I read and reviewed a book and gave it 4 stars and then 3 star on Goodreads. I had time to think through the book and have a clearer thought about my feelings. My goodreads and blog are equal in the rating system.
I have never in my life been contacted by a author about a star rating -- Its MY review of the book and my thoughts . I had to get away from the bad mojo that was being sent out through email.
I have never written a book but I do pass along books to friends and if I like the book--I will share with my friends the book .
Okay I rate books with 5-1 rating system like goodreads but I also tend to review emotionaly and whether the sotry is oringinal or draws me in to read the book. If its good I will stay up reading
But what if you use the ABC or don't rate books--what do you do then ?? I think I might need to change my rating system and now doing a number and letter with it because of this incident and more of my way of thinking with kids and grades.
I actually would have picked it up based on your review - I think the star thing is being petty.
Cannot even believe that happened (star thing/Goodreads). That author needs to find something better to do w/time! Like write. @joellewrites ( author of restoring harmony)
I rememeber a Shannon Hale mentioned this same thing and wanted to know about writing reviews and I had just started reviewing but I remember asking this same topic
How do you do book reviews ??
I like stars, look for stars, and use stars.
ReplyDeleteBut honestly, it's the review accompanying the stars that helps me select a book.
In reading blogs, I prefer positive reviews.
On Goodreads, I actually read the negative reviews first.
In the end rating books is an emotional process. We're bloggers for fun not professional reviewers and writers/readers need to lighten up.
Question: Did this happen to you on Twitter?
I've heard of people being down right mean on Twitter.
Uh-oh...did someone send you a nasty email...?? I tell you lately some of these (ahem ya authors) are getting a little snarky...!!! I think its hard sometimes as the author because your laying your heart and soul out there for everyone to read and talk about....but then on the other hand as a reviewer thats what we do, we talk about the books we read
ReplyDeleteI use the star rating system too and have never had anybody say anything to me. I have thought about having two different ratings one for quality and one for how well I liked the book though. There was one particular book that was superbly written, but because I personally didn't like it my star rating was lower. I have regretted that, and thought about doing both a quality and likability rating to solve that problem. I am always afraid when I give a book a star rating that I might start something, but I feel that I need to be hones to my readers. It is hard though...
ReplyDeleteI only review books that I can happily give 4 or 5 stars to. The way I see it, if it's not worth 4 or 5 it doesn't need my help to flounder. Plus, it's all subjective. And honestly, I am afraid of hurting authors' feelings! Silly, I know, but my thoughts on a book are not definitive. They're just my opinion. I wrote a piece about Goodreads and stars on The Debutante Ball. You can see it here: http://www.thedebutanteball.com/?p=9748
ReplyDeleteI just started a blog last week and posted my first book review, but I definitely gave this topic some thought myself. I started with a star system, but I'm thinking of switching to a point system, where I score different aspects of the book separately (like plot, characters, writing style, etc.) and then add it all up for a total overall score.
ReplyDeleteIt's a real shame that some authors choose to get snippity with reviewers. You can't blame us for being honest. People have different tastes, different expectations, different qualities they hold to different standards, etc....no matter how good a book may be, not everyone will love it.
I'm a photographer and I post my work online...some people adore it, some people hate it, and some people don't care either way. I don't get mad at commenters that give me a poor critique. I may not agree with them (and yes it may prick my ego a little bit)but I'm not gonna bitch at or ignore them. So, I think some of these authors need to mature some more and grow a thicker skin.
Sorry, I just wanted to add that I think it's important for reviewers to post both positive and negative reviews. People who read book blogs want to be informed. I honestly hate it when all I see is glowing reviews, so I get the book, hate it, and regret wasting my time & money. Then,I think to myself, "I can't be the only person that didn't like this book...were those reviewers really being honest, or were only positive reviews being posted?" So, I don't think reviewers should censor themselves because they feel bad for the authors or because they got ARCs for free and now feel obligated to reciprocate.
ReplyDeleteYou know it is really ambiguous. Because a 3 star or above I would totally be like that is a good book. But if you got a C or C+ that is considered average right??? SO not as good as a 3 star.
ReplyDeleteBut you understand a grade, it is ingrained in us. And with all the kiddies, it might work for you better.
For me my blog reviews are more in-depth and objective, whereas the Goodreads reviews and stars are more subjective to me personally, and so far I've never had a problem with it.
ReplyDeleteJulie-
ReplyDeleteI know we've talked about this before, and I feel like there are too many books that get a really high star because we like the author or it is good for the type of book it is. But in all actuality does a book like Magic Bleeds (which I love and would have given 5 stars to on Amazon) deserve a 5 star review like something of great weight like Pride & Prejudice?
I think what it all boils down to is emotions. I have loved several different types of books and read so many styles that I cant judge them all to the same standards, which I suppose is why I have resisted a rating system for so long. Now that we will be implementing one soon, I'm going to rate based on how much a book consumed me.
Sorry for babbling on and on and on...
:) I think you did right by the way you handled it.
xo
I like stars in reviews for everything! They're a useful too IMO!
ReplyDeleteFirst off - Julie, you did nothing wrong and I would have picked up the book based on your review, so calm down Dear Author! (but now I won't)
ReplyDeleteI use a number rating and then a short explanation. Like a "2 - and just wasn't for me" or a "4 - great summer read" ...since like Day said sometimes a book just grabs you and you love it but it's not necassarily a classic. Plus I add my Loved: & Nitpick: in my review where I can vent a little about the little things. Your review should be honest - whatever it is and it's the risk an author takes putting his book out there for review. I think most readers know to take the "ENTIRE" review into account, not just the star rating and the author should understand that too.
Goodreads doesn't match up with my blog rating system so I often give different ratings.
I had one author that I told that I loved their book become concerned that I had only given it a 4 on Goodreads until they read some of my reviews and realized that is really good for me. A 5 is perfect (to me) and reserved for only a few chosen books.
OK - I'm done hijacking your comment section Julie!
Bottom line- you didn't do anything wrong - he was being a baby - don't worry about it...we love you!