Do Book Reviews Influence You?

shadowwalker · Jun 19, 2011

I pay attention to reviews by people I know (on their blogs, for example). But I don't pay any attention to Amazon's or professional critics'. The pro movie reviewers very seldom like the movies I do, so why should I pay attention to book reviewers? But mainly I'm a browser - I browse the library and new and used bookstores, and then either buy at the store or online (if it's expensive).

ChaosTitan · Jun 19, 2011

Sometimes, but only blogs I like (and whose opinions I tend to agree with), or from print media like Romantic Times. As a reader I don't pay attention to Amazon or BN.com reviews.

MJNL · Jun 19, 2011

I've never read a book review before buying. But, personal recommendations do influence me. All books I've ever purchased either caught my eye on the shelf (physical or digital), or were recommended to me by someone whose tastes I share.

Xelebes · Jun 19, 2011

I don't buy or browse books online, nor do I give 5 seconds to the Book Review pages in the Sunday paper. So no, not really. Commentary from my friends might bend my ear.

BenPanced · Jun 19, 2011

I'm another who uses reviews to find out a book exists, and then I rely on the blurb and reading a sample. Even when the reviewer and I like the same book, it's hardly ever for the same reasons.

blacbird · Jun 19, 2011

I can't remember the last time I read a book review. I find the books I read by browsing bookstores or libraries, and the cover blurbs may tilt the scale one way or the other. And word-of-mouth from people whose opinions on literary stuff I respect, have induced me to read certain books. Including the opinions of people here at AW.

scarletpeaches · Jun 19, 2011

The last 'non-browsing' book I bought was on the recommendation of a Twitter buddy. I ended up loving it nearly as much as he does.

These Mean Streets · Jun 19, 2011

Anymore, I never buy a book without reading an excerpt and checking to see what the general reaction is to a book. If I see a lot of reviews confirming my gut reaction, yeah, it definitely influences my buying decision.

In the past (like before the internet) I've bought too many books that sucked to not read reviews and give them some consideration if they tend to lean in one direction.

sunandshadow · Jun 19, 2011

If a book review is the first time I've heard of a book, the summary will encourage (or not) me to investigate the book further. Otherwise no, reviews don't influence me.

jamiehall · Jun 19, 2011

I buy a LOT more nonfiction than fiction, and the reviews are influential.

For fiction, less so, because I don't want to spoil the plot for myself.

KTC · Jun 19, 2011

I would have said no before, but I've met some amazing reviewers on Twitter. The one guy blows me away every time. I've come to value his opinion.

seun · Jun 20, 2011

If we're talking Amazon reviews, it's pretty easy to spot the reviews which are either way over the top or harsh because the reviewer has a problem. I look at the reviews which are well-written and obviously impartial, but in the end, I make up my own mind.

Margarita Skies · Jun 20, 2011

I let the book influence me, not the reviews. You never know if the author has created multiple accounts to be able to post a whole bunch of 5-star reviews, and the negative reviews, well, those people didn't like the book, or sometimes they give it a one star because they hate the author and probably didn't even read or buy the book. I read a book from the first page to the last, and if I like it I read it again after a while, and if I don't, I read it again to try to find out why I didn't like it. I don't review books anymore. Other people might not like it as much as I did or even hate it, so in a few words, reviews don't matter to me at all because we never know if they are genuine.

scarletpeaches · Jun 20, 2011

If reviews are just opinion, they're meaningless. However, if they're opinion with reasons, they can be quite valuable.

Soccer Mom · Jun 20, 2011

I pay a lot of attention to reviews, especially if it's a reviewer whose taste I agree with. Often I can tell by a review if I might like the book, even if the reviewer didn't.

I look at Amazon reviews too. If a book has a bunch of low reviews, I'll scan them and see why. If people are rejecting a romance as "too rapey" then I know I probably won't like it. If they are rejecting because "the heroine is a ho and not a virgin" I ignore the low reviews because that won't bother me in the slightest.

So I rely a lot on reviews, second only to personal recommendations from friends.

Phaeal · Jun 20, 2011

An interesting review will make me look for a book in the store, but only my own review of the first chapter or so will entice me to buy it.

Do Book Reviews Influence You?

Do book reviews influence the books you buy?

Yes

No

Sometimes

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