Aussie Readers discussion
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Hear, hear! Well said Sally. This is after all a Book Site where like minded people come to share their (hopefully) genuine and honest opinions on Books and Authors...with the added bonus of some fun thrown in :)
Kiera wrote: "Ummm... I hardly ever write reviews on books I read. Why all this obsessing over one person's opinion?"@ Kiera, Btw, for the record, the person in question didnt express an opinion.. Just posted 2 stars without showing the author the courtesy of saying why. Imo that makes said "review" pointless and void.
I agree with, Julie well said Sally :) I must admit I really didnt know the importance of written reviews until one day an author sent me a message thanking me for my review. The author went on to ask me if I was aware of just how important reviews were to authors which I didn't. So from that day on I always take time to write a review it doesn't have to be long or go into lots of details as long as the author knows what you thought of their book and why you felt this way.
@ Margaret I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry too much about it :)
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Well put Sally, Julie and Sharon!Margaret you definitely shouldn't worry too much about a low rating without any comments because real readers aren't too interested in those. Particularly when there are genuine reviews as well which carry a lot more weight in helping us decide whether to read a book or not.
The reason I don't write reviews is because I am not very good at them. Beyond "this book was awesome" or "it was rubbish" (not many of those, thankfully), I can't usually think of much constructive to say. That doesn't make someone any less of a reader.
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Kiera wrote: "The reason I don't write reviews is because I am not very good at them. Beyond "this book was awesome" or "it was rubbish" (not many of those, thankfully), I can't usually think of much constructiv..."I agree Kiera that you don't have to write a review if you don't want to and it doesn't make you any less of a reader. I just find that when I'm trying to decide whether to add a book to my tbr list I'm more likely to pay attention to reviews than just the ratings. Even just a line or two about what you loved or hated about the book is useful :)
See, I am different in hat regard, Carolyn. I won't read reviews until AFTER I read a book, as I don't want any outside opinions influencing my judgement of the book. I will read reviews afterwards to see if people had a similar opinion to me or not and I might sometimes discuss someone's review with them on why I agree or disagree with it. But even though I write fictional stories, I have never been good at essays etc.
I think if you decide a book is rubbish, and rate it so, then you have duty to the author to at least say why you thought so dont you?
Thanks for your comments. I might add that sales of all the titles rated by this person have been so few as to make it all but impossible that anyone (except a reviewer with whom I have been in touch) would have read them all.
Oh Margaret, that's discouraging for you. You gotta get out here on GR and self-promote, girl! I s'pose you already know this, sorry. Join heaps of clubs, and push your books on Read for Review threads. Good luck:)
☼♄Jülie wrote: "@ Margaret, I wouldn't worry at all...as a reviewer, I get more suspicious of books that get all high marks. The fact that a person gives low marks shows that their passion was engaged, and as a wr..."Julie, yikes, that's me. But you wouldn't know that I have a fairly stringent screening process which books go through before they are added to my tbr. So I'm usually only using precious reading time, reading books which will suit me and which I will really enjoy. This means my ratings are usually 4★: I don't very often get a 2★ (or less) book in my reading pile.
Bette, I dont mean consistently high ratings from the same person...i get what you are saying and am much the same with my own ratings...i was referring to particular books that have overall ratings all over the place, like some readers love it and others didnt like it at all giving very mixed reviews for the same book. I like to check those ones out because they have made the readers so passionate in their responses.If a book is given only one or two stars, i want to know why the reader thought it was only worth that...otherwise the rating serves no real purpose.
@Julie. Ah, now I get you:)
Bette BookAddict wrote: "@Julie. Ah, now I get you:)"All good :D
I get it too Julie. Sometimes books with a mix of 2 s and 5 s are the most interesting. :)
Bette BookAddict wrote: "Oh Margaret, that's discouraging for you. You gotta get out here on GR and self-promote, girl! I s'pose you already know this, sorry. Join heaps of clubs, and push your books on Read for Review ..."Thanks, Bette :) I will have to try harder.
Margaret wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "Oh Margaret, that's discouraging for you. You gotta get out here on GR and self-promote, girl! I s'pose you already know this, sorry. Join heaps of clubs, and push your ..."Good Luck Margaret, it must be difficult, but you know sometimes people carry on how good a book is and I think oh well I had better read then I just don't enjoy it. Don't know if all the hype puts me off or what. Then other books I have never heard of the author and I just love the book. Maybe get to some markets and libraries etc and promote yourself.
Faye wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "Oh Margaret, that's discouraging for you. You gotta get out here on GR and self-promote, girl! I s'pose you already know this, sorry. Join heaps of club..."Thanks, Faye. :)
Taste is so personal. One reviewer recently told me that my book wasn't her 'thing', and went on to say that she didn't like short stories. Fair enough. There are many genres I don't like: horror, violence, erotica. I just don't read them.
I've recently finished writing a short novel, and I'm hoping...
This is a really fascinating article about the venom of a reader and the writer they attacked in a review. There is usually some strange psychological background to this type of vicious behaviour. V. distressing for the person on the receiving end. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014...
As a reader I will only read a review if I know the reviewer is not going to just relate the story but tell me why it appealed or it didn't. As a writer I know how disappointing low ratings can be but it helps if you can understand why a person doesn't respond to a book well. Just to give a low rating with no comment doesn't help the writer at all. On the other hang a great review can lift a writer's spirits to know that a reader got what they were trying to do. Sadly though I think writers, self included,always seem to dwell on the negatives rather than the positives.Chin up Margaret, as I know others have read and enjoyed your work.
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Thanks Billie, we've been discussing this case here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... (Post #10 onwards) and it's definitely not something that should be done!
Michael wrote: "Just an update with my health. thought i was on the mend yesterday so wen't to work only to get a running nose and non stop coughing. Went to see my doctor today and she has given me antibiotics fo..."Sorry to hear you're not feeling the best, Michael. Rest up and take care I hope you're feeling a lot better soon :)
Mod
Bad news about the recurrence Michael:( Good you have the rest of the week off and antibiotics to help you. Take care, rest up and read;)
Billie wrote: "This is a really fascinating article about the venom of a reader and the writer they attacked in a review. There is usually some strange psychological background to this type of vicious behaviour. ..."Very disturbing...
Dale wrote: "As a reader I will only read a review if I know the reviewer is not going to just relate the story but tell me why it appealed or it didn't. As a writer I know how disappointing low ratings can b..."
Thanks for your encouragement, Dale.
Michael wrote: "Just an update with my health. thought i was on the mend yesterday so wen't to work only to get a running nose and non stop coughing. Went to see my doctor today and she has given me antibiotics fo..."Perfect excuse for staying in bed with a good book Michael! Get well soon :)
Take care Michael, snuggle up with some good books and warm drinks.
Watched the Melbourne Cup at work today after a pot luck lunch.So sad that the favourite Admire Rakti collapsed and died after the race and another horse has broken a leg after the weigh in and may have to be put down. I don't like racing but I do love watching horses run - they are such magnificent animals.
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So sad that the favourite Admire Rakti collapsed and died after the race and another horse has broken a leg after the weigh in and m..."
I saw that Carolyn - so tragic! I know it won't help, but I hope they find out what happened to him. I hadn't heard about the other one with the broken leg..such a bad luck year:( I love watching horses too...they are so regal!
Oh no about those horses :/ I didn't go in the works sweep...spent my money on a children's book for my friends bub when it'x her birthday next year!One of the perks working in education is we get a book club that comes around with mostly books and VERY heavy price reductions :D
Awful about the horses. It's marred the Cup, this year.
So tragic! Bless all of those horses <3
The Guardian has reported that the horse with the broken leg will be operated upon and have screws put in. http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014...
Margaret wrote: "Faye wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "Oh Margaret, that's discouraging for you. You gotta get out here on GR and self-promote, girl! I s'pose you already know this, sorry. Join ..."I love short stories, are your books on ebooks or only hard copy? Margret - a lot of people don't like William Shakespeare either! Do they understand him though?
Margaret wrote: "The Guardian has reported that the horse with the broken leg will be operated upon and have screws put in. http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014..."That's good to hear Margaret. I guess his racing days are over but maybe he'll have a happy life as a stud!
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Great news Margaret! Thanks for sharing that:)
Faye wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Faye wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Bette BookAddict wrote: "Oh Margaret, that's discouraging for you. You gotta get out here on GR and self-promote, girl! I s'pose you already know th..."All are ebooks, and most are also available as paperbacks.
Shakespeare isn't for everyone, though that doesn't diminish his genius. :)
Carolyn wrote: "Margaret wrote: "The Guardian has reported that the horse with the broken leg will be operated upon and have screws put in. http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014......"I hope so!
Brenda wrote: "Margaret wrote: "The Guardian has reported that the horse with the broken leg will be operated upon and have screws put in. http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014......"It is great news, Brenda! I am glad to share it. :)
Billie wrote: "This is a really fascinating article about the venom of a reader and the writer they attacked in a review. There is usually some strange psychological background to this type of vicious behaviour. ..."Oh wow, what an a article. The book in question is No One Else Can Have You; lots of reviews there canning Hale's behaviour.
Carolyn wrote: "Watched the Melbourne Cup at work today after a pot luck lunch.So sad that the favourite Admire Rakti collapsed and died after the race and another horse has broken a leg after the weigh in and m..."
hmphf, For an animal to die in sport, dreadful:(
My day off today, what a morning, firstly went to walk the dog came across a poor little injured possum ran back home to collect something to put possum in and put dog out of way, she just wanted to play with possum. Got possum in warm spot wrapped in towels etc. Then the fun began rang wildlife number, 20 phone calls later yes that is correct! A lady on her way taking forever, possum getting worse and two hours down the track, stuck at home no car husband borrowed mine his in the workshop.....rang mother inlaw took possum to vet, possum getting weaker by the minute, now at vet they will see what they can do. Wasted so much time ring wildlife numbers to get no help what so ever, Very upset. Rant over. Sorry
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Brenda wrote: "Oh Faye you poor thing! That's what happens when you try to do the right thing! Good on you for that anyway...next time just ring the vet first:)"Yes, dog is now happy just back from her walk,think she thought I had abandoned the idea! Thanks Brenda
Faye wrote: "My day off today, what a morning, firstly went to walk the dog came across a poor little injured possum ran back home to collect something to put possum in and put dog out of way, she just wanted ..."What a lovely caring person you are, Faye. How frustrating not being able to get any help from the wildlife people. I hope the possum can be saved :)
Sorry to hear you and possum had so much trouble. The only time we rang wires also about a possum they were great and came out pronto. Maybe it depends on the are and people? Sadly baby possum still died. Hope this one fares better. Good on you for trying.
Michael wrote: "Just an update with my health. thought i was on the mend yesterday so wen't to work only to get a running nose and non stop coughing. Went to see my doctor today and she has given me antibiotics fo..."Hope you picking up now - at least books don't mind runny noses - so feel free to indulge :)
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Its not an obsession - it's part of talking about books - why you like a book, love a book, or don't care for a particular book.
Just putting a low score, or saying I don't like it without a reason is a bit ill-mannered - I like a 'because' an explanation as to why didn't they enjoy the book - was it the subject matter? The characters? The total experience?
I have people here who if they love a book I know I will too - they match my reading DNA. I have other people who I adore and respect just as much as my DNA sharers but they are the complete opposite to me. If they dislike a book there is a fair chance I will love it - LOL!!!
So having an opinion is important to help us all decided what book to lust after next.
In this case the reason why one person's opinion matters is that the person in question seems to be a bit suss and there are some 'lovely' (read heavy sarcasm here) people on goodreads who seem to take joy in giving low scores with no reason. Some of us suspect this is what has happened rather than the person genuainly reading the book and not enjoying it - which can happen, but most of us don't go on and read two more if we didn't enjoy the first. Its grossly unfair but it happens.