I keep seeing people offering their books for free in exchange for reviews. And I can't do that. Let's forget the fact that if Amazon catches you offering books in exchange for reviews, they'll smack your little paddies. Or worse. I can't do stuff like that because I don't work that way.
I can't agree to write a review of a book I haven't read yet because there's every possibility I won't like the book. And if I don't like a book, I won't finish it. And if I don't finish a book, I won't review it. So, accepting a free book in exchange for a review would be accepting it under false pretenses.
Oh, I love free books. If it weren't for free books, I wouldn't have read most of the newer books I read this year. I wouldn't have found some of the new authors I've loved. But if those authors offered me a free book for a review, I still couldn't take it.
You see, I picked up a book recently. I got partway through and DNF'd it. It wasn't blowing my skirt up. When I went to the end - which I always do, so my Kindle recognizes it as 'Read' and doesn't pop it up when I'm looking for my next unread book - I noticed pages from another book by the author and I was all like 'well, shit'. The other book was a book I loved. Didn't even realize this meh one was one of their books. All I knew was I didn't enjoy it and I didn't finish it. And then I felt bad because I had enjoyed the previous books so much and I want to help this author succeed so they write more books and... Well... Bummer.
If I had accepted it with the expectation that I'd review it, we would've both been screwed.
So, yeah, I post reviews here every Saturday. But I'm not a 'book reviewer'. There's too much pressure down that road. I read what I like and since I never know what I'm going to like on any given day, it's kind of hit or miss. Basically, I'm a reader who likes to share her thoughts on the books she's read.
Speaking of free books, Project Hermes is free today and tomorrow. While I'd certainly appreciate reviews if you happen to download it, it's not expected and there's no tit-for-tat here. It's just free. For everyone. Worldwide. Do with the book what you will.
Do you review books? Even ones you haven't finished or didn't like?
I don't "review" books. I read them. I toss up my thoughts with a rating on Goodreads, mainly to keep myself apprised of what I've read and liked. I occasionally drop a review on Amazon if the author/book is in need of reviews. And yeah, lets not get into Amazon and how they do/do not police reviews. If I buy a book and like it, it shouldn't matter if I know the author or not! At the same time, $h!+-style book-mill authors shouldn't be able to game the system.
ReplyDeleteAnd...I said I wasn't going to discuss it. Yeah...moving on. Happy Tuesday.
I only review books if I can give them 4 or 5 stars. I figure the author doesn't need my unkind thoughts. Or my lack of taste. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI also only review reasonably new books. I've been working through my library (I am NOT a book hoarder! At least, not any more) and a 20 or 30 or 40 year old book doesn't need my reviews.