Most people read reviews to find out about upcoming books that might be of interest. I do this too, but occasionally, I’ll read reviews after I’ve finished the book.
Once, I read a book and thought I found a giant pink elephant in it that none of the characters seemed to notice but was convinced I was mistaken because this was a NY Times Bestseller. So I went looking for reviews - and there were others who’d seen the elephant!
But mostly, I read reviews after the fact to find out what others thought of the book - sort of like a conversation in a virtual bookclub. Do any of you do this? Do you do it for books you liked or those you didn’t?
So glad you said this. I do that too. I find it so much more interesting once I’ve read a book, to see what others have said, and the things they thought were the highs or lows. It IS like a conversation, you’re so right.
Comment by Saskia Walker — September 20, 2006 @ 3:14 pm
I do that too Nalini. I dont read reviews (unless they’re of friends’ books) before reading a book simply because I dont know the reviewer and their opinion doesnt matter one wit to me. Who’s to say their taste will be similar to mine, whether good or bad?
I prefer reading them after the fact to see if there’s a consensus out there - especially for books I didn’t particularly enjoy.
Comment by Heather — September 20, 2006 @ 4:12 pm
Funny you should mention this! I read a book I enjoyed so much that when I came across reviews that were negative, I completely disregarded them. If I had let those negative reviews stop me, I might have missed a great read (and there were plenty of people and reviewers who agreed with me that the book was good!). The book was a bestseller, but there are always people who dislike books–even if they’re popular, even if they’re bestellser, even if they’re well reviewed or award winners. Read it and decide for yourself, I always say. (Even my 13 year old nephew says he reads the movie reviews but doesn’t care if the reviews are bad. He says he’ll see the move and decide for himself, thank you very much! I just love my nephew!)
Luv,
Cleo Coyle
Latest release…Murder Most Frothy
Comment by Cleo — September 20, 2006 @ 5:57 pm
Oddly enough, I love to read reviews, but they usually aren’t about books I will read, want to read, or have read. Only ONCE have I ever bought a book from a review…and the review said the book was terrible. I happened to think the reviewer made it sound interesting at the least, so I bought it. LOL.
Anyway, I read them because I like seeing what reviewers–who are also readers–like and don’t like. What makes a good and bad book, etc.
Comment by Alyssa Brooks — September 20, 2006 @ 11:51 pm
Saskia - isn’t it just? Like finding a whole lot of people with the same exact interest.
Heather - I read more reviews of books I didn’t like than those I liked, too. For the ones I liked, I sometimes don’t want the gloss rubbed off by a negative review!
Cleo - your nephew sounds like a smart kid!
Alyssa - I do that for some books, too. I think also, it helps you keep up with the new books that are coming out. Even if you can’t read every single one of them, you can get an idea of why it’s hot.
Comment by Nalini Singh — September 21, 2006 @ 12:40 am
I do read reviews, but I truly am an impulse buyer when it comes to books. I can’t say a review has ever stopped me from buying a work of fiction, but nonfiction–yes, the reviews do stop me if there are lots of negatives.
Comment by Liane Gentry Skye — September 21, 2006 @ 8:10 am
I love reading reviews after the book just to see if the reviewer and I agree.
Comment by Little Lamb Lost — September 21, 2006 @ 1:24 pm
Liane - I’m the same - if I’m in a store, I’ll pick up what looks interesting.
Little Lamb Lost - Isn’t it funny how something you might’ve loved sometimes just didn’t work for the reviewer?
Comment by Nalini Singh — September 21, 2006 @ 2:39 pm
I tend to do this more with movies, for some reason. If I’ve been to a movie I like, I want to know what other people thought about it.
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — September 21, 2006 @ 4:33 pm
Rebecca - that makes me think about how long it’s been since I went to the movies!
Comment by Nalini Singh — September 22, 2006 @ 3:41 am
I do read reviews. I don’t go out and look for them, but if I happen on them, I’ll read them whether or not I’ve read the book. I don’t think reading reviews will affect my opinion of the book.
Comment by May — September 22, 2006 @ 1:16 pm