I’m curious, do any of you read book reviews before buying your books? For example, The New York Times Book Review, LARB, or NYRB, or others?
I’m curious, do any of you read book reviews before buying your books? For example, The New York Times Book Review, LARB, or NYRB, or others?
Usually not because too many people put spoilers in the reviews. And I don’t always agree with others. I will read reviews after I finish the book to see who I agree or disagree with that reviewed it.
No…every time I have ever gone by someone else’s opinion I was disappointed
No never, I have too many books and too little time to be wasting on others recommendations. I write reviews myself just for fun and if anyone finds anything of value in them then that’s fine but I wouldn’t expect or want them to read something JUST because I said so. I do see many books on these pages I fancy reading and then I google or Goodreads them to see the blurb but as for me actually reading something someone advised nope not for me. Music, books and movies are very subjective and one man’s meat is another man’s poison plus I read insanely widely lol.
Never, I don’t even read the blurb because I want to flow through the story when I read, I don’t want to know anything about it and lose interest. I buy books because of the authors and title/cover if I’m not familiar with the author and I’ve discovered some fantastic, fantastic books.
@Alf I do this alot too, know nothing about the book. It adds a whole other level of surprise. I did this,all last year.
Goodreads and Amazon. Mostly I look at ratings there, but sometimes read reviews as well.
Nope, just read a little of the first chapter and make my decision. If the book is written by an author I really like, I just take it without checking anything.
Nope, fly by the seat of my pants
I don’t. Sometimes i go on recommendations of people in my book groups but that is it.
No I
Don’t pay attention to reviews.
Yes and now I have two additional sources of reviews (LARB & NYRB) Thank you!
No
I usually read good read reviews
Nope. If the cover or title catches my eye, I read the blurb, and make a decision.
Nope, i don’t find them helpful at all. Either snobby, far too in love with their own wording and hardly ever just say if they liked it and precisely why. I prefer Goodreads for reviews but usually read them after reading the book! I prefer my own judgment to someone else’s.
I’ll usually base my decision on a novel if it’s got a review quote from another author I like.