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Hey everyone. I just want to address a certain subject that I've heard whispers about lately.
If you look at my blog, you will see that many of the recent reviews, are all 5 stars. Most of the time, the books I read will get rated 4 and above. Someone recently made the comment that they wouldn't take recs from a reviewer who rates everything 4 and above, specifically for the reason that they (they being me) are not harsh enough. Now of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, I'm a free speech and thought kind of person , I respect whatever you want to think.
But...
I want you all to know, that I LOVE the books I read. As a reader, I know exactly what it is I am looking for, which is why I specifically purchase those books and request those books and not other books that I don't feel I would enjoy.
If I don't enjoy a book by a certain point, I stop reading. If I don't finish it, then I don't review it. Hence, why the majority of my reviews are high rates.
I just want you all to know I'm not simply reading books and raving about every single one I can get my hands on. If you take a look around and ask other bloggers (as I already have) you will see that there are A LOT of awesome books recently released and coming soon.
I bring this up because....
I really don't want my readers to think they can't trust my opinions. I don't want you thinking that I'm only here to get you to buy the books I'm raving about. Publicity of these books is certainly an important factor of blogging, we want the book world to stay strong and grow, but I'd say the most important factor is that we all love reading and enjoying books. We want to be able to find new books that we will love. There are a lot of reasons why people blog. I'm not going to say I don't enjoy the perks of being a blogger, getting free books is awesome, but it should be about something more. I know it is for me.
I know not all readers who read the same genre will love each book the same. Some will love one book that others might just hate. I know of a few books that almost EVERYBODY loved, but there were some people that just didn't like them at all. There will always be that. No author can please everyone, no matter how hard they try or no matter how awesome that would be.
Anyways, sorry for the rant. I want my readers to be able to come to my blog if they are looking for a new book and not have to worry that I rate ALL books the same. I haven't even posted a review this week because the last two books I read were also 5 Stars in my opinion. I was thinking I was just being too kind too, until many other people spoke up and said that most from this year are just that amazing.
I have already considered changing my reviewing methods because I don't want to just throw all these 5 stars around. Some people take out rates and simply stick to recommending ones they like, and thats fine. But whats the difference between me rating books I love 5 or me recommending it to everyone in a blog post, rates and recs go hand in hand in my opinion. At the end of it all though, I thought, I really love these books and I want my readers to know that. I stick by everything I have said in all of my reviews and I wouldn't change a thing.
End rant.
Love you all!!! :)
Sherry<3
10 comments:
I never would have thought that is why you do a book blog. If anything, you are smart! Smart enough to know what you like & be able to find those books. Maybe you should write a post about *that* too!
I want to say DITTO to everything you said. I have the same problem. I don't think I ever reviewed a book I gave less than 4 stars. And just like you, I choose the books I buy very precisely and I know what I will like or not. And just like you when I don't like a book I often don't finish it...or I just don't review it.
You know, getting free books is actually NOT a good thing. I feel very guilty when I get a book for review and don't read it asap. I'm certainly not reviewing for free books lol. Buying my own books meant freedom of reading whenever I chose ;)
Don't worry, people following your blog know you mean your reviews/ratings
Very well said Sherry!
I very much know the type of book I'm going to like and those are primarily the types of books I read...and then I like them. Kinda makes sense, doesn't it?
Someone once asked me why I don't review more 'bad' books? Wha? Why would I read a book, let alone review it, if I was pretty darn sure I wasn't going to enjoy it? Just to add more lower star ratings? Doesn't make a lick of sense to me.
Does this mean I never rate a book with 2 stars? Of course not! My reviews are honest and if I honestly love every book I read, I'm not going to hide it. And, if I honestly do not enjoy a book - you'll hear about those too.
Sounds like you've been riding a wave of awesome books lately - good for you!
No matter what your review (or star rating) I would never doubt your honesty!
I've been thinking about this a lot lately of my own blog because I tend to rate books I read really highly, because I LOVE THEM! I've only written, like, one and a half negative reviews on my blog so far (not that I've done a lot of reviews, but still) and even then it was a challenge because I don't like reviewing books that I don't enjoy. It's hard to gush about something that you simply don't feel like gushing over. Besides that, like you said, we tend to already KNOW what we like to read. Why should we have to step out of our comfort zones to appease the "negative review" quota by reading something we know we're not going to like. That doesn't do anything for us, the blog readers, or the author who might stumble upon the negative review and feel hurt. I'm in no way saying that bloggers should write sugar-coated reviews to please the authors, but I don't think it's wise to stick my neck out to buy and review a book I KNOW I won't like. I mean, that's why we read, right? We read because we like books, and that's why we blog too. Books are supposed to entertain us. It would be like someone saying "Hey, I know you hate reality TV, but why don't you watch Jersey Shore and then go tell everyone you know how you feel about it." How's that going to benefit anyone?
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for saying all that you did and for standing up for your blog and subsequently more blogs out there :) Very appreciated!
I totally understand where you're coming from!
I have been thinking the same and I have decided to do a DNF post and simply list some books that ended up being a DNF for me... at least I'll be getting those names out and I wont be trashing them...
Great post!
Great post! I could totally relate to what you said. And I agree, we started blogging to show our love for books in the first place, right? I think we're all friends chatting about what we like to read here, not people talking about dreading homework.:)
Thanks for making this clear for everyone!:)
xoxo
Hey Sherry. I know this is my first comment, but seeing as I'm in the peanut gallery I had to add my 2cents. Thanks for posting most (in not all of us) are feeling but hadn't had the guts to posst it yet. I agree with your statments.
I struggled with this issue so I quit rating my books in my reviews-however if you look at what I read on Goodreads, most of my books are 4 stars. I am being more sparing in handing out 5 stars now but it would appear that I really like everything I read (which is mostly true). Like you, if I don't like a book, I don't finish it. I used to make myself finish books especially when I was in school. Now I'm too busy to devote time to reading books that disappoint me. Keep reading and reviewing books you love. You are being honest in your reviews and that is what is important.
I'm the same as you. Most of my ratings are 4 or above, although I don't do ratings with my reviews on my blog, just on Goodreads. It's like I always say...I love books and in my opinion, every book has some kind of redeeming quality to it. That being said, I have learned one thing in my almost two years of blogging. You have to take opinions with a grain of salt. Ultimately, you probably started blogging for yourself, as I did. In the end, you have to stay true to yourself. Otherwise, how will you feel that you're being true to your readers? Honestly, I get pretty tired of all the judgy-ness (not a word, I know) in the blogging community. Everyone has their own opinions and way of doing things. If we all did everything the same, what would be the fun in that?
I agree, I'm not going to take the time to read a book that I know I'm not going to like. I do the 75 page rule, and if I absolutely hate it I'm not finishing it. There are so many great books out there so there is no reason for me to waste my time reading books I dont like. So yes like you most of my reviews are 4 and up. If they have a problem with that then thats just it, its their problem. Nice post!
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