This week's BTT question is regarding reviews - Do you read them? Do you let them change your mind about reading/not reading a particular book?
My response:
I absolutely read book reviews! I'm always interested in what other people think about the books I'm reading. There have been a couple instances where a bad review has kept me from reading a book. However, sometimes when I read negative or controversial reviews, it makes me want to read the book even more so that I can judge for myself and have a legitimate opinion on the book if I get into a dicussion about it. A perfect example is the book I'm reading now. It's Elizabeth Gilbert's EAT, PRAY, LOVE. Sadly, I let some strong negative reviews sway me away from this book. Recently, though, I saw Julia Roberts on Oprah promoting the movie version and she was describing how the book affected her and how much she loved it and I decided to give it a try. So far, I'm really enjoying it.
I always read reviews before purchasing a book to get a general consensus but if its a book I really want or an author I love, I'll buy the book no matter what the reviews say. When reading reviews I always try to remember that not everyone likes the same thing so what one person thinks may be completely different than what you think.
For more thoughts on this subject, visit Booking Through Thursday.
I do too Lisa. I remember before blogging I would read through Amazon reviews just for book club recommendations. Now I feel so much better equipped to provide quality titles that are suitable to our group. A good example is at our last meeting one of the members had heard about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and thought that might be a good pick for us. Although this is a series that I want to read personally, after reading several reviews that indicated the content of violence within the book I knew that several ladies would not enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI love reading reviews by my fellow book readers. I've pretty much pushed aside the "professional" review because frankly they're paid for their words and they try to come across as more intelligent than the average reader, which totally turns me off!! Like you when I read reviews of a book where some liked it while other didn't, those are the ones I just have to read and decide for myself. But from my trusted friends if they say it's great I read it..if they say it's a dud..I don't bother!
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those bloggers who wasn't big on EPL...I'm glad you are enjoying it though. I wanted to, I really did want to enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteGreat answer. My BTT is at The Crowded Leaf.
ReplyDeleteI read reviews too - that's why my TBR pile's so big and my wish list's so long.
ReplyDeleteGreat answer, I love controversial reviews also, they make me want to read them - most times.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine
http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/06/booking.html