Reviews
Sep 21st 2007
Claudia DainOn Writing!
Into every writer’s life, a little review must fall. When you write books, people are going to review them. It’s a simple law of nature.
Now, a lot of writers, maybe even most writers, can’t resist reading their reviews. It might even be possible (and this is a pure guess) that some writers enjoy reading reviews of their books. I am not one of those writers.
Don’t get me wrong. I think reviewers provide a valuable service to the buying public. Why not hear what someone else has to say about a movie, book, or play? Reviewing is an art form in and of itself and I appreciate it as such.
I just can’t bear to read reviews of my own books. It’s too much information for me, even if it’s good information, and I need the solitude of my own vision to create books. I don’t even write with a critique group. It’s just me and the voices in my head and that’s the way I like it. In fact, that’s the only way I can write.
Someone once said, “Protect the work.” It was probably Nora Roberts because she says lots of wise things. Reading reviews not only damages the work, it damages my process. What choice do I have? I have to protect the work and I have to guard the process. That’s the way books are made in the land of Claudia Dain.
But here’s the weird thing, over at DearAuthor. com, a review site that I avoid the way I do all review sites, Jane created a Lego video review of The Courtesan’s Daughter that is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. How did I know it was there if I avoid review sites? My editor told me. See, review sites hold no fear for her. Maybe her Fear Factor is rabid authors…okay, why am I laughing?
Anyway, The Courtesan’s Daughter, my first book out in 3 years, will be available in about a week and, naturally, the reviews are starting to appear. Even more naturally, I’m getting more head-in-the-sand by the day. But this review, this Dear Author review, is fun. When was the last time you read a fun and entertaining review? Go check it out. I think you’ll be as charmed as I was.
http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/09/07/video-review-courtesans-daughter-by-claudia-dain-part-1-of-4/
So what about reviews? Do you read them? Do you believe them? Are you a review addict or are you in recovery?
58 Comments »
58 Responses to “Reviews”
Sherri Erwin on 21 Sep 2007 at 7:34 am #
I read them! I don’t know how you resist. If I didn’t read reviews, I wouldn’t have realized that some readers need to know there’s a sequel to my latest. The story continues! Reading reviews enabled me to add some extra promotion efforts which may- or may not- help. My bottom line: I feel better connecting with readers. I want to think my process isn’t delicate enough to be affected by what people may have said about the last book.
Lisa H on 21 Sep 2007 at 7:57 am #
Claudia,
I am not yet published but if I were, I probably would read the reviews. I would like to know how my book is perceived. If it was a negative review, I would be heartbroken, but I would still want to know.
Btw, just finished reading your book, The Marraige Bed, and I loved it. All I can say is Richard…Richard…Richard. Your hero was so hot and strong and your heroine was beautiful, strong and resilient!
If I had your talent, I would not fear reviews.
Also, I love the picture of the man with his head in the sand—it is an accurate portrayal of my husband’s entire family!
Sherri Erwin on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:02 am #
Forgot to mention that I read reviews for books other than my own, too, but it doesn’t affect my buying process. I’ll buy books with good reviews, and bad, because I like to see for myself. In the end, a review is only someone else’s opinion. I’ve always liked a good debate and it’s so much easier when I can debate the reviewer through my computer screen and she doesn’t answer back- LOL!
Lisa H on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:02 am #
Claudia, I just watched the little video. That was so cute! I can’t wait for next week!
SuzyQ on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:14 am #
As a reader, I sometimes read reviews, but don’t put much stock in them. I like to form my own opinion. For example, I happened to enjoy JQ’s latest even though many on Amazon did not. This applies not only to books, but movies as well. How many times are you told a movie is getting great reviews and a “must see”? So, you go see it only to sit there at the end and think to yourself “well, that was just a waste of money”.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:32 am #
I enjoy reading reviews, particularly of movies, but I often like to read the review after I’ve seen it! I just like to compare the reviewer’s take on things with my own.
I just can’t read reviews of my own books. Can’t, can’t. It completely blows up my process, wipes out every thought in my head on the current book. Who can say why? I sure can’t figure it out, but I’ve learned to accept that this is the way I’m wired.
That’s how I roll! LOL
And LIsaH, thanks for the lovely words about Richard. He was very special hero to me.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:34 am #
Sherri E, you are a stronger woman than I!! I think it’s GREAT that you can read your reviews and learn from them. That’s ideal. I wish it worked that way for me. I know that Goddess Sabrina uses reviews in the same way and has found that ‘feedback’ valuable to her to career and her process.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:36 am #
SuzyQ, big surprise, but I’ve never read an Amazon review (well, I did for my first book and have never been back). Are Amazon reviews less meaningful to you than romance site reviews or print reviews? That one trip to Amazon years ago had me thinking that my opinion was certainly as valid as anyone who was posting there.
Karen Hawkins on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:57 am #
Yeah, reviews are just one person’s opinion. I pay more attention to the fan mail I get. They’ll be brutally honest if they don’t like something, but they tend to be polite because they are addressing me directly. Amazon reviews can be bitter and rude. I would never write something in a review that I wouldn’t say in public, but some people don’t have such personal boundaries.
Most of all, it bothers me when reviewers assume that an author is ‘lazy’ or is presenting anything other than their best efforts. An authors name is on that book and every author I know works their rumps off to protect and develop their name.
Also, I am leery of reviews that begin with either “I didn’t want to read this book because I hate plots where x.y.z happen” or “I wanted to read this book because I love plots where x.y.z happens” because I know right then, it’s going to be especially biased.
Overall, it’s just one person’s opinion and I don’t pay them much heed. Great topic, Claudia!
Jane on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:59 am #
I definitely think that reviews are for readers and not for authors which may sound weird because our blog is “dear author” but that is just the blog’s little fiction. The reviews are written in the form of a letter to the author but they are meant for the reader. Just something to make the blog read a little differently.
I don’t want to pimp my blog here but since Ms. Dain linked and someone said that they couldn’t wait for part 2, I thought I would point out that there’s two parts available right now.
Part 1
and
Part 2
We took a break this week but will finish up with part 3 and 4 in the next two weeks. We post them on Friday.
Karen Hawkins on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:59 am #
Btw, Claudia, that’s an AWESOME and VERY funny review!
darkshire007 on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:02 am #
I don’t like reviews. Too often (I think) they rate the book by what it is as opposed to how well it is written. I’ve seen books where the reviews are listed on the back and I read through it and wonder how it got such good reviews! Maybe I’m just prejudiced about what I like and I think romance gets short changed on a fairly regular basis. I have picked up books that have no reviews at all (by authors I don’t think anyone has heard of yet) and found them to be really good reads. So I read the previews offered on different websites and them go and buy them. And I have to add this to hopefully make all the Goddesses feel good….on average I spend $300 dollars a month on books. Romance books. Keep them coming….
Meg on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:06 am #
I agree with you Claudia. I like to read reviews afterwards. Some authors are an automatic read for me and I have found that those authors I tend to like what I read. The latest JQ was a good example. Several reader reviews said that they were disappointed in it, but I really liked it. So after I read a book then I’ll look for reviews to see if I can say “Nope. You’re wrong. It was a good book!”
Movies on the other hand… It doesn’t matter what the review says; it’s usually the trailer that does it for me. If I see a good trailer that’s when I decide if I am going to see the movie in the theater or not.
Meg on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:22 am #
I guess that I should also add that I am not an author (just a devoted reader) but if I were I probably wouldn’t be able to resist reading reviews of my own stuff. I would HAVE to know what people were saying. I’d probably also have to have some sort of support group to help me back up when the crushing reviews came in.
How do you ladies (who read your reviews) take everything that goes along with it? The good has to be rewarding, but what about the bad??
Julia London on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:32 am #
I pay attention to certain reviews — RT, Publishers Weekly, some respected romance sites. Any review that offers an objective opinion, good or bad. I do not pay attention to Amazon or BN (and I had to train myself not to). If I did, I’d be a basket case. I don’t know what it is about those book sites that people can offer an opinion so rudely. Not everyone likes every book, that much we all know. And everyone has great reasons for why not. But some people can’t say why they didn’t like it without being mean-spirited, and I, for one, can live without that.
My favorite, however, is the Guiding Light book that just came out. Since July, I have been getting “reveiws” of the book — some of which were posted on Amazon and BN — before they even read the book! They would say that! “I haven’t read the book yet, but…” hahaha….Now THAT’s funny!
I’m with Karen. Reader mail is the true barometer, I think.
SuzyQ on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:49 am #
Claudia – to me it really doesn’t matter where the reviews come from, Amazon or elsewhere; I really don’t pay much attention to any of them. I have to agree with KarenH that there are several reviews on Amazon that are down right brutal. But, a review will not get me to buy (or not buy) a book. I choose books by reading the blurbs and scanning the first few pages of the book. If available, I will read the chapter excerpts on the author’s website.
I have taken some of the advise of some Goddesses here and checked out books and authors that are mentioned in the posts. Is that considered a review? I guess I trust more of what people post here because we interact with each other so often rather than some anonymous person in cyberspace. But in the end, it’s the book itself or the author that will have me paying at the counter.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:51 am #
Oh, LOL about the “I didn’t want to read this book…” usually ending with the reviewer being so pleasantly surprised that she/he liked it. I know it’s meant as a compliment, but still.
I know when I read reviews of movies (so much easier for me to be dispassionate since I don’t make movies), it’s often so clear that the reviewer liked a movie because it was different. I guess if I were watching 15 movies a week, I’d feel that way, too. But I’m an average person who sees maybe one movie a week–being different is not essential to my enjoyment!
KarenH, you said it so well! When your name is on every book and you’ve spent weeks and weeks (months and months) with that story every day, laziness is not a factor! Even a “bad” book takes a lot of time and effort.
Not that I’ve ever written a bad book. I’m just extrapolating. LOL
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:54 am #
Meg, I’m with you on the trailer. It usually works for me as a sales tool. But there have been times when I watched a trailer, decided not to see the movie, then saw the movie years later on TV and was outraged that the trailer had mislead me. Some trailers aren’t representative of the movie, like they’ll show all the violent parts or the 3 funny scenes, but the movie isn’t that violent or that funny.
Making trailers is such an incredible skill. Not everyone gets it right every time.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:57 am #
SuzyQ, I love hearing that the blurb of a book and the first few chapters are what will sell you on a book. It’s got to be the best way since it’s the book itself that is being judged and not someone’s opinion of it.
I know that I’m not always in the mood to enjoy a certain kind of story. Will pick up a book, put it down, bored, only to pick it up a year later and devour it.
Does this happen to anyone else or am I exceptionally moody? *G*
Julia London on 21 Sep 2007 at 10:15 am #
I’ve often wondered what readers would do if their jobs were critiqued like ours were.
Insurance adjuster: “I can give you $500. That’s as far as I can go.”
Insured: “What? Are you lazy? That is the WORST insurance adjustment I have ever received! This offer is a wallbanger! You adjust like a fifth grader and your numbers are TOO STUPID TO LIVE! I HATE your adjustments!”
Kay on 21 Sep 2007 at 10:17 am #
Oh Claudia, What a great video!!!!!!! I really ties in with yesterday’s blog, too. LOL
About reviews, sometimes I will read a review about a book/author I’ve never heard of & that will prompt me to reserve the book from the library. If I love it, I will buy it, and others from the same author.
A bad review about a favorite author doesn’t keep me away, though. Some reviewers just like to write snarky reviews, no matter what the book was like.
Reviews on Amazon…….most are a love it or hate it type. I only read the ones more than a couple of sentences long, because they usually have some depth and are interesting. Even a thoughtful, bad review, will not keep me away from favorite authors.
Sabrina Jeffries on 21 Sep 2007 at 10:19 am #
I’ve learned a lot from reading reviews of my books, but now that my schedule is tight I’m trying not to read them when the book first comes out. Because if I read them then, it messes with my writing. I start second-guessing everything I’m doing in the current book. And to be honest, each book is different. Some stories leap into production in your head; others you have to drag out by the hair. So hearing that the newly released book “starts slow” might not be pertinent to the one I’m working on.
I’m trying to teach myself not to obsess over reviews. It’s hard–I take reviews to heart, and I take my work very seriously. I have never “phoned in” or “dashed off” a book in my life. I’m too much of a perfectionist–and control freak–for that. So whenever I get accused of being lazy, I get so angry I can’t work. Which is just silly. It really IS only one person’s opinion. If I’ve learned anything in this business, it’s that public response to books is utterly unpredictable.
RachelG on 21 Sep 2007 at 10:30 am #
I read the first few sentences of reviews. I can tell by the first few sentences if the review is good or bad. If it’s bad, I don’t want to know and I quit reading. If it’s good, I skip to the end of the review and read the reviewers impression of the book.
The lego review is very funny.
Rachel
Susan K on 21 Sep 2007 at 10:41 am #
The only book reviews I read are from The Romantic Times Book Reviews. They have never steered me wrong. Every month I pour over it and make my list of books to buy and the ones I will check out at the library. As for music and movies, I don’t trust reviews for them. I never agree.
dbrown3400 on 21 Sep 2007 at 11:20 am #
Susan K, I write reviews for RT Book Reviews and am glad that you like the magazine. I try to be consistent with my reviews and read every word of each book I review. I understand some reviewers skim. I can’t do that as I’m afraid I would miss something key and make a fool out of myself.
Our format is such that we highlight strengths and weaknesses (if any) before we summarize the book. If I find a book with flaws, imho, I read it again, on a different day, just to be fair. Usually, my opinion doesn’t change. I’ve found fantastic books in categories I would never have read otherwise, but because I review small press, don’t often get to review my favorites (Regency, of course).
What I find difficult as a reader is following the criteria I now have as a reviewer. I would never have bought books before with a three star rating, although now those represent good books, but nothing spectacular. They have a good story, good characters . . .
Freshechelle on 21 Sep 2007 at 11:24 am #
I’d love to know if you goddess-authors have any thoughts on this Harriet K. character who has reviewed ridiculous numbers of books (usually find them on B&N’s reviews, they’re not helpful when scoping a new author). Is she real or a fictional web character?
Claudia, were I an author, I imagine I’d avoid reviews. Ignorance sometimes is bliss. Book sales tell you whether or not your work is appreciated.
Julia, your insurance agent comment reminds me of a timeless comedian’s response to heckling “Hey, I don’t come to your job and knock over the Slurpee machine.” There’s a funnier, more vulgar version that refers to streetwalkers but I’ll keep it clean today.
dbrown3400 on 21 Sep 2007 at 11:28 am #
and sometimes even rise above a three star book, but not enough to be a four star.
I agonize over every word in my reviews, whether it’s a four and one-half or a three because each is important to me and the author. I understand why people don’t read reviews because I’ve purchased 4 1/2 autobuys that weren’t worth the rating. Maybe someone didn’t really read the entire book, or I didn’t read the review properly.
A great book is a great book regardless of genre to me now. Although I’m not going to pick them on my own to read, the ones I do get that end up 4 1/2 Top Picks, sweep me away from word one and I cannot put them down until I’m finished — even science fiction, which I hate.
I think I’m through now.
dbrown3400 on 21 Sep 2007 at 11:31 am #
Freschelle, I’ve caught whoever Harriet K. is, simply pulling the blurb from the publishers website while the book is still on pre-order. I have no clue who she is either.
Freshechelle on 21 Sep 2007 at 12:00 pm #
Hmmm… thanks dbrown for clarifying. I’m entertained by her a non-specific photo on her profile.
colinfirthfan on 21 Sep 2007 at 12:32 pm #
OK I have just ordered The Marriage Bed. It has great reviews on Amazon. As a reader I always read the reviews before I order a book. Sometimes I order it even if the reviews aren’t very good.
If I were a writer I probably wouldn’t read the reviews. I would waste way too much time obsessing about the bad reviews!!
shymiss on 21 Sep 2007 at 12:33 pm #
I heard that Harriet K’s reviews are done this way . . .
She takes the book blurb from the backcover of a book and puts it into a translator program like Babelfish. Then she translates it to German and then back to English again, which is why you sometimes see such awkward wording on her reviews.
Don’t know if this is true, but it makes sense to me.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 12:42 pm #
I absolutely agree with Jane from Dear Author (and I love that video review to death!!) that reviews are for the readers, not the author. That’s one of my justifications for not reading my own reviews. *G*
Really, it’s not intended for ME. I know what I think of the book (it’s fantastic, what else?) so it’s the reviewers job to tell others what she thinks of the book. Fine by me. Reviewing is an honorable profession, practiced by people who love to read and who love to be swept up in a story. If my story didn’t do it for them, what can I do? Nothing now. Probably nothing in the future.
Writers have a story they want to tell. They just hope that a round million or so will want to hear that particular story.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 12:43 pm #
Oooh, Colinfirthfan, so reading reviews is an important step in your book-buying process. That’s good to know. Not that I can do anything about it, but it’s good to know. *G*
colinfirthfan on 21 Sep 2007 at 12:58 pm #
If the book has less than 3 stars then I don’t bother with the reviews. I will skip the book immediately. 3 or more I will read the reviews and then decide if I want to read it. Book excerpts also play a huge part in my decision - more than the reviews even.
Ronlyn on 21 Sep 2007 at 1:14 pm #
I tend not to read reviews by professional critics. I do read reviews done by friends, or listen when they tell me if they did or didn’t enjoy a book and why. I also will look at the cover of a book and see who is saying what on those little blurbs by other authors and newspapers, etc. If an author I like is on one of those little blurbs saying something wonderful then I’ll try the book too.
I’m also a VERY loyal fan to the authors I like. I tend to read everything they put out and will go hunting for older works too.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 1:15 pm #
Book excerpts…that’s another interesting discussion. Does it matter to anyone what part of the book is excerpted? The first chapter, the first love scene, the cute meet scene? I’d love to form some kind of consensus on this, if only for my own peace of mind.
I just sent my webmistress an excerpt of The Courtesan’s Daughter (which should be up any minute now) and literally opened the book at random and picked a section to send her. Not because I don’t care, but because I don’t know which part of the book readers would be most interested in reading!
Help!
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 1:16 pm #
So Ronlyn, you’re a ‘word of mouth’ reader. I think most of us fall into that category, about just about anything! It’s certainly how I found my hair stylist!
twolilhahas on 21 Sep 2007 at 1:56 pm #
Were I to ever actually write a novel and have it published I’d probably HAVE to read the reviews. Curiosity killed the cat, and I’d have to know. Of course, I’d probably go to amazon and read the reader reviews over professional reviews because nine times out of ten I disagree with professional reviewers. And then when it was a bad review and the person made a thousand typos in their rant against my work, I’d laugh and say, “I see why you didn’t like it. You can’t read!” Because I’m a typo-snob and hate spelling errors.
colinfirthfan on 21 Sep 2007 at 1:59 pm #
I would like to see the first meeting - if it is memorable. Or some witty dialogue between the our H and H.
I also like to read the entire first chapter - even if it is divided into different excerpts.
I read some of the excerpts on your website Claudia. The Marriage bed sucked me in right away. I wanted to know what happened next.
So many books … so little time!!
Caren Crane on 21 Sep 2007 at 2:00 pm #
Claudia, I like a random excerpt myself. Something where the hero and heroine already know each other and are in mid-quip. Although if it’s a really spectacular meet cute, I like those as well. *g*
As for reviews, I have noticed over the years that few reviewers think like I do or like what I like. If I find one whose opinions about movies or books tends to synch with my own, I will read them more closely. In general, though, other people’s opinions don’t sway mine much. As a matter of fact, if someone intensely dislikes something, it makes me want to read or see it that much more. I’m perverse, what can I say?
When I am published, I’m sure I will read reviews until I sense them messing with my head. At that point, I hope I can tune them out. As stated, other people’s opinions don’t generally shape my own. If, however, I were having a moment of doubt, I might pay attention to them. Yikes!
Sabrina Jeffries on 21 Sep 2007 at 2:01 pm #
Harriet Klausner is a real person. I know, because not only have I talked to her on the phone, but I’ve met her in person, back when she used to go to RT conventions. She’s a very nice person who genuinely loves romances and used to review for one of RT’s competitors.
I can’t speak to how or if she reads all those books, however. I haven’t talked to her in years. She used to be a big fan of my Deborah Nicholas books.
Sabrina Jeffries on 21 Sep 2007 at 2:04 pm #
I should add, though, that some people do read incredibly fast. I have a friend staying with me right now who just tore through Terry Pratchett’s new book in an hour or so. I could never do that. If someone is a fast reader, all they’d have to do is read about 3 or 4 books a day to keep up with most of the major releases each month. *I* couldn’t do it, but I suppose it could be done.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 2:32 pm #
Oh, good. I can breathe a sigh of relief on The Courtesan’s Daughter excerpt. It’s just minutes after they first meet, in mid-quip.
Do you know how strange it is to talk to people now who aren’t into books the way we are? They don’t know what mid-quip is, or blurb, or meet cute, or even an excerpt! It’s a strange land we’ve entered; I’m just glad there are so many others of my kind here!
SuzyQ on 21 Sep 2007 at 2:46 pm #
It doesn’t matter to me where the excerpt is from, just as long and the hero and heroine are interacting. I recently read an excerpt that was completely about the heroine and not one word from the hero. What’s the point in that? It didn’t want to make me go get the book.
Meg on 21 Sep 2007 at 3:00 pm #
As far as sneek peeks go, I like a first meeting or some kind of tension-filled interchange between the H and H. Something that shows the sparks between the two. And something that I can never do is read the first chapter that gets posted on websites. Sorry! I feel that it is too much of a sneek peek for me. Usually I am sooo looking forward to the book that I would be crushed if I went ahead and read the first chapter and still had to wait for the rest of the book. That would drive me crazy!
colinfirthfan on 21 Sep 2007 at 3:04 pm #
It’s funny how everyone has a different opinion. I am the exact opposite of Meg. I love reading the excerpt over and over and over again.
I love reading the entire first chapter. It makes me salivate for the rest of the books.
Freshechelle on 21 Sep 2007 at 3:05 pm #
Sabrina - fascinating to know HK does exist.
As for the prolific reading, impressive. I manage a book a day on vacation but an hour or two -wow! That would require an entire suitcase dedicated to books for a 5 day vacation. I’d need a fine young manservant to tote that for me.
Thanks for the HK scoop. I wonder how she feels internet chatter that she doesn’t existence.
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 3:14 pm #
I’m laughing about the first chapter excerpt because what happens to me is that I read the 1st chapter somewhere, which I can never remember doing, then weeks later go to the bookstore, pick up a book that looks interesting and somehow familiar, read the first paragraph or two…and since it sounds so familiar, conclude that I’ve read the book before and walk away without buying it!
Which is why I don’t think I’ll put an entire first chapter on my website.
Unless I’ve already done that and don’t remember it?
I have serious memory problems, clearly. LOL
Georgie Lee on 21 Sep 2007 at 3:45 pm #
I tend to avoid reviews of both books and movies. I often get the sense that reviewers are reaching for something, anything to say. As a result, their reviews aren’t always trustworthy.
Sherri Erwin on 21 Sep 2007 at 4:08 pm #
Actually, Claudia, I think you’re smarter to avoid the reviews, especially if they affect your process. I’m pretty sure I’m more susceptible to them than I would like to believe. Karen, reader mail is way more fun, true. I also love book trailers, excerpts, and author websites.
Julia, you’re so funny. I want to review my doctor! Yes, I think I will do that. “Your hands are cold. It does hurt when you press down. It wouldn’t hurt to actually look interested. And please, try a breath mint.” Hm, maybe I need a new doctor!
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 4:42 pm #
Well, Sherri, I have to admit that I don’t miss reading my reviews. I’m just not at all interested so it’s easy for me to avoid them and not feel tempted. I think it’s pretty hard not to be affected by what people are saying about your life’s work.
Nicole Jordan on 21 Sep 2007 at 5:50 pm #
Oh, Claudia, those Leggo review clips are so much fun!! And I can’t wait to read The Courtesan’s Daughter!!!!
I seriously dislike getting reviews for my own books (don’t read ‘em unless it’s one of the major reviewers). But I definietely read reviews about other authors’ books so I can tell if I want to buy them. Raves or pans don’t sway me; what does sway me is WHAT they’re raving or panning about. Because what some reviewers hate can be the exact thing that I love, and what they love can be exactly what I don’t like. And I like a review to give me a good feel for the characters, conflict, basic story line, and tone.
And I definitely read excerpts for new-to-me authors to get a feel for their writing and tone. Of course, for auto-buy authors I don’t need a reveiw or excerpts!
Brandy on 21 Sep 2007 at 6:10 pm #
I read them and take them with a grain of salt, so to speak. I also write them. *g*
Claudia Dain on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:11 pm #
Thanks, Nicole!! I love that video clip, too.
Speaking of what you like in a review, sometimes a review can give me too much plot. In a romance novel, since I know how it’s going to end, I like everything in the middle to be as much of a surprise as possible. It’s got to be a fine line for reviewers to walk: people want to know what the book is about, but you can’t spoil it for them.
Ladytink_534 on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:57 pm #
Not only do I read them, I write them! I have two blogger accounts for exactly that purpose. One is for children’s and family movies (Land Before Time, Dumbo) and even some old cartoon TV shows (http://ladytinkshappyplace.blogspot.com/) and the other is for books, movies, and music (http://reviewsofthings.blogspot.com/). I have fun writing them up and learning things about it. For example, if there is a certain song mentioned in a book I’ll find a sound wav and link to it. It’s really kind of fun!
Lisa H on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:15 pm #
I read about 1-2 Hist. Romances a week. I generally buy all of Avon releases because they seem to publish what I love to read. I also go back through all these blogs and those of the squawkers and find books reputable people (like the goddessess, the squawkers and the bloggers) read and buy them or check them out of the library. I think if you find a publisher you like it is safe to stick with them. When I find a new author from a different publisher, I begin to work my way through those books as well.
My best friend hates romances, she cannot find a single positive thing to say about them even though she is a very respected journalist and incredibly talented writer. If she was giving a review, I know it would be bad no matter what the story.
Book reviews are kind of like restaurant reviews, some people love the recipe and some people don’t. Just because some don’t like the recipe, doesn’t mean the restaurant is bad.
Chantal on 23 Sep 2007 at 9:19 am #
I’m not an author, but I do read reviews. Aside from Dear Author, the only reviews I read are ones written by friends on their blogs.
As a reader I don’t care about the review at AAR, two lips, fallen angels, joyfully reviews, etc.
jj Keller on 25 Sep 2007 at 10:24 am #
Hi Claudia,
As a recently released e-published author I couldn’t wait for the reviews. I checked daily to see how people responded to my book, The Watcher. Did they like it? Did they hate it? Did they find it suspenseful?
Would the reviews affect my writing in the future? I’m not sure, since I’ve had excellent reviews. If I had a negative review would I form my future characters or plots differently? I don’t believe I would.
Would positive or negative reviews influence the author or reader? If so, how?
Does the general public judge a book by its cover? jj Keller