As an author, I've definitely come across reviewers that love to bash books, or just tear them to shreds. Some people seem to get their jollies doing this. Honestly, this is not my style. An author put long and hard hours into that book and I like to respect that. If I really don't care for a title I'll put it aside. Books I've been asked to review are a little harder, as I feel obligated to be honest as well as post, but they're more likely to get a less favorable review if I don't care for them, instead of silence. For the most part though, I don't want to fall into the category of people who take pleasure in slamming a book. I know how much time and effort going into writing and it would seem to go against my general rule to be nice.
Of course, there are always limits to this rule. For one, setting an example where someone's actions in the book detail an action that I find reprehensible, yet the character is excused due to some other factor (true love excusing abuse being one). Anything along these lines makes me cringe and likely to be vocal about it. Books that bore me to death might get a less favorable review. In general though, just because a book isn't one that I fall in love with (it's not my "one" or it doesn't speaks to me) is no reason to be negative. Everyone has different tastes and different books speak to different souls. This is something I sometimes long to point out to reviewers online, of my work or others :)
What about you? What might make you leave a poor review of a book?
Most of the time, if I don't like a book, I won't leave a review. Yet there have been a few one stars I left with my reasons why in the review. Horrible actions, terrible writing, and a lame story are the biggest things that make me dislike a book.
ReplyDeleteI get that! There's a reason I don't review books on my blog. If I did, I'd be forced to review ones I'd rather not review. BUT, I always review them on Goodreads and Amazon if I like them. Often other places too. I've only ever left one one-star review, and it was very valid.
ReplyDeleteI'll leave a negative review if it's from a large publisher, and if I really disliked the book.
ReplyDeleteI usually don't like a book that has tons of spelling errors, missing punctuation, weak-minded main characters with no growth, or meanness. I usually refrain from posting a review, but I'll share my opinion in a book discussion. Any and every book discussion I can usually :/ Sometimes it is really hard NOT to write that review though. Especially when you feel like the only one who feels that way and you just want to warn readers they may feel the same way too. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI never leave bad reviews...mostly because I just stop reading if I don't like something. Even if I paid for it! But I do think it's important for people to point out when a book is bad to help others avoid wasting their money. I just find that there are way too many books I love that have bad reviews (and good). It's all just opinion. That said--there are some BAD books out there that most of the population would agree are bad. Spelling errors, rambling without a plot, etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't review if I don't like the book. I just can't say anything negative about a book. Reading is so subjective.
ReplyDeleteI read your post on Monday and didn't find it too harsh. I've had some of those reviewers who just love to pick everything apart and it can be brutal. But your comments weren't that extreme. Reviewing is so hard. On one hand, as a reader, I want to be honest (fair, but honest). But as an author I feel guilty if I can't give a book a stellar review because I know how much work went into writing it. That's why I rarely post a review that's less than four stars on my blog.
ReplyDeleteMichelle :)
I rarely leave negative reviews. A book would have to be super offensive or boring for me to do that. I usually stop reading and don't post DNF books. Some books I give three stars too because, although not engaging, I can admit other areas were okay.
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