Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read
The question that everyone was asked this week was:
Have you ever bought a book because of a bad review?
I can't say that I can recall buying a book because of a bad review, but it's something that I would consider doing!
I don't go out looking for books to give bad ratings to, of course, I just like to see what I think of books for myself. I actually think it's more interesting to read reviews of books where the review differs to my own opinion - it's interesting to see what people dislike about a book that I really enjoyed, or vice versa. I wouldn't say that bad reviews influence my book buying all that much - if I love the sound of a book, I'll buy it. I'm more likely to pick up a book after reading several positive reviews, but I'm not less likely to pick up a book due to several negative reviews.
I've actually started to look into books that have negative reviews. If people spend all that time writing up a review about what bothers them the most, I get that feeling like, "you tell me I shouldn't, so I'm going to!". It's almost rebelious. And then if I read it and it IS terrible, I still feel satisfied, because then I can join in on their conversation about it's awfulness. :)
ReplyDeleteI look at negative reviews to see if they're all complaining about the same things, and if those things are deal-breakers for me. (ex. instalove, outdated slang, etc.)
ReplyDeleteMy FF.
I can see how it works either way, but I'd pick it up regardless of the review if I was interested. Following!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my ebook giveaway if ya get a chance too!
Yep! Actually, I remember offhand that I got The Goddess Test from a bad review & I loved it!
ReplyDeleteGreat answer! I have a similar one. I want to get a book based on bad reviews now too just to try it lol My F&F
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't *buy* a book because of a negative review, but I might still check one out in spite of it! Particularly if I'm familiar with the blogger's taste, and I know it might differ from mine. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you!
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden
My answer was very similar! I find it interesting to read the reviews AFTER I've read it as then I can see what other people are saying without spoiling anything!
ReplyDeleteNew follower :-)
My FF: http://pocketfulofbooksblogger.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/follow-friday.html
I haven't read a book because of a bad review either, but lol I never go looking for reviews that differ from my own like if i really liked a book and someone didn't. because i can get a bit defensive lol! I'll protect my books til the end of time, now if it's a bad book then *shrugs* who cares about those. but if it's an epic book, then lol we're gonna have to fight jk. Old follower!
ReplyDeleteShae @ Understanding Shae's Story
A bad review has never made me want to buy a book purposely based on that. Reviews are just apart of my book buying/reading process! I take into consideration reviews both good and bad, plot and other things as well. But never really just one thing!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Friday Hops
Have a GREAT weekend!
Old Follower :)
New follower hopping through! Great post! I followed you through GCF - you can return the favour over at http://www.bethebooks.blogspot.com :) Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteI agree ... I'll definitely get a book based on several positive reviews, but I just don't seek out the negative when I'm looking. Maybe if a book got less than 3 stars or something, I'll look around and find out what was wrong with it, but I'm definitely more of a positive girl.
ReplyDeleteHappy FF! :)
I also like to read reviews after I have read a book just to see what other people thought about it. Some reviews really surprise me, as something that I completely loved was loathed by other readers.
ReplyDeleteOld follower :)
Well... I admit that yeah, sometimes I have checked out a book because of a bad review, like I wonder if a book can really be that bad... but I rarely buy them, more like I borrow them to see or speed read a little at the store, but outright buy them? nope. That's very rare.
ReplyDeleteI also like to make up my own mind about books regardless of reviews. I've bought a few books based on negative reviews mostly because they told me something I thought I might like about it.
ReplyDeleteOld follower.
Jennifer @ Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews
http://feministfairytalereviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/follow-friday-22-and-tgif-11.html
Well, for me, it doesn't matter whether the book got five stars or rated two, it means more that I want to give the book a chance before I give in to what other's have said before me. Sometimes the book that people despise the most, will end up being my most treasured find. But, then again, that has a way of backfiring too.
ReplyDeleteGreat answer though, and really cute blog. Definitely a new follower hopping through. :)
Suz @ A Soul Unsung
My Follow & Feature Friday!
The Immortal Rules Giveaway!
The JLA Covenant Series Swag Giveaway!
H A P P Y R E A D I N G ! ! !
susanhaugland@att.net
I agree with you, it's quite the same thing for me. I don't think a bad review is an important point for me to buy a book.
ReplyDeleteHere is mine
I think no one is looking especially for a book that got only bad reviews. And I agree with you to look at my opinion about a book and (not) read a book because the reviews of other persons. :D
ReplyDeleteMariska
My FFF
I try not to let other people influence my book choices.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and I'm following back.
I think I would try a book if it had mixed reviews but I wouldn't buy one if everyone was giving it bad reviews!
ReplyDeleteOld follower! Hope you'll check out my FF:
http://a-reading-daydreamer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/feature-and-follow-friday-4.html
Whether I'm influenced by negative reviews really depends on whether the reviewer gives clear reasons for what they didn't like. If they do, I can consider whether that's of interest to me. If not, I just ignore them...
ReplyDeleteFollowing from FF - sorry it's taken me a while to get round to you! It's my first week joining in, I hope you might have time to visit my FF post.