Where do you get your reading material from? Being a former employee, I'm a huge advocate of the library. And lots of libraries, the one I worked for included, now offer ebook borrowing which is a wonderful additional service. But if you're like a lot of readers, you at least occasionally purchase books from distributors like Amazon. If you do, you're probably familiar with Customer Reviews.
Reading Customer Reviews is a great way to make decisions about what to purchase, although you have to do so with a discerning eye. There has been quite a bit in the media about authors paying for reviews. It can be really annoying to pay for and download a book that has rave reviews, only to end up with something that is littered with typos and has all the plot depth of a frying pan. This only has to happen once before most people learn to look out for reviews obviously written by the author's Aunt Mavis.
Knowing how important reviews are I try and keep my eye out for what people have had to say about my work. So I was thrilled to stumble across this review the other day of one of my older short stories Adam Gets Perspective. It is one of my favourites. If you'd like to read an excerpt from it have a look here.
Not only is it important to be discerning about reading reviews, it's also a good idea to post some yourself. If you read something you love, let people know! If you hated it, say why! Even when a reader finds my work just isn't her cup of tea, I'm still interested to know why she feels that way. Plus, the more unbiased reviews there are, the easier it is for people to make an informed purchase.
Happy reading and reviewing everyone!
KC
I have to admit that I am one to NOT read reviews anymore. I heard about bought reviews years ago when the gaming magazines were rife with it. Since then I have taken friend recommendations over any typed or official review/site review.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't get me started on sites where the only reviews they show are positive ones.
If only there was a group of sites that reviews books like there is a group of sites that reviews washing machines. Unbiased and willing to tell you exactly what they want rather than what they are paid to regurgitate.