Do You Choose A Book by Its Reviews?

[melissa love]

As an author I love to read other authors' books as well. I love to read a book that have me hook from page one to the ending, and since there are millions of book out there, I like to choose a book by it's reviews. I hate to pick a book and then once I read it, I get bored and I feel like the book is dragging on. But how reliable are the reviews. I have found some books that's are 4 or 5 stars and found out that It wasn't a good book to me as well as some of the reviews that gave it 1 or 2 stars. I try to look at the low rating to see what is bad about the book(if any) and compare to 4 stars that some reviewers have given the same book.

[Rituraj Verma]

Dear Mel,

I think that most reviewers over rate books. It is a common practice to cast a positive glow on material that may often be disappointing. I trust very few reviewers, and I prefer those reviewers who can themselves wield a pen better than most. If the reviewer has typos or spelling mistakes in his review, the trust level drops dramatically. 

 

Rituraj

[Ms.Tiptress]

Yea I completely agree with you. I have noticed lots of books getting 4-5 starts and wasn't worth anything! I used to rely on reviews but now I just can't use the reviews. What I try to do now is if the book has a sample I read that.

And I think a lot of books are being reviewed by friends or something. I gave a 2 star review to a book that had  bunch of 5 stars and I actually had a few people comment back asking me to read the book again. Like I didn't read it the first time! 

With so many e-books out there its getting hard to find the real ones. The talented ones. Or the ones who worked hard at their craft and not just finding another way out!

Ms. Tiptress

Passionreads

[melissa love]

That is a good point that you and everyone else had made. I get the point now that if I read the sample and the back of the book and if I like then I will buy it. I have also found so many book that are 5 stars that I have also given 2 stars to. I even read a book that's  a bestseller, but it a few typos!  Go Figure!

[Lisa Tortorello]

I usually compare the 4/5 star reviews with the 1/2 reviews also.  If it seems that it's purely a matter of one's opinion I take that into consideration.  If the complaints are about spelling, grammar, or they explain enough to turn me off from the plot, I usually take a pass on that book.

[melissa love]

I do find that some reviews do give spoilers and I hate that! I also find that reviews can be harsh, more so about the author and it's not their type of book, so why would read it if it's not your type of book! I had a lady give me a review like that.

[Rolando Garcia]

I am normally familiar with the work of the author from the stuff they post on their websites or other places before I read any of their books. But I consider the amount of positive (4-5 star) reviews that a book has a fair gauge of how good the book is if it has enough reviews (say 30 or 40). But just in case I also check some of the reviewers too and see if that is the only review they posted or if there are others (to make sure the author doesn't have a lot of friends). If a book has many reviews and a very high rating (which indicate people like it) any one or two star reviews normally indicate not that the book is bad, but that there is something wrong with the reviewers that gave those 1-2 star reviews.

[Donna Cooper]

I agree totally. 

[Laurence Northcote]

Hi,

I do not buy or chose books by its reviews.  I like to read just few words how I feel the writing and context... As you I get bored very easily... Reviews may help to see how many people like it.  However, it also depends whose people like the book! If they are X-factor's readers or Big Brother like... for me it is not a good sign...

[Patricia Gligor]

No, I don't choose a book by its reviews. The reason? Many people judge a book based on their own personal preferences and, just because someone else liked or didn't like a book, doesn't mean I will - or won't. I prefer to decide for myself and I don't want to be swayed one way or another by reading what others think before I've had a chance to do that.

[Laurence Northcote]

I agree with you Patricia... A book is very personal! The story, the words should be magic for you the reader!

[Dr. Sukhraj Dhillon]

No. I don't count too much on reviews, especially in the current environment.

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“Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there”. http://amzn.to/dMBLWW 

[Clint Morey]

I check the reviews if I'm not familiar with the author.  And sometimes a good (persuasive) review will lead me to buy the book.  I recently read a biography of Sandy Koufax because of a review by someone I follow on Goodreads and I'm glad I did. I'm sure I wouldn't have read the book otherwise.