TGIF is brought to us by Ginger at GReads!
It's a way for bloggers to celebrate the end of the week with a nice re-cap of their weekly posts and to answer a random question.
It's a way for bloggers to celebrate the end of the week with a nice re-cap of their weekly posts and to answer a random question.
Writing negative reviews: Are you guilty of it?
Of course. As a book reviewer/blogger, I feel that I owe other readers, and the author, an honest review. "Negative," I think, is a harsh term. Most times I don't feel clear-cut negatively or positively about a book; I typically see some good and some bad - pros and cons, which I do my best to point out in my reviews. My main struggle is using a five-star rating system, which gives the appearance that I either really like or dislike a book. I know other bloggers use different styles of rating systems (such as letter grades for every element, including the cover art), and I know others that entirely did away with ratings. I personally use the rating system as a quick-glance judgement for readers; I understand that sometimes people aren't interested in fully reading a review.
Any way I look at it, I will not shy from writing the "negative" review. Of course, I won't bash the author or anything else to that extreme. Never. I think that's when "negative" reviews gain the unpopular views from outsiders, which blurs the lines for us bloggers. But so long as you can keep level-headed and keep the review pertained to the story itself, a "negative" review is perfectly fine.
(My apologies for the rambling!)
-----------------------------------------------
Waiting On Wednesday
REVIEW! Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Coming up this week:
REVIEW for The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter!
Oh I remember the whole can of worms? bees? things that are not nice? that this question opened up in the blogosphere and I think it would be unrealistic for an author or a publisher to assume that all reviews are going to be positive because reading is so subjective. Sometimes I really like a book and other people hate it and it's for the exact same reasons. That said, I am looking forward to your next review.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
ReplyDeletehttp://blackfingernailedreviews.blogspot.com/
So glad you brought up the rating system! I agonize over what to score a book. I always look at the star ratings before I read book reviews, so I know how important it is.
ReplyDeleteI think you can be honest and criticize a book without being negative. There is always something positive to say and being critical by backing up you criticism with examples and details is good.
ReplyDeletei definitely agree with you that "negative" might be a harsh term. i am leaning towards constructive criticisms. i mean, there's really no harm in saying something honest and it is our point of views, but i feel that we can do it with a light bit of professionalism. There are a lot of nicer ways to send the feedback through. Just my two cents. :D
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
here's mine: http://bookcomfort.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/tgif-2/
I don't like writing negative reviews, nor do I like calling them that :L I think that if you didn't like the book, you're allowed to write a review that isn't glowing, as long as you don't bash the author... Like you I try to point out the good bits, if there are any! :L Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteBella
www.cheezyfeetbooks.blogspot.com
My Hop
Hopping through. I use a 5 star system too. Most of my reviews are positive because I like most books I read. When I do give a neg review, I balance it with good things although I sometimes become too snarky. Conversely when I do a positive review, I try to balance it with a criticism or two.
ReplyDeleteMy Hop
While I don't necessarily like writing a review about a book I didn't like, I'll still write it. I agree with your about just being honest. I always try to have both positive and negative things in reviews, even if I absolute head-over-heels loved the book.
ReplyDeleteHey. I gave you an award on my blog. Check it out at www.gabriellenesiba.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I mean really, without negative reviews, positive reviews are meaningless. If everyone is writing positive reviews only, then what's the point? We'll already know that every book will be rated five stars, no matter what. I actually think it's silly that people shy away from giving their honest opinion about books. There's no need to be cruel, of course, and I never never never aim to hurt anyone's feelings, but reviews are a way of rating a product that you've bought. It's more for the consumer than for the author, although both can benefit. I don't like that people are made to feel "guilty" over their honest opinions.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I mean, there's always going to be someone who didn't like a book as much as someone else, right?
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday! :)
Lucia
iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books
New follower via Parajunkee! Great blog!
ReplyDeleteI agree! When I take on a book to review I do so with the understanding that I will present an honest opinion of the work. I try to be as nice as possible about a negative review but I won't post a good review for a book I don't believe merits it.
ReplyDelete