https://youtu.be/wqnqLb2wlxE
I have an unhealthy obsession with booktube and bookstagram right now, so yes haha
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lN6oH7TVtss
Top 5 Wednesday I did
https://youtu.be/BgsS_40_3Is
I read professional book reviews (NYT, London Times, UK Spectator, Guardian) to help me decide whether to invest my $/time. I’ve never watched reviews.
Yes. I like watching cos you get a sense of who the reader is and if you can relate to them. Seeing their expressions is sometimes better than reading a review. You can see when a person gets super excited over a book. I like your reviews cos you are very down to earth in your videos and don’t come across as a book snob. Your reviews have actually made me want to read a Stephen King book ??? I haven’t yet though lol
I do watch book reviews. I’m a fan of booktube
Years ago I read all the reviews of Library Journal.
I do them and I watch them. Love booktube
I always check reviews and blurbs before deciding on a book. Too little time to waste on bad books.
I like reading them after I read a book, because I usually want to talk about what I just read and there’s no one else around who knows what I’m talking about.
I read reviews after I’ve read the book. I read the blurb about what its about, and the cover. If its a book I want to read, I’ll read it. Same with movie reviews. Everyone has different taste, so if a book looks good to me, I’ll read it. If it doesn’t I won’t. I read reviews on the book I read after. Out of curiosity, to see how many people liked or didnt like it. How many stars given
Nope
No, I don’t want to be influenced by someone else’s opinion. I do read reviews after I’ve finished the book though.
Polandbananasbooks! It’s pleasurable seeing people react to a book you adore ❤?
I sometimes read reviews. I don’t watch them.
No, I like to find out what I think of the book on my own without having any outside influence
No, unless I’m done reading it and like some ideas to make a review
No, never interested me what others thought about the things that I like. But I will sometimes read reviews of books that did not speak to me especially if they are wildly popular. (Twilight and the 50 shades of grey books, which I did not read, and vampire academy and vampire diaries, two series that I managed to finish a book in each. I am curious why others enjoy these books, I will find a 4 or 5 star review of books I hated to see what I missed)
As a librarian many people ask me what the new arrival are all about. This helps me give a brief description of what awaits the reader. I do not read all the books.
Yes, absolutely. I regularly read Southern Literary Review and Compulsive Reader and often Library Journal, as well as reviews in NYT. I call these “professional reviews,” as they are written by book people with some credentials. These and similar publications help me find new books/new authors that I might not have otherwise have discovered. Negative reviews don’t necessarily turn me off on a book, but I confess being swayed into getting certain books by positive reviews. Isn’t that the point of professional reviews? Amazon, Goodread, and Bookbub reviews also influence me some times. I see reviews as “news media” for books.
Sometimes. Occasionally they are insightful.
I write book reviews, and I also read them- but usually only after I have finished the book. It is always interesting to see how other peoples opinions differ from your own.
Also, if you find a critic that you know shares you’re tastes, you might manage to discover a hidden gem or avoid an unexpected turd. Usually I’m gonna read what I’m gonna read, but if I really trust somebody I will certainly consider any strong opinion they might have, before committing to a new book.
@Vilhelm That is so true! There are definitely a few book bloggers and book tubers whose tastes are very similar to mine.
No, because not everyone has the same tastes in books.
I do. I love hearing other people’s opinions on a book I’ve read. I recently started trying to write book reviews of my own ?
I sometimes read reviews on Goodreads to see what other people have thought of the book. It interests me whether people tend to share my opinions on books or not.
I do. Out of habit. I review them too. Out of sheer pleasure.
I’m interested in what people think but I don’t buy my books purely on their reviews. Reviews are subjective ?
Often after or during reading, yes.
I follow some booktubers and bookstagramers. People that tend to like and dislike similar things to me. Good way to hear about books I might not have been exposed to otherwise.
No I like to make my own decisions!
Yes, just for curiosity, because I also know we all have different appreciations for books ?
I check the synopsis on the jacket, if the book is by an unknown author I’ll go to Goodreads to get a general idea if the book was well received or not. If I see consistent 3 star reviews I’m not going to read the book. I generally read one or two reviews if the book has a four star or above rating.
I did when I was a school librarian. They certainly attract teenagers and sometimes help them decide which book to read. To a large extent, there are more visual learners around so it does work well. I prefer not to have a bias regarding how a character ‘looks’, but may be in the minority here.
Yes!! On Goodreads.
No.