More than Just a Rating discussion

I tend to hit the 'like' button if a review was particularly helpful as I'm trying to figure out whether to read a book.

I click on the 'like' button when the reviewer has hit a nail about what I thought about the book, that we share the same thoughts on the same book.

See now I never thought of that - but it makes sense!

I 'like' reviews for various reasons:
- made me laugh
- excellent writing, even if I disagree
- expressed a key point about the book that I agree with

I like reviews that take the time to reference some other books that the book is similar to. A kind of, this book is like this book so if you liked that, you'll like this.

You know, Sarah, I do too. But then I read someone say that they don't like those, because it's annoying when they *haven't* read the other works. So I started to fret about whether it was appropriate to mention related books or authors. But you're right - those references might be helpful, and if they're not, well, no harm done. Thanks! (I'll try to remember to hit the 'like' button when I see someone doing that well.)

I 'like' reviews that inspire me to read the book and all of the things pjreads mentioned. I don't have any hard or fast rules. It is often on a whim.

I like reviews for whatever mood I'm in at the time:

--it entertained me
--it was from one of my core GR friends who get lots of likes from me
--it was for a book I'd just read and it agrees with what I thought of it

I "like" the reviews here on GR if the review helped me by providing information I didn't know or helped me reach a decision about reading, or if I found the writing of the review to be entertaining and skilled - even if I disagreed with how they felt about the book.

You will probably laugh, but I usually "like" my closest friends reviews. In my defense, they are all great at writing reviews. I seldom take the time to "like" strangers' reviews, although I know it would be great for good reviewers to get the feedback. I'll will consider this from now on.

I'm not laughing. I find it easier to remember to 'like' reviews from friends. But, I try to remember, 'a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet,' so I *try* to remember to 'like' the best reviews for any book, regardless the writer.

Oh, but sometimes, if there are lots of reviews saying lots of similar things, and there are lots of 'likes' happening already, I'll 'like' a review that offers a different perspective on the book.

That way the algorithm that decides which reviews to list first might be able to show other potential readers more diverse opinions.

I've "liked" a review for tons of reasons, most of which have already been said:

- liked the writing of the review (even if not the book)
- if the reviewer pointed out something about the book that I hadn't noticed before
- agreed with the reviewers opinion of the book
- liked the person writing the review
- if I laughed, or was otherwise entertained by the review.

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Oh, but sometimes, if there are lots of reviews saying lots of similar things, and there are lots of 'likes' happening already, I'll 'like' a review that offers a different perspective on the book"

I've done that too because to get a slew of either raves or negs for the top-liked reviews doesn't seem right.

A GR group read Skye O'Malley mainly for the purpose of dissing it and they all voted for each others' negative reviews, so the first half dozen or more reviews were all 1 and 2 stars. I thought it was mean-spirited, and not only because I love the book.

Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) wrote: " GR group read Skye O'Malley mainly for the purpose of dissing it .."

You have GOT to be kidding. Wait, I don't know why I'm surprised by that. I wonder how many of them secretly enjoyed the book but didn't feel they could say so.

There was probably at least one. But from surface appearances of a reader browsing through the reviews, I was left with the impression that the point of the exercise was to out-snark and high-five one another.

Bleh. Did you review that one?

Why can't they do that with a book like Twilight? LOL. JK.

Yes, I did. I think it was the first bodice ripper I ever read. :)

Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) wrote: "There was probably at least one. But from surface appearances of a reader browsing through the reviews, I was left with the impression that the point of the exercise was to out-snark and high-five ..."

Yeah, I saw those two. Mind you I didn't care for the book (I suspect Small is not an author for me), but geez it was like a let's get together and trash the book kind of party.

Why do I "like" reviews? It's usually one or more of the following:

It's highly entertaining.

It's funny. (I'm not good at writing amusing reviews but I really appreciate humor in others' reviews.)

It's beautifully written.

It introduces me to a book and convinces me to put it on my to-read shelf.

It convinces me to take a book off my to-read shelf. (This is a particularly welcome type of review given the size of my to-read shelf.)

The reviewer says something about their thoughts/feelings about a book I've read that helps me see the book in a new way, or they say what they say in ways I wish I could have done.

Edited to add:

Also:

It's a glowing review, well written or cogently argued, of a book I also loved.

It's a review by a reviewer whose opinion of a book differs from mine, but I admire the points they make about why they feel as they do.

Also:

I'll like a review if I think it does a really good job letting potential readers know whether they'd want to read the book, or not.

"It convinces me to take a book off my to-read shelf. (This is a particularly welcome type of review given the size of my to-read shelf.)"

Oh wow - so true! Funny, but true!

I totally 'like' reviews that warn me about the Yuck Factor. As I said in another topic, I do not read thrillers, horror, Oprah picks, because I do not like reading about stuff like rape, child abuse, alcoholism. But lots of Literature and science-fiction also has that kind of stuff. So, I'm very grateful when reviewers warn me about Yucky Nasty stuff!

Hmmm... I don't really use this feature a lot, although I probably should. I think I've clicked the "Like" button just a few times in the past when I've read a review that totally blew me away, whether because it was written so well or had something so profound in it that it made me want to write down their comment. :-)

I 'like' reviews for the following reasons:

*It is well-written and descriptive of a person's feelings for a book.
*I completely agree with their view on the book.
*I saw the book differently, but they presented a very balanced and well-explained argument for why they didn't like the book or did when I didn't.
*I do try to support my GRs friends and I will like their reviews for books. But if I disagree completely with their review and I can't get where they are coming from at all, I admit I won't necessarily 'like' it.
*It was a fun, unique, creative review.

I usually won't 'like' a mean-spirited review.

I agree completely with Danielle - well said! I'll also add that I sincerely appreciate it when someone takes the time to "like" a review I've written. It is encouragement in a click and everyone needs some now and then :)

Tammy, I agree with you. I think it's a nice way to give a shout out to a hard-working reviewer to like their review.

What they said. :)

It's always nice to look in your email and see that someone has "liked" your review. Who doesn't like a compliment? And like Danielle says, sometimes it's hard to write reviews.

Lady D, Tammy, and many others echo my sentiments about the "like" button.

And, I don't like mean spirited reviews. (especially if they are talking about a book that I "like.")

I tend to favor someone with a sense of humor (if appropriate).

I like reviews that tell me how the book moved them or changed thier thinking.

Reviews are helpful when you are not sure if a book is worth reading or not. Even bad reviews can leave you curious for I read many books with bad reviews and still enjoyed them. I sometimes find reviews fun to read good and bad.

Do you hit the 'like' button on reviews that you disagree with?

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Do you hit the 'like' button on reviews that you disagree with?"

Yes, if they're well written, make cogent points, are amusing, etc. etc.

Thanks Lisa - good to know!

I do too, especially if I really had to dig through a bunch of reviews that were all saying basically the same thing until I got to that one that was different. I like, and 'like' outliers, whether they fit my perspective or not.

I wasn't clear, though, sorry - my question was especially directed at Ana because I can't tell from her post whether she's talking about liking or 'liking.' :)

I normally 'like' a review when I agree with something the reviewer wrote or something that pointed something out that I hadn't even thought of earlier.

I usually read reviews when I need help with a book report, that's why I like to read them, they give information I like! On the other hand, I sometimes search for people that agree with me (I did that after I read The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum.)

I agree - it's so satisfying to find someone who agrees with me when my opinion is in the minority. I do find myself hitting the "like" button readily on those reviews.

Me too!

:)