I've gone book pages on Amazon and looked through reviews of authors I'm familiar with. One particular book had seven reviews - three five stars, one four stars, and three two stars. The higher stars were from other authors from a writer's forum most of us frequent. The lower three were unknown to me.
This particular situation got me thinking even deeper about reviews; would I want good reviews only because someone knows me, or because they like my work? I think the answer is obvious here.
And here's another question: Can the good reviews on a bad book lend discredibility to the reviewers' work? Will someone realize that Joan Smith - author of Blah, blah blah gave a good review on a bad book and question their talent?
What about you? Do you read reviews before buying books? And, if you're a writer, do you seek out reviews from bloggers and book reviewers?
I don't have a book out, but I can imagine it would be tempting especially if you have been getting no reviews at all! But to be honest, I don't read reviews before I buy a book. If a book interests me, I'll buy it! BUT, I do read reviews for book ideas and if I see one that sounds interesting from a review, I'll get it. But I don't like a review that just sounds like a summary. Tell me what you think. And if there is an air of "I know this person" than that is a turn off to the book and the reviewer.
ReplyDeleteI agree, especially about the 5 stars. However, how can you go give your friend 1, 2, or even 3 stars and not hurt their feelings? I'm not saying I'd give you that, I'm just asking. So say you don't really like your friends' books. You decide NOT to do a review at all, but then said friend keeps bugging you, "go review my book! Please? I need more stars!"
ReplyDeletePersonally, I wouldn't ask my friends to do that, but that's just me. Some people would do that, but only because they think their friends will love their book. It's a slippery slope. So, if I'm ever published I will ask my friends--if you like it, please take a moment to do a review, but it's ok if you don't review it. I guess that's the only legitimate solution.
I do read the reviews but buy the books(bad or good reviews) I'm interested in. If the book sucks I send the author an e-mail about thier issues. However, I am known to tell the truth in a review as nicely as I can.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you're an Indie author everyone knows the one way to up your sales and to get known is to have your friends read your book and review it since Indies don't get the spotlight they'd like for thier books.
So karma comes into play here as well. Read and review mine and I'll do the same for you. However, there are authors out there that don't believe in this. They never have time to beta read or help edit for others.
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI do read reviews, but only on an unknown. I don't want to spend $10 on a book that I hate. I was going to buy the most recent JR Ward book, but the reviews aren't that great (from huge BDB fans), so I don't want to spend $14.99 on a disappointment.
And I don't mind good reviews from people who known the author, as long as they're genuine. I have a friend who read the first draft of one of my books and bluntly said "I don't like it". I needed that!
Christine, We've talked about that kind of thing before. I think it were a friend I'd REALLY want a personal email suggesting some changes, or a change in career (just kidding). What I wouldn't want is someone to stroke my ego just to give me more reviews.
ReplyDeleteI've been lucky enough to have enjoyed my friends' books so far, so it's been pretty easy for me to give good reviews. For those I wasn't too big on, I either sent them a personal email or didn't review the book in public.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI'm all for swapping reads, but the reviews have to be sincere. I've seen circumstances where I've read the book someone else has reviewed, and it's obvious the reviewer didn't read past the back blurb. That doens't help credibility for the author or reviewer.
I'll tell you, though, I like that you're kind in your reviews. I've read some on Amazon that seemed like the reviewer had a personal vendetta against the author. So mean!!! lol
You gave me a chuckle. Christy, you really don't want me to review your books, yes? Nor do other authoresses and authors.
ReplyDeleteTaha
Oh Miss Taha, I would rather you scalp me than review my book! We all know what you think of my grammar skills! Lol
ReplyDeleteThis is not your grammar skills which annoy me, this is those werewolf and vampire friends of yours who annoy me; all their howling and biting keeps me awake at night.
ReplyDeleteTaha
I read reviews on GoodReads, but not on Amazon. And they definitely influence whether or not I read a book, especially a new author. I pay much more attention to reviews by people I know. I'm often suspicious of books with lots of 5 star reviews and often suspect something similar to 'ballot stuffing'. I'm reading She Who Hunts now. Review to come. I 'discovered' you via Ebookswag.
ReplyDeleteMichelle M,
DeleteI look forward to your review!