Question re book reviews

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

As a reader, do you put more faith in professional reviewers or in other reader reviews? I've been giving this a lot of thought lately. It seems to me (and feel totally free to disagree) that I think more of what fellow readers have to say than I do the professionals.

How about you writers out there? Professional opinions or those of the people who buy your books?


Opinions?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

What made me think of this question right now is that I just received a publisher email about a book, and the review blurbs were all by professionals. I thought that it would be a cool thing if publishers have a space somewhere for what real readers think.

[B.V.]

I agree it would be nice to mix up professional and "regular reader" reviews, Nancy. But when I look at reviews for a book, I'm also judging the reviewer. If their write-up is thoughtful, original, and makes it obvious they actually read the book (you'd be surprised at how often reviewers haven't or just skimmed), then I'm more likely to be swayed by their opinion. That being said, I will sometimes read books with not-so-stellar reviews if a friend recommended it.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've always wondered why readers even bother to post a review when they haven't read the book.

[Creature]

Professional reviewers have certain guidelines they use when reviewing a piece they've just read whereas reader reviews often come from the gut or just how the book made them feel. I would never count out either though I reader review might sway my decision one way or another.
Have a Great Day!!!
John (aka, the "Creature")

[Franky]

I agree with Creature. Those everyday readers usually just try to put an honest picture of what they thought of the book, whereas I think sometimes professionals may be swayed towards a particular angle. Still, I read both because I want to see a large sample of reviews about a book.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I think most of reviews from my friends; I know how similar (or not) their tastes are to mine.

[Afsana]

will the professional one liner reviews can be ignored otherwise i don't i just look at who has done review i read i read a good sample and see if there's an underlying thread to what's being said and then make a decision whether to read it or not