tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post269608286340537962..comments2024-03-24T20:54:42.846-04:00Comments on Spunk On A Stick's Tips: Tales from the Bookshelf - Book ReviewsL. Diane Wolfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-55372347415324675922010-03-12T00:02:39.868-05:002010-03-12T00:02:39.868-05:00I agree others don't understand. But when I ha...I agree others don't understand. But when I had retail stores they didn't understand, either. "Oh, you have your own stores. It must be wonderful to do whatever you want!" LOL.<br />Best,<br />CarolynCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-63753673988994332542010-03-10T14:59:33.481-05:002010-03-10T14:59:33.481-05:00Christina, you're right about the sometimes th...Christina, you're right about the sometimes they are just crazy!<br /><br />Tony, I think it's like movie reviewers - half the time I don't agree with them, either. Maybe after reading so many books those reviewers grow jaded. They want the perfect book, which as we know, doesn't exist.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-14686997327836589782010-03-10T12:43:39.995-05:002010-03-10T12:43:39.995-05:00I like to gauge reader reviews of books to see if ...I like to gauge reader reviews of books to see if I might like it as well. Generally I look at the overall rating based on the number of reviews, and then I like to book at the harshest review to see if the argument holds any water. Sometimes the person you'd give a book a bad review has very valid points, but sometimes they are just crazy. I still like to check it out though.Christina Rodriguezhttp://www.christinarodriguez.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-33962207170520978742010-03-10T07:56:38.032-05:002010-03-10T07:56:38.032-05:00I tend to go with my gut on reading the synopsis r...I tend to go with my gut on reading the synopsis rather than a book review.Donna McDinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959673932828354020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-73588759635595782472010-03-09T21:57:09.331-05:002010-03-09T21:57:09.331-05:00I never bother reading or listening to reviews of ...I never bother reading or listening to reviews of books. The only time I'll listen is if someone I know personally (whose intelligence I respect) tells me a book is good. Then I'll look out for a copy. Otherwise I read what I want when I want to read it and ignore every one else's opinion. I've discovered many treasures that way and continue to do so.<br /><br />Having said that it's always nice to get a review of my own work but that's just for my ego.<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-72138191149893939342010-03-09T21:08:13.937-05:002010-03-09T21:08:13.937-05:00My favorite place to look is the Amazon.com review...My favorite place to look is the Amazon.com reviews. These are usually done by normal book lovers, not professionals trying to find some deep secret woven in the pages of a book. And I don't pay too much attention to the star ratings. I am more interested in the comments. When you see a trend in comments, you get a pretty good idea about the book. And the thing that might make one person rate the book a "two star" book might be the same thing that will cause me to rate it a "five star" book.<br /><br />As far as professional reviews, they are usually hit and miss with me. Half the time I agree and half the time I don't. I don't think it's about who is right or wrong about a book as much as it's a difference of taste among individuals. A pro reviewer, after all, is still an individual and is hardly the last word on literary value or entertainment of a book. Each reader is the last word.Tony Eldridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09470843635257926070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-37249253104605603032010-03-09T20:34:12.118-05:002010-03-09T20:34:12.118-05:00My books have received reviews from many sources, ...My books have received reviews from many sources, both pre-pub and online, but it's funny how those types of reviews don't influence my buying decision when it comes to books.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-89141108522794397542010-03-09T18:21:53.808-05:002010-03-09T18:21:53.808-05:00I have a review from Midwest Readers Review, but o...I have a review from Midwest Readers Review, but other than that, I have only reader reviews. When searching for a review for a book I want to buy, I go by reader reviews at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. <br /><br />Like Jemi and others, I rely on recommendations from others. I don't read reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. I'm surprised they're still in business as the way books are purchased is changing so dramaticaly these past few years.<br /><br />Stephen TrempAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-14446556408535891442010-03-09T18:09:41.080-05:002010-03-09T18:09:41.080-05:00I actually don't read reviews very often - onl...I actually don't read reviews very often - only on the blogs of friends. Recommendations of friends are ones I use the most.Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-27102778020614968252010-03-09T17:56:16.297-05:002010-03-09T17:56:16.297-05:00I’ll read reviews but they don’t usually determine...I’ll read reviews but they don’t usually determine whether I’ll buy the book or not. Friends recommendations carry much more weight with me.Jane Kennedy Suttonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519340747761460017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-77759252049143190562010-03-09T17:40:12.554-05:002010-03-09T17:40:12.554-05:00Nancy, it was indeed a big deal!
Kitten, I trust ...Nancy, it was indeed a big deal!<br /><br />Kitten, I trust the judgement of book bloggers far more because you guys are actual readers! You read because you love books.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-1216952669849978282010-03-09T17:20:37.496-05:002010-03-09T17:20:37.496-05:00I have little faith in the professional reviews. ...I have little faith in the professional reviews. For me, word of mouth is the best way for me to decide to read a book. That, and reviews from those in the blogging community, from your everyday bloggers.Kittenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02387217950712644169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-35980145176548779752010-03-09T17:17:46.118-05:002010-03-09T17:17:46.118-05:00I check the number of comments on a review to see ...I check the number of comments on a review to see how helpful it appears to be to other people. So a review that has lots of "reviews" gets my attention.Lydia Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269369652743690212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-35571771356601421692010-03-09T17:04:56.183-05:002010-03-09T17:04:56.183-05:00Thanks for all the great info on review sites. Whe...Thanks for all the great info on review sites. When I buy books, It's mostly because a friend recommends the book or I know the author. So reviews don't make any difference to me as a reader.<br />In fact I had no idea when my 2nd book got a starred review from ALA's Booklist that that was a good thing. lol.<br />But it really does make a difference to libraries and bookstores. Cheers~Nancy J. Parrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10107417252662717576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-87332205220013418292010-03-09T16:21:14.511-05:002010-03-09T16:21:14.511-05:00I've always heard it's better to have a ba...I've always heard it's better to have a bad review than no review. <br /><br />That said, I don't usually pay too much attention to reviews, but more on word-of-mouth and whether I'm interested by the synopsis. <br /><br />Mary<br />http://marycunninghambooks.comMary Cunninghamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04377529303481858837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-42946651359119620522010-03-09T15:09:31.515-05:002010-03-09T15:09:31.515-05:00Elana, that does make sense!Elana, that does make sense!L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-62746416374162482612010-03-09T14:38:53.539-05:002010-03-09T14:38:53.539-05:00For me, it's not necessarily about the review,...For me, it's not necessarily about the review, but about the BUZZ. If people are talking about a book, good or bad, it creates a buzz. And then I have to read it for myself to decide which side of the buzz I'm going to be on.<br /><br />Does that makes sense?Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-64064624926850184652010-03-09T13:21:15.291-05:002010-03-09T13:21:15.291-05:00Comprehensive list! I don't really read many r...Comprehensive list! I don't really read many reviews from "official" book review sites. Usually a blogger will review a book and it'll pique my interest. That and word of mouth are the two most used avenues I use for being directed to good reads.<br /><br /><a href="http://theoldsilly.com" rel="nofollow">Marvin D Wilson</a>The Old Sillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09661188622348794193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-2034143728381270722010-03-09T12:54:00.388-05:002010-03-09T12:54:00.388-05:00It's funny that as authors, we want every good...It's funny that as authors, we want every good review we can get, but as readers, it doesn't really matter.<br />Go figure!L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-28707228690577522732010-03-09T11:23:31.683-05:002010-03-09T11:23:31.683-05:00Guess I really never pay attention to reviews outs...Guess I really never pay attention to reviews outside of a friend's recommendation. If the synopsis sounds good and cover art rocks, I pick it up.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-24303131761252437322010-03-09T10:42:28.048-05:002010-03-09T10:42:28.048-05:00I forgot to tell you, I sent your FlamingNet revie...I forgot to tell you, I sent your FlamingNet reviews to a couple of friends, and they responded with great excitement to read yourbook! I hadn't heard of FlamingNet before, but now I'm having fun clicking through it. Congrats on your award there!<br /><br />Michele<br /><a href="http://southerncitymysteries.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">SouthernCityMysteries</a>JournoMichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11170364981958685438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-69698594139931890072010-03-09T08:55:16.404-05:002010-03-09T08:55:16.404-05:00The only influence a review may have on me is to i...The only influence a review may have on me is to introduce me to a book or an author I hadn't heard of before. Other than that I don't pay much attention to the actual review itself. Like Crystal the synopsis has to grab me. It can have wretched reviews but if the synopsis is compelling I'm likely to buy it. The look of the book has a big influence too since I was an art minor. By that I mean the overall look not just the front cover but the back, the spine any extras like a map or dictionary of odd terms in the front, sometimes even the author's photo. Is that someone I can relate to or share ideas with? If they are posing on a golf course in country club attire... probably not. Another influence for me, now that I'm a blogger is would I want to interview this author, if the answer is yes, even if their book isn't something I'd normally read, I'll buy it for the insight.Creative Chroniclerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03434862566768775103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-79097464839886082582010-03-09T08:54:39.653-05:002010-03-09T08:54:39.653-05:00I can't think of a time that I've bought a...I can't think of a time that I've bought a book based on a review. But I have bought books from suggestions from friends, and based on reading excerpts or the first chapter.MeganRebekahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03285116194891827858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-31636796129220662402010-03-09T08:46:05.704-05:002010-03-09T08:46:05.704-05:00I read reviews, but they usually do not have too m...I read reviews, but they usually do not have too much impact on my decision. If the synopsis grabs my attention I'm more apt to go by that than the reviews of others; along with the author and genre.<br /><br />And … as Mason said, if a <i>friend</i> recommends a book to me that has even greater impact!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04855818112935929377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-1886446107164810292010-03-09T08:35:55.948-05:002010-03-09T08:35:55.948-05:00Thanks for all the info on review sites! :)
I can...Thanks for all the info on review sites! :)<br /><br />I can be influenced by reviews, but if I'm interested in a book because of the author, genre, etc, I don't search out reviews before I buy the book.<br /><br />Elizabeth<br /><a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Mystery Writing is Murder</a>Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.com