Have you been misled by reviews before?

[wyndslash]

@grace: that's just sneaky (about the plant, i mean). i mean, real authors should just let the general public decide. besides, there are always going to be people who like your book, and people who won't. asking friends to do positive reviews is just nasty. i also feel that you're putting your friend in a difficult position. at least, that's how i think about it.

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by wyndslash

@grace: that's just sneaky (about the plant, i mean). i mean, real authors should just let the general public decide. besides, there are always going to be people who like your book, and people who won't. asking friends to do positive reviews is just nasty. i also feel that you're putting your friend in a difficult position. at least, that's how i think about it.

ITA. I could never do that, if I were an author. Of course, some authors just review their own books (and give themselves 5 stars). Now that I will never understand! At least disguise yourself so you don't look like such an ass!

There's a big to-do out there in the world at this very moment revolving around an author's very negative public reaction to a review that pointed out editing issues. It's garnered the blogger almost 200 new followers and created quite a scene in many places (with some pretty mean-spirited comments directed at the author).

I have reviewed a good number of books in the past 6 mo, and have pointed out editing issues (and plot issues) in more than a few, and I have *never* had anyone react like that. If my review isn't stellar, many authors have commented back to me that my feedback was really useful, a few have just said "thank you," and a very few just haven't responded in any fashion. I have incredibly high regard for those authors who listen to my feedback, and at least consider what I have to say, but I have no ill will towards those who ignore my review. That's totally fine- my review = my opinion.

[Yolina]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

Some in this thread have talked of not being being swayed by reviews but I feel they are not paying enough attention to the reviews and the effect that reviews have on the subconscious.

I am not swayed by reviews because I don't read them I *really* couldn't care less about what other people think of a book and I'm not going to buy or not buy based on their opinion.

[ficbot]

I think many reviews now for indie books do not serve the function of 'review' so much as 'filter for the slushpile.' It's not like there is a ton of info available elsewhere on all of these books. If someone wants just a general sense of what it's about and whether it is generally put together okay, it's quicker to read a review than to read through a sample. I remember in the days before Smashwords, trying to buy indie books from Fictionwise. There was no sample. And in many cases, no reviews either. All you had to go on was the blurb. More than once, I bought a book with an intriguing blurb and it was terrible. I just wanted a little more information, but there was nowhere to get it!

Also, if you do find a reviewer with a blog, and you like their style or share their taste, they can alert you to potentially interesting books you maybe didn't find on your own. It's not 'they are telling you to buy it or not to buy it.' It's 'they are alerting you to a book you did not know about so that you can make your own decision.'

Personally, I tag all the books I read, whether I review them or not, with ratings and a summary at minimum. And I have a link on my blog to a dynamically updating list of my favourite books in various categories. That way, a reader can see what I like before they invest in the blog. If they share my tastes, my reviews will be credible to them. If they like different books, they can go find information about them elsewhere.

[Yolina]

Many of the books I've bought and enjoyed didn't even have reviews (and not just indies) I've always gone by the blurb and my instinct and it usually works for me There's no reviews and ratings in bookshops and yet I always managed to find books I wanted to read. I like fairly random buys... and if it turns out to be something I don't find that great then so what? I put it down to experience and go on to read something else.

Edit: I am aware that I never seem to do things the way most people do

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by Yolina

Many of the books I've bought and enjoyed didn't even have reviews (and not just indies) I've always gone by the blurb and my instinct and it usually works for me There's no reviews and ratings in bookshops and yet I always managed to find books I wanted to read. I like fairly random buys... and if it turns out to be something I don't find that great then so what? I put it down to experience and go on to read something else.

Edit: I am aware that I never seem to do things the way most people do

I use a heavy dose of randomness when looking for books to read as well, although I am aware that randomness doesn't really exist.

In bookshops the reviews and ratings are there, but instead of blocks of text they are in the form of placement on the shelves. Everything is a review.

The length of a sample is usually enough to decide if a book is worth monies, but why not just let the reader read the entire book before donating?? Amazon has drawn the line at ten percent of the book for sample length, but it is an arbitrary line, why not 99%. Do you want the last page?? Fork over some cash!!

Amazon is letting people give star ratings without writing reviews now from within the Kindle, I am not sure if this is good or bad. But If I see that hundreds or thousands of people have already read the book and given it decent stars, I will probably be more apt to try the book. But I also feel that Amazon is shoehorning review systems that work for games and other apps into the book reading review system, but books are unique and require their own systems for reviewing.

There needs to be more incentives for reviewing IMO. Planted reviews would have to be removed speedily which is probably possible, but with incentives for reviewing, the indie slushpile would become much more navigable which would be the best thing to happen to books since movable type.

[ShooterMcGee]

I don't read book reviews, but I sometimes go by word of mouth. If someone I know says a book is a good read, I'll give it a try. But reviews mean nothing, especially reviews done by book critics. Same goes for movies and music. Professional critics and I do not see eye to eye...they're morons

Reviews are subjective based on individual preferences. I did read the Amazon reviews once on one of my favorite books because I was bored...and there were quite a few people that hated it. That really got me mad and wondering how such stupid people function on a daily basis!

[Yolina]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

In bookshops the reviews and ratings are there, but instead of blocks of text they are in the form of placement on the shelves. Everything is a review.

But the way I was bookstore shopping was to always ignore what's at the front of the shop and then spend ages pulling books out until I found something that looked interesting. I've somehow managed to find a technique that works for book buying on the net too and I don't download samples either... as I've said, I know I do things in a weird way but it works for me

Originally Posted by ShooterMcGee

I sometimes go by word of mouth. If someone I know says a book is a good read, I'll give it a try.

Last time I went with word of mouth, I ended up with a copy of Dan Brown's stuff ... that's definitely *not* an experience I'd like to repeat

[RVS78]

For books I tend to ignore reviews. I know what I like and which writing style I prefer, no review will change that (unless it says in big bold flashing letters "Do not buy this book, it's harmful to your health" ).

For indie authors and small press books, my methodology in picking them out is pretty random. I narrow it down to the genre I like and surf round. Usually a good cover get my attention then I read the blurb. If there's something in the blurb that sticks with me then I'm pretty much sold.

I rely more on reviews when purchasing electronics.

__________
Bad Juju: Vol. 1 (dark fiction/horror short story collection)
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Smashwords author page
Blog

[Fbone]

I'm more disappointed when I don't enjoy the book as much as everyone else does.

The rumors must be true ... I am a snob.

[GeoffC]

nah - just better taste....

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by RVS78

For books I tend to ignore reviews. I know what I like and which writing style I prefer, no review will change that (unless it says in big bold flashing letters "Do not buy this book, it's harmful to your health" ).

For indie authors and small press books, my methodology in picking them out is pretty random. I narrow it down to the genre I like and surf round. Usually a good cover get my attention then I read the blurb. If there's something in the blurb that sticks with me then I'm pretty much sold.

I rely more on reviews when purchasing electronics.

__________
Bad Juju: Vol. 1 (dark fiction/horror short story collection)
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Smashwords author page
Blog

oh yeah, the good covers tempt me too. the author i'm referring to in my first post has one of the best covers around; but i don't want to run into bad grammar again (which i've experienced from the author and a few others have expressed). unfortunately, the majority don't seem to think so. i'm so puzzled! maybe i should try again?

[spellbanisher]

Originally Posted by wyndslash

oh yeah, the good covers tempt me too.

Never judge a book by its cover.

Originally Posted by wyndslash

the author i'm referring to in my first post has one of the best covers around; but i don't want to run into bad grammar again (which i've experienced from the author and a few others have expressed). unfortunately, the majority don't seem to think so. i'm so puzzled! maybe i should try again?

I tell you what Wynd, because I am such a great guy I'll do you a favor: if you are so worried about a book having too many grammar errors, just buy me a copy and I will tell you if the book has good grammar or not.

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by spellbanisher

Never judge a book by its cover.



I tell you what Wynd, because I am such a great guy I'll do you a favor: if you are so worried about a book having too many grammar errors, just buy me a copy and I will tell you if the book has good grammar or not.

you can't trick me (i always thought you were a girl before )

[spellbanisher]

That's okay, wynd. I think you are a child.

And would a girl have a big scary monster as an avatar? I think not.