46 Responses to “The Power of the People”

1. I do read some reviews and there are a couple sources that will lead me to good books. But I know everyone has different tastes and some reviewers are not going to agree with me. So basically, if I like an author, I’ll buy their books. If I like a certain storyline, I’ll buy those books as well. I won’t let one bad review deter me, but if I notice several bad reviews, then I just might check it out of the library instead of buying.

   by Sandra M. on February 2nd, 2007 at 11:43 am
   
   

2. yes i do, i read them. do not have much to spend on books so get the ones i like and the ones they say i should check out. so yes i do read them. i do check libray books too so i agree with sandra.

   by KIM H on February 2nd, 2007 at 12:15 pm
   
   

3. I don’t read reviews a lot. However, if I’m on the fence on whether or not to buy a book, I will look up reviews. I admit that bad reviews have a bigger effect on my decision than good ones. If I do run across a bad one first, I will look for other reviews.

   by Jennifer K. on February 2nd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
   
   

4. I usually don’t count on reviews to make my final selection. The blurb and excerpts are usually enough for me. If I am unsure about a book then I will take a look at the reviews. To me, a review is based on a person’s opinion of a book and I may not always agree unless it is an obvious writing mistake.

   by Cherie Japp on February 2nd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
   
   

5. I don’t read reviews because they are so subjective. I know in my own personal reading that I might not enjoy a story but if I put it away and read it at another time I might really enjoy it then. So I think that reading for me depends on the mood I’m in :D. There have been times that I’ve read a book and I really liked it but I ran across a reviewer who didn’t like it or I didn’t really like a book (even when I tried to read it later) and all I find are rave reviews. So no I don’t listen to reviews. The blurb on the book, summery (l like these the best) and maybe some excerpts (if I have time to read them) are what I use to choose a book. ~readingaddict

   by Wanda on February 2nd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
   
   

6. I do read reviews and have bought some books that I might not otherwise have looked at after reading a review. One of the things about a review is that they go more in depth on the story than an excerpt or cover blurb. So, sometimes you find out that the story is different than what you thought. This is what could change my mind about buying a book, not the person’s opinion.

   by Maureen on February 2nd, 2007 at 2:12 pm
   
   

7. I have just begun my own review blog, but I would hate if someone took a bad review I have given as their only reason not to buy a book. I write reviews because I enjoy talking about books. I try to enforce in a bad review the fact that although I didn’t like the book, there are probably a lot of people out there who LOVED the book. And I would love if a person who disagreed with one of my reviews would post a comment arguing their point. I think it would make an interesting debate.

   I do read reviews, but I would never allow a bad one to sway me on buying a book unless it had concrete evidence that I would not like it.

   by Maria Duncan on February 2nd, 2007 at 2:25 pm
   
   

8. I do enjoy reading reviews, but if I read a bad review I wouldn’t place too much importance on it. It’s just one person’s opinion

   by Mary J on February 2nd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
   
   

9. I don’t really allow reviews to influence my purchases. I might read them to find out more about a book or its plot, but I understand that not everyone is going love or hate what I do. Everyone has different tastes. I buy based on storyline though…not what others thought.

   by Jennifer Y. on February 2nd, 2007 at 3:05 pm
   
   

10. I like to make my own opinion about a book. So I am careful with reviews, although I am a reviewer myself

    by Danny on February 2nd, 2007 at 3:09 pm
    
    

11. I read the reviews but I mostly buy books if the story looks interesting to me no matter what the review says

    by Jeanette Jackson on February 2nd, 2007 at 3:43 pm
    
    

12. I don’t read reviews and base my buying of the book on them. Once in awhile I’ll get curious to see what others have to say. I find that fellow reader reviews are the most honest all though their views still don’t hinder what I buy. I have certain authors on my TBR pile that I always buy and sometimes I’ll read a new book from a different writer based on what the blurb or excerpt says,also if other writers liked the book.

    by Dena on February 2nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
    
    

13. I would have to say I take reviews with a “grain of salt” ….everyone has different preferences so if it’s an author I like …even if the review is not great…I would probably still get that book.

    by Lisa W on February 2nd, 2007 at 4:14 pm
    
    

14. I don’t even read reviews. I figure if it sounds interesting and grabs my attention I can make up my own mind about it. I haven’t even read a blurb about yours and I am interested…:smile:

    by Shannon Upright on February 2nd, 2007 at 4:15 pm
    
    

15. I don’t read the reviews because these reviewers may like a writing style that I don’t like but they do.

    by Shuck Ying on February 2nd, 2007 at 4:16 pm
    
    

16. I have read some reviews and then read the books and I have totally disagreed with the reviewer so now I just buy the books I want.

    by Deborah on February 2nd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
    
    

17. I don’t pay much attention to reviews. I buy books because I like an author or because the blurb on the back of the book holds my interest. I find new authors by word of mouth or by winning one of their books in a contest.

    by Carol on February 2nd, 2007 at 4:52 pm
    
    

18. Reviews are (IMO!), for the most part, subjective in nature. I have found in the reviews I’ve seen in the past some reviewers who won’t judge something on its merits, they base their review on personal feelings…about an author, a subject matter, some small insignificant detail in the story…
    I very rarely read reviews. And if I want a book, or there is a movie I want to see, I never let a review deter me. I prefer to make my own decisions as to whether it is good, fair or bad.

    by Angie T on February 2nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
    
    

19. I read reviews, but they wouldn’t factor in heavily on my decision on whether or not to buy a book

    by Aisling on February 2nd, 2007 at 5:38 pm
    
    

20. I read reviews but don’t always listen to them. If an author I like has a new book coming out I usually don’t care what the reviews say I get the book anyways. I usually don’t go get books at the library, since the books I do get I usually like to purchase to keep as my own.

    by Teresa W. on February 2nd, 2007 at 5:44 pm
    
    

21. Yes, I read them but I still buy my favorite authors and ones where the blurbs and excerps are good. If I read a really bad or iffy reiew I try to find another review to compare.

    I, too, find new authors that I really like by first winning one of their books.

    by Karen B on February 2nd, 2007 at 6:46 pm
    
    

22. I read them on occasion if it is an author i have not heard of. But I usually stilll ike to have my own opinion. I cant wait to read Blood Secrets, it sounds great.

    by Kris on February 2nd, 2007 at 7:47 pm
    
    

23. I like reading reviews but I don’t let that make my decision in book buying. I enjoy the reviews because I like to hear what others thought of the book. I try to give new authors a fair chance so I’ve been trying to steer clear of most reviews.

    by Janet on February 2nd, 2007 at 8:19 pm
    
    

24. I may read them but I do NOT base whether or not I will read the book on them…I would have been missing out on a LOT of great books if I did!

    by Kathleen on February 2nd, 2007 at 8:20 pm
    
    

25. :grin: Hi Vivi,

    I do listen to some reviews if they are well written and what the reviewer says resonates with me. For example, if the reviewer says something about a book that is negative, I will listen if that “negative” is a pet peeve of mine, and I know I won’t enjoy the book. If it is the kind of review that is poorly written and is unprofessional and mean, I won’t listen to it. But overall, an author’s excerpt is more likely to turn me off or turn me on than any review. What that reviewer might hate, I might love.

    Denise A. Agnew
    http://www.deniseagnew.com

    by Denise A. Agnew on February 2nd, 2007 at 8:53 pm
    
    

26. I read the book blurb to see if the book is something I might want to read. If I’m on the fence great reviews can push me over towards buying.

    by Sue A. on February 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 pm
    
    

27. I don’t read reviews. Don’t even read them really, every once in a while I notice when one gets 5 stars angels etc. But I make up my mind from the blurb and excerpts

    by Liz Denler on February 3rd, 2007 at 1:53 am
    
    

28. I ‘ve found some people’s reviews to be helpful and similar to my tastes. However, there are some reviewers who are either too easily pleased or hateful in their comments. So, I take reviews with a grain of salt and tend to rely more on the excerpts and book blurbs.

    by Laurie G on February 3rd, 2007 at 6:55 am
    
    

29. I hardly ever even read reviews, let alone that I would count on them to make my final selection.

    by Minna on February 3rd, 2007 at 9:28 am
    
    

30. I do read some reviews, but I like to read a book based on the blurb and the excerpts for it. It doesn’t matter if it got a good review or a bad review.

    by Amy S. on February 3rd, 2007 at 10:30 am
    
    

31. I do read reviews, but I don’t let them influence me one way or another when it comes to purchasing or reading books. Everyone has different opionions and expectations and I like to form my own.

    by Christy H. on February 3rd, 2007 at 10:52 am
    
    

32. I only read reviews to find out more about the book than what the blurb has . When it comes to the reviewers opinion I usually skip that part of it. Some reviewers are either just too effusive or just too harsh for me to believe.

    by Cat S on February 3rd, 2007 at 11:03 am
    
    

33. I will listen to a review, but a recommendation from a friend or me reading the back blurb is what really does it for me.

    by Pat L on February 3rd, 2007 at 11:08 am
    
    

34. I read reviews because I am interested in the opinion on the book that I am reading. But I have my own preferences and read what I enjoy and the background of the book is important to me.

    by diane on February 3rd, 2007 at 11:33 am
    
    

35. I have been known to go out and buy a book that got an awful review, just to see if it could be as bad as the reviewer said. I also buy some that get great reviews.

    by Robin Bayne on February 3rd, 2007 at 12:05 pm
    
    

36. I don’t let reviews sway me one way or another. There are too many other places to find out how good a book is.

    by Joyce on February 3rd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
    
    

37. I don’t read the reviews. I prefer to read the summary on the back of the book, sometimes one of the excerpts will catch my eye, and I will read it. Reviews are someone else’s opinions of the book, I’d rather just read it myself if I like the summary that is on the back of the book or if it just happens to be an author I like I’ll buy the book anyway.

    by Tammy G. on February 3rd, 2007 at 1:08 pm
    
    

38. I haven’t ever not bought a book based on one bad review. A whole string of bad reviews, and I’ll definitely stand there in the bookstore reading a few pages to see if this one is going to “click” for me before I add it to my basket.

    But I don’t usually buy books based on reviews either. A lot of good buzz can bring books to my attention that might have slid under my radar, but again - I’m standing there reading a few pages first.

    by Karen on February 3rd, 2007 at 1:54 pm
    
    

39. I don’t have the time to read reviews. I go on gut instinct and the blurb when I pick a book.

    by Jung Ja on February 4th, 2007 at 12:49 am
    
    

40. I don’t read book reviews very often. And if I did read a bad review for a book I was interested in I wouldn’t let that change my mind about buying/not buying the book.

    by Marie on February 5th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
    
    

41. I do read some reviews but I don’t let reviews influence my decision to buy a book.

    by Crystal B. on February 5th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
    
    

42. Hello Vivi,

    YaY! Can’t wait for your new book to come out. Love the cover :-)

    Yes I do read reviews even if they are bad it doesn’t stop me from picking up the book and trying it for myself. Not everyone likes to read the same books or the same kind of storylines. If so then we wouldn’t have different genres to read. So I do give an author a try and see if I like their books or not. If I don’t then of course I don’t buy or read another one from them. I do enjoy reading reviews though but sometimes it gives away about the book.

    Hugssss
    Linda.H.

    by Linda on February 6th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
    
    

43. any winner yet?

    by kim h on February 7th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
    
    

44. Thank you so much Vivi!

    by Maria Duncan on February 10th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
    
    

45. I read reviews, but I always make up my own mind. I figure if a certain storyline appeals to me or doesn’t, I might have a different opinion than that of the reviewer. The book sounds great, Vivi! :-)

    by Karen W. on February 10th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
    
    

46. Congrad’s Maria Duncan YaY!

    Hugssss
    Linda.H.

    by Linda on February 10th, 2007 at 11:46 pm