Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Why I'll Never Say a Book is Crap

How about that photo to get your day started on the right track? Ha! Well, it's Wednesday, it's raining, and I've just awoken from a tiny nap. Hope your week is going well!

If you read enough Amazon reviews, chances are you'll come across phrases like 'I don't know how this book got published', 'load of dross', 'could have been written by a three-year-old' and so on.

While I'm the first to say that every customer is entitled to their own opinion, I would never decry any novel as 'crap'. Why? Well, if there's one thing I've learned over the past few years, it's that readers'  tastes vary widely. What's rubbish to one person may be 'the best book ever' to the next. What's boring as all get-out to someone might be the most exciting story known to humankind to another.

I feel the same way about genres. Although many types of books don't appeal to me, I'd never say one genre is more worthy than another. That would be like me saying vegetables are a waste of supermarket-shelf space just because I don't like them. Silly, eh?

What genre would you like to see gain more appreciation or shelf-space? And do you like veggies? :)

71 comments:

  1. I love veggies, but not butter beans.... yuk! For me, I would like to see more unknown authors showcasing their books not only on social media but in the shops and supermarkets.... some fab new authors out there, I've read a few of them, mixed genres too.... all fab!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree. Not all books are for everyone, which is a good thing. I know I can't read every book out there, and if every book was my type of book I enjoyed reading, then it'd make me sad I couldn't read more.

    As for what genre I'd like to see gain more appreciation or shelf-space, I'm not sure.

    And yes, I do like veggies. Then again, I'd be a pretty sorry vegetarian if I didn't. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with the no crap rule. =) I think Horror has gotten the short end of the stick as far as validity. I've heard some horror writers say they want to be taken seriously so they jump onto another genre. But what can be more serious then the balance between life and death..with a bit of gore along the way? =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. You've voiced my feelings exactly. It's so important to remember that your reading tastes are just that – *yours*. It's like saying people can only like the music you like, or the food you like, or the films you like… where's the sense in that?

    Having a day job in a library, I'm always recommending books to people that I probably won't ever read, but I think they'll like. And I certainly wouldn't tell them a book was 'crap' if they walked up to the counter with something I'd tried and didn't get on with!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I say this again and again. I do not understand people posting negative reviews on something as subjective as books. Shoes I understand (call that a size 5?!?!?). Books, no. *Deep sigh*.

    Could we just have more shelf space for everything!?!?

    And as for veggies! I love veggies!! Veggies are the new rock and roll. Ahem!

    Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Me either, Talli.
    There's just so much subjectivity that who am I to label a book like that? And who says my opinion supercedes someone else's, you know?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can never get enough of Women's Fiction, told in new ways, and new voices. Bring on the books :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can't understand people doing that. Why post a review at all if you hated it so much? And why did you read it if it "wasn't your genre"? My daughter's chick lit novel just came out and the first review that popped up on Goodreads was "I hate chick lit and I hated this" or something to that effect. I thought, Ok why did you read it then? It's obvious from the cover and the title and the summary the book is chick lit!! Grrr.

    And I wonder if those people crapping all over books have ever written one themselves?

    ReplyDelete
  9. I do like most veggies.

    I agree. There I books out there I thought were pure drivel yet they were wildly popular. While I don't think I'm wrong I won't deny people their drivel. :)

    The truth is we all see things different, have had different experience, and interpret differently so like you say our taste our different.

    I also think some of those reviews I've read on Amazon are so mean they harm themselves rather than berate the book - or the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't tend to pay much attention to ratings and reviews on amazon or Goodreads. They're pretty skewed at the best of times. If a book sounds interesting, irrespective of genre, then I'd rather read it and form my own opinion of it.

    I don't understand why people bother to post such dismissive reviews. If a reader doesn't enjoy something, why waste any more time on it by going to the book's page and having what basically amounts to a rant? Move on and read something else instead which is hopefully more to your taste.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love that picture. I should print it out and have it made into a real sign and put it in my front yard so that people stop letting their dogs poop there.

    Anyway, I'm the same way, that's why I never read reviews before buying the book. I've read and loved plenty of books that had one star reviews. sometimes those reviews tick me off, especially when a reviewer puts down the entire genre. It's like, if you don't like this, don't read it and don't review it. Anyway, no book is crap. If it were crap, it wouldn't have been published.

    ReplyDelete
  12. So true! Sometimes people put too much stock in reviews. I remember going to a movie and I really liked it. Later I read a bad review of it and I wondered if I had read it first if I had gone to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I totally agree with you. The more I read and write, too, the more appreciation I have for books that aren't my usual taste. I think knowing the craft makes us look at them differently, Talli, because we don't only review whether we liked the story, we review how well it was written, too. Yep, love veggies :o)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Talli, I agree, everyone likes a different type of book.
    I'd like to see collections of short stories and flash fiction on the shelves, not only because I write them but I think people would enjoy short reads, in this busy world.
    I'd like to see more poetry too, maybe more accessible work, because again I think the world at the moment could do with it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My fav saying is this (especially if you receive a bad book review) 'Not EVERY book is written for everyBODY'. So true! We each have our taste and requirements in our reads.
    As a memoirist myself, I'm always surprised how many people are 'afraid' of, or haven't tried, memoirs! (Especially when you are trying to get reviewers to review yours! ) I'm always elated when I read where I turned someone onto a new genre they'd overlooked in the past!
    As for veggies...I'm a vegetarian, so YES I better like em or I'm screwed! lol
    Good post! Glad you have such an open mind !

    Lisa Vaughn
    The Gifted Ones ~ memoir

    ReplyDelete
  16. Absolutely; opinions are just that, and I'll state my opinions as that: 'it didn't appeal to my," or "right up my ally." I kinda like having my Fantasy & SciFi in the back of the store; it makes me feel kind of exclusive ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Awesome post! Just because a story isn't your cup of tea doesn't mean that no one will like it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is great. Also, your tastes change. Some days, you'll want to read something and you're in an awesome mood and it is just right for you. Some days, you'll have a masterpiece in front of you but you don't feel like reading "Crime and Punishment" so it will feel like crap to you. Hear, hear, sister!

    ReplyDelete
  19. So true! Reading is always subjective. And even though I don't usually read certain genres, I know there are books in each that I would love.

    ReplyDelete
  20. While I do have my personal favourite genres, I do branch out into other genres from time to time. Like you say, one's opinion of a book is theirs... and a different person will, odds on, have a very different feel for a book. There's a wide range of tastes out there.

    As to vegetables, it depends on the type of vegetable. I dislike beans, for example, but carrots, cauliflower, and yes... broccoli and brussel sprouts are good. Particularly in a cream sauce.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You said it so well and I agree! As far as expressing your views on a particular book, It is that way in which it is said. Not everyone is going to like the same books. Instead of saying it was crap, how about it is not my kind of book. Nicer way.

    ReplyDelete
  22. To each their own! Why pooh-pooh you don't care for? I guess some people are just wired differently and feel they have to tear down what they can't appreciate. Just ask Simon Cowell!

    Veggies - UGH!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. It takes all kinds to make the world go round is how I feel about books and genres. Something for everyone.

    I love all veggies : )

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think you're right. Decrying the efforts of another as crap is both untoward and highly subjective.

    And I like spinach. :) (Among others.)

    ReplyDelete
  25. When someone writes a book whether it's a novel or poetry the author puts their heart and soul into that book. It has been "Their Baby" whilst in the writing and publishing stage. I agree I would never call a book crap because that is insulting the author.

    I am in the process of having my second book published and the publishers are messing me about regarding the cover. The one they sent was awful, and the second theyw were going to send turned out to be the same cover as the first.

    Loved your post Talli,
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi,

    Luckily I have eclectic reading tastes so any and every author has a chance at catching my eye. Though of late I've been supporting self-pubbed authors as much as possible, in the main because I've met said authors via blogging.

    As for book reviews: if I see a really bad review I'm more likely to purchase the book to find out if it's as bad as made out to be. Usually they aren't and I put nasty reviews down to professional jealousy rather than think a casual reader would bother to comment.

    After all, according to an Amazon marketing guru books that have loads of reviews don't sell any better than those with merely a few. In fact, he said hyped books (OTT on reviews)often sold less because it appeared to have been hyped!

    You can't win whatever you do!

    best
    F

    ReplyDelete
  27. Well stated, Talli. There are books for everyone's taste. So be it.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would like to see near future sci fi like my own books gain more acceptance. Too much sci fi is in the future with impossible plots and ridiculous characters.

    And I do love fresh veggies. We do salad bars often!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm a meat and starch kind of gal though I'll pig out on a nicely trussed up salad.

    I am loving fantasy so I'd love to see more of it but that is just me. Give me dragons!

    I personally will have the opinion that a book is crap but I won't put it on a review. Why? For the same exact reason you mentioned. I may love the dickens out of a book and someone else may read it and think the author's brain was non-existent during the writing of the story.

    Tastes differ. That's just the truth of it. But if I am doing a review for a book I didn't like, I will give it the same professional courtesy I would give a book I adored.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Some people are born sour and try to make everyone else sour too. We're all different, we all like different things.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I agree with you, Talli. I've raved about books that people haven't liked and vice versa. And having written a couple of books, I know how much time and effort goes into them so I could never diss anyone else for wanting to write too.

    ReplyDelete
  32. That's why if I don't like a book, I don't even review it.
    I do like vegetables.
    And I'd like to see science fiction get more dap - of course!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I never feel prejudiced against any kind of genre. I'm pretty sure that something can appeal to me at a particular moment that I didn't expect. I don't want to limit myself in life. You can always find surprises in any place.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love veggies, pretty much all.
    I would like to see more sci fi. Although in the States it is decently represented, even if by indie authors, in Brazil we just don't get any authors published. REALLY. NONE. I mean, the last sci fi I read in portuguese was Isaac Asimov, for example. Not really recent, huh? :P

    ReplyDelete
  35. Not to mention, you have to respect someone for sitting down and writing a BOOK, even if it isn't your cup of tea.

    ReplyDelete
  36. interesting thought. That's true, even if we don't like veggies, there's a place for them. I have read some books that I think should never have been published...but I suppose there might be people (besides the author and the author's famly) who disagree.

    ReplyDelete
  37. While I wouldn't rush to Amazon or Goodreads to trash a book, and would never trash a - some books *are* crap, by any objective standard.

    My ex-FIL vanity-published a book, back in the day before e-publishing. I think there were 8 typos and misspellings - in the first half page. The writing was unbelievably bad, sentences made no sense, and punctuation... [shuddering].

    Now... I didn't tell him it was crap, I praised him for his stick-to-it-ness for writing the book, and found bits I could praise. But I also neither flogged the book to my friends (at $18 a copy) nor suggested the man should quit his day job and write full time, though I know that's what he wanted to hear.

    Now that self-pubbing has become so much easier, there are some writers who relentlessly market their not-quite-ready-for-prime-time books, including to book review sites (and then become upset when the reviews aren't uniformly positive). While I agree that most of the trashing via reviews is unnecessary, in some cases I think it's backlash by readers who may have felt genuinely ripped off by the way a book was sold or marketed.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Fantasy of course, but I'm more than a little biased :)

    I do my very best to find something positive to say about a book, even if I hated it. It helps to keep things balanced.

    And with the exception of Brussel Sprouts (which aren't a food, just paper-clad flatulence) veggies are gooooooood.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Well, I like a good story in any genre, but I'd love to see sci-fi get more appreciation. It has such a great variety, but it's often overlooked these days due to the paranormal craze.

    Any, as for veggies. Peas. String Beans. Butter Beans. Love them. Others...? Eh, not so much.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Ha! The pic you chose is priceless.
    And I wholeheartedly agree with you! I will never say another persons book is crap, even if it isn't the genre I read. People get so snooty about genres sometimes. I'm a romance reader/writer, and I'm not afraid to admit it!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I heart veggies!!! I am not sure what other genre I would like to see but I do agree with you...different strokes for different folks.

    ReplyDelete
  42. That pic made me come over to read the rest of the blog. I do usually, but have been lurking. XD
    I love me some veggies!
    And personally, I would like to see fantasy get some more readerly love. And maybe a little more authorly respect. (I always get that sad head tilt like people are pitying me when I say I write fantasy...)
    But you know those people who write those sort of "reviews" are mainly looking to start some sort of argument, trying to gain people's attention by making them angry.
    There are books out there I don't like, but I would not call them crap or demean the author and if I ever have done that, well... I am truly sorry for it.
    Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I like veggies :-)

    And I'll agree with some others. Horror :-)

    ReplyDelete
  44. It must be awful for authors to be told their books are crap. I went to review a book on Amazon,I realy loved this book and cried my eyes out reading it.Most of the reviews were terrible, saying what an awful book it was.This made me question my own taste but they didn'tmake me change my mind about the book and I gave it a five star review.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Great point Talli.
    I decided a while ago that if I really dont enjoy a book, it just means I don't rate it or write a review.
    I prefer to celebrate the books I enjoy rather than bag out anyone.
    Love vegies ...yum!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Really good point! It's all so subjective. I won't expect everyone to adore my eventual book, and I don't adore all books that I read, either. People are different!

    Yep, I like my veggies. I'd like to see more magical realism books--contemporary books with a magical or odd twist to them. Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I like veggies if it's with ranch or peanut butter...

    And thank you for being so kind and awesome :) I need to find people like you to be my very first readers...

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

    ReplyDelete
  48. I's just like music. People will HATE your favourite song.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Of course I love veggies! Silly girl. Especially roasted, grilled,and sautéed, drizzled with butter and/or olive oil and balsamic vinegar. About shelf space...I'd like to see more space given to literary fiction and to first-time authors.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Depends on the veggie :)

    I'm a recent convert to the YA contemporary, so bring them on!

    ReplyDelete
  51. ...I disagree.

    While it is, of course, very poor edict to post an unduly negative review online, especially if that opinion is a purely subjective one, readers can discern between not so good books, and very good books. And they have a right to make this distinction publicly.

    We have critics for this reason, and while the average Amazon reviewer probably doesn't write for the New York Times, the point of leaving reviews is to add to the general consensus and understanding of form and literary culture. While I would never condone dismissing a book just because it isn't your genre, or you didn't connect with the protagonist, your response to a book is more often than not a review of how well that book worked--not just for you, but as a piece of fiction, or as a work of art.

    You might not personally love veggies, but there is a big difference between the veggies served in a 5-star restaurant, and the kind that stew around in school cafeterias.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Well said - every genre has a deserved place on book shelves. And I do like veggies - apart from butter beans, like Pauline!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I completely agree, and I just shake my head when writers do this! I've read about famous writers dissing entire genres and I'm thinking, why? There's room enough in the world for all kinds of stories.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I have sort of funny lines on this one. I'd never do that to a 'small author'... someone struggling along... just getting going... I feel too much love for this community and like we're all in this together... either find what you like, or don't review it. If someone makes millions on poor quality though, I sort of feel like I can say 'Twilight was really poorly written'. (erm... or something like that)

    ReplyDelete
  55. That's so funny! Last night I posted a blog on a similar topic - putting bad critiques to use. Face it, our personalities and tastes vary widely, so why wouldn't our literary preferences?

    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  56. I don't understand mean-spirited people who would rather be hurtful than helpful. I LOve veggies, and I would love to see more humorous women's fiction with older protagonists. Who,me?

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love veggies and I am always willing to give different stuff a go - even if it's not what I would normally read...

    ReplyDelete
  58. I think that if you can't find something pleasant to say then don't say anything at all.

    I like so many genres and am always happy to find something new.

    ReplyDelete
  59. You're so right, Talli. I've seen writers bash other writers and it's just counterproductive and makes them look bad. Everyone has different tastes! For me, personally, I would like to see young adult books get more respect. And btw, I LOVE VEGGIES!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Saying a book is crap is not helpful to the other buyers who read the reviews (and I read the reviews). I want to know why you think it's crap because sometimes I happen to like crap.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Clarissa I've been surprised by how much I've like something that was called crap by someone else too.
    But this brings about another question to my mind, what about review bloggers such as myself. One of the motivators for doing this non profit activity is to share my book experiences, good or bad. and now and again you do come across one that you can't drool over. I'd never dream of calling a book crap though, if its that bad, i'd have stopped reading it.
    Love them vegies too, except for those little cabbage thingies from brussels or somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  62. You and I speak the same language! I may not be into a type of book or another, but that doesn't mean I can't find the good in them.

    Heck. I love Brussels sprouts! :)

    ReplyDelete
  63. I agree with you. There are genres I never read. Or I go through phases with genres. And I have given low reviews, but try to be respectful. I say what I don't like about the text, but don't question the author or publisher or compare the piece to a kindergartner. I can see how painful that could be for the author.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I like SOME veggies -- probably not as many as I should. LOL. I also like reading the one star reviews for books I love -- as a reminder that you can't please everyone all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  65. What an amusing observation! I've written book reviews. But they have been positive. I simply pass on books that are not of interest to me. Veggies...

    To be honest, I have focused this past year more on fruits, nuts and yogurt. However, I do eat one salad each day. This is the best season for Fried Green Tomato's with bread crumbs and a little butter. I'll have a look around here too...

    ReplyDelete
  66. It's important not to generalize with genres. For example, there are gory war movies and there are gory war movies that are also love stories. I would happily see the latter, while enjoying my favorite vegetable popcorn! Julie

    ReplyDelete
  67. Ha that's an awesome picture! I totally agree with this post. There are many, many books I've read and haven't personally enjoyed - and many genres that don't take my fancy - but I understand that's personal preference and that it doesn't make something any less worthy.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I saw this post this morning Talli and it made me remember yours. More on people giving their opinion on books, good or bad. http://imabookshark.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-say-you-saturday-girl-in-steel.html

    ReplyDelete
  69. Excellent blog post, Talli. I'm glad you touched on this topic because I have known so many people who become really judgmental. Actually, a portion of my most recent blog post focused on how others' judgment of creative works can affect the way one writes.

    As far as I'm concerned, as long as that art matters to somebody, then it has immeasurable value and worth.

    ~TRA

    The Red Angel Blog

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love veggies.

    I love horror. These days I see many paranormal books, which I read and enjoy, but I'd like to see more pure horror. I'm able to hunt a few titles down, but I feel that the genre needs more attention.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I like vegetables, but I don't eat enough of them.

    If someone has put forth an honest effort, I'm going to diss their effort. I might say what I think is wrong, but I will also acknowledge the work they put into their book and the fact that they managed to get published.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete

Coffee and wine for all!