There are so many books out there and we want our books to “stand out in the crowd,” to be read by as many people as possible. After all, that’s why we write. We have something to say that we believe will benefit others.
Word of mouth, reviews and recommendations are crucial to the success or failure of a book. Words have power! The more positive reviews a book gets, the better its chances. By the same token, too many negative reviews can result in fewer readers.
One of my favorite quotes, “One man’s garbage is another man’s gold” says it all, which is why my personal policy is to NEVER write a review unless I believe a book deserves at least 4 stars.
Because reviewing a book is not the same thing as reviewing a toaster.
The toaster either performs as it’s supposed to or it doesn’t. If you review the toaster, you’re helping others to make a decision as to whether or not they should buy it. That’s a good thing.
But a book review is subjective, based solely on the reviewer’s opinion. Not on fact. Because the fact is we all have different tastes. I might not like a book you would love and vice versa.
So, if you're ever tempted to write a negative review for a book, please think twice. Ask yourself this question: Do I want to be a book promoter or a book basher?
I have to agree, Pat. I tend to review books I enjoy. And you're right about it being a matter of taste. I've read books that have all kinds of technical errors, but the story was captivating. I've also read books (or started to read them) that I didn't enjoy. I put them down and moved on to a different book without leaving a review. Just my humble opinion about leaving reviews.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing, Marja.:)
DeleteIf you send a book to me to review, you accept that my review will either be positive or negative. For this reviewer, it is NOT ever my job to be a book promoter as that is the role of the publicist. I am an unpaid book reviewer. My only job, as a reviewer, is to tell you about the premise of a book--without spoilers---and to indicate whether or not I think the read is worth your time.
ReplyDeleteOther folks do it differently. As an author (publicist, publisher, etc.), you should know in advance what you want in a review and a reviewer and should have looked at the body of the work generated by the reviewer before contacting him or her.
Kevin, I was referring to unsolicited reviews but, if an author asked me to read and review his/her book and I agreed to do it but didn't care for the book, I wouldn't write a review. Period. I would, tactfully, explain to the author that it wasn't "my cup of tea."
DeleteI only write reviews for books I liked and read, otherwise I don't read the book and keep my review-mouth shut--there's enough negativism in the world. Good post!
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I feel, Madeline. I've had enough of negativity too!
DeleteReviewing a book is easy if you liked it, but tough if you didn't, especially when you've been requested to review it by the author. I try to stick to its good points, and as for the bad points, I say that this is only my opinion, and just because I didn't care for it, doesn't mean other readers won't. Even tact is subjective.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Evelyn. :)
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