Are Manners a Thing of the Past, where Reviews and Readers are Concerned?

[Irene ~ Witchy Reads]

Vanessa wrote: "OMG... Sorry, only just picked up the thread again (been busy eating waaaayyyy too much with family)

I have enjoyed being a part of this discussion and do think that a lot of good things came out ..."

I share your opinion, I have started to look through my reviews to see if there were things that might offend people...

[Irene ~ Witchy Reads]

Yeeh Im reading the review which is not a review right know, this drama turned in to a soap opera lol..
I don't want to take sides, but as I mentioned before, some of the stuff being said was really insulting.

@erin: I just read you blog post! Like it! Im following you know! :p Oh I also watched that video of maggie I thought it was good and funny!

[Daisy Sloan]

I agree Erin. There has been some really good discussion in this thread. Neither ETA or myself were trying to indicate there was nothing to be gained from this discussion. I know I was worried people would get dragged into the drama inadvertently and suffer backlash from it. I can't speak for ETA but I know she wouldn't want that either.

I read your blogpost and I agree with you. It is sad that people feel the need to attack the author. There's no reason for that AT ALL. They should be reviewing the book.

The reviews I wrote at the very beginning were very different from the ones I write now. I write reviews for two reasons and they vary depending on the reason I'm writing them.

If I'm writing a review for one of the blogs I contribute to, my reviews are longer and more thought out. If I'm writing a review for post only on GR and only for myself, then it's shorter and generally just enough for me to remember why I liked or didn't like the book.

No matter what the reason though, the author should never be attacked. For that matter, neither should the book. It should just state what you loved or hated about the book.

[Alana ~ The Book Pimp]

I wonder if it's like a form of peer pressure (in a way) because all the 'cool kids' are writing those snarky, albeit funny, reviews that bash books and/or authors?

Or do y'all think that it's just the anonymous online, I-can-do-what-I-want-because-I'm-not-face-to-face?

Just curious on y'alls thoughts as to why the snarky reviews are so prevalent now.

And, I must say- y'all have been SO wonderful in keeping an engaging discussion without tearing into anyone for their thoughts. On this particular topic, it really needs to be commended.

[Daisy Sloan]

Interesting thought Alana....It could be in the world of so many blogs and vying to get books for free, people may be trying to be the most popular review/blogger to get all the perks that go with it.

That may also be why there are so many gifs in reviews as well.

[Irene ~ Witchy Reads]

Well, I was brunching yesterday with my bf family, and we had the same discussion about manners in general, so I told them about this discussion and that there are so many snarky reviews.

I got some interersting feedback that got me thinking: One of the family members told me about a reviewer from the newspaper that wrote reviews that could break a business. He is the most popular professional reviewer of that paper.

Then I thought about the reviews I read on JK Rowlings new book, also by profs which were all very negative and sometimes very insulting. So maybe it doesn't have anything to do with being anonymous at all but are they influenced by the media?

Im not sure which it is, but anonymous can bring out the worst in people, give them more guts..

I use my real name on here, because I don't intend to be rude, or presumptuous. I like to share my honest opinion on here..

[P.A.]

Irene wrote: "Well, I was brunching yesterday with my bf family, and we had the same discussion about manners in general, so I told them about this discussion and that there are so many snarky reviews.

I got s..."

I remember reading a book by Zig Ziglar years ago and he shared his law of 250. He said basically most weddings have about 250 guest. Which means most people know at least 25o people. When someone has a positive experience they tend to tell their ten closest friends, but when they have a negative experience they tell about 100 of the people they know. I've always thought that was an interesting theory--that you have to work 10x harder for people to hear the good than the bad. Unfortunately, bad news spreads faster than good, it's just human nature.

[Irene ~ Witchy Reads]

P.A. wrote: "Irene wrote: "Well, I was brunching yesterday with my bf family, and we had the same discussion about manners in general, so I told them about this discussion and that there are so many snarky revi..."

I agree to you there! I once have been told a similar theory, it seems so that bad news seems to always travel a step faster than the good. I also did a minor PR which also indicated what could happen with bad PR and the influence media has on us (which is more than I ever imagined). It was a really intereting minor!

Anyways, I try to sort out the reviews which give an inside on why they didn't like it.. Instead of the ramblings of one that is to dissappointed to give a clear opinion..

Well lets all try to spread good news if possible!

[P.A.]

Irene wrote: "P.A. wrote: "Irene wrote: "Well, I was brunching yesterday with my bf family, and we had the same discussion about manners in general, so I told them about this discussion and that there are so man..."

People always seem to remember the bad things too. Look at actors and actresses. Most of us couldn't tell you how many awards someone like Charlie Sheen has one but I bet they could tell you how many hookers he's been caught with.

[Irene ~ Witchy Reads]

true that, it is hard to form an objective opinion about them too, you never know what is true.. I couldn't tell you btw how many hookers he has had.. Not all news travels to the netherlands, the huge things like celeberty break ups do.. Or huge scandals.. However, some of it I come across on my morning round on facebook..

[Paganalexandria]

My reviews can be snarky, but I'm snarky in life. I know for a fact I'm much nicer online than in person because life does not have an edit button. That being said my reviews really are for my reading tracking purposes. I don't have a blog or have time to put a million gifs to encourage someone to read them. I think they are also very fair.

I did notice my star ratings were more generous on Amazon. When I became aware Goodreads ranked my favorites by ratings I actually changed some initial rating to make sure my loves would show up properly on my fave list.

[Erin]

Irene wrote: "Yeeh Im reading the review which is not a review right know, this drama turned in to a soap opera lol..
I don't want to take sides, but as I mentioned before, some of the stuff being said was real..."

I'm glad you enjoyed the video of Maggie! I really think she's a smart, charming young woman with so much great stuff to say. That's why I get sort of irritated at how some of the reviews of Shiver are so snarky and condescending toward her, including addressing her by name.

[Karen]

The professional reviewers I know always say it's easier to write a negative review. It's harder to come up with new ways to complement a work? I dunno. Sometimes the negative reviews are more fun to read (of course, if you are not the one they are reviewing), and there are absolutely times when I read a professional critic's negative review and think, "Wow, they are having WAY too much fun with that."

I do think the media in general has lost a level of professionalism, and that goes from the tabloids to the NY Times. I used to prefer (in my day job) to work with the blog critics because they tended to be more thoughtful and constructive in their feedback, even if it was negative.

And I hate hearing that one critic can make or break a business or career. I wish that wasn't the case. People's taste is SO subjective. I struggled with Twilight for a million reasons, but that's just my opinion. It doesn't invalidate the experience of those who loved it. We all bring our own experiences and bagage in with us. And I believe this goes with "professional critics" as well as the ones who do it for the love of it--everyone's past experience influences how they read/watch/see anything. It is impossible to be a clean slate.

And I am going to check out Shiver now. :)

[Irene ~ Witchy Reads]

Erin wrote: "Irene wrote: "Yeeh Im reading the review which is not a review right know, this drama turned in to a soap opera lol..
I don't want to take sides, but as I mentioned before, some of the stuff being..."

I know, do you follow her blog also? She is very funny on there too but also gives great advice!