Apparently while I had my head stuck down the html/css/php drain, reviewers became the hot topic du’jour. Or du’week. Perhaps launched by this entry from Paperback Writer. And, omg, do I wish I’d written:
Now, some ditz with internet access and a hair up an orifice for whatever reason wants to come and tell the world how he or she would write my book?
Others like Laurie LikesBooks and Giselle have weighed in. And, while I’m not sure if this entry predates the most recent ruckus or not, I really enjoyed this from The Red Pen Diaries.
I, personally, have never given much thought to reviews. (Yes, come ask me that when the reviews for Roadtrip start coming in.) I’m faithful to Mrs. Giggles, but that’s more for my own twisted pleasure than any desire to have assistance in my book purchases.
I used to enjoy AAR. Unfortunately, since I moved to cable modem, I can’t access it or my connection goes bu-bye, and I have to turn the computer totally off and then power it up again to rejoin the internet. Occasionally, if I google the right terms, I can backdoor into the site, but that’s rare. It’s too much of a PITA power-cycling the computer to risk it.
The only reviewers I have really strong feelings about are the ones who can’t be objective when they knowingly start reading-for-review a book with a premise they can’t stand. You’ve seen them. Reviewers who say something like:
“There was no motivation for not telling the hero she was pregnant. That’s why I hate secret-baby books.”
Or, “Like every other ghost book, I couldn’t buy into a dead guy for a hero.” (Probably uttered by a rabid vamp fan, though.)
(A rabid fan of vamps, not a fan of rabid vamps)
I don’t like amnesia stories or twin stories. Never have, and I have no idea why. But I’d like to believe if I were a reviewer, I wouldn’t pick up a romance featuring a twin with amnesia, then groan and say “this is going to suck” and then think I could be objective.
But other than that, I’ve come to the horribly annoying conclusion that I agree a little bit with each of the people who’ve weighed in on reviewers and disagreed a little bit with each of them.
I hate when I’m wishy-washy.
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You mean you missed my nagging about this? Go on. . . I dare you. http://metareviewer.bravejournal.com/
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Shan
You’re supposed to tell me you moved. I need maps, detailed instructions and the like.
And here I thought you had just fallen off the face of the earth.
*whimper*
Jaci…technotard
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You said the only reviewers you have no patience for are the ones who can’t be objective. I SO agree with this! Never more so than now, when I’m judging for the ritas and have seven books, several from genres I don’t normally read. I want to think that despite that fact, I can still give an objective review.
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I just don’t have anything to say right now.