Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post hosted on Rainy Day Ramblings where we discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.
This week’s topic:
How do you feel when everyone loves a book and you don’t?
When I see awesome reviews for a book I’ve read, my mind goes back to try and find what I missed. Was there something in particular these other reviewers liked that I either felt indifferent about or just didn’t click with me? I always examine and doubt myself. For instance, a book I’m currently reading has had a quote mentioned that a lot of reviewers felt they did not feel comfortable with. I finally caught up and read that quote, and while it felt completely cheesy, it didn’t really bother me much or take away from the story. Of course I’m not considering this book any type of romance so I discounted it and just chalked it up to irrelevant.
I will not change my rating, but I’m not confident enough not to doubt myself. Especially if something is pointed out in a comment, and then I’ll think to myself, yeah, I did kind of like that part. The way I look at it though, if the book did not have anything to bring me to a “wow”, then it will stay at the 3 that is my starting point for a review. It has to have something in it I just really liked for it to move up.
One thing that I do see as a benefit to a differing opinion is the interaction it creates. I love to have readers point out their thoughts and we can have a great discussion.
Some people see things in a book that I might completely overlook that would cause others to rate higher. I believe that that is a benefit to my blog as it will generate a discussion. So while other’s higher reviews may make me doubt my own review, I feel like that is the whole point of the blog and expressing my opinion. So, if you liked a book better than I did, or even didn’t like it as much as I did, stop by and tell me why!
