tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post3545064164456930168..comments2024-03-28T12:11:42.691-04:00Comments on For What It's Worth: Blogger ramblings…The power of the negative review–to SELL booksKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-14477064364899811162015-04-12T20:47:11.416-04:002015-04-12T20:47:11.416-04:00YES! I don't really understand why people get ...YES! I don't really understand why people get their panties in a twist about negative reviews (and, no, I'm not talking about the bitchy, rip-em-apart reviews). If a review is well-written and explains why you didn't like a story, really, I find those reviews enlightening. A lot of times, they make me want to read the book so I can see how I feel about it. Granted, I wouldn't want to read a negative review of something I'd written but I know it would be bound to happen, since not everyone likes everything. Mary @ BookSwarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04099395167194720599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-39076872270451145622015-04-12T15:25:59.889-04:002015-04-12T15:25:59.889-04:00A very well thought out and informative post. I kn...A very well thought out and informative post. I know I did a post along these lines last year and I totally agree. I don't like books that are rating highly by a handful of reviewers, I look for a balance of reviews and I like reviews that list the pros and cons. Reviews that only list the good things don't give me enough information. That is why I try to incorporate what I liked and didn't like in my reivews. Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08104713637270144376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-16348898887046325362015-04-12T14:52:22.845-04:002015-04-12T14:52:22.845-04:00Oh yes, great points here. I've never really g...Oh yes, great points here. I've never really given much thought to it before, but I do think 3 star type reviews can often be more helpful in figuring out whether I want to read the book. I don't trust people who post only positive reviews - same goes with the opposite, I would say. I don't trust people who never seem to have anything particularly positive to say about books. This is why I like knowing trusted reviewers to help set me straight :)Ayleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07639250102446794830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-81287182907812556682015-04-10T19:04:24.492-04:002015-04-10T19:04:24.492-04:00I read both positive and negative reviews because ...I read both positive and negative reviews because what someone else sees as negative, I might like so I try to read both sides to really determine if a book is going to be for me or not.<br />You make some really good points here.Kindlemomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084577342034704304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-63277485304580486072015-04-07T20:19:39.448-04:002015-04-07T20:19:39.448-04:00I would have to agree with you on this one, when I...I would have to agree with you on this one, when I look for a review of a book - I always look at the negative review first because I find those very informative and different from 5 star ratings. I love honest reviews, a lot of the times I actually buy the book based on that negative review, because I might like it so who know's - this is a great discussion post :) <3 Benish | <a href="http://feministreflections.com/" rel="nofollow">Feminist Reflections</a>Beenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17718861012681693010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-47291613209617254122015-04-06T21:06:02.280-04:002015-04-06T21:06:02.280-04:00Really great points, it is hard sometimes going al...Really great points, it is hard sometimes going all squee on the 5 starbrandileigh2003https://www.blogger.com/profile/01669251993917961293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-41561315481959459372015-04-06T08:53:23.940-04:002015-04-06T08:53:23.940-04:00I hate when that happens!
When it's all 5 sta...I hate when that happens!<br /><br />When it's all 5 stars, I start checking the profiles, and if it's all people who just joined or have only reviewed a handful of books then I don't bother with them. <br /><br />I wish people would understand that when it's all hype and cheerleading for a book - at a certain point it's not worth listening. That's the same as walking into a bookstore and randomly picking a book. Which is great!I do that all the time but sometimes I want more information before spending limited funds. <br /><br />All bookish conversation is good. A negative review still gets people talking about and seeing the book. <br /><br />I like romance and have rated books really well here - but you don't like sexy times :-) so you aren't going to buy that book even though I loved it. But I may review a book negatively because there isn't enough romance and I know that would be your kind of book.<br /><br />No one blogger can make or break a book.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-29668526666707028492015-04-06T08:46:49.936-04:002015-04-06T08:46:49.936-04:00I don't dislike 5 star reviews but so few give...I don't dislike 5 star reviews but so few give a lot of information to help me decide. It's always the 3 and lower that help the most. And it's usually in the books favor. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-13812650502477598292015-04-06T08:45:42.246-04:002015-04-06T08:45:42.246-04:00I stopped using ratings not he blog because I thin...I stopped using ratings not he blog because I think people know enough about how I review and what I like/dislike but on Goodreads it sheer amount of reviews can be overwhelming to me without ratings from reviewers I don't know. <br /><br />But….if this backlash keeps up I may rethink that too. Or I may skip GR's altogether. <br /><br />You are the gold star in reviewing without a rating. I always know exactly what you mean and if the book will work for me.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-18925424487972590652015-04-06T08:14:25.589-04:002015-04-06T08:14:25.589-04:00Grrr, I commented the other day, but I don't t...Grrr, I commented the other day, but I don't think it took. This is such an amazing post and I agree with everything... <br /><br />"When there is only one type of review – all positive - then blogs/Goodreads/Amazon cease to become a place to help the reader make an informed decision. They become fan sites." Exactly! If a book has only positive reviews, I'm immediately mistrustful, thinking it's their mom and friends. It's dishonest. That's what the author wants? How 'bout we stop reviewing books altogether and let the authors have a go at getting the word out themselves? Might not be such an easy feat.Midnyte Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10411332857885069319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-24589277546059450312015-04-05T12:08:47.825-04:002015-04-05T12:08:47.825-04:00I'm with you. It's negative reviews that s...I'm with you. It's negative reviews that sell me. I always want to see the 2-3 stars. The people that didn't hate it and give honest feedback. Soooo many times their gripes end up what I love.Tales of Whimsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10938494589922620170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-54751121759179596652015-04-05T11:48:43.529-04:002015-04-05T11:48:43.529-04:00Every author on Goodreads should get a copy of thi...Every author on Goodreads should get a copy of this post!! I think that's why I stopped using stars. People just look at the stars and that colors their opinion of my review, when all my review is intended to do is a) convey my opinion of the strengths and weaknesses of the book and b) help the reader of the review decide if the book is for them. Not to pass judgment on the author or the book.<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by! <a href="http://www.jenryland.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Jen at YA Romantics</a><br />Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04756695137600895936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-49259399373020487082015-04-05T09:39:22.358-04:002015-04-05T09:39:22.358-04:00Yes. I tend to squee in my 5 star reviews but even...Yes. I tend to squee in my 5 star reviews but even a well written one might point out things I don't like about a book and make me pass. <br /><br />5 stars doesn't mean it will work for me. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-50855651231922949592015-04-05T09:38:26.683-04:002015-04-05T09:38:26.683-04:00I don't think we're given enough credit fo...I don't think we're given enough credit for being able to read and interpret a review for our tastes. It's as if we see negative and go oh no I'lll never buy that book and that isn't what happens at all. <br /><br />Most of us understand books aren't one book fits all reaters and are just looking for more information.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-74716873326771884102015-04-05T09:36:19.058-04:002015-04-05T09:36:19.058-04:00I rarely post on Amazon anymore and I turned off m...I rarely post on Amazon anymore and I turned off my notifications. So someone could be ripping me apart not here and I'll never know lol<br /><br />There really is this trend to down vote the negative but I don't think it's helpful in the long run if no one can trust the reviews.<br /><br />What's the difference between a publisher hyped book and reviews if only certain ratings and views are allowed. Why bother then?<br /><br /> Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-23607432692371171782015-04-05T08:23:04.064-04:002015-04-05T08:23:04.064-04:00Great point! I could not agree more...it usually i...Great point! I could not agree more...it usually is those in the middle reviews that have the most detail and give me the info I need to make an informed decision about whether a book might be for me.Melissas Eclectic Bookshelfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12954443867000135343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-7363763105983064942015-04-04T23:20:50.072-04:002015-04-04T23:20:50.072-04:00Yeah, I definitely make more of my 'buy' d...Yeah, I definitely make more of my 'buy' decisions off the 3-star reviews. I'll skim the really positive and really negative reviews as well, but now that you mention it, I spend a majority of my time reading through the mid-range rankings because they usually do a good job of pointing out the pros and cons both in one place. <br /><br />GREAT post! :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-10063907984310649422015-04-04T14:44:56.781-04:002015-04-04T14:44:56.781-04:00Absolutely agree. I've written some squee revi...Absolutely agree. I've written some squee reviews, sometimes only the love and adoration makes it through the filter. But they don't tend to be helpful. It's frustrating though, particularly on amazon, to write a thoughtful negative review and then have people bomb you with not helpfuls just because it disagrees. I tend to read only the 3 and lower rated reviews, unless it's a reviewer I trust. And I try to remember to mark them helpful, but it seems like swimming against an overwhelming tide.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11628382420435864397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-2848063605217655542015-04-04T10:33:31.421-04:002015-04-04T10:33:31.421-04:00There's nothing better than loving a book and ...There's nothing better than loving a book and being able to spread that love on your blog or review sites. That's why most of us blog - to share the reading love!<br /><br />But I think most of us understand that not everyone loves every book and that a review that is able so spell out the pros and cons can get you to buy the book.<br /><br />A good example are books about child abuse, bullying, rape etc. I know a lot of people who negatively review those type of books because they don't like reading about people begin hurt but that doesn't mean I can't handle it. But I won't read cheating or love triangles. We each have our own reading comfort zone. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-5661023740887861972015-04-04T10:29:27.358-04:002015-04-04T10:29:27.358-04:00I have definitely squeed. I don't think there&...I have definitely squeed. I don't think there's anything wrong with that either. There's a book I need to review that I LOVED and I can't for the life of me figure out how to say in a way that isn't a gushing mess. lol<br /><br />If we ever get to the point of only 4 and 5 star reviews though I wouldn't bother with them. The publishers already tweet info and positive reviews all day. If I was going to buy a book based on only that then checking reviews wouldn't even be necessary. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-56238005809054262732015-04-04T10:25:50.266-04:002015-04-04T10:25:50.266-04:00I can understand how that may feel really scary to...I can understand how that may feel really scary to see your book getting negative feedback but I truly believe that most readers aren't using the star rating as THE only barometer when choosing a book.<br /><br />I don't view 3 stars as negative at all and a I view the Goodreads page for a book overall - not as an omg 3 people hated this book.<br /><br />Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-43553902546876918152015-04-04T10:23:21.087-04:002015-04-04T10:23:21.087-04:00Really? You wouldn't pick up a book based on o...Really? You wouldn't pick up a book based on one 1 star review? Would it need to be a reviewer you knew and trusted or just any review? And if you read positive 5 star reviews later of the same book would you give it a shot.<br /><br />I always find the 3 and lower reviews more helpful - as long as the y say WHY it did or didn't work for them. <br />Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-15026228602708534512015-04-04T10:21:08.083-04:002015-04-04T10:21:08.083-04:00I understand that a lot of books are well reviewed...I understand that a lot of books are well reviewed and it's not that I don't trust that or think everyone is lying. It just doesn't usually give me enough to go on.<br /><br />Also, when it involves early reviews and arc's those are mostly the fans or people most likely to like the book in the first place. That's not the average reader who randomly picks it up. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-39576010734876293742015-04-04T10:18:59.042-04:002015-04-04T10:18:59.042-04:00The 3 star reviews that don't say what they di...The 3 star reviews that don't say what they didn't like bother me. What made you knock the 1 or 2 extra stars? lol<br /><br />I don't always write reviews for books on Goodreads when it didn't stir up any real emotion or opinion for me. I mark it more for myself to show that I read it. Or I put a rating only at first and come back to it later to review. Sometimes I need to ponder my thoughts lolKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-44053574261084839722015-04-03T22:13:51.501-04:002015-04-03T22:13:51.501-04:00Great post, and I definitely agree about negative ...Great post, and I definitely agree about negative reviews. Really positive reviews are fun, especially if I loved the book too or it's something I know I'm going to read regardless. They don't always give you enough information about the book though - or it could be super positive but not focused on things that I would personally enjoy. I do see slightly negative reviews sometimes that still make me want to read the book because I LIKE what the reviewer DID NOT like. We all have different tastes. Shooting Stars Maghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com