Where does it say that book reviews have to be "rated"? We live in such a competitive world-is it fair to rate a single book using a 1-5 point system, with that point system not being consistently applied based upon some set of specific criteria?
With television, if we don't like a television program, we simply go to another channel. Obviously, if something is on television, especially as a series, there have been a number of people who decided that this program met at least minimal requirements. Still, not everybody is going to like that program! I prefer drama as opposed to sitcom. But when I select to watch a sitcom, I normally enjoy it. What that means to me is that if I rated drama programs as a 5 out of 5, while I only rated a sitcom 3 out of 5...the rating means absolutely nothing! It merely shows my personal preference for drama!
Taking it a step further, if I compared CSI, versus CSI NY versus CSI Miami, all of which I enjoy...I would rate them all a 5. If I rated CSI(anything) versus Bones...I'd still rate them all 5's! So...a 5 is a 5 is a 5! I may like a particular program better one night but I still always enjoy each program!
What I have found is that I enjoy sharing my reviews on sites that don't require me to rate them...
On sites on which I am requested to rate them, I rarely give less than a 5...
Some people may think I too consistently rate high. But...Let me share my thoughts a little more. Many people may ask you, "What is your favorite book?" Now, for me, that just is an impossible question to answer! So, my answer is, "Whatever book I am now reading!"
Don't get me wrong; some books are not of interest to me. Some books do not "hook" me immediately as I like to be hooked! Some books may be offensive to me personally-what that means is that, if I had a choice whether to buy it or not, I would not buy it. Does that mean I automatically should give it a low rating? I think not!
I can list on my fingers of one hand the few books that I have rated less than 5.
Once, a publisher sent a book for review. Another reviewer from my site had already read it and really thought it was bad, so bad, that she was surprised it had been published and sent for a review by the publisher! I read it and said I would write the review. I gave it a "1" and returned my review to the publisher. We felt we should review the book since the publisher had sent it. If the author had submitted the book directly to us, we would have refused to review the book. We do refuse to review certain books and those guidelines are clearly published on our site.
The other book included a section that I considered offensive to all women. However, it was such a small part of the book that I felt I should do the review. The book was exceptionally well written...the author was able to use some excerpts for his marketing purposes.
Fun Versus Professional Reading
Many will have learned that I divide my daytime hours into fun versus professional reading. Some books that I review fit in any hour! I thoroughly enjoy that, because I normally keep reading that one book until I've finished it, some in a day or two. As you may have guessed from my comments on television programs, my fun time is normally dedicated to reading books of drama, mystery, suspense, forensics, etc.
When I'm reviewing a book to give a professional review, I set aside my personal preferences. I read that book, looking to identify and intuit the reason the book was written. Based upon author feedback, I believe I am normally successful in that endeavor.
If an author has written a book that has not been rejected based upon our guidelines, then it is rare that I rate it below a "5." What that means to you, readers, is that I have read the book, considered that book from cover to cover, looked at the books layout, writing and editing...
And, in addition, formed an opinion on whether that individual has succeeded in writing what is a responsive document as defined by genre, specialization (for nonfiction), etc.
Please... That "5" does not mean that I personally and wholeheartedly "loved" that book and couldn't put it down! In my opinion, those books, really, are very rare...I enjoy eating, sleeping and the rest of my life!
My goal is to help an author market that particular book. It is also to provide an overall review of the book itself and let readers know that, if they are considering a purchase, then this book has effectively and efficiently covered the topic intended.
Ok, I do gush over some books, I do get personally involved with my clients and want to help them...and I do sometimes personalize my reviews. I do not, however, rate high just because they are my clients.
When I have problems with a book(s), I contact the individual who wrote the book and/or the individual who has requested my review. Sometimes the author decides to withdraw the book for review at that time. Sometimes I proceed with the review, which may be a critical review as requested by the author. I use "critical review" to explain my concerns and/or to highlight issues that may need attention. It is not a critique; it is normally the same length as my reviews-one to two pages. The author may or may not then come back to me with a revised book to obtain a review to use in marketing the book.
From a rating standpoint, therefore, those books which I would normally rate "1 through 3" professionally will rarely be reviewed and/or posted.
Professional Versus New Authors
Do I think the writing and storyline of all books are equal? No, I don't. But just like the old saying-you're either pregnant or you're not-a book is either good or bad. Good books are normally published; bad books aren't. Some writing and/or storyline may be better than another, but, to me, that doesn't mean that both are not good books. If you really want to know about how I feel about a book, read my reviews, don't just look at my rating because what you will see is that, say, books by J. D. Robb and Ruby Moon-Houldson are both rated "5." Everybody knows J. D. Robb...but I review books for Ruby, so you may get to know her too!
Readers, if you enjoy giving feedback to writers and/or other readers, my suggestion is that you spend time writing your review and telling others what you liked or didn't like about the book. But, please, think about the book as a single book, not in comparison with the many others you may read and whether you liked or disliked it. In my opinion, book reviewing is not a popularity contest; it is a statement you share, giving what the book is about and specific ways that particular book met your expectations.
Think carefully when you give a low rating just because you didn't "like" the story. If the book wasn't good, why did you spend your time reading it? Any writer values constructive good and bad feedback about specifics in a book.
Consider the use of words rather than ratings to share your views with others...
G. A. Bixler
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Comments: 19
I don't professional review. On sites like this and others, I 'rate' posts the highest number because generally people are hurt or angry when I don't.
I go on to give an honest opinion.
I've seen some POD publishers offering with their packages a 'review' by a 'New York Times list' author for around $500.00.
I don't normally comment on story line unless it's painfully trite.
Merry Christmas and thanks for reading me!
I have seen more and more use of reviews by publishers...via the internet. I am intrigued by the search for reviews and posting across the internet...certainly one reason is that I do it myself. I try to post wherever my clients mine might want to "reside" to talk about their book(s)...my time involved is well beyond the money I receive, which is based upon length of book.
I'm not sure I'd ever pay $500 for a review, even if I wrote the book! I would try alternatives first... I also rarely purchase an Oprah selection...LOL If I were going for POD, I'd choose the least expensive alternative available, even if a NY top author was available to review my book. While I praise self-publishers, I'm not sure that POD publishers are doing anything but making a lot of money...for their company. If I knew of even "one" success story for a POD publisher...that was based upon the efforts of the publishing company...I may begin to think differently, but I haven't heard of any yet...
Of course, one of the options for use of a book review is to use an excerpt on the jacket cover. I probably read more reviews on books I'm considering and/or have bought than I do online at a bookstore, mainly because I buy books by authors. However, if I don't know what the book is about, I rarely look at the ratings...I go through a variety of reviews, until I feel I have a fairly good idea about the book itself. That normally determines whether I buy it.
You know, I think we all look at books differently...to me the storyline is the most important. I must admit if I don't like it, and I bought it myself...I won't read it. If I've been asked to review it and I felt that the book was trite, I'd be back to the author quickly... to discuss my feelings with that individual personally. I've been known to list phrases or other sections of books that were...did you say "trite?" LOL
I always enjoy hearing from you! You take the time to think about your response... Here at Gather where points somehow are involved (I've never taken the time to quite figure them out) I tend to comment to support the individual writing. At first I found I normally read something "professionally" and, I think like you, discovered that is not what Gather members are interested in receiving...but that's ok...I can be social too and realize that there are writers here in various stages of writing, so being kind is indeed the best choice.
Thank you so much for reading and responding...
Glenda
Glenda
For me, the choice of whether to buy a book has always been the blurb on the book jacket. Even though my books will be published soon, and I will be seeking reviews, I have never purchased a book based on a review. And I definitely have never bought a book based on ratings.
Like you, if I must give a rating, I always give the highest -- my rebellion against the rating system. Because there is no standardization to the ratings, they truly mean nothing. I have heard of authors who low-ball their competitors so that their own books will seem so much better because of a higher rating, and how pathetic is that? Even worse, readers tend to downplay high ratings (even when deserved) thinking they are from friends and family of the author, while giving an inordinate weight to the low ratings on the assumption that they are more unbiased.
A fair way to rate would be: the highest rating if reviewers finished reading the book even if they hated it (because if they hated it and read it anyway, the book had something going for it.) The lowest rating would be if they could not get past the first chapter. The middle ratings would indicate where in the book the reviewer stopped reading.
Until then, as you said, words are a much better way to review books than ratings.
Thanks for your responsive feedback!
I laughed at your "fair way" because it is as good or bad as any other...but even if it was the greatest method...it still would not be universally applied. As you pointed out, there are both "mean" competitors as well as "loving" family that sometimes get involved with ratings, especially at online bookstores...
I don't see how a rating can give you an "informed" choice though...I've read some best-selling books that I have found of no interest to me. And, as I mentioned above, I've never bought a book on the Oprah list... Perhaps that is my "rebellion" since I think that it is ridiculous to buy something just because, supposedly, one person has "blessed" it...but then again I might be missing some great books! LOL Fortunately, there are soooooo many books that are great and have never made it onto Oprah's book list...
Going online or into a bookstore, I, like you, first read the blurb to decide my interest. Online though, since I can't handle the book itself and explore it, I do use the book review narratives to learn more about the content. That's one reason I enjoy helping new authors so much... because they have so few reviews, the reviews are useful in their marketing and publishing efforts. My reviews have been used as (1) part of a submission packet (2) part of a news release packet (3) for excerpting for book covers...and then (4) for posting online to share the word person to person about the book. As I've mentioned before, I rarely review favorites like JDRobb, Linda Howard, the Kellermans, Dean Koontz and so many others...I buy them, knowing I'll enjoy the book...and, truthfully, writing a book review for top authors rarely enters my mind... their name(s) sell their books!
I do enjoy reading the excerpts on book covers, though, to see who has said what about the book and gage my own reaction! LOL
Sooooo, this reviewer must ask...why will you seek reviews for your books, if you never read them for others...?
All that being said, I am researching review sites. Keeping my options open. I don't intend to go gently into that good night of obscurity.
As I said earlier, I think for new authors, book reviews can do much to help promote a book. Frankly I was floored when one of my clients, here on Gather, joined and soon thereafter had shared that (using a publicist) his book sales had hit 90,000. I was his first reviewer and editorial assistant, so I felt quite proud of what happened. Now I know that is unusual. His books had been turned down as well, and then he took the leap and proceeded to publish...
It all goes to show "the possibilities..." So never be gentle in your self-promotion!
All the best,
Glenda
I do think reviews are important (and I do choose books by review). Sometimes, I even read books by the people who do the cover blurbs, if I liked the book they endorsed, so you see, everything has value to someone.
Of course, I would rather read a thoughtful review of a book than just get a star rating. And a 5 star book to me may not jive with what others thought of it. Sometimes because of our own unique life experiences, a book may touch us in a certain way that has no effect on someone else. So, it's a great book to me, and just so-so for someone else...or vice versa.
I believe in reviewing and rating things honestly. I would never purposefully downgrade a book. I try and present a balanced picture of what my own reaction is when I write a review, and I think that's the best I can do.
My last two books were Exposed by Alex Kava and Show No Fear by Perri O'Shaughnessy. Both are NYTimes Bestselling authors. I had never read either author before. Both were interesting, responsive to the genre...obviously well-written... Yes, I had a personal preference for one versus the other, but as you said, it was a personal preference... I just could not see that to be sufficient reason to rate one book one whole "star" above the other...
One think I do know it that when I really enjoy a book, it is easier for me to write my review. Again, to me that supports my personal background and feelings being touched...
Thanks so much for your feedback!
I must admit I'm wondering how you can give insight about what is relevant in a book without giving some summary of the content. I even looked up relevant and got "Having a bearing on or connection with the matter at hand." Frankly that didn't help too much.
If I don't explore the book's content, how would I highlight what is relevant... and... relevant to what and to whom?
My questions are not facetious or meant to be sarcastic...your thoughts are "relevant" to this particular conversation and can easily be related to the article that was just read.
However, consider the two books I mentioned above. if the individual has not yet read either book and does not know the author, how could the reader determine whether it was "relevant"...to whatever...
Now I do enjoy those one-liners such as "Alex Kava knows the psychology of evil" which is on the cover of the book I've just completed. For Show No Fear, I read "Nina Reilly is one of the most interesting heroines in legal thrillers today." Definitely relevant to the content, I'm assuming since the publisher posted the two statements on the front of the book.
Now, let's add a ranking of 2 for Show No Fear and a 5 for Exposed (or vice versa)
I think I can assume by these two one-liners that one book is a legal thriller and the other is a psychological suspense book.
Let's say that Kava got the 2 this time and I add it to psychological suspense.
Hmmmm...
I enjoy both legal thrillers and psychological suspense...that doesn't help decide which to buy, assuming I can only buy one at this time...
There are no reviews provided to be the potential reader. Just one rank of 2 and one rank of 5.
Which book shall I buy?
Let's suppose that the 2 was placed by a teenager that read some part of the book and got "grossed out" by all the blood, vomit, dead monkeys, etc., in the content...
Hmmmmmm...
Personally, I'd make my choice by the few "words" I had available, not by the rank of 5 versus a 2... or like Pat above, I'd turn the books over to read the blurb...
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks so much for adding to this discussion!
Glenda