Can someone please explain...
This isn't a rant or even a pulpit-thumping speech. Promise. I truly wanna understand a phenomenon that I've noticed.
***Why would a person continue to read a series of books that s/he finds unpleasant?***
I get reading the first book in a series and deciding that it's no gouda, just not the kinda cheese that particular mouse enjoys consuming. Fair enough.
...But then, why the subsequent book reviews/ratings??? Why keep going with a series that is obviously unpalatable?
Is there a psychological or sociological explanation for this phenomenon? Does OCD alone explain it and is there a preponderance of OCD among series readers? Is it an offset of masochism? Narcissism? Low self-esteem/high self-esteem? A fatalistic outlook? An optimistic one? ....I'm just really thinking that there has to be something that explains the mechanism behind this type of behavior.
I know for myself, that I'll cut off a series that is no longer working for me at any time within the book sequence. No compunction about it, I'll forgo the next book without a look back. I have no driving need to continue to the bitter end with something that just isn't for me.
So I'm at a complete loss as to an explanation for this phenomenon...
***Why would a person continue to read a series of books that s/he finds unpleasant?***
I get reading the first book in a series and deciding that it's no gouda, just not the kinda cheese that particular mouse enjoys consuming. Fair enough.
...But then, why the subsequent book reviews/ratings??? Why keep going with a series that is obviously unpalatable?
Is there a psychological or sociological explanation for this phenomenon? Does OCD alone explain it and is there a preponderance of OCD among series readers? Is it an offset of masochism? Narcissism? Low self-esteem/high self-esteem? A fatalistic outlook? An optimistic one? ....I'm just really thinking that there has to be something that explains the mechanism behind this type of behavior.
I know for myself, that I'll cut off a series that is no longer working for me at any time within the book sequence. No compunction about it, I'll forgo the next book without a look back. I have no driving need to continue to the bitter end with something that just isn't for me.
So I'm at a complete loss as to an explanation for this phenomenon...
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Debra
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Mar 09, 2016 03:57AM
I so totally agree...If it's not working I stop no matter how many are left...I used to have that thought once you pick it up it must be finished!!!! before I realize that there are so many books and not enough time:) I have a reading buddy that will not DFN a book and will continue (complaining) reading to the bitter end..it drives me crazy...I'm always at a loss when I read a review that is not liked..I always stop and think "then why did you finished/continue on?"****stumped******
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Debra wrote: "I'm always at a loss when I read a review that is not liked..I always stop and think "then why did you finished/continue on?"****stumped******"Exactly! I get the desire to read a first book all the way through, but then decide that it was only *meh* or so-so. I can even see reading a second book in that case, but it's the continuing on to the end that baffles me, especially if the first book was a 1 or 2 star only.
Does your reading buddy ever give an explanation for this?
"there are so many books and not enough time..."
YES! This is why I think it's somehow related to self-inflicted public flagellation. It's the only reasoning that I've been able to come up with so far *smh* ;)
Did they maybe already pay money for it and felt obligated to read it? They don't want to waste their money.Did they pick it up free and for some reason have nothing else to read? Personally, I've been so desperate for something to read when I was somewhere waiting that I'd read and re-read just about anything. ie; say the Hospital ER waiting room. I'll read the crappiest magazines.
Or do they possibly really despise it and want to let everyone else know how much they hate it and felt that they had to know what they were talking about to do so?
Or did they not read it at all and are just using other people's reviews to come up with a crappy one because they want to give it a poor review?
She says once she picks up something she has to finish it..ugh-teehee
We're assuming that they do, in fact, continue actually reading. I'm more inclined to believe it's a type of trolling where they post negatives, just because they can, with little or no repercussions or culpability. They fling their insults, with few taking them to task, in a sick, twisted type of empowerment. Have they really read the books they vilify? I sometimes wonder. Do they lead sad lives where spewing hate sustains them? Quite probably.
What JD says. Some people buy or get a series outright (happened to me a few times as well) and will finish what they start. Most probably out of principle, others because they're OCD or were taught to finish books. And then there are those who will give an author three strikes before they relegate them to the "never buy" list, of which e.g. I am a culprit as well. And sometimes you come by books in a series perchance, and possibly don't even remember you read others in it. Lastly, there is KU of course as well.@Tamara: bad reviews are just as valuable as good ones to other readers. There are many times I've read a ranting or negative review by a specific reader and bought the book, because I knew they dislike what I love. Or vice versa. Nothing helps me less choose a book than a long row of 5* reviews of "loved it to bits".
I feel like this question is for me, so here it is...As a reader we get cravings of books, its like you had to have it, like you want a hot choco lava cake, very badly, and after searching and searching for my kind of books/choco lava, when we don't find it, we settle for simple choco cake but after eating we realize its a vanilla cake with choco chips, we feel disappointed. but the main thing is when second time we get craving we know at-least this series have some choco chips in it. so again after searching for hot choco lava when we dont find it we continue the series.
I did that with True series of williow but there are some series that i left after one or two books. Still knowing that i didn't liked true series, i tried we were once one by willow and loved it. That's the reason we continue a series or author because we hope to get the book we want.
J.D. wrote: "...don't want to waste their money....free and for some reason have nothing else to read....despise it and want to let everyone else know....not read it at all..."Hmm...all plausible explanations. The first one goes back to the OCD idea - which Debra and Steel both seem to agree has some weight in this matter. I lean toward this idea too, in so far as it explains the need to finish something that is otherwise unpleasant (for the 1 & 2 star reviews for instance).
The free (or even KU) factor was something I thought of too. It explains the starting of a book/series - nothing ventured/nothing gained, right? But in the case of KU, it makes less sense to continue with a series that is leaving a bad taste in one's mouth due to the limit of only 10 titles at one time. Maybe there's a link between OCD and KU??
The additional constraint of 'nothing else to read' is an interesting one. I've had this happen to me as well, especially while traveling somewhere that has hit/miss connection or isn't safe for online downloads. Desperate times/desperate measures, eh?
Despising it and wanting to shout from the rooftops explains the bad reviews, but not the bad ratings-only ones necessarily. Not much force of conviction behind a star without explanation as far as I can see.
The last one - that the book wasn't read at all - as Tamara says, I've seen this trolling-type behavior too I think. I can usually spot this if it's someone who's posted a multitude of 1 * ratings down the line of many series, especially in a single day and without any reviews to explain them.
You added the idea of using others' reviews for a basis and that has some possibilities to it. I think Tamara's comment of "sad lives where spewing hate sustains them" fits my feelings on that one. It's possible, even probable, but such a sad explanation.
Tamara wrote: "trolling where they post negatives, just because they can, with little or no repercussions or culpability. They fling their insults, with few taking them to task..."This is a good point. An author is responsible for the work s/he puts out to the world. I feel a reviewer is just as responsible. Both must stand behind what they write.
I've given some scathing reviews before and have no compunction about doing it again if it's how I feel/think in the future too. But I do hold myself accountable for those reviews certainly.
This brings up a point of profiles that are private vs public on here. (view spoiler) I agree with the right for privacy and applaud that GR gives this control to its reviewers. It does create an added factor to your point about culpability though. Isn't it easier to write a bad review from behind the curtain of protection that is offered by a private profile or even one that doesn't allow for non-friend comments?
Steelwhisper wrote: "give an author three strikes before they relegate them to the "never buy" list..."That's a very probable explanation. I don't have a personal quotient for this, but I am reticent to give a new book a try by an author that wasn't on my 4/5* list before. Goes back to Debra's comment about too little time/too many books.
...I've read a ranting or negative review by a specific reader and bought the book, because I knew they dislike what I love...
Me too! I try not to read reviews before starting on a book (don't like all the spoilers that are untagged out there and, frankly, don't have the willpower of a gnat to resist the ones that are tagged ;), but when I do read them - I always start with the 'negative ones' to get the real dirt on what might be a (good) dirty read for me.
nandini wrote: "I feel like this question is for me, so here it is...Promise. Swear. Absolutely not. I didn't have any one person in mind with this question. I wasn't even thinking of only my own books when I posted this. I've noticed this behavior on here and I've been thinking about this for a while. I just love to study psychology in this armchair fashion.
As a reader we get cravings of books, after searching and searching...when we don't find it, we settle...we feel disappointed...second time we get craving...again after searching...when we dont find it we continue the series...."
Okay. That makes perfect sense to me too. It explains the lukewarm 3* reviews/ratings, with maybe a 2 or 4* in there too, depending on the craving/disappointment level.
(view spoiler)
Now - as to this choco-lava-cake analogy. Dammit! One of my OCD things is the compulsion to eat/drink something that just sounds or looks good. I've been known to crave a root beer float all frickin day because I saw a billboard advertising one. You, Nandini, are personally responsible for my increased calorie intake today. heehee.
Have you ever tried a Mimi's Café 'cruffin'?? It's a crepe+muffin+gooey chocolate gastronomical delight of pure bliss. No disappoint, guarantee it or I'll eat what you don't want :))
Dare I ask what a "root beer float" is?
Willow wrote: "but when I do read them - I always start with the 'negative ones' to get the real dirt on what might be a (good) dirty read for me."I pride myself on being an intelligent shopper. I know my opinion and like/dislikes are not the same as other people. I can't tell you how many times other people 5 star the heck out of something that I read and I"m like, 'This is crap.'
I always read the lowest reviews, but I take them with a spoonful of skepticism - also easy for me, I'm full of that. But I contrast them with the 5 star reviews. What was their issue?
Subject matter? That's completely personal preference - and has nothing to do with the quality of the book. It might affect my desire to read the book, but it's not a hit against the book imo.
Writing? I pay attention to this, that's a quality issue. I'm forgiving of some typos/grammar issues -and really, in this age of ebooks, those might have already been fixed! But if it's like a preschooler or it was translated from another language, I'll give it a pass.
Plot? This matters to me. I'm drawn to the weird and new. That's why I read everything by Jonathan Lethem - for god's sake, he had a woman fall in love with a blackhole! Sometimes he's not as good as I want him to be, but you can bet money there's something new in there. I like my comfort books too!
Characters? This matters the most to me. If I don't give a shit about the characters, why do I want to read about them? The plot can be mundane and almost boring day in the lives of people, but if they feel real and I care - I'll read just about anything.
hahaha. Steel - you don't know what you're missing if you've never had one! Fill 2/3rds of a frosty pint with root beer soda, then pile in the creamiest vanilla ice cream you can get your hands on. Now, I know there will be those that will argue the steps here - some will say the ice cream should go in first and pour the soda over it (a sort of Cornish v Devon debate similar to English scones). I prefer the soda first, to give the foam time to settle, at the risk of losing some of the more lovely crunchiness that occurs to the upper layers of ice cream at the introduction of the soda. I suggest you try it both ways to sort out your personal preference.
Steelwhisper wrote: " bad reviews are just as valuable as good ones to other readers. There are many times I've read a ranting or negative review by a specific reader and bought the book, because I knew they dislike what I love. Or vice versa. Nothing helps me less choose a book than a long row of 5* reviews of "loved it to bits"."This! I follow Steelwhisper's reviews for just this reason! :)
I agree on some points on reviews - especially quality of writing and characterization - but generally differ very strongly on many plot preferences.
Willow wrote: "hahaha. Steel - you don't know what you're missing if you've never had one! Fill 2/3rds of a frosty pint with root beer soda, then pile in the creamiest vanilla ice cream you can get your hands on...."We always put the ice cream first to avoid splashing, then pour the root beer over it. You still get the crunchy on top. ;) And you don't have to use only root beer. You can use cream soda or orange soda too. Yummy!
I don't know how to answer this. I've seen people who clearly don't like an author's work and yet continue to read their stories. Or admit that the stories aren't good but they're like "crack" so they read them. I don't get it.Four examples from my own experience:
1) First book shows a lot of promise but doesn't exactly blow me away. There's potential, so I get the second book. Second book doesn't live up to potential at all. Maybe it's sophomore slump. So I get the third book. Still not working for me. I quit at that point.
2) I've loved all the books up to the second to last one, which I hated. And it's the culmination of a downward sliding pattern I noticed in the two or three books (that I still largely enjoyed) leading up to that one. But... it's the second to last book, so why not read the last one? Maybe the author will turn it around.
3) The books are solid three stars and good to read when I have nothing else or just want to take a break from the usual - so long as I can borrow them. ;)
4) Author doesn't know how to end a series and/or I just get tired of it and stop reading.
Tamara wrote: "We're assuming that they do, in fact, continue actually reading. I'm more inclined to believe it's a type of trolling where they post negatives, just because they can, with little or no repercussio..."I might wonder that too in the case of a series where the person doesn't like any of them. But there are also fake 5* reviews - like people who "review" the book before the author even finishes writing it, and then they never come back to write a review once the book is released.
But with stand-alone books: I used to be one of these people who had to finish a book (but not a series) once I started it. Especially if I paid money for it, especially especially if I paid full price. I'm getting over that now and will more often than not DNF if it's just not working - or skip/skim the parts that don't work to focus on the parts that do work - but I'm skimming so that usually means it's not getting more than 3* (and I note in my review what I skimmed/skipped and why.)
But sometimes, I keep reading because I see elements that are problematic for me and so may be problematic for others, but that none of the other reviews I've seen have mentioned. I don't feel I can leave a detailed review of those problems unless I actually read the whole thing. Or, I'm "taking one for the team" if it's a book a group of us are unsure about. Or, there's some big huge debate over its contents and I want to be able to speak from a POV of someone who's read the book, rather than a "so-and-so said" situation. Or, everyone else loved it, so I must be missing something and keep reading hoping to find it, like maybe the ending saves the book and makes it all worthwhile, only that doesn't happen.
All very valid reasons... I can completely understand wanting to finish a series, even if a reader isn't a fan of the first, second, or even third. My OCD is largely to blame for finishing series I'm not particularly fond of. Sometimes I just can't seem to let it go and feel like I need to find out how it ends, even if the writing style (or something else) really aggravates me. However, I tend not to review/rate these subsequent titles, feeling that the decision to read them, when I knew ahead of time that I would probably dislike them, was on me. I review the first, maybe the second...but I always felt like I was being unfair if I reviewed the rest.
Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "Tamara wrote: "We're assuming that they do, in fact, continue actually reading. I'm more inclined to believe it's a type of trolling where they post negatives, just because they can, with little or..."It is possible, with ARC's being sent out, to read and review a book before the published date. I enjoy ARC's immensely. Being able to read a book before most, is a purely hedonistic pleasure, to be sure, but beneficial to the author also, as it gives their book a kind of "hit the ground running" advantage. There's debate as to whether one needs to qualify the review as rumors of deletions lately have been daunting. If you've been given a valuable ARC, then the unspoken conception is you're familiar/friends/a fan, with the author already and therefore not completely unbiased. Even though I have favorite authors, I do try to remain as impartial as possible. It's my opinions on the line too, so truth is better than currying author's favor. If a preponderance of my reviews elicit a "What the Hell was she thinking?", or "What drugs is she on?", then I lose all credibility as a reviewer. Not a risk I'm willing to take.
Q and Linda make very good points. There are any number of reasons, just like them, that I continue a less than stellar book or series. But to purposely buy, or KU a book by an author that I do not like befuddles me. Honestly. I can say, within the last two months, that I've been introduced to more authors and their books, than I can read in a reasonable amount of days. I have precious little time I'm willing to waste on a book I'm fairly sure I'll dislike. I have nothing to prove to anyone. I'd liken it to driving an hour or more to a restaurant that only serves steak, when I don't eat red meat.
I stick with Laurell K Hamilton, because, yes, even though she's gone from paranormal sleuthing and detecting, to sex and more sex, the ardeur, multiple partners, a bit of sleuthing now and again, I still enjoy the heck out of her books. Isn't that the bottom line? Don't we all read to relax, enjoy, imagine, stimulate, encourage, learn, forget, transport ourselves? At least, I would hope we do.
Tamara wrote: "Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "Tamara wrote: "We're assuming that they do, in fact, continue actually reading. I'm more inclined to believe it's a type of trolling..."I wasn’t talking about ARCs though. ARCs are for all intents and purposes finished. I'm talking about books that are still in the pre-ARC stage. The author is still in rough draft stage. Nothing is known about it except maybe a title. But people rate it.
Tamara wrote: "Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "Tamara wrote: "We're assuming that they do, in fact, continue actually reading. I'm more inclined to believe it's a type of trolling..."I was privy to a conversation where the author knew the one star review had to be bogus as the book was still in it's rough draft when it posted. I suppose some avid fans might cheat to give a book 5 stars, before even reading a word, but it makes me think some haters do the same thing. In the end it hurts authors and readers alike.
Tamara wrote: "I was privy to a conversation where the author knew the one star review had to be bogus as the book was still in it's rough draft when it posted."I've known this to happen to an author as well. Every single book she publishes is one or two starred by the same couple of reviewers while it's still with the editor, definitely before it's even published. I never understood the motivation for that kind of behavior.
Tamara wrote: "I was privy to a conversation where the author knew the one star review had to be bogus as the book was still in it's rough draft when it posted...."This happens all the time. It is in line with GR review and rating policies, however. There's nothing you can do against this.
@ Linda - Your 4 points above all make sense to me, especially as you clearly draw a line between what you're willing to purchase vs KU. It also made me think about the difference between a series that has all the books finished vs one that is still ongoing. I think I'm more likely to give an ongoing one a second chance for no reason other than time has helped me to forget what I didn't like about the initial book and I'm left with just an overall impression of curiosity.
@ Linda & Tamara: IMO, any book that was gifted to a reviewer (whether from a website, author, or publisher) should be tagged with that info on any subsequent reviews. I'm fully on board w the caveat emptor mindframe for all purchases/downloads, but full-disclosure is a matter of scruples to me.
And - totally agree about the auto 1* AND 5* reviews/ratings - they are such BS(!!!!) especially for works that are still in progress.
Gotta laugh - I have a 5* on my WIP, Existential Angst. I have no idea who that person is *shrug* I've given a beta read of the work to a handful of peeps, but that wasn't one of them. I'm making the assumption that it's a fluke or mistake - when s/he added the book to a TBR shelf, a rating was clicked in error maybe??? I know I've had problems with GR's 'add to shelf button' before - it always wants to shuffle the unread books to my read & author shelves, pain in my a$$
@ Q: "...I tend not to review/rate these subsequent titles, feeling that the decision to read them, when I knew ahead of time that I would probably dislike them, was on me..."
I think that's a very generous policy. I sort of do this too, except in the case where the next book has new things that really bother me. I follow more along the line of Linda's thinking with the need to address the new problematic issues then in that case.
And I also fully agree with Tamara's comment: "...It's my opinions on the line too, so truth is better than currying author's favor..." I don't feel the least bit of conscience in leaving an honest bad review, so long as I'm following those two main principles.
@ Steel - there are so many GR policies that I consider 'dub-con' in their torture of us. heehee.
I'm usually one that isn't going to continue if I can't at least give the first book 2 or 3 stars. That sounds low, but those that know me, know that those are some damn hard stars to earn from me. As you say, whats the point in going 3,4,5 or more books into something that you deplore. It largely seems very self-serving when I see that happen.
That said, I know that I have some exceptions where I'll continue onward:
Most common...
1) The author has thrown some fucking little "?" that rotates around in the background and will drive me batshit nuts until I *know.*
2) There is some stand apart quality to the plot, characters, or writing that's being overshadowed by absolute bullshit the prohibits me from a high rating, but that I see enough promise within to continue; basically, I need to give the author a second chance to get her head out of her ass and exploit her camouflaged talent.
Less common...
I've already paid or obligated myself to read the entire series.
The rare golden egg...
Ironic that you ask this question since you, Willow, are in my golden egg category.
There are those rare books that pull all these vastly different and strong emotional responses from the reader. It's that book that pulls you in different directions between loving some parts hard and hating other parts equally hard. You fight with yourself because the hate makes you feel obligated to low ball it, but your apperception of it, need to understand it, or fascination with it demands you read onward. Yeah, I'm waving at Max /:/:/:/:/:/ right now ;;)
____
** I'd suspect that a lot of people secretly love certain books that are taboo, off color, childish, or otherwise pooped on by their friend list. So they follow suit with lowball ratings when they actually like/love it ?!?
All of you have valid points and I agree with majority of them. What I do not understand is when a review goes from disliking the grammar, plot, typos, writing style, or what have you, to shredding the author to pieces repeatedly on each book of a series. I've seen this on several occasions and its distasteful to me. I am one that will quit reading a book faster than a blink, and not have a second thought about it. However, I will not rate a book that I have not read.
It's funny I saw this post today since my status update is kind of about this type of thing. I'm a little peeved off by "someone" who I have noticed will diss a book BIG TIME, complain about the hero/heroine, say they will not read it because of this or that, but THEN goes on to read (or skim I suspect) for the sole purpose of writing a scathing review!I find it so distasteful and unfair to not only the author, but to other readers because they are not getting a fair and honest review. It's everyone's right to like/dislike a book, but I expect the review of the book(s) to be honest, not just posted out there so the reviewer can legitimize their bitching...kwim??
@WB ... When you see BS like that - where someone has absolutely nothing positive, redeeming to say - and still they continue on to rate every book by a certain author(s) one star & focus on personal shit vs book shit... It becomes obvious that the reader has sinister motives vs just "not liking" a book. Of course, there are idiots born everyday and they'll give weight to such reviews, but most any reviewer with a shred of common sense can see right through these types of alternative motive reviews and pay them no mind.
Just like @Eve points out... Reviewer patterns become so very transparent within a reviewer's circle. For me, once I see that I can't trust the person's review to be upfront, honest, & unbiased... I'm done with their ass.
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