Book reviews revisited part three

[lanalucy]

Got another email, from a different author this time, with basically the same wording.

I get free books, but only if I will read them and give them all five-star reviews, or email the author privately to tell him/her why I didn't like it.

Why even bother reading the books if all they want is a five-star review? I could make one up by scanning a random page here and there and reading the last couple of pages to see how it ends.

I didn't get as angry about this one as I did the first one, but I still think it's offensive for the author to ask for only five-star reviews from the "special" review crew. Completely defeats the purpose of book reviews, if you ask me.

Comments

[newnumbertwo.livejournal.com]

I guess that's a thing now. :(

[lanalucy]

Very disappointing. I don't get the logic at all, but then I'm not one to throw around five-star reviews willy-nilly.

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

So unethical.

[lanalucy]

Clearly, I agree.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

shame on them =( it's sad that apparently this is the way the world works these days.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

I decided on a title =) I added a sentence so that there would be a connection to the title. but thanks again for your suggestions, I really like them especially the funny one =)

[lanalucy]

Titles are my personal kryptonite. I usually have to have help to make up a good title for my own work. Glad my suggestions helped.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

yeah, it's my kryptonite too =/ and btw, if you had any help, if there's anything I can do for you in return just let me know.

[lanalucy]

I've got something I need a title for right now, but I'll let my beta have first crack at it. She's usually pretty good at naming my stuff. If she's got nothing, I'll let you know.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

Okay, that's a deal :)

[lanalucy]

Lowest common denominator, I guess. Authors don't trust that people will give honest reviews. Or something.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

I wish people would give honest reviews. I just saw a report yesterday about reviews concerning restaurants. They tried restaurants with very bad ratings and they were all really good. They have to fear for their business just because some people are socially incompetent or whatever their problem is. Grr.

[lanalucy]

My reviews are always honest. If I can't give an honest one for some reason, I just don't do it, but those are few and far between.

I have pretty high "helpful" ratings on amz, and I think it's because my reviews usually say what I liked about the book, and what I didn't like, and I try to keep them balanced/fair, even if I didn't like the book.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

it's good to know that at least there still some people out there who give honest and fair reviews. you can be proud of yourself.

[kdbleu.livejournal.com]

I read this from dearauthor the other day and I thought of you and your forced five-star reviews. Very thought provoking.

[lanalucy]

I'd never heard of dearauthor. Read that one and another essay, and followed a couple more links. Down the rabbit hole I go. lol

Yeah, part of the issue, I think, is that people don't use the same range for the star-ratings. A five-star book for me is one that I really, truly enjoyed, will remember after I've put it down. It made me feel something, think something. It'll stick with me. I don't give out many five-stars, and I count off for mistakes, depending on the severity of them. Other people give something five stars, no matter what, if they liked it even a little.

Ah, well. I'll just stay in my own little world and keep on writing honest reviews. lol