First, it's a personal attack. It usually has little to do with the book and more to do with someone feeling insulted. Just because you like a book that other people have panned doesn't necessarily mean you're stupid. It just means your tastes are different.
(Plus, if you go around challenging people to become writers, they just might take you up on it. And then you'll have to eat your words if they write something good!)
Second, many of us could do better. But not everybody wants to be a writer. Some people are content to just be readers. And that's perfectly fine. What's not perfectly fine is to imply that, as a reader, you must like every book in existence. That's simply not realistic, and it denies the fact that we are all individuals with different opinions and tastes (and aptitudes for syntax).
Third, you don't need to be a writer to know when a book is just plain bad (unfortunately, being an editor doesn't seem to help much in some instances, either). Imagine that you go to a restaurant and order a fancy meal. But when you get your food, the salad tastes moldy, the chicken is rubbery, and the dessert is burnt. You don't need to be a five-star chef in order to know that your food tastes bad. Similarly, you don't need to be an author to know when a book is garbage.Sometimes reviews pointing out the shortcomings of a book (or a restaurant) are necessary. If we weren't allowed to give bad reviews, we'd all have to sit there, smiling, while we choked down rubbery chicken with a side of sautéed genre fiction. And what's enjoyable about that?
I'm totally with you - that's a completely lame argument that I have never understood.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Personally I need bad reviews. If a book is truly bad and more than one person thinks that, then maybe I should be reading something else? Afterall there are so many books in the world. Its like bad food, I can't waste my time on bad food!
ReplyDeleteAmen! and this is why I follow you. xD
ReplyDeleteYou have said it, sister. For example, I tend to pick up some really good books. I don't know. I'm just drawn to good books and I rarely ever read something that I don't like. That's why sometimes the opposite of that insult equals the offensiveness. Like, "Geez, you like every single book! This book was actually pretty bad!" Again, I always say that people have different opinions. Both sides are welcomed and expected to be shared but with respect. I'm so glad that you posted this :) Good job!
ReplyDeleteHear Hear! With all the books written and all the different kinds of people, our differences and likes and dislikes are what make life interesting. There will always be detractors and there will always be fanatics, for the same book mind you! Revel in our differences! If I write a bad review and you loved the book, write a good review, we all have our own opinions and our ability to express them is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love the way you compared the situation to crappy food! It's true... there has to be positive and negative reviews. That's really the beauty about reading-a book you might completely hate will be someone else's favorite read. Everyone takes something different once they finish a book. :/
ReplyDeleteOne word: Amen
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! I completely agree with you. Everyone has different tastes and I just cannot get people who get so offended when you don't share their opinion on a book! What point would there be in my posting reviews if I didn't express my honest opinion? Besides, constructive criticism is one way by which authors can better their own writing skills. If I published a book, I would want all the feedback whether it be good or bad, never mind protecting my feelings.
ReplyDeleteI hope you haven't been getting mean mail...
ReplyDeleteAnyway I love bad reviews. They stop me wasting my time on books that are poorly executed. If a blogger tols me a book was great, I read it and then thought this book is seriously flawed, I would not trust that blogger's reviews anymore. Naturally, people have different tastes but when a book is really appalling I think it transcends book tastes. I like bloggers I follow to be completely honest about the books they read. If others don't like it, then why do they read that blog? Weird!
I know just what you mean. Just like in all areas of life, can you imagine just how boring a place the world would be if we all enjoyed the same things and had the same opinions on everything? Book reviewing is all about our own, very personal, take on the subject matter.
ReplyDeleteExcellent and SO true! Shoot we're here because we love books and we want to help each other choose books. If they don't like reviews and different opinions then why are they reading reviews?
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!! Also, has anyone heard of constructive criticism? Sometimes pointing out the down parts of a book helps to make the next all the better. People need to hear what others want to read or need to have to get what is going on in the book.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that everyone has different tastes and you have to take that into consideration when reading the reviews. I know I do. I know who usually likes the same books as me and who doesn't. I look at that when I read a review. I am not going to chew someone out over a bad review. Many bad reviews I have read where done with good taste, it was just their opinion of the book. Isn't that what we are sharing, our opinion?
Okay, I totally agree with you on this. They shouldn't give you a hard time as long as you honestly and tactfully state your opinions... but they still will, I'm sure. Just disregard them! How dare they attack MY ladybug! lol K, that was kinda dumb but I'm in one of those goofy moods... I'm here for you, girl!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you! With so many books to read, it's only normal that people would want to know what's good AND bad about a book. I enjoy both kinds of reviews when they are respectful, even when someone doesn't like I book I loved. It's a good thing that we don't all loved the same books ; I don't get why some "groupies" don't get that!
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. We don't all like the same books and it's good to read honest reviews whether good or bad.
ReplyDelete