Jim answers “I'd like to know how Goodreads allows...”

Jessica asked this question about The Witch Elm:

I'd like to know how Goodreads allows someone to rate a book that won't be available for months! And the rating is 2 stars! How does that happen? Tana French is a terrific author; her previous books rate highly; every author can have a dud, but shouldn't the goodreads reviewer actually READ the book before giving it 2 stars?! I think Good reads should remove that rating.

Jim Are you annoyed the rating came from an ARC or galley, or are you annoyed the rating is low for an author you like? The former is a legit complaint, t…moreAre you annoyed the rating came from an ARC or galley, or are you annoyed the rating is low for an author you like? The former is a legit complaint, the latter is just your opinion. I hate ratings of any sort from an ARC or galley, but I also hate when people argue someone's opinion of a book just because it doesn't jive with their opinion. We all have our favorite authors, but even a great author can write a piece of shit book, and giving high ratings for shit books just because you want to be seen as a loyal fan of said author is unfair to other Goodreads members. If you want to kiss up to an author, do it on their website, not a public book forum.(less)

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Jim yeah, i tire of the "adoring fan" ratings for unreleased books... if you're going to 5-star a book no matter what because you think the author honestl ...more
Apr 01, 2019 09:43AM · flag

Jim ARCs and galley proofs come out well before the final published book, so people are able to rate books prior to their official release. my comments ar ...more
Aug 22, 2022 08:34AM · flag

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