When are people going to start reviewing?

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

I think so to, and also a well-written bad review can help people decide to buy it. For instance, I've reviewed books where I basically said, "I didn't like this book because of X, Y, and Z elements," and other people who LIKE X, Y, and Z have read that and told me, "Thanks, that helped me decide to buy it!"

I gave one book on Amazon a 3/5 review recently because it was very well written, and engaging, but I did not like some of he content. Those that like that kind of content probably see my review as great. I should go back and see if anyone commented on it...

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by ficbot

I review (almost) weekly on my blog, and people send me a ton of unsolicited stuff. Some of it, I reject outright as not my thing (and of course, if the sample or blurb has any obvious issues, I decline to review) and some, I accept for review. Of those I accept for review, a small percentage get bailed on partway through (in which case, I generally write it up as a mini review, explaining why I bailed on the book). The rest will (eventually) get fully reviewed.

<SNIP>

As for general readers who don't blog about this, I don't think many of them feel any sort of obligation to review or not.

This. I, too, have many, many books, most of which I'm excited to read. I wish I had more hours in the day. I tend to put 2-5 reviews a week up on my blog, and I still am months behind. If I could just narrow my interests way down, I may not have this problem, but I really do like a huge variety of genres.

Originally Posted by HarryT

I understand what you're saying, but in my experience "normal readers" just don't do that.

Yes.

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I would love to replay to some of my bad reviews, in a polite fashion to get clarification on what they mean by their points. I have even emailed one as a test cast to see what may come of it... no reply.

I have had "conversations" (via email) with several authors who have asked for clarification or suggestions with regards to my feedback. I have always responded. While I don't have the kind of time needed to dissect every piece of the author's work, I appreciate that the author wants to make improvements to the story, and something I've said has meant something.

Originally Posted by anamardoll

I think so to, and also a well-written bad review can help people decide to buy it. For instance, I've reviewed books where I basically said, "I didn't like this book because of X, Y, and Z elements," and other people who LIKE X, Y, and Z have read that and told me, "Thanks, that helped me decide to buy it!"

I've had the same experience! I'm glad- my mission is not to try to stop people from reading a book, even if I hated the book. My main goal is to give enough information to readers so they can make an informed decision about the book. (My other main goal is to promote quality indie authors so they write more books I can then read!) Feedback from authors has indicated that my constructive criticism is frequently helpful. Other authors have accepted my review graciously without much comment, and that's fine, too. My opinion is strictly my opinion; I don't expect everyone to agree with what I've said, and I don't reflect the opinions of anyone other than myself. What I look for in a book may not match what someone else wants.

I'm not an author (I do have several research studies that have been published in professional journals, but I don't feel that's anything like a fiction author). I do not work in a publishing-related field. I am just an avid reader who decided to start reviewing books- first in small paragraphs on Smashwords, then on my own blog. I'm a relative newbie to this. But I love to read, I understand the basics of the English language, and I know what I believe makes a good story. So I use my "voice."

Writing thoughtful reviews takes a long time and a lot of thought. I don't think the average reader feels obligated (and he/she shouldn't) to offer the type of feedback for which you're looking. I could read twice as many books if I wasn't reviewing them as I went

[Frida Fantastic]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

This. I, too, have many, many books, most of which I'm excited to read. I wish I had more hours in the day. I tend to put 2-5 reviews a week up on my blog, and I still am months behind. If I could just narrow my interests way down, I may not have this problem, but I really do like a huge variety of genres.

I don't really know many people who enjoy such a wide range books like you. You pretty much read and enjoy something in every genre. You read quite a bit of science fiction/fantasy, then mystery/thrillers, chick-lit, etc. and even for different age groups. The only books I haven't seen you cover much are historical romances XD

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I've had the same experience! I'm glad- my mission is not to try to stop people from reading a book, even if I hated the book. My main goal is to give enough information to readers so they can make an informed decision about the book. (My other main goal is to promote quality indie authors so they write more books I can then read!)

I agree with this. It's providing helpful information that's important. The rating is really secondary. There's positive and negative things about each book, it's just that really good books have an appeal to a larger audience, whereas other books have a smaller appeal. The smallest appeal is, well, appeals to the author :P

[JimKal]

Originally Posted by Frida Fantastic

I agree with this. It's providing helpful information that's important. The rating is really secondary. There's positive and negative things about each book, it's just that really good books have an appeal to a larger audience, whereas other books have a smaller appeal. The smallest appeal is, well, appeals to the author :P

Most of the reviews by readers that I see on Amazon and Goodreads are a repetition of the synopsis already provided by the Publisher. This type of review is of no use to me as the professionals tend to do a better job and I've already read it and don't need to see a second synopsis. During the rare instance when I choose to write a review, I try to avoid that and simply say what I like or dislike about a book. As I depend on the ratings provided by other readers I do think they are important to me as a reader. I then tend to look at the comments of those who rated it highly and those who gave very negative ratings. Again, I'm interested in why they liked or disliked a particular book.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by JimKal

Most of the reviews by readers that I see on Amazon and Goodreads are a repetition of the synopsis already provided by the Publisher.

I think the reason for that is the reviews originate on blogs, where people won't see the publisher's blurb. I don't tend to put many on Amazon myself, mainly because of their stance on swearing in reviews, but I've noticed a lot of people just copy and paste their blog review on Amazon.

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by Frida Fantastic

I don't really know many people who enjoy such a wide range books like you. You pretty much read and enjoy something in every genre. You read quite a bit of science fiction/fantasy, then mystery/thrillers, chick-lit, etc. and even for different age groups. The only books I haven't seen you cover much are historical romances XD

Wow, amazing powers of observation! I think that actually counts against me, in a way. I don't have a "niche" that a lot of followers can connect with. Although I review plenty of various genres, I don't generally get listed in "specialty" categories so people may not realize what I do review. I thought about narrowing my focus, but the idea of reading from just one or two genres sounds suffocating I think I've only reviewed one straight historical romance, and maybe one that was historical and had some romance in it.... The one genre I really don't like much is straight Harlequinn type romances. Oh, and I don't do straight nonfiction (doesn't stop people from trying- how-to manual, Simon? )

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

I think the reason for that is the reviews originate on blogs, where people won't see the publisher's blurb. I don't tend to put many on Amazon myself, mainly because of their stance on swearing in reviews, but I've noticed a lot of people just copy and paste their blog review on Amazon.

I have adjusted the way I post reviews on places like Amazon over time. I try to give an edited version of my blog review (sans synopsis and specific comments on grammar/editing), and indicate where my blog is if anyone wants to read the entire thing. I just try to hit the main points on the Amazon review. I also really dislike reviews that are basically one big long rehash of the entire story. Uh, I can read the story for that!

[Ransom]

Originally Posted by rhadin

As for reviews, I only review two types of books: those that are excellent (5 stars) and those that are so poor (1-2 stars) that everyone should be warned to avoid wasting money, time, and effort on the book. I do not review the mediocre books that fall between the two extremes. It just isn't worth my time and the effort required to review books that have nothing outstanding about them other than being mediocre like most books.

I think this is the general trend. I've had a book out since 2007 that's only received a small handful of reviews. However, it's basically just a study guide/commentary and isn't the type of thing that would sell a lot of copies in the first place. Commentaries won't get people excited enough to review them no matter how good they are. I'm probably lucky to get one review out of every hundred copies sold. That's just the way it is.

[Frida Fantastic]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

Wow, amazing powers of observation! I think that actually counts against me, in a way. I don't have a "niche" that a lot of followers can connect with. Although I review plenty of various genres, I don't generally get listed in "specialty" categories so people may not realize what I do review. I thought about narrowing my focus, but the idea of reading from just one or two genres sounds suffocating I think I've only reviewed one straight historical romance, and maybe one that was historical and had some romance in it.... The one genre I really don't like much is straight Harlequinn type romances.

You still have a high number of followers, and I pop in once in a while to see if you've done any new SF/F reviews. I'm sure other readers who focus on certain genres do the same thing. You might even have more followers because of it!

I just naturally gravitated towards SF/F because it's been my nerd territory for all of my reading life. Over the years, I tried enjoying other genres, but I just kept on going back to SF/F. I just like fantastical settings or fantastical concepts, it's a neat requirement for a genre to have, where the plot structure and everything else is otherwise open. I enjoy quite a bit of fiction outside of SF/F, but they tend to be not "genre" fiction. I wouldn't know where to peg fiction by Edwidge Danticat and stuff.

Yeah, I don't like straight Harlequinn type romances either. The plot structure is just so limiting for me. I like romance sometimes, but only as a subplot. I like seeing romance as one aspect of character development, rather than have everything else be geared towards feeding the romance plot. Romance itself can be done in a very interesting way, but it's all contingent on how much I care about the characters, the main plot, and whether the book has enough other themes for me to bite into. Romance as the main story generally doesn't cut it for me.

[GFanthome]

...that I will post a sample chapter of my novel and some people will leave comments right away. Other people will tell me "Oh, I meant to do that," or "I just never got around to it." So I just wait and they eventually come for a look. I think you just have to wait until they find the time.

[sportourer1]

Maybe the obsession with reviewing everything is finally fading, thank God!

[garygibsonsf]

It occurs to me what we really need is a button on Amazon marked 'would you recommend this book to a friend'? For people who can't be bothered to write a review. There's a 'like' button, but personally that strikes me as just a bit ambiguous.

[EileenG]

That's a good idea.

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by Frida Fantastic

I pop in once in a while to see if you've done any new SF/F reviews. I'm sure other readers who focus on certain genres do the same thing.

I love that my new(ish) blog set up allows categories- so someone who is interested in a specific genre can find all the reviews in that genre. But speaking of you (I am now...)-- how do you do it?? What you have accomplished in such a short time is fantastic. Where do you find the time? Is there a drug or a time machine? Please share!

Originally Posted by Frida Fantastic

Yeah, I don't like straight Harlequinn type romances either. The plot structure is just so limiting for me. I like romance sometimes, but only as a subplot. I like seeing romance as one aspect of character development, rather than have everything else be geared towards feeding the romance plot.

Yep, that's it exactly! I'm all about the character, and if romance is part of that, fantastic. When it's the whole storyline, it's not enough.

Originally Posted by garygibsonsf

It occurs to me what we really need is a button on Amazon marked 'would you recommend this book to a friend'? For people who can't be bothered to write a review. There's a 'like' button, but personally that strikes me as just a bit ambiguous.

That's a great idea! I think i'm in the minority, but I'm not a huge fan of the "like" button phenomenon.

(total side note- but I just realized I can make this posting window bigger by dragging the corner- way cool!)

[Native]

I don't have a "niche" that a lot of followers can connect with.

I suspect a lot of people connect with that.

[Native]

That qoute should have been attributed to GraceKrispy. Apologies.