The Agony of Reviews!

I was going to write a personal review for Nora Robert’s latest book, because it was the last new book I'd read. But, for some reason, it felt beyond arrogant to assume to write and then publish a review of this book, as though my opinion means anything.

By: Becky Flade

The literary reviews I’ve written previously have been requested of me, and that, my friends, is quite different than writing an unsolicited review of someone else’s hard work on my own.

An author myself, I look for new reviews regularly. I beg for them. I chew on my nails in anticipation of getting one… And when I do, I analyze every word. Even a positive one can send me into Iits, but a negative one can send me spinning. But, surely Nora Roberts wouldn’t lose any sleep over what I thought. Seriously? Who am I?

I can see it now. I publish a lackluster review online, and Nora Roberts promptly signs into her social media accounts, crying on the virtual shoulders of her author support group. “She just didn’t get what I was trying to impart. Should I respond? Should I explain that what she thinks was missing the editor had me remove? Does she even read that genre? How could she be so mean?”

And Nora’s friends sympathize, [nod], they’ve been there. “That BITCH!” “You’re a better writer than that.” “Don’t engage, Nora.” “You’re ofIicially an author now!” “I loved your book, honey.”

Please realize that Nora Roberts FB author group consists of similarly talented and successful authors like Tami Hoag, Maya Banks, Julie Garwood, Debbie Macomber, Jasinda Wilder, and Linda Lael Miller. Then Nora would get angry. “Yeah, screw Becky Flade!” [I would die a thousand deaths if Nora Roberts ever thought those words. Of course, being on her radar would be the ultimate feather in my cap.] She’d start calling me Princess Pinhead… and then the entire group would start calling me Princess Pinhead.

They’d avoid me on social media, not sending me their awesome books to read. It would get abbreviated to PP – which sounds way too much like going #1, which some smart-ass, probably from Philly, would run with, I’m sure. They’d reassure each other every time someone got a crap-ass review by posting funny/ clever pictures online ridiculing Princess Pinhead. It’s not worth it. I can’t take that kind of rejection over a silly, unsolicited personal review. Don’t hate me, Nora. I’m not a Pinhead. I love your books.

Clearly, I was having a bit of fun above, but it raises some legitimate concerns regarding reviews. First things Iirst.

Books are like Hawaiian pizza: Not everyone is going to love it.

But, that doesn’t mean it’s not good. Art is subjective, and therefore, so are reviews. A negative review is not an attack on the book, its author, or its fans. Or at least it shouldn’t be.

What is a review? One reader’s opinion... which should be accepted with grace and respect, regardless of your own opinion, whether the author is famous like Nora Roberts, or, you know, me.

Reviews are important, more so for Indie, small-house, and mid-level authors. The good, the bad, the ugly... the more the merrier, as most online retailers focus on quantity when determining which books to push to their vast readerships. Reviews are subjective. What one reader considers a three-star read, another might consider a Iive-star, or one-star. The most important thing to consider when writing a review is being both honest and respectful. Whether you loved it or hated it, an author worked hard on it. And we’re an insecure bunch, just ask Princess Pinhead. This bears true for the super successful authors, as well. Nora Roberts, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and so on have fans almost as passionate as Philadelphia Eagles fans [coughalmostcough]. They will defend their favorites to the death if needs be. In recent years, reviews have become somewhat of a battleIield in the book community, as fandoms have been pitted against fandoms. I think a great many readers have shied away from leaving reviews because of it. That’s heartbreaking.

An honest and respectful personal review of a book, whether the author is a household name or a debut Indie, is never a bad idea – even if you didn’t like the book.

And if you see a negative review of a book you loved, well, just keep it moving. They’re not devaluing the story in your eyes, so why take it personally? You love what you love. I’ll love what I love. We don’t need to agree.

Reviews can be helpful. In fact, if you didn’t like the book, tell us what you didn’t like. That helps other readers choose, just as much, if not more, as telling what you did. I read a popular book by a big name, with an equally large fandom. It was well-written, welledited, professionally formatted and packaged. I didn’t like it. Just wasn’t for me. And that’s what I said in my literary review.

I did not attack the author, the book, or its fans. I’ve read other books by that same author I very much enjoyed, but I didn’t feel the need to leave a glowing review on the one I didn’t. No one will stop me from buying and reading another book by that author just because I expressed a negative opinion.

Not everyone likes Hawaiian pizza, but those who do are going to keep eating it. No skin off my pepperoni deep dish. But then again, [glances around surreptitiously] who cares what I think? I didn’t like the Fifty Shades series [gasp] and loved Nikki Sex’s Abuse trilogy. My opinion neither broke nor made either woman’s careers – because, as I’ve said, it’s just my opinion. What’s important is that I shared it. Maybe another reader will see it and make an informed choice about the next book purchase. In this Iinancial climate, I’m picky about what I spend my hard-earned money on. I’m assuming it’s the same for you. Honest, respectful personal reviews detailing both likes and dislikes help me, and you, spend money in an informed and ultimately rewarding fashion. It also helps authors, like me, develop a fandom who appreciate the hard work and countless hours we put into our books. Another boon? I love books, reading them (regardless of format), talking about them, hoarding them, smelling them, um, I digress, my point? Knowing that someone, somewhere, is reading a book I also read, connects me to them, regardless of what either of us thought of the book. And that’s almost, almost as exciting as having someone read one of my books.

We’re all entitled to our opinions. Be honest. Treat others with respect. Keep reading, keep reviewing, and Hawaiian pizza, in my humble opinion, is gross.