by Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks
Is there something wrong with you if you don’t like a book that’s receiving rave reviews and seems to be on every other book bloggers’ must read list?
Book buzz is a tricky thing; sometimes a book is over-hyped because the author has a killer marketing campaign and everyone in the book blogger community gets caught up in the storm. As a result, reviewers almost feel obligated to write a 5 star review. I admit to being sucked-in by this phenomena as well but that happened more often back when I first starting the blog. Now that I’m more established and have found my “voice” I don’t mind being the only nay say-er in the crowd. The first time that I read Moon Called by Patricia Briggs I didn’t like it and I never made it to book two. Weird, I know. Years later I gave it a second try and absolutely loved it.
Also, an interesting side-note, the majority of my negative reviews actually receive more hits and generate more comments than my positive ones. So don’t be afraid to go against the grain; the result will probably surprise you.
You like what you like and you can’t like everything; whether you’re influenced by others, your mood or the book’s marketing campaign is irrelevant. So, no, I don’t there’s there’s anything wrong with you or with me.
| Is There Something Wrong With You? |
About the Blogger
I review Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books with a focus all things werewolf. Based out of Ottawa, Canada
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I also have this kind of problem. There are books that almost everybody seems to love and I’m just sitting here and is “What is this? I don’t like it!” However, I overcame it already. I review books based on what are their strengths and weaknesses and how it affect each other. And yes, you’re correct. Nega-reviews seems to get more attention. XD!
Ivan
Rumpelstiltskin and Co.
Yeah, I totally agree. I just reviewed a book that currently has a 4+ rating on Goodreads with a 1. I hated it and very few agreed, but sometimes books don’t work for you ever or simply at that time!
Great answer!
I have both loved and hated books that received a 5 rating. Reading is so subjective, I try to stick to genres and things I like, and I now avoid reading reviews of books I am going to be reading. It took me until this year to read Hunger Games..LOL. I should also say I have loved books that people DNF’d or gave a 2+ rating too.
This definitely happened to me with Incarnate and Under the Never Sky. They were pretty solid books but it just didn’t get to me. And I do believe that hype could both affect the book on each side of the coin. More anticipation means more expectation. I really applaud those books that live up to its – or even exceed its hype.
happens to me with PNR books. I seem to have a different standard for them . Recently I gave a very popular one 2 stars and everyone else was 4/5. The writing/story was bad and weak, I am baffled. But sometimes people are biased when judging their favorite authors and that is to be expected. If you are going to use ratings to decide if a book is for you then you need to check out multiple reviews and get a better picture of the book 🙂
As a writer, I appreciate good reviews of course, but I understand when someone just isn’t “grabbed” by one of my books. Reading a novel is an emotional journey and a highly individual one — there’s no way a person can like everything regardless of how popular it might be. This works in reverse too. I’ve loved some books that a lot of other folks hated — the story spoke to me. Thanks for asking a great question.
I actually had this feeling recently when I read and reviewed Divergent by Veronica Roth. I just didn’t really like it, even though it seemed like everyone around me was in love with it! I still wrote my honest opinion of WHY I didn’t like it, but I also pointed out the things I did like it.
As for the popularity of negative reviews. I’ve actually added books to my to-read list because of a negative review! Maybe I’ll like them, maybe I won’t, but I think negative reviews can be quite helpful if they’re not just mean rants.
Angie @ Pinkindle Reads & Reviews
Everyone has different tastes. Sometimes it’s easy to get swayed by the crowd and feel pressure to love a book like everyone else.
Not every book is everybody’s cup of tea. As readers, we need to feel okay with liking/not liking books. It’s all just for fun, anyway. As long as we are all reading, we are all okay. 🙂
Never be afraid to tell your true feelings. Be kind, but be truthful. If you don’t like a book say it. You may be the only one, but it’s important to tell the truth. Don’t blindly go with what’s popular because everyone else is saying it.
Not at all… I have several mega popular books that are so bad I couldn’t even finish them.
I don’t feel bad, but one thing I know is that I’m a lot easier to please than most people if I stick to the genres I like. My experiences are a little different, I had listened to books that everyone has loved, but the narrator didn’t work or ruined it, in most cases, I wont pick up the paper copy to find out if it was a better read, so I always blame the narrator (bad.. I know)
I know I probably shouldn’t even been answering this question, but I had to put my 2 cents.
Thank you for sharing. I don’t do reviews, but I do read them. I have tried books that others have disliked and I have loved and vice versa. I like to read reviews just to see what others think of the books really, but it does not determine whether I will or will not read it. 🙂
@Ivan It’s true, you won’t last long as a reviewer if your arguments are based on feelings instead of strengths and weaknesses.
@Rie Conley I’m sometimes confused by the ratings on GoodReads…
@kimba88 I know that I should read the Hunger Games but now that the movie’s out I think I’ll procrastinate a little while longer.
@Sarahbotbonkers Great comment! I agree, when I book actually does live up to its hype then, well done!
@Sharon Stogner It is difficult to review a book by a fav author when it’s not up to par.
@DANI HARPER Thanks for answering! 🙂
@Angie Hmmm, that’s interesting that you’ve actually added books to your TBR pile because of negative reviews!
@emmameade.com Peer pressure! 😉
@Darby Karchut Reading is by far the most important part!
@Leah I agree, honesty is the best quality in a reviewer.
@melissastevens.us Thanks for making me feel better!
@Lupdilup No worries. Just because you listen to audiobook doesn’t mean you can’t have your say too! 😛
@Tina B I read reviews to help pique my curiosity but they rarely influence whether I decide to read a book or not.