This week’s question is suggested by Puss Reboots:
How much do reviews (good and bad) affect your choice of reading? If you see a bad review of a book you wanted to read, do you still read it? If you see a good review of a book you’re sure you won’t like, do you change your mind and give the book a try?
I like reading reviews, sometimes more than the books they're reviewing. I don't like reviews that tell you everything about the plot, but I do like to know a little bit about the story and the characters. I like to think that I make up my own mind about a book and often don't read a review if I've already decided to read a book until after I've read it. I realise that this does mean that I am affected by bad reviews and I do get disappointed if a reviewer criticises a book I have enjoyed.
I've rambled about enough without really answering the question. Yes, I will still read a book I wanted to read even if it has had a bad review, after all everyone has different likes and dislikes. If I see a good review of a book I'm sure I won't like I still wouldn't read it. If I haven't decided whether to read it or not, but think I may not like it I would have a look at it in a bookshop or library based on the good review and then decide.
13 comments:
Yes, each person reading preferences varies. For me, if the book blurb is interesting enough, I will just go for it although it's nice to hear what everyone has to say from the beginning. I'm a curious person, hehe.
Happy BTT!
LOL - I blab enough on answering the question too hehehe.
Sometime I tend to get disappointed too, which is why I'm always choosen books that are from people I trust with their recommend and have same likeness in genres with me :)
I hope you have a good days/weekend ahead
Mostly I read reviews after I've read the book, so I can't say they affect my choices that much, unless I'm looking for suggestions for new authors. If I've decided to read a book, a bad review can't convince me to not read it. But yes, if there are many reviews in favor of a book that I mightn't like, I might decide to read it anyway.
I agree, I'm going to read a book I am interested in regardless of its reviews, but I like seeing what other people thought. Sometimes someone else will bring out something I hadn't thought of or seen when I read the book.
I'm with you, in that it's important to keep in mind that everyone has different tastes. I have a friend who absolutely despised a book I enjoyed very much. Most of the time our tastes are similar, but boy not that time!
Why oh why do some reviewers have to tell all about the book? Sometimes I read complete spoilers, even in mysteries! That is not appropriate at all.
Happy BTT!
Sometimes it is more interesting to read the review after you've read it. I love seeing their take and sometimes I learn something I didn't catch while reading it.
"often don't read a review if I've already decided to read a book until after I've read it."
Me too! I also don't want any plot secrets given away. I will say, though, if a book on amazon has low ratings across the board, I'll often decide not to bother.
Oooh, thank you, I almost forgot about the BTT today. Must go do that next.
I hate detailed reviews which leave nothing for imagination.
Oh, I do agree with you. No book can please everyone. That's what makes the world go round. But I do like to read reviews. I'm not usually swayed by them, especially if they are negative.
You know, sometimes I like reading the review more than reading the book too!
I've noticed that reviews of NF books can be really well done and informative--so you're right about the review almost being as good as the book in some cases. I try hard to wait to read a review of a book I really want to read as I don't want to know too much about the plot (and I try hard when writing about something I've read to also not give too much away). I'm also like you about being disappointed when I've enjoyed a book and another reviewer criticises it--I guess it depends on how they do it. But I try and remember everyone has different tastes--no ones view is necessarily more valid than anothers just different, right?
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