I saw a couple of posts about writing book reviews and I agree.
Most folks simply read a book and move on. Few take the time and effort to write A review - long or short. But I think readers should take the time to share their views - great, good, bad or atrocious. Even ‘roasting’ a book that you simply hated is okay as long it is constructive feedback to share with fellow readers.
While books by ‘tier 1’ authors generate thousands of reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and elsewhere, a vast majority of books end up with one or two reviews. And even those few reviews are probably solicited reviews.
Writers yearn for feedback, especially in a digital era where reviews on forums like Goodreads and Amazon can make or break sales and ratings.
Let us keep reviewing to motivate writers!
Reviews have never swayed me from any sort of entertainment media one way or the other.
What one critic or review calls an abomination, ends up being my holy grail.
Everyone has a different perspective, a different taste, a different understanding…but mostly, a bias.
Reviews, from the point of view of finding an actual good read, are useless. Reviews only help sell books. Which is great for the author, but greater for the publishing house, and rarely impactful on someone like me in my choices.
The blurb/synopsis should be what sells the book, not what everyone and anyone else thinks.