tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post4680678159546668933..comments2023-10-22T14:04:46.934+01:00Comments on Talli Roland: Karma, Baby!Talli Rolandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-91567613029530740422010-12-29T17:05:06.174+00:002010-12-29T17:05:06.174+00:00Mmm, tough question, and one well discussed by you...Mmm, tough question, and one well discussed by you. I've been careful to only accept books that I knew I would be able to say something positive about. So, I've been selective in advance of even reading it for a review. But, truth is, I've rerely if ever encountered a book that didn't have something redeeming about it. So, as a community of authors, we can foucs on the positive features. Good post for thought and discussion. wb (Note: linked from Crusing Altitude, or something like that :)Warren Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956713921509659993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-81654373510575210042010-12-21T15:29:09.832+00:002010-12-21T15:29:09.832+00:00Talli I really found this post interesting, as I&#...Talli I really found this post interesting, as I've been thinking about this question myself after writing a negative review on Goodreads only to find the author was also a Goodreads member. I suddenly felt really bad about the review I'd written, especially because I know what it's like to be torn apart by anonymous internet users.<br /><br />But on the other hand, these authors have been lucky enough to get published, and I think if anything that should subject their work to more scrutiny, not less. I think a good rule of thumb is to only say stuff you'd feel comfortable saying to the person's face. Sometimes, some negativity is justified, as long as it's calm, reasonable, and supportable, and not vicious.<br /><br />My two cents, anyways! Maybe one day that poor author I lambasted will be able to repay the favor. ;)Jane Doehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680205469340219275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-32642482783115580012010-12-19T09:40:16.440+00:002010-12-19T09:40:16.440+00:00Hi Talli .. great post - I'm late to the party...Hi Talli .. great post - I'm late to the party .. but a while ago someone was put off reading a book, because of the review - but the subject was one they were interested in .. so bought it anyway.<br /><br />Thoroughly enjoyed it & realised that the reviewer had a personal point of view on one tiny part of the book .. but how many others were put off by the negative review about the whole book - not just that tiny bit.<br /><br />I'm sure reviews can add a nice warning note, or say a personal gripe is ... but overall the book is really good and interesting ..<br /><br />Cheers - now off to read your next post, which is relevant to this one .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-83927751691105840242010-12-17T09:17:57.237+00:002010-12-17T09:17:57.237+00:00yeah, great post.
I've been review a few books...yeah, great post.<br />I've been review a few books on my blog and I have never felt comfortable saying anything negative other than - 'it wasn't the best I've read'<br />I've been thinking perhaps I should say that I'm commenting on a book rather than reviewing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-33490874543788495882010-12-17T04:56:40.654+00:002010-12-17T04:56:40.654+00:00I don't do a lot of reviews but I do praise bo...I don't do a lot of reviews but I do praise books that really have an impact on me.<br />It's a slippery slope, otherwise.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-92022737892688642472010-12-17T01:15:05.396+00:002010-12-17T01:15:05.396+00:00I agree that writers need to support each other. ...I agree that writers need to support each other. I rarely review books, though... because I thoroughly suck at it! But when I DO wtite a review, it's because I have something positive to say. Huge believer in karma! :)Cat Lavoiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11712502980229138259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-22385238171108381512010-12-17T01:06:31.839+00:002010-12-17T01:06:31.839+00:00This is a great question. I don't review a boo...This is a great question. I don't review a book if I don't like it. Opinions vary and I wouldn't want my negative opinion to affect someone's choice to read or not to read.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-13275350533207241242010-12-16T20:51:53.819+00:002010-12-16T20:51:53.819+00:00I would only review a book I really enjoyed. If I...I would only review a book I really enjoyed. If I didn't, I wouldn't feel right either 1) lying or 2) only giving the positive aspects. I guess if the author asked me to review it and it wasn't my kind of book, I'd have to 'fess up and pass on reviewing.<br /><br />Elana's answer made perfect sense.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-45838323683916362692010-12-16T19:40:56.926+00:002010-12-16T19:40:56.926+00:00I have written book reviews for newspapers. I thin...I have written book reviews for newspapers. I think you have to be honest and make negative comments if you think think they are warranted. However, I do believe in constructive criticism.David Macaulayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873439047946166820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-13284985706809756362010-12-16T17:04:56.729+00:002010-12-16T17:04:56.729+00:00I agree. I always try to find the good in a book, ...I agree. I always try to find the good in a book, even if I didn't care for it. At least the author got published and that, in and of itself, is an accomplishment. However, I do think that if it was a book I really ,really hated, there is no way I'd be able to review it and I'd politely decline.<br /><br />Happy Thursday,<br />JenJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683486631901017529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-7220498759255379882010-12-16T16:57:22.184+00:002010-12-16T16:57:22.184+00:00I think Elana's comment is an excellent one - ...I think Elana's comment is an excellent one - you review a book depending on what your job is. As an author, I wouldn't dream of talking about a book I hate - unless, of course, it's a classic and the author's dead - and while I do sometimes mention books I am not a huge fan of, I do still try to find good things to say about them. Love this post!<br /><br />Just been reading your post on the results too, and I can't seem to comment on it. Was that deliberate or is there a blogger glitch at work?Sangu Mandannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09464061265952789628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-32115779586391014112010-12-16T16:43:07.355+00:002010-12-16T16:43:07.355+00:00I don't do very many reviews because I find it...I don't do very many reviews because I find it impossible to hurt a writer by chewing on his baby. I mostly recommend books I've enjoyed and include a short synopsis and a sentence or two why I liked it. <br /><br />Real reviews are hard because the reviewer needs to read analytically and take notes, then be 100% honest. I've done a couple, and find I hate to read that way. Takes all the fun away.Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-60553515541252353272010-12-16T16:12:40.595+00:002010-12-16T16:12:40.595+00:00I'm sorry I missed this yesterday. Harry Potte...I'm sorry I missed this yesterday. Harry Potter finally opened in Korea and I went to see it after work ... didn't leave a lot of time for blogging. <br /><br />Anyway, I wrote about this as well. I originally wanted to do reviews on my blog. I requested electronic ARCs from a site I found, read the first book and hated it -- due to craft issues, not story. I didn't know what to do. I decided that I wouldn't be doing reviews. <br /><br />I know everyone says that authors should support one another and I believe that. I also don't want to burn bridges. <br /><br />I think Elana said it best in her comment. An author isn't a book reviewer.Basthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12561466241112288690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-9194710942154575182010-12-16T15:59:31.411+00:002010-12-16T15:59:31.411+00:00Talli,
Thank you for the poll summarizing the 3 di...Talli,<br />Thank you for the poll summarizing the 3 different points of view. I found it very interesting.notesfromnadirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-2942842175329518232010-12-16T15:46:57.454+00:002010-12-16T15:46:57.454+00:00As you know I've been struggling with this too...As you know I've been struggling with this too. I totally agree that we should be supportive and not tear another author down if we dislike something. That's where that saying 'If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all' comes into play, right?<br /><br />BUT. I do still think if there is something you don't like about a book, that you should find a very polite way to put it. The reason for this is, that I don't want people to distrust my opinion. I like to be honest, and I like to think that when people ask for my opinion, that they know I'm not going to butter it up for no reasom, or just to get a good review from them. I want them to know that they're going to get the truth out of me. I want their trust.<br /><br />But yes, I totally agree, if you don't have anything nice to say, just don't review it. But it doesn't hurt to be honest. as long as it's done with tact and it is accompanied by positive traits too.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-90821354987425235532010-12-16T15:20:50.249+00:002010-12-16T15:20:50.249+00:00Some people think honesty is giving bad reviews. T...Some people think honesty is giving bad reviews. That's what I think. Most people don't want to hurt someone's feelings and will go easy on them or not review at all. If I hate a book, I don't review it. I'm still working on Hating Game and liking it. I love the new cover.Elizabeth McKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08769477449767726442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-59716925279137159312010-12-16T14:52:58.425+00:002010-12-16T14:52:58.425+00:00I'm all for support! When critiquing a genre I...I'm all for support! When critiquing a genre I'm just not into, I still support 100% but also let the author know his lawyer, alien, or whatever novel isn't what I usually read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-71796153104826474352010-12-16T13:56:50.496+00:002010-12-16T13:56:50.496+00:00I've written negative book reviews, but only f...I've written negative book reviews, but only for established authors, and usually for books that have been around a while. I think among newer authors we do indeed have a job of promoting each other, and usually there is something to like you could emphasize. I feel like my integrity requires honesty, but not full disclosure... pick the good, limit what you say that is bad, and if that is not possible, don't put it out there.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-58650820200093432012010-12-16T13:43:05.272+00:002010-12-16T13:43:05.272+00:00I follow the golden rule, if you can't say any...I follow the golden rule, if you can't say anything nice (or at least neutral), then don't say anything at all. Geesh...if more people stuck to that half of the media would be out of a job. :)DL Hammonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02007260062331783715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-46279475208029251982010-12-16T13:19:23.178+00:002010-12-16T13:19:23.178+00:00I try to give a balanced review of a book whenever...I try to give a balanced review of a book whenever I'm asked to review one but I wouldn't write a write a review of a book I didn't like. After all a book I may not like somebody else might love.<br /><br />If anything I would give the book to someone who I think would like it - so it would get a genuinely good review :DJesse Owen (Reading to Life)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08057299676515885811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-76558228029891405252010-12-16T12:00:36.355+00:002010-12-16T12:00:36.355+00:00Even if the book isn't your "cup of tea&q...Even if the book isn't your "cup of tea", certainly you can find some nice things to say about it. And you're right, if you can't, then you shouldn't write the review. I have started writing reviews, but this is why I hesitate to agree to a review before I've read the book.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-40494389712335419452010-12-16T12:00:32.105+00:002010-12-16T12:00:32.105+00:00I find the redeeming quality in the book and talk ...I find the redeeming quality in the book and talk about those even if there are on of the billion secondary characters in the book.Joanna St. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06180782095853911283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-548389448934635182010-12-16T09:42:24.240+00:002010-12-16T09:42:24.240+00:00I write reviews for the Historical Fiction Blog an...I write reviews for the Historical Fiction Blog and our general policy is never to slate a book, be sarcastic about the writer's style or plotline and never compare them unfavourably to another author. Everyone gets something different from a novel and what one person may love, another won't appreciate. We give our informed opinions as readers, but we have no right to condemn a book as not worth reading. If we cannot think of anything positive we simply give a synopsis and a line saying the book may appeal to readers who like zombies with their romantic heroines! I have only had one novel I felt I couldn't write anything positive about due to a plethora of historical anachronisms which suspended my credibility. [One character said that due to the trauma her friend had experienced she would need a lot of counselling -in 1793!] I informed the publisher and apologised, explaining my reasons and they were very understanding: and they still send me books to review - so I didn't shoot myself in the foot!Anita Davisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068890701803582595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-72810768409660953832010-12-16T08:14:31.925+00:002010-12-16T08:14:31.925+00:00I just wanted to clarify my last comment further. ...I just wanted to clarify my last comment further. Focus on the positives but if there's something that eats you up, mention it if you have to but be constructive - always! Ying and yang/balance/karma. Be excellent to one another (as Bill and Ted said)! This really has made me think!Rachel Fentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10046917627054462214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869854312562524230.post-64416210218800220612010-12-16T08:07:28.597+00:002010-12-16T08:07:28.597+00:00I think "criticism" is viewed as a dirty...I think "criticism" is viewed as a dirty/bad word. It's not. It's a writer's best tool. If I am being asked to review a book I will read it critically, and give honest feedback - I wouldn't feel I had any integrity otherwise. However, I will not, and do not respect other writers who do this, diss a book or simply list faults. Criticism does not mean list clangers. That's just opinion and opinion is neither here nor there. If there's something that snags you with a book, sure, flag it, but evidence it, and most crucually, note why it snags you - what's your bias? What critical perspective are you coming at it from? Then balance it with constructive comments and note where the book works. Praise should always outweigh the faults else don't bother commenting.<br /><br />If someone were reviewing my work - after all the effort I put into it - I'd want honest/genuine feedback.<br /><br />Really thought provoking post, Talli. Everyone's points are equally valid and it just goes to show how different we can be yet still be there to support one another. Thanks.Rachel Fentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10046917627054462214noreply@blogger.com