Hi Allison,
You are so right. I love # 7.

I hate giving bad reviews. Even if I don't like the book, I still have people check it out cause someone else might like it more than I did. It just means that I didn't click with the book is all.:)

you can't please everyone so you got to please yourself :)

#4 is so great...don't you just love to get under someone's skin occasionally?

Sort of made me remember the critques we had to give about each others translations in the university and for one of our teachers critque seemed to mean "nasty critique".

I do read the reviews but; I very much base it on my own judgement. A lot times I like a book whether or not it had a bad review and sometimes it could have a great review I don't always like the book. I keep an open mind. :)

I am usually not one who reads or writes reviews. If my favorite author wrote it, I'll read it. Sometimes I do not care for a book, if it sounds to close to a previous written one or if it doesn't engage my mind, heart or sense of humor.:)

I sometimes like to read the bad reviews because what they hate is often what I love. As for my own writing it feels like birthing a child to me, and all mom's know how protective we can be with our little darlings. :o

Critiques tend to be personal not general.
Since the point is seeing what works like pacing, characters and setting and what doesn't, my writers group sticks to those guidelines. Grammar, punctuation and slang can be shaped to more of a local flavor. The action and reaction between protangonist and others keeps me turning the pages.

I agree that not everyone loves every book but then again, even if a book is not quite your cup of tea, there is still good in it. I like when positives are given with the negatives and also when the negatives have a reason why.I never just write that I dislike a book. All books have some redeeming qualities, I just have to go into it and find them. An author took their time, pouring their soul into the words to tell their tale. I think reviewers should have the courtesy to look at both sides and list the good along with the bad and why.

Keeping all of the above in mind, it still has to be REAL hard to deal with a negative review.

I agree with number 1. Reading taste vary. How much I like a book might be a result of my current mood.

I am an avid reader and I always write a letter to the author of books I really like. I never thought to write to ones I don't like. Do authors really want my negative opinions?

:-( Type is too hard to read!

I really think that which book you enjoy depends on numerous criteria. I belong to a certain type of reader: I learned a lot of my English from reading when we came to Canada when I was almost 8. That meant that I developed a love for the language itself, with an emphasis on grammar and word usage since those were so important to me at that time. I enjoy a lot of different kinds of books and stories, but I tend to read every word. That makes every word, comma, apostrophe, etc. stand out for me--especially if the structure of the given sentence and meaning of the various words makes no sense. I also taught languages: French, English and German, and learned to find the logic in structure and usage. For me, the best books are ones that are well written, with an interesting story that is believable in its progression. I've just read a recent RT award winner (nobody here, lol) and I'm not sure why it won. The story was all right, though not brilliant, but the language use left much to be desired. (Maybe, as has happened before, the author's last edits were lost, and the sometimes incomprehensible first draft was used.) However, when I happen to write a critique--which is not often--I too take care to point out mainly the good things about the book with a short mention of what I think is a shortcoming. I passionately like authors whom other readers abhor. So isn't it wonderful that we all have different needs, tastes and expectations?;)

Therefore, I'd encourage writers to look up more things, to be as certain as possible that grammar and words (watch especially homonyms and near-homonyms like to home in on s.th. or to hone a craft; to phase out a brand or to faze somebody, e.g., Nothing fazes him. I never take for granted that I know the exact word I'm looking for. I don't think anyone will get unduly upset if your writing is correct--though they might think it's weird, but I know you will lose readers if you make too many mistakes.

I also take advantage of the Goo

This is obviously a hot topic, with both readers and writers. I think for most people an unfavorable review is as hard to write as it is for the author to read (or almost) With a few exceptions, I think most reviewers genuinely want to like each book they review and be supportive of the genres they love most. The one thing we all have to realize is how subjective this is, and not to make it personal. The reviews that hurt are the ones that seem to attack the author herself (or himself). But those tend to be few and far between.
Thanks to all who have visited and commented so far!

I love your books:) I don't listen to reviewers - just like the movie critics - they get it wrong alot:o At least that's what I have found out. I might read a review - but too many times, the reviewer and I have disagreed...So I always take a healthy pinch of salt with any review...I would like to think that there are no "bad books" their just growing pains on the road to a masterpiece:)

I remember what a friend said about a critique and the critic: It's only one
person's opinion! BTW, I'm not a writer.

Pat Cochran

I typed a comment here much earlier today and it never appeared. I am puzzled as to why.

#1 is right on. Reading tastes do vary and how we perceive things in any story depends largely on how our own life experiences have shaped our personalities and character. Anyone reading any review should keep that in mind and remember that if it is a story that you have enjoyed reading, you should view it as worthwhile for someone else to do so.kcuu

I believe a reviewer should give their honest opinion, we each view things differently and like different things so that comes into play. Some will look at the language others will look at content, and yet others will go on feeling but that doesn't mean the author is wrong or a bad writer. I do think a reviewer should try to give constructive feedback. :):)

Hi there! Yes, I totally agree with you on what you wrote. Being a reviewer myself, I always try to keep the author in mind. If I have to give a less than stellar rating, I at least give my reasons for it. I feel if I don't, then the whole review is a waste of time and helps no one. Being a reviewer, I have met some outstanding authors and been introduced to authors I never knew before! I wish more authors could read your post today. I was spot on!:)