QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Reading Reviews…
Do you read other reviews before starting a book or after finishing?
Tracy
I’ll read reviews for a book that is new to me or that I’m unsure about before starting. After I’ve made the plunge, I normally steer away from reading reviews while I’m reading the book so that I can make up my own mind. If I’m planning on writing a review, I also steer away from reviews until I’ve read the book and written my own thoughts down.
Ilhem
I usually read reviews before purchasing the book. It’s not the rating that is important to me, but I like to read insights that will help me decide wether it’s my kind of book or not.
Sheri
Hmm, that’s kinda tricky. I enjoy following allow with friends ‘journey’ of the book and typically base my decesion on adding it to my tbr list/wish list from their experience while reading. Actual reviews I save until after I’ve read the book. Mainly because I don’t want to be swayed or predisposed to thoughts before I write a review. But I tend to gravitate to friends or reviewers that have the same book palate as I do when buying a book. Especially new-to-me authors or newly released books. I know who to trust to give in to my one-click purchasing impulses…most of the time. But, surprises are to be expected, both good and bad.
Susan
I rarely read reviews before I read a book. When I’ve finished, and then written my own review, I’ll then go back and read everyone else’s…so I can discuss thoughts with other readers. I’ve had too many books spoilered for me by reading reviews beforehand. If, however, I’m uncertain if I can handle a book, most specifically w/ the angst level, I may skim a few reviews of trusted friends.
When faced with a new author, I’ll skim the reviews to get a general idea of the book. I try not to read a review that gives a detailed synopsis of the plot so that it doesn’t spoil it for me.
I will read the 2-star reviews, though. There have been some books that were highly rated that I didn’t like because of a certain quirk. Going back to read the reviews, particularly the 2-star ones, I found that others had similar dislikes that I have.
With a favorite or familiar author, I rarely read the reviews before reading the book. I’ll wait until after I’ve finished the book. It’s like enjoying the book all over again.
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That depends, there are some authors i auto buy so i don’t necessary read reviews beforehand for those books. But if i want to buy a book by a new to me author or and author that isn’t an auto buy then i do look at goodreads for reviews. I have a couple of people who’s reviews on goodreads i like or whom i know have simular taste in books as i so those are the reviews i look for.
But if i really want to read a book and i really like the blurb and the reviews aren’t fantastic i probably buy the book anyway because i like to form my own opinion :)
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It depends if an author is new to me I will go to my favourite review sites and take a look at the reviews before I buy the book. But if it’s an auto buy author I do stay clear of the reviews until after I’ve read the book I don’t want to spoil the reading of the book.
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I steer clear of reading reviews whenever possible because I don’t want spoilers. If a title and blurb hook me, I pull the trigger and try it. If I was dubious, I’d read the first few pages and then decide.
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It depends. I usually don’t like reading a review because I find myself remembering it when reading the book, myself. I don’t like that my own opinions might be influenced by someone elses thoughts. The only time I really read a review is when I’m undecided over buying a book or a while after I have read the book and a book blog (like this one) is reviewing it.
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I never read reviews until I have finished the book and made my own review. I have found what appeals to me might not with other readers so I skip the reviews. I have seen 2 or 3 star reviews that I gave a 5 because I loved the book. And the opposite is also true. A book that didn’t appeal to me others gave a 5. My reviews are for me and my thoughts on the book.
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I do read reviews of books I haven’t read and plan to add to my ever-growing TBR pile. Considering I like to take my time reading, I’m not wary of spoilers or feeling like a particular reviewer’s opinion will influence my enjoyment.
That said, I do like to go back and re-read reviews after I’ve finished a book just to see if/how closely a reviewer’s taste and mine align.
On the very rare occasions I’ll read a review on Amazon, I’ll search for the 2-star ones. In my experience, those reviewers tend to be very focused on their criticisms of whatever book I’m considering buying.
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