Does anyone read people’s reviews? Personally I don’t ..
Does anyone read people’s reviews?
Personally I don’t ..
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I look at the ratings on Goodreads but I don’t read the reviews until after I have read the book. I just skim book blurbs too since I don’t want to spoil the story!
I always read reviews before buying a book. Both good and bad.
Same, and I always start with the 1-stars 🙂
@Lesley me too…?
@Tracy You are my tribe 😉
Yes I read reviews. X
I read reviews but generally I read them after I have read the book
I don’t especially on Amazon because I know many of them are bought with free books so people are more inclined to put the book in good life. I tend to read the reviews on book sites like this because it’s book lovers who just want others to know their experiences
@Emily whether a book is free or bought I always review honestly as reviews are for me and readers not the authors. If I love a book i will tag an author or publisher because it is nice but if I didn’t love it I post and don’t tag (I’m honest not mean).
I have been contacted to be paid for reviews and I always decline. That isn’t what I or my reviews are about. I have many friends/family and book lovers who ask my opinion and always honest. Also just because I love/hate/dislike/meh a book doesn’t mean someone else will feel that way. I have bought many a book on the 1 star review as what they hated I love xxx
@Llainy I used to be an Amazon reviewer for products and was in a lot of review groups where people are told if they leave negative reviews they’ll be kicked out and stop receiving the free things. It’s now why I don’t really believe any of the Amazon reviews anymore
@Emily wow that is ridiculous. I would rather have nothing than be compromised. I used to follow a few accounts twitter/insta but when they admitted they lied to get free stuff I stopped following. Who cares for that. I want to know if people like/hate a book and why. Sure i have bought many a book on a 1 star review because their hate is my love. I think all reviews (bar trolling/spite) have their place xxx
My reviews are based on what I thought of the book, whether I got it free or I paid for it has no bearing whatsoever. I always review honestly and constructively.
I never buy a book with lower than 4 stars overall rating. Then I mostly check 3 stars reviews and the reasons peoples gave that ratings. If I don’t care about those reasons to give 3 stars I’ll buy a book. For example, readers often give lower rating if it’s not their favorite genre, or the book is not what they expected (but failed to read the description), a lot of typos, didn’t end the way they’d like, etc.
Of course if I know and like an author I don’t care about reviews at all.
yes but Very Carefully
I sometimes do… but mostly if I’ve not found a book as great as everyone else is raving it to be. I like to find reviews that also didn’t think it was as great, so I know I wasn’t the only one not to GET it. LOL!
Oh, and @Emily I am a reviewer on Goodreads, Amazon and my own blog. 98% of the books I read are sent to me in electronic or paper format. And I only EVER leave honest reviews. Rarely do I give 5 stars, I always point out any issues I have with the book,etc. And if I don’t like the book I say why. So we’re not all shady dealers on there, okay? ?
However, if I don’t like it so much I don’t finish it, I only make a note of that to the person who sent it to me and on Goodreads where it was marked to be something I am reading. If a book is just not my cup of tea, I won’t rate it nor give it bad press. As often the fault is me failing to connect to a book and so why blame the book or the author?
I also read all reviews left for my own books. I do find honest, constructive criticism helpful at improving on what I write. 🙂
Most bloggers get free books does that mean we aren’t to be trusted to review?
That was exactly my reaction too! ? I, personally, love the fact my opinion on books is so trusted I get sent literally 100’s of free electronic and paper books. I also get sent free kitchen appliances, games, etc. From legitimate places too, not some dodgy “buy my opinion” places.
Oh well, I will keep my free books and write my opinions – even if no one reads them. At the end of the day… I still have free books! ?
@Janis that comment annoyed me too.
My reviews are 100% honest. Why would we lie?
Can’t stand being called a liar by someone who knows nothing about me ?
@Anne just remember – free books. ?
My reviewing means I get free things I love (not junk, actual excellent books by known authors and name brand items). So my household’s limited budget is used for essentials, but I don’t miss out on pamper items as people send them to me, or I get heavy discounts from places I honestly review. Yes I will rave over things I like and it means that place will give me more freebies… But I am just as open and honest about things I didn’t like, felt were poorly made/ written, etc. And have been rewarded for that too. One author took my constructive criticism so to heart he rewrote the end of his latest book and had hos publisher republish it at his cost. True, honest reviews and reviewers do exist and do make a difference.
Remember what they say about “never assume”. ?
@Janis yep, ‘to assume is to make an ass of you and me’ ??
I’ve been blogging about books for 8 years and this is the thing that annoys me the most; people who assume stuff about me
@Anne I totally relate. It’s frustrating when people don’t GET what we do. But… Free. Books. ???
No x
I don’t read reviews on authors books I really like and have read a few of,but new authors yes I do tend to read reviewers.
Yes,
always considering the source first.. especially if a new writer, or new to me..
I do read reviews,
I do reviews on several blogs, my and also GoodReads.. if a book is just not my cup of tea I won’t give it bad press..
Of course- I review most things I’m thinking about buying- and I buy lots of books!
If its a new author for me I do take a look at a few reviews just to figure out if its something that I would truly like. I hate wasting my time on books when I have so much in the tbr pile.
I don’t either, except maybe after I have left my review.
PLEASE RESPECT OTHER PEOPLES OPINIONS
Yes.
No I don’t read reviews as one mans meat is another mans poison – too many times I’ve been disappointed or else really loved something which had not so good reviews. In the end it is just down to personal taste .
Sums it up perfectly!
Yes, of course it’s personal taste, and any review is the opinion of the person who wrote it.
There are particular reviewers who have a very similar taste in books to me, so I’ll often check their reviews out.
Yup. I always take your recommendations seriously Anne because you consistently like the same books as me for the same reasons. No brainer really
I do, but make up my own mind.
Yes, I read them with an open mind though.
Basing your choice on stars is interesting, as many VERY successful books polarise views. Gone Girl is a great example – roughly half 5 stars & half 1 star. Marmite reaction, but let’s be fair it’s a cracking book.
@Sam inspiring Love/hate means your book is awesome. ‘Meh’ is the worst reaction EVER
You have to formulate your own review when you’ve read it.
About food and holidays but not books ?
I read all my reviews and read them on other people’s books as well. Book bloggers work hard and deserve that time. Also as an author it is the quickest way to find out what your target audience wants and doesnt want!
I do
Yup all the time xxx
I catch up every night reading reviews on my books. They’re so important. If someone has taken the time to leave me a review, then I’m damn sure I can take the time to read it, and usually smile!
Yes I do, I have discovered new authors this way. If I have book and not read it, I may skim the review. If its a book I have read then seeing it through someone else’s eyes can be insightful.
sometimes
Yes. Don’t always take them as gospel but if a lot of bad reviews would make me think
If it is a new author I might look at review’s but always try and make my own mind up . I use Netgalley a lot and do get free books, if I really don’t like a book I tend not to leave a review as really wouldn’t like to pull apart some ones work .
Yes always, so you can understand what a reader sees in your work, good or bad
I do but avoid the ones that tell the story before I have read the book. X
Always
No it is only their opinion and we are all different
Yes. I do
I read other people’s reviews. I write reviews so I hope someone is reading them too
@Lisa am sure they do toots xxx
Sometimes
I do 🙂
I do
I do, otherwise what’s the point of people leaving them
This ??
I do especially if not read anything by author before.
Yes x
Yes. What do you make decisions on if it’s an author new to you?
For me it’s a lot to do with the cover and the blurb and also reader reviews x
@Mar sometimes cover, sometimes featured on a blog, sometimes mentioned in the book club xxx somwtimes see it on insta and a lot have messaged me via my blog, if I like the sound al give it a bash. A good blurb can be the hook xxx
Yes
I read them!!
Hope so, it’s the only way indie authors can reach an audience.
Yes… all of then, the good, the bad and the ugly x
I always read reviews, especially those of my fellow bloggers. It’s the reason my tbr is at over 500 books.
@Juliet me too I have my go to ones and always try visit new ones when I can cxx
I don’t. I read the blurb & if I fancy it I wish list it. I do take some recommendations from book clubs though.
I do write reviews though for those who do like them.
Excellent principle.
@Lesley thank you
@Theresa No, thank you, for thinking of others 🙂
I will ALWAYS write a review as I know how important they are to the authors
@Teresa def. I think the bunch we know would hunt us down if we didn’t ??
Yes and having read their books I wouldn’t trust what they’d do to us!!!!
I never read reviews before I’ve read the book, I will occasionally read them after. I choose the books I read via recommendations or because they’re an author I love.
I read them after I’ve left my review @Teresa,
me too @Susan
Always.
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@Susan good call!
I think unfortunately some reviews tell you the plot on such detail – there’s not much point reading it!
I hate that! & repeat the blurb. Why? Just tell us you liked or not, but if not don’t be catty be constructive coz just coz it’s not for you doesn’t mean not for other!
@Theresa I never get to the actual review as I’ve already read the blurb in the book and don’t want to read it again, however it’s reworded.
@Susan exactly!
Yes not always though.x
Yes I do.
Yes, that’s what they are there for, only normally for books where I am undecided, although I avoid any that look like they are giving the plot away x
I do, if too many people say a book is dull, slow, poorly written, or too predictable, then I’m unlikely to get it. I think reviews are very useful. I tend to read the reviews on Amazon as they’re unbiased, but I have heard of reviews ‘going missing’, or even being removed.
I do.
I used to but only sometimes i do
Yep
I always do. I tend to ignore the highs and lows though. The 3 stars generally give a realistic opinion from what I’ve noticed.
Of course…
I did until I recently read a review that told me who the killer was. Reported to Amazon.
Some definitely give too much away
I would hope so. I write reviews for the books I read and I nearly always read a few of other’s reviews too.
Not since someone ruined a book I was about to read.
Some do give too much info
Sometimes but it would never put me off buying a book, I’lol decide for myself if I like it or not.
Of my books? God yes! They reassure me on doubting days. Of other people books I’m considering? I read some of the best & some of the worst & decide from there.
Always, you can easily whittle out the disingenuous ones, and ignore those with far too much narrative. Reviews are important to authors seeking new readers.
Yes.