tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post675444072714545919..comments2023-10-05T03:37:45.040-04:00Comments on Life in the Thumb: What? You didn't care for my honest review?Stacihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600979915661464945noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-82518491429018189962012-06-19T07:49:50.952-04:002012-06-19T07:49:50.952-04:00Sorry that happened to you. I believe negative re...Sorry that happened to you. I believe negative reviews can be more inticing to some people. Sorta like the bad boy image or you tell someone they can't have something so they end up wanting it more. The whole reverse psychology move. I know negative reviews on certain sites affect whether an author's book will come up on a general search, but that doesn't mean bloggers can't and shouldn't be honest. For books, I believe any publicity is good publicity. A book can't be read, if nobody knows it exists!Thoughts of Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572910467988997432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-75420277190699982392012-06-18T14:23:55.897-04:002012-06-18T14:23:55.897-04:00I loved this post! It is never easy to write a ne...I loved this post! It is never easy to write a negative review or a review for a book that I have so/so feelings on. But I think it is important to include those reviews to allow for your readers to get to know your likes and dislikes. I think that readers will trust your opinions more this way :) And I'm like you...I always try to include something nice to counteract the negative :)samantha.1020https://www.blogger.com/profile/04124614710493747821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-44307290295459103172012-06-18T12:37:32.323-04:002012-06-18T12:37:32.323-04:00Not sure how I missed this post, I'll blame it...Not sure how I missed this post, I'll blame it on my busy work schedule. I have only had two authors who got a little defensive with me. One took issue with a comment left by someone else, the other commented back about how many awards he has won and how great everyone else seems to like his books.<br /><br />My worst experience though was with a publisher who left a rather lengthy defense of the book and defended himself or having published it, talking about all the money he put into it. <br /><br />In all three cases, I sent them emails explaining my position and that I was sorry if anything was taken the wrong way, none of them emailed me back.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786139533776263328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-87959533370561335692012-06-17T23:44:23.742-04:002012-06-17T23:44:23.742-04:00Thank you, Staci! You said what so many of us fee...Thank you, Staci! You said what so many of us feel. Once I did receive a book and hated it. I contacted the publicist and offered to not review it and she told me that the author welcomed all reviews, good or bad. Loved that about him. Since then I rarely accept books and never seek them out. Reading my own books lets me say whatever I want with not second guessing involved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-35500388848815559482012-06-17T15:50:58.670-04:002012-06-17T15:50:58.670-04:00So sorry you had to deal with an author like that!...So sorry you had to deal with an author like that!! Your reviews are always honest and fair, and I respect that. What I don't respect is an author who thinks he/she deserves only glowing reviews. When you put your book out there, you have to have a thick skin and take the good with the bad. Love your philosophy...it's my blog, not yours. Well said!!Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08046635675540466183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-56282051368939548632012-06-16T22:59:48.867-04:002012-06-16T22:59:48.867-04:00You said it, sister! Authors should know that ther...You said it, sister! Authors should know that there are a lot of us that will steer clear of a book that is getting nothing but rave reviews because even if we love the bloggers, we have to wonder how any book can be that universally loved. I am much more likely to read a book that has a better balance of reviews so honesty in bloggers can really help books. The great thing about having so many bloggers is that you can get a lot of opinions; one negative review is not going to make or break a book.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05554217416500328610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-65295327457317536972012-06-16T22:48:38.710-04:002012-06-16T22:48:38.710-04:00They can steer clear of us by not sending us free ...They can steer clear of us by not sending us free copies of their books but they can't keep us from buying them, borrowing them from a friend of picking them up at the library!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05554217416500328610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-53265955643757539002012-06-16T13:35:08.919-04:002012-06-16T13:35:08.919-04:00I am both a book blogger and an author. I totally ...I am both a book blogger and an author. I totally agree that reviewers are allowed to say what they truly feel about a book, and I certainly respect bloggers who know how to do this respectfully. As an author I would NEVER comment on a negative review because it would show immaturity on my part. After all, when an author puts his book out there, he SHOULD expect criticism. That's the way the world turns. As a matter of fact, negative reviews can even boost an author's credibility because as you mentioned, it's easy to tell when fake reviews are posted. I love reading bloggers reviews because it helps me make a decision whether or not to buy the book. I always look at both the positive and negative reviews to get a balanced view of the book.<br /><br />It's important for authors and the book industry to respect what we do as book bloggers. It's a lot of work (meeting tour dates, writing reviews, creating eye-catching posts, maintaining our blog, etc. to juggle with everything else we do. Good for you for standing up to writing honest reviews! It's the way it should be.Laura at Library of Clean Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15252118683176350398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-8528682181326368952012-06-15T19:13:44.047-04:002012-06-15T19:13:44.047-04:00This is one reason I would rather work with a publ...This is one reason I would rather work with a publicist because after a while they know your tastes and if you do review a book that is not too appealing, the publicist doesn't usually get into a flap over it. <br /><br />I recently read a book I loved and went to GR to see the reviews. It amazed me to see several people thought the book was dreck. So, who knows, it's all a matter of taste anyway. A negative review does not stop me from trying a book if I like the synopsis. <br /><br />Bloggers that write how the book truly affected them, like you, are bloggers I trust.Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10282803815704229945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-24708471879106414022012-06-15T16:00:58.750-04:002012-06-15T16:00:58.750-04:00First of all, I LOVE the quote at the end.
I am s...First of all, I LOVE the quote at the end. <br />I am so far off the radar that rarely, rarely does anyone contact me. And if they do, it is because they know I like their books. I have had only wonderful experiences with writers, probably because of this. <br />I'm really quite stunned that this goes on.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-16786911282047789442012-06-15T10:22:42.452-04:002012-06-15T10:22:42.452-04:00I applaud you, Staci!I applaud you, Staci!Beth Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770840174293503835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-42398486932794601512012-06-15T05:22:13.044-04:002012-06-15T05:22:13.044-04:00I've been lucky not to have that kind of react...I've been lucky not to have that kind of reaction from an author, but I did have one poet react to a review I wrote and did not like my interpretation. She asked me to change my review, and I complied by eliminating a couple of words (inconsequential to the overall recommendation) but that was not satisfactory and she commented on my blog with her concerns. I just left it alone after that.<br /><br />I figure if it was that important to the poet to clarify something about her collection, that was her right, but I wasn't going to delete the crux of my review because she did not agree with the interpretation.<br /><br />Anyway, this is all to say that its better to stay true to yourself and your integrity than to bend over backwards for an author who clearly cannot take honest criticism from a reader. I would have posted my true feelings about the book and rating on GoodReads anyway! That's for readers...not authors!<br /><br />OK, so I've said my two cents and I say bravo for this post.Serenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04745809545249574387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-48639124534555949022012-06-14T22:11:57.258-04:002012-06-14T22:11:57.258-04:00Standing up and clapping!!!!Standing up and clapping!!!!Nise' https://www.blogger.com/profile/15586400022454009379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-77088657246850776312012-06-14T21:37:51.795-04:002012-06-14T21:37:51.795-04:00Amen Staci! Good for you!! I always appreciate you...Amen Staci! Good for you!! I always appreciate your honest opinions!!!!Julie Tucker-Wolekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16120580254018653082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-56673477624477313922012-06-14T21:23:15.062-04:002012-06-14T21:23:15.062-04:00Positive or negative, your reviews are always thou...Positive or negative, your reviews are always thoughtful and informative. I applaud this post! When compared to most bloggers, I accept very few books for review and have limited interaction with authors. Think I'll keep it that way...JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-22686702392119138792012-06-14T19:09:16.355-04:002012-06-14T19:09:16.355-04:00I feel like shouting out "amen sister." ...I feel like shouting out "amen sister." I'd much rather read honest reviews and make up own my mind whether it's a book I want to read or not. And I'd probably never review or read another book again of an author who tried to tell me what to say about their book.Robin Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07765229264945106765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-25373630166117905592012-06-14T18:49:00.797-04:002012-06-14T18:49:00.797-04:00I absolutely adore you and your blog for your clea...I absolutely adore you and your blog for your clear, honest, and fair reviews. I totally agree with everything you've said, and whilst a negative review wouldn't stop me reading a book, since our reading tastes are similar, I trust and respect your thoughts and like you said "our time is precious"<br /><br />Negative reviews are not personal attacks on an author, 'certain' authors need lessons in etiquette or a lesser sense of their own importance ;)<br /><br />I once said I'd rather watch grass grow or paint dry than read another word of a particular author's book. LOL but then again, I'm the type of reviewer that can give a book 5 stars while still admitting the book has technical flaws, it's about how the book made me feel! and that's what my friends want to know. <br /><br />I love that when I eventually come visit you, the Staci I'll be finally catching up with will be the Staci I've come to know and love on Life in the Thumb.Teddyreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553244883194436385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-15088847553349198352012-06-14T17:20:37.808-04:002012-06-14T17:20:37.808-04:00Love your list of personal blog rules! Luckily I ...Love your list of personal blog rules! Luckily I haven't really had any negative interaction with authors. The most I've gotten from authors when posting a review was an occasional "that's not what I was going for but it's interesting that you saw it that way" type comment which I totally didn't mind. :)Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15819241852604884460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-23386854444537773382012-06-14T16:07:26.471-04:002012-06-14T16:07:26.471-04:00I could not agree with what you have said more. B...I could not agree with what you have said more. Bloggers who only review 4star and up books are doing their readers a disservice by not passing on their honest thoughts and skewing the numbers.Melissas Eclectic Bookshelfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12954443867000135343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-12343301221231186712012-06-14T13:05:21.557-04:002012-06-14T13:05:21.557-04:00When I am interested in a book, I skip the 4 or 5 ...When I am interested in a book, I skip the 4 or 5 star reviews. Yes, glowing reviews are nice but I want to know the flaws.Moniquereadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14548770404418294147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-51958533840111402912012-06-14T12:01:44.603-04:002012-06-14T12:01:44.603-04:00Totally true....reviews must reflect our honest re...Totally true....reviews must reflect our honest reaction to the books we read.<br /><br />Anyone who has been around for awhile (like some of us...lol) know that not everyone likes the same books. Sharing your thoughts about a book is all that anyone can expect.<br /><br />Even my friends (in real life) often don't like the books I read...and vice versa.<br /><br />Too bad that some people want to "stack the deck." <br /><br />I have a "virtual" author friend who routinely sends e-mails asking me to vote or comment on something she wrote (and I know she sends these out to lots of people). It's annoying! But sometimes I do it, just because she is requesting it in a friendly way. But it still bugs me.<br /><br />That's her way of stacking the deck.<br /><br />Thanks for the great post.Laurel-Rain Snowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00101090217639410913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-36740520776376176932012-06-14T11:28:13.688-04:002012-06-14T11:28:13.688-04:00Bravo, Staci! I couldn't agree more with your ...Bravo, Staci! I couldn't agree more with your philosophy of writing a blog with honesty and integrity.....whether your reaction to the book was positive or negative, your followers come to YOUR blog to read YOUR thoughts and insights, not some canned response. If an author can't accept criticism of their work, perhaps they are in the wrong business.....it's inevitable that some people will like the book and others not so much. Even the "big guns" in the industry take regular hits by bad reviews and they know it goes with the territory. BOTTOM LINE: You have the right to express your thoughts on your own blog.....if an author wants to censor what goes on his/her own blog, then fine......but our blogs are a forum for our own reading experiences, and that's what makes visiting book blogs so fascinating! One of my favorite quotes is, "No two people read the same book."Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07716758796036142540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-261641723808146242012-06-14T11:23:29.106-04:002012-06-14T11:23:29.106-04:00I agree. Your posts are so thoughtful and polite e...I agree. Your posts are so thoughtful and polite even if you did dislike the book. I say keep on with what you are doing. Authors even bloggers have to accept that not everyone is going to like what we write but once we write it and release it, it's out of our hands.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14004178422343485278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-24145098983859603232012-06-14T11:20:36.329-04:002012-06-14T11:20:36.329-04:00Here's how I cheat - if I really, really, don&...Here's how I cheat - if I really, really, don't like a book, I don't post a review. This does NOT, however, mean that books I don't review are all books I don't like. The time factor is always a problem.Harveehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490108303790217277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5434452527977390355.post-67727086466090721142012-06-14T11:13:01.768-04:002012-06-14T11:13:01.768-04:00Rhapsody Jill and I were just talking about this v...Rhapsody Jill and I were just talking about this very topic. I reviewed a book today that I was not a fan of, yet SO MANY bloggers gave it 4-5 stars on GR! How can that be? I picked it apart, looked at the positive side and still couldn't muster up more than one star for it. <br /><br />I know these days, publicists are beginning to steer clear of us that post both negatives and positives but I refuse to be a puppet. I post what I feel. So be it.Tihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00926060806244061354noreply@blogger.com