How critical are you with your reviews?

[Marty Shaw]

I was wondering how critical you are when you review a book?

I did a review yesterday and gave it a two out of five. Why? Well, the story was okay...but just okay. I wouldn't have rated it over a three, but I gave it a two because I factored in errors in grammar and punctuation. I expect those things in review copies but I just couldn't bring myself to suggest readers buy the book since these flaws were in the finished product.

Do you consider things like that in your reviews or do you just base the review on the story itself?

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

I don't think I'd take points off for errors which could have happened during the typesetting rather than being the writer's fault. Then again, I can think of one author who consistently mixes up her homonyms; I think hers is a case of negligence on both the her own and her editors' parts. I might point that out in the review, but I wouldn't take points away from the book because of it . . . Then again, I don't use a point system, anyway, so what am I talking about? LOL! ;-)

On the other hand, I agree that if there are too many typos, they can get distracting and make someone feel bad about having bought the book. I had some classmates in uni who bought a cheaper edition of a required anthology so they could save money. It had quite a few typos in it, and because it was SF/Cyberpunk with many alternative spellings, they had to double-check a lot of words with friends who had bought a different edition. It was a hassle, and I'm sure they would have appreciated knowing in advance about the sloppy typesetting of their books.

Having said that, I add that my own reviews tend to stick to the themes, the character development, the plot development, and whether or not I think the writer met what his objectives seemed to be.

[JessicaW]

I tend to use

5 stars - I loved it
4 stars - I really liked it
3 stars - I liked it
2 stars - I didnt like it
1 star - I hated it

alot of the book I read fall into the 3 stars - I liked it but that was it, I woudnt rave about it anything. If spelling etc took away some of my enjoyment from the novel then I would factor that in.

http://www.pbbookends.blogspot.com/

[melydia]

It depends. If it's POD, then I may mention the typographical errors but only in passing, since there's no professional editor going over it with a fine-toothed comb. It only comes into play if it seriously distracts from the readability. If it's been traditionally published, however, that definitely becomes a factor, because that's just sloppy work. Sure, it may not be the author's fault, but they were willing to put their name on it, so I don't feel bad about including it in my review of the story.

[Shan]

When it comes to grammar and punctuation, I try to let that stuff go though it does irk me to no end when I see them in a finished product. There are certainly many cases where it's not the fault of the author, but if it continually happens throughout a book, I do wonder why larger publishing companies would let it happen. I will make mention of it in my reviews, but I don't factor it into how I feel about the story.

I prefer my reviews to be more about helping people find a book they might be interested in reading rather than getting into the smaller details of a book. So unless the small details become a major distraction, I leave them out of the review.

Shan
http://goodbooksandacupoftea.blogspot.com

[Eileen Granfors]

On my blog, I review ONLY what I want to share with people as recommended reading. On GoodReads.com and on Amazon, I can be plain spoken and somewhat harsh (See "Snapped"---ughhgh and also Brian Hall's book about Robert Frost). One author got back to me to say she knew people would either love or hate her book. I thought that was cool.

www.eileengranfors.blogspot.com

[Pam T]

Since the book was published by CreateSpace, I think you're totally within bounds for criticizing the grammar and punctuation. Mainly because this is a POD/self-publishing situation and any errors are the author's fault.

IF it was an ARC however, you'd have to ignore those faults because they are sometimes corrected before the book go to press.

Pam
booksforkids-reviews.com

[Mary Salvato]

2 out of 5 isn't terrible. I try not to be overly critical or negative, just honest.

[Marty Shaw]

Wow! My discussion is featured on the home page? That's a pleasant shock :o)

I appreciate everyone's comments. It's nice to see I didn't inadvertently come across as too strict with my reviewing standards.

I even got a message from the author thanking me for pointing out the problems with the book. He had gotten that peculiar type of blindness we all seem to suffer from when spending endless hours staring at the same thing and those problems just became invisible to him.

I also suggested hooking up with a proof-reader or beta reader to help smooth things out. I have nothing against authors who self-publish but another set of eyes looking over the manuscript is always a good thing. My own typos that occasionally slip by are proof of that...and you're absolutely right, Pam. I don't worry about grammar and punctuation problems in ARC's because I don't expect a review copy to be flawless.

[Becki Rizzuti]

I have given a book a rating of 1* before. In fact, I rewrote the review last night and made a point of pointing out that the book was being given a 1 star rating. I've also posted these reviews at Shelfari, Goodreads and Amazon.

My 1 star rating really is a "do not read this book" kind of rating. It means that I don't personally believe that the book itself is redeemable (i.e. it doesn't have redeeming qualities). In the case of the only book I have so far finished and rated with 1 star I know that there is a huge group of people who love it (especially considering that on Goodreads it is rated at 4.10 -- the highest of any book I have on there.

I believe that we have a responsibility to be critical of the books that we read: it is part of being discerning. I went hog wild not long ago and snapped up every book with a nice cover at Half Price Books (okay, not really, but I threw caution to the wind and went on a book stash spree).

I'm inclined toward preferring to both write and read longer reviews, because I feel that they are more expository and analytical than shorter reviews (though my own have been fairly short lately). I believe that the more detail you give abou the book, the better.

No, I'm not talking about spoilers: I'm talking about writing style. If I like to read something that is up front and lacks the flowery language that some authors (Anne Rice, anyone?) love to use so much, I want to know what the language in the book is like. I want to know a little bit about the story, whether or not it is well written, as well as having enough information about the "meat" of the book to know whether or not it's worth my time spending my money on.

We actually do authors a favor of being especially critical, because it can be a good thing for them as well when we are. We're doing more than advertising their books: We are giving our readers a good reason to spend their money on this author's hard-written work.

5 Stars from me really means something. I like the fact that it is significant enough to make my readers think seriously about purchasing the book, and I hope that one day my blog is popular enough to make people think about what they are reading themselves!

http://true-confessions-of-a-bibliophile.blogspot.com/

[Marian Perera]

5 Stars from me really means something.

I agree, Becki. Giving every book a five-star review is like giving every athlete a medal - there's no real value in that for either the spectators or the athletes. But because there's only room for three on the top of the podium, that means a great deal.

[Zoe Right]

I'm honest. I am your public. Good, bad or indifferent. I will tell you what I like, what I didn't like and how it made me feel.

I won't be mean. I won't attack you as a human. I won't be an Asshat. Well not most of the time. But if I love you I will promote you to the end of the universe.

Go read Cathy Lamb- she is the best author of all time! Ever. (not affiliated in anyway I just love her writing)

[cheryl sherrard]

I try to point out the author's strong point ,but if the plot has too many holes in it I will give it 2 out of 5 stars
www.bookaddict4real.com