Making Connections discussion
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The Review Conundrum
Usually I email them asking if they'd really want an honest review. If they say go ahead then I write my review saying my reasons for not liking their book but not in a rude way:) I also try to be positive like, "If the writing style was polished a bit more, then I look forward to seeing more of the author's works." Don't lie, though. If you really did not enjoy the book then don't be afraid to say so! It's your blog, it's your reviews and there will always be other people who will like a book you did not love. I think there's an unwritten code between a book reviewer and your readers that you always say what you think about a book.Do you have a review policy? Your review policy should state that you write honest reviews that are 500% from the heart. It's your insurance when an author suddenly berates you for writing a negative review. :)
This has happened to me as well on several occasions. I've personally always decided that if I agreed to review I'd read the whole book to give it a fair shot. After that, I've handled it a couple of ways. In one case the author was on GR and I sent her a pm, letting her know the book wasn't really for me and I wasn't going to be able to post a positive review, but offered to send her some feedback privately. She happily took me up on it and we have a good relationship here on GR now, and I'm going to continue to work with her. In other cases, I've tried to pick out the very best things I can and then handled the criticism in the most positive way possible. I hate reading really negative reviews...whether or not you enjoyed the book, let's have some respect for the time and effort the author put into the work! On the other hand, I don't think you do someone a favour by not being honest with what you didn't like - they put their work out there and I think they deserve to hear what people really think. How else will their work improve?
I just read a book I did not like at all and forced myself to finish because I said I would review it so I am at a standstill as to what to write in my review. I agree with Kayla. I also review on a blog so its a tough one. I did not put in a review policy and I need to. I just never came across a book yet that I really didn't like this much that I barely could finish it let alone make it past the 4th chapter. I feel bad giving bad reviews but like Kayla says you did agree to give a honest review so do that. you can contact the author first in this case and ask but then its really not fair to others that are going to read it or maybe did as you and don't like it either, your not honestly reviewing it when you did promise when taking the book that you would give a honest review and like it or not that's what they get. Not everyone will like a book but when its that bad that you can't finish its rough to put that into words. I feel bad about it but other readers should no what they are picking up and they might like that book as you did not. I will review mine and nicely put into words what I thought made it terrible. Just be nice and tackful.
Mei wrote: "Hey Guys!What do you do in the following situation?
You agree to review a book, start reading it, and then find that you hate it or can't stand to finish it?
I really don't like to write negativ..."
Please don't ignore it! Rather than posting a negative review, I would suggest you contact the author and let him/her know it didn't suit your tastes and why. If you still feel compelled to write a review, be sure to use language that isn't harsh and absolute. Remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure, and everyone has different tastes. Just my two cents! :-)
And many thanks to anyone who will take the time to give a thoughtful, intelligent review!!
Im doing this now with a book im currently reading. Ive read like 100 pages on ebook but still only at like 12% done..im into it but im not and totally feel like im forcing myself to keep reading..Ill probably keep reading it unless I really just cant do it.
What a great question! One I also struggled with. I read half the book determined to try and finish but just couldn't. I'm meticulous about planning my read time so I gave feed back on the portion I read but also begin with a positive. The writing was polished but the plot unbelievable and cliche. I couldn't connect to the characters at all. I simply added the good points in my feedback and the reasons i couldn't connect to it. what i didn't like about how the story unfolded. And then said I didn't plan on giving a negative public review. I did provide feedback though, mostly because your right someone else may like the plot. I just didn't.
Mei wrote: "Hey Guys!What do you do in the following situation?
You agree to review a book, start reading it, and then find that you hate it or can't stand to finish it?
I really don't like to write negativ..."
I've have this happen. In one case, it just happen to touch a nerve regarding my past and my mother. I was honest with the author. Let them know it wasn't their book, it was me. I didn't rate it, but I did explain why I DNF.
There was another that I forced myself to finish. It was excruciating and ugly. I tried, really hard, to do a nice bad review. I was still a bit snarky... telling readers to take Dramamine before reading was probably a little over the top. But that was honestly how I felt.
And recently, happen to be in the middle of reading a review/blog tour book that had a prevelent theme of early death and dying and a friend of mine suddenly died at 38 years old. I couldn't finish the book, and I was supposed to read #1 and #2 in the series. I explained to the blog tour host, and still did a promo stop. That's my main fallback on my blog, if I don't like it but promised to tour with it, I'm just promo. But there are some I promo that I just didn't have time for review, but I am interested in. So it's not like all my promo stops just suck.
But I've found being honest with the author/publisher/coordinator in the nicest way possible is always the best route. They know what's going on and if it's something you promised, that is the 'adult' thing to do. Try being tactful, polite, but honest.
I think something we need to keep in mind is that a review is not just for the author, it's also for readers who may be considering buying. If you don't post an honest review, what will readers have to judge their interest by? I've bought lots of books that had negative reviews, but I appreciated that the reviewer gave their reasons for not liking something. Quite often I think a reader will make a decision to overlook something, but I think they need to have the facts in order to do so.
Exactly Charlene. That's what I said also. I think its only fair to other readers to know what they are getting into or buying and they might like it , where you didn't. I also have bought books poorly reviewed. as long as you read why it got that poor review/ reviews. I read a book I thought was great but someone else poorly reviewed it and when I read why it was simpley because they obviously did not know what paranormal romance meant.
so it doesn't mean no one will ever buy that book because it has a few bad reviews. all authors expect to have some.
I always say I'll post an honest review and it's in my review policy, so if an author requests a review they are running the risk of that happening. That being said, I make sure that I write my 'bad' review respectfully and in a tactful way but without the snark. I try and be as constructive as possible to help the author out too.But I like how you guys email the author and let them know the possibility. They probably really appreciate that rather than you posting a bad review, although I do agree with what Charlene said that reviews are also for readers.
An example of a negative 2 star review I posted was here: http://happyindulgence.wordpress.com/...
If it's a book that I pick up and read and really dislike, then I snark all I like :P
I write honest reviews, both negative and positive. If it is a negative review, I make sure I give exact examples of why it does not sit well with me. I try hard not to slam a book without reasons why. I will say that my honesty in negative reviews has brought authors to contact me about reading their book for review.
http://hauntedbookcase.wordpress.com/...
I just finish the book and write an honest review. Sometimes I contact the author and tell them, but if they ask for an honest review, that's what they get.
Charlene wrote: "I think something we need to keep in mind is that a review is not just for the author, it's also for readers who may be considering buying. If you don't post an honest review, what will readers hav..."Yes, I agree. i often buy books that have negative reviews. In fact, sometimes I buy a book because it has been trashed by one star reviews from specific people!
Regan wrote: "I write honest reviews, both negative and positive. If it is a negative review, I make sure I give exact examples of why it does not sit well with me. I try hard not to slam a book without reasons ..."I like that. I consider exact examples/reasons essential in a negative review, both for other readers' benefit and the author's. They justify the negativity and affirm the reviewer's credibility nicely, too.
I've found that most GR reviewers are good at this.
You can't go wrong with constructive criticism. Nobody likes a bad review, but if you give specific examples of why you thought the book was bad, instead of just saying it was bad, it can soften the blow.
I say be honest but respectful. Avoid the snarky because that is just hurtful and there is a certain amount of personal preference in the whole thing. I have loathed some books that other people loved and vice versa. Be constructive in your criticisms and remember that no matter how much you hate a book somebody spent obscene amounts of time writing it so go gentle.
Yeah.Here's the thing: As a reviewer, you need to be able to say when a book doesn't sit well with you. Frankly, your main goal as a reviewer should be to inform your audience, not to serve the author of the book you are reviewing. If there is a bad book out there, then your audience has just as much interest knowing what to avoid as what not to.
After I posted my first negative review, my blog blew up with people angry at me. The first effect this had? My traffic increased substantially as the crowds rallied. Thanks, crowds!
But I felt like I needed to response to this criticism about criticism, and I posted my "Rant on Rants." There are, in my eyes, some books that just need the beast freed on them.
Before accepting any book for review, I refer authors to my FAQ page, which gives fair warning that I am going to give a solid, no-holds-barred review of their work.
Ever since I instituted that policy, I have more authors asking me for reviews, because a positive review from me has real meaning. When I give someone 3/4 Giant Blue F's, I'm saying that I found the book enjoyable. It's not a concession prize. If I don't like a book, I'm going to light it up.
The other result of this policy is that I am getting consistently better books to review. The ones who know their books are crap? They don't bother submitting. The quality of books sent to me is up, and the quality of my reviews is up. There is nothing about giving negative reviews that does not benefit me as a reviewer.
This is my main worry when I review a book from an author I know. When I receive a book from them, I let them know that I give an honest critique of the book. Usually they understand there's a possibility of a bad review, so they've been good with me on that front.I always try to word my reviews in a way that I'm honest but it isn't in a way where I'm totally bashing the author. I try not to make it seem like I'm being personal. I'm one of those people who believe that the way you word things makes a difference in how it's taken. I try to do that with my reviews.
I occasionally do review swops with other authors, but I do it on the basis that if I think a book is worth less than 2 stars, I'll tell the author, essentially doing a brief 'beta read' for them, giving them some pointers from a readers point of view on how I think the book could be improved.The only time I've had to do this, I contacted the author, but she decided not to review my work in return.
T.D. wrote: "I say be honest but respectful. Avoid the snarky because that is just hurtful and there is a certain amount of personal preference in the whole thing. I have loathed some books that other people l..."Nice approach. I belong to a writers' group, and we follow the same philosophy. We always mention what we liked and what we think could be better...and why.
I think most Indie authors take criticism pretty well. And if they don't, then perhaps they're in the wrong line of work. A reviewer's obligation is to give a fair and honest review. The author's obligation is to take that review and learn from it - especially if they requested the review in the first place. Reviewers shouldn't feel guilty about speaking their mind.
Charlene wrote: "I think something we need to keep in mind is that a review is not just for the author, it's also for readers who may be considering buying. If you don't post an honest review, what will readers hav..."I agree with you 100%. Authors always think that reviewers owe them not to hurt their feelings. What about the readers? Reviews are FIRSTLY for readers and only SECONDLY for authors. Anyone who produces art (and literature is art) must be resilient enough to take critique.
Lilo wrote: "Charlene wrote: "I think something we need to keep in mind is that a review is not just for the author, it's also for readers who may be considering buying. If you don't post an honest review, what..."Great point!!
My own policy is to usually read the Amazon sample first, then decide if I wanna keep going or not. If I do, I request a review copy. If I don't I simply move on. When I can see right away that I'm most likely not going to like a book, I don't request it. I started doing this whole sample thing because I have had some bad luck with review copies and I didn't want to waste my time on a book that was a chore to read, badly written, you name it.
Personally, I don't see reviews as having to be constructive. And I also don't want to tell other people how to write their reviews. I don't care if people use snark or sugar-coated cotten-ball words to say what worked or didn't work for them.
I have seen authors taking offense in reviews regardless of their wording so I think people should write the review they want to write, not how others would have written it, or write what the author wanted to hear.
After all honesty is honesty. And if someone can't deal with honesty then it doesn't matter what words were used.
Personally, I don't see reviews as having to be constructive. And I also don't want to tell other people how to write their reviews. I don't care if people use snark or sugar-coated cotten-ball words to say what worked or didn't work for them.
I have seen authors taking offense in reviews regardless of their wording so I think people should write the review they want to write, not how others would have written it, or write what the author wanted to hear.
After all honesty is honesty. And if someone can't deal with honesty then it doesn't matter what words were used.
Frog wrote: "Yeah.Here's the thing: As a reviewer, you need to be able to say when a book doesn't sit well with you. Frankly, your main goal as a reviewer should be to inform your audience, not to serve the..."
I agree with you 100%, and I would be glad to have you review my upcoming books. However, I am afraid they may not be your genre. (Please see my profile page. My name is Lilo Huhle-Poelzl.)
Rachael wrote: "I think most Indie authors take criticism pretty well. And if they don't, then perhaps they're in the wrong line of work. A reviewer's obligation is to give a fair and honest review. The author's o..."I absolutely agree.
Storm wrote: "Charlene wrote: "I think something we need to keep in mind is that a review is not just for the author, it's also for readers who may be considering buying. If you don't post an honest review, what..."I totally agree with you. Acid reviews can even boost the sale of a book. There are countless stories about acid stage play reviews that have caused sold-out performances.
J4n3 wrote: "My own policy is to usually read the Amazon sample first, then decide if I wanna keep going or not. If I do, I request a review copy. If I don't I simply move on. When I can see right away that I'm..."I couldn't have said it any better. If an author cannot take an honest (even an acid) review, he is in the wrong business. I'll invite any honest reviewers to review my two books which are presently in the process of being published (with ARCs available most likely by end of July) and I'll promise not to be sulking when given bad reviews and/or low ratings, as long as these are well-founded.
If anyone cares to read the acid review I have written on the worst book I have ever read in my life, to to http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25...
By the way, my following comment that I must have been mistaken as it is probably the right book for the right readers was meant sarcastically, for my review had prompted the author to induce a few dozens of her church-members to follow with excellent reviews.
Lilo wrote: "and I'll promise not to be sulking when given bad reviews and/or low ratings, as long as these are well-founded."
it doesn't matter if something is well-founded. a reviewer can write their reviews the way they want, and every person has their own reasons why they like or dislike a book. even if the majority doesn't agree with those reasons.
I once reviewed Dune and gave it 2 stars whereas others absolutely love the book for the scifi classic that it is. only because someone doesn't like a book, doesn't mean it's a bad book. Reactions to books are subjective, and depend to a degree on how a person perceives things (how the characters are portrayed for example, if the story is slow- or fast-paced enough, and so on), and on what people like and dislike to read about (some people have no problem if the things happening in a story make sense or not, if there is romance in it or not, etc.)
it doesn't matter if something is well-founded. a reviewer can write their reviews the way they want, and every person has their own reasons why they like or dislike a book. even if the majority doesn't agree with those reasons.
I once reviewed Dune and gave it 2 stars whereas others absolutely love the book for the scifi classic that it is. only because someone doesn't like a book, doesn't mean it's a bad book. Reactions to books are subjective, and depend to a degree on how a person perceives things (how the characters are portrayed for example, if the story is slow- or fast-paced enough, and so on), and on what people like and dislike to read about (some people have no problem if the things happening in a story make sense or not, if there is romance in it or not, etc.)
J4n3 wrote: "Lilo wrote: "and I'll promise not to be sulking when given bad reviews and/or low ratings, as long as these are well-founded."it doesn't matter if something is well-founded. a reviewer can write ..."
You didn't quite get me. Of course, a reviewer can write his/her reviews any way he/she likes. Nobody can stop him/her. But if a reviewer runs a book down without specifying why, this is what I would call unfair. And then an author has every right to be offended.
On the other hand, if a reviewer says, for instance, that the characters of a book are unreal because no teenager talks like that, or no person of this particular society level behaves like that, or the whole social milieu is wrong, then this is well-founded criticism (even though the reviewers opinion may be disputable). This, of course, is just one example for well-founded criticism. There are countless others.
A reviewer is not obligated to pussy-foot and spare an author's feelings, but he/she is obligated to fairness.
There is nothing I as a reviewer am obliged to other than respecting copyright laws.
I am currently reading a book to do my first review on Goodreads. I do not think I would accept doing a review unless I was certain the book's topic and genre would interest me. Reading a sample in advance is an excellent idea. I am loving the book I am currently reading, and plan to blog about it.
I have always adopted the policy that no matter how much I do not like a book I will read it to the end. I do not think it is fair to do otherwise. Until recently I have not reviewed books but have still self-disciplined myself to finish whatever I started. Now that I have written a book I even more would appreciate someone persevering and want to know what they think. All reviews, including negative ones are a means for us authors to learn. It is no good pretending. If someone hates my book I want to know why. Rather than be offended I would appreciate such honesty. If anyone is willing to review my book, which is an autobiography, it is FREE today (Thursday 13 June 2013) and tomorrow at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADYWS76 also available from amazon.co.uk. I am well aware the book needs revising to correct existing errors and am in the process of this and writing more so an honest review would be very welcome. Please contact me if you do review this so that I may learn from your observations.
Personally, I review books when I didn't finish them. If a book is that bad that I can't even finish it, I think that does deserve a review.
I have been fortunate to receive only positive reviews but I would hope that any reviewer would contact me privately to discuss their potential negative review instead of just trashing my book. But we must still take the good with the bad, even though we only want the good reviews.My recent book is:
Earn More Tips On Your Very Next Shift...Even If You're a Bad Waiter
Available at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Earn-More-Shift...
Thanks,
Steve
T.D. wrote: "I say be honest but respectful. Avoid the snarky because that is just hurtful and there is a certain amount of personal preference in the whole thing. I have loathed some books that other people l..."Second this. And for anybody who gets a bad review I would say that you can't please everybody, so don't waste your time trying :)
I think there is a way to be honest without being mean. If you give constructive reasons as to why you couldn't finish the book, you're helping the author. Happy puppies and rainbow reviews don't help anyone.
Speaking as an author, I'd agree with everyone saying review but try and be constructive. I'm not going to say I don't *mind* a bad review, because of course I do. But if you explain what it was that you did or didn't like (even if it's just 'something about this author's style rubbed me the wrong way') then the author has the opportunity to a) understand if maybe you're just one of the people who's not going to like their stuff or b) there are some genuine issues they need to deal with.Even if a reviewer says something I don't necessarily agree is true about my work, it at least makes me think and examine that aspect of the story. So I think that's helpful. As long as a review isn't a personal attack, it's helpful, imho. And any author who can't stand the heat of hearing someone say they didn't like something about their book is definitely in the wrong line of work! :)
Jeann wrote: "I always say I'll post an honest review and it's in my review policy, so if an author requests a review they are running the risk of that happening. That being said, I make sure that I write my 'ba..."You did a good job writing the critical review. I like how you use the invincibility stars from Mario Bros as your star ranking at the bottom.
Jeann wrote: "I always say I'll post an honest review and it's in my review policy, so if an author requests a review they are running the risk of that happening. That being said, I make sure that I write my 'ba..."You did a good job writing the critical review. I like how you use the invincibility stars from Mario Bros as your star ranking at the bottom.
I have only recently agreed to review a couple of books. The one I have finished was a very difficult true story, difficult from the author's perspective. I did not have a problem finishing it. However, I found some of the style slightly problematic. I have just started the other book.
I have also asked for 'honest' reviews of my own book.
As an author I really do want to know someone's opinion. I am too close to the project to be objective. If it is a negative review I want to know why so that I may learn and hopefully improve. As most suggest it is only fair to be honest but there is no need to be rude or use inappropriate language.
I propose to adopt the same approach when reviewing but as suggested if I find there will be negative comments would propose to inform the author ahead of publication. Of course none of us like to be negative about someone else's work but if we truly care about writing and reading it is only right, provided we all remember much of this is subjective.
I have also asked for 'honest' reviews of my own book.
As an author I really do want to know someone's opinion. I am too close to the project to be objective. If it is a negative review I want to know why so that I may learn and hopefully improve. As most suggest it is only fair to be honest but there is no need to be rude or use inappropriate language.
I propose to adopt the same approach when reviewing but as suggested if I find there will be negative comments would propose to inform the author ahead of publication. Of course none of us like to be negative about someone else's work but if we truly care about writing and reading it is only right, provided we all remember much of this is subjective.
Tanya wrote: "but if we truly care about writing and reading it is only right, provided we all remember much of this is subjective."
Good point, Tanya. :)
This is an interesting topic and something I've thought about a lot since I started reviewing everything I read at the start of 2013 and taking review copies from authors shortly after. I think it's important to remember what Goodreads itself labels the star system (1* did not like it etc.). These are subjective statements about what an individual does or doesn't like. I try to make this clear in my reviews. I am not an author, I have no qualifications in literary criticism, I haven't even analysed a work of fiction outside of my own musings since I was at school 15 years ago. I do not feel it is at all appropriate for me to make objective judgments on someone's quality as an author.
What I can say is what I think and felt about it. What effect it had on me. My review readers, which are few as I don't blog I just review for fun and my GR friends, are probably reading my reviews because they are similar to me in what they like/dislike. Certainly that's how I choose my GR friends, so I can read reviews from likeminded individuals. So for them how I felt about it is relevant. When choosing books to read myself I am only influenced positively or negatively by a review if the reviewer is someone who shares my view on other books.
I do not think I have any obligation to authors to be constructive in my criticism. The mere fact of it's impact on me can be telling in itself. Although, it may only tell that I am not the right audience. The only obligation I feel is to not pretend to be an expert in the field rather an expert of my own reactions. I will write negative reviews but I try to be clear that it is I that didn't get it/enjoy it/understand it/appreciate it/feel comfortable with it/get involved in it. I am not qualified to assert that it was no good.
I feel like it's my job as an author to convey the story I want to convey. If I fail to do that, it's my fault, not the readers. That being said, not everyone is going to 'get' my writing. Tastes differ. I think any review that's honest about what you did or didn't like or how the book made you feel is constructive.
The only reviews that aren't helpful, I think, are ones that simply say 'I didn't like it. It was dumb' or something like that. As a writer, that doesn't help me at all to know where I'm not doing my job, or if that person is simply one of those that's just not going to like my stuff.
Sarah, I think it sounds like your reviews are very constructive, even if they are only about how the book made you feel. :)
Excellent insight Sarah, that sounds like it's fair for both your readers and your authors.Patricia wrote: "Jeann wrote: "I always say I'll post an honest review and it's in my review policy, so if an author requests a review they are running the risk of that happening. That being said, I make sure that ..."
Thank you Patricia, yay someone else noticed the gaming reference! :D
Sarah wrote: "This is an interesting topic and something I've thought about a lot since I started reviewing everything I read at the start of 2013 and taking review copies from authors shortly after. I think i..."
A well thought out post, Sarah.
I don't like to leave bad reviews because I always feel bad about it, too.As an author, I can say that I don't mind a bad review as long as it makes sense and it's got critical/constructive points in it, though. If someone says "This book was trash and I threw it, along with my eReader, into the garbage disposal," that's just kind of mean and it does hurt.
If someone goes through and mentions what they disliked about a book using some well thought out sentences and maybe adding some of the things they liked but thought could have been done better, or any of that, I'll never be upset with them, personally. I can't speak for everyone who writes ever, but if you give me your reasons why you disliked the book, I will like your review no matter what you rate it.
So basically I agree with Mora, I guess.
On a sort of related side note, I usually like to just thank people for reviews if they took the time to write up something lengthy. If you write a bad review because you disliked the book, would that make you feel uncomfortable? Like, "Thank you for the honest review. I'm sorry you didn't like it and I can see your points about some of the things. I appreciate your feedback and I'll definitely consider it in the future."
Cerys I would always appreciate a comment from the author, I think it's a lovely thing to do and whenever I see authors interacting with their readers it makes me more likely to read their books.
I don't enjoy giving 1 or 2 star reviews but I do always try to be honest but constructive. There is no point in lying to spare someone's feelings but you can do it without being rude or unhelpful.I write a paragraph about what was good about the book, as it's rare to get one with nothing good about it. ie good use of language, no info dumps etc. This lets the author know what he/she does well even for readers who didn't love the book.
Then I write a paragraph about why it didn't appeal to me personally ie didn't like the characters, a bit too slow, too much sex, factual errors, whatever.
I also try to add in who I think it would appeal to and why it might suit others more than me. I will always try to promote the book to my friends who might like it more than me or my group members. That is my way of thanking the author for the free copy even though I can't personally rate it higher.
I do try to finish the book if it was given by the author for review so I can comment on all aspects of it.
Making Connections
Books mentioned in this topic
Earn More Tips On Your Very Next Shift...Even If You're a Bad Waiter (other topics)New Moon (other topics)
Breaking Dawn (other topics)
What do you do in the following situation?
You agree to review a book, start reading it, and then find that you hate it or can't stand to finish it?
I really don't like to write negative reviews on books unless they are ones I have randomly read. Do you tell the author/rep that you don't want to finish it? Do you just ignore it and never respond??
I've found myself in this situation several times, so I'd love to hear how others handle this.