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Let’s Talk About Book Reviews

Posted: March 22, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Audiobook Review, Book Review, Review | Tags: , , , , , |37 Comments
Box of Books Text: Book Reviews

Instead of offering a book review today, I’d like to talk about book reviews. If you follow the blog, you know that I post at least one book review almost every week. I hope no one feels shorted because I chose to do things differently this week. You might also know that I offer up honest reviews in exchange for an ARC copy of the book, digital, print or audiobook, for those who request it. (ARC stands for A Review Copy, or a copy which was sent out early in hopes of review by traditional publishers. I send out between thirty and sixty requests for review for each WordCrafter Press book published.) Obviosly, if I’m writing that many book reviews, I am a voracious reader, so I also pick up other books to read and I review them as well. As a rule, if I read it, I review it. It’s just one way to help out my fellow authors, and I often, though not always, know the authors of the books I choose to read.

But today, I find myself in a dilemma. I just finished the most awful audiobook I have ever listened to. The audiobook was one that I purchased, by an author which I had previously read one of her books. That first one I listened to was well-written, a good story, and had a decent narrator, so I thought I would give this book a go.

To start off, it was a different narrator, a very poor narrator. The inflections were all wrong, there were pauses where there shouldn’t be, with starts and stops that made the reading jerky and chopped, and there was little or no emotion. Honestly, my AI narrated audiobooks did a better job.

But then I realized that it wasn’t just that. The book was poorly written, as well. Perhaps this was one of the authors earlier works and the first book I read was a later work? After the first time I tried to listen to it, I put it down for some time, but since I haven’t been financially able to replenish my audiobook library, I decided to give it a go, since I had already listened to everything else. So, I struggled through it for lack of better input. But about halfway through, I realized that there was no way I could review this book without trashing both author and narrator, and I really don’t like doing that.

They say that a negative review is better than no review, but I’m not sure if I buy that. All reviewers are critics, but I don’t believe that a critic must harsh to be effective. I offer my reviews to help other authors, and my reviews are honest, even if there are things I didn’t like about a book. I always try to emphasive the positive, but the negative is still there.

I know many of my readers are bloggers who are reviewers, so I’m asking you all today – how would you handle this? Am I obligated as a critic to write a negative review of this audiobook? Would you write it? Or would you just put the book into the archive and forget about it? I would love to get someone else’s thoughts on this. What do you think?

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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.

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37 Comments on “Let’s Talk About Book Reviews”

  1. Janice Nye's avatar Janice Nye says:
    March 22, 2024 at 11:10 am

    Put what you think, that the previous book by this author was much better and the narrator was not good and detracted from the book

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • kayelynnebooth's avatar kayelynnebooth says:
      March 22, 2024 at 3:03 pm

      I know I should, but it feels so mean. Thanks for your input, Janice. ☺️

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      • Patty L. Fletcher's avatar Patty L. Fletcher says:
        March 23, 2024 at 8:29 am

        Kaye, constructive criticism is not mean. If an author takes it as such, they need to think about why they’re writing. I once got a book review on the first book I wrote. The reviewer was upset with me because I glossed over some events which were truly important to my story. He wrote, “Be hot, Be cold, but don’t be lukewarm.” In reference to the parts he felt could’ve been better written of, and his review led me to rewrite the book a couple years later and it helped me be a better writer overall.

        You’re not being mean if you are kind and constructive about it.

        It’s just like when a teacher in school gives a low grade on a report card and writes an explanation as to why. They do so, so the student can learn. Reviews are much the same way.

        I expect an honest review. Your statement is that you give an honest review. So, now it’s time for you to stand by that statement.

        Patty L. Fletcher

        Bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled

        Liked by 1 person

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        • kayelynnebooth's avatar kayelynnebooth says:
          March 23, 2024 at 4:17 pm

          That’s funny. I received the same advice when writing the rape scene in Delilah. And it did improve my writing.

          So you feel I am obligated to review even though this was I book I purchased rather than a review request? I was feeling that way, as if I wasn’t being true to myself if I did not write the review. However, this author doesn’t know me, nor is she expecting a review from me, which is why I said, “No harm, no foul.”

          I did a less than favorable review for an author friend once. I discussed it with him and my reasons, and offered to not post the review. He told me to go ahead and post it, but he never spoke to me again. I don’t know this author, so that’s not a worry here.

          But even when criticism is spot on and something you may need to hear, it can still be painful. I think I will do as suggested and research a little. Perhaps this was this author’s first book, and the one I listened to first showed improvement, in which case the my comments would be “a day late and a dollar short”, as they say.

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        • Patty L. Fletcher's avatar Patty L. Fletcher says:
          March 24, 2024 at 7:18 am

          Hey, Kaye.

          As I keep saying, “You do you” Do what’s comfortable and for goodness sake, don’t stress about it so, it’s OK whatever you choose. There’s really no wrong answer.

          Patty L. Fletcher

          Bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled

          Liked by 1 person

        • kayelynnebooth's avatar kayelynnebooth says:
          March 24, 2024 at 8:32 am

          Thanks, Patty. 🙂

          Like

        • Patty L. Fletcher's avatar Patty L. Fletcher says:
          March 24, 2024 at 9:04 am

          You’re welcome.

          Patty Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works as an author and social media marketing assistant.
          Learn more at: http://www.pattysworlds.com

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Dave Astor's avatar Dave Astor says:
    March 22, 2024 at 11:18 am

    Personally, I would try to forget about the book and not do a review.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Darlene's avatar Darlene says:
    March 22, 2024 at 12:10 pm

    I tend to go by the “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” policy. If I don’t like the book and can’t find anything good to say about it, I don’t post a review. Bravo to you for finishing it. xo

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Patty L. Fletcher's avatar Patty L. Fletcher says:
      March 22, 2024 at 2:35 pm

      I have had similar issues as what you were talking about here. And I have given reviews that gave the points you are making here. I think you can write it politely, with without trashing the author or narrator. I think you could say just exactly what you’ve said here. That you’d read earlier work that you got another book by the author, expecting to find the same quality that you found before, you might even look to see if it was a previous work older or something before you do. Comment on what you liked about the previous work. Comment on what you don’t like about this one. In my opinion, it is helpful to me if people tell me what is wrong with the books I write as well as what is good. If a writer can’t handle that, then, in my opinion, they are not really interested in improving their craft. Remember, this is all my opinion. But I’d rather get the feedback than nothing. Because nothing doesn’t tell me anything. it says to me, well, maybe they got busy and forgot to review. Or do other things. But I cannot know what I don’t know. Just my opinion.

      Patty Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works as an author and social media marketing assistant. Learn more at: http://www.pattysworlds.com

      Liked by 1 person

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    • kayelynnebooth's avatar kayelynnebooth says:
      March 22, 2024 at 3:06 pm

      Thanks Darlene. I come from that school, too. I think that’s why I’m struggling with this. ☺️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. lorettamilestollefson's avatar lorettamilestollefson says:
    March 22, 2024 at 12:58 pm

    I don’t review books I have problems with. The idea that any review is better than none doesn’t sit well with me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. abbiejohnsontaylor's avatar abbiejohnsontaylor says:
    March 22, 2024 at 4:19 pm

    This is why I don’t often agree to receive free books in exchange for a review. You shouldn’t feel obligated to review this book, especially since you didn’t get it for free in exchange for a review. If you know the author well enough to determine this person might be open to some constructive criticism, you might contact him/her and offer such feedback, explaining why you’re not reviewing the book. Otherwise, just let it go.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • kayelynnebooth's avatar kayelynnebooth says:
      March 22, 2024 at 6:14 pm

      Solid advice, Abbie. And you are correct that I’m not obligated. I think because I was taught to always follow through on what you start is why I feel compelled to review it. When looked at rationally though, no harm, no foul. ☺️

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  6. Lindsey Martin-Bowen's avatar Lindsey Martin-Bowen says:
    March 22, 2024 at 10:42 pm

    First, Kaye Lynne, I appreciate your integrity when reviewing books. I strive to be honest, too, and yet, try to find something positive in any work I review. (I haven’t reviewed any audio-books–and I hope no one requests that I do so–unless it’s by an author I’ve heard read their fiction many times. Nevertheless, usually audio-books aren’t truly “my thing.”)

    If I cannot find anything positive about a book–and thus, feel very uncomfortable recommending it, I won’t review it. On the other hand, I enjoy promoting good works and like linking them to well-known literary writers. I truly love reading both fiction and literature that plays upon–and/or evolves from both historic and contemporary writers. Both my BA and MA (+ many hours toward a PhD) are in literature with creative writing emphasis, and I taught various levels of those subjects in colleges and universities. Thus, when I write reviews, I like to connect them to other works by writers I’ve studied and admired.

    In short, Kaye Lynne, you have chosen the path of honesty. Yet I understand the position you are in. I can only suggest that if the writer questions why you produced no review, you might suggest the work merely isn’t your “cup of tea.” Then, if he or she asks for more feedback, you could respond as if that person were your student (you know, the “praise/question/polish” routine to improve his/her skills.

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Kay Castaneda's avatar Kay Castaneda says:
    March 23, 2024 at 12:29 am

    I would pass on writing a review. I’d be worried that the author might reply with insults and hateful comments. I need to keep my stress level down. If I don’t like a book, I don’t finish reading it. On the other hand, I try to write honest reviews if a book is good.
    Another person here in your blog has a good way to solve this problem. Janis Nye said “Put what you think, that the previous book by this author was much better and the narrator was not good and detracted from the book.” I don’t listen to audiobooks since I like to read better. A bad narrator would interfere with the story for me. I have three stories in a mystery anthology. The editor hired two narrators. When I heard one of my stories read aloud, I cringed. The woman sounded fake. That’s the only way I know how to explain it. There is a male character in that story who is Mexican. It takes place in Mexico where we live. The male narrator used the most ridiculous accent, like what he imagined the character to have. I was almost embarassed. I didn’t want the anthology to be turned into an audiobook but I was overruled. 9 authors against 1. Me! An article I read about being a book reviewer said that there was the option of sending a personal message to the author before posting a review live.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • kayelynnebooth's avatar kayelynnebooth says:
      March 23, 2024 at 6:10 am

      I think the author should narrate their own works whenever possible. Who better to know how their characters should sound? I’ve been trying for some time to get set up for narrating my own. Someday I’ll get there, but I jumped at the chance to try out the AI narrations and I’m anxiously awaiting feedback on them.

      I wasn’t aware of the ability to message privately. I’ll have to look into that.

      As to the review, I think I will probably let this one go and be out the price of the audiobook. Thanks for your feedback, Kay.

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  8. Carla's avatar Carla says:
    March 23, 2024 at 5:51 am

    It is definitely a dilemma. I am not an author, but a reader and reviewer. If a book is one that I can’t think of a nice thing to say, I will not review it, as often I don’t finish it. If it is an ARC, I will let the author or publisher know why I am not leaving a review. I have had books where the narrator detracted from the book and I try to get a book to read instead to see if it is better and will comment that the narrator didn’t work for me because …… I agree with some of the previous comments that you can preface your review with comments about the reason you chose this book and even that perhaps it needed more editing. It is a tough decision. I know that authors put their heart and soul into their books and I certainly don’t want to trash them, or be rude. I will often include the comment that “Just because this book didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean that you might not love it.”

    Liked by 1 person

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    • kayelynnebooth's avatar kayelynnebooth says:
      March 23, 2024 at 6:22 am

      Thank you for the feedback, Carla. It helps learning how other reviewers would handle the situation. I review as my way to pay things forward, so I think I will let this one lie. I don’t think a negative review would be helpful to anyone. ☺️

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  9. robbiesinspiration's avatar robbiesinspiration says:
    March 25, 2024 at 11:25 am

    HI Kaye, I’ve purchased audio books with dreadful narrators who have completely ruined an excellent book. One example is Anne of Green Gables. I have three versions and all of the narrators are awful so I can’t listen to it. To have a bad narrator and a poor story would not be doable for me.

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