Not if I didn’t finish it. If I really didn’t like it, I wouldn’t finish. If I didn’t like it somewhat, I think it’s fair to say why, politely. The reviews are for other readers to help them choose. Sometimes, the thing I don’t like is what sells it to another reader!
Always on Goodreads as its like a book journal so i can keep track of what i have read. If its an arc then i wont post a review on Amazon but if i have purchased it myself then i do yes. Personally i always read a mixture of review ratings when purchasing or booking anything and think the poorer ratings can be just as important as the higher ones as something that others may not like i do and vice versa. Sorry should say i dont review books i didnt finish. x
No, how can you review something you haven’t fully read or considered? I discount out of hand any reviews of the ‘Haven’t read it yet, but I know it’s gonna be AMAZING! 5-Stars!’ ilk or the ‘Only read the first chapter, but this is a terrible book’ ilk.
If it’s a book I got from the publisher then yes I do and if I know the author I will leave a message and explain why I didn’t like it or finished it. Honesty comes first at all times for me
I should also say, if I find a book quite remarkable, I post the review and cover on my book page – a German author, Skadi Winter, recently gave me a stunning review, out of the blue, so I thought I had better read her books – both appeared on my book page – my God, brilliant…we are now good friends…
If its a first book, i always try to get to the end and leave a review as most do get better with subsequent books they write. However, if i dont finish it, or put better, cant get into it, i simply say its not for me.
Actually I couldn’t do a bad review… I know how hard the person has worked! Also so many times I have returned to a book/TV/film I really didn’t like and find myself wondering how I could have disliked it in the first place!
Just because I don’t like a book doesn’t mean it is a bad book. I often think of the time and effort and author has put into a book. It is all matter of taste!
@Owen that’s a really nice thing to say. As an author I know how much time and dedication goes into writing a book and to read negative review, be it unfair or just downright mean does actually sting for a while. The ones that say – ‘not for me’ and then leave a low star rating are the worst because the author suffers due to their wrong choice of book. It only takes a few of those to really affect your star rating and it’s so frustrating. I’ve reads hundreds of books and at the end had negative thoughts but I just moved on, I’d never write a bad review. Many independent authors like myself have to make a choice, maybe spend a year writing and editing a book to then send it off to umpteen publishers and wait for months for a reply, and in the end, are left with rejections and a manuscript that means so much to them. So we make a choice, self publish without the guidance of an editor and a team of advisors etc, then we sell our book and if we are lucky, make 30p – £1 on each purchase whilst battling against the big boys whose marketing teams get their titles into the top ten before they are even published. So I thank you for your very kind and decent outlook, and I hope that if any others read a book they bought for 99p, and don’t like it for whatever reason, just delete it, because the 30p the author has received really isn’t worth that dreadful feeling when someone writes a nasty or negative review.
@Patricia On the other hand I recently received a five star review on the basis that the book was delivered quickly (a Kindle file!). Beggars can’t be choosers …
@Keith I’d be happy with that – it balances out the ridiculous ones. Like ‘I gave it one less star because you shouldn’t feed dogs chocolate and the main character fed hers Maltesers and that’s very dangerous’ ?
No, although (unless its a tried and tested author) I always read reviews before I purchase. Maybe if more people left honest but balanced reviews of books they didn’t enjoy it would be helpful to other readers as we all like different things.
If I don’t finish a book then I don’t review it. If I don’t get on with a book then I don’t review it on my blog but I would leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. As long as my reviews are constructive and not personal insults/attacks then I think it’s ok to leave them, as others say what I don’t like about a book may be a selling point to other readers. My blog, though, is for books I love and want to share with everyone and that’s why I don’t post the books I didn’t get on with on this x
If I dislike the book then I will still review on Amazon and a rating/review on goodreads. If I do not finish then I wont leave a rating or review as that is unfair.
Goodreads yes as that is for me. Amazon yes if it was an arc bit I still am positive. If I did not finish I won’t do a full rebiew unless I have finished at least a third of the book
It is a bit embarrassing when an author sends you a book to review and it turns out to be absolute rubbish and then they keep emailing to see how you liked it. How do you tell someone their book (in your opinion) is C**P?
Would never review something I hadn’t read. It would be like leaving a restaurant review: ‘Drove past, didn’t like the look of it 1 star’ 😉 If I really dislike something I tend not to review but will leave 2.5 stars for some with reasons why as that’s fair enough. We really, really do need to half star option on both Goodreads and Amazon IMHO
There’s only ever been one book out of the hundreds I’ve read that I just couldn’t finish, so no review. I have left 1 star reviews on two books in the past which I disliked – one had appalling grammar and spelling and the other completely digressed from the original idea – it was as if they were desperate to fill space and write a long novel but didn’t have the ability to do it. If I dislike a book because of the content but it is well written I don’t do a review because I realise it may well appeal to other people.
It depends. I could never write a book myself but I know what a well written book is. I can guess too how much blood sweat and tears went into it. However if it is badly written, spelling mistakes, errors etc I would definitely say something. I try to be constructive. Nobody wants an assassination of their writing skills!
I don’t leave a review if I didn’t enjoy it. Generally I’ll leave a 3* minimum and if I think it’s less I leave it as I know how much work goes into it. Personal preference though I guess x
If I don’t finish, I don’t usually unless it was just so bad I couldn’t finish it. Can only think if 1 book I didnt finish. Otherwise I leave good and bad reviews.
If I’ve had it on NetGalley I’ll send the review back to just the publisher with any feedback comments if its not a great one and anything 3 stars and above generally I’llp ost on Amazon, etc as 3 stars isn’t a bad review to me
Actually, it doesn’t help an author if they have nothing but 5 and 4 stars 🙂 It makes people suspicious. The odd 3 or even 2 helps, surprisingly. I personally think 1 star is a bit harsh unless someone gives very sound reasons for it.
I have left 3 and four stars where I’ve enjoyed a story but the typos spoiled it. But I’d never leave a one star if I haven’t enjoyed it at all. I think it’s just the way I am, not being able to criticise something an author has put their heart into. I have criticised other products though.
Hmmm, tricky one. If I didn’t like a book but I finished it, will still leave a review. Have never left a 1 star review, if it is THAT bad, I wouldn’t post it at all. I have twice left 2 star reviews but lots of constructive feedback. I have left a smattering of 3 star reviews, I see that as an ok book but for whatever reason it was a bit of an effort to get through. Most of my reviews are 4 star but then I am getting better at picking what I like too. If I get a book from NetGalley or TBC and it just isn’t my thing, I will tell them and don’t finish (that is rare) and no review is posted. Hope all of that makes some sense!
My local library encourages readers to post a review. Usually I give an honest opinion but accept that other readers will have a different one. That is one of the reasons I love this site.
Absolutely. If there were no negative reviews the whole concept of reviews becomes meaningless. I will celebrate the great books I read but will definitely raise issues I have with others.
I don’t have too many I haven’t enjoyed as I generally pick the ones I want to review, i would still leave a short review with a line saying it wasn’t my type of book, but may appeal to… Or not as good as previous books but great for die hard fans… I try and make it as positive as possible… I don’t think bad books exist, they’re just not as you expected or of interest to you… But they could be a gem to someone else
Not if I didn’t finish it. If I really didn’t like it, I wouldn’t finish. If I didn’t like it somewhat, I think it’s fair to say why, politely. The reviews are for other readers to help them choose. Sometimes, the thing I don’t like is what sells it to another reader!
At one time I would persevere to finish a book I wasn’t enjoying, whereas now I give up!
Me too! there are far too many good books to waste time slogging on with something I’m not enjoying.
No me neither x
Always on Goodreads as its like a book journal so i can keep track of what i have read. If its an arc then i wont post a review on Amazon but if i have purchased it myself then i do yes. Personally i always read a mixture of review ratings when purchasing or booking anything and think the poorer ratings can be just as important as the higher ones as something that others may not like i do and vice versa. Sorry should say i dont review books i didnt finish. x
No, how can you review something you haven’t fully read or considered? I discount out of hand any reviews of the ‘Haven’t read it yet, but I know it’s gonna be AMAZING! 5-Stars!’ ilk or the ‘Only read the first chapter, but this is a terrible book’ ilk.
No x
If it’s a book I got from the publisher then yes I do and if I know the author I will leave a message and explain why I didn’t like it or finished it. Honesty comes first at all times for me
If I cannot give at least 3 stars I do not review…
That’s my modus operandi also.
I should also say, if I find a book quite remarkable, I post the review and cover on my book page – a German author, Skadi Winter, recently gave me a stunning review, out of the blue, so I thought I had better read her books – both appeared on my book page – my God, brilliant…we are now good friends…
Nice to have friends. I had one once.
@PJ it may be the same one i have…you know the one who likes to teas you by not replying to you…what merry japes we have…
Never can tell. Though it’s unlikely.
That’s a good idea
If its a first book, i always try to get to the end and leave a review as most do get better with subsequent books they write. However, if i dont finish it, or put better, cant get into it, i simply say its not for me.
No
No, if I don’t finish a book, I won’t review it.
Actually I couldn’t do a bad review… I know how hard the person has worked! Also so many times I have returned to a book/TV/film I really didn’t like and find myself wondering how I could have disliked it in the first place!
Just because I don’t like a book doesn’t mean it is a bad book. I often think of the time and effort and author has put into a book. It is all matter of taste!
Absolutely!
@Owen that’s a really nice thing to say. As an author I know how much time and dedication goes into writing a book and to read negative review, be it unfair or just downright mean does actually sting for a while. The ones that say – ‘not for me’ and then leave a low star rating are the worst because the author suffers due to their wrong choice of book. It only takes a few of those to really affect your star rating and it’s so frustrating. I’ve reads hundreds of books and at the end had negative thoughts but I just moved on, I’d never write a bad review. Many independent authors like myself have to make a choice, maybe spend a year writing and editing a book to then send it off to umpteen publishers and wait for months for a reply, and in the end, are left with rejections and a manuscript that means so much to them. So we make a choice, self publish without the guidance of an editor and a team of advisors etc, then we sell our book and if we are lucky, make 30p – £1 on each purchase whilst battling against the big boys whose marketing teams get their titles into the top ten before they are even published. So I thank you for your very kind and decent outlook, and I hope that if any others read a book they bought for 99p, and don’t like it for whatever reason, just delete it, because the 30p the author has received really isn’t worth that dreadful feeling when someone writes a nasty or negative review.
@Patricia On the other hand I recently received a five star review on the basis that the book was delivered quickly (a Kindle file!). Beggars can’t be choosers …
I’d take that Keith! I got a few 1stars because Amazon sent wrong file!
@Keith I’d be happy with that – it balances out the ridiculous ones. Like ‘I gave it one less star because you shouldn’t feed dogs chocolate and the main character fed hers Maltesers and that’s very dangerous’
?
No, although (unless its a tried and tested author) I always read reviews before I purchase. Maybe if more people left honest but balanced reviews of books they didn’t enjoy it would be helpful to other readers as we all like different things.
This is very true!
If I couldn’t finish maybe, but if I didn’t like it no, everyone has different opinions. what I dislike someone might think it is great.
I keep forgetting to review since kindle Amazon took the option away when finished a book
If I don’t finish a book then I don’t review it. If I don’t get on with a book then I don’t review it on my blog but I would leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. As long as my reviews are constructive and not personal insults/attacks then I think it’s ok to leave them, as others say what I don’t like about a book may be a selling point to other readers. My blog, though, is for books I love and want to share with everyone and that’s why I don’t post the books I didn’t get on with on this x
If I dislike the book then I will still review on Amazon and a rating/review on goodreads. If I do not finish then I wont leave a rating or review as that is unfair.
Goodreads yes as that is for me. Amazon yes if it was an arc bit I still am positive. If I did not finish I won’t do a full rebiew unless I have finished at least a third of the book
Never…..
No.
No. What one person doesn’t like another person will absolutely love. X
It is a bit embarrassing when an author sends you a book to review and it turns out to be absolute rubbish and then they keep emailing to see how you liked it. How do you tell someone their book (in your opinion) is C**P?
I am having that issue at the moment…I wonder if it is the same author?? I am really struggling.
@Monica I realise that one man’s fish is another man’s poissoin etc etc but I hate to discourage anyone
Yes, me too 🙁 He asked for feedback but I haven’t gotten back to him. I truly don’t know what to say.
I don’t tend to. 🙁 I know how much hard work goes into writing a book and as the saying goes – “You can’t please everyone.”
I always leave a review ? when I have read them
No.
Happier face now Mel x
Would never review something I hadn’t read. It would be like leaving a restaurant review: ‘Drove past, didn’t like the look of it 1 star’ 😉 If I really dislike something I tend not to review but will leave 2.5 stars for some with reasons why as that’s fair enough. We really, really do need to half star option on both Goodreads and Amazon IMHO
Only on Goodreads, only if I finish the book
There’s only ever been one book out of the hundreds I’ve read that I just couldn’t finish, so no review. I have left 1 star reviews on two books in the past which I disliked – one had appalling grammar and spelling and the other completely digressed from the original idea – it was as if they were desperate to fill space and write a long novel but didn’t have the ability to do it. If I dislike a book because of the content but it is well written I don’t do a review because I realise it may well appeal to other people.
It depends. I could never write a book myself but I know what a well written book is. I can guess too how much blood sweat and tears went into it. However if it is badly written, spelling mistakes, errors etc I would definitely say something. I try to be constructive. Nobody wants an assassination of their writing skills!
No. I try to leave quietly…… 3* or above for me.
No I don’t, I’d rather shout about the ones I love
I don’t leave a review if I didn’t enjoy it. Generally I’ll leave a 3* minimum and if I think it’s less I leave it as I know how much work goes into it. Personal preference though I guess x
If I don’t finish, I don’t usually unless it was just so bad I couldn’t finish it. Can only think if 1 book I didnt finish. Otherwise I leave good and bad reviews.
If I’ve had it on NetGalley I’ll send the review back to just the publisher with any feedback comments if its not a great one and anything 3 stars and above generally I’llp ost on Amazon, etc as 3 stars isn’t a bad review to me
I finish books even if I don’t like them. But I always leave a review.
I tell folks if they ask me but I never leave a bad review. Someone else might feel differently than I do and I don’t want to ruin it for them.
No, my tastes are mine own, others may like what I don’t!
No, but I tell the author why it wasn’t for me.
I never do. It’s not fair on the author to leave a negative review when others might love it.
Actually, it doesn’t help an author if they have nothing but 5 and 4 stars 🙂 It makes people suspicious. The odd 3 or even 2 helps, surprisingly. I personally think 1 star is a bit harsh unless someone gives very sound reasons for it.
I have left 3 and four stars where I’ve enjoyed a story but the typos spoiled it. But I’d never leave a one star if I haven’t enjoyed it at all. I think it’s just the way I am, not being able to criticise something an author has put their heart into. I have criticised other products though.
Hmmm, tricky one. If I didn’t like a book but I finished it, will still leave a review. Have never left a 1 star review, if it is THAT bad, I wouldn’t post it at all. I have twice left 2 star reviews but lots of constructive feedback. I have left a smattering of 3 star reviews, I see that as an ok book but for whatever reason it was a bit of an effort to get through. Most of my reviews are 4 star but then I am getting better at picking what I like too. If I get a book from NetGalley or TBC and it just isn’t my thing, I will tell them and don’t finish (that is rare) and no review is posted. Hope all of that makes some sense!
Makes perfect sense @Monica. I agree with your 3 star rating as being an ok book.
Not if I don’t finish. I find if I’m somewhat engaged, I find redeeming qualities in the story.
Yes, but I don’t ever not finish a book. I’m unable to discard something even if I’m not enjoying it.
My local library encourages readers to post a review. Usually I give an honest opinion but accept that other readers will have a different one. That is one of the reasons I love this site.
No. I will give a rating. Only if I haven’t really liked. Not ones I abandon.
Absolutely. If there were no negative reviews the whole concept of reviews becomes meaningless. I will celebrate the great books I read but will definitely raise issues I have with others.
I don’t have too many I haven’t enjoyed as I generally pick the ones I want to review, i would still leave a short review with a line saying it wasn’t my type of book, but may appeal to… Or not as good as previous books but great for die hard fans… I try and make it as positive as possible… I don’t think bad books exist, they’re just not as you expected or of interest to you… But they could be a gem to someone else
No, if I’m not keen on a book I probably won’t review it.
It depends if their writing reached me in any way.