The Reading Vent & Rant Thread - Page 12

4691mls · 07-22-2022, 09:13 AM

I don't belong to Goodreads but do look at reviews there. I have seen some negative reviews for ARCs, though not as many as the positives

If I'm trying to decide whether to read a book, I usually scroll through looking for the 3-star reviews. They often point out both good and bad things about the book.

I wish it were easier to find reviews that do or don't contain spoilers. It's a bummer to accidentally get spoiled for an important plot point. But there are times when I actually want the spoilers - like I've read a blurb for a thriller, know I don't want to read the whole book, but now I kinda want to know whodunnit.

DiapDealer · 07-22-2022, 09:54 AM

I don't look at anonymous reviews (anonymous meaning any one I don't know and/or whose tastes I'm not familiar with) anywhere. It's much more useful to limit myself to the reviews from people I KNOW a) like the things like, b) hate the things I hate, c) like the things I hate, d) hate the things I like. I get those kinds of reviews by getting to know and eventually "friending" people on the internet (or in meatspace). Places like here and Goodreads. Rando book reviews are not something I waste any time on.

If Jon, here, hates something for instance, I know I should seriously give it a shot sometime.

issybird · 07-22-2022, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I don't look at anonymous reviews (anonymous meaning any one I don't know and/or whose tastes I'm not familiar with) anywhere. It's much more useful to limit myself to the reviews from people I KNOW a) like the things like, b) hate the things I hate, c) like the things I hate, d) hate the things I like. I get those kinds of reviews by getting to know and eventually "friending" people on the internet (or in meatspace). Places like here and Goodreads. Rando book reviews are not something I waste any time on.

I don’t trust reviews from vegetarians, either.

I agree that glowing reviews from people I don’t know are worthless. However, I find thoughtful two-star reviews can be enlightening. Does it seem as if the things the reviewer dislikes are things I also find objectionable? Something already got me to consider the book; now I want to hear from the devil’s advocates.

Deskisamess · 07-22-2022, 10:50 AM

I never read 5 star reviews, but head straight for the 1 & 2 stars. Like issybird said, many times those low star reviews mention the same things I dislike.

I do the same for non-book items from Amazon. It's turned into a junk store stocked with no-name products.

DiapDealer · 07-22-2022, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

I don’t trust reviews from vegetarians, either.

Vegetarians are still comprised of meat.

Apache · 07-22-2022, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Vegetarians are still comprised of meat.

And they still want their food to taste like meat.

Apache

DNSB · 07-22-2022, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Quite simply put: if it was useless, no one would be using it.

Bets?

DiapDealer · 07-22-2022, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Bets?

Ok. Since you don't seem to want to read my sentence in the way you KNOW that I meant it:

If it were objectively useless, millions of people wouldn't find it useful.

And yes. Bets. Big bets.

More simply put: I find Goodreads useful. I'm not alone. So Goodreads can't be considered objectively useless.

library addict · 07-22-2022, 12:55 PM

I make allowances for ARC reviews as many who request an ARC will already be a fan of the author or at least the genre. So they are usually hoping to enjoy the book when they request it.

A review is useful so long as the reviewer explains why they liked or disliked a book.

"This is the best story ever can't wait for more" is the type of review I get nothing from.

theducks · 07-22-2022, 01:01 PM

What I don't understand is why there is not some simple test that you actually have a copy.
eg. (random location generated. requires GR have a copy)
3rd word of the first paragraph of chapter 2

That only proves they could have read it completely. But that would thin the totally fake readers.

Quoth · 07-22-2022, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

What I don't understand is why there is not some simple test that you actually have a copy.

On Amazon too, rather than record of purchase. But maybe on Amazon record of purchase. It seems to be possible to do reviews on Amazon that are fictitious.
Also product review on Amazon is ONLY product, not the market place seller (supplier) review. You have to dig down inside the seller and on some you can't do reviews. Nor of Amazon themselves.

DNSB · 07-22-2022, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Ok. Since you don't seem to want to read my sentence in the way you KNOW that I meant it:

If it were objectively useless, millions of people wouldn't find it useful.

And yes. Bets. Big bets.

More simply put: I find Goodreads useful. I'm not alone. So Goodreads can't be considered objectively useless.

I took your words the way you wrote them in that separate sentence. Considering the number of objectively useless services, practices, etc. that millions of people are willing to pay for, I personally consider usefulness to be a very low if present criteria in many peoples eyes.

Take astrology as an example. A belief that the stars control your life. Yet over 30% of the American population believe in astrology and they are willing to spend money on it. A 2.2 billion dollar industry (astrology, palm readings, tarot cards, etc.) is hard to disregard.

Renate · 07-22-2022, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Considering the number of objectively useless services, practices, etc. that millions of people are willing to pay for...

You can't beat this one. I'd rather take astrology.
https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23204950/bmw-subscriptions-microtransactions-heated-seats-feature

JSWolf · 07-22-2022, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Ok. Since you don't seem to want to read my sentence in the way you KNOW that I meant it:

If it were objectively useless, millions of people wouldn't find it useful.

And yes. Bets. Big bets.

More simply put: I find Goodreads useful. I'm not alone. So Goodreads can't be considered objectively useless.

I do use Goodreads. I do find it useful except for new books. It takes a while to get to a point where the average stars are accurate enough. Most of those people who post the rubbish ratings/reviews have to eventually read the book and redo their rubbish.

But when there are enough real reviews, I can have a read and see what others think.

DiapDealer · 07-22-2022, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I do use Goodreads. I do find it useful except for new books. It takes a while to get to a point where the average stars are accurate enough. Most of those people who post the rubbish ratings/reviews have to eventually read the book and redo their rubbish.

I don't really even look at star ratings. They don't factor into my decisions.

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07-22-2022, 09:13 AM	#166
4691mls Wizard Posts: 2,776 Karma: 30081762 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1	I don't belong to Goodreads but do look at reviews there. I have seen some negative reviews for ARCs, though not as many as the positives If I'm trying to decide whether to read a book, I usually scroll through looking for the 3-star reviews. They often point out both good and bad things about the book. I wish it were easier to find reviews that do or don't contain spoilers. It's a bummer to accidentally get spoiled for an important plot point. But there are times when I actually want the spoilers - like I've read a blurb for a thriller, know I don't want to read the whole book, but now I kinda want to know whodunnit.

07-22-2022, 09:54 AM	#167
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,864 Karma: 198099188 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I don't look at anonymous reviews (anonymous meaning any one I don't know and/or whose tastes I'm not familiar with) anywhere. It's much more useful to limit myself to the reviews from people I KNOW a) like the things like, b) hate the things I hate, c) like the things I hate, d) hate the things I like. I get those kinds of reviews by getting to know and eventually "friending" people on the internet (or in meatspace). Places like here and Goodreads. Rando book reviews are not something I waste any time on. If Jon, here, hates something for instance, I know I should seriously give it a shot sometime.

07-22-2022, 10:50 AM	#169
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,664 Karma: 43102409 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 7+, iPad mini, 2021 iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8"	I never read 5 star reviews, but head straight for the 1 & 2 stars. Like issybird said, many times those low star reviews mention the same things I dislike. I do the same for non-book items from Amazon. It's turned into a junk store stocked with no-name products.

07-22-2022, 12:55 PM	#174
library addict Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,965 Karma: 35535698 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Nexus 7 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" (retired=Sony PRS650, Kobo Mini)	I make allowances for ARC reviews as many who request an ARC will already be a fan of the author or at least the genre. So they are usually hoping to enjoy the book when they request it. A review is useful so long as the reviewer explains why they liked or disliked a book. "This is the best story ever can't wait for more" is the type of review I get nothing from.

07-22-2022, 01:01 PM	#175
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,303 Karma: 57979022 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	What I don't understand is why there is not some simple test that you actually have a copy. eg. (random location generated. requires GR have a copy) 3rd word of the first paragraph of chapter 2 That only proves they could have read it completely. But that would thin the totally fake readers.

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