I do still review occasionally on Goodreads, but if I don't like a book, I won't review it. I will only review books I would give four or five stars. I know some people don't agree with this policy, but as an author, I know how much low ratings hurt egos and feelings. That's just how I roll.
Obviously there are review bloggers on there who review many books. Here's the thing, many of these bloggers are writers themselves. I don't know how they feel confident about giving a book one or two stars when they have books out there also. I mean, I would never retaliate against a blogger, low reviews don't really bother me any more, but I think some people might.
What do you think? I'd love some bloggers to weigh in if they read this.
Not a book blogger but I am an Amazon Viner and I share your policy. I will not post bad reviews (less than three stars) because they are so incredibly subjective. What I hate someone else may love. But also, as a writer, I'm not going to tear down another person's work or do anything to harm their career. Aside from empathizing with the incredible amount of work it takes to produce a book, I believe in Karma. That's not something I'd like to bite me in the buttocks.
ReplyDeleteI'm a blogger and not a writer. I have said it a number of times I'm not sure goodreads is worth the drama. You have people who are bullies and review books they never read. I do write bad reviews but never attack an author. I explain what I didn't like and why that book doesn't work for me. Also I do believe that what doesn't work for me might work for others.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteI don't leave a review that's below three. I don't want to review anything dishonestly. So, if I can't be a help, I'll bow out, quietly.
More importantly, I review ONLY the kind of books I enjoy reading. I've got no business writing a review about a piece written in a genre I don't like, and don't read. I do not consider myself competent to review that which I know I won't like, just because of its type. Obviously, I don't get it.
That's not doing EITHER readers or writers any favor. No one of us is that indispensable.
Great comments ladies. And it IS so subjective. Books I dislike, others may love and it's not my place to stop someone from reading a book just because I like it, but I love praising books that resonate with me.
ReplyDelete