Reviews – what do you think of them?
My thoughts – from a reader’s point of view.
If I’m looking for a new camera. or coffee maker or a pair of binoculars then I would read the reviews on various different makes and models before I made my choice. To me a book is different and I would rather read something that was recommended than something that had pages of reviews. Besides which some reviews are just a re-hash of the book blurb, and others go into detail of the whole plot of the book, neither of which is of any use to help me make the decision on whether or not I want to purchase that book. The blurb I have already read and the plot summary - well someone has saved me buying in that case!
The sample function on kindle is a good way to try out new authors before buying. I have also downloaded free books and if I have enjoyed them then I will look out for more books by the same author.
However other readers prefer to look for books that have plenty of stars and good reviews.
Someone asked me why I hadn’t given any five star ratings to books on Goodreads.
My reply was that I have given books 5 stars on Amazon - to me that is equivalent to 4 stars on Goodreads. I made a chart comparing the different star ratings on the two sites..
So on Goodreads 4 stars are for books I have really really enjoyed.
5 stars - that would be a book that once I had read it nothing would ever compare or come close. Rather like the Borg regarded the Omega particle in Star Trek – Perfection.
So glad to read your Goodreads rating is the same as I use, Janet. It's a pity I can't split the 3 star tho. Most books I've read & liked fit into this category, with some great reads at 4 star, but I need to keep 5 star for the exceptional. If I haven't enjoyed a book, so probably didn't finish it, it won't get a star at all.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. It does seem everyone follows pretty much the same system. It's just the odd book, that sits in-between two ratings, I struggle with sometimes. Diana J Febry
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