I get various books from authors who would like me to review them, and I buy books or download good deals a lot. I review them all on goodreads (bad or good) but I only add them to this site if they are a 3 star or up rating in most cases.
But what to do if they are rated great by everyone else, my readers may like it, but I don’t? As of now, I don’t add it to the site. (Unless it is part of a series I have loved, or a multi review of short books) I would not put a bad review on Amazon either. Authors work hard, and whether I enjoyed the book or not, I wouldn’t want to mess up sales. You can always check out goodreads for other reviews I do.
I like books that make me feel good in some way. I don’t mind the dark, but there needs to be light. I also prefer an HEA or at least HFN (Happy for now). I don’t do well with liars and cheaters, but lies by omission are another story. (How else would there be conflict in a book?)
What are your thoughts? Should I add the books I didn’t love but you might?
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Kallypso Masters says
Reading is so subjective. What one reader loves another might hate–and that’s fine, because readers are human and if we were all alike, well, wouldn’t that be a boring world?
As an author, I receive mostly 4s and 5s, but there are the occasional 1s and 2s, as well, because sometimes people don’t click with my style or my characters, don’t like BDSM books, or whatever. *shrug*
Oddly enough, authors tell me that the 1s and 2s actually have boosted their sales, if the reviewer at least outlines what they didn’t like about it so that others can determine if they would have the same issues with it. I like your positives and negatives in your reviews, because that can help others decide whether it’s a book they want to read, too.
I have no advice on your question about which ones to put here, but as long as a reviewer tells it like it is in a respectful way (and you always do), then I don’t think professional authors would get upset. Believe me, the low ones are never what I like to read. But I actually have gotten better feedback on how to improve my storytelling by the negatives posted in higher-ranked reviews. I don’t read reviews on Goodreads (the site isn’t really intended for authors–and I was always getting my hand slapped for speaking in the wrong places), but I do read the ones at some of the sales sites.
All the best with your review site! And thanks for letting me discuss my books and my series on the review pages relating to them. One of the “rules” new authors get is NEVER respond to a review–good or bad. But that just seems rude to me. If someone reviewed it, I’d at least like to acknowledge that I read it. (Of course, I don’t see all the reviews of my books–but especially the ones on review blogger sites, I like to pop in and say thanks–if google alerts or the reviewer let me know it’s there. )
Keep it up!
Kally
kallypsomasters.com
anasdiary says
I think it is the coolest thing ever that you are stopping by and commenting! I am so happy to have some input. I have been getting about 1000 visitors a day but very little interaction, so I am thrilled to have feedback especially from a rock star author!
I never, ever want to hurt somebody’s sales with a negative review. Just because something isn’t my taste, it may be another’s. But I honestly wasn’t sure what most blogs do, just recommendations? Or all reviews?
I put up a review recently of The Opportunist. I added it to the blog because although it wasn’t for me, almost all of the people who agree with me on books loved it. Hopefully my review reflected that.
I am so new to blogging, I really don’t know the etiquette. I am just starting to get a style of review as well (the likes and dislikes you mentioned) so I appreciate getting an author’s POV!!! xo
Diana says
I think you should as I tend to find a lot of books bloggers put up that they might think are great are barely a two star or vice versa. If you don’t review it for us just let us know its out there…I rely on blogs like yours for my input into what’s new.