Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
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A little informal poll for readers:
When I really love a story I will share it with anyone who's interested.Take Kim Harrison's witch books. I've told at least 100 people, probably more, about them because they are amazing books. either in person, through conversations online, or forums asking for book suggestions. that's not counting the times I've tweeted, reviewed, or FB'ed about it.
Others, like Garrett Robinsons "Hit Girls", which I also really enjoyed but not nearly as much as "Dead Witch Walking", I have shared on occasion but not nearly as much or often. (Mainly because I think a lot of people would not like the 14 year old assassin in the book. But I think she's awesome in a crazy way.)
Crissy wrote: "When I really love a story I will share it with anyone who's interested.
Take Kim Harrison's witch books. I've told at least 100 people, probably more, about them because they are amazing books. e..."
Crissy, thanks for answering.
What role do you see reviews playing in telling others about what you've enjoyed? Do you write a review, or just tell people?
Take Kim Harrison's witch books. I've told at least 100 people, probably more, about them because they are amazing books. e..."
Crissy, thanks for answering.
What role do you see reviews playing in telling others about what you've enjoyed? Do you write a review, or just tell people?
Reviews are hit and miss. I write some, but because I'm also an author so I can't write a lot or people cry fowl.But, some reviews will tip a readers interest if they are on the edge of buying something. Lots of reviews help because they know a lot of people liked it.
But I don't have a lot of reviews, and I still sell books, so reviews aren't necessary, just really helpful.
I generally only write reviews if I like a book -- or if it's not a book so I can warn people about problems.I feel that if I really don't like a book it's best to tell the author privately rather than "trash" that person publicly.
There's a quote from Benjamin Franklin to the effect of "it's okay to insult someone privately -- they may even thank for you it later. But publicly and they tend to think you are serious."
Seems to be a good rule to follow.
Crissy wrote: "Reviews are hit and miss. I write some, but because I'm also an author so I can't write a lot or people cry fowl.
But, some reviews will tip a readers interest if they are on the edge of buying so..."
Good info, Crissy. Thank you.
But, some reviews will tip a readers interest if they are on the edge of buying so..."
Good info, Crissy. Thank you.
Laurel wrote: "I generally only write reviews if I like a book -- or if it's not a book so I can warn people about problems.
I feel that if I really don't like a book it's best to tell the author privately rathe..."
Goes right along with the management principle, "praise should be lavish and public, criticism focused on the behavior and private." Good thinking Laurel!
Do you tell your friends if you really something? How do you tell them?
Thanks, Jim
I feel that if I really don't like a book it's best to tell the author privately rathe..."
Goes right along with the management principle, "praise should be lavish and public, criticism focused on the behavior and private." Good thinking Laurel!
Do you tell your friends if you really something? How do you tell them?
Thanks, Jim
James wrote: "Laurel wrote: "I generally only write reviews if I like a book -- or if it's not a book so I can warn people about problems.I feel that if I really don't like a book it's best to tell the author ..."
If I really like something, I tell everyone, especially on twitter. A month ago I went to McDonalds and received exceptional service with regards to my food allergy. As soon as I returned home (the nearest McDonalds is two buses away and I'm low vision, so I don't drive), I immediately tweeted McDonalds corporate to praise that staff.
I think they were shocked I took time out to write them to praise that crew.
Another reason to avoid criticizing or bashing something you don't like in public: it's publicity. Do you really want to make people curious about something you personally hate? Why do you think a certain 20 year old twerked on the VMAs? TO GET PUBLICITY FOR IT. She didn't care if it was negative press. ALL PRESS was good for her.
Circles back again why we should publicly praise and privately criticize. Public criticisms can be re-enforcing, encouraging more of whatever it is.
From an authors perspective....Of all the books I've sold or given away less than 10% actually write a review, or contact me. Even on my blog, 100+ people read it each week, but I rarely get comments.
As an author I see the lack of negative, or "eh", reviews to be an amazing thing. It means they either liked it, or didn't read it. But mostly I take it as "they didn't hate it so much that they came back to hate on it".
So, I love reviews, they make me happy because I know someone liked it enough to give it praise. I love return customers because it means they REALLY liked it. But tweets, and other social media blasts... those really make my day. The only thing better would be someone cos-playing one of my characters.
Laurel wrote: "James wrote: "Laurel wrote: "I generally only write reviews if I like a book -- or if it's not a book so I can warn people about problems.
I feel that if I really don't like a book it's best to te..."
I like the way you think!
I feel that if I really don't like a book it's best to te..."
I like the way you think!
Crissy wrote: "From an authors perspective....
Of all the books I've sold or given away less than 10% actually write a review, or contact me. Even on my blog, 100+ people read it each week, but I rarely get comm..."
I always think, whenever I read reviews of a product, that more will be negative; that negatives seem to motivate people to review something.
I like the way you think as well-I've got just under 500 books out, with 8 total reviews. So, you've made me feel better!
Thanks, Jim
Of all the books I've sold or given away less than 10% actually write a review, or contact me. Even on my blog, 100+ people read it each week, but I rarely get comm..."
I always think, whenever I read reviews of a product, that more will be negative; that negatives seem to motivate people to review something.
I like the way you think as well-I've got just under 500 books out, with 8 total reviews. So, you've made me feel better!
Thanks, Jim
James wrote: "I like the way you think as well-I've got just under 500 books out, with 8 total reviews. So, you've made me feel better!"Glad I could help. Took me a while to be okay with this too, but I take comfort in the fact that of all the reviews I did get only one of them is below a 4.
Take comfort in the little things ;)
I usually tell just about everyone I come in contact with :D
I think it's like anything those friends of yours who have similar tastes you'll tell them about this great book you read...my boss and I really like Avid Baldacci and James Rollins...but another girlfriend I discuss paranormal....
If I like a book or an author's writing style, I tell people== of course, I manage a bookstore so telling people about new authors, whether I like them or not- is kind of my job :0)Here is the flip side of the coin- even if I personally don't care for the book, if it has sold really well for me I will still recommend it to new buyers and explain, that "I" have not read it but it is a great seller for us.
As far as writing reviews- I have just started writing those here- I was doing it more as a writing exercise and really didn't think anyone read them until I noticed that some of the books I had read and enjoyed were showing up on my friends "to read" shelves.
If I don't like a book do I tell anyone? I will tell some but I won't tell as many, I just won't suggest sell it. I will give it lower ratings here- a lot of times I won't give it a review.
If the writing or storyline is so poor that I can't make it through the book or if the subject matter just doesn't interest me enough to keep reading- I usually just delete those from my shelves and not rate at all.
Cody wrote: "I've got a handful of friend who I know enjoy reading and I tell them which books I liked. If I enjoy the book enough, I'll even tell them to get a copy. It is pretty rare that I actually post on f..."
Thanks for the info, Cody!
Thanks for the info, Cody!
Priggman wrote: "I usually tell just about everyone I come in contact with :D"
Thanks for replying, Priggman.
Thanks for replying, Priggman.
D.R. wrote: "I post reviews to most everything I read, on goodreads, amazon, and to my blog. So, I guess my answer is yes. I tell everyone."
D.R., I think you are an exception. I try to review everything I like, as encouragement to the authors to produce more-a purely selfish motivation! However, I often finish a book in an airport on a plane, and forget to review it.
Thanks for the info, D.R.
D.R., I think you are an exception. I try to review everything I like, as encouragement to the authors to produce more-a purely selfish motivation! However, I often finish a book in an airport on a plane, and forget to review it.
Thanks for the info, D.R.
Arabella wrote: "David Baldacci!"
Thanks, Arabella. That's good information, and good friendship, too!
Thanks, Arabella. That's good information, and good friendship, too!
Rhonda wrote: "If I like a book or an author's writing style, I tell people== of course, I manage a bookstore so telling people about new authors, whether I like them or not- is kind of my job :0)
Here is the fl..."
Thanks Rhonda. A nice way to recommend books!
Here is the fl..."
Thanks Rhonda. A nice way to recommend books!
D.L. wrote: "I'm going to be in the minority, I can tell, but whether good or bad, I tell people. Especially if asked. Why not? If I had gone to a restaurant and experienced bad service or terrible food, why wo..."
Thanks, D.L. I understand what you are saying-if a book is bad, why not 'warn' others. But also be aware of why you think it's bad; it is one thing to not like the story line, the genre, etc., yet something different to not like the writing. Two examples: the movie Star Wars was panned by critics, yet set long lasting box office records; the book "Frankenstein"-although critics call it a masterpiece, I have tried to read it four times and I just can't get past the overly descriptive opening third of the book. This is a personal taste, and I rarely share it unless asked.
I think most people who have answered here take the same position, but express it differently.
What I woud love from reviews is constructive criticisms: what do I do to improve my writing? When I write a review, however, I don't feel qualified to do that, so perhaps I'm off on that wish!
Thanks, D.L.
Thanks, D.L. I understand what you are saying-if a book is bad, why not 'warn' others. But also be aware of why you think it's bad; it is one thing to not like the story line, the genre, etc., yet something different to not like the writing. Two examples: the movie Star Wars was panned by critics, yet set long lasting box office records; the book "Frankenstein"-although critics call it a masterpiece, I have tried to read it four times and I just can't get past the overly descriptive opening third of the book. This is a personal taste, and I rarely share it unless asked.
I think most people who have answered here take the same position, but express it differently.
What I woud love from reviews is constructive criticisms: what do I do to improve my writing? When I write a review, however, I don't feel qualified to do that, so perhaps I'm off on that wish!
Thanks, D.L.
James, I think you just hit another reason why I am hesitant to write reviews on books: personal taste.I love historical fiction. But my bachelors is in history and I'm very widely read on non-fiction history. I've also been a medieval re-creator for my entire adult life (and hint, i remember seeing the original Star Wars in the theater before anyone added "Episode IV" to it). So I know an absurd amount of details or "trivia" about my favorite eras of history.
This means when I see a "historical fiction" novel get it wrong (IMHO, too many "historical fiction" novels are actually historical fantasy), I notice. Big time. And for my personally, those deviations drive me nuts. I am just too academic about history.
So understanding this, I shy away from read/reviews on anything where I know a lot about the setting and/or historical persons involved. Some are still entertaining -- like the movie "A Knights Tale" which is so far off history as to be ridiculous -- but then, Joel Siegel told me it was not especially historical before I went out to see the movie. By the same measure when they get it right -- like in "Lincoln," I love and adore it.
Personal taste.
That doesn't mean that these books are BAD. Just that they don't hit my personal preferences on the genre.
Does any of this make any sense or am I babbling aloud?
Laurel wrote: "James, I think you just hit another reason why I am hesitant to write reviews on books: personal taste.
I love historical fiction. But my bachelors is in history and I'm very widely read on non-..."
Laurel, that is great insight. Just do me one little favor; when my third novel, THE PAGE, comes out this winter, don't read it! LOL It truly is fantasy based on a TINY bit of history!
Recently I read a book set in the early Bronze age-it was a science fiction/fantasy book, yet I had to keep telling myself to just enjoy the book (which I did, very much), and ignore the things 'out of time', so I know what you mean, and it makes a lot of sense. The basic idea is to be sure you do not hurt some one with a review.
As for seeing the original Star Wars, well, let's just say I was out of high school when it came out!
Thanks again.
I love historical fiction. But my bachelors is in history and I'm very widely read on non-..."
Laurel, that is great insight. Just do me one little favor; when my third novel, THE PAGE, comes out this winter, don't read it! LOL It truly is fantasy based on a TINY bit of history!
Recently I read a book set in the early Bronze age-it was a science fiction/fantasy book, yet I had to keep telling myself to just enjoy the book (which I did, very much), and ignore the things 'out of time', so I know what you mean, and it makes a lot of sense. The basic idea is to be sure you do not hurt some one with a review.
As for seeing the original Star Wars, well, let's just say I was out of high school when it came out!
Thanks again.
James wrote: "Laurel wrote: "James, I think you just hit another reason why I am hesitant to write reviews on books: personal taste.I love historical fiction. But my bachelors is in history and I'm very wide..."
Thanks for the warning. My books are the reverse. They are so grounded in history and science (I must be the only historical writer worrying about how many neutrons are in an oxygen atom) that one reviewer (here on GR, you can read it yourself on "The Great Succession Crisis") said my book read too much like a history textbook!
To me, that's an unintended complement! :) It means yes you can tell I've researched the biographies of Queen Elizabeth I and her foremother Queen Catherine de Valois and infused Anlei's coming of age story with their experiences -- even the attempted rape scene harkens to Thomas Seymour's rape of the 14 year old Princess Elizabeth shortly after Henry VIII died.
I guess I write what I most enjoy reading.
Laurel wrote: "James wrote: "Laurel wrote: "James, I think you just hit another reason why I am hesitant to write reviews on books: personal taste.
I love historical fiction. But my bachelors is in history and..."
Don't we all write what we enjoy? To me, writing a book is just like reading one, except you get to pick what happens next! The best part is when you read it after it's finished, and still enjoy it.
My book is set in south west Scotland, some time after Rome withdrew from England. Most place names are modern, and while many character names are period, but many are from centuries later. I use them to give a feel for the time more than to teach history.
I love historical fiction. But my bachelors is in history and..."
Don't we all write what we enjoy? To me, writing a book is just like reading one, except you get to pick what happens next! The best part is when you read it after it's finished, and still enjoy it.
My book is set in south west Scotland, some time after Rome withdrew from England. Most place names are modern, and while many character names are period, but many are from centuries later. I use them to give a feel for the time more than to teach history.
D.L. wrote: "I'm going to be in the minority, I can tell, but whether good or bad, I tell people. Especially if asked. Why not? If I had gone to a restaurant and experienced bad service or terrible food, why wo..."As an author, it looks bad if I give bad reviews. So I don't. Maybe if I was using a pen name I wouldn't care so much, but I actually use my own name for writing, and reviews.
Eventually Amazon is going to cut me off from writing reviews at all. Then I will have no choice but to use Goodreads only. Not that that's a horrible thing.
Crissy, why would Amazon cut you off?
This says a poll for readers, so here goes. I've only left one really negative review, and I may have to go back and edit it, I guess. The ebooks was given to me after I failed to win a giveaway on goodreads. I always review what I'm gifted. That being said, I hated the book. It had received all gushing 5 stars on Amazon, but I hated it it was formulaic, and the characters were so unbelievable, as well as the storyline, that I gave it 2 stars and panned it.
I'm sure my review will be marked as not helpful by all the 5 star reviewers. But I just had to give honest voice to my opinion.
Amazon doesn't like authors reviewing other authors. They assume bias. So they sometimes suspend your amazon account if they think you leave more than they want you to.Rather ironic because authors are rarely the ones writing purchased reviews. you'd think they would crack down on PR companies instead.
D.L. wrote: "Crissy wrote: "D.L. wrote: "I'm going to be in the minority, I can tell, but whether good or bad, I tell people. Especially if asked. Why not? If I had gone to a restaurant and experienced bad serv..."I agree. Review as a reader, not an author. Read for fun. Write as your job.
If you can tell from a description that you would not enjoy a book, don't read it! That way your review will be fair and you don't have to worry about hurting feelings.
Laurel wrote: "D.L. wrote: "Crissy wrote: "D.L. wrote: "I'm going to be in the minority, I can tell, but whether good or bad, I tell people. Especially if asked. Why not? If I had gone to a restaurant and experie..."
When I do write a review, I try to write what would help me as a reader decide to buy the book or not. Mostly that means this; did the book pull me into its world? Did I care about what happened to the characters? Did I enjoy reading it?
When I do write a review, I try to write what would help me as a reader decide to buy the book or not. Mostly that means this; did the book pull me into its world? Did I care about what happened to the characters? Did I enjoy reading it?
I TELL EVERYONE THAT WILL LISTEN. I post reviews here and on Amazon, and lavish praises on Facebook.And yeah, that's about the extent of my socializing. :-p
There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way to achieve your selling goal is to build a fan base one reader at a time.Authors should write reviews - I bet every Indie author has a huge library of books...first we were avid readers...and then we became writers. Authors also tend to read the genres they like, so the reviews are less subjective in that manner.
I usually post about a book I like on here or tell quite a few people if I really like it
Justin wrote: "I usually post about a book I like on here or tell quite a few people if I really like it"
Thanks for the input, Justin!
Thanks for the input, Justin!
Amanda wrote: "I TELL EVERYONE THAT WILL LISTEN. I post reviews here and on Amazon, and lavish praises on Facebook.
And yeah, that's about the extent of my socializing. :-p"
Well, that's enough socializing, Amanda! Who could ask for more?
And yeah, that's about the extent of my socializing. :-p"
Well, that's enough socializing, Amanda! Who could ask for more?
Raymond wrote: "There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way to achieve your selling goal is to build a fan base one reade..."
Good points Raymond. I wonder if there is a way to differentiate between a "would you like this book" review and a "this is how you could improve your writing" review; they really are two different things!
Good points Raymond. I wonder if there is a way to differentiate between a "would you like this book" review and a "this is how you could improve your writing" review; they really are two different things!
James wrote: "Raymond wrote: "There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way to achieve your selling goal is to build a fa...""this is how you could improve your writing" belongs to private communications. It's between you and the author, a sort of mentorship communication.
but it should be done carefully. I see errors in a friend's work all the time -- but I ASK HER if she wants editorial help with it before I offer anything. If she says yes, then I tell her what I notice (this sentence is confusing -- what do you mean to say?) and sometimes make suggestions on how she can make something stronger or more clear.
If she says no, she just wants to share what she's working on -- I don't make any criticisms.
It's the difference between listening to be there and trying to problem solve for someone. Often times, the person talking doesn't want you to fix something, just listen.
Laurel wrote: "James wrote: "Raymond wrote: "There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way to achieve your selling goal is..."Laurel I absolutely agree - becuz part of my day job involves public relations and I "have" to say "this is incorrect" or "say it like this" - I have to constantly remind my self not to be the worlds "editor." I believe authors sometimes stumble over "well this is how 'I' would say it"
Raymond wrote: "Laurel wrote: "James wrote: "Raymond wrote: "There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way to achieve your ..."
So, even in writing reviews wee can't escape Customer Service? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
So, even in writing reviews wee can't escape Customer Service? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Raymond wrote: "Laurel wrote: "James wrote: "Raymond wrote: "There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way to achieve your ..."Exactly. Which is why I think all GR authors should befriend at least one more GR author whose genres are at least somewhat different than yours. You learn so much when you talk to someone with a different comfort zone as you have.
James wrote: "Raymond wrote: "Laurel wrote: "James wrote: "Raymond wrote: "There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way ..."LOL...nope we have to be nice if we want to sell books :)
Amazon has cut off a lot of authors from leaving reviews. Part of their policy states you can't leave a review for a product you also sell. And Authors often read in the same genre they write, so eventually I think it will come up.I think you have to be over a certain amount of reviews or books before they get you, or have someone lodge a complaint. I know a friend who was disabled from writing reviews a few months ago.
Crissy wrote: "Amazon has cut off a lot of authors from leaving reviews. Part of their policy states you can't leave a review for a product you also sell. And Authors often read in the same genre they write, so e..."
LOL then, they should stop asking authors to review products!
LOL then, they should stop asking authors to review products!
Raymond wrote: "There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way to achieve your selling goal is to build a fan base one reade..."I think Raymond has a good point. The books I have chosen to read and really enjoyed, I didn't choose the books based on anyone's recommendation. I picked up the first book, skimmed a few pages, then the first chapter or two if it held my attention - at that point, I decided to "invest" my time into reading the whole book.
And if I really liked the book once it was done, then I went back to the shelf and grabbed the next one and so on.
There are only a few authors that I would probably read everything they put out- JT Ellison, Sharyn McCrumb and Heather Graham's romantic suspense genre come to find.
I have exhausted our (the bookstore's) supply of the above authors and now searching for more of their books elsewhere.
But because I love their writing style and storylines so much, it is easy to recommend them to customers who like that genre of book.
Rhonda wrote: "Raymond wrote: "There was an interesting poll on Smashwords. 38% of book buyers rely on recommendations from blogs and websites. I believe the only way to achieve your selling goal is to build a fa..."
I have to pick books a little differently. Since I travel 3 weeks each month, ebooks are what I look at. This makes it much more difficult to browse a few pages. I depend on the reviews some what, but look for subject/story lines that interest me. It's about 25% stars, 15% reviews, and 60% plot to me, I guess.
I have to pick books a little differently. Since I travel 3 weeks each month, ebooks are what I look at. This makes it much more difficult to browse a few pages. I depend on the reviews some what, but look for subject/story lines that interest me. It's about 25% stars, 15% reviews, and 60% plot to me, I guess.
I am both a reader and a writer, and I do try to post a review of the books I read, whether that review is good or bad. I also share my reviews on Facebook. If I really, really like a particular book, I also mention it to others readers I know (in person).Also, I have had Amazon fail to post certain of my reviews for no apparent rhyme or reason. I personally feel that if I spent my money to purchase the product and they ask me to review it, then my review should be posted, no questions asked, as long as it's not defamatory. But...that's just my opinion and I'm not a big corporate giant. Just one lowly little customer.
I am reader and I'm answering the poll. Any book I review on Goodreads goes out to my Goodreads Friends. Occasionally, they will mark it To Read.If the book is a mystery and I liked it I will tell the mystery readers group that I attend. If they like the sound of it, it may get selected as a group read. A large percentage of books that get selected as group reads are books that a member read and liked.
On the other hand, if it isn't available in print format, the book can't be selected as a group read because not everyone in the group has an e-reader or tablet.
I also have friends in real life who aren't on Goodreads or the mystery group whose tastes I know. If it sounds like the sort of book that I know they will like I mention it to them. But the situation of not all of them having a way to read e-books also applies. Most people don't want to read entire books on a laptop or desktop.
Just curious!
Thanks, Jim