I've Been Giggled
I hop over to Mrs Giggles' website now and then to check out her latest reviews. She does snark like no one else and is one of the original online snarkers. Each book is marked out of 100 and she doesn't hold back. Well, today I see I've been giggled!
Check out the review for Dreams of the Oasis III here.
Once you've read that, I have a few questions for you: Do you visit review sites on a regular basis? If so, which one's are your favorites? Does a good review make you check out the book?
And just so you know my answers - I check out review sites more than I used to, probably part of the reason is that I find reviews for my own books and those of my friends and part of it is curiosity. Sometimes it's because I'm procrastinating! I like the reviews at Dear Author and JERR. Those are two that spring to mind at the moment, and yes, sometimes I'll check out a book after reading a review. It doesn't necessarily have to be a good review. I've checked out books that have two-star reviews as well as those receiving glowing ones.
Check out the review for Dreams of the Oasis III here.
Once you've read that, I have a few questions for you: Do you visit review sites on a regular basis? If so, which one's are your favorites? Does a good review make you check out the book?
And just so you know my answers - I check out review sites more than I used to, probably part of the reason is that I find reviews for my own books and those of my friends and part of it is curiosity. Sometimes it's because I'm procrastinating! I like the reviews at Dear Author and JERR. Those are two that spring to mind at the moment, and yes, sometimes I'll check out a book after reading a review. It doesn't necessarily have to be a good review. I've checked out books that have two-star reviews as well as those receiving glowing ones.
posted by Shelley Munro at 6:31 PM
4 Comments:
There are some review sites I read and take seriously, two of the three you mention are ones I consider to be run by people who would rather talk about the authors' names and make themselves look clever at the expense of others than write an actual review.
Tell me about the book. And if you don't like sex, don't review erotica or romantica. I can see a review saying there was too much sex or meaningless sex in romantica, IMO, sex should relate to the plot. But I see a lot of reviews by people who seem to be offended by the very presence of sex in a romance.
If you don't like paranormals, don't review them and complain they're not realistic. Here's a clue, vampires aren't real.
And if you don't like novellas and shorts, please don't review them and complain they're too short.
On the other hand, I've read a lot of well written reviews that will tell a reader the plusses and minuses of the book and as a writer I find that very useful (and as a reader too!).
Two great sites for excellent reviews are Don't Talk Just Read and Joyfully Reviewed. No numbers, no nastyness disguised as snark (and really, only Smart Bitches can do snark well and not be mean, IMO), just book reviews.
I have never been to a review site. I would never buy a book just because it got a good review--there are some books that are just not to my taste. I buy most by author.
Shelley, I'm just reading Lauren's Newsletter and popped over here and I must confess that I DO read reviews and I do buy books spontaneously even when I have a mountain already on my computer to read. I just read and excerpt from Judy May's website while searching for a contest icon and I went over to EC and bought it. It sounds funny and great. So yes it makes a difference to me.
I also will go on the EC yahoo group and even though I've been scarce chatting lately I will go and search the msgs for Laura Garcia's name because she lists all of the EC reviews and I make a note of anything 4.5 or better. I really like reading reviews.
You ladies certainly have your share and more of great reviews which means I own alot of your books.
I visit a few review sites mostly looking for reviews on either my own books or books written by people I know. Before I became an author I only checked out a couple of review sites AFTER I'd read the blurb and excerpts of a book I wanted to buy. Even then I usually still bought the book to judge it for myself.
I've never read Mrs. Giggles until today, though I've heard of her often enough. Boy, she's really a piece of work...
TJ
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